Dragon Envy

by Kelly Armenta

  “Not while on duty,” he replied, flashing his teeth at me then assuring me, “Not and hope to live to tell of it.” He, like Cursed had smooth blunt teeth at the front of his mouth, while from his eyeteeth back they were something else altogether. I’d noticed last night while kissing him and had been careful not to slice my tongue upon them. Cursed was merely one quarter Goblin. Tdem was one half. After experiencing Cursed’s reaction to my blood, I wasn’t certain how Tdem would respond and did not wish to alarm my other men by finding out amidst the group. With Tdem’s men in attendance I was concerned our love making might have become something much more frightening. Yet he had managed to restrain himself from blooding me, which I fully appreciated.

  I slid into the water and dunked myself under, slicking my hair back from my face when I rose and seating myself across the tub from them. “I thought we might spend a little time getting to know each other. Since I find myself at a disadvantage in that you both seem to have been aware of me for most my life while I know next to nothing of either of you.”

  Cam glanced at Tdem, who pursed his lips and stared back at me thoughtfully. “What would you like to know, My Lady? Please ask me anything,” he told me quietly, his fine voice causing me to smile.

  “Your voice is different, more lyrical than any other I have heard,” I told Cam. “Last night you mentioned you were a former Prince. What exactly did you mean? How does one become a former Prince?”

  He smiled and gave a nod then leaned back against the tub and placed his arms on the rim. His pale green eyes were calm in his face as he spoke. “I am more recently come to this land than any other here in this Sidhe,” he began. I raised a knee and leaned my forearms upon it, getting comfortable so I might hear his tale. “My people come from the Storm Isles and my mother was Queen there once upon a time not so very long ago. When her Consort died she was distraught and stepped down, naming my younger brother to the throne.”

  My eyes widened at his words and he smiled tightly. To have your younger sibling chosen over you, that must not have been particularly enjoyable. Why would she do such a thing?

  “He was my half-brother, her Consort’s son. One does not question the decision of a Queen and High Priestess of Dananira,” he replied calmly, thought his pale eyes turned cold. “I found it easier to simply relocate.”

  “I know of Danu, but I am unfamiliar with Dananira? Is this a God or Goddess?” I asked, while his eyes widened and he glanced at Tdem in surprise.

  Tdem merely shrugged a shoulder, my comment not seeming to be of any surprise to him. “She was not educated in the ways of the Fey, except that she can speak our tongue with a charming accent,” Tdem replied with a sly grin.

  I raised my head and stared at him in surprise, thinking I was not aware I had an accent. Hmmm, must have gotten that from Mi. “Her mother did not think it necessary for her to know all of our history. I believe she felt it might lead to uncomfortable questions that the Princess of Light was unwilling to discuss. In all fairness, she failed to inform Her Majesty of her Dragon heritage too. So that she is as equally unaware of that side of her nature as she is of her Elvish.”

  Yes, I thought in disgust, I’m equally ignorant of both races. And the lack of knowledge had caused me some uncomfortable moments in the past two weeks. Obviously I needed to go to Elf and Dragon school. I’d have to get right on that when we got back to our den. I was so getting tired of appearing the fool. My thought caused Tdem to frown and shift where he sat, and Cam to raise his eyebrows slightly.

  “I did not mean to imply I thought you foolish,” Tdem told me calmly. “There is a vast difference between ignorance and stupidity. Ignorance can be corrected while stupidity would have been dealt with at birth.”

  Dealt with at birth? What in the heck did that mean, I wondered. Tdem’s eyes widened while Cam glanced cautiously between me and the King, who merely sighed and shook his head.

  “Surely you have heard of changelings?” he asked and I tilted my head to the side and nodded.

  Changelings were purported to be Faerie children that had been exchanged at a young age for beautiful human children. It was believed that the Faeries took the human children and raised them to be their servants. Pale beautiful male children were usually the targets. It was said that the Fey left in their place ill-featured, malformed, ill-tempered beings that might be given to biting and screaming. Folklore used this story to describe unaccountable ailments. Now with the advancement of medicine those ailments would be described as any number of conditions including autism, and developmental delays. Yet at Tdem’s words I had to wonder if this was merely a Fairy tale or something that actually occurred and the thought was rather disturbing.

