Aria did not return to Rhysann's chamber that night. Instead, she stayed in the servants' quarters to watch over Constance. Constance had pleaded with her to go back to the chamber where she would be more comfortable, but she refused. Aria was willing to share the small bed with Constance, who couldn't help but feel grateful for her kind and thoughtful personality.
By the next morning, Constance was feeling much better, but the bite wound was still an eyesore and had to remain wrapped with a piece of cloth.
"I'm glad you feel better," Aria said with a warm smile and Constance grinned widely.
Despite the trauma she suffered the previous day, she was back to her old self quickly; full of smiles. Aria secretly adored her bubbly personality.
"Thank you for staying with me last night. I was worried you would be uncomfortable."
"Oh, it's alright. I'd much rather stay here with my people than share a room with that monster," Aria said, her expression darkening briefly at the thought of Rhysann. "In the meantime, could you introduce me to the other slaves? I would like to get to know them."
Constance nodded with a warm smile.
"That would be wonderful. I can take you to their rooms now that it's still early..."
"Are you sure you're well enough to walk?" Aria asked, concerned, and Constance chuckled.
"Of course. I was only poisoned. I didn't lose my legs."
The duo shared a laugh and prepared to leave. Constance had lent Aria a plain long-sleeved shirt and skirt since she had nothing else to wear the previous night. Initially, Constance worried the outfit might be too plain and unsuitable for a princess, but Aria didn't mind at all. She was just relieved to be out of the revealing dress.
Early that morning, the pair set out to visit the other slaves nearby in their rooms. Some owned by nobles in the castle had their collars on constantly, and this was a heartbreaking sight for Aria.
"We are truly sorry for how Lady Nessie treated you yesterday, my princess." one of the female slaves, Emily, said with a sad countenance and Aria smiled.
"It's alright. What matters is that Constance is alive and well."
The slaves were touched by Aria's humility and willingness to share their burdens. Her presence offered them a glimmer of hope, a feeling long absent from their lives. Now more than ever, they were hopeful that they would escape from the clutches of their oppressors and find freedom.
As Aria and Constance moved from door to door to greet the slaves, a guard walked up to Aria.
"King Rhysann demands your presence in his chamber., he spoke, and Aria frowned at him.
"You can tell your king that I am not interested in meeting him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a business to attend to—"
Before she could finish speaking, the guard lifted Aria effortlessly and hoisted her onto his shoulder. Holding her firmly in place, he turned and began to walk away.
"Put me down!" Aria yelled aloud and pounded her fists against his back in protest. "I said, put me down, you brute!"
But the guard was too strong. He was a dragonborn after all.
"It's alright, Aria. I'll be here whenever you need me," Constance reassured her.
Aria watched her figure fade from view as the guard turned the corner.
Meanwhile, Rhysann paced anxiously in his chamber, his footfalls echoing through the space. The door opened, and the guard stepped inside. He unceremoniously dropped Aria to the floor and she staggered, nearly losing her balance but managed to regain her footing. The guard merely bowed and left before Aria could protest.
"Aria..."
"What do you want from me?!" She demanded sharply, cutting him off before he could finish. Rhysann gazed at her, his eyes heavy with sadness.
"Aria, I'm truly sorry about what happened yesterday. I tried to find you to explain everything but I couldn't..." His voice was low and tinged with a husky remorse.
"You're sorry? My people are being treated like animals, and all you can do is apologize. Is this how pathetic you are? What sort of king are you?!"
Rhysann could see the anger and pain in her eyes, and it disheartened him greatly.
"Please, listen to me, Aria. As much as I want to help, I can't. Believe me, I truly despise the way humans are treated, but I am powerless to stop the dragonborns from mistreating them."
Aria stared at him with incredulity.
"You're the king for heaven's sake!"
"I told you before, Aria. Things don't work the way you think around here. I may be king, but my orders hold no weight unless the people agree to it." He elaborated, turning his back to her.
Aria stared at his form in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Rhysann pivoted to face her once more.
"In the world of the dragonborns, the will of the people is stronger than that of their ruler. I want you to understand that they are ruthless beings, Aria. They fear no one, not even me, their king. The dragons have dealt with humanity for centuries, long before my parents were even born." he explained.
"When I was born, my elders taught me that humans were weak and repulsive, no better than livestock, while the dragonborns were the superior species; long-lived and more powerful. I was taught that... your kind was a flaw in creation and undeserving of the Earth."
"But... I didn't believe them. It was difficult growing up as the odd one, Aria. The other dragons hated me because I had different opinions about humans, but I had to be king. I was put in this position against my will. Now, I'm forced to bear the burden of the cruelty and hatred the dragons inflict on humans."
There was a brief silence as he took a step closer to Aria. She stood frozen to a spot, absorbing his words. Her eyes were now filled to the brim with tears.
"Aria, even if I passed a decree today that all dragons should leave your people alone, they wouldn't listen. They would rebel, fight to their deaths, and worse, Eldoria would be in more danger than ever. I couldn't let that happen, so I stayed silent and upheld the Morveth tradition to keep them calm. It was the only way to keep the dragons away from your people. Maybe... I'm a coward. No, I am a coward. I'm a terrible king with no control over his people. I'm sorry, Aria."
A heavy silence hung in the air as Aria processed his words. So all this time, Rhysann was walking on eggshells to keep the dragon's hostility at bay? That was truly a heavy cross to bear.
"Forgive me for my incompetence yesterday at the feast. I swear I won't let Raiken harm your friend again. He's quite a difficult person to deal with, but I will somehow. In the meantime, we mustn't let the others know about the mating mark, or that you aren't my slave. If they find out, it could cause serious trouble."
Aria was at a loss for words.
"Aria?" Rhysann's voice was soft and deep as he gently placed his hand on her arm.
The moment their skin made contact, there was a subtle jolt of something strange that surged through their bodies. Aria flinched a bit, startled by the sensation.
"W...what was that?" she tried to speak, but only a whisper came forth.
"I suppose... it's a sign of our bond, Aria." Rhysann said quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Aria lifted her gaze to meet his, and in that moment, she was caught off guard by the vulnerability in his intense eyes.
His body trembled faintly at the mere sight of her. They had only known each other for a day and some hours, yet, his dragon seemed to lose control in her presence. The warmth built up in his chest. It was a novel feeling, but it was oddly comforting.
Unable to withstand these sensations much longer, he softly grasped her covered arm and drew her closer to himself. Aria, initially wanting to resist, found that she couldn't. The mating bond was not only affecting him but her as well.
Their bodies pressed so closely together that their breaths mingled.
"Aria..." Rhysann murmured in a low growl, his hands gently running through her dark hair with a tender, almost affectionate touch.
The heat radiating from his body enveloped hers, and his deep breaths against her face sent a gaze through her senses. His scent... goodness... His scent was a heady blend of masculine musk and something sweet, like the scent of an exotic fragrance.
"Rhysann..." His name slipped from her lips in a whisper for the first time.
His hands slowly but surely began to untie the cloth around her right arm. He wanted to see the mark and revel in its beauty, knowing that Aria was his mate for life. It was a peculiar desire that male dragons often had.
When he finally took off the piece of cloth, he tossed it aside and pressed his lips to the spot where the mark was imprinted. The ticklish sensation made her shudder a bit.
'What am I doing?!' the thought crossed her mind so suddenly, yet Aria couldn't stop him. 'What is he doing to me?'
He shifted from her arm to her neck, planting soft kisses and caressing her skin tenderly. Then, he guided her against the wall, their bodies pressing together as he cupped her face, inching closer and closer.
Their lips were almost locking when Aria abruptly stopped him.
"... Wait."