Book 3: Peter

Chapter 1

“Peter!”

Peter sat up with a start, his heart hammering his chest. He was tense, on guard, looking for threats.

The fact that he had no idea where he was for half a moment threw him off.

His leg hurt from the sudden jerk against the four-post bed. His head throbbed from lack of sleep. This wasn't the way Other was supposed to be. Other was supposed to be heaven–a place free of pain, stress, and responsibilities.

But Peter, the dragon shifter king, was not in the Other anymore. He had closed his eyes one day, many years ago, unable to deal with the pressures of life on the throne. He had been the crown prince, his father's greatest pride, when he simply decided to fade in the Other–to die, for all intents and purposes. He was depressed; he could barely breathe through his depression. But he had been pulled back from that magical world a few months ago, finding his father dead and the crown on his head. He wasn't the only one who had returned from the Other. It appeared that the veil had basically fallen, and there were many others who were thought dead walking their streets, flying the skies, and returning to all the worlds of the universe. It wasn't just the innocent either. Those who had been executed for crimes were starting to show their faces again.

It was a very different world than he had left, and being king was almost the least of his worries.

“Peter,” Alexander said, again. Alexander was his Irish twin, just fifteen months his junior. Up until Peter's return, Alexander had been running the kingdom under a complicated rule. He had done a good job, despite the fact that inheriting the throne had never been in his life plans. And now, as Peter waded through the heavy soup of his mind, Alexander guided him as best he could. “You're supposed to appear on the throne in five minutes.”

“Oh,” Peter ran his hand over his face, trying to get his bearings. “You can do it.”

“I am not king,” Alexander said, taking a stance. It wasn't that he disapproved or questioned his king, his brother. It was that he felt that he should not be taking duties that were meant for the king. When Peter was gone, it was a duty he did with heavy shoulders. Now, he felt that his job was to act as heir and regent when he could.

“I am fully aware of that,” Peter replied, gritting his teeth. There had been mornings when he screamed at him; mornings when he simply didn't answer; mornings when he felt like he couldn't understand a word that anyone said. “What do I need to know?”

Alexander sighed. He had tried to go over this last night, but Peter didn't want to listen.

“There are various citizens here to plead for mercy, or cases to be resolved. In addition, Ariel has brought us documents from her last trip to Earth that show multiple cases of returnees from the Other.”

“Brother,” Peter said. “You know I disagree with your carapace wife risking someone else in returning to Earth.”

Alexander's wife, a marriage of convenience that had turned solid, was a carapace, which meant she could block the magic from the various magical creatures around her. Carapaces were considered dangerous, and were once slaughtered by dragons for their own safety. Having spent fifteen years around Ariel, the most powerful carapace ever born, and then surrounded by malicious carapaces on their last visit to Earth, meant that Alexander's magical defenses had been lowered permanently. He was too unwell to transport her to Earth, where her powers were even stronger. Their youngest brother, Cole, had a human wife who needed regular medical treatments and maintained a life on Earth. Cole was strong, cheeky, and happy to transport his feisty sister-in-law when needed.

Alexander didn't really want to have this fight again. “Well, you'll have to look at what she has.”

“Are you prepared to interpret?” Peter snapped at him.

“I…,” Alexander thought of his full schedule. Not long after Peter had disappeared, he and his brothers had learned English quite well. Ariel also spoke dragon lore almost fluently, and Cole's wife, Enya, was learning. But Peter seemed to be refusing to learn, even though it was now part of his job to review cases from Earth. Dead dragons turning up in all parts of the universe were still his responsibility. “I can't, today, Peter.”

“Huh,” Peter grunted, indicating that Alexander should go so he could dress. Alexander sighed, closing the door behind him.

“Ah, that's the sigh of the man who's acting as king without any of the benefits,” his wife, Ariel met him in the hallway with her sister-in-law, Enya. They weren't the only people on Umora who were from Earth, but they were the only ones in the palace. So, despite being radically different people, they could often be seen speaking together on a variety of terms. “What is he doing this time?”

“It's not what he's doing,” Alexander said, choosing his words carefully. “It's mostly what he isn't doing.”

“Ah,” Ariel said, smiling. “Learning English, remembering the eight times we've told him about the history in the past few years, or just flat out refusing to sit on the throne?”

“It's not that he's refusing to sit,” Alexander said. “It's mostly that I think he's overwhelmed by everything. Being king is not easy on a good day. Being king when you are missing half your information and language is an insurmountable task.”

“I might be able to help,” Enya said. She was still unsure in her time in Umora, and her dragon lore was broken at best, so she rarely spoke up. Alexander turned kindly to her, raising an eyebrow.

“Anything would be welcome,” he said. Enya was half a foot smaller than Ariel, and although both girls were thin, Enya's came from a lack of health. She was smart though, despite her body's limitations, and studied translation, already in her third year at school. Alexander suspected that dragon lore was difficult for her because her brain had several other languages bouncing around.

“Since I've married Cole, I've learned so much of the hidden magic world on Earth. There was a girl I met in the hospital named Yvette. The second she saw Cole, she knew what he was. Turns out, she is working with the people who have returned from the Other, teaching them culture, language, everything, in exchange for their magical ability to convince the hospitals to give her free health care.”

Alexander processed all of that in silence.

“Really?” he managed. “That is quite interesting.”

“She seemed good at what she did,” Enya said, “because she moved right in on Cole like a used car sales man.”

“What?” Alexander asked, and Ariel laughed, rapidly translating for him. Enya tried to follow the words, trying to remember them for later. It frustrated her that the language was hard for her. “Do you know how to contact her?”

“Maybe,” Enya replied. “She took a few pictures of Cole and I, and her hospital bracelet dangled in a shot or two. I might be able to find her last name.”

“Do so, please,” Alexander said. “Perhaps she'll be of use to us. Peter may not respect what we are asking, but I am at the end of my rope. It does not sit well with me that I am behind the scenes, while he should be making the choices.”

“Most people would just hit him and be angry,” Ariel pointed out, even though she knew that her husband was not like that. “But good on you for being dignified.”

“Fifteen years and this surprises you?” Alexander teased her. She rolled her eyes good naturedly.

“Come on, Enya,” she said. “Let's go find these pictures.”

“Please report back to me as soon as you can,” Alexander called after them, as they headed down the long, marble hallways. The palace was so grand, so spectacular, and yet he felt his bride commanded it with an equal amount of regal presence

“Those two are on a mission,” Nicholas came up beside Alexander, startling him. Alexander jumped, not impressed with his brother's sneaky ways.

“Every time,” he said. “It's as if your feet don't even touch the ground.”

“Well, we are dragons,” Nicholas replied, and Alexander rolled his eyes.

“You are in human form right now; did you know that?”

“Am I?” Nicholas grinned, patting himself down. “What a surprise. What did you send the girls off to do?”

“Hopefully, help Peter,” Alexander replied. “Where have you been?”

“Nowhere,” Nicholas replied. The third oldest brother, he had once enjoyed the privilege of being the heir to the throne. He took it lightly, grinning his way through his regency. He often vanished for days at a time, working hard before he left to make sure no one could claim he wasn't doing his part.

“Well, you're here now,” Alexander replied. “Peter has throne duty, and I have other things to attend to. Can you be there to translate for him, if he needs?”

“I can,” Nicholas replied, with a shrug. “Although he really should make an effort to learn a different language once in a while. It's not that's difficult.”

“Where is Cole?” Alexander asked, and Nicholas shrugged.

“I just got back,” he said. “If you have questions, you need to ask them yourself. Now, if you'll excuse me, I can't exactly enter the throne room looking like this, can I?” he asked, pointing to his traveling clothes.

“Nicholas,” Alexander caught his arm. “Have you heard any word of Father, possibly returning?”

“No,” Nicholas said. “But anything is possible, isn't it? Although if he does return, what do we do? Dethrone Peter and go back to the way things were?”

“Things have changed,” Alexander said. “And Peter and Father will have to accept it. We no longer stay away from Earth except for a slaughter. We no longer consider ourselves alone in this world, superior to everyone else. We are modern; our partnerships have changed.”

“But we are still dragon lords,” Nicholas said. “And that's what we must not lose sight of.”

“Right,” Alexander replied. “Go change, please.”

Nicholas sauntered off, leaving Alexander standing alone in the hallway. Despite that the palace was bustling with people, this was often how he felt. Alone, unsure, and no one to bounce his ideas off of. If he was going to fix the problems that plagued them, he would have to do it himself. Although there was support in another room, he often learned that the only person he could rely on was himself when it really came down to it.

Everyone envied them in the palace, but no one saw the pressure on his shoulders–the weight of the crown. He felt guilty of how relieved he was when Peter returned.

He had at least three meetings to attend in the next two hours. He should be in one right now. Instead of rushing, however, he knocked on Peter's door.

“All is well?” he asked, listening.

He heard Peter grunt his answer. “Fine.”

“Lovely,” Alexander said, and eventually strolled off. Another day to figure out how to run the world from dusk to dawn.

He hoped that the girls could find a solution. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep up this pace; relentless and painful. The crown was more harmful than it was a privilege.

Chapter 2

“Alexander, are these dragons?” Ariel showed up just outside his meeting several hours later, photographs on her phone right in front of his face. The girls had been amazed that their phones had Wi-Fi up on Umora, which he thought was ridiculous. They were an advanced society, far ahead of Earth. Wireless internet technology was something Umora had long before Earth. Their phones were primitive compared to the holographic tablets, but both seemed content with what they had.

“Uh...,” he blinked and took a step back, trying to focus on what was in front of him. He had brilliant eyesight, but nobody could see when something was held half an inch from their face. Eventually, he focused on a few pictures in a collage of a girl a little bit younger than Enya, surrounded by several people at a Christmas tree. They were certainly dragons, with tinted yellow eyes, and the tall, lean, strong bodies gave them away. He also recognized them. “Yes. That's Dr. Donizetti and his family.”

“Oh?” she said. “They live on Earth.”

“Yes,” Alexander replied. “Dr. Donizetti made the move to Earth nearly thirty years ago, when my father started to wage wars on a constant basis. He used to work as a doctor within the palace, and he left on good terms. He is peace loving and kind. The people surrounding him are not his blood relations, but they've joined his family–his clan–as like-minded dragons. Although…,” he squinted at the photo. “Some of them have passed on. This is recent?”

“It's dated last week, so I assume,” she said. “This is Yvette,” she pointed to the girl in the middle, who was clearly human. Short and fragile, she wore an oversized sweater and leggings, her face paler than the rest. “From what I can gather, she is living with them. They are her primary sponsors at the moment. I think I know what town they live in.”

“I know where Dr. Donizetti is,” Alexander replied. “He's living in a small town in the south, away from prying eyes. From what I understand, they act as if they are human, they take up school and normal activities.”

“So, they've renounced dragon life?” she asked.

“No,” Alexander replied. “They haven't. They transform when they can. They feed normally. They just have decided that life that close to the Royal Palace was not what they wanted. Their son, Thomas, here,” he pointed, “and their daughter Wilma, here, have passed away. Now that they are back, I'm guessing that is what they need Yvette for.”

“And you think that they will just hand her over?”

“Well,” he said. “Dr. Donizetti has always been a reasonable person.”

“But you are king, you can…,” Ariel stopped. “Right, you're not.”

Alexander winced.

“I'm still the crown prince,” he said. “Although I hope that fact doesn't come up.”

“Well,” Ariel said, not quite sure which path to take. They couldn't be together on Earth, where Alexander's defenses were lowered. “I guess you and Peter have a trip to make.”

“Indeed,” he replied, not eager to make that trip. “Unless you want to go with Peter?”

“Ha,” she answered. “Ha-Ha-Ha.”

“I guess that answers my question.”

“Enya will go with you, though,” she said. “She's at least met the girl before. Nicholas, Cole, and I can hold down the fort.”

“I'll come back and the furniture will be glued to the ceiling,” Alexander said, and Ariel smirked.

“Maybe. Would you prefer a certain pattern?”

“Go away,” he said.

She giggled and kissed him on the cheek, sauntering off. He couldn't help but smile as he watched her go. It may have been a marriage of convenience, but it was working out just fine.

It was that evening that he brought up the idea of the trip to Earth to Peter, Enya, and Cole, who were gathered around the fire.

“I propose we go and meet her,” Alexander said. “And if she is as promised, we can bring her here.”

“And what makes you think that I have any interest in accepting the help of a human?” Peter asked.

“As crown prince, I'm allowed to put policies in place for the good of the palace,” Alexander said. “If she can help you learn English and just update you on what you've missed, it will be helpful to all of us. Think about all the times on the throne where you've simply been missing information, Peter. Each of us have our own duties to fulfill. And whether or not we wanted to sit on the throne, we've been tasked with this life.”

Peter said nothing for a long time, and Cole used that as an opportunity to speak.

“Should you be going back to Earth with the threat of the carapaces?” Cole asked.

“Do you think that I cannot protect him?” Peter raised his eyebrow, the confidence of the king showing through his words. He took offense to the fact that even his own family would question his ability to protect them.

The thought made him pause. It was the first time in a long time he had thought as a king, and not just as a burden he had to bear.

He realized that it was because of this potential journey that he was thinking this way.

“I'll go,” Peter said. “But I can't promise that it will end the way you want it to.”

“I think it will be good for you to meet her first,” Alexander said. “Thomas and Wilma have recently returned from the Other and perhaps having that in common will assist as well.”

“You want to go now?” Peter asked, eyeing his brother. “You're exhausted, your day has taken its toll.”

It was refreshing, to have someone looking after him for a change. Alexander gave him a half smile.

“In the morning, then,” he said. “Enya?”

“I can make arrangements for Earth,” she said. “He's a doctor, right? Perhaps he can manage what I need. I'm almost due for a return anyways.”

“If that's alright with you,” Alexander eyed Cole, who nodded.

“Of course,” Cole replied. “Godspeed though. Earth is boring.”

“Says the dragon who recently tried to take it over,” Enya teased him, standing up. “I'll see you in the morning then.”

“Good night,” Alexander said, as Cole escorted her out of the room. Leaving him alone with Peter, he waited for his brother to have the first word.

“You really think this is the best way?”

“Didn't we always say that when we were on the throne, we would try our best to be different, modern, and to change?”

“That conversation seems a million years away,” Peter said.

“You have been through so much since then.” Alexander pointed out. “Through a world or two.”

“We were children of a different mind,” Peter sighed, getting up. “And I wish not to dwell on a past that was simple. I'll see you in the morning.”

“Indeed,” Alexander said, watching him go. He briefly wondered whether he should call Dr. Donizetti, and warn him that he was coming. But he decided against it, wanting nothing more than sleep. Dr. Donizetti had always been in corporation with the crown, and he believed that they would have no problems.

It was the hope he went with early the next morning, as the three of them gathered in the antechamber, just off the throne room. It was one of the easier transfer points and would send them back to the one vortex they knew was still open on Earth. The carapaces had closed many of them a few months ago. As queen carapace, even one who was separated from her pack, Ariel had the authority to at least leave one open.

“Right,” Alexander said, looking around at the space they had. He realized he wasn't quite familiar with how Cole transported Enya. Ariel was strong, he could just grab her and go. But Enya wasn't as strong as his wife, and his magic was rough at best. But again, Peter stepped up in a surprising way, taking a gentle hold of his sister in law without words.

“Are we ready? Enya,” he switched to English, “is this alright?”

“Fine,” she said. “And I've already figured out our route once we get there.”

“Excellent,” Alexander said. “Then, let's go.”

The magic, mostly from Peter this time, swirled around them. It wasn't any harder to get to Earth than it normally was, although Alexander hoped that the carapaces hadn't somehow gotten wind of this and were waiting on the other side.

Everything was fine when they landed, though, the area around them quiet. It was early morning on Earth and the city was just waking up.

