Smolder (Dragon Souls)

  The Regent raised his hand and said. “First Chosen, step forward.”

  Three women made their way forward, and a reverent hush came over the court.

  A few curious glances were cast Marina’s way when she didn’t move, and Daniil prodded her in the back. With a start, she remembered she was a First Chosen, and broke the silent challenge of her gaze on Koen, and flushed.

  She quickly made her way to the front with the other three,

  Marina had never seen such large women. They were positively humongous compared to her. Giants so beautiful it was scary. Marina became extremely grateful that Pasha had found her when she did. She would have felt awful if she’d turned up looking like a mess.

  Regent Myron opened his hands and bowed his head. “Speak your vows.”

  Refined and gorgeous, a tan blonde-haired woman who was the tallest of the First Chosen stepped forward.

  She curtsied to Koen then spoke in a voice startlingly deep. “Lady Anastasia of House Vor nee queen of the Drackai once again pledges her katana to the Kingdom of Fire. I will wear the Blood Crown, and I will hunt for dragon king Koen of House Raad to be his mate, and Empress of Tzion, as I believe is my destiny, and for the honor of my House.”

  Her House did some deep grunting and table bashing before the next women stepped forward.

  She was pretty and not as large as the Lady Anastasia, but had a nimble grace that was breathtaking to watch. Her dress robes swirled around her slender frame becomingly, and she snapped her fan shut before lowering herself into a deep curtsey, the baubles in her ebony hair glinting in the torchlight.

  “Lady Katya of House Ja will fight in Aver for the Frost Wreath and for the Ice Realm.” As she looked up, Marina marveled at her feline eyes and nut-brown skin that glowed with vitality. “I will hunt for Koen Raad to be his woman, his Empress.”

  Hearing her impassioned vow for Koen, Marina suddenly didn’t think her so pretty. In fact, her nose was too wide for her oval face.

  Her House applauded her in a refined and dignified way, and she smiled sweetly. As she stepped back, she gave Koen a look brimming with admiration.

  The final woman was the plainest of the other three and seemed bored with the whole affair. She hastily spoke her vow and stepped back, but she did send a curious look Marina’s way.

  All three women had said ‘lady’, but Daniil had told me Marina to say ‘princess’ when saying her vow. She was already the outcast of the bunch and she didn’t really want to set herself even more apart. Her cheeks burned when people started to whisper at her hesitation.

  Which Crown did she want to pledge for?

  Undecided, she stepped forward and risked a glance at Daniil. He nodded firmly, and his warm expression lent her some support.

  Lifting her chin, Marina eyed Koen, and pursed her lips. “I’m not going to bow to you,” she said. “I’m not a subject or a woman for you to pass your eye over and dismiss. I’m your mate Koen. I pledge my heart not to Aver, or to a single kingdom, because that would be wrong. An Empress of an Empire can have no favorite, just like the Emperor. So I won’t choose now, I will win either the Frost Wreath or the Blood Crown when I decide which kingdom is better suited to me.” She shrugged. “I’ve got major hots for you, and I’ve come to claim you.” Her expression softened, and she lowered her voice, speaking just to him. “Koen, if ever you dreamed of someone to love you….” She inhaled deeply, knowing she was rambling in front of hundreds of people. “If you’ve ever wondered if there was somebody out there just for you, now you know there is. Me.”

  Marina went to move back, but lord Myron held up a finger to stop her, a bemused expression on his face. “Your name, Chosen?”

  “Wait,” Koen whispered, and leaned forward.

  Gasps sounded throughout the room. The gentry broke out into hushed and hurried conversations behind their fans. Marina even saw the glint of gold passing through hands as bets were exchanged.

  The Regent frowned. “You have an objection to this woman’s vow?”

  Marina was uncomfortable. Koen had not spoken out when the other three had pledged themselves to him.

  Maybe she should have bowed.

  ‘Speak, Koen Raad,” Isaak boomed, “or let us be done with this.’ The members of the dragon Council shifted. Marina suspected it was not their way to interfere so heavily.

