by Amy Sumida
“Princess Seren?” The coachman asked as he jumped down.
“Yes.” I stepped forward and felt the magic of an air-ward shiver over my skin.
“I am Isamu.” He bowed. “It is my honor to convey you to the Court of the Dragon Kings.”
Isamu opened the carriage door, and I was relieved to see that the inside was even larger than it appeared. Counting myself, there were ten of us and Cat. All of us traveling together was a rare occurrence.
I thanked the coachman, and we all piled into the carriage. We still had to squish a bit, but with Cat on the floor, it was doable. Within moments, Isamu was back in his seat, and our carriage was turning about to head into the sea. The water parted around the air-ward, giving us a view of the ocean as if we were set behind glass panels. The horses' hooves thudded dully, and it seemed as if they moved the ward around us like a giant gerbil wheel, propelling us forward with its motion.
The coachman drove us right over a stretch of coral reef, but neither the wheels nor the horses' hooves did any damage to the delicate branches. It confirmed my suspicions; the air-ward formed a cushion between us and the ocean floor, allowing the carriage to ride smoothly over any obstacle. Fishes darted around us, but the magical glimmer of the barrier kept them from getting too close. When I concentrated with my psychic senses, I could see a silver sheen and a sparkling passage of something transferring from the water into our space.
“It's transforming the water into air,” I whispered with wonder.
“What's that, Princess?” Conri asked.
“The ward”—I waved a hand out our open window—“it's making one element into another.”
They all stared at me in shock, and finally, Cleary broke the silence.
“How do you know that, Your Highness?”
“I can see the magic.” I nodded toward the ward. “I see the transformation like I do auras.” Then I frowned at all of their amazed expressions. “You guys use magic, but you don't really know it, do you?”
“Of course we know it, Your Highness,” Torquil said stiffly. “It is a part of us.”
“My liver is a part of me, and I don't understand how it works. I know its basic functions, but I don't know how it performs them.” I shrugged. “Admit it; you're all shocked that magic can transform one element into another.”
“Perhaps the ward is simply pulling the air from the water,” Conri suggested. “Fishes breathe water.”
“There isn't enough air in water to make that possible,” I said with a smug smile. It looked as if all those science classes were finally going to pay off. “You can pull water out of air, but to take air from water—enough for us to breathe and to sustain this bubble—it would take mass amounts of water. The ocean level would be dropping considerably if they employed several wards like this one consistently.”
My guards looked skeptical.
“Okay, twilight fey, hold onto your magical asses because I'm about to make your heads spin,” I said. “The average person needs 500mls of air with every breath they take. That's air now, not just oxygen. The amount of oxygen in normal air is 21%, and it drops to a concentration of 16% when exhaled. That gives us a total of 25mls of oxygen used with every single breath. Now, keeping that in mind, the concentration of oxygen in water is 6mg per liter. This means that in order to provide us with one breath's worth of oxygen, that ward would have to deplete the ocean of 6 liters of water. I would have used about 60 liters talking to you just now. And that's only oxygen; air is composed of other gasses too. Do you guys understand?”
Their jaws were unhinged and eyes rounded in shock.
“When the fuck did you turn into Bill Nye the Science Guy?” Conri exclaimed.
“How do you know who Bill Nye is?” I countered with a giggle.
“What do you think we do when you cart us all to HR for your conjugal visits with Killian?” Conri huffed. “We watch TV.”
“You inherited your father's analytical mind, Your Highness,” Gradh cut Conri off.
“Yes, except she has psychic powers to help her see the science happening, not just the knowledge of it,” Ainsley added. “You'd better keep that to yourself when you're around your family, Princess, or they might give you a job at Gentry.”
I started to laugh and then realized that Ainsley was right. I sobered quickly, which made the Star's Guard chuckle.
“I wonder if all magic functions under similar means?” Torquil mused as he stared out into the ocean.
“It would make sense,” I said. “Nature functions due in part to chemical reactions, why wouldn't magic be the result of a different kind of reaction?”
“Elemental reaction,” Ainsley whispered. “Sweet Goddess, you're right, Princess; you've just spun my head.”
“It doesn't really matter to me how it works, so long as it keeps on working.” Conri shrugged. “It's not like I'm responsible for making the magic; I just use the stuff.”
“Thank the Goddess,” Torquil declared. “If you were responsible for magic, we'd all be doomed.”
Our laughter filled the air-ward, bouncing off the magical barrier that we were all grateful for Conri not being in charge of.
As we rode into deeper water, the sunlight faded, darkening the water to dismal levels, but lights came on inside and outside of the carriage. Each horse had a lantern hanging above its head that I'd previously thought was just decoration. The lanterns spread their illumination out several feet in all directions, and the horses trotted on without concern.
