The dragon in front of her was a magnificent creature, mighty. Objectively she could appreciate that. Its scales were large and thick, the shape almost resembling the knives. The legend of dragons being born of the fires in the centre of the earth seem to be captured by the existence of the creature like that, in the flickering colours of its side, from deep magenta to warm gold and every hue between.
Typically Dragons were immensely large, but this one got two sets of wings, a larger pair set atop the muscular shoulders, and a slightly smaller pair set lower back that tucked below when folded, necessary to propel the massive body through the sky and fly.
Beth was in some kind of a mood, glaring at each and everyone as she entered through the kitchen doors. It usually would have fazed Celina, but she's too busy arranging the plates on the cart. Flora, on the other hand, was engaged in making breakfast. And their third supporting staff, Avery, who deemed herself the most important one, sat at the high chair, painting her nails. "Avery?" The housekeeper scoffed. "Is that why you are getting paid?"Avery suddenly jolted from her seat and stood up, head bent down. "Aunt Beth, I was just—"
The eighteen-year-old woke up in her bed a few hours later with no dream. It felt like a miracle. An entire night full of sleep and not having to worry about what she'll see. Celina had been exhausted the night before and had fallen asleep the minute her body hit the sheets.She yawned a little, pushing herself up to sit and blink around the room. It's almost bright – the sun's bright in the sky, and the place was cast in a soft glow of sunlight peeking through the windows. The maid didn't have the slightest idea what time it was but definitely after seven in the morning.Celina was still not sure what to make of the Prince and his apology. Sure it sounded as earnest as possible, and they kissed in the garden, but that’s it. They were interrupted by Beth knocking on the window behind them. Always a
"I have to tell you something.""Hm?" She murmured, dazed at the feeling of his hands on her, his voice in her ear, breath tickling her nape. Celina was lost in the touch, his scent and, moreover, the press of his body against her."Am I boring you, Celina?""No, I..." The eighteen-year-old immediately shook her head, turning around in his hold. Her next words slipped out unintended, honest and vulnerable. "I like hearing you talk."It's bright outside, but the Prince’s eyes gleamed brightly, entirely fixed on the maid. A delicious shiver ran down her spine, feeling naked under the intense scrutiny. It's a bit maddening how Javier had the ability to pin her in place, making her fee
Javier's eyes held her gaze so formidably inching towards her that a shiver ran down her spine. The maid held the look steadily. Celina tried to swallow down the visceral reaction she seemed to have for the Prince. What was it about him that seemed to cut straight through? It was absurd even to be thinking out loud with so many people around them.Before the Prince could open his mouth, someone cut the invisible line between them. It was a young gentleman, gleaming under the bright light as he stared at Celina. He was waiting to be acknowledged as if they have been friends for a long time.A second later he bowed down to her, which she reciprocated."May I have the honour of dancing with you, Celina?"
Celina accepted Prince Javier's arm, a bit dazed by his nearness. Her head felt heavy as they began walking towards the dance floor. The maid didn't want to risk collapsing on the ground, so she held on to him firmly. There was undoubtedly something about the way he held her hand, chest swell with pride as people openly gawked at them. The feel of Prince's hand secured around her waist and his other atop her hand was enough to cause a slight shiver to run through her. As Javier led her down the floor, all while holding her hand in a most intimate manner, her throat clogged up with emotion. The eighteen-year-old never imagined that there would come a time when she would be a highlight of the evening. An evening where people wanted to know her, talk to her and dance with her.Celina knew it was jus
The dragon whined unhappily, struggling around in her arms to get away. Ongoing theme of her life. She had to tighten her grip to keep the creature from chewing on the gaudy bronze plates that were strapped on its back. "Just for a few minutes." The dragon rider tried to soothe him, scratching under the clunky headpiece that had been custom forged just for the dragon. "Please just hang on for a while until I manage to prove my dear father wrong, and I'll take these stupid things off you.""Come on! Up you go!" The Captain whistled from the shed, his voice loud and piercing.Hesitating only for a second, the dragon rider grasped the belly-strap with one hand, planting her heel on a spike, and lifted herself in the air. Desperately she lunged for the pommel, fingers slipping hopelessly for a moment before she managed to secure a firm grip. Wriggling inelegantly
Celina stopped near the hallway when she noticed Beth along with Flora and Avery. They were all standing still in the middle of the room, talking about something serious. The maid exhaled roughly the moment she saw the person responsible for her behaviour the night before. Avery. Her blood boiled, and all she wanted was to yank her from the group and give her a good hearing.The thought before it had time to flourish in her mind got interrupted abruptly. They had been summoned to the meeting room—all four of them. As the housekeeper led her to Prince Javier, Celina reminded herself that she would enter that room and apologise about her behaviour.As soon as she stepped in the meeting room, the maid could almost taste the strong emotions, and all those thoughts fled. Celina could only focus o
/HIS POV/The day after the ball, Javier woke up damp and sweating. His heart hammered in his chest, the deep breaths he forced himself to draw doing little to slow it. Another dream. This time it focused on him as a child again, and he was tired. He was tired of seeing his dead parents, his childhood and knowing that he can never have any of it. Never experience those things again.Every single time it tore him from inside to see those faces which have been long gone.Wiping the sweat off his forehead he let out a sigh. It would be futile to try to go back to sleep now, what with the way his heart and mind still thrummed from his dream.He blinked against the dark, feeling a peculiar mixture of antsy and peaceful. His skin was bathed in sweat yet cold to the tou