MARRIED TO THE DRAGON LORD

SIXTEEN { Morning Light } Samantha pov I arched in the sheets, feeling the softness beneath my skin. As I stretched, my mind wandered to Dracul, to the way his hand felt on my skin, to the sweet hum of his kiss. Caught in a place between sleep and waking, I slid my hands down my nightgown, my body humming and aching with the sweet sin of desire. it tugged at my mind, reminding me of the heat on my skin. Remember me of the way Dracul had felt last night when he kissed me when he held me she meant it. it was dizzying and breathtaking and I loved every part of it. And then, I woke up. The cobwebs of sleep fell away from my mind bit by bit and my hands flew away from my skin. I opened my eye in a rush, the panic flooding back to my chest and leaving me breathless. What was I doing? What was I thinking, laying around the bed, waking up slowly like I had all the time in the world? I didn’t have all-time in the world, far from it! Suddenly, I was reminded forcefully of what happened last night, of what had happened last night, of what I had done, what I had heard. it has been a mix, a heady mix of passion and panic, confusion and pleasure rolled into one until it was the only thing that I could think about. I didn’t know what had happened between me and Dracul last night. I didn’t know why he had kissed me and why he had fled. I don’t know if I was still feeling a stirring of desire for him or if I was furious. As for other men in the castle, I still felt a shiver when I thought about them and the way, they had threatened me. I couldn’t believe I had managed to even fall asleep with all the hanging over my head. After all, they could have snuck in and killed me in my sleep. Nothing was stopping them, which was absolutely a terrifying thought, something that pull at my mind the second I was fully awake. I couldn’t be daydreaming about Dracul when everything was turned on its head. I didn’t know if I like Dracul. Things had been crazy last night, and I couldn’t help but hope that I was dreaming it all. I clearly didn’t dream of my journey here. I clearly hadn’t dreamt the fact that I washed up and slid into the bed, I checked my wrist and was relieved to see the swelling had gone down. But the brushing was still there, the bandage that I had fashioned and wrapped around it was still in place. I hadn’t dreamed it after all. I shook off the sinking feeling the was growing in the pit of my stomach and slowly f

git out of the bed. My body ached and protested as I moved, and I stretched out the worst of the kinks. No one had come to wake me up, but I seemed to be the only noblewoman in the castle, so I guessed that was the norm here. I was glad about it. I didn’t want to have to explain my scapes while d

getting dressed. I hurried to the basin and washed up as best I could before I returned to my wardrobe. Finding a fine dress, I pulled it on and got ready, and dressed as the best I could. I had packed simpler clothes that I could dress on my own, but the fabrics were still fine. I brushed my hair and I did my simple make-up. I wanted to look like a Princess, even without finery and attendants. I could still make an effort in getting dressed and preparing myself. There was nothing stopping me from taking the next step and setting myself up for success. If last night was real, I didn’t want Dracul to think that I had stayed up all night thinking about him. I didn’t have much control in this crazy situation, but I had to take control, I had to and run with it. I had to keep it together even when it felt absolutely impossible. I was relieved to see, when I looked at the mirror I look decent. I looked like I had my life together, even though I was a strange castle in a strange new world. Even if I had kissed the Dragon Lord last night and fled the terrible people working with him… I was dressed, I was up, I was ready to take on the world. At least, I looked like I was. And when you were royalty, playing the part was everything. I took a deep breath and turned to my bed. I gently pulled up the linens. I had never made up my own bed, but I needed to make sure my room wasn’t a total mess. It wasn’t much, but for now, it was my home and I needed to keep it well kept. I still felt stressed out after last night. in the cold light of the day, the panic no reason felt acute, and the confusion no longer felt so raw, but I still had a conundrum. I still have to figure out how to talk to Dracul without being overheard. And I hope that he would believe me over his loyal soldiers. And that said loyal soldiers didn’t kill me before I got that far. It was a delicate situation and I didn’t quite know how to approach it. I just had the hope for the best and watch for an opportunity. That’s was all I could do. I was just preparing to go to my door when I heard a knock. I jumped and the familiar anxiety flooded back into my body. “Yes?” I said, trying my best to muster up some courage into my voice. The knock didn’t sound aggressive, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything in this castle. I was coming to learn that and learn it fast. The four open slowly, and a slender figure stepped into the room. It was Linda. I felt a dizzying spell of relief flush through my skin. it felt like eons since I talked with her. I knew that I had seen her just last night, but it still felt like an age ago. I glanced at the chord that hung from the ceiling and I supposed that I could have called for her if I wanted her help. But somehow, I was still happy to be dressed. I didn’t want to have the explain my cut and sleeve shirt to hide my wrist. It wasn’t too bad. I doubted that anyone would even notice, but I didn’t want to take the risk anyway. “You’re awake .” She said with a smile, looking surprised,“ I’m sorry, My Lady. I should have come early to help you dress.” She seemed a little backward and I assumed, for the second time today, that she wasn’t used to serving a woman in this way. I smiled and shook my head, “No, no, it’s okay.” She nodded and now, before speaking, “I was here to help you prepare before breakfast, but if you are ready, I will lead you to the dining hall.” “Dinning hall?” I said confused. I didn’t know what I had been expecting for meals, but that wasn’t it. “The Lord requested your presence today .” She said, nodding again. “Alright…” I said taking a moment to settle my racing thought, “Thank you.” What did he want from me? I shifted, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of last night. My moment weakness. He was the Dragon Lord. He was off-limits. And yet, I couldn’t help but admit that he wAs gorgeous. I was dreaming about him, after all. I knew he was attractive, I just needed to keep this business. He still hadn’t given me the answers to why I was here. And I still hadn’t told him about the coup that was being planned. I shivered at the thought, maybe breakfast would be my chance. I wasn’t sure. I would just have to see and play it by ear. “This way,” Linda said with a bow, opening the door and waiting for me. I stepped out of the room and looked around. The castle seemed so different during the day. The dark, darkness I had felt the night before wasn’t so bad. The stone seemed to be good quality and the curtains were opened, it would probably be quite beautiful. I followed Linda through the hall. Try to create a map in my head. The dinner hall wasn’t fair, and Linda approach the big double doors before me. She opened the door and I stepped through first. And my heart caught my throat.

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