Fated Hope

by Sariah Skye

  Regardless, it was up to me to make it a safe place for her. Him. Whatever. Anarach needed to be absolved of Shadow control, of prejudice and hopelessness.

  It was time to start healing everyone, and put this kingdom back together. I was beyond caring what anyone else thought, now. If I had to, I would tie them down and force them to be healed. They might hate me, but at least they’d be alive. They could kick me off the throne afterwards, I didn’t care. But, it was time.

  This queen wasn’t messing around anymore.

  Feeling a new rush of energy, I slipped out of bed and dressed in wide-leg black stretchy pants that could pass for nice ones from a distance, and a long sleeved green t-shirt underneath my pink robes. In the vanity I put on minimal makeup; just some mascara, moisturizer and shiny cherry-colored lip gloss just to make me look more awake. My gaze hesitated on the Celtic circlet that sat there atop a velvet pillow with Maxxus’. I carefully picked it up and set it atop my head. I had some wave in my shoulder-length hair from sleeping with wet hair on top of my pillow, and I fluffed it up and teased it some around the circlet.

  I better start looking the part, on my own now, without being coerced.

  I lifted my chin up at my reflection and attempted to be as regal and commanding as I could. Usually, Maxxus had that part down pat. As handsome as he was, he could be downright intimidating not only due to his size, but his intensity. I frowned at myself, still not convinced. So, I screwed up my face in the best imitation of Resting Bitch Face that I could, narrowing my eyes and slightly pursing my lips.

  Yep, I was ready.

  “Let’s do this,” I said to myself, sticking my tongue out at my reflection. Something’s just will never change.

  I flapped my robes around over my shoulder as I walked, waving the door open and shut with my magic. In the sitting room just outside, Maxxus, Yarrem, and my grandfather were fiddling around with a laptop computer.

  “No, this should go here, right?” Maxxus said, sounding rather confused.

  “No no, this is one of those port…things. That should go—here.” My grandfather insisted.

  Yarrem couldn’t offer much, but he was standing by, intently watching as the men did…well, something. He took a couple steps back, while running a hand down his long moustache. “Very interesting, all this technology.”

  I groaned and slapped my forehead in frustration as I watched Maxxus try to plug a USB cable into the DVD drive. “Oh my gods…you’re pathetic.”

  He spun around, startled, and the others followed. “Leorah!” He dropped the cord onto the desk and looked both sheepish and surprised. “I thought you were sleeping!”

  “I was, but I’d like to get this over with so I can go back to sleep. I thought you’d have this thing figured out by now? You could have just used the desktop here; there is a webcam attached to it, you know. Nothing to set up,” I said, resting my hands on my hips and tapping my toe gently.

  “We didn’t want to wake you; we know how important it is for you to get your rest,” my grandfather said.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Well, I’ve rested and I feel okay now. While I’m waiting for dinner I’d like to get this on the road. So—” I walked across the room, towards the computer to set everything up correctly to get this teleconference on the road.

  Maxxus gently pushed me back. “No Leo…you really should be resting. I can—”

  I snorted, shoving his hands away. “You’re going to play a movie out of the cord, are you?” I shook my head. “I’ll be fine; there’s nothing at risk by setting up a computer.” I shooed all the gentlemen aside, and even though I was fighting off a slight yawn, I plugged in everything where it needed to go (which wasn’t much: it was a laptop. I wasn’t sure how they could be so clueless…) and set up a royal Skype account that we could use to contact Zyanhei.

  My grandfather glanced at the wall to a wooden clock. “It’s still early; the delegates won’t be expecting us for another hour or so.”

  I scoffed. “You know what? Enough. I’m not waiting anymore.”

  Maxxus chuckled from behind me. “You are rather determined suddenly.” He fingered the gem that hung from the circlet that rested in between my eyes. “And you look rather…official. Embracing your status finally, I see?”

  I shrugged. “Well, what’s best for the kingdom is best for the baby, so…let’s get this show on the road!” I typed in a few things and after a few moments, we were calling Zyanhei.

