I was flying in silence as Irand and Odessa rested between my back spines as we returned to the Roost Rock. Ahead we could see the forms of Geena, Sky and Luna silhouetted against the afternoon sky as they led the way back to the Roost Rock. I was still keeping my mind closed off as we headed back, not trusting myself to speak with anyone right now.

  Irand had made a deal with a Paladin, and not just that but a Dragon Slayer. I understood he had his reasons and I had no doubt she was a capable warrior but this… One did not receive the title of Dragon Slayer from one kill.

  Now I knew not all Dragons were kind, if anything it was an oddity for us to be so, but I had to wonder how many of those she had slain were truly a threat and how many had been like my sisters and I.

  Not to mention that he had made that deal while I still had a hole in my chest. As far as he had known I was still actively bleeding out and dying from poison. And he had still tried to turn her to his side.

  I had managed to staunch the bleeding once he had managed to distract her and the venom on her arrow was hardly potent enough to kill me. Many of the magic infused beasts near Mother’s castle had more potent venoms and I had long built up a Resistance to those.

  I was pried from my thoughts as we approached the massive rock formation and I angled myself to land within once more as the Harpies led the way. It was easier to land this time as the main area of the cavern was blissfully free of the Avian people. I still landed with a heavy thump that shook the cavern slightly and as Irand and Odessa climbed down I glanced at Geena as she strutted over.

  “It will take a few hours to get everyone ready to leave, I don't think we will be able to disembark on towards our next destination till morning. And I need to comfort Sky about her… the events that transpired while she was absent.” Geena said as a long keening wail echoed through the chamber.

  I glanced up to see the bright smudge of Sky’s wings slumped near one of the alcoves. Right, Night-Feather had said they broke Sky’s eggs. I nodded and I saw Irand and Odessa do the same. Geena gave us an appreciative look before she launched into the air with Luna behind her as she flew up to Sky.

  I shrank down to my humanoid body and glanced around for a space to settle in for the evening when Irand approached. He had a nervous look in his eyes and he reached out to gently touch my mind.

  ‘Alvina what happened back there in the Red Woods I… I'm sorry. I didn't have time to explain and I didn't think about how it would affect you to potentially work with a Paladin. I-’

  I met his gaze and he went silent.

  ‘Try Again.’ I commanded.

  He was silent for another moment before he spoke again.

  ‘I’m sorry I didn’t come to your aid after we crashed. I thought that I could do more to aid you by dea-’

  ‘Try. Again.’ My voice was laced with venom as I spoke.

  ‘I…. don’t know what to say.’ He admitted.

  That brought a bit of joy to my face but I turned away and launched myself towards one of the exit caverns. I wasn’t going far, I simply brought myself to the peak of the Roost-Rock and shrank back down to my humanoid body. I wasn’t used to this. I knew how to be frustrated with Ilgard, I could speak with her about any grievances. I knew how to remove my own frustration but this… I ran my fingers through my hair and scratched at my scalp.

  I let out a choked cry as I fell backwards and stared at the fading evening sky. Did I misunderstand how much he cared? Was I just a passing fancy while he was away from his true loves? It hurt me to think that but it hurt even more that it might be right.

  I laid up there long enough for the sky to turn a deep purple before I felt a touch on my shoulder. I glanced over to see Odessa leaning down to get my attention. She was in her true size and she had curled her legs under her lower body as she reached towards me. I forced myself upright and glanced up at her.

  ‘What?’ I asked, no venom, just frustration in my voice.

  “He made a bad decision.” She said.

  I sat silently, gazing off into the distance towards the Black Mountain, reaching into the sky like a jagged piece of glass.

  “From what I have gleaned from Naravie and the others, Irand has never been with anyone like this before. And he struggles with understanding others. He and Naravie both, I think.” She continued.

  ‘If you are here to make excuses for him, then you can leave me here.’ I growled.

  “I’m not. But I don’t like to see my friends fighting.”

  ‘He chose to try and convince a Bloody Dragon Slayer to join him over helping me!’ I cried. ‘If Naravie had chosen to try and convince a Paladin to join her while you were dying wouldn’t you be angry?!’ I demanded.

  “I would, but as long as I survived, I would hear her out on her reasons. Which you did. Would you say he was wrong to leverage what he did against her?” Odessa asked.

  ‘He should have just killed her and been done with it.’ I hissed.

  “But instead he now has a Priestess and a Dragon Slayer to aid us. Powerful allies.” She observed.

  ‘Who are liable to stab us in the back. I will NEVER trust one who has bathed in Dragon’s Blood.’

