WHEN Copernicus went off to her lesson a guard came to tell Cambria and Lokson that their mother and father were there to see them. Canterberia of Dragonguard and her husband Lenox, Duke of the outer provinces, met their three children in the central meeting room.
“Children!” Canterberia greeted warmly. They immediately knew something was changing.
“Hello mother,” Kobre said and Lenox inclined his head. Being the second to his wife meant he spoke only when he thought he really had to.
“How is it going here my darlings? Has she taken a shining to any of you?” Canterberia looked at Lokson. She knew that her charismatic and kind son was most likely to charm the future queen.
“She likes both me and Cambria,” Lokson said.
“Bria? Really?” Canterberia asked in surprise.
“We have a good friendship,” Cambria said in her own defense.
“Well that’s lovely dear. Anyway. We’re here to tell you we’ve been authorized to rise another child. So we’ll be having the ceremony in Dragonguard in two months time. You and all of your friends are invited. Including the princess, of course. She’s never seen a creation from what I’ve been told,” the queen said.
“Mother, what are you planning?” Kobre asked.
Canterberia only smiled and shook her head. “Don’t you worry, my dear. Just… be excited. You’re coming home soon. For a little bit, at least.”
Lokson frowned and Canterberia smoothed away the lines in his forehead. “Don’t frown like that my dear. It’ll leave lines. Now I must speak with the high king himself about his Regent taking a trip. Skip along my loves and show your father where you’ve been living.”
With that the queen of Dragonguard strutted off, her dark purple skin glistening in the light. The three children were left with their father who smiled wanly.
“What’s mother planning?” Cambria asked bluntly.
“I honestly don’t know,” Lenox said with a shrug, “She doesn’t tell me much about her plans. But it seems to circle around your new friend.”
“I won’t trick her,” Lokson said with a shake of his head, “Everyone is already cruel or manipulative to her. She doesn’t deserve that. Her only sin so far was being created.”
“I don’t expect you to, my son,” Lenox said. He patted Lokson on the back and watched his youngest fume. Lokson had always been the most gentle and kind of the children. Cambria was blunt and wild and Kobre was cold and somewhat cruel but Lokson had been created open and sweet and he didn’t like to hurt people. He was so unlike his mother that all she knew to do with him was hurt others. But at 7 he’d grown more and he understood what his mother was trying to use him for. He’d begun to fight it. He loved Copernicus and would not be used as a weapon against her.
“Why does she want another child?” Kobre asked.
“Yeah, I thought she said Lok was the last one,” Cambria added.
Lenox shrugged. He’d been married to her for convenience and she didn’t divulge things to him like his children seemed to think.
“Come,” he said instead of answering, “Show me what Satan Lucas has given you for rooms.”
COPERNICUS enjoyed learning with her father. He was having her throw her power in any way at targets. Though she couldn’t hone what came out just yet she could at least aim and he was proud of that development. It was with the final one, a bright blue fireball that melted the target, that Luc came to his daughter and hugged her. It was also in that moment that Canterberia stalked into the room.
“Ah. My dear king. It seems your child is learning. How wonderful. I do love to see father daughter love,” she said coldly.
Copernicus read the tone and scrambled back. She’d only met the queen of Dragonguard a few times through the years but she didn’t bow. She didn’t have to. Instead she gazed up at the queen and smiled.
“It is quite nice to spend alone time with my father but I know your daughter does love spending time with me, as well,” Copernicus said.
Canterberia bared her teeth in a smile.
“No doubt. I’d like to speak with your father in private. Leave us, Regent Copernicus,” she said.
Copernicus looked to her father who after a moment nodded. Copernicus beamed and bounced out of the room without another word. After all, she couldn’t lie and telling the queen it was a pleasure would blatantly be one. Canterberia frowned at her back but the princess simply kept on skipping. She skipped all the way to the children’s hall.
“I just saw your mother,” she announced as she threw open Lokson’s door and collapsed on the bed. She froze when she saw that not only did Lokson have his sister and brother with him, but also his father.
“Copernicus,” Lokson said with a smile. His eyes flicked over to his father who took in the princess’ new look with wide eyes.
“Hi,” she said more strongly now that she had the lay of the land.
“Yes. My mother came to announce the birth of a fourth child. We’re all invited to go to the creation,” Lokson said.
“And brought your father. I’m so sorry, King Lenox. If I had known you were here I would have announced myself,” Copernicus said sweetly. She liked King Lenox and his unassuming ways.
“Nosense, Regent Copernicus. This is your home. It is one place you never need to announce yourself. Plus I am here to see how my children live and I am happy to see that you and my son have grown close,” Lenox replied.
Copernicus grinned widely.
“Oh yes. Lokson and Cambria are two of my favorite people. And it’s a very short list of 7, so I think you should be happy about that,” she gushed.
“Who are the others?” Cambria asked curiously. She thought she knew but she wanted them listed.