  “It is how the UnSeelie have always dealt with our unacceptable young,” Tdem informed me with a lifted eyebrow and I couldn’t help swallowing uncomfortably.

  “And the Seelie?” I had to ask, thinking about the comment Cursed had made to me once upon a time.

  “Are not so forgiving, I believe suffocation or striking the youth’s head against a rock until they expire is the preferred method of dealing with their misfortune.”

  Gee this was a fine way to start my day. I thought and grimaced at the horror his words caused me. He nodded thoughtfully. “I admit it is barbaric. But as you yourself realized last night, the Seelie are proud and quite fierce about protecting their bloodlines.”

  Yes while the UnSeelie could afford to be less selective. And again Tdem nodded while Cam frowned and his pale green eyes seemed to glow at the censor in our comments. I glanced at him and asked, “Have you ever killed a child in this manner?” My eyes were intent upon his face, which suddenly looked shocked.

  “No,” he replied quickly. “I have never even witnessed such a thing.” I pulled air into my lungs and nodded.

  “That’s good,” I replied, thinking I might have had to toss him back to the Queen if he had. I wasn’t sure I could stomach being around someone that was capable of killing a baby. His face went pale as he stared back at me and in his eyes I could see a glimmer of relief. “I think we got off track,” I muttered. “You were going to tell me who Dananira is?”

  Cam took a deep breath and nodded thankfully. “She is our Goddess,” he told me in a referent voice. “Pale and beautiful, it is from She that my people inherit their magical aptitude. Her symbols are the swan and ninnach.”

  “What is a ninnach?” I asked.

  Cam looked confused and turned once again to Tdem who shrugged. “It means bands of light. I believe you might call it a rainbow and that the humans believe we keep pots of gold at its end. Of course in some places the humans believe we are all leprechauns, too.” He replied and looked down at himself with a wry smile, the humor of it not having escaped him. Cam apparently thought that was funny as it caused him to chuckle.

  “Interesting,” Cam replied. “To us the end of a ninnach is the pathway to Numendor. The West,” he told me when I raised an eyebrow. “But mostly it is our gateway between the Storm Isle and the Here. Once there were many pathways to many places, but over time we lost the magic and our kind were cut off from each other. I suppose it could literally be translated to the ‘Port of Gold’ or Golden Isle. It could have simply been mistranslated to have arrived at the pot,” he told us with a smile.

  “And have you traveled the ninnach?” I asked, actually quite curious.

  He nodded his head, his smile vanishing from his eyes. “It was that or kill my brother in his crib. I felt it the more honorable of my options.”

  He sighed when I looked at him in disbelief. For what reason would he kill his younger brother. A brother that was still in his crib?

  “For the reason that I gave earlier,” he replied tightly. I stared back at him trying to understand how a youngster in his crib related to the death of his Mother’s consort and her passing him over for his… she had passed him over and stepped down, turning her kingdom over to an infant still in his crib? Wow! What kind of woman would do that? A
nd what had Cam done to make her choose his infant brother?

  Cam shook his head as if he was trying to dislodge something within. His eyes appeared pained as he glanced back at me. “It is odd speaking with you, My Lady,” he admitted. “I am not used to…” and he trailed off and lifted his hands.

  Tdem smiled and chuckled while I glanced between the two. “It takes getting used to but I am finding it quite charming, for you never know what she will think of next. I have not determined if she broadcasts because she lacks training or she simply cannot prevent it… due to her unique nature.”

  Oh that, I thought and grimaced. “It is a recent thing. Either that or Mi and my Mother chose not to inform me about it so I wasn’t aware I was doing it. I’ve yet to have anyone explain to me how I can prevent it from occurring or not.” I told them. “I apologize if it distresses you. I could shield but then you will not sense me at all and that will bring the rest of my men in here. Perhaps one of you might show me how this is done? I believe you will find I am not an unwilling student. In fact I’d say just the opposite.”

