Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) Read online

  But it seems not to matter greatly. No one argues further or says they do not agree. Their previous remarks must have been enough on the issue.

  “If no one has anything more to add on the subject, I would ask that you return to your duties. You are all dismissed.”

  Everyone stands and moves to the door, disappearing one by one except for Castel, who remains seated. He gives me a knowing look and I too remain where I am, waiting for the others to leave.

  Once it’s just the two of us left, I nod, letting him know he can speak.

  “Aurelio, I understand Ignacio loved Zanta—perhaps more than he would have if the circumstances were different—and that you have his full blessing to marry her and make her queen. But I must ask you if you truly find it wise to marry so soon after your father’s death, immediately after your own coronation.”

  I sigh, having feared this conversation, wishing Uncle would let it go.

  “I had my doubts about marrying her so soon myself. It is not that I doubt my love for her, nor hers for me—just that I am so young. But I am king now, and there will never be another for me. The wedding preparations were already made so my father could be here. He can’t be, and that breaks my heart, but why throw away all the work put into it? Belen has made the food, guests have been invited, the dress is made. There is absolutely no reason not to marry her tomorrow. Before noon, I will marry Zanta, and she will become queen. But I need you to tell me how I can comfort you in this decision, as I am aware you do not approve of her. I just need to know I have your support, and so I am asking to hear what you have to say about her.”

  He gives me a perplexed look, his nose scrunched, eyebrows drawn together. “Sire, it is not that I disapprove of Zanta. I do not hold the same attachment to her that your father did, and clearly, I do not have a connection with her the way you do. I just worry that she marries you for the wrong reasons. She was a farm girl living at the edge of the kingdom when her village was attacked and only she survived. I just find the whole situation odd, and it makes me wonder and worry about her intentions.” He rubs his palm over his forehead.

  “Uncle.” I lean forward, and rest my hand on his shoulder. “I know without a doubt that Zanta’s feelings for me are true. She does not care for riches or to be royalty. Often, I find she has slept with the servants because she does not feel like she belongs here, and that is not something I can allow. This is her home just as much as it is mine or yours. I trust her enough to give her my kingdom. And while I understand that you cannot make your feelings change overnight, I ask that you give her a chance. It has been seven years. What more could she do to prove herself?”

  “I understand, Aurelio, and I will try to set my feelings aside. But understand that it has been seven years for you, for her, but the kingdom does not know her that way. She is still just a farm girl who was rescued by the queen,” he says.

  “The queen, my mother, your sister-in-law, gave her life to save Zanta. In seven years, Zanta has worked with the servants, never afraid to get her hands dirty. What else is needed than her love for me?”

  “I suppose you’re right. It just seems so odd to me that the queen died saving her, and now only a week after you proposed to her, the king is gone too.”

  “Did my father not tell you he was dying right after he told me? I proposed so soon because my father asked me to so he could be here for it.”

  “You mentioned that, but I did not realize Ignacio knew of the proposal beforehand. Perhaps you are right, and my worrying is for naught. I shall trust you on the matter, Aurelio. I only wished to voice my concerns. I fear that after tomorrow, there won’t be another chance to talk to you at all. Or her.” He chuckles, teasing.

  I laugh with him. “Thank you for understanding. I’m glad I can trust you. Aside from Zanta, you are the one person I know I could entrust with my kingdom.”

  “Of course. It gladdens me to hear that. But I must ask that you don’t let anything happen to you because truly, I do not want to rule.” He laughs again, but now it is more solemn and less joyful.

  “I don’t plan on going anywhere, Uncle. It’s just good to know who I can count on. I believe the council tries their best, but they do make mistakes.” My words aren’t completely honest, though. There are some on the council I do not trust at all.

