Page 8 of Vengeance and Fire

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ADRIAN

We land near the edge of the main road leading to the palace. We all quickly change into the clothes that we had carried with us and settle into formation around Cordelia. From this far away there aren’t many people around, and those that are there, are all heading in the same direction. They’re coming to see their queen. None of them pay attention to the woman walking slightly ahead of us with massive black Fae wings tucked neatly behind her.

“Do you want to put your wings away?” I ask, making sure she hadn’t forgotten. She is still getting used to everything, and like the telepathy, having wings at your beck and call is something you need to get used to. In all the haste, none of us have even broached the subject of the changes to her magic. Since the moment I felt her presence, deep down in my soul I feel it’s been this fast-paced ride that we can’t manage to slow down for even a second.

“No, I didn’t forget. I am going to leave them out.” She looks back at me and smiles. I want to take her hand in mine, but right now, that is not my place. My place is to shield her side and protect the woman I love while she walks tall in front of her people.

“Brilliant choice,” Dravyn says behind me, and Gale hums his approval. I couldn’t help but turn around and side eye my brother. To think that he was jealous a few days ago. It seems like a lifetime away, and now he is agreeing with Dravyn.

Cordelia shrugs. “I don’t want to hide who I am. I am both Dragon and Fae, I think everyone deserves to know. Don’t you think?” She nods her head, happy with her decision, not even looking back at us for approval. I can see Torin from the other side of the street, smiling wide. He is proud of her.

“I think some of them will be wary. But, if anyone can win them over, it’s you, love. You’re Thana’s daughter. That is all that matters,” Torin says. We all walk quietly, causing me to get lost in my thoughts.Saphirhad grown over the past thirty years, expanding out intoCresceria, I guess you could say it was an extension of the region. That’s why Torin’s mother was Queen Thana’s most trusted advisor. The earth Dragons controlled most of the fertile lands and owned the most territory because of its proximity to the capital. It was the region Thaddeus restricted the most, hence Torin’s mother being under house arrest for the rest of her life.Saphirhad flourished, homes and businesses with modern technology were buzzing with life. So much like the Earth, just minus the cars; our wings are our transport.

“We might want to form up. We are approaching the crowds,” Torin calls from across the street, pulling me from my thoughts. Gale’s mother and sister had flown ahead of us to prepare this event. Gale’s mom was the only one left of Queen Thana’s original advisors, and she was adamant that things would be done properly now that things are back to normal. Her words, not mine. I don’t honestly know what normal will look like from now on. Ultimately, that is up to Cordelia to decide. I smile to myself, thinking of my own mother and wishing she had been able to see this day. She fought so hard—nope. I won’t go there. Going down that road will only open old wounds, and I don’t want to live with my darkness any longer.

As soon as Cordelia comes into view there is an audible gasp from the crowd. All four of us tighten up our formation, but Cordelia doesn’t pay us any mind as she walks in front of us. She rolls her shoulders back and stands a little taller. A smile pulls at my lips. My girl has grown so much in such a short period of time. I have a silly a grin, but it quickly vanishes as we approach the first wave of people. I have a grumpy bastard reputation to uphold, and I am determined to keep it that way in the eyes of anyone who isn’t family.

“Is that the queen?”

“Wait—that’s Thana’s daughter?”

“Are those Fae wings?”

I can hear the whispers as we walk past the people. There are cheers and congratulations. There are some women who are openly weeping at the sight of their new queen. I can feel Cordelia’s nervous energy through our bond, but she doesn’t show it outwardly. She talks with a few people who are openly curious about her and where she has been all this time. She laughs freely while speaking to them, with Torin always at her back making sure she is safe. I’m not worried. Cordelia doesn’t need us; she has already proven herself; we are just the muscle.

With my hands behind my back, I manage a glance back at Dravyn, and can hear he is getting his own set of whispers. People are looking at him warily as well. He is a stranger to them. If only they knew he is the son of their oppressor, this walk would turn dangerous very fast. He keeps his eyes to the front, eyeing the people and side streets as we pass them. We all do. Gale, of course, is smiling brightly and waving to some people he sees in the crowd. Overall, the atmosphere is jovial, you can feel the excitement of the crowd as we make the long walk to the palace. The beautiful white stone is bright against the midday sun, and at the sight of it, Cordelia finally stops and reacts for the first time.

