Page 14 of In the Embrace of Dragons

And then, at long last, we awaken in the dawn to find we’re nearing the foot of the city. That morning, as tents are folded up and stowed and early meals are consumed, I find Princess Nissia standing alone, gazing up the mountainside. She balls her hands into fists, then turns away to mount her horse, her expression tight. I wish I could take up position beside her, assure her that her future among dragonkind will not be as unpleasant as she surely imagines, but I can’t predict anything.

It is time to present her to our people and execute the marriage ceremony. I hope that both Vizarios and Nissia are prepared for what’s to come.

Chapter Six

NISSIA

Iknow what awaits me. I wish that King Vizarios would’ve at least had a conversation with me over the last two weeks, given we’re about to become very intimate with each other. That thought haunts me as the high walls of Selvumrrest grow closer and taller. The air is much colder than in my homeland, even though it’s still summer, and I have to pull on my cloak so I don’t shiver. I wonder what winters are like here.

I’m not looking forward to finding out.

The trees recede to make way for small homes and farms, many of them terraced to handle the steep slope. I wonder how long their growing season is here. Perhaps this is why trade with us is so essential, because they can’t grow much up at this altitude. Though I know dragon diets consist mostly of meat, they do eat the occasional potato or slice of bread, as I’ve seen over the last two weeks. It’s probably difficult to raise animals on such terrain, but easier than growing vegetables.

Now that we’re here, the King and I have traded places: I ride toward the back of the caravan with my soldiers while Vizarios marches at the front. When he approaches the towering city, dragons call down from high up, and the gates are opened for us.

Immediately, I’m struck by how everything looks... ancient. The homes are carved into the rock with holes left for windows and doors. Dragons are larger than humans and so are their buildings, with high, vaulted doorways and even taller ceilings. There are so many layers, with homes built on top of other homes or sometimes businesses, and stairways leading up the steep mountainsides to reach them.

As the caravan snakes down wide, uneven cobblestone streets toward the center of the city, I find the castle itself is not as distinct as one would expect—it simply has taller stone towers and grander buttresses, but it is as much a part of the city as anything else. There is no high wall or gate to separate it from the masses.

What is there to protect us from the citizenry? It is so unlike my homeland, I am not sure what to make of it. The king must not fear the common people as my father does. Dad always has his guards with him when he leaves the castle grounds, and the wall was built to keep the “riffraff” out.

Outside the castle, we step into a grand courtyard where stablehands are waiting for us. When I get off my horse, she’s led away, leaving me alone with my four soldiers.

“We’ll stay for the night,” one tells me. “Then we leave in the morning for home.”

I nod in understanding. “Thank you for making this journey with me.” Though I’ll be sorry to see them go.

That’s when I will truly be on my own.

A throng of commoners have appeared nearby, but they maintain a respectful distance as they gape and gawk at us. King Vizarios gives the onlookers a dutiful wave as hedismounts his horse, and one of the female dragons lets out a whistle.

Hmm. So he’s attractive as far as dragons are concerned. I suppose there is something in the sharp angles of his face, the pointed snout with wide nostrils and crown of horns, that could be beautiful. But it is difficult to see him that way now that I know his personality.

Servants have lined up outside the front doors of the castle, but one breaks free and strides toward me—a dragon female with all silver scales who’s tall and willowy, and bearing long, slender horns that curl back from her head. She has a delicate snout and wide eyes, and even to my human tastes, she’s beautiful.

No wonder Vizarios isn’t attracted to me.

“Princess Nissia?” the dragon asks, bowing. I nod in return.

“That’s me.”

“I’m Zephala.” She offers me a fanged smile. “Can I help you with your things? The others will take care of what’s in your carriage.”

She reaches for the saddlebags lying at my sides.

“There’s not much,” I tell her. “But sure.”

We each take a bag, though she doesn’t seem to like me carrying my own, and we head through the grand open doorway.

“Follow me,” Zephala says in a comforting tone. “I’ll show you to your room.”

I’m glad I have someone who will give me the lay of the land, even if she is so beautiful I find it intimidating.

Inside, the castle is not nearly as grandiose as I had expected. The ceilings are still high to accommodate the larger dragons, but there is not finery everywhere as in our own castle back home. Modest tapestries line the dark hallways, the walls lit by the occasional torch. After we leave thegrand entryway, I follow Zephala deeper into the castle, where all the light from outside has vanished.

“Where are we?” I ask her as the air grows even colder.

She glances at me from the side of her eye. “We are inside the mountain.”