Return of the Dragons

CHAPTER ONE

Fall of the Kingdom

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. The dragons had controlled the summits of the dome mountain range expanding throughout the country of Arbizol. They now lived scattered, in fear, at the base of the mountains with rouges roaming the valley hunting and slaughtering them. Now in hiding, they are a people barely hanging onto survival. Their demise began the day their opulent castle fell. That tragic night they lost their Royalty, the only fire-breathing shifters in existence. The deep-seated Dragon King, Darmeuth, had been the most feared and revered ruler in the nation. When he was murdered in an ambush, this left every dragon in the kingdom to fall to their knees in grief. In a form of inter-species telekinesis, they could feel their dragons cry out in pain at the loss of their King. The worst of it was, the Queen, Prince, and Princess lost their lives to the same monsters. That is as the story is known. Few know the unremitting provincial matter that occurred inside the dragon’s fortress walls.

The Wolves came from the west, the Vampires from the east. A ravenous plan contrived over the previous 7 years was executed. Jealousy and lack of gratitude were the sparks of this takeover. Knowing the strength and super abilities of the dragon shifters, they had to engineer a master coup... They outnumbered the guards, took them by surprise, and killed all in the main hall before the remaining guards became aware. All the sworn protectors of the fortress rushed to the main hall to face the two monumental armies. A bloodbath ensued. When the chief protector realized the army leads, Alpha King Brovez and Vampire King Kluder, were not among the ranks, her blood ran cold with realization. The king and queen did not wake before their new enemies took their lives. With a lack of consciousness, no distress signal was transmitted to the others for help. With great fortune, the two did not see Lucia, the princess’s nanny, outside of the chamber. The nanny heard the howl of the wolf and the menacing laugh of the vampire. She glanced through the ajar door in horror. She saw her beloved King and Queen lifeless. Lucia, a Wood Nymph, used enchantment to cloak her movements. She rushed to The Princess’s room. She swore her life to make certain the princess remained alive.

Lucia grabbed the princess from her bed. The princess is now awake. She is only two years old and did not understand why her nanny was crying. Using her enchantment, she can cloak anyone she lays her bare hands on. They crossed through the bombarded hallways. Frightened by the sounds of battle, the child clung to her nanny and buried her small frame into her blouse. The nanny held the girl close and bolted to the laundry quarters, not stopping to see the carnage happening around them. In the back behind one of the dryers is a staired shaft that will get them to the base of the mountain. That is their only chance of escaping the impending dangers. After what seemed like an eternity, she reached their escape. She set the child down briefly to move the dryer to reveal the opening. She picked up Sera and placed her on the wide steps of the spiral staircase. She ensured to replace the dryer in its original position. ran like she had wings on her feet. As they were near the end, her heart dropped.

She heard behind them, “Halt!”. (With his hound nose, he was able to sniff out Lucia and the girl, ensuing pursuit. Lucia stopped using her powers on her way down the stairs to preserve her energy.)

Like hell, She took off. Wrapping both of her arms around the princess to keep her protected. Suddenly she was hit with intense pain in her leg. An archer struck her with an arrow in her left calf. Lucia did not stop, they were almost here. She could see the moonlight revealing the exit. Now at the base of the mountain, she made a break for the woods. She almost didn’t see the next arrow that came flying. She barely avoided it. With her leg bleeding, and the archer trailing behind her, she realized she could not win this fight. Especially, not with the little girl trembling in her grasp. She stopped and turned around to reveal the child she held. The He Wolf seemed taken aback at the sight. That’s when an idea struck her.

“Please.” She put the slightest tremble to her voice. “Please, I am a human servant at the castle. This is my daughter; we just want to get out of this and live in peace. I’m begging you.”

Her eyes filled with tears. The Wolf Warrior couldn’t help but take pity on them (he too has a two-year-old daughter).

In his head, he proclaimed, “We came for the dragons after all, not humans and their children. “

Aloud he bellowed, “Go.” It was all he needed to say.

“Thank you.” She exclaimed, before disappearing into the forest.

Lucia sped through the forest despite the pain searing in her leg. The only thought pushing her forward was getting this small shaking girl someplace safe.

“Lutia?” For the first time during this whole tragic event, the Princess lifted her head and looked at her.

She still couldn’t say her name right yet, it made Lucia chuckle despite the circumstances.

“Where we going?’’

