Celina felt cold and miserable, the dangerous shortening of her temper that might get the maid into trouble. From the minute she had that dream, the maid found it challenging to pay attention to what she's doing or saying. There was a deep-rooted fear that she might also be getting snappy as the days went on, and that's never good for her work.
Somehow Celina managed to convince Beth that she needed to shop for personal items. No further questions were asked. The maid could no longer pretend that the secrets and silence weren't affecting her anymore. She felt like they were hiding something from her, something huge, and it caused her stomach to twist with uneasiness. After all, she wasn't good with being kept in the dark. That's why her parents betrayal stung a lot.
When Celina stepped into the Prince room, her eyes immediately fell on the clothes spewed across the floor accompanied by the presence of the odd wrappers; his bed wasn't made. Sadly it's her duty to tidy the room today as the other two maids were tired from serving the dinner and cleaning the dining room. The Prince's bathroom had much product out on show across the counter where they shouldn't be, dust and a few leaves were blown in through the open window. She made a mental list while Prince Javier perched on the lone chair, watching her every move with keen attention.
When Celina woke up the next day, her assigned room was clanking with cold, teeth clattering the moment she sat up and the blanket fell off her chest. A cold puff of air left her lips as she got off the bed. She stretched her arms, reaching for the nearest coat before pulling it over. The maid was no longer in the mood to go back and sleep, alert and ready to shuffle out. Standing up, her bones ached from the hard floor underneath. It almost made her regret for getting out. Celina made her way out the room and down the narrow and lopsided staircase, past the long hallway. She used the door in the living room, which led to the cave. Once outside, the young woman rea
Celina woke up with a crick in her neck and face buried in odd-smelling sheets. The maid felt strange and disoriented for a handful of seconds, so unfamiliarly warm as if she’d fallen asleep in the sun. Fluttering her eyes open, she looked around and froze. In her stillness, she slowly became aware of a few things around her. She was not in her room back in the Palace. Holy Christ! The young maid thought and was thankfully awake enough to bite her tongue before blurting it out loud. Panic gripped her body tight, and she shot into a sitting position, heart beating so frantically that she feared can be heard echoing across the room. Unable to resist, she took another
"I still don't think this is a good idea.""Why not?"The maid wanted to laugh at that, so she did briefly, even if it sounded joyless and harsh. "Isn't that obvious?" Celina kept her eyes moving, passing over everything but his face.Prince Javier was quiet again as if pondering over her question. "I don't care," He settled on eventually, his voice solid and unwavering.Celina twisted her mouth. "You should.""But I don't."And that's it right there. It's easy for the Prince, was the thing; the eighteen-year-old understood that. He's a Royal who had nothing to worry about, people cowering
It's pitch black when Celina reached another floor of the maids quarter and looked up with heart in her throat. It's deserted and quiet and peaceful. Only few windows were illuminated, colouring the snow in warm hues. The maid could hear her own pulse throbbing loudly in her ears, almost deafening.Her legs were cold and stiff as she took the slippery steps up to the first floor door, her breath a light cloud in front of her face, arms rigid by the side.‘What are you doing?’ She uttered to no one but herself, hands freezing in the air. Her knuckles almost clung to the icy wood of the door when she knocked, holding her breath.It didn't take nearly as long as Celina hoped for the door to be opened and she's standing face to face in front of Abel. The mai
Celina blinked as she glanced at the smoke up ahead. Was she hallucinating? The maid tried to pick up her speed, hobbling towards the smoke. Smoke meant a person, someone who could tell her how far she was away from the Palace and maybe help her out.It seemed to take too long, but soon she spotted the cause of the smoke. It was a small cottage, somewhat familiar. She stumbled forward and knocked on the door, listening for any sounds of the inhabitants inside.Silence. Almost too defeating for her.Celina sniffled, blinking back the tears and knocked again.
Celina took a step back as Javier moved closer, and just like that, he reached for the maid. She didn’t protest because suddenly they’re kissing, and the Prince was throwing his entire body into it. And it felt so different all of a sudden. Javier was relentless when he pressed even closer, not giving her any space. So she pushed back with equal measure, bringing her hands up to his hair and yanking like she never dared before. The Prince gasped into her mouth, and she grinned with victory, it’s like an even field, a giving and taking in equal measures. She ached with how much her body wanted it and the maid was not willing to give this up.“We don&rsq
Celina was determined to go into the cave. No matter the consequences. Ever since she had that cursed dream, its been troubling her. The maid sneaked out of the living room, abandoning her cleaning duties. Sliding out into the cool floor, shivering as her toes pressed into the ground, she stumbled forward, crashing into Abel, who resembled a ghost, wide-eyed and pale. "Abel", She breathed, steadying herself by gripping his arms. Composing himself, he took a step back. "You seem in a hurry." The eighteen-year-o
•Few Years Later•The dragon lumbered toward the Captain, swinging its long tail behind it. Turning a full rotation of the pen before it sank on the ground, folding its wings and letting out a smoky sigh. Lisa, a newbie who sat atop, gripped on the belly strap far too tight, lips still quivering as they landed."Ease the grip next time, Lisa", Celina mused, her hand stroking the bulge of her belly while staring at the poor dragon. It must be uncomfortable for the creature to endure that for more than an hour.Lisa blushed, shakily getting on her feet. "Yes, Captain"Someone cleared their throat from behind, the familiar sound making her smile.
