As the trio stood frozen for a moment, the temple priests rushed into the room.
Among them was Argon, the High Priest of the kingdom.
The moment he saw Sheila standing in front of Delvin, he stormed forward and seized her by the hair, dragging her away.
Delvin stared at him as though he had committed a terrible sacrilege.
Surely Argon couldn't see the dragon. If he could, Sheila would have been the least of his concerns.
A deafening roar shook the temple.
The priests immediately dropped to their knees.
Only Argon remained standing.
Still gripping Sheila's hair, he pulled a ceremonial dagger from beneath his robes and pressed it against her throat.
Then he began chanting sacrificial incantations.
The roar came again.
A dark cloud descended from the ceiling and spread throughout the chamber.
The lesser priests immediately began reciting prayers and sacred verses.
A voice emerged from within the cloud.
"Leave the girl. I am the one who drew her here."
The cloud condensed into a humanoid shape.
"I have chosen her to devote herself to me."
The voice echoed through the temple.
"Spare her life. She will remain in this palace, but she must stay pure for as long as she lives."
A pause followed.
"She is my chosen bride."
The cloud began to rise toward the ceiling.
Argon released Sheila and fell to his knees.
"Great Lord of the Immortals," he pleaded, "this woman has desecrated your temple. She must be punished."
The voice thundered in response.
"I have spoken. It is your duty to obey. If not, be prepared to face the consequences."
The cloud vanished.
Without hesitation, Sheila scrambled to her feet and hid behind Delvin.
Delvin sighed.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?" he muttered.
Then he straightened and addressed the priests.
"I believe we all heard the will of the gods."
He placed a protective hand on Sheila's shoulder.
"I shall personally ensure the safety of our esteemed goddess."
He offered a polite smile.
"Now, if you'll excuse us."
Taking Sheila by the hand, he led her out of the temple.
When they returned to the palace, they went directly to Delvin's chambers.
The moment the door closed, Delvin turned toward her.
"How did you get that mark?"
Sheila folded her arms.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Delvin stared at her.
"I have no scars or marks on me except the one your wife gave me."
She sighed.
Then she remembered.
The dragon.
The night it had pierced her neck.
The strange women.
The black wedding gowns.
The whipping.
Fear crawled down her spine.
"I think..." she began quietly, "I remember how I got it."
Delvin raised an eyebrow.
"The dragon marked me."
Silence filled the room.
After a moment, Delvin sat on the edge of his bed and removed his shirt.
The wound on his side immediately caught Sheila's attention.
It was deep.
Far deeper than she had realized earlier.
Without a word, she walked into the bathing chamber and returned with a bowl of water and a clean cloth.
Delvin dipped a finger into the bowl.
"It's cold."
"It's midday," Sheila replied. "There isn't any hot water prepared at this hour."
She soaked the cloth.
"If I go to the kitchens and have some heated, you'll have to wait."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Would you like to wait?"
Delvin scoffed.
He snapped his fingers.
A small flame appeared above his palm.
Before Sheila could react, he lowered his hand into the bowl.
The water immediately began to boil.
Sheila nearly jumped out of her skin.
"You practice black magic!"
Delvin immediately covered her mouth.
"Keep your voice down."
Almost instantly, the door burst open.
Five guards rushed inside with swords drawn.
Delvin calmly produced a book from nowhere and placed it on his lap.
"Stand down."
The guards froze.
"She was simply reading this chapter to me."
The guards exchanged confused glances.
Then they bowed and withdrew.
Sheila remained frozen.
Staring.
Delvin sighed.
"Please stop looking at me like that."
She continued staring.
"It is making me uncomfortable."
She shakily reached for the cloth.
Then immediately set it back down.
If he could perform magic like that, surely he could heal himself.
She sat on the floor and folded her arms.
Delvin opened his mouth to question her.
A knock interrupted him.
"The King Dowager's young lady is here," a guard announced.
"Let her in."
The door opened.
Stel entered.
The first thing she noticed was Delvin's exposed torso.
The second was the massive wound on his side.
The third was Sheila sitting on the floor with folded arms and an expression resembling an angry child.
Delvin followed Stel's gaze.
Then coughed.
"What brings you here, young lady?"
Stel quickly straightened.
She bowed respectfully.
"I came to apologize for my words earlier in the courtyard."
She lowered her head.
"I spoke without thinking. I am sorry."
Delvin stood and approached her.
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
Then laughed.
"I already forgave you."
He smiled.
"I cannot hold a grudge while preparing to crown my King Dowager next week."
Stel blinked.
"My sister has chosen to remain unmarried."
He returned to his bed.
"As a result, she will officially become the King Dowager."
He pointed toward Stel.
"And she requires a young maiden to serve as her ceremonial child."
Stel's eyes widened.
"That role belongs to you."
A smile spread across her face.
"Ensure you are prepared for the rites."
She bowed again.
Before leaving, she glanced at Sheila.
Then quietly exited the room.
Once she was gone, Delvin placed a hand over his wound.
The injury vanished instantly.
Sheila stared.
One moment there had been a deep gash.
The next, flawless skin.
Without a word, she grabbed the bowl and left.
When she returned later, she found Delvin staring at a portrait.
The moment he noticed her, he quickly hid it beneath his pillow.
He cleared his throat.
"You may leave now."
She raised an eyebrow.
"I am your personal attendant."
She folded her arms.
"I am required to remain by your side at all times."
A grin spread across Delvin's face.
"You asked for it."
He lay back on the bed.
Then closed his eyes.
Within moments, he was asleep.
Several days later...
Sheila was wandering through the courtyard when she sat beside the fountain to rest.
The palace had become exhausting.
Her reflection stared back at her from the water.
Pale.
Tired.
Older somehow.
She splashed water across her face.
The ripples spread outward.
When they settled, something was wrong.
Her reflection wasn't moving.
It simply stared.
Then it changed.
Belinda's face stared back from the fountain.
Sheila gasped and stumbled backward.
Directly into Delvin.
And so the palace's troubles only continued to grow...