Chapter 2 Fierce Encounter

And so, against her people's will, the lady of the Raivier house was sent to get married ... .or sacrificed.

Lyanna was sitting alone, staring at the white lace veil in her lap. It was the only thing she had brought from her old life. 

When the carriage finally stopped, the human drivers didn’t even open her door. They unhitched the horses and fled back south, leaving her alone at the gates of the Obsidian Citadel.

Lyanna pushed the door and stepped out into the freezing mountain air. The citadel was a fortress of black stone that seemed to touch the sky.

Two massive gates swung open with a loud groan.

Lyanna gripped her veil, lifted her chin, and walked inside. She expected dungeons and most likely chains. 

But to her surprise, she walked into a grand hall bathed in golden light and the overwhelming, delicious scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and melted butter.

At the end of the hall sat Zaden Drachen.

He was massive, his broad shoulders covered in a heavy velvet cloak. 

His eyes were the color of liquid gold, glowing with a dangerous power. Dozens of large, muscular dragon warriors were around him, all glaring down at the tiny human girl.

Lyanna walked until she stood right before his throne. She didn’t  bow.

"So," Zaden’s voice rumbled, making the stone floor vibrate beneath her boots. "The humans send me a half-starved girl to pay for their crimes. Do you know what we do to thieves, human?"

"I am not a thief," Lyanna forced everyone to go into a silent mode. "And I am not some lamb either. My name is Lyanna Raivier. If you are going to kill me, do it now. But do not insult my family while you do it."

Zaden leaned forward, his golden eyes seemed to blink a little too fast. He sniffed the air, his chest expanded. "You are not afraid."

"I have nothing left to fear," Lyanna replied, staring directly into his eyes. "My fiancé stole my land. My council gave me to you to die. My heart is already dead, Lord Drachen. Your fire can’t hurt what is already ash."

Zaden stared at her for a long, tense moment. The silence in the room was becoming suffocating.

Then, Zaden growled a deep sound. He stood up from his throne, towering over her. He reached out a massive, clawed hand, and Lyanna braced herself, closing her eyes.

Instead of striking her, Zaden gently caught the edge of her faded sleeve. He pulled it up, revealing her thin, bony wrist. 

His golden eyes shined, but it wasn’t from his hot anger, strangely…it wasn’t directed at her.

"Who did this to you?" Zaden demanded, dropping his already deep tone to a whisper.

Lyanna gulped, startled. "What?"

"You are starving," Zaden said, his growl started rising. 

The dragon lord looked past her, toward the southern gates. "The humans dare to bring a bride to the Drachen clan who looks like she has not eaten in months? They insult our hospitality! They insult my court!"

He turned to a giant, scarred warrior standing nearby. "Kaelen! Why is there no food on the table?"

"We thought you were going to execute her, My Lord!" Kaelen shouted back, looking panicked.

"Execute a starving woman?" Zaden roared, slamming his fist onto the arm of his throne. "What kind of monsters do you think we are? Bring the soup! Bring the roast pig! Bring everything from the kitchens!"

Before Lyanna could speak, Zaden unclasped his heavy fur cloak and threw it around her shoulders. It was incredibly warm, but it did smell like some cedar and smoke.

"Sit," Zaden commanded, pointing to a large, cushioned chair next to his throne.

"I do not understand," Lyanna whimpered, freezing. "I am your sacrifice. I am supposed to be your prisoner."

"You are my wife," Zaden snapped, though his eyes softened as he looked at her pale face. "And no one starves in my house. We will discuss the politics tomorrow. Tonight, you eat."

Within minutes, a massive wooden table was pushed in front of Lyanna. Five heavy-set dragon warriors rushed out of the kitchens, carrying silver platters piled high with food. They surrounded her, faces full of deep concern.

"Eat the bread, My Lady, it is fresh," one warrior urged.

"You need more meat," another said, piling three large steaks onto her plate. "Look at your cheeks. You look like a ghost."

Lyanna sat there, completely stunned, a fork clutched in her hand. 

She looked at the mountain of food, then up at Zaden, who was watching her with crossed arms, looking thoroughly annoyed that she hadn't started eating yet.

A quick smile touched Lyanna’s lips. Michael and the human council thought they had sent her to her death. Instead, they had handed her the keys to the most powerful army in the world.

She took a bite of the steak. It was perfect.

"Lord Drachen," Lyanna wiped her mouth with a silk napkin.

"Speak," Zaden rumbled.

"When my people are fed, and when I have my strength back," Lyanna’s blue eyes looked full  with a cold, beautiful fire. "I am going to need your help to destroy a man named Michael Grungen."

Zaden looked at her, a slow, predatory smile spread across his face, revealing sharp white fangs.

"My Lady," Zaden replied, moving back on his throne. "I will gladly burn his entire city to the ground for you. But first, finish your dinner."