And she had more of a chance of living now than she ever had, thanks to a carapace that was supposed to be her enemy.
In the ballroom, the carapace in question was not being quite as kind to her husband. Setting up her phone to blast the music from her latest show – a rap beat that made his head pound – she had blocked off the ballroom to practice. She was determined to get the dance steps right for her next rehearsal, and she forced Alexander into submission in assisting her.
“Just stand there,” she growled at him from across the room, in leggings and a tube top that were not befitting of a princess. “When I leap at you, catch me and then lift.”
“Ariel, we’ve done this half a hundred times. I am not a dancer” He had taken off his suit jacket, his sleeves rolled up and his muscles already aching.
“I know, but I can't get the landing right,” she answered. “So, I need you to keep doing it.”
“You're going to be the death of me, woman,” he answered. “You or that music.”
“You're coming to the show, right?” she asked, implying that he did not have a choice. Ariel launched toward him, hitting the beats that she had been taught just two days ago. He always thought it was fascinating to watch her dance. She went from a confident, cocky woman to a beautiful angel, graceful and smooth. She could bend in ways he could never imagine, and she got the most serene look on her face.
He almost missed her, but he grabbed her waist at the last moment, using her momentum to push her up. Her rock-hard abs flexed as she fought the urge to curl up. She could feel her position was off, and indicated that he should put her down.
“Again,” she said, as her half-naked and sweaty body brushed against his. Alexander put an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
“Ask nicely,” he said, his face inches from hers. She grinned, allowing a kiss.
“Please,” she said, with those eyes that had once charmed her from the audience. Their attraction had always been undeniable, despite the lack of romantic love. Sometimes, Ariel fantasized about loving him the way his brothers loved their wives. But she acknowledged that they were such a different couple, and they needed to accept that or they would likely kill each other.
“One more,” he said, sending her across the room.
Her body was throbbing with the temptation he had alluded to, and she almost missed a step. But this time, perhaps fueled by the hope of what was to come, her beat was perfect and his lift was in line with her momentum. She flexed and then held her body perfectly straight.
He got a perfect view of her breasts, of her collarbone, and of her perfect body.
“Good,” she managed, her chest heaving. He lowered her down carefully until her feet were flat on the floor. Only then did he pull her forward, kissing her with passion.
“How many balls have you danced in here?” she asked.
“A thousand,” he replied, as she reached to unbutton his shirt.
“And with me?”
“Half a hundred,” he answered, his breathing labored.
“And how many balls did you dance with me when you'd rather be making love to me?”
“All of them.” He captured her mouth, and then there was no more talking.
***
Of the family, only Cole and Enya were sleeping peacefully. Normally the friskiest of the bunch, Cole had slipped off to sleep almost as soon as they had gone to bed. He was looking forward to a good night's sleep, his arm swung comfortably around Enya.
He did not expect to wake up with a gasp, his eyes flying open.
Enya sat up with him, sleep ridding itself from her brain right away.
“Cole, what is it?” she asked.
He searched the air, sending out magical pings. Something had woken him up; something had distributed him. But his magical homing signals came back empty.
“I don't know,” he replied. “I don't know.”
His chest was heaving. For some reason, he was frightened. He felt like there was something terribly wrong, but he couldn't speak as to what.
“It's okay. It’s probably just a bad dream.” She took his hand.
“Maybe, but I don't remember a nightmare,” he said, his heart beat finally slowing. “In fact, I was dreaming of you.”
“Oh, I see,” she gave him a nudge. “Must be terrible.”
“Horrible,” he said, as they settled back in the darkness. For a while, they were both silent, their thoughts drifting back to sleep.
“That was quite a day,” Enya said, as she waited for sleep to come. “Started in a potential death and ended in an engagement.”
“Welcome to life at the palace,” he replied with a shrug.
She laughed. “I knew that when I married you,” she said. “And it's certainly far more exciting than Earth.”
“And if you can never go back?” he asked. “You heard what Yvette said today.”
“If I can never go back, then as long as I am by your side – and I have Wi-Fi – I'll be all right,” she replied.
“Mm, my love,” he closed his eyes, leaning his head on top of hers. She had provided him such solace and such comfort over the last few years. He had once been ready to rip the world apart, and she had showed him that life was worth living.
It was with his eyes that he felt the first twinges of magic. A few of his pings had returned late, and now they were sending him warning signals.
He opened his eyes, trying to listen with every fiber of his being. In half a second, he threw the covers off, his feet hitting the cold floor.
“Cole?” she asked, in sudden concern.
“Father is here,” he said. “Hide yourself.”
Chapter 11
Cole was already summoning magic as he ran down the hallways. He wasn't sure what exactly what he was going to do when he got there. His father was a stronger dragon than he was, and Cole had no idea where his brothers were.
He was searching frantically when he heard the giant footsteps behind him. Turning around, he found his father in dragon form, stalking down the large hallways like he used to when he was king. Cole knew he would need a moment or two – too long to transform into dragon form. He needed a distraction, but he was currently alone.
“Father,” he said, “what a surprise. Again. Perhaps next time you can send a letter ahead of time?”
