Page 56 of The Dragon Maiden

Chapter Thirty-Six

Valora

Over the next couple of days, I was able to resume my duties, though I still tried to keep a distance between myself and Dracul, much to his obvious chagrin. I kept busy with the other Maidens, helping prepare for the victory banquet, and that luckily kept me away from the High Dragon Lord for most of the day. All the dragons I came across bowed to me, the sudden change was so jarring that I always checked behind myself to ensure there was not someone more important that they actually bowed to. I asked Alonsa about it, but if she knew the reason, she did not tell me.

The night before the banquet, Dracul managed to corner me alone after everyone had trailed off to bed after finishing preparations for the festivities. I had insisted on staying awake to prepare the final touches on each of the tables.

“Lora, we need to talk,” he said, using my nickname now that no one was around.

I said nothing as I continued to arrange the centerpieces—vases filled with navy and teal flowers to represent Dracul and Fangburn.

“Valora, please stop and look at me.”

I stopped and stood still, looking at his face, which was filled with sadness. His human face showed more emotion than his dragon face did, and right now, I wished he was in his latter form so I would not feel the prickles of guilt.

“What happened?” he asked. “When I left, we were so close and now… I don’t understand what’s going on.”

I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat. I could hear the pain in his voice and knowing that I was the cause was not easy. Once more, turmoil filled me at the feelings I felt for Dracul. I should not be feeling these things towards someone whose actions orchestrated the death of my parents and my suffering.

I bit my lip, trying to will away the tears that threatened to fall.

“Did Borthen do something to you?” he asked, taking a step closer to me. “You can tell me whatever is bothering you. You’re just so… far away these days. Like you’re purposefully distancing yourself.”

“And if I am?” I asked, my voice choked with tears.

“I want to know why, Lora,” he said, holding his hands out towards me, pleading with me. “I want you to tell me what happened or what I did wrong so I can try and fix it. But if you leave me in the dark, there’s nothing I can do.”

I shook my head at his words.

“I told you before that I would wait until you’re ready to tell me,” he said.

Tears began to pour down my cheeks as he reminded me of how sweet he had been all those months ago. Before any of this had been brought to light.

“And I will wait for you again.” His voice broke slightly as he wiped away a tear. “I just want you to look at me the way you did before.”

“How do I look at you now?” I asked.

“You avoid me,” he said quietly. “If I enter a room, you practically flee. And if you do happen to glance my way, your eyes are cold. Never before have I felt this distance, this coldness from you. Even when you were first brought here, your anger was red hot.”

I hugged myself, trying to ignore the agony ripping through my chest. “I can’t talk about it,” I said. “Not now, maybe not ever.”

“Just promise me that if you are ready to talk about, you won’t hesitate to come to me,” he begged.

I nodded before leaving the room, no longer able to hold in my emotions and unable to see him in such pain. I ran to the Dragon Maiden cavern and threw myself on my bed, sobbing into my pillow. After a couple moments, I felt someone rubbing my back, whispering words of comfort.

“This will pass,” Alonsa said, rubbing circles on my back. “Everything will be fine, you’ll see.”

That night as I fell asleep, I recalled Kessland’s prophecy to me, that the road would be difficult, but I should like the ending. I wondered now if this was what they had meant, that this discovery would be difficult to process, but that eventually, I would be able to forgive Dracul. The thought gave me a little comfort, enough for me to fall asleep without much issue.

* * *

At the banquet the next day, everyone was in good spirits. I sat a few tables away from Dracul with the other Maidens. He had Lord Fangburn and the other Lords sitting at his side instead. I was not sure if he did not want me to sit next to him or if he was giving me the space that I had obviously been wanting. Either way, I still noticed his subtle glances at me, his gaze setting me ablaze.

When the banquet was well underway, Dracul stood, lifting his goblet for a toast. Everyone quieted, waiting to hear what he had to say. “I thank you all for attending,” he said. “In light of recent events, I think it is only fair that we drink in tribute to our fallen comrades. They were brave and honorable, everything a dragon should be.” He took a sip from his chalice, and everyone else followed. Then he lifted it again. “And I would like to toast to our victory against the Starfire clan. They were worthy opponents. For the part that he played in helping us defeat Borthen, I would like to place the Starfire clan under Lord Fangburn’s responsibility.”

There was shocked silence at the announcement before cheers rang out throughout the hall.

“That is unexpected,” Alonsa said quietly, loud enough for me to hear.

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