The Cursed Queen (Dragon’s Curse #1)

Sera

Andriel and the other dragons flew above the clouds before flying north. This way, we'd be concealed rather than out in the open. It was no longer my mate and the other two dragons, but that dragon who was under the control of the rider Virgil killed. He, too, was now following us home. At least now we knew we could set them free by killing the druid knights riding them. But their numbers were still greater than ours. We'd need to regroup and return with an army if we had any hope of saving the other shifters.

But my mind wasn't on that at the moment. I gave up struggling after a few minutes and was now seated with Virgil behind me. My head hung low as I cried for the friend I lost. How could we do that? How could we have abandoned her like that? Guilt and shame threatened to suffocate me, but Virgil's hand on my shoulder brought me back to reality.

"I'm sorry," Virgil said, loud enough to be heard over the whistling of the wind. "I know this is hard for you."

"We could've saved her," I muttered, unsure if Virgil could hear me but couldn't find it in me to care.

"Not without endangering ourselves or putting the other dragons at risk. I know it's hard to believe right now, but we did what was best."

" Listen to him, my lady, " Andriel's voice rang in my head. " I can sense your anguish, but she allowed us to flee before we became overpowered. In the heat of battle, there will always be lives lost, and there's nothing we can do to change it. So instead, let's honor her sacrifice by making sure we make it to Dragon's Peak in one piece. "

I didn't argue with him. I knew Andriel was right, but it was hard for my heart to believe it while constantly wondering if there was a way we could've saved her. There were at least a dozen druids that surrounded the balcony, with no telling of how many more were on the way. Logically, I could see the outcome looking grim if we had stayed and fought, especially with the constant sharp pains I was going through. But we didn't even try. Maybe we could've found a way.

Maybe it was wishful thinking on my part.

Virgil's hands ran up and down my arms from where he sat behind me. His chest pressed against my back. "Her spirit will live on inside us all."

I nodded, but said nothing. I spent the entire flight reliving the events that took place from the moment I stumbled upon Andriel until the point of our rescue. My mind went back to Vivienne and what she revealed to me moments before our departure. There was so much she left out; now I wasn't sure I'd get all the answers I was searching for. I thought of my mother, questioning what she'd do now that I wasn't under her control anymore. Now, I was a traitor. Someone who organized an attack on the kingdom to rescue the wonderful creatures trailing behind us.

How would my mother spin this to the public? She would undoubtedly make herself the victim, whereas I would be the ungrateful little princess who went rogue. Meanwhile, those poor dragons would continue to suffer until we rescued them. I wasn't sure what would happen now. We were returning to Andriel's home, but would Virgil and I be welcome? What would they think of me once they found out I was the princess of the very kingdom solely responsible for the capture of their people?

"Hey, it's going to be okay, Princess," Virgil whispered in my ear.

I laugh a humorless laugh. "You may as well stop calling me princess . I don't think I'll be welcomed back to my kingdom ever again."

"It matters not, for you will always be my princess," Andriel telepathically said.

Grinning, I repeated Virgil's words to the winged behemoth.

"I know you've only recently met each other, and your interactions have been rather brief these past couple of weeks, but I can already tell he treasures you so much."

The truth of his words sank in. From the moment I met Andriel, I knew he and I would have an unbreakable bond. I didn't know much about being mates, but I believed something had brought us together. We were two flames coming together to form an inferno.

The warm feelings lasted a few seconds longer before the pain started again. I cried out, hunched over myself as I struggled to breathe. I vaguely heard Virgil's voice, but couldn't hear what he was saying or who he was talking to. All I knew was that something was wrong with me. What if we got it wrong? What if I was cursed, after all, and now I was feeling the full force of it after not taking the dragonsbane all this time?

Was I going to die? Was I going to lose my mate after finding him days ago?

The pain rapidly grew and began spreading throughout my body. I felt hot to the touch, like my skin was on fire. A strange itching sensation started along my back and forehead. I couldn't grasp what was happening, or if I would make it. I felt Andriel picking up speed, presumably to get me to solid ground fast to assess what was wrong with me. He knew about the curse, but was unsure what it could be, or if it was even real. I started to wish I kept taking the dragonsbane, even if it left me unsteady.

