by Renee Carr
They didn’t visit the training academy as often as they should have. The past captain of the guards, under his father, had often visited and took recruits out of there twice a year. Joshua was lucky if he visited once a year, and he certainly didn’t pull dragons out of there that often.
They had pulled out all the stops for their visit, that much was clear. They had managed an actual red carpet, and every single one of the recruits was lined up on either side of the hangar in full dress uniform.
“I’d rather they be doing battle demonstrations in the hangar itself,” Leah whispered to Joshua as they waited for the landing platform to lower.
“Wouldn’t that be exciting?” he said. “Battle to the death for a spot in my army.”
“Or just don’t get hit by the landing platform,” she said with a grin, as one recruit jumped out of the way. She took a step back, in order to fall behind her prince. In public, she always walked behind Joshua, as opposed to in private, when she and he walked neck and neck.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” came an announcement through the hangar. “Prince Joshua, Captain of the Guards, and the Deputy Captain, Leah VonDrake.”
In one simultaneous motion, the entire hangar bowed to their knees. Joshua was quite impressed with how uniform they were, even if he didn’t react. He had learned over the years to hone his skills in terms of controlling his facial expressions.
He came down the platform and shook a few hands, smiling as if he were there to take them all. Leah knew, however, that he was scrutinizing every eyebrow twitch, every muscle, every posture.
They were halfway down the line when Joshua suddenly stopped. Leah almost ran right into him from behind. He didn’t normally make such sudden movements, and she peeked around him to see what had caused it.
It was obvious as soon as she saw who was standing in front of Joshua. In full dress uniform, with her hair back and her eyes forward, was his dance partner, the ambassador's daughter.
“Well, “ Joshua said with a smile, as he looked her up and down. “Fancy meeting you here, Christine.”
“Sir,” Christine said, keeping her eyes forward. “Hello.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Joshua asked. “When we met?”
“Didn’t want to give myself an advantage, sir,” she said and then her eyes flickered to his face. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“It’s nice to see you too,” Joshua said and continued down the line.
Leah walked by Christine, looking her in the eye. The two girls were not quite the same height, as Leah stood about 2 inches shorter than Christine. Leah was not used to a woman being taller than her, and it made her wonder what else Christine was capable of.
She had her answer out on the battlefield. There were demos planned, and Joshua sat up a little bit straighter in his chair when Christine marched onto the field.
“Careful,” Leah said with a grin. “You’ll get accused of playing favorites.”
“If anything, she can win best dancing partner,” Joshua said with a smile, as Christine took her position. “And possibly the prettiest...”
He stopped talking when Christine began to move through the demonstration. It was clear that she was a class above the rest. She was strong and her muscles bulged as she flowed through the moves, swooping down and then back again, in weapons and hand-to-hand combat. When it came time to transform, she revealed herself as a silver-scaled dragon, unlike her human coloring. And to Joshua’s surprise, she blasted fire and then ice.
“Holy moly,” he said, his jaw dropping. “I didn’t think there were any dragons left who could blast ice.”
“I wonder if she learned it,” Leah mused. “Or whether that skill was inherited.”
“Either way,” Joshua said, “we don’t have anyone who can blow ice. That could be something incredibly useful and unique.”
“Why don’t you see the rest of them?” Leah teased. “And pick your jaw up off the ground as well.”
“Right,” Joshua said and settled back.
The rest of them were good, as it turned out. There was a good batch of candidates this year, and in another year, he might consider taking more than one. This year, however, there was only Christine.
“Do you agree with me” he asked Leah.
“I do,” she said. “And not because she's pretty.”
“Pfft, that won’t make a difference on the battlefield,” Joshua said. “Just to me.”
“Joshua, you’re a dog,” Leah said with a grin. “I do agree with you, though. She’s basically perfect. She puts me to shame.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Joshua countered, a mischievous glint in his eye. “After all, she’s younger than you.”
“Hate you,” Leah said, and Joshua laughed as they approached Christine. She was talking to one of her friends and spun around when they whispered that the prince was behind her.
“Hello, my lord,” she said to him, bowing. “I hope you enjoyed yourself today.”
“I did enjoy myself,” he said. “And Leah and I are in agreement that you should come with us.”
All of Christine’s friends gasped, staring at her. Christine herself seemed in shock.
“Me?” she said.
“Yes, you,” Joshua said. “Where did you learn to breathe ice? Was it a genetic...”
“I just learned,” she said with a shrug. “It wasn’t hard.”
“It wasn’t hard?” Leah’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “So many dragons go their whole lives without learning that. In fact, Joshua and I didn’t think there were any dragons left who could do it.”
“I could teach the rest of you?” Christine offered. “Maybe? If you like?”
“I would like that very much,” Joshua said. “On my unit, on patrol, whenever you like.”
“You really want me to come with you?” she asked.
“I’ll send the official paperwork in right now,” he said. “Pack your bags. I doubt that your father would disapprove. He works near the palace, it will make him happy.”
“It’ll make me happy as well,” Christine said, meeting Joshua’s eyes. The two of them stood there for so long that Leah cleared her throat.
