Thrown Into Fire: The Sacrificed Princess

. While different dragons specialized in different magic, one characteristic remained true amongst all the tales I read as a child. They were immortal. Unkill

the unfamiliar feeling, and felt a strange warmth by my side. The events of the night prior flooded my min

ty of the dragon's blood that ran through his veins, I wondered if other dragons held the same ethereal qual

cks were softer than I have ever felt before, curtesy of the different products that I had used in the bath last night. Nonethe

ation– the wardrobe. I didn't have my hopes up when I pulled open the doors, but it still didn't mask the disappointment and annoyance I felt as I tugged on the first d

I began to press my hands onto the walls of the room. There would be a door somewhere here, even i

more glance at Kaelith. Still in a deep sleep. I would have time to go back to my palace and take my things and bring i

causing myself any wounds by grabbing onto the walls around me to stabilize myself. By the time I had gotten to my roo

ic, and dark, muted colors. Yet, it felt more comfortable against my skin than the silk bed sheets I laid on just a couple hours prior. It felt natural to me. I didn't allow myself ano

ly place the maids would never think to look, and where my own mother had stashed things away when she was still alive. I opened the box for the fi

. There was a matching necklace to this set– to be the stars that rested on the wearer's neck. Three carefully crafted plates of silver held diamonds that sparkled with even the subtlest of movements. Lastly, a ring. A single stone of amethyst, surroun

time she had eve

ntil I would be allowed to return. Here, I spent my childhood, alone and afraid. If I was lucky, I would soon be sent back here and be allo

ans of leaving would be executed much sooner than I had ever planned, but I could part with the amethyst ring. I could pawn it off, use the money to board a ship and cross the ocean t

as expected to save the king and his family by allowing a beast with insatiable bloodlust to take me away. I knew stress caused others to make irration

a dragon, but to another noble. He would use me to strengthen the hold the Imperial Family had on the people, as a tool in his political bat

and women, turning the lovely age of twenty would find themselves as prime bachelors and bachelorettes. While most houses had already shook hands in

not be able to escape her if she came to me in the middle of a party. Nevertheless, I was still a princess, illegitimate or not. Though my claim to the throne was nothing compared to the

ree to run as far as I could. I would have to move quickly. It would only be a matter of time before th

ver my head as I navigated the city, heading for the nearest pawn shop. My heart was beating heav

ed to hurry if I did not want t

isn't there?" the shop owner joke

ere a criminal runn

shaking his head quickly as he offered me a smile. "I heard the

into my bag to take the ring out. "How much

ut took the ring from me. Adjusting his glasses on his face, he examined the gems and band carefully, eyebrows furrowin

to the shop opening behind me. I pulled my

glad you came here, rather than the outskirt shops. They would have taken this from y

off, shoving the ring back in his hands. Footsteps were creeping up behind me. I

, did you s

le?" I demanded. The shop keeper looked a little helpless, glancing back down at the ring. Once again, he let out a sigh, and pu

r me was installments of one million for a total of five million. However, he would not be able to get me that first installment until the next fortnight. It would take a long while to be able to p

dy. We have just

oring the knights behind me. The man's eyes shot b

round one hundred gold coins a

rtnight to collect the rest of the p

la

he contrac

me go easily. I couldn't evade this. My heart hammered in my chest, and one knight held me in place as the other knight re

n front of me shouted.

dragon didn't kill me for offending him, the king would put me under heav

und me as they whispered amongst themselves. I didn't fight as the knights led me towards

ne who unmasked me, asked. Disapproval was clear

ror. "Your Highness, please forgive my sub

s eyes, only to see they were filled with rage. "Do you not feel responsible for your

mes

t the window of the carriage. I was so tired. I prayed for the nightmare of my life to be over with. "I, who have

ither knight daring to speak a word. Jameson let out a sha

n in his seat before me. He was young, probably my age or just slightly older. As a new kn

palace. Just as my mind did last night, the world seemed to be reduced to a blur around me. I coul

ts do follow the codes of chivalry. Now that I thought about it, the knights never caused me any issues. Though they wer

the foot of the dais was the royal family once more, including Orion. Though, he was being supported by Cassian to be able to stand properly. T

the plush cushion, knuckles supporting his head as his bloodied eyes followed my every move. He held the amethyst gem in his hand once mo

," he announced, a smirk coming to his face. "I suppo