Page 24 of Scalebound

“I will go,” I boldly stated, moving my shoulders back with my chin sticking up.

“You?” my father retorted. “Aurelia, it’s not safe. Someone else will go,” he said worriedly, folding his arms. His crown was still perfectly sitting on his head, and his golden and silver hair shone from the light of the fire. His face was wrinkled, creases forming between his brows, and between his nose and mouth. He looked as if he aged years in the matter of days as a sickly gray hue paled his cheeks.

“I would like to make a bargain.” I pulled the map out, hidden inside the bust of my dress. Holding it up high, I neared the fire, the flickering flames and embers scraping across my skin. Everyone’s beady eyes watched my every move, and I leaned the parchment closer to the fire.

Gasps filled the air. “No! Aurelia, it’s too dangerous,” Tobias said. My father’s eyes were wide in fear, knowing that this was probably his only chance to save the kingdom.

“I would like to be sent on a quest as well, for the chance to take over the throne and to take Tobias’ place.”

“But you have to kill a dragon, and you know I can’t let you, Aurelia.” His sternness softened. “I love you too much. I can’t have my only daughter killed, and can’t have you suffer the same fate I did,” my father said. His gaze shifted, glancing away. Under his breath, barely audible, he whispered, “they can take my kingdom, but they can’t take my daughter.”

I paused, thinking back to what I had read. “No, the rules were that you had to complete a quest that was chosen by you.” As hiseyes widened further, I kept the map close to the flames, his gaze remaining fixed on it. He didn’t know that I read the fine print of what he had the victors sign before they competed. “I want this to be my quest. If I return, I want to be the official heir.”

“Aurelia. You will be killed,” he said. I looked over at Tobias. His scowl worsened. I glanced at Cora, who had a slight smirk. She wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t, either. “No,” he continued. “I won’t let you. You can’t be the heir, either.”

I dropped the map into the fire. The parchment succumbed to the heat, the rush of air that whooshed out consumed it whole, and a woody and sweet smell erupted from its capture. There was a silence as the flames eagerly claimed the map, reducing it to nothing but charcoaled ashes.

Suddenly, yelling filled the air, gasping and cursing.

“By all of your reactions,” I smugly said, folding my arms, looking them each in the eye. “I am assuming that I am the only one who knows the map by heart. And sounds like I am your only hope of getting to the dragon’s relic. Also, only Scalekind can actually see the egg, meaning that either way you’ll need me.” With all the time I spent in the tower, I acquired a sort of photographic memory. I only needed a few looks at the map to know exactly what it looked like. I was confident I could make it to the dragon relic successfully, as long as I kept it refreshed and at the top of my mind.

I could see my father ponder on this. His eyes were squished tightly, creating a furrow in his brow and small crinkles throughout his forehead.

“You have my attention, Aurelia. Make it back in ten days, and you will become heir. Everyone leave. NOW!” His voice was frighteningly raised, and we all scurried out of the room, leaving my mother and father. I was the last one to leave when he called my name. “Aurelia,” he whispered. I turned to look at him. “Be careful. Please. You are the only one that can save us.” Therewas a plea in his voice. Or was it a warning? I wasn’t sure, but I was ready to go to the dragon’s egg and do something for my kingdom and myself.

1.Laneux (Law-neh-ooh)

Chapter sixteen

AURELIA

Icouldn’t risk changing before I left, in fear that my father would go back on our deal. Thanking the gatekeeper ofEzu1, I grabbed the leather satchel of clothes I packed prior, and hastened toward the Forbidden Forest, curious of how it’ll react to its newest lively addition.

Running through the mysterious black trunks of trees that I had watched my entire life, I didn’t look back. Immediate darkness and an icy breeze shuddered through my body as I passed the border marked by black-trunked trees. Shadows lived on the inside, making it almost impossible to see through the thick core of the thickets, leaving what they laid behind them a mystery.

Bringing the images of the map back to my mind, and looking to the moon and Celestials for directions, I knew I needed to head west to reach the island. The moon shone like a beacon of hope, reminding me I could make it out alive.

Based on the locations of the Celestials, I found myself running, desperate to reach the outside of the grimy forest. Something didn’t sit right with me. Immediate gloom had overcome my body, filling my every sense.

I wanted to get out, but I knew it was at least a two-day journey until I reached the other border of the forest, allowing myself to escape.

There was no going back now and no chance anyone would come after me here.

A small surge of excitement electrified me. I had dreamt of coming in here for ages. Ever since I was little, I wanted to come into the forest. I wasn’t sure why, but I was drawn to its uniqueness. Maybe since I was outcast and cursed from my kingdom, I was also drawn to the outcast and cursed creatures hidden within the Forbidden Forest.

After running for a while, I slowed to a walk with a firm hand grasping my leather bag. Being far enough away from the castle, I decided it was a good time to change out of the dress. Its silver and gold fabric snagged on the twigs as I made my way through the forest, almost thinking the trees were grabbing me and pulling me closer to their trunks. The wind through the bark snickered from my pain of the marks that I bore on my legs and arms from the claws of the branches.

The haunted trees around me settled in an empty space, giving me the opening to quickly change from the shredded ball gown.

Setting my bag on the ground, I was barely able to see inside it from the dim light of the crescent moon. I grabbed a pair of tight-fitting black pants, a silver and gold bodice with pastel pink laces, black socks, and silver boots. I slipped out of my dress, having to rip the strings from the corset to escape.

My fingers ached from the strength and tightness of the cords, attempting to free myself from its bond. Ripping at the pins and beads, I let my hair flow freely.

After minutes of rummaging through string after string laced through silver hoops on the back of my dress, it fell to the floor, and I sighed in relief.

Delving into the depths of my leather bag, my fingers brushed against the cool metal of the golden vial Cora had entrusted to me before her departure. Drawing it out, I felt its pressure in my palm, a tangible reminder of her presence. With careful precision, I slipped the chain over my head, the delicate links glinting in the faint light. Concealing the vial beneath the fabric of my shirt, I carried it close to my chest.

I slung my leather bag over my shoulder, its weight pressing into my muscles as I left in the direction I believed to be right. Thoughts of Tobias crept into my mind like shadows inching across a room. His random acts of concern replayed in my head, each instance feeling more disjointed than the last. A sense of unease settled in my stomach, twisting like a knot I couldn't unravel. Then, I realized that when I was with him in the gardens he told me that he had to tell me something.

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