Page 6 of Cursed with the Dragon Prince
“She seems hurt. We need to help her,” I continue. “She was… frightened.”
The elder stares at me, her deep, dark eyes scrutinizing. She knows there is more to my story than I have said.
“Ifrightened her,” I admit.
She still waits, refusing to look away until I say it all.
Lowering my voice, I admit the worst. “I chased her, stirred by the dragon’s rush.”
Her eyebrows rise as she absorbs this final, critical confession. She pauses—and the hesitation drives my heart to pound. Will she reject me for this? Then I’d be truly alone. She is one of the few members of our clan who doesn’t punish me with isolation for the decisions of my youth.
My dragon’s rush presents another complication, one that echoes with the actions of my father and grandfather. It’s a rage that runs so strong in my royal lineage that our throne has been empty for a century.
The clan no longer approves of the dragon’s rush. They do not like that it lies within me. Since my youth, I’velearned to keep it in check, but negotiating with an instinct is never easy.
I was furious when the human slipped into the crevice, moving beyond my reach. It’s a good thing she escaped. The barrier ended the rush, keeping her safe on the other side.
Thank Wisp.With the prayer, I cast my gaze upon the empty throne.
Finally, Kaliyah nods, calmly taking this news. I’m relieved. She catches my gaze and glances at the throne too. “We must avoid another tragedy.”
“I’m worried I already started one.”
She waves my fears away. “Drakon, you are not your father.”
It’s not the first time she’s reminded me of this, but the lesson doesn’t stick. I rushed after the human, scaring her because of instincts I should have controlled.
“Did you catch her scent?”
“Yes.” The human smelled of eucalyptus, like fresh perspective. I can remember it so clearly… it’s almost like I can smell it.
Wait—Idosmell her. My nostrils flare.
“She’s near,” I whisper.
Kaliyah’s gaze traverses the large great hall, wandering to the far wall, where there is a slim crevice where faelings used to hide.
“There,” I snarl.
The scent ignites me. It stirs the rush, ready to be inflamed after so recently being left unsatisfied. Blood rushes to my head. My clan needs their prince to hunt down this human and—
No.
I stop myself, but only after my wings have been extended, after I’ve bounded over the long tables, making it halfway down the great hall.
I turn around. Kaliyah hasn’t budged—she can’t keep up.
I hear shifting, the sound of scrambling. The human must have seen me, and I’ve frightened her again. She’s trying to flee.
“Go to her,” Kaliyah instructs me. “And this time, communicate.”
Communication is not my strength, but I will try. This woman is injured and hurt—she needs water and bandages. I need to convince her it’s safe to rise from the tunnel, that my clan, despite our marred history, means her no harm.
I shake the dragon’s rush from my body, putting space between the instinct and me.
Kaliyah calls after me, “Drakon, you are not destined to repeat your father’s mistakes.”
Truce
