THE DRAGON'S SILLY CAPTIVE

“In a kingdom where dragons devour armies and humans tremble at the sight of their wings, one foolish girl committed the greatest crime imaginable.” She threw a frog at a dragon. And somehow, that wasn't even the worst decision she would make that night. THE GIRL WHO HAD TERRIBLE LUCK Luna Everhart had always believed that the world was unfair. Other girls her age dreamed of marrying handsome princes, wearing beautiful gowns, and living in magnificent castles. Luna dreamed of having enough money to buy bread without calculating whether she could survive the week on half a loaf. Unfortunately, even that simple dream seemed too ambitious for her unfortunate existence. "One coin," she muttered, emptying her small purse onto the wooden table. "Two coins. Three coins." She stared at the three copper coins resting in her palm. Then she sighed dramatically. "Wonderful. I'm practically royalty." From the other side of the tiny cottage, her grandmother chuckled. "Stop complaining, child. At least you have a roof over your head." Luna looked up at the ceiling. A drop of water landed directly on her forehead. Drip. She blinked. Another drop followed. Drip. She slowly pointed upward. "Grandmother, our roof is crying." "Then stop making it miserable." "Perhaps it is crying because we're poor." "Luna!" "Fine! I'm going!" The eighteen-year-old grabbed her worn basket and hurried toward the door before her grandmother could throw a wooden spoon at her. Her name was Luna Everhart, and she lived in a small village called Willowmere, located at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. She had untidy brown hair, bright hazel eyes, and a face that often looked innocent until she opened her mouth. Unfortunately, her mouth was usually the beginning of her problems. She was not particularly talented at anything. She couldn't sew without accidentally stitching her fingers together. She couldn't cook without burning something. She couldn't sing without frightening the chickens. And she certainly couldn't fight. But Luna possessed two extraordinary abilities. First, she could talk herself into almost any situation. Second, she could somehow make every situation ten times worse by trying to talk herself out of it. Today, she was about to demonstrate both talents. "Luna!" her grandmother called as she stepped outside. "Stay away from the northern part of the forest!" "Of course!" "And don't touch anything strange!" "Naturally!" "And if you see a dragon, run!" Luna paused. "Grandmother, when have you ever seen a dragon?" "Never, and I intend to keep it that way!" Luna grinned. "Don't worry. If I see one, I'll politely ask it to leave." Her grandmother threw a spoon. Luna dodged it and disappeared down the road, laughing. She had no idea that by midnight, she would be wishing she had listened. A VERY BAD IDEA The Forbidden Forest was beautiful during the day. Sunlight filtered through towering trees, wildflowers carpeted the ground, and tiny streams glittered between moss-covered rocks. At night, however, the forest became something else entirely. Shadows stretched across the pathways. Strange lights flickered between the trees. Unfamiliar creatures whispered from the darkness. And somewhere deep within the forest lived the dragons. Luna knew the stories. Everyone knew the stories. Dragons were ancient creatures capable of destroying entire armies. Their scales were harder than steel, their fire could melt stone, and their rulers possessed enough magical power to bring kingdoms to their knees. Humans were forbidden from entering dragon territory. Anyone caught trespassing could be imprisoned, cursed, or eaten. Luna considered these possibilities while staring at a mushroom. "Well," she whispered, "at least the mushroom looks friendly." She placed it inside her basket. She needed food and medicinal herbs for her grandmother, who had been feeling weak for several days. The village healer had recommended moonroot, a rare plant that grew near the northern stream. Unfortunately, the northern stream was also located near dragon territory. But Luna wasn't worried. Not really. She was only slightly worried. Perhaps moderately terrified. "Take the herbs and leave," she reminded herself. "Simple. Easy. No dragons. No curses. No mysterious deaths." Something croaked beside her boot. She looked down. A fat green frog sat on a rock. Luna smiled. "Hello, handsome." The frog croaked. "Don't be shy. I won't eat you." She continued walking, and the frog hopped after her. For the next ten minutes, it followed her like a loyal companion. Luna eventually stopped and crouched in front of it. "You know what? I'm going to call you Sir Ribbit." The frog blinked. "Excellent. You may address me as Lady Luna." Ribbit! "How dare you!" She laughed and scooped the frog into her basket. At that moment, a low growl echoed through the trees. Luna stopped laughing. The frog stopped croaking. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath. Another growl followed. This one was closer. Luna slowly turned toward the sound. Two golden eyes appeared between the trees. Her heart nearly stopped. A massive black dragon stepped into the clearing. Its scales shimmered like polished obsidian. Enormous wings folded against its powerful body, and two curved horns rose from its head. Smoke curled from its nostrils as it stared at the tiny human standing in its territory. Luna's mouth opened. Nothing came out. The dragon lowered its head. Its golden eyes narrowed. Luna swallowed. "Good evening?" The dragon growled. "Beautiful weather we're having?" The creature bared its teeth. Luna took one step backward. "Actually, I should probably go." The dragon roared. Luna screamed. Sir Ribbit leaped from her basket. And without thinking, Luna picked up the frog and threw it directly at the dragon's face. "TAKE MY FRIEND! HE TASTES TERRIBLE!" The frog struck the dragon's snout. Silence. Absolute silence. The frog landed on the ground and hopped away. The dragon slowly turned its head toward Luna. She stared at it. Then she raised both hands. "In my defense, he started it." The dragon roared so loudly that birds scattered from the treetops. Luna ran. "GRANDMOTHER! I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO YOU!" Branches whipped against her face as she sprinted through the forest. Her basket bounced against her hip, mushrooms flew everywhere, and one boot nearly came off. Behind her, the dragon thundered through the trees. "WHY IS IT SO FAST?!" She glanced backward. The dragon leaped over a fallen tree. Luna screamed louder. "This is discrimination! Humans should have a head start!" She darted around a boulder and nearly crashed into a tree. Then a shadow swept over the ground. She looked up. The dragon was flying. "Oh, that's cheating!" A tremendous gust of wind knocked her off her feet. Luna tumbled down a small slope, rolled through a patch of flowers, and landed in a muddy puddle. She lifted her head. Her hair was full of leaves. Her dress was covered in mud. One mushroom sat on her forehead. She stared at it. "At least somebody survived." A shadow fell over her. Luna looked up. The dragon stood at the edge of the slope. Its golden eyes glowed in the darkness. She froze. Then the impossible happened. The dragon began to change. Black scales dissolved into shimmering smoke. Its enormous wings vanished, and its massive body shrank until a tall man stood before her. He had long black hair, sharp features, and golden eyes that seemed to contain living flames. He wore a black coat embroidered with silver dragons, fitted trousers, and polished boots that looked far more expensive than Luna's entire village. Two black horns curved elegantly from his head. He was terrifying. He was magnificent. And, infuriatingly, he was the most handsome man Luna had ever seen. For approximately three seconds, Luna forgot that he had been chasing her through the forest. Then he spoke. "Get up." His voice was deep, cold, and commanding. Luna remained on the ground. "Why?" His eyebrows rose. "Excuse me?" "Well, you told me to get up, but you didn't say please." The man's expression became frighteningly blank. Luna immediately realized that she had made a terrible mistake. Unfortunately, realizing a mistake had never stopped her from making another. THE DRAGON PRINCE The stranger stepped closer. "Do you have any idea who I am?" Luna looked him up and down. "A very angry man with excellent hair?" His golden eyes flashed. "Silence." Luna pressed her lips together. A second passed. Then she raised one finger. "Can I ask one question?" "No." "Just one?" "No." "Is the frog okay?" The man's jaw tightened. For a moment, Luna genuinely feared that he would transform into a dragon and swallow her whole. Instead, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "My name is Draven Ashthorn." Luna waited. "I am the Crown Prince of the Blackthorn Kingdom. The future ruler of the Dragon Realm. Commander of the Seven Flights. Keeper of the Ancient Flame." He paused, apparently expecting a reaction. Luna nodded thoughtfully. "Nice to meet you, Draven." His expression darkened. "Your Highness." "Right. Nice to meet you, Your Highness Draven." "Prince Draven." "That's what I said." "No, it isn't." "Are we going to argue about your name all night?" Draven stared at her. Luna stared back. Then he crouched until his face was level with hers. "You have entered forbidden territory, insulted a dragon, and assaulted me with an amphibian." Luna blinked. "When you say it like that, it sounds terrible." "It is terrible." "I'm sure the frog didn't mean to offend you." "THE FROG?" Luna flinched. "Please don't shout. I have sensitive ears." Draven rose to his full height. "I should have you thrown into the deepest dungeon of my castle." Luna's eyes widened. "Your castle has a dungeon?" "Several." "Do they have beds?" He stared at her. "Why would a dungeon have beds?" "Because prisoners need to sleep, Your Highness. I'm beginning to understand why humans don't like dragons. Terrible hospitality." Draven looked toward the sky as if asking the ancient dragon gods for patience. He received none. "Who are you?" "Luna Everhart." "Why are you here?" "Herbs." "What?" "Medicinal herbs. My grandmother is sick." For the first time, Draven's expression shifted. Only slightly. But Luna noticed. She held up her empty basket. "I wasn't hunting dragons or stealing gold. I was looking for moonroot near the stream." "Moonroot grows in the northern territory." "Yes. That's why I came here." "The northern territory belongs to the royal family." Luna considered that. "Well, perhaps you should put up a sign." Draven's eyes narrowed. "There are signs." "Where?" "At the entrance." "Oh." Luna looked away. "Perhaps I missed them." "You walked past three." "Perhaps they were poorly designed." Draven looked genuinely speechless. Luna offered him a hopeful