The Dragon’s Throne 1

There was a sudden blare of trumpets, almost startling Anna out of her skin.  In the distance, Anna saw them, riding in on the backs of dragons, side by side.  She couldn’t see their 100faces, but from where she stood, she could see that one of the riders was the queen, and she was wearing the dress Prince Eli had purchased from Anna.

“She’s wearing the dress,” Eleanor pointed out.

“I see that.”

“Isn’t that amazing?”

“It really is.”

The three drew closer and Eleanor’s hands flew to her mouth.

“He’s wearing one of the men’s outfits you sewed.”

Anna looked at Eli, surprised to see that he was indeed wearing one of her creations for men.

“Wow, that looks really good on him.”

“Who wouldn’t look good in those trousers?  You’re so talented.”

“You keep saying that.  I just can’t believe he’s actually wearing it.”

“Speaking of things that people are wearing; Charity is wearing your dress.”

Anna looked over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of Charity in the pink dress, standing beside her mother, who also wore one of Anna’s creations.  Charity’s mother saw Anna looking, pointed to Charity’s dress and gave thumbs up, waving excitedly.  Anna waved back, smiling as Charity’s face went from excited, to confused, to angry.

“I think she just figured it out,” Anna said.

“I would say you’re right.”

Eleanor waved at Charity, who turned quickly with her nose up like a petulant child.

The dragons landed beside the stage, bowing down while their riders dismounted and walked onto the stage.  Anna watched Eli walked onto the stage behind his parents, who held hands and smiled at each other with a pride that only parents could show.  A man who looked like Eli came onto the stage behind the three of them, followed by a servant carrying a crown on a plush pillow.

“That other guy is the younger brother, Daniel,” Eleanor said.  “He’s so handsome.”

“You sure do know your royals,” Anna laughed.

“My mother is obsessed with them.”

“Where is your mother?”

“In the VIP section with my uncle.”

“There’s a VIP section?”

“There is now.”

The king held up his hand and the crowd went silent, everyone waiting for him to speak.

“For forty years, I have ruled this territory, protecting both our species from invasion and attacks.  And since the downfall of man almost fifty years ago, we have grown stronger, and our two species have managed to live in harmony with each other.  That requires give and take from both sides, and I’m honored that you chose to share this joy with us today.”

Anna listened to the king’s words, but her eyes were locked on Eli.  He looked amazing in her creation; a dark brown pair of slacks and a white shirt that billowed ever so gently in the wind.  The combination really highlighted his jet-black hair and his deep, dark brown eyes.

Eli caught Anna looking at him and winked so quickly, she almost missed it.  Her stomach clenched and she blushed, remembering the feel of his hands on her, holding her close while they danced.  She fought the urge to turn and run, and stood her ground beside Eleanor.

Eleanor reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing reassuringly and turning to smile at her.  She leaned over to whisper in Anna’s ear.

“He looks like he wants to eat you alive,” Eleanor teased.

Anna glared at her friend, but didn’t say a word.  The prince’s s*xual appetite was often the subject of the rumor mill, though Anna wasn’t sure that any living being could be that insatiable and still find time to do mundane things.  If there was any truth to the rumors, it was a wonder he found time to eat.

The ceremony was short, and in no time, the queen was holding the crown, placing it on Eli’s head to the delighted roar of the crowd.  Anna clapped along, but she was looking at Eli.  His eyes never left hers and even though the day was quite warm, she felt a chill run through her body.  Eleanor was right, he looked like he was thinking about devouring her, and Anna wasn’t so sure that she was against being devoured by him.

She shook herself, trying to break the spell he’d cast on her.

“Do dragons have superpowers?” she whispered in Eleanor’s ear.

“Besides looking human, flying, and breathing fire?  No.  Don’t be silly,” Eleanor whispered back.

“Funny,” Anna grumbled back under her breath.  “Then why can’t I take my eyes off him?”

“Because he’s beautiful?  That would be my guess.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Anna said, shaking her head.

When the ceremony was over, the crowd dispersed, but Anna and Eleanor stayed close, meandering through the booths and displays, spending the small amount of money they had budgeted for the day after bringing in so much money the day before. 

“We could probably afford to spend more,” Anna said, “but I’m a little afraid that something will come up and I don’t want to be caught without what I need.”

“It’s your money, Anna.  I understand.  Besides, I haven’t ever seen you spend twenty dollars unless it was a necessity.  It’s kind of nice to see you living on the edge.”Eleanor laughed at Anna’s facial expression, rolling her eyes playfully.

“You make fun of me now, but I have replenished my savings and added to it, and I’ll still have enough to live comfortably this win-” Anna stopped midsentence.  “Oh, my goodness, Eleanor, do you see this?”

Anna stepped into a booth, drawn to a beautiful necklace on a thick chain of dark brown leather.  The braided strips were so thin that the chain was flexible as if made of metal links, but infinitely softer against her skin.  The pendant was a butterfly styled out of multicolored stones and gems in a silver circle nearly as big around as her fist. 

She held the pendant in her hand while it still hung from the display, admiring the intricate details and perfect combination of vibrant colors. 

“That’s beautiful,” Eleanor said.  “You should buy it.”

“How much is this?” she asked the young man running the booth.

“One hundred dollars,” the man said.

“Oh,” Anna said, letting the pendant slide out of her hand and hang gently from the display again.

Eleanor leaned over and spoke quietly.