“Well, you two of course. Then Lex and Sobel. Calliope and Carlisle. And daddy of course,” Copernicus explained.
Kobre sighed deeply when Copernicus didn’t even look at him but the princess went on undeterred, “Anyway. Your mother barged into my fantastic lesson with father. I’ve learned to aim! No more burning whole rooms. At least I hope not.”
“Copernicus had her first kill yesterday. She burned the whole second ballroom. It was terrifying,” Cambria explained cheerfully to her father who filed that information away for his wife. She was always trying to figure out how strong Copernicus really was.
“I didn’t mean to. She just kept slashing at me and I got so angry,” Copernicus said with a small pout.
“And that’s why you’re in training,” Lokson said, messing up her hair. She made a face up at him but grinned, causing Lenox to file that information away as well.
“I should go to the main throne room. If your mother is here to announce a sibling no doubt he’ll be ready to give a grand opening to such news. He’ll want us to be there,” Copernicus said.
“True,” Cambria said.
“And he’ll expect you to just know that?” Lenox asked.
Copernicus snorted and rolled her eyes. “He probably wishes I’d understood that I shouldn’t have left in the first place. which I do but I’ve also been taught some royal traditions lately and when a Queen, even one of a lower station, asks a Regent to leave the room, she leaves.”
Lenox wisely didn’t comment on the mention of “lower station” and only nodded.
“Politeness is a large part of our society. We were worried when you were unveiled that you would be barbaric in nature,” Lenox said.
Copernicus didn’t wince at the wording and the king wondered what other terrible things had been said to her to make her stoic about any slights.
“My father taught me well in my tower,” she said somewhat flatly but with a lovely smile so the words held less bite, “though I didn’t learn everything in my two years, I learned much. I’m to be Queen, after all. I need to know enough to throw my siblings out of the running.”
“You’d think your brute strength could do that,” Lenox said without thought. Copernicus’ face grew even more pleasant.
“Yes, but I’d rather win it the right way. After all, I want my people to like me. If I killed everyone I wouldn’t have a country left to rule, would I?” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Lenox shivered involuntarily.
“Of course, Regent Copernicus,” he murmured.
“Very good,” she said, inclining her head, “Now let’s go. My father is no doubt waiting to give his announcement.”
Cambria beamed at her father as she walked past him to take Copernicus’ arm. Lenox watched his children circle around her and even Kobre seemed brighter for being near her. He shook off his fear and followed, unsure what he would tell his wife about the princess.
SURE enough, Lucas was standing with Canterberia and his spouses when Copernicus led Lenox and his children into the room.
“Where have you been my dear? I have such wonderful news for you,” he called as soon as he saw her enter.
“I had to find her children,” she answered readily, “After all, I thought if you’re making an announcement, the others should be here as well.”
“How delightful you are,” Lucas said with a smile at his daughter, “This is an occasion for family, no doubt. We are here to announce the sanctioned creation of yet another dragon child. Not only is this a shining moment for our worlds as a whole, but it will be the first creation of a child since the birth of my own. So of course I will be sending my daughter in my stead to observe and rejoice in this wonderful tradition.”
His voice boomed over the group and everyone forced a smile. Canterberia grinned widely, having gotten exactly what she wanted. Lokson hugged Copernicus to his side, happy that she would be seeing his home for the first time. Copernicus waited until the muted congratulations were done before stepping forward.
“Daddy,” she began after bowing to Lenox and Canterberia once more, “I would like to bring one of my siblings along on this venture. If that is alright with you. This will be the first time I am not in my home and bringing one with me will help me oh so much.”
She would choose between Calliope and Carlisle, they all knew and the parents of the other children watched in silent fury knowing that their husband would give their daughter anything. Copernicus blinked dark eyes up at her father and sure enough, he conceded.
“Of course, my blood love. Say a name and they will also travel with you. I couldn’t deny you the comforts of home any more than I could deny them myself,” he said dotingly. She smiled up at him, bright and young.
“Thank you, daddy. I think I want Carlisle to come with me. He will enjoy the experience so much,” Copernicus said.
She had two reasons for picking her half brother over her sister. She’d noticed how Carlisle looked at Lokson and how Lokson looked at her. She wanted her brother to have what he wanted for he was her friend and he deserved happiness. Bringing him along would give him time to be with his crush outside of their father’s view. The other reason was more prudent. Carlisle was smart. Clever and quick, he had a head for leadership and she knew that his second pair of eyes would help her later on in ruling. He would notice things she didn’t and he would retain that information for many years to come. As her father’s other spouses sighed, she only smiled, hiding her plan behind beauty.
“No doubt he will. After all, he will be with you. And with your wonderful friends,” Luc said with a gracious smile to the Dragonguard Queen and King.
“When do we leave?” Cambria asked her mother.
“Your father and I will go ahead today and in two days you and your companions will be packed and sent across to us. Do you remember your lessons? What lands lie between here and there?” Canterberia asked her daughter.
