Page 40 of The Dragon Maiden

Chapter Twenty-Six

Valora

By the time I arrived back at the cavern, the other Maidens were already awake and getting ready for the day. All had eaten breakfast and were dressed in their outfits for the ceremony, their dress colors matching the scale color of their Lords.

“Valora, where have you been?” Alonsa asked. “You know you aren’t supposed to be out so early in the morning.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Vimery sneered. “She thinks that just because she’s going to become Lord Dracul’s Maiden today, she’s allowed to do whatever she wants and get away with it.”

I chose to ignore Vimery’s comment, walking over to grab my bowl of eggs and sausage. “I woke up early and couldn’t go back to sleep,” I said. “I went to make sure that everything was in place for today. Besides, Lord Dracul was with me.”

Alonsa tsked in disapproval. “You really need to stay here until breakfast is served, Valora,” she said. “Just because you’re becoming an official Maiden today doesn’t mean that they become less lenient on you when it comes to following the rules.”

“I know,” I said, beginning to eat my breakfast. “I just thought—”

“You thoughtwhat?” Vimery snapped, her face turning red in anger. “You thought that since you’re Lord Dracul’s favorite that you can do anything you want? It’s amazing how narcissistic you are.”

“What is your problem?” I stood, facing Vimery head-on. “Why do you hate me so much? I have done nothing to deserve your anger.”

Vimery glared at me, slowly growing redder by the moment. “You just get away witheverything!” she hissed. “And I’m absolutely sick of it! The others are, too, but they’re just too nice to say anything.” She stalked out of the room, not even waiting for a response.

I turned to the others, my mouth agape. “I don’t even—”

“She’s right, Valora. You can’t keep acting as if you can get away with everything,” Alonsa interrupted. “You have been acting as though the rules don’t apply to you. And that reflects poorly on us because it seems as though we didn’t train you properly. It also reflects poorly on Lord Dracul. Hechoseyou. That is a great honor. And your actions can undermine him as a leader.”

I was taken aback by Alonsa’s lecture and by the nods of agreement from the other Maidens. Shame filled me as I realized they were right—to an extent, I had relied on Dracul’s influence to bend the rules.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “But that still doesn’t answer the question of why Vimery hates me so much.”

Alonsa sighed, and it was clear she did not want to answer. Instead, Gwen spoke up.

“Originally, she was to be Lord Dracul’s Maiden,” she said, repeating what I already knew. “But after a few weeks, it was obvious he was displeased with her. Instead, Lord Firenze took her and she’s never been able to get over how Lord Dracul rejected her. I imagine she feels resentment that you were picked over her when you’re a stranger to our ways and have the tendency to break the rules, whereas she followed all of them. It stings.”

“Oh.” Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Never had I imagined that to be the reason behind Vimery’s anger.

“Well, come on, we have to get you ready,” Alonsa said, motioning for the others to help dress me.

The midnight-blue dress they had worked on was magnificent, the flowing silver embroidery perfectly matching Dracul’s eyes as it slowly spun its way up from the hem. There were a few small, clear gemstones sewn in, creating a sparkle depending on the angle of the lighting. Truly, it was the most elegant thing I had ever worn. The sleeves were long enough to cover my scars and the skirt fell in folds to the floor. Dracul had fireproofed it a few days ago for the ceremony so it would not burn.

“It’s beautiful. You all did a wonderful job,” I breathed as I spotted my reflection in the mirror.

Alonsa moved behind me to fasten my necklace, the one Dracul had bought for me at the market those many months ago.

The four Maidens nodded at the compliment, moving to work on my raven hair, pulling it into an intricate up-do. I clenched my hands, my nerves beginning to act up. Each woman took a strand of hair, plaiting them within each other to create an elaborate weave.

When Alonsa’s eyes met mine in the mirror, I asked, “Does it hurt?”

“Each Maiden has her own experience, depending on her relationship with her Lord,” she answered as she brushed out a few tangles. “Some feel nothing, while others feel excruciating pain.” Her words did nothing to comfort me.

“Mine tickled,” Bethany spoke up.

“It felt like pins and needles all over my body,” Gwen added.

“Vimery’s hurt quite a bit,” Hyacinth said quietly as she tweaked one of the braids. “She had to fight back tears.”

“There,” Alonsa said, fitting the final pin into position. “You’re ready.”

“Is it time yet?” I asked. Butterflies took over my stomach and I could feel my palms becoming clammy.

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