Fire Rises

The Best Laid Plans of Dragons and Men

I had done my part of our still developing plan. Ari and Clara had been filled in. Luckily I found them both in my room laying on the floor next to another empty bottle of champagne. The shocking truth was enough to sober them up, at least a little. Clara was hiding the cloak and Ari was doing anything but discovering how to use her witchy powers.

I was now sitting in Archer’s office acting oblivious to the conversation I had overheard earlier. He currently had an entire array of color splotches displayed on his desk and was asking me to choose one for the table linens.

“They’re all lovely, Archer. Is there one that stands out to you?” He reached up to touch my face and I had to swallow the fire that I could feel rising in my throat. I knew none of the evil prowling the halls of the castle was his fault, but just the touch of anyone other than Maverick was enough to earn that reaction.

“I love this one,” he held up an amber color. It seemed a little off season for a late winter wedding, but then again I grew up in a glorified prison, so what did I know?

“It’s lovely.” He flashed one of his dazzling smiles clearly attempting to turn up the charm. For the first time, it had no effect at all on me.

“Of course it is lovely, it’s the color of your eyes.” With that decision made, right on cue, a short, stout man rolled in a cart of flowers.

Oh for f***s sake... I instinctively pushed my hands behind my back, not wanting to ruin all of the freshly cut blooms in front of me. Archer gave me a knowing look, and decided to take care of flower selections without too much assistance from me. I could think what I wanted about the man, but he was certainly considerate when it came to my special needs.

My stomach rumbled and I shot out of my seat. I looked out of the window and realized the sun had set. It was way past my dinner time. 

“Excuse me, gentlemen, are we done here? I believe we have some dinner guests waiting.” My teeth ground together as I spoke. Archer stood and took my arm.

“Yes, of course! I was just so wrapped up in planning I completely lost track of time! I was hoping you’d have time to freshen up before dinner. Sophia gave you a gift that I thought would be just lovely for dinner and Autumn said something about wanting to be ‘twinsies’ whatever that means…” His thoughts trailed off. “Nevermind that! It will be just as lovely for breakfast in the morning. We’ll have to come back to my office after dinner to finish this up before the wedding tomorrow, but I can’t have my queen going hungry! Let’s go.” I had forgotten about the enchanted cloak and the plan to have me wear it to dinner tonight. Rage boiled within me, fueled even further by my hunger. I looked down at his arm wrapped around mine and tried to think of anything else than taking a bite.

It’s not his fault, it’s not his fault, it’s not his fault… I hoped and prayed to a god I didn’t believe in that I could make it to dinner without making a meal of the prince fist. 

****

The doors to the dining room opened and the guests quieted. The crowd had easily tripled since breakfast that morning. Everyone was looking in our direction, making me want to bury my head in the ground. I was sure my eyes were glowing from my hunger and I didn’t want anyone to see me like this. 

I cast my eyes down to the floor as Archer addressed the masses, “Welcome, friends! It means so much to have you all here for this momentous occasion. We cannot thank you enough for joining in the celebration of our love.” I could feel him looking down at me and knew he expected an adoring look back. 

This man is stalling my dinner. He wants me to lash out in front of everyone! That has to be it! I felt a small swirl of smoke leave my face. I quickly waved it away in a motion that I hope everyone took as a greeting. I glanced around the room to see if anyone had noticed.

Maybe they’ll just think I’m a smoker? That’s how that works, right? I had no idea. My eyes landed on Maverick, who gave me a comforting smile from across the room. He had totally seen. His lack of judgement gave me the strength I needed to hold my head high and face the crowd of strangers. Archer gave my arm a little pat before he led me to my seat.

“Aw, Eve! You aren’t wearing your gift from Sophia! I was hoping we could match tonight!” Autumn was smiling sweetly at me. She had a bright red cloak on that was vastly different from anything I’d ever seen her wear before.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. I, uh, didn’t have time to change. You know, wedding planning and all.” I did my best to make a show of lifting my arms in a dramatic but innocent shrug.

Slimy little cunt. I quickly picked up a dinner roll and took a bite. If my thoughts were that vile they were no doubt clearly displayed on my face. I couldn’t afford to let Autumn know that I was onto her. Not yet, at least.

Dinner carried on without much excitement, besides fighting some invisible string that continually had me leaning towards Maverick’s direction. He was across the room, but still my body couldn’t help but tilting even just a few inches closer. 

Right around the time my dessert and espresso was set in front of me, a large rumbling sound caused a tremor in the castle walls. A small ripple formed inside my espresso cup. The room fell into an anxious silence as everyone looked from one another for answers.

