The Dragon And His Witch

THREE

Krogan looked back up at Seraphina when she did not bow and he glared harshly at her before yanking her softly by her hand which was wrapped around his elbow, making her bow as well.

"Don't make me regret keeping you alive, Seraphina." Krogan whispered to her in a hushed manner and she nodded her head softly.

When they stood back up, she could have sworn that there was a hint of anger in the obsidian dragon's eyes.

"King Drystan!" Krogan began, "welcome to Elyandria. We are forever grateful for gracing us with your presence."

Seraphina wanted to roll her eyes at the way Krogan was sucking up to the dragon king. Hell, if this had happened two years ago, she would have. But she did not seem to find it in herself to do that anymore. It was as if her very foundation had been changed and she no longer knew who she was.

She watched as the dragons continued to look at the human king with bored expressions.

"If I may," Krogan said, placing his hand on Seraphina's, and her heart began to beat loudly in her chest as dread gripped her hard. This was it. "I am proud to present to you, the crown princess of Elyandria and your betrothed."

Saying that he pushed Seraphina in front of him with a slight nudge. She looked back at him briefly and she saw the warning in her eyes as she turned back to look at the raven dragon and took a few steps further to come to stand in front of the most feared king in the world.

Her hands were clasped together in front of her and she was more than certain that the three of them could hear the pounding of her heart.

The two companions of the king watched her with a hint of amusement in their eyes while the king was looking at her with intrigue.

She stood tall with her chin held high as she reminded herself that she would not walk into her death with a bowed head.

Drystan, still in his dragon form, took a step towards her before he brought down his large head closer to her face.

She held in her breath as she looked the dragon straight in the eyes. She felt like the entire world held its breath at that moment. She did not dare move, not knowing what would happen if she did.

And after a brief second, there was a bright flash of light that caused her to raise her arm to shield her eyes. For a moment, it was like the sun had erupted on the roof and they were all forced to bear witness.

When the light was gone and Seraphina could finally lower her arm, she saw three people standing in place of the three dragons. Two males and one female.

And she had to admit that they looked as if they had been carved by the gods themselves.

The male on the left was taller than her by almost a foot but still shorter than the male in the middle. He had platinum white cropped hair, curling on top of his head. His skin was pale and bright with perfect, angular features. His striking blue eyes were looking at everyone with pride while a smug smirk rested on his lips. He wore a black tunic with brass buttons running all the way down the front while he had a sword with a hilt that looked like flames carved out of gold.

The female on the right also had platinum white hair, extending to her shoulders and blue eyes. She looked like she could pass off as the previous male's sister. Her heart-shaped lips were painted in the colour of berries while her eyes were alert and no smile was gracing her face. She wore a warrior's leathers that hugged her body closely and certainly provided her with good mobility in hostile situations. While the males were dressed festively, she was dressed to kill on sight. She had a sword strapped at her waist, and Seraphina was instantly taken by the hilt made out of glass. She wondered how it was possible to use it in battle.

And that was before her eyes finally rested on the male in the middle, who was already looking at her with his violet eyes.

The man who was to be her husband.

He was dressed in a black buttoned tunic as well with leather pants. His arms had circlets of gold around his biceps and the embroidery on his tunic was done with precious gems. On his head was an ashen gold crown with crystals embedded in it. His hair was also cropped, reaching behind his ear and the luscious waves in his obsidian hair shone under the sunlight. His jaw was sharp as a dagger while his thin lips were pressed tightly in a line. The sharp cheekbones almost made her want to reach up with her fingertips and touch his face.

But she didn't. Instead, she stood tall in her place as her future husband looked into her eyes deeply.

His violet eyes were something that entranced her the most. It almost looked like he had the galaxies in his eyes and the more she looked, the more drawn in she felt.

"I am Drystan Flameborn." He spoke up, his eyes remained solely on her and for a moment she was stunned by how soothing he sounded. His voice had an authoritative timbre but there was a comforting edge to it that she couldn't ignore. "And these are my siblings, Rosette and Emyr."

Seraphina slowly dipped her chin, but that was all the acknowledgment she gave as she nodded her head before speaking. "Seraphina Raventhorn. Niece of the King Krogon." She introduced herself and for a moment, she saw a spark of interest in his eyes before it was gone.

He nodded his head in reply before he spoke the words that left her shaken. "I would like to have a moment to talk with you before the wedding." He announced, clearly leaving no room to protest. "Alone." He added.