The question made Lucia stop in her tracks. She knew she had no answer for her. The Princess looked up at her with an almost blank expression, her once shining eyes now dull. There was a trace of unease settling into the nanny’s heart while she gazed down at her. She sighed deeply and held the girl closer, unable to find the words inside of her to bring the princess comfort.

That’s when she was struck with a sudden realization. “Home, baby.”

Lucia could feel her resolve and conviction harden. She would return to the land of Fae with her. Not only would it be a place of safety, but she could also appeal to the Summer King and Winter Queen. Her desire is to make the Wolves and Vampires answer for what they had done.

Deep in her thoughts, she didn’t feel the Princess stirring in her arms.

Home. The princess was picturing her room, her soft bed. Home. She started to whimper and toss her head side to side. Where was home now? Her breathing quickened with the rising panic in her chest. Tears formed in the small child’s eyes as everything she witnessed in the last few hours flashed before them. Lucia was broken from her thoughts at the sound of her cries.

“Shh. Little Sprout, it’s okay”.

Lucia wrapped both arms around her and held her close. She started rocking the girl in a soothing rhythm. The girl calmed. She felt comfort in the familiarity of the pet-name. It felt constant, stable, like there was something that is still the same. The girl stopped trembling. Her mind, exhausted by the loss of the life she knew of her family. She started to drift away into the warm feeling, clinging to it like her favorite blanket. She fell fast into a deep sleep.

Lucia sighed a breath of relief that she seemed peaceful, even if just for the moment. Now she had some time to gather her thoughts. First, she needed to look for a place where they could hide. Safety was the number one priority in her mind, and she could contemplate and process everything else afterward. She did have magic in her favor, being a Wood Nymph is an advantage in this environment. She instinctively knows where the nearest source of water is; she can feel it like a faint pull. Only 5 miles to the southeast, with her Fae speed, it should take no more than an hour. That's longer than it would have taken her normally, but with the Princess and the wound to her leg, she’s hindered slightly.

An hour later she arrived at a small flowing stream; she followed the stream to find the source. About a mile away she found a pool of water where the stream begins, with a waterfall feeding it from above. There is a highland above the falls, she would need to take a look up there when she had the chance. The pool held a good number of fish, she could feel them moving within the water. She then noticed darkness behind the waterfall, but it wasn’t stones, it was a hole of some kind.

Her heart soared! "A cave!"

This could be the perfect place to settle in for the time being. She could use glamor to hide their presence behind the falls, and it would take much less of her power than creating a structure from scratch and trying to keep it hidden out in the open. With this hideaway, she could reserve her strength and still keep them safe.

In a prayer, she whispers, "Thank you, Moon Goddess."

She knew this was a blessing, a sign that the Princess will survive and so the Dragon line. Looking down at the girl’s sleeping face Lucia could see just how much she resembled her mother, the Queen. A vision of the Queen flickered through her mind, a memory of them as girls. They used to chase one another down the halls of the castle. They shared meals, laughs, and most hours of every day together. Now she would never hear her best friend’s laughter again. She felt one lone tear fall down her cheek and choked down the sob that threatened to escape. The girl stirred only a bit, enough to snap Lucia back to the present. I will protect her with my life, Anastasia. Lucia made this silent vow to her fallen friend with a fire rising in her heart.

Walking forward with the princess still sleeping soundly in her embrace, she took a step onto the pool of water. Focusing her magic on her feet, she was able to walk on the surface of the water and keep both her wound and the girl dry. She then coats them in a shield so that they can pass through the waterfall. She didn’t want to risk the Princess waking with the force of the falling water. When she felt her feet step onto solid rock she almost wept with joy! Running her hand along the wall of the cave, she poured a small amount of her glamor into the stone, causing a faint glow. The small cave was suddenly lit with a warm golden light like someone had embedded dull light bulbs into the stone itself. A small smile graced her lips at her success before leaning against the nearest edge and sinking slowly to the floor. Now that they had reached safety, she felt the fatigue crashing down on her. Suddenly, it was taking everything she had to keep her eyes open until she just couldn’t fight it anymore.

She awoke with a start the next morning when she saw sunlight streaming in through the water covering the entrance of the cave. The young girl was still showing no signs of waking. She was curled up to Lucia’s side, clinging to her tightly. She would need a name. She almost couldn’t bear forming the thought in her head, but it was a heartbreaking truth. The poor Princess had no name. The Dragon’s nobility is named, announced, and introduced to the kingdom in a ceremony at 3 years old. Not only did the Princess not have a name, but no one outside the castle walls knows what she looks like. An advantage, given what has recently happened but a sadness nonetheless. It was now up to Lucia to give her a proper name, not her mother as it should have been. Looking into the princess's jewel-colored eyes, she decided then what name she would give to the princess.

