The Dragon Sea

Chapter 9. Petals

I remained in my hideout, waiting for Prince Aeron to break his word and enter the room that was off-limits to him, but the clock was ticking and nothing happened.

Did I miscalculate? Was he seriously not going to even take a peek?

Well, this is disappointing, Lisa agreed with me. We might need a change of plan if he—

Just as we were about to give up, I heard the rustling of the curtains on the balcony and tried to contain my excitement. He had come after all. Technically, he did not even break his promise to King Devoss since he did not use the golden door.

He lingered on the balcony, scanning the surroundings before making his next move, and that could only mean one thing — it was time for a show.

I grabbed a vase from the nearby table and threw it against the wall in front of me to get his attention. Sheer gold curtains still separated us, but I knew he could see me now.

"Unbelievable!" I panted. It was now or never. They said that my biological mother was a professional seductress and a spy. I could only hope that I could channel her gifts now. "Why did they even bother?!"

I looked for another object to smash, but everything nearby seemed too exquisite and costly. A part of me wished the vase I had shattered held no sentimental value for the King of the Eastern Kingdom. Nevertheless, my strategy demanded sacrifice, so I swept a small figurine off a nearby shelf and crushed its remains under my heel after it was already broken

"Why bother dressing me up like this just to lock me in here and keep me away from the party!" I sniffed angrily, striding over to the tall mirror with a thick golden frame and casting a swift glance to scan the room, pinpointing my target's location with ease. His curiosity was piqued, and all I had to do now was keep the momentum up.

The dress I was wearing was designed by me personally, shortly after King Devoss told me he was hosting a Spring Solstice masquerade and Aeron was invited. I knew I needed something special for him to remember me.

Soft, sheer olive green tulle held my body in the most sensual embrace , while green vines twined around me to accentuate my curves with delicate purple silk flowers blooming in intricate patterns. The same flowers adorned my mask covering the upper part of my face.

I looked like a wood nymph with my ginger hair cascading down my bare back to my waist. My reflection stared back at me, the ethereal beauty of the dress seemingly amplified by the anger in my eyes.

Aeron did nothing, however, and I knew it was up to me to take further action. Not thinking twice, I tore a large flower off my bodice and lifted my hand before letting it go and watching it fall to my feet.

"How silly!" I muttered.

Still nothing.

Gods, did women really have to do all the work these days?

I ripped another flower off and blew it off my palm. Then another and another until I had my hands full of silk petals. Then I tore the skirt fabric until I had a high slit at the side. If I kept going like this, soon there wouldn't be any coverage left.

What a passive dragon! Lisa snorted out.

Deep inside, I worried I miscalculated after all and that he wasn't into damsels in distress.

Yet, I heard Aeron clearing his throat from behind the curtains, letting me know of his presence right when I tore off the biggest flower.

I gasped and turned, letting the sheer fabric and purple petals swirl around me as we locked gazes for the first time ever.

“Who— who are you?” I blinked, looking around nervously.

"The better question is, who are you?" Aeron’s voice held a note of curiosity.

"A prisoner," I answered, my tone laced with bitterness. "One that seems to amuse your king."

He stepped forward cautiously, as if approaching a wild animal. His amber eyes scanned me, taking in every detail of my attire and lingering on the slit of my gown. "Why would he keep you here?"

I hugged myself. "To torment me, I suppose. Or perhaps he fears what I might do if I were given freedom."

Aeron frowned, scepticism evident in his expression. "And what would that be?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I challenged him, moving closer to him but maintaining enough distance to keep the mystery alive.

He studied me for a moment longer before shaking his head slightly. "You speak in riddles."

"Riddles are all I have left," I said softly, looking down at my dress and then back at him through my mask. He was just about to reach me when I stepped back and let out a little scream as a shard of glass cut my foot.

Aeron was next to me in the blink of an eye, lifting me up in his arms as I mustered a single tear to roll down my cheek from under the mask.

