dawn of ancient fire

chapter 5

Marlowe opened her eyes to the song of birds. Dawn filtered into the room and was made hazy by the bed sheet above her head. She threw the sheet off, rolling over to see Morana half on the bed, her head and torso perched on the edge, ready to fall. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stretched. They had drunk way too much last night. A knock came at the door before Silas peeked his head into mors room. Morana jolted awake and fell to the floor.

" Good morning silas, what can we do for you?" Morana murmured rubbing her hip.

" Good morning, Marlowe, the king requested you."

"I see." she jumped out of bed and scraped her curls into a bun. "Well, I'm ready, shall we?"

" Long night?" He gave her a small smile.

" You have no idea." They headed through the doors and out into the corridor. Moranas' room was in the soldiers barracks and was a few floors lower than the throne room. Aster caught up with them at the stairs and gave Silas a respectful nod. He observed the boy before continuing on, the two flanking Marlowe up the stairs and through the upper levels. Along the way Ryuu and his personal guard met them, separating so he could move next to Marlowe, he leaned in closer to whisper in her ear.

" Good morning Marlowe, long night?" she winced slightly, she had lectured him yesterday about sobering up and had gone out minutes later and done the same thing. She deserved the jab, even if it was rather polite.

" I guess you could say that, how are you feeling today?" she looked at him, a gold mask covered his eyes, it was embellished with emeralds and hammered copper leaves, her reflection bounced back at her hundred of times. " new mask?"

he straightened " why yes, i thought i'd go for something more," he paused and tapped his cheek before a little puff of fire escaped his mouth and said," flashy today." he chuckled.

Marlowe smiled back at him, he was obviously sober but he seemed lighter today. She cleared her throat realizing she had been staring at him.

" So , what is this about?" she ducked her head hoping to hide the color in her cheeks.

" Hmmm, not a clue, but if he's called for us both it can't be good." her face paled, she didn't enjoy disappointing people, let alone the king. She had only ever failed him once and the punishment was severe enough that she did everything in her power to ensure she never failed again. Or at least to cover it up so he never found out. Anxiety built in her belly as they neared the doors to the throne room. Stopping before the steward who announced their arrival.

Ryuu stayed at her side and ran his fingers over the back of her hand and the two of them stepped in together. Marlowe looked back and saw Silas retreating down the hallway, traitor. She entered the room a step behind Ryuu and wound her way through the ponds and greenery to the dais. The king sat in his throne, shrouded in white robes and a mask that sat flush against his face mimicking his features. a crown of iron sat atop his head fashioned after tree branches. The queen sat at his side in her usual red garments and phoenix embellishments.

Her eyes lingered on the queen to avoid looking at King Basilius, Queen Yeona was seen as a rare gift. She was equally matched to her husband in power. She had been a daughter of a nobleman whose family-owned half of the fish trade in Kavan. Her family wasn't particularly powerful, but Yeona was born with a natural affinity to magic. When Marlowe was little, she would spend hours with the queen in her rooms. Asking for stories about her life, how she and the king met and so on. Yeona was 15 at the time she was presented at court, and Basilius was a year older. A ball was being held for his 16th birthday, and Yeona claimed she was determined to meet him. She put on a gown of white scales and silver armor and walked into that ballroom with never-ending confidence. All eyes turned to the young woman who looked every bit the dragon she intended to wed. She walked right up to basilius, bypassing the long line of noble girls waiting for their audience, and bowed low before him, and smiled. Letting her eyes crackle with lightning. He smiled back and grabbed her hand, sweeping her onto the dance floor. They danced the whole night, to the king and queen's dismay, and the next morning, basilius announced her as his future queen.
They had been a formidable pair ever since.