Chapter 53 - Spoiled (1)

"My domain?" I looked at him and tilted my head.

"Yes." He said simply and smiled. Then, his head and elegant face turned to the extravagant throne. "Someday, this throne, this land, and all its people. Will belong to you." He continued once more, smiling again.

Once again, I was speechless from this man in front of me. He still gave off a regal air, one of a powerful mage, one of a mighty king. However, I was nothing like him. "I can't do that. I'm not exactly what you call empathetic. I'm cold, harsh. Furthermore, I'm still a kid." I reasoned.

"That's how you see yourself. However, to others, to me, and even to our master, you are an inspiration, a star shining brighter than the sun. Fate has chosen you, it has its reasons." He said. He then slowly walked to the side of the room, my eyes slowly tracing his movements.

He put his hand on the ice on the side of the cavern. It slowly began to change its shape, morph, and become transparent. Soon, the wall now looked like a giant stained glass window. "Come. You should see this." Veras signalled me over to the window he just made. He was incredible, he was able to not only sculpt the ice but change its properties, without an incantation.

I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and walked over to the window with uneasy steps. I peered out the window, not knowing what to expect. What I saw, was something straight out of a fairy tale. It turns out, we weren't in a cavern, merely a room made to look like one. We were actually very high up in the air, about 30 stories up. When I looked outside, I could see wyverns soaring through the sky without a care in the world. Somewhere flying toward the sea, some were circling a certain area, some were traversing slowly like they were going on a stroll.

Dragons. They were everywhere. Thousands of them. The land was like a giant iceberg. Dragons flew high in the sky. There were people that looked like humans walking on ice sculpted streets. They had horns growing out of their heads, their attire was not suited for the cold, but they seem unaffected. They were smiling, talking, playing. Young, old, adults, teens, they were all shapes and sizes, all living together in harmony.

Their most distinct feature, horns on their heads, which also differ from age and experience. Their skin tone is usually a pale blue. The land was covered in glacial greenery, alien to that of where I come from. Houses stretch as far as the eye can see. It was a sight to behold, as a land straight from a fairy tale.

"Beautiful, isn't it? These are the Icelands of Drakonia, where we, the ice dragons inhabit. Most of us can transform into more humanoid forms for convenience, but not completely as I can. Their horns, maybe their scales or wings are still visible. The tower we are in is known as the Glacial Spire. It is the palace of the leader of the Ice Dragons." He explained, staring longingly out the window.

It was so much to take in. It was a land of extraordinary beauty, it looked as if the North Pole was inhabited. Breathtaking was not enough to describe it. However, I was not exactly thrilled at the prospect of becoming the queen to lead this place. I had no loyalties here, I would have to leave behind everything I knew.

"I can tell you are overwhelmed. Worry not. The time is not right. For now, I will send you back. You won't remember me, this place or your future role when you do. But, someday, you will remember. Everything." As he said that, the mist started to swirl around my body, and Veras' body started to fade and become translucent, like a mirage. I looked at myself, then back at the disappearing figure of this benevolent ruler.

My words were all caught in my throat, I had no idea what I wanted to say. I wanted to express my gratitude, at the same time, I wanted to ask him more questions. A part of me even wanted to say nothing. My mouth opened, as the war in my own mind blocked me from saying even a single word.

My vision became clouded, engulfed by the mist that had now consumed my whole body. Veras waved one last time, as he too disappeared, like an illusion. The world fell into darkness, my energy left me, all was silent.

****

I slowly opened my eyes, still feeling lethargic, slightly tired. I sat up slowly and scanned the room. My eyes eventually fell on a familiar person sitting on the couch, his back facing me. I could recognise that unkempt and messy hair anywhere. "Kale?" I called out. The figure instantly jolted and turned behind.

I was right, I saw Kaler's handsome face staring back at me. However, something about it feels much more different than the last time I saw him, I feel like I should be telling him something. He stood up and walked towards me with a warm smile. "First time you slept in in a long time. It's almost 12. Thank god the school released us for study break for a week. If not, I would've had to wake you."

I was astonished by his words. I rarely, if ever, slept in. I looked back at him, after recovering from my surprised trance and realised that he was suddenly really close to me. I was stunned speechless, staring at his face. His beautiful golden eyes roamed every part of my face and body, inspecting me. His eyes were extremely rare, not even his parents had that colour. They shined radiantly like gems. I felt my breathing hastened and my throat choke. I never even realised that my mouth was slightly ajar. My heart was racing, a warm feeling spreading throughout my body.

"Aury? You ok?" He asked suddenly. Realising I had been staring for an abnormally long period of time, I violently shook my head.

Then I responded, " Yeah. Fine. Why didn't you wake me?"

Kaler smiled, "It's rare for someone like you to sleep in, your parents said to just let you. You must have been tired if you could sleep this late." I could feel the care and concern that he had for me. It only made my heart beat faster as a smile crept its way onto my lips.

"H-Hey…" I stuttered.

"Hmm?" He said as he tilted his head.

"Could you…kiss me? Like you did yesterday? " I asked sheepishly. I don't know why I asked him that. It was not in my nature to demand such things. However, I desired to feel his soft, warm lips meet mine again. I wanted to feel his passion and longing for me.

He was taken aback, and it was evident on his face. His eyes were wide open and mouth agape. "Are…Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah! I'm not some diseased animal…" I said defensively and looked away hastily. I felt embarrassed that I would demand something so intimate from him, especially considering we have known each other for basically our whole lives.. "Is…Is it wrong? For a girl to want to be spoiled by the boy she loves?" I asked, feeling my cheeks heat up.