Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) Page 2

  I make a dive between rocky walls and make a swift landing in the clearing farther east by the river, cold water rushing by. Quickly, I shift back into my human form. Zanta lands right beside me, transforming into her human self as she does.

  Glow bugs fly around, flowers bloom in a perfect path leading to the blanket I asked Belen to make sure was set out, along with a basket of food, mostly Zanta’s favorite sweets such as chocolate-covered strawberries.

  “That felt wonderful. And all of this . . .” She waves her arms, spinning around to take in the surroundings. “Is absolutely beautiful!” She turns to me, her smile wide and contagious. “Thank you!” She jumps into my arms.

  “You’re welcome,” I say directly in her ear.

  “How did you set this all up?” She kisses me on the lips before lowering her feet to the ground and stepping back, taking in the whole scene.

  “I had a little help.” I grab Zanta’s hand, leading her toward a small clearing on the other side of our picnic, away from the cliff’s edge where Father and I sat, instead going in the opposite direction to somewhere more peaceful, where water cascades down the rock, passing over the arch, creating the perfect waterfall. I lead her through it to the other side where forest surrounds us.

  “And what is the occasion?” She brushes stray hair away from my eyes.

  “I have to ask you something, love.” I fall to one knee.

  Zanta gasps, her hands going to her face as she covers her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. I slip the ring from my pocket and hold it out to her. “Be my wife. Please?”

  “Yes. Absolutely!” She beams down at me, tears of joy spilling over her cheeks.

  Before I can stand, she falls to her knees and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. Our lips meet and I embrace her, holding her close, never wanting to let go.

  Finally, we break apart. “Thank you,” I whisper, staring into her eyes.

  “For what?” she asks.

  “Everything.”

  “You’re welcome.” She bumps her shoulder against mine.

  “Shall we dine, my soon-to-be queen?” I can’t wait for the moment when there will be no need to clarify ‘soon-to-be’.

  But she stops moving, just looking at me with concern. “Queen?” she asks hesitantly.

  “One day I will be king. Perhaps sooner than I’d like.” I look at the ground, not wanting her to see the pain in my eyes.

  But being so observant, smart, always understanding, she acts as if nothing happened, like there isn’t a care in the world, returning to her happy self. Playing along and letting me forget my foolish slip of the tongue.

  “Yes, my love. Let us dine.”

  She takes my hand and pulls me after her as she rushes through the waterfall to the basket, where she situates herself on the blanket, leaning her head on my shoulder, and proceeds to fill a plate with desserts.

  “As is tradition, tomorrow we travel to Fabulum, so it would be wise that we retire early tonight.” Not that I want to. But as every king and queen before us, upon getting engaged, we are to travel from kingdom to kingdom to announce our union, invite those we wish to, and celebrate in each royal family’s customs. Starting with the fairies.

  Her eyes widen. “We’re visiting Fabulum?” Her voice fills with excitement.

  “Yes. And then Miraunus. And after that, Seroceanus.”

  “Could this day get any better?” She laughs.

  I pretend to be bothered. “Truly, that is what you’re most excited about? If I wasn’t so sure of your love, I’d almost wonder if you were using me for the benefits of traveling.”

  She bops my nose with her strawberry. “But you are sure,” she says with a smile.

  “BEFORE ALLIANCES WERE made as the kingdoms formed, dragons would slaughter their enemies. No mercy, and never fighting in human form. It was easy to conquer when your enemies were –though human size – at least ten times smaller. When fairy and dragon-human shifters formed a friendship and began working together, a promise was made that should we enter Fabulum, we will only do so as humans, as friends, because in our other forms, we are seen as enemies.” Aurelio looks down at his hands, fidgeting as he explains why we must travel by carriage rather than flying to the first feast in celebration of our engagement.

  “It seems fair reasoning to me.” I nod, grateful to understand why I am sitting in the small—though ornate—wooden box, rocking back and forth as we go over the unsmoothed road. All while trying to breathe wearing this unbearably tight corseted magenta dress with silver embroidered into the bodice, almost matching my dragon scales. At least there is only one underskirt giving it some volume, keeping it more comfortable than some of the ball gowns I’ve seen others wear.