My eyes immediately shot to Maverick, who was already on his feet and walking towards me. Another boom rattled the castle, but this time it was followed by a loud roar. Through the floor to ceiling windows that lined the East wall, an enormous shadowy figure could be seen flying towards the castle. While my eyes struggled to make sense of what I was seeing, the figure suddenly let out an explosive blast of fire from its mouth, leaving a trail of burning grass and trees in its wake. The fire illuminated the creature enough to reveal what it was.

Dragon. As I thought the word, someone standing at a nearby window screamed it.

Chaos broke out in the dining room. People began disappearing into colorful swirls, no doubt transporting themselves back to their own kingdoms; back to safety. Archer stood with his hand on his sword. 

In the midst of the chaos, I was having a very different reaction than my dinner guests. Even from here I could see its red glowing eyes. My short-lived fear was instantly replaced with recognition quickly followed by annoyance.

Oh screw you Lucian, you impatient asshole! I hadn’t had a chance to explain to him how I originally planned to escape the Dark Place, but he must have figured it out. I never intended to leave him in there, but he also had no real reason to believe that I could come back for him. I had already returned once and took another young adult with me instead of my own brother. I had hoped that he would trust I didn't intend to leave him there forever, but I couldn’t blame him even a little for his lack of faith. That was neither here nor there, though. This temper tantrum was going to get us both thrown back to the Dark Place.

Maverick was by my side and trying to pull me away from the window. I turned to him not wanting anyone else to hear the explanation I knew I owed him for what was about to happen.

“Maverick, I need you to trust me, okay? That’s my brother. He’s really pissed at me and clearly lashing out. I just need to talk to him and set things straight.” Archer looked back to see Maverick’s protective stance in front of me and my hand resting on his chest. Archer appeared to decide that instead of focusing on the giant dragon swooping in and attacking his kingdom, he would draw his sword at this very human man next to me.

Fucking men! Buffoons. All of them! I rolled my eyes at how contorted his priorities were, but took the opportunity to make my way to the balcony and towards my brother. I was confident Maverick could handle himself. 

My eyes glowed, acting like a lighthouse that would guide my brother towards me. When he noticed, he stopped blowing fire at the ground and instead centered all of his attention on me; his traitorous sister.

He soared forward and when close enough to hear me I called out to him. “Lucian, stop being such a drama queen! Shift back and come talk to me!” He puffed some smoke out of his nose, but continued to fly towards the balcony. I wasn’t in the mood to fight him. His feelings were beyond valid and I really did owe him an explanation.

He landed on the balcony, still in his dragon form, right in front of me. A few screams and whimpers came from the remaining guests in the dining room. I glanced back inside to find almost everyone cowering in corners or beneath the tables. Archer and Maverick, however, missed the memo on self-preservation and were now having a silent battle over who was going to be my rescuer. They were both inching closer to us, though it was laughable that they thought I’d need protecting from my brother. Even if Lucian did have ill will towards me, there wasn’t much either of them could do against him anyway.

I took a moment to look over my brother’s dragon form. Neither of us had been able to shift in the Dark Place since our powers had been suppressed so this was my first time seeing him like this. He was magnificent. His scales were shimmering red, gold, and black depending on how the light danced across them. His eyes looked fierce but breathtaking, glowing brighter than I had ever seen before. He fluttered his wings, each one splaying out at least thirty feet in either direction. He looked so powerful, but I could see he had no intention of hurting me.

“I’m so sorry, Lucian. It really wasn’t supposed to be like this. I was going to take you with me. Everything fell apart and moved so quickly once the prince arrived. Please, forgive me. I’m so happy you are here. We can have a happy life here. I promise. But you came in a little hot. You need to chill out and apologize if you want to stay.” I lowered my voice before adding, “and honestly I’m not going back to the Dark Place. Don’t f**k this up for me.” I shot him a wink to let him know I was at least half kidding about the last part. 

He lowered his head as I moved towards him. My hand was outstretched towards him when suddenly a quick motion from within the dining room caught both of our attention.

In what I’m sure he thought was a brave attempt to save me, Archer was lunging towards my brother with his sword drawn. Maverick stepped forward to stop him, but Lucian didn’t need protecting. He roared so loud the glass windows all shattered, leaving both princes shaking as they shuffled away from us. Lucian turned back to me and nuzzled his snout into my still outstretched hand. 

He took a step away and began shifting back into his human form. After about 20 seconds of nauseating bones snapping and breaking back into place, my brother had fully transformed into his usual self. Apparently clothes don’t make it through shifting, because he now stood butt naked in front of all the remaining guests. I took the purple cape from around my shoulders and offered it to him. He didn’t seem to mind being on display, but he took the cape anyway. It had been a floor length cape on me, but it barely reached his thighs.

