The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

DEMIR

I was throwing away girl after girl from my tent, waiting to see the only one I truly wanted to see, checking her presence all the time to calm myself down. She must have been a maid. I considered Dining Hall servants as well but this was before I found out they lived in groups of three of four in their rooms. Lara had a separate room, which could only mean that she was a maid here. Or someone from the elite workers of the Dark Selection. But the latter was unlikely.

I took a break after yet another disappointment and concentrated on her aura again. It was soft and warm, and so familiar, almost like a sea breeze… and most importantly, it was close. Yet in less than a minute, the connection broke and I stopped sensing her. That was familiar as well. This was how I lost her last time! Someone was covering her! Hiding her from me!

A roar emerged from within me that I couldn’t, or better say did not want to, suppress. I mind-linked the captain of the guards that I brought here just yesterday to ask him if anyone was able to go through the barrier. In all honesty, I would have felt if someone did. But I still needed confirmation from the one watching from the sky.

And as soon as he confirmed that no one left or even tried to, I relaxed. Portals wouldn’t work here anymore.

She didn’t escape.

But my dragon was still unsettled inside. However much I tried to calm us both down, one thing was clear – Lara knew that I was here and still did not want to face me. That stubborn girl!

Maybe I didn’t think it through… She obviously cared judging by our last conversation. Tried to hide it but still cared.

However, not enough to fight for me.

If I saw her choosing between plenty of handsome men, I’d rip each of their throats first and then claim her on the spot. And yet she was prepared to watch me court other ladies.

This was killing me… But on the other hand, it was exciting too. Little did Lara knew that she was calling to all my primal instincts. It felt like a hunt and she felt like my prey. The one who would not be able to get away from me!

I threw myself back in my chair and closed my eyes. Maybe it was time to admit that I wouldn’t be able to play a nice guy with her… Who was I kidding that I’d let her go if that would be her choice when it was hurting me physically and most importantly, I was aware that she wasn’t happy either.

I really wanted to be this nobleman, the perfect dragon and the fair emperor my parents taught me to be. But I was too damn in love with her and too damn selfish for that.

I’d have to take her back even if she wouldn’t want it. A few months, a year and she would get used to everything… Would that make me a bad person? Probably. Did I care? Not anymore. All I knew was that it had to be done. And hopefully – soon. She was my treasure, and I needed her close. I needed her to live…and to breathe…

It was pretty clear that I probably wouldn’t see her among the ladies and the maids today. My girl was too clever for that. But I still had to finish what I started even though it was useless.

So, I waved my hand and the next couple of girls entered. This one looked like a southerner with her dark hair and brown eyes, wearing a blue and gold dress that was accentuating all the right places. But what attracted my attention was her hair. I never followed fashion but even I wasn’t oblivious to some details. The girl had the type of braid in her hair that even I knew the name of. It was Primrose braid, named after my sister. Because one of her maids came up with it and Prim was wearing it in her hair all the time. It was different from everything else thus making it recognizable for me. And I visited Akyria enough times to know that it was not popular here. This gerdian trend still did not reach them.

It could be nothing, of course. But it also could be something…

“Lady Gianna Vensal, your Grace,” the girl curtsied before me and I took a better look at her. There was nothing special about her even though she was beautiful. But every girl here was beautiful, yet none of them managed to stand out for me.

“Raise, lady Vensal,” I waved my hand and she looked at me with a charming smile on her face, “Take a seat, please.”

Behind her stood a maid, slightly chubby and with black as soot hair. Not Lara.

I sighed and stood up while servants were pouring the lady a drink which she accepted with trembling fingers.

“Tell me about yourself, lady Gianna,” I said to her lazily. I wasn’t going to listen anyway.

She started talking and I had a better look at her, just confirming that apart from the braid, there was nothing special or particularly interesting about her.

“Your hair is very beautiful,” I interrupted her and she blushed immediately.

“Why thank you, my lord,” she beamed at me and I came closer, brushing my palm over the back of her head.

“Who did this for you?” I pointed at the damn braid and she suddenly looked puzzled.

“M-my maid, my lord,” she replied and I turned to the other girl, who was already far too pale.

“Wonderful work,” I praised her, “Where did you learn this style?”

It was a simple question but the maid was mumbling something under her breath. “Speak louder!” I demanded, giving her a glare, and the maid fell onto her knees.

“Forgive me sir!” she begged, “It was not me!”

I turned to the lady and now she was the one looking pale.

Making people feel insignificant in my presence was my gift. And today I was using it to the fullest.

“Interesting,” I smiled, which only made the lady in front of me cringe, “I thought that I was clear that you were to arrive with your personal maid from the Dark Selection…”

She did not say anything and came closer to her, leaning down and breathing in her scent. Surprisingly, I felt notes of Jasmine and sea breeze in it which only made me more confident that I was on the right track.

“Look,” I pretended to pick something up from her shoulder, “I see a short golden hair on you, lady…”

“Gianna,” she reminded me weakly, “It’s not…”

“What I think?” I chuckled, finishing for her. I knew that I needed to scare her more to get to the bottom of everything and it seemed that I was close. Faint signs but the scent… I’d recognize Lara’s scent everywhere. And this girl smelled like her. It was barely noticeable, but it was there.

“You know one thing that gerdians loathe more than anything?” I asked her and watched her trembling.

N-no,“ she replied weakly and I leaned over to her ear whispering so that the other girl could hear as well.

“Liars,” I smirked and felt Gianna flinch at that, “And unless you want to find out what we do with liars, you should tell me what this golden hair is doing on you. I am giving you just one chance to clear this…misunderstanding. Miss it – and you and your family will be done. There will be no place for you in this world.”

“It’s not what you think!” the girl repeated herself, “It probably belongs to my real maid. Kara!”

“Kara,” my lips stretched in a grin. This was too good to be true. “And why didn’t you bring her here today? The order was simple and direct.”

“My apologies, Your Grace,” she mumbled, “I was told that she wasn’t coming at the very last minute. Something happened to her and she suddenly became sick.”

“I see,” I stepped away and felt with my back how she exhaled loudly, “Well, I am not a monster. I can forgive one simple mistake. Just make sure that it doesn’t happen again. I want this maid, Kara, to be present everywhere where you are present. Take care of that.”

“Of course,” the girl jumped to her feet even though I didn’t let her do it yet. But I decided that I scared her enough. For one day.

“Remember that your future depends on your further actions,” I gave her one last warning.

“I will never forget your kindness, my lord,” she curtsied and hurried to the exit. It was funny how all of them were eager to see me and how the same girls later were doing everything to leave the tent as soon as possible.

She was almost out when I stopped her, “Lady Gianna! Who told you that your maid was unwell? Who disobeyed my order?”

For a second there she was contemplating… But then the deal with her conscience was achieved and she replied honestly, “Lady Fiona. She is…”

“That would be all,” I dismissed her and stayed alone in the tent.

I knew very well who lady Fiona was. Sean Sarn’s cousin.

That explained a lot. And that would be my next stop.