| |
Rune
“Father we should not begin negotiations of merging with another clan so near the date of Princess Emily’s crowning. Too much will be in flux, they could use it as an opportunity to rule our lands completely.” I huffed in annoyance as my father continued to argue the merits of striking up negotiations with the neighboring dragon shifter clan.
“Think of it Rune! Any other shifter kind are all rallied together under one rule, why can’t the dragons follow suit?”
I rolled my eyes, he still wasn’t listening to me. Instead he paced around his study with his curly mane loose from its leather. He was in true rare form after having a drink or nine with King Lucas.
“What are you after father? All dragon shifters being united under our clan’s rule? Or simply all dragon shifters being united? Have you thought about how much of a feat that would be? There are dragon clans all across Europe, forget about them wanting to deal with a clan so far removed from our originating lands. Outside of shifter politics, do you think any European would listen to an American?” I asked and my father snorted a short laugh.
“Funny joke Rune, and I see your point. If I am to be honest with you I have to say I simply want all dragon shifters united. Though with young Emily coming to power soon, I wonder if it would be possible under her reign...”
My thoughts went immediately to Princess Emily. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
“There your mind goes wandering, I’m trying to have a meaningful conversation with you,” my father tried to urge my attention back to our conversation. But I was well and truly distracted by thoughts of her.
She had a lovely dimpled smile and fair skin, her hair was long and the color of honeycombs. Her eyes were a mesmerizing blue with specks of amethyst and silver. They were framed by long and thick lashes that just drew your attention and kept it. Then she had pink lips that resembled soft rose petals. Her cheekbones were perfectly formed and not too high or defined, her jaw was a soft edge and she had a slightly cleft chin. With a softly sloping nose and naturally arched brows.
“Earth to my son!” my father waved his hand in front of my eyes and shook the image of Princess Emily from my mind.
“I apologize father...as you know I was summoned to the throne room by Queen Elise today...”
“Yes what was all that about?” he asked me and I smirked.
“She was gathering a selection of males for the princess to choose a mate from. I believe I should be receiving an invitation to court her soon from the king,” I told my father and he stared at me in surprise.
“Well then...this changes everything! Surely Lucas will push for her to choose you. You have studied under us nearly all your life, who better than to be king and rule with Princess Emily!” father was very pleased the more he rationalized things.
“If you become king than you can begin to unite the dragon’s under one clan!”
I rolled my eyes and groaned.
“Father that is an immeasurable feat. Our entire clan here in Maine would have to move!”
“Ah that is the least of what would have to be done, the climates of Eastern Europe are not much different from here...”
I sighed and let my father rant until his position was well aired.
“Anyhow, you should go to your mother and ask her about the best ways to win a woman, having the beautiful Emily’s hand would be only the beginning of your successes.”
“Wonderful, now you expect me to unite all seven dragon tribes in one lifetime,” I grumbled and he chuckled.
“That will seem like an easy feat after the mission of winning Emily,” he said and I chuckled.
“I don’t plan to ‘win’ her. She is...intriguing,” I echoed what the princess thought of me and father laughed.
“Aren’t they all? Alas, it is time for me to retire. I’ve aired out all the brandy on you, hopefully it will keep your mother from kicking me out of bed.”
There was a knock on the door just as my father stepped to it to leave. My mother, Nicole, poked her head in and waved an envelope at me.
“A courier dropped this off for you Rune, it is from the castle,” she said and father ushered her inside. I watched them as she caught the scent of alcohol on my father and comically rolled her eyes.
“Who won the drinking game this time? You or Lucas?”
“As a matter of fact my love, it was me,” he said smugly and I laughed, he said it as if that were something to be proud of.
“Go wash that scent off you, blind dragon,” she chuckled and he gave her a loud smacking kiss before leaving the room. Mother’s attention returned to me and I stood up to take the envelope from her. “How did it go at the palace today?”
“Well I think I made an impression on the princess...” I trailed off as I read the letter from King Lucas. It was what I had expected, he invited me to court Emily. “And I did, I’ve been invited to court her.”
“What do you think of her?”
I glanced up at mother, she was a beautiful woman. I looked more like father, but it was her darker skin tone and her eye color that was passed to me.
“She was enchanting; I look forward to seeing who she is truly.”
“I’m sure she will love you. You just continue to be the charming and respectful boy I raised you to be,” mother kissed me on both cheeks. Before she left she added, “And also it is about time you’ve found yourself a mate.”
And with that she was gone and I was left with thoughts of Emily and how best to court her.