Flames of the Phoenix

Phoenix

I have always been an arrogant son of a bitch.

I’m not going to deny it for a second. My father would have to control his fiery temper whenever I went out and acted like an ass—which was often. My mother would go to the sanctuary, light candles, and pray to the gods for my soul and safety. Despite her worries, she loved me fiercely, and it was often her love that was quick to forgive, not the mercy of the gods.

And my sister, well, my sister, Lark, was just about the only thing that could control me.

Until now.

I had walked through the fires, aligned myself with the flames of the fire goddess and been reborn as a dragon shifter barely a week ago. The strength should have been life altering, and yet, I had never felt weaker. It wasn’t because of my transformation. No, I was the massive beast I had been dreaming of. It was because my twin—my other half—was dying.

The pain of losing Lark was unspeakable. I couldn’t contain my dragon, he raged within me, threatening to unleash. Sometimes my hands would shake so bad I thought my skin would start to scale. The dragon was taking over, and that meant I was losing control. It was the one thing I had to always have within my grasp. I must control my flames; they could not consume me.

Watching my father, Lorcan, I had no idea how he contained his beast. So much loss in his life. His father, Charon; his mother, Aelwyd; our entire species was brutally taken, and still he endured and persevered, determined to restore Clan Drago to what it was years ago. But with Lark so ill, it seemed we were losing our family instead of extending it.

He was quiet. Pensive. Lorcan was the stoic thinker, my mother the emotional one, and I the brute strength. Lark was the delicate beauty, and she was withering away like a summer rose that bends its head to the cold of winter.

I was sitting in the throne room, in my father’s seat. That’s where he found me. Lorcan was never the type of king who would get angry for finding me there. He knew I wasn’t after his throne. It had been our playground as children. We were always allowed at court, so this chair, with all its power, was just a place to sit and take rest.

“I do not know how much longer she will last,” Lorcan said as he surveyed the frescos of his grand throne room. They depicted the story of our family, all the dragons that flew before us.

“If Lark dies…I do not know how much longer I will last.” The anguish in my heart was present in my words.

Lorcan nodded, gaze transfixed on the frescos, particularly the one of him and my mother about to be wed. “It is when darkness falls that we must do our best to shine brightest.”

His attempt at comfort fell short. I was angry. How could I be given the gift I’d always dreamed of, only to lose my sister at the same time? “All this power, the ability to turn our breath to flame, and I cannot save her.”

“Lark was always different than us.” Lorcan sighed, shaking his head. He wouldn’t look at me, and I knew if he did, he would lose his strength. He was battling with his own dragon; I could see that now. “She is…human.” He hung his head.

Human.

Lorcan was a dragon, and my mother was fae. How could Lark not have been touched by any magic? How could she be immune to any power and surrender to this plague that had taken hold of her?

“I cannot watch her die. I don’t know what I will do…I might shift into the dragon and never return to this form again. I’ll retreat into madness—Father, what if I become dangerous?”

Lorcan sat beside me in my mother’s throne and placed a loving hand on my shoulder. “The responsibility of the dragon is not easy. You did not have time to become comfortable with your new existence. Lark was struck so fast—it all happened simultaneously, and with the siege…” His voice trailed off.

A month before we left for the fires of Lassair, a message arrived threatening an invasion to the kingdom should I go through with the ritual and claim my birthright. We knew there would always be those that feared the power of the dragon, despite the peace of Lorcan’s reign. One dragon was powerful, two made people nervous. They did not know how another shifter would alter the balance. I understood that, but Lorcan had fought so hard to put an end to the prejudices associated with Savio’s reign of terror.

We respected the message and doubled the guards on duty around the kingdom, but we continued to plan for the fire ritual. When we returned from Lassair, the capital was under siege. Without trading ships, our supplies would start to dwindle. It would take months, true, but who knew how long they were ready to sit and bide their time. Our harbor was filled with enemy ships, and another message was waiting. Lorcan had shared it with me earlier today.

If a dragon is spotted in the sky, we shall open fire.

We have eyes and ears everywhere.

Would you truly risk the life of your queen?

