The Kingdom of Dragons: A Fast-Paced Young Adult Medieval Fantasy, Clean Romance, Good Versus Evil by Cara Ruegg

Author:Cara Ruegg [Ruegg, Cara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Draconem Treasure

“Ava Cern!” Cornelius called out from behind her, squeezing through a crowd of villagers that were headed to the town square.

She turned and looked inquisitively at him. “Yes?”

He tipped his straw hat to her and carefully led her to a small alleyway. “I know we rarely talk, but I think we could help each other.” He eyed the symbol on her wrist. She quickly pulled it behind her back.

“What could you possibly help me with?”

“The Draconem ruins have long interested me, and I reckon they would interest you as well.”

“Why would you say that?”

“I know you’re always asking Madame Tulsi to tell you stories of the war and the dragons. Well, I’m interested in those topics too, as I’m sure you know.”

“That doesn’t explain how I might be able to help.”

He inched closer and whispered in her ear, “Your birthmark is quite literally a key.”

“Excuse me?” She pulled back and looked side to side to see if anyone had been close enough to hear. Luckily, no one else was around.

“There is a secret door I found in the castle ruins. It is still intact and sealed. The keyhole is not your ordinary keyhole, otherwise, I probably would’ve been able to make a makeshift key by now. It’s a strange marking like what I clearly see is on your wrist.”

Ava looked around again, clearly nervous and unsure of what to say or do. She hardly knew Cornelius and did not trust him in the slightest, but she was curious.

“Let me make my intentions clear. I do not want to hurt you or expose your secret. I also am quite devoted to the Draconem kingdom and their dragons. I have studied enough to know they are not intrinsically evil and that it was our kingdoms that acted unjustly. You have nothing to fear from me, I assure you.”

“How can I be sure of that? You are the epitome of elusiveness. You never hang around long enough for anyone in the village, including Madame Tulsi, to get a proper sense of who you even are. Nobody knows your family background or which kingdom you even hail from.”

“Oceanem,” he said, “is it not obvious by my appearance? My father was a travelling merchant, quite like me, and I know he was known here.”

“Known as well as you are.”

“My mother was Draconen.”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“See.” Cornelius smiled. “One important revelation has just been made about me. I trust you will keep it a secret, though, right? I mean, it won’t go over so well if anyone were to find out.”

“How can I even confirm that what you say is true?”

“My telling you just now was already the act of a desperate fool. Even more of a fool would it make me had I said it if it weren’t true. Not exactly wise to admit. We would be killed, you and I, were the king to find out. At least you have won the heart of the prince who clearly takes after his mother, a lover of all that is Draconen.

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