The Dragons Blood Key: Legend of the Dragon's Blood Key - Book 1 (25 page)

“Thank you,” Cassy said, unable to turn away
from the image in the mirror.

“You are welcome. I’m sure Prince Frier will
be pleased,” the handmaiden winked.

Cassy glanced over at her, not understanding
why she would say such a thing. “Ah, I don’t understand. Frier and
I are only
friends
and nothing
more.”

“As you say,” the handmaiden giggled. “Come, we
do not want to be late for the feast.”

A loud trumpet sounded, letting everyone
know to sit at the Grand Table, as it was time for the Royal Family
to enter the hall.

“Come sit here,” one of the service staff
said, as he led Cassy and Aaron to elegant chairs up near the head
of the table.

Once they had taken their
place
, Cassy looked at Aaron and smiled. “You
look so handsome. I never realized how much you look like Dad.”

Aaron sat up straight, holding his chin
high. “Roupert told me that a Palace Guard is a man of honor and
must act accordingly. I will watch over you fair maiden and keep
you safe. One as lovely as you would surely be a prize for evil
forces,” Aaron grinned playfully.

“Thank you fine, Sir, I am forever grateful
to have such a brave Palace Guard protecting me.” Cassy lowered her
head with mock gratitude.

At hearing the
murmurings of the others in the Grand Hall, Cassy and Aaron turned
toward the large hallway where a man stood. He then announced in a
loud and clear voice, “All behold, the Royal Family has
returned.
Let us all give praises for King Ashlym, Queen
Privlana, and Prince Frier!”

Cassy turned expecting to see the three
fierce Dragons enter the Grand Hall, but instead three humans
walked to the head of the table, causing her to gasp with surprise.
She was amazed at how striking they were dressed in their
elegant
clothing. King Ashlym was
tall and well muscled with thick, wavy hair, and his eyes were the
color of emeralds with flames swirling
around
in them. He was quite a handsome man, Cassy
thought to herself.

She then glanced over to Queen Privlana and
Cassy marveled how much more beautiful she was now. Her
dark
auburn
colored
hair shimmered under the torchlights and the
beautiful green velvet gown she wore, only highlighted her green
eyes, which now glistened with joy.

As Cassy focused her attention on the King
and Queen, she did not notice the young man who walked up from
behind and stood beside to her.

“My loyal subjects, I cannot begin to tell
you how pleased to be back among you. It has been far too many
years, but I believe that our Kingdom will once again enjoy the
prosperity it once knew.
I am pleased to
be reunited with our loving Queen and the Royal Price. It is all
because of the courage of our Champion, Cassandra,” he smiled as he
waved his hand toward Cassy, this bringing loud cheers from those
gathered in the hall.

“Sit, my friends, and let us enjoy this
feast prepared for us,” King Ashlym said with a loud booming
voice.

Once the King and Queen had sat in their
chairs, Cassy felt someone sit next to her. She turned, and found
herself looking into familiar green eyes.

“Hello Cassy, it’s good to see you again,”
Frier said with a broad smile on his face.

“Frier, is that you? You look..
ah
, so different,” she fought to find her
words.

“As do you, you are quite beautiful
tonight,” Frier said as he took her hand in his.

Cassy felt her cheeks grow warm at his
touch. “You are handsome as well.”

“Thank you. I never knew I could transform
into human form. I wish I would have known earlier so I could have
slept in the hut instead of outside for all those years,” Frier
laughed when he saw the surprised look on her face.

“But I understand why Roupert never told me
and I hold no ill will toward him.”

Cassy found herself transfixed, unable to
look away from Frier. In the short time, they had known each other
she never felt toward him as she did now. The swirl of emotions,
stirring up from deep inside of her confused her, so she forced
herself to look away when the server set a plate of food in front
of her.

“Thank you, that looks delicious,” she said,
glad to have the distraction.

Aaron leaned forward and looked at Frier. “I
hope you don’t mind, but I miss you as a Dragon. You were so cool
with your wings and claws.”

“Do not worry, Aaron. I can transform into
the Dragon at any time. Maybe before you return to your realm I
will take you on a flight now that I’m big enough,” Frier laughed
when he saw the excited look appear on Aaron’s face.

“Let us eat before our food gets cold.”
Frier released Cassy’s hand then turned to face his plate.

Cassy reached for her
fork
and wondered why she missed the touch of his hand so
much as she took a bite of the roasted meat.

The time spent eating her meal was awkward
for Cassy. She tried to keep her attention focused on her food, but
she found herself glancing over at Frier. When they had first met,
she had felt drawn to him, but she had believed it was because she
had never met a Dragon before. Yet, after seeing him in his human
form,
there was more to her
feelings for him. Something she could not explain. She had had a
crush on a boy before, but this was different. This was something
tugging at her from deep within her soul.

She was absentmindedly pushing her peas
around her plate when Frier spoke, “Are you feeling well? You seem
distracted.”

“I
’m fine
;
I just had something on my mind, that’s all.” She scooped up some
of the peas and put them in her mouth, hoping to ease the tense
feelings churning inside of her.

