I haven't edited through this, I'm just copying and pasting so if anything isn't perfect it's simply because I have yet to go through it again. Thank you for understanding.
Chapter 2
TWO years seemed to run past them and even Lucas felt it slip through his fingers. His child grew. She was 6 now. Still so young but already so much more grown up then she’d been when she’d stepped from her rooms for the first time. Her shape had become more solid, though she still shifted more often than he would like.
“Regent!” he heard called from outside his bedroom door. Copernicus was the only one allowed in at all hours of the day and he sat up lazily as she entered.
“Daddy,” she greeted with a small smile.
“Darling,” he said back.
“It seems we’ve outgrown Asphixia. She’s taught us all she can. And she’s so dull,” Copernicus said with a slight whine.
“Very well. Do you wish me to send her away?” Lucifer asked, hoping her answer would be no.
She grinned widely, “No.” she said.
“Then what do you wish?” he asked, leaning forward.
“She was rude to Cambria. Called her chicken legs. She tried to cut Lex’s knees when they stuck out too much. She even whipped me with a towel,” Copernicus said, waiting for her father to draw his own conclusions.
“Do you want me to kill her, darling?” he asked dotingly. This is what he’d built her for. He wanted her to come to him.
“Oh daddy. No,” she said and he deflated.
“I want to do it,” she continued and giggled when he looked up.
“Truly?” he asked.
“Of course. She’s so rude. I want her stone in my hand,” Copernicus said, her voice rich and angry.
“Good. Do it,” Lucas said, proud of his daughter’s first kill and her attitude toward it.
“Thank you, daddy!” she bounced on her toes.
“Anything for you, my darling,” he said with a smile.
“Do I have to warn her?” she asked.
“Of course not. This is something only I can teach you, my dear. We don’t apologize for anything and we don’t warn people. We are above that. As my daughter you will never be responsible for what you do, especially deaths. Now go and do it however you wish. And Copernicus?”
She turned to face him on her way out the door.
“I’m so proud of you,” he said with sincerity.
She flushed and smiled.
“Thank you,” she said as she left the room. She was already planning how she was going to do it.
“WHAT did he say?” Cambria asked eagerly when Copernicus came and found her. Cambria was trying on dresses in her room. Some from the Lower World and some from the Upper. Her room was a mess of silk and Hellion spun blood thread.
“He said I can do it however I want and whenever. I don’t even have to tell her,” Copernicus said gleefully.
“Good. That bitch deserves it. Two years of her harassment and yes, we dance just fine now but hell, at what price?” Cambria said, holding a blue gown against her and twirling.
Copernicus shook her head and handed her a green dress. “This one,” she said, “The color is better for your hair.”
Cambria smiled. “Look at you. 6 years old and already with a good eye. My work has just begun and you’re a natural.”
Copernicus laughed and then grew serious. “Bria,” she started and the dragon turned at the tone of voice, “What happens when I choose my betrothed? If I don’t choose you? Or if I do? What changes?”
Cambria thought about it. She worried her lip between her teeth and then said honestly, “Everything.”
Copernicus nodded. “That’s what I thought.”
“You’ll choose my brother, no doubt. I don’t know out of the others, though obviously not Caspian and his group but from the rest, I’m not sure. I don’t think it will mean we all like each other any less but it will be different. Don’t worry though. That isn’t for a long time,” Cambria said, dismissing the future for what it was.
“I’m just lucky and I don’t want that to change,” Copernicus said.
“You’re a princess. You’re the princess. Your life will always be lucky. Though it might come with its fair share of problems too,” Cambria said.
She stripped down and slid into the dress, smiling widely at her reflection.
“You have a good eye, princess,” she said.
“Thank you,” Copernicus said and she meant it in more ways than one.
Cambria turned and looked at Copernicus, her smile dimming.
“You’re welcome,” she said, her smile smaller and softer. Copernicus took that as her leave and wandered out into the hall. From down it she could hear laughter and squeals and she closed her eyes into the sound. For a long time she was alone. With a smile, she sauntered off to find Carlisle. He would give her tips on how to get rid of their horrid dance teacher.
“ARE you certain you don’t want to use the knife?” Carlisle asked for the third time. Once again, Copernicus shook her head.
“If you’re going to use your hands you have to be quick or she’ll squirm. No doubt you’re stronger but you’ve never done this before. I can’t believe father doesn’t want to teach you. This is kind of his art form,” Carlisle said with a small frown.
“I think he wants me to learn by myself. We all have our own ways of doing things,” Copernicus shrugged.