  “Perhaps, but we will be prepared for that if they do. Or do you think he is stupid enough to not anticipate that?” She asked.

  ‘He isn’t stupid.’ I replied before I thought about it.

  “Oh?” She asked, a smile crossing her face.

  ‘He is Intelligent, not stupid.’ I responded.

  “He has a brilliant mind, but his social skills could use some work. He was trained to manipulate people according to Naravie. Which has its drawbacks.”

  ‘So he has been using me, hasn’t he?’ I asked, my shoulders slumping as I spoke it.

  “No, no he hasn’t. He cares about you. He’s torn. His love for you has put him in an uncomfortable position. He was raised as a dutiful knight, a loyal knight, and he has promised to help King Ruhn and Queen Raya. And he loves them. But now he also loves you. Which conflicts with his learned loyalty.” Odessa offered.

  ‘But he chose them over me when Xaranta spoke to us. And he chose his duty over me today.’ I said, sadness creeping into my voice.

  “But you survived, he knows how capable you are. From what I have seen he believed you would be able to look after yourself. Do you wish he would rather treat you as a Damsel in need of rescue? Or the Powerful Dragoness you are?” She asked.

  I pulled my knees up to my chin and dug my claws in.

  ‘I want to be cared for. I don’t want to be the second option. I don’t want to be the runner up.’ I growled, spitting out a cloud of smoke with the words.

  “How so?”

  ‘Back when I was human, My Father spoke to me of my younger Brother taking the throne, because he was better versed in the skills needed. When I found Mother… It worked out for the best. When Mother was tending to us after the Male attacked us she focused on Ilgard first. My eyes and my throat could have been saved. But because I was ‘Capable’ and ‘More Independent’ I was the last to be treated. And now I cannot speak and my eyes will be forever damaged. So yes, being treated like a Damsel for once in my life might actually be nice.’ I explained.

  “Have you spoken about this to him?” She asked.

  ‘No.’

  “Then how would he know how you felt?” Odessa asked.

  ‘I… He should just know. Right? Ilgard and Mother always seemed to know what I needed. So he should as well right?’ I asked, realizing how stupid it sounded halfway through.

  “You are asking quite a lot from someone who you met only a few weeks ago. As you said he is intelligent but he is inexperienced. The closest he has been with others was the royals of his homeland, he is still learning how to manage all of this. As are you.” Odessa observed.

  ‘Now you are lecturing me?’ I asked.

  “No, but I know how it is to not be in a relationship for a long time and then suddenly have one where your partner is also struggling. In my case, I have a partner who is trying to help her family while leaving me behind out of necessity. In your case, the two of you need to explain your issues to the other instead of trying to assume you both know what you need.” Odessa explained.

  ‘And what makes you such an expert?’ I asked, glaring up at her.

  “Oh no, I am hardly an expert. But I have spent nearly eighty years seeing my sisters pursue relationships. I have learned some things, like communicating what you are feeling and how you need help are vital to a relationship. You and Irand both seem to think that you will know what the other needs innately. Communicating is necessary, even when you might feel it is not. Always best to make sure.”

  ‘And what about your situation, did you not explain your situation to Naravie and she still left you behind?’ I snipped.

  “I did explain it, and she explained her reasons. And I understood that her goal was important to her and she would regret not going if I kept her. So we spoke and she had my express permission to go. I have told her of my faults and she has explained hers to me. We might still bicker and we might not always approve, but we understand. And that is worth quite a bit.”

  ‘And what faults have you told her of?’ I hissed, in my eyes she and Naravie had been flawless together in the entire time I had seen them.

  She flexed her hands, and rubbed her palm against one of her front legs. I saw a grimace form across her face.

  ‘May I?’ Her voice echoed in my mind, pressing against my walls.

  I let her through and I was pulled into a memory.

  I was in Odessa’s mind. She was speaking to Naravie, her words slurred from drink. Ranting about her body was hideous and frightening and how much she wished she could be rid of it. Her words grew more and more intense before she threw the bottle in her hand against a tree and raked her clawlike fingers against one of her front legs. It took only a moment before Naravie was there, in her full draconic form, holding Odessa’s arms in place as blood poured from the damaged carapace on her leg. Screams of fury gave way to fear and pained whimpers before the memory faded into the dark and we returned to the Roost-Rock.

  “I have long had my own problems. You ladies are not the only ones who did not like your bodies.” Odessa said, her voice muted as she spoke.

  ‘And this is equal to Irand focusing on a Paladin over helping me?’ I asked, no venom or bite anymore, just a confused question.

