Spoilers Ahead! This story follows the Luca Plotline, LOOSELY, and will contain spoilers.

Dragon's Touch Series Book 1

The Tower of Sorrow

Chapter 9.

After being called in by the headmaster and told what had happened the night before, Vinny led his siblings into the medical ward of the school to see Katarina. He immediately told Luca to follow him out while the others fawned over their sister. Outside the room, Vinny frowned at Luca, who looked at him defiantly.

Sighing, Vinny finally spoke, "I owe you an apology."

Luca's eyes went wide for a moment, "I honestly didn't expect that."

"Yeah, well, surprise," he said sarcastically. "I understand what you were trying to do, although I still don't approve of the methods used. But I'm sorry for hitting you. And thanks for watching out for Katarina."

"Yeah. Don't worry about," Luca said hesitantly. Then he asked after making sure no one was around, "Is this because I'm the prince?"

Vinny laughed, "No matter who you are, if you hurt my little sister, I'll kick your ass again. Got it, Orlem?"

Grinning, Luca said, "Got it." The two shook hands before returning to the room.

"Grab her!" Lucia yelled as they came in. Vinny immediately looked at Briella who stood frozen with her back to them just inside. Vinny reached out and her body began to convulse. She collapsed where she was and Vinny grabbed her, holding her as she seized uncontrollably.

Luca had never seen Briella like this and wasn't sure what to do as the Pagano's reacted. Lucio had grabbed a notebook and pen, placing the items in Briella's hands as Vinny held her against him, now sitting on the floor. Lucia was rubbing her head gently and Tony helped her hold the notebook. Briella's other hand flew across the pad with the pen in rapid writing. Luca tried to read it, but he realized it was in a completely different language and gave up quickly.

It only lasted a minute and Briella came to, but was uncharacteristically depressed. "I'm okay," she said to Vinny who slowly released her and helped her up. She looked at her writing sadly, "It was a pretty bad one, wasn't it?"

"You had a seizure this time..." Tony told her gently.

Briella nodded, "I have to see Headmaster Randolph about this. And dad. And… probably the king."

The siblings all looked at each other before Tony said, "Let's start with Randolph." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her out.

Luca looked at Katarina's worried face, "Does it always happen like that? Her visions?"

Katarina shook her head as her siblings all looked at Luca, "No. Mostly she just stares off into space. It only happens like that on occasion. When they're really bad."

Luca saw how pained the siblings were by their sister's cruel misfortune. What a terrible gift, being a Seer must be.

It was one week later, that Briella Pagano stood in front of a council made up of the Three Mages, the King, her father, and several other leading members of the government. Even Luca was in attendance. Katarina had begged him to go and watch over Briella, and damn her, he couldn't refuse. So he'd asked his father, who took it as a sign of him finally accepting his birthright and allowed him to sit in. In his formal, princely clothes, Luca felt constricted.

"Who's to say this 'vision' wasn't just some dream made up from the imagination of a little girl?" one man asked.

Giancarlo Pagano huffed at him, "Do you imply my daughter has lied?"

"I meant no disrespect to you..."

"No just my daughter," he snapped.

"Gentlemen, please," Luca stepped in at Briella's pleading expression. "I was there when it happened, Sirs. There is no doubt in my mind of what I saw. That was a vision." His father smiled proudly and Luca resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He hated court politics.

"Miss Pagano's predictions have never been wrong," another person said.

"She indeed has a rare gift," Randolph praised. "We should take this very seriously."

"I agree," the King said. "With the attack on the Tower of Sorrow, and now Miss Briella's vision, it is safe to assume that Berione has broken the peace. We may need to prepare for war, as our Seer has predicted."

Briella was dismissed and the Council discussed the topic for another hour. Luca was exceptionally bored by the end of it and was glad when it was over. He attempted to sneak out, but unfortunately his father appeared in front of him with a smile. King Leopold put his arm around Luca and they walked out together, "Now tell me more about this young lady Sir Randolph mentioned."

"I'd rather not," Luca said flatly.

