The Dragon Warrior

Preparations

The next day, Devin backed from social life. The only exception was his trip to the mountain. Together with a few of his men, he visited the old rebel's camp. They gathered any essential things that could still be used.

For Devin, this short escapade was a nice moment of relief.

The whole castle was buzzing with excitement. The coronation was near. People were chatting about it nonstop, even if the future king was not announced yet.

The whole place was noisy as the worker completed the necessary repairs. The rebels, unfortunately, made some of them, and Devin's father was not proud of that.

Occasionally, he came to visit and check on his son.

- Why don't you go outside?- Nickolas asked for a hundred's time. - I have never seen this place so alive. Merchants from distant villages are coming to make their businesses, using the coronation as an excuse.

- I am glad to hear that.- Devin replied absent-mindedly.

- I can see that. You are like a fountain of enthusiasm.- Nickolas offered a sarcastic reply. But then his face changed again. - What is bothering you, son? We fought for freedom for so long, and now, when we have it, you act like a prisoner.

Devin shrugged his arms.

- I do not know, Dad. I thought that I wanted this as well, but now I feel nothing. No excitement, nothing. It is like my life lost a purpose. This place...

Nickolas came closer and sat next to his son. He could be a grown-up man now, but his past was still alive. He put his arm around Devin's shoulder.

- You do not have to have good memories of this place. I have more, but the one still sits in me like a throne.

The young man held his head low.

- On my first night here, I had a dream. About the night we escaped and about the price we paid for that.

Nickolas looked at his son, and the tears glistened in his eyes. He pulled Devin closer and pressed his forehead against his.

- I will never forget that night, or many others, when you woke up screaming and crying. You could act brave during the days, but the nights took you back to this forest.

Your mother would not want to see you like this.

Devin raised his head.

- I will never know what she would want for me. I lost a chance to find out a long time ago. This place took it.

Nickolas shook his head and squared his arms.

- This place has nothing to do with that. The man responsible for that paid the price. We can not dwell on the past, or we will live but be dead inside.

The young man wiped the tears that found their way out of his eyes.

- I try, but I doubt this place will become my home again.

His father offered him a small smile.

- That is why you should go outside and help build the place you can call home one day. It is not about stones. It is about people. Together, we can create a brighter future, and old nightmares will fade away.

Devin nodded. His father was right, but something was still blocking him inside.

- Small steps, son.- Nickolas patted his back, standing up. - I have to go now. This bright future won't happen without me.

- Have they confirmed the new king?

- From what I have heard, discussions are still in progress. But they need to decide since the coronation is around the corner.

We will find out in two days.

Two days. In two days, the new era of this kingdom will start. Devin's father was excited about that, but he could not share the same feeling. He thought about his role in this new world.

- What do you think about that?- Devin addressed the only person who could advise him right now. His dragon, Grimm.

- I agree with your father. You have to move on.- The beast replied slowly.

Grimm was a unique creature. He was a young dragon but acted like an old soul. He was not chatty, but their bond was strong and stable. Many times, he tamed Devin's short temper. While the young man was hot-blooded, Grimm acted like someone with aeons of experience.

- This place makes me repulsive.- Devin admitted loudly.

- Your memories make you repulsive.- Grimm corrected him immediately. - This place is filled with unusual energy and fantastic history. Great kings had their residence here, and those lands bloomed under their rule.

- And there was one who destroyed it all.- Devin mumbled under his breath.

- Kings like him also have been here, but history has forgotten their names. King Lucius will be forgotten, too.- Grimm replied, annoyance twitching in his voice.

- Do you believe the new king will be the one worth remembering? - Devin asked sarcastically. Sometimes, Grimm's wisdom was getting on his nerves.

- I do not know about that. Time will show.- The beast replied carefully.

- That was very helpful.- Devin sneered.

- I am always at your service.- Grimm chuckled and retracted to the back of Devin's mind.

The day before the coronation.

Since the boredom was almost choking him, Devin decided to leave his room.

The castle was full of people, making him wonder where they came from. It was clear all of them could not live here.

Devin decided to leave the castle since he could not endure the crowd.

At the main entrance, he spotted a temporary market where the merchants were selling different goods. All of them were beaming with joy, shouting to attract potential customers.

