The Dragon Swan Princess

By Tamara Grantham

The Dragon Swan Princess is the second book in the Twisted Ever After series by Tamara Grantham, the award-winning author of more than a dozen books and novellas.

Odette Von Alarissa is a prisoner, her captivity the result of a decades-old war between the dragon shifters and the witches. But there has been a recent change in her ownership. Xaldain Von Rothbart, the traitor responsible for starting the war, is her captor now. A dragon-shifter just like Odette, Xaldain has plans for her that are unimaginable—but with a magical mark on her shoulder that prevents her escape, and the survival of her people hanging in the balance—she has no real choice but to comply.

Drekken Von Fiddlestrum has returned to his homeland to find himself in an unhappy quandary. To save his kingdom, he must marry a noble – yet he has no desire to do so. When he crosses paths with Odette, he agrees to help her. But as their feelings for each other grow, it can only lead to destruction for them both. Drekken must marry for duty, and Odette must consent to Xaldain if she wants her people to survive. True love and obligation collide in this compelling retelling of the classic Swan Princess story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CTP Publishing
• Release date: Mar 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781634223584

Tamara Grantham

Tamara Grantham is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books and novellas, including the Olive Kennedy: Fairy World MD series, the Shine novellas, and the Twisted Ever After trilogy. Dreamthief, the first book of her Fairy World MD series, won first place for fantasy in INDIEFAB'S Book of the Year Awards, a RONE award for best New Adult Romance of 2016, and is a #1 bestseller on Amazon with over 200 five-star reviews. Tamara has been a featured speaker at numerous writing conferences and has been a panelist at Comic Con Wizard World. Born and raised in Texas, Tamara now lives with her husband and five children in Wichita, Kansas.

Book preview

1

My snow-caked boots dragged me down as I trudged through the tundra. An echo whispered behind me. Spinning around, I clutched my knife’s hilt with numb fingers, searching for the source of the sound.

A sea of whiteness blanketed the dips and curves of the landscape.

My breath escaped my mouth in a puff of warm air. I waited, watching. When nothing appeared, I sheathed my knife in its leather casing hanging from my belt. Tugging on my fur-lined hood, I set off once again toward the witches’ palace. The thought of returning made my stomach turn to a lead weight. But I had no choice.

The wind picked up, battering my cheeks with sharp particles of ice. A half-moon hung high in the dark sky. I flexed my fingers to keep my blood circulating. The leather gloves did little to keep my hands warm. My dragon scales would be better protection against the cold than my human flesh was. Tingling magic pulsed through my blood. The spell allowing me to change at will had worn off, replaced with another enchantment. My transformation would come with the sunrise, and only then would I change into my dragon form.

The snow grew deeper the higher I climbed. At the top of a hill, I stopped. The spear-like towers of the witches’ palace rose above the landscape. Their icy blue color sparkled in the moonlight against a backdrop of stars.

The knot in my stomach tightened as I hiked through the snow, closer to the open drawbridge spanning the moat of churning glacier water. Did I have to return? Wasn’t there any other way out of this?

Drawing closer to the palace, I spotted the forms of two women standing atop the drawbridge.

They were waiting for me. How thoughtful.

After trudging to the bridge, I stopped at its base. Gwynna’s sharp eyes focused on me. The wind didn’t stir the dark braids wrapped around her head. Her glassy white skin and emotionless expression reminded me of a corpse carved from marble.

Did you have a nice trip, dear? Neleia asked, her voice croaking. What remained of her white wispy hair blew back and forth in the stiff gale. Was it just me or had she gotten more wrinkles since I’d been gone? It was hard to tell. Once a person reached a thousand, they really just looked like excrement, and there was no bypassing the aging process at that point. Ah well, at least she didn’t try to cheat it like Gwynna.

I stepped onto the bridge. I had a lovely trip until it was cut short. Having to return to one’s imprisonment puts a damper on things. Where’s the elf?

We released him. We didn’t need him anymore, not after we struck a new bargain.

A new bargain? What do you mean?

Come inside, and we’ll tell you, Neleia said. You look cold, dear.

Do I really? That couldn’t possibly be because I’ve been tramping through a frozen wasteland half the night.

