“Yes, these are my beautiful and healthy daughters.” My father seems to take offense, his voice snide.
“You do know my people are at the borders of your country, just waiting for me to give the signal for battle, to eat you little Mages up or crisp you alive... They’re just itching to win a war our ancestors couldn’t and kill all of you Ice Mages.” The Dragon King’s voice is cold. “I really shouldn’t be wasting my time playing games with you, Mage King, when I could be...”
“What about your great ancestor, Kari? The legendary Ice Dragon. Hasn’t the power of ice been lost to your people?” my father questions the King.
There is silence from the Dragon King before he says snidely “And…? What is your point? I hate these meaningless stalls. Do not waste my time.”
My father ignores his rudeness and continues to explain, “And if you marry one of my daughters with Kari’s magic, perhaps your future heir will inherit and receive the power of ice once more. There can be a Dragon born with the power for the first time since Kari.”
“Each of my daughters has a powerful source of magic and is healthy and strong enough to carry a Dragon child... I don’t even care if you take a second wife amongst my daughters or even harm one of them. She’ll be all yours to do what you will with. I think this is a good deal for you and your people to consider for just ten years of peace between us. Don’t you think so, King Orval?”
So, if I am to be picked, he can get away with hurting or even killing me. I realize that my father does not seem to care about what happens to his daughters. If I fall into the hands of the Dragon King, I may as well have a death sentence attached to me.
The minute I give birth to a healthy male heir with ice magic, I will be tossed away like trash, perhaps even tortured for information regarding my country, although I am not very educated about the country like my sisters are.
The King is quiet, and I hear low whispers in foreign language from another man at his side, most likely discussing the best options.
Minutes pass as I continue to hear murmuring, and the Dragon King switches back to our language to questions us. “So, she will be mine? And say, if she dies from my hands in the ten years I have her, what will you do?”
“Nothing... We will both be signing a treaty,” explains my father. “Once it is signed, my people cannot attack yours and vice versa. And once my daughter is handed over to you, she is technically a part of your Kingdom and no longer mine.”
The Dragon King steps forward, his magic drawing nearer.
“Then let me get a closer look at your four lovely daughters,” he says with a little too much excitement.
“Of course,” my father replies coolly.
He starts from the left, his feet shifting and stopping, examining each of my sisters. He seems to be disinterested as he moves on rather quickly, from one sister to the next.
He stalls and asks, “May I touch them? I’m concerned you’re giving me a man with this one. She has no breasts, and her face is mannish. I wouldn’t doubt you are trying to trick me so you can make a fool out of me.”
My father is quiet. “You may touch them, but all my daughters are, indeed, female.”
I hear a startled gasp coming from one of my sisters, and the Dragon King laughs. “Seems she is really a female…”
He moves on, his feet stopping at the sister next to me.
I can tell he is somewhat more interested in her as he examines her longer than the others and doesn’t make any rude remarks toward her.
“I do have to say, this is your best daughter so far, Mage King. Beautiful face, healthy body, nice hips... But she just doesn’t do it for me,” the Dragon King remarks snidely.
“You’re running out of luck,” he coos as he moves to me slowly, “you better hope I am interested in this last one, or you have some secret daughter that I can see.”
His feet finally stop in front of me, and his magic is so close that it causes the hair on my arms to stand. I can feel his gaze on me, and he’s quiet once again, surely uncertain what to make of me. I am definitely different compared to my sisters.
“Blind and unfed… This one doesn’t look healthy. Perhaps she is sickly,” he says. “I’ve never heard of a blind Mage before. Is she really blind, or is the thing around her eyes just for decoration?”
I feel his hand reach for the cloth over my eyes, and in my head, I see a vision of the Dragon roaring in my face. On instinct, I draw back even though I shouldn’t and slap his hand away.
I hear laughs coming from behind him, but the Dragon King himself doesn’t laugh and is rather quiet.
“Well, Princess, consider yourself lucky. You’re the first Mage to touch me and live to tell the tale.... But I am still interested in those eyes of yours,” he says almost in a growl, his temper surfacing when his comrades laugh.
He quickly reaches toward me, snapping the lace ribbon from around my eyes. On impulse, I open them, and I can tell it is nightfall now.
“Ah, so she is blind... There’s no color to her eyes,” he laughs. “Guess this thing isn’t just for show after all.”
He leans in toward me and this time, I stay still. “You’re all bone. If you gain a little weight, you will be more desirable. If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume they are feeding you scraps.” I feel the warm breath fan against my cheek at his proximity. It smells of liquor.
“You’re either sickly or mistreated... Which is it?” he questions me.
I am quiet, unsure of how I should reply. Instead of speaking, I consider how he smells strongly of leather and how he must be wearing it.
“Princess, you are very rude,” he coos. “You should answer a King’s question immediately.” I can hear the impatience in his voice.
“Are you deaf, too?” He blows in my ear, and I cover it with my hand.
“No...” I finally reply. “I can hear you.”
“Ah, she speaks. Guess she isn't mute either.” He draws back to his people, and I can hear some of them laugh again.
He turns silent, and so do his people. He announces, “I think I have come to a decision.”
I swallow, preparing to be mixed into some war and having to flee or fight for my life. I clench my fists, and even my father is quiet.
“I will accept your treaty of ten years of peace,” the Dragon King announces to my father.
I freeze and I am in shock, but there is also relief that there will be no war.
“I see. Which daughter of mine have you taken an interest in?” My father sounds gleeful that the Dragon King will not be declaring war on our people and the Kingdom.
I wait to hear his reply, thinking he will most likely choose the sister standing next to me. She’ll be his best option even though he has said he isn’t attracted to her.
The Dragon King replies, “I want the blind woman to be my wife, the one you have treated so poorly.” It is like I can see an evil smirk gracing his face at this announcement.
My heart clenches in my chest, and my sisters begin muttering to themselves, probably thankful to be not chosen, but curious to know why he would choose me. I wonder the same myself.
I can’t believe it; the Dragon King has declared me as his wife... Me. A blind bastard child of the King.
Do I secretly wish for this? To be chosen by him?
There is a part of me that feels special, that I was the one chosen over my sisters. Me – a king has really picked me to be his wife.
Is it my beauty that made him choose me? Does he perhaps feel pity for me? There has to be a reason for everything – or is it random?
He may be labeled a monster, but there is a possibility the Dragon King can give me a better chance at life – a life outside of my bitter cold tower.
“I wish for her to be prepared for me to take to the borders of your land by dawn. Meanwhile, you and I will discuss this treaty,” the Dragon King addresses my father.
“Follow me,” my father says, retreating from the group, not giving any further instructions on what I am to do.
The Dragon walks behind my father, with what sounds like two other men. “The rest of you go home, you two included. I am in no need of escorts. Tell the army upon your return of the news, Ukiah first. I don’t want there to be any accidents... I am sure they will be delighted that I am bringing back a bride tomorrow night. All should be in good cheers, happy moods.”
They listen and retreat without saying a word. I hear their footsteps disappearing.
I stand still, wanting to fall down and breathe deeply. But I don’t know of any place to rest but the ground.
I have been picked by the Dragon King. One who will be bringing me to his country of Dragons. They hate Mages. I will be with a King who can do anything to me once father and he sign the treaty.
My breath is shaky. I am panicking. I grab my chest, trying to get over my thoughts and calm myself down. But it is difficult.
I am to be the wife of the Dragon King… I am cursed. That is no longer a question, but I guess it is better than being thrown back into the tower. Surely it is.
I hate that tower, at least now I have a chance at some freedom. But I realize I will never get to taste what it is to be truly free.
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