"Please, it is true, I have nothing to offer you as of now. I just, if you could only just…grant me one request, just one. If you grant me one wish when I am done healing you, I promise not to leave your side, ever. I just want one wish to be granted." Her hands were shaking now in terror. She needed that chance, just one, that is all she asked for. If she could not have her freedom, at least she wanted to get revenge for what was done to her. She tightened her hold against his sleeve in despair as they stood there in silence.
He looked up at her face and saw that she had closed her eyes in what seemed like fear; she was at his mercy and he knew it. He had full control of her now and he would take advantage of it. He pitied her for what had been done to her and understood where she was coming from but he had no intention of letting her go regardless. She was his.
"I will grant you one request, but first, you shall fulfill your service to me. Meet me at noon, we shall start as soon as possible." He was about to walk away but she was still holding onto his sleeve, making him pull her with him a few feet. He cleared his throat and she let go immediately, he made her feel self-conscious about her childish act but she had no choice then. It was her or them.
"Dag will take you to my chambers at noon," he walked away from her as if nothing had happened, disregarding their conversation completely to a side.
"Wait, your highness." She turned around to see him as he stopped in his tracks, he was just about to open the door to leave.
"I must prepare my…I need a bit more time." She needed her body to be clean and calm for her to be able to do this.
"A few more hours will do." She added, not wanting to keep him waiting, her suggestion sounded more like a statement, not a humble request.
"Alright, this evening after dinner." Those were his final words, leaving no room for rearrangements or discussions as he opened the door and left quickly. He was a busy dragon and probably had more significant affairs to tend to.
Krystle took a deep breath and did not know where to go from there. She was one hundred percent sure that as soon as she turned the corner of a hallway she would be lost. That was until Theon's personal valet walked inside followed by a petite woman. She seemed in her forties, a wide smile on her bright features. She wore a maid outfit, her hands folded in front of her, and bowed when she stood before me.
"This is Zella, she was appointed by Lord Theon as your personal maid from today on. She will be your guide and helper in whatever you need. I shall leave you two for your preparation this evening." Dag bowed slightly and walked away. He walked in such a formal and elegant manner, making Krystle wonder if he ever slouched or relaxed at all.
Seeing a Lycan as a valet made her still a bit bewildered. It was no secret that Lycans were royal creatures throughout history and were considered grand creatures, but in comparison with dragons, they came nowhere close. Dragons were the most majestic creature known to anyone in the world, they were the oldest and wisest. Witches were the most powerful, but dragons were considered elders, almost.
That was when a war obliterated almost half of their population. Krystle did not know the details or the full story, all she knew was that two brothers became archenemies, and a division was created among the dragons. They fought but neither was successful, it went on for decades until no one spoke of either dragon. It was as if they had either died or gone into seclusion.
There had been many rumors, some saying that they became humans, after worshipping the witches and granting them power over them. Others said that the dragons had decided to live in seclusion and avoid humans, for they would want to rule them and bring their kind to a total end.
Either way, Krystle had been made to believe that they had probably died. No one ever spoke of them more than mere legends and myths, if only it hadn't been that way. If they only knew the truth. Her father knew they were real and decided to keep it from her. She felt betrayed and hurt by his lack of trust in her. He knew she was capable of dealing with it, yet he had more trust in a son that would soon betray him as well.
"If there is anything more I can do for you my lady, please do not hesitate to ask." Zella had been kind enough to show her around and help her get measured for new clothes. She had also prepared a warm bath and new fresh garments for her evening session with her new master.
"Thank you. Come when dinner is ready." Krystle stepped inside the tub and relaxed into the warm water as it felt good on her tired skin. She sighed happily just as Zella bowed and left. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths to relax her body.
Krystle had asked Zella to arrange everything she would need for that evening. She requested some healing herbs and told her to mix them together into tea. It must be served from then on to their Lord, the herbs would help him relax his muscles and his mind, regardless if she were to have a healing session with him or not.
After a long and soothing bath, she went on to wear her dress, it was the simplest she had ever worn but she knew she had no clothing that would fit her yet. It had a low heart-shaped neckline beaded with embroidered lace, it was a bit lose all the way down to her waist and the tulle over the dress flowed freely down to her toes. The tulle sleeves were loose as well, a little puffy but they were beautiful with an intricate lace design as well.