The witches turned and lead me toward the open gate. Our footsteps echoed over the ice bridge. The portcullis overshadowed me as I followed the sisters.

We entered the courtyard. Magical flames burned in the crystal sconces, blue light glowing over the slick ice walls, reflecting a faint hazy light. When we approached the doors, they slowly swung inward.

My booted feet echoed as we entered the domed chamber. A crystal chandelier hung overhead, shimmering in the pool of aquamarine water directly beneath it.

We walked around the pool and toward another doorway leading to the dining hall. Chunks of hard-packed snow fell off my boots, leaving wet footprints behind me. As we bypassed the thrones atop the raised platform, memories returned.

Ten years had passed since my peoples’ war with the witches. Nothing had changed in the palace, making it hard for me to believe it had been a decade ago. All I’d ever wanted to do was escape this place. Although the throne room was enormous, the walls pressed in on me as if I’d been trapped in a vice.

When I closed my eyes, I could still see the little hut on the beach where I’d lived with my parents. It didn’t seem so long ago that I was running on the shore, sand beneath my toes, smelling the salt-scented air, feeling the warm breeze on my cheeks, and eating my mother’s coconut rice.

But I was here now, and I would be for the rest of my life. Unless something had changed. If the elf was no longer here, what did that mean? They’d let him go? Was it vain for me to wish they’d do the same for me?

I entered the dining hall behind the witches. Why they needed a table that seated twelve people was beyond me. They rarely got visitors. When they did, most of them didn’t make it out, and they seldom invited anyone to dine with them.

A roast goose sat on the table, its sweet, succulent scent wafting. Platters of fruit, bread and cheese were also laid out, along with goblets of wine.

What’s the occasion? I asked.

Do we need an excuse to have a meal with you? Gwynna said. Now sit. We’ve got an important matter to discuss.

I crossed my arms. They’d let the elf go, and now they wanted me to dine with them? Something was utterly wrong about this whole situation. What if I refuse?

You shouldn’t, Gwynna said, her words clipped, her dark eyes narrowed in a silent warning.

Fine. I’d play along. I sat on one of the chairs across from them. My stomach rumbled. Refusing to eat seemed like a stupid thing to do after a night hiking the wastes of the northlands, so I grabbed a handful of grapes, a thin slice of meat, and some bread and cheese and ate quietly.

The sisters sipped their wine, though they only nibbled at slices of bread and took small bites of the meat.

So, I asked after swallowing a mouthful, what’s this matter you wanted to discuss? Are you letting me go free?

In a sense, yes.

Yes? Had I heard her correctly? But there was a catch. There always was. Really? Pray tell, will I be able to go home? Not that I had a home anymore, not after Xaldain Von Rothbart had betrayed my people.

We’ve traded you, Neleia said.

Traded me?

Yes. Gwynna smiled. It was worth it, too. We thought we’d never find a creature rarer than you, but then we were offered something we couldn’t refuse.

Gwynna lifted her hands, cupping them as a mist of white fog gathered. Magic tingled over my skin from her spell. When the fog dissipated, she held a black egg with veins of blue running through it.

Is that…?

The egg of a phoenix, Neleia said, her voice quiet with awe. So, you see, we had no choice but to trade you to him. We’re very sorry. We hope you’ll forgive us someday, dear. We really did enjoy your company.

We’ll miss you terribly, Gwynna added.

I couldn’t hear their words anymore. The word him echoed in my ears. Please, no. It couldn’t be who I thought.

Gwynna, Neleia, I said slowly, controlling my voice. Who did you trade me to?

Heavy bootsteps thudded behind me. I spun around. The silhouette of a large man appeared inside the shadow of the doorway. I dropped my fork on the floor with a clatter that echoed on the cold, unyielding marble.

Not him. Anyone but him.

My heart stopped as Xaldain Von Rothbart walked toward me. His bulky frame moved stiffly, as if he weren’t used to taking his human form. He wore black leather armor that hugged his meaty frame. His golden eyes shone like two burning coals. A wave of memories washed over me.

The first time he’d entered my homeland, my parents had left our hut on the seashore to go speak with him. I couldn’t forget the fear in their eyes when they returned. They’d warned me of him. They’d warned everyone, but no one listened. Not until it was too late.

