The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

LARA

We were staring at each other with our mouths open, trying to stay afloat as it seemed that the river was bottomless beneath us. That wasn’t how I remembered it at all.

“I am sorry,” he mumbled, “I tried really hard not to call for you… But it’s kind of hard to restrict my thoughts. Especially after seeing you today…”

“That’s all right,” I turned away, trying to hide my red cheeks. I knew very well that he wasn’t the only one to blame for this… encounter.

I started swimming to the shore in the cave I saw Demir for the first time but stopped before I reached it. What was my plan really? I had no clothes on and none was waiting for me there. I couldn’t possibly walk out of the water.

My feet felt the rocky surface and I stood up, thinking of what to do next. I already knew how to summon him but still had no idea how to get out.

“Now that I think about it,” his voice appeared next to my ear, “I thought of you naked. But I didn’t think of this place.”

Damn it. The Dragon King was not stupid and figured everything out already.

“Well, it was hard not to think of you after our conversation for me too,” I muttered, and his chuckle let me know that he heard me well.

“There is nothing embarrassing in that, you know?” his warm hands touched my shoulders and I flinched at the sensation that made tingles erupt through my body, turning to face him. And there he was… Demir felt the ground under his feet too and stood up, towering over me and letting me see his broad chest, perfectly sculptured, with drops of water rolling down his smooth bronze skin. The moonlight was kissing his wet hair and I thanked the Goddess of Light for not making it brighter. He was the most enticing man that I ever met and for a second there, I even thought that if he kissed me now, I wouldn’t mind. He said it himself – dreams didn’t count. And when he leaned lower and I felt his hot breath on my cheeks, I closed my eyes, trembling… anticipating…

Cold water splashed into my face, bringing me back to my senses and I looked at him in shock. I was appalled but he had this childish smile on his face that made it hard for me to stay angry at him, so I made a movement with my hand to splatter him as well.

“You wicked little Angel!” he smirked, “How dare you splash the Emperor?”

I squealed, trying to get as far away from him as possible but a huge wave still covered me and I had to retreat under water. It was dark in there and I created a few small fireballs to be able to see at least something. And then weaved a thin layer of light around my torso to cover myself at least a bit. The next moment Demir appeared out of nowhere, grabbing me gently by the waist and pulling both of us to the surface, laughing. I took a deep breath of air and clenched onto him. It felt as if there was nothing underneath us and I didn’t realize at once that my naked body was pressed tightly against his. Only some light and my golden locks were separating us.

So close… This time he didn’t restrain himself and slammed his lips into mine as soon as I looked at him, while I entwined my hands around his neck, forgetting that the real world beyond that dream existed. I enjoyed it and didn’t feel guilty about any of it at all. If anything, it felt right…

I broke the k**s, taking deep gulps of air, and caught eyes filled with dark magic watching me.

“Will you marry me now?” he suddenly asked and I snorted while brushing his cheek.

“No.”

I didn’t see his expression as I woke up in my bed. I had to cover my face with a pillow to muffle the sounds that were emerging from me. I didn’t know what that was – the happiness of frustration. Or maybe both? But I had to admit… At least to myself, that I liked that man.

“I want to go for a walk”, I told my maids all of a sudden when it became clear that I wouldn’t have any visitors for breakfast.

“As you wish, my lady,” Lisa curtsied, “You can go anywhere you like but at least one of us would have to follow you.”

“Just like that?” I looked at the maid dumbfoundedly, “Lisa, I was sitting in this room for a week!”

“You..”, the girl scratches the back of her head, “..never asked! I thought you were aware. We were ordered to treat you as an esteemed guest…”

I was exploring the palace for a few good hours before I reached the entrance to the gardens. Remembering our last flight with Smoke, I wanted to ask the maids to take me to him when I saw Demir. He was standing, surrounded by a group of people. His hair was a bit messy and brushed to the side and he was wearing a grey jacket with silver detailing, black pants, and shiny knee-high boots. He looked dashing and I paused for a moment to think of what to say to him. There were so many things that we needed to discuss.

That’s when I noticed a brunette in a dark emerald dress, curling her finger around the breast pocket of his jacket and slipping something inside. She smiled at him and he smiled back. It did not escape me that her hand was still on him. And to me, it seemed like forever.

The woman was beautiful. Tall and elegant. She had just the right amount of jewelry on and everything looked tasteful. I didn’t like the way she gazed at him, the way she touched him. I didn’t like her.

“Camelia Watford,” a familiar voice behind my back informed me and I turned to see the gerdian princess. She looked as perfect as ever in her golden dress black embroidery and onyx incarnated bodice. Today your fiery hair was up and a small tiara was decorating her head.

“Your Highness,” I curtsied along with my maids, “How nice…to see you.”

“Likewise”, Primrose lied and stepped closer, “Camellia is his lover for many years. You can even call her a favourite.”

My heart skipped a bit at your words and she looked at me with pity.

“Unfortunately, she is already married,” she chuckled, “Otherwise, she would be a perfect match for my brother.”

“Why are you telling me all that?” I asked her calmly.

“I found out more things about you,” she sighed, “And I think you deserved another truth.”

At this moment, my eyes met Demir’s and I felt the blush returning to my cheeks. I expected him to smirk the way he always did. But he smiled. It was a genuine smile that could melt any ice. He was happy to see me. Really happy.

“Lara, you seem like a nice girl but the two of you… it’s impossible,” the princess continued.

She wanted to say something else and I wanted to listen. However, Demir appeared out of nowhere and interrupted us.

“My two favourite ladies”, he bowed to us while we curtsied.

“You are in a good mood,” his sister noted.

“And I would be really grateful if you don’t ruin it,” he said to her and looked at me.

“How could I?” she said politely and started walking in a different direction, “I’ll leave the two of you alone. Just remember what we’ve been discussing.”

“Fine,” he agreed quickly and took my hand, pulling me away from the archway we were standing in.

“What,” I snorted when we were alone already, “Your fans aren’t going with us?”

“Are you jealous?” he raised his brow and I could tell that he was enjoying it.

“Of course not!” I rolled my eyes and felt that I wasn’t completely honest even with myself.

“In that case,” he smirked, “I am a free man and can flirt with anyone I like. Don’t you think it’s fair?”

No, I didn’t think that it was fair. But I couldn’t exactly admit that out loud either.

“If only someone agreed to marry me,” he sighed and squeezed my hand tighter.

“That girl looked more than willing,” I sneered at him, “Who knows, maybe that’s a proposal poking out of your chest pocket.”

“Oh, that?” he got the note out and looking at me, threw it away without even checking what was inside.

I bit my l*p to hold back the excitement, and a little laugh escaped him.

“I have a surprise for you, Lara,” he said, pulling me behind him.