Cambria scrunched up her nose but Copernicus answered readily.
“There’s the lesser lands of Bell where they breed hellhounds and sometimes mate with them. Then connected to that is Diction where the half breeds live. Finally, we’ll pass briefly through the lesser demon nations that fall under Hellion and Dragonguard purview and go by the name Casturnation for us and Insidia for you. Those are demons of a lower level who aren’t as feared by humans,” the princess said helpfully.
Cambria smiled but Canterberia frowned.
“Lovely!” Luc cried with a clap of his hands, “Now children go forth and get ready. I’ll be throwing a party in honor of the new dragonling and I need you dressed and shining. My dear, you will debute your dancing skills tonight with one partner. You can choose anyone. Make it count.”
Copernicus smiled at her father and knew he didn’t notice when it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Of course, Daddy. We’ll be ready. Bria is so good at helping me find dresses,” she said so the dragon princess preened and Canterberia seemed nullified.
He waved his hand in dismissal and rubbed the top of her head as she bowed to him and turned to leave. The dragon children were at her back and when the doors swung shut, Cambria shrieked.
“You get to come home with us! This is going to be so much fun. I don’t even care what plan mother is hatching. We get to show you our home,” she clutched Copernicus’ arm and the demon princess smiled.
“Yes, it should be interesting. No doubt our mother doesn’t mean this as just having another child. Surely we all know the royal decree by now,” Kobre said musingly.
“Decree?” Copernicus asked.
“Oh that’s right. Carlisle knew but he’s not good at telling people things. Your father decreed that all royal children should be at the palace under his care until your coming of age and possibly even after. Our mother creating a new child now just means that there will be a young dragon here with the rest of us. She must have some sort of plan surrounding this child because she’ll never see it unless she moves into the palace as well. And assuming that your father let her which is iffy at best, she still runs our country and it would be impossible to stay,” Kobre said.
He shrugged when his siblings and Copernicus blinked at him.
“Would you go home to stay if you could?” Copernicus asked, sounding small.
She didn’t know what she’d do if they said yes. She’d grown to crave their company. She’d become used to hallways of voices and Lokson laughing next to her while Cambria braided her hair. She was accustomed to Sobel and Lex running through the gardens with her and Carlisle and Calliope always making sure her hand stayed in theirs.
Lokson took her hand and Cambria clutched her arm tighter.
“No, Copi. No. We wouldn’t go home. I wouldn’t,” Lokson said earnestly.
“I kind of adore you,” Cambria said almost grudgingly.
Lokson turned Copernicus’ face gently towards him. “And I…..well let’s just say I wouldn’t leave you even if the royal decree tried to force me to,” he said softly.
Copernicus’ smile was filled to the brim with relief and she leaned in to press warm lips to Lokson’s cheek. He flushed and turned away so his older brother snickered.
“I would go home, Regent Copernicus. But it’s more because I hope to become an advisor in my own court and not a reflection of you,” Kobre said diplomatically.
Copernicus smiled at him. “It’s alright Kobre. Let’s not pretend we have much of a connection like I do with your siblings. If I could, I would let you go home so you could learn and help me as a liaison between our courts in the years to come,” she said.
Kobre’s lips turned up in a slight smirk and he inclined his head. “Thank you, Regent Copernicus.”
“You can just call me by my name, you know,” she said on a light laugh. She started to pull his siblings away and the oldest dragon watched them go with his own bittersweet grin. Maybe he didn’t love her, but he could see her as Queen and Satan and that was enough.
“SO we have to decide what to wear but first I need to warn Sobel and Lex. Last time they were a bit late and father was furious,” Copernicus said to Cambria as Lokson broke off the small group to go find Carlisle.
Cambria nodded and let Copernicus pull her down the hall towards Lex’s room.
Lex had found himself growing to feel at home in the Hellion palace. It wasn’t what he’d expected. When they’d left his desert home and said goodbye to the charm and kindness of their people he’d been lost but his sister and Copernicus had kept him steady. Now he could find friends in some of the others. Lokson’s smile was always bright for him and even Carlisle with his somewhat icy exterior was kind once his walls came down. He was happy to beside them all and so he wasn’t upset by Copernicus and Cambria bursting into his room.
“There’s a ball tonight,” Copernicus said without preamble, “So you have to be ready on time or father might actually kill you. And then I’d have to marry your sister. Isn’t that sad?”
The princess giggled and Cambria joined her.
“Call Sobel,” Cambria said, “She can help us dress and we can help her!”
Lex smiled at the girls and agreed. He called his sister and soon was watching the girls stumble down the hall, heads pressed close together as they laughed and talked over one another.
It almost didn’t matter to him if he or his sister married Copernicus. They would be alright no matter what and he wasn’t worried about the future. He closed the door as they turned a corner.
