Nonbeliever | Dezòd & Helena
helenagodiva
Sheâd had another dream ⌠this one was even more vivid than the others.
She dreamt of the man from the village again and this time, she saw his fall. It wasnât from the tops of a wall, as she had imagined, but from the back of a mighty dragon. Down, down, down heâd gone, until the earth rose up to meet them.
He had been a dragon rider. He had been the enemy.
It was just a dream, she reminded herself. Just a dream. Cassius Montagu had killed all of the traitors: he would not have let one go. Still, there was a nagging part of her wanted to say something to someone â what if it wasnât just a dream? What if one of them had survived? What if she knew where they could find him? But part of her felt silly for even considering it. Not all of her dreams were true, she reminded herself. It only felt that way, because she had dreamed of a man sheâd never met before. It was more likely, she was sure, that they had met once before, but neither of them had remembered.
Sheâd been too deep in thought to pay much attention to where she was going. She only missed one turn, but it was enough. She found herself in an unfamiliar part of the castle. It was poorly lit down this particular corridor. She knew she wasnât going the right way and turning, she moved back to come the way she came when DezĂłd emerged from the shadows. She gasped, startled but his sudden appearance.
âI am. Very.â She admitted, unsure even at what side of the castle she was on, âI was trying to find my way back to my rooms but ⌠I think I must have missed a turn, a while back.â
She had met him only once. It had been sometime after her parents death, but before she was sent to the East. She was scared of him then and, even now, even as she knew how he was a trusted member of her sisterâs council, there was something about him that made her uneasy. She felt that it must only be his appearance: only she hoped she wasnât as unkind as that.
âIt is good to see you, too.â She said, âI know how much my sister relies upon you. I cannot thank you enough for the support and guidance you have given her.â
Cruel fate, itâs skeletal hand pulling taut around her throat. Strange that this girl should have any power over him, strange that he, an immortal being, should strand in danger of outliving this doomed little waif only by months. He almost shrieked his laugh out to the air between them, inhuman eyes glowing in the dim firelight like cat eyes. He blinked, the effect lost, and smiled instead. There were but four beings now living whose choices could impact Dezòdâs own fate. It seemed almost absurd - and therefore, strangely sane - that this sheltered girl should be one of them.
He thought of the first time heâd seen her, big blue eyes streaming with tears, and heâd known, then, that her doom was the first step towards his own. Heâd known as he laid his hand upon, known as power coursed over her, a solemn curse that would bind them forever, sealing up all the serpentine paths by which she might have lived, her life bound to the equally doomed Order of the Dragonriders.
Dezòdâs head tilted, the firelight refracting from the slick burn marks across his form.  âYes,â he agreed, narrowing his eyes, evaluating the tide of fate roiling around her.  âYou did take a wrong path.â
Her eyes were limpid and Dezòd wondered if Charles Degrey had felt their power. Best he does, he thought, a half-smirk lighting the corner of his face. Best she feel his, too. History must unfold.
Dezòd held out one hand, half-gesturing to her.  âCome with me, little one,â he said.  âIâll see you get where you are going.â
What remained of his lips since the fire curled upwards and Dezòd bowed, slightly, hands drifting outward.  âYou are too kind, Highness.â His fractured eyes found hers, resting there for a moment.  âHer Majesty has, indeed, come a long way. And,â he added with a smile.  âShe has so much further to go. Your sister is a capable and intelligent leader, but even capable and intelligent leaders must be allowed to have hearts. I am glad her sister is here for her, now, to comfort her heart.â
He gestured ahead, allowing the two of them to walk side-by-side as he led her along.  âIâm sure your journey must have been exhausting, perhaps even more so with the ball tomorrow hovering at your shoulder. Was it a peaceful trip?â
















