Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) (8 page)

“My choice is to go home,” I say, not wanting to play his games.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. What did I just say? You must hear me out. You cannot decide without knowing your options,” he scolds.

“I want to return to my home, to be with those I love, and I wish to be able to shift once more, no longer trapped in my dragon form.”

“All very noble things, but you still have not allowed me to finish with the rules, with the game, and therefore, what you want is irrelevant. We can try this again tomorrow. Take him to the dungeons,” he says to whomever stands in the shadows. Or perhaps he speaks to the shadows themselves, because that is what grabs hold of me, dragging me away into the oblivion, back into utter darkness.

I WANDER THE EMPTY
halls of the castle, amazed at how silent it is even in the dead of night. I run my fingers across the pillars and beams as I walk past them, the moonlight filling in the gaps where nothing stands to block the light.

Entering the ballroom, I hear music playing in my head, a memory from so long ago. Where Aurelio once took me in his embrace, there is nothing. I hold out my arms as if he is reaching for me, waiting to dance with me, and spin, twirling, my skirt flowing out and around me. I continue pirouetting until I’ve glanced across the ballroom and found myself at the opposite doors.

With a defeated sigh, I push through them and continue down the corridor. I have no destination in mind, no duty to fulfill, but when the sun rises, tomorrow will be a repeat of today, between speaking to people in need and trying to tame the council as they rush to push me out.

And the ache that’s taken up home in my heart as I wonder every moment if Aurelio will ever return. If he’ll survive whatever fate the wizard has for him. “Why can’t you be here?” I say to the emptiness, wishing the king could hear me.

“Zanta?” A dark voice startles me.

I look up to see Castel approaching me from the shadows. “Good evening.” I curtsy, fumbling a bit, embarrassed that he overheard me.

“Are you well? When I heard a commotion, I did not expect to find you here.” He puts his hand on my shoulder, perhaps trying to comfort me, though if that is the case, it doesn’t work.

“I am, Castel. Thank you. And my apologies for disturbing you. That was not my intention.” I bow my head, ashamed.

“All is well. Come sit with me in my chambers. We’ll have a cup of tea.” He places his arm around me and guides me, not really giving me a choice.

I don’t like the idea. Castel scares me. He has never liked me, which he has made clear. And now I am left ruling the kingdom at his side with Aurelio who knows where, but certainly not here. A chill runs down my spine, but I ignore it and continue walking.

We enter his chambers, and he promptly closes the door before leading me to the sitting area. The room is surpassed only by the king’s. Sofas and chairs circle a round table covered with sweets and drinks, as if he were planning on having company tonight.

The door to what I presume to be his personal chambers is closed, and that does comfort me a bit.

“Please, help yourself. Belen was kind enough to prepare some snacks and drinks for me, as she knows I have not been sleeping of late.” Castel sits on the long sofa. He leans his head back and rubs at his face.

“What troubles you?” A silly question, as the answer seems obvious, but I ask all the same.

“If I had to venture a guess, the same thing that has you wandering the halls at night when the rest of the kingdom is fast asleep.” He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and looking at me curiously.

“Aurelio,” I whisper.

“Indeed. Our king has left us with a great task that has become a heavy burden to bear. Luckily, neither of us must go it alone.” He grabs a biscuit and chews away at it slowly.

“No offense meant, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. The people don’t want me—they want their king, and it has been made clear that I will never replace him, not that I wish to. It wouldn’t matter to me if Aurelio were a farmer—I’d love him all the same. My only wish is to be with him. I don’t want his kingdom if he isn’t in it, but there are those who judge me, who assume the worst of me. Some would say I cursed the king myself just so I could rule. A silly thought, considering I too am cursed.” Every word about Aurelio makes my ache only greater.

“Zanta.” Castel moves closer and takes my hand in his. “I must admit that I had those very thoughts. To be quite honest, I have been thinking the worst of you since the day my brother and sister-in-law brought you in. But Aurelio trusts you—he loves you with all his heart and soul. I have no doubt that he would sacrifice everything for you, and the night before this curse came to be, I promised him I would give you a chance. Now, seeing your heartbreak, I feel it is not possible for you to have been a part of the curse. But I must ask, who would say you caused it, when we’ve only told the people that their king is ill?”

