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I stared out of the carriage window, oblivious of the passage of time, so I couldn't say how long we traveled to Dragonspire. All I knew was that I was road weary and sore and my heart was unimaginably broken.
Our belongings were unloaded and carried into the large estate. The walls were white marble, with large pillars here and there. There was an open foyer, with a fountain that the front stairs curled around. I was shown to my room and found myself gratefully alone. I didn't bother getting undressed, I just crawled into the bed, pulled the blankets on me and fell into a restless sleep.
"Ah, you are awake, darling," Mr. Throckmorten said coming into my room early the next morning. "I brought you some food, as I thought you'd be hungry."
"I am actually," I answered. I knew I would need to eat to keep up my strength to get through this ordeal. "Where are we?"
"Draginth, it is a lovely coastal city in Dragonspire," Mr. Throckmorten answered. "If you look out your window, you should be able to see the ocean. It's our home away from home." I could see the pride in his eyes.
I walked to the window and watched the surf come in with rolling waves. Mountains were off in the far distance. The sky was alight with reds and oranges with the rising sun. This would be a beautiful spot, if George was here with me. I felt a tear escaping.
"None of that, Elizabeth. Please be happy. Now, I think we should discuss the small matter of our wedding."
"I do not want to marry you," I replied, as I watched a strange bird hovering over some white flowers by the window. It reminded me of a hummingbird, but, as I looked more closely, I realized it was a very small dragon.
"I don't think that’s a wise choice," Mr. Throckmorten said. "It's either that or we live in sin. I don't wish to do that to you."
Would he actually force that on me? I turned to look at him in disbelief. “I hate you."
"Come now, is that how you would speak to your fiancé?" Adelaide said coming into the room. "Nathan, I thought I might find you here. You should let Elizabeth rest as we have a big day tomorrow. I have the seamstress coming for her dress."
"Oh!" Mr. Throckmorten said, his eyes lighting up strangely, much like how a feline’s would catch light in the dark. "I look forward to seeing that fitting."
"You can't. It is bad luck for you to see the bride in her dress before the wedding," Adelaide said, playfully hitting him.
"I won't marry you," I repeated. I reached for my dragon charm, only to remember that Adelaide had taken it. She chuckled and patted her pocket.
"Oh, but you will! In four days' time actually. Your Aunt Pen has come as our guest to be here for you. You wouldn't want anything to happen to her now would you?"
I started to shiver uncontrollably.
"Oh do stop talking Adelaide," Mr. Throckmorten said. "You're upsetting Elizabeth. Rest now darling," he said, as he pressed his hand over my eyes and I felt sleep overpowering me.
I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
When I awoke, it was dark, and quiet. Good, perhaps I could sneak out. I got up and pulled my shoes on. I knew I wouldn't be able to walk as quietly with them on, but I did not want to risk losing time putting them on once I was outside. A quick check of my bedroom door revealed it was locked. My window was open, though, but I quickly realized I would not be able to escape that way. I was five stories up! I would not give up. I could do this. That's when I noticed it on top of the dresser.
Had Adelaide really left my jade dragon for me? I couldn't believe it. Quickly I grabbed it, and rubbed it just enough to feel it warming up, but not enough to invoke its magic. I could do this!
Since it could only help me for an hour, I'd have to wait until someone was coming before using its magic. Then I could walk right on past my abductors. I'd figure out what to do next once I got there.
I wished, not for the first time, that there was a way I could contact Tristan. If anybody could help me, it was him. I just had to find a way to reach him. I'd have to find someone and ask for help. There had to be some way to get a message between Dragonspire and Moonspire.
A thought occurred to me. If it was true that I could see Aunt Pen at my wedding, I might be able to send word to Tristan after all. I didn't want to marry Throckmorten though. I couldn't risk staying and being forced to be Throckmorten's wife.
Morning came, and with it, I heard approaching footsteps. It sounded like it might be Adelaide, so I quickly arranged the blanket so it looked like I was still sleeping, and then rubbed my dragon charm as I positioned myself by the door.
It was Adelaide carrying a breakfast tray. "Nathan sends you some breakfast," she said setting the tray down on the nightstand and pulling open the heavy curtain. "Wake up and eat."
I didn't wait to see what would happen. I was already on my way down the stairs.
"Nathan!" Adelaide yelled from the top of the stairs. "Elizabeth is not in her room." I felt my heart, which was already beating fast pick up speed. The charm should keep me hidden enough I reminded myself, as my gaze went to Adelaide on the top of the stairway. She seemed to be looking directly at me. She shook her head, and muttered something under her breath, and grinned.
"What?" I heard Mr. Throckmorten's voice bellowing up the stairs as he came with it.
"Elizabeth is not in her room," Adelaide yelled over the banister.
The stairs followed the building around. If you leaned over the banister on any one level, you would look down to the first floor.
I breathed a sigh of relief when they were both above me.
The floor creaked as I neared the final step and stepped off onto the landing. The front door was just ahead and I made a run for it as Mr. Throckmorten hissed, "Shh!"
With unbelievable speed he raced down the steps, leaping over the fourth railing and landing in front of me.
I ran into him, having not expected him to land right there.
"I got you my little runaway," he said.
"She took the jade dragon from the dresser. It's safe to say we know what it does now." Adelaide said as she approached.
"Aha, so you have a magic amulet that renders the wearer unseen," Mr. Throckmorten said, as he felt along my shoulders to my neck and pulled the necklace away, breaking the spell. "It is tuned to you, so only you could invoke its power. These tokens of power are usually made to fit the aura of one person, as you don't want just anyone to be able to use them. Could you imagine the trouble if one of these fell into the wrong hands?"
"I'm very glad she fell into my trap," Adelaide said, taking my dragon charm from Mr. Throckmorten.
"Give that back," I said.
"No," Adelaide answered. "And you'll be punished for trying to run away. I think you should be unable to run."
I suddenly knew what a mouse felt when the predator toyed with it before eating.
"What?" Mr. Throckmorten asked as Adelaide moved with unexpected speed.
I heard my leg bone snap before I felt it.
Mr. Throckmorten dropped me in surprise as I screamed and collapsed to the floor. I blacked out as I saw him shimmer into a black fox with nine tails. Oh my stars—he was a gumiho too!
They both were.