“Thomas,” Armand said. “Leave us.”
“Why?” Thomas asked, defiantly. “I heard what you are saying. Yvette isn't going with you.”
“Thomas,” Armand took one step towards him, and it seemed menacing, threatening. Thomas took a step back, and this surprised Alexander. “Leave us.”
The former warrior did, and Alexander glanced to Peter.
“Please,” Armand's voice returned to normal as he led them through the hallway to his dining room. “Shall we?”
“Whoa,” Yvette took a step forward and wavered. Lightning quick, Peter was at her side almost instantly, grabbing her elbow and crouching his knees so he could support her. Yvette paused, her eyelids fluttering. But then she opened her eyes, waving her hand. “I'm alright.”
“What ails you?” Peter asked her, in dragon. Yvette smiled painfully at him, but her language skills were not strong enough to answer his question. Silently, she reached for his hand and put it upon her wrist, where her pulse beat. Except, Peter found that it didn't beat strongly or regularly. This girl's life force was tainted, her body surviving almost by chance.
“Yvette, come with me,” Evelyn took her other arm, leading them to the dining room where they could sit down. Peter's gaze was on her the whole time, flickering between Yvette and Evelyn, as if he didn't trust her. “Here, sit.”
“It has become clear to us,” Alexander started the conversation, “that dragons who have spent time in the Other have lost out on much of history. You must see it with the return of your own children. Peter has spent ten years there, and his English is non-existent. In order to be the strongest king and protect the kingdom from the Other, he needs help. And you, it seems, have the best help of all.”
Yvette was following the conversation as much as she could. She and Evelyn were curled up on the far couch, watching with wide eyes.
“Yvette is very ill,” Armand said. “She comes from a background where they could not provide her with proper medical support. By her being here, I can offer her constant treatment, better than her bouncing between jobs.”
“There are others like her,” Alexander said. “But none as good, Enya says. Yvette, you will live in the palace, and you will be paid handsomely. In addition, Enya is also quite ill, and she receives medical treatment when needed that is top of the line.”
“It's true,” Enya said. “I am much better since I've been with Cole. We come to Earth when need to, but the medical treatments on Umora are second to none.”
“But I don't want…I mean, I…,” Yvette tried to speak calmly, but she was clearly trying not to be afraid. Enya recognized it was fear of the princes, something that she had when she first went to Umora. She also realized that Armand and Evelyn seemed helpless to Alexander's protested. “What if I don't want to?”
Armand seemed to be holding back many words, and he gripped his fist.
“Perhaps she can visit–”
“This is for the good of the palace,” Alexander said. “And King Peter has accepted this humbling assistance. Just because you have left the planet, Armand, does not mean you are not still under our rule.”
“I understand that,” Armand said. “But the work I am doing with these children is good.”
“Work?” Peter caught that word. “Why does Thomas look like a shadow of his former self? I looked not a day older when I returned from the Other, and yet he looks as if he's walking underwater.”
“Because he's drugging him,” Alexander realized. He had seen the effects of drugs on Earth. His wife, Ariel, was no stranger to recreational drug usage. He wasn't a fan, but he had seen her indulge, and she often got the same glassy-eyed look. “Isn't that what you are doing? To keep him under control.”
Armand turned pale at that, and looked to Evelyn. This is why they seemed so nervous.
“Thomas had many issues when he lived the first time. You know that.”
“He is a subject of mine,” Peter put in. “And you are keeping him under your control.”
“Thomas is like a son to me,” Armand said, looking guilty. “Do not think I would ever do him harm. I never would do anyone harm, that is why I left.”
Peter glanced to Alexander. “How do I know,” he said, “that the rest of your family–and even this girl–is not suffering the same fate?”
“No,” Armand said. “I assure you, my king–”
Peter stood up, deciding that the conversation was done.
“Alexander,” he said. “Make the necessary arrangements. The girl will be coming with us.”
He left the room as if he found the outside more interesting. Alexander felt uncomfortable at such an order, although he knew that it might come to this. Finally, he sighed.
“Yes,” he said, although Peter had left. “Armand.”
“No,” Yvette could see that she was expected to go. “No, please don't make me!”
“Yvette,” Armand approached her, as Evelyn held her close. “Peter is my king. I have to obey him. I have to.”
“I need to stay with you,” she said. “I need to stay with Thomas. Please.”
“You have to go,” Armand said, holding out his hand. “I promise you, though, they are good people. And I'm sure,” he turned to glance at Alexander, “they will allow you to see us again.”
“If it comes to that point,” Alexander said. “You will see her one last time, even if the job isn't done.”
Enya took a deep, shuddering breath, feeling sympathy for the girl. She had been that afraid once. She just hoped that her fears would turn out wrong. Enya had been lucky, but she was loved by a prince. Would Yvette be so lucky?
Chapter 4
“What is wrong with her?” Peter asked, as they waited for Yvette to pack her things. Armand waited with them in the front hall, although it was clear that he wasn't happy. He saw it in his best interest, though, to speak to his king about the child he had come to think of as his own.
