Dragon Awakened by Jaime Rush

that she had not seen much of the Dragon Prince, who dined with her every now and then and asked after her welfare as though he cared. The real prison was the spell he had cast upon her—the Dragon that resided within her clawing to be let out.
    A quick knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts. It was her lady-in-waiting, who looked as though she were bringing bad news.
    Gwendolyn gave her a tremulous smile. “Happy birthday, Your Highness,” she said with a bow. “It is time. The Dragon Prince has told you, yes?”
    â€œTold me what?”
    â€œThat you and he are to marry today. A small ceremony, just the staff. He wishes for me to ready you.” She pulled a basket filled with flowers from behind her back. “For your hair. He loves it long, you know.”
    â€œNo, I don’t know. I know nothing of him. Which is fine with me.”
    â€œYou will know much after today.” Gwendolyn’s face blushed. “The stylists will be here soon, to do your hair, fit you for the dress, and make up your face. You are pretty now, but you will be a vision soon.”
    Hours later, Garnet was finally alone again. The dress was as heavy as her fate. She hardly recognized herself in the mirror’s reflection, with her curled hair adorned with petals and flashing with crystals. How would she feel when her Dragon was released? She knew little of the process, only that she would be Awakened in a ritual. Had she been born with the Dragon inside her, she would have Awakened at puberty. The prince assured her that he would personally train her to master it. He promised he would help her to find the beauty of it. Garnet highly doubted the latter.
    She wandered to her window, where she dreamed of going home. Opal flew down and landed on her finger. The dove rubbed her palm with its cheek, touching her heart with the familiar gesture.
    â€œHave you come to wish me a happy birthday? The only person who shall be happy today is the prince, for he will get his way.” She narrowed her eyes, the first smile in weeks gracing her lips. “Or maybe not completely.”
    She settled Opal on the sill and pulled out the sewing kit from beneath her bed. She filled her days with creative projects, like sewing dresses for Gwendolyn and the other girls who’d never owned anything pretty. The prince supplied everything she asked for, even the expensive lace and ribbons.
    Garnet turned to the mirror again, feeling a fire inside her she had not felt for so long. She spent the next hour tying her wedding dress into odd configurations, tucking in the sleeves and adding a neckline that covered her décolletage. She cut her hair and twined dead roses into what was left, thorns and all. She dabbed Earthen behind her ears, a healing mixture that smelled of mold.
    Garnet expected the prince to be furious. And welcomed it. His staff was up in arms once they saw her, fighting her to fix her modifications. She assured them that she would tell the prince she alone was responsible.
    She did not expect to be taken in by his handsome visage as he waited at the front of the small church. One of the prince’s best soldiers escorted her down the aisle, his nose wrinkling at the smell of her. He backed away, taking on the same look of fearful anticipation everyone else had as they awaited the prince’s reaction.
    He took her in with a hint of shock in his onyx eyes and a twitch at the corner of his mouth. Then he threw his head back and laughed. His people joined him, ready to mimic his every reaction. The priest hesitated until the prince said, “Please proceed. I cannot wait to marry my rebellious and creative bride-to-be.”
    Why wasn’t he angry? She’d humiliated him. Taunted and defied him. He acted as though she were indeed the beauty he’d intended. He had bested her again.
    Their hands were bound, binding her heart as well in a choking hold. When the priest decreed that he could