Page 1 of The Promise Born
Chapter 1
Therewasnothingmoreannoying than the thunderous sound of dragon wings drowning out the sweet tune of the morning birds. Each day started the same. I would stand beneath the sun, a cup of gem leaf tea in hand, and clear my mind. Most mornings, I woke up with rampant thoughts and that was the only way to get myself ready for another day running my shop.
Simple Delights. That was the name hanging over the door. Opening the shop had been a dream of mine since I was a small girl. Of course, I had to fight my mother on the idea. But she wasn’t around to stop me anymore. So, I could do whatever I wanted to do. And the first chance I got, I ran to a new town and started working on my dreams.
Clayhorn had taken me in when I stumbled into its borders, an outsider with nothing but recipes and stubbornness. The one who’d shown up and swooned the locals with her delicacies. I fed the townsfolk and kept to myself. I’d created a refuge for myself, a quiet corner where I could escape the noise and worries of the world. That meant keeping out of business that wasn’t my own. And the large convoy of dragons flying ahead was just that. None of my business.
But even I couldn’t ignore the dragons. The sight of them flying ahead ignited a burning curiosity within me, a feeling both thrilling and unsettling.
I squinted my eyes against the rays of sunlight to see the signs of opulence hanging from the dragon and the device fastened to it, signifying a rider. The only people who rode dragons anymore were the royals. The rest of us would shift and use our own wings to carry us across the land. Not the royals. They had to keep themselves presentable and shifting often got ugly. And how could a queen be dignified when her appearance was a mess?
Within minutes, the town’s people came running out of their homes to watch the dragons. The Royal’s special spot, the large grassy center near the center of town, was overgrown and full of weeds from neglect. I understood the excitement of the others. They wanted to see what would finally bring the royals our way.
The nagging curiosity propelled me. I wrapped a dark scarf around my head and joined the throng of people, their hushed whispers hinting at the surprise visitors. The air buzzed with the frustrated sighs and muttered complaints about unpaid taxes and fines. After all, that was the only reason the royals ever made an appearance. As long as taxes were paid, they didn’t care about us. And even then, they normally sent the guards to handle the tax collections, not fly in themselves.
That was the way I liked it. It was why I chose the small town of Clayhorn as my new home. I didn’t want too many eyes on me or my work.
“Kiala, even you’re out to catch sight of the visitors,” an aged voice called out to me.
I turned around and saw Mesi's familiar face, the first woman to ever taste my food and my most loyal customer.
“I figured it might be a big deal. They rarely come here,” I answered the gray-haired old lady, who nodded and shuffled forward to join her friends.
From what I knew of the trio, they had been friends since they were kids. When they were old enough, they traveled the world together. They never married or had children, each choosing friendship over love. And when their wings grew tired, they chose Clayhorn as their home.
I was sure that if one passed, the others would soon follow. They were one soul in three vessels.
I listened to their chatter and laughter as I followed them into the growing crowd.
“I think that was the prince’s dragon.” Mesi looked at her friends and hooked her arms through theirs.
“Maybe he’s here to find love.” Margo, the redhead one who always wore too much perfume, blushed. “Wouldn’t that be sweet? He’s at that age, you know. “
“A royal coming here to find love is a ridiculous thought. Who would he find here that would ever be accepted by the royals? That would be a cruel joke to play.” Soki, the dark-haired one, scoffed. “He’s probably here to collect taxes.”
“How could you say that?” Mesi sucked her teeth and glanced back at me. “There are plenty of quality eligible girls here. I’m sure one of them could catch his eye.”
“Always the optimist with your head in the clouds.” Soki fussed, and they all cackled.
“Well, you know, she could be right,” Margo spoke again. “I hear the queen has been pressuring him to find a bride. Avin, who works in the castles, told me they are preparing to pass the torch. If they do, he’ll at least need to have a love interest. I mean, they’re still old-fashioned like that. If he doesn’t have one, it shows weakness.”
“A shame. And he is next in line now.” Mesi’s voice was suddenly heavy with sorrow. “His brother was a fine prince. He would have made an excellent king as well.”
“Asante is fine as well, but from what I hear, his head is in the clouds. I don’t think finding a wife is something that can fix that.” Soki added. “But it is time. The king and queen have done a fine job ruling. They deserve to step down.”
“A good woman can work miracles!” Mesi clapped. “But can she make a prince a king?”
“Are you applying for the position?” Soki poked her side. “Do you think you can make him a king?”
“If the prince would have me!” Mesi wiggled her hips. “It doesn’t really matter what I think. Besides, with my bad knees and wrinkled neck, he won’t be asking my opinion!”
The trio cackled as they shuffled forward, and Mesi glanced back at me once again. I waved shyly and fell back. There was something about the way she kept looking at me that made my stomach cramp. That fear of being found.
It was paranoia, nothing more.
We made it to the center of town in time to see the dragons all poised to let their riders down.
In Saldann, there were two types of dragons: those who could change their forms into a bipedal state, and those who were locked in dragon form that made it impossible for them to integrate with other populations. We all descended from them, but something changed the bloodlines, creating three branches. The Stagnant, the Fire, and my bloodline, the Ice.