  “Dear boy, don’t think about it tonight. No matter my personal fears, I do know that you love her, and she appears to love you. I am an old man and shall keep my thoughts to myself unless I have proof that someone has ill intentions toward you, perhaps the same person who poisoned your father. Tomorrow, everything changes.” He stands and claps me on the back. “You will not have to rule alone, despite the disbanding of your council. I trust you to make the best choices for this kingdom, just as I trusted your father.”

  “Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate your wisdom. I will see you in the morning.” I look at him, waiting for an answer before I go.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss the wedding for anything.” He laughs.

  “Neither would I.” I laugh with him. “Good night.” I close the door as I go and begin the long walk back to my own chambers, which are right beside Zanta’s.

  I HATE WATCHING AURELIO feel so distressed, so sad, and now carrying a load more to worry about. But I let him leave, following his uncle to their meeting.

  Castel looks back at me where I stand on the dais, and gives me a look, not quite a glare but close to it—a look of disdain, perhaps. He’s never liked me and it’s something I’ve always known, though I can’t imagine why. I’ve never done or said anything to make him hate me, yet he does.

  I go to the kitchen, knowing I will not get to spend any time with Aurelio today, or perhaps for the next month, despite his promise that the wedding is still happening tomorrow. Belen is cooking as much as she can, occasionally stirring three pots over one fire, a roasting pig above the other. She rushes back and forth to make sure everything is cooked properly. Her assistants work on kneading the bread and cooking desserts of all kinds. One woman cuts up vegetable while another slices fruit, glancing up at me as I walk by and offering a small smile.

  Belen wipes sweat from her brow.

  “What can I do to help?” I grab an apron from the peg on the wall and wrap it around my waist, tying it behind my back.

  “Absolutely not. I can’t allow the future queen to be in here helping prepare food when she should be out there celebrating.” Belen waives the spoon she’s holding.

  “If you think anything changes with the title before my name you are most mistaken. Now, I won’t take no for an answer so tell me how I can help.”

  “Oh, very well. Thank you, my dear. Here. You can begin washing the potatoes.” She points to the pile of them on the ground in the corner.

  “Of course.” I get a bowl and go outside to retrieve some water. The sun shines and it’s warmer than last night, but a bit of the storm left in the wake of Aurelio’s tears still remains, and the water feels as cold as the snow on the mountains.

  I hurry and return to the warmth of the kitchen, grateful for that as I dip my hands repeatedly into the water, scrubbing the dirt and grime from each potato.

  While I work, keeping to the corner of the room and out of the way, I hear snippets of talk from the maids and servants as they go by. “Do you know how the king died?” One would ask. “No, but I hear he went peacefully, unlike his dear wife,” the other would reply before they rushed off to finish their chores.

  Thinking of Queen Dargiana brings back painful memories. Things I wish I could erase from my mind. The day I met Aurelio’s mother.

  Seven years ago—such a bright and warm day. All was good in the world, and there wasn’t a bit of sadness to be found even if one looked. Until a shadow fell on a village in the east, and soon, everything was aflame. Dragons, our own kind, had attacked for no reason that could be seen or found. Plenty of dragons flew in and thwarted the attackers’ efforts to completely destroy the village and the people within, even
King Ignacio—he could not let harm come to his people.

  The king and his army drove the enemies away, saving the town from more damage. But theirs wasn’t the only village being attacked. To the north, more dragons came down and began destroying everything.

  The world was dark as twenty or more full-grown dragons flew overhead, burning everything to the ground. Mother and Father were knocked unconscious, stuck in their human forms, trapped beneath the fallen beams of our home, burning to ashes. Only nine years old, unable to shift into my dragon form, I cowered in the corner, waiting for fire and death to find me when a dragon of forest green swooped overhead and fought her way through her enemies, forcing them back with her mere presence. But three were undaunted and attacked the queen. They fought, Dargiana never relenting. She put all her power into protecting a lone girl stuck in a burning cottage.

  With a mighty blow from her attackers, the queen fell into a heap, destroying what was left of the house. There she lay, breathing heavily, scales ripped from her skin. Bleeding, her wings torn, the queen rose, picking me up with talons the size of my arm, flying me to the safety of the castle. But she did not stay with me.