“Did you yell at him again?” Carlisle asked.
They were sitting on his bed with light streaming in from the third sun and the violet cast wide shadows across the floor. The slim demon’s tail whipped behind him and he fluttered his wings as he thought.
“No,” Copernicus laughed, “Why would I?”
Carlisle thought back to breakfast. Their father had stood in front of all those there and ridiculed his daughter for her selfless choices. She hadn’t fought back and had instead just watched and nodded. It worried her half brother to think that she would stand up for them but not for herself. If she let him, their father would make her into what he wanted her to be and that would destroy them all.
“He was cruel to you this morning. He wanted to punish you for standing up for us like you always do,” he explained.
She shook her head and clicked her tongue. Her fingers bubbled as she said, “Oh that wasn’t the punishment. He already took care of that. But it’s alright. I knew I was right when I said it and I still know it now. Don’t worry, Carlisle, I’m not easily swayed. Not even by the person who gave me what I am.”
She breezily said the word “punishment” but Carlisle had seen their father punish people and he searched her rippling face as he said,
“Did he hurt you?”
“Only a little,” she shrugged, “But it was worth it. I got to see you be yourself again.”
Carlisle looked confused so Copernicus sighed and explained.
“You were watching your feet. I may not have known you all that long, but I know you well enough to know that it isn’t like you to do that. I want you to stay who you are. So it was worth it to see that come back. Plus, I like teaching you languages. It’s something for just us. I like having everyone around but I like having things that are just ours, too. You know? Like how I dress with Cambria and fly with Calliope and dance with Sobel and play with Lex,” Copernicus beamed.
“What about Lokson?” Carlisle asked.
From anyone else this would have been teasing but from Carlisle it was serious and it meant he was testing the waters. For the past year Copernicus had known that her older brother had begun to be interested in the younger dragon. She found that though her interest was also rising, she didn’t begrudge them their closeness and instead wished them the best. She had many years to go before she chose partners or was even old enough to. When she turned 50 she would be sworn into the royal family for good and would then be expected to live by the rules of royals but until then she was a child and would be treated as such.
“He and….we don’t have one set thing. But everything we do just us is ours. Does that make sense?” she asked, her face scrunching up.
Carlisle took in the deep glow of her stone that came from her belly. Her other two were too deep for him to see but he expected they looked the same. He smiled.
“Yes,” he said, “It does.”
Carlisle also felt that way about Lokson and he saw no anger or pain in Copernicus’ face as she watched him steadily. He’d been warned by his nastier siblings that any true daughter of Lucas would be cruel in her love and would keep the ones she chose all to herself but instead she smiled at Carlisle and giggled when a small bit of lava seeped out of her lips.
He shook his head and brought them back to the task at hand. Soon they had decided how she would kill the rotten dance instructor and she left with a smile on her face. When Lokson came to his door, Carlisle beamed and silently thanked his half sister for her blessing.
“You look happy,” the dragon said as he slid past the demon.
“I just saw Copernicus,” he explained.
“She is so bright, isn’t she?” Lokson said with warmth.
“Yes. Though I’m afraid I can’t see an attachment in the future unless it’s platonic,” Carlisle said. He couldn’t find a want to hold her and her ever changing form but he could say he wished he could protect her.
“That’s alright. But I think she’s wonderful,” Lokson said, falling back on Carlisle’s bed with ease.
“Yes. Your sister has said you’ve been stealing her away more often,” Carlisle said, only slight jealousy biting into his tone.
“Maybe I have. I think I want her to pick me. We’re all still so young with so much longer to go before we’re finished with this, but I think from what I know now that I want to be with her. I want to be beside her forever. Is that odd?” Lokson looked up at Carlisle with his question.
“No. I think we choose young and then have quite a long time to finalize that decision,” Carlisle said.
“You’re too smart for your age,” Lokson said dryly.
“I’m 10,” Carlisle replied, “And you’re only 7 so I think I’m the authority.”
Lokson chuckled and pushed Carlisle with his foot, causing the demon to flush.
“Shut up,” Lokson laughed,” Aren’t we helping Copi today?”
“She wants to do it herself. Anyway she won’t do it till later. She told us we can meet her and watch but it's her first. You know how big of a deal that is,” Carlisle said, falling beside Lokson carelessly.
Lokson ran his fingers over the curve in Carlisle’s wings almost thoughtlessly. Carlisle shivered.
“I was 4 at my first. Just an Upper Worlder who got caught in something bad. My father let me do it. It was messy. But of course I’ve gotten better since,” Lokson said.
