The Dragon King's Hated Bride
Chapter 33: Danger

Chapter 33: Danger

>>Aelin

The heavy, ornate doors to the Demon Queen’s throne room loomed before me like an impenetrable wall. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, knuckles white. I knew I didn’t belong here, and yet, I couldn’t stop myself. Ariston’s arrest had left a fire of desperation burning in my chest, and I wouldn’t let him suffer alone.

When the guards finally allowed me in, the atmosphere inside the throne room hit me like a wave. The air was thick with tension, and the Queen herself sat on her towering throne, radiating authority. Her crimson eyes locked onto me as I approached, and I could feel the weight of her gaze cutting into me.

I bowed my head slightly, my voice steady but pleading. "Your Majesty, I must speak on behalf of Ariston."

She stared at me for a moment with an unamused expression, then clicked her tongue as she uncrossed her leg and removed her elbow from the arm rest which ultimately made her remove her hand from her mouth too. "Speak"

"He is innocent—he’s being wrongly accused."

The Queen’s expression didn’t change, though her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And why, Princess, should I take your word over the conclusions of my guards?" Her voice was smooth but sharp.

"Because the accusations don’t make sense," I pressed, stepping closer. "Everyone knows Ariston hasn’t harmed anyone. There are too many eyes on us, and too many who would eagerly speak against us if we had done anything wrong. This is a ploy—a distraction. Someone is trying to divert attention from the real culprit."

The Queen rested her chin on the back of her hand, studying me in silence for a moment that felt like an eternity. Then, with a wave of her hand, she dismissed her advisors, "Leave us,"

I watched as the demons began to move, all of them looking at me as they walked away

Once the door closed behind them, leaving only us and the guards stationed at the far corners of the room.

"I will say this once," she said coolly. "Ariston will not be harmed. He will remain in the cells until the investigation proves his innocence." Relief swept over me, though it was dampened by the reality that Ariston was still imprisoned.

"With all due respect, Your Highness, why arrest him? There is no proof against him other than words and accusations without evidence." I never thought there would come a day where I would be able to voice my thoughts like this.

"If we keep him locked up. It’ll show he’s not the culprit if no one else goes missing." She said, "I’m telling you, he won’t be harmed there. For now, that is all I can promise."

"IF...?" I looked at her

"If people stop disappearing, won’t it mean your knight was responsible?"

!!!

"But, he was with me the entire time." I said

"Even when you were asleep?" She asked and I froze

"T-that,"

"Enough," She crossed her legs again, "The truth will come to light soon." She didn’t look like she was in the mood to talk more, "You may leave,"

I looked down, a frown still on my face, "Yes..." I bowed softly, then turned to exit the room

***

The dungeons were cold and dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows along the stone walls. I shivered as I made my way down the narrow corridor, escorted by a silent guard. When we reached Ariston’s cell, the guard unlocked the door with a heavy clang before stepping aside.

Ariston sat on the narrow bench inside, his head tilted back against the wall and his eyes closed. The moment he heard the door creak open, his gaze snapped to me, caution flashing across his face before being quickly replaced by a calm, neutral expression.

"Princess," he said, standing as I entered. "I had hoped you wouldn’t come here."

"I had to," I replied, my voice firm. "You shouldn’t be in here. This is wrong."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the wall. "It’s fine," He clicked his tongue, "It’s on purpose though,"

"What do you mean?" I asked, stepping closer.

He looked at me, then glanced at the guard. Raising his hand up, he quietly gestured to me to come closer to him and that’s what I did.

"This," he whispered, gesturing to the cell around him, "is a scheme. Someone wants me out of the way, but not because they think I’m guilty."

I frowned. "If they don’t think you did it, then why—"

"Think about it," he interrupted gently. "There are too many eyes on us. Everyone knows we didn’t do anything to that maid, even if they hate us. But no one spoke up when I was taken. Why?"

I felt a chill run down my spine. "Because you’re human," I murmured.

"Exactly," he said bitterly. "I’m an easy scapegoat. But I have a strong gut feeling that this whole thing is going to lead to something else."

His words sent my thoughts spinning. "What?"

