Five

“Son?” A female voice spoke behind them. Corithias let go of Alicia and bowed to the queen standing in the doorway.

“Mother, this is Alicia, my mate. Alicia, this is Queen Vashti, my mother,” Corithias said, introducing them. Alicia was shocked to hear him call her his mate. She was not sure what that meant, but his mother did not look impressed.

“My Queen,” Alicia said, bowing low before the woman. “Your mate, you say?” The queen said in a disapproving tone. Corithias tapped Alicia to stand by him. She stood and searched his face for assurance that all was well.

“Go, see your father. He needs to have a word with you about going to the human realm with no protection. He is very displeased I will tell you that,” Queen Vasti said. Corithias grabbed Alicia’s hand and started to go see the king, but his mother reached out and took Alicia’s arm to stop her.

“You stay here. This is between father and son. Corithias took a deep breath and nodded to Alicia to stay. She was terrified. It was clear that the queen was not happy with her being there.

The queen rang a bell hanging from a rope, and a young lady in a servant's dress appeared, bowing to the queen.

“Natalie, please take Corithias’ guest to the room nearest his. Let her bathe, find her some clothing, and give her something to eat,” Queen Vashti instructed.

“Take a nap and rest until evening. Someone will retrieve you for our evening meal,” the queen informed Alicia.

Alicia quickly bowed to the queen and followed the servant to her quarters. When she got to her room, she could not believe her eyes. It was like a whole house inside, and the bed was huge.

The maids came in carrying hot water for her bath and brought a basket of great smelling soaps lotions and oils. Natalie offered to bathe her, but Alicia declined. While she was bathing, the two maids came in, carrying dresses, undergarments, and shoes. They put everything away and then helped her change into one of the gowns for her nap.

Alicia snuggled down in the soft bedding and went off to sleep at once. Corithias tapped on her door, but she did not respond because she was sleeping. He wanted to check on her, though, so he opened the door and peeked inside.

Corithias saw his beautiful girl sleeping with her long blonde hair splayed out across the pillow. “Dear God, she is beautiful. She looks like an angel laying there,” he whispered to himself. He reached down and softly kissed her cheek, smiling at her. Alicia smiled and moaned in her sleep. Corithias moved a bang away from her face, touching her temple with the back of his hand.

“Your Highness, the Queen is requesting to speak to you,” the butler Stanton said, standing outside the open door. “Thank you, Stanton, I’ll be there in just a moment,” Corithias told the man.

“Corithias dear, tell us about this human you have brought into our home. What makes you think that she is your mate? What makes you so sure we can trust her? And, most importantly, is this girl capable of taking the role of princess for our kingdom?” Queen Vashti asked, folding her hands in her lap, awaiting answers.

“Mother, Alicia is more than an ordinary human. I’m not quite sure if she is dragon or not, but she has healing knowledge and healing powers. I was in bad condition. I lay almost dead, and she nursed me back to health. She took care of my wounds; she healed me with her tears. Her eyes, I saw fire in them, and I felt burning heat as she healed me. If not for her, I would be dead. This woman, Mother, this woman risked her life for me. She is my mate, Mother. I am sure of it, and I am sure she is worthy to become our princess,” Corithias declared with confidence.

The king and queen listened to Corithias’ words and decided that Alicia did indeed have merit. “Very well then, Son. We will allow her to stay here in the mansion while we observe her and prepare her to be our princess. You will not marry her until we have decided on her fate, though,” the Queen said.

“One month from now, if she has proven her worth, then you will marry her, and she shall become our princess. If it is determined she is but a human, though, she will not be able to produce an heir. The birth of a dragonith would kill a mere mortal. If that turns out to be the case, then you will have to choose another mate and let the human return to her homeland,” Queen Vashti told him.

Corithias’ father, King Jaffa agreed. Prince Corithias hung his head, contemplating their words. “Agreed,” he said, looking them both in the eyes. “One month,” he replied in confirmation.