There were the honks of cars and the buzz of early morning traffic, and Alexander was happy to find that they were alone where they landed.

“We need to take the train an hour or two,” Enya said, as they got to their feet. “Is that alright?”

“As long as you know where we are headed,” Alexander replied. “Peter and I are like lost sheep here.”

“Pity the sheep who finds a dragon,” Enya grinned. “Should you call ahead?”

“No,” Alexander answered. “Dr. Donizetti will be compliant.”

“You have concerns,” Peter said, as they walked through the streets. “I can hear it in your voice, even if your words confuse me.”

“I don't have any more concerns about Donizetti than when he first left,” Alexander said. “And even when he left, he did it so politely and kindly that I couldn't possibly think wrong of him. He has amassed quite the following though. I think he and his wife have gained four or five adoptive children in the past ten years. They have caused no trouble, mostly keeping to themselves, and making sure that they have not violated any of the rules.”

Peter said nothing to that, looking around. Everything on Earth was so new to him, so different, something that he should have learned long ago.

In the end, Enya's confidence in directions was correct. She knew how to buy the train tickets, and she felt safe, even in the early dawn hours, with her brothers-in-law at her back. Peter said nothing, even though it was clear he had a million questions on his mind. He looked out the window, his fingers drumming nervously on his knee, which was a habit he had always had. Enya was absorbed in her phone, happily texting her friends, and she almost missed their stop. Alexander was glad for the conversation again, lost in his own head about how he was going to approach this situation.

“Here,” she said, practically pulling them off the train. They were in a suburban area, and Alexander thought it was nice that Dr. Donizetti had managed to blend in. But their journey, it appeared, was not done.

Enya led them to a taxi, giving rapid instructions to the driver. They wound out of the suburban section, and headed down a side road where the houses got farther and farther apart.

Eventually, they went through a long stretch without any houses, turning a dark corner. And then, they found themselves outside of a mansion. It was nothing compared to the palace, but it was far grander than a palace doctor could have afforded on Umora. There were multiple wings, wide windows, and a glass ceiling, which Alexander understood. Dragons preferred to see the sky at all times.

“This is it,” Enya said, as she paid the driver. “Shall we?”

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Alexander said, and got out. It was time to hope that old friendships still remained strong. And if they did not, then at least he needed to trust that the Donizettis still recognized the monarchy. He didn't want it to turn violent, but if the Donizettis didn't give him what he needed, he would pull rank. He needed Peter to be king at any cost.

Chapter 3

Peter could hear the voices inside the household before they even knocked on the door. Dragons, even in human form, had superior hearing, for miles. It was likely that the Donizettis could hear them approaching, if they weren't so distracted. But inside, it seemed like there was chaos going on.

“It's my turn in here. Get out!”

“You've been here forever!”

“We have more than one–”

“Armand, just leave it, alright?”

“I don't understand, we have more than one–”

“Stop!”

Alexander cocked an eyebrow at Peter with a slight smile as he knocked on the door. It sounded like a normal family household, except they knew it wasn't.

Evelyn Donizetti, Armand's wife, answered the door. As far as Alexander was aware, she was a stay-at-home wife, with the dragons they were guiding into a new world. The few times they had met, she was calm, collected, and loving.

The shock on her face this time, though, was unexpected.

“My king,” she said, and dropped to her knees right away. Enya was surprised at the reaction. She had seen people bow to them in the palace before, but never to this effect. It was almost as if there was magic pulling her down to the ground. “I didn't…expect…I didn't think….”

“You've had some of your own return from the Other, haven't you?” Alexander asked.

“My prince,” Evelyn said, “of course. But we didn't think….”

“May we come in?” Alexander asked, carefully. He didn't want it to seem like they had no choice, but truthfully, they didn't.

“Of course, of course,” Evelyn said, watching them almost nervously. “This is such a surprise. Can I ask the reason for your visit?”

“We'll discuss that,” Alexander said. “This is Enya, Cole's wife.”

“Princess,” Evelyn replied, still nervous. “It is wonderful to meet you. Have you come for a particular reason?”

“You are hiding something,” Peter finally spoke up, in dragon. Evelyn whipped her head, her eyes wide. Peter was always the strong-silent type, and that could be frightening.

“Have you come for Thomas?” she blurted out, a mother's fear in her eyes.

“Ah,” Alexander glanced to Peter. “That is a different matter.”

“Because he's better. He's trying. He's–”

Thomas, like Cole, was not full dragon. He was half witch, half dragon, and like Cole, he had trouble with his temper, his impulses, and his transformations. When he lived on Umora, he was a deadly warrior. Now, Alexander caught sight of him thumbing through a backpack, as if he had not been a young warlord once. He wondered how they had made that transformation.

“Evelyn?” Armand appeared in the doorway, the wrapper of a syringe in his hand. He had clearly just gotten in from work, his dress shirt unbuttoned and the tie gone. “My lords,” he bent his head. “What a surprise.”

“Armand,” Alexander said, and Peter nodded his greeting. “Shall we have a chat?”

“Of course,” Armand said. “If you don't mind, I just have one thing to finish up.”

“Are we done?” A female voice came into the room then, in the form of a small, human female. She was wearing a cap on her head, and everything about her seemed fragile. From under her cap, there were large, green eyes, and they caught Peter by surprise. They were like a forest, vast and beautiful. She paused, staring at him, and it was if he was paralyzed.

Peter had always thought that he only looked at strong, tall, dragon warrior women. But this girl caught him off guard

“Yes, you're done for today,” Armand said. “But if you start to feel ill at school, can you call me?”

“Yes,” Yvette said. “Thomas and I have a math test today, so I need to be there.”

“Yvette,” Alexander spoke to her, in English. “Would you mind being included in our conversation?”

“How do you know my name?” she turned, in shock.

“Yvette,” Armand said, his voice flat. “This is Alexander and Peter, our royal family.”

“Oh,” she paused. “It's nice to meet you.”

“Do you remember me?” Enya spoke up. “We met in the hospital.”

“Oh,” Yvette said, suddenly. “Yes, I do. You and your boyfriend. Cole?”

“Yes, Cole, my husband. These are my brothers-in-law.”

“Oh…Oh!” Yvette put two and two together, and Peter found amusement in her facial expression. She was pale and couldn't have weighed more than eighty pounds. But he saw a sparkle in her eyes, something that used to be. “I see. I had no idea when I spoke to you. I never would have offered…”

“Well, turns out we need some help,” Enya said. “Can we talk?”

“You want Yvette?” Armand realized, looking between the two of them. “No.”

Alexander had not expected this reply. “Excuse me?”

Armand bit his lip.

“Shall we take this discussion to the dining room?”

“Father?” Thomas suddenly joined them. Alexander was shocked at his appearance. He had died in battle, and then he had been strong, tall, and ready to fight. Now, he was thin, his eyes glazed. It was as if he was walking underwater. “What's going on?”

“Thomas,” Peter spoke up. “Welcome back.”

Thomas looked up and then raised an eyebrow. Alexander quickly remembered that he also had little respect for the monarchy. The only reason Thomas respected them at all was because Cole was like them.

“Peter,” Thomas replied. “Kind of you to saunter in.”

Yvette clearly had some grip on dragon lore, and she took a step back as Thomas slipped an arm around her shoulder. It was clear that there was some sort of relationship or expectation between the two of them.

“Thomas,” Armand said. “Leave us.”

“Why?” Thomas asked, defiantly. “I heard what you are saying. Yvette isn't going with you.”

“Thomas,” Armand took one step towards him, and it seemed menacing, threatening. Thomas took a step back, and this surprised Alexander. “Leave us.”

The former warrior did, and Alexander glanced to Peter.

“Please,” Armand's voice returned to normal as he led them through the hallway to his dining room. “Shall we?”

“Whoa,” Yvette took a step forward and wavered. Lightning quick, Peter was at her side almost instantly, grabbing her elbow and crouching his knees so he could support her. Yvette paused, her eyelids fluttering. But then she opened her eyes, waving her hand. “I'm alright.”

“What ails you?” Peter asked her, in dragon. Yvette smiled painfully at him, but her language skills were not strong enough to answer his question. Silently, she reached for his hand and put it upon her wrist, where her pulse beat. Except, Peter found that it didn't beat strongly or regularly. This girl's life force was tainted, her body surviving almost by chance.

“Yvette, come with me,” Evelyn took her other arm, leading them to the dining room where they could sit down. Peter's gaze was on her the whole time, flickering between Yvette and Evelyn, as if he didn't trust her. “Here, sit.”

“It has become clear to us,” Alexander started the conversation, “that dragons who have spent time in the Other have lost out on much of history. You must see it with the return of your own children. Peter has spent ten years there, and his English is non-existent. In order to be the strongest king and protect the kingdom from the Other, he needs help. And you, it seems, have the best help of all.”

Yvette was following the conversation as much as she could. She and Evelyn were curled up on the far couch, watching with wide eyes.

“Yvette is very ill,” Armand said. “She comes from a background where they could not provide her with proper medical support. By her being here, I can offer her constant treatment, better than her bouncing between jobs.”

“There are others like her,” Alexander said. “But none as good, Enya says. Yvette, you will live in the palace, and you will be paid handsomely. In addition, Enya is also quite ill, and she receives medical treatment when needed that is top of the line.”

“It's true,” Enya said. “I am much better since I've been with Cole. We come to Earth when need to, but the medical treatments on Umora are second to none.”

“But I don't want…I mean, I…,” Yvette tried to speak calmly, but she was clearly trying not to be afraid. Enya recognized it was fear of the princes, something that she had when she first went to Umora. She also realized that Armand and Evelyn seemed helpless to Alexander's protested. “What if I don't want to?”

Armand seemed to be holding back many words, and he gripped his fist.

“Perhaps she can visit–”

“This is for the good of the palace,” Alexander said. “And King Peter has accepted this humbling assistance. Just because you have left the planet, Armand, does not mean you are not still under our rule.”

“I understand that,” Armand said. “But the work I am doing with these children is good.”

“Work?” Peter caught that word. “Why does Thomas look like a shadow of his former self? I looked not a day older when I returned from the Other, and yet he looks as if he's walking underwater.”

“Because he's drugging him,” Alexander realized. He had seen the effects of drugs on Earth. His wife, Ariel, was no stranger to recreational drug usage. He wasn't a fan, but he had seen her indulge, and she often got the same glassy-eyed look. “Isn't that what you are doing? To keep him under control.”

Armand turned pale at that, and looked to Evelyn. This is why they seemed so nervous.

“Thomas had many issues when he lived the first time. You know that.”

“He is a subject of mine,” Peter put in. “And you are keeping him under your control.”

“Thomas is like a son to me,” Armand said, looking guilty. “Do not think I would ever do him harm. I never would do anyone harm, that is why I left.”

Peter glanced to Alexander. “How do I know,” he said, “that the rest of your family–and even this girl–is not suffering the same fate?”

“No,” Armand said. “I assure you, my king–”

Peter stood up, deciding that the conversation was done.

“Alexander,” he said. “Make the necessary arrangements. The girl will be coming with us.”

He left the room as if he found the outside more interesting. Alexander felt uncomfortable at such an order, although he knew that it might come to this. Finally, he sighed.

“Yes,” he said, although Peter had left. “Armand.”

“No,” Yvette could see that she was expected to go. “No, please don't make me!”

“Yvette,” Armand approached her, as Evelyn held her close. “Peter is my king. I have to obey him. I have to.”

“I need to stay with you,” she said. “I need to stay with Thomas. Please.”

“You have to go,” Armand said, holding out his hand. “I promise you, though, they are good people. And I'm sure,” he turned to glance at Alexander, “they will allow you to see us again.”

“If it comes to that point,” Alexander said. “You will see her one last time, even if the job isn't done.”

Enya took a deep, shuddering breath, feeling sympathy for the girl. She had been that afraid once. She just hoped that her fears would turn out wrong. Enya had been lucky, but she was loved by a prince. Would Yvette be so lucky?

Chapter 4

“What is wrong with her?” Peter asked, as they waited for Yvette to pack her things. Armand waited with them in the front hall, although it was clear that he wasn't happy. He saw it in his best interest, though, to speak to his king about the child he had come to think of as his own.

“I will send her medical records with her,” he said. “Yvette has a malformation in her brain. It affects all systems of her body and has already done damage to her. Had her parents taken care of her, it might have been easier. But now, there are many complications before attempting a surgery that may or may not save her.”

“She will die?” Peter asked, emotionlessly.

“It's possible, yes,” Armand said. “There's a lot she needs on a daily basis.”

“We will give it to her,” Peter's word was law, and Alexander was glad to hear him speak with such authority again, even under such circumstances. “She will not be lonely on Umora. There has been an influx of Earth girls lately.”

“If you're referring to your sisters-in-law,” Alexander replied, “one of whom is your queen, I'm sure they don't appreciate it.”

“A carapace queen,” Peter said. “A dead king. Father would roll over in his grave.”

“Or return,” Alexander reminded him, and Peter fell silent.

Yvette soon returned in the hallway, a suitcase in her hand. She had been crying and seemed not comforted by Enya, who was trying to assure her it was fine.

“Yvette!” Thomas' voice snapped as he came barrelling through the hallway. Now that he knew the truth, Alexander could see the former warrior was moving slowly, his muscles not quite snapping to attention. Peter stepped between the two of them, putting an arm out. Thomas ran right into it, grunting.

“You may not want to recognize me as king, boy,” Peter growled. “I am not of your type. But Cole is, and he is my brother. Do you understand me?”

Thomas snarled, but he no longer possessed the strength to fight Peter. Peter stepped back, and Yvette froze. She was terrified, but she held her chin high.

“Do I have your word?” she asked softly. “That when this job is done, I can return?”

“You have our word,” Alexander substituted for Peter. “Please.”

He really hadn't wanted it to come to this. But with no other choice, he held open the door.

“Is he your boyfriend?” Enya asked Yvette, trying to distract her as they walked out the door. To get back to the transport point was a longer journey, as the next train was not an express. “Thomas?”

“Um…It's complicated,” Yvette replied. “He had someone, before he…died…and now that he's back, he's in limbo. But yes, we care for each other a great deal.”

“I know what complicated is like,” Enya replied. “Cole was jailed the first time we went home to Umora. It took a lot of work, but he is the better half of me, and I the better half of him.”

“I just want this to be over with,” Yvette said, softly. “I have not heard good things about what has been happening on Umora.”

“Even Earth becomes much more frightening when you know the truth,” Enya replied, as they got into the cab. “It will be alright. I promise.”

“Armand seems different,” Alexander said to Peter, as they slipped in to the large cab. “He seemed so nervous. I know that Thomas was a problem, but so was Cole.”

“Perhaps some are just not so patient,” Peter said. “Cole can be a handful. Have they altered his brain?”

“In a way,” Alexander replied. “It is a prison what they are doing to him. But a different kind of prison.”

“Keep an eye on the situation,” Peter said.

“You are very protective today,” Alexander replied, remembering how protective he was of Enya when they did the transfer. It was as if nothing but the small or fragile could break through Peter's black fog.

“We must protect those who cannot protect themselves,” Peter said, staring out the window. Alexander smiled softly.

“Yes,” he said, as the countryside began to go by. “We must.”

The ride seemed twice as long this time. Everyone was tired. The two girls were slumped up against each other on the window of the train, their eyes closed and their chests rising almost in sync. Alexander felt sorry for Yvette, but he knew they couldn't stop. The entire kingdom was at risk, and Peter had not responded to anything else. When it came to family–when it came to the kingdom–hard decisions had to be made.

When they made it to the transfer point, Peter took Yvette's suitcase, which was something he had never done for anyone. Kings and princes had servants to do things for them, and Peter had probably never carried a bag in his life. But here, he wordlessly took the suitcase as if he had pulled them all his life.