“I don’t know. If I had any clues I would have told you.” I shake my head, wishing I had a better answer.

“These last few days, working beside you, teaching you how to run a kingdom, have made one thing very clear—you belong here. You belong with our king. And no matter how hard it may seem, no matter how difficult things become, I will be by your side until Aurelio returns. We will make it through this. And one day soon, you will be the rightful queen of Dracameveo.”

His words surprise me. I’ve known he didn’t like me, didn’t trust me, but to know that his feelings are changing is quite a shock—a good one.

“Castel, I’m so sorry. I almost wondered if you cursed us. The way you’ve watched me since my arrival, the way you made it so clear to Aurelio that you did not think I was a good choice in wife and queen, I feared it was you plotting against us from the very beginning. But now you vow to help me through this, and it worries me even more. If you believe in me, if you are helping me, exactly who is it that wishes for me to be gone?”

“I do not know, but I assure you, it isn’t me. Another thing we must consider is that whatever forces have caused such turmoil could be unseen, someone or something we haven’t met. The curse may be nothing against you personally. Think on it—Aurelio’s father went through the same thing.” 

“Well, yes, but when you first told us that story, I was still under the impression that you would never like me, let alone help me, so please don’t take offense that I thought you could have had something to do with that. I mean, truly, how would it look to you if the same person witnessed two kings go through such an ordeal?”

He turns to better face me, now holding both of my hands. “I am so sorry for all the distress I’ve added to your already difficult time. You’re right—it does truly look bad for me, but I promise, I had nothing to do with it. I don’t want to be king. Some believed me to be cursed myself, in a manner, but truly, it’s a blessing, my situation. I am happy being a guide, in the background, away from prying eyes.” His eyes are wide and his voice rushed.

“Forgive me, but I’m not sure I understand what you’re talking about.” I bite my lip, thinking over everything I know of Castel.

He sits back and runs a hand over his face. “I had assumed Aurelio told you this, but now I see he did not. A very little known fact about me, dear? I only have one form. Though born to dragon-human shifter parents, I myself am only human. Ignacio was my younger brother. Had I been born with his ability to change form, it is I who would have been king. This is why for so long, people have suspected me of causing trouble, bringing terror and causing the curses –as if that’s something I could have done - and hate. Some believe it is I who set the dragons on all those villages, including yours.” He looks away, seemingly ashamed, even though it isn’t true.

“Please, don’t be saddened. What others believe is their choice. That doesn’t make any of it true, does it? I am grateful to know that you are the loving uncle Aurelio believes you to be, but it still leaves us with the mystery. You say your brother went through the same thing Aurelio suffers now. Aside from the wizard, is there nothing you can remember that might help us presently?”

“Nothing comes to mind. It’s been a hundred and fifty years—King Ignacio died young for a dragon. I wish I had pried deeper into what he went through, but I realize now that maybe he didn’t want anyone to know of what happened. So what secrets could he have died with?”

“I don’t know, but we need to find out. Did he keep any kind of record? A journal of sorts?” 

“Not that I know of. I can’t picture him doing such a thing, but he might have thought it useful. I fear it is getting too late to start a search now—I suggest we go to bed and begin our search tomorrow.”

I stifle a yawn by taking a sip of my tea. “I agree. Thank you.” I stand to leave.

“You’re welcome.” He nods.

A COLD BREEZE BRUSHES
over me as a bit of light disappears, a shadow blocking its path. I look up at the face of the dragon who brought me here. “Who are you? And what do you want with me?” I unfold my wings and use them to block out some of the light so I’m not blinded.

“Are you ready to listen? Or should I leave you down here to rot further?” he asks, ignoring both of my questions.

“I want to know why I’m here,” I growl, hating how trapped I am.

“Well, I will be glad to tell you, but first, you must listen. So I ask again, are you ready? Or should I leave you to think on your own?”

“I am ready to listen.” My voice breaks as I submit, and I bow my head.

“Follow me.” He turns around and walks back the way he came.

I go after him, not wanting to lose my chance. If I hear him out, hopefully it will mean getting out of here sooner.

He leads me back to the first room. I wish to know where Khende is, but the dragon made it very clear I was not to speak until told to, and ignoring that already earned me a night in captivity. I can’t afford any more of those.

