Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) (4 page)

Uncle could retire, travel as he always says he will. The kingdom will be happier, well cared for, and no one will want for anything.

I STAND BEFORE
my throne, my father’s crown upon my head, and keep my head held high, a straight face, and remain still as I watch the people enter the room—the members of the court and council, the staff, people from the cities beyond the castle.

The room fills until there is only standing room, and barely any of that. Uncle Castel stands beside me on my right, Zanta to my left. I reach over and take her hand. She squeezes mine, comforting me in this trying moment that I grew up knowing one day would come.

“People and dragons of Dracameveo, welcome. This day, we mourn the loss of our previous yet very dear King Ignacio. He left this land in the night and has flown home, wherever that may be.”

A chorus of “Let his heart lead and his wings soar” fills the room.

Uncle continues. “But while we are saddened, we shed no tears. For the king left on his own will, ready to leave, and he did so in peace. This day, we will celebrate as our new king, Aurelio, Ignacio’s son, takes the throne. Crowned by his very father, he is our ruler. I know he will be just and kind, swift and fair. Hail, King Aurelio,” he says loud enough that the whole room can hear him.

Though in his human form, I feel he used his dragon voice. The ringing in my ears attest to that. 

A chorus of “Hail, King Aurelio” follows as everyone bows.

The red-and-green flags of my father are taken down one by one and replaced with blue-and-gold ones. The sign of a new reign, a new king, a new dragon watching over the land.

The room empties almost as quickly as it filled. People scurrying to get to work, to go about their chores, to return home and spread the news. Soon, the world will know that my father is gone and I have taken his place.

“Thank you, Uncle.” I clap my hand on his shoulder as we watch the people disperse.

“You are most welcome, Sire. You know that I am here for whatever you may need. This is a hard time, and not just because you have lost your father. Becoming king brings a weight no man can understand until it is upon him. There are many things expected of you, and while some may be easier to do than others, none of them will be without hard work.” He bows his head to me.

“I understand, and I am prepared to do all that I can in order to keep this kingdom alive and protected.” I let my arm fall to my side.

“Of course. I believe the first order of business should be speaking to the council. They had much to discuss with your father that they must now tell you.”

“Certainly. Give me a moment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” He bows his head and walks away, leaving me to speak with Zanta for a moment.

I turn to her. “Thank you, love. You mean the world to me. And I am so sorry that your wedding won’t be as grand as I’d hoped, but tomorrow, we will wed, and you will be my queen.”

“I love you too. There’s no need to apologize. I don’t care how fancy or large it is. I just am happy knowing I will be your wife, for I love you with all my heart.”

I pull her closer. “Tonight I have something to show you. But first, I must go meet with my council members. I will find you later, my love.” I brush a hair from her face, running my palm across her cheek before having to leave her.

Castel is waiting for me at the door. Once I’m beside him, we walk to the council chambers. 

I enter the room behind Castel and look to each face watching me as I take my father’s seat at the head of the table. A chill runs over me and I must breathe deeply, reminding myself that today is not one for rain. The world has been dark enough for a while. I blink a few times to make sure I’m stable before clearing my throat.

“A new reign has begun,” I say, sitting tall in the chair despite the weight on my head. “My father ruled with strength, compassion, and kindness. I promise to do the same. I will be just and fair. I will not make rash decisions. I plan to ensure that this kingdom remains protected as it has been for thousands of years. But some things are going to change.” I try not to stare at any one person for too long, but there are a few members around this table that I long to remove from the council. And from the glares of hatred, I fear some may already know that.

“I think you should leave things alone for a while. Let the people settle in with the idea of you as their king before you go disrupting their lives further,” Lord Waylon says, never easing his anger toward me.

“While I agree that people should be given the chance to adjust, I say, make the changes you need now, for waiting will only make it more difficult,” Lady Estella says in a calm manner, side-glancing at Waylon with disdain.

“How is that allowing anyone to become used to their new king? That doesn’t give them time at all, and that isn’t fair. We all need time. Or have you forgotten that we just lost our king?” Waylon slams his fist on the table, shaking it, a difficult feat considering it’s hard oak.

Castel stands, his features calm, his fingertips pressed together. “Lord Waylon, may I remind you that some did not just lose a king, but family. And for that matter, you bow to a new king now, crowned by his father before him. This is no matter to treat so disrespectfully. Aurelio has been forced into a position he was not ready to fill. You will do well to remember that we are his council members, not brawling buddies. And if he sees it fit that things change now, so be it.” Uncle speaks forcibly, yet calmly as he makes his point clear.

Waylon mutters under his breath, too quiet for me to make out his words. But he leans back in his seat and strokes his overly large chin.

“Your Majesty, if I may inquire, what are the changes you wish to make so soon?” Lady Kiamora asks calmly.

The room falls silent as everyone looks at me, waiting for a reply. Even Waylon straightens in his seat and seems to be paying closer attention.

“For one, the kingdom will have a queen again. Though the wedding preparation were rushed for my father’s sake, I see no reason for all that work to be for nothing. The wedding will still be taking place tomorrow.” I tap my fingers against the armrests of the chair, squirming under their intense gazes as each council member looks at me, each with a different reaction—Castel with dismay, Kiamora and Oran with contentment. Waylon continues to glare, leaving only one smiling. Lady Estella seems to be happy with this choice, which is comforting, but I suppose I shouldn’t allow any of them to sway my decision.

I could never imagine being with anyone but Zanta. She is strong in both body and mind, wise beyond her years, having already suffered much despite her age. She is beautiful and kind. Her smile is so bright, I fear if she were ever to frown for too long, the sun itself would stop shining.

We have been best friends for seven years, whereas these councilors have been guiding me for all of one day. I have more reason than ever to believe that disbanding them is the correct move. How can they tell me the woman I love isn’t good enough when they know nothing about her?

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.