“I feel like a rat in a cage,” I grumbled. “Let us just fly out to the harbor tonight and set their ships ablaze.”

“If we do that, we prove they were right. We become the savages.”

“I cannot just sit here and surrender.”

“No, that is why I need you to board their main ship.”

“What do you mean? You want me to gather a group of men?”

“I want you to run the white flag and try to negotiate a treaty of peace for our people.”

Father had lost his mind. I hadn’t even sat in on a council meeting yet. “Me? You jest! What do I know about treaties?”

“Phoenix, you have a quick-thinking tongue. I’ve seen you talk many a maiden into your bed. Even those who desperately wanted to resist you.”

I felt the heat rise in my ears. It was one thing for Lark to call me out on my un-princely behavior, but my father…I suppose my sister was correct in thinking I needed to be taught lessons in the art of discretion. He ruffled my steel grey hair, and we both laughed. It was not a hearty laugh, for how could we when faced with such peril? But it was needed none the less.

Lark was boiling in her own sweat, my mother shut out the whole world but her, and my father had to deal with the pain of losing his daughter and the threat of losing his kingdom. I could not save Lark, but I could alleviate this stress for him. He needed to stay by Isolde, be my mother’s rock when Lark passed over into another realm.

“All right. I shall do this. If it is the way I can help, it is a privilege to do so. I shall leave tonight.”

“Lark may not have more than a few days; would you remain until…”

“I cannot. I told you, I might lose control. I need this distraction. Let me do this so that when I return, we can give our kingdom the proper time they need to…grieve. I will not have my sister laid to rest while cannons are pointed at the kingdom.”

Lorcan swallowed, trying to push the emotion that was so evident in his eyes deep down into the depths of his core. “Spoken like a true king,” he managed to say. He squeezed my shoulder again then stood up and ran his fingers through his jet black hair.

“I shall draw up a list of terms and what I am willing to offer. You need to keep a level head. If they truly want to fight, or if they threaten you, I want you to shift and escape. That is an order.”

“If I shift, they will fire upon the kingdom.”

“Then I pray you are as good a salesman with the enemy as you are with the maidens.”

****

My mother left the room so that I could say my goodbye to Lark. My twin was deep in her feverous slumber and although there was a cool, damp rag upon her forehead, when I touched her cheek, she was scalding hot. I knelt down beside her bed taking her hand in mine.

“Oh Lark,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “What demons have taken their hold on you?”

She did not respond, not even so much as a stir, and I felt myself choke up with emotion. Lark had grown very pale, her skin almost ashen in color. The flicker of the candlelight casting eerie shadows of gloom across her beautiful face. I picked up a lock of her hair and held it closer to my eyes to get a better look. Her hair had always been black, like Lorcan’s, but the deep, rich color appeared to be fading to grey. It looked closer to my shade now. Not knowing what to make of it, I gently returned the lock of hair, noticing how my fingers were trembling. Taking in a deep breath, I spoke to my sister.

“Father has asked me to negotiate peace with those savages across the sea. He seems to think I have a way with words.” I snorted and shook my head. “No, I am not the best man for this job. My mouth gets me in trouble more often than not. Father must be desperate if he is sending me.” I laughed nervously and looked at her, half-expecting to hear a smart remark. She was silent. Lark was half of me. My very soul. No one understood our bond. And I was in no way prepared for that permanent separation. I pushed the thought away.

“I leave tonight. But you must not fret. I shan’t be away long.” My gaze fell to her eyelids that were closed in her slumber. Her lashes still an inky black. It made me sad that I could not see her blue eyes. I wondered if she could even hear me. “I know I am being selfish, but if you have the strength, wait for me to come home. Let me see you one last time…” I sighed. “Before we part ways for good.”

I kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, “You have always been the best part of me, Lark. I may be the dragon, but you are my wings.”

Walking out of the room, I had to place my pain to the side. If I was successful in my quest, I could rid my family of all their other problems to escape the reality of the most important one: losing Lark. So, when I should have been by her side, holding her hand while she slipped away from us, I slipped away myself.