LOKSON found Carlisle in his room and he simply walked in, flopping on the large bed next to his friend.
“She kissed me. On the cheek. But it was still a kiss. I can still feel it. Holy hell, Carlisle, mother always said we’d marry for obligation and not to get our hopes up but my stone aches when she looks at me. Am I just that lucky? But what if she chooses Bria? She loves Bria too and Bria so deserves it….” Lokson trailed off with a groan and covered his face with his arm though Carlisle could still see the maroon flush crawling down his neck.
“Why worry about this now? We have so many more years before the courting rules even apply. She could choose you now and Bria later. Or she could choose the other way. Who knows. Maybe she’ll choose you both. Just don’t worry about it now,” Carlisle said soothingly though his own stone was aching. He knew Lokson loved Copernicus with the kind of single mindedness Carlisle attributed to dragons. The theory was that dragons hoarded things and that was true but the higher nobility, the less actually hoarding they did and the more obsessing. They loved things with a single focus and would go crazy trying to get it. Carlisle had hoped all that attention would be showered on him but he couldn’t find the jealousy anymore. After all, here Lokson was, confiding in him and he was sure he wasn’t going to be left behind.
With that, Lokson threw his arm over Carlisle’s waist and pulled him in close. The maroon dragon snuggled close into Carlisle’s side until he gave up and slid down into the bed to join his friend. If he’d had a heart it would have been pounding.
“Thank Satan that Copi picked you to come with us for the birth of our sibling,” Lokson muttered.
“What?” Carlisle asked, startled. He put down the book he was holding and turned to look at his friend.
“My mother and father came to announce the creation of another sibling. Your sister is coming and she asked if she could bring one of her siblings. When your father said yes, she chose you. You’re coming with us. Thank hell. I don’t know what I’d do without you there. Kinda come to rely on you, you know?” Lokson said, nudging Carlisle’s side and causing the other demon to flush slightly.
“She chose me?” he echoed, thinking about her motivation. He knew that she knew about his feelings for Lokson. He also knew that she wasn’t against Carlisle being with Lokson too. But he also knew that it was probably more than that. Not only was he his sister’s friend but he saw things she didn’t. She must have chosen him under that pretense while also wanting his help. He grinned.
“It sounds like fun,” he told Lokson who studied his face and said,
“You know, you two have your own language and she doesn’t even have to be in the room for it to work. I don’t know what you’re planning but I hope I get to be in on it. Now. Let me nap. We have a ball tonight and I want to be fresh for it.”
Carlisle let Lokson snuggle in and fall asleep. His blood stone was pounding but as it was he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, determined to enjoy the moment.
CAMBRIA, Sobel and Copernicus spent their afternoon very differently. After determining which colors they would all wear they went to work sorting through their closest. Cambria was a bit slimmer than Sobel so her dresses hugged every curve of the succubus making each gown seem even more scandalous.
“Why don’t I just wear the gown I have?” Sobel asked as Copernicus handed her a deep purple gown with diamonds embroidered down the sides.
“No way. You always wear the same styles. Try something else out,” Copernicus shook her head and Cambria added,
“This way Copi can wear one of yours and I’ll wear one of hers. It’ll be fun.”
Sobel took the gown and sighed before looking over the pile on the bed.
“Fine. But I want the red one,” she said, pointing to a blood red gown with multiple straps and no back.
The two other girls cheered and handed it over, taking the rest of the afternoon to get ready for the night.
CALLIOPE heard the squeals and giggles coming from Copernicus’ tower as she passed. She knew there was a ball and she knew that she hadn’t been invited to dress with them. It didn’t bother her as much as it could. She loved her sister but she also didn’t want to be in the running for spouse. She wanted to be free to be who she was. She didn’t need their girl time like Copernicus craved and so she walked on alone, a small smile on her lips. She would dress herself and dance with her sister when the time came.
THE ball started late into the evening as they usually did. Copernicus and her friends were busy getting ready up until the moment they needed to walk out the door. Copernicus flung open the double doors of her large room and was surprised to see Lex, Lokson, and Carlisle waiting outside.
“We thought you might need escorts,” Lokson said with a smirk.
Copernicus took his arm with a smile and nodded.
“Who do we go with, then?” Cambria asked.
Sobel chuckled. “I’ll go with Carlisle since walking in with my brother is just embarrassing,” she said.
Cambria took Lex’s arm and beamed. “Then I’ll be walking in with the best looking guy here. Good for me.”
“I don’t know. I think you’re all gorgeous in your own way,” Copernicus said, nudging Lokson with her shoulder so his skin darkened to a deep red.
“I’m obviously the best,” Carlisle said with his nose in the air. Copernicus and Lokson laughed but the other three seemed confused. Carlisle said things with such an air of seriousness that sometimes others would get confused if he meant the words as a joke or not.
“Obviously, brother dear, but sadly I prefer the arm I’m on for the moment,” Copernicus said smartly before strutting down the hall with Lokson in tow.
