"Your punishment is over now. You can go out. " the head maiden said and gestured towards the soldiers to open up my chains. "Keep in mind, if you attack anyone again the consequences will worsen to death. Now go and take a bath, you imbecile." she said as I obey and went.
If only could I learn to control the monster inside me had all of these greedy humans be dead. I thought to myself as I cleaned my wounds. After the bath, I stood in front of the mirror staring at my naked form which was covered in bruises from the chains. Red marks around my wrist, neck and a few marks on my jaw where the metal muzzle was to prevent me from attacking. I sigh and grabbed my usual green gown, pulling it on. After looking somewhat human, I go to the garden of the palace where mostly no one was. I sat on the grass not caring about getting my dress dirty. Something was going to happen today, i could sense it. The only fault my powers have is that I was already in my heat time of the month which increased my scent and spreads over the place within a mile. And the scent had started to spread. I close my eyes tring to control the scent from spreading, my wondering vision stopped on a figure. Broad shoulders, well buillt back and long black hair. His face wasn't visible but my intuitions screams familiar-ness. His scent strong, demanding attention and fear. Reminding me of the monkshood flower. Stunning but every part of it is like poison. His scent increased even more… He is coming… His face— Before I could see more, my strength was at its breaking point… and I fainted.
By the time I regained my consciousness, everything around me was on fire. All I could figure was the fire and my entire garden trying to protect me before I ran out of there with any remaining strength in me. This was my final chance to escape if I wanted to. Everywhere I looked was set on fire and up in the sky were dangerous fire breathing dragons flying. I kept my head low, navigating through the dimly lit streets, the weight of my hooded gown pressing against me. My heart raced as I neared the border, a sense of foreboding thickening the air. Suddenly, a colossal shadow fell over me, and I glanced up to find a dragon towering in front of me, its scales glistening like emeralds under the moonlight. Panic surged through me, and I turned to flee, but my foot caught on an uneven stone, and I tumbled to the ground. Before I could collect my thoughts, the dragon's tail coiled around my waist, lifting me effortlessly off the ground as it soared into the sky. The thrill of the flight was overshadowed by the anxiety knotting in my stomach as we ascended higher, the castle coming into view. Great... Just great... With a sudden jolt, the dragon dropped me into the throne room, the impact stealing my breath. I landed hard, the cool stone floor pressing against me, and the hood of my gown fell forward, shrouding my face in shadow. Struggling to catch my breath, I peered through the fabric, my vision blurred by the flickering torches that lined the walls. I could make out several figures kneeling before a grand throne, their shapes blending into the opulence around them. My heart raced as I heard a harsh rustle, and the hood was yanked from my head. I gasped, instinctively flinching as the light assaulted my senses, and when I looked up, I was met with a pair of strikingly familiar eyes. Recognition flickered in the depths of my mind, but the memories remained elusive, like shadows dancing just beyond my reach.
"Princess…" Came the murmured voice of my father, the king, his tone a mix of fake concern and authority as he addressed the man standing before me.
The man himself was a striking presence, with long black hair cascading down his shoulders, red eyes that glimmered with power and secrets, blood splashed on his face and a height that made him seem a ruler in every sense. For some reason, our eyes only seemed to be locked on each other. The silence deafening through the entire throne room until he broke it with his cold harsh voice. "This is your daughter?" he asked my father, oh god his voice, as if the god of lust specifically made him this way to torture me. My mother glared at me as my father nodded. "Y-yes Majesty, that's her." Why did he stammer? And Majesty? I look at him just to find him looking down at me. "Fine, I will take her." he said, but this time, I didn't like his deep voice. My eyes widen as I looked back at my mother.
"What? No, you cant do this!" I yelled as tears whelp up my eyes. My protests and yelps fell on deaf ears as I was carried out of the palace. Yes, I wanted to leave Azirid but… Not this way… Not as a… Thing to be given away. As we reached the horses, the man lifted me and set me on his horse as if I weighted nothing, he got on behind me, holding the rope from my sides. Unintentionally trapping me as we took off to God knows where. I felt him glancing at me every now and then. The tension was palpable and it was killing me. The ice was screaming to be broken.
"I am Sherin," I said out of blue, introducing myself and looked up at him, expecting something in return.
"Zaras." He said in a cold tone, his ga_e now being focused ahead.
"The king?" I ask.
"Crown prince actually" said a man who's horse was beside us. My lips curled into an 'oh' and nod slowly.
"And I am Ethan. Majesty's right hand and friend." he said with a charming smile. I smile back at him. Good boy for a monster like me. I felt Zaras tighten his hold around my waist as he quickened the pace of the horse making Ethan laugh softly. I tilt my head up and look at Zaras but his face was stoic. Like a rock. Perfect prince for dragons.
"Why did you take me?" I asked. Though I thought I looked stern but he looked at me as if I said the stupidest thing ever.
"You are nothing but a souvenir. Your parents are yet to repay my father, as price you are given to me. You are coming with me to Saemor. As my wife." He explained as if it is the most casual thing. Souvenir? "I am not a thing." I spit out angrily.
"But you are useless," a voice came from the other side of me. It was another man, slightly different from Ethan and Zaras. He had short hair, beard and left eye stitched. He gave me a look of disgust and hatred. He continued, "You cant even please a dragon I bet—"
"Enough." Zaras said loudly, startling us all. My grip on his chest tightened even though I was scared of him. I glance at that man then at Zaras before I hang my head low. Great, now I will be caged… again.
By the time we reached to the forest area, I realized it was exactly the type of place where my heat scent gets triggered. I swallow hard, "Majesty, what do you say we set up camp again?" Ethan whispered playfully as he winked at me.
"Fine. But be careful" Zaras ordered, his voice not harsh anymore but still cold and commanding. Ethan nodded and turned his horse, barking orders to the others. I glance at the man who had his left eye stitched. And he was still staring at me as if I would attack. I might if the monster is triggered. But that's an exception, cause I have always attacked on men but Zaras… Something about him calms me down, even though he was holding me hostage, he atleast seemed to care.