“Right.” Alexander had not thought about this until they reached the transfer point. There were four of them now, and the magic would have to be spread. Suddenly, he gasped.

“Alexander?” Peter asked, as his brother's hand clenched.

“The carapaces,” Alexander turned his head to the left and right. He couldn't see them, but he could feel them. “They are close.”

He had been drained so badly from them that any exposure en masse like this could be dangerous. He could no longer walk Earth's roads with Ariel, who was only a singular carapace, even if she was powerful. Dragons lived by magic, and they could drain him until he was dead. Peter straightened up, his eyes searching the horizon. It was dark now, and there were very few people around.

“I can transform,” he said.

“No,” Alexander snapped. “The last time you were here, you gathered too much attention. You were all over the news as a dragon.”

“What do I care what the humans think?” Peter snapped.

“If the carapaces get too close, they will reduce you back to human form,” Alexander said. “For we are descended from humans, after all. They will have more to drag from you if you are a dragon.”

Peter knew he was right, although he felt his heart rate rise. He longed to beat his wings, to express the emotions that had been building up all day. But instead, he took a deep breath and gathered the magic in his palms.

“Give me what you have, Alexander,” Peter said, taking his brother's hand.

“What do I do?” Yvette asked Enya, who turned her head in shock.

“That's right. You've never been to Umora, have you?”

“No,” Yvette replied. “Never. I've only heard stories. And to tell you the truth, I haven't heard good stories.”

“You will be amazed,” Enya assured her, taking her hand. “The princes are wonderful when you get to know them.”

“I don't want to get to know them,” Yvette kept her voice low, practically whispering in her ear. “I just want to go home.”

“You will,” Enya said. “Soon enough. Thank you for helping us.”

She took her hand, squeezing it, as Alexander reached for hers. Enya closed her eyes, and she felt the magic circle around her.

The ride was rough, and Enya felt like she might black out as they began to swirl.

Before she knew it, though, the ground was solid beneath her feet. She was sitting on the floor of the antechamber of the palace, and the rest of them were panting beside her.

“Hi.” Suddenly, Cole was in her face, smiling. “You look like you've been through the wringer.”

“Cole,” Enya smiled as he helped her up. “This is Yvette. Her boyfriend is Thomas Sparta. Like you, he's–”

“Thomas is alive? Cool.” Cole grinned. “I'd love to see him and rip his arm off again. All in good fun, of course.”

Yvette turned pale, and Enya elbowed Cole in the stomach as Alexander struggled up as well.

“Are you alright, brother?” Peter asked, and Alexander nodded, giving him a painful smile.

“Yes,” he said. “Just that traveling to Earth may not be my favorite hobby. Cole, can you show Yvette a room where she might rest? Perhaps near the med bay would be best?”

“Sure,” Cole seemed completely unfazed by what was happening, giving Yvette a smile. “Do you speak dragon?”

“A little,” she replied. “English…if you do?”

“I do.” Cole switched much more flawlessly than when he had first met Enya. “Come with me, ladies. This is the life.”

Alexander rolled his eyes as he watched him go. Cole would always be his kid brother. Peter was watching them go as well, but his eyes were focused on Yvette.

“What is the life expectancy of a human?” he asked. Alexander turned to him.

“A healthy one, 80 years?” he said. “Why?”

“But not that one?”

“No,” Alexander replied. “Probably not. Enya neither, although she'll do much better here than elsewhere.”

“And going to dragons for help,” Peter shook his head. “How has the kingdom come to this? Dragons on Earth, dead and not, shifters mixing. Everything is different.”

“It hasn't been easy,” Alexander said. “As I'm sure you are finding.”

“You did a good job, brother,” Peter put his hand on his brother's shoulder. “Don't think that you didn't.”

“Thank you,” Alexander said, hopeful. “And perhaps no more?”

“A little longer,” Peter said. “At least, I hope it's just a little. I will not take the throne, brother, if I feel I will put the kingdom in danger. The darkness in my mind, the world around me–it's not what I thought it would be. I hate to admit it, but I could not handle it when I…left. And I find it difficult to handle now, as embarrassing as it was. There is nothing worse than a kingdom, which is led into disaster by a king not in control”

“You don't believe you are in control?” Alexander asked.

“I can't see past today,” Peter admitted. “All I can see, all I long for, is the darkness of sleep. It is not as bad as when I first returned, but it is there. So, a little longer, brother, at least.”

“Right,” Alexander said, as Peter turned to go. Once alone in the antechamber, he ran a hand over his face. Wandering, he found himself in front of the throne in seconds. As a boy, he had played around the feet of his father and mother, never thinking that it might be his. It was never supposed to be, even in his wildest dreams.

When he did take it, it was with a heavy but hopeful heart. He would do the best he could until his time was up, one way or another. But he knew that he never belonged there.

“Alexander?” he felt Ariel before he heard her, and spun around, rearranging his facial features so he didn't betray his heart. “Are you alright?”

“I am,” he said. “Just lost in thought.”

“Less thinking,” she said. “More fun. Come on, you've had a long day.”

He smiled. “Mm. My dear, you always know the words to say.”

“I don't intend to say words,” she raised her eyebrows. “Just noise. Let's go.”

He didn't need to be told twice.

Chapter 5

When Yvette awoke, she didn't know quite where she was. The bed was vast, enormous, and the room was cold. The walls were grey and stone pillars surrounded her. She thought that perhaps she was dead, until she remembered yesterday.

She wasn't dead; she was just prisoner of the princes of Umora. She had trusted dragons for months now, seeing them as giving her hope and life. They had seemed like kind people, full of compassion. But they had told her stories of the princes on Umora and how they ruled by an iron fist and a lack of compassion for anyone but themselves. She had heard stories of the way Thomas was treated in the army, of how Armand left because he held his Hippocratic Oath above their needs. Armand was still loyal to them, that much was clear. Although, judging by his reaction, she was pretty sure that it was with a heavy heart.

She was here to teach Peter how things were and how they had been, and to teach him English. Enya had told her that Peter was stubborn, difficult, but she could at least help with the language. It would be up to Yvette to figure out the years of dragon culture and communicate it with him in a way that would make sense. It was easy to catch up dragons on Earth history. They had chosen to live on Earth and wanted to fit in, and she, of course, had grown up on Earth. But she knew very little about Umora. She didn't want to admit it, because she was terrified of what they would do to her.

She had to just do her job, get paid, and go home. Armand had said Alexander was a man of his word, even if the others were not. She had to trust in that; she had no other choice.

Breakfast was served to her in bed, and she dressed slowly, trying to delay going downstairs as long as possible. They had told her last night to enter the throne room when she was ready.

Yvette felt odd today, almost floating. She had the proper dose of medications, and she had slept well. But the atmosphere was different, and she would never get used to seeing dragons walking down the grand palace halls.

She had seen them only once before, on TV back on Earth. She realized it was Peter she had been watching on the news, terrified along with the Donizettis as Peter murdered and revealed himself to the world. Her world had not been the same since.

The dragons paid no attention to her as they wandered down the hallways. She knew that they were equally comfortable in dragon form as human form; there was no preference for most of them. They also seemed quite used to humans in the hallway, which made her wonder just how long Enya and Ariel had been here. How long had there been a world above her; how long had humans lived in ignorance?

She only knew the way to the throne room by the antechamber, which was the way that they came in. She opened the door, expecting it to be empty.

She did not expect Peter, arm in arm with a beautiful redhead, to be standing there. Cole, Alexander, and another one who was clearly a brother were also there with Enya. Peter looked handsome–stunning even. He looked exactly like what one would expect a king to look like. Yvette had trouble tearing her eyes away from him, and she felt her heart drop when she saw the redhead. There was clearly some sort of connection, some sort of relationship.

That moment where their eyes had locked in the hallway back on Earth had been nothing, she told herself. He was nice looking, even in her moment of terror.

She did not expect Peter to be wearing a crown on his head, in full royal regalia. The redhead was clinging to his arm, a crown on her head as well.

“Yvette,” Enya said in surprise. “We didn't expect you.”

“Have I interrupted something?”

“No,” Enya said, with a smile. “Stay with me a moment. I'll explain.”

Yvette was desperate for anyone to explain anything to her at that point. She had just gone to stand beside her when all of a sudden, loud trumpets blasted from inside the throne room. Yvette jumped several feet in the air as the door opened. Peter went in first, the redhead on his arm.

“Is that the queen?” she asked.

“It is,” Enya replied, as the rest of the brothers filed in. She signaled to Cole that she would follow later. Cole, the most laid back of the four, shrugged and headed inside with a grin on his face. “But she is not his wife. The dragons follow an equal opportunity rule. The highest-ranking female is queen, even if she isn't married to Peter. In this case, she's married to Alexander. She is called Ariel, and she was a ballerina on Earth. She's a carapace, though, so it's a bit tricky.”

“I know of carapaces,” Yvette replied. She was surprised to feel relieved that he had no romantic relationship with the redhead. And why did she care anyways? She missed Thomas. She loved Thomas. “It's all caused quite a mess, hasn't it? So, she's a princess?”

“Queen of the carapaces and the dragons, at least until Peter marries. And never has there been such an unwilling and informal queen,” Enya smiled. “The other one you haven't met is Nicholas, the middle brother. He's a sneaky one, but I like him. He's not often around the palace, preferring to perform the away duties.”

“He would have been regent, then? Until Peter returned?” Yvette asked, and Enya nodded.

“That's correct.”

“Right,” Yvette took a deep breath. “This is all a lot to take in.”

“It is,” Enya said. “But then, when you consider that you've spent your whole life learning the history of Earth, it's perhaps not that much. It just takes time.”

“I don't know if I can do this.”

“You can,” Enya ensured her. “You've endured much worse.”

The two exchanged a look, the trials of a harsh, medical world passing between them.

“Doesn't that make you a princess?” Yvette asked, at last. “Part of the royal procession?”

“Oh,” Enya shrugged. “Yes, but I've done it enough times. I'm used to a very simple, very unglamorous lifestyle, so I don't participate if I don't feel like it.”

“Flexible princess,” Yvette said, with a smile. Enya shrugged.

“Sure. You have to be if you want to live here. Do you want to go around and watch them?”

“I'd rather just wait quietly,” Yvette said. “If that's all right? I understand Peter has some duties, of course, but I'd like to get started as soon as possible.”

“Of course. Go down the hallway to the left, and you'll find a sitting room. He only has to make an appearance today with Ariel, and then I can send him in.”

“Thank you.” Yvette squeezed her hand. All she wanted was for this whole thing to be over.

It was only half an hour before the door opened. Yvette had curled up on the couch, staring at the ceiling. It was beautiful and high, painted with epic drawings of dragons and of what she imagined was the story of their rule. There was a mural on the wall of what looked like Earth, and the dragons circling above. She was focused on it when Peter came in.

“I can do the balcony,” Ariel said to him, as the door opened. “But just for today, I don't like doing it.”

“Isn't that what you dream of–an ovation of a kingdom?” Peter snapped, with no regard for the fact that Yvette was sitting in the room.

“Nice,” Ariel said. “And you wonder why they don't cheer. That, and I'm prettier. Ciao.”

She half slammed the door, and only then did Peter regard Yvette, who had barely caught any of the conversation.

“Hello,” Yvette ventured. She had wanted to be a teacher when she was a child. Getting sicker meant that she had never followed through on her dreams. Mind you, she wanted to be a teacher for children, not for dragon kings. “Did you have a good…time?” She didn't know what to call it, and she realized quickly that Peter didn't understand much of what she was saying.

Peter stared at her for a long moment before he took a step towards her. She looked so fragile, curled up on the couch. She didn't move, she didn't stand up and bow like he was used to.

“Hello,” he finally repeated, and she smiled. It was the simplest thing, a greeting. He was uncomfortable, and she unsure where to start.

“Is that Earth?” she pointed to the big mural on the wall. She didn't want to give up, not wanting to startle him. Despite being a regal, handsome king, he looked a bit like a deer in headlights.

“Earth,” he repeated, in English. He drew closer to the mural, touching it with one hand.

“It looks like Earth,” Yvette said. She had her hand on her phone. She had been playing a game on it while waiting for Peter. She went to Google something and then realized she couldn't. “Argh.”

Peter turned back to her, cocking his head. She shrugged, indicating her phone.

“No data,” she said.

He took it from her, wordlessly, and began to push some buttons. Yvette thought he was exploring and let him be, picking at a thread at her skirt. But when he handed it back to her, she reacted in surprise.

“Oh, my goodness,” she said with a smile. “You have Wi-Fi.”

She wasn't sure that was what it was exactly, but he had connected her to an equivalent of it. She knew Umora was an advanced civilization, despite the medieval looking palace. Enya had filled her in on just how much they had and how the medical procedures were far advanced. Internet was probably basic.

Just then, Enya came into the room, which made Yvette breathe a sigh of relief.

“Peter, sit,” Enya said in dragon lore. She was struggling with the language and felt inadequate as a trained linguist. Still, she knew she was learning it far faster than anyone ever had, and she thanked her language training for that. Language that had no basis in what she was used to was of course much harder than one that had similar roots.

“I wanted to ask him about the history of the murals,” Yvette said. “Why Earth is on the wall?”

“Uh...” Enya paused, and then rapidly translated to Peter. He started speaking to her, but Enya waived him over to Yvette. “Speak to her. I know you have English words. If you're stuck for a word, I'll give it to you.”

Peter looked frustrated by this, but eventually sat.

“Earth,” he said, slowly. “Because…we are…connected?”

“Connected?” Yvette said, sitting up a bit straighter. “How?”

“We are…” Peter looked to Enya, who screwed up her face in difficulty.

“Related,” she said. “Oh. Dragons and humans descended from the same ancestors. All shifters did. From Earth.”

“From Earth?” Yvette said. “So we are the same? Once upon a time?”

“Once,” Peter replied.

“Oh,” Yvette said, meeting his eyes. Again, there was that feeling–that odd connection–that she couldn't explain. Peter dropped his gaze first, and Yvette drifted back to her phone.

Maybe he wasn't an evil, overlord king. Maybe he was just a confused, lost soul like she was.

Chapter 6

“So, they colonized America, and were successful for a while until the American Revolution…,” Yvette had decided that today's lesson was going to be about one of the most famous moments in American history. They alternated between language lessons, history lessons, and culture lessons. It seemed Peter knew absolutely nothing about Earth. The dragon princes had started learning about Earth a lot in the last ten years, understanding that they needed to keep an eye on the lesser planet. There were thousands of planets in the galaxy, but Earth, of course, had a special connection to the dragons.

It had been three weeks since she arrived there. Yvette spent three hours a day sitting on the couch with Peter, with binders and books, and her brains stretched to the limit. Peter would duck in to spend time with her when he wasn't on the throne, in a meeting, or screaming at his brothers. It wasn't the best time to learn anything. He would sit with her, staring glassy-eyed, distracted, or moody. His language was improving slightly, but everything she taught him seemed to confuse or annoy him. He wasn't mean to her, but he was clearly miserable, baffled, and unsatisfied in general.

“To leave their king,” Peter scoffed. “And now they are a mess.”

Yvette smirked at that as she closed the book.

“Yes. And we learned last week that many places on Earth left their monarchy…their king.” she recognized the confused look on his face right away and changed her wording. Whenever a word was lost on Peter, his brow furrowed in a certain way. She thought it was adorable until he followed it up with a snarl.

“Heathens,” he answered. “Ruling is hard.”

“I see that,” Yvette replied. “Every day.”

Peter looked at her for the first time all day. His weary eyes were red-rimmed, and she wondered if he had slept at all. He focused on her a moment, processing the words.

“We do not get to choose,” he said at last. She wasn't sure that it was the right translation, but he was trying.