Cat had draped her forepaws over the carriage door beside me and had ignored our conversation in favor of staring out the window. I didn't blame her; the view was riveting, and she especially seemed to enjoy watching the darting sea life. This was much more pleasant than my trip to the Court of the Nine Sons had been. That had been in an open carriage as well but without the comfortable air-ward. A spell had allowed me to breathe underwater, but my first breath had been accompanied by panic. My brain knew that we shouldn't be breathing water and it made it clear to me with muscle-clenching anxiety. My spell worked just fine, but the spells that had been cast on my Star's Guard had failed, and I'd had to go into the Dragon Court alone... with Uisdean. I was hoping this undersea adventure would continue to be more pleasant than my last, but the way my life had been going lately, it was doubtful.
The scenery outside our windows was fascinating, but it was a long journey, and by the time we began to see lights in the distance, my butt was getting sore and my back stiff. I leaned forward to stretch and try to catch a glimpse of the Dragon Palace. At first, all I could see was a glow like Las Vegas at night; a bright gleam in the dark of an empty expanse. But this light was pure, mimicking true sunlight, and it stretched out beyond the air-ward of the castle grounds to softly illuminate the pristine ocean floor.
Along with the increase of light came an escalation in activity outside our carriage. I began to see other conveyances rolling past us, and even single horses with their lone riders racing by in personal air bubbles. Then there were the sea creatures in glorious, multi-colored beauty; fins of crimson, orange and brilliant blue fluttered softly, scales shimmered with an opalescent gleam, and eyes stared at us with unblinking intensity. I saw several types of water fey whom I was already familiar with; mermaids, kelpies, and selkies, but I also saw some I knew only by their descriptions in books I'd been studying.
“Are those encantados?” I asked as I pointed to a pod of pink dolphins.
“I think so.” Gradh nodded. “Ah, yes, they are.” She pointed to a dolphin who had shifted into human shape to enter the palace air-ward. “Well spotted, Your Highness.”
The main air-ward of the Court of the Dragon Kings was defined and secured by a towering coral reef set with an elaborate gate of gold and pearls. We headed straight for the gate, and as we passed under its arch, our carriage's air-ward fell, withdrawing into the coach itself. We rolled forward on solid ground at last—a seashell paved road, actually—through a landscape that could have
been taken straight out of ancient Japan.
Fields of rice undulated in a gentle breeze, stretching back toward a lush forest. At the forest's far end, the green leaves shifted to umber tones of orange and red, making the maples look as if they'd been set ablaze. Despite the marshy rice fields and autumnal woods, the scent of cherry blossoms wafted in to me. I blinked in surprise and jerked my head to the left. Out the other carriage window there was a view of plum and cherry trees, blushing pink in full bloom, and then beyond the orchards, there was a silvery scene of snow-covered fields and thick groves of spiky bamboo poking up through the frost.
“What in all the worlds is this?” I whispered.
“I have no clue, Your Highness,” Conri said, “but I'm eager to find out.”
We crunched down the shell-paved avenue to a grand, Japanese-inspired palace. Long, sloping roofs were shingled with luminous, downward curving, mother-of-pearl panels, but the pointed corners lifted up gaily, giving a glimpse of their red coral linings. More crimson coral formed columns on the main floor, framing a grand veranda with steps that led down to a circular courtyard. Above this main entrance were four more stories, each one smaller than the one below it, with sloped roofs sticking out over the balconies of each lower level like a ruffled skirt. The topmost tier had a central, triangular peak, and a pair of dragon statues sat at each corner; the Asian equivalent of gargoyles.
That wasn't all. The palace spread out to either side of the main building, with smaller sections that were tiered like the central one, though not as grand. It was the size of a small city and bustled as all prosperous cities did. Dragons strode about in flowing silk robes with their hair done in elaborate twists and braids. They wore strings of pearls and walked with a grace that even land sidhe didn't have. Among them were the members of their court, dressed more casually and walking with far less aplomb than the dragons, but nonetheless beautiful. There was so much color and light everywhere; it was a bit overwhelming after coming in from the darkness of deep sea.
The members of the dragon court stared at us as our carriage came to a stop before the main stairs. I gave my guard members a nervous smile as our coachman jumped down and opened the door for us. Cat jumped out first, then I took Isamu's offered hand and climbed out. I was relieved that I'd chosen to wear one of my good gowns; a pale lavender silk with diamonds sewn into the bodice in the shape of a star. I didn't have my twilight crown in Seelie, so I had to make due with the obviously-affiliated dress. Chad had told me it would be better to play up my twilight-ness rather than my connection to the other courts.
“Your Highness?” A man with pale green skin came striding up to me. After my nod, he bowed and said, “I am Katsuo, Steward to His Majesty, King Ryujin. I bid you welcome in the name of the Dragon Kings, and ask you to please follow me.”
“Thank you, Katsuo.” I went with him up the white, coral steps and through a pair of doors taller than trolls.
I wasn't surprised by the size of the doors or that of the palace itself—which was enormous. It was a dragon palace, after all. If the Kings were anything like the Sons, they'd want the room to roam in dragon form on occasion.
But I didn't see a single dragon in dragon form as we were led down carpeted hallways and through rooms with open windows overlooking gardens which seemed to be growing in different seasons. The Court of the Dragon Kings was completely different than that of the Sons. From the way Chad had described the courtiers, I'd expected something a little wilder, maybe even naughtier, but this court seemed sedate in comparison to the... Sons...
