“You did it,” I whispered, almost laughing when Sarsia let go of my hands and opened her eyes.

  A hand came to her chest as she sniffed, tears coming to her eyes. I grabbed her in a hug, holding her against me in gratitude. Stepping back, I twirled, giggling to myself when the flare of my skirt flew out around me. The gown was unlike any I had ever seen. I had never imagined, back in my village, that I would be dressed like a queen.

  “No, it was you.” Taking my arm, she forced me to stop spinning. “You have to be careful.”

  Growing serious, I brought myself back to where we were. Standing in the corridor of a castle belonging to the King of Dragonscale. He was playing a game, which meant I had to join in. If I could have taken the throne from Jordeek without the man's help, I would've aimed to do that. Unfortunately, it hadn't been an option.

  Taking Sarsia into a hug, I whispered in her ear. “I plan to use him for our cause and then send him back to Dragonscale.”

  “How?” Her word was almost silent, but my ears just caught it.

  “Once he’s in Althea, even if he's married to me, he will be my subject. I can order him back.”

  Sarsia's hug grew tighter as a bark of laughter escaped her. “Genius.”

  The door to the dining room opened, revealing Trenton. He tilted his head to the side and gave us a very pointed look. We went to him, trying not to laugh when he raised his eyebrows at the dress. The air grew colder as a chill ran down my spine. Leonard watched me approach the table, his gaze tracing the gown.

  “Good work,” he said to Sarsia as he pushed away from the table. “I have a game we can play!”

  His jolly mood returned as he clicked his fingers. The slaves that served him cleared the table, even though I hadn't had a chance to eat. If his humour had returned, I would stay quiet until later, when I would ask for some food. Until then, we would have to keep doing what he wanted.

  “What game have you in mind?” Larnika asked, a grin spreading across his face.

  The fae obviously liked a challenge. I had never seen him so excited. It was easy to see why he had been successful as head of the Althean Guard. No matter what he did, I would restore him to his rightful place.

  Striding across the room, Leonard ignored Larnika's question, instead offering his arm to me. I took it, allowing him to lead me out of the door and towards the turret that led to the platform used to mount dragons. As the cold whistled down the spiral staircase, I swallowed, trying not to shiver. The others were behind me, their footsteps loud on the stone steps. My stomach plunged as we came out at the top, the cold whipping around my new gown.

  “Another race!” Leonard announced. “This time, we all take part.”

  Five dragons were lined up, their armour glistening in the sinking sun. Peeras ducked his head when I looked up at him, his wings moving ever so slightly. The other four stared straight ahead, waiting for their master to give them their flying orders.

  I glanced at Leonard as he swung his cloak around him, wrapping himself tight. He faced us, a smirk on his face. I tried a pretend smile, but it didn't reach my lips. Why would the king want us all to race him?

  “I'm sorry, Sire,” Larnika said, stepping forward. “I don't think it's safe to ride at night, especially with the women.”

  Both Sarsia and I glared at the High-born Fae as he approached the king. He hadn't even bothered to check whether we wanted to do the ride. Maybe we were excited about taking part in a race. Although, the cold chill that fluttered around me made me wish I was tucked up in front of a roaring fire.

  “Nonsense. I know Layanna loves to fly, don't you, Princess?”

  Swirling, Leonard rushed across the hard stone ground and hopped onto Peeras's back. Cerys bent her head, waiting for me to go to her. I paused as I looked at the others. Trenton shrugged, his eyes wide as he watched the blue dragon shake his massive body. Neither of the other two had wanted to ride the dragons but would they defy the king now?

  “I'll make it easy,” Leonard shouted as Peeras rose into a tall stand. “We'll circle around the mountain twice. First one back gets to rule my dragons for a day. How does that sound?”

  “Amazing!” Larnika called, rushing to the dragon he had been riding.

  “Can we refuse?” Trenton whispered to me.