“No,” she said. “But that is the case with everyone.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“No one else is king.”

“I mean, about other things,” she said. “I mean, I didn't choose to get sick. But I have to work with what I have.”

“But it is cured?”

“No,” she said, shifting her legs around. “Not on Earth, and not here, as far as I know.”

Peter scoffed.

“There is nothing that we cannot–”

“Enya,” she met his eyes. “Enya is not cured. She told me her story, that the magic and the science forced into her cannot cure her.”

“Pfft,” Peter answered, and suddenly reached his arm out. Yvette angled backwards, surprised at the sudden gesture. He stopped, his face softening. “I'm not going to hurt you.”

“I know” she replied, although she stayed still. Carefully, he reached out, the confident king that he was supposed to be.

She closed her eyes. Dragons had touched her with magic before. Thomas had a very unique brand of magic, compared to Armand's gently healing touch. But neither of them could rearrange her bodily organs in a way that was safe. The grey matter was too far down her brain stem, and even those who had the surgery weren't always cured.

Peter's magic was so different. It felt so strong, so pure, as magic flowed into every one of her veins. She felt it touch the tips of her fingers, down her spine, and up into her head. The pressure she had been feeling all day was slightly relieved, and her energy began to return. But more than any of it, it was Peter's hands on her face–his cool, long-fingered hand reaching around the back of her head. His hand was soon gently tangled in her hair as his fingers moved downwards. He could identify the problem, but it wasn't until he touched it that he realized how bad it was.

Peter gasped suddenly, just as Yvette felt a white light in front of her eyes. There was pain, and she felt dizzy, her stomach turning. Her eyes flew open, her green meeting his yellow ones. There was one moment where everything seemed to stand still. And then she fell forward into his arms.

He had never felt damage like that; never felt something that expanded through someone's whole body. A dragon would throw themselves off a cliff for less. He hated to admit it, but he had chosen to enter the Other without anything physically wrong with him. And yet this girl walked around with this every day with a smile on her face.

He realized that he was holding her unconscious body on the couch. She was slumped against him, and her chest rose and fell steadily.

He didn't dare move except to untangle his hands from her hair. Had he hurt her? Had he done damage that couldn't be reversed?

He had never seen anything that couldn't be cured. He thought that Cole just wasn't taking care of his wife properly, or that she preferred to be treated on Earth.

He had never thought that it would be a problem that couldn't be solved.

“Ah,” she took a deep breath, her eyes fluttering open. He gently pulled back to show her that he was there. She was still nestled in his arms. “Oh my God.”

“I hurt you,” he said. “I'm sorry.”

Peter was a ruthless king from a long line of ruthless kings. However, hurting innocents was not part of his plan.

“I don't know what happened,” she said. “It hurt for a moment, but then it just felt strange.”

“I saw into your body,” he said. “The damage you have.”

“Not so confident now, are you?” she teased him lightly. “I told you.”

“I've never seen anything like that.”

“It's rare,” she said. “Dr. Donizetti was very helpful.”

“We can be helpful,” he said, still unmoving. “I'm sorry.”

“You didn't mean to hurt me,” she said. “You were trying to help.”

“I never mean…,” he lost the words and shook his head. She sat back up slowly, leaning against the arm of the chair.

She waved her hand. “It's okay. Don't worry about it. Do you want to continue?”

“No.” He was clear on that. “You should rest.”

“My job is here,” she said. “I have to finish.”

“There is tomorrow,” he said, standing up. “Come, I will take you to your room.”

“But–” Yvette wanted to protest that she could finish; she could try. The longer that they waited and the longer that it took, was the longer that she couldn't go home.

It wasn't that she was treated like a prisoner; it was nothing like that. She was free to come and go within the palace grounds as she pleased. She walked in the gardens, she spoke to the girls, and she saw beautiful sights. But the dragons were under strict orders to not take her home, not even for a visit. Peter had to be ready to take the throne full-time before she could go.

“Come,” he held out his arm. She got up slowly, slipping her arm into his.

They got stares as they walked down the hallway. People tried not to stare, but she saw heads turned as they walked to her room. Once at her doorway, Peter withdrew his support.

“Thank you,” he said for the first time. She nodded, unable to speak because of the lump in her throat. At least if she couldn't be home, and the homesickness was killing her, he was starting to be kind to her.

Once she was inside, Peter snapped his fingers to two passing guards. They were probably headed on break, but he didn't care.

They bowed right away, almost stumbling over each other.

“Station yourselves outside this door,” he said. “The young girl, Yvette, is not well. If you get even one indication that she is in danger, send for the medical team right away.”

“Yes, my king,” they said, pushing past each other to go to the door. Peter gave one last glance at the closed marble door, and then headed down the hallway.

How could there be so many humans with incurable conditions? How had Earth changed so much? How were dragons not as powerful as he thought?

“Peter,” Alexander found him staring out the window, his hands behind his back. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” Peter said, shaking himself out of his daze. “Can you speak to me in English?”

“English?” Alexander asked, surprised.

“I want to practice,” Peter replied. “Practice is what makes us stronger.”

“Yes,” Alexander switched tongues. “But I think you can understand this in both languages. There are reports that Father might have returned.”

A pin could have dropped in the room, and both of them would have jumped. Peter forgot his request for English; he forgot everything but the image of his father.

“What? Where?”

“Sporadic,” he said. “But possibly on Earth. There's a report in the south that is much more questionable, but on Earth, they are more considerate.”

Peter stayed silent for a moment.

“I didn't expect to feel this way at this moment,” Peter said. “I have not seen Father in so long, and I thought I would be happy to hear that he has returned. But your words strike dread into my heart.”

“Why?” Alexander asked, trying to get him to speak his feelings. He already knew the answer, but he needed to hear Peter vocalize it.

“The progress we've made–the progress that you have made–would be undone.”

“Yes,” Alexander said. “We have made a lot of choices that Father disagreed with. Never mind that he would dethrone you if he did come back. Do you want that?”

Peter sighed, turning back to look out the window. “If you asked me a month ago, I would have said ‘yes, of course.’ I do not want this; you know that. And you know you don't want it either. But now, the idea that he would come back now…I'm not sure about it.”

“Well, should we verify that these rumors are true?” Alexander asked. “After all, it's not the first time that we've had false reports of the others returning before.”

“Yes,” Peter said. “Whatever resources you need to dedicate to the search,” Peter replied. “Time, money, it means nothing if we can't verify it.”

“I can get on it,” Alexander replied. “How was your lesson today?”

“Oh,” Peter ran a hand over his face for a moment. “It was interesting. She is quite ill, Alexander. I felt it today, and I think I hurt her.”

“How?”

“Just investigating. I thought it was impossible that we couldn't cure her. And once upon a time, that was true.”

“The world has changed since you have been away,” Alexander said. “More and more humans are being born with conditions that can be managed. In addition, the stigma attached to mixed-race relationships is much less. Every day, we hear of human-dragon, human-wolf, and other shifter mixing. Look at Cole. Look at Thomas. These are becoming much more normal. The world is more complicated than it was.”

“Father would be a fish out of water, only being gone a few years,” Peter replied. “Let me know if you find him.”

“Of course,” Alexander gave him a little head dip, and then headed off. Peter leaned against the windowsill.

He thought that he couldn't feel anything anymore. But he felt a twinge in his heart today–a twinge of wanting to do more. At the very least, he wanted to make sure a moment like today never happened to poor Yvette again.

Chapter 7

“Do you know what the margins are on that?” Nicholas asked Alexander, as they looked at the rents they were collecting from their tenants. As dragon lords, they technically owned the whole kingdom, except for what was delegated to the lesser lords.

“Well, it's higher than Father's ever were,” Alexander said, his eyebrow raised. “Why?”

“Because our profits off rents are higher. I checked the accounts,” Nicholas said. “But the amount of properties we are collecting from is low. Father raised the taxes, and you raised them again when you saw the numbers, but you didn't look at what we were collecting from, I think. If we were to lower the taxes, we would have less trouble collecting the rents. So many of them are in hiding, avoiding the high taxes.”

“Terror is what you are trying to say,” Alexander replied. “Father started a reign of terror, and we unknowingly continued it. Well, you can propose your offer to Peter.”

There was a silence from Nicholas as he looked at the papers again.

“Peter is more like Father than you are.”

“Do not underestimate him, brother,” Alexander replied. “He is changing. He was stuck in hell.”

“I've heard that the Other was heaven,” Nicholas said softly. “I am afraid to bring this to him. Everything I've brought to him in the last month, he has shot down.”

“Keep trying,” he said. “Peter can't say no forever.”

“Perhaps we should shelve this for a while,” Nicholas said. “Until he is more capable.”

“We cannot wait forever, but I'll leave it up to you. I have a meeting to attend to,” Alexander said.

“Wonderful,” Nicholas replied, as his brother left the room. The truth was, he never got along with Peter, even as children. “If you could just decide who was king around here, it would make life a little bit easier.”

“Would it, boy?”

Nicholas felt shivers go down his spine at that voice. He spun around quickly, his eyes flashing. He was ready to transform, ready to breathe fire. He knew that voice; it sent terror into his very veins.

But when he spun around, the room was completely empty. His father was nowhere to be found. Nicholas could barely move for a moment, the terror still in his veins. He knew what he heard. He even felt a hint of magic in the room that was reminiscent of his father. But there was nothing.

“Who's there?” he barked to the empty room. “Show yourself!”

But there was no answer, as expected.

Nicholas grabbed the papers on the table, storming out of the room. He didn't want to be alone anymore. Afraid was not something he ever admitted to, but the tyrant that his Father had been was not something he was eager to relive.

Out in the hallway, Peter and Yvette were seated on side-by-side window ledges, watching the clouds drift by. Yvette had a binder on her lap, although they didn't seem to be paying any attention to it. They were both talking quietly, and Nicholas did not miss the closeness of their hands. He wasn't sure what was brewing between the two of them, but at this moment, he didn't care.

“What are you two up to?” he asked, switching to English.

Yvette looked up suddenly, as if they were caught at something.

“Just learning,” she said, shrinking back against the cool window.

“What are you doing, Nicholas?” Peter asked, raising an eyebrow at his seemingly nervous brother. “You look like you've seen a ghost.”

“Speak English brother,” Nicholas tried to put an easy smile on his face. “Want to go to Earth?”

“What?” Yvette turned fully at that, practically standing up in one moment. “Earth? Now?”

“Yes,” Nicholas said. “I have a few errands to run there, a few people to see. I could be your tour guide in a new city.”

Peter raised an eyebrow.

“You don't want to be alone on Earth?”

“Why does everything I do have to have another motive?” Nicholas asked. “Surely, Alexander cannot object if two of us take Yvette to Earth. She can't escape both of us.”

“I don't…,” Yvette's voice was quivering. “I wouldn't do that. But I would very much like a visit to Earth. Please.”

“What do you say, Brother?” Nicholas asked.

“Alexander is not king,” Peter replied. “If I say she can go, of course she can.”

“You will come?” Yvette asked him. “It can be a learning opportunity.”

“On Earth?” Peter asked. “What am I going to learn?”

“I…” She thought rapidly. “I have a friend who has a birthday coming up. Perhaps I could buy her a present and send it to her? You could learn about malls?”

“Malls?” he cocked his head.

“Big places to shop. Like a giant indoor market.”

“Anything you need can be delivered to the palace,” Peter pointed out. Yvette smiled.

“I know that. But getting it to her might be a bit difficult.”

“Come on, brother,” Nicholas said. “I don't want to sit around all day. Let's go.”

“You are impatient,” Peter finally rose. The truth was, he was enjoying the quiet moment by the windowsill. Yvette had asked for a quiet day, her health failing her today. She was quiet about her problems, but Peter only had to accidentally brush against her to know how bad it was. She was desperate for magic, desperate for healing. However, aside from a touch by accident, she wasn't accepting much help.

“I thought you just said yes,” Nicholas said, and Peter rolled his eyes.

“Let's go,” he held his hand out to Yvette. She was the only one who didn't constantly ask him questions about his ruling choices; didn't ask him questions about the throne, or his opinions. She simply flooded him with information and let him figure out things on his own.

“Shall I bring anything?” Yvette asked.

“Just yourself,” Nicholas said. “Antechamber this way.”

“Wait,” Ariel shouted at them, just before they closed the door. “Take me, one of you.”

Nicholas smiled, holding the door open.

“What do you need, precious?”

“Last minute dance audition in the big city,” she said. “I wasn't going to go, but Alexander just gave me a big speech about realizing my potential, and now I feel guilty.”

She saw Peter give her a side-eye and translated for him.

“That sounds like Alexander,” he said, as they stepped into the right spot. “Do you know last time we were there, the carapaces targeted him?”

“Yes,” Ariel said. “And I've sent them messages of hell, in no uncertain terms. They won't be doing that again.”

“You are a queen after my own heart,” Nicholas said, taking her arm. “Stand still for transport.”

“I never like this.” Yvette stood back against Peter. He wrapped an arm around her, as was needed for the transport. But she felt safer when he did so, even though his mind was clearly elsewhere. He was thinking about the words Ariel had just said.

She had no experience being queen of any kind, no training. She had grown up in the theater and in rough neighborhoods. He knew she liked a lower class life, and that Alexander was as addicted to her as she was to the partying lifestyle.

And yet, in a single sentence, she had stopped something that had plagued them and threatened their life. She was an invaluable resource, and she didn't bat an eye at the responsibility that was in her hands.

If only being that kind of king was as easy to him as it was to her.

They landed hard in a spot that Peter didn't recognize. They were in the middle of a sidewalk, and Nicholas quickly waved his hand to distract the startled humans. He looked a little pale from transporting a carapace, but otherwise, he was his usual, snarky self. “How did we get here?”

Ariel looked around. “This is a vortex that was closed. I remember closing it when those carapaces brainwashed me.”

“So how is it open?” Nicholas asked. Peter put his hand on his brother's arm, knowing the answer.

“More than fifty percent of the carapaces who closed it have to be dead for a vortex to reopen.”

Ariel said nothing to that, instead glancing to Yvette.

“Did you understand that?”

“Yes,” Yvette said. “I used to think that the Other opening was great. The amount of people who have passed away in my life. It is possible for the dead to come back.”

“Except that half the carapaces being dead means one of two things. Someone has killed them, or they have returned to the Other and have been sucked back. We discussed that this could happen,” Ariel said.

“What?” Yvette spun around to Peter. “You could be sucked back?”

“He went the first time of his own volition,” Nicholas put in. “I don't know why this would be so surprising.”

“Stop,” Ariel snapped at her brother-in-law. “Which of the two do you think is more likely?”

“Equally likely,” he replied, not taking her anger at face value. “But killing carapaces is illegal. Alexander made it so. Peter has not changed the law, unless he's gone behind my back?”

“I don't think I like what you are saying,” Peter said. “But, please clarify.”

“Oh, my God.” Nicholas switched to dragon. “Learn faster. Did you reauthorize a killing of carapaces, like Father did?”

“No,” Peter replied. “I haven't done anything of the sort.”

“Ariel, can you talk to the carapaces?” Nicholas asked. “Find out what happened. Because if they are killed, there's very few people who would go against Peter or Alexander to do this. Dragons are the top of the shifters. Everyone answers to us.”

“I can talk to them after I dance,” she replied, raising an eyebrow. “You don't get to order me around, brother.”

“Go then,” Nicholas said. “You drive a hard bargain, sister.”

“Bye,” she sauntered off as if two crowns did not weigh heavily on her head.

“Wow,” Yvette said, watching her go. “As if it's easy.”

“Maybe it is,” Peter said softly. “Maybe it is.”

“Come on,” Nicholas said. “There is nothing we can do but wait. What city sights would you like to see?”

“Just the mall.” Yvette gave him a small smile. “It's the only lesson I've really gone over.”