“This is not what I imagined in my head. I remember seeing the inside of this place from my mother’s memories, but this is like a fairytale castle.” She turns to smile at us, and the crowd goes wild, as if she had turned for their benefit. In that moment, why not let them all have their moment. We have her for a lifetime.

“We love you!” A woman shouts from behind us. Turning to see where it was coming from, I can see a woman bouncing her baby up in the air in celebration. The people are genuinely happy, and it warms my heart. I keep an eye out forPanlongians, and so far, I haven’t seen that many. My people have more reason than most to not show up for their new queen. They have suffered a lot of loss, and although their Regent is here that would still hold them back.

Torin walks over to me, lowering his voice so only I can hear he says, “So far so good.”

“I could hear some of them ask if she was the actual Red Dragon. We don’t need any doubt amongst the people,” he whispers as Gale and Dravyn join us.

“We are with her. Why would they doubt?” Gale’s expression becomes pinched in annoyance as he rubs his hands down his face.

“It’s the wings,” Dravyn said just as the large doors open to the front of the palace with a heavy groaning sound.

“I told you I didn’t want to lie to these people. If they want to see me, then they shall,” she tells us telepathically as she waves to more of the people on the sidelines, and then makes her way up the steps. Gale’s mother and sister stand at the top of the stairs waiting for Cordelia to make her way up and we all follow. Gale walks at Cordelia’s side. I can feel his excitement as they get closer. He is the only one of us, besides Dravyn, whose mother she can meet, and he is ecstatic. But before they reach the top Cordelia stops and turns, facing the crowd again. The roar is deafening as the people clap and cheer. I guess them witnessing her kindness and willingness to approach people has warmed them to her. It isn’t until I see her pulling the string of her halter dress that I realize what she is doing; we all race to her side.

“Gorgeous, what is that beautiful mind of yours thinking of doing?” Gale leans in and whispers. Cordelia smiles at Dravyn, while Torin and I try to shield her the best we can as we catch on.

“Cordelia, baby, you don’t have to prove yourself to these people,” Torin said as he grabbed the nape of her neck possessively, pulling her towards him. “Plus, no other man sees your body but us. So, I beg you to warn us next time please. Now, strip and let’s get this show on the road,” he said as he slams his lips to hers quickly, and she moans into his mouth. Oh fuck, my cock did not need to be hard right now. Dravyn and I turn our backs to them, making sure no one can catch a glimpse of our girl. We can hear Gale’s mother protesting behind us, but none of us move until Cordelia is naked.

“You guys may want to move.” That is all the warning we get before she begins to shift. I barely get out of the way fast enough before her massive tail sweeps along the stone steps. We all hurry up the stairs, taking in her majesty as the crowd goes deadly silent. When was the last time they set their eyes on the wonder that is the Red Dragon? Some of those down below never had the chance to see Thana flying through the air. Now, they are witnessing her daughter.

“Put on a show for them, baby!” Gale shouts, whooping in excitement as everyone around us begins to clap and cheer. The sight of Cordelia is hope for our future; hope for Arcadia. Cordelia’s red scales shimmer in the sunlight, her golden eyes fix on the crowd as she spreads her massive wings, and with one big leap, her muscular hind legs push off the ground. The crowd all gasp as one. Instead of shooting into the air, she chooses to fly low over the wide streets, just low enough for everyone to get a look at her. A sniffle from the side of us has me turning my head to see Gale’s mother crying her eyes out.

“Oh God, she looks like her mother. It’s like watching Thana all over again.” Gale’s sister, Cree, hugs her mother tight as they both cry tears of joy. In fact, there isn’t a dry eye in the crowd. Cordelia has even managed to quell the ones with doubt. I don’t see a frown, or a pursed lip in the crowd, and I almost wish that most of my own people could witness this. Cordelia flaps her wings, lifting herself higher, climbing fast as she begins to spin in a circle.

“You’re showing off.”I laugh as I speak with her telepathically. She doesn’t respond, but we can all feel her pride on this momentous occasion. She tips her massive head back and roars against the sun. Fire like I’ve never seen before erupts from her mouth. Everyone lining the street below all clap and cheer, the noise is deafening from all the screams of excitement.

“Wait! Is that white fire?” Torin asks in shock as he leans in and nudges me hard, like I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

“Fuck me! I think her magic has fused with the magic of the Night Court. That’s Fae magic,” Dravyn says from the step above us.

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