The royal twins

24

"So, Keigo, what are your abilities?" I asked while we walked. Eri was on Kiri's back.

"Well, I have retractable hawk talons," he said before he flexed his fingers, talons appeared then retracted. "Uhm, I can fly fast, and for a long time. I have really good stamina. I have good eyesight and hearing. Pretty much whatever a hawk can do, except I don't have a beak."

"Pretty cool."

"Not as cool as me," Kiri said with a grin.

"Well, what can you do, you oversized lizard?"

Kiri growled. "A lot," he said.

I chuckled. "Be nice!"

"Yea, Hawks," Kiri said.

"Will we get to the castle soon?" Eri asked.

"In a few days," I said.

"On the way, I'll teach you to control your powers, okay?"

She nodded.

"So, Eri, what can you do?"

"S-sometimes," she muttered. "I turn into a monster, and hurt people."

"A dragon," Kiri said. "You're kind of like me, except you can't control when you turn, and you were a normal human."

"I-I am?"

He nodded. "Once you're able to control it, everything will be okay. Now, you should get some sleep. We'll train at night."

She nodded and I rubbed her hair. "I'll wake you up when it's time for dinner."

"Okay, thank you," she muttered.

~~~~~~~

That night, after they trained, I sat with Eri. She was curled up on her lap and I gently stroked her hair.

"Can't sleep?"

She shook her head.

"How about I sing to you?"

Her eyes seemed to lite up for a moment. "Really?"

I nodded. "It's a song my mother, the old queen, used to sing to me. I remember, I'd snuggle up close to her, and my older brother would be next to me, and she'd sing this song."

(I'm literally stealing this from frozen 2 because I can't find any good lullabies on google)

I smiled. "Ready?"

She nodded. I cleared my throat and began singing. "Where the north wind meets the sea
There's a river full of memory
Sleep, my darling, safe and sound
For in this river all is found

In her waters, deep and true
Lie the answers and a path for you
Dive down deep into her sound
But not too far or you'll be drownedYes she will sing to those who'll hear
And in her song, all magic flows
But can you brave what you most fear?
Can you face what the river knows?Where the north wind meets the sea
There's a mother full of memory
Come, my darling, homeward bound
When all is lost, then all is found"

When I looked down, Eri was fast asleep.

"You're a beautiful singer."

I jumped in surprise. "Hawks you scared the shit outta me," I whispered.

He chuckled. "Sorry. I just landed after patrolling the area."

"You didn't have to do that."

He shrugged. "Gotta make sure my master and her friends are safe."

I sighed and stood up with Eri in my arms. "We're friends, Keigo."

"You said friends value each other's feelings and opinions, so shouldn't you accept the fact that I see you as my master?"

I chuckled. "I guess you're right. Master just seems inhumane to me."

"I'm not human, though."

"I think that term applies to everything."

"I see."

I kneeled down. "Could you open my sleeping bag?"

He nodded and unzipped it. I laid Eri inside it and closed it.

"Where will you sleep?"

"I don't plan on sleeping, honestly."

"You gotta get your rest too." He walked over to a nearby tree and leaned against it. "C'mere."

I sat next to him and he pulled me close, wrapping his wings around me. "I'll be here while you sleep."

"You should get some rest, Keigo. Don't worry about me."

He shook his head. "Shush and get some rest." I sighed and closed my eyes. "Thank you."