The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

MIRA

The dungeon smells worse this time around. For a second there I am even worried if Isidore is already dead and rotting in her cell. But as soon as Tristan and I reach it, I notice her in the same corner she was sitting last time I came.

She lifts up her head when she hears our steps and jumps to her feet as soon as she sees me.

“I’ll just talk to her myself,” I smile innocently at Tristan, “Can you wait for me here?”

“Of course”, he nods, “But be careful, Mira. She is dangerous.”

“Uhm, all right,” I promise and walk towards the blonde prisoner. Her dress is properly dirty now and her hair looks dull. There is not a trace of the beautiful and noble Isidore Vierne. She looks older than she really is and my heart stings for her if she is truly innocent. She was always mean to me, but no one deserves what she has got.

“A new day and a new man,” she chuckles loudly. Although I’d better say cackles.

“Hello to you too, Isidore,” I roll my eyes, “I have brought you some food.”

I demonstrate to ger a small bag full of meat buns I have stolen from the kitchen and see her swallow at the sight. But then she turns away.

“No, thank you,” she says in a broken voice and I realize that she is probably still thinking that it’s me that set her up and now imaging that I came to finish the job and poison her.

“Are you sure?” I ask and get one out, “Well, more for myself then.”

I take a big bite and start chewing loudly. She turns slowly and watches me eat. By the look in her eyes, I am sure now that she is starving. I get another bun and take a bite of that as well, demonstrating that they are all safe.

She grabs the bag without saying another word and then snatches the two buns I’ve already started out of my hands and gobbles them almost at once.

Gods, really? She is so thin one would think she would starve herself to look this way. But I guess no. It’s been three days since she is here and she already looks so broken.

I take a quick glance at Tristan who is keeping his eyes on me at all times.

“How are you?” I whisper, “I’d be honest, you look like chaos itself…”

“Thanks,” she mutters sarcastically while rolling her eyes, “I am not fed and have to pee in a bucket that stands right to where I sleep. On top of that every moment now that monster of a Crown Prince can come and beat me up and torture me again. Nice crown, by the way. I can imagine dozens of way he would be able to hurt you with it. Trust me, Mira, you are not going to enjoy any.”

“I know,” I chuckle quietly, “But stay calm, the prince is not coming back until the Ball of Portal this weekend. So, get some sleep if you can. I’ll try to bring more food tomorrow if I can.”

“Can you bring water?” she suddenly asks a bit too desperate and I feel like an i***t that I haven’t thought of that.

“Yes, of course,” I nod and suddenly I am stricken with an idea, “Actually, I can do something for you right now. It’s raining outside.”

“So?” Isidore looks at me dumbfoundedly with a stuffed mouth and I close my eyes, summoning the water element through the little window next to her cell. Tine drops look like little diamonds when they fly in and surround the girl, joining together.

“Rainwater,” I smile, “Will it do for today? I purified it on the way.”

“Oh, gods, yes!” the girl swallow the food and opens her mouth and I carefully help her to drink. Sometimes the water splashes over her face, but she doesn’t seem to mind. “More, please,” she says and I get her more water to clean herself. She washes her face and hands and I smile understandingly. Shame I cannot do more for her now.

“Feeling better?” I ask when we are done and she is back at the food.

“Definitely,” she g****s enjoying one of the buns, “They only brought me some strange smelling water that makes me sick and stale bread. Prince’s orders.”

Dargen sure is cruel. Like he didn’t torture her enough. One day it could be me…

“Isidore,” I whisper, making sure that Tristan doesn’t hear us from where he is standing, “I need something from you.”

“I can’t do anything for you from here,” she shrugs her shoulders.

“I need a few strands of your hair,” I say honestly and she stops chewing looking at me in surprise.

“Why on heavens would you need that?” she asks, hesitation in her voice.

“I want to see if anyone used any potions on you,” I admit, “You know, to set you up.”

“Who would do something like that?” she rolls her eyes.

“Someone who already killed Bella and Fawn?” I sigh, “I’ve been thinking about your situation. It is strange. And if no one could get into your chest except for you, what if it has been you? But you don’t remember it.”

“Do you think that possible?” she asks with hope in her eyes.

“I don’t know, that’s why I want to check your hair. If something was used on your – at least a trace of it would still be there,” I whisper.

“All right”, she sighs heavily, “I guess it can’t be any worse for me anyway, considering I confessed in the crimes I did not commit.”

“Everything is going to be fine,” I say a bit louder and stretch my hand to her head. From afar it should look like I am just patting her, but in reality, I tear a few strands off and wrap them around my fingers.

“Thank you for visiting,” Isidore smiles understandingly, “I would never forget what you are doing for me.”

Tristan escorts me to my room in silence, but at the door suddenly turns me by my shoulders to face me.

“Mira, what do you think you are doing meddling into the investigation?” he hisses, “If the Crown Prince finds out…”

“What are you talking about?” I look into his eyes firmly.

“You didn’t just visit that girl! I am not blind. You are not even friends! So, what were you doing there right now?” he sounds concerned, scared even, “Don’t you understand what kind of place this is? Girls are dying every day! Gerdians are doing whatever the hell they want! And you… you have no right here and no one to protect you. Especially not from the prince.”

“Tristan, thank you for your concern but I am not doing anything dangerous. I don’t believe that Isidore is guilty even if I don’t like her much. I simply brought her food and helped her a bit. That’s all.”

His fingers are pressing harder into my shoulders, “Gods, Mira, I hope this is true…”

After my ex-fiancé leaves, I go to my chambers and notice a pile of gifts from Dargen. Ugh. What does a girl have to do to get dumped by him? I am seriously run out of ideas!

I don’t even look at what’s in there, just walk to the chest I am keeping my equipment in. Getting out everything like the last time – when I was testing Fawn’s hair and b***d, I get to work. And they say for a reason that work is the best way to forget all your troubles as I finish late at night, exhausted.

I tiptoe quietly to Derrien’s room next to mine and get inside. I am planning to sleep here every night until he is gone, just as he asked me.

After a quick shower, I go through his shirts and choose one to wear tonight. I could have taken one of my nightgowns, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to wear something with his minty scent on.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.

Getting into bed, I pull the sheets to cover myself and darkness consumes me within seconds…

I feel a hand brushing over my cheek and lips… Derrien is taking his time, playing, and watching me react to his touch.

“I missed you,” I say, not wanting him to stop.

“I thought you are never going to sleep tonight,” he chuckles, “You like to keep me waiting, don’t you?”