Junia's POV
I paced around the room, thinking about how to escape. I just need to plan out everything. First, I will learn their palace layout.
The door opened. Ignara and three other women entered. The three women were wearing identical dresses, which signified they were maid servants.
"Junia, I knew you would have enough strength now," Ignara spoke. She had a smile on her face. "Would you like to eat first or have a bath?"
I didn't reply to her and walked towards the bed. "You have to eat. You will need it. I personally made a dish for you, one of our local delicacies," she tried again and walked towards me.
"I am not hungry. I don't want to eat food made out of volcano molten," I sneered, knowing my words would hurt.
"That is insulting. We don't eat molten, but you can tell me what you like." She still smiled.
I looked at her. She didn't seem affected by my words. "And I also don't like molten. I am a dragon of ice. I hate heat." She shrugged and made a face or something. The way she didn't get angry made me feel guilty.
"I am sorry," I murmured. I sat on the edge of the bed. She joined me and placed her hand on my shoulder.
"It is okay, you don't need to apologize," she started. "I understand. You are angry. Your husband was killed, and you were brought here forcefully."
Thankfully, she didn't mention her brother's name. "I would like to have a bath first," I told her.
Her face brightened up. "Alright, that is good." She stood up. "They will take you to the bath and also to your new chamber in the women's quarters."
I frowned. "Don't worry, I will stay in the women's quarters too," she assured. I am not entering Ashmaris's harem. I would die before that happened.
"Better. I am not staying in his harem."
"But there's no harem."
The maids led me to a bath. On our way, I saw some women who were passing by too. They giggled and said something to themselves as they passed by me, looking at me. I straightened my posture and followed the maids into the bath.
After getting bathed and dressed, Ignara and some maids came into my new chamber with food. Their dresses are funny—no bright colors. I examined the dress I was wearing.
"Is there any dress better than this?" I asked. I heard Ignara laugh. I turned around to find her and the maids laying out food on a table.
"Our clothing is best. You will get used to it," she answered. "Come and eat."
I walked towards the table and sat down. My stomach had been rumbling since morning. I opened the plates in front of me, and aroma swirled into my nose. It smelled delicious.
I picked up the cutlery and started to eat. I really don't know what the food was made of, but it was good.
Then I remembered my people, my father, Solric's parents. They will be in pain and loss. I stopped eating.
"What is wrong?" she asked. I stood up. I was here eating, feeling happy, when my father and people would be grieving. I have to find a way out first.
"I am full already," I lied.
"Really?"
"Yes. Can you show me around the palace?" I asked her. I need to know my way around.
"Right now?" she sounded excited.
"Yes," I replied.
"Okay, this way." She led the way outside, and I followed.
"This is the women's quarters. You already know that," she said. We made our way out of the quarters. There were a few women whispering. Ignara didn't bother to introduce them to me, which is good. I am not staying here for long.
"That way leads to Ashmaris's chambers," she pointed. But it is not important. I need to know which way leads outside the place.
"You said that I wouldn't make it out of here before he caught me. What do you mean?" I asked. If he had people watching me, I need to know.
"He can smell you. If you pass by, he would know," Ignara answered. She looked at me.
"You can all smell each other's scent too?" I questioned.
"We can smell a lot of things—danger, fear, death, anger, people—but our mate's scent stands out," she explained to me.
"Your brother is wrong about me being his mate. Solric and I—our union is fated. He just killed him, blinded by whatever…" My voice broke.
"You can't feel it, can you?" she asked softly. Her gaze landed on my wrist.
"No."
"You have no idea of what you can feel or do." She took my hands. "Your father did well with his magic, hiding your true self from you and your heart."
I stepped away from her. "You think these bracelets are some kind of bondage?"
"I don't think it is. I can recognize dark magic anywhere."
"You don't even know anything about magic!" I raised my voice, too loud.
She didn't say anything at first. She didn't argue. "If I help you take off those bracelets, when you feel your heart… will you stay?"
"How did you know?"
"I don't expect you to want to stay after all that has happened." Her voice came out quietly. "Well, we have a tour to complete.
Let's go."
Was I too easy to read?
"Don't you want to know the entrance of the palace?" She smiled. I looked at her like she had gone mad. She knew my plans, and she still wanted to show me around.
"Is this your way of making me believe I am not your brother's captive?" I scoffed, looking at her straight in the eyes.
"Yes."
˚✧˚
Today is my seventh day at the Dragonhold, and the day Ashmaris wants to show me to his court as his mate and Queen-to-be.
I have spent the previous days in this chamber, holed up. After the palace tour with Ignara, I still can't think of a way to run from here without her words ringing in my ears.
I heard a knock on my door before the person pushed it open. It was Ashmaris, and then Ignara came in.
I sat up and frowned. The door was locked by me. "What are you doing here?" I glared at him.
"Why did you refuse to open your door and get dressed?" he retorted, walking toward me.
"Ashmaris," Ignara called. It sounded like she was warning him.
I rolled to the other side of the bed and got down before he could reach me. He turned and walked to the side where I was standing. Before I could walk or move, he blocked my way.
"You can't tell me what to do," I gritted.
He fisted his hands and stepped back, controlling himself. "Do you have the urge to sink your talons into my neck like you did to my husband?!" I shouted.
His jaw twitched, and he didn't reply at first. "Get dressed and be ready soon." He turned to leave.
My anger washed through me. I was trapped here with a ruined future, staying in a place where I listened to giggles that might be mocking me.
I picked up a vase that was right beside me. Since my magic wouldn't work on him, I threw it at him. He stopped as the vase smashed against his back and fell into pieces.
"Don't you dare walk away! You owe me an explanation for what you have done!" I screamed. "You can't just go after ruining my life." I cried.
"Get her dressed," he said to his sister before he started to walk away.
I slumped down on my knees and sobbed. Ignara came to me and gathered me in her arms.
"It is okay," she muttered.
"I hate him."
"Maybe you just need to give him a chance. You know, we dragons rarely meet our mate, and when one's mate can't feel the bond, it hurts more than a sword stab," she said. "And a mating pull is never wrong."
I pulled away from her.
"I want you to know Ashmaris has a good reason for all he has done. Your father had ruined a lot of things—many lives," she continued.
"My father would never do that," I defended, despite being confused about everything, all the things I have heard. "He cares about his people more than he cares for himself."
"If you give Draven a chance, you will see for yourself," she said.
Now I am lost. I don't know what to believe—my father, whom Ashmaris and his sister have painted as a villain, or the sibling.