  Aurelio opens his mouth to say more just as the carriage comes to a stop and the door opens. “Your Majesty, we have arrived,” the footman says.

  “Thank you.” Aurelio climbs out before turning and reaching his hand to me.

  I take it and allow him to help me. Once my feet are on the pink grass, I smooth out my dress. Aurelio runs a hand over his gold-and-lavender tunic and side-laced leather trousers.

  “My lady?” Aurelio holds out his arm. I wrap mine around his and walk beside him as we approach the fairies’ kingdom. No castle towers over us, no bustling workers rush by. All seems calm and happy as we meander through the forest past fairies singing and dancing, merry as they prepare for tonight’s feast. Every single one smiles as we go by, some stopping to say hello while others continue on.

  And then I look up and notice it. There is a castle, though it is not made of stones of any kind, but rather, the trees themselves. Wooden steps, almost as if they grew that way, lead upward toward what appears to be a throne room through the rails above.

  I lift my skirts and watch every step as we ascend. When we reach what is in fact the throne, I am speechless at the beauty surrounding me. Flowers of every color, though mostly pink and every shade of it, bloom everywhere. Small lights, as if the stars themselves are here, illuminating the paths beneath the deep foliage.

  “Welcome, Prince Aurellio and Lady Zanta. It is our greatest pleasure to welcome you here as we celebrate your engagement,” the queen—as evidenced by her crown of jewels and flowers—says, pulling me into her embrace.

  Her dress is silky and shimmering pink, with flowers cascading over her right shoulder and flowing around the skirt.

  “Thank you kindly, Your Majesty.” I curtsy.

  “Oh, dear child, no need for that. Call me Calassida. I may wear a crown, but only because it’s pretty. Though I am queen, I do not want my people or anyone else to feel that I am above them.” She giggles, a charming sound.

  “Thank you.” I smile, loving her perspective.

  “You are most welcome.” She claps her hands together. “Now, let us dance! A celebration is in order!” Calassida leads the way back down the tree steps and out in the forest, where the other fairies have created a large fire in the open meadow. Already, there is dancing around it, along with laughing and eating.

  “My lady?” King Leven stands before me, smiling. His crown of flowers and stones suits him, despite the vibrant colors. His tunic is bronze, embellished with a leaf pattern around the edges. It’s quite stunning. He clears his throat and holds out his arm.

  “I’d be honored.” I take it and let him lead me to the opening where others are gathering around rapidly. Already, music is playing, though I couldn’t begin to guess with what instruments.

  We hook elbows and spin, winding through the trees, more fairies and pixies and sprites joining in. A few times, I feel my hair being pulled, which makes me wonder which creature came here simply to be a troublemaker, but I don’t let it spoil my mood. Especially when Aurelio steals me away from Leven, hooking my arm in his and spinning me around.

  All around the fire, fairies are clapping in time with the music until it’s only Aurelio and I dancing, laughing, barely able to breathe as we continue going until finally
, the music crescendos, and we end our dance on the last note of the song.

  Everyone breaks out laughing as we both fall into the grass and just lie there, giving ourselves a moment.

  He reaches across the ground and takes my hand. Our eyes meet and I can’t look away, mesmerized by how happy he is. The way his pink cheeks match the grass, the shimmer in his eyes, the smile on his lips.

  “And now we feast!” Calassida claps again. Aurelio and I stand and follow the king and queen farther into the forest, where blankets have been laid out everywhere for people to sit. Glow bugs float around, providing light.

  “AS A SIGN of understanding and equal strength among them, the dragons made an alliance with Miraunus that we would always meet on the same level, meaning that we, the dragons, would always be in our dragon forms upon visiting the kingdom of land creatures. It was a way of protecting their kingdom by demanding that we not come in our lesser form.” Aurelio explains.

  “And how is that protecting themselves?” I ask, fascinated by how the traditions and rules change by kingdom. In Fabulum, we were required to arrive by carriage and remain in our human bodies, but now as we fly to the land ruled by unicorns, we must stay as dragons.

