The Dragon’s Throne 1

“But you have it out here for sale,” he said, still staring at her and trying to place her.  “I’m sorry, are you sure that we’ve never seen each other?  I just feel like I know you.”

“I don’t even know who you are,” she said, stepping past him and going to take the dress down from where it was displayed.

“Well, that’s refreshing,” he said, laughing.  “You’re the first person who hasn’t recognized me on sight.”

“Should I know who you are?” she asked, folding the dress over her arm and clutching it possessively against her chest.

“I guess not,” he said.  “Why the change of heart?  It’s a beautiful dress and I’m sure that my mother would love it.  You do beautiful work.”

“Thank you, but this dress isn’t my work.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Look, I have lots of other dresses that are very similar.  I brought this dress because I thought that I could sell it.  But my mother made it, and when you asked me, I realized then that I’m not ready to let it go, no matter how badly I need the money.”

“That’s a shame,” he said, reaching into his wallet and pulling out another bill.  “My mother would love this dress, and I’d be will to pay you double what you asked for it.”

She stared down at his hand, her mouth dropping open at the sight of so much money. 

“I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have brought the dress here.”

“What’s so special about the dress?  I mean, besides that it’s amazing and my mother would cherish it.”

Eli watched as the woman sighed heavily, turning away so that he almost missed the single tear that slid down her cheek.

“My mother died giving birth to me, and this was one of the last dresses that she made.”

“Oh,” he said, “I understand why you’re hesitant to sell it.”

“I really need to, but I just can’t bear to part with it.  She sewed it for the queen herself, and she even dyed the fabric especially for Queen Lauren.  That’s why the details are so intricate.  She only sewed a handful of dresses before she passed away, and this one was special.  I would only be willing to sell it to the Queen.”

“Well, you’re in luck, because I’m buying it for the Queen,” Eli said with a smile.

“I thought you said you were buying it for your mother.”

“I am.  The Queen is my mother.”

“But that means that you’re-” She gasped, bowing suddenly.  “I didn’t realize it was you,” she said, her head still bowed.  “Forgive me.”

He stepped forward, and his hand went to her chin.  Electricity shot through his fingertips and sent tingles down his spine.  He furrowed his brow at the odd sensation, tilting her chin gently so that she had to look at him.

“I don’t know why all the humans insist on groveling before me.  I’m just here to mingle and enjoy my time.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, looking up and into his eyes.  “I thought I was being rude.”

He laughed. 

“Not at all.  You’re the first person that has talked to me like I wasn’t sprouting a second head on my shoulder.  It’s been refreshing.”

She laughed softly.

“What is your name?” he asked, a soft, reassuring smile on his lips.

“Anna,” she said quietly.  “Anna Greely.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Anna Greely.  I’m Eli Archer, son of Silas.”

“I know who you are,” she said.

“Now,” he shot back.  He arched his eyebrow, clearly teasing her.  “Now, let’s get back to the exquisite dress.  I want to buy it for my mother, but in light of the story you’ve told me, I don’t think that I can pay two hundred for it.”

Anna looked visibly deflated, which brought a tender smile from him. 

“I quoted you one hundred dollars and I stand by that.”

“That’s fine, but I would pay one hundred for some of your less ornate dresses.  This one is special, and it holds sentimental value.  Tell me, do you have the others that your mother made?”

“I do, but I’m not selling those.”

“And you shouldn’t.  But you’re selling this one, and not because you want to.”

She shook her head. 

“The King’s tax on Festival has been raised and I wasn’t going to make enough to survive the winter without tapping into my reserves.  I don’t want to do that.  I figured that this dress would bring in the most money.”

“And it will.”  He pulled another bill out of his wallet and handed it to her.  “I’m paying three hundred, and I won’t hear any complaints about it.  The only thing I want to know is if you’re willing to sell it to me so that I can surprise my mother?”

Anna stared at the money he was holding out to her, then back at him in shock.

“That’s too much,” she said quietly.

“I said no complaints,” he snapped, then softened his tone.  “I don’t want to walk away feeling like I took advantage.  Please, take the money.”

She looked at his hand for a moment longer, then took the money and put it in the purse that hung at her hip.

“Thank you,” she said, her hands shaking as she held the dress out to him.  “I have something to wrap it in.”

She wrapped it quickly, tying twine around it in a neat bow.

“I hope that the Queen loves it.”

“I’m sure she will.  Thank you for letting me buy it for her.”

He carefully put the dress in his bag, then looked at Anna again.  Still standing there, he searched for something clever to say that would justify him still standing there.  He looked around, then inspiration struck.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked, holding out his hand.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Dance?” he said, gesturing over his shoulder at the large grassy area that served as a dance floor.

She blushed prettily and shook her head.

“I couldn’t.”

“Of course, you can.  Just follow my lead.”

He reached out and offered his hand.  She looked at it, then at him before she took his outstretched hand, even as she was still arguing with him.

“I don’t know how to dance,” she argued again.

“Trust me,” he said, leading her onto the dance floor as the song changed and the music slowed down.  “Put your hand here, on my shoulder.  I won’t bite you.”

She did as he asked, but he could feel how stiff and nervous she was when he settled his left hand on her waist and took her left hand in his right. 

He swayed and twirled her around the dance floor, counting softly to help her at first, then laughing and winking at her.