  Cam went to open his mouth but Tdem gave him a look that caused Cam to hesitate, and something passed between them that I was not able to follow. Cam immediately shut his mouth and flicked his eyes to me but it was Tdem who answered. “I have a question for you,” he replied and I moved my eyes to him, wondering what it was that Tdem had just prevented Cam from saying.

  My eyes narrowed but Tdem continued looking relaxed, his eyes clear of any deception. In fact he almost looked too innocent. That thought made him smile slyly while his black eyes twinkled. “What is it?” I asked abruptly.

  His smile turned to a chuckle and then he asked, “How is it that you travel with a Demon? The one who woke you this morning.”

  Kit hadn’t awoken me this morning, whoever was snoring had, I thought, then had to wonder at the knowing looks on both Cam and Tdem’s faces. “How do you know he woke me?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

  Cam glanced at Tdem who answered. “Because he shifted and flowed over the rest of us to get at you. I thought he might have grown concerned over your dreams. And when his body materializing next to yours did not cause you to wake, he started making those noises.”

  Yep that sounded like something Kit would do, I thought, then smiled. I could see how he would enjoy the opportunity and be unable to restrain himself, given the bounty surrounding me. He must have known what would happen, had probably encouraged it. If he wasn’t so damn… ah… yeah, if he wasn’t him, I might have been tempted to be angry with him for manipulating me like that. Besides he was a creature of his own nature. Getting upset with him when he was merely being Kit would have been foolish indeed. Should I wish to not be used in such a manner it would be best to send him from the room prior to letting him sleep amongst me and my men.

  “You do not… I mean, this was not how you normally wake?” Cam asked, his voice sounding confused. I glanced at him and burst out laughing which caused him to flush slightly. Tdem looked amused too.

  “No, I usually sleep with only Gareth and Jace.” I told him then smiled. “Kit was very naughty. Yet I find myself unwilling to scold him or the others who obviously felt the need to make a point this morning.” I told them. “It was after all, a unique way to begin my day.”

  “Perhaps they were making a point?” Cam muttered and frowned while his brows lowered slightly.

  “Yes. I think you just got it,” I told him with a wry glance. “And perhaps I have just spoiled their fun.”

  “I doubt that,” Tdem told me and chuckled again. “After all, they did have you.” Hmmm… I thought and turned my gaze upon Cam who actually shifted where he sat as if in dismay before I waved my hand and gave myself a shake.

  “He was negotiated for at my birth by my father. Actually it is more complicated than that, but in the end that was what occurred. Just recently our contract was finalized and he is now mine for all eternity,” I replied to his earlier comment, changing the subject before I became annoyed thinking about what my men had done.

  Wait what was that about my dreams?

  Cam cleared his throat, “Your dreams were filled with, all manner of strange creatures.” He assured me while Tdem nodded and I looked between them with a blank expression.

  “That’s odd.” I replied worrying at my lower lip and searching my memory for any trace of what I might have been dreaming about.”

  “It went on for most of the night.” Tdem offered. “It was not unlike the sequence you shared yesterday in the throne room. As if you shared actual memories of places and creatures that were,” And he shared a look with Cam who actually raised both hands as if he had no idea how to describe what Tdem was asking. “most wondrous indeed.”

  “When she jumped upon that fierce blue beast, every one of us reached for a weapon.” Cam added then glanced down at his hands, “I swear in that moment I felt its hot blood my hands.”

  Tdem nodded and closed his eyes for a moment then opened them glanced down at the water. “I have never seen a Unicorn, let alone thousands of them. Would that it was more than just a dream.”

  “Wondrous indeed.” Cam agreed then smiled. “What was it she called the rolling game?” He asked Tdem.

  Tdem thought for a moment then snapped his fingers. “Bowling with Gruff.” He replied then also grinned. “I think,” He added, “it was a reference to Najak.”