“Jade.” Lucia murmured.

She placed her hand on the child’s head gently and began to whisper the ceremonial words the Queen would have spoken in front of the kingdom. Sadly, inside this hidden cave is where the princess will get her name.

“Goddess hear me and approve of my choice. I, Lucia Flora of the Fall Court wish to bestow a name upon this child born of fire. From this day onward she will be Jade Luna Flora.”

Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, “I give her the middle name Luna for the full moon that reflected in the pool the night of our escape. I give her the last name of my people for I will raise her as my own. Moon Goddess, may you light her path.”

When she finished, she bent down and kissed the top of Jade’s head. A smile formed on the girl’s lips, and she cuddled closer to Lucia, savoring the feeling of warmth. She would need to decide what to tell her about all that has happened. Who would she tell Jade she was to her? Should she tell her of her lineage as royalty? What would she say to her about the massacre that ensued? She would want vengeance for her family. The two of them alone would never be strong enough to make it all the way to Fae, and they could not reach the portal itself without wings. Her Dragon will emerge in sixteen years, as will the rest of her Dragon Shifter abilities. She might have to consider keeping some things from Jade until she comes of age, and she is strong enough to face this battle head-on. She would get her ready as much as she is able. Train her in combat fighting, using her other supernatural abilities, her heightened senses, and strength. When the time comes, she’ll tell her everything. When she’s ready to face what lies ahead, they’ll start the journey to restoring the Dragon people! They will avenge her family and bring the Wolves and Vampires to justice.

In the valley on the other side of the mountain, the few Dragons that were left went into hiding. No one knew that one Royal survived the slaughter. They believed that all Firestarters were now gone, leaving their kind weak with no one to lead them. This fear is what caused them to scatter when the Wolves and Vampires came for them. So many had lost their lives that night, but of the ones that remained, they would turn the valley into their new home. Silently hoping that one day they can take to the skies once again.

Fifteen years and eleven months later

Jade awoke to a rhythmic sound that she had grown so accustomed to over the years. The sound was of the waterfall that covered the entrance to the cave she had called home all her life. What short life she’s lived so far at least, and hopefully not where she would spend all of it. It is not an uncomfortable life necessarily. The meadows above the fall were perfect for growing a small number of crops (or maybe that had something to do with Lucia), more than enough to sustain the two of them for all these years. The river that runs through the meadows above, creating the waterfall that helps to shelter their make-shift home, also provides plentiful fish. The woods below the plateau are filled with game, they have never once gone hungry. It’s peaceful and the land is fruitful, however, it’s only the two of them. She loves Lucia, but she still feels lonely with no one else of her kind left. She felt a burning heat rising in her chest in anger when she thought about why they had to live like this.

Just one more day. She opens her eyes with a renewed sense of energy. One day, her dragon will awaken inside of her. She will be able to shift, and even in human form, her dragon will be a part of her. She will never be alone, her Dragon’s spirit and her own will become one. Most importantly, she will be able to fly. She has been thinking about taking revenge on the people who annihilated her race. Jade knew Lucia had a point that she couldn’t take on two armies alone.

"Who knows, maybe my dragon will be able to sense others. Maybe I’m not the last one like Lucia thinks I am," Jade thinks to herself.

A smile graced her lips at the thought. With a renewed feeling of energy, she sits up and looks around the cave that is lit up softly with Lucia’s magic. She knew that Lucia was up in her gardens above based on the light coming strong and bright through the water. Meaning it was well into the morning already. She grabbed a change of clothes and went out through the waterfall. She didn’t bother to wear her water repelling charm that Lucia had made for her as she was going to be bathing anyway. She didn’t feel any shame bathing out in the open like this in the river. It was all she had ever known, plus it was only her and Lucia in this small valley. After she finished bathing and got dressed, she made her way up to the meadows atop the plateau. She smiled wide when she saw Lucia’s back tending to her tomatoes. However, her smile falls when she sees that Lucia is not humming happily as she normally does, she appears to be fidgeting with one single tomato. Jade’s eyebrows scrunch together in concern as she watches Lucia turn the tomato from side to side, at least 6 times.