“There.” He pointed to a large white building. “Perhaps I can meet you inside in an hour or so?”

“Do you…um…” Yvette held out her smartphone. “Do you have a number?”

Nicholas smiled easily at that.

“What do you take me for?” he took the phone, programming it in. “As if I haven't bothered to get a phone. How will I manage my harem?”

“I…,” Yvette looked up and blushed red.

“Nicholas,” Peter snapped. He wasn't quite sure what his brother said, but he could see that Yvette was embarrassed, which he didn't like. Nicholas grinned, handing the phone back.

“Always honorable,” he said. “I'll see you soon.”

“Right,” Yvette brushed her hair back. “Shall we?”

“This is madness,” Peter watched the number of people coming and going from the mall. “Hypnotized?”

“The teenage girls?” Yvette grinned. “Yes. It's a pastime.”

He couldn't see the attraction of it. But the crush of people inside the mall made his eyes nearly fall out of his head. He stepped back, not used to crowds swirling around him. Crowds usually parted for Peter, not ignored him.

“It's okay,” Yvette gave him a cheeky grin. “I'll protect you.”

Chapter 8

“Are you used to them bowing to you?” Yvette was trying to understand why Peter looked so very frightened. She had never seen him afraid, even when she described the horrors of the world that he had missed. “Not used to being so close?”

“Too close,” he said. “They have no regard.”

Their hands brushed up against each other, and she took her chance in squeezing his hand. She didn't mean it as a romantic action. When she moved, it had been one of support. But as soon as she touched him, she felt the familiar jolt go through her.

“Where would you go?” he asked, looking down at her. He didn't react at all to the fact that they were now holding hands. She realized, mostly by his body language, that what he was actually asking was where she would like to go.

This was also different than she was used to. Whenever she went anywhere with Thomas, he had an agenda, and there was no deviation from it. He was an alpha male, used to leading armies. She would have expected the same from a king. However, Peter's kind face told her otherwise.

“I usually look around the book stores and at the clothing.”

“Clothing is not made for you?” He was trying to take it in all in.

“Oh, well,” she realized. “I mean, you can get some that is custom made if you have a lot of money. But most people buy ready-made clothes. Pre-made. Look, ten of them,” she pointed to a dress in a random shop window. “Different sizes. Pick it up and try, and then buy.”

Peter looked horrified at the very idea of that.

“No. Clothes should be made by a…a–”

“Tailor?” she asked with a smile. “Not everyone has that money, Peter. That's all. This is cheaper. And that's nice.” She did like the pink gown in the window. It was a cute party dress, with a tank top and a fluffy skirt. As an added bonus, she could see that the sale was enough to meet her budget. She got paid well, it was true, but her hospital bills would never match her paycheck.

“You would buy that?” he pointed to the dress.

“Yes,” she said, and he shook his head.

“No. You work in the palace now. I want a good gown for you.”

“What?” she cocked her head, grinning. “You want to take me to a tailor and get some custom-made gown?”

“Yes,” he repeated bluntly. “Where?”

Yvette lit up. She wanted to hug him.

“I know a place,” she said “But how will you pay for it?”

“Magic,” he said. “You are not a carapace.”

“That is true,” she said.

“Then it's done,” he said. “Show me.”

“This way, I think.” She had seen malls like this, and if she was right, there was a high-end dress shop on the top floor that had custom-made pieces. All the malls looked alike and were populated by the same companies.

She pulled him through the mall, finding the escalator. He stopped for a second, confused by the technology. It seemed so primitive and yet confusing.

“It's alright,” she said, tugging at his hand. “Just step.”

“I can just…” he moved to snap his fingers and transport them, and she shrieked with laughter.

“Peter, no!” she cried, grabbing his hand and pushing him onto the escalator “We're on Earth. You can't just do that. Hey, look. It's you.”

They were passing a shop with branded t-shirts. One–a mannequin on the window–was a screen print of a dragon that looked suspiciously like Peter.

Dragons will eat us all soon; don't waste time.

“What a distasteful t-shirt,” she said in shock.

“What does it–”

“You don't want to know,” she said. “Trust me. It's just rude. I mean, people died.”

“People died because I killed them.” He looked her into the eye.

“I know,” she said. “I sat at home and watched you on TV. And I was frightened, of course. And people did die, but I saw more than that.”

He watched her silently, waiting for her words. He knew what she could say. She could tell him that he was a monster; that he had lost control, and he had to gain it. He had done terrible things; he knew that. Alexander had almost been killed because Peter was too caught up in his blood lust to notice that his brother was sickening and that the carapaces were attacking him. He would never forgive himself if Alexander did not recover, and even now, Alexander was not at top strength. Peter had killed innocents, something he had vowed to never do.

“I knew you were dangerous; I knew you had done wrong, but I also thought you were scared. I mean, I've seen how dragons come back from the Other. They are terrified and messed up and confused. Thomas still can't get his head around the world. His blood lust continues weekly. And no one was helping you; no one was guiding you; no one was even listening to you.” Her eyes filled with emotion. “I mean, you were ripped out of Heaven, Peter, and expected to live in this world that was half Hell. How can people think that it's easy?”

He only caught about 75% of the message, but he could see the emotion in her eyes–the compassion. Compassion was a trait that kings were supposed to have. They weren't looked upon with compassion or kindness; it was unheard of. People flattered them. People gave them gifts and lied to them about happiness, but they generally didn't show them kindness without a motivation.

Yvette looked upon him as if she had seen into his very soul.

He didn't have the proper words to respond. So instead, he squeezed her hand.

“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you.”

She fell into his arms, just for a quick hug. And to her surprise, he wrapped his arms around her. In the sea of moving people, they were a rock, unmovable for that moment.

When they finally broke apart, she wiped her eyes and smiled.

“Dress?” she asked. “Gown?”

“Yes,” he laughed, and she led the rest of the way.

He was surprised at how much the shop looked like the tailor shops that he knew on Umora. The tailors may be oddly dressed, but they walked around with the same measuring tapes and pins in their mouths.

“Can I help you?” A girl approached them, who didn't look much older than Yvette.

“I–” Yvette said, but Peter put a hand on her arm.

“We need a gown.” When he was speaking to someone he didn't know, his confidence in English faltered. She smiled, trying to give him confidence. “For her.”

“Perfect,” the girl had no trouble understanding him. “Any budget? Any style? Any occasion?”

“Ah.” Yvette turned to Peter, to see if he caught that.

“Grand,” he managed. “For a ball. Money is not a problem.”

“Money is magic,” Yvette smiled at him.

“Come with me, and we'll look at some of our building pieces. And bring your boyfriend,” the girl turned to lead them to a private room.

“Oh, he's not my–” Yvette said, but stopped herself. She couldn't exactly say that he was her dragon boss who had half enslaved her. Besides, what harm would it do to pretend for just one day?

She noted somewhere in the back of her mind that she hadn't texted Thomas at all since she got here.

“Oh?” said the girl, and Yvette shook her head.

“Nothing. Where do we go?”

The next hour was like a dream. She had never been the girl who shopped, especially after she got sick. She didn't have time or money before, and she didn't have energy after. But now, she felt like a princess. They brought out tutus and full skirts, corsets, bodices, A-lines and princess cuts. All the pieces would be matched together once Yvette found her perfect gown, and she would have a custom-made gown within two weeks. She delighted in not paying any attention to the price tag, but rather, the mirror, and she noticed Peter's watchful eyes. He smiled as she spun around, or indicated that she should show off the diamonds or the bodice. She felt like a princess, strutting gowns down a runway.

“Ah,” Peter said when she came out with the sixth gown. It was a huge, fluffy skirt with a sweetheart neckline. She had it in pink, but the salesgirl had a different idea.

“Perhaps green to match your eyes?” she suggested, getting up on the end of the runway to indicate Yvette should come closer.

Yvette walked over, and she held up the green swatch of fabric.

“Um, do you think…,” Yvette indicated the neckline. “It's just a bit low cut. And this ball is a classy place.”

“I have just the thing,” she said, and reached down to a pile of fabric. “Spin around if you don't mind.”

“Sure,” Yvette spun around, and the girl moved her hair. She realized a bit too late what was happening, and ducked at a bad time. She didn't do well with halter tops because they pushed on her neck, but she also ducked right into the girl's hand, jarring her neck at the base of her skull. “Oh, ow!”

“I'm sorry?” the sales girl was confused how a minor movement suddenly caused Yvette to wince and turn pale. “Are you alright?”

“I just need to sit down a moment.”

Peter was beside her on the platform in a moment, wrapping his arms around her.

“It's alright,” Yvette tried to assure him. “Just need to sit down.”

“She isn't well,” Peter said, as explanation. “Regularly, not just today. Some space, please.”

“I'm so sorry.” The girl backed away, and Peter supported her off the platform, and onto the only chair. He bent his knees to help her, and somehow, she ended up on his lap.

“Oops.” Yvette smiled as she laid her head against his chest. She knew that this was unacceptable behavior, but she couldn't stop herself. She needed strength and healing, and he provided those things at the moment. She closed her eyes, taking comfort in his body heat and his strength. “Mmm. Thank you.”

“I should have not brought you here,” he said.

“Peter, I'm alright, really.” She rose to look at him, and she got a glimpse of the shop behind him.

That was when she screamed. In the shop behind him, leading into the public area, was a giant dragon. It was the grandest dragon she had ever seen–green and gold, his long neck extended and his eyes flashing. This was not an idle dragon; this was one that intended to kill.

“Peter,” she managed, and he spun around. His eyes widened.

“Father,” he said, standing up and nearly dropping her. Yvette shrieked in surprise and hid behind him. The grand dragon roared, and tipped his head to the ceiling. Fire came out of his mouth, hitting the wooden ceiling. He then turned his blast towards the walls, setting fire to them and the clothes. Everyone screamed and ducked. Peter pushed Yvette back, his eyes flashing, and she knew he was going to transform. It terrified her because she knew she wasn't safe. If he lost his human consciousness, she would die in the fire. She needed him; he was her only chance at living through this obvious attack.

Chapter 9

“Peter,” Yvette clung to his back. He had one arm firmly around her, but his body was already shifting.

“Go into the room.” He pointed to the changing room where she had just been. “Go. Hide.”

“But….” She didn't want to let go of him. They had only seconds to make a decision, and if they made a mistake, it would be end game.

“Go. I will protect you,” he promised her.

She ran, seeing no other choice. The changing room door wasn't particularly secure, and there was a half inch gap.

Yvette slammed the door, looking through the gap even as she slid the lock closed.

She had seen Peter in dragon form on television. Seeing it in person, though, was much different.

She gripped the lock, her hand trembling, as the magic swirled around him. He was a large dragon, almost as tall as his father. Somehow, although she didn't know anything of the dragon aging process, she knew that he was younger. His scales seemed shinier, his strength more abundant.

When Peter lunged at his father, she screamed. The two dragons were damaging everything around them; breaking the wall; rolling in the fire. They snapped at each other, tearing chunks of flesh and breathing fire.

She felt paralyzed with fear, watching although she wanted to turn away. After a few minutes of desperate fighting, something changed. The magic swirled again, and Peter became human again. And with him, his father.

Yvette could see that he looked like the brothers. He had the same eyes, although they were lined with wrinkles, the same crinkly nose and half smile.

“Is this what you want, Peter?” he said, in a strangled voice. “To kill your father here and now?”

“You are already dead!” Peter spat at him.

“SO ARE YOU!”

Peter fell back at the roar, in surprise. “Yes, I know,” he said. “But you will return to the Other before me.” He lunged at him again, this time aiming for his throat.

The magic swirled again, and before Peter could grasp his throat, he vanished.

“NO!” Peter screamed. Frantically, he moved left and right, but his father was gone. “No!”

Yvette coughed, and then coughed again. The smoke was getting thick, black and billowing. The ceiling was starting to fall in, chunks of plaster already hitting the floor. She doubled over, and each breath got less and less air.

She unlocked the door, but it was all that she could do before falling to her knees.

Peter was beside her in a moment, wrapping his arms around her.

“Here,” he said. “Here, I have you.”

“We have to get out,” Yvette managed. “I can't breathe.”

Peter looked around, frantically trying to plan a way out. If he transformed, he wasn't sure that he would recognize the need to rescue her. She was so fragile, and his dragon brain was still so confused.

“Just keep breathing,” he said, and plunged forward.

The entire building was up in flames when he got into the hallway. People were screaming and running, and Peter knew that some of them wouldn't survive.

Yvette choked again, trembling in his arms. This seemed like a dream–a dream that she would never get out of. Everything was hazy and terrible, and the whole world was going black.

She heard the screaming; she heard the plaster falling. “Peter,” she said softly. “Please don't let them die.” And then the world went black.

When Yvette awoke, she was sitting on the sidewalk outside the mall. There were fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances.

“I leave you for an hour and you burn the mall down?” Ariel was behind her in an instant. Yvette couldn't answer, her throat still thick with smoke. “I need a paramedic over here, help!”

“Jesus,” Nicholas was on the scene in a frantic run. “Where's Peter?”

“Inside. Get away from me and do some good,” Ariel said to her brother-in-law, referring to her carapace powers. The paramedics rushed over, already frantic from the other bodies that were strewn on the streets. People were dying, that much was clear.

“Ariel,” Yvette said, tears in her eyes. They put an oxygen mask over her and the next thing she knew, she woke up in the hospital.

Hospitals were a familiar place to Yvette, especially in the last few years. She felt comfort beneath the white sheets, and strangely relaxed by the beeping of the machines.

She had an oxygen mask on her face, and IVs in her arm. Armand was standing over her bed, his white lab coat looking a little bit rumpled and his eyes kind but tired. She coughed when she meant to get a word out, and he put his hand over hers.

“Just rest. Don't try to speak. You've had quite an ordeal.”

She looked around, looking for her phone, a clock, anything to indicate how long she had been out for.

Armand sensed it; many of his patients wanted the same thing.

“It's been two days since the fire,” he said. “You've been out, which I suspect was a result of your weakened state. But you're alright now.”

“Peter,” she managed, muffled through the oxygen mask.

“He's alright,” Armand said. “He helped quite a bit. A lot more people would have died if it wasn't for him and his brother. But before you see Peter–”

She sat up a bit more as Thomas came rushing into the room.

“Yvette,” Thomas wrapped his arms around her as carefully as he could to not dislodge the tubing. She stiffened at his touch, unexpectedly. She had spent so long missing him, and now that the moment had arrived, she felt odd hugging him. “Oh God, what have they done to you?”

“They didn't do anything to me,” she pulled down the mask, taking a deep breath and then coughing.

“Peter helped–”

“He also almost killed you,” Thomas growled. “And I'll kill him when I see him.”

“Thomas,” Armand snapped. “He is your king.”

“He is no king of mine.”

“Thomas, if you continue in this speech, I will not allow you in this room. Is that clear?” Armand set his jaw. “I do not agree with the destruction, nor do I agree with the death. But it was not the princes. The former king has returned.”

“It is because of the princes that she is in the hospital to begin with,” Thomas said. “Don't forget that.”

“Thomas, I'm alright,” Yvette leaned her head against his chest again, trying to stop her beating heart. But as soon as she had done that, Peter walked into the room.

Armand bowed, and Thomas growled. Yvette sat up, her eyes meeting his.

“Yvette,” Peter said. “I am glad to see you well.”

“She wouldn't be unwell without–”

“Leave,” Armand said to him.

“This world was much better when someone who knew what to do was in charge,” Thomas snarled, squeezing Yvette's hand. “Let me stay with her.”

“Thomas, please,” Yvette managed. “I'll talk to you soon.”

He glared at Peter, but reluctantly put a kiss on her head and left the room.

“Forgive me,” Armand said to Peter. “He knows not what he says.”

