“No, believe me he doesn’t. He only cares about me taking over the throne from him. Nothing more. My mother is another story.”
“Fine even if your father won’t go on a killing spree, killing every Chromatic in sight, trying to find him,” he nudged his head toward Robert, “someone else will.”
“I’m ready for whatever is bound to happen.” Robert assured Helmut.
“Fine,” Helmut said. “But you are wrong. This will lead…”
“To what,” Albert interrupted him. “War? Whatever my father is going to do, is what we want him to do, Helmut. War is what we need. Without it there can’t be peace, and I’m sick and tired of hearing about dragons getting slaughtered. They are just as noble as Metallics. We both know it. I know you feel like you are never going to find yours, but you saw that Sun-Blast in the dungeon, Helmut. Your flame mimicked his. It was the same. He trusted you because of it.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying it might be more than just a coincidence.”
“I don’t follow.” Helmut said, and we all chuckled.
“For the first time, I’m with Helmut.” Caleb said.
I looked at Gordy and he nodded his head, agreeing with Helmut and Caleb.
I smiled.
“Your fire carries the same blue flame as the Sun-Blast’s.”I looked at Helmut, “Your snow, mimics the snow dragon.”
“And your point is.”
“I don’t have acid, we all know that, but there is a reason why some humans have the same gifts as you and if this law of magic dies and a new one rises up, using magic for good. I can promise you, the more people will step forward that have gifts like yours that mimic the other gifts of the Chromatics.”
“Al,” all three of them said. Bob just stared at the ground.
“I know it sounds ludicrous, but you both have those gifts. It’s not a coincidence. It belongs to the dragons. Something tells me there’s more.”
“Robert,” Helmut asked and Bob looked at him. “What he said, is there some truth to it?”
“I don’t know. But if he wants to dream, let him dream.”
I laughed at the look on Helmut’s face. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you Helmut.”
“I’m not jealous,” he grabbed my neck and ruffled up my hair. “I’m worried about everything that you are going to put, not just your parents Al but, every single subject in this world through.”
“I have no choice. Dragons, all breeds, need to be saved.”
They all just sat there, thinking about everything I had said. Trying to process, still process, the plan that we had come up with a year ago when we started recruiting, or Robert did, on my behalf.
“So it’s set then,” Caleb was the first to speak.
“A fortnight from now. If the plan is going to work, we can’t wait any longer. The militia needs us, well me, right now. If there’s going to be a war then the two of you must fake your own deaths too. I’ll speak to one of the Sun-Blasts. If you die in war, then that is the plan, and it’s crucial that all of you volunteer to hunt Robert down. Don’t stray or waiver from the plan.”
“That is, if your father is not going to hunt him down first.”
“He won’t. And if by some miracle he wanted to, you use his vulnerability against him. The curse. No Swallow Annex can save him.”
Helmut nodded, then Caleb and last Gordy. I would trust these three with my life, with my dragon’s life and with the string of kids I would one day have.
That thought ached my heart again. I was never going to find her.
Chapter 9
KATIE
Things went back to normal.
I hadn’t seen Albert again. But at night I dreamed about him, meeting me, taking me away, just like in the Cinderella story.
In my dream dad was healed, mom never worked nights again and I…I became his forever and ever.
But the reality of the dream never came. It was only a dream.
Everything about Albert felt like a dream, even that night at the ball.
In the early morning hours, I opened the store.
Pappa had had a bad night again last night and mama had to take care of him.
So I told her to sleep in and I would take care of everything for her. Even the store.
She had made another batch of lavender sweetwater that still needed to be bottled and put on the shelf.
Ever since it came out that it was Prince Albert’s favorite, batches didn’t last as long as they used to.
Still, with all the extra money we saved up, we would never get enough money for pappa to see a Swallow Annex as each time their price went up too because we didn’t know anyone that could vouch for us.
It was as if fate didn’t want pappa to heal.
The door chimed and Maggy walked in.
As chirpy as ever she start regaling her night at the bar.
I felt sorry for her.
“So Frederick is back.” She looked at me tenderly to see the expression on my face.
“The mayor’s son.”
She nodded. “Father made me.” Tears glistened in her eyes and she pulled them back. “He told me that we should get married in the fall.”
“But you hate the fall.”
“I know,” she lifted one side of her lip.
“Maggy, you don’t have anything in common with Frederick, don’t go through with it.”
She just looked at me. “My parents are not like yours, Kate. They will never let me be.”
“I’m sorry,” I spoke softly.
A scream came from outside, followed by more screams.
I frowned looking at Maggy who was staring at the entrance. We both ran toward it as fast as our legs would carry us to see what was going on.
The cow bell chimed loudly as we pulled the door opened. Maggy ran out as I just stared from the entrance.
People were bundled up. Men had anger plastered on their faces, the women were crying, well most of them. Another group was reading a parchment that had been placed on the notice board.
