(I would just like to thank everyone for their kind comments, when I saw the story was accepted and five comments I was worried that I would have a lot of negative feedback. I mean I know not everyone will like everything I put out, but some people take their rudeness too far. I will try my best to keep the story interesting I hope you all continue to enjoy it.)
....
When I finally woke up I could see a beautiful sunset waiting to be viewed outside, I felt a little better but still shaken. I think reasonably so, it's not everyday that you are told you are intended for a demon king. I scanned the room and found my purse sitting on the vanity, the little thing seemed so plain when surrounded by so much....perfection. Grabbing it I saw that I had missed several calls, most of them from my sister I knew she'd give me hell for ignoring her. It didn't matter if it was out of my control or not she would whine anyways.
I called my mother instead.
"Hello?"
"Hi mom."
"Cassie! Hang on sweetheart.....sir I'm sorry about this she just called me....thank you have a good night. Cassandra Melody Aarons where the hell have you been? We have been worried sick about you!"
I sighed.
"Well I left the party and went home."
"Monica called and said that she had been in the bathroom and didn't even see who you left with. Then Stacy called all upset and wanting to apologize because she was drunk and Patrick told her how she went off on you last night. Then they called again after they went to check on you and said you were gone."
I started playing with the various bottles of perfume and lotion that sat on the vanity, my mother could go on for hours. I understood that she was worried, and I appreciated that she cared but I couldn't make her feel better if I couldn't get a word in. When she finally stopped talking for more than a couple seconds I cleared my throat. I made sure to tell her where I was and how I ended up there.
I stared at the phone after she stayed silent.
"Mom?"
"I want you to come see me, you aren't safe there."
"You're not concerned in the least? You're not even going to ask me if I'm on drugs?"
"I know there is more to the world than what we see on a daily basis dear."
"You know? What do you mean you know?"
"Dear we can talk about this until I'm blue in the face, but not until you are safely here and away from that monster."
"Zeos is not a monster."
"You don't know him."
"That's true but you always told me not to judge someone before I give them a chance if possible."
My mother sighed.
"Yes, you always were my good daughter, taking my lessons to heart but he's not a regular man."
Well of course, most regular men end in two legs and have normal eyes among other things.
"Mom I know that."
"Then you should hurry home, have someone bring you."
"Why can't you just tell me what you know? I don't like you being so secretive."
"We can talk when your safe and not before then, if you want to stay I can't force you to do anything else however I can't protect you if you choose that and it blows up in your face."
She hung up and I frowned remembering all the people who told me 'curiosity killed the cat'. I stared at my closed door knowing what was somewhere on the other side. I picked up the brush and fixed my hair.
'I wonder if they also know that satisfaction brought it back?'
...
I pushed open the door and looked around the hallway, the plush and velvety carpet greeting my feet with comfort made me feel a little bad about wearing my shoes. I took out my phone and took a few pictures of the hallway in case I got lost. I took a left and looked at the various suit of armors that were posed as if guarding the individual portraits between them. The first portrait was of a beautiful woman adorned with a revealing white skirt that showed some of her purple and white jeweled tail. Her top was made of diamonds and sapphires and the golden crown that rested on top of her blond head was cut in a mix of swirls.
"Empress Gabriellana."
Her bright green and black eyes seemed to be watching me.
Next to her was a picture of man that appeared to be Zeos at first glance but I knew it wasn't him. The hair of the man in the portrait ended in blood red tips, and his tail was completely black from what I could see with little sapphires decorating it, he had Zeos's eyes but less facial hair.
"Emperor Constantinos....these must be his parents..."
"They are."
I jumped and turned to see Camilla standing there.
"How did you find me?"
"I followed the scent of your perfume, apple is a good scent for you."
I stared at her for a bit before I smiled, the other portraits were just as beautiful, I was beginning to feel out of place. I've always been told I was pretty but some of these women were absolutely stunning.
"If you would like to keep looking around my lady I can accompany you."
"You don't have to, I'm sure you have more important things to do than show me around."
I raised an eyebrow when she smiled at that.
"It is nice to welcome a future queen who cares about others, however keeping you safe is more important than anything else."
I just shook my head.
"OK, but don't call me 'my lady' Cass is fine."
Again I was given that same uncomfortable look that Harold gave me when I told him he could eat with me.
"Uh let's just keep moving."
She nodded and followed behind me as she talked about whatever piece of art that caught my attention. She explained that the naga were cousins to the dragons and enjoyed surrounding themselves with beauty and great riches. Adding in that naga were males and lamia were female she also pointed out that it was unlikely to meet a pompous naga. They tended to be more loving and less violent than their older cousins.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"You said keeping me safe was important....am I in danger here?"
She shook her head.
"Not quite, but you had such a taxing morning here I was concerned if I left you alone you could possibly collapse again. You're scent is still new if you were unconscious somewhere unattended it would be difficult to find you without knowing where you started."
I nodded.
"About the naga...and lamia, you said they were cousins to the dragon, so what....um hmm never mind."
She grinned.
"You're trying to ask about characteristics?"
"That's it."
"Naga and lamia as you may have noticed are several times smaller than dragons, they are sort of like.....evolutions of the dragon. The royals and the rich have more dragon in them than a peasant would."
"So they have a social ladder."
"Precisely, his majesty and his family are at the top, politicians and basic rich are immediately after. The royal group has three forms they can shift between, the first is everyday use. The second is when they are threatened or in danger, they have two legs, the tail grows spikes and their fangs and claws extend. The final form is for battle, they appear much like they do for their second form, however their entire body is covered in impenetrable scales. They also grow wings and spikes grow all the way up both sides of their bodies."
I tried to picture those beautiful creatures ready for battle, maybe mom saw that somehow and she's just scared. I wondered when she could have been near any of them, I shook my head I could try and try but there was no point trying to figure it out on my own.
"Lady Cass?"
I smiled noticing that she was compromising and looked at her.
"You do not need to fear his majesty, royals are raised to respect and honor their life mates, I assure you he would sever his own tail before he so much as bumped into you."
I toyed with a lock of hair it did make it better to hear that.
"Might I had, that they are very sexual creatures and his majesty has been alone for a while now, he may not be interested in g-rated courting."
We stopped at a pair of double doors and she pushed it open to reveal the most impressive library I'd ever seen.