This is not normal. Jade continues to watch her inspect this same tomato. Yep. This is strange for sure. She contemplates approaching her and asking what could be so fascinating about that plant. She hadn’t even noticed Jade observing her this entire time, which is unusual as well.

Finally, Jade speaks up and tries to keep it light, “Earth the Lucia!” Making sure to keep her tone playful, “You have a thing for that one tomato?”

Lucia stops what she’s doing and chuckles, “If you must know, I think I heard it plotting to poison us. I was just giving it a mental talking to.”

She can see that Jade isn’t buying it. She sighs, knowing she can’t hide her nerves for long. She stands up and makes her way over to the girl she’s raised for over fifteen years. At midnight she will meet her dragon. She would be a full-fledged shifter, and this meant that she would find out just what kind of Dragon she is. Like Jade could sense what she was thinking, she reached out tenderly and took Lucia’s hand.

“You’re worried about my birthday.” Jade wore a sad smile.

It hadn’t been a question; she could see anxiousness on Lucia’s face plain as day.

She continued gently. “You don’t have to worry about me. I promised you I wouldn’t do anything reckless. I’ll always make sure you and I are safe. I would never do anything to put us in harm's way.”

Lucia pulls her into a warm embrace. “I know Little Sprout.”

She knew that Jade would keep that promise for now. The thing she agonized about was telling her the truth. What would happen then? If Jade knew who she really was, what Lucia had kept from her, would Jade be able to forgive her? If she felt hurt and betrayed, she could very well go and do something reckless. She knows though that she has no choice but to tell her the truth. In the end, she is the only Royal Dragon shifter left alive. She also knew that when Jade met her dragon at midnight, her dragon was going to tell her everything about herself. Her dragon is a Queen, there will be no way to hide this. She takes a deep breath and breaks the hug.

“Jade,” she brushes a small strand of hair from the girl's face, “we need to talk about something honey...” She swallowed the bitter taste of dread rising in her throat. She sits down and pats the ground beside her indicating for Jade to sit as well. Jade’s face is a mix of worry and confusion at what Lucia could have to say to her. She had never seen Lucia so flustered...

“Lucia, what’s wrong?” Jade couldn’t stop the slight tremble that crept into her voice. Her nerves were on edge because of the tension she feels in the air. Only made worse when Lucia places her hand on Jade’s and looks into her eyes, a slight mist in them. It seemed like forever until Lucia finally began to speak.

“Sweetheart, do you remember what I told you about that night? The night we had to flee the castle?”

Jade’s confusion only grew. “Of course, my mother gave me to you to save my life. She knew you would be able to protect me” Her voice lowered in sorrow, “ We were the only ones to make it out alive that night.”

She watches as Lucia’s eyes cloud over, assuming it was from the memory of what had happened she squeezed Lucia’s hand in comfort. The sweet gesture only made Lucia’s chest tighten. She had to tell her now.

“Little sprout, there are things over these years I could not tell you until you were ready. Now you are a day away from becoming a full shifter, and I need to tell you now everything about that night I could not say before.”

Lucia took in a deep breath to steady her nerves and be able to speak calmly. Jade said nothing, her eyes giving nothing away as she waited for Lucia to speak again. Lucia reluctantly continues.

“The first thing you should know is that your mother and I truly were best friends, but she did not give you me that night.”

Her voice begins to shake as she goes on. “I saw your mother die, there was nothing I could do to save her.” Tears fell down Lucia’s cheeks. “I watched as the Wolf and Vampire kings killed both her and your father in their chambers.”

Jade’s eyes widened in shock. Didn’t her mother work in the kitchen? Why would her parents’ bedroom be inside the castle? Her mind was racing with questions, but she remained silent, willing Lucia to continue. Lucia took another deep breath before going on like she could reach the questions in her eyes.

“Your mother was not a worker in the kitchen. She was the Queen Dragon shifter. My mother was her nanny, as I was yours. We grew up together, she was like the older sister I never had.”

Lucia smiled sadly. Her thoughts overtaken for a moment of them as kids, laughing and playing.

She felt Jade squeeze her hand and it brought her out of her temporary daze. Jade’s eyes had gone three shades darker than normal making them appear almost black, not able to keep the emotion out of them. Lucia knew that if she didn’t tell her absolutely everything, she might lose her nerve to do so completely. Her eyes never left Jades as she went on.

“Jade you are the last of the fire-breathing dragons, and the only remaining heir to the throne.” There it was. She had told her who she really was now.