The undead dragon takes up his broken throne. “Know that every choice you make from here on out comes with a heavy burden. Second, understand that even if you wish to interrupt, if you think you know the answer, do not speak until asked for it. Third, you must allow me to tell you everything before making your choice. Do you understand these rules?”

I desperately feel the need to remark on this so-called game. I wish to have no part of it. But the rules are clear, and I’ve already seen how much disobeying can cost me. “I do.” I nod.

“Good. Now before I continue on, I wish to tell you a story. Itrummortui was designed to trap a dragon of the darkest power so he could never harm those who dwelled within the kingdom he once ruled. He didn’t believe he deserved the punishment, but unable to leave, he did with it what he could. He called it his home, he made it his new kingdom, and he ruled for thousands of years.

“And then one day, he had an idea so bright, the thought blinded him, and the game was invented. His powers had grown so much, he thought to use them in such a way that he could hurt those who trapped him so long ago.

“From then on, as a new dragon king was given reign, they would pay. Cursed, they would be a dragon for all their days unless they went searching for freedom, and instead they would find the city of the undead. The king used his time alone to devise the perfect challenge.

“Each new king would be put to the test. They could trade places with the trapped king, become ruler over the city of the undead, and live happily ever after, knowing their former home was being watched over by the most powerful dragon ever to live.

“Or they could return home to a land cursed forever, where suddenly no crop would grow, no water would fall, and the queen or soon-to-be queen would become victim to the same curse as her beloved, only in reverse, never able to transform into a dragon again. And thus the kingdom would have no heir. 

“Aurelio, the choice is now yours. Give me your kingdom, trade me lives, and all you hold dear will be protected. Your fiancée will be loved and cared for, and the world will go on believing you died a hero.”

“Tell me. If you’re trapped here, bargaining for your freedom and my imprisonment, how could you do anything to hurt those I love?” Why anyone would choose to rule over this wasteland is beyond me.

“You are free to leave at any point in time. However, without first playing the game, your curse remains.”

“What exactly is this curse?”

“Ours, Aurelio. The curse of every king ever to have ruled over Dracameveo. Should you choose to leave now, you will return home a dragon, and in that form, you will forever remain. And your dear sweet fiancée will forever be stuck in her human body.” 

“Why does such a curse exist? What have I done to deserve punishment such as this?” I would be willing to accept my fate if only Zanta’s wasn’t attached.

“You are a dragon. You were born, you were raised, you were taught, and now you’re king. That is all it takes. The curse was not created for you alone. I told you the story. Now tell me, what future do you see for yourself? One as a dragon forever, a king alone, or the ruler of a place where you set all the rules, and you can be whatever you want to be?”

“I want to be in Dracameveo, marrying the love of my life, and ruling over my kingdom until my time is up and age is no longer my friend.”

“Very well. Aurelio, you have chosen to return home. A very brave choice, even if not wise. You will be tasked with games that will test your strength, wisdom, and courage.” The king’s voice darkens with every word, ending at just above a whisper as he leans forward, glaring at me as if angry that I did not free him.

“Return him to the dungeons.” With a wave of his claw, the king sends me away. The shadows wrap around me, pulling and tugging as they squeeze me in a cocoon of darkness, my wings trapped and hurting at being bent and wrenched back and forth.

The darkness envelopes me, taking me deeper and deeper until there is no light left to be found. Slowly, as if time has all but stopped, we descend farther until suddenly, I am dropped to the floor with no warning.

A faint glow keeps the room visible, but only barely. I look up, but there is nothingness above me. This room is not where they kept me last night.

“Good luck, young king. You’re on your own to leave this cave. When a drop of light falls your way, death will come to eternalize your stay,” the king of the city of the undead says, his voice bouncing all around me.

I brush my wings against the walls, hoping to feel anything that will give me a clue as to how I can escape. It seems the only option is up, but it doesn’t seem like anything here would be that simple.

“I forgot one thing.” The king’s voice returns. “You did wish to be your human self again. Wish granted.”

Crippling pain grips me. I fall, spread out on the ground, breathing heavily as I wait for the agony to pass. When it finally resides, I stand, now human. A sinking feeling overcomes me.