smile. "So, Your Highness, now that we've established that this was an unfortunate misunderstanding, may I go home?" "No." Her smile disappeared. "No?" "No." "But my grandmother—" "You will come with me." Luna scrambled to her feet. "Absolutely not!" Draven lifted one eyebrow. "Would you prefer that I carry you?" "Would you prefer that I scream?" "I can make you scream." Luna's eyes widened. Draven's expression remained perfectly serious. Then she pointed accusingly at him. "That sounded extremely suspicious!" He looked as though he regretted every decision that had led him to this moment. "You will accompany me to Blackthorn Castle." "Why?" "Because you have committed a crime." "Throwing a frog?" "Entering royal territory." "That's not a crime if I didn't know!" "It is still a crime." "Then I'll appeal!" "To whom?" "The frog!" Draven stared at her. Luna crossed her arms. "Sir Ribbit is my legal representative." The prince turned away. His shoulders moved once. Then again. Luna narrowed her eyes. "Are you laughing at me?" "No." "You are!" "I am not." "Your shoulders are shaking!" "I am restraining myself from doing something unfortunate." "Like laughing?" "Like throwing you into a tree." Luna immediately stepped behind a nearby boulder. Draven sighed. Then he held out his hand. "Come." She stared at his hand as though it were a poisonous snake. "Will you promise not to eat me?" "I do not eat humans." "Will you promise not to burn me?" "I will not burn you." "Will you promise not to lock me in a dungeon?" He paused. Luna gasped. "YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT!" "Come here, human." "My name is Luna!" "Come here, Luna." She hesitated. Then, muttering under her breath about tyrannical dragon royalty, she reluctantly placed her hand in his. The moment their skin touched, a brilliant golden light erupted between them. Both of them froze. A strange symbol appeared around Luna's wrist: a golden dragon curled around a crescent moon. Draven's expression changed instantly. All color drained from his face. "No," he whispered. Luna looked at her wrist. Then at him. Then back at her wrist. "Is this a rash?" Draven released her hand. The golden mark remained. He stared at it as though he had just witnessed the end of the world. "What have you done?" he demanded. Luna looked offended. "Why is everyone blaming me for things tonight?" "Do you know what that mark means?" "No. Should I?" Draven took a step backward. For the first time, the terrifying Dragon Prince appeared afraid. "The Dragon Bond," he whispered. Luna waited. He looked at her. She looked at him. Then she smiled uncertainly. "Is that good?" "No." "Is it bad?" "Very." "Am I going to die?" Draven looked at the golden symbol. Then he looked directly into her eyes. "I don't know." Luna's smile vanished. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Then Luna took a deep breath. "Well, this has been a very educational evening." Draven closed his eyes. "I am going to regret this." "Probably." "Every single moment." "Almost certainly." He opened his eyes and stared at her. "You will come to my castle." Luna groaned. "Fine. But I want three things." Draven looked exhausted. "What?" "Food. A comfortable bed. And an explanation for why my wrist is glowing." "You will receive food and a bed." "And coffee?" "What is coffee?" Luna stared at him in horror. Then she slowly whispered, "What kind of monster are you?" Draven grabbed her hand. A pair of enormous black wings burst from his back. Luna screamed as he lifted her into his arms. "PUT ME DOWN!" "No." "I'M NOT A PIECE OF LUGGAGE!" "Stop moving." "I WILL BITE YOU!" "Try it." She bit his shoulder. Draven stopped walking. Slowly, he turned his head toward her. Luna released him. Then she smiled nervously. "That was a warning bite." He stared at her in complete disbelief. Then his wings spread wide. The wind howled. And they rose into the night sky. Below them, the Forbidden Forest disappeared into darkness. Ahead, beyond the mountains, a magnificent castle emerged beneath the moon. Black towers pierced the clouds. Golden lights shimmered in its windows, and waterfalls cascaded down the cliffs surrounding its ancient walls. Luna stared at the breathtaking sight. For one brief moment, she forgot to complain. Then she noticed the enormous dragon flying beside them. "WAIT!" Draven glanced at her. "What now?" Luna pointed at the dragon. "IS THAT YOUR FRIEND?" Draven looked at the creature. Then back at her. "That is my brother." Luna's mouth fell open. "You have a dragon brother?" "We are both dragons." "Oh." She considered that. "Does he also have a terrible personality?" Draven's eyes narrowed. "Luna." "Yes, Your Highness?" "If you say another word before we reach the castle, I will personally ensure that you never speak again." Luna pressed her lips together. She lasted exactly five seconds. "Does your castle have a kitchen?" Draven roared in frustration. And Luna Everhart, the first human in centuries to be marked by the Dragon Bond, laughed so hard that she nearly fell out of his arms. Neither of them knew that the ancient magic binding their souls had not awakened by accident. Someone had been waiting for Luna. Someone who knew what she truly was. And deep beneath Blackthorn Castle, something ancient opened its eyes. The Dragon Prince had captured a silly human girl. But he had no idea that she might be the most dangerous creature in his kingdom. TO BE CONTINUED...