Page 41 of Kingdom of Flames & Flowers
As I ate, I couldn’t stop thinking about Zariah and Zion’s upcoming ‘talk’ with me. Screw that. I couldn’t stop thinking about how warm it had been sleeping against Zariah’s scales, and how good it had felt to have his arms wrapped around me. I wanted to feel the sun on my skin again, and the wind flying through my hair as I soared through the skies like a wild bird.
“It’s such a shame we didn’t get to see you fight.… I was so looking forward to it,” Leilani commented offhandedly, her lips forming into a pout as she finished a piece of ham.
I flashed my teeth at them all. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m just getting started.”
ChapterThirteen
Everyone eventually ended up in bed, but sleep was the last thing on my mind. I waited anxiously for Azalea and Leilani’s breaths to even out. Once they did, I slipped silently from bed and padded across our suite on silent feet. My fingers trailed on the cold metal of the doorknob.
“I knew it. You’ve been sneaking out to see the prince.”
I whipped around in a defensive position, but it was only Freesia, her arms wrapped around her thin nightgown as she glared at me.
“It isn’t fair. If you think being a whore is how you’re gonna win—”
“Oh shut up. You want to see the prince so badly? Come with me.” I don’t know what made me say that, but it effectively ended her tirade. Freesia gawked at me, her lips parted in shock. She blinked rapidly, giving herself a once over.
“I’m not dressed appropriately! My hair is a mess! It’ll take me forever to put my makeup on!”
I rolled my eyes and opened the door.
“If you go out, I’ll tell the fireguards!” she whispered harshly.
A laugh bubbled its way out of my throat. “Right. And then I’ll set the dragon on them. Who do you think will win that fight?”
Her face went white, and without looking back, I slammed the door in her face. The look of fear twisting her dainty features was one I’d enjoy for a while.
“Can I be of help?”
I jumped for the second time in five minutes as a fireguard appeared out of nowhere, leering down at me.
“Sweet Mother, were you hiding in the shadows, waiting to pounce?” I asked incredulously.
The fireguard looked ready to hit me, then froze when he saw my face. “You … the dragon girl…”
I was done with everyone’s shit. Just yesterday, I thought I was about to become dragon fodder. Now everyone was afraid of me. A new surge of confidence went through my veins. It was amazing how your perspective on life changed when you didn’t, in fact, die.
“Yes,me. Kindly escort me to the prince’s tower. We have some urgent business.”
The man was young with dirty blonde hair, and dark eyes. His helmet obscured his other features.
“I need … I need to tell the queen you’re back.”
The poor man seemed in a daze. Had the queen told everyone I’d died or something? That would be like her.
“Yes, very well, do what you need to do, but after you escort me.” I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my foot impatiently.
“No need, fireguard. I could smell the mud all the way down the hall.”
I whipped around as the queen stood behind us, her onyx jewelry glittering off the torches lining the halls.
The fireguard bowed. “My apologies.”
The queen sniffed. “Dismissed.”
We stood in tense silence as my only witness marched away. My anxiety grew as she turned, giving me her full attention.
“Not dead.”
