I slip out of bed carefully so as not to wake her. A smile tugs at my lips as I watch her sleep peacefully among my sheets. The entire room smells like her. I reach out and brush a dark strand from her face, then graze her cheek with my knuckles, savoring the softness of her skin.
I pull the blanket up to her shoulders and stand.
I step onto the balcony and let the cold morning air cool my still-warm skin. The kingdom of Anwar stirs beneath my feet, but my mind lingers in the bed, on Zabina's trembling body.
A soft yawn sounds behind me. I turn and approach.
"Good morning, gorgeous," I murmur, sitting on the edge of the mattress.
She smiles at me with that shyness that drives me wild. Her cheeks are still flushed from sleep—and from what we did last night.
"How do you feel?" I ask, tracing her lower lip with my thumb.
She doesn't answer with words. She just looks at me with those gray eyes full of questions and desire. I can't resist. I cup her face with both hands and kiss her, tasting her as if I hadn't had enough.
We tumble back onto the mattress. My body covers hers, and she arches against me with a soft moan.
"I'll send Stema to help you get ready," I say against her lips, reluctant to pull away. "I have to go to training. When the priest arrives, I'll send for you."
My eyes drift inevitably to the silver gem resting between her breasts, glowing faintly in the morning light. Then they return to her eyes.
I force myself to sit up, turn my back, and grab my clothes in a fist before leaving—because if I stay a second longer, I'll lose myself in her again.
I'm eleven years old, sitting at the foot of my mother's bed. She's very ill, and my father said she wouldn't last much longer.
She opens her eyes and looks at me, her own filled with tears she refuses to let fall.
She reaches for me.
"My son..."
"Father said you're going to die," I say, gripping my knees.
Tears spill down her cheeks.
"Forgive me, Abisai."
I clench my jaw. Father says princes don't cry, that we must be strong. I want to cry.
I stand and lie down beside her, burying my face in her chest. The tears come anyway.
"Don't leave me, Mama..."
She holds me tightly in her weak arms.
"I'm sorry, my boy... I'm so sorry."
Stema enters silently.
"Prince. Your father is waiting for you in the hall."
I cling to my mother harder.
"Obey, Abisai," she whispers. "Then come back."
I stand and wipe my tears away in anger. Stema looks at me with that warm, sad smile.
"I'll take care of her, prince."
I arrive at the throne room. My brother Agur stands rigid beside my father. I advance without taking my eyes off the white-haired woman lying on the stone floor.
I stop beside Higmer, two years older than me.
"Who is she?" I whisper.
"A white dragoness," he replies.
My skin prickles. I stare at her in awe. She's beautiful. A silver light emanates from her, hypnotic even in her defeated state.
"What do they want with her?"
Higmer leans in, speaking softly so only I can hear.
"The gem. It's of royal blood. They say it can open the way to Galgoth... or seal it forever. But the silver demons want it too. Every gem that falls into their hands makes them stronger."
I blink, not fully understanding.
"It's impossible to close the breach," I murmur. "Not even all the gems together have kept it sealed. It always breaks."
Higmer makes that superior gesture that's always irritated me.
"This gem is special. That's why they're hunting them all. If the silver demons get more white gems... no one will be able to stop them. Not even us."
I frown, my eyes returning to the woman.
"You know white dragons were born in the kingdom of Galgoth," he says, leaning close to my ear. "The land of precious stones. Their power is unmatched. The gem must be destroyed or delivered to the temple before they can claim their inheritance... or before the demons use it against us."
My father extends his sword toward the woman.
"Where are the others hiding? Speak!"
She looks at him with a calm that contrasts with the room's agitation.
Thymá suddenly grabs her by the hair.
"Speak, beast. The emperor commands it."
He releases her, and she moans in pain.
"Guards!" my father booms. "Do not return until the last of them is dead. Until the last gem has been torn from their chest and taken to the Amatists' temple."
I stay silent, a strange knot in my stomach.
Higmer nudges me gently.
"Don't make that face. It's necessary. If we don't stop them now, the silver demons will use their gems to open the breach completely. And then... there will be no kingdom left to rule."
I nod slowly, though I don't fully understand.
All I know is that the white-haired woman looks very sad.
And that my father, for the first time, looks afraid.
I arrive at the training courtyard. My men are already there. They bow slightly as I approach.
I take a sword and twirl it between my fingers, then face Zymei, who immediately assumes a guard stance.
"Let's see who wins this morning, friend."
"Are you still sore about losing last time, prince?" he teases.
I assume a combat stance.
"Pure luck."
"Of course. Sharing a bed with your concubine last night must've strengthened you," he replies with a smirk.
I let out a rough laugh.
"Don't push your luck with me, Zymei."
Everyone grins and forms a circle around us.
"Come on, Your Highness."
Our swords clash violently.
Levin approaches mid-fight.
"The priest Vacul is here," he announces.
With a swift motion, I disarm Zymei and press my blade to his throat.
Whistles and applause erupt.
"I won," I say, grinning.
"You owe me a rematch," he pants.
I turn to Levin.
"Send for Stema. I'll go see the priest."
I enter my private office.
Vacul, a man of about seventy, rises respectfully as I enter.
"Your Highness."
"You may sit, Vacul," I say, gesturing to the chair across from me. "I'm sure you're wondering why I summoned you so suddenly."
He nods, watching me with curiosity.
I settle in front of him and get straight to the point.
"I need to know everything about the white dragons and the royal blood gem."
Vacul studies me for a long moment before speaking.