Ashes Embraced

Three: Fractures

When Cara woke, she was once again alone. She stayed back near the throne, laying on one of the cushions Vyrisa had left her on. She lay thinking of her papa, whom she missed so much. Would she ever see him again? Was he currently out there trying to find her, asking people if they'd seen the pretty auburn-haired girl? Perhaps the bread merchant would tell him he'd seen me getting food in the market yesterday.

She clung tightly to the dress she still had wrapped around her. It was a gift from her papa, and it was the only thing she had left.

The flapping of wings followed by several soft thuds distracted Cara from her thoughts. Looking up, she could see several figures standing at the mouth of the cavern. They were chattering excitedly.

Slowly, Cara made her way towards to exit, making sure the ripped dress was covering her. At the mouth of the cave, her appearance made the chatter die. Many of the Dragonborn were staring at her and then at their queen. Cara felt like she was standing on a display for everyone to look at her, her dress felt too tight and damaged.

Vyrisa was scowling, she walked past Cara without acknowledging her.

Cara watched as Vyrisa strode, hips swinging, to her thrown, where she threw herself down, apparently deep in thought.

"You're dead human," Lyris growled in a low threatening tone. "A Dragonborn was attacked because of you."

The others filed away, till only Lyris and Cara were outside of the cave.

"What do you mean? I didn't do anything!"

"Someone saw you 'attacked' by a 'monster'." Lyris folded her arms. "Ryvor was captured by a net, and they killed him." She turned up her nose. "You must be important to someone, I heard them asking about you."

"I didn't ask to be here!" Anger rushed through Cara. "I still don't want to be here, being treated like shit from someone like you!" How dare that bitch, or any of the others accuse Cara of this! THIS WASN'T HER FAULT!

Lyris smirked. "But you are here, so it makes it all. Your. Fault."

Uncaring, overtaken by rage Cara lunged at Lyris. She didn't even care that Lyris was part dragon, or that Lyris could tear her limb from limb.

Lyris hadn't expected it either, and the impact caused her to fall back. Before she'd even had time to reach Cara was hitting every part of her possible with balled fists.

"Get off me human!" She screeched.

Cara didn't, she just kept hitting, she was going to take out every bit of anger and frustration.

Having enough of a beating, Lyris shoved Cara off her, causing her to fly a few feet away with a hard landing on the rock.

"How dare you!" Lyris screeched again. "How dare you touch me with your filthy human hands!" She was quickly standing above Cara. Her hand was raised, five claws positioned to strike. Lyris looked like a dragon rather than a girl. Her rage morphed into a truly terrifying beast.

"Enough!" Vyrisa growled.

"Ryvor is dead because of your pet! How can you allow this bitch to live!" Lyris turned to face the queen.

"I have my reasons." She looked as fierce as Lyris, and non-human-like. "It is not your place to punish my pet. I did not tell you to kill her. Do you need a reminder?"

Lyris's hand fell limp to her side, her appearance morphed back to a more human-like state.

"Get out of my sight. And you, pet," Vyrisa turned her attention back to Cara, "go sit to the right of my throne, DO NOT talk to anyone. I will deal with you later."