by Crystal Dawn
Once the decision was made, it was permanent. Dragons mated for life. Seraphim wouldn’t mate for many years. He was the dragon equivalent of a teenager at barely fifty years of age. Dragons never mated before they were a hundred. Her dragon was a gorgeous lavender but he would darken as he aged. He would be a deep purple once he was mature and that color would not change.
Slipping into the dragon section of the stables, she found her dragon right where he should be. They had a rare mental connection between them that aided in communicating. Communicating mentally with her dragon was more like sending pictures. Sir, as she called her dragon, could understand when she spoke to him, but he couldn’t speak back. As far as Serena knew, no dragons could speak in that way.
Her hand extended to offer Sir a treat she’d brought him. He grabbed it quickly as if she would change her mind or some other dragon would snatch it away. It was a sweet treat the kitchen made for dragon trainers. Sir loved the treats and if she came without one, he would pout.
“Hey there, Sir.” She looked around to see if anyone was nearby. No one appeared to be there. “We have to leave early in the morning, just before the sun comes up. This will be a great adventure. Will you come with me?”
Sir nodded his head, a glint in his eyes. Since he was young, he wasn’t in the battles that the kingdom occasionally fought in and he wasn’t allowed to take trips as the older dragons were allowed to. There was little if any surprises in his life and that was boring. Serena had counted on him wanting to come and he had.
Her dragon was bigger than a horse and when he was finished growing he would be three times the size he was now. His eyes were a soft lilac color that she loved. Remembering the day she’d met her dragon, brought tears to her eyes. Her mother had been gone for over a week and Serena had been heartbroken. Refusing to eat, unable to sleep, she had looked bad. The royal healer had been called.
“She looks like hell. Fix her!” Her father had growled.
“I can’t just fix her. Taking her from her mother has traumatized her.”
“Don’t mention that female again or you’ll be banished regardless of who you are.”
The healer paled. “I’m sorry, your majesty. The girl needs someone to love. That will bring her around.”
“Are you certain of that?”
“Yes, it will help balance her.”
“You can leave now.”
Serena saw the doctor leave and thought she might as well just die. Pain shot through her and there was no pleasure or joy in her life to convince her to go on. Her father left and she was relieved. It wasn’t long before he came back. In the hallway, she could hear him berating what she assumed was a poor servant.
“You worthless creature. Do as you’re told or I’ll have you beheaded and burned.” He stepped into the room dragging a small dragon behind him. “He’s your problem now.” He said as he dropped the leash, turned, and left.
She approached him slowly unsure if he might be dangerous since her father had been so angry at the small creature not much bigger than a dog. He jumped suddenly and she startled, falling back on her butt. The dragon, while only a bit bigger than she was, was much stronger. Holding her down, he licked her face and made a humming noise.
Cautiously, she lifted her hand and stroked the silky smooth scales on his face. Nudging her with his snout, he let her know he enjoyed being petted. When he let her up, she showed him her bed and she had a rug next to it for him to sleep on. As soon as she could, she had the castle carpenters make her a bigger bed and they slept on it together until her dragon was too big to sleep on any bed.
The next morning, the head dragon handler had come to teach her how to care for her dragon and what to expect. “His name is Seraphim. He is five years old just like you. That should make you two good companions.”
“Seraphim is just too long for a baby dragon. I’m going to call him Sir.”
“He won’t answer to it.” The trainer had insisted, but to his surprise, Sir liked his nickname.
After going through all the commands dragons were trained with and all the foods not to feed him, the trainer left at lunch time and she was left alone with her new best friend. Sir was still her best friend and always would be. In her father’s world, she would never be able to trust the motives of anyone who tried to be friendly.
Now, it would be just Sir and her. He was all the help she would need because other fae would just get in the way. With one last stroke on Sir’s neck, she reluctantly walked away. She would see him again soon, but this time they would both be breaking free from the shackles her father placed on them. The bonds were invisible, but they clung tightly and made it hard for her to leave. Had there been a choice, she probably would have stayed.
Making her way back to her room, a guard called out. “Princess! What are you doing outside your room?”
“Am I a prisoner?” Serena asked.
“Of course not. I’m just concerned for your safety.”
“I’m headed in now, so worry no more.” There was a hint of reproach that should have made him step back.
“I’ll walk you to the castle door.”
“Are you not the same guard I bested with my sword just two days past?”
He looked embarrassed now, but escorted her anyway. “You aren’t armed and I am.”
“Trust me, should the need arise, I would be armed in seconds.” Without looking back at him or waiting for a reply, Serena hurried through the door. It made her worry that her father had upped her security. That was a surprise, but then it wasn’t like he ever told her when he did it.
Once in her room, she packed a bag with a couple changes of clothes, gold and gems to use for purchasing needed items, and several small weapons like daggers and throwing stars. Her sword she would strap on in the morning and Sir’s saddle and bridle would be put on just before they left. If the cause wasn’t so dire and the time limited, she might feel a tingle of excitement at what would be the biggest adventure of her life.