I wasn’t a fool. A message was sent ahead of time, so the ship would not fire upon us as we ventured into the waters they were harboring. I took four members of the king’s royal guard with me, plus twenty crew members who stayed on board my ship. Not being able to shift into my dragon form would leave me vulnerable, and I didn’t like that. What good was all this power if I could not use it when faced against my enemies? But I would play by their rules. I had to if I there was any hope of a successful negotiation.

I was welcomed aboard the ship by a man called Dagger, the captain of the fleet. He was equal to me in height, but that’s where our similarities ended. Where I took pride in my abdominal muscles, this man didn’t seem to have any, just a swollen belly that looked like it was filled with a litter of pigs. He was dressed all in black, his rust-colored hair knotted at the base of his neck. His beard was wiry and thick, reminding me of a bird’s nest.

The crew kept themselves busy, but I could feel their eyes on me. They were all tanned from living in the land of sand and sun. I noticed many of the men were shaved bald and wore billowing pants and layers of scarves. Already, I wasn’t a fan of Sandstone fashion.

There was also a woman on board, clothed in the exotic style of the desert people who lived on the other side of the water. I had never seen a woman like that before. Her hair hung to her midriff, but it was its coloring that caught me off guard. It was the darkest shade of brown I had ever seen, almost as dark as Lorcan’s. My father and Lark were the only ones I knew to ever have hair the color of ink. The people of Borvo are superstitious and felt the lighter the hair, the closer to god. That left my mother and her family with their snowy locks exulted to the heathens who worshipped such nonsense. It made Lorcan subjected to ridicule. No wonder when he was placed on the rack under the previous king’s command the people cried for his torture. Such nonsense, but still, I had never seen such dark locks on an outsider, and it caused me to stare.

Her skin was a golden bronze, and too much of it was revealed for our ways, but I wasn’t about to protest. It was cold out on the water, and I doubted she had chosen to dress this provocatively. She had a sheer red scarf that covered most of her face, all except her eyes, which were richly lined in dark makeup. The effect was rather enticing, but it felt wrong to gaze on her like this.

I wondered if she was the crew’s whore. I wouldn’t put it past them to bring a slave aboard for their sexual fantasies while they waited out the siege. They truly were savages.

I’ve had my share of women, true, but I would never force myself on someone. Then again, with my good looks, I didn’t need to. A soft smile crept across my lips as I imagined what my sister would think. I could almost feel Lark rolling her eyes at me. Half of my arrogance flourished out of wanting to get under her skin, the other half I blame on the dragon. That guy is a prick.

“Prince Phoenix, welcome aboard the Scorpion’s Kiss. It pleases me that you have come, but if we are to be honest with each other, I would have preferred your father.” It was Dagger who spoke, calling my head out of the clouds and back to the reason why I was here in the first place.

“The king is dealing with personal matters. He sends his apologies.”

“More personal than the fate of his kingdom?” He laughed at that, a thick throaty laugh, and grabbed his belly. “I would think there were no higher priorities on his list than protecting that which he slain the last king over.”

“The last king was corrupt,” I said with conviction.

“Still, he was the king, and it was his nephew who was destined to take over the throne.”

“Yes well, our family has a different story when it comes to Raelan and his destiny.”

“Ahh, Prince Phoenix, I would not expect you to do anything other than respect your father’s stories.”

“I think you meant history.”

“Hmm.” Was his only reply. He smiled at me, revealing an unflattering gap in between his front two teeth. How unfortunate for him. Then, grabbing onto his belt buckle and rocking on his heels, he cocked his head to the side. “Come, let us go to my personal quarters, there you can tell me what your father offers.” He gestured for the whore to follow and she did, head down, shadowing his every step. I called over Alvaro, knowing he was the best in combat of the men I brought with me. Dagger stopped. “I bring with me a woman. And you a warrior. Already these talks seem unbalanced.”

I nodded at Alvaro. “Wait outside.”

“Or better yet, find something to fill your appetite.” Dagger grabbed the whore’s ass and grinned at her. I saw her quiver in disgust, but she did not object.

“I shall be right outside the door,” Alvaro replied, looking anything but amused. He didn’t seem impressed with the hospitality offered to him, either.

