Page 7 of The Promise Born
“No?” His jaw tightened once again. He didn't expect me to reject him. The hurt in his eyes told me he believed my rejection was simply a manifestation of my unwillingness to commit to marriage. Even without the promise of love symbolized by a cold, hard ring, a new name, or a sense of nobility, I felt content with my life. Why would I give that up?
In an instant, as quick as a lightning strike, his demeanor changed. That softness that caught my attention earlier hardened. Ridges appeared around his face, as if he was holding back a shift from his dragon. This was not a prince accustomed to being told no.
“You would continue to reject me after all I’ve done?” He spoke through a tightened jaw. “How could you be so ungrateful?”
“Did I ask you to do anything for me? You sent your gifts and purchased your sweets, and you expect me to do what exactly? I don't want to walk away from everything I have here and come live there and cook for one person. I do this because I enjoy seeing the faces of people who enjoy my food.”
“I am more important than these people,” Asante boasted.
“Says who?” I shook my head and stepped away from him, disgusted. “What about you wanting to change your reputation here?”
“I have a lot on my plate. For weeks I have been sending money into this town, buying your treats. And respecting your decision to decline my first proposal. I know who I am and if they can’t see that even after all that, it’s not up to me to fix.”
“And maybe that's your problem.” I hoped no one would hear what he said. “You think you’re better than the people here simply because of your status. A status you did not earn but were born with. You are no better than they are.”
“I withdraw my proposal.” Asante scowled at me. “This is no longer a request. I'm issuing a demand. You have seven nights. Wrap things up here and come to the Crown. And if you don't, I will send someone for you.”
“Excuse me?” I backed further away from his dark expression. “You can't be serious right now.”
“I’m not one for telling jokes.”
I had to swallow back the urge to reveal the secret I had kept for so long, one that could get me out of the unwanted position. But it was a secret for a reason. Instead, I swallowed back the words. I’d have to find another way out of this mess.
“This is a good thing for you.” He reached around me and grabbed the last puffed pastry from the counter. “You’ll earn more and be safer.”
“Are you just going to ignore me?” I laughed. “You expect me to believe this is about my safety now? I told you I don’t want to go.”
“I heard you. But this time, I'm the one rejecting what you want.” Asante turned and left the shop. The little bell above the door ringing as it slammed shut.
Chapter 4
Sevennightstogetmy affairs in order. And just like he said, on that seventh night, they arrived. Employed to the crown, workers who shut my shop down, packed my things from my home, and carried me away. And I let them. It made no sense to fight them.
I didn’t want to make a big scene in my small town. Stories of the prince kidnapping a woman would travel far and wide. If it did, the wrong person might hear it and come to investigate. So, I said my uneasy goodbyes to those I’d become accustomed to and left it all behind. Mesi came to clean out everything she could before they ushered me away. Once again, there was something in the way she looked at me that made me feel unsettled, but I filed it away with all the things that no longer mattered.
I sat uncomfortably in the seat atop the dragon carrying me from my peaceful home to the center of Starwell. Before I climbed into the carrier on its back, I said a quick apology to the dragon and hoped it would forgive me. Even so, I wished they hadn’t made me ride. Minutes into the flight, I realized I’d seen very little of the side of the island claimed by the fire dragons.
When I ran from my home, I wasn’t much interested in sightseeing, but in the hope of choice. And because I wanted to stay hidden, I'd never allowed my wings to carry me across the land. It was too risky. So, I’d gone without shifting, which meant no flights and minimum traveling. Although I was being carried away against my will, I was able to appreciate what felt like a new world to me.
Starwell was a mirrored version of Frostspire. Full of flush valleys, mountains, rivers, and fertile earth. Birds followed our path, separating and rejoining as they rode the current the larger beasts created. I closed my eyes and savored the ride. I imagined diving off the side of the dragon, unleashing my own wings, and joining the birds.
Just a few hours after leaving, we landed in the center of the royal grounds. And everywhere around us there were preparations happening. It took a moment for me to remember, but this was the time of the festival. Joyous occasions when people came together from all corners of the world. In addition to the festival, there was also a wedding approaching. The rumors of it had spread quickly through Clayhorn. A royal wedding that might reshape the political landscapes. If I had been back home in Saldann, I would have been an expected part of the celebrations. And odd things since the dragons never attended the actual celebration. Still, we loved a party, so we would simply do our own thing in Saldann. I guess the fire dragons felt the same way.
It would be exhausting and overwhelming and my mother would constantly fret about my hair, my skin, and my outfits for the weekend. Not anymore. It didn't matter. What did matter was surviving whatever the hell the prince had in mind for me.
“You're here.” The annoying voice of a little man with too much power at his disposal reached my ear.
“It's not as if I had a choice.” I turned to find Domin standing with a smug look on his face.
“Indeed.” He sighed, almost rolling his eyes at me. “The prince was adamant about you coming to work here, so I guess I should welcome you.”
When he said nothing else, I shrugged and looked around the open courtyard. “Am I just supposed to stand here or is there something for me to do?”
“Uradis will take you to your room.” He pointed at a tall, dark-skinned woman with soft eyes and long brown hair who appeared beside him. “You will remain there until further word.”
“Thanks.” I said simply and turned to the woman.
“Follow me.” She spoke with a deep voice that made me imagine a powerful dragon living inside of her.