  Koen opened his mouth to answer the Regent, but caught her eye. She looked a desperate plea at him, begging him not to throw away everything she had worked for. He closed his mouth and shook his head, leaning back in his seat.

  Regent Myron gave him a cross look then motioned to Marina to continue. He slammed his staff down when the gentry did not immediately fall silent when she began speaking in a stilted voice. “Princess Marina of House Zar pledges herself to Koen Raad, and to the people of Tzion.”

  There was silence until the sound of steel on leather sounded through the room. Nikolai and Daniil both unsheathed their katana and saluted her, as were the rest of the people dressed in black, Houses Zar and Raad. Those in Kol blue also saluted her.

  Marina snickered, getting approval from three such powerful Houses looked fabulous.

  She snuck a look at the other First Chosen. Katya looked stunned, but gave Marina a thin smile.

  Anastasia was livid, a fat vein bulging at her temple.

  The other Chosen, Galina, looked bored.

  The Regent turned to Koen and the phoenixes behind him. “That concludes the ceremony. I thank you.”

  When everyone started to drift off into groups, Marina headed straight for Daniil and Nikolai, but someone grabbed her arm roughly. She turned to give an earful to the person about personal space when she collided with a gaze of icy blue.

  Anastasia was beautiful and as frozen an arctic tundra. Why she didn’t pledge for the Frost Wreath Marina would never know, it would suite her.

  “High princess?” she hissed. “You are the daughter of Mikhail and Almeria?”

  “At what point did it become custom to manhandle royalty, I wonder,” a sweet voice said from behind her.

  Anastasia released her grip on Marina, and turned to let Katya step forward so the three of them formed a circle.

  “My shame, Marina. I am not used to meeting women above my own station,” Anastasia apologized tightly.

  “So familiar,” Katya added in a quiet dressing-down.

  That vein in Anastasia’s head bulged again. “Again, I shame myself. Princess Marina.” Anastasia turned and strode away towards where her House anxiously gathered.

  “She’s a bit of a cow, huh,” Marina said.

  Katya quirked an eyebrow then glided off serenely.

  Marina looked for the other Chosen, figuring she may as well meet her too, but Galina was already striding out the door.

  “My lovely one,” Nikolai crowed as he bounded up to her and picked her up to twirl. “I’m so pleased to see you. Your vow made me heart flutter.” Nikolai swooped in to kiss her mouth, but Marina mashed her hand over her lips just in time.

  “A vow she gave your brother, you brat,” Daniil snapped, tugging him off her.

  “How was she supposed to pledge to me when I don’t even have my own list,’ Nikolai protested hotly. “I can’t believe lord Myron is still holding that little accident from all those years ago against me.”

  Daniil slapped him upside the head. “Deflowering two virgin Chosen can in no way be considered an accident.”

  “They jumped me!”

  “So you say.”

  Marina patted Nikolai’s arm. Considering how women seemed to react to him, it wasn’t too far a stretch to imagine two lusty headstrong women jumping him, but she had bigger issues to contemplate. “I have no idea what to do about the first quest next week.”

  Daniil dragged a hand through his warrior braids. “Your training begins tomorrow. I’m sure we have enough time.”

  Well, becoming hysterical at his concern would do no good. Marina sucked in a breath and breathed out s
lowly to calm her heart. “Do you know what the first quest is?”

  Daniil paled.

  Nikolai scratched his neck and sent her a look of condolence. “Ice wolves.”

  “Oh. Well that doesn’t sound so bad.”

  “They spew hoarfrost and hunt in packs.”

  She blinked. “Oh. I’ll have to face a pack of wolves … a whole pack? Isn’t that a bit extreme?”

  “All the contests in Aver are based on actual past events,” Daniil explained. “A dragon mate once defended her wounded dragon against a pack of ice wolves. The contests are based on legends. It reminds us to be fierce and true even as we seek our new queen.”

  Marina rubbed her face. “How many wolves in a pack?”

  “Between four and six,” Nikolai said. “Though I know they try to find the smaller packs for Aver.”