“I think he knows exactly what he says,” Peter replied. “I will speak to Yvette alone if she is well enough.”

“Of course,” Armand said. “Although just a few minutes would be best.”

“A few moments will be sufficient.” Peter sat at the end of her bed. Once alone, he met her eyes. “I'm so sorry,” he said to her.

“It's not your fault,” she said. “Your father clearly has an agenda in mind that is not compatible with life on Earth.”

“I wonder if he has lost his mind, in Other,” Peter replied.

“Is that possible?”

“Yes,” Peter said, his voice low. “Every day it is a struggle.”

They fell into silence, Yvette wanting nothing more than to hug him.

“Thomas is just being protective,” she said. “He's upset. He's always upset when I am unwell.”

“He has a right to be,” Peter said. “For you belong to him, do you not? And we ripped you from him.”

“I…,” Yvette wasn't sure what to say to that. She said nothing for a long moment, looking out the window. When she left, that was the case. But having spent so much time in the palace, her view was different. She wasn't afraid of Peter; she wasn't afraid of them as princes. He was lost, he was confused, and she knew that he had a good heart. He had shown her nothing but kindness, even from the first moment they met.

She couldn't deny that there was something between them. When their eyes met, it was like the Earth was shifting. It had never been like that with Thomas. There had been pity, and she had felt comforted by his strength. She thought that it was love. But now, she was starting to wonder how he could say such things.

“You should stay here,” Peter said. “We are a danger to you.”

“No,” her eyes jerked up. “No, you're not ready. There's still so much to do.”

“Yvette,” he gave her a kind look. “You are caring, but–”

“I can't stop now,” she said. “Really. Please don't make me go away.”

He smiled, placing a hand on her face.

“I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. And it almost did.”

“What are you going to do about your father? Where did he go?”

“We don't know,” Peter said. “But it is clear that he has values that are different from mine. The problem is–”

“His claim to the throne is about as strong as yours,” she said, picking up his train of thought. “You are both returned from the Other.”

“We are both dead,” Peter said, softly.

“Then this time is a gift,” she said. “And, maybe it will not be here forever. So we shall take advantage of it while we can. The time that all of us have is borrowed.”

He squeezed her hand, rising, but she pulled him back.

“Please don't leave without me,” she said. “I want to finish the job, even if it's the last thing I do.”

“I won't,” he said. “But your safety is foremost in my mind.”

She coughed again, but mid-cough she felt the magic flow into her. It was purer and stronger than what Armand had ever given her. The healing she received was almost to the point of cure, as it always was. He wasn't probing, he was simply fixing.

“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him.

“I wish I could do more,” he replied. “I don't know when this world got so complicated.”

“Someone once told me that the hardest thing to do in this world was live in it,” Yvette replied. “I believe that.”

“I'll leave you to rest,” he said. “I want you stronger if we do go back. Tomorrow morning, at the earliest.”

“Peter,” she called as he reached the door. “How many people died, in the mall?”

“In the mall? Four,” he said.

“And in the dress shop?” she asked, afraid of the answer.

“Everyone,” he met her eyes. “Everyone else.”

Yvette bit her lip, trying to stop the tears.

“You saved me,” she said, at last.

“Yes,” he answered, and left.

She was no longer just helping them in exchange for health care and for money. She was in the thick of their world now, and she wasn't sure there was any way out. She wasn't sure she wanted a way out.

Chapter 10

“What do you mean you're going back?” Thomas asked her in shock when she told him her plans that evening. “He almost killed you.”

“He didn't,” Yvette tried to assure him. “You know what happened. It isn't his fault. And more than that, the job is not done. When have you known me to ever not finish a job?”

“It's not about your sense of pride, Yvette,” Thomas snapped at her. “You're so full of pride, you think you're doing the right thing. How do you know you are fighting for the right side?”

“What?” she asked him, completely confused.

“Never mind,” he shook his head. “If you want to go back, that's on you. But if you do, we're through.”

“What?” she repeated, shell-shocked. “Because I'm finishing a job?”

“Because those who sit on our throne are dangerous, and they have made laws that make no sense. Why do you think I left?”

“You left because the old king was tyrant who used your special abilities to force you into a warrior life you didn't want.”

“Well, at least I did something with my life,” he said. “Rather than sitting around on Earth. And when I left, I didn't know that the kings who were replacing him would be even worse.”

“So, you must be thrilled that the old king has returned.”

Thomas fixed her with a stare. “Yvette. I'm serious. You leave, I won't be here when you get back.”

“Well, that's your choice,” she managed, trying not to cry.

“Fine,” Thomas said, and stood up. “Goodbye, Yvette. It was nice.”

And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the hospital room.

She brought her knees up to her face, the hot tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt her chest go tight and her hands tremble.

The Donizettis had taken her in, had given her a home and a life. She had bounced around from poverty-stricken houses until she had found them, and they had taught her what a house and a stable lifestyle could mean.

And now, she had destroyed it.

Thomas was her first boyfriend–her only boyfriend. She had only known him–his danger alluring, his experience in comparison with her quiet life shocking.

Somehow, she found sleep that night, although it was interrupted by the constant visit of doctors and nurses. When morning came, Peter found her things packed and her fully dressed, ready to go.

“You are sure?” he asked. She nodded, afraid that if she spoke, her emotions would flow. “Alright. I am going to take you back on my own, and Nicholas will follow with Ariel when they are ready. There is so much going on that it is best we leave now before the carapaces find us.”

She placed her hand on his.

“Take me there,” she said, just wanting to be as far away from this place as possible.

The vortex that had opened wasn't too far from the hospital. It was quick and easy–as easy as waiting for the train. Yvette felt cold and emotionless as Peter pulled the magic around them.

When they landed in the antechamber, though, it was absolute chaos.

“What's happening?” Yvette asked, as people rushed past them, almost knocking into her. She shrank against him, confused. Peter spoke quickly in dragon, and then turned pale. “What is it?”

“We were right, on Earth,” Peter said. “The carapaces weren't returning to the Other. They were killed.”

“Killed by who?”

“Dragons,” Peter said. “And they were left as gruesome displays. You don't need to know the details.”

“Was it your father?” Yvette asked.

Peter nodded. “I think no lessons today, hmm? I have to find out what's going on. Alexander will be distraught because everything he's worked for is coming undone.”

“Let me stay with you,” Yvette pleaded. “I don't want to be apart from you. I don't feel safe.”

He looked torn, but her large eyes conflicted his heart.

“Alright,” he said. “But, stay close. And if anything happens, you need to get yourself to safety. I will take care of you, I promise.”

“I know you will,” she said, and he pulled her into the throne room.

She automatically knew it was so much more than just the carapaces being killed. People were running about the throne room, a line was forming to speak to the king, and people looked distraught.

She was surprised to see that not everyone in line was a dragon. She recognized the characteristics of wolves, lions, and bears, hoping against hope for help from the king that they had once been against.

Alexander wouldn't dare sit on the throne with Peter back, and so he was sitting on the steps, going over documents. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, pale and drawn.

“Alexander,” Peter put his hand out to receive the documents “I can take over, if you need.”

“You need to address the concerns of the galaxy.” Alexander stood up, grateful for his brother's return “I can do this, but only you can sit there.”

“Of course,” Peter said. “You've heard what's happened to us?”

“Yes,” Alexander said, not even looking at Yvette. “Where is Ariel? Please tell me she is safe.”

“As far as I know,” Peter replied. “She stayed behind with Nicholas to gather some more evidence. Where is Cole?”

“Cole was mobilizing the guard,” Alexander replied. “He should be back here soon.”

“I want him under the protection of the guard,” Peter said. “His comings and goings are monitored, protected. And I want the princess here. Her translation may be halting, but she is taught to be precise.”

“Why are you protecting Cole?” Yvette asked, as they ascended the steps.

“Because Cole is the youngest heir to the throne. The last hope, you would say. Because he is our last hope, he is protected. The other two have specific duties to perform and specific tasks to be present at. The youngest heir's job is to protect the throne by staying alive.”

“Oh,” she answered. “Your English is quite good compared to when we started. Enya can help, but you need to believe in yourself.”

He smiled briefly at her as he took a seat on the throne. She went to move aside, but he took her hand.

“If you are able, please stand at my side,” he said. “I would like the support.”

“Of course.” She half leaned against him, watching as the lineup turned toward him.

Enya's language was growing in leaps and bounds as well. Her dragon was moving slowly because she was trying to learn all the languages of the shifters at once. She was mostly proficient at all of them by now, and Peter conducted his business through her when needed. Yvette knew that he wanted to be sure in his words and careful in his decisions as he listened to the cases. This was the rule of a King who wanted to be fair and just, not a King who was wandering and lost.

Her eyes flickered to Enya who looked tired, but held strong. She wore a small tiara to indicate that she was a princess. Yvette likened it to what a prom princess would have worn, which made her smile in longing. She hadn't gotten to go to her own prom; she had been too ill. Here was this girl, so like her that had changed her life. Life on Earth seemed so far away.

Yvette had another thought as she watched Enya. She thought that perhaps she could do that one day. She could be strong like that with dragons at her back.

There was death everywhere, and it wasn't just the old king who was behind it. Reports of him were everywhere, but it appeared he had agents working for him–Dragon agents who believed his rule was right.

He was invoking every old revolution that had ever happened. Killing bears, dragons, lions, and wolves along with carapaces. He was after those who had defied him; those who had gone against his kingdom and his rule at one point.

Yvette could only catch half of it, but what she heard was terrifying.

“He said that he was not as cruel as those who sat on the throne now.”

She heard the voice clearly, and her head snapped up. Choosing to speak in English, a wolf shifter who had spent much time on Earth looked to Enya, telling his story.

“Wait, what did you say?” Yvette said, startling all of them. “Please, repeat that.”

Peter looked to her, but nodded his head.

“He said that he was not as cruel as those who sat on the throne now,” the wolf repeated, unsure why he was receiving this order. “Have I said something wrong?”

“No,” Yvette put her hand to mouth. “I don't. Oh, God.”

She stepped down from the platform, heading out the nearest door. Tears filled her eyes as she made it into the hallway.

“Yvette?” Cole had been coming into the throne room and almost ran right into her. “What's the matter?”

“I think he's helping him,” she babbled. “Oh, God, I think he's helping him. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I didn't know.”

“What?” Cole crouched down, alarmed. “What do you know?”

“Thomas,” she managed, at last. “He said something to me in the hospital, and then the wolf said the same thing. I think Thomas is helping your father.”

“Do you?” Cole waited for more evidence.

“I've been thinking of how weird it seems,” she said, “that your father was just ripped from the Other and suddenly doing all these things. You saw how Peter was when he was returned, and I've seen many other cases. It takes a while to wrap your head around things, let alone make coherent actions. Somebody is helping him, or several someone’s. And I'm sure Thomas is involved.”

“Right,” Cole said. “And Thomas Donizetti is still living in the family home?”

“He is,” Yvette replied. “I saw him in the hospital. He broke up with me.”

“Oh, darling, I'm sorry,” he replied.

“Obviously, it might be for the best,” she managed to shrug.

“The Donizettis could be all in this together,” Cole rose, already thinking. “Every single one of them had left the kingdom because they were angry.”

“No,” she cried out. “No, Armand would never. The rest of them would never. They are good people. They brought Thomas into the family because they wanted to help him, to heal him. He was always the difficult one, the problem one. But they didn't judge him. They loved him. I loved him.”

“Yvette,” Cole met her eye. “Do you swear to me that you knew nothing about this before you were brought here?”

“What?” her jaw dropped. “Yes, of course, I knew nothing about this. I never…I wouldn't….”

“Alright,” Cole said, as the guards approached. He looked startled for a moment, and then he remembered. “Right, last heir and all. Hello, boys.”

“What's happened?” Peter came out, not caring about the fact that there were hundreds in line waiting for him in the giant throne room. Cole filled him in, and his eyes widened.

“Yvette, are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “I hate to say it, because I loved him. I still love him. But if he's responsible for so much death…oh, my God, he could have killed me, too.”

“Find Thomas Donizetti,” Peter addressed the guards “And bring him here. He will answer for his crimes.”

“What will happen to him?” Yvette was afraid to ask.

“The penalty for crimes like that is death,” Peter said, and she closed her eyes.

When he had come for her, she never thought her world would be so tangled up in this.

Chapter 11

Yvette was lying in bed when she heard a knock on her door. She wasn't asleep; she hadn't been asleep since they said they had started searching for Thomas. It had been two days, and she felt like she was living on nervous energy, pacing and biting her nails.

For a whole year, she had been by Thomas' side–kissed him, loved him, given herself to him body and soul. She knew that his situation was complicated, and she knew that once she brought him up to date and cleared his mind, he may leave her. It was ironic and heartbreaking. Somewhere, there was a soul mate for Thomas, someone he had spent most of his life with. He didn't talk about it much; nor did he look for her, but Yvette knew she was there.

She knew that when she started this relationship with Thomas, he was just killing time. She thought that she would be alright with that. But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, her heart changed. And she thought that his mind was changing as well.

How long had he been orchestrating this plot? How long had he betrayed her? Had he known she would be in that shop with Peter? Did he care?

Was she ever really his at all?

“Come in,” she called through the door, trying to make her voice sound steady. She was already changed for the night, but whomever was knocking on the door probably needed her urgently.

It was Peter, which surprised her. He was usually far too busy to come see her personally. If he wanted her, he sent a message and she came to him. The last time she had seen him, he was in the throne room, looking regal and formal.

Now, he was dressed down. The crown was off his head, and his eyes were lidded. He was tired, that much was clear, as he leaned on the door frame.

“Well, don't just stand there,” she said, wiping tears away. She hated that she was crying; she hated being weak. “You can come in.”

“Why are you crying?” he asked, concerned. “Are you in pain?”

“No,” she managed. “I actually feel good today. Your magic, your technology here, makes me feel better than I ever did on Earth.”

“Ah,” he replied, sitting at the edge of the bed. “So, it is internal.”

She smiled at his choice of words. “You could say that, yes.”

“I am sorry,” he said, “to inform you that they have found Thomas.”

She took a short gasp, trying not to cry all over again.

“What will happen now?”

“They will be bringing him here to answer to me. I know you may think us harsh, but he will have a fair trial.”

“And your father?” she asked.

“They can't find him, but that it is, perhaps, no surprise,” Peter said. “He's well hidden, likely planning his next attack on my rule.”

“I don't think it's an attack on your rule, Peter,” she said, quietly. “I think it's a reinstatement of his. He wants the old ways back. He thinks he's still king.”

“He is king,” Peter said, softly. “I am being a usurper at the moment.”

“No one wants him as king. They are terrified of him!”

“Didn't you learn in all that history that you taught me that terror doesn't matter in a monarchy?” he managed to give her a small smile. “It's not about how terrified the people are. It's about where you were born in the line of succession.”

“Tyrant kings were overthrown all the time,” she said.

“Maybe,” his voice was soft. “By stronger men.”

She reached out to take his hand, squeezing it gently.

“You look exhausted,” she said. “Do you want to lie down with me?”

He paused and then accepted her invitation. Both of their heads hit the soft pillows, and he closed his eyes.

“Ah,” he said. “I have been dreaming of returning to the pillow all day.”

“Aren't you king? Can't you install a pillow on your throne?”

“I could,” he rolled over to face her. “But what if they decide to paint my portrait at that exact moment? Not the way I want to be remembered.”

“I'm quite sure you won't be remembered that way,” she replied, a smile on her face. He grasped her hand, looking into her eyes.

“Yvette, I would not still be here without you,” he said, softly.

“What do you mean?” she asked, although she knew exactly what he meant.

“Without you, I would no doubt vanish into the Other again,” he replied. “I have done it once, and I believe I have the strength in me to do it again. It would be simple and easy. When I returned, I had no interest in staying until the moment I met you.”

