Daughters, Swords &Dragons

The tension in the throne room was thick, Laifeyar's fury could be felt as she respectfully excused herself. Her head held high.

Vastus barked in laughter and everyone laughed along with him no one dared show how truly weary they were "Good, my son, very interesting display. Now everyone get back to drinking and dancing."

Melody poured into the room again and everyone danced merrily. Regasus gritted his teeth, the way lives were brutally taken in the palace as if they were nothing, repulsed him.

Regasus followed the second prince as he left with his maid.

"Prince Myth." he called out and the prince halted.

The guards parted and Regasus walked up to the prince "Thank you."

He shrugged he was a powerful looking man who hid his wit behind his brawn on the battle field, his dark eyes concealed a lot of ambition "Do not thank me, Lord Regasus. You owe me."

Regasus lips pressed in a thin line "I do not wish to owe you my prince. Which is why I have to show my appreciation."

If the emperor even sniffed that he was concluding with prince myth his family will be on trial for treason in the next ball.

"I did not anger my father and irk off my stepmother for a thank you Lord Regasus." Myth muttered "I did not risk my head for a thank you.

Myth smirked, "You are loyal to the emperor, do well to be loyal to me when I sit on the throne."

The audacious words hung in the atmosphere as a guard tossed Brielle at Regasus' feet. "Take care of your maids, don't let my step mother use them for sport."

Nodding Regasus watched his retreating back. "I told you to stay in the carriage."

Brielle was shaking in terror "I-I know my Lord I deserve to die."

She was terribly white, shaken with fear and Regasus got on one knee holding her chin in his hand "Do not be afraid I will never let that happen to you again, you must have been terrified."

Tears trailed down her bony cheeks as a guard picked her up gently in his arms "Take her to the carriage and keep her there for the next two days."

Vastus analyzed the black carpet. He liked black carpets; they concealed blood easily. "Are you trying to ruin me?"

In a dramatically slow movement Laifeyar picked up her goblet with the finest wine watching the red liquid swirl as she gently shook it. "Ruin you? I know not what you mean your Majesty."

"You embarrassed me before King Regasus, made me look incompetent and forced a prince to take action." Vastus expressed great displeasure at her attitude.

Laifeyar pouted "I meant no harm your majesty, I just thought you'd like the display."

"Do you still admire him?" Regasus words itched her ears.

She didn't dare answer that.

His soft hands touched her face "Laifeyar you are my treasure, your skin glows like porcelain, your lips of roses and your hair that shines like the sun."

"She was his treasure? ...if only horses were dragons?"she thought as his pale grey eyes pierced hers and his dark white streaked hair peekee beneath his crown, once a handsome man.

His long fingers traced from her face to her lips and her hair.

Then he grabbed her throat and squeezed, she gasped for air, her face turning red "But I will not hesitate to lock you underground if you defy me again, understood?"

Reluctantly she nodded and he tossed her aside walking out the long hallway.

"I have fools for wives."