The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

MIRA

I run through the dark halls of the castle, eager to hide in my chambers and not show my face to anyone else today. Tears are streaming down my cheeks when someone grabs me by my hand and pulls me into a rock-hard broad chest.

“Easy!” Tristan wipes my cheeks, looking concerned, “Mira, what happen Did someone hurt you?”

“Tristan,” I look surprised at my ex-fiance, then get back to my senses, “N-no, no… Everything is fine…”

“Mira, I think I know you well enough to know for sure when you are not fine…”

“No, really…”, I mumble.

“Mira,” he sighs heavily, brushing his palm over my cheek.

“She said that she is fine!”, Derrien’s voice reminds more of a growl of a beast than the voice of a man.

“Lord Derwood,” Tristan acknowledges him but does not take his hands off me.

“I think you have forgotten your place here, Sapphire Knight!”, the gerdian grits through his teeth.

“On the contrary,” Tristan steps in front of me, “I am here to make sure that everything goes smoothly and the ladies are treated well. In light of the latest events, I need to make sure that no one else would desire to take their life and…”

I realize that he is talking about Fawn and shrug. So, this is the official version for everyone. That she committed suicide. That simple. Only that I know for sure it is not!

“She didn’t do it!”, I say firmly and both men look at me startled.

“Mira,” Tristan smiles sadly and uses a tone you use with a silly child, “I know she was your friend, but…”

“Enough!”, Derrien growls, “Leave us, knight!”

He uses this kind of non-polite for addressing Tristan on purpose and we all know it.

“Lord Derwood, Lady Freyn”, Tristan bows to him and k****s my hand before leaving, which only annoys the gerdian more.

And here we are. Alone for the first time after our break up. At first, I don’t even look into his eyes, but then, suddenly, I feel anger rising inside of me. I am not the one who should be embarrassed here! I am not the one who…

I meet his gaze, bold, greedy, devouring. He is not embarrassed for sure. And it makes my b***d boil. Because he should be! He should apologize and he should beg… at least, he shouldn’t be able to look me in the eye… And yet – here he is, confident as ever!

“We need to talk,” he says calmly, not a single emotion on his face and I want to slap him again.

“We don’t have anything to talk about”, I raise my chin preparing to leave.

“About the murders,” he says bluntly and I feel a prick in my heart. So, I am dying here but all he wants to talk about are the murders… Gods, why have you sent this man upon me?! I do not deserve this kind of punishment!

“Oh,” I pretend that I am not hurt at all, “What do you want to tell me then?”

“Actually, I want you to tell me something,” with these words, he is next to me in seconds, pulling me hard into his arms and surrounding us with the flames of dark magic. It is a long transportation this time. Longer than ever. I feel his fingers pressing hard into my flesh and his breath is right into my ear as he lifts me up gently. What is going on here?!

“I miss you…”, I think I hear his voice, but during the transportation it’s hard to say. Maybe I am just imagining things… imagine that I hear what I want to hear…

But in reality, this man is cold and calculating… And he doesn’t care much about me… And even if he does at least a little bit, I don’t think I would ever be able to forgive him for what he has done. Not that it can change anything anyway. He is not a part of the Selection. But I am. And the Crown Prince who wants me is. It’s too late for anything…

So, when we are finally in my room, I push him away and fix non-existing creases on my dress.

He clears his throat and I roll my eyes just to demonstrate to him how unimpressed I am with the whole situation.

“Is it really necessary to be this close during the transportation?” I ask, annoyed with the whole situation, and look at him, his face is still emotionless.

“Yes, sometimes” he replies and I see a few sparks of magic dance wildly in his eyes.

“Are you lying to me right now?” I press my lips.

“No,” he chooses his words carefully and I know it. He swore to answer all my questions honestly once and this magic vow is still active.

“Was it absolutely necessary to do it right now?”, I raise my brow.

“Yes,” he answers after a pause.

“Why?”

“The situation required it.”

“What situation?”, I insist.

“I choose not to answer this question”, he turns to the window and that’s what he always does when I discover the truth that he wishes not to share with me.

“Honestly, you…”, I grit through my teeth.

“What have you found?” he asks, “You managed to run your test, did you?”

“Of course I did,” I hold my head high, “Or you thought that I would cry my eyes out and forget about what’s really important here?”

He flinches and I see that gloating inside that at least I can hurt him a bit too. Or maybe I am imagining it… Who knows what is going on inside this cold iceberg of a man.

“I am glad that you are fine,” he says softly, without turning to me, “I would hate for you to…”

“I found Sideria,” I interrupt him since I don’t want to hear what he has to say about me, “Her b***d was cleared, but the hair…whoever did it, they did not think that hair could be checked too. The trace is faint, but it’s definitely there. And it would explain greatly why…”

“…there weren’t any signs of a struggle”, he finishes for me and turns to face me, “Good work, little mage. I really appreciate…”

“I am not doing it for you!”, I snap and cross my hands on my chest.

“Of course,” he says coldly, “I understand. Still, good job. At least now we know that the two murders that happened here were committed by the same person.”

“So, what’s next?” I look at him expectantly.

“Well, I am afraid I am going to need more of your help, Mira. Much more.”