As Celina stepped out of the bath room, fully dressed after a long hot shower, she noticed it's not raining. Despite that, the clouds were hanging low, and it's still dark and bitingly cold. With a sigh, she still zipped up her jacket and wandered out of the room.On her way to the kitchen, there was something buzzing and whirring in her ears.Beth was the first one to greet her in a cable knit sweater that screamed the eighties and a cup of steaming tea. The young woman's lips curved in a warm smile, sinking into the nearby chair."I'm sorry for yesterday."The housekeeper tutted her lips, waving. "I am
/Javiers POV/The Prince didn't know what woke him up. But suddenly, he's sitting up in bed, the sheets sliding off his chest along with Celina's arm around him. It's still dark out, no light shining in from outside, no ray of sun that might've alerted him. The window was still wide open, a thin layer of snow now covering the ground right in front of the Castle. The snowstorm has finally stopped, leaving behind the chilly air.Javier, without making any noise, slipped out from beneath the duvet and stood on his feet, his mind wiped blank. The Prince's steps were steady but languid as he made his way towards the window. Looking behind, he cannot believe that the dragon rider was in his bed.Finally, he thought to hi
"Thank you", Celina had to say out those words, a sigh escaping her lips. It got overwhelming for her—their stares, those questions and everything in general. The dragon rider had to get out of there, breathe without feeling her lungs burn. Only that if she walked away, it would appear rude."Anything for you, my love", He whispered, gazing into her eyes.The moment they stepped inside the warmth of his room, Celina could feel the air go thick and heavy, sizzle with something she's become far too familiar with.His icy, solid body pressed to her the next moment, his arms encircling and clutching her tight. She sagged back, her legs moments from giving out if not for Javier pressing her against the solid wood
Celina stared as Leader Keith's headless body laid in front of them, lifeless and in the pool of blood. She felt no remorse whatsoever. It was as if the rider was numb to sensation. Barton and Matt were also lying next to him.Motioning the dragon, she slid off him, standing on her feet. Celina turned around and gazed into the glimmering gold of his eyes, her hand reaching out to his maw. Javier preened under her touch, leaning forward and almost making the rider stumble. A giggle escaped her lips. She missed it.Lightly scratching at the scales, Celina stared at him. "You did good today. Shift back now."Javier made a sound, his wings flapping together, the sudden rush of heavy breeze almost making h
The little girl in pigtails perched on one of the towers, her legs crossed together. Celina was merely six years old when she learned that her father trained dragons. It was fascinating, igniting curiosity in her; that's why she followed him.Her mother would have forbidden her, but Celina skillfully sneaked away. Sitting by the railing, she got to watch the entire scene unfold in front of her eyes. It was breathtaking, watching as the dragons soared in formation across the sky, performing elaborate manoeuvres, shooting at targets both grounded and airborne with their claws or fire darting out of their mouth.Celina's eyes widened, watching as the dragons, as mighty as they stood, leaned in front of her father. One of them let her father stroke the maw, eyes rolling back. What was happening? How could her father not fear for
Her lips parted in shock, a puff of white cloud forcing out of her mouth in the process. That voice. It sounded so familiar. Javier? Her inner voice rushed out, panic seizing her by the throat and squeezing her eyes until pain blossomed behind those lids. What if it's all part of her imagination? She refused to turn and meet her death in some underground alley where no one could find a trace of her."Celina, it's me."The sound echoed in her ears. She still stayed in the fragile position, fingers trembling as the maid fisted the fabric of her coat. Her nose brushed against the soft skin of her palm as she tried to cover her face. Why couldn't the voice stop taunting her? Celina didn't need a reminder that Javier was not miles away from her and proba
Celina lied on her back and stared at the ceiling, breath shallow, trying not to move. The room was dark, woods completely burned out, leaving nothing but ashes and the distinct smell behind. She blinked a few times, eyes bleary and adjusting to the lack of light, slightly disoriented for a moment or two. Last night was real. The more she thought about it, the more breathlessness Celina experienced. She behaved like an oblivious fool all this time, doubting Javier when he's been trying to help her. Her body felt numb as she recalled the broken expression on his face, the defeated look as he watched her leave. The young woman knew he tried to stop her from leaving. She saw his reflection in the mirror of the car but remained motionless. Heartlessly Celin
Instead of turning away from the door and walking back to her room, Celina stayed behind. She knew it was wrong. The young woman couldn't forget the look that crossed Abels face when she told him about the pill. What was that all about? Huddling in the corner as not to be seen, Celina crouched behind the wall. The door was slightly ajar, all thanks to Abel slamming it with much force than necessary. Before leaning down, her eyes flitted across the surrounding just to make sure she's all alone. Releasing a sigh of breath upon finding no one in miles of long hallway, Celina diverted her attention back to Abel. Her eyes widened when she noticed a scowl on Leader Keith's face. Then the voices came. "What did you give her?"