2023-04-18 23:30:00Walking through the halls I easily find Gwen's chambers. I do not spend too much time in front of the door before I slam it open with a bang. At first, I am taken aback by the strong jasmine and cherry blossom perfume wafting in the room. I cover my nose, cringing at the smell. Looking into the room, I see a small dark-haired girl jump with fright, making a squeaking noise. She sounds just like a little mouse.
"Calm down, little mouse, I am not here to hurt you,” I tease. When the girl turns around, I am met with two scared green eyes, wide as saucers. Looking deep into her eyes, I see more than fear, there is something else there. Something dark, that I just cannot quite put my finger on. "W-Who are you? What could you possibly be doing barging into my room?" She quakes. Her words come out meek and defenseless, but there is fire burning in her eyes. She is not as weak as she is making herself out to be. So why is she pretending? "If you are my lady in waiting, then there is no reason that I should be waiting for you," I respond cocking an eyebrow. The little mouse puts a hand over her mouth to hide her gasp. “I am so very sorry, your highness. I was not expecting you so soon, please forgive me." She curtsies, then continues, "I am Gwen Evergreen, I am here to serve you whenever you need me." "You may call me Eleonora’,” I tell her. "Very well, it is nice to meet you, princess Eleonora,” she responds. Her face looks soft, but her eyes are fierce. There is just something about this girl. Something that makes her different from the others here, I am determined to figure out what it is. I leave Gwen's room shortly after arriving there. She is not exactly the company I am looking for. I set out exploring the halls once more, again trying to find something to occupy my time. I hear the castle has a grand ballroom where ladies of the court go to practice dancing. I am curious to see what the humans refer to as formal dancing. Finding nothing, I head for the other end of the castle once again, finding that I am deeply impressed with all the artwork. Rather than landscape paintings, this side of the castle has several paintings of magical beasts, many of which I have yet to see in person. I admire all the paintings, but there is one in particular that catches my attention. It is a painting of a deep blue dragon flying over a mountain during a raging thunderstorm, a mountain I know all too well. I am surprised that out of all the paintings of magical beasts, they have one of a dragon considering we rarely show ourselves to humans. But what really catches my eye is the long-jagged scar running across the right side of the dragon's chest, and its deep violet eyes. This dragon looks familiar. Much too familiar. Reaching out, I run my fingertips across the dragon in the painting. My eyes begin to blur with tears. It is almost an exact replica of Fafnir, dynamic and glorious as he was in life, his eyes gleaming in the piercing artificial light of the painting. "It is beautiful, is it not,” a deep voice says from behind me. I jump at the sudden voice. Turning around, I am met with Gregory's molten brown eyes. He walks to the painting, placing a hand on it his long snowy hair swaying back and forth. "I bought this piece from a traveling painter about nine years ago. The painter talked about how when he saw the beast, he could not help but marvel at its beauty,” Gregory tells me. This painting was done a year before my brother died. It has to be him, there is no way it is not. "Yes, it is very beautiful. Actually, I believe this painting was done near my home judging from the mountain terrain." I pause, looking softly at the painting. "And the dragon in the painting... I am certain I know him." The words come out choked, thinking about Fafnir always makes me upset. I do not know why, but since the moment I have begun to know Gregory, I have felt comfortable talking with him. He has this gentle fatherly aura about him. Looking into my eyes Gregory lifts a hand, wiping a stray tear from my cheek. I did not even realize I was crying until he did that. I step away from him, wiping under my eyes, and taking a deep breath to compose myself. After blinking away my tears, I smile, taking a step back from him. "I am sorry, I did not mean to get emotional,” I croak. His deep brown eyes filled with a gentle kindness gaze into mine. My heart clenches with embarrassment. Walking up closer to me, he cups my face warmth spreads across my face at the simple gesture. His movement remind me of a father comforting his child. My heart once again clenches with a strange emotion. I feel myself start to pull away from his touch. While the warmth is comforting, I have never had such interactions before. "Come my dear let us talk somewhere more private, away from prying eyes,” he says glancing at some maids standing feet away from us. As we turn walking down the hall, he places a comforting hand on my back. Reaching the end of the hall he pushes open a large oak door. Stepping into the room I see that it is a small study. The walls are painted a light beige color and surprisingly there is nothing decorating them. On the left side of the room, there is a large wooden desk with many bookcases behind it. On the other side of the room, there are lounge chairs surrounding a red brick fireplace with a small table in the middle. He leads me over to the fireplace and we sit down. I sink into the soft cushion of the chair. My embarrassment once again comes to the surface. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I look at Gregory. "I am sorry I do not mean to be emotional; it is just that the dragon in that painting looks so much like my brother. In fact, I am certain it is him,” I murmur the last part. Gregory places a comforting hand on my shoulder, “May I ask what happened to your brother?"
