I wear an emerald dress. It is simple in shape. A low V shaped neckline and a flowing skirt made from a shiny material. My hair has been left down and a crown of flowers has been woven into into it. The flowers are bright against my hair. My eyes have been painted with the same emerald shades as the dress and my lips have a thin layer of bronze glitter covering them.

I gulp as I look in the mirror. The past week has been an incredibly long and exhausting one. It had taken a lot of time to clear the fallen bodies from both sides and get them home to their loved ones. It has been a time of mourning over all of Shadow. Now, it is our turn. Today, we burry Serenity. We didn't want black. We wanted to wear colours that represented her and her life. Colours that remind us of her. A deep ache claws at my chest and I feel my eyes being to sting. A knock on my door momentarily distracts me.

"Come in," I say, trying to make my voice even. The door opens and Sorcha walks inside. She bows at me and I give a nod of respect to her. Every day she has been looking healthier and healthier as the natural balance of their people has been restored.

"Queen Isla," she smiles and I manage a small smile back.

"High Priestess," I say. "How can I help you?" I ask.

"I have come to inform you that we are ready to leave. All our dead are on the ships, ready to go home to their families," she sighs. "Our injured are now healthy enough to travel."

"Good," I say. "I'm sure you will all be happy to be home," I say. She nods her head.

"We as a nation have a lot of healing to do," she sighs. "We both do." I nod my head in agreement. "But I hope that we can put this behind us. I know it will take time but I believe Shadow and NightShade can have a future of peace together. A friendship. I know it may be difficult to think about, especially considering what my people have done to yours," she sighs.

"Shadow is a forgiving and understanding nation," I tell her. "We just need a bit of time first," I say.

"Of course," she says with a heavy sigh. "I have decided that you can keep Harrison here to do with as you please," she says. "Though he may be a war criminal to our people, the atrocities he has commited have had a greater effect on Shadow. Plus, we don't want him stepping foot on our lands again," she scoffs. I nod my head, glad about her decision.

"You are welcome to come to the execution," I tell her. A smile lights up her face.

"I think that is an offer I may have to take up," she grins wickedly. I chuckle and there is a few moments of silence.

"I will have a message sent to you, when we decide on when it shall be."

"Yes, I would like that." She goes to leave the room then turns around.

"Goodbye queen Isla," she smiles. "Be well."

"You too," I smile back to her and she leaves. There will be an escort for her and some of her people back to the ships where they will sail back to NightShade. I would take her, however there is too much to do. Toryn walks in as she leaves. His face is solemn.

"It is time," he sighs. I nod my head. We go down to the ballroom where a large group of shifters wait. They all wear clothes made of shades of greens and decorated with flowers. I gulp again as they bow upon my entrance. I walk through the hall, the shifters parting as I do so. In the centre of the room is a beautiful wooden table. Lying on top of it in a case of clear glass is Serenity. Tanya stands there, tears streaming down her face as her hand presses against the glass case. I surpress a sob as I see Serenity lying there. She looks so peaceful. The blood has been cleaned from her body and she has been dressed in a spectacular bronze and green dress. Her eyes are closed and her lips have a very small hint of a smile to them. I put a hand on Tanya's shoulders and she sinks into me, her sobs echoing around the room.

Looking around, I see all our friends and their parents. Most have tears streaming down their faces. Though this isn't their first funeral this week. A few days after the battle, we burried Lady Indira. The whole country mourns her as she has pretty much guided us all through our growing years having been the Lady of the Academy for over a hundred years. She was walked through towns and cities in the most beautiful glass coffin. Everyone gathered on the streets to say their goodbyes and we walked alongside the coffin which was being carried by Daniel, Oliver and a few other high ranking shifters. They had thrown pure white lillies along our path. They were her favourite flower. We had finally burried her back at her home in a small town in Zina. Though a memorial has been errected by the Academy.

Yesterday had also been the funeral of Daniels mother and our previous High Queen, Katrina. That was a smaller affair, taking place in her home lands of Zina. She was simply burried with her husband and ancestors with only the royals present. Though she was well loved by all of Shadow, Daniel said he did not want a big funeral. He didn't want them to see what Aspen had done to her.

