Chapter 3
Elena pov"I turned away the heaviness in my chest, it was time to go and I needed to act now before I lose my nerves.Turning around slowly, I followed him out of the castle and into the cold air outside and that was how I wanted it.There will surely be a story about what happened to me, but it wouldn't be a true story. I don't want my people to feel uneasy. I don't want them to live in fear.I needed to keep everyone calm and safe. And also I walked out into the cold night on my own.The wind whipped at my cloak and I pulled it tighter around myself. I wondered what the weather will be like at the Dragon Lord castle.No one had ever visited and returned to tell the tales. I had only rumors to go on and I didn't know if they would be trusted.Every step I took dragged me further away from home, further away from the life I had lived for the past twenty years.It was crazy to think so much was going to change.It was crazy to think how quickly life had been rosy and sweet.The carriage door was opened for me to enter and I stepped inside. I felt a lump in my throat and I swallowed it down I wasn't going to cry not now.I wouldn't disgrace myself like that. Not until I'm truly alone.The door was shut behind me and I peered out of the window at the castle. My Father had probably said his goodbye, but I didn't hear it. I had written a letter to him and I had hoped that would be enough.I sank into the plush velvet seat of the carriage and closed my eyes.A few moments passed where I felt the carriage shift as if more luggage was being loaded in. And then the carriage lurched to life beneath me.The driver swished to the reigns and the horses began to move. If everything went as planned, this driver would be the only person to ever return from the Dragon clan castle.I swallowed the anxiety in my stomach and leaned my head against the window. The glass was cool against my skin and I took a few deep breaths to calm the racing of my heart down.And then we were off. The carriage picked up speed and I knew that any minute I would be out of the castle ground and traveling through the kingdom.We would go the back way.I'd be out of my kingdom in an hourA few hours later. I would arrive at the Dragon Lord's castle and everything would be different.To be honest, it wasn't like I had much time to rest, and the anxiety of getting ready had been weighing on me.Now, while I was incredibly nervous the dread seemed almost comforting. I knew nothing good was waiting for me. I knew I was in danger, but it wasn't it wasn't also inevitable.The choice was out of my hands now, and there was nothing I could do again but there was a strange sense of peace that flooded into me because of that I closed my eyes letting out a deep breath.The interior of the carriage was comforting with a wide, pulse seat that give an opportunity for rest.I didn't know when I'd next be able to rest like this, so maybe it was a good idea to take advantage of the drive. It wasn't like I could do anything else right now.All I could do was wait.The world around me was hazy and dim as if I was in a dream.The softest sheet surrounded me, the silk cradling my body and keeping it safe on the bed.The light that filtered in through the window was warm and bright, sending a shiver of warmth all this way through my body.Everything was hazy and under. But all I knew was that I was happy, happy, and safe.Everything was okay, everything was fine and I felt like I could breathe.The body beside me in the bed was warm, and when his body pressed against mine, I felt a jolt of pleasure spark through me. My body was on fire electricity shuddering through me leaving me breathless.My body was humming, aching with the sweet pull of desire. I couldn't remember feeling anything sweet or so strong like this in my whole life.It was something else. Something new, something that I needed more of. I wanted the feeling to last.When he kissed me. I felt like I was melting into him. His firm body pressed against mine, expert hands sliding across my skin and sending shivers moving through me.I held him tight In return, rocking my body into his touch, my breathing was coming out so quick, short gasps as the pleasure crashed through me.Where did he learn to make a woman feel so good?Every part of my body trembled with pleasure at his touch. His kiss was electric, passionate, and sweet. I kissed him back lifting my hand to tangle them in his hair.I tugged at the strands gently, eliciting a groan was had from him that sent extraordinary pleasure straight through my body. I loved that he was enjoying this too.We were so close that I could feel his breath on my skin, but I couldn't just make out his face.I grabbed his shoulder and saw the twisting tattoo that run over his skin, ripping with every shift of his powerful muscle.I ran my fingertips over the sign; admiring the ink on his skin, then he pressed close, and I lost all my sense of reason.My body moved on its own and it was like nothing I had ever felt before.My sense was on fire and I wanted more of him, more of his touch, more of this creating pleasure that rose inside me unbidden and fierce.It was breathtaking. It was overwhelming.It was better than I could ever imagine.The passionate and fiery.It rode inside of me, so close, so perfectHot!Fast!!!Until I couldn't breathe from the desire?.