That is a Dragon on me
896 Words
“You’re gloating?” she huffs. Her mind overwhelmed with the day events and she suddenly feels exasperated and stiffled “I need a walk... To explore! I need to clear my head, I need to get out of here. Please return home, if you must, send word to Father. Leave me to decide!” Vykirenia exclaims as she leaves her brother in her newly appointed room. Once again she's running away from him.
Quickly following a stone hallway and faint salty air taste, she exits to a view of the sea from a terrace. The ocean was vast, appears as blue-green glass and once again salty ocean air blasts her. Absorbing her view upon the sea, she feels the heat of Draco.
She grumbles while removing her glove, she slides her hand over the wall, letting the little hot poker that is hitchhiking on her explore with his own eyes. He seems to filter her emotions and bring her ease with a reminder, she wasn't alone. He is here to help.
A hand lightly falls upon her shoulder. Swiftly she is jumps and lunges into a fighting stance with her sword drawn.
“HALT! Wait, Princess, it’s me, Caegh.”
Vykirenia gradually lowers her sword but keeps her distance. Watching him move slowly to the wall. His jet-black hair, dances wildly in the wind. His weathered skin has a glow from the sun. As he too slides his hands onto the stone wall she could hear the callous skin scratch. She relaxes her stance and approaches the wall again.
“I know you have to choose one of us. It must feel unfair?” he speaks softly without making eye contact just watches the ocean.
“Yes it does but it’s done and here we are.” She chagrins.
“A vast kingdom awaits you. This kingdom, your kingdom, will need you. I have seen things that make me believe in a purpose we each carry.” Caegh declares as he stares to the sea.
“Can you not look at me when you speak?” she snaps feeling irritated that he is speaking but not to her.
“Your beauty can be distracting and arousing. It is not fair to me. Vaen matches your beauty with his charming untouched looks. I am a mere beast of servitude to my kingdom” Caegh slowly turns to look Vykirenia in the eye. Her eyes wonder over him, she sees the battle wound across his eye and markings across his neck.
Noting behind the scars and jet black hair that he is an indistinguishable copy of Vaen.
“War hasn’t been kind to you, has it?” she retorts.
Caegh looks away, no response just a grunt. Vykirenia begins covering Draco. Which Draco ushers compassion through her as she indistinctly moves closer to Caegh. Carefully exploring his former injuries with her sight. Seeing him for a warrior he is. Wondering where he acquired such marrings. Vykirenia swallows a lump that has formed from being near him. She hasn't responded to Vaen like this.
“If you were me, how would you choose?”
Vykirenia kindheartedly asks.
Caegh tilts his head towards her but stays focused on the ocean
“I can not answer that. I have no idea of what it must feel like?”
Vykirenia stands next him. She realizes she is smaller in comparison but not like the Dragons. She feels his security and warmth unlike his twin brother. But the absent of his compassion bothers her. With his continual gaze onto the sea, he purposely avoids looking at her.
“Caegh, how do you feel about this arrangement?”
Caegh took a deep breath, tilts his eyes down to her, “I think that our fathers are true to tradition. If I had my choice in all of this I would not make you choose. This decision is hard on the heart.”
Caegh stretches his hand out towards her cheek but instead he lets it fall to her chest, hovering over her heart he quips softly, ”Guard it well, to choose carefully.”
She felt his compassion in crashing waves as she gently takes his hand. She held it tight, her concern for the lack of compassion fades. He could hold her heart, if he truly is an honorable man and warrior.
“Tell me Prince Caegh, have you guarded yours? Or is there another for you. Vaen said another princess would be called upon to marry the other that I don’t choose.”
Caegh pulls his hand away quickly and reverting his eyes to sea.
“I’ve not looked at another since I knew of the arrangement. So I don’t know the ways of my own heart. Nor anyone else. I know of war. I know of fighting for what is true and right. But not a heart of a woman.”
Draco blazes on her hand and her reaction is loudly with a cry of agony. Caegh leaps to her aid.
“Princess, are you okay? What happened?” he asks with protective reaction to guard her from unknown or unseen assailant.
Without thought she rapidly pulls her glove off again, exposing Draco. Caegh gasps but moves closer to her taking her dragon hand into his.
“How do you feel about dragons?” she asks awkwardly with a smile.
- Writer