Now, I look down on Serenity, lying in the glass coffin and I feel sick. This shouldn't be happening. She should bestanding alongside us. I look at my siblings and they nod their heads slowly. There are three poles sticking out from the bottom of the coffin. Tanya takes hold of the one at the front which sits in the centre. The other two stick to the back corners. Toryn and I take on each, lifting them onto our shoulders. The crowd parts as we begin to walk.

It is a beaituful procession. Our path is quiet as we all walk along in our earth robes. It is odly peaceful. The shifters we pass all bow down lowly and through the most beautiful flowers on our trails. I can't stop the tears that flow as we carry our sister to the place Tanya has chosen. It takes all day to walk to the spot. Apparently, it was a place that Tanya and Serenity would secretly run off too and as soon as we enter it, I can see why. A field stretches before us. It is covered in the most vibrant wild flowers in brights shades of every colour imaginable. The edges of the field are lined with thick trees with bright green leaves that glitter in the sun. It is so beautiful and it sits withing the boarders of our lands, Zola.

In the centre of the field, a stone building has been erected. It is fairly small. It contists of a stone circle with stone pillars holding up a domed stone roof. The pilars are surrounded in stone carvings of vines and flowers as well as actual flowers. The stone domed roof is decorated with stone carvings of dragons. There are two small steps which lead inside the structure. Sat in the middle of it, is a stone table. We crouch down and place the coffin on top of it gracefully. Then, we pull away the poles we used to carry it and remove the lid. I close my eyes, taking another deep breath. 

Tanya places some flowers in Serenity's hands which neatly sit just under her chest. She then strokes her hair delicatly.

"I love you," she whispers as her voice breaks and tears flow freely down her face. Toryn and I alo walk over to her. My breathing quickens and I can't stop the sobs that escape my lips as kiss her on the forehead one last time. Toryn kisses her forehead too, tears falling heavily over his cheekes.

"I love you," I whisper to her. "Thank you," I gulp. "For saving us, for protecting Shadow," I gulp again. "And thank you for all that you have done for me. You have been a light in my life. You have guided me through some of my hardest moments, you have been there when I've needed you," I sob again before continuing. "You are the kindest, most wonderful person and for you to be taken from us..." Toryn presses a palm on my shoulders and I take a deep breath. "You were stolen too soon and our worold without you will always be a little bit darker. I love you, my darling little sister. I'm sorry I could not better protect you," I cry as I kiss her forehead again. I step back and take Tanya and Toryns hands. A large sculpture of a dragon is brought up. It is made from twigs, leaves and flowers. They have been twisted and shaped so it looks like her dragon form. It is so intricate a beautiful. Its head lays over her stomach and chest. Its body curls around the stone table and one wing covers the ends of her legs. It looks as though the dragon is both protecting her and warming. Though its eyes are closed too. Both the human and the dragon are resting now.

We stand in silence for a few moments more before I nod my head. Darcy steps up. Her eyes are bloodshot and her cheaks are stained with tears. She doesn't say anything. Instead, she places a small stone dragon pin on Serenity's dress. We all watch in complete silence as Serenity's body turns to stone along with the dragon surrounding her. The stone and earth will protect her now. We turn around to all our friends and other shifters gathered around the field. Tanya steps forward and closes her eyes. Her voice shakes as she begins to sing. Her haunting voice cuts through the silence like a knife. I can't even listen to the words. All I can focuss on is the soft melody and the pain that it holds. Then the song is over. Tanya collapses on the ground, loud sobs again breaking out of her mouth as he body shakes. Toryn and I fall down with her as we cradle each other. Much like we would have done back in the cave days. Though now our hugs are slightly colder. My eyes sting again and a new set of sobs escape from me. Serenity is gone forever. My little sister is dead. It isn't a pain I can hold in. Toryn also sobs next to us and together we hold each other tightly, not wanting to let go. We don't even notice as the shifters leave, allowing us time to mourn by ourslves.

When it is time to go, we stand by her again.

"Goodbye, little sister," Toryn says one final time. We gulp and with aching chests, we turn and walk away.

