Dragon Secrets

What? Reincarnation is real?

Marie felt cold and it wasn’t because of the freezing rain that pummelled her body, as it laid on the concrete ground. No. She had only moments ago been attacked and stabbed viciously. 

‘I’m going to die.’ She sobbed. She reached her hand up and through blurred vision, watched as the rain slowly washed the blood from her icy hand. 

‘Why me? Why?’ She coughed, blood spilling from her lips. 

Being stabbed had been painful; the worst pain she had ever felt in her life, and she’d known pain. Her father had beaten her nearly every night since her mother had left them for another man. However, to her surprise, dying wasn’t as painful as she had thought it would be. It was ... scary, cold and lonely but not painful. In fact she was so cold, she could hardly feel a thing. 

‘Maybe this is for the best.’ She tired to laugh but she had no energy. Marie was so tired. She could hear a muffled of sounds but her vision was going dark. Bye....life. Was her final thoughts before blissful darkness enveloped her. 

It’s bright! She thought as a white light dazzled her vision. Voices. She could her voices. Was she still alive? I can’t be. I’m sure I died. But then why... why can here someone calling out ... to me?

She blinked her eyes and there before her were two people she had never seen before. A woman with emerald green eyes that shined happily, smiled down at her. Her hair was as golden as the sun, her skin was sun kissed and she was warm. The man was intimidating, broad shouldered with fiery red hair that was slick back, dark eyes, almost black, alabaster skin and wore very unusual and majestic clothing that she had never seen before.

‘Who are you?’ She asked but her words came out merely as gurgles. It hit her. I’m a baby? How did this happen? She began squirming as if to escape from the woman’s arms.

‘Hush now, Lishanna, mommy’s here. I’ll feed you now.’ The woman spoke softly, her voice was like a melody. 

Lishanna? Wait? What? What’s going on? She screamed in her head. One minute she was being stabbed and dying and now she was a baby, in the arms of complete strangers. She didn’t know how any of this was possible. Nothing made any sense. 

‘Our daughter is going to be a fine princess. She’s already got your strength, my dear.’ Lishanna looked over at the dark stranger, his voice was deep, strong with a gruffness to his edge. 

Daughter? I’m his daughter? Wait ... did I dream all of that? Or maybe... oh s**t, don’t tell me there is such a thing as being reincarnation. Her mind was a wash of confusion, inexplicable thoughts and a ridiculous amount of questions. 

‘You’re right, Rosh. She has got strength, and your hair, my eyes and is the most beautiful girl in the world.’ The woman who was now her mothers smiles gently and lifted her in the air above her head. ‘And you will do amazing things.’ She chuckled.

‘She will at that, Misha. I just hope she doesn’t end up with my temper.’ Roshta chuckled heartily. 

‘Oh, honey, please. That’s one of the reasons I married you.’ Misha laughed, pulling Lishanna into her arms and cradling her next to her chest gently. ‘But first, it’s time for breakfast.’

………………………………………….

Six years later …

‘Mommy, my back hurts.’ Lishanna moaned, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and wandered into her parents bed chambers. 

To her surprise the room was empty, the curtains were open and the oversized four-poster bed was made. Where are they? She pondered, still rubbing her eyes and giving a loud yawn.

‘Oh, Lady Anna, what are doing here? Is there something I can help you with?’ Kayleigh, one of the castles maids, asked as she entered the room behind Lishanna. 

The princess looked up at the maid; she had brown hair which was planted down her back and wore a black and white maid-style outfit. Lishanna never thought she would see such a cliché thing as a maid wearing an outfit like in the movies and manga that she used to read. 

‘Where’s mommy and daddy?’

‘They were up early this morning. They had a meeting with the other Council members this morning. Is there anything I can help you with?’ She knelt before the princess, laying the bundle of blankets next to her on the floor. 

‘Mn… oh.’ Lishanna sighed. ‘My back hurts, can you look for me, please?’ She asked, upset that her parents weren’t there when she needed them. The old Marie was gone and she had accepted her new life as Lishanna, Royal Princess and heir to the Kingdom of Darsh’nae. Not that she had much of a choice in the matter.

‘Of course malady.’ She smiled, lighting up the woman’s warm chocolate brown eyes. 

Lishanna turned turned on her heels and allowed the maid to lift her pale blue nightgown to reveal her back. She didn’t expect the gasp that escaped the maids lips. 

‘What’s wrong?’ The princess asked, startled.  

‘I think we should call the Queen. I don’t think you should wait until after their meeting.’ Kayleigh said, her face had turned pale and she looked panicked. ‘Quickly your highness.’ Carefully she took hold of the princess’s hand and rushed out of the room and down the many halls of the castle. 

