Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 51

Ria

I’d had to get out of that room before I blew and just lost my ever-loving shit. I hoped that this answered the questions and I would never be asked them again. I had escaped out to the garden, being sure Isobel had the kids in hand, and it would still be a little bit before Brand needed to eat.

I needed to gather myself together before I was around them anyway. I know they’re little but I still worry about them picking up on things if I don’t keep everything locked down tight when I’m with them. I want them to have a peaceful and happy childhood, not wonder what is up with Mommy and why she's losing her mind.

So, I am in front of the fountain on my bench as I’ve come to think of it, just taking deep breaths, and telling myself I’m okay. When someone unexpected appears whom I don’t know. I’m immediately on alert, although you would think security would keep some stranger from walking on the property.

It's a woman and she's looking at me like she knows who I am, even though I'm clueless about her.

She must see my alarm at her sudden appearance, “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you. My name is Arabella, and I have actually wanted to meet you for quite a while now, but this is the first time I've been here in a while.”

She has a strong proper British accent, and she's rather tall and willowy, “Okay, Arabella, I'm not sure why you've wanted to meet me, but here I am unfortunately.”

She cocks her head to the side as if attempting to understand why I said the last part, I don't elaborate.

“I've known your mates for quite some time, and occasionally work with them, which is why I'm here now. May I sit?”

I point to the bench, and she sits, and I'm grateful she left space between us. I don't like to feel crowded, especially by strangers.

“So, you're here to work with the Royal Dragons, huh? Well, I'm actually sorry about that, but who knows, if you're friends with them it probably doesn't bother you.”

She looks very confused, “Sorry, I don't mean to confuse you, I'm just not their greatest fan.”

“I'm surprised to hear that, normally mates are extremely enamored of each other.” She looks as though she's still trying to solve the puzzle of me.

I grin sardonically, “Well normal mates are probably not being held captive after being kidnapped and raped, but hell, maybe that's more common than I know. Fuck knows people around here don't give a shit.”

Her eyes about bug out of her head, “Pardon me, but I'm not sure if you are being serious or have a very strange sense of humor.”

“Oh, I'm being extremely serious. I don't know anyone who would joke about that shit.” I scrunch my nose in disgust at the idea.

“I see you're still wearing the bracelet Drago commissioned me to enchant.” My whole body freezes.

I think she suddenly realizes by the horrified look on my face that she's misjudged the situation.

I jump up from the bench and turn on her, “Are you telling me you're the witch who put the magic into this mother fucking piece of shit that is helping them hold me prisoner?”

“Ah, I'm not exactly sure of all that stuff, but Drago flew to my house, which isn't far from here as the Dragon flies. He said he needed to protect his mate, so he needed a powerful spell worked into that bracelet. It was supposed to keep you safe from harm to yourself, harm to others, and safe from being able to be taken more than 20 miles from home, unless your mates were escorting you.”

“Did you never once think about why he would ask you for something like that?” I watched her face trying to figure out just how clueless she was.

“No, I had always found your mates to be honorable men, so I never questioned him.”

I doubled over laughing hysterically. I am sure I sounded unhinged. I certainly felt that way, “Oh my fucking god, he so played you. This bracelet makes sure I can't escape them by taking myself away from them or free myself through death. It makes certain I can't fight them or harm them to protect myself from them. It makes sure I can never run away from them. This is the lock on my prison door.”

She blinked several times like she was trying to process all that, “Why would you try to kill yourself?”

“If you had been kidnapped, the government helped your kidnappers and rapists fake your death, so all of your identification was worthless. You could never go home, never see the people you love. If you were continuing to be assaulted over and over, and used as a brood mare. If you could never again look in a mirror without seeing how utterly dirty and disgusting you have become. If you had a monster inside of you that you despised and had no control over. Don't you think you'd want to be free?”

She just sat there utterly shocked and speechless. I could see the wheels turning in her head.

I held out my wrist, “Take it off. Drago said he and the creator of the magic could take it off. So, take it off.”

She stared at my wrist and I could see her debating with herself about it. Then she looked up at me, and she looked behind me.

“I'm sorry, but I can't do that.” She looked down at her feet.

“Then never show your face to me again. You can no longer feign ignorance about what this is, how he's using it, and what you are helping him do to me. You just became as guilty as they are. I know he's there, and he heard every word. Now, ask yourself why he didn't refute one fucking word of what I said.”

She looked incredibly distressed and she kept looking behind me, “Are you afraid of him or them? Will they harm you if you don't do what they say?”

She looked startled I would ask that, and with what I had told her I wanted to roll my eyes at that assumption.

“No, of course not. I've never known them to harm anyone.” I laughed out loud at that.

“Did you not understand what I specifically explained they do to me? If you don't consider that harm, then lady you need fucking help.”

“Enough Ria, she won’t remove the bracelet.” Drago walked closer to where we were.

“Drago, did I tell any lies with what I told her?” I dared him to call me a liar. Instead, he remained silent.

I smiled angrily, and looked at Arabella, “I rest my case.”

She stood, nervous now, “I'm sorry, I won't disturb you again.” She turned and rushed for the house.

I just hung my head and let the tears fall unchecked.

“This isn’t over Drago.”