  “Because it means we are equal. To put it plainly, we cannot claim that they took advantage of our weaker forms. As dragons, we are faster, stronger, and better equipped to fight whatever dares attack us. As humans, it would be easy to claim that one of the creatures attacked us, attempted to kill or maim us, and such a crime would mean the attacker must be banished to Humestia.” Aurelio finishes his story, and the rest of the flight is silent as I think this over.

  Finally, Aurelio dives down and lands gracefully in a large open space between the trees of purple, leaves ranging from lighter tones, such as lavender, to darker, like that of the dahlia flower.

  At the sound of hooves on the rocky ground, I look up and find the most beautiful creature before me. The unicorn’s mane is gray with purple ends, and her hooves are golden. Her white coat shimmers in the sunlight, so bright I’d think she was the source of light if I didn’t know better. Beside her is a unicorn just the opposite. His coat is black as the night sky, and his mane is purple. He stands a head taller than his mate.

  “Welcome, Prince Aurelio.” Queen Frostlynn kisses him on the forehead between his prominent horns. “And Zanta.” She turns to me and does the same.

  Though I’ve met a unicorn before, never have they felt so powerful. Perhaps that is why they are the rulers over the land. Just her lips touching my head causes a glowing feeling of peace and comfort to come over me. Whatever I expected, all the fears I had melt away.

  “Please, come in.” King Kryden looks at me.

  I bow my head in respect.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Aurelio says, bowing his head as well.

  “You are always welcome guests in Miraunus.” Frostlynn smiles. “Now, come. Let us celebrate.” She leads the way through the massive tunnels.

  It is not what I expected in the least. The walls were encrusted with crystals which make the whole place glow and sparkle. Sconces are placed strategically to ensure the colors pop and the walls shine like nothing else could. I hope at one point tonight that I’m able to transform back into my human self simply so I can run my fingers over the stones without harming them.

  Light shines brightly from the opposite end of the tunnel, and I can’t help but feel excited, hoping we’re going toward it, wanting to see what’s on the other side. Frostlynn’s hooves click in a soothing rhythm against the stone floor and I follow the sound, unable to take my eyes away from the beauty surrounding us.

  Large stalactite crystals hang down from the ceiling, some forming patterns, appearing to be flowers.

  The light ahead is upon us now, so bright it’s almost blinding. I lower my eyelids, careful where I step as I force myself to continue following Frostlynn now and look ahead. The light is from the very sun, shining down through the open sky, with no ceiling overhead as we enter a large meadow within the heart of the caves.

  The sight is like nothing I’ve ever looked upon before. There is beauty everywhere. Crystals and flowers growing through one another, all over the walls, tables made from geodes. Trees with the purplest of leaves and a small well in the middle of the room, its water so dark I would think it were simply dirty if we weren’t in Miraunus.

  “Welcome to our home,” the king says loudly.

  The stomping of many hooves causes me to look up. Only now do I see there are more creatures around us, unicorns and centaurs and fauns, many I’ve never seen the like of before. All here to greet us on our night of celebration. Or, I suppose, one of our many nights.

  The noise echoes around the room, so much that I can feel the vibrations. But it’s still soothing and comforting.

  “Let the feast begin!” someone yells, though I don’t know who. Aurelio nudges me and I follow him, lying in the cool violet grass beneath the trees with plum leaves. Frostlynn and Kryden sit on their haunches and feast upon their salads and berries, offering us the same but including meat on the platters.

  We accept the food graciously and eat.

  A DISTINCT COOL breeze sets in as we fly over the last bit of Humestia’s amber forests before reaching the cliffs and beyond to the sandy beaches that serve as the border to Seroceanus, the watery kingdom of mermaids, where all creatures of the sea dwell.

  Many mermaids and merman, even a few selkies, rest on their rocks, sitting above the water as they wait for us.

  King Drayton’s crown catches my attention as the middle jewel reflects sunlight and almost blinds me as we fly overhead before turning back and landing on the beach. Queen Rayne keeps her tail under water, but her upper body leans against a rock as she sits in the sand.