Jade had still said nothing this entire time. Her heart grew more and more anxious with each passing minute. Jade’s eyes seemed to be completely black, and it was as if she wasn’t really looking at Lucia but right through her. Then suddenly Jade shot up from where she had been sitting. Her mind was a mess, it was too much for her to process in such a short amount of time. She needed to find a place where she could be alone and think about everything she had just been told. Tears fell as Lucia watched Jade dash toward the woods. She did not try to go after her or stop her, she needed time to come to terms with this. The glamour she uses to hide them stretches a fair amount into the forest so she will still be safe.

Jade runs through the trees until she reaches the edge of the glamor shield that keeps them hidden. She is tempted to cross through it and go farther into the woods but ultimately decides against it. Not now. Tears form in her eyes. She was to be the Queen of the dragon people; it was almost surreal to her. This means that if there were any survivors of her people it was her duty to find them! It hits her suddenly why Lucia had kept the truth from her all this time. There is no doubt that Jade would have gone looking for a way to avenge and restore her people with or without her dragon, she was supposed to be their leader. She would have owed it to them and nothing could have stopped her. Lucia knew this, that must be why she waited until the day before her birthday to admit to her who Jade was. She also now knew that she must leave. She has the power to restore the dragon kingdom. As the next heir to the throne, she would have the standing to go before the Fae court! Her royal blood would grant her an audience with the Summer King and Winter queen she was sure of it. Lucia had taught her in detail the ways of Fae. How their power is divided and their history with the dragon shifters. Going there as the princess of the fallen kingdom, she could request an official alliance.

It took some hours, by the time Jade was done thinking, the sun had long since set. With her mind much clearer, she looks back in the direction of “home”. She is going to have to face Lucia now, and though she knows why she kept these things hidden she can’t help but feel the sting of betrayal from being lied to all this time. She walks slowly up to the falls from the trees at the edge of the woods. She can see Lucia pacing by the mouth of the river, biting her thumb as she does it. Lucia’s eyes were red and swollen from tears. Looking at Lucia in such a state, the sting in Jade’s heart fades away. All she wants to do is wrap Lucia in a giant hug and tell her that everything is okay, that she forgives her. Seeing Jade approach Lucia’s facing is between a smile and tears. Jade reaches Lucia and takes her into her arms.

“I understand.” Jade’s voice is choked with emotion. “I love you, Lucia, you have always been like a mother to me, and I forgive you.”

Tears were rolling down Jade’s face as she hugged Lucia tighter. Lucia now had fresh tears filling her eyes as well. She could feel the weight lift from her chest, and it was like she could breathe again. Jade doesn’t hate her for what she kept hidden, that was more than she could ask for.

“Oh, my little sprout! I’m so happy you came back.” Her voice shook with the tears. She pulled away slightly to look Jade in the eyes. “Jade, I know what you’re going to have to do. I’ve known this for many years now. I want you to know that I want to help you with this journey, you don’t have to do this alone.”

Jade was speechless. She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. Then suddenly Jade felt a piercing pain in her head, so strong that it brought her to her knees.

“Jade!’’ Lucia’s voice raised in alarm.

Then Lucia saw that Jade’s once jewel-colored eyes were now the color of flames. Her dragon. It must be midnight and they had not yet realized it. Her dragon was awakening inside of her, and she was beginning her first shift.

“Jade, we have to get to the plateau, you need more space to shift.”

Her voice was calm and steady, making Jade feel more in control.

“Can you walk?”

“Yes.” Jade barely managed to get the word out through the pain shooting through her body.

They raced to the hillside, Jade leaning onto Lucia for support. By the time they make it to the open meadow Jade’s once black hair had turned silver and her pupils to slits. She falls to the ground and it’s like she can feel every bone in her body breaking. After what seemed like an eternity, she suddenly felt a snap and all the pain stopped in an instant. Lucia’s eyes had gone wide, in place of the girls she’s always known as a majestic dragon. Standing a little over ten feet tall, she had scarlet feathers with a silver mane and flame-colored eyes. She was beautiful.

Jade heard a voice inside of her head, but the voice was not hers. “Hello Jade, it’s wonderful to finally meet you. My name is Vesta, goddess of fire and Queen of Dragons."

She had so much she wanted to ask "Hi, Vesta." was all she could muster in her awe.

She heard Vesta chuckle in her mind, "Don’t worry child, I know your questions, and we will restore our people. Together. The Dragons will live on!"