THE CURSE OF THE DRAGON PRINCESS

ittering as pearls when I wore them. Perhaps I was mistaken. I don't know what I was imagining, or what I hoped would become of me, but for some reason my ch

away? What happens when your childhood dreams are replaced by the bleak reality that is everyday life? And what

apart so fast? Why

ng from time to time to admire some of the exotic plants or animals that my father kept hidden within the castle walls. He took me everywhere, showing me everything in the castle. He showed me the secret passageway that lead straight to the dungeons and then the secret chamber that

bent down to look at the ground below us. In between a rock and a patch of dirt lay a tiny flower. The stem looked almost like a tiny leafy sprout. It's leaves were green with yellow streaks

my father as he pointed to the tiny flowe

daisy,

symbolize?" he asked, gazi

ad in puzzlement. "What d

plied. "Hope

away from him quickly, hoping that he wouldn't notice how my cheeks burned. I stared down at

has survived these y

ingdoms. We were able to achieve

d listening to the way that he said things. Each w

onti

ngdom of Alara to continue to prosper. You shall be wed to Pr

d ever been. He reached over and cupped my chin lightly in his hand, turnin

ways had my unconditional support through it all. I am proud to call you my d

t me how to ride horses and how to dance properly. He was still the father that gave me all of those wonderful books when I was a little girl; the man who had promised himself to me. Everything else cha

th pain that I wished could relieve itself. In the meantime, as the summer days passed in bliss, I grew strong.

matched the color of my hair perfectly. With my hair down, the outfit was stunning. It was something I had always dreamed of, s

utiful, my de

, Mother,"

ring. It was a simple gold band with a single diamond embedded

represents a pledge that your h

ant as she embraced me . There was no need for me to say anything. Her gesture conve

ing that I had ever seen before. There were beautiful golden flowers strewn along the path leading to the altar, and I heard singing coming from deep within the mountains while a magnificent wedding band played a beautiful piece of music. All that was left to do was to stand side by side with my future husband and exchange vows. I took one last glimpse of my mother as she walked ahead of us, her face glowing with a radiant smile. Then I too stepped forward, taking Elam

. I watched as my father stood tall, his hands clasped behind his bac

ards me and whi

re you want

ng smile. Then we walked off to the altar, my head held high as though I was prepared to be married. A few members of the congregatio

onor to officiate the wedding of

rted reciting the traditional oath that every