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Chapter One
The palace bustled with activity for the upcoming winter solstice. The annual ball held in the glass doom of Iskaryn. Where every royal family of the continent would be coming to visit. Where they would inevitably propose arrangements for Keres’s marriage to one of their sons.
She never wanted to get married. But she never had a choice in the matter. She was promised to the crown. And the crown would decide for her. Who was she to have this choice for herself?
Keres leaned down, giving Nira, her back dragon, a small scratch behind the ears. It leaned into her as her fingers raked across the scales.
“Why bring that sad excuse for a dragon in our halls?” Keres’s older brother Denyro leaned against the massive silver doorframe. “It can’t even fly. Father should’ve killed it the second it was born.”
“Watch your tongue.” She said, stepping in front of Nira. “It’s not its fault it was the runt.”
“Anyways. It won’t matter for long. I heard that father is planning on marrying you off.” He pushed forward taking a large step toward Keres.
“I won’t marry. I’m not even eighteen yet.”
“Won’t matter to him. He only sees his dragon rider daughter that can get him inside the other kingdoms.” He leaned in closer whispering in her ear. “Imagine if Vaelora claimed you. We’d have access to all the sea ports. Imagine the military advantage we’d have.”
Keres pushed her brother away. “Shut up, Denyro.” She headed toward the outside balcony, overlooking the large mountainous region.
Snow covered the tops of all the mountains. And far off she could see the Iskarynian army training on the backs of the dragons. “Well, Nira. Wanna have a go?”
Back in her chambers, Keres placed the fireproof target on the opposite side of the room. Nira looked to her master, circling her once before taking her place across from the target. She breathed in once, then let out a small jet of flame. It soared across the room, missing the target by mere inches.
Smoke rose from her nostrils as she breathed in once more. Come on Nira, you got this. Again the small flame missed by inches. The dragon let out a puff of smoke as it circled to its small bed and curled into a ball.
“It’s ok Nira. You’ll get it next time.” Keres said as she rubbed the dragon’s back.
A knock sounded from outside the room. “Princess Kerestina.” She sighed. Only her father’s servants called her by her full name. She crossed the room and opened the door.
Outside stood two royal guards. The Iskaryn patch stitched precisely on their sleeves. They handed her a scroll, etched with fresh ink and her fathers signature. She took it, nodded her thanks, and closed the door behind her.
Keres placed the scroll on her desk. Her eyelids dropped, heavy with exhaustion. Just a small nap. Nothing too long. Then she would read it.
Light shimmered off the snow the next morning, blinding Keres. She rubbed her eyes sitting up in her bed. Her snowy white hair fell around her face like a waterfall. She pulled her blanket around her tighter as she flopped back in her bed. Today was the Winter Solstice. Today her life would be signed away. How lovely.
A servant entered her room, placing a custom made dress near her closet. “Your highness. The king requests your presence in the dining hall.” Keres groaned. Of course he did.
She ushered the servant out and pulled the dress over her bare skin. The fabric framed her hips, draping down to the flow. She pinned her fur cloak around her shoulders. Even in the palace it was cold.
Pinning her hair up, she placed her mother’s oriental hair dagger in the center of her messy bun. “To protect you always.” Her mother had said. Hopefully she was right.
The dining hall was almost completely empty. A large long table sat in the middle, at the head was my father. With his fur cloak and intricate circlet that set atop his head. Keres adjusted her own circlet, facing the studded jewel to the front. A sapphire. Iskaryn’s national royal gem. Symbolising the ice that runs through Iskarynian veins.
Keres looked past her father to where a large battle dragon rested on the balcony. His dragon was the largest dragon in Iskaryn. The strongest, the most dangerous, the fastest. The best for the best.
“Have you read the scroll yet?” He asked, finally looking up from his food. Keres shook her head. “Not yet.” He frowned but didn’t say anything.
“The Winter Solstice is coming up.” He continued to eat. “I expect you to be at the opening ceremony. All three kingdoms will be attending.” Great, just a way to marry me off. She looked toward the large painting on the mantle. She remembered when that had been made. When her mother was still alive.
“Even Azhara?” She asked. The desert kingdom far west of their own kingdom. A kingdom known for its necromancy. For summoning the spirits of the dead and using them in battle.
“I invited all kingdoms to join us. Even the Azharians. They may be necromancers, but they are still welcome to join us.” Keres looked her father in the eyes. Setting her knife and fork next to her.
“What is this really about?” She asked. She wanted to hear the truth from him.
“I have no idea what you mean.” He said as he took another bite. Keres slammed her hand on the table. Her father’s dragon let out a low growl as it rose its head. Staring her in the eyes. The king waved him down, and looked back toward Keres.
“Tell me. What do you think this is about?”
“I think you plan to sell me off like furs.”
He laughed, clutching the edge of the table. “Sell you?” He asked. “Where in the name of the gods have you thought about that?” He shook his head. “’Sell you ‘is a bit dramatic.”
Keres pinched the bridge of her nose. “Isn’t that why you’re having all the kingdoms over?” She asked. For once in her life she was truly confused.
Anyways…hoped you enjoyed! Here is a link to a video I made for the book! https://canva.link/2wurutmuruxa6xc (Enjoy!)
There is a grain of truth in every fairytale
Hey! I’m so glad yo0u are sharing your writing! I like the feel of the first chapter, and I LOVED the video! That song is always a favorite, and the aesthetic is peek!
Do you mind if I move this to the story critiquing topic? Also, if you are interested in readers and feedback, tagging a few Keepers and asking if they would read it would be a good idea so they can find it as we only get notified when we’re tagged. I can tag a few for you if you don’t know any. Or you can.
And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn't hear the music
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