The Cursed Queen (Dragon’s Curse #1)

Sera

My stealth was welcomed as I ducked to every corner whenever I spotted a druid knight in black and royal blue painted armor walking by. Once the coast was clear, I moved towards the castle's right side, where I knew the dragon stables would be, my heels clicking against the stone floor. The roaring of dragons drowned out the cacophony of voices in the distance.

In hindsight, it shouldn't have been this easy for me to bypass the knights to escape the castle. Though I was grateful for not being spotted, I was still the princess of this kingdom, and our lives were in the hands of the knights. I couldn't help feeling conflicted. Maybe there was a way I could convince Mother to tighten security without giving my endeavor away?

Well past the training field was a row of stables used to house the dragons we'd collected. On one side were the dragons already chosen by their riders. The other side was the ones that would be selected during the ceremony. This was where Virgil would be, scoping out the mighty beasts and finding one he believed would suit him best. I dashed forward before anyone could spot me. Up ahead, I saw three knights conversing in front of the gates of the stable farthest to the left. Before they could see me, I ducked behind a tree, looking over my shoulder and waiting until they went their separate ways.

I recognized one knight to be the man I was looking for: Virgil. His body was shielded by the black armor he wore, the white training sash draped from his left shoulder went around the right side of his hip. Once he was knighted as a dragon rider, the sash would be switched to a violet one with royal blue outlines and a symbol of a dragon embroidered in the center. Devoid of a helmet, his pale moon-colored hair was spiked up, and practically glowed with the help of his sun-kissed skin. He was facing the other knights, so I only had a view of his right side, a dimple forming as he laughed at something one of the knights must've said. I sighed dreamily, admiring how handsome he'd grown over the years. Gone was the scrawny young boy I grew up knowing, and in his place stood a man—tall, muscular, and proud. Soon, he'd move on to the next stage of his knighthood.

After five minutes of hiding and waiting, the other two knights finally said goodbye to Virgil and walked away. I waited another minute until they were out of sight before making my presence known and strode over to where my childhood friend was still standing. When he looked my way with those beautiful lavender eyes of his, they widened before whipping his head around to make sure I wasn't spotted by anyone else.

"Hello, Virgil," I said as politely as one would expect from a princess. I even curtsied for the dashing knight in front of me.

"P-Princess!" Virgil looked stupefied as he returned the gesture with an awkward bow. Afterwards, he moved closer so he could whisper, already seeming to forget that nobody else was around. "What are you doing here?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I was in the area."

Virgil's eyes narrowed as he regarded me. "You were in the area. Is that really your excuse, ?"

"Well, it's true. Say, while I'm here, how about you show me the dragons inside?"

"Oh, the dragons." Virgil nodded his head with a smirk. "You just want to see the dragons."

"Precisely! Glad you understand. Now, shall we?" I asked, patting his shoulder and dashing past him to the double doors.

"Hold it, Your Highness!" Virgil shouted, and I stopped while cursing under my breath. "You and I both know you're not supposed to be near these stables. It's too dangerous, ."

Damn, I should've known he wouldn't make this easy for me. I turned to face him, pleading. "Come on, Virgil, please! Just this one time?"

"I'm sorry, Princess. You know I can't let you go in there."

"Virgil Greyfield, as Princess of the Zeffari Kingdom, I order you to take me inside the stable to see the dragons this instant!"

Virgil's response to my official order was to snort out a laugh. "Ooh, that was a nice demand. I have chills. Unfortunately, it's still a no can do, Your Royal Highness. The queen specified that you're not permitted to set foot inside. She'd have my head if she caught wind of you trying to sneak around here."

I deflated in disappointment. What was the point of being a princess when even my orders held little strength? Trying not to cry, I did the only thing I had left; I begged.

"Please, Virgil? This may be my only chance to see a dragon up close. You know how important this is to me. Won't you please let me inside?"

Virgil's amused expression washed away, replacing it with sympathy. "Your Highness... ... you know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, but if you're caught, we could both get into trouble. I could lose my rank, be thrown into the dungeon, or worse, killed."

I almost protested, wanting to state that my mother would never do such a thing to someone loyal to the crown since birth. Then rightfully kept my mouth shut because that wasn't true at all. My mother had sentenced servants to the dungeon for accidents such as spilling wine or forgetting to change her bedding. She's even sentenced men who failed to court her to their death. Mother was a ruthless queen with a poisonous heart filled with vanity that was taller than the highest of mountains.

I certainly didn't want Virgil to feel her wrath, especially not for something that would've been my fault. If something were to happen to him, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I was about to tell him I changed my mind, but the echo of the dragons' rumbling voices halted the words from leaving my mouth. Looking over my shoulder, I faced the iron gates that separated me from the winged beasts. Maybe it was my imagination, but it was as if I could almost feel the heat of their flames from where I stood.