Their faces were in grave horror.
“I’ll go look.” Maggy said and vanished among the people that were waiting to read the news.
Nothing was happening, so I went back inside and knew that in a few moments Maggy would tell me everything about the ridiculous announcement the king must have just made.
I thought about Albert again.
In my daydreams we talked a lot about his duties as the prince. Things he didn’t like that his father was doing.
He was so different from what I expected, but then again it was only a daydream.
He might be the total opposite of the man I met that night. But then again he did give mama the royal seal.
The door chimed once more and Maggy entered the store.
She was as pale as a ghost.
I walked out from behind the counter where I was filling tiny bottles with mother’s sweetwater, and moved toward Maggy.
“Are you okay?” I touched both her shoulders and she looked at me as tears formed in her eyes.
“Maggy what is it? What did they do now?” I started to sound more agitated.
She shook her head and lowered her gaze from me. “It’s not what they did Kate.” She looked at me again. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry, about what.” I started to feel a bit panicky.
“You should sit down, Kate.”
“No, tell me. What happened. Why are you sorry.”
“It’s Albert, he is dead.”
I should’ve sat down, but I didn’t. Now I was sitting, on the floor in the middle of the shop.
Maggy locked the door and put on the ‘be back soon’ sign.
She came to sit with me, on the floor, as my mind truly tried to process this. How could he be dead?
Tears streamed down my face and she hugged me tight as a scream left my mouth.
“I’m so sorry,” she kept saying trying to hold me together as I felt like I was breaking apa
rt.
I cried for a long time and finally my sobs calmed down.
“What happened,” I finally managed to croak out.
“It was an acid spitter. He…” she shook her head.
“Those stupid Chromatics. They are so vile.” I said through gritted teeth.
“Kate, they say that King Louis isn’t himself. Nobody knows what is going to happen.”
“When did this happen?” I didn’t care about King Louis.
“Two days ago.”
“Two days ago, and they only sent us word today.”
“Eikenborough is far from the palace, their riders only reached us this morning. I’m sorry.”
“Stop saying you are sorry.” I started crying again.
She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tighter.
A knock came at the door and Maggy looked up. “Your mother is here.” She got up, leaving me on the floor, and went to the entrance to open the door.
My mother’s voice filled the shop. “What on earth…”
“An announcement was posted on the notice board today. Prince Albert was killed by an acid spitter.”
My mother gasped and I could feel her eyes on me.
Her footsteps rushed over to me and then her arms hugged me tightly.
“I’m so sorry Kate. I know how you felt about him, sweetheart.”
I didn’t know what to say when I looked at her. There was nothing to say.
Everything was over. Everything. Even my dreams.
* * *
ALBERT
The plan worked. I was brought immediately to the militia that Robert had recruited. They were stationed deep in the mountains far away from the dragon village in a forest.
The militia were already creating a secret compound, base camp, we called it, deep in the forest of Aeken woods. It was protected by dragon magic and only another dragon would be able to detect it.
What made it a great hiding spot for our rebellion was that there were plenty of superstitions about these woods. Everyone believed them and we used them to scare away any intruders. The villagers believed that once you stepped foot inside the forest, you could never leave.
They had crafted a safe place for us in the forest, among the trees, close to a mountain that would provide cover and block most of the wind during the winter.
War was messy and time consuming. This one was not going to be different.
There were a few platforms in the trees. They looked like boxes made of wood. Sleeping quarters and more were being built each day.
When I entered with Robert, I saw many shifters were among the militia. I looked at Robert.
“It isn’t just dragons that I have recruited my prince. Many of the shifters feel the same way about the Chromatics and that they don’t have a voice either. They hope that you will use this fight not just for the Chromatics, but for all life in Paegeia.”
I smiled at Robert. “You really know me so well. I need you to get word to Delilah as fast as you can Robert. Give her this,” I gave him my handkerchief, the one she had made me by hand. It was dear to my heart. “Tell her the truth of who you are and about all this and I’m trying to do, but please don’t get caught. I can’t do this without you.”
“You have my word, your dragon mother will know the truth about you before this day is over.”
“Thank you Robert.”
Everyone that was here came toward me, touching me on my shoulders and every other place they could find. Finally we reached what I assumed was the beginning construction of a main building. It looked like a log house. Parts of it were already in place, but they were making it bigger.
The doors closed behind us after Robert told them that I would address them in a few hours. I just needed some rest.
“You’ve really been busy.”
“Well, with all the money you kept giving us, I had to put it to great use.”
I laughed. In a few weeks, Helmut would join me. Then a few months later, Caleb. Gordan was the one that had to give us intel from my father’s side and recruit in secret his best men to fight with us, for our cause.
“I need news, Robert. Did it work, how are Helmut and the others holding up with the plan?”
