chapter 9

They sat in a roofless carriage and drove through the streets. Kronos held her hand sitting next to her while he waved awkwardly with the other. 

He wasn't smiling but Keila tried for the both of them while waving too. The people were cheering as they passed them and she noticed the part of the city they were in right now was extremely disgusting, dirty and poor. She was surprised the people were cheering considering how their life probably looked like. 

"Gods, I hate this" she looked at him, saw his annoyed face and giggled. He looked so out of place waving to people like that. "Something funny?" He squeezed her hand and she winced. 

As soon as he saw that he let go of her hand as if it burned him. "Sorry, I forgot about your hand." He had an apologetic smirk on and it was weird hearing him apologize.

"What do you mean my hand? What about yours?" 

She took his hand and inspected it, there was nothing. How? It was cut just an hour ago. He withdrew it back and shook his head. "Mine is fine."

"That I can see. How did you do that?"

"Dragon remember?"

Did having a dragon have this kind of effect on a person or was they somehow connected. "Are you connected somehow? Like, do you get super strength or speed? Do you know what he thinks?" 

She was starting to get curious and obviously even bolder. "I don't want to talk right now. Don't forget to smile." There he was, as cold as ice again. He turned back to the citizens and waved.

They arrived at the palace and were met at the gate by the royals. "Well done, I think we can call that a success." The king was smiling brightly which was making Keila uncomfortable, but then again it was better than his anger.

"You should go freshen up and then meet us at the banquet." He turned on his heel and left to the ballroom. Mirana came to them and attempted to hug her brother but when she got too close Kronos grabbed her shoulders and moved away from her.

She shook her head disappointed and hugged Keila. "Congratulations, you are married brother."

"Thanks" The annoyance was apparent in his voice and Keila's shoulders and head fell sadly.

"Come on wife." He emphasized the word wife and grabbed her dragging her to his room. Wait, his room?

He closed the door behind them and went to the table, picking up something he turned towards her once more. She was scared. Was he going to hurt her?

He came closer and looked her in the eyes. "I wanted to give you something. It was my mother's. At least my aunt told me it was." His hand shot forward, holding a small sack. He was being nice. His face, however, was still expressionless.

She took the sack from his hand carefully and opened it. There was a silver necklace with a strange pendant. She knew what the symbol meant. Strength. She would probably need it to survive in this family.

"I...I don't know what to say.....thank you." Kronos just shook his head. "You talk to much."

Before she could react or at least realize what was happening he leaned in and softly pressed his lips on hers. She felt so surprised she didn't move an inch. 

When she didn't respond he grabbed her by the waist and licked her lower lip with his tongue. His tongue was so damn hot. She couldn't stop the moan that left her lips and sucked his tongue in her mouth.  

It felt weird but good weird. Her whole body was getting hot and her knees buckled. She grabbed his shoulders and he slowed the kiss ending it with putting his forehead on hers.

She released a ragged breath and he took a step back letting go of her. "Just, ...don't lose it."

She nodded, unable to speak or think properly for that matter. What was he doing to her? Turning around she left his room and went to hers. She had to put herself together as her cheeks were flushed and lips swollen. Victoria was waiting for her and helped her but she didn't ask anything and Keila was grateful.

When she opened the door to the corridor Kronos was standing there and smiled for a brief moment seeing the necklace around her neck. It suited her. 

Both were silent as they made their way to the ballroom full of nobles. As they stepped through the door a servant announced their arrival.

"My Lords and Ladies, I present you crown prince Kronos and princess Keila, future King and Queen." The people were cheering and clapping their hands as they made their way to the room.

Right, she was now Princess of the Eastern empire. She was a dragon princess and when Kronos became the king, she would become the Dragon Queen.

Traditionally, the crown prince would receive the title not long after he had his own heir. But she didn't think the king would give up his power so soon and so easily. He would probably claim his son had other duties or still had a lot to learn.

They made their way to the king and both bowed their head. "Congratulations son. I am overjoyed to get a new daughter. Come here, my dear." He was smiling but his eyes were not. He looked at her and she could tell the smile was just for the show so she smiled right back at him and took a few more steps forward. 

"You are a beautiful young lady and I am sure you will make a wonderful queen one day." 

"Thank you, your highness, I am honoured." Her mouth said one thing but the look in her eyes said it clearly. Fuck you and your act.

He nodded and raised his glass. "To my son and his wife, our future." All the people raised their glasses too and Keila took a glass of wine from one of the servants, so she could join as well.

They all drank and Keila quickly grabbed another when she finished the first one and moved back to her husband. 

Kronos frowned seeing the second glass but didn't say anything. After the toast dinner was served. They all took their seats around the many tables and began to eat. Some people were talking about business, others about families and some about nonsense, it all felt the same.

Keila was silently eating and Kronos too didn't say anything. After the dessert was served Keila was already tipsy from the wine and lost some of her boundaries. She fiddled with the necklace and looked at Kronos.

"What happened to your mother?" He looked surprised by the question but answered none the less. " She died giving birth to me."

She sobered in an instant. That was horrible. He never met his mother. "Before you start feeling sorry for me, don't. I had my aunt when I was little." 

She looked down ashamed she even asked. "How old are you anyway" 

"I'm twenty-four." She released a loud breath and he chuckled. "You thought I'm old?" 

"No, I mean.....I wasn't sure." Her cheeks reddened from the embarrassment. He nodded his head and went on with his cold demeanour.

After dinner, the king stood up and got everyone's attention. "I think the new married couple should head to bed."