Chapter 4

Elenna's POV

I followed the line of girls into the building. At the door, a man was waiting, arms crossed, a basket at his feet already filled with odds and ends. One by one, the girls ahead of me were searched. Pockets were turned out, belts unbuckled, and anything unusual went into the basket.

When my turn came, the guard patted me down and fished a small vial of healing herbs from my pocket. I tried to explain, "It's just for cuts and scrapes—helps them heal faster. Do I really have to give it up?"

The guard just glared at me, unimpressed. I waited, hoping for mercy. He didn't say a word, just kept staring until I dropped the vial into the basket with the rest.

The line continued into different rooms. The building seemed centuries old, with rooms smaller than any building I'd seen, and lower ceilings. Magical torches were used instead of normal lighting.

In one room, a group of men and women silently collected our measurements with measuring tapes. They moved quickly and efficiently, twisting each girl's body until they had the data they needed. I felt sick as their fingers moved over me.

In another room, we were asked questions.

"Where do you come from?"

"When were you born?"

"Do you have any special abilities?"

When my turn came, I stood before a desk. Behind it sat a balding old man. As he ate some kind of red fruit, juice dripped down his chin, staining the parchment.

He looked at me, chewing and grinning. His eyes fixed on my chest, then slowly moved to my face. "Are you a virgin?" he asked.

"No..." I swallowed the lump rising in my throat.

That fact had already gotten me ostracized by the WindBreath Tribe. I'd been called so many names: whore, defiled woman, unclean... all because of a night I barely remembered.

The mage looked down at his papers, picking up a red crystal orb from beside him and holding it in his hand. The orb flashed once in his grip, showing that I'd told the truth. He made a mark with his quill.

"You're in Group Three. Tell the guard at the door." He looked up, waving to the tribute behind me.

Realizing I was being dismissed, I hurried away from the examination area.

At the door, a guard stopped me. "Group?"

"Group Three," I said, keeping my voice steady.

"Stand to the right," he ordered impatiently.

I walked into a new, more spacious hall. It was almost like an assembly hall without chairs, with marble floors sloping toward a small stage. A half-dragon man standing on the stage seemed to be giving orders to some guards and other staff.

"That's Adrian, the Dragon King's assistant," whispered a girl I passed.

In this room, the single line had split into three different queues, all snaking to the front of the room. I stood to the right, joining the third group's line.

I didn't want to belittle the other girls in our group, but it was obvious at a glance that our group was made up of those least likely to be chosen by the Dragon King.

Group One was filled with beautiful, perfect girls with flawless faces and hair and perfect bodies—the most beautiful females from every race.

The second group held those of fuller figure or less striking appearance, but still well-groomed.

In Group Three, no one dared to look at each other, as if ashamed of their past. I guessed I wasn't the only one with a "dishonorable" history. From the expressions on their faces, each had secrets they didn't want to mention.

Now it all felt like a cruel joke.

I could have been with Solan—a man who I loved for years. Instead, I stood in this cold palace, being poked and rated like merchandise for sale.

Suddenly, a scream interrupted my thoughts. A hyena-kin guard had cornered a human woman from Group Two. She was shapely with thick black hair.

"Your measurements seem off. I need to check personally," the guard mocked, his eyes showing a dangerous glow. He forcefully grabbed her hips, pulling her toward him.

Nearby girls moved as far away as possible while trying to stay in line. No one took action to help the girl.

The guard gripped her hip with one hand and her breast with the other. She struggled, whimpering and pushing against him, but the guard didn't let go. The harder she pushed him, the tighter he gripped.

"Let me go!" she cried, tears of fear glistening in her eyes.

"Shut up and be still," he growled. His mockery was gone; now he just sounded angry. "Isn't pleasing us what you're here for?"

Tears streamed down the woman's face.

I couldn't stand it. Under no circumstances could I stand there watching another female treated this way, no matter what kind of soldier she faced.

"Stop!" I shouted, stepping forward. "Get your damn hands off her."

Everyone around turned to look at me. Even the handsy guard paused to stare. The woman looked at me with pleading, grateful eyes.

"Who do you think you are?" the guard snarled. "You have no right to interfere. Get back in your line, you trash."

I bit my lip to hide my trembling and lifted my chin in defiance. He was no scarier than my father at his worst.

"I could ask you the same question," I said, my tone carrying more confidence than I felt. "That woman is in Group Two. With her figure, she'll likely be chosen by the King. What right do you have to defile a potential member of the King's harem? How dare you offend the King's property?"

The guard hesitated, his face turning slightly pale. Looking around, he seemed to finally realize how much attention he'd drawn, especially from Adrian on the stage.

"Damn it," he growled, shoving the woman away.

She stumbled and fell to the floor. He didn't care. He turned and stomped away, but not before giving me an angry look, his eyes flashing red. I stared back without fear until he looked away first.

I left the line and walked to the woman, helping her stand.

"Thank you..." she sobbed, "you saved me..."

"What's your name?" I asked, steadying her.

"Laura..."

"Nice to meet you, Laura. I'm Elenna."

Laura looked up at me, her eyes full of gratitude. But immediately, tears formed again. "Do you really think the Dragon King will choose me? I might be better off with that guard..."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

She leaned closer. "They say King Aurelian has lived for hundreds of years... and burns women who displease him... they say women who are chosen rarely live more than a year..."

Around me and Laura, the buzzing and whispers began to build into a steady commotion. All the girls suddenly became excited and nervous. They all seemed to be looking at something behind me. The air began to fill with an unusual heat, as if someone had lit an invisible flame.