"I don’t know," he admitted, his jaw tightening. "I’m trying to figure it out."

I sat down on the bench next to him, my hands twisting together anxiously. "What do we do?"

He leaned forward, his red eyes locking onto mine with a rare intensity. "You need to be careful, Princess. Don’t trust anyone. And if you feel like something is wrong—if you sense danger—don’t stay put. Act."

!!!

"Okay?" He asked again

"..." I hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I will."

He relaxed slightly, though the tension in his shoulders didn’t fully disappear. "Good. Whatever is happening, we’re not going to let them win. I’ll find a way out of this."

I stood up, "I’ll find a way to help you too." Although I had no idea what I could do. As a matter of fact, I knew Ariston’s hands were pretty much tied too.

He smiled faintly, trying to humor me, "I know you will."

***

I sat cross-legged on the bed, the ancient cosmic book resting heavily in my lap. I had been pouring over its contents for hours, searching for something—anything—that could help me. Slowly slowly, I understood the content and learned more of how to use this power.

Taking a break, I closed the book and turned to look outside the window

The night outside was unnervingly quiet, and it’s not uncommon yet tonight it felt weird.

A little too much. There was this odd sense of tingling in the back of my mind.

I glanced toward the closed door of my room that I got fixed once again, unease prickling at the back of my neck. I shook my head and looked away

Calm down

It’s alright

I opened the book again and went to the next page. For a split second, the words shone on it.

!!??

I blinked at it, but all I saw was quite calm writing.

...

Did I imagine that? I traced my fingers over it. What spell is this? I tried to read it.

’Condemn the dark ones back to where there is no light

Burn the bones to ashes, flesh to dust, ashes to ashes, dust to dust-’

A soft sound outside froze me in place.

!!!

It was faint, just a whisper of movement, but enough to send a chill down my spine. I glanced toward the door again, my breath catching. Maybe it was nothing. Just a servant passing by.

But then I heard it again—a shuffle, closer this time. And voices. Low, hushed murmurs that sent a bolt of fear straight through me. I couldn’t make out the words but the ominous feeling in me grew as I saw several shadows under the crack of the door.

***

>>Ruoxy

I leaned back in my chair, the golden goblet warm against my palm, its jeweled rim glinting under the light. Across from me, Voira, a bird demon stood. She had light blue feature-shaped hair, talons for feet. With her hands tied in front of her, she stood quietly as my maid.

When bird demons have to take flight, their wings appear starting from their wrist all the way backwards

"You did well," I said, swirling the wine in my goblet lazily.

Voira’s beady eyes gleamed as she tilted her head. "Oh, Princess" she chirped, her tone light, almost playful. "It wasn’t even hard. A few words here and there, the right ears to catch them, and now the entire palace is buzzing about Princess Aelin’s little... ’affair.’" She giggled, her laugh sounded very similar to chirping

I smirked, taking a slow sip from my goblet. The wine was rich, but the taste of control was even sweeter. "Good," I murmured. "Let the hatred fester. Let her feel the weight of it. The more isolated she becomes, the weaker she’ll get." I leaned forward, setting the goblet down on the table. "And weak prey is always the easiest to deal with."

The moment I saw her, I knew she was special. I had to break her so I could present her to him.

But out of nowhere she regained herself, even grew more confident. I can’t tell for sure what changed but I can’t let such a fine specimen get out of my hand.

"But Princess," Voira spoke, "Where’s your prince tonight? Tomorrow’s your big day, isn’t it? The wedding planning has been going for so long and the day is finally here, but we haven’t seen Prince Draegon for a while." She looked around the room curiously.

I didn’t falter, not for a second. I let the question linger, my lips curving into a soft, measured smile. "Don’t worry about him," I said. I sent him out on a walk, so that people could see him and not suspect anything about why he was gone from sight. "Draegon will be exactly where he needs to be tomorrow. And he’ll be perfect."

I smiled

And that ’wife’ of his, which keeps causing him to try and break out of my spell will be gone.

I giggled. Not that he’s ever fully escaped the spell, but still, having his trigger out of the picture will be perfect.

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