“I haven't done anything, Peter,” she said softly. But he was already leaning in, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

She felt her whole body tingle and her mind go blank. His kiss was like magic; relieving her of any stress. She drew closer to him, losing herself to his touch.

When he pulled away, both of them were panting. He stroked her hair, and she rolled onto his shoulder, nestling in the crevice that seemed made to fit her.

“Wow,” she said, and he laughed.

“Yes, wow indeed,” he replied. “I could abandon my duties and do that all day.”

“You could, but there seems to be a rather large problem for you to solve first.”

“Ah,” he said. “And I'm afraid it will always be like that.”

“I don't mind,” she answered. “It is who you are.”

She was speaking to his very soul, and he felt his heart tremble. This girl who had known nothing but a simple life seemed to understand all the complex problems he was facing and all the difficulty he had weighing on his shoulders.

“I don't want you to go,” he said, interrupting their silence.

“Where am I going?” she asked.

“Back to Earth. Anywhere. I want you to stay with me.”

“Forever?” she asked, raising her body to look at him.

“Sorry,” he shook his head, “if that was shocking. I've had a bit much.”

Suddenly, it clicked in her brain.

“Are you drunk?” she asked, grinning. “You sappy sod, coming in here and cuddling with me because you've had some wine.”

He grinned, the seriousness of the moment gone.

“Maybe. Am I not entitled?”

“Of course you are entitled,” she teased him. “You're the king. In high school, all the boys wanted to cuddle after a few drinks too.”

“I assure you, I can hold my liquor,” he said as she grabbed his hands. They were half wrestling, half cuddling, and she had no objections. His lean hips swiveled, and she straddled him, pushing her hands down onto his chest. “It's just been awhile since I indulged.”

“Ha,” she leaned into his face. “I'm going to tell your brothers you are a lightweight.”

“Don't. I'll never hear the end of it.”

“How are you going to stop me?” she said, and that was when he kissed her again.

This kiss was different from the first one. Strong and passionate, there was no mistaking the meaning of this one. His tongue darted in and out of her mouth, and she knew what was coming.

She could feel that he wanted her–feel that he had every intention of taking her.

And she had no intention of stopping him.

“Yvette,” he said, when he pulled back. “Is this what you want?”

“I think it's what I've wanted since I first saw you,” she replied.

She wanted to lose herself in the moment–the feeling, the passion. After so many weeks of uncertainly, of fear, she just wanted to feel good.

He had clearly been with multiple women before, as a King would have. He knew all the right places to touch, to caress, and to nip at. She wasn't as experienced as him, but she soon found herself crying out in pleasure, and begging him for more.

She didn't think of anything else but his flesh–his touch, his kisses.

When they finally fell back to bed, both of them were lost for breath. Her naked body was cold against his flesh that was always warm. She curled up against him, a smile stuck on her face.

“Wow,” she said. “That was amazing.”

“You doubt my ability?” he asked.

“No,” she replied. “Never. I just never had anything like that.”

“And you have been with a dragon before?”

“Yes, with Thomas,” she said. Both of them remembered the tediousness of the situation then, and the heaviness of the day returned.

“Would you like to see him?” Peter asked. “When he is brought here?”

She had to think about it for a long moment. Once upon a time, the answer would have been yes, unconditionally.

But now, the answer made her pause.

“I think so,” she said, at last. “Although, I don't know what I'll be able to say or do. You have to understand, Peter, I did love him. As misguided as that love was.”

“I know,” Peter replied. “And, I will have that in mind during his trial. But we cannot make exceptions when it comes to crimes of such a serious nature. Aiding my father in the destruction of innocents is something we take seriously.”

“And if your father chooses to show up? To save him, I mean?” Yvette asked. “What will you do then?”

“I don't know,” Peter replied. “But if it comes to ridding this planet of him, I will do that.”

It was the first time she had heard him say such a thing and the first time he had been so confident in his rule.

“So, you do want to be king,” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “This is my rightful duty, and I have no reason to skirt it. Although I find it much easier to bear when you are by my side.”

“Is this the wine talking again?” she asked him, and he smiled.

“No, it is long gone. This is my heart.”

He gave her a kiss on the head, not expecting an answer from her. Yvette's thoughts were swirling, and she couldn't form words.

She wasn't sure how long they would lay there before the final feeling of pure happiness left them. She knew that soon, they would have to get up and face the world. There would come a knock at the door, a call, and they would have to leave their sanctuary.

But for now, she entwined her fingers with his, comforted by his chest rising and falling. He was so strong, so different from anyone that she had ever met. She wasn't sure she wanted to leave either. But she knew, to make a decision at the magnitude of which he was hinting at, she had to be sure. Ariel and Enya had made such a choice, and it changed their whole lives. Yvette had to know that she was ready for a new life, ready to leave all of Earth behind.

The knock came at the door within the hour. How they knew that Peter was there baffled her, but she supposed a king's whereabouts were always known.

“My Lord,” came the cry. “Thomas Donizetti has been brought to the throne room.”

“Well,” said Peter, sitting up. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” she replied, the tremble back in her voice. She knew that she had to do this, though, for it would aid her decision. When it came down to the two of them, who would she choose? Would it be Thomas' dangerous ways, or Peter's broken heart? The choice was not easy.

Chapter 12

“Open up!” Peter commanded, as they walked towards the jail. Yvette was nervous, her heart in her chest. She had never seen the inside of their jail, but it obviously was not a bright and cheerful place. She also knew that their jail had been built to block magic so that the prisoners were trapped in their weakest form, which was human.

“Prisoner came in armed and dangerous, My Lord,” one of the guards said, and Peter glared at him.

“Do you not think I can handle myself?” he asked.

The guard stuttered. “No, My Lord, of course, yes, My Lord. Of course, you can protect yourself.”

“Excellent,” Peter replied. “Where is Cole?”

“Safe, My Lord,” the guard answered. “And, he will continue to remain so.”

“Excellent,” Peter replied as the gates opened. He moved to go in with Yvette, but she put her hand across his arm.

“Do you think I could see him alone?”

“That's not safe,” Peter said, and she gave him a look.

“I thought your prisons were the strongest in the universe,” she said. “Able to hold anyone and pose no threat. You can stay right here and the guards are right here. What harm can I meet?”

Peter looked at her for a long moment, and then took a deep breath. “Of course,” he said, at last. “But if there is any danger, any trouble whatsoever, please let me know. Scream, cry out, I will hear you.”

“I will,” Yvette said. “And Thomas won't hurt me.”

She didn't really believe that, herself, though. As she approached, she wasn't sure what she was going to find.

He was pacing, growling, as if he were a caged animal. In a lot of ways, he was a caged animal. His eyes were back to brown, the magic blocked from them. His face was torn up, although he didn't seem to be in any pain. Thomas was used to being beaten and mistreated. Her heart always broke at that thought. She had thought he was strong, but it was different. He didn't know love or kindness until he came to the Donizettis. They had taught him the way a person should be treated, and Yvette had shown him a love that didn't involve leading an army to their death.

“Hi,” she said softly, staring right at him. He turned, facing her full on. She could see the extent of the damage to his face and winced.

“Get me out of here,” he said, snarling at her. “How can you stand there and watch them lock me up like this?”

“Thomas,” she said, softly. “Did you know I was in the mall?”

“What kind of question is that? This cage will kill me if I'm in here long enough. Yvette, get me out, unless you want to watch me die.”

“Did you know I was there?” she repeated. Still, he refused to answer.

“You know what happens when they keep someone like me blocked of magic for too long. Didn't you see what happened to Alexander? He looks a shell of his former self, and yet he won't give up that carapace wench.”

“You will not speak unkindly of my brother-or-sister-in-law,” she snapped at him. That stopped him cold. And then he laughed.

“You married him?” he asked. “Of course, you did. You were taken by all the glamour and glitz, all the majesty. What was wrong with me, Yvette? Was I not enough for you? Was a step up from your trailer park life not good enough? You had to go the whole nine yards with a dragon you've known half a second?”

“Thomas, I was never yours,” she said, softly.

He stopped at that, staring her in the eye. His silence spoke volumes.

“And you know I was never yours,” she said. “What we had was special. What we had killed time. I don't know. I did enjoy it and I did…I do love you.”

“But you love Peter more,” he answered. “It makes so much sense. He is a king, did he make you queen?”

“We aren't married yet,” she replied. “But we will be. He asked me.”

“Where's your ring?”

“He didn't…,” Yvette realized how things were happening. “I just know.”

She couldn't give Peter an answer five minutes ago, lying on the bed. She didn't know where her heart lay or what her next move was going to be then. But now, she felt like the path ahead was so obvious and so clear.

“Really?” Thomas asked, crossing his arms. “What else do you think you know?”

“That you knew I was in that mall,” she said. “And you sent the old king anyway, to kill Peter, and maybe me as a bystander. Or a target.”

“Yes,” he finally admitted. “Yes, I knew you were in that mall. But I knew I could save you if something happened.”

“Something did happen, Thomas!” she cried. “And you were nowhere to be found.”

To that, he had no answer, looking down at his feet. She put her hands to her mouth, fighting back tears.

“You would have let me die if it weren't for Peter. Another moment and I wouldn't have been able to get out of there at all. And all the innocent people who died, for what? For what?”

“There are always casualties when justice is trying to be done,” he said. “The lives of the few do not compare against the lives of the many.”

“No, every life matters,” she screamed at him. “Every life. Mine, the mall workers, the dragons, the bears, the wolves, it doesn't matter. You don't get to choose who lives and dies.”

“I do not,” Thomas said. “But the king does. And King Richard will reign again. A much better rule than this cobbled-together disaster.”

“Peter is–”

“Peter wanted to die, Yvette,” Thomas said. “Wake up. Even when I lived here, he wanted to die. He looked for ways. He was accident prone on purpose. He hoped someone would run him through with a spear. Richard was sick, and life was taken from him too early. Does that sound familiar?” It was as if he had ripped into her very soul. “Would you not want a second chance if that was the case?”

“I…,” her heart nearly stopped.

“All you've ever wanted was a second chance, isn't it?” his voice grew softer. “A do-over, a chance to live and be healthy. I understand that. And I didn't understand it before. I'm sorry. Life was ripped from me, but I was a warrior, I was prepared for it at any moment. When I met Richard, I understood how not being prepared can leave you pacing, praying, hoping in agony.” He held out his hand to her. “Come home with me, Yvette. I'll spring free, and Armand can give you that life.”

She didn't move, but she was listening.

“You know that he can,” Thomas said. “He's the best doctor there is. If anyone can help you, it's him. And we can have a beautiful life together on Earth, you and I. Everything is familiar there, everything is safe there. Isn't that what you really want?”

Yvette met his eyes.

“I can take care of you,” he took a step closer, as close as the bars would allow. “Is that what you crave? You don't even know him, Yvette, and the queens of the dragon world do not have as glamorous of life as you might think. Help me.”

His extended hand stretched further.

She wanted so badly to take it. Thomas was her first love, her first kiss. He had taught her everything there was to romance and to lust. He had held her when she had been ill, and reclined her on nights she had not. Like him, she hadn't known much kindness or a family until she came to the Donizettis.

Their house, their ways, and their family was life-changing. If she walked away from him, she'd be walking away from Armand and from Evelyn, who had become like parents to her. She'd be betraying them when they had shown her nothing but love.

Thomas had said he was going to save her, didn't he? They had been together a year, which seemed like a lifetime in her young mind.

“Yvette,” he said, opening and closing his hand. “Come.”

But what about the mall? What about the destruction? What about all the other crimes they claim he had committed? Everyone thought they were fighting for the right thing; no one saw themselves as evil or wrong. Everyone had a cause, a passion. She could forgive him for being on what she thought was the wrong side of things. The dragon world was not her place; she did not know the politics, the in-and-out of it.

But she did know basic humanity and basic kindness. Armand had taught her that when he took her in.

Yvette took a tiny step back, although it nearly killed her.

Thomas' hand retracted.

“Really? After all Armand did for you?”

“Because of what Armand did for me,” she said. “Because he taught me right from wrong in a world, where I thought nobody cared. Because he showed me a random act of kindness in a place where no one looked twice. Does he know what you have done, Thomas?” she asked. “Does he know what you tried to kill? Hope. You tried to kill hope in a world that was dying to be set free.”

And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Her footsteps echoed down the cement hallway. When she reached the end, the guards pulled open the gate. Peter was standing on the other side of it, his eyes wide.

“You heard that?” she asked, although she knew that he had.

“Every bit,” he answered. “I um….”

She put her hand in his.

“I only have one request,” she said. “For the trial. Please bring Armand here.”

“I can do that,” Peter said. “But why?”

“I know that you and the others had questions about Armand's treatment of Thomas, how he tried to keep him balanced and sane. That was what the drugs were for. And for years, Thomas never lashed out, at least not like this. Armand is not the bad guy, and if anyone can set this right, it's him.”

“Or he could be behind it all,” Peter said, but Yvette shook her head.

“He isn't. I bet my heart on it.”

“Fine,” Peter promised her. “Did he reveal where my father is?”

“No,” she sighed. “I didn't think to ask. But I'm not sure he knows. He's fighting for a cause, Peter, that's all. He's not orchestrating everything. He's a soldier, not a leader.”

“The trial will prove that,” Peter replied. “You look exhausted.”

“Well, it has been quite the night,” she leaned against his chest, comforted by the beating of his heart. “I didn't mean to blurt all of that out to Thomas. I just realized what you were saying back there.”

“And is it what you want, my love?” he asked her.

“Yes, it is,” she turned to look at him. “We had a rocky start, but everything happens for a reason.”

“And you know what marrying me could mean?” he asked.

“That I will be queen?”

He laughed. “Yes, my darling, it will mean that. But the consequences may be much more dire,” he brushed a strand a hair back from her face. “We don't know that dragons who have returned from Other are here to stay for good.”

“Peter,” she stopped him. “All my life people told me I was going to die. Or they told me that I would never have a real chance at a real life. Either one of us could drop dead tomorrow and disappear. But we have today, so let's be grateful for that.”

“Yes,” he said, looking down upon her with love in his eyes. “Let's focus on today.”

He leaned down to kiss her, and she felt shivers go down her spine. Today might not be enough for her swelling heart, but she'd start with it and see where the future led.

Chapter 13

“I think it will be much like your human trials on Earth,” Alexander said to Yvette two days later. It was the morning of the trial, and she was nervous. They had gone to Armand, who agreed without a fight to attend. He was arriving momentarily, and she desperately wanted to see him. She hadn't been down to the jail at all to see Thomas, knowing that her heart couldn't take it.

She hated herself for it, for she knew that he must be going through hell down there. Ariel had assured her that Alexander's diminished strength was due to fifteen years of exposure to the most powerful carapace on Earth, and then several attacks from a group of them at once. The jail for a few days would do nothing to Thomas that his body wouldn't repair the second he stepped out of the cells.

“His crimes will be presented, and he'll have a chance to defend himself. Peter will hear the evidence, and then decide on the verdict.”

“Which might be death?” she asked, almost afraid to speak.

“It might be,” he answered. “You do not want that? Even though he tried to kill you.”

“I don't,” she said.

“Have you told Peter this?”

“No,” she looked up at him in surprise “I mean, not in so many words. He is king, and I don't want to sway his verdict with my emotion. I know he will be just.”

Alexander smiled at her.

“You sound like a queen already. And you will make a great one.”

“So, you heard,” Yvette replied. “I didn't know that he was telling people. I mean, I don't mind. I just thought we were going to wait until all of this was over.”

“Announcing the marriage of a king is more than a casual conversation,” Alexander said. “He had to tell us, by law, and we had to approve.”

“Oh,” she replied. “And?”

“Of course we approve,” Alexander said. “Did you think otherwise?”