"Today, was our sisters funeral," I say, managing to keep my voice strong even though the pain in my chest and stomach return along with the lump in my throat and sting in my eyes. We had returned, changed and bathed. The make up had spread across mine and Tanya's faces and we couldn't remain like that. I had not bothered having it reaplied as I made my announcement. I now sit on my throne with Toryn on one side of me. Eric is kneeled in front of us in a weak and trembling state. Shifters have also gathered to watch my announcement. Other royals and High families. All the staff and lots of soldiers. Some regular shifters too. Our images are also being projected over all of Shadow.

Eric looks up at me with a snarl. I can only imagine what he must see. Myself sitting on the throne above him. My hair shining its pure white as it falls down either side of me in its soft faultess waves. My dragon crown sitting uppon my head, sparkling from the light around the room. The dress I had changed into made up of light greys and whites. The silver metal glove with its clawed finger that replaces my missing one. Then, my eyes. The cold stare I know I will be giving. I must look like the queen of ice. Not only to him, but everyone. Cold, beautiful and terrifying.

"Too many of us over these past few months have had to bury our loved ones," I continue, my voice staying harsh and strong. "All because some of our own betrayed us and our values for their own personal gain," I stop, looking over those in the room. I look up at Toryn. He wears clothes in the same icy shades that I do and even though his eyes look much like fire, there is a coldness to them. He catches my eyes and I nod my head. I flick my wrist and the begging ice statue of Aspen slowly starts to move. Toryn takes hold of her arms, pulling her up as she returns to her non ice form. Though I still keep a little hold over her, not wanting her to be able to shift.

"Eric!" she shouts, looking at her son kneeling on the floor.

"Mother," he whispers and stands quickly. I let him run toward his mother, then just as he is about to reach her, he joults and stops short. Ice chains wrap around his neck pull him back to where he was standing. I also wrap some around his wrists. He glares at me, a look of pure hatred and I smile darkly. I can feel an uncomfortable feeling enter the rest of the shifters. They don't know what is going on? Aspen screams and struggles in Toryns arms to get to her son. Toryn just holds her tightly with out an ounce of emotion on his face. Eric can't move.

"These two conspired together. They let the enemy into our boarders to kill and torture our people." My voice still sounds oddly calm as I speak. I turn to Aspen for the next part. "You betrayed your best friend. The woman you called your sister just so you could get to where I am say. You showed monsters how to get into our home and slaughter those you called friends and family." Aspen turns to me and lets out a mad hiss of anger.

"Hurry up and kill me you little brat!" she shouts. I let out a dark laugh.

"Kill you?" I ask. "No," I chuckle. "You are going to feel how we felt every time you betrayed us. You are going to know what it is like to watch those you love die infront of your eyes and be helpless to do anything," I threaten her.

"You don't have it in you," she hisses then lets out a laugh. I raise an eye brow.

"You are going to know how it felt," I say again "when we were locked in the stone prison of your making as you slaughtered our sister in front of our very eyes." She laughs again.

"All talk little dragon, you won't kill in cold blood," she spits on the floor. "You don't have it in you." I raise my eye brows. "You can't be that cruel."

"Make sure she watches," I tell Toryn. He smiles.

"Gladly." He wraps his arms around her neck. Not tighty, but strong enough that her head can't move. He then pries her eyes open. She struggles against him.

"No, what are you doing?" she asks.

"I know Shifters have always prided ourselves on never sinking to the levels of our enemies," I say to the hall and all the shifters watching on the broadcast images. "But when our enemies are our own, then we must make a new set of rules. Those who betray us must me made an example of to ensure that no one else thinks that power or greed are more important than their friends and family." I say, then look back at Aspen. "You stole so much of my family from us. Now, it is time you felt my pain." She is shaking wildly now.

"No, you can't!" she screams. I look at Eric. He glares at me again.

"You are lucky Eric. Although you may have fallen into your mothers manipulations I still feel a little remorse for you. After all, you must just have been a little boy following his mother." His expression changes slightly. Like he is relieved and thinks I have let him off the hook.

