Page 38 of The Dragon Maiden

“And what was that?” I whispered.

“Originally, you were just going to be another tribute to be added to the workforce in the gardens,” he said. “But I saw something in you, especially when you tried to jump, even though you were scared and knew there was no way to escape. I saw that look in your eyes when I caught you—don’t deny it,” he said when I opened my mouth protest. “I saw that determination that you would get whatever you wanted, no matter the cost. And when I decided to keep you on, imagine my surprise when you turned out to be vastly different from any other Maiden I’ve trained before. You were not afraid to speak your mind, to stand up for yourself. There is a bright flame inside of you, as bright as any flame a Dragon Lord could create. And it was this flame that made me know you were different, that you were meant to become my Dragon Maiden.”

“Really?” I asked, my cheeks flushing at his flattery.

“Really,” he said, smiling. “Now, are you still worried about the ceremony?”

I smiled brightly. “If my Lord has no worries about this, then how can I?” On an impulse, I leaned forward and kissed his cheek, pleased at his look of surprise. “Thank you,” I said softly.

He touched his cheek. “You’re welcome.”

* * *

That evening, I bathed while the other Maidens finalized décor in the hall where the ceremony would be held. When I finished, Alonsa brushed my hair until it shone before tying it up to be perfect for tomorrow. The other Maidens excitedly talked about the banquet and feast after the ceremony. I let myself get excited along with them, trying to push down the bundle of nerves that always lurked in the corner of my mind. Stories of previous ceremonies and feasts were shared, and I could imagine what tomorrow would be like.

Sleep did not come easily. I stayed awake for what felt like hours while the others slept soundly around me. Worries, fears, and excitement for tomorrow flitted through my head, each thought more overpowering than the last. I tried to empty my mind, to calm the storm, but it took a while before I finally drifted away.

* * *

The next morning, I awoke bright and early, nerves churning in my stomach the instant I awakened. I got up, worried that I would vomit, but the feeling quickly passed, though the butterflies attacking my stomach still remained. All the other Maidens were still fast asleep, light snores radiating throughout the room. I could see the lanterns on the wall gently starting to illuminate, indicating that it was almost time for everyone to wake up.

Despite knowing that everything had been meticulously prepared yesterday for the ceremony, I changed into a simple dress, planning to double-check that everything was in place. Silently, I treaded through the caverns, knowing I broke the rules by doing so by being out of bed unsupervised at this time of day. The cavern where the ceremony would be held was gigantic, with enough room for all the dragons in the clan, along with spots for the Dragon Lords and their Maidens along the main aisle leading up to a dais where the ceremony would take place. Slowly, ever so slowly, I walked across the length of the room, imagining it filled as it would be later today. At last, I was at the other end of the room and took a deep breath, taking in the dais.

“Not having second thoughts again, are you?” A familiar voice sounded from the entrance.

I spun to face Dracul, knowing that I was caught in the act of actively breaking the rules. He smiled before walking towards me, closing the distance between us. My heart pounded, his blue scales glimmering spectacularly in the lantern light.

“No,” I said quickly as he approached. “I just couldn’t fall back asleep. I was too nervous.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“But I’m not having second thoughts.”

“That’s good to hear,” he said. “I wouldn’t want you running off again.”

My smile faltered as I was reminded of how stupid I had been. Of course I would be caught. It had not been a well-thought-out plan. “Trust me, I’m not foolish enough to try again,” I said. “It was a mistake before.” It now irked me whenever someone brought up my failed escape attempt. Mostly it was Vimery, but I hated to be reminded of when I had despised being brought there, after all of Dracul’s kindness and patience.

“You’ve accepted your life here now,” he observed, and I nodded at his words. He took a few more strides until he was in front of me, and before I could register the change, he was in his human form. “I hope you enjoy living here,” he said. “But if you prefer, I will let you go.”

I sucked in a breath, shocked at his words. “What?” I whispered, unable to make myself believe him.

“I will let you go,” he repeated. “And you can find your brother and the answers you seek.” He smiled, but I could see the sadness in his eyes, the agony he felt. It made my heart squeeze in pain.

“Why now?” My heart beat rapidly, and I thought back to our conversation yesterday. “Are you rethinking your decision for me to be your Maiden?”

“My opinion of you remains the same,” he said. “But I’ve been thinking. You’ve already been through so much. There’s no reason for you to be tied to a life you don’t want. If you want to leave, you are free to go.”

Silence filled the cave, oppressive with anticipation. Just when I had accepted my life, Dracul gave me the choice to leave. The chance to leave was right there, within my grasp, but I knew that I might never find my brother. I had already spent a year looking for him when I had been captured.

I was touched that Dracul was giving me the choice to do what I pleased. Looking in his eyes and seeing the chagrin, I realized that he already assumed that I would leave. My choice was instantly made. Over the past months, I had grown fond of the Dragon Lord, and I was not sure what my options would be even after I found my brother. It was not like I could ever return home anyway. It no longer existed.

“Thank you, but I think I’ll stay,” I said softly.

Dracul’s eyes widened at my words, and he picked me up, spinning me in a circle, clutching me tightly. My heart pounded as I hugged him back, and I could feel the rapid beating of his heart too.

“Are you sure?” he whispered, as if his words would break this illusion. “It was all you wanted before. Don’t you want answers?”

“I’ve accepted that I may never find answers,” I said, pulling away so he could see my face. “And I find that to be perfectly fine. I would rather stay here and be your Maiden.”

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