Phoenix Destiny

Seven

In the safety of the dragon caves, His Lordship and Her Ladyship watched their first pup emerge from its egg. Both dragons were covered in light green scales and crowned with a pair of horns. His Lordship’s horns were long and bull-like, while her Ladyship’s were much smaller and curved.

The slightly oblong egg rocked in the sand as the dragonet inside writhed about. Something knocked against the curvature of the shell until a small c***k finally appeared. Using its egg tooth, the little one widened the c***k and slowly split the egg almost in half before wriggling free. Its golden scales were soft and shined through a viscous coating.

The only mortals privileged to witness the hatching of the newest addition to the clan were Queen Akina and Princess Alexis. Alexis held Cadmus to keep him from interfering as the young dragon struggled to gain control of its limbs.

The dragon pup had two buds on its skull where a pair of horns would grow. Its neck didn’t seem able to support its head, but it instinctively turned to its mother. Her Ladyship nuzzled the dog-sized baby. The pup clicked as its mother breathed warm air into its nostrils. His Lordship also gently nuzzled his offspring.

Having imprinted upon its parents and received its name, the dragon turned and staggered toward its visitors. As it left the boundary of its nest, it stumbled and Alexis knelt to catch its head. She dropped Cadmus in the process, but he landed on his feet and circled the younger but much larger dragon. He grumbled but was unhurt.

“She’s lovely,” Alexis said, supporting its head until it steadied and pulled away.

“She looks like her mother,” Akina knelt beside her own daughter.

‘Her coloring comes from her grand-dam,’ her Ladyship proudly said. She was happy to share this moment with the two mortals who knew her name.

‘With luck, she’ll have her dam’s sight,’ his Lordship grunted.

‘Also from her grand-dam,’ her Ladyship commented as her pup returned to her.

“Is she related to the dragons of the Dragon-Knights?” Alexis asked.

‘Certainly not,’ his Lordship huffed.

‘They may share her coloring, but they are quite different,’ her Ladyship assured her, seemingly amused.

Alexis nodded, recalling her Ladyship’s earlier lessons. She was embarrassed to have forgotten.

The newly hatched pup curled up next to its mother to sleep. Leaving her Ladyship to care for the infant, his Lordship escorted their visitors back to the precipice. There he lay down, allowing them to climb onto his back. He launched himself off, enjoying the rush of wind toward the sea before spreading his wings and rising. Alexis closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of absolute freedom as the dragon circled and eventually descended into the meadow, landing just outside the castle gates.

Dismounting, they bowed and, as one said, “Thank you for sharing your young’s birth with us.”

He nodded as he answered, ‘Friends of dragons are always welcome.’

Then he leapt into the air, showering warm drafts on them as he rose and returned to his cave. After he had gone, mother and daughter returned to the castle. Cadmus scampered around their feet as they made their way through the courtyard toward the castle keep.

As they walked, Akina said, “You are nearing the age to choose your ladies-in-waiting.”

“Am I?” Alexis sighed.

“I am telling you this for your own good, deerling,” Akina said. “When you come of age you will have to choose the ladies who will accompany you.”

“I know.”

“There must be at least one man who has caught your fancy.”

“There was.”

“Alexis,” Akina detained her daughter outside the entry hall. “Choose your ladies-in-waiting wisely. They will be important on your future excursions. There are many fine maidens here.”

“Nikiti is a natural choice, I suppose. Of everyone else, Fern is the only one with any desire to leave Milagros,” Alexis said, picturing the oldest adopted daughter of Kendrick and Caitlin. “But we can barely stand to stay in the same room with each other.”

“Well, it is something to think about while you are helping Rhi’ana.” Akina winked.

Alexis managed a smile. Her father had not spoken more than two words to her since their return several moons ago. When Alexis announced her desire to stay with the witch and learn healing arts, he had only nodded and managed something of a grunt. But he had not forbidden it.

They entered the castle with Cadmus scampering at their heels. Dale waited for them at the fountain. He bowed.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness,” he said, glancing at Alexis. “I’ve been waiting to be sure you returned on time.”

“Thank you, Dale,” Akina nodded, “but it was unnecessary. Dragons are trustworthy and punctual. Good night.”

“Louam, maya,” Alexis said as her mother ascended the stairs and Dale detained her, gripping her hand. When she was certain they were alone, she asked, “What do you want, Dale?”[1]

“To say I am sorry for my negligence,” Dale clutched her hand. “If I had been doing my duty that scoundrel would never have touched you.”

Alexis yanked her hand free from his grasp and retreated out of his reach. Her face flushed with embarrassment and her eyes gleamed with rage.

“How dare you talk about Jaron like that,” Alexis glared at him. She pushed past him and moved to the stairs. Unexpected tears blurred her vision, and she wanted to reach her bedroom before they started to fall.

“Alexis please—ah!” Dale yelled as Cadmus spit flames at him. “You little beast!”

Alexis paused with her foot on the first step. As Cadmus rushed to join her, she looked back at the sailor and said, “Sometimes, Dale, I wonder who the beast is, you or him.”

“Alexis, please,” Dale approached her more slowly to avoid another dragon attack. “I know you are sensitive now, after he took advantage of you but—”

“You don’t understand at all. I wanted him to kiss me.”

Dale blinked. Alexis turned and hurried up the stairs with Cadmus at her heels. She gratefully reached her room and disappeared into its seclusion.

Sitting in front of her fireplace, she cradled Cadmus, recalling everything that happened since their return to Milagros. Her father rarely acknowledged her presence. She felt ashamed about leaving Jaron alone to face her father. Artac tried to teach her that her actions affected others and that she was responsible for everyone under her rule.

Alexis still had little idea of what it meant to reign. With the sprite gone, she had to figure it out on her own. Learning how to grow herbs, make medicines and heal the sick from Rhi’ana seemed the right place to start. The memory of the kiss burned for attention.

Why did it end so horribly?

A gentle rap interrupted her thoughts. Alexis didn’t answer. The door opened and Nikiti stepped inside.

“Alexis, are you all right?” Nikiti asked as she closed the door. She quickly crossed the room to the comfortable chaises and the fire.

“No,” Alexis said. “How did you know to look for me?”

“I passed Dale in the hall. He was muttering something about you,” Nikiti sat across from her.

“You know,” Alexis stared into the fire, “when the troll prophesied about the one that I was supposed to share my journey with, I laughed. I didn’t want love, I wanted adventure. But I did want him to kiss me.”

“Perhaps it is true what the ancient stories say, love and adventure walk hand-in-hand on the paths of fate and destiny.”

“I thought I was over my selfishness,” Alexis said. “But I’m not. I’m just selfish in another way.”

“Are you going to runaway again?”

“No, but I am going away.”

“What?”

“To live with Rhi’ana. She’s already agreed to take me as an apprentice. I’ll learn about herbs and making medicines. It’s time I learned how to help people instead of hurting them.”

“Alexis, don’t you think that you are being too hard on yourself? I mean, your father didn’t say that Jaron was killed, did he? You know your father wouldn’t do that.”

“I’m trying to believe that, but I still think this is something that I have to do.”

“You know, of course, that I am going too. You’re not leaving me alone in this castle.”

Alexis smiled. There was no one else in all Nuwa she would rather have by her side. Cadmus chirped to make certain he was not forgotten. If only Jaron could count on someone half as loyal as the dragon.