Loving the Dragon King

Chapter 3: Lesson Learned

Alanna’s POV

The sun peaked through the large French windows in my room, gently kissing my face. I slowly opened my eyes and turned onto my right side to pier out the window. Blue skies, hearing the sounds of birds chirping, and the view of mountains was breath taking. Vibrant blueish-green evergreens coated the mountains. When the sun touches the sides of the mountain, the trees are more green than blue, but they have a calming effect, a peaceful mind set that took all of the worries away.

I sat up in bed still staring out the window, raising my arms above my head to stretch and fully wake up. I took in a few deep breaths and smelled something awfully familiar, like sandalwood and pine. I glanced over my room and saw him sitting there staring at me.

“Were you staring at me all night?” I urged for an answer.

“Only for about an hour. You snore like hades. It’s a good thing we sleep in separate rooms.” Cianan remarked. How dare he insult me, especially this early in the morning.

“Excuse me?! First of all, I don’t snore. Second, how dare you come into my room and stalk me like prey. How dare you try to insult me. I know you’re trying to get under my skin, but I will not have it.” I threw the covers off of my legs and stormed over to him, pointing at the door.

“Get out.” I could feel the skin on my face turning hot and changing color.

He looked at me, then proceeded to tower over me. He thinks his 6’6, stupidly built, muscular appearance was going to intimidate me. I am angry more than anything. I wanted him out. I wanted him to leave me alone like he has been doing for the past two weeks. I wanted nothing to do with him.

“As you wish, my queen.” He had the devious look and smile on his face. A pit formed in my stomach. This could only mean trouble. He scooped me up into his arms and without warning ran and jumped out of my window!

We were falling, and all I could do was scream. Was he insane!? He just jumped out of my window with me in his arms! I knew my mouth was going to get me killed one day, but I didn’t think that day was today!

I kept screaming and screaming for him to help me. I was only a few feet from hitting the ground before I felt something run into me and scoop me from the air.

Being the Dragon King or Dragon Kin at all comes with its perks. They all developed wings by the time they turn 18, but they must be earned, or they are forbidden to use them. At least that’s what I have read in books.

I clung to Cianan’s neck so tightly he should have blacked out. I was terrified, unable to wrap my head around what had just happened. He grounded himself in the gardens and tried to remove my shaking body from his neck, but I couldn’t open my eyes and let go. I was in complete shock.

“You can let go now.” Cianan said with that stupid smile of his. God he is unbelievable! After a minute or so, I slowly opened my eyes to see that we were in fact on the ground. I let go of him quickly and took a few steps back. I just looked at him, horrified that he would do such a thing. Nearly giving me a heart attack and smiling at me like everything was fine.

Once I gained my composure, I couldn’t help but scowl at his actions. “Are you f*****g insane! Can’t you warn me before you decide to take me for a flying lesson? What is wrong with you! You f*****g b*****d!”

Wrong choice of words. “I can see you still haven’t learned to mind your tongue.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. Within seconds we were a hundred feet in the air again, and without warming, he let go of me again.

I screamed and screamed until he scooped me from the air again. I couldn’t control my breathing. I was hyperventilating. Tears started to roll down my ghostly white cheeks. I was shaking uncontrollably. I had this awful pit in my stomach and my heart was ready to leave me. Again, I clung tightly to Cianan’s neck.

“Why are you doing this?” I sobbed.

“Have you learned your lesson?”

“What lesson?” My voice shaking with fear.

“You will learn to mind your tongue and start showing a little more respect towards me or the next time I won’t be catching you.” His voice was stern and he meant business.

I looked at him with tearful eyes, still in shock that he would be this cruel. I unlatched my hands from his neck and kneeled on the grass. My legs were shaking so badly I couldn’t move. I needed a minute to calm myself down.

I could feel him approach me from behind. His presence sent chills down my spine.

“Have you learned your lesson?” He repeated.

I sat there silently for a moment. Maybe I did deserve a lesson, but not this kind. I was terrified of heights and horrifying memories were brought back from my childhood. I had watched my a girl fall to her death. Someone has pushed her from a window. I was about 7. The sound of her body hitting the ground still plays in my head from time to time. The way her bones cracked and blood pooled from her body almost instantly left me scarred for the next couple of months. It was traumatic. I had watched this girl die right in front of me, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

I snapped out of my thoughts.

“Y-yes, my king. I have learned my lesson” I replied trying to control my quivering voice.

“Good. Now let’s get you ready for the day. I believe you have some lessons at 9 a.m. on what is expected of a Queen and he duties.”

“Yes, my king.” I whispered. My voice was backed to normal, but I felt defeated knowing he would go to such an extreme to teach me a lesson. I slowly stood up and began walking towards the large stair case that led to the west side of the castle, but he stopped me. He gently took my arm and brought me towards him.

“Let me take you to your room.” He scooped me in his arms.

“No, please, no more flying today. I’ve learned my lesson and I won’t do it again. Please I don’t want to fly.”

“It’s quicker to fly. I’m not going to drop you. Hold on.”

He proceeded into the air, my eyes shut tightly and my arms squeezing his neck. He flew through the window and placed me on the bed as if I were an expensive piece of pottery.

“I’ll have your maids attend to you. I have meetings all day, but I expect you to come to the dining hall at 7 p.m. sharp for dinner. Am I clear?” He was stern again.

“Crystal.” I forced myself to reply.