Heartscale

by Lola Ford

  She flushed pink and quickly added, “So am I.”

  Karina stepped forth smiling. “Of course, Princess. Breakfast is on its way.”

  Turning a deeper shade of red, Nerie looked at the woman. “Oh please, don’t call me princess. My name is Nerie.”

  “I’m sorry Princess. The king has issued a statement that you are to be addressed as such by all palace staff. I will be obeying his command.”

  “Oh. What else did he say?” Nerie asked, curious as to what the king was saying to explain her presence - or at least, if he had said anything more than his speech the night before.

  While Soren had insisted that she tell him about her life, he hadn’t really spoken to her, other than to ask a few questions. She didn’t know anything about him, or the rest of the royal family. He was the king. Alaena was the queen. Aldis was the prince and Astra was the princess. Not Nerie. It felt wrong to hear someone address her as such.

  “That you are now Crown Princess and that your every wish - within reason - is to be granted. Your mother was also given the title of Heir-Mother. She’s also to be obeyed without question.”

  “Oh, where is she?” Nerie had more than a few questions for her mother.

  “She’s been given her own suite of rooms down the hall. I can summon her if you would like - after your breakfast.”

  “I’d like that very much.”

  “In the meantime, please let me show you to your wardrobe.”

  Karina bowed to Nerie who once again flushed red. She didn’t deserve to be treated like this.

  Yes, you do. I chose you. And if I deserve it, so do you.

  She had forgotten that the little dragoness had access to her thoughts and feelings.

  Of course, I do. You’re mine. I’m yours.

  To get her point across, she pushed thoughts of love and care at Nerie. It was a warm pink and green aura that Nerie could almost see it was so potent. It was so unexpected how fully loved Nerie was that she started crying and hugged the little dragon.

  Yes, yes. I love you. You love me. Now - I’m hungry.

  Kiriga let out a little whine to emphasize her point.

  Karina - once again forgotten - stood there waiting on the new princess. When the dragoness whined, she cleared her throat, bringing Nerie’s attention back to her.

  “Oh! I am so sorry!”

  She raced over to the maid, who had pulled the door open to the large sitting room.

  “No, I’m sorry for interrupting Princess. If you are ready, I’ll show you your wardrobe now.”

  “Of course.” Nerie had a sudden overwhelming feeling that she going to be an awful princess. Maybe the worst in the history of Situra.

  No, you are not, Kiriga told her sternly. Her force of will, even for a newly hatched dragon was amazing to Nerie.

  Karina lead them out to the large sitting room, then through the door to the right. About half the size of the bedroom, but still twice the size of her room at home, the walls were lined with clothing and accessories.

  “Princess, do you favor a color? The king didn’t know, so he directed me to fill it for the time being with an assortment of colors and fabrics.”

  Nerie couldn’t stop looking around. The fabric in any one of the dresses was worth a small fortune. And the jewels - a single one was worth more than their whole shop. Her mouth fell open a little in awe.

  “Um…” She wasn’t sure what to say, she would wear anything in the room without question, “No, I’m not partial to a particular color.”

  I am. Yellow and gold. Just like me! Kiriga’s voice was cheerful, but insistent.

  Karina whirled around and bowed so low to the ground that her head touched it.

  “Oh Dragoness, thank you for blessing me with your speech. If the princess is so pressed, I shall order that color at once,” she said without getting up, addressing Kiriga

  She still did not stand and Nerie realized Karina was waiting for her to answer.

  “Yes. Yellow and gold sound fabulous.”

  Karina straightened and bowed a second time to Kiriga, then to Nerie.

  “Of course, Princess.”

  She pulled a golden gown from among the many choices, and accessories to match. “Princess, we didn’t know your exact size, just an estimation. If you would try this on, I can get it hemmed to your size while you bathe.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine as is,” Nerie said, flustered that her clothing was so important.

  “If you’re sure. I’ll let the queen know that you’ll be ready to receive her after your breakfast and bath.”