“Wow,” Conri growled appreciatively as he stopped to stare through an open doorway. “I had no idea the dragons were so kinky.”
I blinked at the spectacle and quickened my pace, trying to forget the image of a woman spread languorously over a giant turtle shell. She had been naked, but that wasn't the shocking bit. It was the men and women with her, and what they were doing to her, that was shocking. Nope; I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that Killian's shapeshifting snake hands were tame by comparison. Oh, and that turtle shell wasn't empty either; more fairies were copulating inside of it so that it rocked and... no, never mind.
“At least the turtle wasn't there,” I muttered to myself.
“What's that, Your Majesty?” Katsuo asked.
“Nothing”—I smiled sweetly—“lead on.” To the others I whispered, “Keep an eye out for them.”
“Got it,” Gradh said.
“Because I intend to keep both of my eyes on the floor,” I muttered. “Chad wasn't kidding. Maybe I should have worn a chastity belt.”
Chapter Seventeen
We were taken into a massive throne room where Katsuo waved us forward while he remained near the door. Our heels clicked across a floor of polished white coral, and I glanced around to see that the walls were made of the same pale material, but they were also studded with enormous pearls. Between portions of wall were empty stretches which opened onto a long balcony. Beyond the balcony were stunning gardens in full bloom. It made the room feel even larger, and more like a pavilion than a palace throne room.
Golden columns were set in rows down both sides of the crowded space, supporting a gilded, coffer ceiling studded with pearls at the intersections. A blood-red carpet ran down the center of the room to a three-tiered dais. Upon the dais sat a wide throne of red coral, gilded gold at the crests. Behind the throne was a matching screen, and behind that was a painting of dragons that took up the entire wall. A man sat regally on the throne, his arms spread out so that he could rest his hands on the spheres tipping each armrest.
He was dressed in robes even more splendid than the rest of the court, flowing down around him in a manner that would have hindered my ability to walk had they been forced onto me. But when he stood and made his way gracefully down the steps, the garments didn't seem to impede him; they rippled around his feet like water. His ebony hair was pulled up at the temples and arranged into an intricate loop at the back of his head; the rest of it hung loose behind him... far behind him. He had elegant features; almost feminine but with a nobility and severity to them that made them clearly masculine. He set his black eyes on me intensely as he stepped past the gold, dragon statues guarding the final step of his dais.
“You are the halfling?” He asked. “The human who has become Princess of Twilight?”
“Seren Firethorn.” I held my hand out to him.
He smiled expansively and enveloped my hand in both of his. With a stilted movement he shook my hand; once, twice.
“It's a great honor to meet you, Princess Seren,” he said. “I am King Ryujin. Welcome to Ryugu-jo, the Court of the Dragon Kings.”
“Thank you for extending your hospitality to me, Your Majesty.” I mustered up as much courtly decorum as I could. “I'm in awe of your home.”
“How kind of you to say.” King Ryujin beamed at me. “We are most proud of our palace. I would be delighted to give you a tour, but first, I must make some introductions.”
“Please.” I nodded.
“The eldest kings of our court.” King Ryujin nodded to a group of men beside him, and they came forward. “King Ka-Riu.”
A man with short, crimson hair, golden-brown skin, and eyes as black as Ryujin's stepped forward. He bowed to me and gave me a smirking smile.
“King Sui Ryu.” Ryujin indicated a taller man with a black braid that ran down his back.
“Princess,” the man had a deep voice, like the boom of thunder. He bowed, keeping his cerulean, dragon stare on me as he did.
“Hello,” I said softly.
King Sui Ryu winked at me and stepped back.
I swallowed convulsively. The man radiated sex appeal; it practically dripped off him. He was the only dragon in the room wearing pants and a loose kimono top instead of silk robes. His top gaped at the front, showing off a nice expanse of pale golden skin, curved with thick muscles. He stood like a warrior and wore a sword on his hip... a Japanese sword in an enameled sheath. Wo
w, just wow. He was like a fairy samurai.
“This is King Han-Riu,” Ryujin said with some amusement in his voice.
I pulled my attention away from Sui-Riu and focused it on the brightest guy in the room. He had dandelion-yellow hair flowing around his shoulders like cornsilk, and green eyes as bright as a ripe lime. Those eyes had slit pupils, of course, like every other dragon in the room, but his were full of childish mischief. He also had a deep, umber tan that made him part of a minority in this crowd. As if his coloring wasn't vibrant enough, he also wore multi-colored robes. I had to remember to tell Karmen that I'd finally found him a gay dragon. Han-Riu bowed to me, and I nodded back.
“Here is King Ri-Riu and King Kinryu.” Ryujin waved to a pair of men whose most unique features were their eyes.
The first man's were pale blue, making him appear to be blind, and the second man had golden eyes, similar to Raza's.
“And finally, this is King Fuku-Riu.”
The last king came forward and bowed to me. He had a generous smile and short, brown hair. He was the least fit of the dragons I'd met, with a chubby face and full belly. But he looked content with himself, nearly smugly so.