“No doubt. I was 5. A guard who let my hellhounds out. I ripped out his eyes first because clearly they weren’t helping him,” Carlisle grinned.
“Of course you’d always be good at it, even from the start. I’m jealous,” Lokson laughed.
“My other father taught me well,” Carlisle grinned back.
“Whatever. Come on. Let’s go find Bria. She’ll want to see that bitch get what she deserves too,” Lokson said, bounding to his feet.
Carlisle followed the younger dragon, helpless to do anything but watch him lead the way.
COPERNICUS had already found Cambria and they were on the hunt for Calliope. Copernicus’ demon sister had no love lost for the female dragon but when Copernicus asked them to join forces with her they were happy to help. It just meant that Cambria was whining more than usual. They found her loitering around the kitchen and she grudgingly followed as the other two spoke.
“I want to help,” the dragon said for the fourth time, “She lit me on fire once. I think I deserve to help.”
“You’ve already had your first. I get to have mine be my own, thank you very much,” Copernicus said primly.
“Fine. But if I cheer you have to ignore it,” Cambria said.
“Deal,” Copernicus said with a grin.
ASPHEXIA was working on a routine for the next royal ball when the princess stalked into the room. She’d known the children hated her but her stomach sank when the other two little princess’ followed. Though Sobel of Inubis was nowhere to be found she assumed it was only a matter of time before they all got there. After all, a demon’s first kill was something to be proud of.
“I suppose it’s to be me, then,” she said on a sigh.
“Did you really think it could be anyone else?” Copernicus asked somewhat sweetly.
“I had hoped. After all, I’ve done your father the king a great service in my life but it seems that you have him tied around your little finger. Which is good. A daughter always should,” the instructor said stiffly.
“Does that mean you’re going to let me? Or are you going to put up a fight?” Copernicus asked.
“I’m a demon, dear girl. What do you think?” Asphexia retorted.
Copernicus shrugged as Lokson and Carlisle came into the room towing Lex. They’d found him in the hallway with his sister and though Sobel had declined the invitation Lex wanted to be there for Copernicus. He always worried about her and wanted to be there in case she needed help or someone to lean on. It was rare, but they’d all heard of the odd demon that couldn’t go through with a kill.
“Okay. We’ll do it the hard way,” she said almost gleefully.
“I’ve been around for a long time, don’t expect it to be easy,” Asphexia warned. She motioned for the spelled instruments to stop playing and stood in the middle of the room.
Asphexia was over 500 and she was facing off with a demon that in her mind was a newborn. Copernicus had the look of a demon but had yet to grow into the form. Asphexia knew that even if she got away the king wouldn’t let her live but she would fight the child until her last breath, even if it meant hurting her. She had nothing left to lose. When Copernicus came at her she snarled and her lithe body moved. Her two left arms caught Copernicus’ and swung her, causing the girl to gasp. But it was short lived surprise and a clawed hand came up to take a chunk out of Asphexia’s chest. The demon yowled and backed up.
“I’m a daddy’s girl,” Copernicus smiled.
“Kashvit,” Asphexia swore.
Carlisle grinned as Lokson said under his breath, “That’s our girl.”
It went on this way for a bit. Asphexia seeming to get the upper hand then Copernicus taking it back. But then Asphexia went on the offensive and something changed. She lunged at Copernicus, yanking a handful of goop away from the demon princess’ body. Copernicus yelped and Cambria held Lex back from taking a step toward her.
“This is her fight until she says otherwise,” Carlisle said but he was watching with a squinting stare.
Copernicus got a few more hits in but the older demon was ruthless in her attacks. Her friends watched on and winced with each hit but it was Calliope who saw the change.
“How many stones did she say she had?” she asked when Copernicus got yet another bit of her body yanked free and her skin began to glow.
“3,” they answered readily.
“We might want to move. Or duck,” Calliope said, her eyes not leaving the now steaming princess.
“Yeah…” Cambria trailed off, grabbing her brother’s hand. Lokson nodded and let her lead him away.
They had only just hidden behind the large door when Copernicus began to drip tar and hot lava. Asphexia didn’t let up. She thought it meant the younger demon was tiring.It did not. With one final screech, Asphexia lunged and her fingers sank into Copernicus. The girl’s eyes flicked down to see a hand in her stomach and then her eyes expanded. They turned wide and dark and rimmed in red. The older demon took a step back but it was too late. Copernicus let out a yell that was garbled from the brimstone and flames flying from her lips. Flames burst from her skin and tar splattered on the far walls. From behind the door her friends watched the room flame. It stunk of sulfur and ash. After a solid minute, Asphexia stopped screaming and the room dimmed.
