Dragon’s Breath

Bidding Gregory farewell, I leave his office the door softly clicking behind me. I walk down the dimly lit hallway, my bare feet smacking the tile beneath them. As I'm walking, I hear hushed voices coming from down another hall. Curiosity getting the better of me, I turn around and head to where the voices are coming from.

I slow my pace so as not to be heard, heading to the source of the voices. Turning the corner, I duck behind a statue of a lion, slowly peeking out from behind it. My eyes go wide at the sight before me. Evalene is pinned against the wall, softly laughing as a tall man with wavy chestnut brown hair nibbles at her neck. As I step forward to get a closer look, my knee smacks into the statue causing a loud, bong to echo throughout the hall. Quickly, I dive behind the statue again.

My heart thumps like a drum in my ears. I try to contain my breathing as they talk in hushed voices.

"What was that?" the man questions in a low voice.

"You don't think anyone saw us do you?" Evalene says, sounding panicked.

"We should probably go, it would be trouble if someone found us," the man responds. With that, they duck into a nearby room.

Evalene's having an affair. What does this mean? A wicked smirk makes its way onto my face. It would be such a waste to not somehow use this newfound information. Now, I only need to confirm who that man is.

Quietly, I head back to my chambers. Entering my room I crawl into bed pulling the covers over my head. I fall asleep feeling satisfied I can easily cancel my marriage to Prince Geoffrey.

***

I sit quietly behind the lion statue and watch Evalene and the man intently. For the past three days after I finish my assigned duties, I go to watch Evalene in order to confirm who the man she's with is. I watch as they do the same thing they do everyday. Evalene grips the mans hair tightly as he kisses her neck and begins to loosen her dress.

"We really shouldn't do this out in the hall," Evalene says breathlessly.

The man pulls away laughing lightly.

"Who's going to see us this late, everyone should be resting in their chambers," he pauses then continues with a sigh. "But if it makes you more comfortable we can head inside."

With that they head into the near by room.

I After days of observation, I find that the brown-haired man shares a striking resemblance to Prince Geoffrey. The same wavy chestnut hair and strongly defined features. Not to mention upon closer examination they share a similar scent.

If Geoffrey is the bastard child of the queen, that means he has no claim to the throne. If Gwen knew that, that would give her more reason to seize the throne. Things finally seem to be coming together.

I leave from where I'm spying. Stealthily moving through the castle halls, I make my way to Soren's room. Briskly, I knock on the door. I'm so excited about this newfound information that I can barely keep still, but I manage to contain myself.

Soren slowly pulls the door open. He stares down at me with sleep ridden eyes. Placing a hand to his mouth, he yawns then rubs his eyes.

"What do you need?" He questions gruffly.

Smiling up at him, I push his door farther open, going into his room. I pull out a chair, sitting next to a desk in the back of his room and take a seat. I watch as he closes his door, then turns to look at me expectantly.

"What are you doing?" he questions, raising an eyebrow.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm coming in to talk," I state matter of factly.

"If you have something to tell me, do it. I'm tired and would like to resume sleeping," Soren says, once again rubbing his eyes.

Deciding not to drag this out any longer, I tell him the information I've gathered.

"A few days ago, when I was returning to my chambers after visiting Gregory, I heard some people talking. Naturally, being the curious person I am, I went to see what it was. And you'll never believe what I saw." I pause, staring at Soren.

Soren sighs, "What did you see?" he asks, sounding exasperated.

I smile brightly, delight filling my face. "I saw Evalene having an affair. It would seem that the lovely queen has a bastard of her own," I say, waiting for the information to register.

I wait for a few seconds, watching as Soren's eyes go wide and a smirk grazes his lips.

"The only way she could hide a bastard is if she claims it was the king's," Soren says.

"She does, but get this; the other man looks just like an older version of prince Geoffrey. Since the prince I'm supposed to marry is a bastard it makes our marriage invalid. Also, this will likely make asking Gregory if Flavius is his son a lot easier," I say.

"That is true, but we must still be careful it is very asking a king about that. It's disrespectful," Soren replies.

"Gregory needs to know," I say.

"We'll tell him tomorrow. For now, return to your chambers and get some rest," Soren says, standing up and opening the door.

I pull myself from the chair and walk over to Soren. Placing a hand on his shoulder I bid him farewell, then head to my chambers.