  She led Nerie out of the closet and waiting for them on one of the small tables was a large tray of food. It had juice, pastries, fruit, eggs, and sausage - which only took up a small portion of the tray. The rest was filled with a large pile of meat cutlets.

  Oh good! I am starving!

  Nerie giggled as the small dragon chomped down on the first large piece that she was handed.

  Now Kiriga, chew between bites. You don’t want to choke, Eras’s deep voice rang for Nerie to hear.

  The statement caused her to start laughing as she picked up an apple to eat. As Nerie sampled a little of each of the foods on the tray, Karina went off to the large bathroom to draw a bath. Once her task was complete, she informed Nerie.

  “Whenever you are ready, the bathwater has been drawn and is hot.”

  “Thank you, Karina,” Nerie said, still embarrassed at how much effort Karina was putting into taking care of her.

  “Will you need help bathing my lady?”

  The question took Nerie by surprise and she flushed a beet red.

  “Oh no. No! Not at all. I’m quite adept at bathing myself.”

  “Yes of course Princess. I’ll go inform the queen that you’ll be ready to receive her soon.”

  “Why does the queen want to see me?” Nerie asked worriedly.

  She didn’t think the woman liked her, in fact she was sure of it.

  “She’ll be in charge of your political and economic tutelage, as well as in etiquette. The king himself will oversee your training in the care of the dragoness.”

  She had forgotten that the king had said that she was uneducated. It still made her flush in anger, but it was true that she didn’t know the first thing about ruling a kingdom, let alone caring for a growing dragon. All she had experience with was running a small book shop.

  Nerie nodded to Karina who left to do her bidding, and then she headed into the bathroom. At first, she was confused how the large tub had been filled with steaming water, then she saw that there was an entrance for the servants on the far wall. It blended into the tiling and was easily overlooked, but as Nerie investigated, she found that she could lock it from this side.

  The tub was some sort of pale stone and had a plug on the long side at the bottom. Walking around the tub she found that it drained into a grate that must lead to the sewer system. The public bathhouse that she was accustomed to visiting was drained every few hours and was heated from flames underneath the large pool.

  Kiriga had followed her into the bathroom and stuck her large head into the bath. Water splashed over the sides and Nerie could feel Kiriga’s excitement.

  I want to play in the water!

  “I need to bathe first. Once I’m clean, I’ll wash you off!”

  The little dragon looked crestfallen as Nerie undressed and climbed into the tub.

  I could fit in there with you!

  “No, you can’t silly!” Nerie said as she splashed water onto the yellow dragon’s scales.

  Kiriga paced around the tub sniffing things as she went. Bars of soap lined one side and towels hung from racks on the other. As she scrubbed off, Nerie reveled in the idea of being the only one to use a bath. It was delightfully wasteful. Before too long the water started to chill, and her fingers became shriveled prunes.

  Is it my turn yet?

  “It can be. I’m getting chilled.”

  Nerie carefully climbed out of t
he slick tub, pulling one of the plush towels around her. As she was wrapping it around her torso, she heard a splash as Kiriga threw herself into the bath. Water cascaded down the sides of the tub and Nerie worried about the mess but was quickly distracted by the hatchling. Kiriga was standing on her rear legs with her forepaws grasping the edge of the tub. Her little talons dug into the stone like butter, leaving long grooves. She beat her small wings, sending more water raining down.

  “You are getting water everywhere!” Nerie shrieked as she was soaked once again.

  This is sooooo fun!

  The aura from Kiriga’s mind was pink and yellow and bubbly. She loved the water.

  Nerie scrubbed the little dragon clean, and they continued to splash the water around. Her laughter rang through the tiled room.

  Completely engrossed in playing with Kiriga, the sound of someone clearing their throat loudly from the doorway had Nerie slipping to the floor.

  Trying to get to her feet, Nerie grasped her towel tightly around her body. As she managed to get her footing, she saw it was Queen Alaena standing there. Frowning.

  “Your Highness!”

