Kiora

"She has Vadayrir's egg?" Amantha gasps, her eyes wide. Athan, his sisters, and all the wives are gathered in the throne room. Athan had called them upon his and Kiora's return so she could show them all her egg.

"How could you let this happen, Athan?" Alethia asks, her voice an angry growl. "How could you give another wife a dragon?"

Illyria's face is pale as she stands with the other wives. All of them look between Kiora and Illyria with nervous expressions. Kiora and Illyria's eyes meet and Kiora doesn't miss the spark of hatred flash through her turquoise glare.

"Do I need to remind you all that Kiora saved my life?" he asks, his voice terrifyingly cold. Alethia takes in a sharp, nervous breath, but her glare does not back down. "I do not need to give my reasonings to any of you. I owe none of you any sort of explanation as to why I gave my wife a dragon. You just need to accept it."

"It would be easier to accept if it wasn't Vadayrir's egg," Alethia hisses. "The offspring of a dragon like that deserves better than to be a prize pet of a vain woman."

Kiora raises an eyebrow and looks at Illyria's dragon. It's curled at her feet, the golden collar around its neck gleaming. Illyria pulls at the chain, which is attached to a cuff around her wrist.

"Are you so lost to the ways of dragons that you have forgotten how it works?" Amantha asks. "Athan did not give Kiora Vadayrir's egg. Vadayrir and her offspring chose her. That is the way of dragons. For all the power Athan holds over them, it still isn't enough to force an unwanted bond. They choose us. Not the other way around."

Alethia splutters, shaking her head. Kiora looks at Athan, confused. Why such a fuss over this particular dragon egg? She looks down at it, still in awe of the metallic, silver-lilac stony scales. They gleam and shimmer in the low light, the colours changing at different angles. It's heavy too. Kiora's arms began aching long ago, but she embraces the pain. It is worth it. She never wants to let go of the egg again.

"Vadayrir has been guarding that egg for two hundred and fifty years!" Alethia shouts, her voice echoing around the hall. The other wives flinch and look at the ground in discomfort. Amantha rolls her eyes whilst Athan remains emotionless, staring at his sister. Alethia continues. "She's been saving it for someone magnificent. Someone who will be able to properly embrace and look after the power that her offspring will hold!" Alethia's voice trembles and Kiora frowns seeing tears glisten in the woman's eyes.

"Admit it, sister. You're just jealous Vadayrir didn't choose you," Amantha says, laughing dryly.

"I don't understand what's going on," Kiora whispers to Athan.

"What's going on," Alethia growls, her face reddening with anger, "is that except for Athan's dragon, Vadayrir is the biggest and most vicious dragon in Athan's arsenal. She has lived for nearly one thousand years! She has fought in the bloodiest of battles and come out victorious." She pauses and looks at Athan, her eyes burning with rage. Tears spill down her cheeks. "You know what dragon has fathered that egg," she hisses. One sharp glare from Athan has Alethia silencing.

"What does the father have to do with it?" Kiora asks.

"Nothing," Alethia, Amantha and Athan all say at the same time. The three of them share a look that Kiora can't decipher. Then, Alethia takes in a slow, deep breath. Her eyes fall on Kiora.

"The dragon in that egg is more powerful than you could ever imagine. The idea of you chaining it up and parading it around like a pet makes me feel sick to my stomach."

"I won't be doing that," Kiora says.

Alethia scoffs. "You say that now, but when you see the way everyone looks at you with that dragon flying above your head, you'll change your mind. And even if you don't, you'll never be able to let that dragon live its life to the fullest extent. It will be a warrior, a vicious, bloodthirsty beast like its parents. That dragon belongs to a fighter and someone who can properly mount it. You are just a wife."

"Are you done?" Athan asks, his voice void of emotion. Alethia stares at him.

"How could you?" she asks, her voice breaking.

Amantha groans loudly. "Are you done with this pathetic pity party yet?" she asks her sister.

"How are you not seeing how disgraceful this is?" Alethia asks.

Amantha laughs, the sound cruel and mocking. Athan sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Who do you think you are?" Amantha asks, stalking towards her sister slowly, her dragon eyes glowing with rage.

Alethia opens her mouth to argue but is interrupted before she can speak. 

"Who are you to question the choice of a dragon?"

Alethia shuts her mouth, gulping. Amantha continues. "There is no argument here, Alethia. Kiora has been chosen by that dragon. Who are you to tell dragons who they can and can't bond with? Their choice has been made. So accept it."