“Helmut faked an injury. I assume Connie was called.”
“I wish you would stop calling me your lord and your prince. I just died Robert. So just Albert from now on. We are equals till the very end. You know that.”
He smiled.
“You need your rest. I’ll be back later tonight with any news. Siegfried is in charge when I’m not here, he will look after you Albert.” He smiled softly before turning on his heels and exiting through the door. I walked to the bed and fell on it.
My mind wandered again. Not to my mother or father. By now word would’ve reached Eikenborough and my fair lady would have heard the grave news.
How would she take it?
My greatest regret was that the plan involving her didn’t work.
The plan had been to find her, because she held the greatest possession after all -- my heart.
I had wanted to tell her about the plan and convince her to act heart broken, if she cared for me the way I cared for her.
What was she going through? How was she handling the news of my death?
The only great thing that happened through this plan was that I was finally free of Drizelda. Maybe she would be given away in marriage to someone else.
I could only hope.
Chapter 10
KATIE
The next few months felt as if they were going in slow motion but the fact was that they sped by fast.
I felt lost. Thoughts about what would become of my life now that I’d lost any hope of a life with Prince Albert plagued me daily.
Fairytales were not real, no matter how beautiful ours had been. It was a real Cinderella story, just without the glass slipper.
I should’ve worn, and lost, a glass slipper. Then maybe he would’ve found me and I would have known the real Albert, of that night, better.
Now, I hated dragons all over again.
The kingdom had a big funeral for the prince.
I went to Elm with Maggy and her parents and cried my eyes out like so many others. Drizelda was among the ones that walked behind his mother and father.
The king was still in shock, but his mom was crying as she walked behind his casket.
Drizelda was seriously putting on a performance and she had plenty of admirers following behind. I looked at his casket again and remembered that night. How he had laughed at me. How he had made me feel like I was important. I didn’t even know then that it was him and now his body was lying in a casket. I would never get the chance to know him.
Maggy sniffed into her handkerchief and held me close as tears rolled down my cheeks.
We couldn’t move closer but I saw his altar from afar and saw how the king pushed the altar, with his casket on top, into the endless lake.
Goodbye my prince. I shook with silent tears again and then arrows set the casket on fire.
Twenty canon shots followed.
He was only twenty years old.
That night around the dinner table in the tavern I overheard Peter talking about dragon hunters and the prince’s three best friends tracking down the acid spitter that did this to him.
“I heard from Fletcher that they haven’t even found the prince’s entire body. His face was so badly ripped apart that his own mother couldn’t even recognise him but he was wearing the royal ring, his ring.”
I didn’t want to hear anymore, knowing that I would have nightmares about it tonight.
I closed my eyes and sighed.
His funeral had been more than a month ago.
Afterward, the king went on a rampage. He got the best dragon hunters to hunt the Chromatics and it was chaos, just like Peter, Maggy’s father, had said it was going to be.
The Chromatics retaliated and started to destroy villages near and far.
More and mor
e people fled to Eikenborough and the big hearted mayor’s wife, couldn’t bring herself to turn any of them away.
Maggy’s mom and my mother were taking care of orphan children at the hall in Eikenborough.
The mayor’s wife was leading the entire operation, making sure that there was food for everyone.
The only good thing about the war was that the taxman didn’t come, but, on the other hand, customers didn’t come either.
Everything was going to ashes all around us.
The men were building contraptions, trying to keep the dragons out of Eikenborough’s sky with the help of Tony and Marco, the butcher.
I wanted to help, I could hunt, but mother made it clear that I was to stay put, to take care of my siblings, make sure they were safe.
It wasn’t fair but I knew that she didn’t want to lose a child.
Yet, I was already lost and as the days ticked by, she saw it too.
Soon, I heard news that Helmut, the prince of Tith died, while he was trying to get revenge for Albert’s death. A fire breather had killed him. It was such a huge shock, not just to us, but to all the villages of Tith.
I had rushed to the tavern, knowing that Maggy would be upset by the news. When I opened the door, I saw her crying at one of the tables. Rowena was hugging her tightly.
“Oh Maggy,” I said softly and she pushed herself out of her mother’s embrace and collapsed hard against my chest.
“I hate them, I hate all of them.”
“I know you do. I’m so sorry.” I knew that she had had a huge crush on Helmut for the past ten years. She had developed it by the time she was seven years old. She had only seen him once. I think him and his twin had been like twelve.
She didn’t even speak to him, their entire relationship was in her head.
But now her dreams were crushed just like mine were. Both our princes were gone.
I stayed with her the entire night. She was spent from all the crying.
I knew her pain.
A week later, more devastating news came. Caleb, the prince of Areeth fell. His body was burned so badly that they only found ashes. The only remaining prince was Goran. For some reason none of the kings really liked him, but he was going to have to step up now as when all this was over, Goran was going to rule it all.
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