  Nerie tried to bend over into a bow, but the slick floor caused her to lose her balance once again.

  As she tried to stand upright the queen glared down at her.

  “I will be waiting in the sitting room for you. Do not keep me waiting.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Nerie

  Queen Alaena turned and walked out of the bathroom. Nerie pulled herself upright and turned frantically to Kiriga.

  “Come on! You heard her! We need to get ready.”

  Calm down. You are my chosen. You may go at whatever speed you want.

  “No, I can’t! She’s the queen!” Nerie said frantically.

  She tugged at the little dragon, trying to pull her out of the tub. Kiriga was much heavier than she looked - and she wasn’t helping matters. She’d been having fun, she didn’t want it to end.

  “I’ll go without you!”

  You wouldn’t! Kiriga cried indignantly, throwing herself out of the tub in an instant.

  Nerie grabbed two more dry towels - one for herself and one for Kiriga. She wrapped hers around herself, having lost the other into the tub trying to get the hatchling to move.

  With the other she started patting Kiriga dry. At first, she just dabbed at the dragon’s head and torso. Kiriga turned herself to allow access to her right wing and tail. There Nerie hesitated.

  You won’t hurt my wings. They might look thin, but my skin is much thicker than yours.

  Reassured, she continued her ministrations on the dragonling.

  Finally done, she looked around the bathroom. There was a large reflective glass on one wall. Nerie had seen it earlier but was more interested in the tub then. Now, she walked over and looked at it.

  She’d never actually seen a mirror before. Sure, there were reflective metals and liquids, so she had a somewhat blurry idea of what she looked like. But this - it looked like another person was standing right there - copying her, motion for motion.

  Her damp red hair was a dark auburn that hung limply past her shoulders. Her skin, similar to King Soren and Prince Aldis, was an even golden color. Her eyes were a pale green under a furrowed brow. Seeing her expression, she relaxed her face, trying to put that haughty look onto it that Astra had seemed to have mastered.

  I don’t want you to be like her.

  “Why not? She’s been a princess much longer than I have.”

  I don’t like her.

  “Oh, all right then.”

  Kiriga turned her head in the direction of the sitting room, Queen Alaena is getting annoyed.

  That put the rush back into Nerie’s movements. There was a brush sitting on the vanity below the mirror, which she pulled through her hair in a few quick strokes.

  Karina had hung the gown on a hook, waiting for Nerie to don it. Nerie looked over it with relief that it hadn’t gotten splashed on. Pulling it over her head, she dropped the slick sheath down her body.

  Ooo I do like that color on you! We will look so good together! Kiriga preened with happiness.

  They stepped outside the bathroom to the sitting room - and the waiting queen.

  Sitting on the far couch facing the bathroom, Queen Alaena sat with her back straight and her shoulders back. Her long black hair cascaded down nearly to her hips in gentle curls. She was wearing a dark navy gown that looked like a second skin on her.

  Feeling self-conscious Nerie ran her hands over the soft fabric of her own gown. It hung loosely around her shoulders and hips.

  Maybe I should have let Karina hem my clothing.

  You look beautiful. Only do it if you are uncomfortable.

  I am, looking at her.

  “You know, you look just like him when you speak to her,” Alaena’s tone cut into Nerie’s thoughts.

  Nerie flushed, looking at the queen. At this point, she felt like that was going to be her eternal state of being in the woman’s presence.

  “I do?”

  She’d had a tough time believing she could resemble the king in any way. Yet, here was his spouse, the person who probably knew him best in the world, telling Nerie that she reminded her of him.

  Her - his bastard child.

  “Yes. Now, please take a seat.”

  The queen gestured slightly at the opposing couch.

  Nerie sat. She slouched into the seat, her hands clasped in front of her. Her right thumb picked at the cuticle of the left. Her heels crossed and uncrossed. Waiting had never been her strong suit, and the queen wasn’t saying anything.

  “I see we have a lot of work to do. I am to tutor you in all political and socio-economic matters. It seems I also need to tutor you in social mannerisms,” Alaena said, eying her posture.