"I thought that might be your answer," Leopold smiled and they stopped outside the council room. To Luca's horror, Katarina was there talking with Briella. She was in this adorable flower printed sun dress that flared out and went just past her knees. Her hair was braided, as usual, and she was smiling dazzlingly at her sister. At Luca's moment of distraction, her father stopped next to the king. "Ah, Gino. Introduce me to your daughters, will you?"

"Of course, Sir," Giancarlo bowed his head and the three of them moved over to the girls. "Girls, this is His Royal Majesty, King Leopold."

They both curtsied politely as the king smiled kindly, "As beautiful as their mother, Gino. It is a pleasure to meet you both. Miss Briella, your visions have always been helpful to this kingdom. I only hope they do not strain you too much. You are so young to have such a powerful gift."

"Thank you!" She said cheerily.

The king turned to Katarina and took her hand in his, "I must thank you personally, my dear. The Three Mages told me how you saved the Dragon's Eye at great risk to yourself. Truly you are your father's daughter."

"Oh, thank you so much, your Majesty," Katarina blushed a little at the praise. She'd seen pictures, but they did no justice to how handsome the King actually was. It was like looking at Luca in twenty years. His hair was a darker green and cut short, just long enough to need to be combed. He had a goatee in the same color and his kind eyes were the same pale green as Luca's. He even had the same teasing glint as he said his next words, "I can't wait to plan the wedding."

"Father!" Luca chastised as Katarina's face got so hot she thought it would explode.

Leopold chuckled and pulled away as Giancarlo shook his head. As the king's right hand man, he was used to his antics. "Please, your highness," he said. "Let me get through my first daughter's wedding before I even think about another."

"Come now, Gino! We'll be in-laws!" Leopold shouted happily.

Luca didn't want to hear anymore, so he grabbed Katarina's hand and began to lead her away. Their fathers continued their conversation as they walked out of the building. As soon as he was outside, Luca realized his mistake. Reporters swarmed them.

"Your highness! Where have you been the last five years?"

"Prince Luciano, is it true you've been studying at Gedonelune?"

"Prince, who is the young lady?"

"Miss, are you his fiance?"

"Young Lady, give us a word!"

Luca ignored them all as the Magic Knights held the crowd back and he led Katarina to the limo waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He held the door for Katarina and climbed in after her. Luca sat next to her on the bench seat and held her hand while looking angrily out the blackened window. "We unfortunately have to wait for my father. This is his ride back to the palace."

"Oh," Katarina said.

"Why are you here?" He asked still not looking at her.

"Oh, um… Briella asked me to come for moral support. But now that you ask, I think my father told her to ask me."

Luca snorted, "My father probably told him to bring you. He's been nagging me about you for days."

"Is it not okay for me to be here?" Katarina asked hesitantly.

Luca looked at her, "That's not what I meant. I was just surprised to see you here." They sat for several minutes in awkward silence before Luca added, "A lot of people are gonna think we're getting married now."

Katarina whipped her head to face him, "W-what?"

Luca smirked and looked at her, "One of those reporters asked if you were my fiance. Our picture will probably be posted all over the tabloids with rumors of our engagement."

"W-we have to go tell them it isn't true! L-luca, we need to say something!" Katarina reached for the door but Luca pressed down the lock and left his hand there.

"We aren't talking to them," he said.

"L-luca! If they get the wrong idea…!"

"Is the thought of being my wife so repulsive to you?" Luca asked almost sadly and Katarina stopped fighting him for the door.

Her face went deep red as she answered, "N-no, it's not..." She'd thought several times over what it would be like to be his wife. "It's… a nice thought…." she was very quiet, but in the confined space, Luca didn't miss her words.

"Then it's no problem. You love me, I love you, they think we're engaged, so let them think it. If you want, we could even make it official."

"Wh-what?!" she squeaked. Was he proposing? Katarina's heart was near ready to burst right out of her chest.

Luca laughed playfully, "Yep. I've decided. Someday, we'll make it official." Katarina almost fainted. He was promising to propose to her, not actually doing it, but it still made her unbelievably happy. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Luca didn't hesitate to kiss her back. War might be on the horizon, but for now, he would enjoy the happiness he felt when he was with his woman.