"However, Darcy managed to understand right from wrong even after all that Aspen has done to her. She still managed to fight for what is right even after your mother tortured her and ripped her in half. Your sister is brave and a true hero of Shadow. Something you could have been." I see fear in his eyes again. "So Eric Scallis, you may not be subjected to the same pain as your mother. But you are sentensed to death," I tell him. His body begins to shake and he tries to run toward me. I don't flinch as he screams at me. 

"Now, I would give you a simple painless death, but you betrayed one person even more than everyone else. You made her love you and used her. Then, you helped murder the most important person in her life." He freezes, his eyes widening in fear. The doors the the throne room creek open. I laugh.

"And she's been itching to get her hands on you. I don't know what makes you more stupid. The fact that you thought you could betray us and get away with it. Or the fact you chose Tanya as your main target." Footsteps echo throughout the hall and he turns slowly. I can smell the fear pouring off him and see the sweat dripping over his face. His heart is beating rapidly.

Tanya walks down the aisle in that runs down the middle of the heal. She looks spectacular. Her deep purple hair flows around her without a strand straying from its place. Her face is paint free, allowing all her natural, striking beauty to be shown on full display. She wears a plain black dress which follows the curve of her body and moves effortlessly around her as she walks. A walk which isn't rushed, but slow and strong. Whispers dance around the room as she heads closer toward us. Their eyes are drawn to the dagger in her hand and the raging fure that glows in her golden eyes.

"Tanya," Eric whispers. "Please. I did love you, that wasn't a lie." He turns back to me as she continues toward him without faultering.

"Isla, please don't let her do this. I know you... I know you can't sit and watch her kill me in cold blood." I don't answer, I just stare at him.

"Tanya, I love you. Please." By now, Aspen is screaming but I don't look at her. Tanya stops in front of Eric, her hand clutching the dagger tightly.

"Tanya," he whispers. "I am so sorry," he says. "What I did was so wrong and I hated doing it. I may have targeted you at first, but I really do love you..." he whispers softly and smoothly. Tanya looks at me and I nod my head. Her eyes dart back to Erics and a smile crosses her features. She thrusts the knife into his stomach. He lets out a pained scream and the room lets out gasps. He lets out another gurgling scream as she twists the blade.

"No!" Aspen cries, struggling in Toryns grip as he forces her to watch. Eric begins to slum, but Tanya keep him upright. She pulls the dagger out and stabs him again and again and again. Each time hie body shakes and thuds akwardly and awful screams and grunts leave his mouth. Blood covers her hand and pools at the ground at his feet. Tanya replecates each stabwound the Serenity receaved from Aspen, leaving the more killing blows for last. Each time she stabs, she twists and pushes the blade around further, cutting him away. The crowd just watch on in horror as I keep my face completely void of emotion.

When Tanya has replecated Serenity's injuries on Eric, she drops him to the floor. He drops to the ground heavily, taking heavy gurgled breaths. He head drops to the side and he looks at his mother. Aspen is screamins. Tears are running down her face as she struggles to get to her son. Toryn doesn't let her go. Tanya kneels down to Eric as he looks back up at her, taking his last few breaths.

"Look at your mother as you die," she whispers. "I want her to see the life leave you as I had to when she killed Serenity," she says, tilting his head so he is facing Aspen.

"Eric!" she screams as he stops breathing. Blood still continues to pool and smiles at Aspen. She kicks his body away like it is rubbish. It falls at the feet of the first row of shifters. I stay silent for a few moments, letting everyone hear Aspens pained screams. Her whole body shakes wildly and her face is a mess of tears and snot. She even throws up. Toryn drops her into her own vomit and comes to stand by the side of my throne. Tanya stands on the other side, covereing in blood. Our faces are cold, emotionless.

"You may think we are monsters for what we have done here today but let me remind you that we are Dragons. We are monsters. So let this come as a warning. Anyone who betrays these lands will be shown our full wrath and no mercy. So ask yourselves. Is power or greed really that important? If your answer is yes, then you will end up like her or him," I say, pointing to the bodies on the floor. "Because for people who betray their own, I have no remorose and no mercy." I stip speaking and look over the room again. Serenity has changed the three of us in a way we never though possible. Everyone knows it. But now they also know never to get on the bad side of a dragon.