Taming Kayn: Dragon Brides Series, #2

By Maya King

As a third daughter, Princess Aedria of Kania had expected a plain but comfortable life married to some countryside governor. However, on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, a Dragon God showed up to her doorstep and changed her fate forever.

The Water Dragon Kayn has been banished from the City of the Gods and exiled to a barren island in the middle of the sea for one thousand years. Princess Aedria is sent to act as servant to the exiled God, to live out her life with him in the middle of nowhere. Kayn is arrogant and bitter about his fate, but when Aedria arrives on his island, a new purpose appears for him - to keep her alive.

Aedria is set on her duty to serve her God, but can she lead Kayn towards the path of redemption when her own life has been destroyed by him?

Note:  This is a follow up novella to The Dragon's Bride

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maya King
• Release date: Apr 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386236412

Maya King

Maya King loves light and fun fantasy stories with strong romantic elements. She is a full-time writer who lives in the desert and daydreams of dragons and wizards in her spare time. To be notified of future releases from Maya, you can sign up to the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bXHz3v

Book preview

Chapter 1

Princess Aedria was cursed from the moment she was born.  Aedria was a third daughter.

Of course, there were curses far worse than being born the third child to the King and Queen of Kania.  She could have been born too poor to eat or too sick to live a day.  She could have been any number of things worse than third child to King Taerin and Queen Margreta.  However, she lived knowing this curse was still hanging over her head, ready to manifest at any point of her life.

She had made it to her coming-of-age day without her luck turning, at least.  She had gotten through childhood with all her teeth and bones and eyesight still intact.  She was healthy and happy with a younger brother who would one day rule the kingdom and two older sisters who would soon marry princes from other provinces.  That left just Aedria behind.

Her coming-of-age day festivities were grand and unforgettable.  Aedria was the last daughter of the king and queen, and so they celebrated in a magnificent style in hopes of finding their third daughter a suitable marriage partner.  So many people had been invited from all over the world.  Aedria’s birth anniversary was at the sweet, cool end of summer, and so guests spilled into the famous gardens of the Kanian castle to dance and eat and drink all night. 

That’s the man I may be betrothed to marry, Aedria whispered to her best friend, Jania.  As the daughter of the Captain of the Castle Guard, Jania had grown up with Aedria in the castle.  They had shared many experiences, though Aedria knew her life was very different to Jania’s. 

He’s quite handsome, Jania said, leaning over the table to get a better look of the Governor’s son, Callin.  Is he a prince?

Aedria let out a sigh.  Of course, her life as a third child meant that she would never marry someone as exciting as a prince.  No, he’s just the son of the governor who rules the Eastern Province.  But at least he’s handsome.

Yes, he’s very handsome, Jania said, trying to hide her disappointment with an excess of enthusiasm.  What’s he like?

I haven’t met him yet.

Jania swung her head around to give Aedria a shocked look.  However, the understanding quickly dawned on her.  Well, he looks kind.

Aedria couldn’t hold back the sigh.  Jania would be able to court a number of bachelors before she and her parents decided on the best match for her.  As a princess of an important royal family, Aedria had no such luck.  However, she had accepted her fate long ago, and she even looked forward to the path set out safely in front of her.  Her parents had had the same arrangement, and they enjoyed a strong and happy marriage to this day.  Aedria’s sisters had also gone through the same experience, and they both seemed to be happy.  Despite being cursed, she assumed a marriage to Callin would be perfectly average.

You should meet him, Jania said.  She grabbed onto Aedria’s hand and flashed an excited smile.  He looks like he needs a partner to dance with.

Aedria didn’t have a moment to react before her best friend was pulling her up.  She giggled and pretended to protest while letting herself be dragged across the garden.

Aedria never stopped moving the entire night until the dawn came, and it had been a night of perfection.  She had danced with so many men, she had eaten so much, and she had had her first taste of cherry wine made just south of the castle - though her father still only allowed one small glass.  Becoming an adult had seemed then like a wonderful delight.  But then, the Wind God came.

––––––––

Aedria, Margreta called the next day through Aedria’s door.

It was early afternoon, and Aedria’s body ached.  She was exhausted after her party, and she had planned to sleep the whole day and night through to recover.  However, when her mother called her, she could hear the serious note in her voice.  Curiosity made her get up.

She wore a simple house dress to step outside and speak with her mother.  Margreta gave her a sad smile once she was out of her bedroom.

What is it, mother? Aedria asked.  Her voice was already shaking.

Her mother wasn’t ready to say just yet.  Follow me, she ordered, and Aedria followed her mother all the way to the front of the castle to a formal parlor.  It was an ornate room that Aedria had scarcely allowed to enter, as it was usually meant for the King to meet with important private guests.  Aedria’s mind went wild guessing what this could mean for her.