“I will send her medical records with her,” he said. “Yvette has a malformation in her brain. It affects all systems of her body and has already done damage to her. Had her parents taken care of her, it might have been easier. But now, there are many complications before attempting a surgery that may or may not save her.”
“She will die?” Peter asked, emotionlessly.
“It's possible, yes,” Armand said. “There's a lot she needs on a daily basis.”
“We will give it to her,” Peter's word was law, and Alexander was glad to hear him speak with such authority again, even under such circumstances. “She will not be lonely on Umora. There has been an influx of Earth girls lately.”
“If you're referring to your sisters-in-law,” Alexander replied, “one of whom is your queen, I'm sure they don't appreciate it.”
“A carapace queen,” Peter said. “A dead king. Father would roll over in his grave.”
“Or return,” Alexander reminded him, and Peter fell silent.
Yvette soon returned in the hallway, a suitcase in her hand. She had been crying and seemed not comforted by Enya, who was trying to assure her it was fine.
“Yvette!” Thomas' voice snapped as he came barrelling through the hallway. Now that he knew the truth, Alexander could see the former warrior was moving slowly, his muscles not quite snapping to attention. Peter stepped between the two of them, putting an arm out. Thomas ran right into it, grunting.
“You may not want to recognize me as king, boy,” Peter growled. “I am not of your type. But Cole is, and he is my brother. Do you understand me?”
Thomas snarled, but he no longer possessed the strength to fight Peter. Peter stepped back, and Yvette froze. She was terrified, but she held her chin high.
“Do I have your word?” she asked softly. “That when this job is done, I can return?”
“You have our word,” Alexander substituted for Peter. “Please.”
He really hadn't wanted it to come to this. But with no other choice, he held open the door.
“Is he your b
oyfriend?” Enya asked Yvette, trying to distract her as they walked out the door. To get back to the transport point was a longer journey, as the next train was not an express. “Thomas?”
“Um…It's complicated,” Yvette replied. “He had someone, before he…died…and now that he's back, he's in limbo. But yes, we care for each other a great deal.”
“I know what complicated is like,” Enya replied. “Cole was jailed the first time we went home to Umora. It took a lot of work, but he is the better half of me, and I the better half of him.”
“I just want this to be over with,” Yvette said, softly. “I have not heard good things about what has been happening on Umora.”
“Even Earth becomes much more frightening when you know the truth,” Enya replied, as they got into the cab. “It will be alright. I promise.”
“Armand seems different,” Alexander said to Peter, as they slipped in to the large cab. “He seemed so nervous. I know that Thomas was a problem, but so was Cole.”
“Perhaps some are just not so patient,” Peter said. “Cole can be a handful. Have they altered his brain?”
“In a way,” Alexander replied. “It is a prison what they are doing to him. But a different kind of prison.”
“Keep an eye on the situation,” Peter said.
“You are very protective today,” Alexander replied, remembering how protective he was of Enya when they did the transfer. It was as if nothing but the small or fragile could break through Peter's black fog.
“We must protect those who cannot protect themselves,” Peter said, staring out the window. Alexander smiled softly.
“Yes,” he said, as the countryside began to go by. “We must.”
The ride seemed twice as long this time. Everyone was tired. The two girls were slumped up against each other on the window of the train, their eyes closed and their chests rising almost in sync. Alexander felt sorry for Yvette, but he knew they couldn't stop. The entire kingdom was at risk, and Peter had not responded to anything else. When it came to family–when it came to the kingdom–hard decisions had to be made.
When they made it to the transfer point, Peter took Yvette's suitcase, which was something he had never done for anyone. Kings and princes had servants to do things for them, and Peter had probably never carried a bag in his life. But here, he wordlessly took the suitcase as if he had pulled them all his life.
“Right.” Alexander had not thought about this until they reached the transfer point. There were four of them now, and the magic would have to be spread. Suddenly, he gasped.
“Alexander?” Peter asked, as his brother's hand clenched.
“The carapaces,” Alexander turned his head to the left and right. He couldn't see them, but he could feel them. “They are close.”
He had been drained so badly from them that any exposure en masse like this could be dangerous. He could no longer walk Earth's roads with Ariel, who was only a singular carapace, even if she was powerful. Dragons lived by magic, and they could drain him until he was dead. Peter straightened up, his eyes searching the horizon. It was dark now, and there were very few people around.
“I can transform,” he said.
“No,” Alexander snapped. “The last time you were here, you gathered too much attention. You were all over the news as a dragon.”
“What do I care what the humans think?” Peter snapped.
“If the carapaces get too close, they will reduce you back to human form,” Alexander said. “For we are descended from humans, after all. They will have more to drag from you if you are a dragon.”
Peter knew he was right, although he felt his heart rate rise. He longed to beat his wings, to express the emotions that had been building up all day. But instead, he took a deep breath and gathered the magic in his palms.
“Give me what you have, Alexander,” Peter said, taking his brother's hand.
“What do I do?” Yvette asked Enya, who turned her head in shock.
“That's right. You've never been to Umora, have you?”
“No,” Yvette replied. “Never. I've only heard stories. And to tell you the truth, I haven't heard good stories.”
