Chapter 6 A DAY AT THE CASTLE

Haven stared at the Castle in awe. The dragon had dropped her off and flown away, with a promise to see her soon. Draven descended his wyvern and sent it off with a slight nod.

Haven stared at them and wondered if they could mind link each other and communicate just the way the dragon or rather the king had done to her.

‘All magical creatures can communicate through mindlink.’

Haven startled at the voice in her head. She looked around searching for anybody who could have said something but it was futile. She already knew who it was. The King.

How could he do that despite being away from her? Was that another perk of being a superior being?

Whatever

'Stay out of my head,’ she warned him.

She heard him chuckle, the sound low and deep. She shook her head and tried not to focus on the fact that someone now had unnecessary access to her thoughts.

Draven approached her and bowed his head slightly. “I'm called Draven, the king's right hand, my lady. If you don't mind, let's get you settled in."

“I don't want to settle in. I want to go home. " She didn't know why she followed them all the way there, but whatever they used had expired.

She did not want to spend a moment longer there.

“Address that to His Grace, My lady," Draven said. “Please let me show you to your room."

Draven offered a smile and stepped inside, Haven following quietly behind him. The castle loomed before her like something out of a legend—massive, ancient, and breathtakingly alive.

Built from blackstone and streaked with veins of shimmering gold, the fortress seemed to pulse faintly, as if the walls themselves breathed magic. The main gates were carved with intricate runes that looked older than time itself.

As Haven stepped through the threshold, the air changed. Warmth replaced the chill that had clung to her bones since she was taken. The floors beneath her boots were smooth obsidian, veined with silver lines that formed strange, glowing patterns—dragon sigils, she guessed.

The grand hall opened up before her, vast and echoing, its ceiling lost in a maze of arches and suspended chandeliers made of dragon glass. Portraits lined the walls—ancient kings and queens with golden eyes and regal, cruel beauty. They almost seemed to watch her as she passed.

Columns shaped like dragons wound around the hall, their eyes embedded with crimson jewels that flickered like embers. Between them, massive windows overlooked the valley below, where lava rivers gleamed faintly through the mist, a land untamed and raw.

“It’s… incredible,” Haven whispered without meaning to. If she didn't hate it here, she would have actually enjoyed her stay here.

Draven glanced at her over his shoulder, his expression softening a brief moment. “The Castle of Emberlight has stood for over three thousand years. It is the heart of the Dragon Kingdom, and the only place the king calls home.”

They ascended a spiral staircase lined with black and gold banners , the sigil of a dragon curled around a burning sun. As they reached the upper hall, servants hurried past, bowing their heads the moment they caught sight of her. Some looked curious. Others looked fearful.

“This way, my lady,” Draven said, his tone calm and practiced. “You’ll be staying in the west wing for now. It’s closest to the king’s chambers.”

That last sentence sent a strange flutter through her chest, though she quickly forced it down.

They stopped before a large wooden door adorned with gilded handles shaped like dragon claws. Draven pushed it open, revealing a chamber that took Haven’s breath away. Vast, warm, and elegant.

A balcony opened to the night sky, where the last of the rain glimmered against the moonlight. The bed was draped in crimson silk, soft and inviting, while a fireplace roared quietly at the far end of the room.

“This will be your room,” Draven said, then turned to one of the nearby servants, a young woman with hair as pale as snow and eyes like liquid amber. “Fetch me Nerisa.”

The servant bowed deeply. “At once, my lord.”

As she scurried away, Haven frowned slightly. “Who’s Nerisa?”

Draven’s gaze lingered on the balcony before meeting hers again. His tone was unreadable.

“You’ll see soon enough,” came his flat response.

Haven stared at the room once more and for some reason something didn't sit well. Was this the calm before the storm? Were they just giving her luxury so they could kill her when she least expected it ? Did they do this to all the other brides?

‘'Can you fucking stop with the random thoughts? I'm trying to get some rest.’ Came the king's slightly annoyed voice.

'Then stay out of my head.’

She turned back towards the door just as a young girl dressed in a blue dress stepped into the room and bowed slightly.

“You sent for me, my lord," she said, not meeting his gaze.

Draven nodded. “This is Lady Haven, the king's bride." Then he turned to Haven,” My lady, this is Nerisa. The king had me arrange a human as your personal maid."

“Thank you."

He gave a slight nod. “I'll take my leave. Nerisa, see that the lady is well settled in and given a detailed tour of the castle." With that he turned around and left.

Nerisa shut the door and turned to Haven. " Will you like to freshen up before the tour, or after?"

Her eyes were glued to the floor, and her tone was too respectful. The kind you use when talking to the King. Somehow, it made Haven sick to her stomach.

“I'll love a tour before I freshen up, so I can go to bed right after. And please don't talk to me like I have horns on my head,” she said and Nerisa let out a laugh, already feeling comfortable around Haven.

" Let's begin the tour, shall we?”

With a nod, she followed Nerisa out of the room.

“This is the king's wing," Nerisa began. “He never lets anyone live here. No one is supposed to be here unless it is for work or they are being summoned. You are the only two people living here."

Haven simply nodded, too tired to say or think anything.

Nerisa took her through the rest of the castle giving her a detailed tour of the entire fortress.

She showed her the servants quarters, the kitchen, the gardens, and stables for the horses.

Haven took in every detail and stored it in the back of her mind, in case she needed it to escape. Nerisa showed her the dining table, explaining that the king rarely had his meals at the table so it was almost always empty. She also showed her the training grounds and the route leading to the caves.

“Beyond the river lies the Vale. That's where the Wyverns reside and the dragons go to rest."

“Aren't we going up to the tower?" Haven asked as Nerisa led her back to her room.

“That's a forbidden area, my lady. No one goes there but the king.”

Haven nodded, despite the fact that her curiosity was eating up her mind.

As she stepped into her bedroom to prepare for the night, she couldn't explain the lingeri

ng feeling in her chest. The feeling that she needed to escape or get tied up to this place for good.