Page 25 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

“Nothing that can help you, I’m afraid. I’ll keep searching for answers, though.” She grinned at him. “I joined team Dain, although he never promised me tons of riches. He did let me keep my head, though, so I guess I can’t complain too much.”

Dain knew that Seraphina wouldn’t lie to him, but he had a feeling that she was holding something back. He also was well aware that it wouldn’t do any good to pressure her into telling him.

After supper, the breeze blew through the courtyard as people talked, played music, or played games with each other. Dain stood by the large firepit, watching the people laugh and enjoy themselves, having complete confidence that not only would he and the brotherhood protect them, but they would find a way for Dain to regain his power.

Seraphina walked over and stood next to him, but she didn’t say anything at first. He looked around at the crumbling walls of the palace, the remains of the once strongest kingdom in the world.

“It’s been ten long years.” He swallowed the bitterness as he remembered his uncle’s betrayal and how it had taken everything that he’d held dear. “I’ve waited for so long and now that I know the time is right, it’s hard to have patience.” He ran his fingers through his hair and shifted from one foot to the other. “I had to build up a big enough army and gather resources. The brotherhood was strong, as they were once members of my royal court. They lost everything, too.”

He growled. “We weren’t ready for a full-scale war. It took time to gather supplies and build alliances. Of course, there’dbeen small skirmishes here and there, just to remind Malakar that we still existed.”

She put her hand on his arm. “You had to wait until the planets and stars aligned, but you’re ready now and you will defeat King Malakar. I have seen it.”

Seraphina leaned into him and for just a moment, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel alive again. The war had just truly begun, and for the first time in ten years, he allowed himself to believe that it would become his reality.

He stood up straight as Jasmine approached him with a shy smile.

“My lord, the children have created a funny little skit for you. It’s not meant to be disrespectful in any way, but they are teasing you about your serious manner. If you think it’s…”

“The children created a skit for me? I’d love to see it,” Dain said.

Several children rushed over to him. They’d used bits of clothing, sticks, and other supplies to make their costumes and props. One of the older children played an overly dramatic narrator.

“Once upon a time, not too long ago, there was a very brave and serious king named Dain.”

The young boy playing Dain, with a wooden sword and a crooked paper crown, walked in front of Dain with his arms crossed and frowning.

“He was strong and brave. He could defeat three dragons before breakfast, but…”

All of the villager kids shouted, “He forgot how to laugh.”

Little Dain sighed heavily. “Kings don’t have time to laugh. They have battles to fight and important things to do.”

A small girl with a flower wreath in her hair, wearing a tunic, skipped up to him. “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. Even kings need to laugh every now and then.”

Little Dain put his finger on his chin and looked. “I don’t remember how.”

“So, the wise old goat was called,” said the narrator.

A kid wearing a goat mask walked up to Little Dain and Little Oracle. “To laugh you have to do something ridiculous—something you’d never do in a million years.”

“Like what?” Little Dain asked, confused.

The goat leaned in like he was going to tell a secret, but declared loudly, “You must dance like a chicken.”

Little Dain moved around awkwardly at first and then broke into a goofy chicken dance. All the other children joined in.

Little Oracle laughed. “I knew you could do it.”

The narrator intoned in a very serious voice, “And from that day forward, the mighty King Dain learned that even the bravest warriors need to be silly and laugh.”

All of the kids giggled and then looked at Dain for his approval. He knelt down so he was at their eye level. A warmth filled his chest as he looked at the beautiful faces of the little ones.

This is who I’m fighting for.

“That was a terrific play and I loved it. I will learn to laugh more, but I’m pretty sure that dancing like a chicken is out of the question.” He grinned. “Maybe like a rooster.”

The kids laughed and one of the little girls gave him a hug and a kiss before running off. Dain gave everyone high-fives, hugs, or fist-bumps.

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