“Captain Leah,” Christine turned to her. “How are you feeling, since the banquet? We were all quite worried.”
“I'm fully recovered,” Leah said. Christine smiled at her.
“What was it?” she asked. “I’m sorry if that’s too personal of a question. If we are going to be working together...”
“Whatever it is, it’s gone,” Leah said. “So, don’t worry.”
“That’s kind of you to ask,” Joshua said to Christine, and the two of them gazed into each other’s eyes again.
“Hello,” Leah said. “Don’t we have paperwork to do?”
“Right,” Joshua answered, and reached out his hand to shake Christine’s. “Welcome to the team.”
As soon as they walked away, Leah laughed at him.
“You’re ridiculous,” she said and Joshua raised his eyebrows.
“Why?” he asked. “I just...”
“You want to sleep with her,” Leah said. “And now half that team knows.”
“I want to do that as well,” Joshua said. “But there’s something... more. I don’t know. It’s interesting. I’d like to explore it.”
“I’m sure you would,” Leah said and then froze, much like the night at the banquet. Joshua’s eyes widened.
“Oh no,” he said. “Not again.”
“No, it’s fine,” Leah said and then coughed.
“It’s not fine,” Joshua circled around to stand in front of her.
“It is,” Leah took a deep breath. “I just don’t feel perfect... Don’t worry. I’m sure it’s just exhaustion. It’s not like they let you get a lot of sleep in the hospital.”
“No, I imagine not,” Joshua said. “Perhaps you should go back to the ship and rest? I can finish up the paperwork.”
“Over my dead body,” Leah replied. �
��I’m going to stay here and make sure you don’t sleep with Christine in the middle of the battlefield.”
“What do you take me for?” Joshua protested. “Besides, wasn’t it you encouraging me to find my fated mate just the other day?”
“I wasn’t necessarily encouraging you to find your fated mate,” Leah answered. “I was, however, encouraging you to get married before you are old and grey.”
“Always in a rush,” Joshua said. “Go back to the ship and rest. I’ll finish off the paperwork and meet you there with Christine.”
It wasn’t an order she was eager to obey, but she had a feeling it was an order nonetheless. Leah sighed and headed back. Joshua noted she was dragging her feet as she did, a surefire sign that something was wrong.
The paperwork to take a new recruit was long and tedious, and even Joshua was not exempt from it. The recruits were all dragons, but they could be technically hired by the other shifter clans. The academy liked to keep a close eye on them, though, and so the paperwork tracked exactly where they were headed. When Joshua finally finished, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Am I the only one you are taking?” Christine asked him, standing beside him with her bag already packed. They were encouraged to travel light, in case they went straight from training into a mission.
“You’re the only one,” Joshua said to her. “Now, if you follow me, your chariot awaits.”
She giggled and headed down the path, taking one last look at the academy. She knew this place would provide her with such happiness one day, but she didn’t realize that it would be like this.
Chapter 5
“I don’t understand,” Nathan said. “You’re singing both parts? The white swan and the black swan? Wasn’t that originally a ballet? Now it’s a musical? I’m confused.”
“It’s a piece about transformation,” Ivy said. “And it was, you are right. Good on you and your Earth knowledge. Everyone has a good side and a bad side, so it’s about that, really.”
“Do you think that’s true?” Nathan asked as his wife lounged on the bed. She had just broken the news to him that she was going to go to Earth, her home planet, for three weeks. He allowed this whenever the palace could spare her, which was often if he really tried. It was part of the condition of their marriage, that she would be able to go whenever she could, and continue her singing career. Ivy did not hold a principal singer role in any single company because of the fact that she was gone so often. However, she freelanced and that made her more famous and sought after than ever before. If anything, her fame had only grown since they were married.
“What, you think some people only have good sides?”
“On the contrary,” he said and she laughed.
“Well, then,” she said. “We’ll have to find out. Most people say that I’m some evil vixen.”
“They might not if you wore your wedding ring on earth,” Nathan pointed out. Ivy snorted, rolling her eyes.
“And break the illusion?” she said.
“I did want to broach a topic with you, though,” he said, knowing it was not going to be easy to get her to agree to his plan. “You know that Earth has been unstable lately.”
“Yes,” she said as she looked at her phone. “The wolves have been in complete rebellion. You know, I used to hike a lot. All the time, I saw wolves, and I never even thought they could transform into handsome hikers. Maybe they were the handsome hikers I saw later on.”
“Maybe they were,” Nathan said. “In any case... you know that Joshua has a new recruit, and she’s looking for opportunities to work in escort duty. I thought we could send her with you.”
“What?” Ivy sat up in shook. “What do you mean? I’m not taking an escort. I never take an escort.”
“Well, Earth has never been so unstable,” Nathan said and Ivy raised an eyebrow.
“So you want to send me with a newbie?”
“First of all,” he said, “you wouldn’t stand for a guard actually telling you what to do. Second of all, you are always surrounded by more people than my entire guard unit. So it shouldn’t actually require any protection. Your rabid fans will protect you.”
“So I’m just a training ground for the annoying newbies,” she grumbled. “That’s a good way to protect the queen.”
