Draconess

Uleya’s POV

I wake up in a dungeon under the Uldaya palace, shackled down to the bed, but I am not alone. An entourage has arrived.

I watch as the Emperor Auguzt dismisses Lix from guarding the cell, and I stare with heavy eyes as a potion slowly lifts from my foggy brain.

I had been forced to feel so numb and tired. I can barely remember why I am here. Was I caught climbing the vines up the walls of the palace again?

I don’t know. I can’t think straight.

I shuffle back to feel a little more comfortable with my head on the pillow, as Auguzt opens the cell and walks in.

He was mortal, with a formidable face, sharp blue eyes and brown locks of hair that were always lush, hanging over his blue uniform, trimmed with silver and the Falcon symbol of his peaceful army, the Wings & Eyes.

The Wings & Eyes were low level sorcerers, trained by Zarcar and Lixar, all loyal to Auguzt. They protected Uldaya from other foreign armies.

Auguzt was usually busy in discussions with all those who mattered. Not naughty girls like me.

I had eaten dinner with him growing up, with Chyronex and the Venatores, but I had never had many direct conversations with the Emperor.

I knew him to be calm and levelheaded, and he approaches now with his prince consort waiting out the cell door. Fin and Auguzt didn’t have kids either, like Chyronex and Zarcar, so just as Chyronex doted on me, Auguzt doted on his Wings & Eyes like they were his family.

“Emperor,” I speak and my voice is husky and sore, as he gets down on one knee and starts to unlock my shackles.

“Hello, Uleya,” Auguzt knew how to speak with a tone that was very welcoming and reassuring. It made you feel safe.

I smile as he unlocks me from each shackle, “I can barely remember why I’m here, Auguzt,” I admit, “I have an awful headache, too.”

“Water?” Auguzt calls to one of the guards outside, who brings in a flask for me.

The Emperor helps me sit up against the wall behind me, pulling the pillow up to prop it behind me.

When I’m sitting up comfortably, I take the flash and drink the whole thing, not realizing how parched I was.

“Thank you,” I sigh with relief as I pass back the flask to the guard. Auguzt picks up my hand and holds it in one of his, gently, not squeezing, while staying on his knee at my bedside, “What is happening, Auguzt, why are you here?”

“I’m releasing you, and giving you immunity from entrapment like this, you have my word,” Auguzt explains why next, “There is a new threat upon the city, I have been briefed by As… his words may be contradictory to your mother and father, but Uleya, As is from Hemon,” hell itself, that was right, “As a pure bred demon, he understands the best way to tackle these Lycans, who are only half what As is.”

As Auguzt says that word, ‘Lycans’, my memories come back and I feel intense embarrassment flood through me. I hope Auguzt doesn’t know I almost lost my virginity to one of them.

It was crazy how fast I lost my heart and mind to Onyx.

I feel slightly clearer headed now, after the long sleep.

I try to sound level headed, “What do I have to do to protect Uldaya, sir?” I ask, “I will do anything. The coven and I will do anything you request of us.”

“It’s simple. Go about your days and nights without worry of judgement or control. As has advised me that the Lycan creatures will only remain less violent and not be curious of chaos, if they have their needs met. Of course, As doesn’t want you involved in that, but he knows keeping you locked away will cause more detriment than good for your soul. You have to make these next decisions yourself, autonomously. If someone else makes that decision for you, it can worsen the insanity, it may also anger the Lycans if their… women… are hidden from them.”

“…worsen my… insanity?” I whisper. I wasn’t insane!

“Uh, I mean, this is the thing, Uleya,” now Auguzt squeezes my hand, “You have been marked by the Lycans… his aura… it has mixed with yours… it is permanent… As has confirmed this. It means you may feel inclinations to call to Onyx, to serve him, but As said, the pack is half mortal. They will not hurt you badly, like a pure bred could. But you must deal with this sickness with your will intact. No interference. If you choose to go to the Lycan creatures – none of my Wings & Eyes will stop you. I will have a strong word to the Venatores. I know how war begins. It is usually by mistake and misunderstanding – there will be none here.”

Auguzt stands and waits for me to agree.

“I think I understand but what exactly do you want me to do?” I ask, “In plain terms.”

“Be free,” Auguzt says, “Go, now.”

He changes his tone with finality, a no-nonsense Emperor. It was simple now. Obey or face consequences.

I know better than to speak again.

I nod and stand up, dressed in a basic shift, I walk out of the cell, and down the corridor behind the entourage. Ahead in the dimly lit area, I can see Lix hanging about in the shadows, arms crossed over his chest as he watches the interaction.

“Leave her,” Auguzt orders Lix when he notices his lurking as well and passes him by.

As Auguzt and Fin and their guard stride off, I slow behind them, and I willingly stop to face Lix, as he waits with his back against the wall.

Auguzt looks for me and only allows the interaction to continue as Lix did not stop me, I stopped myself to speak with him.

“Tell the Venatores I am free, and I have the Emperor’s word and protection, it over rules all of yours,” I speak plainly to Lix, “Punishment of free-willed witches will no longer be necessary,” I look Lix over swiftly, from head to toe. He was superior to me in age, height and wisdom, but I had the Emperor’s authority now, “That being said, thank you for caring for me. I noticed you watching over me.”

“All you have known is peace because of Zarcar’s discipline. As for the Venatores, we know peace so well because we are also knowledgeable about war – we stave off bloody wars with demons before they reach mortal populations,” Lix explains, “I never want you to experience loss or trauma like that, Uleya. When demons step in, witches get used… and not nicely. Chyronex’s introduction to her place in the Venatores was not soft. She handled her control with grace. It’s just the way things are. Men are stable if somewhat hot-tempered, but we are soothed by our women, our mates. Women, on the other hand, are powerfully unpredictable, but they thrive with discipline. Together, men and women balance each other’s weakness out, enhance each other’s strength, we find stability together. But Uleya… that Lycan is not a team player like us in the Venatores. You understand he is selfish? Cruel?”

I gulp, but I raise my chin.

I think so much at once.

I know he is selfish… but I know Onyx is… more.

I can find out what that means.

“Do demons have mates?” I ask Lixar, instead.

He raises a brow, annoyed I went there, “The Lycans?” yep, Lixar seems pissed I asked, “Don’t get any ideas, Uleya, you are poisoned enough by him.”

“What if Onyx is my mate?” I challenge him, “I have a right to find out.”

“…Uleya, your mother will die of heart ache if anything were to happen to you…” Lixar changes tactic, “Think of your mother.”

“I am capable of making my own decisions,” I try to sound tough but my eyes tear up at the same time, at the thought of Chyronex worrying over me, “Goodbye,” I turn and walk off, arms crossed tight, tears of frustration running down my cheeks.

Lix cannot stop me, Auguzt has said otherwise.

If the Venatores openly defied the Emperor, they’d be executed.

I had the power of freedom right now. What happened next would be my responsibility.

But I’d be careful about it.

I just wouldn’t stay in the dark forever hoping and wondering what Onyx could mean to me. That in itself would drive me to a different madness!

I had to find him, even if it was one more time – or the last time.

Whatever happened, I needed to find out if maybe that feeling I felt toward Onyx, wasn’t just one-sided.

I was sure he loved me too, he just didn’t realise it yet.