The walls were decorated with flags in different colours, bringing some life to the black stone the castle was built of.

But what surprised Devin the most was the children's laughter.

He looked around to find a group of children playing nearby, and their clear voices filled the air.

The young man wondered how many years ago those lands heard such an innocent and pure sound.

- People do not want to remember the wrong times. They want to believe in a better future.- Grimm unexpectedly spoke in his mind.

Devin ignored his beast words.

There was one last place he wished to visit.

From one of the merchants, he bought a small bouquet decorated with flowers.

He was strolling; every next step was harder than the previous one, but Devin knew he had to do it.

After fifteen minutes, he found the place he had looked for. It looked nothing like he remembered. The forest was long gone, cut out by the king's people, but Devin had no doubt he was in the right place.

The young man crossed the line of the wood. Now, only the short trunks remained on the ground.

Devin crouched and placed his flowers on the ground next to one of the trunks.

- We made it, mother. The horror is over.- He whispered, not taking his eyes off the bouquet. There was no tombstone he could visit to pay respect to his mother. That was the only thing he could do.

The sudden gust of wind stoked his hair and dried the tear on his cheek.

The wind of changes.

The coronation day.

It was time to get ready for a celebration. The new king will be announced to the people.

Devin fixed the black coat on his shoulders. Nickolas was adamant about this piece of clothing while his son was ready to wear his usual clothes. No one would care about his appearance. It was not his day. Why would he put extra effort into looking good?

- Is it really necessary?- Devin complained as soon as his father entered the chamber.- It is too tight. And it's too hot.

Nickolas narrowed his brows.

- You will endure a couple of hours, then you can burn it for what I care. But now you are going to represent us, so suck it up.

Devin let out a sigh. There was no point in arguing. His father would not change his mind. The young man had no other choice but to take Nickolas's advice and suck it up.

- You look very handsome.

- That is great because I feel like an idi*t.

- Well, then, you are at least a handsome one. Now, hurry up. The ceremony will start in a minute.

Devin fixed his coat for the last time before following his father.

A few moments later, they both entered the ballroom, where the other guests already gathered. Devin spotted his men and pulled his father to join them. They stood there, away from the spotlight. The ballroom was filled to the brim. It was easy to blend in with the crowd.

Devin looked around, scanning the surroundings. He noticed witches that were part of Kaitlyn's coven. The kids saved by the Princess were present as well. It was nice to see them smiling widely.

There was a commotion in the crowd, and Devin felt the sudden excitement coming from his beast.

- What is happening with you? - He asked Grimm dryly.

- It is a big day.- The dragon replied.

- Yes, it is a coronation. That is always a big day. Now, get a grip.

Grimm chuckled, but his excitement still could be sensed.

Prince Cassius came to the front. The crowd went silent.

- We gathered here to celebrate the end of the dark era.- He spoke loudly and clearly. - Let the new era bring those lands and people happiness and prosperity. I present you with a new queen of Wisterium.

Devin's eyes shot up, but he could not see much through the people now cheering and clapping loudly.

Queen? How was that possible? The young man glanced at his father, who smiled back at him. This smile was mischievous.

People started to move, as everyone wanted to see the new queen up close and congratulate her.

- Son, it is our turn. The Queen wishes to meet us.- Devin remained silent, which earned him a nudge from his father.

- Lead the way.- He finally said.

The crowd parted, allowing them to get closer.

Cassius and Kaitlyn stood on both sides of the throne, smiling gently, but Devon barely noticed that.

His whole attention was focused on the young girl, sitting before him. She looked like a pure copy of her mother.

The mouthwatering smell was coming from her. She smelled like jasmine and lilies.

- I told you it is the big day. Meet your Queen and mate.- Grimm said in a dreamy voice.

Mate. The word rolled off my tongue. The girl in front said the same word.

The daughter of the Dragon King was his mate.

Devin came closer, not taking my eyes off her face. This young girl was stunning, her beauty was breathtaking. But he could not forget who she was. Her father brought the terror to those lands. She could be the one to end his life, but his blood was running in her veins.

Why would the gods mate him to the daughter of the man he hated for my whole life?

Devin stood in front of her, without a word.

He noticed how her eyes flashed with concern.

What was he going to do now?