“I’m so sorry, Zanta. You don’t deserve this.” I sit down, wrapping my arms around my knees, trying to hold in any amount of warmth I can. In dragon form, I could’ve flown out of here. It was risky, but the only obvious way to escape. But now wingless I may be stuck down here forever. With the last glimmer of hope left in me I focus, trying to shift. But to no avail. Nothing changes. I remain human.

“Your Highness?” The clicking of hooves on the cold, hard floor pulls my attention to the shadows.

“Khende?” I scramble to my feet and approach with caution.

“Aurelio, I thought I’d lost you.” His voice shakes. He’s probably cold too.

I sigh, both in relief and with more panic. I feared for Khende’s fate, but I didn’t want him down here with me. At least I know he’s safe.

“Have you been here since we first arrived?” I sit back down.

“Indeed. Well, as soon as you were thrown in the dungeon. And not a bit of water or bite of bread. It’s cold, and to be quite honest, I don’t like it down here. So, oh great dragon king, do you have a plan to get us out?” The satyr sits beside me, teeth chattering, glaring at me as he waits for an answer.

“I don’t know, Khende. I truly do not. I’m human again, unable to turn back into a dragon. He’s dumped us into a pit, and as far as I am aware, up is the only way out. We cannot climb the nothingness. Please tell me that in the short while you’ve been down here with nothing to do, you’ve discovered a secret way out.”

“Had I found such a thing, do you truly believe I would still be here?”

“I don’t know. But I suppose sitting here will do nothing for us. Come on.” I grunt as I stand. “Help me look.” I feel the wall hidden in the darkest shadow, running my hands all over it, but nothing sticks out. Not even a single stone. The wall is smoother than water.

I continue walking around in the circular pit, reaching high, bending low. When the wall bears no answers, I get down on my knees and begin feeling the ground. It feels like the room has gone colder than before. Wearing only a simple tunic and breeches, I had already feared the cold would kill me, but as the room becomes more like ice, I fear that even if I found a way out, I would not survive long enough to use it.

“Do you think you could lift me?” I turn to Khende, who still remains seated, clearly cold yet unwilling to help me find us a way out.

“Certainly not. You are at least twice my size. ,” he scoffs.

“Still, you do not think you could do it?” I gaze at the wall, looking above where I could reach on my own. It doesn’t appear to be smooth—the pieces are jagged and sticking off in different directions.

“Of course not. Why ever would you want to anyway?” He looks at his hands, fiddling his thumbs.

“Look.” I point. “Up there, the wall isn’t smooth. If you can hoist me up, I bet I could climb it.”

“Do you truly believe you could do such a thing? Think of how far you fell. You believe you can carry your own weight all the way back up, never letting go of the wall?”

“How would you know how far I fell to get down here?” I take a step toward him, curious as to why he doesn’t want to get out.

“I fell too, you know.”

“The king said this was a test of strength, wisdom, and courage. I have to get back to Zanta, to my kingdom, and I will do whatever is in my power to get there. So, yes, if climbing is what it takes, so be it, but I do not know if I can reach it on my own. I ask again, is there any chance you could lift me up on your shoulders so I can at least attempt to make it back home?” I stand straighter, trying not to admit defeat so early on. It’s cold, and I’m starving. I ache from being in dragon form for so long and then being turned, against my will or knowledge, back into a human.

“What makes you think you’ll be able to climb out of here, anyhow? What’s to say there isn’t a cap above us, stopping us from doing just that?” Khende gets to his hooves, but still doesn’t make a move toward helping me. “If the cursed king who dropped us down here thought we could climb it, he wouldn’t have made it this easy.” Khende whines.

“This isn’t easy, and that’s why I have to try it. Right now, it is my only chance at escape, at returning home. If the undead king wants proof that I have the strength and the will to get back, I will give it to him. I’d climb a thousand of these walls if that’s what it took.”

“I’d be more careful of what I say in this place. The monster up there might just take that as a wish and grant it.” The satyr harrumphs. He approaches the wall I’m looking at before turning back to me.

“Come along, Aurelio. Let’s get this over with.” He holds out his hands for me to use as a step.

I back up a few paces, preparing myself to run and leap. It will give me a better chance. I go, barely making it into a sprint due to a lack of space, but I step down into his hands and immediately hit my head against the wall. Khende was right—he can’t hold my weight. And that’s the last thing that comes to mind before everything fades away.