Chapter 13: Dragons
FIVE days had passed since Kirion first called me his Bondmate, during which he grew increasingly more forward with me, to Ray’s exasperation, and I found myself growing more and more exhausted as time wore on.
On the sixth day, Prince Dario decided to take the Princess to observe the knights’ training.
The training field was a massive plot of land situated right beside the castle. According to the Prince, the royal knights came here for combat training every day. This was no ordinary practice, mind you; as Dragonkin, the knights of Vaxwald would shift into their dragon forms and take to the skies to spar.
We had occasionally overheard distant roars during our stay thus far, but Patricia’s quarters were located on the opposite side of the castle, and we couldn’t see the training field from her window. But she caught sight of a dragon yesterday while on a walk around the castle, and she was so enthralled that she insisted Prince Dario let her get a closer look. He was hesitant at first, but eventually conceded.
“I should’ve said this sooner, but...I’m sorry for making these demands of you, Your Highness,” Patricia told Dario as they walked side by side down the corridor. “It was my first time seeing a dragon, and I was ever so excited... If this is against the rules, let me know and I’ll go back to my quarters.”
“It’s not against the rules...” he trailed off. It was unlike him to be so hesitant and indirect.
I observed them from behind. Patricia had explicitly invited me to tag along, and I had taken her up on the offer. Behind me followed Patricia’s bodyguards, and naturally, Ray was among them. As for Kirion, he had declined the offer, stating he wasn’t interested—and personally, I couldn’t have been more grateful. The last thing I wanted was to increase the amount of time he and Ray spent in each other’s presence.
“Yesterday I was reluctant because...I was worried you’d start to fear dragons and Dragonkin alike, myself included,” Dario admitted. “Our dragon forms aren’t small and cute like a dog or cat—we’re enormous and fierce—and some humans find it creepy that we can transform.”
He glanced nervously at her as he spoke; he clearly cared a great deal about his future bride’s opinion of him. And as it turned out, I wasn’t the only one amused to see this.
“I would never find you creepy,” Patricia declared with a sweet smile. “On the contrary, I’d love to see your dragon form. I’m told it’s quite awe-inspiring, with shiny silver scales.”
“Well...if you find you’re not afraid of the dragons at the training field, then perhaps...”
In contrast with Patricia’s open-minded stance, Dario’s uncertainty was downright adorable.
I slowed my pace to walk in step with Ray. “You have a dragon form, too, don’t you?” I asked.
“Of course. All Dragonkin have one,” he replied.
“I must say, I can’t really picture what you’d look like. Are you taking part in today’s combat training?”
“No, I’m not. I wouldn’t want to scare either of you.”
“You’re not going to scare me.”
“You don’t know that. This is your first time seeing Dragonkin transform. In fact, maybe it’d be better if you returned to your quarters instead. I can relate to how His Highness is feeling right now... The second you see it, you’ll realize we’re monsters, and you’ll never look at us the same way again.”
“I’m not going to see you as a monster,” I insisted. What is he so afraid of?
We arrived at the training field, where a large group of knights in humanoid form were staring up at the sky. Above them clashed three pairs of dragons. The sound was tremendous—threatening growls, the flapping of heavy wings, labored breathing. It was overwhelming, to say the least. Their sharp fangs...and those claws...
I sensed Ray looking at me and hastily wiped any trace of surprise off my face.
“Time’s up!”
At the senior officer’s command, the six dragons flew down to the ground and morphed back into humanoids in knight armor. I was puzzled as to where their clothes had gone while they were dragons. Perhaps that was part of the magic.
Another group of six shifted into dragon form and took flight.
“How are you feeling?” Dario asked Patricia.
“Oh, I’m fine,” Patricia answered with a confident smile.
From this distance, I couldn’t quite gauge the dragons’ exact size, but they were almost certainly larger than a carriage at the very least. I could see how they’d make fearsome enemies, but I didn’t feel like I was in danger, and thus I really wasn’t afraid of them.
I heard Patricia making idle comments like “The scales are so pretty!” and “Everyone has their own unique color!” She didn’t sound frightened in the least.
Then, about ten minutes later:
“I’m simply not afraid, Your Highness. Now will you show me your dragon form?”
“Hmmm... Well, all right. In that case, I suppose I’ll go and join the training. I haven’t gotten much exercise as of late.”
Emboldened by Patricia’s request, Dario strode off toward the center of the training field...but moments later came to a stop, peering up at the sky. “What’s the matter with him?” he asked no one in particular.
I noticed Ray staring dubiously up at the sky as well, so I followed suit.
Above us, three pairs of dragons battled at the forefront of a bright blue sky...but one of them, a copper-colored dragon, was clutching his head and shaking it. Did he have a headache or something? He looked to be in pain.
“Is he okay?” I asked Ray.
“I’m not sure... He’s acting strange. Stay back, ladies.” As he spoke, Ray stepped forward to shield me and Patricia—and in that instant, the writhing dragon’s head swiveled around, pointing a vicious, bloodshot glare squarely in our direction.
A split second later, he bared his fangs and came barreling right for us.
He was nearly upon us by the time I realized his target was Patricia beside me.
She screamed. I pulled her into my arms, turned, and shielded her with my body. A token gesture at this point.