Riven Monarchy

Reptile

The palace was the pride of the Kingdom. It's lavish exterior was even upstaged by the exquisitely furnished interior, gold encrusted walls and excessive murals on the ceilings. It was like a temple of the Gods. A ravishing staircase spindled around the palace's left wing tower. It twisted and turned like an enchanted string against its expensive walls, gracing it's wayfarers with endless divinity. Sage reached the last step of the staircase and proceeded to stride along the extravagant hallway, she always thought her home was too dramatic, but appreciated the fact she atleast had somewhere to call 'home'. For a spoilt princess, she was very much an optimist, like her mother.

Sage settled on venturing to the dragon caverns this morning. She hadn't visited Lyra ,her dragon, in a few days as her thoughts would consume her daily, consequence of this new emotion that was concealed inside of her. Lyra was a hybrid between an ethereal and an aqueous dragon, which resulted in her being a snow dragon. Her neck resembling that of a boa constrictor and her frame being 8 times bigger than Sage. Lyra appeared like a reptile but with white camouflage. Her temperament was always mundane, but if anyone posed a threat to her or Sage, she would not cease to attack.

Sage retracted the gate to Lyra's pen and tip toed into the dimly lit cavern until she met the body of her beast. To Sage's endearment, Lyra was asleep. Nothing but Tranquility and serenity filled the cave, as Sage advanced the large creature and seeked shelter under her wing. She nuzzled depthly into the monster's course and feathered wing, it instantaneously provided a sense of heat and relaxation. Sage listened to it's shallow but heavy breaths as she reflected on her mind once again. The feeling seemed to grow paler in her state of arcadia, how strange. Sage felt the creature's breath quicken as it fell out of its peaceful slumber and regained consciousness. Lyra sensed Sage's presence simultaneously and lovingly wrapped her scaled tail around Sage proposing even more warmth.

"Morning sleepy," Sage hummed, petting the limb of the creature "missed me?

The beast growled in response and feverishly licked her face in a playful and juvenile way, expressing how incomplete she felt when Sage wasn't around.

"Okay, okay! Enough with the licking!" Sage proclaimed whilst wiping away a huge gout of slobber.

She continued to giggle in Lyra's presence for the proceeding moments, enjoying each others company.

"What is that thing?" a voice rumbled from the shadows, its tones gravelly yet a pigment of a rambunctious spirit was hidden within it.

"Is that your dragon? It's kind of strange looking, like a reptile or a snake"

"Who's there?" Sage called into the darkness, it offered nothing but a cold embrace of enigma

"Show yourself," after a few seconds with no reply, she screeched again "I said show yourself! Do you know who I am? I would hate to tell my father about your little tricks! What's going on?"

"You may not know who I am, but I know all about you, little girl" with that, a figure emerged from the shadows. He had deep and raven hair that reached neck length with liquid topaz eyes, the pure omen of peace. He wore leather. All black and expensive, with a crimson scabbard attached to his belt. He also fashioned a crown on his head, rubies encrusted onto each other. It was almost identical to Sage's, yet she fashioned green emeralds in her tiara.

"Who are you and what is your business here?" She interviewed, adamant on knowing his significance

"Why should I answer yours when you haven't even answered mine, I shall repeat myself, is that your reptile?" He asked

Sage was utterly shocked. She had never engaged in conversation with anyone who asserted their power like that. Let alone, someone she didn't even know! She blinked in response.

"Well?"

"Yes, she's my reptile," Sage officialised, now attempting to lift her chin to express power from her side "Now you answer mine, who are you and what is your business here?"

He smirked.

"So eager, I adore it. I am Prince Andre Griffin of the Albion Kingdom. However, I do not believe it is my place to tell you my business here, not yet anyway" He informed grievishly

Sage could've hurled right then and there. He was sickeningly ignorant and so full of himself that it made a muscle in her right eye twitch.

"Well, this is my private stables only, so I'm certain you're not here as a stable boy according to your rather extra attire" Sage gestured to his crown

"Me? A stable boy? Oh my darling, don't make me laugh. you shouldn't disrespect your guests in such manner, anyway I was just leaving, have fun with you reptile" Andre collectively wandered out of the pen and back outside.

Sage had only just met this man and already wanted to kill him. Who does he think he is? Talking to her like that in her own Kingdom? Who even was he!?