Page 62 of The Dragon King's Curse
With a slow shake of her head, Cleo said, “No, never. Despite being twins, the two of them have always been in conflict. Rivals from the moment they were born. Once their parents died, and Noxx took the throne, Nika made it her duty to challenge him. She believed she was as entitled to the throne as him. When she was caught making plans to kill Noxx, she was banished.”
“From the castle, you mean? She’s still in the realm?” This didn’t sound good at all. I’d never had a sibling, though most of my friends and family did. None of them had hated each other like this.
“No, she still dwells within the realm. A castle near a small town. A two day flight from here. Noxx was advised by several people in the kingdom to banish her from the realm entirely. I assume guilt kept him from doing so. He let her stay.” Cleo reached to run her fingers over the soft petals of a rose on a bush next to the bench.
I mulled over what she’d told me. Noxx hadn’t hesitated to kill anyone who stood in his path during our escape. Knowing that his own sister had plotted to kill him and he let her live told me much about who he really was deep inside. Beyond the gruff exterior.
He was a man who loved so much that he let his hateful, murderous sister live. Giving her another opportunity to harm him. Even my own father would have never taken that kind of risk.
“He’s a good man,” I murmured softly. “He protected me, even though he hated me for what my people did to him.”
Meeting my eyes, Cleo patted my arm. “That man is head over heels in love with you. I know it is none of my business, and it’s not my place to say, but please do not break his heart.”
Her solemn request took me by surprise. I blinked several times while trying to find the words to respond. Finally, I said, “That has never been my intention. I’m afraid because I don’t know what comes next. We come from two different realms. Realms that have gone to war. What kind of future can we have?”
I wasn’t sure why my innermost thoughts and fears spilled out so freely. There was something about Cleo that made it easy to share. A genuine warmth.
“You can have whatever future you wish to have. The two of you are not your realms. Let your heart lead you, Feryn. You might be surprised where it takes you.”
Her words were simple yet wise. I took them to heart, carrying them close. She was right. Noxx and I were not our realms. We were not obligated to continue a war we did not want.
Cleo and I returned to the kitchen where I helped with the preparation for tomorrow night’s ball. Simple tasks like chopping fruit and washing potatoes helped keep my mind off Noxx. I desperately wished for his return. I needed to see him.
I sensed Elora’s presence before I turned to find her standing inside the kitchen doorway. She carried a sinister vibe that made my skin crawl. Clad in a long black dress, her hair flowing, she crossed her arms and looked me up and down.
“Since when does a princess help with the grunt work? Shouldn’t you be lounging around, being waited on hand and foot?” Ignoring the warning look Cleo shot her, Elora stalked over to the counter and helped herself to some freshly cut melon.
Since I wasn’t about to lower myself to her standards, I calmly said, “Being waited on hand and foot isn’t really my style.I’m a warrior. I fought for my people. I’m much more content carrying a sword than being pampered.”
Elora’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think that makes you superior? Do you think you can come here and manipulate the king into taking you as his wife?”
“Elora, that’s enough.” Cleo whirled to face her. “I won’t have you disrespecting the princess. She’s a guest here.”
“Manipulate the king?” I let out a little laugh. “Are you talking about the same Noxx Drakoth that I know? There is no manipulating that man. He’s far too headstrong for that.”
Trying to keep my anger in check, I continued chopping strawberries. I couldn’t deny that a dark little part of me wanted to drive my knife into Elora’s chest.
“You may hold his interest for now but he will never be with you. The king of dragons must be with a dragon. If I were you, princess, I would hurry back to my homeland and forget him entirely.” The malice in Elora’s tone told me that she likely wanted to harm me too.
I turned to face her then, holding her steely gaze with one of my own. “Well then, it’s a good thing you’re not me. I will not be intimidated by you, Elora. What the king and I share is none of your concern.”
Cleo cut in before Elora could respond. “Elora, will you please go and check the garden for fresh carrots? We don’t have enough here.”
Elora stormed from the kitchen without another word, purposely slamming into a rack of silver trays on her way out. Everyone else working in the kitchen continued on as if nothing had happened. They must be used to her.
“I’m sorry about her. She’s burning with jealousy. Her attraction to the king was never reciprocated. Don’t pay her any mind.” Cleo offered me an apologetic smile. “Why don’t you fetch yourself a glass of wine and sit in the garden until the kingreturns? I’ll have someone bring you something to eat. The elven prefer to eat plants, correct?”
Although I didn’t mind helping, I assumed she wanted me gone before Elora returned with carrots. Just as well. I didn’t want to speak with her again anyway.
A glass of wine sounded nice. “That’s right. That would be incredibly kind of you. Thank you, Cleo.”
With a glass of wine in hand, I returned to the bench near the fountain in the garden. There was something special and serene about this place. I could stare out across the garden and never grow tired of the view.
As she promised, Cleo sent someone from the kitchen with a platter of bread and strawberry jam, along with an assortment of fruit, vegetables, and crackers topped with a delightful oat cream spread. I gratefully dug in, eating until I was stuffed full.
As the afternoon became evening, I began to grow restless. After so many days being constantly on the move, I didn’t know how to sit still anymore.
A strange sensation took hold. A feeling deep within my core. A certainty that Noxx was coming. I felt him like he was inside me. Part of me.