  “You are Crown Princess now. Heir of the house of Therius. You have ah -” she paused thinking on her word choice, “certain expectations to uphold.”

  Nerie sat up a little straighter. She didn’t like where this was going. She didn’t know what kind of a teacher the queen was, but she didn’t want to ruin Alaena’s opinion of her quite yet.

  If she had anything other than a negative opinion of her husband’s bastard. Honestly, Nerie was surprised the woman would even talk to her.

  “What kind of expectations?”

  “Royalty carry themselves differently than the common riff-raff. You are to be a paragon of social etiquette and graces. When one looks upon you, you should be exactly what they imagine the princess or queen embodies. You are the physical representation of our kingdom. Not only to our own people, but to all others as well.”

  Nerie hadn’t thought of it like that. She knew that the king was well kingly - but if she had been asked what made him so, she wouldn’t have been able to verbalize it.

  “Weakness on your part symbolizes weakness of the country to the rest of the world. That cannot - will not - be allowed.”

  “Oh.”

  She didn’t know what else to say. She would never be able to live up to that high standard. The queen seemed fully aware of it, as did Nerie.

  Yes, you will! the ever-present cheerleader said into her mind.

  I can’t. Maybe if I had been born into it. Raised that way… I have too many things working against me.

  But you have me!

  I do. But I have years ahead of me to even have a semblance of decorum.

  Everyone has to start somewhere!

  Queen Alaena cleared her throat.

  “You are always allowed to speak to your dragon of course, however, to do so in front of guests is quite a faux pa.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to ignore you. I just - I’m overwhelmed. Kiriga is just now a day old. My head still hurts from where the guard bashed me. I haven’t seen my mother yet today.”

  Outright frowning, Alaena cut her off.

  “First and foremost. Princesses do not complain. If you are unhappy with something - change it.”

/>   “I didn’t mean to complain. I just have a lot on my mind!”

  “Princesses also do not make excuses. You own your actions. Thus, you must be aware of each of them and make them wisely.”

  Nerie grimaced. Each statement cut like a knife, and she didn’t like to be hurt.

  “It’s not like I asked to be princess. Kiriga chose me. Not Astra. Not Aldis. Me.”

  Alaena’s eyes tightened and her mouth pursed.

  “And if I’m in charge of my actions, then I’m leaving. I’m going to see my mother. We have a lot to discuss.”

  Nerie shoved herself to her feet and strode to the door. Kiriga’s little tail lashed and she followed behind.

  Alaena was also on her feet. “You will not leave this room, young lady. We haven’t even started your lesson yet!”

  “Yes, we did. You told me that I’m in charge of my actions. So, I am doing what I want.”

  “You leave this room and - “

  “And what? You’re not my mother. You’re barely a teacher to me.”

  Nerie pulled the door open and stepped out into the hallway. Karina was standing there, looking as passive as ever. She must’ve been waiting for the queen to leave.

  “Karina. I want -” she paused, “Take me to my mother.”

  Karina’s eyes flickered to the door and where she knew the queen to be. But then she nodded and lead the girl and her dragon down the hall.

  Nerie’s bare feet slapped on the floor as she paced behind the woman. Kiriga’s talons were a sharp staccato in tandem to the slaps. Another series of hallways that she would someday have to memorize. Then they were at a set of doors.

  The doors weren’t nearly as ornate as Nerie’s and also only about seven feet tall. Karina pulled one open and bowed Nerie inside.

  Myha was sitting on a large sofa. Her sitting room was drastically smaller than the one in Nerie’s quarters. She had a lavatory, but its tub was much smaller and made of what appeared to be copper. Myha’s bedroom was also much smaller and didn’t seem to have access to a private garden.

  The back wall of the sitting room, which in Nerie’s room held her wardrobe - was nothing more than a wall, covered by a large tapestry of dragons. In the image Nerie recognized Soros and Eras, but the other jeweled dragons were unfamiliar.