Slipping into bed, she used breathing techniques all fae were taught as children to fall asleep quickly. Even though she slept as long as she usually did, when she woke she was cranky and still tired. Maybe it was the feeling that the weight of the world rested on her shoulders or perhaps it was only the fact that it was still dark outside and she rarely woke before first light.
She put those thoughts behind her as she dressed in well-worn black leather to travel in. Her knee boots, the kind soldiers wore, fit well with the outfit. Serena hid her weapons in hidden pockets before strapping on her well-made sword. Anyone who saw it would recognize it and her and instruments of death. Looking like a mercenary often kept those looking for an easy target along the road at bay and she had no time to waste on opportunists. A cap that hid her hair and kept her face in the shadows was the last touch.
Slipping down the stairs, she made it outside without a hitch. Sir was waiting restlessly. “I told you I would come.”
Sir blew out his breath and pictures formed in her mind of him waiting until he turned into a bag of bones. Dragons were even less patient than she was. Expertly, she slipped on his bridle, tossed his blanket on his back, and topped it with his saddle cinching it. A picture of a dragon treat popped into her mind.
“I’m sorry. We’ll stop and get you something along the way.” She promised. Another picture popped into her head. “No, you can’t snack on a human. Who told you they were delicious?” A dragon popped into her mind. “Chaos is crazy. I bet he’s never eaten one and humans probably taste bad.”
Sir snorted. He didn’t believe her and he wanted to try one. That would have to get sorted out later. Serena was feeling nervous and that meant something was about to happen. Mounting her dragon, she walked him to the large open doors only to see a guard headed their way. Looking up, she stared a moment at the large hole in the roof that war trained dragons used to exit the stables. She sent a picture to Sir and he nodded enthusiastically.
The guard saw them and started
to move to intercept them speeding up to a run. What a silly guy, no one could catch a dragon ready to lift off. This was new for them but she had total faith in Sir. Lifting off, he flawlessly took them through the hole in the roof and as she looked down, she saw the guard waving his hands wildly just before he was out of sight.
“Good job, Sir. You are the best dragon in the whole world.”
She saw a picture in her head of Sir smiling. They were now flying on the breeze, his wings outstretched. The first rays of light hit them and they seemed to sparkle. It was her plan to enjoy this challenge like it was the last thing she would ever do because it might be. It was cool up here, high above the mountains. Sir had lifted them higher so when he circled around, they wouldn’t be seen.
“You are smart, my friend.”
They flew for a couple hours, it was hard work for both of them since they rarely took to the air. Sir’s wings were getting tired and her thighs ached a little from being in the same position. Sir landed and walked for a while which helped rest his wings but didn’t help her at all. In fact when he walked, it was rougher than the smooth easy motions as he flew. Since they were headed toward the east gate of the veil, they would be traveling for several hours more.
Chapter 2
The Second Son
Flint was having a bad day again. This had been a hellish week with attacks on the borders and his father, King Menos, expecting him to perform miracles with too few men and less supplies than they needed. It was a test, he knew it was, even though his father denied it. A general sometimes had to do with less than he wanted or even needed and make it work was one of the rules his father had hammered into him.
“Be glad you’re not the king. Your brother Damian will have far more responsibility on his shoulders.” Father had said. It might be true, someday. But right now all Damian did was chase the women and play games with his friends. They raced, gambled, and drank to their heart’s content. “Don’t be jealous of your brother. Once the crown falls upon his brow, he will know no peace until it passes to his heir or he dies.” When he had said that, his dad had looked a hundred years old.
“Has it been that bad? Your people adore you, you have a loving wife, and sons that wish for nothing but to please you.” Flint observed.
“I had no brothers, only a sister that my father basically traded to the kingdom to the north hoping for peace. It didn’t work because although she gave the king an heir, she died doing it. That king seems to have either forgotten where his son came from, or decided to claim our kingdom in his son’s name. Things have been easier since you have led the military and your brother Ender has taken over dealing with the church. It has lightened my load and I am thankful to both of you for it.”
“We need no thanks. I am a warrior, I love being in the middle of the fight. Ender loves the church and all it stands for and would want nothing else to be the focus of his life.” He remembered the discussion every time he felt bad about his position in life.
“Now if only Damian and Forest would fall into line and accept their paths in life.” His father declared and for the first time Flint saw that his father was allowing Damian his wild ways in the hope that he would work through them. Maybe he would outgrow his youthful ways and be the king he needed to be someday. Flint doubted that would ever happen.
Forest was in line to be the Steward of the whole kingdom. Unfortunately, he had no interest in numbers or keeping track of the kingdom’s wealth, even though it afforded him a lifestyle much like Damian’s. In fact, they were often seen together in the brothels and gaming houses. For the first time in his life, Flint understood his father’s dilemma. Two sons that obeyed and followed their path, only made it look worse as he watched the two that did not. That one of the two that didn’t was the future king, only made things worse. He was already older than his father had been when he’d been given the crown. Damian was in his thirties and there was no hope that he would settle down in the near future.