  Instead, she flew back out to protect anyone else she could find. When the king arrived moments later, victorious in his battles, he was alerted to his wife’s situation.

  I never saw the queen again, but it is said that they found her body atop three other dragons, holding them in place with her magic as her dying act. To protect her kingdom, to save me. The king banished the captured dragons to Humestia, the land of evil, a place where once one is sent there, no one can leave. Knowing the queen died saving me, King Ignacio gave me a room in the palace and allowed me to call it my home.

  I reach for another potato, but only find the empty bowl. Having finished, I wipe the tears from my eyes and deliver the clean potatoes to Belen. “Thank you, my dear. There’s a pile of dishes there, if you could wash them as well.” She points to the stack of bowls and ladles and spoons stacked in the corner. “We need them so we can continue preparing food.”

  “Yes.” I nod and begin carrying armfuls of dishes outside, where I return to the well, sit on its edge, and begin cleaning out every dirty dish.

  I hum to keep myself from growing bored and letting my mind return to my earlier thoughts. I find rhythm in the bird song and the clattering metal as I scrub, the clomping of feet as soldiers and guards and other servants walk by.

  LAUGHTER FROM THE dining hall can be heard throughout the corridors surrounding it clear down in the kitchens where Belen is slumped over the table in the corner. A few serving girls lie on the floor, exhausted from cooking all day. Mel and Ivan go back and forth, getting more food on their platters before returning to the hall to serve it.

  I brush off my apron before untying it and returning it to the peg where I got it. I sneak out the kitchen door as quietly as I can so as not to disturb anyone and walk through the soft azure grass, grateful that even as night has fallen, the temperature has stayed quite warm, though I can’t help but give the well a look of disdain as I pass by it. My fingers are still cold.

  I walk past the stables and through the gardens, enjoying the butterflies that flutter at night, the glow bugs that provide light. I spin around, happy to be surrounded by flowers and life of all kinds.

  My heart nearly slams out of my chest as Aurelio appears from the shadows, taking my hand in his and continuing to spin, now leading me in a dance. I laugh and allow it, not wanting to chide him for startling me because I’m just happy I get to see him at all.

  He spins me around, guiding me back to him until I’m in his embrace, my arms trapped against his broad chest. He leans closer, brushing a kiss against my lips

  “What are you doing out here, not attending to your guests?” I grin, unable to stop myself even as I ask him a serious question.

  “One of my guests didn’t arrive on time and I worried for her safety, so I came looking to see why she did not come. I found her dancing in the gardens, and when I saw her beauty and grace, I could not stop myself from joining her rather than noting she was well and returning to the feast.” He glances down at me, a small grin pulling at his lips, but his eyes are serious and he looks upon me as if he has found the only thing he needs.

  “Perhaps this guest did not want to distract the king, and so she felt it best not to come at all. Did that occur to you?” I keep his gaze, not looking away.

  “No, it did not. I’ve been inside wondering where this beauty could be, for I was most in need of a distraction, and none was to be found.”

  “Oh, Aurelio.” I laugh, shaking my head. “You do not need to be distracted right now.”

  “Oh, but I do. Besides, this feast is for you just as much as it is for me.” He raises an eyebrow, smirking now as he leans closer, so close I can feel his breath on my lips.

  “No,” I whisper. “This is not our engagement dinner. This is your coronation feast.” I say the words, but all I feel is the desire for him to stop staring and to kiss me.

  “I know.” He closes the distance, his lips on mine.

  I wriggle my hands loose and wrap them around his neck, pulling him closer. “Then why are you still out here?” I ask, taking a breath before kissing him again.

  “Because being out here seems so much more fun than being in there right now.” He laughs.

  “King Aurelio, I must demand that you return to the feast they are having for you.” I take a step back, releasing my hold on him. I say it with a grin, but sternly.