“Well all know who her first is going to be, don’t we?” Sobel asked with a wicked smile. She didn’t mind. Being the first to a Satan was a powerful place to be but with the change of laws it also meant that not only were an advisor to the ruler of all the Lower World, you had to run your own country beside her. Sobel knew that if she was chosen as a second or even a third or fourth, she would be chosen for love and be able to freely rule her own people without worrying about the stress of two nations. Lokson was a good fit for a first and those who knew they were in the running had silently agreed to let him have it while the rest would fight it out for their spots.
“They look nice together. And he adores her. He doesn’t know how to handle it. We were told what it would feel like but….well it’s tough,” Cambria said. Her own cheeks flushed a blue and Lex squeezed her hand as they followed Copernicus and Lokson from a safe distance as not to be heard.
“You love her too,” he said softly.
“I….I don’t know what to call it. But I crave her around me. Mother told us our mates feel like compulsion. It’s love. Just built up so we want to keep them safe. Be with them and only them. It’s a fallacy that we can’t love others too. Just that the first true mate is the one we’ll stick with forever. The rest are lovely but our ties can never be as strong. She won’t pick me though. It will only be my brother. She doesn’t need a second tie to Dragonguard,” Cambria said, trying not to sound mournful.
“She doesn’t do things like her father does,” Sobel denied, “So who knows? She doesn’t have to marry for economy or good breeding. She is the breeding. She can marry for whatever she likes. We’re the ones who need the ties to her. She could choose you too. If she’d like. She loves you. Just differently from how she loves him. And the kind of devotion you show as well as your brother….well it makes for a strong spouse.”
Cambria inclined her head but said nothing. She didn’t know how to word her fears without sounding childish. She didn’t think Copernicus would ever choose her and so she let herself keep that pain for if she relied on hope it would hurt her in the end. She’d always known that. Since her mother had scorned her ice born daughter and bathed her in flames to condition her she’d known that hope for something better was a miserable past time. Sobel and Lex had led different lives. Inubis was a bright and lovely place with kind people. Dragonguard was segregated and cruel. Copernicus understood even if she never said. She’d been created to be used by her father. She may love him but the relationship was complicated and unsteady. She loved but wasn’t sure what it meant for her and she feared hope nearly as much as Cambria.
Cambria felt it was a cruel tease of fate to give her Copernicus and then have her kind and gentle brother be the one who blinded the future queen. But she could handle it. She could try on dresses with Copernicus and laugh with her and play with her without giving in to the need to run her cool tongue along Copernicus’ neck to taste her heat. Cambria had never liked fire but she was drawn to what burned inside of Copernicus and if the princess asked she would gladly burn for her.
Lex hugged her closer and said quietly, “She loves you too. Don’t doubt that.”
She said nothing but let him lead her to the doors of the ballroom where Copernicus waited with Lokson.
“Bria, is my hair okay? Your brother touched it,” Copernicus complained as they got closer.
“It looks lovely,” Cambria told her and Copernicus beamed.
“Alright. Your sister is so sweet. She did my hair for me. I’m terrible at it,” Copernicus told Lokson. Abruptly she let go of his arm and stepped toward Cambria. She hugged the dragon and nuzzled against the skin of her neck as she said,
“You’re the best, Bria. Thank you. I wouldn’t feel ready for these things without you.”
Cambria didn’t know what to say so she only nodded and hugged her back, filing away the memory as precious and then smiling brightly.
“Let’s go in. I want to dance!” she announced and if Lex looked at her with knowing eyes she didn’t see it, pulling him into the room to dance away her fears.
THE ball had been a wild night and Copernicus stumbled, giggling, from the large room with Cambria and Lokson in tow. Sobel and Lex had stolen her for some of the night and she’d sat to eat with Calliope and Carlisle and her other more insidious siblings. It was the dragon siblings’ turn to be with her and though they both wanted it to be alone time they could sacrifice for one another.
“Do you ever wonder what it will feel like to be older?” Copernicus asked somewhat breathlessly from running.
“Sometimes,” Lokson said, “But not in a way that humans do, I don’t think.”
“I try not to,” Cambria said honestly.
“It’s odd, isn’t it? How they’re born with a need to actually grow. And in such a short time. I don’t feel like I’m any age. I know I’m younger than my father and than you but it doesn’t feel much different. Daddy told me once we learn differently. That since we’re built by our parents we come with some kind of knowledge and base. Humans don’t. They’re just….cells,” Copernicus said.
“I like that though. Imagine a few years blissfully not knowing what you’re meant to be. We know from the day we’re created. Expectations are given to us right away,” Cambria said.
Lokson pushed against her shoulder but Copernicus studied her steadily as they sat on a bench in her favorite garden.
“Your mother isn’t kind,” she said bluntly.
Cambria looked away. “She isn’t unkind,” she hedged.