All Flint could do was give his father his best and hope that someday Damian would do the same. As if thinking of the devil could conjure him. “Hello, Brother dearest. Are you working hard and showing me up properly?” Damian taunted.
“That takes no effort at all, Brother.” Flint had long ago given up any hope of getting along with Damian or Forest. It was as if the powers that be had given out two good and two bad sons and that was just the way it would be. He’d decided years ago he would take no shit off Damian. If he didn’t change and their father stepped down, Flint could always leave and find his own way. There was no lack of places a good warrior could find a home in their world. It was his belief his father would understand in time.
“When I’m king your tongue won’t be so sharp.”
“When you’re king, if you don’t gain some respect for others, you’ll be your own head general.”
Damian blanched. It was the first time Flint had voiced his option to opt out of the kingdom. Apparently, Damian had never considered it. “You can’t. You’re the good son and would never let our father down that way.”
“I’ve given him what I can. Eventually, I’ll have to live the life I want. You’re making that decision easy.” It wasn’t a threat; it was a promise. If Damian was king under his current mind set, it wouldn’t be long before they fought. His presence as general would mean nothing if Damian countermanded his orders. The bad feelings between them would make their soldiers confused.
“You won’t. I know you won’t. We’re brothers and our father wants you to run the military. I wouldn’t know the first thing about it.”
“Maybe you need to think on that. What would happen if I was gone? You should know a little about every part of your kingdom. Do you even know what the duties of a king are?”
“Do you?” He shot back.
“Yes, Father trained me for a month so I would know what to do if you became ill or had to leave the kingdom on a diplomatic trip.”
“How convenient.”
“I have no desire to be king. I’m happy with my position as top warrior. If you knew anything about me, you would know that.”
“I would know more about you if you accepted some of the invitations Forest and I extended to you.”
“To gamble so you can strip me of my money or to lie with a prostitute so I can catch exotic diseases?”
Damian flushed. The royal healer had recently treated him for a painful genital condition. It was one the healer had never seen before, but luckily it had responded to the treatment for one of the more common ones. The healer had assured them it didn’t affect Damian’s ability to reproduce, but some sexually transmitted diseases might. It was another load for their father to bear.
Damian stomped off either embarrassed or angry. Probably angry since little seemed to embarrass him for long. Flint loved his brother, he loved all his brothers, but he couldn’t agree with the way Damian and Forest behaved. And honestly, he resented that he had to pick up the slack for Damian and had almost no life away from his duties.
Thinking of having a romantic life made him think of the dream he had nearly every night now. The woman was magnificent, at least her body was, but her face remained in the shadows. Flint had never had a dream that came back over and over, although he had had sexual dreams of a similar nature. None of the other females that starred in those dreams could compare with the one in his recent dreams.
It made him think of the stories he’d heard of fated mates. Most people never found them, but those rewarded with their special one, often saw them months in advance in their dreams. The dreams foretold the coming of their fated mates so the man or woman could watch for them and realize who they were on sight. Was that what this was?
“Flint, was that Damian I just saw stomping off like a child a few minutes ago?” Ender asked.
“It may well have been. He was trying to assert dominance by threatening my position.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That if he did that, I would leave.�
� It was a common enough circumstance. Damian threatened anyone that didn’t do as he wanted.
“Good for you, but would you really go?”
“Yes, I’ve thought of little else lately.”
“Me too. But my job is not one so readily available elsewhere. Where would I go?”
“With me, of course. I’d find a useful position for you. You’re too good to be under Damian’s thumb.”
“I would go right now if it weren’t for our father.”
“That’s what keeps me here, as well. If Damian doesn’t grow up, he will be the downfall of the kingdom.”
“Have you heard that a female claims she has a child by him?” Ender asked.
“No, but it wouldn’t be surprising. The surprising thing is that there is only one.” After all, Damian was known for loving and leaving a long line of females.
“At least he has an heir now.”
“Only if he claims him officially.”
“He won’t, though. Will he?”
“No, he’ll deny the child and spit on the mother. He’s an asshole like no other.”
“What about father?”
“Do you think anyone will tell him?”
“Maybe I should. If it’s his grandchild, he needs to know.” Ender threatened.
“You would get no end of trouble from Damian if he found out.”
“He doesn’t scare me.”
“Exactly why you need to come with me if I go. He’ll chew you up and spit you out. You have no idea how to deal with his level of guile.”
“I deal with that level of guile every day. Those people are experts, Damian is an amateur wanna be.”
“Maybe so, but he is something none of them are.”
“What’s that?”
“The heir to the throne with only one man between him and all the power anyone could ever want or need. I talked to our father today and for the first time, I saw a tired old man. Maybe it’s his mind that has had enough, but he’s not going to stay in charge much longer. I love our people, but I’m not in a position to help them.”