Kobre and Calpurnia, who hadn’t been invited and had only been walking by, stopped and he asked incredulously, “What just happened?”
No one had a good way to answer and instead Cambria shrugged helplessly.
It was from that smoldering flame that Copernicus walked out. Her hair no longer black but instead a deep grey with white tips. Her eyes were violet and she held a human form with skin an olive tone and naked all the way down. She no longer had clawed fingers but instead long limbs with white nails. She cocked her head at them and they could see the pure Satanic demon burning in her.
“Did I do good?” she asked, her voice odd and devoid of emotion but still childish.
Cambria looked at her friend. This wasn’t her final form she knew but she had taken a step in the direction of adulthood. No more swirling skin but instead a preteen body, short but promising, and a demonic look on life that would no longer be as young.
“You burned the whole room,” Lokson said in awe as he peeked around the door.
“Is that bad?” she asked, more emotion seeping into her tone.
“It’s unexpected,” Calliope said.
“I did it,” Copernicus said with a small shrug.
“You did. You could kill us all easily,” Carlisle said and Copernicus frowned.
“But I wouldn’t,” she argued.
“Not. But you could. You’re going to be a queen someday and you just showed that even as a child you could destroy us. That’s good, people won’t ever question you,” Lex explained.
Copernicus let that sink in. “Alright,” she said.
“You should go tell your father before someone else does. It’s always best to have that news from the one who did it,” Kobre said, having put the pieces together.
“He’ll be so proud,” Calpurnia said, her voice sounding almost genuine. Copernicus didn’t react to her older and crueler sister.
She smiled dreamily. “Yes, I will. I’ll see you all later.”
She walked off, her steps calculated but smooth.
“That was….” Cambria couldn’t find any words for it and Lokson shrugged.
“We always knew she’d be different from us,” he said.
“You can say that again,” Calliope said sounding somewhat stunned.
“Well someday she’ll choose some of us and our nation's will all be tied to one another. Until then, we just have to help her steer all that energy in the right direction,” Carlisle said.
“And how are we expected to do that?” Kobre asked frankly.
“Easy. We stay her friends,” Carlisle replied.
COPERNICUS could feel her power thrumming through her body. Demon children were created with sound minds open to learning. They tended to be quick on the uptake and smart. They spoke like Upper World adults though their bodies were smaller and less formed than their parents. She was still a child but the power in her body was full grown. Her skin dripped tar and lava as steam spilled off her skin. She’d chosen this new form and she felt it as a new step into her future. She still had a ways to go before she was grown but she’d made her first kill. She grinned as flames licked along her arms.
People cowered back as she stalked past them. Even though her body was new, they could tell who it was. They had never seen the princess so single minded and the power flowed off of her in waves. In theory they had all known she was powerful but this had her people hiding. Though she smiled the same dreamy smile she’d had before, they couldn’t reconcile getting close to such raw destruction. When she reached the throne room the doors were opened for her and she skipped in to see her father and his spouses sitting bored on their high thrones. Their droning voices stopped when they saw her.
“Copernicus my dear, you do look different,” Arista said from her seat beside Lucas.
“I did it, Daddy,” Copernicus said, ignoring Arista.
“Did you? Did anyone help you?” Lucas leaned forward.
“No. I did it all by myself. I kind of….burned the second ballroom, though,” Copernicus said, looking at her feet.
Lucas looked over at his guards and asked them to confirm this.
“We barely found a body. She blew the room so hot it cooked everything in it beyond what we’ve ever seen,” the guard said. Although he didn’t say it everyone in the room could hear the silent, Beyond what we’ve ever seen from even you.
Arista smiled slyly and stroked Lucas’s hand as she said, “I didn’t believe you when you said the child was this powerful, my dear. But look, she burned a whole room without effort. Now it might be time for training. But who would we get? She is the most powerful creature in the world.”
Lucas flinched as she’d hoped he would.
“I can still teach her,” he said stiffly.
“Oh yes! Daddy please? It feels so wonderful. I didn’t know it would feel like this! I can feel it under my skin running through my body. It’s like I’m alive for real!” Copernicus bounced and sparks flew out of her fingertips.
Lucas’s second, a high born demon named Kandi, leaned in and said, “Love, I think you need to do this. Look at her. If she can’t control it she could destroy us all. I think she needs your help.”
