Page 55 of The Dragon Maiden

Dracul turned back to me. “Is that sufficient?” he asked.

Silently, I nodded, at a loss for words. Never before had I seen him act this cruelly and callously. The dragon holding me was not one that I had seen before. Thinking back on what Borthen said, I wondered if I had ever really known him at all. I knew that Dracul could be strict with others, but never had I seen a cruel side to him. Shamelessly slaughtering innocents without a care was not the dragon I had come to know.

“We should go home now,” he said, carefully placing me on his back before giving further instructions to a messenger that whoever was spared was to be brought to the Shadowvale Mountains to swear their allegiance. After everyone returned, there was to be a feast to celebrate our victory.

Then, at long last, he took to the skies and we flew back home together. Never before had I felt so lonely and lost.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Valora

Everyone returned to the Shadowvale Mountains less than a day after we did. The caves were quickly packed with Lord Fangburn’s forces, as well as the new refugees that had surrendered. As soon as they returned, Dracul held a ceremony where the refugees swore allegiance to him, but I did not attend. Instead, I heard all the details from Alonsa, who Dracul had ordered to care for me as soon as I insisted on staying in the Dragon Maiden cavern. I could not stand to be alone with him right now.

Since we’d returned, I’d been forced to deal with Borthen’s revelation of Dracul’s past, and it consumed my thoughts. I was unable to eat, unable to sleep. I could only lay listlessly in bed. Alonsa stayed by my side, encouraging me to eat, but any food I ate was immediately expelled. The other Maidens did not talk to me, but I could tell that they were confused and concerned about my sudden change in behavior. I could not find it in myself to care about their opinions. I could hear the vague, hushed whispers and the awkward quiet that would settle when one of them accidentally made eye contact with me.

Upon Lord Firenze’s return, Vimery was swiftly removed from the Dragon Maiden chamber and no one knew what had happened to her. Her whereabouts were kept secret. The Maidens were not stupid—they knew her disappearance had something to do with me, but in my catatonic state, they knew better than to ask questions.

Dracul came to check on me multiple times a day, always in his human form so he could come to my bedside. I could hear him and Alonsa talking about my worsening condition, but I always closed my eyes, unable to focus on their words. Often, he would try to hold my hand, but his touch repulsed me and I always pulled away. Each time, he willingly let me go and did not push.

About a week after I returned, Gwen and Hyacinth dumped cold water on me. I shot up, shocked at the sudden cold and gawked at them, spitting water out of my mouth. Their eyes were stony as they stared at me.

Alonsa spluttered in anger. “How dare you two do that! She’s been through enough as it is. What do you think you’re doing?”

“We wanted to shock her out of whatever funk she’s in,” Gwen said. She looked to me. “Did it work?”

For the first time since I had returned, my mind was clear—the cold water had shocked my haze of thoughts out of me. My mouth gaped open and I nodded. “Yes,” I said. Feeling suddenly rushed through my body instead of the deadened husk I had grown into. Though the thoughts still swirled around, they no longer caused the paralysis I had been feeling.

“Can you eat something?” Alonsa asked, pushing a bowl of soup towards me hesitantly.

My stomach growled angrily and I picked up the bowl, forcing myself to eat slowly. The warm broth slid down my throat, warming my stomach, and I sighed in content. No longer did I feel the urge to vomit when eating food.

There was a noise from the door and everyone turned to look, me included.

Dracul stood in shock, staring at me. “You’re feeling better?” he asked hopefully, practically sprinting down the steps to my side. “You can eat?” He looked to Alonsa for confirmation, who nodded.

“Yes, my Lord. I’m sorry for having worried you,” I said, formality sliding into place. I was not ready to face him yet, to confront him with what I knew. Still, I felt a yearning for him to take me in his arms, to tell me that everything would be fine, and I hated myself for it.

He looked at me, confusion in his eyes. “Valora, you are my Maiden,” Dracul said, moving his hand towards my face before I flinched and he pulled away. “Of course I’m worried about you.” He suddenly took in my soaked appearance. “Why are you wet?”

Alonsa spoke up. “Gwen and Hyacinth were able to shock her out of whatever was wrong with her,” she said. “My Lord,” she continued gently. “Valora has been through a lot. I suggest maybe you give her more time to rest before you come back. Let her take a relaxing soak in the pool and we can let you know when she’s ready to see you.”

Dracul looked lost, but nodded. “Yes, that sounds… like a good idea,” he said at last. “Valora, I will be here when you are ready for me, be it day or night.” He directed his instructions to the other Maidens. “Do not hesitate to call for me whenever she wants.”

The four Maidens looked at me after he left. I could see the questions in their eyes.

“What happened?” Bethany asked, the first to speak up.

I shook my head, putting the empty bowl down. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I said, my voice hoarse.

Thankfully, the others let the subject drop.

“You should take a bath,” Alonsa said. “If you wish, we can help you.”

The thought of bathing on my own was suddenly very overwhelming, and I nodded gratefully. “Yes, please,” I said weakly.

Together, the Maidens prepared my bath and undressed me before Alonsa gently led me to the warm water. Thankfully, no one mentioned my scars, and I leaned back against the wall of the pool as the warm, pulsating water massaged my aching muscles and bones. Carefully, they bathed me in silence, somehow knowing that I needed to be treated delicately. After they were done, Bethany gathered up a soft set of pajamas and they helped me get dressed before tucking me into bed.

“We are here for you, Valora,” Alonsa said, and with that encouragement, I fell fast asleep.

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