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Dragon’s Breath Chapter Eleven
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Author Note
Hi lovelies, if you are reading this you have finally made it to the end of Dragon’s Breath. I am so glad you made it this far in my book. It has been such a wonderful journey posting the first book I ever wrote on here. If you have liked Dragon’s Breath so far stay tuned for the release of book two Dragon’s Blood. In the mean time show your support and please leave a review! I am excited to here what my readers have to say! Have a wonderful day and happy reading to all you lovelies.
Epilogue Part Two
Flavius and I spent the rest of the day in the war room discussing our next moves for the war with Soren and Dovydas. With evening upon us, everyone leaves to get ready for the ceremony. I stand outside the temple doors with Flavius by my side. I brush my hands over my arms as I shiver from a chill that runs through my body. The doors to the temple open, and Sunniva calls us in. Flavius and I slowly walk into the room, our bodies exposed to all of the hordes. We head to the front of the room and face each other, with Sunniva standing near us. The room is dimly lit, the candles casting a golden hue across Flavius’s skin. “Tonight, two souls will be bonded as one. Forever held together by the ties of magic and love. Two people, brought together by fate, have decided to spend the rest of eternity together. Tonight, marks the start of a new life. From today forward, they will promise to love one another
Epilogue
Flavius slowly opens his eyes from my soft touches. When his warm brown eyes meet my own, I cannot help the soft look that brushes across my features. Placing my hands on his cheeks I lean in giving a fleeting kiss. "Good morning," I whisper angelically. "Good mornin," he replies, pressing a kiss to my forehead. I shudder at the sparks that spread across my face. Stretching my body out I throw the blankets off of us, then I proceed to climb out of bed and change. Flavius does the same. When we are clothed, I lead Flavius through the mountain into the kitchens to get some food. As we sit down and begin to eat Flavius, clears his throat then begins to speak, "So why is it that you wanted the mating ceremony to happen the moment you got home?" He asks. "Mates are a symbol of power to dragons. To show my strength to the horde, I had to mate you as soo
Chapter Sixty-Three
Flavius follows behind me, "Don't you think you were a little harsh?" Flavius had such a wonderful mother he could not possibly understand the resentment I hold towards my own. “My mother blamed me for Fafnir's death. She has never been a real mother to me. I could care less what happens to her. The last thing I need is people like her weighing me down," I respond heatedly. If my mother had not lived such a cowardly life then I never would have suffered as I have. I used to think that upon the deaths of my parents I would be sorrowful but instead I find a deep emptiness within my soul. My heart is so empty for them that I almost feel sick. "Now enough of this, we must find Sunniva," I say, pretending to act cheerful. "Why do we need to find Sunniva?" Flavius questions with his brows furrowed in confusion. "She is the high
Chapter Sixty-Two
Trygg pulls his own blade from under his robes rushing towards me. I meet him halfway my sword heavy in hand. Trygg dips and weaves narrowly missing the slash of my sword. My blade scrapes the stone ground causing sparks to flare. He whips behind me hitting me on the back. I stumble forward my sword clattering to the ground. When I turn over Trygg looms over me, before he has the chance to strike, I kick him in the gut. He hunches over clutching his stomach. I quickly stand-up grabbing Trygg’s sword which sits closer to me than my own. Gripping the blade tightly in my clutch I bound forward slicing Trygg’s arms. He scuffles back blood now coating his robes. His eyes come ablaze glowing a deep yellow, fangs begin to protrude from his mouth as he enters a half-fazed state. Lurching at me his body becomes consumed in golden lightning. Bold of come striking at me, I try to dodge but the lightning still grazes the skin of my arm. I jump back hissing in pa
