13

Rhys ordered his brother to be locked in the dungeons and for Princess Amaris to be confined in her chambers. He was furious to see his wife-to-be and his own brother in a compromising position. Amaris and Keith tried to explain why they were in an embrace but Rhys would not hear any of their 'excuses.' Layla on the other hand did want to hear their 'excuses' as her son had said. After hearing them both out. She had wished she dealt with Countess Cora before they had gone to the Timpeall Kingdom.

"My son, you did not tell me that you saw Cora the night we returned from the Timpeall Kingdom," Layla said in a calm tone. Baiting her son in a way.

"Why is that any concern of your mother?" he had asked. Cautious of what his mother was saying.

"It appears that Amaris witnessed you two together." Her face gave him no indications of anything further.

"What exactly did she witness?"

"I swear your younger brother has more compassion than you, my son. Why would Amaris be found crying in Keith's arms? You tell me what she may have seen to react in such a manner."

"Mother, it is no secret of what transpires between Cora and me. Princess Amaris should not have been wandering the halls so late at night. I am the king, mother. I do not need to explain myself to anyone. Especially..."

That's when Layla interrupted him. Furious at her son's words. "The only reason you are king is that your older brother, your twin, did not break the curse in time. Now he is stuck in his... current form. Remember if he does break it by some miracle. You'll lose your title as king." and with that, she left him there to dwell on her words. She heard things clutter to the ground. Things being are shattered. She knew she hit a sore spot and didn't care much.

'Even Kings needed a reminder of how easily things could be taken away,' she thought to herself.

_________________•••________________

Keith was released from the dungeons. Princess Amaris on the other hand was still locked inside her chambers. Rhys didn't want her wandering around the castle. Cora was pleased with Rhys's choice with his 'bride-to-be.' She didn't want her to get a foothold on Rhys more than she already had. Everyone knew that Cora had a hold over Rhys but no one had expected it to be this much.

But later on that night, Princess Amaris had found a way to escape her chambers and explore the castle once more. It was so different from her home in the Timpeall Kingdom but similar in some ways. After some time, Amaris saw Keith. It wasn't an odd sight but he was acting in a suspicious manner so she followed him. Stopping once he reached a dead end. Staring at him in confusion.

'Did he figure out I was following him?' She thought to herself. Watching him carefully. She noticed him reaching out to the wall in front of him. The sound of stone shifting echoed in the silence. A passageway suddenly appeared. Her curiosity was furthermore peaked. Keith walked through the opening. The door closed behind him. Amaris quickly ran to where he once stood. Trying to figure out how he opened the secret passageway.

Moments later, the door to the passageway opened once more. Signing with relief when she didn't find Keith waiting on the other side.

Smiling at herself in the small success she has had so far. Amaris wandered down the passageway. Her curiosity seemingly got the best of her that night. The further she went the darker it would get. Her hand glided against the walls as a guide. Dripping sounds echoing throughout the darkness.

She gave a short sigh of relief when she saw light at the end of the passageway. She hurried until she heard voices. Stepping behind the pillar and peering towards the opened space.

Eyes wide. Scared at the sight before her. Keith stood in front of a large dragon. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw it. She wanted to scream. Tell him to run away but she was frozen. She couldn't move. Speak. All she could do was watch. It spoke.

"What are you doing here, little brother?"

'Brother? I must have heard it wrong,' she thought to herself.

"Rhys. He's gotten out of hand lately. I swear he was a little too happy when the... curse took course in you. I hate how he treats his bride-to-be," Keith began. Her face was heating up with slight embarrassment.

'Curse? I wonder what he's talking about.'

It didn't slip Keith's notice when Asher's attention zero in on his words. "What about this bride-to-be? What exactly is going on?" And that's when everything came tumbling out of his mouth. Embarrassing Amaris, even more, when he spoke of her.

After Keith and Asher were done speaking. Keith said his goodbyes before leaving. That's when Amaris saw startling golden eyes stare in her direction. "Come out little one. I don't bite," it said before chuckling.

She peeked from behind the pillar. Eyeing the dragon. Making sure he was telling the truth. He couldn't help but laugh again with how skittish she was being.

"Come and speak with me, Princess. I would like to talk to you even if it's for a little while," he had spoken to her once more. Giving a great sigh. She went to walk closer to the dragon. No longer hiding from him.

"You'll find that I'm quite boring once you start speaking to me," Amaris has said politely. Taking a seat in front of him. Eyes daring.

"I'll be the judge of that," he said with a soft chuckle. He has eyes at her when she made her way to him. Admiring her beauty during the process.

"I would say that Rhys is quite Lucky to have you as a bride if he just opens his eyes."

Amaris rolled her eyes at his statement. "King Rhys is two-faced if I ever saw one. He doesn't care for anyone but himself."

"From personal experience, what you say is not wrong but it won't always be like that."

"I'm to be his wife soon but he has another in his heart. I saw that as clear as day."

Asher blew a huff of smoke before laying his head on his scaly feet. Looking at her. Analyzing her as they continued their conversation. For some reason, he felt his cold dragon heart warming up to her. Soon Amaris found herself falling asleep. Trying to keep herself awake. 

"Sleep, little one. I'll make sure no one bothers you," Asher said at last. Offering her a place to sleep which she gratefully took up his offer.

"What an idiot. If only he knew he was lucky to have this jewel in his life."