Delvin returned to the guest house and met Sheila and her sisters talking in the garden. He wanted to approach them but the sound of carriages disrupted him. he turned and saw a trail of royal carriages entering the palace. He rolled his eyes and hurried to go welcome his guests.
A few minutes later, guards escorted the seven princesses out of the guesthouse into the main castle. they were led into the main throne room and made to sit on opposite chairs from the one were Delvin sat. Sheila noticed that Delvin did not sit on the kings throne. he sat on the one for the crown prince.
"Your all probably wondering why I summoned you out of the guesthouse. " he started and rubbed his nose. he waved his hand and a door was opened. Five men walked into the throne room . The senior princesses jumped up and ran toward them. The men in turn were very happy to see them. Delvin coughed loudly, drawing the attention back to him.
"Now, I will set my terms straight. Each of you princes can only leave this premises with your promised bride. Any of the girls who hasn't been promised in marriage stays here with me." He ordered. Sheila turned to him sharply and suddenly noticed the darker aura around him. She looked at Stel, who was clinging to Kara's gown. They were in for a long ride.
Delvin walked everyone back to the carriages and watched as Sheila and Stel, said good bye to their sisters. Kara's fiancé stood beside Delvin.
"Why are you keeping them?" the former asked and watched all the sisters chatter and fuss over Sheila and Stel.
"I owe you no explanation, do i?" Delvin asked and sighed "Unlike what you are thinking, they will jot become part of my harem, instead they will be like the princesses of this kingdom, honorary royalty" He added and walked towards the princesses. He cleared his throat, causing the princesses to separate.
"Time is up ladies, you have to go now. Sheila and the little one, to the throne room." he said and motioned for guards to follow the two girls inside. Delvin watched as the carriages all left the palace before returning to the throne room.
Sheila walked towards the throne and brushed the arm rests. A dark weight covered the podium and filled everything on it. She walked to the back of the throne and then round to thee one Delvin was sitting on. She was about to sit on it, when a voice interrupted her.
"You know you shouldn't be there right?" the voice said and Sheila turned to find Delvin staring at her from the throne room door.
"I'm sorry. I was just looking...
"No need to explain. You two will get your own rooms on the next hall way. the maids will help yo get settled and put you in order." he said, and looked towards the door. Sheila hurried and grabbed Stel then left the room.
"Thank you sir" she said and they hurried to the next hall way.
Delvin went to the balcony and stood watching. He noticed a carriage riding towards the palace. he leaned on the barricade and watched the carriage come into view. It stopped in front of the garden and a woman wearing a veil stepped out. She looked up at him and smiled.
"My husband" she called and hurried into the building. She rushed to the balcony and attempted to hug him, but he stopped her.
"Since when did I become your husband?"
"Well, you have always been, my lo..."
"Shut up!!! You know why you came here and it will not happen" He said sternly and left her on the balcony.
Sheila walked into her assigned room and looked around. it was beautiful and very cozy. she looked at her bed, the drawer and the book shelf by the window side couch. Everything was to her taste. She walked to the bed and sat on it.
"I miss you dad." she said and lay down. A growling sound caught her attention. She looked around to find the source but couldn't see anything.
"I'm over here." A voice said. She turned sharply and saw a man seated on her window side couch.
"Who are you?"
"Oh, You'll find out. I just came to make my mark on my territory"
"Terri..." Sheila stopped mid word when something pierced her neck. she looked at the point of concentration of the pain. A huge black claw was being dragged along her back.
"Make it stop" she said and the man retracted the claw, before morphing into a dragon.
"I am Tan'y'ju. The black dragon"