I stood so quickly, my chair fell over. Anger flooded my blood.

You traded me to him?

We had no choice, Gwynna said, running her hands over the egg’s glassy surface. We couldn’t refuse.

We said we were sorry, Neleia interjected.

Odette, Xaldain said behind me, his voice producing a rough, animalistic sound. It seemed so wrong coming from his mouth, as if he controlled me just by speaking my name.

I rounded on him. What do you want with me?

He stood without moving, his hands clenched into fists, looking at me with a predatory gaze. His slit-shaped pupils made it easy to see the dragon in his eyes. We’re the last of our kind. A dying breed. I bargained my most prized possession to get you back.

You can’t do this. I won’t go. I refuse.

You’ve got no choice, Neleia said. You belong to him now.

But… he tried to kill you!

Many years ago, yes. But we don’t hold grudges.

That’s a lie.

Is it? The sisters stood. You have her now, Gwynna said to Xaldain. Now leave our lands. We’ve tolerated your presence long enough.

Very well, he said with a nod.

The witches turned to leave.

No, I called after them. Please, don’t leave me with him. He butchered my people. He murdered my parents. Don’t you care?

Gwynna glanced back. There are some things we care about more.

They walked out of the room. The door slammed behind them. The sound echoed through the enormous, empty room.

Xaldain stepped closer to me, so quietly he could have been a snake gliding silently through the grass. He struck out, squeezing my shoulder blade, tucking his fingers beneath my cloak to touch my skin. His fleshed burned with searing heat. I cried out, but his iron grip held me in place. Pain lanced through me, radiating through my neck and shoulder.

When he released me, I stumbled. Burning pain radiated through my body. I moved my cloak aside to look at the wound. A red imprint of his hand marred my skin. Large white blisters formed.

What did you do to me?

That mark is your brand. It denotes you as my property. I freed you. You’re no longer under the witches’ spell. You can now transform from human to dragon whenever you please. He held up a finger. That is, as long as I allow it. Unfortunately, I can’t allow you to unleash such power in your dragon form, not until you’re properly trained.

Trained? I’m not an animal.

No? Perhaps not. But soon, you will be something much closer to me. He smiled, a leering grin, revealing his canine teeth that ended in sharp points. My stomach churned. I backed away, but he grabbed my arm in an iron grip. He stood close, his stale breath warm on my face.

You, Odette, will soon be my bride.

2

Anger burned in my chest while I faced the dragon lord. How could he do this to me? I fisted my hands and held his gaze. I wouldn’t become his prisoner. I refused. I’d been imprisoned too long. With a flick of my wrist, I grabbed my knife. Desperation was a powerful motivator.

I would do whatever it took to escape.

Xaldain took me by the arm and attempted to guide me out of the dining hall. I jerked away. My knife’s warm handle conformed to my palm, and I stabbed him in the chest. The blade pierced through his armor and into his flesh. Had I gotten his heart?

He stumbled back, focusing on the protruding handle.

You… he sputtered. How dare you… He gasped, his eyes growing wide. I backed away from him toward the doorway. Was there any place I could go where he wouldn’t find me?

Stop! Xaldain yelled. He grabbed the hilt. With another scream, he pulled it free. Only a little blood seeped from the wound, the flesh knitting back together until the opening sealed. He tossed the knife at my feet.

Take it again, he said. Stab me. Better yet, let me save you the trouble. I can’t die, so don’t bother trying a second time.

Stunned, I looked at my knife, his blood darkening the blade.

He couldn’t die?

He crossed the distance between us and grabbed my arm once again, his grip vice-like. The pain in my shoulder burned, searing as if his hand were still pressed to my skin.

What are you doing? I demanded.

Don’t resist me, he said. It makes it harder for the both of us. This is the natural consequence of what happens when you test my patience.

The pain increased, burning so hot it made tears spring to my eyes. Stop!

I will, as long as you do what I say. Will you obey me, Odette?

No. Never.

Are you sure about that?

Yes!

Xaldain released his hold on my arm, but heat spread from the scar to the rest of my body, flooding me with searing pain.

Stop. Please make it stop.

Will you obey me?

