The Dragon Mage

For this Kingdom and My Father

I stood before them, my heart racing in my chest. My body feels like its on fire. How did it come to this? The man looked at me, a small smile formed upon his face, his eyes piercing into my soul like blades slicing through skin. After a moment, he bows towards me.

" Princess Fiere, I take it?"

I nod, still trying to grasp exactly what situation I just walked into... and what exactly this man wants from me.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, your highness." He says " I must say, the rumors do not do your beauty justice."

"What is it you want from me?"

" smart girl"

He stands, his eyes focused solely on me without another glance to the king... I can't tell rather he's brave... or just plain stupid.

" My name is Ielon" he says. "I am an attendant for the Dragon Emperor."

Dragons?

" And what does your emperor want from his enemy?"

" Simple. YOU."

WHAT?!

" Pardon?"

He starts walking around me slowly, that smile seems to darken.

"Word has spread of the Princess Mage" he says," who holds an unusual power, A power so strong that, should it be unleashed, could destroy any army, even a Dragon."

How did that get out? I looked at the king, his expression was a shocked as mine, yet far more calculating.

" And that's what brought you here?"

"Indeed. You see, His Majesty feels it's in both our best interest if you were to come to the Land of Dragons" He says

"what for?"

" To Marry his son, Crown Prince Evrix."

I couldn't believe what i was hearing..

" Is this some kind of sick joke?"

"I assure you, it's not", he says. " In return for agreeing to marry his son, His majesty offers you peace between our nations."

Peace from a war waged for millennia? at what cost? surely he does not believe he'll gain control of this land so long as my Brother breaths.

"What's in it for him?"

" Power, of course," he says, "the point is to secure your place in our kingdom before your powers can fully awaken.."

" Securing the Dragons spot as the strongest in the future."

"precisely. with you as our next queen, there'd be no one left to go against our power."

It's a smart plan, except..

"What makes you think I'd agree to such a thing?" I say " you are the enemy."

" Because from what I just witnessed, you're not stupid". He says "your armies are dwindling, your powers aren't fully active yet, which means currently you have no power to stand against Dragons... and your people have no one who can protect them, should our ranks march on this country of yours."

" an invasion, have you gone -"

"Perhaps, but now the choice is yours, Princess." He says "You can either marry his Highness and save your people... or you can watch your kingdom burn. What will you choose?"

They have us backed into a corner with no way out. No matter how hard I try to think, I can't find a way out of this that doesn't involve countless casualties. I can't let a single person in this kingdom die, not after what my father gave to protect them. If I do, he'll have died for nothing. No, I have to protect them... even if it means sacrificing myself.

" If I agree-"

"Fiere, NO!" the king yells " he is the enemy. You are MY Daughter! I cannot-"

"IF i accept, will your armies pull out of this country?" I ask

"That's a promise," he says. "not a single person will be hurt, trade will resume, and resources will be sent immediately. This kingdom will become our Ally. His Majesty guaranteed that, should you accept his proposal."

Resources and supplies will be distributed, the war between our nations will finally end and my father's sacrifice will not be in vain. I clench my fist, an image of Feyin coming to my mind... of the promise i made him...

"Would I be allowed to gather my things and say my farewells?"

"Of course," he says, "His majesty is not without a heart, you're to be his daughter-in-law after all… He would never deny you such meaningful time with your family. He even said, you can bring someone with you to help you settle in and feel a bit more comfortable. "

" I see."

"Fiere-" the king began

I'm sorry.

" Sir Ielon," i said, "tell his majesty, the dragon emperor... I accept his proposal."

He bows to me once more, that smug expression on his face.

" I shall inform his majesty immediately." he says,"We shall collect you in two days, within that time make your preparations, Princess."

" Yes. Thank you."

"Congratulations, Your highness." He adds " your Majesty."

He bowed to the king briefly before disappearing. I could feel the kings gaze on me, his fury filled the atmosphere.. but even more prominent, his concern.

"Fiere-"

" I had no other choice" I say " I couldn't stand by and let this kingdom be destroyed, not after-"

" I know."

I turn, shocked at how soft his voice was. A gleam in his eyes as he looked at me. he walks over to me, his cape flowing behind him.

"it's not you I'm angry at, Fiere," He says " I've always known you were a strong caring person, and this kingdom means a lot to you... because it meant a lot to the man who raised you..."

" your majesty-"

"I was always angry that I never got the chance to be there for you when you were a child" He says " but that doesn't mean i'm not grateful to the man who raised you because I am. He caused the strong independent girl you are today. I only wish i had been the one to do so. I know you loved that man, and in that way i can never match up, but Fiere, I genuinely care for you. I worry-"

" I always thought loving you wouldn't be right" I say " that it would betray the love i had for my Dad.. when the truth is I do love you, your majesty."

His eyes widen, as if everything was finally right in the world... his blood finally welcoming him into her heart after all this time..

" its true, he taught me a lot" i say " but you've done so much for me, too. I never thanked you for that. I guess i was scared that loving you meant forgetting him."

" never." he says " it's alright to have more than one father in your life, Fiere. I mean, look at you now, you're about to have three. loving the others doesn't diminish the love for the first. It only adds to the love you carry."

" I'm sorry for always being a pain, Father"

" you get that from me." he says " I used to run off and sneak out when i was around your age, your mother used to lecture me about being reckless. She might not have been my wife, but i truly did love her. and she wasn't afraid of anything, not even the crown. you remind me of her."

" I do?"

"yes." he says " she was strong, brave, and a little crazy. She had a heart of gold and a caring nature, just like you."

he embraces me, and for once in a very long time... i actually felt at home.

" they'd both be proud. I know I am" he says " though, I hope you know your not out of the woods yet."

"Hmm?"

" exactly what were you doing... eavesdropping outside my door?"

I glance up to see a stern look on his face. This can't be good.