  Glancing at Leonard, I shook my head. He clipped his helmet on, his face serious as he concentrated. If any of us showed weakness, he would use it to his advantage. That wasn't something I could allow to happen. If I was going to be queen, I had to make sure that I showed only signs of strength. Being afraid would give him reason to doubt my ability to take the throne from Jordeek. Even if a part of me was scared of facing the man who haunted my dreams, I had to overcome that to save my people.

  “Let's ride,” I said with a sigh as I went over to Cerys.

  One of the maids appeared out from behind the dragon and offered me a thick cloak. I took it, swinging it around my shoulders and fastening it around my neck. Warmth settled against my skin as if the fur robe had been hung beside a fire, just for me. The others were given the same, their eyes lighting up as the chill left their bones.

  A metal helmet was placed on my head. I breathed deeply, almost making myself jump with the echo of the exhale against the metal.

  “Come along!” Leonard shouted, his voice cheery.

  Climbing onto Cerys's paw, I allowed her to lift me. I had watched Larnika run up his dragon's thumb, his firm footing steady as he managed to get onto his saddle swiftly and with a little more elegance than I had.

  Copying him, I was able to almost do the same. Right at the last minute, I lost my footing and slipped, landing hard on my bottom on the saddle. I would never get used to dragon riding.

  Hold on, Cerys spoke in my mind. This will be a challenge, but I'm determined to win for you.

  Oh, don't worry, I thought back... It's probably best we let Leonard win.

  Her chuckle rumbled in my mind as the other dragons lined up. Cerys joined them, her rounded back jogging me as she stood next to Peeras.

  Leonard looked over at me, winking through the eye hole of his helmet. “I'm looking forward to racing you, Princess,” he shouted. “You're a skilled rider, one that I would be proud to have as a wife. Just think! You could have your very own dragon to keep!” At the end of his sentence, he tapped Peeras's neck. “On the count of three!”

  The countdown resounded in my head as Cerys ducked her head, her paws lifting slightly from the ground. She was ready to try and win the race. Would she listen to my request to allow Leonard to win? I knew nothing of Dragons or how they thought. Maybe she would ignore me completely, which would upset Leonard.

  When the number three sounded, all five dragons launched forward, their feet running across the platform. My stomach rolled as the ground disappeared, revealing the side of the mountain. I had to stop looking over the edge if I didn't want to throw up the tiny bit of food I had eaten.

  Leonard was instantly in front, Peeras's tail slowly flapping behind him. The others were hustling for the next position, but Cerys held back, her wings moving gently. She had obviously taken my request seriously, which was-

  “Told you women couldn't ride!” Larnika shouted as he glanced over his shoulder.

  My skin heated as I clenched my jaw. How dare the fae taunt me for being behind?

  I changed my mind, I thought to Cerys, let's do this!

  Her chuckle filtered through my mind again as she surged forward, instantly overtaking Larnika. I laughed as the wind whipped back the hood of my cloak, sending my hair flying out behind me. As the darkness grew heavier, I marvelled at the small flickering lights in the distance. Fires burned in the cave holes, right where the dragons were probably resting. Did they need warmth? Did they talk to each other?

  “Layanna?” Leonard shouted as he dropped back a bit. “I'll show you a shortcut.”

  Peeras dove into a cave in the side of the mountain. Cerys instantly followed, even though my stomach rolled as we were plunged into darkness. How could the dragons see to fly? And how were they still flying, considering we were travelling through a mountain? Had Leonard had the mountain hollowed out through to the other side?

  “Halt!” Leonard's voice echoed from in front of us.

  Cerys pulled up, her wings slowing and her feet dropping to the invisible ground beneath us. Flames flared into life on all sides of us, the scones holding the torches lighting up the whole cavern.

  In front of us, Leonard was climbing down from Peeras's back. A hand grabbed me before I could respond, dragging me backwards by my hair.

  Reaching behind me, I gripped a meaty hand, trying to prise the fingers off me. I couldn't see my assailant, but I could smell him. It was the man who served Leonard, Bern. Why was he man-handling me?

  “What do you want?” I pushed through gritted teeth as pain ripped through my scalp. “Let go of me!”

  Cerys moved from side to side, huffing gently.