  “And the quest is whoever can defeat the ice wolves not whoever can kill them right?”

  “Yes. You will be given a wild dragon to guard. I advise you put aside any tactic that doesn’t involve killing them. If something goes wrong,” he grimaced. “It happened once, a Chosen with a gentler nature did not wish to kill the wolves … she and the dragon died … messily.”

  Marina stared at him. “Bugger.”

  Chapter 17

  Marina was close to punching Daniil in the face. She hated running, hated it with the fiery scream of a falling star. Her legs were small so it seemed to take her forever and a day to run any distance without tiring twice as fast as other people.

  Now he had her sweating, standing in the middle of a courtyard next to a fountain she was not yet allowed to drink from.

  She was parched.

  “There are five elements,” Daniil said as he paced in front of her. “The godai. Chi, sui, ka, fu and ku. You must learn to respect and control these elements to master what it means to be Chosen. The godai will help you be the best dragon mate you can be.”

  “I want water,” she groaned. When he merely glowered at the interruption and shook his head, she scowled, mad eyes promising retribution.

  “You must have a perfect blend of all five,” he continued. “But be able to draw on the element that will best suit your dragon’s temperament or help you protect him from whatever danger threatens his person.” He knelt and scooped up rich brown dirt. As he stood, he let it sift through his fingers, rubbing his hands together “Chi. Earth.” He abruptly shoved her chest and she staggered back. He made a noise of frustration. “No. Be firm. Earth is stubborn and resists change.” He stomped his feet. “It is solid, stable. We are confident in Earth. That it will always hold firm under our feet. When you feel unsure or your wits are scattered remember that your body, your chi, cannot be changed unless you allow to be changed.” He shoved her again, but Marina locked herself in place. He pushed again on her shoulder. She swayed with the movement, but didn’t move. “Good,” he said.

  “What weapon do I learn with chi?”

  “Your body is your weapon. You must learn how to be swift and strong. How to be light on your feet, but crush skulls when you apply pressure.”

  “Um, I can just about lift a heavy backpack. How am I supposed to do these things?”

  “I will show you how to use your body weight. You took me to ground once remember?”

  “Yeah, but you weren’t expecting it,” she pointed out.

  He waved his hand, dismissing her concerns. “Today we practice grappling.” Daniil was bare-chested, and dressed in leggings and boots. Marina started stretching as he motioned to the ring they stood inside that was outlined in chalk. “Everything outside this line means death.”

  She frowned. It was a small circle, they were only two steps apart, and two steps back would put her outside the circle.

  “Okay. What would you like me to do?”

  “I want to see what skills you have. Grapple me to the ground without leaving the circle.”

  She looked up at his sturdy bulk, which was most of the time comforting as he was protecting her, but right now, it looked imposing. “I don’t want to hurt you Daniil.”

  She gave her a condescending look. “Marina, there is nothing you could do to hurt–”

  Marina booted him in the groin, and when he doubled over kicked his feet out from under him.

  She sat on his back and frowned. “Daniil, why do people keep saying I’m being given preferential treatment? I don’t get it.”

  He rolled over and took her with him, setting her away from him on the ground. Groaning, he tucked his hands between his thighs, pulling his knees up to his chest. “Well, princess,” she started in a weak voice. “They probably speak of how you were able to get the dragon Council to enter you into Aver though the lists has already closed, and how you live in your family palace rather than with the other Chosen here at the Citadel. You have a room set aside for you.”

  “Oh.” Marina pursed her lips. “Okay. I can move here. That makes sense because you’re here and so is Nikolai.”

  He nodded and she patted his head. “C’mon, you can show me where I’ll be staying.”

  “It would be my pleasure. We can send a messenger back to house Zar to fly over Pasha and your things. Marina, do you know any more traditional methods of fighting?”

  “Sure. The martial arts helped me learn how to regulate my breathing and become more in tune with my body. I found yoga a bit boring, but I needed to do something to help with my panic attacks.”

  “Panic attacks?” She slammed her mouth shut and avoided his eyes. Daniil freed one of his hands to clasp her chin and turn it to face him. “Panic attacks?” he repeated.

