Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) (5 page)

AS WE EAT
supper, I can’t stop staring at Zanta, watching her and counting down the moments until I’ll have her all to myself. I look around the room and notice Lord Waylon glaring at her and I have to wonder if he’s upset over where she’s sitting, despite the fact that we’ll be married tomorrow and that will be her rightful seat anyway.

The sun has long set and the festivities have begun to slow as people make their way home.

“Uncle.” I lean over and whisper to him. He looks at me, giving me his attention. “Would you please see the last of our guests out?”

“Of course, Sire.” He nods solemnly.

“Are you done?” I move closer to Zanta.

“Yes, I am.”

“Good. I want to show you something.” I stand and pull out her chair, linking our arms once she’s beside me.

We stroll down the corridors, not in a hurry, just enjoying the relaxing evening.

When we arrive outside Mother’s old chambers, I open the door. “Your new quarters.” The maids I have arranged to be Zanta’s ladies-in-waiting have prepared the bed and started a fire to warm up the room, as it has gone so long without being used. A fresh bouquet of flowers in a tall glass vase sits on the end table, and everything has been cleaned.

Zanta walks in and looks around, taking it all in before finally turning back to me. “No. This can’t possibly be true. I can’t take this gift, Aurelio.”

“Whether you take it or not, ’tis yours. The suite is reserved for the queen, and after tomorrow, that will be you.” I kiss her forehead before facing the three maids standing beside the opposite wall, waiting for instructions. “And these are your ladies-in-waiting.” I lead her to them.

“’Tis truly an honor, miss.” The first and tallest curtsies. “I am Georgianna.”

The second follows her example. “I am Shyla.”

“And I am Imani.” The third curtsies as well.

“Thank you. Thank you so much!”

“Our pleasure. We will leave you for the evening, but will return in the morning to help you prepare for your wedding.” They all curtsy one more time before filing out of the room.

Zanta continues exploring, going room to room and looking everything over. She opens the armoire still filled with mother’s brand-new, never worn before dresses. “I, uh, left those there because they’re still new and thought you may be interested in any of them. They could easily be customized for you. But if you’d prefer I can have them removed right away. Either way I’ve already called for the seamstress to pay you a visit in two days’ time.”

“This is amazing, Aurelio. How could I possibly thank you for all of this?” She spins around, laughing.

“No need. But there’s one last thing I must show you before I retire for the evening. We should both be well rested for tomorrow.”

“Yes?” She stops just in front of me, grinning ear to ear.

I walk to the wall beside the armoire and pull open one of the panels, a secret door Mother showed me, a place where she could keep her most precious jewelry pieces. Sitting upon its velvet pillow is the golden crown, metal vines twisting around the circlet, imbedded with sapphires and topaz in every shade of blue.

“It’s gorgeous,” she mutters, reaching into the cubby and pulling out the crown. “I couldn’t possibly wear this.”

“My mother would love seeing you wear it—she wouldn’t want it sitting in there, hidden away from the world. Will you please?” I gently take it from her hands and place it on her head.

She turns and looks in the full-length mirror. “For you, yes.” She smiles.

“Thank you.”

THE SUN BEAMS
brightly through the sliver of window not blocked by the drapes. I stretch my arms over my head, arching my back, before sliding back under the covers, rubbing at my eyes and turning so the light isn’t in my face.

“Good morning, my lady,” three voices say in unison.

I jump back, turning while still sitting in bed, to find three maids standing at the end of it. “Good morning,” I reply, not sure what to do. I wasn’t expecting my new maids to be waiting for me when I woke up this morning despite their titles.

“Good morning, my lady. We are here to help you prepare for the wedding, if you would like.” Georgianna steps aside, and I see my wedding dress draped over one of the chairs in the sitting room behind her. Made of blue fabric that shimmers, the whole gown is stunning, with embroidered flowers and lace from the bodice all the way down the skirt.

I step out of bed and approach it slowly, as if fearing it will disappear if I move too quickly. I run my fingers across the chiffon over the silk skirt. I use my thumbs and forefingers to grab the shoulders of the dress and pick it up, holding it against me as I look in the mirror. “Is it really my wedding day?” I can’t help but bounce up and down at the thought.

“It is, and we’d best be getting you ready for it. First, a light breakfast. Then you must bathe. After that, Shyla will put powders and blush on your face while Imani does your hair. Does that sound acceptable to you, my lady?” Georgianna asks.

“That all sounds lovely,” I say, still looking in the mirror. “But first, I would like to see Aurelio. Do any of you know where I might find him?” I look up, searching each of their faces.