  “What if I refuse?” He takes a step toward me, trying to close the distance I created.

  But I take another step away, refusing to let him be distracted by me. “I won’t let that happen. Even if I must go in there with you.” I say the words, only realizing my mistake too late.

  “Well, then.” He smirks, not missing a beat. “After you, my lady.” He bows graciously, all for show, to make a point.

  I pick up my skirts, and with a “hmph,” I lead the way to the feast. Aurelio beats me to the door, opening it for me. I look in his direction, but say nothing as I go through.

  We enter the grand hall and find everyone looking toward us, but it only lasts a moment before they begin eating once more, the music ringing throughout the room.

  Aurelio leads me to the head of the table. The only empty seat is right beside his, where his mother once sat next to his father.

  “I cannot sit there, Aurelio. It would not be right,” I protest, no longer just pretending I don’t want to be here.

  “Why ever not?” He nudges against my back, encouraging me to continue walking.

  “Because that seat is for the queen, and we are not married yet.” I turn, walking backwards so I can look him in the eye as I protest.

  “One night of sitting upon the throne before we’re married will do no harm,” he assures me.

  AS WE EAT supper, I can’t stop staring at Zanta, watching her and counting down the moments until I’ll have her all to myself. I look around the room and notice Lord Waylon glaring at her and I have to wonder if he’s upset over where she’s sitting, despite the fact that we’ll be married tomorrow and that will be her rightful seat anyway.

  The sun has long set and the festivities have begun to slow as people make their way home.

  “Uncle.” I lean over and whisper to him. He looks at me, giving me his attention. “Would you please see the last of our guests out?”

  “Of course, Sire.” He nods solemnly.

  “Are you done?” I move closer to Zanta.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Good. I want to show you something.” I stand and pull out her chair, linking our arms once she’s beside me.

  We stroll down the corridors, not in a hurry, just enjoying the relaxing evening.

  When we arrive outside Mother’s old chambers, I open the door. “Your new quarters.” The maids I have arranged to be Zanta’s ladies-in-waiting have prepared the bed and started a fire to warm up the room, as it
has gone so long without being used. A fresh bouquet of flowers in a tall glass vase sits on the end table, and everything has been cleaned.

  Zanta walks in and looks around, taking it all in before finally turning back to me. “No. This can’t possibly be true. I can’t take this gift, Aurelio.”

  “Whether you take it or not, ’tis yours. The suite is reserved for the queen, and after tomorrow, that will be you.” I kiss her forehead before facing the three maids standing beside the opposite wall, waiting for instructions. “And these are your ladies-in-waiting.” I lead her to them.

  “’Tis truly an honor, miss.” The first and tallest curtsies. “I am Georgianna.”

  The second follows her example. “I am Shyla.”

  “And I am Imani.” The third curtsies as well.

  “Thank you. Thank you so much!”

  “Our pleasure. We will leave you for the evening, but will return in the morning to help you prepare for your wedding.” They all curtsy one more time before filing out of the room.

  Zanta continues exploring, going room to room and looking everything over. She opens the armoire still filled with mother’s brand-new, never worn before dresses. “I, uh, left those there because they’re still new and thought you may be interested in any of them. They could easily be customized for you. But if you’d prefer I can have them removed right away. Either way I’ve already called for the seamstress to pay you a visit in two days’ time.”

  “This is amazing, Aurelio. How could I possibly thank you for all of this?” She spins around, laughing.

  “No need. But there’s one last thing I must show you before I retire for the evening. We should both be well rested for tomorrow.”

  “Yes?” She stops just in front of me, grinning ear to ear.

  I walk to the wall beside the armoire and pull open one of the panels, a secret door Mother showed me, a place where she could keep her most precious jewelry pieces. Sitting upon its velvet pillow is the golden crown, metal vines twisting around the circlet, imbedded with sapphires and topaz in every shade of blue.