The Dragon Prince

The Queen

I awoke slowly, rolling over in bed and groaning in the process. I heard a knock at the door and halfway sat up, my eyes still closed. “Mom, go away. I don’t feel like going to work today.” I plopped back down and bundled up into the warm shroud of blankets, prepared to fall back into my slumber.

“Miss, your presence has been requested. I’ve been sent to retrieve you.” I sat up with a start, my eyes flying open. The realization that I was not in my bedroom at home hit me like a ton of bricks, and the memories came rushing back. The Fae, my parents, Josh, the monster, the pond. 

I had been transported to a world I’d only ever read about in storybooks, my life changing in a flash. I sunk down in the bed, covering my face with my hands. Letting out a long breath, I braced myself and decided to try and take this in stride.

I glanced over at what could only be a servant standing in the middle of the most immaculate room I’d ever seen. It was a room fit for a princess, and I was laying in the middle of a beautiful four poster bed. I got up quickly, realizing that my clothes had been changed into an elegant nightgown while I’d been unconscious.

I blushed slightly, and the servant cleared his throat. “Miss, there’s a change of clothes in the washroom. Please get yourself dressed and I will accompany you to the dining room.” He turned abruptly and walked out the door he’d come in. I assumed he’d be waiting for me outside, so I headed to what he called the washroom.

The washroom turned out to be an exquisite bathroom, with a gigantic bathtub adorned with a waterfall that was fit for a king. There were glowing flowers and vines growing along the crevices of the stone walls, which were set with elaborate stained glass windows depicting fantastic mythical creatures. I hurried over to the long countertop where the clothing I was supposed to wear had been placed.

Picking it up, I discovered that I had been given a magnificent ballgown of deep blue that shimmered in the dim lighting of the bathroom. I gasped in awe at the sight of it. It was stunning, really. I hurriedly put the gown on and gazed into the full-length mirror on one wall of the room.

“I look like a princess...” I said to my reflection quietly. My hair looked as if it’d been washed and combed. My newly heightened cheekbones looked almost regal, and the dress fit my curves nicely. I had no idea how these people... Fae... knew my exact measurements, but they’d really outdone themselves.

The dress was an elegant floor length beauty, with a swooping neckline that outlined my breasts perfectly and left little to the imagination.

I marveled at my ears in the mirror, touching the tips of them with my index finger. “Definitely not a stage prop.” I huffed. I made my way back into the bedroom to have a look around before I headed out the door to go wherever the servant had been ordered to take me.

I looked around the room slowly, taking it all in. There was an enormous armoire taking up one wall of the room, and the other was filled by a beautiful bay window. An exquisitely carved wooden vanity was placed beside the bed, the top filled with small pots of what I could only assume was old fashioned makeup.

I walked over to the window, hungry to take in my surroundings, as I heard another knock at the door. “Miss, we really must be going.” I rolled my eyes and turned instead to walk towards the door. I guessed scoping out the view would have to wait until later.

The servant led me down so many luxuriously decorated hallways that I started to get dizzy. Finding my way around this place on my own would be next to impossible. I tried to make small talk with the man but he just brushed me off, seeming to want to get this over with in a hurry.

We finally stopped as we reached a set of immense wooden doors. Two guards were posted on each side, wearing what looked to be leather armor. They had pointed ears, and their hair was held back from their faces by leather bands. They’re Fae too... I realized with shock. I must’ve been staring because one of the guards shifted uneasily on his feet. 

The servant reached past them to open the heavy wooden doors revealing an immaculate dining room. Stained glass windows lined one of the walls, casting glorious rays of color across the entirety of the expansive area. A long ornate table sat in the middle, covered with delicious looking dishes filled with foods I’d never seen before.

 Wooden chairs surrounded each side of the table, leading up to the head where the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen perched elegantly in a high-backed chair that resembled a throne. Her deep ebony skin seemed to gleam in the light streaming in through the windows, and her eyes were a beautiful, rich golden brown. Her hair was twisted into a glorious crown on top of her head, and she wore a deep blue pendant set in a small tiara on her brow.