______I woke up with a start, gasping and trying to catch my breath. I looked around frantically, for the mysterious stranger in my dreams, only to find that I was alone.I was alone in my carriage.The memories of where I was and what I was doing tricked back into my mind. I was on a journey to the Dragon Lord.I was all on my own and I had never taken a lover before.Where did the dream ever come fromI sank against the plush seat, taking a few deep breaths. My heartbeat was pounding frantically in my chest, thundering against my breast and leaving me panting. Why did I have a dream like that?It was completely out of my character, I didn't succumb to erotic dreams and I certainly don't wake up flushed because of them, I'm in danger.My focus was on the journey ahead and I'm doing my best to survive this ordeal or die will dignity.So why was I dreaming about a man hands on my skin? Why was I feeling a rush of desire between my tight that left me shaky and aching for more?I didn't know!!Burying my head in my hand, I took a few deep breaths, shaking my head.It's the stress, that all...Stress makes people do crazy things. Having a few insane dreams didn't seem that out of the ordinary, did it?That's what it was, stress, it was the only thing that made any sense at all.Shivering, I leaned back in my seat peaking out in the window. My heart dropped into my stomach.Outside the window, in the distance, I could see a castle towering and impressive in the dim light of the moon. In the darkness, it looked terrifying and foreboding.It was hard to make out which in the dim light, but the land around us seemed harsh and unforgiving nothing like the beautiful blue skies and the rolling hills of home.But what else did I expect, from the castle of the Dragon Lord?"It's like we'll be arriving soon."Chapter 4Elena POVThe carriage pulled up at the huge iron gate that surrounded the Dragon Lord's castle, I felt shivers move through my body, unbidden.I wanted to draw my knee up and pretended that this isn't happening. I wanted to take care of my people, but this cost felt too high now that I was here.I had to be brave in other to survive. I knew that I really did, but right now my hand wouldn't stop shaking, I pushed them between my knee and held them steady. It was okay. I just had to get through todayAnd then what? It's going to be the end.The carriage pulled up outside of the castle. It was huge, so towering, that I couldn't see the top of the tallest tower from the carriage window. It was gigantic, impressive, and imposing.He was the strongest of all Dragons after all.If this castle was anything to go by, he was certainly powerful. Money, influence, and the strength to take whatever he wanted.I would have admired such strength if he wasn't using it against me right now.
Chapter 5Elena povI took a step back, feeling the hairs at my back stand up.He was gorgeous. I have never expected a dragon to be so attractive. But that didn't make him less of a dragon, or less a danger. Somehow his good looks were even more terrifying.I felt my breath catch in my chest and I did my best to straighten my shoulder and stand my ground."Whatever you have in store for me, I'm prepared." I said, doing my best to keep my voice leveled and stable even though my hands were shaking."Just, please, honor our agreement and leave my kingdom alone."Every part of me was telling me to run. My mind was screaming at me to get out of there now, my hands were shaking as I stared at him down.But I had to stand my ground. I wasn't going to run away.Whatever happened, happened. I wasn't going to flee nor cry.The Dragon Lord looked at me with an expression full of surprise. He looked like he was analyzing me, trying to determine what made me tick.He hummed a soft sound that carr
Chapter 6ElenaThe door slammed behind me, echoing through the darkness of the castle. I reached forward, tugging at the handle, but it was locked from the outside.I had expected to be locked up, but the lack of light was confronting. I was never without light, never without something to guide my way.At home the moon will surely guide my way and shine through my windows, the lantern will burn in the garden. At home, I have the light from the scullery floating up the stairs, the warmth of the fire burning down the stairs.They had always been light in my life. Life and laughter and something to look forward to.But now, there is nothing but darkness, the cold echoing touch of the night. And wasn't that fitting? I was stuck in a world of darkness, after all. I was stuck in a hole where the light of hope no longer burned.I was stuck here with no hope of ever going home and no idea what was going to happen to me.The dread sink into my heart and I felt sick with it. Shuddering, I lean
