It's not every day that monsters visit the castle.
They approached this morning from the west, three snake-like figures in the sky, a peculiar carriage flying between them. I watched them through my window, tracing the stone sill restlessly with my fingers.
Up close, the carriage appears to be made of living wood. The branches are twisted and wound together to form the wheels and outer walls, which are painted with vibrant green leaves. It's normal in every other way and looks right at home in the castle courtyard.
It's not every day that dragons come to ask a favor.
That's what these monsters are—dragons. I spotted them first in their humanoid forms when they were escorted through the castle halls. They towered over the other princes, the two who entered both over six feet tall. Even in this form, they retain their long tails, deer-like antlers, animalistic ears, and patches of fur around their wrists and claws. As the two bow in front of me now, the reality of how different they are from humans creeps into my mind.
It's not every day the dragons announce their queen would like to take the hand of a human for marriage.
If it were any other day, I wouldn't have said yes.
One of the dragons lifts from her bow. She's short for her species, but that still places her at my height or an inch taller. Her fur is dark brown, and her antlers almost black. They protrude out of her neatly braided hair. My eyes are drawn to a set of peculiar crystals strung around her neck. They seem sharp, but they're positioned perfectly to not dig into her umber skin or indigo mage's cloak. "Are you sure you would like to leave so soon, my prince? We are in no hurry."
The dragon next to her stands up straight with significantly less finesse, stretching his arms high above his head. His leather armor and powerful heavyset physique contrast with the other dragon, who is petite by comparison. His fur and antlers are also lighter, and his skin is closer to mine in hue, pale but more sun tanned. "Why wait? He seems plenty enthusiastic!"
"Yes," I manage to say. My voice comes out flat. "Of course."
"I didn't expect we'd find someone so fast," he continues as he picks up my suitcase and piles it into the carriage. He glances back and gives me a mischievous grin. "You can be honest with me. Do you have a thing for dragons?"
"Jayle, have some grace," the other one deadpans. She sets her eyes on me. "Don't mind him. He's done this every time."
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
I scratch my stubble uncomfortably. Some words from the other men in the castle after the announcement still echo in my mind.
"A monster wife?" Verick, an acquaintance of mine, looked sick at the notion. They had gathered just about every unmarried man in the castle to discuss the terms, both from the royal family and the extensive caste of nobles. "How would that even work?"
"They have humanoid forms," my brother, Terrin, responded. He glanced at me. His face was a mirror of the uncertain look he gave me when I snuck into the meeting room with him. I wasn't exactly invited. "But I hear they're still fairly large."
"It's just wrong," Verick declared. "You'd have to be some kind of freak to want that."
At the time, I didn't disagree. But that didn't stop me. The looks the other men gave me when I volunteered were a mix of pity and embarrassment. But only Terrin's reaction sticks in my mind, like a burr against wool pants.
His shock. His concern. His onslaught of questions. "Are you sure you want to do this? You're really leaving? What are you going to do about—"
I wipe the memory away. Did that all really happen yesterday? It feels like an eternity ago.
The dragon in mage's clothes sighs, bringing me back to reality. "I suppose we should properly introduce ourselves. My name is Alcina, and I am the archmage of the dragon court. This buffoon is Jayle. He is the head of the royal guard."
"Buffoon?" Jayle scoffs, and his long tail flicks. "Who needs to 'have some grace' again?"
Alcina ignores him and walks to the front of the carriage. The third dragon, an ordinary guard I assume, stands at attention. "We depart as soon as you're ready."
It takes me a moment to realize she's talking to me.
I climb into the carriage, settling among the plant-fiber seats. The scent of cut grass wafts through the air. Jayle closes the door behind me. "I'm ready to go," I call. Every second we spend dawdling here makes me more anxious. Makes me worry somebody could try and stop me, or my fear could overwhelm me enough to back out.
Alcina nods. Her form shudders and shifts. The claws on her hands grow long, and her appendages almost unfold into massive legs. She grows and grows, human form falling away, until she towers over the carriage. This species of monster is long, furry, and wingless in its natural form, retaining its coloration and antler shape. Jayle and the other guard transform the same way.
A bolt of clarity strikes me. This is what I'm trying to marry?
Alcina's eyes begin to glow, and all three dragons rise into the air. The carriage lifts off the ground with them, supported by the magic of the archmage.
It rocks at first, and my suitcase crashes directly into the fresh bruise on my shoulder. I clutch it and wince, squeezing my eyes shut.
I know I should glance back at the palace. Perhaps take in its winding stone paths and elegant towers one last time, imprinting the color of the walls in my memory for years to come.
But I don't. I keep my eyes closed and settle against the door. I didn't sleep at all last night, and exhaustion is starting to take over. At the time, my mind was eating itself alive with her words.
As much as I hate to, I can't help but trace the diamond ring hidden deep in my suit pocket, much too small to fit on any monster's claw.
It's not precisely relief I feel. More like a transfer from one set of paralyzing fears to another. But at least now, I should be free. Maybe now, my life can start correcting itself in a way I understand.
Or maybe I've walked into another gilded cage.
