Page 8 of The Dragon King's Curse
CHAPTER FOUR
NOXX
For almost a fortnight, I’d been patrolling the land between my realm and that of the fae. A team of my people had gone missing while patrolling my borders. Not so much as a body had been found.
When the news reached me, I had promptly gathered supplies and headed out with a team intent on finding them. Most kings didn’t like to get their hands dirty. Me? I fucking loved it.
There was nothing like being in the heat of the battle, in the center of the fight, as bodies fell on every side of me. I was quick to join the frontline of any war my people were involved with. There was no challenge I would not face.
Now we’d made our way into the heart of The Seam. The neutral land between the Fire Realm and the Shadow Realm. I strongly suspected the fae were responsible for my missing men. However, it wasn’t in their nature to pull a move like this without making damn sure I knew about it.
“We should take a break. The men are growing restless and tired. We won’t be able to continue much longer if we don’t rest.” Pyke, one of my righthand men and close friends, suggested.
He shoved a weary hand through his blonde hair. Several days of being on the move had left him with a grizzled jaw. I too had the start of a beard. Perhaps a day or two at an inn where we could wash, shave, and sleep would benefit us all.
The rest of the thirteen men with us were in various states of fatigue. We’d been on our feet for days now, barely stopping to set up camp. I didn’t like to drive them this hard. Dragons possessed more stamina and strength than any known creature, yet we still needed rest.
“Fine. We’ll stop at the next town.” Taking a break felt like leaving my lost men to fend for themselves. I hated the thought of not being there if they needed me. Every single person in my employ was family.
Of course, that meant I had to provide for those helping me to find them. Some rest would rejuvenate us all. We would be better equipped to continue our journey.
The first inn we tried didn’t have enough room for all of us. At the innkeeper’s suggestion, we tried another on the other side of town. They were more than happy to accommodate us. Most of the men shared a room. They would also likely share women from the local tavern as well.
I preferred to room alone. The room itself was small and quaint. Large enough for a bed that would fit two, as well as a small bath and washroom facilities. Once I let myself inside and got cleaned up, I was more than happy to pay the gold required for the stay.
Picking up the sharp blade that had been left with other personal care tools, I carefully shaved the heavy stubble from my face. My jaw was hard set, my gold eyes filled with determination and impatience. My reflection looked as annoyed as I felt.
My friends often commented on how long it had been since they’d seen me truly smile. Carrying the weight of the elven curse made it difficult to give a shit about anything else. It hadbeen more than ten years since they cursed me. I’d been twenty-three years old on the day they trapped my dragon inside me. I hadn’t been able to shift into my dragon form since.
That kind of thing left a dragon in a rough state. There wasn’t much to smile about when my authority as king was constantly questioned. Enemies on every side tested me in every way. Many of my own people no longer trusted me to lead them because I had not yet found a way to break the curse that held my beast caged inside me.
Fuck smiling. Who needed it anyway?
After shoving a comb through my disheveled ebony hair, I dressed in a fresh black shirt and leather pants. As much as I’d have loved to fall into the bed and sleep for two days straight, meeting the guys in the tavern below the inn felt like a necessity. A stiff drink would really hit the spot.
“And so he appears. I didn’t think you would grace us with your presence tonight.” Flynn, one of my few close friends and top guards, raised his glass to me.
I pulled out a wooden chair at the round table a few of my men sat around. The others were cavorting on the other side of the tavern, getting to know the local women and ladies of the night. A server immediately came to take my order. I made sure to ask for the strongest drink they had available.
“I couldn’t very well leave you jackasses down here alone. You might sully my good name with your shitty behavior.” A vicious smirk crossed my face. It was as close as I came to a smile these days. Grim amusement rather than true joy.
The men surrounding the table all burst into raucous laughter. Cain shook his head, his long cinnamon colored braids bouncing. “Good one, Noxx. I have yet to hear anyone speak well of you. Have you ever had a good name?”
I shrugged, placing a few coins on the server’s tray when she brought my drink. “It’s doubtful. I prefer the reputation I have. No dragon king should ever be thought of as good or kind.”
The gods knew I’d never done a damn thing to improve the reputation I’d earned. The elves hadn’t cursed me for nothing. Some of my own people crossed to the other side of the street when they saw me walking through the city back home in my own realm. I’d never been cruel to anyone who didn’t deserve it. Yet the stories were told far and wide of the brutality I’d inflicted.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Flynn said. “I don’t think you have a kind bone in your body.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Pyke joined in. “You might be a hardass, Noxx, but you get the job done. That’s what matters. You’ve always been a solid leader.”
I shook my head, waving away his remark. “That’s enough kissing of my ass. We’re not here to discuss my attributes. Enjoy yourselves while you can. We’ll be on the road again two days from now.”
Taking a large drink from the heady brew in my cup, I surveyed the room. I wasn’t one for the company of women. Most women were terrified of me, making it difficult to be around them. I was happy to enjoy some time with a lady for the right price and be on my way. It had been some time since I’d emptied my balls into anything other than my own hand. A few more drinks and I may consider one of the working women.
As I consumed drink after drink, I sat back and listened to the men talk shit and amuse themselves with crude jokes. Two of the women on the prowl for money and company approached our table. I was good and drunk by then.
The first woman, a timid blonde, glanced at me before averting her gaze. Not before I saw the fear that lurked within her. Perhaps it was the scar slashing through my eyebrow, acrossmy eyelid, and down onto my cheek. Although considering half the men in this place were scarred and ugly as sin, she most likely knew exactly who I was, and wanted nothing to do with me.
