Nala- Before She Was Queen: The Draglen Brothers

By Solease M Barner

Nala Batru liked being the quiet one in the family. Staying off everyone's radar was perfect. It just made things easier since she needed to better train her dragon. Yet, her life changed with one simple dance with Prince Dramen... And would never be the same.
Prince Dramen Draglen was handsome, arrogant, and one of the most powerful dragons in the land. He enjoyed everything that came with being a Prince… Until it all came crashing down.
Will this unlikely couple learn to compromise, put aside their differences, and live happily ever after?
The answer can only be found in the pages of this Draglen Brothers Story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Solease Barner
• Release date: Jul 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223403937

Book preview

1

THE ARRANGEMENT

It was the worst day of my life. I didn't want to be Prince Dramen's Wella, yet that was the news my parents received the day before. I wished I'd never gone to the celebration and danced. Then I would not have been in such an awful situation. Cursed with an advantage over everyone else, I guessed. My body heard the beat of the oytelop and the horns blowing, and my hips couldn't help but move. It just so happened. I was extremely great at dancing. Some said blessed. As for me, I said cursed. I wouldn't even get into how jealous my sisters were. I wasn't trying to catch his attention. I mean, yes, he was beautiful, but only on the outside. The Prince was not a nice guy, and no dragon I wanted to ever marry. I wanted to marry for love, not for arrangement. I just wanted to run or fly away. They discussed this without giving me any choice. I should have known something was up when he left his seat and came down to my family's dance area. According to the aumdo, each family danced independently, and the royal family watched on a higher level with their own floor. Of course, they were welcome to dance with us if they so pleased, and the people could dance with each other. But if a royal searched for a Wella, you could not go into other families' areas during dancing. I didn't think our family was even being watched. The Prince was rumored to be choosing his love, Ketra, from the Perlons family. They should be royal. Her Father was the highest ranking General in Kalin. He was the reason our forces were untouched on Cortemagen. No female expected him to pick anyone besides Ketra. He marked her so no other male even dared to approach her. Even though Prince Dramen had multiple Givers. So, everyone's mouth fell open when he stepped down and passed her family area. Then when he stopped on the edge of the dance area, I felt his eyes on me. I continued to dance, feeling the music, letting it take me, and he just watched me. Then he did it. He joined me. Something Prince Dramen had never done.

Our bodies linked, and to my surprise, we were in sync. My legs wrapped around the Prince, and we danced, creating a beautiful rhythm. When the music finally stopped, I was breathing faster, and so was he. Quickly, he walked away. Only his aposti came back with a scribe for my parents. I was scared and wanted to know what it said. They were happy and told me they were beckoned to the castle. Why would they be asked to come to the castle? Shouldn't the Perlons, Ketra's parents, get this invite? My mind was spinning with questions. As the party ended, Ketra and her clique gave me the deadliest stare. It was awful. I had no interest in Prince Dramen. She had nothing to worry about, or so I thought. The following day my parents were gone before the sun was up. Off to the castle, they left a note for my sisters and me not to worry. But I worried. I couldn't think until I saw them. As soon as they walked through the bakery door, I was ready to know what was said, even though a small voice inside my head knew, even before my homla uttered, You're engaged, Nala. We accepted King Dreke and Prince Dramen's proposal! I was in shock hearing how excited she was that I was getting married to a man I didn't know. Unexpectedly, I'm supposed to start planning a party with Prince Dramen, who, just a few days ago, everyone in this country - including me - thought was going to pick Ketra. I was about to be a bride, and she probably wanted me in the fire. It was awful.

Then my thoughts were interrupted by the sweetest sound.

Nala, come here, please. My mom yelled for me. As I left my room to see what she wanted, I couldn't help but think about my family. We were different from the Draglens. We were an average family in Cortamagen. My family owned a bakery, and my mother taught the Supers how to dance. The fact I danced with the Prince was amazing. Why did he take notice of me? I knew he had Givers. He could have chosen one of them, so why me? I couldn't say no. It would have disgraced my family. Either one of my sisters would have been a better choice. I'm shy and soft-spoken. Nothing about me wanted to be a royal. I was going to hate it and would fail.

Yes, Mother!

Oh Nala, my beautiful daughter, don't look so somber. You will be Queen of Cortamagen and the Mother of the Draglens one day. It's something to celebrate! My mom, Hanatiy, was excited and saw the possibility, but to me, my life was ending.