  Leonard stepped forward as I was dragged to the hard stone ground, almost thrown upon it as Bern let go. I tried to scramble to my feet, but his hand pushed my shoulder, so I stayed on my knees.

  “What are you doing?” I demanded, wincing as my knees scraped the rough grit on the ground.

  The cavern opened up in front of us, a pool of steaming water to the right. A man with a long green hooded robe stood by the water, his head ducked so he looked at the ground. Two of the slave women stood either side of him, their gaze locked on their clasped hands in front of them.

  “Did you really think you could outsmart me?”

  Leonard strode over as he took his helmet off, dropping it to the floor. The echo of metal banging on the ground made me jump. My chest was tight as my hands started to sweat. Where were the others? Would the dragons do something to them?

  “I'm not trying to outsmart you, I-”

  “Enough! I need a queen so I can sire my line. Dragonscale must live on once I am dead...” His sentence trailed off as he coughed, the movement shaking his whole body.

  I waited for him to finish, my feet itching to get up to ease my painful knees. Surely, he wouldn't... surely, he couldn't?

  “Get her up!” He ordered his servant. “No queen of mine shall be on her knees.”

  Turning, he walked to the man in the robe. I had never seen a Mother Priest before, but I had heard of them, even as a human. They were men or women who worshiped the earth, wearing green robes emblazoned with a golden sun. Some claimed that Mother Earth gave them the power to heal or grant special wishes. Why was he there?

  “Leonard,” I started as I was hauled to my feet. “I have not consented to be your queen. You must stop this at once, the others-”

  “The others are still flying around the mountain. I instructed my dragons to take them around twice, and then take them back to their quarters, where they are to be locked in.”

  My skirts caught on my shoes as I was pushed towards where they stood. The warmth from the pool intensified as I got closer. I shivered, unable to control the shaking of my limbs. The priest looked up when Leonard stood in front of him. Extending his arm, he handed the king a ring.

  “No!” I said under my breath.

  Trying to spin out of Bern’s grip, I threw my head forward, my forehead connecting hard with the man-servant. He growled but managed to hold my wrists. Using the powers I received from Geryline, I threw my leg up and over his arms, kicking down on where his hands were holding my wrists. The move was extremely quick, forcing him to let me go as he howled in pain. The crack that resounded from his wrists made me wince, but a strong feeling of satisfaction raced through me.

  “Enough!” Leonard shouted.

  Without looking around, I ran for the gap in the cavern. Cerys and Peeras moved to block my way. Neither of them looked down at me, both keeping their gaze locked on the ragged stone roof. Blood pumped through me, urging me forward. Searching around, I cried out in frustration. There was no other way out.

  “Move!” I demanded the dragons as I drew closer.

  Footsteps sounded behind me as I placed my hand on Cerys's leg. She huffed out a breath as my fingernails scratched her scaly skin. Glancing down when the bones in my hands throbbed, I gasped loudly. My nails had elongated, the tips turning dark grey and pointy, just like the claws of a dragon, but much smaller.

  “No you don't!” Leonard muttered from behind.

  An arm wrapped around me as I looked up at Cerys. The dragon stared at me, the slight shake of her head the only indication that she had felt what happened. My hand instantly turned back to normal as I struggled against Leonard. He dragged me, his strength too much, even for my new skills.

  “You will be my queen. Now.”

  How was the human so strong? Thrusting my arm back, I ploughed my elbow into his side. He grunted, his grip loosening enough for me to slide out of his arms. I ran towards the dragons again. I would not give up without a fight. No one ever took my choice away from me, not ever.

  “Stop her, Peeras!” Leonard shouted, fury lacing the tone of his voice. “Let's get this done!”

  A paw scooped me up. I could do nothing to resist as Peeras placed me right in front of the Mother priest. My legs gave out as Bern and the women came over. The women took hold of my arms to hold me. Bern wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, holding me in place. The fight left me as Leonard stepped up and took my hand.

