Page 59 of The Dragon King's Curse
Feryn stared down at her potato as her cheeks turned pink. “Yes. That was Leif. I assure you, we are only friends. If anything, that night confirmed it. Although I doubt you will ever meet him, should you do so, please never mention it.”
“Of course not, princess. What kind of man do you take me for?” My mistake for asking.
She shot me an incredulous look. “You must be joking. You are most definitely the type of man to say something inappropriate.”
“Such as how I can hardly wait to take you to my bed and feel you wrapped around my cock again?” Tilting my head to one side, I watched her with great delight as she squirmed.
“Exactly. Such as that. You really are incorrigible.” Try as she might to resist, Feryn erupted into laughter. The most melodious of sounds.
Enamored by her, I lost myself in the moment. The sound of the brook bubbling as the water rolled by. The crisp afternoon air. Everything was perfect.
Feryn playfully punched me in the shoulder. “Stop staring at me like that. We should get moving again. I’m ready to be done with this form of travel.”
Again, I shifted to dragon, and we took to the sky to finish our long journey. The closer we drew to my realm the more I felt it. The call of home.
Soon I saw the mountains in the distance. Never had I been so excited to lay eyes upon them. As they grew closer, I was able to make out a town below us. We had entered the Fire Realm. Not much further now until my castle came into view. A thrill of excitement had my wings beating faster.
I was eager to show my home to Feryn. To share my land with her. She had such a connection to nature and the world around her. Would she like it here?
As I came upon the castle grounds, I swooped down lower. Many of my people were scattered about. Guards manning the perimeter. Those tending to the gardens. They all glanced up at my arrival. When they realized it was me, they broke into loud cheers and shouts. Happy to see me back to my former self.
I couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome. My devoted people had shared in the sorrow of my curse, and now they would celebrate my freedom from it.
Slowly, I circled lower until I came to a soft landing on the castle grounds. I was home.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
FERYN
As I slid down Noxx’s scaly side to the grass below, I stared in wonder. Everything here was beautiful. The grass a deep shade of green that begged me to touch it, to discover how soft it felt. The sky a blue so intense it was almost purple. Mountains that shielded the castle on every side.
The castle itself was a tall, black structure that sprawled in every direction. Towers on every corner. The large double doors opened as people poured out from inside, coming to greet their king.
The Fire Realm didn’t feel that different from my own realm. Nature thrived here. So did the people from what I could see. The atmosphere buzzed with the exuberance of Noxx’s people. Their joy at seeing him as a dragon again. They loved him.
I stood there awkwardly as he shifted back. Quickly, we were surrounded by dragon shifters, all clamoring to be the first to greet their king.
A man with blonde hair and bright green eyes stepped forward. He extended a hand to Noxx, clasping his forearm. “Welcome home, jackass. Where the hell have you been?”
My gaze darted between the two of them. That was an interesting way to greet your king.
Noxx simply laughed and shook his head before pulling the man into a hug. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. It’s a long story. One that will have to wait for plenty of food and drink.”
“The fae,” the blonde man said knowingly. “We looked for you for days. I didn’t want to give up, but eventually we had no choice but to return home to regroup. We were about to set out again.”
Noxx took the time to greet everyone who’d gathered. When he finished, he drew me closer, sliding an arm around my waist. “I would like you all to meet Feryn Raegel. The Elf Princess. I wouldn’t be standing here right now if it wasn’t for her.”
I was introduced first to Noxx’s righthand men. The man with blonde hair was Pyke. Like the rest of Noxx’s men he was of strong build. Tall with immense muscle.
A dark haired man named Flynn actually bowed down before me, making me laugh nervously. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. Thank you for returning our king to us.”
Cain with his long red hair and gentle brown eyes, a smile that was genuinely friendly, set me at ease. “Ignore this dramatic ass. He’s always desperate for attention. We’re happy to have you.”
We were ushered inside the castle with talk of a feast to be prepared. Despite the dark exterior of the building, we stepped into a grand entryway bathed in white and gold. Two large spiral staircases off to each side led up to the top floor. A lengthy landing at the top joined the two. A massive crystal chandelier lit up with candles hung over the entryway.
Noxx held my hand tightly in his as we passed beneath the staircase landing, turning down a long corridor that brought us past the kitchen and into a dining hall. Right away men andwomen bustled back-and-forth from the kitchen, bringing in large amounts of alcohol, water, and fruit.
While we waited for a meal to be prepared, Noxx answered the many questions being hurled at him. He sat me in the seat next to his at the head of the table, never letting go of my hand as he spoke. Together, we told everyone where we’d been and what we’d endured, leaving out the most personal and private moments.