“That was a little dramatic, huh?” He crinkled his nose, seemingly at least somewhat regretful of his rampage. 

I giggled at him. “Maybe just a little?” I lifted my fingers pinching my thumb and pointer finger together.

“But how cool was that?! I’m a motherfuckin’ dragon!!” He threw his hands in the air, flexing his arm muscles to emphasize his strength. As if he needed to after his little display. “Wait!! Have you been able to turn since being up here?”

I opened my mouth to speak but Archer beat me to it.

“You there!” He was feeling bold again now that Lucian was no longer a dragon. He was approaching with his sword pointed straight at Lucian. “I remember you, you flew in on those… creatures to the assembly with Eve that first day in the Dark Place.” The prince’s chin was jutted far out, his head lifted and shoulders squared. Clara was spot on in her previous assessment of him; this man was just so character-y. Lucian and I both looked at him, not totally ready to end our reunion.

Lucian looked back at me and rolled his eyes. “Really, Eve? This clown? I don’t see it.” I gave him an impish smile. I had a lot to explain.

“Listen buddy, I don’t know who you think you’re calling a clown. You’re in my kingdom now and you will treat me with respect.” Lucian straightened his shoulders, presumably remembering that he did need this man’s approval if he was going to stay here.

“My apologies, your majesty,” He made a show of gingerly placing a hand on his heart. “And not just for the clown comment,” I couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled out of me. I’m sure Archer couldn’t detect my brother’s special brand of sarcasm, but I couldn’t miss it. We never genuinely apologized in the Dark Place. Lucian didn’t know how. My brother continued with his ‘apology,’ “but for the damage I’ve caused. I promise it won’t happen again.” He lowered his head in feigned shame.

Well, what now?

“So, what now?” It was Maverick that said my inner thoughts aloud.

Archer turned to face Maverick with a look of disdain smeared across his face. “Well, first of all, you can leave. Seeing as most of our guests have fled and my front yard is destroyed, I think we will have to postpone the wedding for a while. At least until we get everything cleaned up. Eve, we will need to chat with your… friend, here, about how he was able to leave the Dark Place, too.”

“Oh, sorry, right. Introductions. Lucian, this is Arch- Prince Charming. And this gentlemen here,” I unconsciously began moving towards Maverick, but Archer grabbed my arm to stop my body and my words.

“Is irrelevant,” Archer commandeered my sentence, ending it much differently than I had intended. 

I shook his hand from my arm and took my introduction in yet a third direction, “Prince Maverick, this is my brother, Lucian.”

Archer didn’t like that I had ignored him in the second half of my introduction. He reached for my arm again, this time gripping a little too tightly. I spun to face him dead on. The glow from my eyes reflected off of everything and smoke was coming from my nose again. Fire spewed from my mouth as I hissed, “Never, ever speak for me.” I was staring at Archer but could see my brother and Maverick just past his face. Lucian’s face lit up with pride. Maverick’s face, on the other hand, seemed to turn a little darker.

Oh you like that? I would take ‘turned on’ vs. ‘terrified’ of the side effects of my confrontational moods anyday. I tilted my head to look at him dead on and huffed a little smoke in his direction and winked with the eye Archer couldn’t see.

Archer softened his stance and gently guided my face back towards his. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That wasn’t appropriate of me. It is late. How about we show your brother to a room and we all revisit this conversation tomorrow. I think we all need to... cool off.” He was staring at the fire still leaking from my mouth as he said the last part.

“Sure. Sounds like a plan.” Maverick stepped forward, clearly not ready to be cut out of this conversation. Archer dropped my arm. Little bruises in the shape of fingertips were already beginning to appear on my skin. Maverick noticed and tried to move closer to me, but a small shake of my head stopped him in his tracks. 

Archer yelled for Clara to come retrieve me. The dining room doors swung open and she came rushing out to the balcony, grabbing Ari who was huddled in the corner before making her way to me. When she saw my brother she froze. He did, too. Or maybe it was everyone else who had frozen. 

Lucian’s face broke into a smile that was far from any I’d ever seen spread across his face in the past. He looked Clara up and down as he began prowling towards her. His movements were smooth and animalistic, but nothing about his approach was threatening. As he moved he purposefully did not bother to hold the cloak he was wearing closed. 

Clara may have been an incredibly tall woman, but my brother made her look dainty. She blushed and met his approach. Her mouth opened to say something but only a small squeak came out.

I wanted to ask what was happening, but deep down I already knew. This day had been entirely too overwhelming and I couldn’t handle it anymore. I needed to rest and process all of the events. My body had reached its limits and suddenly the world went black. The last thing I was aware of was large arms catching me on my way to the ground.