Alethia looks at the ground. Kiora notices her hand shaking as it rests on her cane. Kiora looks to Athan, confused.

"Everything will be explained to you once the egg has hatched and the dragon has grown out of its adolescence," he says, his smile bright and proud. "Until then, just enjoy your baby dragon without a care or worry."

"How do I hatch it?" Kiora asks.

"Every hatch is unique. I cannot answer. All I will say is that it will happen when the time is right."

Kiora sighs, disappointed. Athan chuckles and presses a hand to the egg gently.

"Ignore Alethia," he says to her.

"She's bitter that the egg didn't choose her," Amantha pipes up.

"Has it really been two hundred and fifty years?" Kiora asks.

"It has," Athan replies, lowering his voice so only Kiora can hear.

"This egg is as old as I am," she says.

"It would appear it was laid the same year you were created," he chuckles. "I think it's been waiting for you."

Kiora's eyes widen in shock and her mouth drops open. Her hands clutch it a little tighter and she stares down at it in awe. Athan looks up and addresses his sisters and wives once more.

"I have let you share your grievances, Alethia. It is enough now. Whilst I am gone, I expect all of you to treat Kiora with respect and to aid her in hatching this egg. Do you understand?" he asks.

"Yes, Your Majesty," they reply, curtsying. Kiora peaks up and looks at Illyria. A shiver runs down her spine when she sees Illyria's beautifully dangerous smile.

The doors at the end of the hall open and General Castor walks in. Athan steps away from Kiora, straightening.

"Everything is ready, Your Majesty," he says. "It is time to go."

Kiora's breath stills and dread pools in her stomach.

"Finally. I can't bear it in this fucking palace any longer," Amantha says.

"We can't bear it with you here either," Alethia retorts coldly. Amantha pouts.

"I'm off to war, dear sister. Is that any way to say goodbye? I may not come back."

"Let's hope," Alethia snarls viciously.

Amantha laughs and Athan rolls his eyes.

"It is time," Athan says. Kiora's eyes sting with tears. She looks over at Illyria, whose lips quiver. Athan smiles softly and walks over to her.

"Is this really necessary Athan?" she asks as he takes her hands.

"It is," he says. "It is only a few years. Time will pass quickly, I'm sure."

Illyria's eyes water, but she keeps her head high.

"I'm sure it will," she says, "and I am confident you will return victorious."

"Your faith in me means a lot," he replies. Leaning down, he places a soft kiss on her forehead. He says gentle goodbyes to the other wives before walking back over to Kiora. He reaches down for the egg, touching it gently. A wide smile rests on his face, full of pride.

"Look after this little one," he says, "I am confident it will hatch soon in your loving care, Kiora. You shall have a friend and protector here whilst I am gone."

Kiora smiles and bites back her scared tears.

"I hope your conquest is successful," she says.

"It will be," Athan replies. He presses another soft kiss on Kiora's head. "Goodbye," he says as he pulls away.

"Goodbye, Athan," Kiora replies, keeping her voice from trembling. He cups the side of her cheek fondly, before turning and following the general out of the room.

"It was pleasant to see you again, dear sister," Amantha says, her voice laced with sarcasm. Alethia doesn't reply. Amantha laughs and turns to Kiora. She winks at her, before spinning on her heels and leaving the room.

"Get me out of here!" she shouts.

Once they're all gone, silence fills the room, followed by a strange, empty coldness. Kiora shudders and looks at Alethia and Illyria. Both of them have tears streaming down their faces. The other wives sniffle too.

"Come," Alethia says, gesturing for them all to move. "We must go and attend the leaving parade."

Kiora doesn't ask what that is. She just follows the other wives as they make their way to one of the main balconies at the front of the palace which looks over the whole city.

Below them, leaving the castle, rows upon rows of soldiers exit onto the streets. Some are on horseback, others walk. They move in perfect unison, their immaculate copper, dragon-scale armour gleaming in the sun. The even thuds as their boots hit the ground at the same pace make Kiora shift with discomfort. It's almost too perfect.

"How many are leaving?" Beatrix asks.

"That does not concern you," Alethia replies coldly. "Just trust in the planning of the Emperor and know that he has left us enough guards to keep us safe."

Beatrix shuts her mouth and the wives go silent.

"Wave at the men. They are going off to fight in a war to protect you and these lands. Show them some respect as they depart," Alethia orders.

Kiora does as she's told, smiling and waving as the soldiers, who aren't even looking at them, leave. She can hear the city beyond, shouting and cheering as they pass. Everyone has come to witness the great departure.