I entered the Captain’s quarters and was relieved to find that it was just us. I closed the door behind me, and Dagger offered me a seat at his table. The servant girl went to the corner, eyes cast down and silent. Dagger pulled out the seat opposite me and flashed a toothy grin, revealing his appalling gap once more. He turned to the exotic beauty, calling her over. “Drinks,” he barked.

She picked up a tray that held a pitcher and two goblets then sauntered over to us, her hips mesmerizing. She wore dozens of gold bangles on her wrists and ankles that gave off a soft chiming sound as she walked, further hypnotizing me, calling me to fall under her spell. Up close, she was even lovelier, and had we met in some other place, in some other time, I most likely would have flirted with her. But this wasn’t a ball at the palace. I wasn’t here to be charming. I was here to negotiate a peace treaty. So I had to get my head out of my pants and focus.

The beauty poured the goblets and Dagger took one, as did I. It was customary that they offered me their finest wine. The purpose being that it would open our negotiations in shared interest. We would pour a glass and begin the talks, both drinking from the same vintage to ensure that the wine was not altered with. Dagger raised his glass, bowed his head and took a long sip. Then he locked his gaze on my own, watching to see if I too would drink. If I refused the wine, it would be insulting to them. Had they not offered me any, it would have been insulting to me and the royal family. It was a common practice, and so I thought nothing of it.

That is until I awoke bound in chains and in the prison cell below deck.

Azar

“Do not think for a moment that my father will not hear about how you touched me!” I tore the veil off of my face and threw it at Dagger. Unfortunately, it fluttered to the floor, not nearly having the effect I had hoped for.

Dagger placed a hand dramatically over his heart. “My most humble apologies, oh most precious Jewel, but I was following orders.”

“My orders were for you to play a part.” My words came out like a hiss. If my father had seen me treated like a whore, he would have cut off Dagger’s hand and fed it to our dogs.

He smiled most unapologetically. “And Raelan’s orders were that I be convincing in that part. I am sorry, princess, but it was he who hired me, not you.”

I walked over to Dagger and grabbed the knife he kept in his belt. He looked at me, amused, but when I grabbed his wrist and sliced it open, dark purple blood ran over his dirty skin. He pulled back in alarm. “Your blood belongs to Sandstone, and therefore to me. Perhaps when the battle is won and Raelan reigns in Borvo, you shall wish to cross the sea and join him, but until that time comes, you are still under my service. Do you understand?”

Dagger removed the crimson scarf, muddled with grime and sweat, from his neck and pressed it against his wound, flinching at the sting. “Clearly, your eminence.”

“Good, then get out of my quarters. I wish to change into proper attire.”

Dagger followed orders, but as he left, I heard him mutter, “Proper attire…pity.”

I took a breath to tame my fury and promised myself that once we held Borvo, and this war was done, my first act would be to kill Dagger for disobedience—in the public square. The thought of his piss running down his leg as the executioner approached calmed my nerves.

Changing into my more suitable leathers, I felt more like myself. But my legs longed for land. I wanted to practice with my spear and soak in a hot bath. The waters in Borvo were murky, making the turquoise of my homeland seem like a dream.

Tying my boots at the knee, I stood up and stretched. Catching a glimpse of myself in the looking glass, I breathed easier. I had thought it absurd to try and seduce the king. His love for Isolde was legendary, but when the prince boarded my ship, my task suddenly seemed easier. I didn’t realize just how easy until he drank from my goblet. The wine wasn’t tainted, but I had laced the rim of his cup with a poison that would subdue his dragon. He overindulged in his drink, Sandstone wine is very strong, and as he slurred through his negotiations, I snuck away and had the crew round up the prince’s men and return them to his ship. Then, with our cannons turned on his ship, his crew had no choice but to surrender.

Once the prince passed out, which didn’t take long, I had him bound in chains and leather shackles that were laced with the same toxins as the goblet. The chains were heavy for a regular man, but this prince was a dragon, and the prison cell he was to occupy was originally intended for that bastard, Lorcan. He would awaken with a nasty hangover, and with the toxins from the leathers seeping into his skin, he would not be of any threat to us.