  “No, but if you let it fester and ruin the relationship, you will not have him with you for long.” Odessa replied.

  I was silent for a long few minutes as I thought to myself. When I spoke again my voice was soft.

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  ‘If I studied, I might be able to help with your situation. There are transformation magics that could help you.’ I said softly.

  “I appreciate it, but I may have a solution. I spoke about it with Cyan and they told me that they knew of a witch who was versed in such things. They said they would check in with her when next they visited her and see if she would be willing to help me. I have yet to tell Naravie, I am waiting for her to return.” Odessa said, some joy returning to her voice.

  We sat in silence a few moments longer before I broke it once more.

  ‘Thank you. I… I’m still worried about who they will be when they change. Will they still love me or… will they not want me around? I’ll take your words to heart Odessa. Thank you.’ I said softly.

  “Of course. I have few friends and I would hate to lose such wonderful company as you. Now then, I think we should get back. Geena said she would handle dinner. I’m curious to see what our wonderful Harpy has made.” Odessa said with a smile.

  I nodded and followed her as we slipped back inside the stone structure.

  I was thumbing through the papers at my desk as Ruhn and Oparia walked into our suite. The Changeling let out a sigh of relief as she let her disguise fade and she collapsed onto the couch. I smiled as Ruhn walked over and half sat, half Collapsed into the chair beside me.

  “I take it you two were not pleased to be discussing things with the Ambassadors from Tesvin?” I asked as I passed a cup of tea to Ruhn.

  “They are so…. Arrogant?” Ruhn replied, looking over towards Oparia.

  “Insufferably so. They don't think there is any chance that Calanai willingly worked with the Dragons, because that would mean Calanai betrayed them…. No, you definitely had to be coerced into that. They are fools.” Oparia groaned from her preferred resting spot.

  “And how was your first official outing as Queen Raya?” I asked her, sipping my own tea.

  “It was fine. They didn't even bat an eye, which means they either didn't care or I did well enough.” She replied.

  “I think she had a rather admirable performance. There were only a handful of things that I could pick out that weren't Raya’s usual mannerisms.” Ruhn said with his ever dazzling smile.

  “And how was your hunt, Your Majesty?” Oparia asked.

  I smiled as I handed Ruhn three pages of notes I had extracted from the Tesvin Assassin. The man had thought to sneak into our chambers the previous night and I had caught him during my now routine vigil. I had been brushing up on my old skills since Irand had left and after Oparia had arrived I had also been training her to act as my double so I could put my skills to use without suspicion. She was a quick study and she could imitate me quite well now, she had even gotten compliments from the maids about me “Being in a good mood” which amused me.

  They had never seen me in a truly bad mood.

  I smiled as she took a glass of wine from Ruhn and mused about her arrival as he handed me a glass as well. She had arrived at the Greyson estate some months ago and the letter Irand had given her directed her to introduce herself to us before she truly settled in. She had, rather gracefully, and when she gave us the letter I recognized one of the Cipher’s I had taught to Irand before he left and after a brief period of decoding we offered the young lady a position in our employment. It had taken some coaxing to get her to take the position but she had eventually agreed and after we revealed we knew the truth of her lineage she had a brief period of panic before we revealed we were quite fine with it. Then in the months since she had grown more comfortable around us and begun staying in the royal suite since. As far as her true nature as a Changeling was concerned, the Royal Knights had been informed that she would be acting as my body double on occasion and the Maids made no fuss on her staying in the suite, I believe due to the fact that she went out of her way to make friends with them and she aided them in their work when she did not have matters to attend to.

  She had reacted poorly to our flirting at first and I had been right in assuming she thought we were only pursuing her for her unique nature. After some long talks she had been more open to the idea and now she was rather playful about it, not outright refusing our advances but instead making impossible demands as recompense. It was quite a fun diversion after a long day. Her room bordered ours and she was free to come and go as she pleased which she rarely did, preferring instead to busy herself with the books in our private collection.

  I was brought back to the present as Ruhn tapped my shoulder. I glanced up at him and he pointed towards his ears. I gave him a perplexed look before I brought up a hand and touched my now pointed ears. A sigh and a brief incantation later I felt the glamour resettle over me and my ears return to normal from outside observation.

  “It’s getting more frequent.” Oparia observed as she took a sip from her wine.

  “It is. I’m still almost certain it's from spending the night with Naravie.” I said as I pursed my lips and sipped my wine.

