Soot and Eagle landed at the Royal Pavilion, their talons thumping against the wooden platform. The pavilion was built upon a circle of branches from tall, overlapping trees. It sat about halfway between the forest floor and the treetops, from what Soot could tell. The roof was made of translucent leaves, and a variety of flowers hung from vines that wound around the wooden columns.
Soot carefully stepped into the entrance, Eagle close behind him. The interior was entirely sunlit, with a dais that sat higher than the floor. Sitting on the dais was a taller RainWing, with light purple scales that faded to pink. Her eyes were a glimmering pink. She wore a flower crown that were made with pink and purple flowers, and horn rings that seemed to be woven by flowers, as well as rings.
Soot knew who she was. She was none other than the reigning queen of the rainforest, Passionfruit.
Soot dropped himself to a regal bow. Eagle saw this and mirrored.
Passionfruit spoke. "Hello, General. What are you doing here?"
Soot cleared his throat. "Y'er majesty-"
"Oh, no need to be all formal. You may rise, as well as your friend."
Soot reluctantly straightened himself up, as well as Eagle. Soot then continued. "Queen Passionfruit, we come with a proposal."
Passionfruit flicked her light pink wings. "Hmm. Skyblaze sent you with a proposal?"
"About that..." Eagle started.
"We actually come with a proposal against Skyblaze," Soot finished.
Passionfruit had a puzzled look on her face. "Go on."
"Well, we've decided to rebel against Skyblaze," Eagle said. "We came here to ask for your assistance in dethroning her, and bringing her secrets to light."
Passionfruit looked utterly confused. "Secrets? What kind of secrets?"
Eagle looked to Soot, who nodded. "Passionfruit, Skyblaze has been abusing me since I became her general."
Eagle spoke up. "And she's been hiding her own animus SkyWin'."
Passionfruit stood up. "An animus SkyWing? How?"
Eagle cleared their throat. "An animus SkyWin' from the time of Darkstalker made himself immortal, and had a dragonet with a SkyWin' from today's time."
Passionfruit nodded, sitting down. "I see. Who might this animus be?"
Eagle sighed. "It is me, y'er majesty."
Passionfruit nodded. "Thank you for telling me. Your secret is safe with me."
Eagle smiled. "She has one more secret. She has livin' family."
Passionfruit looked puzzled. "Really? I heard she killed them all."
"Not all of them," Soot said. "She's been keepin' her sister locked up for a long time."
"Why?" Passionfruit asked.
"We've been secretly keepin' her alive," Eagle said. "We want to overthrow Skyblaze and let her sister take the throne."
Passionfruit nodded. "I see. I was never fond of Skyblaze myself. Consider your proposal accepted. You have the assistance of the RainWings. But how do you think we can help?"
"Would an army be possible?" Soot asked.
"Yes," Passionfruit answered. "I'll gather the generals and tell them to follow your command, Soot."
Soot nodded. "Thank you, Queen Passionfruit."
"Anything to keep Pyrhhia safe."
"Well, what now?" Eagle asked.
"Now we tell the others."
"Others?" Passionfruit asked. "Who might these 'others' be?"
"Cinder and her crew," Eagle answered. They then covered their mouth with a talon, their eyes growing wide. Soot winced through his teeth. Eagle had just made a big mistake.
Passionfruit narrowed her eyes. "I never expected you of all dragons to ally with fugitives, General. I assumed better of you."
"You have to understand!" Eagle quickly said. "They're misunderstood!"
"How misunderstood could criminals be? They've done wrong. There is no excuse for murder. I will have to reject your proposal. Guards!"
Suddenly, armored RainWings came running in, grabbing Soot and Eagle. Neither of them fought. They let the RainWings drag them to the prisons.
Passionfruit spoke to the guards. "Now go find those fugitives! They must be somewhere here. Tear down the entire kingdom if you must! When you find them bring them to me!"
Soot collapsed to the floor, holding back tears. He had screwed up. And now everyone had to pay for it.
YOU ARE READING
Cinder: In No Way, a Hero || Book 3
General Fiction|| BOOK 3 || Cinder and Angel reunited, but where are the others? Has IR returned? Has Skyblaze gotten to them? Were they even alive? Cinder was willing to find any way to know, which leads to an unexpected alliance, disturbing secrets finally shar...
