Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 66

Ria

We had an awesome day yesterday, all of the kids had fun, especially the three birthday girls. However, right now is the exact opposite of that. We are in the family living room. The guys, myself, each of the other 3 Royal Dragon Families, and the three girls. 

Drago just explained to them that the day after their 18th birthday, per a signed agreement between the families, they will be given as a mate to one of the Royal Dragon Families present. I have kept my mouth shut, and seeing the absolute horror on my daughter’s faces as they look from their fathers to the strangers sitting across from them.

I have to look at the floor so they can’t see the horror in my own eyes, and I am biting my tongue so hard I actually taste blood. I knew this would happen. I knew this wasn’t going to be the stupid fairy tale version of things the guys have been telling themselves for more than 13 years. 

I glance up and the horror is continuing to grow the more they look from the men they thought would always protect them to the men they have been sold to. Elizabeth is trying to be strong for the other two, and she’s holding their hands. They have now dissolved into uncontrollable sobs.

Elizabeth glances at me with anger and sorrow, she sees the pain etched on my face and she asks me straight out, “Did you agree to this mom, did you sign the agreement to?” 

The only word I can squeeze past my throat is “No”.

She nods, and then casts one more horror-filled, betrayed look at her fathers, she gathers the other two and helps them to stand, as they are hysterical. She leads them out of the room keeping her back straight. The cries echo loudly down the hallways as the girls disappear up to the 2nd floor. 

Drago looks at me with anger written all over his face, “Did you tell them about this, is this because of you?”

I lash out angry that he would even suggest such a thing, “No, I have kept my god damn mouth shut about this whole fucking mess. I haven’t said one single word. What you are now witnessing is the death and destruction of every single dream your daughters had for their futures and the lives they dreamed of having. So it’s ah, you had dreams, you had ambitions, you had things you wished to do, oh sorry you can’t do that, you are far more valuable to us as a brood mare. So you sit with the sounds of their pain and sorrow. You have dismissed me every time I have tried to tell you what a fucking mistake this is. Listen to their distress, see the horror on their faces, let the looks they shot you of absolute betrayal sink in. Maybe then you will finally pull your heads out of your asses and listen to me. If not, prepare for that to be what you have now condemned all of them to.” With that, I get up and run after my girls. 

I hear cries coming from Elizabeth’s room, when I open the door, the 3 of them are all huddled together holding on to each other and sobbing their hearts out. I crawl up on the bed with them and I put my arms around them holding them as much as I can, while my tears mix with theirs. 

Cinder

I am watching a very despondent Eli move food around her plate not really eating. This has now been the norm for a while with all 3 of the girls, who when I look up at them, they look like Eli, and they are not really eating either. All 3 have lost weight, and there are dark circles under their eyes, and their faces are drawn, and they are not smiling. 

They all 3 remind me of their mom if truth be told. She’s actually been trying to help with them, and trying to pull them out of this depression they have all sunk into. She unfortunately hasn’t been very successful.

It’s been weird that they have pretty much shut all of us dads out. I am used to being the fun dad. I am the one they play pranks with or watch silly movies with. Now, though, there’s no laughter going on. 

The other kids have picked up on the atmosphere and know something has happened, but they don’t know what. The girls have actually kept it all to themselves, only talking to each other and their mom. They avoided the other families the remaining time they were here as well. 

“Hey Eli, why don’t you, your sisters, and I go watch a funny movie in the theatre room tonight?” I watch her response to my suggestion.

Her hand freezes in its mission to move the food around her plate, I hear her take a shuddering breath, like she’s trying not to cry, and that surprises me. 

Then very solemnly, without actually looking at me, she utters, “No, thanks.” 

She looks over to Ria and asks, “Can I be excused, please, mom?” 

I see Ria look at her with a worried expression, but she nods and says nothing. The other two follow suit and quickly all 3 join up and leave the dining room together. 

Damn, that hurts, that she doesn’t even want to spend time with me. I hope this whole thing blows over soon. It’s hard seeing them in this state. We didn’t think they would ever be this upset about the arranged matings we had set up for them. Yet, they have, and now they are completely avoiding all of us dads.

The other kids are watching the whole thing, and they are watching Ria to gauge what they should do. She smiles at all of them and goes back to her own dinner which like the girls, she’s just moving around on her plate and not eating. Seeing her reassuring smile, although I can tell it’s fake as hell, relaxes them and they go back to eating like normal. 

“We’ll watch a funny movie with you, pop-pop.” my son Drako smiles and tells me. 

“Sure buddy, after we clean up from dinner, and as long as your homework is done, we can definitely do that.” I smile at him.

I get very enthusiastic responses from several of the other kids as well, and I add, “Anyone who wants to join in, as long as your homework is all done, can come down to the theatre room to watch a funny movie before bedtime.” Now, just to figure out what movie we should watch. 

At least everything has remained normal with all of the other kids and they still want to hang out with us dads. It just points out what I thought earlier that the girls haven’t said a word about anything. 

Will this situation resolve itself as we think?