  “Those that are present are witness to this union between Layanna Fairling and King Leonard Klingery. Once this marriage is blessed by Mother Earth, Layanna Fairling will become Queen of the Dragons. She will adhere to her husband, only able to answer to him, just as the dragons.”

  “No!” I said loudly. “You cannot force me to marry!”

  “Quiet!” Leonard snapped, coming closer and dropping a chain over my neck.

  The silver chain was cold as it landed on my skin. It held an oval amulet made of silver, the stone inside an ice blue to match my dress. I shuddered as a chill went through me at the same time as the others let me go. I went to turn, but Leonard grabbed my arm.

  “You will stay!”

  My feet refused to move, even though I tried to pull on them. What was happening? Why was I unable to flee?

  “Layanna Fairling,” the priest said. “You shall honour your husband and allow him to rule Althea when he so chooses to venture there with you. Until then, you shall stay in Dragonscale, ruling by his side and producing an heir.”

  My whole body shook at the implication of what was happening. I was being forced against my will to marry a king I despised. Yes, I had thought about agreeing to the match, right up until this moment, but his character was not only unlikable, it was evil. How could the man have taken so much from me?

  “I will not!” I snapped.

  “You will,” Leonard said, a smirk on his face as he ran a hand through his fiery orange hair. “There's no point in resistance.”

  Managing to grip his arm, I raked my nails through his skin. Jumping back, he snarled, his hand risen and ready to strike. The priest coughed loudly, drawing the king's attention.

  “We must finish the ceremony or it will be too late. The amulet only has a few moments to be activated.”

  Leonard wrapped his thick fingers around my arm and forced me to stand still. We faced the priest, our backs to the dragons as he reached forward, a long white piece of material dangling from his hands. Forcing my arm forward, Leonard scowled when I tried to pull back.

  “Stop fighting it, you will marry me.”

  My arm went lax without my consent. If my feet were rooted to the ground, and my other limbs unable to do anything, I was stuck. Fury rose up my throat, the sound escaping loudly as I stood powerless, unable to fight what was about to happen.

  The priest ignored me, wrapping the bonding material around our wrists to join them. Turning my head to look at Leonard when the bind tightened, I gritted my teeth, tempted to spit in his face. As much as I hated him, I wouldn't lower my standards.

  “You'll pay for this,” I spat instead.

  “Just shut your trap, woman!”

  The priest was reciting a language I had never heard. It was probably some made up language to try and seem like they were doing an official ceremony.

  My skin crawled, heat igniting in the pit of my stomach. The taste of burning entered my mouth, but I quickly swallowed it down. What was happening to me?

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest finished as he unwound the cloth. “You may make your sacrifice.”

  Trying to thrust away from Leonard, I failed at achieving much. He was able to hold me firm against him as he turned us towards the back of the cave. A fire suddenly ignited, lit by Leonard's man servant, Bern. The flames rose high, revealing the high reaching wooden pole. Tied to the pole was a dragon I had never seen before. He stood motionless, his dark eyes staring forward as the flames started to lick his feet.

  “What are you doing?” I screamed. “Release him at once!”

  “You may be a queen now,” Leonard hissed in my ear. “But you cannot rule my dragons. This one is too old, he's become useless. His sacrifice will keep the spirit of the witch happy, ensuring that my offspring receive the same connection to the dragons that I do. We shall start to mate in seven days’ time.”

  Releasing me, he walked to Peeras. I tried to move, but the amulet had taken my power, my freedom. I was trapped, married to a man who sacrificed his own people in order to retain power. I had been a fool to even consider his proposal. I should've used what power I had to form a plot to take the dragons from him.

  “How could you do this?” I cried, swallowing hard to force away the lump that rose in my throat.

  “Come!” he demanded, not bothering to answer me.

  My feet were released from the floor. I finally understood why the others got frustrated if I ever ordered them around. I had to respect all my people, I couldn't allow myself to control them for my own use. As my legs moved me to Cerys, who refused to look at me, I vowed that I would never force anyone to ever do anything for me again.

  How could you let that happen? I thought to Cerys as she lifted me with her paw.