  Maxxus nudged me aside. “Let me, Leo. You still should be resting.”

  I rolled my eyes but relented, opting to sit on a chaise nearby. I was still in the “picture”, yet Maxxus and Yarrem dominated the screen, and that was okay. I could be supportive from behind. I sat up as tall as I could, folding my hands over another on the arm of the chair and attempted to look as regal as I could; even though suddenly I desperately wanted to yawn.

  A beeping sound came from the computer as we tried to dial into Zyanhei. It wasn’t long before a rather confused looking woman flipped on the screen and spoke in a strange dialect of Dragon I hadn’t heard before. Yarrem spoke something similar to it, but this woman still sounded very unfamiliar. She had jet hair that she wore in a high bun, olive skin and black eyes, with green stones hanging from her ears, and bright red lipstick in contrast spread across her stern mouth. All you could see was her face and shoulders, adorned in very luscious, velvet red robes. She looked into the camera with stern eyes and spoke with a heavy accent in Dragon.

  “You are contacting the monarchy of Zyanhei, tell me how you got this access point!” she demanded impatiently.

  “You are speaking to the monarchy of Anarach, we have an appointment to speak with the delegates of your kingdom. I apologize for the early timing, but we have…some difficulties here in the kingdom we need to attend to right away; we were hoping that we could conduct the meeting a bit early,” Maxxus spoke in his most calming, diplomatic tone.

  The woman narrowed her eyes. “So, you are the one requesting this meeting—for us to help you—and you have something that has come up and we need to bend to your will!? Thank you for the reminder why we no longer have association with Anarach!” She moved to press a button on what I assumed was the keyboard to shut the feed down, when Yarrem knelt into the shot.

  “Maress Yenada?” he said questioningly before the woman could shut down the feed. “It has been years upon years, but surely you should have aged by now!”

  The woman raised a brow. “Maress Yenada was my grandmother. I am Empress Yanaleese.”

  Maxxus shot me a surprised look over his shoulder and I responded with a light shrug. The Empress answers her own phone—who knew?

  “You are the Prelate Yarrem?” Her harsh tone dropped, and Yarrem bowed, with a diminutive nod. “Yarrem…my grandmother told me stories about you. It is an honor.” Yanaleese clapped her hands together and dipped her head low in reverence.

  “You are the spitting image of your grandmother. It’s almost like speaking to her again! Tell me—is she still with us?” Yarrem questioned curiously.

  The Empress frowned. “I am afraid not, we lost her some time ago. She was a revered member of Zyanheian court; an Elder. She would be regretful not to be in your presence, but I am glad you are well, once again. Tell me, who do I have to thank for restoring your health?”

  Yarrem gestured with a flick of his wrist for Maxxus to step aside. I didn’t raise from my seat though I did sit up a little taller. “The Queen of Anarach, Leorah. Pink dragon and accomplished spirit user.”

  The Empresses eyes widened. “Pink? I was not aware any such dragon existed in modern times!”

  Don’t be bitchy, Leorah…don’t be bitchy. I wanted so badly to make a snarky remark. Well, you wouldn’t because of course, we were all murdered before we were born. But clearly, unless she was lying—and I couldn’t sense it (perhaps I couldn’t over the internet though) she had no dealings with the infanticide of pink dragons. So, she genuinely probably hasn’t encou
ntered one. I supposed to should be a good representative for my pink brethren—even though I was my brethren but…still.

  “That is correct.” I lackadaisically raised from the chaise and crossed the room, closer to the feed.

  “And you are—queen?” She was surprised.

  “Last time I checked,” I replied with a snort.

  The Empress started to speak, but smiled instead. “Anyone responsible for bringing the treasure that is the Prelate back to health is an ally of mine.” She bowed gently at me, and I responded in kind. “Please, speak your piece.”

  I nodded. “Thank you. I will let my mate, Maxx—err, the king, Maxxus—speak for me in this instance. You see, I have run into a bit of a health crisis and I need to conserve my energy so I can remain healing the dragons of my kingdom. I will be here to answer questions, though, if you do not mind.”