The entire roof broke into whispers and while Seraphina knew that no one could possibly object to the dragon king's wishes, she had a gut feeling that she had every right to deny him.

But she broke their eye contact briefly to look back at her uncle. "May I, your Majesty?" She asked with a bit in her voice, making sure that her uncle knew that she was doing this deliberately.

"You would dare question my king's demands?" Emyr, Drystan's brother spoke up, but his voice held more amusement than offense and when she turned back to look at him, she found him giving her a challenging glance.

Seraphina looked at him in the eyes, and without an ounce of fear, she said, "I honor your king, but he isn't mine yet. I still have to answer to his Majesty, king Krogon until after the wedding ceremony." She answered him before turning back to her would-be husband, "I don't mean you any disrespect."

Emyr stood dumbfounded for a moment while the intrigue in Drystan's eyes increased and she felt her heart sinking in her chest.

She had hoped for her disobedience to make him angry. It interested him instead.

Krogon was instantly by Seraphina's side and by the way he gripped her elbow, she had to bite her lip to stop herself from whimpering at the harsh grip and she knew well that if they had been alone right now, he would show her horrors that she could never imagine.

This exchange did not go unnoticed by Drystan as he expectantly looked at Krogon, waiting for his answer.

"Of course you can talk to her, my king. We shall all leave you alone until you please our presence again." Krogon said and Seraphina could only standstill with her eyes on the floor beneath her feet when she felt them all beginning to leave.

Drystan did not remove his eyes from her face as he slightly turned his head towards his siblings, "go with them, wait for my signal." He demanded from them and Emyr and Rosette followed the royals of Elyandria out of the terrace.

It was just them, standing in front of each other.

Seraphina did not know what to say or expect as she raised her gaze and found him intently staring at her. That was when she turned her head to the side, looking at the far-off mountains staining the horizon while she nibbled on her lower lip nervously.

"I requested to take you to my kingdom on the day you were born. There was always resistance. Elyandria was even ready to go to war for you. The armies didn't care if all of them disintegrated if it meant that you will be safe. The people adored you enough to be ready to get engulfed by my fire. What changed?" Drystan's words caught her off guard as her gaze found him again. She did not know that he was aware of all that.

"I don't understand what you're asking, your Majesty." She answered simply.

"Drystan." He corrected and when she looked at him questioningly, he added, "call me Drystan."

She was stunned for a moment before slowly nodding her head, "Drystan." She whispered and she could have sworn that she heard his breathing hitch in his throat.

"And I think you do know what I'm talking about, princess." He stated. "A few years ago I had given up hope when I was certain that you would never wish to be a part of the Frost Kingdom. In any manner, let alone as my wife. What changed then?"

She looked at him with a blank face. She knew the answer to his question extremely well. She knew exactly what changed. But she couldn't tell him the truth. Not without endangering her sister's safety. So, she said, "my parents were assassinated and when King Krogon came into power, he believed that an alliance between our kingdoms would be viable."

Drystan did not look satisfied by her answer. Or happy, for that matter. But he did not speak his thoughts out loud, which she was grateful for.

"And what do you think, Seraphina?"

The sound of her name from his lips was something that made her heart skip a beat and as much as she did not want to admit it, the look in his eyes was almost comforting for her.

But then she was reminded of exactly who he was from his violet eyes as her expressions hardened again and she nodded her head stiffly. "Yes, I do believe that it is a good decision for my kingdom. And yours, for whatever reason you took interest in me."

She knew exactly the reason behind his wanting to have her. But she wished to see how long she would be able to pull off playing the part of the oblivious and innocent bride.

Preferably long enough to save her life.

"So, you are willing and happy about this union?" He questioned again.

For a moment she believed that he was mocking her. But when she looked up at him, she only found genuine curiosity.

The irony of his question made her want to laugh put her lungs or perhaps cry out all the tears in her body.

But she simply gave him a small smile, "yes, I am willing." She answered.

His eyes changed into an expression that she could not read. Strangely, it made him look even more handsome than he already was. He was taller than her, with her head just reaching the center of his chest. But at the moment, to her, he seemed like just a normal man with hope in his eyes.

And not the revered and feared dragon king of the north.

He nodded his head, "Then let's get married."

That was all he said before leaving to call his siblings. And Seraphina could not help but be confused with what her life had planned for her.