I started rubbing my upper arms, feeling a flow of warmth coursing through my body. It felt strange, but it wasn't unpleasant. Something in the back of my mind was urging me to go in there. It was faint, but I could sense it. I needed to be there.

"? What's wrong?" Virgil asked, sounding worried.

"I need to get in there," I muttered. "I can't explain it, but there's something in there that's pulling me in."

Virgil frowned. "For the last time, Princess, I can't—"

"Virgil." I faced him with a snap in my tone. He flinched, never having heard me use that tone with him before, even on days when I wasn't happy to see him, or when my mother would rile me up. I wanted to apologize, but since I had his attention, I pressed on, hoping he heard the urgency in my words. "This isn't some ploy to get you to let me in. There's something in there that's calling to me. I need to see what it is. Just... just trust me, okay? If you're so worried about us getting caught, then you can be on the lookout while I investigate. As soon as you spot someone, I'll run and hide. But please, Virgil, this is important."

Virgil eyed me warily for a few heartbeats, silent and calculating, assessing me and the veracity of my words. This was more than simply wanting to see the dragons. Now it was more like the dragons were summoning me. That had to have been what was pulling me into the stables. Just when I felt like he would still refuse my entry, and I'd have to force my way in, Virgil let out a long sigh, followed by a shake of his head.

"Fine. You win, but only for a few moments. If there's any sign of knights coming our way, you run out the back door immediately. Is that understood?"

I nodded cordially, grateful that he trusted what I was telling him. I could only hope that it wouldn't cause him too much trouble.

He sighed and walked to the iron gates, with me following behind. After unlocking the doors, Virgil pushed them open with an ear-piercing creak from the rusted hinges. Giving myself a moment to let my ears stop ringing, Virgil gestured for me to follow him inside. I wasn't sure what I expected to find stepping inside the stables, but I wasn't expecting this. The large reptilian creatures of magic—well past ten stories tall—were shoved in cold stone cellars that were too small for their sizes. They looked like prisoners left in the dungeons to rot.

"What?" I gasped as I took everything in. The three dragons I spotted this morning were all present and accounted for. They were locked up, all curled up against themselves, looking rather sick and uncomfortable. My heart galloped like a running stallion as disbelief fueled my outrage. "What is the meaning of this?"

Everything about this screamed wrong, but the tilt of Virgil's head to the side, as he regarded me with confusion, told me he didn't see what I saw.

"What do you mean?" Virgil asked.

I gestured to the rows of cells on both sides of the stable. "What do I mean? I'm talking about this. Why are these dragons in cells? They're barely large enough to keep them inside and look like they can't even stretch their wings."

"Of course not. If they could, it would make them more likely to escape. As it stands, they're offered limited mobility but need to remain contained for our safety, and their own. The cells are also enchanted with protection spells to keep their flames inside. So, if they try to burn their way through, all it would do is injure themselves."

The more Virgil spoke, the more enraged I became. I never noticed how bad their containments were, otherwise Mother would've never been rid of me until she did something about it. As it stood, it took every fiber of my being not to rush out of there and demand my mother to explain why she would allow something so inhumane. Fortunately, my will was strong enough to stop me. If I demanded answers, it would reveal that I was here, and then the question would be who allowed me entrance into the stables.

Risking my neck was one thing, but I didn't want Virgil to fall with me, even if the fool didn't realize how cruel it was to have these dragons contained like this.

I took a moment to close my eyes and calmed my racing heart. Shouting at Virgil wouldn't get me anywhere. I already knew that. It wasn't as if I could expect him to change how the dragons were locked in here, but I could at least reason with him about how wrong this was.

"Virgil," I began in a softer tone. "This is cruel. Imagine how these dragons feel being locked up like this."

Virgil's face scrunched up like I wasn't making any sense. "How the dragons feel? , they're mindless creatures of destruction. They don't have feelings. All they know is destruction. That's why the dragon riders have been formed in the first place. We're the ones who apprehend these feral beasts and train them to follow orders and use them to maintain peace and protection in the kingdom."

"Every creature in existence has thoughts and feelings, Virgil. Even dragons," I protested, my body heat rising as fury burned within me. The treatment of these dragons was affecting me more than I thought it would. I couldn't explain it, but seeing these dragons in the flesh—close enough to look into their golden lizard-like eyes, and feel the heat of their inner fire—had me feeling protective of them. Maybe it was because I'd only dreamed of seeing a dragon up close my entire life. Now that I'd done so, I didn't want to accept that their poor treatment was beneficial.

My eyes scanned the cells on either side of me. There were eight cells in total, but three of them were occupied. Two dragons on one side, and the last one on the opposite side. A low rumble had me looking over to my right, facing the dragon closest to me. A massive, winged beast with burnt-orange scales along his body, minus his golden underbelly. Two horns protruded from the top of its head and curved back along his skull. His golden eyes had flecks of green mixed in as he eyed me warily. He rumbled with thin wisps of steam spewing from between his mouth. Yes, I could somehow tell this dragon was male, and he was magnificent. With very little room to move about, he lay on his belly, his front claws folded in front of him. His head was low enough to meet me at eye level.