After an hour of standing and watching the steady stream of soldiers leave, a great rumbling consumes the city. Kiora looks towards the nest and gasps as a sapphire mass flies out from behind those dark walls. The city erupts with excited, awe-filled cries. Kiora can't help but smile, her eyes wide.

Amantha's dragon races into the sky, letting out a proud, booming roar as she does so. It moves with a dangerous, deadly grace. It is nothing short of spectacular. Kiora looks down at her egg and smiles, her body pulsing with excitement at the thought of that one day being her on the back of a dragon of her own.

There are more dragon cries and Kiora watches, her mouth hanging open in awe as three more enormous dragons fly from the Nest, their shrieks echoing over the city.

"Who else rides dragons?" she asks.

"A few of the emperor's most fearsome warriors and trusted friends were gifted dragons," Alethia replies dryly, not looking at her.

"What about the dragons without riders?" Kiora asks, "Do they stay or do they follow Athan?"

"The dragons without riders will stay unless summoned," Alethia replies.

Kiora goes to ask another question, but she can't look away from the four dragons dancing in the skies above them. Before she can fully take it in, a roar, so deep, so loud, that it shudders right the way through Kiora's body booms across the city.

"Here he comes," Alethia whispers, staring at the nest transfixed, her eyes glassy with unspilled tears. Kiora looks back at the nest and her whole body goes still from a strange mix of terror and amazement.

The dragon moves slowly, its great claws wrapping around the nest as it squeezes its way out of the huge building. With each movement, the city shudders. Dust falls from the stone around them.

The dark scales, a mixture of grey and black, seem to absorb all light. Spikes line its magnificent face and its golden eyes glow.

The beast pulls itself out of the nest with an enormous roar as it cranes its neck. Never has Kiora seen a beast so giant. It stretches out its wings, throwing over half the city into shade. Kiora can't breathe as she stares over its beautiful, terrifying body, thick with muscle and scale-lined skin sagging with age.

This is an ancient creature.

It roars once more, its teeth catching the light. Kiora has to cover her ears, the sound so deafening that it sends pain shooting through her. The other wives are the same.

The dragon flaps its wings with so much force, that wind hurtles toward them. Then, it slowly rises into the sky. Kiora briefly catches a glimpse of Athan's golden armour glowing in the sun. He is nothing but a speck on the back of the dragon.

The dragon lifts into the sky and starts gliding toward the palace. The ground rumbles beneath them and the beast blocks out the sun. Kiora looks up as it passes slowly overhead.

Its underbelly is marred with large scars, deep and white. Kiora watches it pass, unblinking to not miss even the smallest detail.

Tears of awe sting her eyes, her mouth trembling. The dragon passes slowly, its long, spiked tail seemingly miles long.

Then, it's gone. Athan is gone.

Beside her, silent tears spill down Alethia's cheeks and the other wives are pale.

"Is that Athan's dragon?" Illyria asks breathlessly.

"That was Raxathor," Alethia whispers. "The Master of all Dragons. He is as old and powerful as a god and he chose Athan. Remember that when you question your emperor. When you answer back to him or disobey him. That man was chosen by a god. In comparison, all of you are as insignificant as bugs."

Before anyone can reply, Alethia turns and walks away. The other wives look at each other awkwardly before slowly filtering back into the castle, leaving Kiora and Illyria on the balcony alone together.

"Had you seen Raxathor before today?" Kiora asks her.

"No, never," Illyria says. "I..." she trails off.

"I know," Kiora says, still struggling to string a thought together herself.

The two women stand in silence, staring out as the city starts to quieten.

"It doesn't make sense," Illyria says.

"What doesn't?" Kiora asks.

"You saw that dragon," Illyria gulps. "That thing could level cities. So why is it going to take Athan years to complete his conquest? Most sane nations would see that beast coming for them and surrender immediately. That's what my brothers did, and they weren't even threatened with Raxathor."

Kiora sighs and bites at her lips.

"The fire wardens of the north aren't normal people," Kiora says, turning to face Illyria. "They have fought dragons before and won."

Illyria pales and she gulps. "I must go," she says quickly, pulling her tiny dragon along with her. Kiora watches her leave, feeling a pang of pity for Illyria. She pushes that feeling aside and looks down at her egg with a smile.

"One day, you'll grow as big as Raxathor," she says, smiling widely. Kiora walks towards her wing, gazing down at the egg. When she gets to her room, she puts it on the golden stand Athan had gotten for her.

"Now," she says, gently stroking the metallic egg. "It's time for you to hatch."