I felt Andriel dip downward, cutting through the thick veil of clouds, temporarily leaving me blind. Once the air cleared up, I saw where we were heading. We were right gliding through the mountain range of Wadon Heights. They say the highest mountain top also jutted beyond the clouds. But rather than going to the top, we were diving lower, concealed by sharp stone pillars. Even through the pain, I looked on, noticing hundreds of caves and crops. Humans— shifters , I realized moments later—gathered around. At the center stood a circular platform the size of a stadium. A building made of obsidian stone stood behind it with two dragons on either side.

I would've been in complete awe had it not been for my insides, feeling as if they were going to combust and burst into flames. Shifters began chattering in surprise at seeing Andriel and his brothers' return, while others seemed to notice Virgil and me on his back. Andriel was the first to land, lowering himself to the ground so we could get off.

"Let me help you, ." Virgil lifted me in his arms and jumped off Andriel, landing on both feet while holding me close to his chest.

The other shifters must've noticed the armor he wore, because the word druid began echoing among our audience. Several streams of fire erupted, but none hit us. There was no denying the hostility they felt at us being here when they finally felt secluded enough.

"You dare bring druids into our den," a shifter barked in outrage before shifting into his full dragon form and stomping over to where we were. Immediately, two of the rescued dragons, the blue-green and the pitch-black, moved in front of us to act as our bodyguards.

Andriel's body was engulfed in a spiral of flames before shrinking and revealing his human form. "My brothers and sisters!"

He raised both hands to get everyone's attention and continued speaking like a leader commanding an army. "We have returned after being held captive by the druid kingdom. These two have shown great sacrifice in rebelling against their own people to set us free. They are our allies and will be addressed as such! In addition, the girl is my fated mate. As such, under our laws, she is not to be harmed!"

The other three dragons with us became a storm of flames before shifting into their human forms. It occurredto me that until now; I had never seen what their human forms looked like. Now I had. The two that were guarding us turned in our direction, both with a look of confusion on their faces. The black dragon was as dark-skinned as his beast form, the top of his head smooth and hairless. His eyes glowed like topaz as he looked from me in Virgil's embrace to Andriel.

"Your mate?" the shifter questioned. "That's impossible, Andriel. She's my mate."

I gaped at him.

"No," the blue-green dragon shifter spoke next. His skin was lighter and fairerthan anyone else here. Deep brown almond-shaped eyes, raven black hair that parted down the middle and fell right above his eyes, his cheekbones high and defined, andthe most kissable lips I'd ever seen on a man. "She's my mate."

"You're all insane." Our final dragon stepped forward, the one we rescued from his rider. He was on the paler side, like Virgil, and leaner than the other three dragons in our party, with stringy hair the color of sand and some stubble peppering his jawline. His eyes were as blue as the sky on a sunny day. He pointed to himself as he declared, "She's my mate. I can feel my dragon's connection to her."

The other three declared the same thing, and soon enough, an argument ensued between them.

"I'm so confused," Virgil whispered.

"You?" I looked up at him. "Imagine how I must feel right now. On top of committing treason, I somehow have four dragon shifters declaring me as their mate. What in the world is going on?"

"Enough!" a loud, booming voice echoed throughout the platform and ran up the walls, causing all shifters to shudder and squirm in their place. My four supposed mates looked back toward the open doorway leading to a darkened hall as someone slowly approached the sun's rays. I had to assume he was in charge, considering the power of his command over the shifters. He was an older man with deep tanned skin and dark hair with flexes of grey. His glowing amber eyes reflected power and wisdom in their depths. He wore a long white robe with a wood-carved staff that had a dragon statue at the top. A silver crown adorned the top of his head.

All shifters dropped to one knee and bowed their heads in his presence. Virgil and I looked at one another, wondering what would happen now.

"Lord Igneel," Andriel murmured.

Lord Igneel acknowledged Andriel before turning to Virgil and me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And you two are?"

I could hear Virgil gulp before introducing himself. "Virgil of the Zeffari Kingdom, sir. This is phina, the kingdom's princess."

" Former princess," I corrected.

"Druids," Lord Igneel tilted his head. "One being the heiress of the very kingdom who threatens our very livelihood."

"Sir, if I may speak." Andriel lifted his head. "These two have risked their lives to save us from captivity. The princess is also my fated mate."

"And mine," the black dragon shifter cut in.

The others also claimed me as their mate.

"Yes, I heard from your incessant ramblings," Lord Igneel said. "phina, is it? Why did you save my clan members when your family has captured and enslaved us for decades?"