  The truth of my lineage was known to three people in Calanai and I had hoped to explain it to Irand before he had left but there had never been time. I bore the blood of a Fairy within me, several dozen generations back but still strong enough to affect my appearance and grant me the most basic touch of magic. Without the Glamour that Father had shown me when I was still just a child I had black eyes filled with stars and pointed ears similar to the Dragons. Since my flight from Tesvin over a decade ago I have had to renew the Glamour only twice. Until that night with Naravie. Since then I have had to renew it almost monthly. It was frustrating but only a minor inconvenience unless someone saw me without it. Oparia had been worried the first time it had faded in her presence and Ruhn was my ever faithful companion to inform me whenever it faded.

  It granted me no true benefits aside from the basic magic my father had taught me to carry on his work, basic glamours and incredibly simple magic to silence my movements. I still practiced them from time to time to see if I still retained access to them and it had not faded… I had long wondered that if I bore children would they have carried it as well but with my infertility it seemed my bloodline would end with me.

  I sighed as I sipped my wine and dreamed of a simpler life. If I could just be normal…. As soon as I thought about it, I wrinkled my nose in distaste. Why would I want to be Normal? That would be incredibly boring. What would I do, work on my weaving instead of practicing my blade work? Be a Damsel in distress instead of standing shoulder to shoulder with my wonderful Husband? I rolled my eyes at the thought, we had been to enough formal gatherings that I had seen Queens who were nothing more than a pretty face. Trying to speak to them was an exercise in monotony. There were a few who were more clever than average, schemers who had sought a life of luxury and achieved it, but they were in the minority.

  Besides, if Ruhn didn't have me around, he might get terribly bored without my antics. And that would be a damned shame. He was at his best when handling problems and he always looked good doing it. I had oft wondered if he had magical blood within his bloodline as well, given how perfect he looked when doing… anything really. If he didn't then he was the envy of every King across the world. And even if he did then he still was. My Ruhn was the greatest of Kings and I would hear no arguments.

  Oparia rose from her perch and bid the two of us farewell as she headed out for the evening. She enjoyed spending time at Gaty’s tavern and I think it was because she liked seeing people. I smiled as she slipped outside and Ruhn took a seat next to me.

  “And how is my lovely Queen after her long day dealing with an assassin?” He asked, poking me in the ribs.

  I snorted and smacked his hand away with a smile.

  “Well I had to get my hands dirty to get him to talk so naturally I had to treat myself afterwards by raiding the Kitchens and swiping a rather wonderful tart. The cook will be horribly affronted that someone made off with his prized dessert.” I giggled as I gestured to the tart now missing a slice on the table.

  “You managed to steal that without him noticing? I sometimes forget how good you are at that.” He smiled.

  “But how could you possibly forget after how we met my love?” I asked.

  “You mean with a lone assassin being so dazzled by my beauty that she hunted down her employers to show me that she liked me?”

  “Well that makes me sound like a bewitched village girl, at least have the decency to mention that you had me pinned to the wall in a rather compromising position.” I laughed as I drained the rest of my wine.

  “Oh would that happen to be something like… this?” He asked as he picked me up by the throat and pinned me to the wall while I grinned like a madwoman.

  “And then I…” I wrapped my legs around his waist and spun, twisting him to the ground.

  I straddled his waist and pinned his hands above his head as his heavy, eager breaths were making my heart dance.

  “Well Prince of Calanai, I seem to have you at my mercy. Any last words?” I asked, mimicking my first words to him.

  “An assassin has no right being so beautiful. You could be a Queen instead with that dazzling smile.”

  “And who would take a monster like me?” I asked, dropping my glamour.

  “I would, in a heartbeat.”

  “That might be all you have left…” I whispered, tracing a finger over his heart.

  He kicked one knee up and knocked me off balance. I twisted to break my fall and he followed the movement, ending up on top of me, legs braced against mine while one hand held mine in place and the other wrapped around my throat.

  “I think not. Now if you would like to stay, you are welcome too. Otherwise I’ll have to see you off the hard way.” He growled in that deep voice that sent my heart racing.

  “Then give me an hour and I’ll be back… in more appropriate garb for a prince.” I whispered as the hand tightened around my throat.

  And after that I had left, disposed of my employers and returned with all the information on them that I could and handed it to him. He had been out of the Kingdom on business at the time and I had accompanied him back to Calanai after that. His Mother and Father had been rather unhappy about his choice of company but after a few weeks of skulking about in the shadows of the Kingdom, and spending my evenings finding new ways to sneak into Ruhn’s bedchambers, they had relented after Ruhn and I had convinced them that I could keep him safe.