“No. But she isn’t kind to you. She doesn’t like things outside of what she knows. Did I ever tell you what my father did when I told him I was excited to meet new people?” Copernicus asked.
Both dragons watched her as they shook their heads.
Copernicus smiled but it was pained and warped. “He killed two of my ravens. Ripped them from the air and tore their wings from their bodies. The others screamed to attack him but I ordered them not to. It would have meant death for them all. After that he told me that other people would always be disappointing. That he and I alone were meant to rule and that I didn’t need all of you. It was just weakness that I would need to burn out of me. And so I steeled myself and came to meet you and I liked you all. I’d been alone without knowing it. I know he sees it and I know he uses me. I know that. But he’s my father. My obligation. And I do love him. I get what you mean about not knowing things. Even when I was created I knew of my obligation to the crown. Sometimes I wish I didn’t. It would make it easier to be who I wish to be.”
“Do you think we’ll ever be unshackled?” Lokson asked. He leaned his head back to look at the inky sky where there were no stars.
“I think we can make ourselves. You guys always tell me I’m stronger than anyone. Maybe someday I’ll fix it. Make it so we’re all free,” Copernicus said.
“But that’s a long way away,” Cambria complained.
“It is,” Copernicus agreed, “But until then we’ll be here together, right? I know I’m not going anywhere.”
When she took both dragon’s hands they both felt a rush in their bodies from the touch. The words burned into them in their ease and confidence. Neither one of them could ever think of leaving her side and they knew the other felt the same. Their eyes met over her head as they voiced their agreement to this pact. With that they all stepped into the ball. A night of sparkling lights and joy, they couldn’t help but smile at one another. They would have each other until the end came and that was that.
When they stumbled from the ball in the middle of the night Copernicus had her arm around Cambria’s waist and Lokson’s arm over her shoulder. She peered up at the sky.
“Can we stay out here for a bit? I know we don’t have stars like the Upper World but I like to think we could still fly away if we tried,” Copernicus said, her voice sounding soft and sleepy.
“As long as you want,” Lokson said almost reverently.
“We’ll be right here,” Cambria said, her eyes catching her brother’s over Copernicus’ head. He smiled at her and she mirrored it. They weren’t in competition. Not in this moment. And so they both settled in with the girl they loved and waited for the first sun to rise.
FOR someone who had never left the home they’d been born in packing to travel was a daunting and exciting endeavour. Copernicus watched her guards and maids pack gowns and pants and makeup that Cambria had given her into a trunk. She bounced on her toes and her form slipped and changed.
“You’re excited for someone about to head into the most dull country ever,” Calliope drawled from the end of Copernicus’ bed.
“But it’s somewhere that isn’t here,” Copernicus said, her face changing shape to that a bird before coming back to her human shape.
“A boring place that isn’t here,” Calliope said.
“You’re just jealous because I picked Carlisle over you. But I told you. I had to. For a couple reasons,” Copernicus said.
“I don’t want to go to Dragonguard,” Calliope denied, “I just don't why you’re so excited to.”
Copernicus took in her sister’s pout. “I know this means your friends are leaving but it’s only for a little bit. We’ll be home soon. And there will be a dragon baby!”
“I’m not a friend to the dragons,” Calliope said sourly.
Copernicus scowled. “Well that’s just fine, then. I’ll be back soon. I’m sure by then I’ll be excited to see you.”
“Whatever. I’ll be here. Have fun on your trip,” Calliope snapped.
Copernicus snorted and the door slammed of its own accord behind Calliope as she stalked out the door. She muttered to herself in Satanic as her maids continued to fold clothes. Her windows shook and her birds cried out as she huffed out a deep breath so ash flew from her nose.
“Regent Copernicus?” one of the horned maids asked curiously.
“I’m alright,” she dismissed. She paused for a moment and then decided she needed to see Carlisle. “I’ll be back,” she announced. They didn’t acknowledge her exit.
She stalked through the halls and the doors shook as she went by. Sometimes her power reached out of her and she didn’t know how to stop it. When a vase made of Hellion Black Gold melted, she paused and took another deep breath. A wave of heat blew off of her but when it passed down the hall she felt calmer. Satisfied, she kept walking.
Carlisle was packing himself when Copernicus walked right through his door. It wasn’t opened and had been locked but it swung open without her touching it. He blinked at her from folding his shirt.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“I’m just so….ugh. Calliope. I was so excited and she just ruined it. On the other hand, I got to practice my Satanic,” she said sarcastically.
“She doesn’t know Satanic,” Carlisle said.
“Yes. I know. You aren’t even supposed to know Satantic. I’m breaking one of Daddy’s biggest rules by teaching you. So many generations of Satans and blah blah. You know,” Copernicus said with a vague wave of her hand. Carlisle’s mirror cracked and she made a face.
“Sorry. Been a bit more….out of control today,” she said.