I gestured for Virgil to put me down on my feet so I could properly talk with the dragon lord. Virgil seemed hesitant to let me go, but gently did so. My feet were shaking, but I stayed upright, the pain in my chest dulling some. I felt the only proper thing to do in his presence was to mimic the gesture of his clan, so I too knelt on one knee and bowed my head as a show of respect.

"Lord Igneel, I don't think I alone have the power to tell you how sorry I am to have learned the dark secret of my kingdom. Until two weeks ago, I did not know what my mother was doing to your clan. I wasn't aware that shifters even existed."

"She lies!" a dragon shifter in the crowd cried out in anger.

"She does not," Andriel stood up and faced the other shifter.

"Let the princess speak," Lord Igneel spoke calmly, raising a hand to silence anyone else from speaking. "Proceed."

I gave the dragon lord a brief explanation of my youth. How I was raised to believe dragons were mindless, dangerous creatures. That they needed to be controlled for the sake of the people, and that I could never go near one. I mentioned how I snuck in to see Andriel and his brethren, and that was when I learned he was a shifter. I spoke the truth firmly and confidently, hoping he understood my pure intentions. Virgil also stepped in to confirm what he was taught to believe in dragons, and how he, too, learned the truth from Andriel.

The whole time I talked, Lord Igneel never once interrupted and made sure no other outbursts were made. When I was done, I felt raw and nervous, waiting for the dragon lord's verdict as if I were awaiting my sentencing for the crimes committed by my mother. If he deemed me a threat, I knew he wouldn't hesitate to execute me. Would that put Andriel in a position where he may have to go against his leader? What about the others who seemed to think I was also their mate?

"I see," Lord Igneel said after a beat of silence fell between us. "You've certainly had quite the revelation, Princess phina. While I appreciate what you've done in setting free my clan, I can't help wondering why. Why, even after knowing what your family has done, would you go against your people for mine?"

My eyes fell on Andriel and the others that surrounded me. Then to Virgil, who regarded me with a firm nod. "Because it was the right thing to do."

I rose to my feet then, wanting to speak as someone of equal power, and who understands the importance of choices one must make. "I knew what it would mean for me if I went down this path, that it would mean betraying my family, and my kingdom, if I set Andriel and the others free. But I couldn't find a solution more important than that. Ruling a kingdom of druids while enslaving a clan of dragon shifters was not the kind of queen I aspired to be. I may not know my mother's motives for enslaving your people, but I also see no value in it."

Waving my hand to the dragon shifters that came with me, I added, "My mission also doesn't end with their freedom. I plan to do whatever I can to ensure the rest of the shifters are set free from my mother's clutches. Only then will I face my mother and see her reign end."

I meant every word I said. When I thought about my crowning as queen of the Zeffari Kingdom, I never thought it would be by fighting Mother for the crown. Maybe even killing her. It was a heavy burden I would have to bear, but my resolve wouldn't waver. I would see the end of my mother's torment over the dragons. I only hope I wouldn't have to do it alone.

"You have a noble heart, Princess," Lord Igneel said, and I could've sworn I'd seen the right corner of his lip turn up into a grin. "You and your friend here sacrificed a lot, and on behalf of the Dragon's Peak Den, I thank you for your sacrifices."

Hope bloomed in my heart at the dragon lord's words. With any luck, maybe an alliance between us could one day repair the rift between our kingdoms once we stop my mother. One could only hope, especially if I were to be with Andriel... and the others. That was another problem I'd have to address some other time.

The good mood ended suddenly when the pain returned full force. I screamed and fell to my knees, my arms wrapping around myself as it grew unbearably hard to withstand. I could barely hear Andriel shout for medics over the sound of my screams. Then I heard what I could only describe as a dragon's roar ringing in my mind. A ring of violet flames erupted and surrounded me, blocking Virgil and my mates from reaching me. My insides felt as if something was moving inside me. The skin along my back and arms began to boil and stretch like something was trying to get out.

What was happening to me?

While I screamed, my voice changed. It sounded gravelly and feral. A roar echoing with my normal voice.

Then I felt something growing out of my skull. The skin along my arms changed in texture, appearing scalier. My nails were elongated and curved into talons. The flesh along my back stretched out until it finally tore apart like paper as something sprouted out; a pair of large, leathery wings expanded before folding onto either side of me. I was mutating into something, and I had to wonder if this was the curse I'd heard so much about.