  “Health crisis? You appear rather young. It does not bode well that someone unwell should be in a position of such power. It makes me think twice about rekindling an alliance with Anarach.” The smile on Empress Yanaleese’s face turned to a severe glower. She folded her arms, one over another on the desk in which she sat, looking quite prim and dignified.

  You little…I felt my heart palpitate angrily at her words. Even though my face heated with frustration, I forced a pleasant smile. “You mistake my words. If you can keep the news quiet, I am not in fact ill…I am pregnant and in order to heal my kingdom, I need to conserve more energy than normal. So, I hope you can accept my apologies as I step back and let my mate handle this for now.”

  The Empress smiled. “Ah, I understand. Thank you for being truthful; and your secret is safe. I would be pleased to conduct business with your mate.”

  “Thank you.” I bowed once more at her and stepped backwards, re-folding myself back into the chaise. I nearly stumbled backwards in my attempt to be dignified but, by that point Maxxus had re-entered the view so she didn’t see my moronic tumble. Thankfully.

  “Oh, who are you speaking to, Yana? Certainly not the monarchy from Anarach!” Another unfamiliar voice spoke, as another—a male—entered the view of the screen. “We know Anarachians don’t use technology!”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and snorted with aloofness. “Maybe try speaking to us more often, you’ll see we’re swiftly moving into the 20th century.”

  Maxxus shot me a strange look over his shoulder. “It’s the 21st century.”

  “Exactly.” I smirked and ignored him as he sighed.

  “Well, to whom am I speaking from Anarach? The Court jester?” The man on the other side of the screen spoke with an even heavier, choppier accent than the empress.

  Yarrem nudged Maxxus aside, gently. “This is the monarchy of Anarach, Emperor. Next to me is King Maxxus, Elder Aleron and my humorous companion behind me is Queen Leorah.” Yarrem pointed at each one of us.

  “I am pleased to know you. I am Emperor Keyoti.” The emperor appeared just as regal as his mate, but his expression turned emotional as he turned back to look with admiration at the prelate. “Yarrem…is that really you? After all these years?”

  Yarrem smiled solemnly. “Yes, dear Keyoti. It is I. I haven’t seen you since you were but a small toddler but I remember you well. And your dear mother.”

  Keyoti’s narrow eyes brimmed with tears. “My mother would be pleased to know you are well! Tell me—how did you survive? Last I saw you were…” he trailed off, not able to acknowledge the impairment Yarrem once faced.

  “Yes, I was but yesterday, I was healed, thanks to the lovely Queen Leorah and her knight, I am finally free of the dark curse.” Yarrem held out his hand and gestured to me. I lowered my head ever so slightly in reverence.

  “You? But how—are you a healer? We had several white and silver dragons try to heal you. It didn’t work! How—” the emperor questioned with confusion.

  “I am not a white or silver dragon. I’m a pink dragon,” I replied, trying to sound boastful and proud but I’m sure my tone shook; fearful of his reaction.

  “Pink? But…there hasn’t been sight of one of you since…” Keyoti swallowed the words he was surely about to say: since Cyril the Mad.

  “Cyril, I know. Assuredly, there have been others but…that’s a very long story,” I said bitterly. “That’s partially what we need to discuss with you.”

  “Cyril? But, he’s long deceased, isn’t he?” the empress cut in.

  I snorted. “Ah, you’d think that.” And Maxxus cut in, explaining the Shadows, our part in it and our entire story…from my friend being possessed, to Nicodemus’ infiltration of the Court, to the battle in the throne room and Castle Danger. All of it.

  When Maxxus finished, with the details filled in by my grandfather, both the emperor and the empress’s eyes were wide with shock.

  “…and, Cyril has returned?” the emperor said, his voice not hiding his trepidation at the idea.

  “He is. Well, more like he never left, just has been inhabiting the Shadow realm all these years,” I said, with a sigh. “Which is why we need your help. We believe that the Mytho havens are a target for the Shadow’s infiltration, and why we are encouraging you to dispatch a number of guards to any you may have in your kingdom to ensure their well-being and subsequently, yours.”