Lucas gazed at his child and wondered not for the first time what he got himself into. All he’d wanted was a powerful heir but he’d also hoped she wouldn’t be found out until later. Now with other children and other lessons she’d become something he didn’t understand. Maybe with one on one lessons he could change that. And he’d be the only one to see her full power. At least for a little while.
“Alright,” he said, “We’ll start tomorrow. Arista, tell the guards to clean the mess in the ballroom up. I have lessons to plan.”
He stood and walked down to Copernicus, patting her on the head as he passed. She beamed up at him and said. “Thank you daddy!” Before skipping out of the room once more.
“What’s your game?” Kandi asked Arista when the spouses were left alone. The others turned to her, curious as well.
“If that little abomination kills him, I get the crown. She isn’t old enough and there are no laws governing one of her kind since it’s never been done before. Hopefully she blows him away accidently and then I can pass my crown down to my son. The one who deserves it. And maybe he can marry one of yours,” she said cruelly.
“You don’t know a single thing about ruling. Let’s hope she doesn’t kill him, just teaches him to fear her. She’s never seen his cruelty. Let’s make it so she does,” Lyla, his fourth hissed through rows of sharp teeth.
Arista inclined her head. Though her plan was more extreme she could also take that option. Their husband was a harsh ruler who didn’t like being shown up and if anyone could it would be his daughter.
“Well, we’ll see,” Kandi said, “It all starts tomorrow.”
THE next day Copernicus rose with the second sun. Its bright red light curled across her floor and she bounced on her bed. Ever since the day before she had felt her power. It came from the stone in her spine and the one in her stomach and the third in her head. It rolled like waves through her and she’d dreamt of the sky on fire. She woke cheerful and hopeful. Not 10 minutes into her being awake her door burst open and Lokson and Cambria bounded in.
“We heard that you have lessons with your daddy dearest today,” Lokson said as he fell onto her bed.
“How did you hear that?” Copernicus asked. She hadn’t gone back to see her friends after she spoke to her father and was genuinely puzzled.
“Well we heard Arista telling Caspian. No doubt some part of an evil plan but we thought we’d stop by anyway,” Cambria explained.
Lokson threw his arm over Copernicus’ waist and snuggled in so she flushed.
“Are you excited?” he asked into her hip.
“I think so. Ever since I killed Asphexia yesterday I can feel it in me. The power he gave me. I didn’t know it was there. Not really. But now I’m awake and it’s fantastic. I just need to know how to control it,” she said.
He yawned against her and yanked her down so he could curl around her. Copernicus was glad she didn’t have a beating heart or he’d know how nervous she was. Cambria laid out delicately on her other side so all Copernicus could sense was dragon.
“No doubt it isn’t starting until the third sun rises so stay here with us for a bit?” Lokson asked.
Copernicus could never say no to either of them and so she didn’t speak, just curled up to be comfortable and inhaled the comforting smell of smoke that drifted off her bedmates.
Carlisle found them twined together after the third sun rose. Copernicus’ door was ajar and he pushed it open curiously to find her wrapped in Lokson’s arms with Cambria’s small hand resting on her hip. She looked at ease with them and Carlisle felt a spurt of envy. Lokson had chosen her the minute he’d seen her and though Carlisle didn’t wish Copernicus anything but joy, he wished she could find it with someone who wasn’t Lokson. He knew the world wasn’t fair. He’d known that since the moment he was created and wasn’t exactly what his father wanted. He’d known it forever. But seeing two people he cared about obviously invested in each other made his stone ache. Just as he was thinking of his jealousy Lokson rolled over and smiled blurrily at him.
“Carlisle,” he greeted so Copernicus looked up and Cambria groaned, pushing her body more against Copernicus’ back.
“Come relax with us,” Copernicus said fuzzily, “There’s room on Lokson’s other side.”
And just like that he remembered why he wasn’t jealous. Because no matter how close they got, they would always open up for him. She’d told him that in not so many words. And Lokson still came to see him. He still smiled and hugged him and dragged him along on adventures. Carlisle smiled slightly and walked toward the bed.
“I should go soon. Daddy will want to see me,” Copernicus said but she made no move to rise.
“Soon,” Cambria said.
“But not yet,” Lokson added as Carlisle slowly climbed into bed with them. Lokson pulled Carlisle’s arm around his waist and Carlisle heard him say to Copernicus, “Being here….I don’t have bad dreams when I’m near you.”
He watched Copernicus smile and tip her head against Lokson’s chest. She didn’t say anything but she didn’t need to. So for two more hours they all stayed in that bubble and pretended that nothing was waiting for them outside of that room.
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