My breath was caught in my throat. As if he had the power to hypnotize me, I subconsciously stepped closer to the cage, feeling the incessant need to get closer. The entire time, the dragon barely moved a muscle. He was frozen as he watched me move close enough to reach forward and touch him.

"," Virgil warned, but I ignored his voice. "Princess, do not get too close to the cage. It's dangerous."

"He won't harm me," I said, the words flowing out of me without thinking of them.

Virgil scoffed. "Be reasonable. You can't be sure of it. Even with the barrier put in, if you reach for it, it can still harm you."

I ignored him as I stood mere inches from the metal bars that separated me from the sun-colored dragon. My insides heated, and I started wondering if I was coming down with something. I inwardly gasped as a sudden realization dawned on me. I'd forgotten to take my medicine. Was the curse already affecting me? Was I going to die from my body overheating?

"Princess?" Virgil gave me a questioning look.

"I'm okay," I said. It was partially true; I was fine mostly. But my body felt like I was standing in front of a roaring flame for too long. Still, my increase in temperature didn't deter me from raising my hand to reach inside to pet the dragon. I was about to do so when Virgil rushed over to me and grabbed hold of my wrist.

"Don't!" he cried out.

I yanked my arm out of his grip. "Let me go!"

"I'm trying to stop you from getting hurt. Can't you see that?" Virgil huffed out an exasperated sigh. "I knew it was a mistake bringing you inside."

"I'm telling you; he won't hurt me!" I cried out in frustration, then turned to the dragon in question. "Will you?"

"It's not going to respond to you, . It can't understand you," Virgil protested.

The dragon's sharp gaze remained on me, assessing me, if I had to guess. I repeated my question to see and hope that Virgil was wrong. That it could indeed understand what I was saying to it.

Slowly, and surprisingly, the dragon shook its massive head one time.

No. That was a no.

"He said no," I whispered. "Did you see him shaking his head?"

Virgil's brow furrowed, looking from the dragon to me. "What? Are you sure you're not seeing things?"

I groaned, fed up with Virgil's negativity. If he wasn't going to take my word for it, then I would show him. Stomping over to the cell, I reached my hand inside and rested it on the dragon's snout. As I suspected, the dragon didn't move. He didn't try biting me or incinerate my hand, or anything. He continued lying there and accepted my touch. The dragon felt warm against my palm, but it was a pleasant feeling. It wasn't burning me, nor did I feel any trace of malice. It felt comforting.

Virgil seemed to relax once he realized the dragon wouldn't harm me, for which I was grateful. Maybe now he would calm down and see these creatures for the wondrous beasts they truly were.

"Hello there," I said lightly to the dragon. "I'm phina Warbrook, Princess of the Zeffari Kingdom."

The dragon's only response was a low rumble.

"I'm sorry you're locked up in here. Had I known this is where you'd end up, I would've fought to give you more space to roam and stretch. I can't imagine how baffling you must feel, locked up in such a small space."

The dragon's eyes closed as I felt more of his weight pushing against my hand. I chuckled, running my hand up and down his snout, the gravelly texture of his scales scraping against my palm.

"My stars," Virgil sounded awestruck as he watched my interaction with the beast. ", I... I think it likes you."

"He," I corrected.

"Sorry, he seems to like you."

My smile was so wide my cheeks ached. Part of my childhood dream had come true, and I was filled with such elation. I almost didn't want to believe that this moment was real, that I was actually petting a living, breathing dragon. A dragon whose rumbling of approval reminded me of a cat's purring. I felt connected to him in a way I never felt connected to anybody. It was as if he and I were meant to know each other. Like my heart knew this dragon was meant to be... mine . Was this what it felt like for a druid to bond with a dragon and become a dragon rider? I never heard of any rider having this kind of connection with their dragon.

Just as I was about to ask Virgil about it, something stirred in the back of my mind. I winced as I felt a burning sensation along my skull. I didn't know what it was, but the pain was making me feel nauseous. Was it the curse?

"," Virgil rushed to my side, his arms wrapping around my waist to hold me upright. "Princess, are you okay?"

"I-I don't know," I said with a shaky breath. "I don't know what's wrong, but it feels—"

"Mate!" I paused as a single word roared in my head. What in the blazes was that?

"Mate!" the voice said again.

"Mate?" I asked out loud.

"Sorry?" Virgil questioned.

"I heard something. A voice in my head. It kept saying mate ."

"Mate," the voice rang again, the word acting as a white-hot poker pressing into my brain.

Instinct took hold of me as I looked back at the dragon I was petting moments ago. His eyes were on me, but there was heat in the way he looked at me. It was hard to describe. Then a thought came to me.

"Was it you?" I asked the dragon.

The dragon's head dipped lower ever so slightly as the single word echoed in my mind again, which was all the confirmation I needed. "Mate."