Chapter 7 Elena pov"Your whole life?" I asked.The hope that has started to rise inside me was falling fast. But Delaney looks happy as she nodded."Yes, of course. My mother was a refugee who fled in this land. I was born here in service." She smiled and I didn't know what to think."It not uncommon to be born into service, right?"She was right. That was a very normal thing to happen, even in my kingdom. If your mother was a maid, you were often a maid too, and so on.Despite that, there was still something about what she said that wasn't common, something I needed to elaborate further on."Yes, that's true. And your mother was a refugee? From where?"Who would possibly need to flee to a kingdom ruled by Dragon? Who would be so desperate, especially in our surrounding lands? My kingdom was flourishing, and many other kingdoms were too.Providing they didn't anger the Dragon Lord, of course. "A country far away from here. She didn't speak of it too much, but she said she had to tr
Chapter 8Dracul's povI leaned against my desk, feeling the smooth wood beneath my hands.The door shut behind me and I listen to the footsteps echo down the stairs. After a few minutes, the noise vanished.What am I doing?I felt the thick knot of tension at my back, between my shoulder blade and I rolled my shoulder to reduce the pain.I had been tense lately, more than normal.Running a kingdom and keeping my people safe for thousands of years had been no small feat and it had taken a lot of planning, strategy, and smarts.But more than anything, it had taken strength. When the mortal saw the slightest inkling of weakness, they pounced on it.But other dragons were the same. All hopping on weakness like it was a great big meal and they were famished.I hated it, I despised every part of this facade, this game, the terrible role that I took. But I did what I had to do. I would keep my people safe no matter what the cost is.I would keep them safe, the few of us the were left, and w
Chapter 9Elena povI snuck through the corridors, feeling my heart pounding in my chest, leaving me breathless. I didn't want to take the wrong step and be caught. I didn't want to make a wrong move and be seen.I wanted to get in, see what was happening and get out.The closer I got, the more I started to worry about what exactly was going on, what exactly all this meant.What was happening in this kingdom, in this land?Like it or not, I was a part of it now, I had something to gain by knowing more about my surroundings. It was a benefit, after all.So why did I feel like I was making the wrong choice? Why did I feel like I wasn't going to like what I saw?I got my answer pretty quickly. I poked my head around the corner and froze.The scene in front of me was like something out of my nightmare.Zane was laying on the ground, bleeding out from a gaping of his neck. His eyes were open and glassy and I had a sickening knowledge, right then and there, that he was dead.And my eyes dri
Chapter 10Elena povAnd he kissed me.What I'm I doing?It was like my body moved on its own. One moment, I was furious at him, the next, my lips were on his and my hands on his coat seemed a lot more intimate than they had a moment ago.His golden eyes widened and for a second, I thought he was going to pull away. I didn't know if I wanted him to pull away, or if I wanted him to kiss me back harder.What the hell is going on with me? What's wrong with me?Then the world seems to kick back into gear, and he was kissing me back. His lips were hot against mine but so much softer than I had imagined. He tasted sweet, like whiskey and woodsmoke.?I stumbled back, my back slamming against the wall. The stones were cold against my dress, the iciness seeping through and leaving me shivering.But he was warm, he was so warm. He radiated heat as he pressed against my body and I melted right into it.He smelt amazing, and I didn't want to let go. I pulled him in, parting my lips as he kissed m
Chapter 11I stared as the door swung shut, feeling the echo thundered through my body.What the hell just happened?My entire body was still tangling from where Dracul touched me. I could feel his body against mine, the heat that radiated off him, the power of his hand against my skin.I shivered, lifting my hand and touching my lips. Did I react like that? Had my body been craving Dracul so badly that I had moaned and kissed him back as I meant it?Did I want him? I had thought he was a monster, someone who I hated, someone who I would never want to be with. And yet here I was, kissing him like it meant nothing.What is wrong with me?I groaned and covered my face, taking a few breaths and trying to process what I had done, what had just happened between us.What had that been anyway? Was it lust, was its insanity, or something in between? I shuddered and shook my head.Dracula was the enemy here. He had pulled me from my home, he had taken me away from everything I loved and adored