Reaching my room, I go in quietly, tossing myself onto the bed. Soren said we'll be telling Gregory tomorrow about what I've seen. I can't help but be nervous about it. Gregory's always been a gentleman, but he may not take kindly to us asking him if he has a bastard child. Not to mention finding out his wife has been disloyal and his beloved son is not really his.

In the silence of my room, worry and doubt wrap their vile claws around my mind. My head pounds wildly as my mind races with each new scenario that pops in my head. What if Gregory would rather not know this information? What if he doesn't believe me? Gregory's always been so kind, and since the moment I've shown up here in the capital I've done nothing but tear his family apart and cause trouble. With everything that's been happening, I'm starting to wonder if now is really a good time to tell him this.

With my mind spiraling downhill, deeper and deeper into the abyss of my dark thoughts, sleep somehow claims me, pulling me into its warm embrace.

***

I awake the next morning cuddled into my soft white sheets. I am first aware of the soft fading moonlight casting a silver glow in my room. Slowly and reluctantly, I uncover my body. Sitting up, I drag my feet off of the bed and rub my knuckles into my eyes. I stretch my arms above my head and yawn.

Pulling myself off the bed, I brush my hair and clothe myself and just like yesterday, I decide to walk to the lake instead of fly. Leaving the castle, I head into the woods that I've come to love so much. The woods surrounding the city remind me of the forest around the horde. It's places like this that I feel most at home. I am surrounded by beauty and silence, but most of all I am alone. Here I don't have to deal with people's harsh words or judgemental stares: I am alone and at peace.

In the forest, there is a sense of kinship with the flora, of an ancient soul that stretches into everything that lives. It is here under the nascent rays of the blooming sun born to rise each day that I am so very alive. How could I not love the forest? From simple seed, with mud, water and sun, comes all this, these towing gentle giants that are so anchoring to all that I am.

I walk slowly through the forest, enjoying the heat of the rising sun upon my skin. I arrive at the lake and look around once again, soaking in the beauty of this place. I don't think I'll ever tire of coming here. Each time I come it seems to be more beautiful than the last.

While I'm staring at the sky reflected on the lake, I feel a warm hand caress my should. The touch causes electrifying sparks to shoot through my body. I turn around, looking up into Flavius's molten brown eyes. The color is so simple, yet so alluring. Looking down at me with a faint smile, Flavius bends to give me a peck on the lips.

When he pulls away from the kiss, I take a step back and look at him closely. Today he's dressed in pair of loose black cotton pants and a drawstring shirt that's open on the collar, exposing his bronze skin. His curls are pulled up into a half ponytail with only a few loose strands hanging in his face.

"I won't be staying very long today," I say quietly.

"I'm sure Soren wouldn't have let you stay with me very long to begin with. He's been working me to the bone, saying we don't have much time to turn me into a proper warrior," Flavius replies.

"Soren will be late today, we're going to tell Gregory of some newfound information I have," I tell him.

Flavius scrunches his brows together, "What have you found out?" he questions.

"Evalene, the queen, is having an affair, and it would seem that the one and only prince Geoffrey is the fruit of her wrongdoings," I say.

"I see," he responds quietly.

"This information changes everything, especially for you. I can't tell you my suspicions until I've confirmed everything. But I promise I'll tell you all that I know as soon as I have the confirmation I need," I explain.

I don't want to keep secrets from Flavius, but I don't want to tell him that I think Gregory maybe his father and then turn out to be wrong. I just couldn't do that to him.

"Alright, I understand," he says with a smile.

We spend the next hour indulging in one another's presence. We don't talk about the wedding or the war or anything the might cause us to worry. We just have fun light-hearted conversations until it is time for me to leave.

I nod Flavius farewell, and send him off with a kiss.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I say.

"Tomorrow then," Flavius says.

I head back to the castle where I call for both Soren and Daniel. Daniel greets me with a bright smile, but under that smile I can tell he's quite exhausted.

"What have you called me for so urgently Princess?" Daniel asks in a voice full of concern.

"You'll have to wait until we reach Gregory. I promise everything will be explained," I reply.

With Soren and Daniel by my side, we head for Gregory's office. It is finally time to tell him, and I couldn't be more nervous. Thus far he's reacted well to all the information I've given him, but this information is more sensitive than anything I've ever told him before.

With trembling hands, I knock on the door. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I wait for a response.

"Come in," I hear from the other side.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter don’t forget to like and comment.- Ray