They all seem a bit confused. “No, ma’am. I am afraid we do not. But he instructed us to help you in any way we can, so if it is your wish, I can fetch him for you.”

“Thank you, Georgianna. I would appreciate that. I presume Shyla and Imani can help me prepare a bath in the meantime.” I look to each of them, and they both nod in agreement. 

“Yes, of course,” all three say before dispersing, the tallest going to find my soon-to-be husband, and the others going to get a bath started for me. I wander the room, amazed it’s all mine.

Shyla and Imani return in no time, a bath drawn and ready. I begin to undress just as Georgianna returns, a bit panicked. “Lady Zanta,” she blurts out before pausing to catch her breath. “You should come with me right away.” She’s still breathing heavily, which concerns me. How far did she have to run?

“What is it?” I hurriedly do my nightgown up again, slide my arms into the robe Shyla holds up for me and step into a pair of slippers.

“The king appears to be in a bit of trouble. He asked me to get you immediately. He wishes for you to meet him in the meadow just past the gardens.” The girl’s face is pale, her voice filled with worry.

I don’t wait for more explanation, but instead, run through the corridors, racing to get to Aurelio as fast as possible. What could happen that he would need me out there today of all days, and in such a panicked hurry? My heart does a funny flip, beating, but feeling like it’s not doing so correctly. I fear I may not make it to Aurelio before my heart stops working from worry.

I race past servants and guards going in and out of the castle, just doing their daily chores. I run through the courtyard and into the gardens.

When I reach the meadow, Aurelio stands there as a dragon, not moving, not saying anything. He looks at me, watches me approach. Something shines in the corner of his eye, and I realize he’s trying to hold back tears.

I look up to the sky, searching for the rain clouds that are no doubt on their way. “Aurelio, what’s going on?” I run my hand across one of his scales, looking up at him and wondering what stops him from shifting, wrapping his arms around me, and telling me everything is going to be all right.

“I love you so much, but I fear today will not bring all that we hoped it would.” His voice breaks, and the sunlight disappears as clouds roll in.

“I love you too, but I don’t understand. What’s going on? Why are we not both getting ready for our wedding?” I look around, wondering if this is a ruse. A game. But he would not cry if it were.

“I cannot shift back into my human form. I have tried. I’ve been out here trying all night long. Since midnight last night, I’ve been a dragon, and I don’t know what to do.”

A small gasp escapes me. “What do you mean, you can’t shift back? How is that possible?” I look him up and down, not understanding. I’ve never heard of a shifter not being able to shift. “Why don’t we have the ceremony out here, then? We’ll get married as dragons rather than humans. It’s what we are, after all. Why does it matter which form we’re in?” I offer, trying to stay positive, hoping the wedding isn’t called off.

“That is a lot to change at a moment’s notice for an event so big. I do not want you to have to give up the dress and the crown for your wedding. Perhaps if I sleep, I’ll be able to shift back, and all will be well.”

“Love, this is our wedding, and I don’t care if I have to wear a dirty old rag. I just want to marry you. Dragon, human—it doesn’t matter to me.” I step back and will myself to shift to prove to him that I mean it.

But as I take calming breaths and attempt the change, nothing happens. I remain human, standing in the meadow, a dragon towering over me.

I look at my hands, willing them to change into talons. But nothing shifts. Nothing moves at all. And another gasp comes out of my mouth. I look up at Aurelio.

“What is going on? Why can’t I shift?” I try again.

“I fear, though I am still uncertain, that you have both been cursed,” Castel says with a cringe.

“Oh,” Aurelio says at the same time I ask, “What?”

Castel wanders slowly toward us, looking forlorn and saddened.

“By whom? And why?” I ask, trying to remain as calm as he is.

“I do not know, Zanta, but I have seen this before. Is it not true that Aurelio is stuck in his dragon body, while you remain human?” Castel asks me.

“That is true.” I nod.

“Father tried to warn me of this.” Aurelio hangs his head. Before I can question him, Castel speaks.

“Sire, one of Zanta’s maids came to me after sending her out here, and told me what she thought might be going on. Tell me how I may assist you.” He bows.

“Is there nothing we can do to fix this immediately?” Aurelio asks.

“I do not know—”

“What of true love’s kiss? It is said to be a way to break any curse or spell.” The words escape me the moment the idea comes to me.

