The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

Fabian crosses his hand on his chest and tilts his head to look at us, the expression on his face is unreadable to me.

“Lara, are you all right?” He asks carefully, eyeing the gerdian behind my back and Demir wants to step forward but I stop him by touching him gently, and, surprisingly, he obeys.

“I am absolutely fine, Fabian, “ I smile innocently and feel a prick of guilt somewhere deep inside, “I just went for a walk and met sir Demir here.”

“Demir?” the warrior of Light’s lips twitch slightly, “I thought your name was Rien…”

“It is,” the gerdian answers calmly, “Rien is my family name and Demir is my forename.”

“Sounds unusual,” the guy says still looking at us with suspicion in his eyes.

“Well, Fabian Marten is unusual for us,” the gerdian smirks, “Sounds a bit…feminine. Although I have to say it suits you just fine.”

The light one clenches his fists but says nothing. He is a son of a politician and knows what to say and when to stay silent.

“Anyway, what were you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to guard your master?” Fabian takes my hand and pulls me over to his side, “And just how did you come to meet my fiancée that everyone is looking for right now?”

Demir’s eyes spark with the dark magic and I feel Fab’s grip on me tighten. Just as if he was preparing for a fight.

“The lady never mentioned that she has a fiancé,” the gerdian says calmly but the aftertaste of his words is menacing.

“That’s because the lady doesn’t have one,” I give out a little laugh, “Fabian is joking!”

My brother’s friend looks at me with a slight disappointment but adds nothing to what he already says. Neither he denies it.

“Anyway,” he suddenly sounds friendly again, “Everyone is waiting for us at the fest in honour of your ambassador. Why don’t we go there together?”

“Yes, you both should definitely go,” I stretch a smile on my face, “And I need to come back home.”

“Oh, no, Lara,” Fabian chuckles, “I am not letting you go alone. Besides, I have nobody to accompany me today. Why don’t you do it if I was so lucky as to save you for the second time this week.”

Oh, no. Not this saving me crap again.

“There was nothing to save her from,” Demir interrupts him, “The lady was perfectly fine with me. Moreover, she was so fine that she was helping me to find the way back to the tower you appointed for us.”

I look at the gerdian gratefully as the last thing I need is another debt to Martens. They seem to be piling up out of nowhere even if I do nothing.

“Look at the sky, my friend,” Fabian snorts, “Everyone is looking for Lara, her brother must be going crazy.”

“That’s true,” I say, “Gideon probably worries about me, so it’s best if I go home and…”

“He has to be at the feast, Lara,” the light one smiles, “It’s his duty today above everything as my father’s advisor. That’s why I am taking you there.”

“No, please, I am not even dressed to go to an event like that!” I protest.

“Then let’s stop at my sister’s first,” the guy smirks and I feel like I fell into some kind of trap right now. Fabian practically drags me and when I look at Demir, he follows us with a grim face. All of this doesn’t feel right to me at all…

“Lara! There you are!” Bria runs to me and gives me the tightest of hugs, “I was worried sick! You disappeared into nowhere and no one could find you! I wanted to go look for you but father ordered me to stay and prepare for the feast. I have to entertain the ambassador tonight together with your brother…”

“I am fine, I was fine this whole time!” I try to reassure her, “It’s a long story…I just need to get home.”

“Oh, no!” she pulls me into her wardrobe room by my hand, “Fabian told me to not let you go! You are going to the feast with us! We have already sent a messenger to Gideon. I am sure he will be happy to see you there.”

“I highly doubt it!” I sigh, “Lately he prefers it if I stay home.”

“The more reason for you to use this chance and have some fun with us! Have you seen the gerdians? I mean, I know that they are the dark ones and all that… But, oh, Brighta, the Goddess of Light! They are something, right?! I’ve never seen such a… brutal male beauty before!”

“Me neither,” I bite my swollen l*p that still tastes like Demir.

“You’ve just met one, right? How was it?” my friend asks as she pushes me to a chair and starts braiding my hair.

“Nothing special,” I lie not for the first time today. And all thanks to one man. Gerdians are a terrible influence! No matter how I look at it!

“And look what I have for you!” Bria brings out the most beautiful silver dress, with corsage embroidered with the finest pearly beaded patterns and fabric of the skirt flowing to the ground in several waves.

“That’s a beautiful dress,” I gasp, “Bria, but I have never seen you wearing it…”

“That’s because it’s not mine,” she giggles, “Fabian ordered it especially for you, Lara. That’s one of the gifts he has planned to send to your house when asking for your hand in marriage.”

“Tell me he is not serious…”

“On the contrary, Lara, he is very serious. I’ve never seen him like this before and you know what?” Bria looks at me with a mischievous smile, “I think it is going to be good for both of you.”

“Love for you will make him a decent Warrior of Light and as for you… he will give you an official status. No one would dare to say a word to you if you will become his wife.”

Yeah. In theory. And still, not the best reason to marry someone.

“Bri,” I sigh, “We are so different…”

“And that’s why you will make the best couple!” she says as she ties the dress on my back, “Honestly, Lar, you don’t have to marry him tomorrow! Just give the guy a chance to prove himself! He is so in love with you that it’s painful to look at him!”

“That’s what you were telling when he was ‘in love’ with Tatiana and Naria,” I giggle.

“Are you kidding me? That was nothing!” she snorts, pulling the strings tighter, “He never mentioned marrying any of them. But with you, he actually prepared for it!”

“Shame he forgot to ask me first,” I give out a little laugh.

“You know men!” my friend rolls her eyes, fixing the threads of beads on my shoulders, “They want to be the ones to decide! I wish you knew how bad it is within the Warriors of Light! No equality for the female fighters at all!”

It sounds sad, but I wish I could actually experience it…

“There,” Bria brings me to a mirror, “Beautiful, isn’t it?!”

And this time I have to agree with her. Never in my life have I looked as good as I do today. The dress fits me perfectly, beads shimmering in the evening lights, strands of it are covering my hands and hair, rich red locks fall beautifully to my waist, creating the perfect contrast with the garment.

“One more detail,” Bria smiles as she clasps a silver pearl necklace on my neck.

“This is too much!” I touch the cold stones.

“Nonsense!” she snorts, “It’s all yours anyway! And now, let’s go! I am dying to show off both our dresses! Tatiana, Naria, Feridea – they are all going to die of jealousy!”

“That’s not Brighta’s way,” I remind my friend and she rolls her eyes.

“Who cares?!” she giggles, “Tonight we can blame whatever we do on the gerdians! Let’s go!”

We walk to the grand hall of the Martens’ house together and all the way I am hoping that Fabian is already at the feast and has forgotten about me. But no such luck, as he is waiting for us not far from the entrance.

“Larissa,” his lips part and he looks breathless, “You…You…”

“She looks wonderful tonight,” Bria helps him out, fixing sapphire strands that fall from her necklace to her pale blue dress, “Isn’t that what you wanted to say, brother?”

“Of course,” Fabian smiles and offers me his hand, “I was just lost for words… I am definitely the luckiest man tonight.”

“Yes, you are,” his sister chuckles and steps into the room first.

“Lady Brianna Marten!” the herald announces her arrival.

And next is our turn…

“Lord Fabian Marten, The Knight Commander of the Order of Warriors of Light, heir of Marten dynasty together with his fiancée lady Larissa Artes, daughter of the deceased Duke Adrian Artes.”

And all eyes are on me…