  “Yes, and with Leorah here being instrumental in the healing of the Shadowtouched, it is crucial you send your finest healers, builders—whatever—to help rebuild the home of the Loremasters and Anarach as well, post haste. It is very important the burden be taken off of Leorah and her companions if we want to quell the threat of Shadows,” Yarrem finished.

  Yanaleese and Keyoti glanced at each other hesitantly. “We already have our havens guarded, and we always have, but we will notify them of this threat and have them on the look-out,” Yanaleese said.

  “Good. But what of—well of your assistance?” Maxxus asked with pause. We all knew the relationship between our kingdoms was precarious, but we had no time for petty arguments. We needed help.

  “Yana, Keyoti.” I stood and pushed my male counterparts aside, and presented myself with as much dignity as I could muster. “I understand the relationship between Zyanhei and Anarach has been strained. I assure you, whatever happened under rulers past is just that: the past. Whatever humiliation you may have suffered because of us, I humbly apologize for the misunderstanding. I cannot claim to know what our predecessors were thinking, but with everything going on, we need to have a front of solidarity. I promise there will be no further humiliation, and you can always be upfront with me if something is wrong. I prefer you to be blunt, always. If there is anything else we can do to mend fences, please tell me and I will make sure it is done.”

  The empress crossed her hands over each other, glancing at the emperor before she spoke. “Well, healing Yarrem was a good start. He is a treasure to our people and we will be happy to have him home, whole, once again.” A wide smile spread across her face. “I think we can begin to form relations with Anarach again. It is a good time.”

  I exhaled deeply, a tense breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

  “Your highnesses, that is so good to hear,” my grandfather said, clapping his hands together happily.

  “Queen Leorah, your heartfelt apology—for something you had nothing to do with—honors our ancestors. You had nothing to do with what happened between our forefathers’ years ago, yet you still take the blame for it. That shows courage, and honor. With such honorable dragons in control of Anarach, I believe I feel confident in beginning to rebuild ties with you, once again,” the emperor said, echoing his mate’s sentiment. He and she traded nods before he continued. “Send us a list of everything that needs done, and we will send over whoever we can spare to help in your mission.”

  “You can email, right?” The empress inquired. “Last time we spoke to anyone from Anarach, you were barely discovering the telephone.”

  I snorted. “I assure you, while not everyone here embraces technology, that is one thing I
will see that happens.”

  “I can email you the details,” my grandfather replied happily.

  “Good. I wish you well, Anarach. We will be in touch shortly to discuss future relations.” Emperor Keyoti bowed once, and the screen went blank as they cut the feed.

  Yarrem, Maxxus and my grandfather turned to me, beaming widely.

  “Leorah! You were wonderful!” Yarrem praised.

  “You accomplished what no one has been able to do in years: fix things with Zyanhei. I am so proud of you!” my grandfather said. He stepped forward, intending to hug me but paused.

  Maxxus beat him to it. He bundled me up in his arms and held me close, my cheek against his pounding heart. “And you said you weren’t Queen material.”

  “I’m not. I just don’t believe in holding grudges over dumb shit.” I sighed contentedly, feeling safe against my mate. “Seriously, being angry because someone got someone else pregnant? Give me a break! That’s no reason not to speak to each other!”

  “Wise words,” he said with a laugh. “Now, let’s get you that steak dinner.”

  My stomach rumbled in response. I clutched it with a groan. “Yes please. Make it two?”

  He chuckled. “You got it.”

  Chapter 18

  “Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

  The piercing shriek rang out through the walls of the castle, and grew louder as they neared us in the bedchambers, where Maxxus and I were currently resting, waiting for dinner.

  “Eeeeeeeeee!” Another shriek rattled my bones and made me cringe. Sona, who was next to me on the bed, enjoying a late-evening scratch, hissed in dismay and darted across the room, for the armoire that was left open. Even though it contained most of my human clothes, and nothing suitable for cats—Sona decided to make it her bed. If she could have, I was sure she’d close the door behind her; her head now buried under mounds of sweatshirts and graphic tees.