Dragons Breath

chapter two

My heart drums rapidly as I follow my father into the room, closing the doors behind us. The inky blackness that is my father engulfs me snuffing out the frail bit of light I had left. Now only silence lingers in the air. I shiver, beginning to feel claustrophobic at our close proximity.

Nervously breaking the silence I ask, "What was it you wanted to talk about?"

He stares at me a moment not saying a word. His emotionless eyes staring straight into my very soul. These moments of silence are what scare me the most. The longer he spends just staring at me the more my heart rate picks up.

"Eleonora you are my only daughter and I love you very much, you know that don't you?"

What's he talking about he never says he loves me.

"Y-Yeah I know." I stumble over my words the fear of what he is to say making me want to vomit.

"I needed you to agree to go to the capital before I told you everything that will be happening. I'm not just sending you there to simply protect the humans."

My chest clenches at his words, "What do you mean," I say through gritted teeth.

"You are going to the capital to protect the people, but I'm also sending you there to marry the king's son."

My heart stops. What...what the hell does he mean? I'm being sent away to marry some foreign prince and a human at that. I'm no longer nervous, burning rage hisses through my body like a deadly poison, screeching a demanding release in the form of unwanted violence.

"Why didn't you tell me from the start that I would be marrying some foreign human? I'm waiting for my mate just like you and mother! I will not take someone else, it's cruel of you to ask that of me," I shout, the sound bouncing off the stone walls.

"NORA, you're being unreasonable, this is for the good of our people. If you marry into their royal family then we will have long-lasting peace with them. Think of future generations, sometimes sacrifices must be made."

His words do nothing to calm the rage bubbling inside me, it's like a volcano erupting; fury sweeping off me in ferocious waves. Wrath consumes me, engulfing my moralities and destroying the boundaries of my loyalty. I feel the urge to punch him, clenching my fist I manage to control myself, for now.

"Why am I the only one who has to sacrifice my happiness? I'd rather die an honorable death on the battlefield than live my life as the wife of some human prince."

My father's face flushes with anger, reaching out he grabs my face angrily squeezing it in his large bear-like hand. I hiss in pain.

"You will do as I say, I'm thinking about the future of our horde just as you should. Stop being selfish I've already made up my mind, and the king has agreed to my request."

Laughing manically I say, "You're selling me like some sort of object, did you ever think about the fact that without my mate I will lose strength and die," I say this bringing my face dangerously close to his. My eyes boring into his violet ones so similar to my own.

He smiles confidently, "Don't worry I've already thought of a solution, you will brand the prince as your mate to make sure that your power stays intact."

His words make me feel sick, branding is very sacred to us dragons and is only used to mark our mates. I can't believe he's asking me to do this, but I've already agreed to go to the capital. I never go back on my word, so I've already unknowingly signed my own death warrant.

Looking my father in the eye with as much hatred as I can muster I say as loud as my voice will allow, "I HATE YOU, YOU BASTARD!"

I spit on the floor at his feet. With those words, I storm out of the room. It may seem like I am over-reacting but mates are very important to us dragons. They are better than any gold or jewels, and I've been waiting for mine for as long as I can remember.

I can't believe he's willing to make his only daughter hate him just to keep those humans on our side.

Bounding down the hall I reach the familiar opening in the mountain, I don't even bother to take my clothes off as I shift. The sound of fabric ripping fills my ears as I watch my now torn clothes flutter to the ground. I take flight into the sky releasing a powerful roar, causing the trees beneath me to shake.

This feeling of hatred I have for my father is like a volcano ready to erupt, magma ready to spill from every pore in my body. Sending me to the capital to defend it is one thing, but sending me there to marry someone is completely out of line. Especially since he waited to tell me.

I fly around my hordes territory trying to stall for time as much as I can. I don't want to face my family. I know my father's not the only one that planned to sell me to the humans, my mother must have been apart of it too, she has to be.

Landing in a small clearing on the backside of the mountain I lay on the ground stretching my body out. The midday heat warming my scales, if I could just stay here I would.

Sometimes I wish I could run away, but every time I feel this way I think of my big brother's words, "You have to be strong, I will no longer be here to protect you." I have to be strong for him and for myself.

Thinking of him brings me great sorrow, I miss him.

Shifting into my human form I sit pulling my knees to my chest. A few stray tears escape falling down my face, I wish my brother were here he would know how to help me, he could comfort me. But since he's gone I have no one to turn to. I cry for a long time allowing my anger and frustration to leave my body.

After a while, I get up with a new determination. I head back to the mountain my wings pumping furiously. Storming to where I know I'll find my mother, she has some explaining to do.

When I reach Loki's bedroom I shove the door open. It smacks against the wall with a bang.

"MOM," I yell.

She turns to me scowling, "Nora, be quiet, I just got Loki to take a nap."

"You want me to be quiet? No, I'm not like you, I'm not just going to shut my mouth."

She looks at me brows furrowing with confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about how you hid it from me that dad was planning to marry me off to some human prince. YOU CAN NOT TELL ME YOU DIDN'T KNOW!"

Guilt quickly spreads across her face, sighing she runs a hand through her long blue hair.

"Nora, I wanted to tell you I really did, but your father...he, he told me to stay out of it. He said he would handle it. I'm sorry, I really am."

I can tell she's genuinely apologizing but that doesn't mean I'm not mad at her anymore.

"You should have told me, do you realize what's going to happen because of this, dragons aren't supposed to brand someone that isn't their mate."

My mom pulls me into a tight hug lightly rubbing my back. I stiffen at the sudden contact.

"I'm sorry, I tried to get him not to do this to you but he wouldn't listen, I'm sorry. Maybe the man you're going to marry won't be so bad, you could be happy."

Happy? that must be a joke I haven't been happy since Fafnir died. Now I'm losing my last real chance at true happiness all because father wants to get along with those humans.

I know my mothers trying to make me feel better but it's not helping. I lightly push her away and hurt flashes across her face at my rejection. I head to my bedroom without another word. I spent most of my day outside so now it's almost dusk. Tomorrow I will be leaving for the capital.

I go to bed early trying to help mentally prepare myself for what will be awaiting me in the capital. They may be human but they're still going to be difficult to deal with.

I wake up early the next morning my body screaming at me to stay in bed. Getting up I look at myself in the mirror seeing dark circles hanging prominently under my eyes.

My mother helps me pack the stuff I'll need for my time away. I really don't want to leave I wish I could just crawl back in bed and stay there. Maybe I'll wake up and this will just be a bad dream.

I hug my mother and Loki goodbye not bothering to acknowledge my father as I stand at the ledge leading out the cave.

Looking out at the vast forest I sigh, I'm going to miss this sight. This is the first place I go to rest, serenity flows as cool as river waters. There is something about the sparkle upon the blue, a melody without a rhythm, music without sound. Clothed in the greens of every palate, the vibrant hues of nature's wild dreams. In this place, I become apart of the art, of that three-dimensional creation of time and space. I am saddened that I'll no longer be able to enjoy such a peaceful scene.

Shifting into a dragon form I begin my journey to the capital. If all goes well I'll arrive there later tonight.