As the trio stood frozen for a second, the temple priests rushed to the scene. Among them was the head of priests for the entire kingdom,Argon. He spotted Sheila in front of Delvin and pulled her away by her hair. Delvin looked at him as though he had committed abomination, but surely he couldn't see the dragon. If he saw the dragon, he wouldn't even notice Sheila.
A loud roar rent the air. All the priests fell to their knees except Argon. He dragged Sheila to her knees and pulled a knife from beneath his thick clothing. He placed the knife on her throat and began chanting sacrificial incantations. The roar came again and a dark cloud descended from the roof. It covered the entire room and the subordinate priests began chanting prayers and sacred verses. A voice came from the cloud.
"Leave the girl, I drew her here" the voice said and th cloud gathered into a humanoid form. "I have chosen her to devote herself to me" the voice continued" so spare her life. She will live in the place, but must remain pure for as long as she lives. She is my chosen bride" the voice stopped and the cloud began to ascend.
Argon let go of Sheila's hair and dropped to his knees," great lord of the immortals, but this woman has described your temple, she must be punished." He said
"I have said what is to be said. It is up to you to obey. If not be ready to face the consequences" the voice said as the cloud disappered
Sheila stood up and ran to hide behind Delvin.
"What do you think you're doing? Do you not realize what this looks like?" He asked and looked up at the priests. He sighed and straightened up. " I believe we all heard the gods instructions. I will be sure to protect our esteemed goddess. So we will take our leave" he said and led Sheila out by the hand.
When the got back into the castle. They went straight to Delvin's chambers.
" How did you get that mark?" Delvin asked as he stared intensely at her. She stared back at him. " I don't know what you are talking about. I have no scars or marks on me except the one your wife gave me" she replied and folded her arms. So that thing, that beast was the thing that had hurt Delvin. She suddenly remembered the day she got to her former room. The dragon had pierced her neck. That must be the mark Delvin was talking about. She sighed.
"What?" Delvin asked and stared intently at her. "I think I remember how I got that mark" she said "the dragon marked me itself" she added and remembered the seven women who had flogged her. She gulped as fear began to creep in. Delvin sat in his bed and took of his shirt. The mark was deep and for a minute Sheila was frightened. She walked into the bathing chamber and took out a bowl of water and a clean cloth to clean the wound. Delvin stuck his finger into the water. "It's cold" he said. "It's mid day. There is no hot water available by this time and if I go to the kitchen to boil some, you would have to wait longer. Do you wish to wait? " She asked and put the cloth into the water. Delvin looked at the door and scoffed. He snapped his fingers and a small flame appeared and hovered over his palm. He placed that hand into the water and it instantly began to boil. Sheila jumped backwards and almost screamed. "You do black magic" she said, almost shouting, but he covered her mouth and motioned for her to keep quiet. As if on cue, five guards rushed into the room on full battle mode and after checking the surroundings, pointed their swords at Sheila. Delvin placed a book, (which came out of nowhere ), on his lap and chuckled. "Stand down, she was only reading this chapter to me. Nothing big." He said and the guards replaced their swords, bowed and left. Sheila remained frozen to the spot staring Delvin blank in the face. He chuckled and sighed
"Don't look at me like that okay. Look away. Do your job" he said as her gaze began to make him uncomfortable. She shakily grabbed the cloth then dropped it back quickly. He could do black magic, so he could heal himself. She sat on the floor and folded her arms. He was about to ask why she stopped when a knock interrupted them.
"The king dowager's young lady is here" the guard announced.
"Let her in" Delvin said and the door was opened
Stel walked into the room and was taken back by the sight of Delvin's wounds. Well not just his wounds, his build was amazing. Then, she saw Sheila seated in the ground beside him arms folded, lips puted like an annoyed toddler. Delvin followed her gaze for a while. Then he coughed to gain her attention. "What brings you here, young lady?" He asked, stel cleared her throat and bowed before speaking.
"I came to apologize for my rash words earlier in the courtyard. I am sorry. And I promise to never speak out of turn again." She said and remained in bowing position. Delvin stood up and walked to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and laughed. "I have already forgiven you. I cannot beat a grudge when I crown my king dowager in a week can I?" He said and returned to his bed. "My sister has decided to remain unmarried, so she will become my king dowager. She will require a young maiden to act as her child. So that is what she has assigned you to be" he continued "ensure you are ready to perform the necessary rights" he said and motioned for her to leave the room. She glanced at Sheila for a while before leaving.
Delvin placed his hand on the wound and it vanished in an instant. Sheila glanced at the spotless area where the wound was once located, before taking the bowl of water and leaving. When she returned she met Delvin staring at a picture. He saw her an d quickly hid it under his pillow. He cleared his throat and straightened up before he spoke. " You are done her, you can leave now" he said and leaned backwards on his arms. Sheila rolled her eyes. Does he realize his robes are still open. She thought for a moment,
"I am your personal attendant. I must remain by your side at all times." She replied with a slight bow. He grinned and then looked straightbat her. "You asked for it" he said and lay down to sleep.