I crumbled, my knees striking ground as the burning consumed me. I-I…

He knelt beside me, resting his hand on my back in a possessive gesture. Will you? he asked softly.

Stars spun in my vision. My insides burned, searing pain lancing through my muscles and into my nerve endings. Everything disappeared except the pain. It consumed me. I realized I was lying in a ball on the ground. Sweat beaded on my skin, its saltiness on my tongue. I knew only one thing: the pain had to end.

Make it stop, I whispered, though it took every effort to speak.

Will you do what I ask of you?

No. But I said what I had to in order to stop the pain. Yes.

The pain relented. I breathed deeply, tears streaming down my face. Staring at the ceiling overhead, I knew he didn’t own me. I would never be his prisoner.

He grabbed my hand.

Let me help you up, he said, a tone of genteel politeness in his tone.

I jerked away. I can do it myself. I grabbed my knife before I stood, tucking it into my sheath. Not that it would do me any good now.

He gave me a guarded look. It would be a shame to have to do that to you again. I’m sure you won’t give me reason, will you?

I met his gaze, knowing deep inside, he didn’t control me. I would find a way out of this. Balling my fists, I swore to myself that whenever I got the chance, I would kill him.

Come, my ship awaits. It’s more than a day’s journey back to the isles. We don’t have time to spare.

My heart thudded painfully in my chest as I followed beside him, his hand grasping my arm.

Xaldain, this is madness, I said, doing my best to keep calm. I can’t go with you. I demand you let me stay here. I have nothing you want.

His eyes bored into mine. You have everything I want.

What?

He shook his head, then smiled, as if to stay composed.

What do you mean by that? What do I have that you want? I’m nothing. The last of my kind.

Yes. The last of your kind. Which makes you a rarity. And you may be the last of your tribe, but you’re not the last of the dragon shifters. You and I are compatible mates.

I had a hard time drawing in a breath. No. We’re not. For us to mate, we’d have to accept each other willingly.

No need to remind me, love. I’m aware of our situation, which is why I shall woo you until you accept me.

I stopped walking, narrowing my eyes at him, hoping he saw the intensity of my anger. Let me go now.

Never.

Yes! Release me now, because I swear to you, I will never love you. You murdered my family. Whenever I look at you, all I see are their deaths. So, I will tell you this now. You’re wasting your time with me. I will never love you. I can’t.

I’m afraid I have no other options. You are the last of our kind. I must have a mate or terrible things will happen. Trust me when I tell you that you will marry me, and you will do it willingly. I know this for certain. You will know it, too, when we’ve reached the isles.

What’s on the isles?

He smirked. You’ll see.

He marched me out of the palace and across the bridge. We made it back to the open tundra as the sun rose. He kept a brisk pace as we hiked over the rolling hills. After an hour of walking in silence, with my teeth chattering and skin frozen—all except for the handprint on my neck—I spotted the sparkling ocean, a long line of dark blue against the horizon. The sky had lightened to reveal colors of pink and gray streaking behind puffy clouds.

The beauty of the scenery did nothing to calm my thudding heart. When I noticed the masts of a ship docked near the shore, my fear rose. The enormity of my situation gripped me in a panicked stranglehold. I wouldn’t do this. I couldn’t become his wife.

Xaldain, I said, not caring about the fear in my voice. Please. I can’t go with you. I don’t care what you say. Nothing will ever convince me to marry you. Let me go free.

You’ll think differently, was his only reply as he marched me toward his ship.

But I can’t!

He gave me a slight, narrowed-eyed gaze, but didn’t speak. It seemed as if he knew I had no choice but to accept him, and once I found out about whatever waited for me on the island, I would be forced to agree.

I would rather die.

We approached an ancient dock made of stone and wood. It jutted out over the ocean, and at the end rose a tall sailing ship. Rolling waves crashing on the beach’s shore disturbed the stillness. A warm breeze came from the ocean, melting the chills I’d felt since entering the northern lands. The saltiness of the air conjured memories of home. I remembered our thatched-roof house by the sea, spending my days with bare feet covered in sand as I collected clams from the shallow water, searching for pearls, disappointed when I found nothing but a scanty bit of meat inside.

Perhaps I should’ve been happy with the meat.

Xaldain led me down the dock, our booted feet echoing over the wood.