Lyra's POV
"Wake up, everyone!" The sound of clapping and yawning disturbed my peace, and with great difficulty my heavy lids propped open, the warm sun peeked through the window, forcing my lashes to bat against themselves, and my lens tried readjusting to the new light.
Before me was Madame Maryam. Who now waved at me. My nose scrunched up, seeing her so early in the morning would never be a pleasing sight, but first things first. I held my back up with my elbow, my head still heavy from last night's adventure. The little whisper in my head seemed quieter than usual, and I feel this urge to pee but also fatigue. It weighs me down.
Conflict…
"There's important news I want to share with all the workers." She started,the fatigue increased, and the pressure too. I pulled the sheets over my aching body; the urge to pee had slowly turned to a heavy lump in my belly that only ached when I lay on my sides, but my bones are heavier today.
"Lord Draziel—" My heart skipped.
The weight shifted from my head to my heart. And the fright had decreased the lump in my belly as fluid flowed down my thigh. I would be damned; I would be so damned. The sound of his name was like a hot prick on my skin, and it had begun to itch.
What does he want this time around? My life? Why would I hear his name first thing in the morning? Can my life be any more miserable than it is now?
"Demanded and declared that the blooming be postponed and all workers should stay clear until further notice."
The blooming? The most important tradition in a dragon's life, and they want to postpone it?
"Why?" Someone asked before I did.
"We weren't told, but everyone needs to be inside from today till they see it fit to come out. Is that clear? You are relieved of your duties. But also you won't be permitted to leave your rooms." She narrowed her eyes toward me. Her eyes squinted like she was trying to say something she wasn't certain if I heard.
But I heard it alright. I knew that look, everyone looked at me that way ever since I came out of Lord Draziel's room. It was that look you give someone when you know their presence was an alarm. It was the look you give a curious worker who you weren't sure was exactly obedient but hoped this time they would try. It was also a warning look.
My arms were the first to give up, and I clasped my thighs tighter to stop any expulsion of urine.
My mind was in a haze. Why? Why would the dragons delay their festival after a mindless heist of mine? Why today of all days? Does he suspect anything?
The Lord Draziel could not possibly be a coward. No, he is fierce; he's direct. If it was because of last night, he would storm into this place and execute me to set an example.
Unless…
"How are we supposed to eat?"
"Each section will have their supply, and we will be offered food in the same fashion as before."
"So no festival? Everything is gone? indefinite, and we are locked all day. How about the flowers and decorations?"
"It will be removed, unfortunately." Everyone around seemed defeated by the news.
"Wow, something must have happened, something to have shifted their balance." Another girl commented, and I couldn't agree any less. At least someone with a brain cell that functions outside their sick-induced life.
I bet going there yesterday must have destroyed something in their dark magic that they needed to vet the street again. What if it was a tactic to fish us out? I needed to find Alisha she would be in trouble too.
They thought they were smart putting up a facade that everything was off so they could catch us if we tried to get into the human village now that everyone was off the streets. But they were simply not smart enough.
"When does this curfew start?" I finally asked, and everyone had their eyes on me like I had said something totally off-key.
"What did you say?" Maryam asked, the ridges on her forehead thickened, and I wondered what I had done for speaking again.
I repeated what I said in precise verbatim till I realized exactly what I had just said. I spoke in wolf tongue.
Damn!
How could I be this careless? Mentally putting the words together, I said in plain human terms. "When is the curfew starting, now or maybe an hour later?"
"The command was to be locked in the room by noon. I guess we are to assist in putting the decoration aside, but let me say two hours before final lockdown." Two hours was enough to find Alisha and ask her how her night was. That's if she wasn't out there being swooned over by some lord who promised her diamonds.
I fear she was charmed yesterday too. Yesterday she seemed different. I would bring her out of this too. Alongside all these blind people, I would save them.
"Fine." I said in a hurry. Gaining yet another multitude of long and confused stares made me realize I have once again spoken in a language none of them can understand.
Damn…
***********
Words on the street say that Lord Draziel still felt uncomfortable that Lord Kealith pranked him, and he was too pissed at his brother, who, if I'm not mistaken, hasn't been seen since the news broke. I was in the middle of it all.
The long stares by other humans passing by. The fingers being pointed and the extra kindness made me falter in my steps. And sick to my stomach. It was like everyone knew something but me. Everyone had a clue what happened that night, but I knew what happened, and I fear he knew too. That's why he wanted me to wander around, make me a fool, make me lonely in the enemy's territory, and make me wonder till I am mad and can't take it anymore then he would slit my throat.
Along the crowded path between tall figures carrying statues and pillars of flowers back into the tall building, I remained fighting through thick muscles for an opening that would lead to the opening and the place where the new ladies who were brought were kept.
That was where I would find Alisha. But right after my breakthrough, I was met by a pillar of two male dragons who stood so close that I slammed into one the moment I forced myself through the multitude.
The stillness of his muscles was as concrete as brick and defined like a statue from a lustful sculpture. Saliva bubbled in my mouth, not from adoration but because I could notice that olive skin from anywhere. The scent of death was so close I could feel it waft across my nose like a harsh warning that I was living on borrowed time.
It took me standing before one to realize how differently they were built from other dragons. How tall and mighty one was, talk more of two. It also didn't take much for me to realize they were guard dragons. The same kind that guarded the human village.
They caught me!