“Thank you,” she blushed.

“You will be my sister, Yvette, and I couldn't be prouder. Now,” he cocked his ear. “I believe Nicholas has returned with Armand. I hear the commotion. Shall we?”

“Please,” she followed Alexander down the hall, her heart in her throat.

As soon as she saw Armand, she threw herself at him.

“I'm sorry,” she sobbed. “I'm sorry.”

“Yvette,” Armand's calm, gentle smile overtook her. He bent down to her level, looking her in the eye. “None of this is your fault.”

“But you know what might happen to him,” she said. “And it's all because of me.”

“It is not because of you,” he answered. “Thomas has always had a difficult heart. And as a parent–well, at least a parent figure–we do the best we can. But ultimately, there is free will.”

“Yes, and Thomas did not exercise his well,” she replied. He gave her a hug.

“Show me,” he said. “Show me where you have been living, for it has been a long time since I've been here.”

It was a moment of normalcy, a moment of happiness in the dark day. She showed Armand where she had taught Peter, where they had sat on the windowsill, and where her rooms were. He noted that they were conjoined with Peter's, but he said nothing, waiting for her to tell him.

“We thought, when this is all over,” she said. “I don't know how long after. I guess it depends how it goes.”

“I am happy for you,” he replied. “And I'm sure Evelyn will be as well.”

“Oh, you have to come,” she spoke before she thought. “That is, if you will still want to.”

“We would be honored,” he said, and she gave him one last hug. They only had an hour before the trial, and she wanted to savor this moment. But eventually, she let him go.

“You'll want to see Thomas,” she said. “I can show you the way.”

“I can see it troubles you,” he answered. “And I remember the way. But you'll be there?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I owe him at least that.”

“Then I will see you soon,” he gave her a fatherly kiss on the head and then left the room, leaving Yvette alone. She took a deep, shuddering breath, looking in the mirror.

The girl that looked back at her surprised her. She seemed strong, fierce. She had put on some weight, and there was color in her cheeks. Her eyes were sharp, and her hair was adorned with jewels. The dragon dresses didn't quite fit her–they always underestimated how small she was–but she felt like they would soon.

She looked healthy and ready for whatever the day would bring. And more than looking it; she felt strong, and healthy, too. It was something that she had never experienced before. For once, she wasn't grasping for a chair, aching for a nap, hoping for some alone time. She wanted to be with people doing things. She wanted to be inspiring change whatever way she could.

And this was the world she could do it in.

She left to find Peter and to speak to him. She had a voice; she was going to be queen, and she needed to use it. Everyone deserved to be redeemed; everyone deserved a second chance.

By the time the trial commenced, the throne room was packed. Yvette stood off to the side, not wanting to get in the way of the order of the day. She also didn't want to look Thomas in the eye. She knew if she did, her heart might break.

The crowd parted when he was brought in. She heard the clink of the chains, and looked at her feet. She knew it was necessary; she knew how strong he was. But still, she wished that there was a better way.

She looked up at Peter instead, and Ariel sitting on the throne beside him. Yvette could make a better way when that chair was hers.

“Thomas Donizetti,” Peter's voice boomed across the throne room, sounding more kingly now than he ever had. “Do you understand the crimes which you are being tried for?”

“Of course, I understand them,” Thomas smirked. “I did them, didn't I?”

“Curb your tongue,” Ariel snapped at him. “Or I will make that prison permanent for you.”

Thomas was smart enough to say nothing to that, mostly because Armand gave him a little swat. Standing beside him, Armand looked like an embarrassed parent at the school principal's office.

“For my first witness, I call,” Peter looked up. “My brother, Cole, prince of the realm.”

Yvette's eyes lit up. He was taking her suggestion after all. He had listened when she had frantically whispered to him not half an hour ago.

“Cole,” Peter said, as Cole stepped forward. “You and Thomas are of the same breed, are you not?”

“We are,” Cole said. “Half dragon, half magic, an identity that was mostly hidden from us until late in our lives.”

“And you both fought in the old king's army?”

“We did,” Cole said, glaring out at the confused crowd. They were trying to figure out what Cole's story had to do with Thomas' crimes. As supporters of King Peter, they just wanted Thomas to pay for what he did.

“And Dr. Donizetti,” Peter said. “You have treated my brother Cole in the past.”

“I have,” Dr. Donizetti answered.

“And in your medical opinion, what difficulty has these events and this state done to him?”

Dr. Donizetti cleared his throat. “Descendants of two races often have trouble finding a place to fit in. They are sometimes abused for their abilities, and that can leave them with lasting damage, physically and emotionally.”

“But as you see, Cole has fit in just fine here, despite the crimes he had committed,” Peter said.

“I am reformed!” Cole grinned. “Thanks to my beautiful wife.”

On the other side of the throne, Enya blushed.

“Yes, of course,” Dr. Donizetti replied. “There is little damage that is done that cannot be undone, with love, kindness, and the right treatments.”

“So, you believe,” Peter stated, “that one who has committed such crimes can, in fact, not re-offend?”

“Of course,” Dr. Donizetti said.

“Thomas must pay for his crimes!” came a cry for the audience, but Peter waved his hands.

“Of course, he must pay,” he said. “An eye for an eye.”

Yvette felt her heart dip. Was Peter going to give him a death sentence, after all that?

“Unless…,” Peter said. “There is a cause–Thomas–that you are crucial to? A cause where you must save lives, rather than take them? Cole is forgiven for his crimes in lieu of giving his life to care for his wife, who needs his magic.”

“Thomas has been instrumental in my household, and in my surgery,” Armand blurted out, realizing what was happening. “More than once, patients have arrived half dead, beyond my skill. He has managed to save them with his magic.”

“Ah,” Peter said. “So a good heart beats beneath those crimes. That is interesting.”

The crowd roared, and Yvette closed her eyes, hoping, praying.

“So long as Thomas is saving lives, he may be pardoned,” Peter said, at long last. “But the moment his behavior is different, the sentence will come forth.” He stood up, coming down the steps to look Thomas in the eye. The younger dragon seemed too shocked to speak. He had expected death; he had prepared for death. But instead, he was being shown mercy. “If I find ever again any acts of heresy, any acts of defiance against my rule, I will not hesitate. Is that clear?”

“Yes, my king,” Thomas said, meeting Peter's gaze. Peter held Thomas' eye another moment, speaking words into his very heart. He lowered his voice, so it was barely audible beyond the two of them.

“If you had been standing here during my father's rule, he would not have saved you,” Peter said. “Think on that next time you consider who to serve.”

And with that, he ascended the steps, going to sit on the throne. Before he did though, he caught Yvette's eye, smiling slightly.

She met his gaze with tears.

“Thank you,” she mouthed, and he dipped his head. Thomas was led out to the roaring crowd, and Yvette bowed her head.

A second chance. Everyone deserved a second chance. Thomas had his, and now she could move forward with hers; her heart light.

Chapter 14

She was surprised when he said yes to an Earth wedding. She had thought that she would expected to be on Umora for the marriage, but it turns out the coronation would be enough for the people. She knew she should be excited to be queen, and she was. But she was far more excited to marry Peter and be his wife. Without him, there would be nothing. Marrying Peter meant so much more than just being his lovely wife. She would be healthier, she would have a new life, and she would never have to struggle or think of money again. Like Enya, she would visit Earth on occasion, and her parents would be none the wiser. She would have to pretend that she had a normal life, but it was a small price to pay for the life she was receiving.

She had chosen a vintage lace dress with long sleeves that covered her to her finger tips and a form-fitting skirt that ended out in a long train. She felt like a princess as Enya finished buttoning her gown.

“Was your wedding dress lace?” Yvette asked.

“Yes,” she replied. “A bit simpler than this. But then, I knew I was going to be married to a prince, not a king.”

“It's not about that,” Yvette said, with a wide grin on her face. “It's about being his wife.”

“Sure,” Enya teased her. “Whatever you say. I'd say you're all buttoned up, and you look gorgeous. Should I get Armand?”

“Yes, I think I'm ready,” Yvette said.

Her father had never been a strong presence in her life, and she had asked Armand to walk her down the aisle. Although things had been tense, Armand had been much closer to a father to her than her actual father.

Enya headed out the door and Yvette took one last look at herself in the mirror. She had never expected that she'd be walking down the aisle so soon, but she wouldn't trade it for the world.

“You look beautiful,” said Armand, as he entered the room. He was dressed in a tuxedo, and he looked handsome and put together as always. His eyes were tinted yellow, and it was a stark reminder that she was marrying into dragons. “And Peter is waiting for you.”

“I wasn't going to ask,” she said. “Although I didn't know what I would do if you said that he wasn't there.”

“Come on,” Armand put his arm out. “Let's not keep everyone waiting.”

They had chosen to get married in a church in her hometown. It wasn't the grandest, but it looked like everyone she invited had shown up. She was worried that some of her old friends wouldn't turn up because she had been bouncing around so much. But everyone was in the church, beaming at her as the music began to play.

Peter was at the end of the aisle, his brothers standing behind him in identical suits. They all had their hands clasped together, looking like triplets at the right angle.

She knew she should be smiling at her guests, but she couldn't take her eyes off of him. He was her rock, her stronghold, as she was his.

Once she was at the front of the aisle, Armand handed her over. She placed her hands in Peter's, and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. The congregation sat down, and she smiled at him.

They both turned to the priest to indicate that they were ready. The priest cleared his throat, and looked down at the book and read the vows. They had heard the words in rehearsal, but now it seemed different. This was real.

She squeezed his hands, and he smiled at her. His eyes looked slightly yellow, eager to transform. There had been so many wedding preparations that he hadn't gotten the chance. As soon as the wedding was over, they were leaving Earth to head to the coronation at Umora, where he could have the relief of Dragon form for a while.

“Into this union, Yvette and Peter now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace.”

No one said anything, although Yvette was sure that many people could say something. Her old friends had been shocked that she was getting married so soon to someone who wasn't Thomas. The dragons had all the reasons in the world to protest, because she was going to be their new queen. But to her relief, no one said anything.

“Yvette.” The priest turned to her, and she gave a little gasp. She hadn't realized that she would be the one doing her vows first. They hadn't memorized their vows because they had thought that they would be too nervous. She was glad that the priest was going to be feeding her the words, because the only thing she could do was stare at Peter's face.

“Will you have this man to be your husband, to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” she managed, her voice barely audible. There was a very good chance that he would outlive her, but she knew that she would be faithful until the end of her life.

“Peter, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?”

“I will,” he said. He had already helped her through much already. In her mind, he had already upheld all of those vows. Hearing him agree to them, in front of everyone, though, sent shivers down her spine. This was the man who would be by her side forever, or as long as forever lasted. She didn't know about the future, what their rule would bring. But she was confident that together they would do the best they could.

“Yvette and Peter, having witnessed your vows of love to one another, it is my joy to present you to all gathered here as husband and wife. Peter, you may kiss the bride.”

He dipped her down to kiss her, and the congregation exploded in applause as he brought her back up, and walked her down the aisle, he whispered in ear.

“Are you ready to be queen?”

“Now that I'm your wife, I'm ready for anything,” she smiled at him. Their plans were to go to their reception and then sneak away, landing in Umora before midnight. Tomorrow at dawn, the coronation would begin, sealing her life there. And she couldn't wait.

Chapter 15

“So, did you have to do this?” Yvette asked Ariel, as they stood in the antechamber of the large church. She knew that the one in her hometown was not that impressive. But the church on Umora was like nothing she had ever seen before. She was surprised that they had a church at all really. Of course, they worshipped different gods. The dragon gods all had wings and were majestic and grand. It made sense to her, of course. They weren't that different when she thought about it. Two societies who did the best they can, and had faith in a higher power.

She was nervous about the coronation, if she was honest with herself, because she hadn't put as much focus into it as she had put into her wedding. Peter had given her the script, and they had walked through it once before they left. But she didn't have to say as much, although more focus would be on her. He promised that he would be there to guide her and protect her, and she knew that he would. But she still felt very unprepared as she stood in the antechamber, waiting.

“No,” Ariel said. “Because I am not an anointed queen. When you marry a king or in this kingdom, when you are the highest-ranking female, you become a queen by default. But when you are an anointed queen that means you are blessed by the gods and therefore chosen to rule. So, in the speech, they will refer to you as a queen, but it's almost like using the same word for different things.”

“But you had power.”

“I did,” Ariel said. “By default, because there was no one else. But now there is.”

“And are you sure you don't mind?”

She smiled at her sister in law.

“I never wanted to be queen to begin with. Yes, I liked the privileges and the power, but Alexander didn't even tell me I was queen for so many years, it doesn't matter. Besides, I wouldn't have wanted to go through all this hoopla.”

Yvette smiled. When she first met Ariel, she found her abrasive and harsh. But now, she knew it was just her way, and she appreciated her strength. “Shall we?”

“Sounds like everyone is out there,” Ariel cocked an ear. “You look good.”

Yvette blushed and followed her sister-in-law to the grand doors. It was so much like yesterday. Yesterday, she married Peter. Today, she was marrying his world.

“I'll see you in there, then,” Ariel said, with a grin. She slipped inside to take her place at the front.

Yvette heard the music start and looked around the empty hallway. This was it. She was alone, and she was about to be crowned.

The big doors opened, and everyone rose, just the same as at her wedding. She gulped and kept her focus on Peter. As with their wedding, he was at the front of the aisle. But this time, he was sitting on the throne, grand and majestic. The one beside him was meant for her.

Yvette approached slowly, trying to keep her hands from trembling. She moved slowly in time with the music until she reached the front. There, the bishop of the church was waiting for her. On either side, the princes and princesses and nobles of the world were there, currently uncrowned. It was a new rule, and they would put on their royal regalia at the appropriate time in the ceremony.

Peter had warned her that he couldn't speak to her during the ceremony until the appointed time. She had to be presented to the people as the queen first.

Yvette reached the front and turned around to face the people. The bishop cleared his throat, looking out at the crowd.

“I here present unto you: Queen Yvette, your undoubted queen. Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?”

“God save Queen Yvette!” came the cry back. She tried not to jump as they spoke in unison. Their voices echoed off the grand church walls, the marble pillars doing nothing to stop it. The ceiling seemed impossibly high and the church very large. She felt chilly, and tried not to shiver.

“Madam, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?”

Yvette cleared her throat. “I am willing.”

The bishop turned to her, his voice solemn.

“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of Umora, their subservient shifters, and of your possessions and other territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?”

Yvette swallowed deeply. “I solemnly promise to do so.”

“Will you to your power cause law and justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?”

“I will,” she heard a little tremble in her voice, and she was glad the line was only two words. She glanced at Alexander out of the corner of her eye, and he smiled, giving her courage. They were her brothers now, and they would support her.

Peter took her hand, and they rose. Everyone began to clap and cheer, calling out one last time.

“So, my dear,” he said, as he took in the clapping and cheering. “You are the anointed queen. What do you think?”

“Haven't really had much time to think,” she teased him. They had to wait, officially, until the crowd quieted down for them to get off the platform and descend back through the church. After this was when they were finally going to take a honeymoon. It wasn't going to be long, for they had a country to rule. But Yvette was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she had the rest of her life with Peter. She didn't have to leave; she didn't have to go back; she never had to be without his smile or his touch.

Finally, the crowd quieted down, and the new king and queen descended the platform. His arm was straight out in front of him, and hers was on top of his. They walked slowly, and everyone bowed or curtsied as they went by. Some reached out gently to touch her, their eyes shining.

“But so far?” Peter asked.

“It's not the life I expected,” she admitted. “But it is where I belong.”

She smiled at her as they exited the church. He wasn't sure how to navigate this world, even when he’d lived the first time. But with her as his queen and his wife, he was confident he would be just fine.

***THE END***