  “Aurelio!” she beams, looking up at us as we touch the ground, immediately changing form.

  “Rayne! It has been quite a long time since I last saw you.” Aurelio walks toward her, smiling.

  “Indeed. You were just a boy. And now look at you!” she exclaims, now standing. Her tail transforms into legs, a bit discerning to watch as I wasn’t expecting it. “Soon to be king, and now engaged to this lovely woman.” Queen Rayne reaches out a hand to me.

  I hurry forward and take it. “A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.” I curtsy.

  “Oh, the pleasure is ours.” King Drayton approaches, almost losing his balance as he walks in the sand. Understandable, considering how much time he spends not having legs at all.

  “Come. Let’s feast, and of course you’ll have to tell us the wedding plans, considering that we won’t be able to attend the ceremony.” Drayton leads us to a small area farther down the beach that he’s set up for us to have a meal, a table and benches carved from the sand itself.

  “Which we regret,” Rayne adds.

  “It is all well,” Aurelio assures them as he finds a nice place to sit before the driftwood bonfire. “Though if you truly want, I am sure we could somehow arrange it.”

  “Oh, we would not ask you to go through the trouble just for us. Your wedding day is about you and Zanta. Do not be saddened that we are not there, for we would hardly make a difference at all. I fear we wouldn’t be noticed simply because you two are so enamored with one another.” She laughs and gives our entwined hands a pointed look.

  Aurelio laughs with her. “Very well.”

  “Besides, how could we expect you to make accommodations for us in your kingdom when we cannot welcome you into ours?” King Drayton says.

  “’Tis true, as far as I am aware. It isn’t something I would enjoy putting to the test.” Aurelio waves his hand at the water as he speaks.

  “Ah, yes. That would be tragic. But enough about our homes. We wish to know more about this lovely woman at your side.” Drayton turns to me.

  “Thank you.” I feel my cheeks warm. “There is not much to tell, I fear. Aurelio’s mother saved me, his father took me in, and Aurelio himself has showered me with friendship
and love I thought I’d never live to find.”

  “How darling,” Queen Rayne says, her head slightly tilted. Her voice, though kind, seems a bit as though she finds me more a child than anything.

  The beating of wings and a shadow overhead halt the conversation as we all look up. A light gray dragon flies toward us, landing in the sand nearby and shifting to human, running down the beach until he is beside Aurelio.

  “My sincerest apologies, Your Highness, but you must return to Dracameveo immediately,” he says so fast, the words almost crash together.

  “What is it, Graff?” Aurelio stands and turns to him, panic and worry all over his face.

  “The king needs you.”

  AFTER GIVING GRAFF careful instructions on where to find the carriage and to watch over Zanta on their journey home, I change into my dragon form and take flight, pushing myself to go as fast as I can, putting every bit of power I have into making it home before Father leaves.

  I land in the courtyard, shifting as my feet touch the ground, and run, shoving the door open, down the corridor, first looking in the grand hall. It remains empty. From there, I go to Father’s chambers, but they too are barren.

  I begin walking toward the only other room where I can think to find Father. It’s a short walk down the hall, and the door to Mother’s room is already open. I step inside and see Father sitting on the edge of her empty bed, her crown in his hands.

  “Father?” I take a step closer to him, moving slowly, trying to get a sense of what he’s thinking, why he called me home if it isn’t truly urgent.

  “Part of me can’t wait to leave, Aurelio. I know that doesn’t sound fair, but it’s true. I’ll get to see her again.” Father holds the crown a little higher as he looks up at me.

  “I may not be ready, but I can understand the sentiment. I wish I could see her as well.” I sit down on the bed beside him.

  “I have faith in you, son. I believe you are ready in every aspect but one.” Father sniffles, and turns so he’s looking at me. “There is a secret that only a few know,” he struggles to say. “One I’d hoped to better prepare you for, but I fear there isn’t much time now. I can feel myself slipping farther away with every second that passes.”