The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

LARA

“Tell me,” was all he said as he lay down with me and pulled me onto his chest. I sighed and told him everything that I managed to learn, including why I got interested in seraphim in the first place.

“What do you think?” I asked him after I was done, while afraid to even look him in the eye. Was I silly to be worried about all that?

“I think that all of that is very…interesting, Lara,” he answered, playing with my hair, “Do you think you are one of them?”

There. He said it out loud. The one thing that I was afraid to even think about. Yet still had to consider.

“I don’t know. Could I be?”

Demir was silent for a while but then replied nonchalantly, “Who knows. I would not rule out such a possibility. Your magic was always very special. Stronger than what your people have. And combined with the story of your just being found and adopted… it’s even more suspicious.”

“Back at the White Archipelago, my magic was never stronger than what others had,” I threw my shoes off, “They didn’t let me become a Warrior of Light because I wasn’t one of them and wasn’t special enough in any way to take up the place.”

“Are the places limited?” Demir looked at me with curiosity on his face.

“Yes,” I mumbled fidgeting with the buttons of his high collar shirt, “Only the best of the best get a place since the Goddess doesn’t bless everyone and…”

“So, the Goddess of Light is declining people who want to serve her with all their hearts? Just because…” he was looking at me expectantly and I did not know the answer. I knew why the goddess did not bless me – I was a foreigner after all. But why didn’t she bless others willing?

I remembered my training. Everyone was allowed to participate in that as long as they could handle it. And in the end, the names of the chosen ones were called.

I remembered how happy my friend Bria was. And how upset was my maid’s son, Calder. He was one of the best of our year but unfortunately, the Goddess did not choose him…

A bad feeling rose inside of me. We all thought that it was because his thoughts and aspirations probably were not pure. This was the only reason that a native of the White Archipelago would not be honoured by the Goddess. But she approved Bria… I loved my best friend but even I had to admit that sometimes her nature… didn’t seem that pure. She knew how to be selfish, and sometimes she was jealous of other girls that we knew… was she really a better choice than Calder?

“Demir,” I stopped only when I realise that I practically took his shirt off already and he looked at me, puzzled.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked.

“My brother,” the words came out before I realised what I just said and my fiancé’s eyes filled with dark magic.

“That’s… good to know,” he gritted through his teeth.

“We,” I scolded him, “Not like that! I think that I really need to meet and speak to him. I have too many questions and desperately need answers.

“It is already arranged,” the gerdian confessed, relieving himself of the remains of the shirt, “The same place, sunrise in two days.”

“Really!?” I smiled as the news made me very happy.

“Of course,” he nodded, finally getting his hands on me, “But I am telling you this at once – he is not invited to our wedding.”

“I don’t think he would be willing to attend even if he was!” I scoffed, feeling his fingers slowly start relieving me of my dress.

“Of course he would like to attend,” Demir gave me an eye roll, “To destroy the whole thing. And this is why he is not welcome.”

“Fine!” I agreed, thinking that he was probably right. Deep inside I really hoped that one day we all would be able to live happily ever after together. But that probably wouldn’t happen any time soon. And I wasn’t ready to risk my future with the love of my life. Not even for Gideon.

Demir towered over me and looked me in the eyes, “You know I love you more than anything in the world, right?”

“I know!” I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer…

~ * ~

We arrived at the top of the mountain on the agreed day. The sun was kissing the sharp peaks around us, making everything seem golden. I saw a small dot in the sky that was getting bigger and bigger. And soon I was able to hear the flapping of his wings. Gideon was alone. But what struck me the most was not that. His wings were not shining anymore. They reminded simple mechanical ones that he was creating for me, the feathers looked dull… He landed in front of Demir and I, looking tense. Our eyes met and for a second I felt sad, realizing how much had changed. Just a few months ago, I would run into his arms and give him the tightest of hugs. But right now, I did not feel the urge even to get close and adjusted the silk scarf on my neck that was covering my mark.

Demir squeezed my hand tight in his as a sign of reassurance and I looked at him with a smile on my lips. Even now he knew what I was feeling, and I loved the connection that we shared.

“Lara,” Gideon called my name and I felt slightly guilty for this momentary distraction. I faced my brother and gave him a weak smile as well.

“Hello, Deon,” I greeted him and saw the relief on his face. I knew he would like that.

Demir let go of my hand as he knew that I wanted to speak with my brother in private. It was unlikely that he was going to answer my questions in front of the gerdian and I was desperate for some answers!

I stepped closer without fear. I knew I could protect myself, the energy of light was circling through my veins and I felt it getting stronger every day. Not to mention that my dragon could transport me with his dark flames as long as he saw me. But also…also I hoped that my brother would not try to hurt me or take me away.

“Your hair,” he clenched his fists as I came closer, and he understood that there was no long intricate braid anywhere on my head. I had a small simple bun instead with a few curly strands down my neck. He wanted to touch me and even stretched his hand but I flinched and he stopped.

“I cut it,” I gave him a weak smile.

“Why?” was all he asked.

“Felt that it was time for a change”, shrugging my shoulders I went past him and gestured for him to follow me.

“It’s not only your hair that changed,” Gideon admitted darkly.

“No, it’s not only that.” There was no point to deny or pretend. The Lara that he knew was gone and although I myself was not sure yet who or what I was, I knew that I wasn’t that meek girl that he used to take care of and shield from the world.

“I knew that you were still in the Empire,” he said all of a sudden.

“I only returned recently. There were some things for me and Demir to figure out first…”

“Like what?” the wings behind Gideon’s back folded.

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” I knew that the fewer details I gave him the better. “It’s done and we are getting married.”

“So, the rumour is true,” my brother’s golden eyes became sad, “You agreed to marry him… Why, Lara?!”

“Because I love him.” My honest reply probably sounded cold, and I noticed how Gideon’s lips twitched at that.

“Are you sure you are not confusing love with something else?” he asked that not looking at me.

“I am, Gideon, I had time to think while I was out of the Empire.”

“And you are sure that this is what you want?”

“I am.”

The silence between us felt heavy.

“You know you are never going to marry him by the laws of Brighta, right?” his voice was cold and for the first time ever I felt fire-raising from within me.

“I am aware,” I turned to face him, clenching my fists, “And maybe now you can finally explain why you and father did what you did?! How could you?!”

“It seemed right at the time,” Gideon shrugged the question off, making me angrier.

“That’s not what I am counting to hear today!” I raised my chin, “There must have been a reason! Father always had a reason!”

“There was no other way for you to stay with us,” Deon took my hand in his and I wanted to take it away, but he pressed it tightly in his grasp, “We did it for you. I did it for you… I do everything for you, Lara. You are the only one I care about.”

“That’s bad, considering that you are the new leader of the Citadel of Light, brother,” I shook my head, “Is the war also for me? Because I don’t see how…”

“Everything is for you!” he snapped and pulled me harshly by my hand, making the silk scarf slip off my neck, exposing the shining dragon mark on my chest…