“You don’t need to finish teaching me if it makes you uncomfortable,” he said, honing in on the subject at hand.
“It’s not that. I like teaching you. It’s just all these rules. I like my lessons but there’s so much. Things I can teach you. Things I shouldn’t. Why is being a ruler so….lonely? And why did Calliope have to make this one thing I wanted to do for you and for me, bad?” she complained. She fell into the chair by his desk and toyed with the ink he had laying out.
“Focusing on that last part and not the rather large piece at the start….she’s jealous. You named me without any hesitation I was told. She knows she won’t be in the running for spouse but she wants to be your friend. She was your first friend, really. And you chose me. She thinks you’re choosing me from now on. I know you aren’t and you know it and even if you tell her and she knows it, it still hurts,” Carlisle said.
“Why?” Copernicus asked.
Sometimes Carlisle could see how young Copernicus was. He’d forget in all the lessons and manipulations. She played it up but he could see who she was at the core and it was when she asked questions like this, so open and clear that he could see it. He could see who she could be. Who she might be. Who she was and why that scared their father so much. He smiled. Carlisle didn’t smile much but when he did it took over his features and lit him up. His pointed teeth didn’t seem as scary and his cheeks scrunched up.
“Because she loves you. Not like Lokson or Cambria or even I love you. All love is different. You’re her sister and she wants to be with you for no other agenda. It hurt her feelings to know you didn’t fight to bring both of us. That’s all. She’ll cool down and you’ll miss her and when we come back it will all be okay,” he soothed.
She pouted.
“I want it to be okay now,” she whined.
He laughed and held out his arms to her. When she snuggled into him he said into her hair, “I know you do. But that’s not how it works all the time. That’s something father will never teach you. You can’t bend people’s emotions. Not really. Sometimes you just have to wait it out.”
She bit his shoulder so he yelped but didn’t let go.
“That’s dumb,” she said petulantly.
He rubbed her head. “I know.”
She didn’t move from her spot and spoke in muffled tones into his shirt.
“You said you loved me. But it isn’t like that, is it?”
He pushed her back a bit and looked down into her dark eyes. If he concentrated on them he could see the way they rolled. Made of demon tar and lava she was created to have no equal. And he did love her. But she was right. Not like Lokson or Cambria did. Not like Sobel and Lex were beginning to. She was enticing and he could see the potential but she was something to protect and his love stemmed from something deeper in him.
“No, it isn’t,” he said honestly.
“That’s alright,” she sighed, pressing her nose back into his shirt, “As long as this is okay. I don’t think I love you that way either. I’m not sure. I don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like. Is it okay not to feel it yet? Just to be happy with this?”
He pulled her back so they fell onto his bed and she giggled as she fell onto his chest. Young demons relished in touch. Once they hit 50 it became a game of courting but before that in their newly formed bodies with a world to explore and no sense of true age they freely enjoyed the feeling of their skin pressed to another’s, even if it was just curled close together.
“I’m happy with this,” he said, tickling her sides gently, “And it’s alright to not know. It’s always alright to not know. Pretending with people….that’s when it’s wrong. Don’t pretend to love someone. Don’t do what father did to my father.”
She paused. She knew what her father had done to get his spouses. How he’d wooed and won them only to turn back to himself once they were locked into his home. They never left and though it was an honor, it pained them. She knew how much they hated him and her by extension. She didn’t think she could ever do that. Not to anyone. She shook her head so her hair brushed his face.
“No,” she denied, “No. I won’t. But what if I never feel that way?”
“You will. You do, I think. You and Lokson….we all know you’ll choose him,” Carlisle said softly.
“But….you….” she trailed off, unsure how to voice what she knew.
“You’re the next Queen. And he wants you. We both know that. It’s okay, Copi. Thank you for giving me this chance though. I know you did this for me as well as for yourself,” he said.
She poked into his ribs, counting the hard bones there. Her bones shifted when she wished, made by her father’s hands and crafted with the power of the Satanic bloodline. Carlisle’s were still. They could regrow as could all parts of a demon but he would never change shape. He pulled his wings into his back most of the time to keep from bumping things but he was solid. Lokson was lithe where Carlisle was strong. She might love the dragon but she wouldn’t lose either of them, she decided.
“I did it for us. You’re both mine,” she grinned up at Carlisle. He tweaked her nose.
“Shut up and go finish packing. I have my own to finish. If you make me late I’m telling father,” he laughed.
She stuck her tongue out so a small flame rolled out. Pushing off his chest she said,
“Fine. But you know I’m right.”
She strutted from the room and he shook his head at her back. He continued folding only to have Lokson swoop into the room a moment later.
“I didn’t want to interrupt but I thought I’d stop by and say hi. See how your packing is going. And also why you’re doing it by yourself,” Lokson said, looking dubiously at Carlisle’s trunk.
“I like to do some things on my own. Practice for when I’m no longer considered royalty,” Carlisle said with only a slight bitter edge.