Chapter Sixty-One
The light peering in through the cave entrance stirs me awake. I feel my eyes open, lifting my head from Flavius's chest I look up meeting his gaze. He smiles at me softly. “Mornin,” he murmurs gruffly. “Good morning.” Removing my arms from his waist, I grab his hand, and begin to pull him from the bed. "Come now; we must meet my father," I sing out darkly. "What exactly is your plan, Ellie?" Flavius questions worriedly. "I am going to put on a show everybody will enjoy," I respond with a devilish smirk. Flavius stares at me, his glowing brown eyes full of questions. Once dressed we leave my room. We walk in silence down the halls of the mountain with our heads held high. The other dragons in the horde, who I have not seen in a long time send me and Flavius glares of distaste, but we pay them no mind. We reach the throne room, and I shove the doors open, striding into the place with renewed confidence. My father sits tall on his throne, the torches lighti
Chapter Sixty
We stand at the edge of the forest to say our goodbyes. The midday heat caresses my skin like a warm blanket. I turn towards those gathered here, pulling an unsuspecting Daniel into a firm hug. The tips of his now untamed mane tickle my face. "I am going to miss you," I mumble against him. Daniels's body is rigid against mine, but he finally loosens up, hugging me back. "We will definitely see each other again. I will make sure of it," Daniel assures me. "We should get going," Soren interrupts uncomfortably. Soren stands stiffly, his arms crossed over his chest with his face tipped up to the sky. I chuckle lightly. He has always been terrible at goodbyes. "You are right," I say, pulling away from Daniel. I turn to face Evalene with a deep smile. Her hair glows a fiery yellow from the sun casting its warm light upon her. “Evalene, I just want to say that I wish I could have opened up to you before. I feel that we could have become good friends,"
Chapter Fifty-Nine
The dawning sun blooms on the horizon, shining like a golden Phoenix fresh from the ashes of rebirth. On a day such as this, one would expect the heavens to be weeping. But instead, the morning is full of serene silence. The world sits so still even the wind is not singing. Just as Flavius and I finish getting dressed, there is a light knock on my chamber door. "It is time, your highness," I hear a maid say from outside. Flavius and I leave my chambers in silence. The still castle sits around us like a heavy iron bird cage. We walk to the throne room where Gregory's close friends and family are gathered. Gregory and Geoffrey's coffin's sit in the front of the room, opened for everyone to see the bodies. The pale corpses sit out in a morbid display as the sweet stench of death wafts from them. I cringe at the sight my body tightening up. I turn to Flavius, slightly confused, "Why are the caskets open?" I ask. "What do you mean why? It's so the family can see
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Everyone is solemn and quiet as we filter out of the throne room. The events of the wedding are a clouded haze in my mind, leaving me riddled with anxiety. I am so entrapped by my thoughts that I do not even realize that we have made it to my chambers until I hear the door creaking open. I look to see the room they have taken me to is the one that I was placed in when I first arrived in the capital. Flavius is the only one the enters the room with me; I briefly see Soren leaving as the door is being closed. "I apologize," I mumble, "I do not know what came over me. I was just so angry." Flavius sits down next to me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "I'd be lying if I said what I saw didn't disturb me. But from what I've learned about dragons, your rage can sway you to commit unspeakable acts," Flavius says quietly. "I cannot blame everything