There was a knock on my door, and I worried it was Dagger. I had spent too much time with him already on board this ship. The thought of waiting out the siege with him was a daunting task. “Go away! I wish to rest!” The door opened regardless.

“Then by all means, rest with me,” the attractive older man said.

“Raelan! I didn’t know you were back on board.” I feigned a smile, but I was not happy to see him.

“I wanted to surprise you. Look.” He showed me a purple flower in full bloom. “It’s native to the Forest of Frost and only blooms in the snow. I thought you might like it.” He handed me the flower, and I took a sniff of its perfume. It was sweeter than I would have liked.

“Can it be used for poison?”

“Azar, not everything is intended to be for medicinal use. Really, you are like no woman I have ever known.” He sat on the edge of my table and rested a hand on his thigh. He was too comfortable around me, and I did not care for his ease.

“Hmph.” I twirled the stem of the flower in between my fingers. “Is that why you keep asking me to marry you?”

“Oh, my dear princess, I do find you fascinating, but if we are to be frank, marriage is the best way to expand a kingdom,” he mused, and I felt my stomach sink. His honesty was appalling. He grazed the back of his hand across my cheek, and I tried not to cringe. “Pity you keep saying no.”

Raelan was a handsome man, with cobalt eyes and a thick head of the famous white Fontaine hair, but he had advanced in years, the lines around his eyes were proof of this. He still bore the deep scars on his cheeks from where the dragon king had marked him so many years ago. Two clean lines that were a constant reminder of all that Lorcan had stolen from him.

His hand felt rough against my smooth cheek, and I wondered how it would feel if he were to touch other parts of me. The thought was revolting. I was only twenty, he was more than double my age, possibly triple. I couldn’t quite tell. Still, my father trusted him, and if I was to rule Sandstone one day, and he Borvo, I would have to learn to do the same.

Raelan had started out as a servant in our household. But his knowledge of poisons and potions had earned him a place as an advisor to my father, Joxua. It wasn’t long before he told stories of where he came from, how Lorcan had stolen his bride, and his claim to the throne. He had somehow managed to escape, begging for sanctuary on the sands of my country. The lands across the Salted Sea had been Sandstone’s enemy for centuries. Things had been quieter in Borvo since the dragon king took over, even trade had begun. But Raelan revealed the dragons’ true plan. His knowledge and Fontaine hair was enough to get my father to agree we had to stop the battle before it had begun.

“I wish for you to take the prisoner back to Sandstone. Keep him drugged, for my cousin was born with a silver tongue in his mouth. No doubt that is why Lorcan sent him and did not board himself.”

Cousin. I had forgotten that the prince’s mother was related to Raelan. They were betrothed when she was young. The Fontaine’s always did keep it in the family. I wondered if he still loved her. I couldn’t blame her for choosing another. Raelan was cold, I imagined his kiss would feel like a fish nibbling against my lips. It was a curiosity I did not need to know the answer to.

“What about you?” I asked, not liking how he was giving me orders.

“I have a spy working for me in the forest. I will see what else he knows. I’m sure once word gets to Lorcan that Phoenix has been taken prisoner, the dragon will attack.”

“And then the war will begin,” I said sadly. I wanted to believe we had just cause to attack them, that all the stories Raelan told were true. But so far, the only thing leading us was blind faith.

“And then, I will take Borvo. Which leads me back to you. The offer stands, it would be unwise not to unite our lands. Your father isn’t getting any younger. And you without a proper suitor, how will you govern?” Was he really threatening me into marriage? Raelan didn’t want me. He wanted Sandstone. He would never have it, not while I lived. I was willing to fight dragons to protect my country, what makes him think I would hand the palace over to him?

“A queen doesn’t need a king to rule her people.”

He laughed and flashed a smile. “I shall send word soon. I would stay away from the dragon. The Clan Drago are a cunning species.”

I nodded as he left, happy he was getting off of the Scorpion’s Kiss.

He had told me to stay away from the prisoner as though I were his bride and needed to follow his command. But I was not his bride, and this was my ship.