The Golden Touch

Duarte watched me sign my name with a light smile. It was a game of chess we were playing; both parties have just begun the game and we were still setting up the board. The true game was only to follow.

I might not be the most beautiful maiden in the world, but I'm certainly not stupid. I know that I'm playing with the fire; that my opponent is far better equipped for this battle than I am. The contract doesn't give me much of a sense of security, but what else is there to do? To stay here and be scoffed at and paraded around? Humiliated by my father and brother and that witch he's set to marry?

"My carriage is just outside," he says as he rises from his seat, his tall figure too large for my modest wagon.

"Wait, what about my things?" I blink.

He just laughs and looks around. "Wood, moth-eaten clothes… dear Anisezya, what is there to take from here?"

I frown and purse my lips. What if he doesn't lead up on his promise, what if he leaves me naked and stranded? But as if sensing my thoughts, he just taps the contract parchment. Suddenly, it doubles - another parchment poofs into the existence. He passes it to me.

"All parties need the contract. Just as I can hold you liable for breaking yours, you can hold me liable for breaking mine. The jurisdiction it takes place under is Celestial Heavens, so have no fear."

"Don't dragons hail directly from Celestia?" I ask in a suspicious tone. "I feel like you have an advantage over me." I do not know much about law, especially Heavenly one… It's unfair to play a game you don't even know the rules to.

"We do. But so do Niemi." He opens the wagon door. "Regardless, the Heavenly Law is the purest one there is, and I do not rule over it. The judge appointed by Heavens is Lord Coszcatl, and trust me, she does not fancy me. You will find no unfair advantage or disadvantage in the court."

Then he looks at me, straight into eyes. He has cat-like eyes, and I can see their shine even with the modest candle light. "But I see no reason why things would even need to end up there. I believe all parties can play fair and equal. Do you disagree?"

I shake my head. Still, there's no free lunch, and I know something must be amiss. He seems very confident, and nobody is confident without an ace up their sleeve. But I must make a decision.

As I said, I'm not stupid. Whatever waits for me… is better than what I have.

I take his hand.

His touch is warm as he helps me rise from my seat and leads me outside. I am short; I don't have to duck, the way he does.

"Enya? Fucking finally, what's the hold up?" I immediately hear my father's annoyed voice. He's cleaning up the stand and is pissed off that it's not me doing it instead. Then he takes notice of Duarte and his golden ornaments, decking up his uniform, and bows. "Ah, Lord! I hope you were… pleased with her."

My cheeks burn red, the implication obvious in his voice.

Duarte — or well, Itzamatul — just makes a displeased grimace and tightens his hold on my hand. "I am a gentleman, sir." His voice turns cold.

My brother is the next to take notice of our locked hands, my small one secured with his long, sleek fingers.

"Hang on… what's going on?" he asks as Itzamatul leads me down the few wooden steps of the cart. "What the fuck are you doing, Enya?"

"It's Lady Enya from now on," I rise my nose and snort. Then I turn to Itzamatul and wink. There is a slight smile dancing on his lips as he catches on the little game I want to play. "And I think that you'll have to address me as such. You see, dear brother, I just got an offer of a lifetime."

My brother stares in shock. Then his lips twist into an ugly sneer. "Lady? Enya, get back into the wagon."

"So much about being a gentleman," my father hisses and approaches us. Itzamatul stands tall and certain as the smaller man approaches him. "You cannot have her. Is this it, Enya? What did he offer you? Being a court seer? Oh yes, I know the likes of him. It must be some fortune you've told."

Again, implication in his voice and the mockery say that he thinks I did much more than just tell the fortune. I turn my head away.

Itzamatul just smiles, ever so patiently and graciously. "May your touch be forever golden, Sir." He bows to my father and tugs my hand. "I believe that's a fair deal for your daughter."

My father looks at him, puzzled. "A blessing? Oh no, if she is to leave, I expect money, gold, fortune! Allard, get him!" he yells to my brother who takes a fighting stance. My father grabs his shovel, ready to deliver a swift hit to my new Master's head.

But the moment he does…

The change is gradual. First, the wooden handle starts changing its color from the end; the new golden layer travels up and up, to my father's fingers, as he stares at the change in front of him in shock.

"What the…?"

My eyes go wide. Golden. He will literally, forever, have a golden touch. I turn my head to Itzamatul who just gives a wicked smirk. "Shhh. It's as much blessing as it is a curse."

"G-golden touch!" my father yells in awe as he runs over to the wagon and touches one of the wheels. Soon, the wood started changing color, going from brown to deep, shining gold. Seconds later we are standing in front of a shining carriage.

Still, shit covered in gold is still shit.

"You may have her," my father says dismissively. "Allard," he calls to my brother, "we will be rich! Forever!"

I watch them all greedily smile at each other. And just like that, I'm forever forgotten.

While they're distracted my new Master ushers me towards the woods, to his carriage.

"My ride is just a bit away. I did not want to cause any jealousy." His tone is mocking.

I know that dragons do not care for mortals. They see us as puny little things with short lives. To them, we are nothing more than ants. Then why is this one taking interest in me?

I stop before the carriage.

It's as imposing and breath-taking as his flashy uniform. Decked in gemstones and opals, it shines under the moonlight. Intricate design and carving make the entire chariot look so dream-like… like a dream I could wake up from, any moment now. I squeeze his hand.

In front of it, two beautiful mares stand, their blue and golden hair decorated with rubies and sapphires, the sachets on their backs glistening with diamonds and amber.

"I told you. You'd never lack anything," he motions for me to enter as the door opens. With his help I climb in and take a seat on the velvet plush bench. I drag my fingers over it. I'd only heard of fabrics like these, never seen — let alone touched — one myself.

"Still? Isn't golden touch a reward for his horrible behavior?" I frown. "He is not a good man."

"You see, Anisezya…"

"Please, it's Enya."

"I am above all a very practical man, less concerned with rewards and punishments, unless they serve a purpose. It's a price for peace. Do you really want to argue with him? Have him cause a scene with his sullied behavior?" 

I tighten my lips. Yes, actually, I'd like to see him suffer.

"And besides… just wait for him to try and eat something," Itzamatul laughs. "Everything he touches turns to gold, no?"

Ah. I realize in that moment. All fruit, all food he eats… will become golden too. What a cruel and fun twist. I chuckle a bit, covering my mouth like a proper lady… I'm really settling into the role! "I see."

He will have to be hand-fed by others forever.

"Rich! We are rich, you two slugs!" I hear my father running around and yelling. Oh, what fate awaits him… And he still hasn't figured it out.

But I also realize something else. Every gift from this man might as well be a trap. Under my brows, I study him; his sharp features, his poised and cold demeanor. Professional. As expected from the Lord of Contracts.

But I have something in my pocket. An ace up my sleeve.

However? I still don't know what it is.