  Najak? I was bowling with goats, riding blue creatures and apparently hanging out with unicorns. Perplexed, I finally shrugged. Obviously I had no memory of whatever haunted my sleep. Which was so weird, usually I could recall all my dreams in vivid detail. I especially remembered the nightmares that had plagued me for the past year or so. Yeah, one of them was in the other room. But, if my dreams were as wild as all that, maybe Kit wasn’t just being his normal bratty self. Perhaps he was concerned? Yeah, and maybe Orcs would sprout wings and Kelpies would move to the desert. Hey it could happen. Maybe I’d even dreamed about it. I thought then smiled.

  “It does not bother you to be familiar with a Demon?” Tdem asked while Cam tried hard to keep his features neutral at my internal ramblings.

  “No, should it? Kit is quite the perfect Demon for me.” Of course I was fairly sure he just heard that and I hoped his head didn’t swell up and burst or fall off his shoulders. It would be difficult to explain him to others in that condition.

  “Indeed.” Chuckled Tdem.

  Cam looked to be considering the thought for a moment. Before he remarked, “My people pay tribute to the Demon Dantalion during Feywalks which occur one moon cycle after each equinox. It is how we thank the Goddess for our powers.”

  “Your Goddess was a Demon?” I asked in surprise. I had not heard of Demon’s and Elves having a shared history. But then I’d be the first to admit my knowledge of Elvin history was sketchy at best. What bits and pieces Mi had deigned to share and which I had gleaned out of books. Books written by humans, not exactly the be all, end all encyclopedia of knowledge.

  “No, but her lover was a mighty Jinn and a powerful Great Duke of Hell. It is said that he granted her unlimited power. She in turn shares that power with those she favors,” he told me, then frowned.

  “And has she shared her powers with you?” I asked, wondering at the reason for his frown and the slight look of despair that shadowed his face.

  His eyes went flat and the skin over his cheeks taunt as he stared down at the water. He lifted his arm from the back of the tub to place his palm several inches above it. As I watched, the water roiled and miniature tidal waves appeared while above the water tiny clouds gathered and thunder rumbled across the bathroom. My eyes widened as I watched our tub become as rough as a stormy sea. Had there been miniature boats upon it they would have been tossed about like so many leaves in the wind. It was most impressive and I wondered if was only bathtubs he could do this in or if the seas around his Storm Isles had taken their name from the gifts from their Goddess.

  �
��Once,” he told me harshly and I glanced at Tdem, who raised his eyebrows and shook his head. Once what? Once his homeland had been the site of massive storms or once he could do this in places other than bathtubs? Cam made a low noise in his throat and raised his eyes to mine. In their depths I could see, I wasn’t sure what it was, but they appeared to roll much like the water and he blinked and gave himself a shake. “Once,” he told me in a flat voice. “I could raise the seas as I have here, but I angered the Goddess and she has all but stripped me of the power she once lovingly bestowed.”

  What I thought, was worse than having thoughts of fratricide? Had he killed his Queen’s consort to begin with?

  Cam looked as if I’d slapped him and the storm died as quickly as it had started. “No I did not kill my mother’s lover,” he growled at me. I lifted an eyebrow at his tone while he seemed to struggle to bring himself under control. He took several deep breaths and I waited while he worked to control his temper. “Pride,” he told me in a soft voice. “Pride has ever been my downfall.”

  Oh, and here the Queen had given him to me. Just like Cursed, I thought, and watched as he twitched at the thought. “So I am to be your lesson in humility?” I asked, feeling my own temper start to slowly intensify. “Because just like Cursed, you thought I was a half breed human? Tell me, did you guard my Mother also?” and nearly ground my teeth when he dipped his head and nodded.

  My face must have reflected the frustration I was feeling as I watched a wary look creep over Cam who suddenly sat straighter in the tub. I think maybe he was beginning to understand just how irritated I was getting. “Loved her perfect little self, did you?” I asked softly and his face went blank. “Have sex with her?” I asked in a deadly tone and watched as he blinked and shook his head again. “I see. You just worshiped her from afar and now you’re stuck with me? Is that about the gist of it?” I asked, my voice starting to vibrate with my rage as I glared back at him. “And now that she’s brought home a mate and is pregnant again you’ve decided, what? That you couldn’t escape your lesson this time though you’ve put it off for twenty three years just as Cursed did?”