Frier laughed softly as he took her hand in
his again. “I can’t explain it either, but I feel it too. We will
speak once everyone is finished eating. Father has ordered a Ball
in celebration of our return and he wants to honor you. I hope you
will honor me by dancing with me.”

Cassy felt his eyes look into hers with such
intensity that she was convinced he had seen into her heart and saw
the feelings tucked safely away for him there.

“I would love to dance with you, Frier.” She
pulled her hand away from him and continued to eat her meal, doing
her best not to make eye contact with him.

Roupert sat across the table from the Cassy,
Frier, and Aaron during dinner. He had watched the stolen glances
between Cassy and
Frier,
remembering the time he had spent with Abigail. How he longed to
see her face again now that the kingdom was safe, but he knew it
would never be.

At seeing the others leave the Grand
Hall
, Aaron jumped to his feet.
“Come on, you two. I’ve never been to a dance before.”

Frier stood and offered his hand to Cassy,
who placed her hand in his. “Thank you, Frier.”

“It is my honor to escort the most beautiful
maiden to the Ball,” Frier said, hoping to impress her with his
gallantry.

Aaron looked at the two of them and rolled
his eyes. “What the heck is wrong with you two? If I didn’t know
better,
I’d think you liked each
other…”

Cassy turned
to
Aaron and gave him a threatening look. “Quiet, I don’t
want to hear any of your foolishness tonight. Do you understand
me?”

Aaron had seen that look in her eyes before
and he knew not to push her any further. “Sure, I’m sorry. I’m just
excited, that’s all.”

Aaron looked up at
Frier,
who smiled letting him know that he had done
nothing wrong. “Come; let us go to the ball. Aaron, I would like to
introduce you to my cousin,
Dalaina
. She is your same age, so I know that you both
will become great friends. Besides, she is an excellent dancer from
what I understand, and since this is your first dance, she will be
a great help to you.”

Aaron looked at Cassy, unsure of what to
say. While he was excited to be going to the dance, he was nervous
that he would appear a fool to Frier’s cousin. “Are you sure that
she’d want to dance with me? I’ve never done any of that fancy
stuff people do at a ball.”

Frier rested his hand on Aaron’s shoulder.
“I promise by the Power of the Dragon that you will dance with
poise and grace tonight. All those at the ball will speak in the
days ahead of how Aaron, the brother of our Champion danced with
the beautiful Dalaina.

Cassy watched as
Frier’s
hand began to glow softly as it rested on Aaron’s
shoulder. Then when he removed his hand, she suddenly noticed a
look of confidence appear on Aaron’s face.

“Bring it on. I’m ready to rock her world,”
Aaron said with a broad grin on his face as he turned and followed
the others to the Ball Room.

Once Cassy and Frier were alone, she looked
at him and said, “You used magic on him, didn’t you? You used magic
so he’d know how to dance.”

Frier looked into her eyes and smiled. “No,
I only gave him the confidence to try. He was so scared that he was
destroying any chance to have fun. I only removed his doubt. The
rest is up to him.”

“Has anyone told you today how wonderful you
are?” Cassy reached up and gently kissed his cheek.

“My mother did, but I must say that I enjoy
it much more from you. Come; let us join the others.” Frier took
her by the hand and led her toward the Ball Room.

Cassy had never seen anything so grand in
her life. Candelabras lined the walls with candles casting an
elegant mood over the dance floor. She felt like a Princess in a
Fairytale, and she wondered if she were only dreaming.

“Come with me,” Frier whispered, as she held
tight to his arm.

Frier led Cassy to the large table where the
King and Queen sat with other people who Cassy assumed were other
members of the Royal Family. Frier walked to the four empty chairs
next to the King and Queen.

“Please sit here. I will be right back.”
Frier held the chair for Cassy as she sat then he pointed to a
chair, letting Aaron know to wait for him there.

Once Frier
disappeared into the gathered crowd
, Aaron leaned over to
Cassy. “It looks like there is something going on between your two.
At first, I wasn’t sure about it, but now it makes since. I know
that we’re supposed to go home soon, but I believe that somehow the
two of you will find each other again.”

Cassy looked into Aaron’s eyes
and saw
the love they shared
as
brother and sister looking back at him. “How
did you grow up so quickly?”

“I don’t know. It must have something to do
with hanging out with the Lillients,” Aaron laughed when he saw the
surprised look on Cassy’s face. “You know, I was hoping that I’d
get to see them again before we leave. I’d like to thank them for
keeping me safe while you went after Alona, even though I still
think I could have been some help.”

“I’m sure you would have been. I’d like to
thank them as well, and I’d like to thank Keira, the Milif for all
of her help as well. I know I wouldn’t have been able to do
everything I did without her help.”

Aaron felt a hand rest on his shoulder, and
when he turned to see whom it was, he found himself lost in the
most beautiful pair of green eyes he had ever seen. He quickly
jumped to his feet with his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

“Aaron, I would like to introduce my lovely
cousin, Dalaina. She has graciously agreed to be your dance partner
this evening.” Frier glanced down at Cassy and gave her a playful
wink.

Aaron’s mind spun wildly. What was he
expected to do when meeting Royalty? Was he supposed to bow? Was he
supposed to take her hand?
Oh no, what do I do?
The
words screamed in his mind.