“Careful!” He warned me. “You’ve made a mess and already forgot about it.”

I glanced at him, pursing my lips and wrapping my arms around his neck, my nails digging into his flesh as I tilted my head.“Someone distracted me.”

“You are bleeding,” he gestured at the ruby red droplets on the floor.

“These shallow wounds will heal,” I sighed. “And you have to go.”

“Do I now?” He raised an eyebrow and took me to a settee near the balcony, placing me down as if I were the most precious thing in the world. I had no idea the famous womaniser had it in him.

“Yes,” I nodded, “if the King catches you here, you will be in trouble.”

“Something tells me I’ll survive!” He chuckled, the sound filling the room.

“Don’t be so cocky!” I cut him off. “You have no idea what he is capable of! Don’t play games with the Eastern King!”

“Or what?” His lips curled into a smug smirk. “What can that old fox do to me?”

I leaned forward so that he could feel my breath on his skin, “It’s best not to find out—“

He studied me cautiously, to the point I was happy to have a mask on. I felt completely exposed under the scrutiny of his gaze.

“Why does he keep you here? What’s so special about you?”

All valid questions….

“I wish I knew—“ I sighed and pushed him away. “Go. Run away from here while you still can.”

He caught my wrist and pulled me closer.

"Take off your mask,” Aeron whispered.

"Why should I?" I hissed at him defiantly. “The less you have seen here, the better!”

His gaze intensified, his curiosity turning into something more urgent. "Because I need to see who I'm dealing with."

His fingers brushed over my mask ready to remove it, when we heard the sound of turning keys in the golden door.

I jumped up from the settee, grasping his biceps as hard as I could. “ Time is up! You need to go!”

“I really do—“ I covered his mouth with my palm, shaking my head.

“Please, I beg of you!” I whispered, placing one of the flowers from my dress into his palm and pushed him back to the balcony. “If you don’t care about yourself, think of me. Please!”

He hesitated for a moment longer, and the key turned again.

“I’ll come back for you,” he promised, startling me a little. Really? This was all it took?

“Why?” I furrowed my brows.

“Because you are the most beautiful little thing I have ever seen, Spring, and I want to see you again.”

His words sounded like the most natural thing, surprising me even more, but the golden door was already opening and he hopped onto the balcony railings, disappearing into his designated chamber.

I breathed out, the show was over for today.

Devoss poked his head through the door. “How are you doing, Precious?”

I smiled at him, knowing that Aeron was probably still listening to what was happening here.

“I am— disappointed.” I winked at him.

“Don’t be,” Devoss cooed. “Everything I do, I do for your safety.”

“I know,” I agreed sheepishly, pouring myself some wine while the King gave me two thumbs up. “I just—“

“Don’t worry your pretty head about all that,” Devoss was really enjoying his role, even his voice was different now, “there will be many balls for you to attend in the future. Safety first.”

“I guess you are right, Your Majesty.” I tried to sound as pitiful as possible.

“Why don’t you go to sleep early?” Devoss suggested helpfully. “Your dress is a mess anyway. We will talk about everything tomorrow.”

“All right.” I agreed, sipping my wine because my job for today was over.

“What is this?” Devoss pointed at the blood stains. “Did something happen here?”

“I broke a vase and cut my foot,” I admitted.

“Was someone here?” The King tried to sound menacing, but his wide grin was ruining the effect.

“No!” I shook my head, my voice a desperate plea. “Of course not. I was just clumsy and paid for it.”

“Fine, Precious,” Devoss winked at me. “Go to sleep and we will talk about everything in the morning. I have an important guest to entertain tonight.”

“Really?” I fluttered my lashes. “Who?”

He was already at the door, offering me a mocking bow of respect. “That’s another thing you don’t need to concern yourself with. I’ll send a maid to clean the room.”

“Thank you.” I raised a glass and meant every word.

“My pleasure,” the King of the East said and then mouthed “well done”.

Phase One of my plan was finally done.