“It’s worth a try. Right now, I’d do just about anything to be able to wrap my arms around you and kiss you. To see you all dressed up, to vow my love to you forever.” Aurelio’s voice shakes, and seeing him so scared and distressed worries me more than anything. He is my rock, my stronghold.

He bends down as I lean forward and kiss him quickly on the mouth, hoping it works the first time considering how awkward it is in our current forms. But nothing happens—there is no change. A deep, ugly feeling settles in the pit of my stomach as I realize we have no way out of this. It isn’t something we can just fix. We’re trapped until we figure out who cursed us, and why.

And what do we do when that’s figured out? What if whoever did this wants us to be separated forever? Our engagement parties ended last night. The entire world is aware of what today is for us. Well, what it was
going
to be.

“I feared that may not work,” Castel speaks again. “As I was trying to explain, I have seen a curse quite like this before. I did not experience it myself.” He clears his throat.

“Go on,” Aurelio says.

Castel looks back and forth between us, his brows furrowed, before continuing. “Right after Ignacio became king, he disappeared for a few days—maybe a week. When he returned, he seemed a bit haunted, but he would never tell me what happened. All I know is that I was left to rule the kingdom with no warning until he returned. I don’t think he quite got over whatever it was that happened. Much later, Dargiana told me a bit of what Ignacio said to her. He couldn’t change from his dragon form—he was a prisoner in his own body. And when he couldn’t find answers here in Dracameveo, he traveled east in search of a wizard who was rumored to be able to cure anything. Beyond that, I know nothing of what happened when he left.”  Castel finishes his story and looks down as if hiding his face.

“Father mentioned a wizard,” Aurelio says, again seeming embarrassed. 

I’m wondering why, and worried about what’s going to happen now. Today is supposed to be my wedding day, and instead, not only am I not getting married, but the love of my life may be leaving on a journey that could take him weeks.

“Did he say anything else?” Castel asks.

“He told me to go to Humestia. To stay on the ground as much as I could, find the wizard with the key, break the curse, and come home. Do you know what any of that means?”

“I do not know, Sire, but I fear that following those instructions is the only way out of this. We do not know any other solution to your problem. The only difference from what your father went through is that the love of your life is trapped in this curse too. But at least she can remain here and help me watch over the kingdom while you’re gone.” Castel looks sad, but I fear his intent.

If he wanted to take over the kingdom, why didn’t he do it while Ignacio was away? But that doesn’t mean he’s innocent in all this. What if something prevented that from happening those years ago? There could be any number of reasons.

“I’ll go.” I step forward, reminding them that I am present. “I’ll go in search of the answers. Aurelio is king, and he is needed here.”

“Zanta, my father warned me about this before he died. He made it clear that it was my curse.  It would be best if I go. Castel is right—by law, he is to watch over the kingdom if the king cannot. You’re going to be queen, and there is still much for you to learn. This is the best option. Stay here, learn from my uncle, and keep the kingdom running in my absence. I will go in search of the wizard and freedom from our newfound prisons.”

“What if it’s a trap?” I ask.

“We’re already trapped, Zanta,” Aurelio replies.

“What if whoever did this chose this curse because they knew it would get you out of the kingdom?” I argue, not wanting him to leave. My wariness of Castel increases tenfold.

Aurelio leans down again, close to me, looking right into my eyes. “I trust you with all my heart. Protect my kingdom while I am gone. Castel will be there every step of the way, and he will help however he can. Please, Zanta, trust me as I trust you. I want to be with you more than anything. I will be careful, make wise decisions, and I promise I will come back to you.”

Tears form in my eyes. I blink, causing them to roll down my cheeks. Goose bumps cover my arms and I feel a coldness like nothing before, almost as if I’m empty inside.

“You’d better, Aurelio. Make it home. I love you. Let your heart lead and your wings soar.” I rest my hand on his jaw, not wanting to let him go, but knowing the sooner I do, the sooner he can return.

“I love you too.” In one swoop, he turns and flaps his wings, stirring up a fierce wind.

Castel holds up a hand, protecting his face. I let the wind toy with my hair and surround me, envelop me. I watch as Aurelio takes flight and disappears slowly, becoming smaller and smaller the farther away he gets.

“My lady,” Castel says. From his tone of voice, it seems he has been talking to me and I’ve heard nothing.

“Yes?” I look at him.

“I am sorry to add to your burden, but we must announce to the people that the wedding will not be taking place today.” He holds his hands in front of him, slightly leaning over, looking more and more apologetic.

“Of course.” I nod and begin walking back toward the castle—what else can we do to make this day even worse?