The great yellow eyes flashed, and Cole tried not to flinch. Even though he was a dragon himself, he was a small one due to his witch blood. In human form, he was intimidated by them.
“So, can I help you?” he asked his father, trying to distract him. But he knew that Richard was not here for him. “With anything? Or could you just stay dead? Because frankly, I was not too sad about it.”
Richard roared, letting fire stream out of his mouth. The ceiling and walls were fireproof; it just made sense for the kingdom of the dragon lords. Cole felt the heat and winced. Humans were so susceptible to burns.
He cast a spell, dragging the dragon's attention to the magic that was streaming out of him. “Yeah, that's right,” Cole said. “It's Halloway magic that came from. Did you know that's what's flooded through me?”
Richard cocked his great head, watching his adopted child.
“Is that why you brought me here?” Cole asked. “Is that why you searched the kingdom? Or did you force whoever my parents were to mate so you could have me? Did you have this plan all along?”
Richard advanced on him, and Cole took a step back. He knew that he couldn't hold him off forever, and he was running out of ideas.
He had never been so grateful to see Nicholas coming around the corner.
His older brother had time to transform, and as a strong dragon, was almost as large as Richard. Nicholas roared, asserting his power, and Richard turned.
Cole took it as the moment he needed. He may not be as strong as Nicholas, but he knew that two dragons were better than one.
Standing beside his brother in dragon form, his wings were extended to exaggerate his size.
> Now that he was in dragon form, he could hear Richard's thoughts much more clearly.
Bring me the girl, Nicholas. Or I will take her.
Over my dead body. Nicholas threw his head forward, threatening Richard, daring him to take him on.
Richard lashed his great tail and a pillar fell. Cole winced, thinking how many thousands of years old it was. But Richard seemed to have no regard for history or for the palace that he had grown up in.
That can be arranged, Richard raised an eyebrow on his scaly face. I am your king, boy, and you will respect me.
You were not my king the second you cast out Cole, Nicholas answered.
Cole turned his head to his left, hearing another noise. To his relief, both of his brothers stalked down the hall.
It was as if the universe had made Peter more majestic since he became king. Taller, stronger, and larger than Richard, something about Peter just invoked an invisible crown on his head.
By contrast, Alexander beside him looked aged and tired. Once a majestic king himself, the regent now stood tall beside Peter, knowing that he would die for his king. He seemed to accept death as a welcome relief, and Cole growled at Richard, trying to distract him from Alexander.
However, it wasn't Alexander that Richard's attention went to.
Peter, Peter, you usurper, Richard said.
Peter did not even pause for conversation. He roared forward, his jaws open.
It was a signal from their king to attack, and the other three roared in. Richard was stronger and older, but he was no match for his four sons who were determined to protect the women they loved.
They crashed through the palace with no regard for the things they were destroying. Columns crashed in, walls gained giant holes, and the dragons burned what they could.
It was probably the most destructive fight the palace had ever seen. No one dared step in, even though they came running, for no one was a match for the strength being displayed.
The fact that it was a stalemate was becoming clear within minutes. Richard was so strong, and he appeared enhanced. He kept snapping at Cole, knowing the other three would defend him. His age brought him more magic than any of them, and he would not give up.
Nicholas couldn't focus; he was so terrified for Rosa and their future. Suddenly, he felt himself pulled back to human form. He felt blood drip down his face, and his vision blur. It was shocking and very sudden.
Around him, the others began to shrink as well. The destruction around them became massive, dwarfing them.
Alexander grabbed onto a broken column, panting. “Ariel,” he managed.
Sure enough, his wife stood in the hallway, her body tense. She was absorbing a strong amount of magic, and it hurt, as much as she didn't want to admit it. She faced Richard without so much as blinking.
“You will stop,” she said.
“Your whore wife wants to join you in impending death, Alexander,” Richard said, staring her down. “You send a woman to do your dirty work?”
“I am my own woman,” Ariel replied, “and he makes me do nothing I don't want to do. Guards!” She snapped her fingers, and the guard unit she had gotten rushed Richard.
“After I get the Halloway heir, you will be the first to die,” Richard said, and waived his hand. There was too much magic for Ariel to take care of at once, and he vanished into thin air.
“What the actual…?” She gaped. “How did he do that without a vortex?”
“He's been after other witch blood is how,” Cole said as he recovered “There are certain witches that can make vortexes on their own. The Ryersons. The Venoms. No doubt if we search the records, we will find out that he murdered some of those as well to absorb their power.”
“And what if he comes back?” Nicholas asked. “And we don't happen to have a carapace at our disposal? We can't destroy him on our own, that much is clear. Four of us, and he threw us around like rag dolls. We would never stand a chance if Ariel wasn't here.”
“We would,” Cole said. “With two things.”
“And those are, oh smart brother?”
“Earth,” Cole replied. “And a full-blooded Halloway witch.”
“Cole, have you been asleep for the last week?” Nicholas wanted to scream in his face. “There is no full blood Halloway witch.”
