Dragon’s Breath
Chapter forty

I lay in bed as the sun rises, an opening to the third day I haven't seen Ellie. For the past three days, I've been hard at work training with Soren, eagerly waiting for Ellie to quickly finish her work at the castle. Three days ago, Ellie came to me telling me how she was going to discuss something important with the king, and I haven't seen her since. Soren told me the day after that, she was rushing the wedding planning in order to get a day off.

Last I spoke with Ellie, she was preparing to tell the king of his wife's affair. I can't help but worry, as she must have struggled to tell him such sensitive information. The king is one of the people Ellie respects most. To most, Ellie presents herself as this confident, spitefully angry person, who stands on top of the world. While that may be a part of her, that is not her true self. I see her differently, she's shown me another side of herself. The anger in her eyes shows the scared child within, the girl who was taught to fight and starved of the love she craved. I can see the pain beneath it and her soul drowning in this persona she'd carved to fit in a world of indifference.

She grew up in a world void of love; that's why she holds the bonds she has with others so dear to her. I can only imagine how telling the king this news might break her.

Sitting up in bed, I cannot help but worry about her, yet I cannot chase the feeling of curiosity. When she mentioned telling Gregory of his wife's betrayal, she said that with this news, things could change for me. What could she possibly have meant by that? How could the queens' betrayal have anything to do with me?

I have so many questions, and not enough answers. Maybe if I ask Soren when I see him today, he'll know what's going on.

Climbing out of bed, I quickly wash up and dress then I head for the lake.

As I enter the forest the trees are veiled in the lightest of mists, their trunks sombre brown with sable cracks that gnarl the bark. I could feel the silky smooth leaves brushing against my arms and hear the melodious chirping of the birds as I continue on ahead. I lifted my head and let the rays of warm, amber sunlight dance across my face.

Reaching the lake, I see the person I've been waiting three days to lay my eyes on again. Ellie is standing with her back facing me, gazing out at the shimmering water. Her inky black hair is done up in two French braids going down her head. The silky white skin of her bare back is facing me, signifying that she flew today rather than walked. I approach her from behind, wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my head on her shoulder.

"I missed you," I say in a hushed voice.

Turning towards me, Ellie looks into my eyes, an amused smile on her lips.

"It's only been a few days, yet you make it sound like we haven't seen each other in ages," she laughs.

"Well, when you get used to seeing someone every day, spending a few days apart feels much longer than it actually is," I whisper back, pressing my forehead against hers.

"Fair enough," she laughs, leaning in to peck my lips.

She pulls away from me, wrapping her arms around my torso.

"As much as I'd like to stay here with you little human, I've planned for us to meet with Gregory. There are some things you need to know. That's why I've arranged this meeting," she tells me while looking into my eyes solemnly.

Ellie steps away from me, fazing into her dragon form. Stretching out her large wings, she lowers her head to the ground.

"Climb onto my head," she says through my mind.

I grab onto her snout and pull myself onto the top of her head. Once I'm securely holding onto one of the horns on her head, she takes off into the sky.

Even though I've gone flying with Ellie before, I don't think I could ever get used to the view up here. The rising sun cast a golden hue across the forest and city. With elegance and grace, Ellie navigates through the sky swiftly bringing us to the castle. Landing on the roof of the castle Ellie lets me off her head, then fazes back into human form.

"I need to clothe first, then we can meet with Gregory," Ellie says opening a door gesturing me to follow her.

We walk silently through the halls until we reach a room. Ellie opens the door, nodding me inside with her. I look around the lavishly decorated room then glance at Ellie.

"So this is your room?" I question.

"Yes, though it is much smaller and way over-decorated than my room back home. But despite that this place isn't too bad," she replies.

I watch as Ellie changes into a pair of baggy black cotton pants and a red drawstring shirt. Parting her loose hair, she redoes the two French braids. Once she's done, we leave her room and head to the king's study.

As we walk through the castle halls side by side maids and other palace workers eye us curiously. I focus my gaze to the ground unwilling to meet their judgments stares.

Suddenly Ellie stops in her tracks as an elegantly dressed man with bronze hair and green eyes stands in front of her.

"You know Eleonora I've known you to do many things but bringing some random man into the palace is just downright shameless," the man sneers distastefully.

"Well 'Prince' Geoffrey I'll have you know that Flavius is a special guest of the king. Now if you will let us be on our way," Ellie says shoving past prince Geoffrey knocking into his shoulder on the way out.

So that's the man Ellie's supposed to marry, I think bitterly.

"I simply cannot stand him," Ellie snarls lowly so only I can hear her.

Her words cause relief to flood my body.

"So that's prince Geoffrey," I drawl curiously.

"He's not much of a prince more like a pompous ass," she says causing me to laugh.

We soon reach the door which I assume to be the king's office, Ellie knocks and we wait quietly for a response. The king answers with a quiet, 'come in' and with that, Ellie and I march into the room.

"I've come as requested, old man," Ellie says, giving a dramatic bow towards the king.

"Your majesty," I greet, giving a light bow.

"Please, call me Gregory," the king says quietly.

"Alright," I respond.

The room then falls under a deathly silence as pressure begins to set in. Gregory sits at his desk nervously, staring at his fidgeting fingers. His body lightly trembles as a cold sweat begins to collect on his brow.

Suddenly a loud scraping sound fills the void as Ellie drags a chair from near the fireplace and takes a seat near the desk. Looking between the two of us, she loudly clears her throat.

"I hate to break the awkward silence since everyone seems to be enjoying it, but we do have business to discuss," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Yes," Gregory says while standing from his desk. He stares up at me for the first time since I entered the room.

His eyes are filled with what I can only describe as a deep longing sadness, and a river of regret. For some reason, the expression pains me deeply. From the few times that I've met Gregory, and from what Ellie's told me he's always been a seemingly happy and kind man. Whatever he has to tell me must be extremely painful.

Gregory approaches me with an awkward smile gazing at his soft old features.

"Flavius, as I'm sure you must have heard, my wife has been having an affair, and, as it would turn out, prince Geoffrey, who I've raised as my son for many years, has no blood relation to me," Gregory begins, walking closer to me until we are face to face.

"Yes, Ellie informed me," I reply.

"Since the prince is not my natural-born child, he is no longer the heir to the throne. I am in need of a new heir," Gregory says slowly.

Gregory's words do a good job a thoroughly confusing me.

"Why would you talk to me about needing a new heir?" I question wearily.

I watch as Gregory takes a deep breath, running a hand through his long hair. He diverts his gaze from mine staring firmly at the ground.

"Flavius, you are my only son," Gregory croaks.

The world begins to move as if in slow motion. His words bring an unexpected emotion to the surface. When I used to think of meeting my father, I thought I would be filled with endless joy, but instead, I replace myself filled with rage. My body begins to shake and my blood boils into deadly venom. Before I can even think my arms begin to move on their own. Forming my right hand into a fist, I swing it back and ram it full force into Gregory's stomach. The force of my hit sends Gregory stumbling to the ground, gasping for air.

Turns out Flavius’s father has been the king all along but their fist meeting is less than pleasant. Hope you enjoyed the chapter don’t forget to like and comment.- Ray