She decided to pull her hair back, half of her hair up in a small bun as the rest of her hair stayed down. It would prevent the majority of her hair to come down to her face. She was putting on her shoes when Zella knocked at her door.
"Come in." Krystle stood up as she walked in, telling her dinner was ready. She took a deep breath and followed her out. While they made their way toward the dining hall, she couldn't help but wonder how things were going home, what would happen when Luca got to their home and announced that she was here, with a dragon as her master, or worse, that she had died. Her blood left her body as the sudden thought hit her cold, she got shivers up and down her body, and her heart started racing at the thought. No. Luca would not do that, that would just hurt their father in a way that they did not imagine.
She needed to get some kind of way to communicate with him and tell him she was fine that nothing bad happened to her, and that she would be back with him.
Zella opened the door to the dining hall and was waiting for her to enter. She had not noticed when they had gotten there, her thoughts had kept her mind unfocused and she needed to enter composed and collected, to prove, mostly to herself, that she was strong and would not let her brother pester her.
Krystle walked in and her eyes landed on the handsome man sitting already at the table. He looked up and double glanced at her as she approached him. She sat beside him again as the maids immediately started serving them. They both nodded at each other as a greeting, neither speaking, even after they started eating. It was an awkward silence but she did not know what to talk about and he seemed like he did not want to speak either.
"The cook insisted on me drinking this…tea that you suggested for me. I must say, I am not fond of having something from a stranger-"
"The cook made it. I only gave him the ingredients. I am sure you have someone who tastes anything you eat before you do. The person had not died, so no need to worry. It would be rather beneficial if you drank it from today on, it will help you to relax and distress. I assume you have tiring days, it helps with sleeping and it will be handy for the healing sessions. You are not the first person I do this to so please, it would be best if you comply with this simple task." Krystle took a sip of the same tea she had ordered for him.
He could only stare at her then at the tea and took a small sip. He did not disagree nor accepted it. She smiled internally, she realized that not many had talked to him in such a way and he was not used to it. It made his demeanor change into something less composed and quieter.
There had been no small talk so after they had finished their dinner, they immediately made their way to his chambers. She followed quietly as she was being led to the opposite side of where her room was. She was distracted by his tall frame in front of her, not once had he turned around to make sure she was following, because she had to. She did not really pay attention to the architecture or the pictures that hung on the tall walls, nor to the maze of hallways. His long strides were a bit tiring for her small figure. Her infuriated gaze burned the back of his head every now and then when he decided to walk faster. She did not know if he was doing it on purpose or if he actually walked that way, but it was hard to tell.
After many turns and some stairs, they were in front of a dark wooden door on the left side of the hallway; he opened it and motioned her inside first with his left hand. It looked like a study room, it consisted only of a desk, some books on it, along with a velvet settee. She made her way there and sat down without being asked to.
Lord Theon just stared at her and did not move. When she noticed him unmoving, he blinked and walked inside, closing the door behind him.
"Tell me, your majesty, how can I assist you?" Krystle lifted her legs up and crossed them, straightening her back as she did so. She then looked up and saw he did not move. She was in her favorite position for her work now.
Lord Theon did not know how to explain it to her, so he did the only thing he could. He started undoing his shirt's buttons and taking it off. Krystle blushed and stood up immediately.
"Wait, wait. What are you-" she stopped his hands from fully taking his shirt off. Her words got caught in her throat as she glanced down at his god-sculpted upper body. She felt like she could drool as her heartbeat was out of control. She felt her face go red from the proximity and from the exposure to his body. He just seemed unbothered, as if it meant nothing.
"I am going to show you… where I need you to heal me, princess." He said her title in a mocking voice but she did not care. She must have looked shocked but he just smirked at the realization, the impact his body had on her. She had seen men from her father's soldiers when they worked out and fought while training but she had never been close to one from such proximity and touch.
She reluctantly took her hands away, making them a fist beside her as she let him continue, she had to suck it up. He finished undressing his fine upper torso, then he threw the shirt to the couch next to them before he turned around, his back facing her. He saw then his two wing scars, they seemed normal until she squinted her eyes and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
She leaned closer and that is when she noticed it. She traced the tip of her fingers on his left scar. He felt shivers run up and down his entire body with her feather touch, so light that it made him think he had just imagined it. The scar looked cracked as if something had happened to it. As if it were broken. Krystle covered her mouth slowly in dismay, her eyes widening as she looked up at what should be his face.
His wing was broken.