“Ivy,” Nathan gave her a look. “For the good of the kingdom.”
“Fine,” Ivy pouted. “For the good of the kingdom.”
“I’ll tell Joshua,” he said and bent down to kiss her. Ivy avoided his kiss with a grin.
“No, no,” she said. “You don’t get love if you are making me mad. I’m going to take a shower and then I’ll head out. Try not to die when I’m away.”
“Who is dying?” Cory stuck his head in their bedroom, surprising both of them.
“Cory!” Nathan cried in annoyance. “How many times have we told you to knock?”
“Come on,” Cory said. “When you two have sex, you are loud. You are clearly not having sex.”
“Oh my Creator,” Ivy buried her head in her hands. “Cory, I can be brazen and you still embarrass me.”
“That’s my job,” Cory grinned. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m going to the Rabu sector for, like, a week.”
“Why?” Nathan asked. “What’s exploding over there?”
“Nothing,” Cory said. “They are opening their new city and seeing that I am the least important prince, I usually get these ribbon-cutting invitations.”
“Maybe you’ll meet your soulmate there,” Ivy teased him. “Come and give me a hug. I’m going to Earth for three weeks.”
“Save me a ticket,” Cory said. “I’ll come and watch your show, even if Nathan won’t.”
Nathan sighed. “In my defense, I have seen Ivy perform half a million times at this point.”
“Yeah, but you’ve never seen me play the black swan and the white swan at the same time and sing brand new operatic pieces,” Ivy pointed out.
“That is true,” Nathan said as Cory gave his sister-in-law a tight squeeze.
“I’ll come,” he promised. “See ya.”
“See, he’s pure angel,” Ivy said as Cory left the room. “Pure white swan.”
“That’s interesting,” Nathan said and Ivy raised her eyebrows.
“What?”
“I didn't know that Cory had persuasion magic,” he said.
Ivy laughed. “He doesn’t. He’s just adorable. Now, shower. Tell Joshua I’ll take whoever he wants, as long as she’s fun.”
“Of course,” Nathan said, having no intention of telling Joshua the second part. When he did relay the first part of the message, Joshua told Christine right away.
“Me?” she said. “You want ME to guard the queen, alone?”
“It’s not that hard of an assignment,” Joshua assured her. “Guarding the queen is easy, especially on Earth.”
“I’m honored,” Christine said, putting her hand to her chest. Joshua smiled.
“Of course,” he said. “You deserve it.”
“We should celebrate,” his new recruit said, her eyes shining. “Do you have time?”
“To celebrate?” he said with a smile. “I always have time to celebrate. What were you thinking?”
“Maybe... just a drink?” she said. “I’ve never been to the Lagoon bar, but everyone talks about it.”
“You’ve never been?” Joshua’s eyes lit up. “Well, as the captain, I think it’s my job to show you. Leah! Hey, Leah!”
He shouted across the field and Leah turned around, coming over.
“I’m not going to shout back at you,” she said. “How can I help?”
“Christine has never been to the Lagoon bar,” Joshua told her. “I’m going to take her. You want to come?”
“I don’t,” Leah confirmed. “I actually didn’t sleep too well last night, and with Operation Jubilee approaching, I’d like to get some rest.”
“Suit yourself,” Joshua said as Leah headed back inside the building. Christine w
atched her go with curiosity.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” she said and Joshua nodded.
“Of course,” he replied.
“Are you and Leah... are you...?”
“Oh no,” Joshua groaned. “Not you too.”
“I’m sorry,” Christine said with a giggle. “It’s just... you’re so close to her.”
“Leah is like my sister,” Joshua said. “My best friend. That’s all. Oh, and I suppose my deputy captain. Anyways, is it alright if it’s just us?”
Christine met his eyes.
“Yes,” she said, and her voice took on a bit of a husky tone. “Yes, I think it’s alright.”
“Excellent,” Joshua said. “Let me just make myself not smell like a barnyard animal and then I’ll meet you out front? I’m done training for the day.”
“I don’t think you smell like a barnyard animal,” Christine said with a grin. “But sure.”
It didn’t occur to Joshua until he was in the shower that Christine could possibly consider this a date.
He realized that wouldn’t be so bad. Of course, as a prince, he had to carefully consider anyone he was courting. He couldn’t just marry anyone, no matter how modern the monarchy was becoming. However, he wasn’t exactly planning to marry Christine, was he?
He chose his outfit as if Leah were dictating to him from the hallway. He remembered that she said that he looked good in blue, and so he chose everything that he could in that color. When he approached Christine, he saw that he made the right choice, given by how her eyes lit up.
“Wow,” she said. “You look wonderful.”
“So do you,” he replied, looking her up and down. She looked perfect, in dark, tight pants and a crop top. He had never seen her in casual clothes, and he had to admit she looked her best right in front of him.
“Is this okay?” she asked. “I heard it’s just casual dress, so...”
“It looks alright,” he assured her.
“Even for an off-duty drink with a prince?” she asked as they started to walk.
“Pretend I’m not the prince today,” he told her, taking in the setting sun.