With a start, I realized I’d been caught ogling. She wasn’t alone at the table. Josh was seated next to her looking slightly amused, the sight of him still threw me off guard. Having known him my entire life as a father figure and an older man, seeing him now was off putting. I couldn’t lie, he was extremely handsome.

I blushed hard under both of their stares. The woman broke the silence first, after giving me a sweeping glance.

“Arya, we’ve been expecting you. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing much about you. Sit.” It wasn’t an invitation as much as it was a command. She spoke firmly, but with a strong, melodic feminine voice. I nodded to her and headed to the seat beside Josh, hoping that his familiar presence would help calm my nerves.

The servant followed behind me and pulled out my chair and I offered him thanks. The woman raised her delicate brow and glanced at Josh as I took a seat. “Joshua, have you not informed her of our ways and mannerisms?” she quipped. 

“No, your Highness, I haven’t had the chance since we arrived. I am to blame for her ignorance. As soon as we crossed over, she fell unconscious.” He looked down at the table, seeming ashamed.

Your Highness?! Am I sitting at the table with royalty? I looked back and forth between them in confusion. The Queen just regarded me with a cool expression, her red lips pursed. “Arya, in our world, we do not offer thanks as it is an empty expression, it signifies that we owe a favor in return. We Fae do not take favors lightly.”

“I’m-” I started to apologize but was quickly cut off by Josh’s raised hand. "The human phrase, ‘I’m sorry’ is also an empty promise, Arya. I know you spent most of your life in the human world. There is so much you have to learn about this one.” I nodded and looked down at my empty plate. I decided that my best bet at the moment was to stay quiet and observe, lest I offend the Queen.

“So, now that everyone is present, Joshua, we may begin. Tell me from the beginning exactly what happened to Adelina and her consort.” I looked up in confusion. How did the Queen know my mothers name? Consort? I looked back and forth between the two, bewildered.

“Yes, your Highness, I knew that something was wrong from the moment the Ice Courts prince stopped by the dining establishment where I was posted. He spoke with young Arya here for a moment after placing the patrons of the restaurant under a short time-lapse spell. I followed him out to the lot and he had vanished.” he paused for a moment, shaking his head.

“Pesky dragons.” I looked up at that, alarm bells ringing through my head. “Dragons?” I cut in.

 “Yes Arya, the Ice court is ruled by Monarchs who can shift into dragons.” I gasped, shock hitting me once again. “Shift?! You’re telling me the Fae can shapeshift?!” Joshed nodded exasperatedly as the Queen watched the exchange, clearly amused.

“As I was saying,” he started, giving me a look. “he vanished, I’m guessing the lizard used the portal to come through your lands to return home, your Highness. While I was trying to catch his scent, I caught wind of something else. A Kelpie. It led me through the forest until I tracked it back to Adelina’s home where I found Arya here practically begging it to take her back to its lair.” he paused to run a hand down the side of his face. 

“I got her to safety, shifted, and neutralized the target. There were no signs of Adelina or her consort in the home afterwards. It didn’t look as though the Kelpie got to them, thankfully.”

He finished with a sigh and looked back down at his still empty plate. The Queen looked to me with a questioning gaze. “So, I’m guessing that’s when Joshua brought you to my Court?” I nodded my agreement. “Yes, your Majesty.” She gave me a sly smile. “You catch on quick, girl. Good.” Without looking away from me, she addressed Josh. “Joshua, you’re dismissed for now. Tell the guards I’d like to speak to Arya alone and for one of them to be ready to escort her back to her room when we’re done.”

He nodded and rose, giving a small bow as he made his leave from the room. As I watched him leave, I felt anxiety grow in the pit of my stomach. I was now alone with a Faerie Queen. 

Great.