Abisai
When the ceremony ends, I give Stema a discreet signal. After the endless meetings and obligatory greetings, I manage to escape from the main hall and head to my private chamber with Levin and Zymei.
"Any news?" I ask as I pour myself a glass of black wine.
"Corin belonged to the Padras clan," responds Zymei, my most trusted friend after Levin. "I sent Rumá with a group to investigate the city thoroughly. If there's anything dirty, we'll find it."
"Our biggest suspicions still point to your uncle Thymá," adds Levin, crossing his arms. "Although he's never given us open reasons to distrust him, Corin was recommended by him, and his new wife belongs precisely to the Padras clan. Too much of a coincidence, don't you think?"
I stay silent for a moment, taking a sip of the wine.
"One more thing," I say at last.
My men look at me with attention.
"I need to know everything about the white dragons."
The silence that follows is almost comical. Zymei blinks as if I had asked him to bring me the moon on a tray.
"They were exterminated two hundred years ago, during the Great War," he finally responds, cautiously. "Why the sudden curiosity about the ghosts of the past?"
"Go to the Amatists' temple and tell Priest Vacul that I expect him tomorrow at first light. No excuses."
Levin raises an eyebrow, with that mocking expression that drives me crazy.
"What's with this sudden interest in ancient history, future emperor? Or is the priest for baptizing a certain dark-haired healer you have in your chambers?"
Zymei lets out a low laugh.
"Ah, of course. Now it all makes sense. Our heir prince isn't investigating white dragons… he wants to consecrate his new protégé."
I click my tongue, although a traitorous smile escapes me.
"Go to hell, both of you."
"Wow," continues Levin, mercilessly, "a simple human has achieved what no court dragoness has managed: capturing the full attention of the future emperor. Poor Bamylan will have to settle for the title and jewels, while you dedicate your nights to the forest healer."
Zymei bursts into laughter.
"Be careful, Abisai. If the future empress finds out that you prefer your human concubine over your official betrothed, we're going to have a civil war inside the harem before you even ascend the throne."
"Fuck the harem," I reply, putting the glass on the table with a thud but unable to completely erase the smile. "I'm going to see my concubine."
The two laugh even harder.
"Of course, 'your concubine'," repeats Levin, making quotation marks with his fingers. "Keep repeating it, see if you convince yourself."
I leave the room without responding, although their laughter follows me down the hallway.
And yes. I won't deny it.
With Zabina, it's different.
Real.
I find her on the balcony.
The wind plays with her dark hair, whipping it against her shoulders. She's still wearing the dress and the tiara my father placed on her. Knowing that she is now publicly mine, that the entire court saw her as my concubine and that she bears the emperor's seal, awakens something almost animal in me. I've shielded her. No one can touch her without facing me and my father.
I approach her from behind silently and stop a step away.
She turns, startled. Upon seeing me, she immediately lowers her eyes, as if looking at me hurts.
"Do you want to take a walk?" I ask.
She makes that gesture with her mouth that I already know.
"I don't want trouble with your betrothed," she responds, and turns away again, giving me her back.
The rejection bothers me more than it should. I push my hair off my forehead and press against her without mercy, pressing my chest against her back. I want her to feel exactly how she affects me. My body reacts instantly: my blood heats, and my excitement grows against the curve of her backside.
Her breathing quickens. I can hear it.
I push her hair to one side with one hand, exposing her neck. I lean in and brush her skin with my lips.
"Don't be jealous," I murmur against her ear. "You're the woman I like."
Her eyes close for a second. I see how her lips tighten.
"I didn't ask for this," she whispers. "Now everyone knows me. The whole court looked at me as if I were… yours."
"You are mine," I reply without hesitation. "You have the emperor's seal. No one will dare touch you."
Zabina turns abruptly in my arms. Her eyes are full of contained tears.
"I want to leave this kingdom. Get me out of here, please."
I take a step back, annoyed. The idea that she wants to run from me ignites my blood in another way.
"I don't want to feel this for you," she continues, and now the tears do fall. "I don't want to tie myself to a black dragon. I don't want to be among the murderers of my people, Abisai. Do you want to know why?"
She takes off the tiara and throws it to the ground angrily. The metal clinks against the stone.
"I hate black dragons. And you are one of them. That will never change. Neither what you are… nor what I am. Because if you ever find out…"
I don't let her finish.
I grip her by the nape and kiss her hard, devouring her words, her pain, and her fear. My mouth moves over hers almost with rage. She responds for a second, moaning against my lips, before trying to pull away. I don't allow it. I kiss her deeper, more possessively, until I feel her knees weaken.
When I know I have her at her limit, I release her just enough for her to catch her breath.
"I know what you are, Zabina," I say against her mouth.
Her eyes open suddenly, huge and terrified.
My gaze drops to the silver glow now shining brightly between her breasts. The gem awakens, pulsing like a second heart.
"You're a white dragon," I continue, without taking my eyes off hers. "That's why I don't want you to go. With me, you'll be safe."
I crouch, pick up the tiara from the floor, and place it back on her head, adjusting it among her tangled hair.
"Hate the dragons who coveted the power of your race," I say. "Don't hate me. I had nothing to do with that. If you insist on leaving, I'll take you back to the forest… but both there and here, you're easy prey. Here, at least, you have me."
Zabina looks at me in silence. The tears keep falling, but now there's something more in her eyes: confusion, desire, fear.
"Abisai…" her voice breaks. "You don't understand what this means to me. My mother… my father… died because of yours. I've spent my whole life running from what you represent."
I take a step closer, cornering her against the balcony's balustrade. My hand rises to her cheek, wiping a tear with my thumb.
"Then let me show you that not all of us are the same," I murmur, leaning in until our foreheads brush. "Stay. Let me protect you. Let me show you that I can be the only black dragon who won't hurt you."
She closes her eyes tightly. Her body trembles slightly against mine.
"I don't know… I'm so confused. I don't know if I can trust you completely," she whispers.
"Then trust this," I reply, and I kiss her again.
This time the kiss is deeper. My hand slides down her waist, pressing her against me. She moans, and for a second, she surrenders completely.
When we separate, we're both breathing hard.
"Stay," I repeat, and it's not a request.
Zabina doesn't respond. She just looks at me with those gray eyes full of tears.
And I, for the first time in my life, am afraid… because I know that if she decides to run, this time I don't know if I can let her go.
I take her hand in mine.
"Come, I'll take you to a place you'll love."