The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

MIRA

As if knowing that I look at him, Derrien meets my gaze. And smirks, offering his hand to Alexandra of all the people, yet not breaking eye contact with me. He leads the girl right to the middle of the hall and positions himself for a dace. Other couples join swiftly around them and the lighting in the room changes to highlight the dancers.

Alexandra looks like she has just won the biggest prize at the summer fair and I roll my eyes, noticing that lord Brandon-something invited Ariadna, leaving Isidore all alone and furious. I chuckle when I see how pissed she is. Of course, her minions got to dance with the lords first and not her. Good luck to them, she is going to make their life hell tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I notice how happy Alexandra is in Derrien’s arms and how he is not looking at me anymore…

Calm down, Mira, that doesn’t matter. I am leaving as soon as possible anyway… That’s what important. Nothing else!

I take a huge gulp of wine and put my goblet away. But when I turn to leave, I almost bump into a broad chest of an unfamiliar gerdian lord. He stretches his hand to invite me for a dance. One thing lady Cecilia told us is that we should never refuse them when they are offering anything in public. Because this is considered the worst possible insult. My face stretches in an unhealthy grin and I say casually, “Excuse me, my lord, I am afraid I have to decline. I am not feeling great and…”

“That’s not of interest to me”, he says and grabs me by my arm, pulling me to the dance floor by force. He grasps me by my waist, and presses me tight into his body, starting the dance and making me move in the same way as if I am a rag doll.

“You are hurting me!”, I yell at him but the sound is muffled by the loud music. I look around in an empty attempt to look for lord Derrien and curse myself inside for that. Why would I look for him? Why would he help me? What am I counting for?! How stupid! He is enjoying himself with Alexandra… I am on my own and he doesn’t owe me anything…

“I thought you like it rough. And this is exactly what you are going to get!”, the lord I am dancing with chuckles, pressing his fingers stronger into my body. It would definitely leave bruisers.

Brace yourself, Mira, you are on your own here. You are a battlemage and can protect yourself!

Without thinking, I grasp his shoulder firmly and send a magical impulse setting his beautiful military suit on fire.

“I don’t like it rough”, I smirk, “I like it hot!”

The fire seizes him quickly and I try to step away, but he grabs me by my arm.

“Not so fast, wench!”, he is furious, eyes as black as coal, “You are going to pay for it!”

He puts down the fire with the black smoke of his dark magic and lifts up his hand clearly to slap it across my face. I would dodge, of course, but it’s what would follow that is frightening me at this point. I am afraid I overdid it. Damn!

“Don’t you dare touch what’s mine!”, a roar breaks out and the man freezes. I look around to see who has said that and a tiny part of me wants to see Derrien. But it’s not him. Lord Ryden Dargen walks into the hall with firm quick steps and the man who was about to hit me kneels before him and bows his head. Now I am pretty sure he is a Dark Knight of the Empire – an elite warrior. We’ve been told that a few of them are also here. The lights are on and all the dancing stops, people are around us in a circle.

“I apologize, my lord”, the knight says, still on the floor “I had no idea.”

Lord Dargen smirks and something menacing sparks in his eyes, “Should I inform a dog like you of anything, sir Roderick?”

“Of course not, my lord”, Roderick replies obviously ready for his punishment. But what follows next makes everyone gasp in shock. Dargen raises his hand and dark smoke surrounds the man, concentrating around his neck and.. breaking it with a loud cracking noise. Lifeless body falls to my feet and I just look at it, not being able to comprehend what is going on.

Then the dark smoke consumes the body and in just a few seconds it disappears completely.

“Let it be a lesson to all of you!”, Ryden smirks looking around, “No one touches her! She is mine!” He points his finger at me and I look around. All the faces are so tense. I guess I would receive loads of empty boxes without even working hard. No one would oppose this psycho.

For a second there my eyes meet with Derriens and his lips are clenched, but he is still holding Alexandra’s hand in his. For some reason, it makes my b***d boil.

“Lady Mira”, Ryden takes my hand and k****s it, dark smoke appears in the place where his lips touched my skin and when it disappears I see a ring with a huge black diamond on it. “Accept this as a sign of my serious intentions towards you,” Dargen smirks and then pulls me closer, now addressing everyone else, “As for you all – remember! No one dares to touch or even speak to her! She is wearing my gift now!”

I see the dark lords bow their heads in agreement. All but one… However, I don’t want to look at him anymore and turn away, gathering what’s left of my dignity and self-respect.

“Shall we dance?”, Dargen pulls me to the dance floor without waiting for a reply, standing in the position for a dance and holding me by my waist. Deja vu…

The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon Chapter 27“Not so fast!”, Derrien’s voice sounds like a thunderstorm in the hall where everyone is quiet.