What is going on? Why is she so panicked? Should I be worried? Oh god, don’t tell me I’m gonna die again? I don’t think I could take that. Lishanna thought, as they hurried through the castle halls to one of the large meeting rooms. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, and her stomach churned with fear and panic. 

Outside the large wooden doors of the meeting hall, Kayleigh released the princess’s hand, walked up to one of the guards standing outside and whispered into his ear. The guard seemed startled for the briefest of moments before nodding and entering the hall. 

Lishanna chewed on her bottom lips and fidgeted with her hands in front of her, whilst she waited for someone to appear. Kayleigh stood next to the princess, a fake smile of reassurance plastered on her face. I wish she would be fake. Why can’t they just tell me what’s wrong? Before long the guard returned with the Queen in tow. 

‘Lishanna, are you alright?’ Misha rushed over to her daughter and hugged her tightly.

‘I don’t know. My back hurts. Kayleigh looked and then we were here.’ Tears began to form in her eyes. ‘I don’t know what’s happening. I’m scared, mommy.’ She couldn’t hold back any more, all her fears from the memories of her previous life overflowed and she cried into her mother’s chest. 

‘Oh, my darling little girl, come with me and let’s see what this is all about.’ She rubbed the princess’s back and cooed. Looking over at Kayleigh, she silently gave the signal to the maid that it was ok to return to her duties. 

Lishanna felt herself being lifted into her mothers arms and carried away. Where, she didn’t know but at the moment she didn’t care. She just wanted to be held and for all her past life memories to fade away. She clutched tighter to her mother’s gown. Please, I don’t want these memories anymore. She thought, squeezing her eyes tighter together.

Lishanna felt herself being placed into something soft and comfortable. She didn’t know where she was but she didn’t care, so long as her mother was there. 

‘Now, why don’t we see what all this is about, shall we.’ Misha gently moved Lishanna from her chest. 

Lishanna slowly opened her eyes and allowed her hands to loosen their grip. They were in one of the nearby rooms, she assumed, as they hadn’t travelled far but she didn’t recognise the décor. It was a bright room, with windows facing the garden and two small sofas, a coffee table, a large fireplace and cream coloured furnishings. 

‘Can you stand and turn around, so mommy can see your back?’ The Queen smiled, as she wiped tears from her daughters face and brushed her fiery red locks behind her eyes and away from her eyes.

With a shy nod, Lishanna slowly stood from her seat and turned around. She chewed her lower lip again, as her mother lifted her nightgown and examined her back. It felt like forever to her before her mother lowered the gown and turned the princess to face her. 

‘My little girl is growing up fast. It seems you have done something mommy never could.’ She smiled brightly. ‘Your wings are starting emerge. I’m so proud of my little flower.’

‘Wings?’ Lishanna’ She mouth dropped wide. I’m gonna grow wings? Holy cow! 

‘Yes, my darling Anna, wings. We must get Draulk, the royal healer to examine you. You are the first in my line to grow wings, so I’m not sure what to do. But this is a wonderful thing. I couldn’t be prouder.’ She pulled Lishanna in close to her and hugged her tightly. 

This hug … somethings not right. I’ve had hugs like this before. She’s not telling me something. Anna thought to herself; worry filling her mind once again. ‘Wow, wings.’ She replied, acting excited. 

‘Now, why don’t we go back to your room and change. I’ll have the guards call the the royal healer, and then we will wait for you father and give him the good news.’ She gave a gentle smile, but something about didn’t seem right to Anna. 

Nothing about this whole situation was sitting well with her. But what could she do? Let’s see where this leads. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. Maybe. She scrunched her nightgown in her hands, then quickly released it when her mother moved her from her chest and stood. 

‘Okay, mommy. Let’s go.’ She smiled weakly, trying to act as if everything was fine. Could she fool her mother? Who knows. If I’m not, she’s hiding it well. 

They left the room and headed back to Anna’s room. Lishanna allowed the maids in her room take her away to get cleaned and dressed while her mother spoke to a guard. Anna’s mind was in turmoil; fear, confusion and her previous life memories, collided and grew darker the longer she had time to think things over. Why did things have to change? Things were great the way they were. Why now? Why me? Always me.  She wanted to cry again, but held it in as one of the maids helped her into a frilly dark blue dress. 

Once dressed, Anna returned to her bed chambers to find her mother standing at the door talking to someone. ‘Mommy?’

The doctor is on his way. I was just sending a message to your father and you grandfather to come as soon as they’re free. I want them to hear the good news in person, as soon as they can. The smiled warmly, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes and that added to Anna’s worries. 

‘Okay, Mommy. So w-what do we do now?’ She asked, a little unsure of herself.

‘How about we sit in the garden and you have breakfast, my little fledgling.’ Misha replied, as she walked over to her daughter, picked her and swung around happily, causing a giggle to escape from the little princess. 

‘Yes!’ She laughed excitedly, momentarily forgetting her worries.