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“All males prepare a room like this when they come of age. It must be ready because it is not unusual for an egg to be conceived during the mating battle, and the female will not tolerate anything less than a well-protected nest for her and their eventual fledglings.”
“Is that why this room can only be accessed by going through yours first?” I ask.
“Yes.”
Understanding dawns. “That’s why you said the mating battle is so that a female Dragon can find a mate who is at least as strong or stronger than herself. Because it is his job to defend the nest when she is vulnerable… like when she is guarding an egg or their fledglings.”
He nods. “Dragon females are larger and stronger than most males. Unfortunately, there are times, such as when they are nesting, that they are vulnerable and require protection.”
“What about the males?” I ask, curious to know more. “Do they ever sit with eggs? Or is it always the females?”
“We revere our mates, and do whatever they ask of us. Most times, it is the male who stays with and guards the egg. Many females prefer to be the ones who hunt during that time.”
It’s nice to know that responsibilities seem to be shared equally. But I cannot stop thinking of how different his culture is compared to mine.
Nesting. Eggs.The words swirl through my mind, reminding me of just how different we are from each other. Aurdyn is a king. And most rulers desire heirs above all else. Even if I stayed with him, I doubt we’d be able to have any children, and I wonder if he has considered this at all.
I do not,however, want to bring it up. Especially since I am undecided about whether to stay or not. I’m falling for Aurdyn, but I cannot give him my heart. Not when I have no idea if he can even love me in return.
CHAPTER31
FREYJA
Word of my arrival has spread quickly among Aurdyn’s warriors. As we make our way through the castle to the main dining hall, I try to push down my unease as his guards openly stare as we pass. Their gazes full of awe-filled reverence as their whispered words echo down the corridor after us.
T’kara. Sanishon. Human.
It seems many of his people believe in the prophecy foretold in the ancient tomes of the Lythyrian.
Aurdyn guides me down the stairs and down a wide corridor. At the end is a double set of doors almost as beautiful as the ones at the entrance of the castle. They are solid gold intricate patterns etched in the metal surface, depicting Dragons flying amongst the clouds.
The doors open up into a great dining hall. A great heating pit at the center is full of l’sair crystals that cast a soft light through the entire space that makes it feel both intimate and cozy at the same time. Surrounding it are several long tables made of dark wood etched with scrolling carvings. I imagine this room could fit at least a hundred people or more, but right now it is just us and Brovyn—Aurdyn’s cousin.
We take a seat across from him at one of the tables in the center of the room. Three platters of food are already set out, along with goblets and pitchers of wine and water. Aurdyn lifts one silver platter of meat, balancing it on one hand while he breathes fire over it to roast it for me.
I smile as he sets it back down on the table, while his cousin frowns. “You just ruined that, you know,” he tells Aurdyn.
“Humans can become ill if they consume raw meat,” Aurdyn explains.
“That is terrible,” Brovyn says. Shaking his head softly, he gives me a pitying look. “Absolutely ruins the taste.”
A smile quirks my lips as I bite back a laugh.
Two guards stand post at the doors, but Aurdyn’s cousin dismisses them to stand out in the hallway. As soon as they leave, he turns to Aurdyn. “While you were gone, a raven came with word that the Order of Mages were offering a reward for the capture of Princess Freyja of Ruhaen and King Aurdyn of the Ice Mountains.” He arches a brow. “Care to explain what you did to cross the Order?”
Brovyn’s eyes widen as Aurdyn explains everything that has happened to us, including how my uncle and his kingdom are under the dark spell of a Mage.
When he’s finished, Brovyn shakes his head. “It does not make sense. Why would the Mages want her dead if she is a Sanishon? The prophecy says their coming heralds a time of great peace among all the races. Is that not what they want? Is that not why they protect the humans with their magic?”
“I do not understand it either,” Aurdyn replies, his brow creased in a deep frown. “I have never understood why the human kingdoms agreed to ally themselves with those foul creatures.”
Brovyn turns to me, his gaze searching mine. “Is it true, then? Are you a witch? Do you have magic?”
I glance at Aurdyn, unsure how much to share. As if sensing my hesitation, he takes my hand beneath the table, squeezing it gently before giving me an affirmative nod.
Drawing in a deep breath, I turn my attention to Brovyn. “I had a vision of the Wraith invading my uncle’s kingdom. I told him of this, and he accused me of witchcraft, which is a crime punishable by burning at the stake.” I pause. “But when we were in Arganth, I was able to conjure a shield of fire to protect us both from the destructive magic the Mage used to attack us.”
Aurdyn leans in. “The Dwarf healer that tended her, claimed she could tell that Freyja had inherited the ability to conjure fire from me, through our bond.” He looks at me again. “And I would like High Priest Arkon to assess you as well,” he says softly. “He is wise, and I trust him. And he is very familiar with the fated bond and how it manifests between couples.”