“You will be amazed,” Enya assured her, taking her hand. “The princes are wonderful when you get to know them.”
“I don't want to get to know them,” Yvette kept her voice low, practically whispering in her ear. “I just want to go home.”
“You will,” Enya said. “Soon enough. Thank you for helping us.”
She took her hand, squeezing it, as Alexander reached for hers. Enya closed her eyes, and she felt the magic circle around her.
The ride was rough, and Enya felt like she might black out as they began to swirl.
Before she knew it, though, the ground was solid beneath her feet. She was sitting on the floor of the antechamber of the palace, and the rest of them were panting beside her.
“Hi.” Suddenly, Cole was in her face, smiling. “You look like you've been through the wringer.”
“Cole,” Enya smiled as he helped her up. “This is Yvette. Her boyfriend is Thomas Sparta. Like you, he's–”
“Thomas is alive? Cool.” Cole grinned. “I'd love to see him and rip his arm off again. All in good fun, of course.”
Yvette turned pale, and Enya elbowed Cole in the stomach as Alexander struggled up as well.
“Are you alright, brother?” Peter asked, and Alexander nodded, giving him a painful smile.
“Yes,” he said. “Just that traveling to Earth may not be my favorite hobby. Cole, can you show Yvette a room where she might rest? Perhaps near the med bay would be best?”
“Sure,” Cole seemed completely unfazed by what was happening, giving Yvette a smile. “Do you speak dragon?”
“A little,” she replied. “English…if you do?”
“I do.” Cole switched much more flawlessly than when he had first met Enya. “Come with me, ladies. This is the life.”
Alexander rolled his eyes as he watched him go. Cole would always be his kid brother. Peter was watching them go as well, but his eyes were focused on Yvette.
“What is the life expectancy of a human?” he asked. Alexander turned to him.
“A healthy one, 80 years?” he said. “Why?”
“But not that one?”
“No,” Alexander replied. “Probably not. Enya neither, although she'll do much better here than elsewhere.”
“And going to dragons for help,” Peter shook his head. “How has the kingdom come to this? Dragons on Earth, dead and not, shifters mixing. Everything is different.”
“It hasn't been easy,” Alexander said. “As I'm sure you are finding.”
“You did a good job, brother,” Peter put his hand on his brother's shoulder. “Don't think that you didn't.”
“Thank you,” Alexander said, hopeful. “And perhaps no more?”
“A little longer,” Peter said. “At least, I hope it's just a little. I will not take the throne, brother, if I feel I will put the kingdom in danger. The darkness in my mind, the world around me–it's not what I thought it would be. I hate to admit it, but I could not handle it when I…left. And I find it difficult to handle now, as embarrassing as it was. There is nothing worse than a kingdom, which is led into disaster by a king not in control”
“You don't believe you are in control?” Alexander asked.
“I can't see past today,” Peter admitted. “All I can see, all I long for, is the darkness of sleep. It is not as bad as when I first returned, but it is there. So, a little longer, brother, at least.”
“Right,” Alexander said, as Peter turned to go. Once alone in the antechamber, he ran a hand over his face. Wandering, he found himself in front of the throne in seconds. As a boy, he had played around the feet of his father and mother, never thinking that it might be his. It was never supposed to be, even in his wildest dreams.
When he did take it, it was with a heavy but hopeful heart. He would do the best he could until his time was up, one way o
r another. But he knew that he never belonged there.
“Alexander?” he felt Ariel before he heard her, and spun around, rearranging his facial features so he didn't betray his heart. “Are you alright?”
“I am,” he said. “Just lost in thought.”
“Less thinking,” she said. “More fun. Come on, you've had a long day.”
He smiled. “Mm. My dear, you always know the words to say.”
“I don't intend to say words,” she raised her eyebrows. “Just noise. Let's go.”
He didn't need to be told twice.
Chapter 5
When Yvette awoke, she didn't know quite where she was. The bed was vast, enormous, and the room was cold. The walls were grey and stone pillars surrounded her. She thought that perhaps she was dead, until she remembered yesterday.
She wasn't dead; she was just prisoner of the princes of Umora. She had trusted dragons for months now, seeing them as giving her hope and life. They had seemed like kind people, full of compassion. But they had told her stories of the princes on Umora and how they ruled by an iron fist and a lack of compassion for anyone but themselves. She had heard stories of the way Thomas was treated in the army, of how Armand left because he held his Hippocratic Oath above their needs. Armand was still loyal to them, that much was clear. Although, judging by his reaction, she was pretty sure that it was with a heavy heart.
She was here to teach Peter how things were and how they had been, and to teach him English. Enya had told her that Peter was stubborn, difficult, but she could at least help with the language. It would be up to Yvette to figure out the years of dragon culture and communicate it with him in a way that would make sense. It was easy to catch up dragons on Earth history. They had chosen to live on Earth and wanted to fit in, and she, of course, had grown up on Earth. But she knew very little about Umora. She didn't want to admit it, because she was terrified of what they would do to her.
She had to just do her job, get paid, and go home. Armand had said Alexander was a man of his word, even if the others were not. She had to trust in that; she had no other choice.
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