Castle - Defiant Princess

Assassin Dragon Princess Trilogy

Book One

CHRISTINE CASTLE

with Jayne Faith

Defiant Princess

Copyright 2018 by Christine Castle

All rights reserved as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to a real person, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the authors.

Defiant princess / a novel by Christine Castle

Ebook Edition ISBN: 978-0-9996458-4-0

Proofread by: Tia Silverthorne Bach of Indie Books Gone Wild

Cover designed by: Deranged Doctor Designs

Published in the United States of America

Assassin Dragon Princess Trilogy

romantic adventure fantasy

Defiant Princess

Shadow Princess

Avenging Princess

Vampires Elixir Series

romantic urban fantasy

Chasing Legends

Riding Rifts

Drinking Destiny

Love Across Stars Novels

science fiction romance

The Seas of Time

The Laws of Attraction

Books by Jayne Faith

Ella Grey Series

urban fantasy

Stone Cold Magic

Dark Harvest Magic

Demon Born Magic

Blood Storm Magic

Stone Blood Series

urban fantasy

Blood of Stone

Stone Blood Legacy

Rise of the Stone Court

Reign of the Stone Queen

War of the Fae Gods

Sapient Salvation Series

dystopian romance

The Selection

The Awakening

The Divining

The Claiming

Magic Currents ( dystopian fairy tale )

KARNA DUNJOUR SWIRLED her Venhician steel knife blade through the flickering yellow flame sitting atop a white candle in her dorm quarters. She wasnt supposed to have the weapon at school. It was one of those decrees that most students adhered to, except for Karna.

How she came to have the knife was a bit of a complicated matter, but essentially, she had swiped it from the old dungeons of her castle back at home without her family being aware. The dungeons werent used anymore. She had seen her father go down there many times to sort and polish the weapons in his collection. That was how she knew exactly where to find the secret area where the knife was kept. She was quick and nimble, never being noticed when she followed him.

A small smile stretched her lips as the knife blade glinted in the soft candle light. It was an extremely valuable, rare piece. The danger of having a forbidden weapon made it even more of a thrill in her mind. The Venhician blade probably held more value in its glimmering edges and jeweled handle than her actual life, and Karna was of highborn, royal decent. The knife had undoubtedly originated on Anticester, one of the Haven Islands, the kingdom where she was born and bred. The rarity of the blade delighted her, almost as much as the delicious sense of possessing something forbidden.

She clutched the knife handle, gripping it with white knuckles. If only she had someone to teach her how to use such a weapon. She pursed her lips in a scowl and impatiently pushed a few unruly wisps of white-streaked medium brown hair off her cheek.

The sound of the door unlatching warned her that someone was coming in. She hastily pushed the knife under her pillow. When her roommate Adonia revealed herself, some of the tension left Karnas shoulders.

Hey, Karna said, her tone flat. She flopped back against her pillow.

Whats going on? Adonia had white-blonde hair and a serious face that looked wise beyond her years. She frowned in response to Karnas sour mood. The pair had normally been friendly with each other in the short time theyd roomed together.

Oh... Karna sighed, leaning back against the headrest. Nothing. Im just bored with being here.

Already? The semester is barely halfway done. Adonia gave her a sympathetic grin. Youre too restless to be here studying history and royal diplomacy, arent you?

Maybe its just because I dont like the balmy weather on Nipas, Karna joked, attempting a smile. The beautiful climate must have a negative effect on me. Karna was simply trying to lighten the mood because she didnt want to bring her roommate down.

Adonia sighed and plopped down on her own bed. Im sure you arent the only one who feels frustrated sometimes about being here.

I know... Karna trailed off softly.

It was tradition and customary for the children of the royal Dunjour family, Karna included, to attend Nipas University. Karnas father, Ryfon Dunjour, had been a white dragon, the only type that had the capacity to rule the Haven Islands. Not long ago, he had been killed in a seafaring voyage, crushing Karnas heart. Karna had loved her father even though he pressured her to be someone she didnt really want to be. Some had suspected he was murdered, Karna included.

Karna rolled over to her side and exhaled a bitter sigh, propping her head heavily in her palm. She continued to watch the flame of the candle stretch and dance. White wax dripped like milk down the sides and, for whatever reason, calmed Karnas swimming thoughts a bit.

At school, she was surrounded by cousins, sons and daughters of other rulers, and other high-born offspring. Even in the midst of such accomplished company, Karna had never felt so alone and empty in her entire life.

Karna stiffened when a thunderous boom right outside the dorm room door pierced the air. Karna and Adonia both sprang to their feet and exchanged a glance. There was a scratching noise at the door. Karna wasnt expecting company, and from Adonias expression, she wasnt either.

Karna perked expectantly but then slouched with annoyance as an absurdly handsome young man threw the door open and waltzed into the room. A mischievous smile was splashed across his face.

I was just testing out a little firecracker I made in science lab, Aykon said. I didnt startle you, did I?

Aykon was Karnas twin brother. He was at least a foot taller than her and floated around with an air of sometimes-irritating confidence. He was used to getting his way by using his charm, handsome good looks, and diplomatic talents to his advantage.

There was one issue that prevented him from becoming the next ruler of the Haven Islands. He wasnt a white dragon, and he had confessed to Karna that he didnt view himself as one to have what it took to become one either. Sometimes white dragons were born. But there was also a way to transition to white, though it was difficult and very risky, and not all dragons were strong enough to do it.

Their mother had been born a golden dragon and had to ascend to become a black dragon in order to marry their father. She tirelessly attempted to drill into Aykons brain on how to ascend to white, but he was stubborn. He hadnt been born a white dragon and apparently didnt want to have to change. That stubbornness must have been a twin trait, a flaw Aykon and Karna had both been destined to receive, because she could be every bit as hard-headed as her brother.

Aykon chuckled as he strolled around the room. He turned to Adonia as a sly grin stretched across his lips. Oh, hello. I didnt see you there.

Adonia blushed and giggled. Hi, Aykon. Shed returned to her bed, where she straightened and began smoothing out her dress as she arranged herself in a perfect posture.

Karna rolled her eyes. The way her brother attempted to be a ladies man was borderline obnoxious. Not that he was a rogue, not at all. Aykon treated his sisters like the princesses they were, and deep down he was a good person, but had a reputation as a player, never even considering a committed relationship. He was so irresistible to women that most of them viewed him as a gift and blindly accepted any attention he cast their way, should they be lucky enough.