“I hope you don’t mind me acknowledging that I heard most of that conversation,” Lokson began, “but from what I know of your wonderful sister she isn’t going to let you get lost. Even if she doesn’t choose you. Which, for the record, I think she will. Just like she’ll choose me.”
Carlisle flushed and looked at the shirt he was folding. His tail swished behind him in agitation. Lokson put his hand on Carlisle’s shoulder and said softly,
“I care about you too. It’s okay. I can’t help the connection I feel with her. But you matter too. We can love more than one person. You just have to give me time to feel it fully. Okay?”
“And if you don’t?” Carlisle asked.
“Then we’ll be friends. It’ll be okay. No need to worry. We have all the time in the world,” Lokson said.
There was a moment of quiet and then Lokson said, “You’re my best friend.”
He left before Carlisle could respond and the demon shook his head, dizzied by the events of the hour and excited to travel with his best friend and his sister.
THEY weren’t taking a portal. They were riding in carts. This was mostly for Copernicus’ benefit since she’d never left the castle grounds. She was excited to see the countries around them and she bounced so much she nearly lifted off the ground. Carlisle kept his hand on her shoulder to keep her grounded and chuckled when she shifted her back and wings sprouted out.
“You can’t fly to Dragonguard,” he said on a laugh.
“Why not?” she asked, her grin wide.
“You’d miss the scenery with us. And you’d get tired,” he replied.
The rest of the royal family was watching as they waited for the carts to come and take them. She lifted her arms to the sky.
“Well then I suppose you’re right but someday I’ll fly, right? Someday I’ll be able to fly through the sky and not get tired and see everything that is mine from the best vantage point,” she said, her eyes wide and dark.
He stared into them and nodded as Cambria and Lokson made their way up to the siblings.
“Someday,” she murmured and turned to smile at her dragon friends.
“Kobre is insufferable,” Cambria complained, “He wants his own carriage because we’re too noisy for him. Snob.”
“I think it’s practical. And this way we can all hang out without him,” Lokson said with a shrug.
“Let him have his own space. We’ll have fun without him, right?” Copernicus asked Carlisle who nodded his reassurance.
“Of course we will. We always do,” Cambria said with a huff, “But that isn’t the point. He’s too good to be with us. Mother won’t be happy when she find that out.”
“Who cares? We’re the ones who will inherit,” Lokson snorted.
“Yeah? Tell that to Copi, right?” Cambria snapped back and Copernicus looked at her feet before saying,
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you don’t,” Cambria said sarcastically, “Don’t forget. I know you pretty well. And there’s no way you’re that guileless all the time.”
“I do what I have to do,” Copernicus said strongly.
“And that’s the point,” Cambria said with a grin.
With the fanfare done and Luc ready to escort his daughter to her lavish cart, the children’s faces went from friendly to royal. The smiles stiffened and became glued to their faces. Copernicus turned to her father and waved to the people watching.
“Are you ready for your trip, my dear?” he asked. His voice had been enchanted to pass over the crowd and his people fell silent when he spoke.
“Yes, Father. I am eager to see Dragonguard and the creation of a new child,” she answered.
He chuckled and patted her head. She smiled wider as he boomed,
“It is a right of passage to see a creation and I am proud to send my beautiful heir to Dragonguard for this momentous occasion.”
The people had never seen the princess. She’d only been announced to the other rulers and had never officially been named heir. The people gasped at the announcement. Luc smiled to himself. He had managed to get away with a criminal offense and he was smug. Carlisle knew his sister was strong when she didn’t flinch from the sound and instead turned to smile at her people. She waved and cleared her throat to say,
“My father is very generous in naming me heir. I know that some of my siblings would hold this position just as well if not better than me and I just wish the people to know that as I grow I will get to know you. I will work to learn my place and my country and I will not show fear. This trip is just one step in the ladder to the throne and I am excited to take each step with all of you.”
It was the right thing to say. Diplomatic and sweet, the people looked down at the pure Satanic child who smiled beautifully up at them and looked down with humility. They’d never seen a Satan with humility or who admitted others could do the job just as well as they could. They cheered, horned heads and tails and hands waving in the air. Some of the people rose on leathered wings to look down at the princess as her father helped her up into the cart. They would love her, they decided, and their nation would grow even stronger. As the cart pulled away, they cheered harder and Luc turned to face the love of his people which he hadn’t felt for many years.
From the ground in the castle, Arista looked down, her lip curling as she pulled her son closer to her.
“You will get that throne, my love,” she said, “Even if it ends in blood.”
“Yes, mother,” Caspian said dutifully.
“It is your birthright. Not that little monster’s. You will try to be by her side and if that fails….we’ll do what we must. Yes?” Arista said as if he hadn’t spoken.
“Of course, mother,” he said as she gazed down at him, “Anything you wish.”
Comments
Post a Comment