  After that Queen Orland had taught me everything I needed to know about my current and future duties. I had loved her, she reminded me of my own Mother in how she acted and I had grown fond of her constant nitpicking of my behavior until the day came where she had no complaints about my actions. When the two of them had passed due to sickness, I had wept alongside Ruhn and we had been crowned within the week.

  But back to the Present I smiled in Ruhn’s embrace as I cuddled up to him in our bed. I could hear his heartbeat in his chest as he recovered from everything I had done to him over the afternoon. He often joked about how I had the stamina of a Demon and the greed of a Dragon. I thought the first was accurate and the second was an exaggeration. I didn’t crave gold and jewels, but I did view those I cared about as mine. I wouldn’t stand to lose one of them while I still drew breath. Okay, perhaps a touch of Draconic Greed.

  I laughed as the thought crossed my mind.

  “Oh? Whats so funny?” Ruhn asked.

  “I had an amusing thought.”

  “And what wa-” Ruhn stopped as the door to our room burst open and in stumbled Oparia.

  She slumped against the door with her disguise all but gone, revealing the pure white skin underneath… no not pure white any longer. Patches of blue and purple were visible on her face and her dress was torn in places I was all too familiar with. She began to fall to the ground and I was at her side before she managed to hit the ground.

  “Gaty… Goblet… Fight… Paladins.” She mumbled before her eyes fluttered shut and she let out a shuddering breath.

  Ruhn has pulled on his pants and he helped me get her up and onto the bed. I didn’t hesitate as I cut into her dress and revealed the large swollen bruises underneath. She was covered in them and I saw one in the shape of an open palm that looked almost burned into her skin just above her left breast.

  “Ruhn, salve!” I demanded as he stood gawking at her wounds.

  That broke his stupor and he rushed over to the dresser where we kept the salve to help with our own bruising that we received when we got a bit too riled up. I began rubbing the salve onto her bruises and he worked on those on her less exposed areas. It took a few minutes and the entire container but we could already see improvement. The burn on her chest was already scabbing over like an old scar and I hissed as I marched over to the hidden panel in the floor and retrieved my hidden stash of equipment.

  A full compliment of weapons and a set of black leather that obscured my appearance from recognition. I pulled on the equipment as Ruhn helped dress Oparia in a replacement night gown to cover her decency.

  “I’m going out.” I announced and Ruhn nodded as he rested Oparia against the pillows and pulled up a chair next to the bed.

  Time to show these Paladins that they were not welcome in my Kingdom.

  I groaned as I sat up from my bed roll. I had to gone to bed without dinner after angering Alvina and I was regretting it now as my stomach growled in protest. I sighed and glanced over to where Alvina was curled up with Geena resting against her and Sky and Luna tucked under her wing. Odessa was already up and mixing something over a cook fire while a handful of fledgling harpies huddled around watching.

  I rose and wandered over and she glanced over with a smile.

  “Have a good rest?”

  “Mhmm.” I replied.

  “I suggest you stew on what you did. She's thinking as well. Both of you think too much.” She said with a chuckle before she ladled a bowl of stew and handed it to me.

  It was definitely some kind of rabbit or other small game and I wasn’t about to complain.

  “I don’t know what to say to her.”

  “The truth. Don’t try to twist it or justify it. Just talk to her about what you did. She cares about you, she's just upset. She needs time to think about what she's going to say as well. So you have time.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Just don’t fuck it up.”

  “Noted.”

  “Now then, I believe we are headed to the Living Woods next? I’m curious to meet some dryads.” She said excitedly.

  “Agreed, I am as well. Now then I think you have an audience.” I gestured to the group of Harpies.

  They were all smaller than Luna and they all looked utterly fascinated by Odessa’s cook fire.

  “You mean my Wonderful assistants? They helped me gather the ingredients. This is Red-Feather, Soot and Waves.” Odessa said as she pointed to each of them in turn.

  Red-Feather’s name was accurate and he looked like he might try to reach out and touch the flame. Soot looked markedly similar to Luna and he was watching the cook pot hungrily. Waves had the same blue in her wings and hair as Sky did but her gaze looked furious, even directed at the cook pot.

  “They are Luna’s brothers and Sisters, from the same clutch of eggs. They don’t like to talk much but they are quite helpful.” Odessa said as she ladled soup into bowls and handed one to each of the Harpy Children.

  They each gave her a nod and flew off.

  “So then, shall we wake the others and prepare to set out? It's already past dawn and it's going to be plenty warm crossing the sands at this hour.” Odessa asked, stretching her multitude of limbs in a rather frightening display.

  “Lets.” I replied, walking towards where the group was sleeping.

  Time to go meet some Dryads.