***

Aeron was staring at me for longer than it was appropriate and it took all my willpower not to gloat at his facial expression.

This was only the beginning. I have prepared so much more for him. For all of them.

“Aeron,” the woman who came with him, the one who killed Danica, slid her arm up his shoulder, trying to get his attention. “I know it’s shocking but maybe it’s best to let her go?”

Sinead also tried to remove his hands from me. “We finally found your sister, Aeron. Isn’t it a good day?”

“Impossible!” He scowled at his aunt. “She is not my sister! She can’t be!”

He was not wrong about that… but my lips trembled in response, tears welling up in my eyes.

“I didn’t know—“ I whispered so quietly that only he could hear me.

The Crown Prince of Draigmorr shook his head. “No!”

“She has the mark and I checked it,” Sinead insisted. “Aeron, we have too many witnesses right now to have a meltdown.”

Reagan appeared next to us out of nowhere and clapped his Nephew on the back, which caused him to finally let go of me.

“Yeah, I was shocked too,” he admitted, “but Sinead is right. The mark is there and what kind of proof can beat that?”

Aeron was still quiet, his eyes burning me alive. “You can never be my sister!”

I grasped his hand, searching for something meaningful to say. I had run through this scene so many times in my head, yet now that I stood here, I was at a complete loss for words.

“Subjects of Draigmorr,” Sinead announced loudly. “Be our witnesses tonight for we have found our long-lost daughter. All welcome Princess Danica Leviathan, King Ardyn’s daughter, the Princess of Draigmorr!”

I looked around and saw how, one by one, the people who had been watching me from the moment the two guards brought me through the dome started to kneel.

Until everyone but the royals were kneeling before me.

“Priya, darling,” Sinead glanced at the young woman next to Aeron. “You have lived with us for so long. Can I entrust you to prepare a room for Danica?”

Oh, the irony…

“Of course, Your Highness.” She curtsied and smiled, “It is my duty as Aeron’s future wife to take care of such things. I’d be happy too.”

“Thank you, dear.” Sinead turned me around so that I was facing her again and gently cupped my chin. “I need to leave you now to prepare your father for the news. His health hasn’t been the best lately. While I do that, Priya will prepare your room and—“

“Thank you,” I curtsied again. “I have read so much about the Princess Tower. I can’t believe I will actually get to live there.”

Reagan let out an amused chuckle, his hands still folded over his chest.

“Oh yes,” he nodded. “That’s where the Princess of Draigmorr should live, right?”

Priya’s brown face went pale as she realised what was happening. “But—“

She did not finish this sentence, swallowing her pride.

Everyone present, myself included, knew that Aeron’s fiancée, the Naga- princess Priya, had been living in this very tower for the past few years. The rooms there were not only comfortable, but they were also a continuation of her status and position. A position that was at best very shaky, considering her fiancé was unfaithful and most importantly, the fact that she wasn’t even a dragon.

“Did I say something wrong?” I looked around, lowering my head slightly.

“Of course not,” Sinead squeezed my palms in hers. “You are right. These are your rooms and they were temporarily occupied when we lost hope of ever finding you.”

“I had lost all hope of ever finding my family, too,” I allowed a few tears to spill down my cheek.

“And now here we are,” Reagan interjected. “One big happy family.”

Sinead gave him a withering glance and then returned her attention to the Naga-princess, “Priya, prepare a guest room for Danica for tonight and choose a new chamber for yourself. We will need to change everything in the Princess tower for my niece. She only deserves the best.”

If looks could kill, Priya would already be burying me somewhere in the dark woods.

“Can I trust you with all this?” Sinead asked, letting go of my hands, turning to face Priya.

“Of course, Your Highness.” She forced a smile onto her face as she inclined her head ever so slightly in Sinead’s direction, the nod of true royalty.

“It will be my pleasure to take care of Princess Danica.”

Her gaze fell on me, and only now had I noticed her vertical pupils. The woman was a true snake, and her expression did not bode well for me.