I just want to garden and paint, maybe bake some bread, marry a normal dragon, and live a normal life. I wasn't even ready to be with another… Why can't Yanklin go in my place? She's much more suited for this life. What I wanted was ignored. Their enthusiasm drowned out the cries of my heart.

You were requested. Do not sell yourself short. Your sisters may have a lot of flair, but you have a fire inside that is burning to get out.

I guess they all wish it was them anyway, and I feel alone. My dragon sighed inside of me, and I completely agreed.

My sisters come walking into the kitchen, laughing and talking. Yanklin, Que, Zella and Ereina. They were all so beautiful, each with their own gorgeous trait. Yanklin with beautiful golden eyes and long, shiny silver hair. Que with the most amazing green eyes and curly long white and black hair. Zella with eyes deep chocolate with long wavy, deep blue hair, and Ereina with gray eyes and straight red hair. When my sisters were out, all the dragons and supers looked at them. They were eye-catching, and they knew it. On the other hand, I had florescent eyes and unmanageable long hair the color of sand. That's why I didn't understand how I got picked. Anyone of my sisters would have been thrilled. They were not upset that I was picked. They were excited and wanted me to be excited, but how could I. Soon I would leave my home to be with a male with Givers. It had to be a dream. I wanted to wake up.

Nala, you're so lucky. When you move to the castle, can we visit? Zella asked, but they all wanted to know.

I'm not sure. I don't want to go anyway. I couldn't help but shrug my shoulders.

Sister, Nala, please, you must cheer up, or at least pretend. You are only going to make it hard for yourself. He's not going to change his mind. Que looked at me seriously, hoping to get through to me.

Tears rolled down my face. I loved and was being ripped away from my sisters, but I had no choice. My mother left the kitchen without saying a word, leaving my sisters to comfort me. She had already spoken her peace.

I know I should be stronger, but I always thought I could fall in love and choose my mate, not chosen by a Draglen. They are arrogant and selfish dragons. They only love themselves. I'm nothing like them, I sadly expressed to my sisters.

You may not be like them, but you will be the Queen one day. Make the castle your home. Make them conform to our way. You are the sensitive one among us, and it's beautiful. You have the heart. You are shy, soft-spoken. That is what drew him to you. Don't change for anyone. Let that Nala shine. Bring joy in the palace and invite your sisters, Ereina smiled.

I can't believe you think you all would not be invited. I will request that you stay at least three nights a week because I'm so used to sleeping in the same home with you all. Besides, I don't know anything about being married, especially to a royal, I replied.

We are going to help you. It will be fun. I hear there are private parties at the castle. Now we will know all about it. Zella arched a brow and grinned. She was my wild sister and loved to party. She would fit right in with the rumors of the Draglens.

We started cooking food and continued to talk. It helped ease my fears of being with Dramen but didn’t take away the not wanting to be with him. I still wanted him to choose another.

We ate a lot of food, laughed, and went to our small backyard. They kept me occupied. I knew I would have to start going on dates with Prince Dramen to prepare the kingdom for our engagement and wedding. Everything was happening so fast. Was he pressured to pick a bride? If so, he had an entire land of women. Why me? Because I was over a hundred, my gifts were beginning to form. Sadly, my gift of sight had shown me that Prince Dramen had two sides. I wasn't sure how to take the vision and didn't want to find out.

Later that day, there was a knock on the door. One of the servants delivered a scroll with an invitation for me. I was going on a date with Prince Dramen the following day. I couldn't even pretend that it didn't make me sick. As soon as I read the invite, I wanted to puke. I didn't even know him. Yes, he was the Prince, but what would we talk about? How was I about to be his Wella when Ketra should be his bride? Maybe he was going to tell me about my duties? It was going to be so awkward.

I went to the bakery where my Father spent most of his time and showed him the invitation. He looked at me and said nothing for a few minutes. Then he nodded for me to start helping him knead the dough.

We were silent for about thirty minutes. Then my Father finally started to talk.

I should be proud. The Prince chose my daughter to wed. But once you leave, you will no longer be my Young, and that breaks my heart.

Oh, now I know my feelings are warranted. Leaving you all is going to be so bad. The look and admiration on my Father's face should have