Zarin

by Sarah J. Stone

  “I can't just wave my hands and order another Halloway witch,” she cried.

  “Create one,” he said with a shrug.

  “How?” she asked him, aghast.

  “Yvette, do not make me draw you a picture.” He fixed her with a look.

  “I…oh!” She blushed bright red. “So, you or Cole or–”

  “It's best to let Rosa do it,” he said. “She is the one with two stores of magic.”

  “Right,” she said. “I can uh…let them know. Until then, you need to go back to Earth.”

  He bowed his head. “I understand. But don't be long.”

  “I won't be,” she said. She stepped forward, not quite touching him. But she wanted to. “Thank you.”

  “You're welcome,” he replied. There was so much more that could be said between the two of them, but Yvette chose to say nothing. She loved Peter with all her heart and wouldn't change that for the world. She missed Thomas and what they had, but it didn't compare to her love for her husband. She just wished Thomas well. She hoped he found happiness of his own one day; even if the road seemed dark right now. “Wait in the antechamber, and someone will take you back.”

  “Aye,” he said. She left the throne room before she said something she would regret. Luckily for her, she didn't have to go too far. Nicholas was waiting eagerly with Rosa in the dining room. Their hands were grasped together, and they were gazing at each other with pure love. She smiled when she realized what she had to tell them. It wasn't such a bad thing after all.

  “Well?” Nicholas asked.

  She paused, looking between the two of them. She couldn't break the news all at once. So, she chose the easier route.

  “You two really should solidify your line to protect the dragons and the witches. A formal marriage would be best,” she said, not wasting any time. “Are you up to that?”

  Rosa blushed, but Nicholas understood completely. Without a word, he slipped out of the chair, taking a signet ring off his finger. He dropped to his knees, taking her hand.

  “I've been picturing this moment my whole life, my love,” he said, slipping the ring on her finger. “Will you do me the honor of being my princess?”

  “Yes!” There was no hesitation in her voice, no second guessing. She had been waiting her entire life for this moment, and it was finally here.

  Good things came from dark paths so long as they walked it long enough.

  Chapter 10

  “The final royal wedding,” Peter said to Yvette when he heard the story. “I suppose we were all putting it off for so long, really. Now that Nicholas is getting married, it makes things more secure, especially if they are focused on having an heir.”

  “What is a princess wedding like?” she asked. “Does she have to be crowned?”

  “No,” Peter replied. “It's really just a wedding with little more fanfare. And then, she'll be his princess, the third highest woman in all the land, after you and after Ariel. Hopefully, a power she will never have to call on.”

  “Mm,” Yvette sank into the bed beside him. Ever since her conversation with Thomas this afternoon, her heart was beating wildly. She was dying to tell Peter the whole truth. Now that they were alone, it seemed as good of a time as any. “I have to talk to you.”

  “About what, my love?” he asked as he sat down beside her. “What troubles you?

  “It's about Thomas,” she turned to him, trying to be brave. “I promised him he could return to Umora and live in peace if he told me what he knew.”

  Peter said nothing for a long time. Yvette was terrified that he was angry and started babbling excuses.

  “Peter, I only did it because I knew that was how he would talk. He trusts me, despite it all. He's a warrior; he's not afraid of death. If you tortured him for information, he would never give it to you. The magic is fading, and Umora is where it will sustain longer. He hates the way the Dolcettis are treating him. He doesn't want to be controlled, drugged, or live as a human.”

  “Yvette,” Peter said, softly at last “That is your decision as queen.”

  She stopped, confused by his tone. “You aren't angry?”

  “No, my love, I'm not angry,” he replied. “I can't be everywhere at once, and I trust your judgment completely. You calculated the risks and the returns, and you made an educated decision. I'm proud of you, my love.”

  “It was still a dangerous decision,” she admitted, and he shrugged.

  “Yes, but that is part of ruling. We make those choices every single day, and hope that the majority of them work out. Those that don't, we deal with.”

  “I don't want you to think that this is because I still have feelings for him,” she said. “I love you, Peter. I was thinking of the good of the family.”

  “I know you were,” he leaned in to kiss her. “But will it be difficult, having him on the same planet?”

  “Not if you're nearby.” She took his hand with a smile. “When you're around, I forget everything else.”

  “Good,” he said as he kissed her lips gently.

  Across the hall, Nicholas was in a similar position with Rosa in his arms.

  “I can plan anything I want?” she said, and he smiled.

  “Anything you want, my love, he said. “No expense is spared.”

  “I can't believe this,” she said, bursting with happiness. “We’ve dreamed about this for so many years, Nicholas. Now, we are here.”

  “It still won't be easy, Rosa,” he reminded her. “You are in incredible danger even being seen at my side.”

  “I know,” she said. “But what other choice do I have? Besides, a moment with you is worth an eternity alone.”

  “My love,” he took her hand. “You have never been alone. I have always been with you, even from afar.”

  “Well, now you can be with me close by.” She grinned, kissing him. “I know how dangerous this is, Nicholas, and I don't take it for granted. I promise to be careful.”