“But there could be,” he answered. “If we go to Earth, the magic is reduced, weakening Father. And then if Rosa can share her power.”
“How does she share her power?” Ariel asked, confused. Cole rolled his eyes.
“Can I speak, please?” he asked. Everyone fell silent. “When there was just Rosa, it was too much. But now that there's three of us, there needs to be one more. If she were to have a child–”
“A child…” Nicholas paused. “An actual child takes 9 months.”
“It does,” Cole said, “but it also has to be a legitimate heir.”
“Which means, in case you missed it,” Ariel pointed out. “You have to marry her. And soon.”
“We have to be married to make the child legitimate, and therefore transform the power,” Nicholas said slowly. “So, call the priest.”
“On Earth,” Cole said. “Witches belong on Earth. Everything about the marriage needs to be right, perfect.”
“This is very old fashioned,” Ariel said as she leaned into Alexander. He put an arm around her waist, kissing her on the cheek.
“I'm just glad that I am alive to here you complain.”
“But we were planning a wedding here,” Nicholas said. “She will be a Princess, she will be–”
“Dead if we don't hurry up,” Cole answered. “We can always come back and do a royal wedding. But we need to go now if we have any hope of making this plan work.”
“Right now?” Nicholas felt like he was still in shock. Cole rolled his eyes.
“Yes, right now,” he wanted to scream at him for a second time in less than a minute. “Wake her up, pack her bags. I promise you, this is the only way it will work. And you two should come, too,” he turned to Ariel and Alexander. “Even if you can't be near her, or too near each other. We just have to avoid Father for a while, until the ball is in motion. That and,” he winced, “put a protection order around Thomas. If he dies, that's one more heir we need.”
“And a protection order around you,” Peter pointed out. “Are you sure about this, Cole?”
“I'm not exactly a fan of shotgun weddings,” Cole reminded him. “I courted Enya for months before we even figured out that we could make it work. I'm old fashioned. I'm romantic So, if I am telling you to get married now, go and do it!”
“I hope Rosa actually wants children,” Ariel said. “Or this is going to be a very awkward conversation.”
“She does,” Nicholas answered. “But I don't know that she wants them right this second. I'll speak to her.”
“We will be awaiting our deaths if you don't move now,” Cole reminded him with fake cheer. Ariel turned to Alexander.
“How are you?”
“Hmm?” he asked, confused at her sudden concern.
“If we choose to run to Earth, you are at risk.”
“And if I don't choose to do that, everyone is at risk from my insane father,” he pointed out. “It will be all right, my love.”
“Mm.” She looked at her shoes, and he smiled.
“Ariel, are you actually worried about losing me? Suddenly?”
“Don't get all sappy on me,” she dug her hip into him. “Who will keep me up all night with adult activities if I lose you?”
“I am quite sure you have a hundred men waiting in the wings,” he answered. “To answer your question, I'll be all right. At least, until they can find a church and get married. Surely, Cole, you can't mean we stay on Earth for nine months? If we abandon the palace, Father will surely take it over.”
“I'm still working that part out in my head,” Cole admitted. “For now, we need to pack our bags.”
“Cole,” Peter said. “You come with me u
ntil we can find enough guards.”
“But!” Cole looked like a pouty child for a moment, and Ariel had to laugh.
“Even when we are in the depths of chaos, we’re still a normal family,” she said.
“Absolutely normal,” Alexander rolled his eyes. “At least you'll be on earth for your rehearsals.”
“Wait until you hear the finale,” she replied. “It's beat box.”
“I'd rather let Father eat me,” he answered, as they headed to their rooms to pack their bags. She smiled and took his head.
Peter took a final look around the palace before they entered the vortex just minutes later. He closed his eyes, his hand on Yvette's, and prayed for the first time in a long time. He wasn't focused on the darkness that lingered in his mind and that Yvette had mostly rescued him from. He was focused on the safety of his family, and the hope that when they returned, it would be to peaceful for once.
Chapter 12
Rosa looked in the mirror, her flowing, white dress barely fitting. Everything seemed so hastily planned. There was only one thing that she was sure of, and that was she wanted to marry Nicholas. Everything else was in chaos.
She knew that she had to do this. She knew that she wanted to do this. And yet, when it came down to the moment, she was terrified. What if this didn't work? What if this was the last moment of happiness they ever had? She had spent so long dreaming of this moment, imagining so many alternatives. None of them had ever ended up like this.
The church was mostly empty, and she was trying to steel herself for that. She felt like she was doing something wrong, sneaking. And yet, it felt so right.
“Ariel just wants to say good luck,” Enya said as she came into the room with a phone. “On Facetime. No carapace magic can get to us through the magic of Apple.”
“Of course,” Rosa took the phone from her, looking at the beautiful face of her red-headed, soon-to-be sister-in-law. “Hello!”
“Hi,” Ariel said. They weren't too far away, but Alexander had chosen to stand in solidarity with his wife. Their bond grew each day, although it pained Alexander to not attend his brother's wedding. Rosa knew Ariel would never ask her husband that, but he had chosen to watch from the phone rather than attend. “Have fun.”
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