  “Ah, well, when I’m startled, or afraid I have these moments of, well, panic. My body kind of goes into overdrive until it sort of, um, shuts down.”

  Daniil stared at her until comprehension dawned on his face. “That is what happened on the journey over here. When you fell from Nikolai.” He became angry when the implications settled on him. “You didn’t think to tell me this before?”

  “It didn’t seem relevant to be honest,” she replied flippantly.

  “You pass out when frightened, and you didn’t think that it was relevant when you’ll be facing dangerous and frightening quests that could kill you is you freeze up?”

  “See. I knew you’d react this way. You never would have agreed to train me if you knew. That’s why my mother pushed me so hard … if you look at it from another angle these attacks are a good thing. I can manage them most of the time, so don’t worry.” She gave him an innocent look. “Show me to my new room?”

  Fully recovered, Daniil took Marina inside the Citadel into a room near the apex of the largest fortress. Inside was a simple cot, and in the corner a square mirror above a small table with a blue china bowl.

  Compared to the opulence of her last room this room was a prison cell.

  Marina turned to him. “This is my room?” She walked over to the cot and pressed a hand into it. The mattress was so thin she could feel the wooden slats underneath. Worse, there was a horrible draft coming in from the missing wall on the far end of the room. “So … am I not allowed the luxury of four walls?”

  “The atelier has been designed for meditation and reflection to help craft you into a better warrior. These rooms are a great honor, and available only to the Chosen. There is a perch below the missing wall so your dragon can visit. Don’t worry. Wild dragons know not to land there.”

  “Koen can visit me?”

  “Yes, but you must always remember that he cannot show preference. If he visits you, he must visit all the First Chosen.”

  Marina fought the urge to cry. She didn’t want preferential treatment that isolated her from the other Chosen, but god, this room sucked. “I want my feather mattress back,” she whispered and sank down on the hard bed.

  It hurt her ass.

  One tear fell then another.

  Marina had never been a complainer, but the last few days had been intense. She had always been was grateful for her privile
ged life, but this felt like some kind of cruel punishment.

  Daniil sat beside her and placed a heavy arm around her shoulders, tucking her into him. “It will be alright. It won’t be forever, just until you win Aver.”

  She scoffed a laugh. “Until I win. That’s only deadly quests away.”

  He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

  The door slid open.

  “Marina, I–” Koen stilled in the doorway, his hand still on the ornate screen. His eyes slowly moved from Daniil to her, and his nostrils flared.

  Daniil patted her knee and stood. He swaggered passed Koen with a smug expression stamped on his face.

  Koen waited until Daniil closed the door behind him before saying, “I heard you were staying in the Citadel now. I thought I would come to see if you would change your mind about staying here, but I see you’re settling in quite well.” Koen turned to leave, slamming the screen open, but Marina fumbled to reach it before him. When she was going to fail, she reached to grab his hand, but checked herself just in time. Instead, she snatched his sash and pulled him back. She peeked her head out to check if anyone was watching, and caught Anastasia walking passed to reach her own chamber.

  Marina smiled sweetly and slid the door closed, slowly, so she could see Koen was inside.

  She spun around, and placed a fist on her jutted hip. “Don’t be an idiot.” He said nothing, just stood leaning against the wall with a tight expression on his face. She sidled closer, and leaned next to him. “You know exactly what Daniil is to me.”

  “You are going to spend hours with him. Training.”

  “Yeah. Half naked and sweaty too,” she added in a dreamy voice.

  He breathed out hard and crossed his arms. “Your emotions will be running high from sparring.”

  “Our blood racing, hearts pounding. Then he’ll gaze into my eyes and….” Marina trailed off when she realized she’d taken the joke too far. Koen’s tan skin had gone pale. “Koen, do you know why I didn’t rip those cute little leather pants off Daniil, and roll around in the brimstone?” she stopped leaning on the wall and stood in front of him, as close as she could safely get. “Because he’s not you, and I’m not Anastasia.”