  “Is there a chance that the witches could rise up?” he asked, trying not to be too distracted by her kisses. All he wanted was to be lost in her touch, but he was using every ounce of willpower he had in order to think logically. “For you doing this?”

  “No,” she assured him. “Their goal was to continue the line. This is how we do that, so everything is validated. I will talk to them, just in case.”

  “And your apartment? Your job?”

  “I can get out of the apartment easily. It's week by week. That is what I could afford,” she said, and he responded in shock.

  “Rosa, you should have been honest about the conditions!”

  “Well, it doesn't matter now,” she said, softly. “You are what matters now. As for my job, I'll just quit.”

  “You won't miss selling men's wear?” he teased her, and she laughed.

  “I doubt it. But if I do, you are a prince. I'm sure you could arrange for me to get a job somewhere.”

  “No princess of mine will have to work,” he replied. “That is, if she doesn't want to.”

  “So, if I do?” she responded.

  “Uh–”

  “I'm joking,” she said as she leaned into kiss him. “Don't worry.”

  “Good.” He took her in his arms. At last, they could be together without worrying about the dawn coming, or someone tapping on the door. He knew that there would be challenges ahead, but for once, he was inclined to live in the moment. Rosa was with him, his family was nearby, and his heart was bursting with love.

  And she had more of a chance of living now than she ever had, thanks to a carapace that was supposed to be her enemy.

  In the ballroom, the carapace in question was not being quite as kind to her husband. Setting up her phone to blast the music from her latest show – a rap beat that made his head pound – she had blocked off the ballroom to practice. She was determined to get the dance steps right for her next rehearsal, and she forced Alexander into submission in assisting her.

  “Just stand there,” she growled
at him from across the room, in leggings and a tube top that were not befitting of a princess. “When I leap at you, catch me and then lift.”

  “Ariel, we’ve done this half a hundred times. I am not a dancer” He had taken off his suit jacket, his sleeves rolled up and his muscles already aching.

  “I know, but I can't get the landing right,” she answered. “So, I need you to keep doing it.”

  “You're going to be the death of me, woman,” he answered. “You or that music.”

  “You're coming to the show, right?” she asked, implying that he did not have a choice. Ariel launched toward him, hitting the beats that she had been taught just two days ago. He always thought it was fascinating to watch her dance. She went from a confident, cocky woman to a beautiful angel, graceful and smooth. She could bend in ways he could never imagine, and she got the most serene look on her face.

  He almost missed her, but he grabbed her waist at the last moment, using her momentum to push her up. Her rock-hard abs flexed as she fought the urge to curl up. She could feel her position was off, and indicated that he should put her down.

  “Again,” she said, as her half-naked and sweaty body brushed against his. Alexander put an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

  “Ask nicely,” he said, his face inches from hers. She grinned, allowing a kiss.

  “Please,” she said, with those eyes that had once charmed her from the audience. Their attraction had always been undeniable, despite the lack of romantic love. Sometimes, Ariel fantasized about loving him the way his brothers loved their wives. But she acknowledged that they were such a different couple, and they needed to accept that or they would likely kill each other.

  “One more,” he said, sending her across the room.

  Her body was throbbing with the temptation he had alluded to, and she almost missed a step. But this time, perhaps fueled by the hope of what was to come, her beat was perfect and his lift was in line with her momentum. She flexed and then held her body perfectly straight.

  He got a perfect view of her breasts, of her collarbone, and of her perfect body.

  “Good,” she managed, her chest heaving. He lowered her down carefully until her feet were flat on the floor. Only then did he pull her forward, kissing her with passion.

  “How many balls have you danced in here?” she asked.

  “A thousand,” he replied, as she reached to unbutton his shirt.

  “And with me?”

  “Half a hundred,” he answered, his breathing labored.

  “And how many balls did you dance with me when you'd rather be making love to me?”

  “All of them.” He captured her mouth, and then there was no more talking.

  ***

  Of the family, only Cole and Enya were sleeping peacefully. Normally the friskiest of the bunch, Cole had slipped off to sleep almost as soon as they had gone to bed. He was looking forward to a good night's sleep, his arm swung comfortably around Enya.

  He did not expect to wake up with a gasp, his eyes flying open.

  Enya sat up with him, sleep ridding itself from her brain right away.

  “Cole, what is it?” she asked.

  He searched the air, sending out magical pings. Something had woken him up; something had distributed him. But his magical homing signals came back empty.

  “I don't know,” he replied. “I don't know.”

  His chest was heaving. For some reason, he was frightened. He felt like there was something terribly wrong, but he couldn't speak as to what.

  “It's okay. It’s probably just a bad dream.” She took his hand.

  “Maybe, but I don't remember a nightmare,” he said, his heart beat finally slowing. “In fact, I was dreaming of you.”

  “Oh, I see,” she gave him a nudge. “Must be terrible.”

  “Horrible,” he said, as they settled back in the darkness. For a while, they were both silent, their thoughts drifting back to sleep.

  “That was quite a day,” Enya said, as she waited for sleep to come. “Started in a potential death and ended in an engagement.”

  “Welcome to life at the palace,” he replied with a shrug.

