ADELAIDE'S POV
Drakenhold was a mythology until my father discovered it. I read about a scary world with a dark villain king. The people of the Montrose Empire had written a lot of tales and books of Micah, the fire lord, the devil, the hellhound, King of dragons, Lord of hell, Lord of dragons. He burned with flames and destroyed the lives of the people he met. Micah Rune owned dragons, not one but thousands. They served him and worshipped him. These dragons couldn't kill him or turn against him. They were not only loyal but family to him. He rode on any he wanted to, and only he and Micah alone could end the lives of dragons. Micah had a myth behind his existence, a dark and dangerous myth. He should have never existed, but he did and had a dangerous agenda.
My father had made the greatest mistake in crossing the Montrose Empire. He had been hunting a dragon, a white dragon, I heard. It was the rarest kind and the favourite of Micah. Now, he is onto us and wants equality. Favourites for another favourite. I knew he wanted me in exchange, and I had to leave. I had to run. I packed my bags with Kezia– dirty blonde, 6'2, blue eyes, and slim. She was my guard, one of the strongest knights of Montrose. Although Kezia was a Knight, she was a wife and mother, and I hated to do this to her. We heard of a small town in Azurehaven– Kilberry. Kezia said it would be alright to stay there until my father makes a different deal with him.
I heard the floor creaking, and I looked at Kezia. She immediately took out her sword, giving me a sign to stay silent. I nodded, heart beating loudly.
The door handle twisted, and I fell to my large bed, unable to control my breathing. My shaky hands gripped the sheets tightly. It opened, and Kezia's sword rested on the throat of who looked familiar.
"Father?" I whispered. He side glanced at Kezia, a little proud of her skills, and smiled. Kezia immediately pulled back her sword and fell to her knees.
"Forgive me, Sire," she gulped hard.
"It's okay. I'd have pulled my sword, too," He took a deep breath, looking at me. Even in the dim light, I could see how sorry he was. He never said anything after Micah had forced his way into our kingdom and roasted half of his guards only to tell him he wanted it equal. He shifted his gaze to the bags I had parked and exhaled.
"Father," I got up, trying to explain.
"No," he replied and walked in, "Don't explain yourself to me; don't tell me where you're going," he shook his head, "I don't know if I'd be able to bear his torture when he asks for you, so don't."
My heart broke into a million pieces, knowing what Micah would possibly do to him because of my actions. I hated it so much. Maybe if I died, it would change. However, if I died, my father would be broken, but my existence somewhere would give him hope of living.
"Father," I got up and held my long blue dress, walking towards him. My lips quivered, and I could feel the tears in my eyes.
"I made a mistake, Laidy," he called me. And the tears immediately streaked down my eyes. I began to sob. Laidy was the nickname my mother called me, and hearing him call me that for the first time instead of Adelaide or Princess broke me. Tears rolled down his cheeks, and he held my cheeks, sniffing. "It's going to be fine. I'd try to talk to Micah. I am so sorry for putting you and our kingdom in this mess. I shouldn't have. That was a stupid move, and now it is causing you and the whole kingdom their lives and peace," he tightened his lips, trying to hold back his tears. He forced a smile that disappeared when he looked at Kezia by the corner of the room. "Take good care of my daughter,"
"With my life, Your Majesty," she said, her chest heaving. She held her hands at her front and bowed.
I wiped my tears, "I'll be back, and I promise to write to you," I swallowed.
"No," he shook his head, "No, don't write to me. Lie low as possible for years, and when it's safe, I will send out men to find you," he held my hands and rubbed the back of my palms.
I wanted to ask a horrible question, 'What if you died and never settled?' But I couldn't bear to request such. I didn't want him dead. I wanted him to do precisely what he said, so I asked. "Promise me,"
He smiled, "You should go, honey. You have three days before he arrives. You know he is never late. Go!" He looked at Kezia, and she grabbed my bags and held my wrist.
"Promise me, father, promise you'd write to me when it's safe?" I yelled, holding his hands while Kezia pulled me.
"I promise you, princess, I will," he said, and I let Kezia drag me out of my chambers.
We sprinted through the hall. No one was supposed to know I was leaving. Kezia had told one person, Adrian, another strong Knight. These were the ones I was supposed to run away with.
We got out of the palace through the back door. There he was with our horses. They arranged the bags for travelling, and I hugged Adrian afterwards. It was good to see him, and I had known Adrian for thirteen years.
Adrian helped me climb on my horse, and soon after, we started our journey. I have never thought of travelling at night. We rode fast for hours and hoped to leave the district of Montrose before dawn, but suddenly, the shadows of a creature flew past me. It was a bird, I thought, but I felt the strong wind that came with it. I gripped the whip tightly, and I heard hisses. And Adrian, who rode in front of us, stopped.
"Stop!" He said. I shook my head. We should be going. We don't need to stop.
He looked back, and his mouth opened with a low gasp. He inhaled sharply and breathed. I could see his body tremble. While he stared, flames covered his eyes.
"No!!!!" Kezia yelled. Fear immediately hugged me, and I shook, turning to see what they stared at.
My heart stopped, and my voice vanished when I spotted Montrose in flames. My lips trembled, and I lost my voice. Tears gathered in my eyes but seized when we heard the screeching roar. Flames followed afterwards.
"Run!" Adrian yelled, but it was too late. I found myself rolling endlessly on the ground.