Inside the parlor, her father sat with a priest that she had seen many times but never spoken with.  King Taerin did not seem happy with what the priest had to say, and even the priest looked unhappy to see Aedria.  His name was Jevio, and he was the highest ranking priest at the Kanian church across the square from the castle.  Aedria had seen him speak many times in her life, but she didn’t know what he was doing here now.

High Priest Jevio, Aedria said, giving a formal bow.  The pomp and decorum of greeting important people came naturally to her now.

Please take a seat, Aedria’s father said.  He didn’t look her in the eye.

Aedria took her seat on the cushion in front of the priest and the king.  Both looked solemn.  Aedria didn’t open her mouth to ask why.  She had a feeling that she didn’t want to know what they were so worried about.

My daughter, Taerin began.  My third daughter...  He trailed off.

My King, that is just a superstition, Jevio said.  Please do not think of this as a curse.  Perhaps it is an opportunity.

What is an opportunity? Aedria asked.  She clasped her hands together in her laps to keep them from shaking.

High Priest Jevio began in a thoughtful tone, Aedria, you had the unique privilege to be born a member of the royal family.  You have lived a life of comfort and luxury that so many in this world envy.  In exchange, you and your brother and sisters have certain duties.

Duties?

When your brother comes of age, he will be given a wife.  It is not a marriage of love.  He will not even know the woman before they are promised to one another.  But he will do his duty to the kingdom and marry her.  Your eldest sister will soon marry the Prince of Finnia.  Your other sister was sent to Vaynspool to marry a prince there, once again as a duty to keep our kingdom strong.  You understand their sacrifices, don’t you?

Aedria listened to the priest’s explanation, letting the words sit in her mind for a moment before considering how they might apply to her.

Am I to be married? Aedria asked.  Already?  There had been whispers of her marrying Callin of the Eastern Province, and she had found him to be kind, but nothing had yet been decided.  She couldn’t imagine her parents had already decided on a marriage agreement, especially on the night of her coming-of-age party.  She had slept the better part of the day, though.  Perhaps they had moved quickly in the engagement process.

Aedria realized that in the entire time that her mind had been racing, her father and the priest had both been silent.  They had shared a look between one another.  Perhaps Aedria had seemed far more excited than they anticipated.

Who is it? Aedria asked.  Perhaps another family had made a better offer for marriage, creating an awkward situation with the East?

It isn’t a marriage exactly, Jevio said.  It is a duty on behalf of the crown of Kania, as well as for the church.

Aedria frowned as all the excitement deflated from her.  Doing something for the church of Kayn didn’t seem nearly as interesting as marrying a handsome young governor.

What kind of a duty? she asked.  She didn’t like that they were taking so long to tell her.  Her apprehension grew.  That could only mean this would turn out bad for her.

We got some news recently.  From Lord Finn himself, Taerin said, though his voice was oddly thin.

Lord Finn visited here? Aedria asked, unable to hide her excitement at the idea.  Of all the Gods, Finn was the most likely to play amongst the humans, but it was still rare to get him settled in one place long enough for much of a conversation.  What did he say?  Is he still here? 

Aedria’s excitement was punctured by the stony looks on her father’s face.  She looked to Jevio, desperate for an explanation.

Our Lord Kayn... Jevio took a moment to pause.  He’s been exiled from the City of the Gods.  He’s no longer there to watch over us and protect us.

Aedria looked from the priest to her father.  She briefly wondered if this was some sort of test of her faith, but the look in the King’s eyes told her that this was nothing but the truth.  There was so much pain and worry across her father’s face.  It would be his burden to bear this news, even when it spread through the city and then the rest of the kingdom.  Something like this had never happened before, as far as Aedria could remember from her study of history.  How would the people of Kania react?

How? she asked.  Her voice shook with fear.

There had been some unrest in the City of the Gods.  There were questions of whether or not Lord Vayn was a competent ruler.  Apparently, he had lost his godly powers, but a human girl from Vaynspool helped him regain them.  During that period, our Lord Kayn saw fit to become the King of the Gods, because he knew a powerless God was not fit to rule.  But when Lord Vayn’s powers returned...

He betrayed his brother, Aedria said.  She felt so numb.

For our sake, the priest insisted.  He wasn’t going to let us die in that endless summer.  He did something for us, and Lord Vayn repaid our Lord’s devotion to his people with callous revenge.

Aedria’s breath was beginning to come in short, shallow puffs.  How would her kingdom get through this?

What are we going to do, father? she asked.  Will we still be the royal family of Kania?  Will I still marry Callin?  This wasn’t our fault!  It was Lord Kayn...

Our family must do what we must to solve this problem.  Your brother and sisters have already done their part.  Their marriages, their ties to other countries, will bring stability to our own.  Same with your mother’s family.

And what will I do? Aedria asked.

The King paused for a moment, looking to Jevio.