  She laughed. “I knew that when I married you,” she said. “And it's certainly far more exciting than Earth.”

  “And if you can never go back?” he asked. “You heard what Yvette said today.”

  “If I can never go back, then as long as I am by your side – and I have Wi-Fi – I'll be all right,” she replied.

  “Mm, my love,” he closed his eyes, leaning his head on top of hers. She had provided him such solace and such comfort over the last few years. He had once been ready to rip the world apart, and she had showed him that life was worth living.

  It was with his eyes that he felt the first twinges of magic. A few of his pings had returned late, and now they were sending him warning signals.

  He opened his eyes, trying to listen with every fiber of his being. In half a second, he threw the covers off, his feet hitting the cold floor.

  “Cole?” she asked, in sudden concern.

  “Father is here,” he said. “Hide yourself.”

  Chapter 11

  Cole was already summoning magic as he ran down the hallways. He wasn't sure what exactly what he was going to do when he got there. His father was a stronger dragon than he was, and Cole had no idea where his brothers were.

  He was searching frantically when he heard the giant footsteps behind him. Turning around, he found his father in dragon form, stalking down the large hallways like he used to when he was king. Cole knew he would need a moment or two – too long to transform into dragon form. He needed a distraction, but he was currently alone.

  “Father,” he said, “what a surprise. Again. Perhaps next time you can send a letter ahead of time?”

  The great yellow eyes flashed, and Cole tried not to flinch. Even though he was a dragon himself, he was a small one due to his witch blood. In human form, he was intimidated by them.

  “So, can I help you?” he asked his father, trying to distract him. But he knew that Richard was not here for him. “With anything? Or could you just stay dead? Because frankly, I was not too sad about it.”

  Richard roared, letting fire stream out of his mouth. The ceiling and walls were fireproof; it just made sense for the kingdom of the dragon lords. Cole felt the heat and winced. Humans were so susceptible to burns.

  He cast a spell, dragging the dragon's attention to the magic that was streaming out of him. “Yeah, that's right,” Cole said. “It's Halloway magic that came from. Did you know that's what's flooded through me?”

  Richard cocked his great head, watching his adopted child.

  “Is that why you brought me here?” Cole asked. “Is that why you searched the kingdom? Or did you force whoever my parents were to mate so you could have me? Did you have this plan all along?”

  Richard advanced on him, and Cole took a step back. He knew that he couldn't hold him off forever, and he was running out of ideas.

  He had never been so grateful to see Nicholas coming around the corner.

  His older brother had time to transform, and as a strong dragon, was almost as large as Richard. Nicholas roared, asserting his power, and Richard turned.

  Cole took it as the moment he needed. He may not be as strong as Nicholas, but he knew that two dragons were better than one.

  Standing beside his brother in dragon form, his wings were extended to exaggerate his size.

  Now that he was in dragon form, he could hear Richard's thoughts much more clearly.

  Bring me the girl, Nicholas. Or I will take her.

  Over my dead body. Nicholas threw his head forward, threatening Richard, daring him to take him on.

  Richard lashed his great tail and a pillar fell. Cole winced, thinking how many thousands of years old it was. But Richard seemed to have no regard for history or for the palace that he had grown up in.

  That can be arranged, Richard raised an eyebrow on his sca
ly face. I am your king, boy, and you will respect me.

  You were not my king the second you cast out Cole, Nicholas answered.

  Cole turned his head to his left, hearing another noise. To his relief, both of his brothers stalked down the hall.

  It was as if the universe had made Peter more majestic since he became king. Taller, stronger, and larger than Richard, something about Peter just invoked an invisible crown on his head.

  By contrast, Alexander beside him looked aged and tired. Once a majestic king himself, the regent now stood tall beside Peter, knowing that he would die for his king. He seemed to accept death as a welcome relief, and Cole growled at Richard, trying to distract him from Alexander.

  However, it wasn't Alexander that Richard's attention went to.

  Peter, Peter, you usurper, Richard said.

  Peter did not even pause for conversation. He roared forward, his jaws open.

  It was a signal from their king to attack, and the other three roared in. Richard was stronger and older, but he was no match for his four sons who were determined to protect the women they loved.

  They crashed through the palace with no regard for the things they were destroying. Columns crashed in, walls gained giant holes, and the dragons burned what they could.

  It was probably the most destructive fight the palace had ever seen. No one dared step in, even though they came running, for no one was a match for the strength being displayed.

  The fact that it was a stalemate was becoming clear within minutes. Richard was so strong, and he appeared enhanced. He kept snapping at Cole, knowing the other three would defend him. His age brought him more magic than any of them, and he would not give up.

  Nicholas couldn't focus; he was so terrified for Rosa and their future. Suddenly, he felt himself pulled back to human form. He felt blood drip down his face, and his vision blur. It was shocking and very sudden.

  Around him, the others began to shrink as well. The destruction around them became massive, dwarfing them.

  Alexander grabbed onto a broken column, panting. “Ariel,” he managed.

  Sure enough, his wife stood in the hallway, her body tense. She was absorbing a strong amount of magic, and it hurt, as much as she didn't want to admit it. She faced Richard without so much as blinking.