The Dragon King's Prize

Episode 2

Entering the castle beside the Dragon King was an odd feeling for Guenette and seeing the bodies on the floor just enhanced that feeling. She paused at the first body, it was the first she had ever seen, she shuttered as she spotted the charred side of it. The Dragon King paused slightly in front of her, his eyes guarded, but was that slight concern she saw before it quickly slipped away? "Guards and knights that fought back." He stated simply, "I must admit, I was going to kill everyone, but out there, when I saw you.." He stopped, looking her over again, his searching eyes made her pale skin flush red. He turned away then, a sly grin upon his face as he gave a nod to the dragon behind her. The dragon simply snorted and nudged Guenette around the body.

They continued down charred halls, some with bodies, some with dragons standing over cowering maids. Guenette tried not to stare at the bodies for too long, but there was one in particular she was looking for, one particular knight that the queen always chose as her dealer of punishment. He was the one who had slain the dragon, Guenette only knew this because he had drunkenly bragged about it before forgetting to lock her door.

Guenette shuttered as they got closer to the throne room, wrapping her arms around herself; she could already feel the Queen's eyes glaring at her for being so underdressed. She knew the woman would be angry, so very angry, even in a situation like this. The dragon behind her gave a snort, which caused the Dragon King to turn around, catching her second shutter. He must have mistook her shuttering for being cold because he slipped off his singular coat and slipped it around her shoulders.

Guenette started to complain, but as she opened her mouth he gave a shake of his head, his red eyes flickering with flame. "You need it more than me. Excuse my rudeness for not noticing your barely clad state." Though his eyes stated that he had in fact noticed earlier. She clutched the coat around her and gave a nod as she whispered her thanks.

Soon after, they arrived at the throne room. The door swung open as the Dragon King approached it, revealing the hectic mess inside. The guests of the party were huddled on the left side of the vast throne room, guarded by several large dragons, who seem to have crashed through the stained glass windows on both sides of the room. Guenette hid a smile at that; now the stained glass portrait of the Queen was gone, broken and shattered on the floor.

Guenette paused in the doorway, due to the glass, once again, the Dragon King took notice. "Again, I am such a fool." He gruffly muttered right before he swooped her up in his arms and carried her farther inside the throne room. She heard several gasps and a shout as the Dragon King did this, but he gave no hesitation. She felt the warmth of his chest, even through the coat that was around her still.

"Guenette are you alright?!" She heard a familiar voice call, though she hasn't seen him in weeks. It was her father. He was standing in front of his throne with his wife by his side and their daughter. Yes, the queen had given him a daughter, failing just like Guenette's mother. Only her father looked concerned for her, the Queen was busy eyeing the Dragon King and the Princess was crying like some of the guests.

Guenette gave a nod, not wanting to speak in front of so many people. The Dragon King cleared his throat loudly, calling for attention as they stopped right before the thrones. "You all know why I am here," He boomed, Guenette winced at the loudness of it, wiggling to be let down. Gently, he released her in a spot right beside him that was clear of debris, then he continued, glaring at Guenette's father. "One of you killed a dragon of mine." Guenette's father and the queen glared back at the Dragon King in response.

The gold dragon stepped up beside her, pressing against her unexpectedly, though the dragon's eyes were scanning the few guards and knights that remained. Guenette spotted the man responsible; she quickly averted her gaze to the dragon at her side and right when the dragon's eyes landed upon the man responsible, Guenette placed her right palm against the dragon. The dragon glanced at her, confused and irritated, until Guenette whispered, so very low, "Him."

As she whispered, the Dragon King stepped forward, stepping into her father's face, "And you dared to throw a party celebrating this cold-blooded murder?!" The dragon beside Guenette snorted, nudging her again as the Dragon King paused. He paused as if listening to someone speak, then he slowly turned his head in the killer's direction. The man who had whipped Guenette in places that people wouldn't see. "My mother dragon here says it is you!"

With no hesitation, the Dragon King stepped up to the man and in one swift motion, spewed fire upon his head. Guenette watched in horror as the man screamed and screeched, flailing about in an attempt to rid himself of the flames. The guests began to scream and run for the doors, despite the dragon's guarding them. A few people seemed to make it out before the dragons could get them herded against the walls again. Guenette stood frozen as she listened to the screams, listening until the screams finally stopped. She was glad he was dead, though she didn't show it, lest her step-mother see her smile.

"There! Dragon King! You have had your revenge! There is no need for you to harm anyone else." Guenette's father dared to speak, drawing the Dragon King's attention to him again. The Queen placed a hand upon her husband's shoulder, as if to try and calm him, then she leaned down and whispered something in his ear. Something that made his eyes widen and his frown turn even bigger.

"I think I will take a bride as a sign of good faith." The Dragon King spoke, making the Queen's head snap up in surprise. "As a... Peace treaty of sorts, I will take the Princess." He motioned to me. "As long as your kingdom doesn't step out of line, again, I won't destroy you all. I was planning on taking her with me anyway, but you saved me the trouble by suggesting it."