4: Darken War

2: Alexandria

The sun peeking in through the curtains is what woke me the next morning. I sat up and looked over at my sleeping husband, then leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

"I know you can kiss better than that princess." he opened his eyes and pulled me into a kiss.

i pulled back a bit, "You know i have to get ready for my trip."

"i know." he kissed me again. "but it has been so long since i last held you like this." another kiss. "let me have these last few moments of peace."

"James." i kissed him back. "its important that i stay on schedule so that i arrive to the dwarven kingdom on time. punctuality is very important to the dwarves."

"Screw them." James held me in his arms a bit tighter. "Just stay home and if they chose war you can easily beat them."

"its not about me being able to beat them James." i gave him one last kiss before pulling away and standing to my feet. "Its about avoiding unnecessary deaths to the people of our kingdoms. We dont really know what my lifespan will be, so i want to make sure that there is peace for our children and their children and so on."

"Don't remind me of that." He covered his face with a pillow.

"Its the reality of the situation." I pulled on my housecoat. "You'll live forever as long as your not killed. but for me its different, no one has even been born being able to withstand the Great Dragons powers and memories. its why she remained hidden away until i awakened. I might not have as long as anyone expects."

James sat up. "it could go the opposite way as well you know. you could end up living as long as she does."

i slipped on my slippers. "We don't know, and there's no way to really find out... well except the other eye of the great dragon, but we know how my quest to look for it went, i died."

"but you came back." James started to pull on his pants. "you came back to me."

"i did, but do we really know if i could again if something happens?" i walked over to him and sat beside him. "i know its said that a dragons soul can live on forever, but what does that really mean? does it mean my body will live until i am killed, or will my soul go on to one of my descendants?" I really hoped that one dragon would never be reborn.

"you wanna know what i do know?" James laughed then pulled me onto his lap. "You have become alot more levelheaded since you awakened as the great dragon. you use to be impulsive and hot headed, and very hard to manage."

"Now that is just plain rude." i crossed my arms as he pulled me in for a kiss.

"yeah, but it got that reaction out of you." James giggled.

there was a knock on the door and Carlisle and two maids walked in without waiting for an answer. "Come on you two love birds. its time her great dragoness gets ready for her next adventure." Carlisle was dressed and a fluffy red gown that looked like it was made of feathers.

"Talk about rude." James muttered and i stood up.

"Watch it dear." Carlisle warned. "I am simply waking her majesty as she had asked."

"you could have waited for an answer." James stood, grabbing my hand and kissing it. "I will see you in the courtyard." he then left the room.

"Why you made that boy a king of his own nation is beyond me." Carlisle clicked his tongue as we took my hand and led me to the next room over, where he had a bath ready for me.

"that one wasn't my choice Carlisle." I answered as the maids took my housecoat off of me. "either way he is doing a good job."

"for now." Carlisle still had issues with James, even though they apologized to each other there was still tension between them.

"Be nice." I warned as i stepped into the hot water that smelt of roses.

"Your carriage will be ready soon." Carlisle said, ignoring my last words. "The others are already awake and waiting."

"Of course they are." I sighed as the maids carefully washed my hair and horns. "do i really have to take a carriage this time?"

"the trip is only three days." Carlisle answered. "Its different then the multi-month trips of your last adventures. So yes, this time you will be traveling like the queen you are, with a guard escort."

i dunked my head under the water then back up.

Carlisle raised an eyebrow then looked to the maids. "i have the rest from here dears. thank you for your help."

the maids walked out after bowing to me. i looked to Carlisle. "Why send them out? wouldn't it look bad if a man such as yourself was left alone with a woman?"

"Sugar, everyone in the bloody kingdom knows i prefer the other gender." Carlisle gave me a look that made me giggle. "I'm the one man in the kingdom you are safe around alone."

I laughed a bit. "Okay fine, but that doesnt answer my question."

"i sent them out so that i can talk to you without them gossiping after." Carlisle sat on a nearby stool and helped me wash my wings. "What is on your mind dear?"

"How to you always know that there is something on my mind?" I glanced back at him.

"Because its my job to know. not just as someone who serves you, but as your friend." Carlisle smiled at me.

"Thanks Carlisle." I stood and stepped out of the bath. "But i have burdened you enough with all of my troubles."

"Now you stop that way of thinking right now." he wrapped a large fluffy towel around me. "You have always had a hard time opening up to anyone, so at least you know you can always open up to me."

i smiled at him as i dried myself off. "There's the whole thing about dragons always being reborn."

"your scared HE will come back." Carlisle always knew. "even if he does, that is still a long way out before he grows up enough to be an issue."

"and what if i live long enough to see that day?" I sat on the chair to the nearby vanity and looked at my reflection. "what if he pulls what he did last time?" i shivered, thinking about the former king of the dragons, Draus how he had kidnaped me and done the most unmentionable crimes to me. He was also the birth father of my youngest child.

"Last time you just barely received your powers." Carlisle started brushing out my hair. "if it ever comes to it again, you will be able to handle him with no issues. your the great dragon, and he is nothing compared to you." 

"Thanks Carlisle." i took the brush from him and finished brushing the hair around my horns.

"What are friends for?" Carlisle smiled as he opened one of the many drawers holding my crowns and jewelry. sadly with my horns i was unable to wear crowns anymore, however Carlisle did design some simple golden chain versions of crowns that accent my horns with gems. "What jewelry should i pack for this trip dear?" 

I pointed to one of the makeshift crowns, with violet amethyst drops that fall onto my forehead. "I should only need this one." i then pointed to a few matching necklaces and earrings, as well as a few golden bracelets and anklets. "i wont need to wear any on the road."

"Okay deary. Ill make sure to pack them." Carlisle led me to the changing room, handing me a simple travel outfit; a light blue skirt with a matching bodice, and thank goodness, knee high boots.

"Is it necessary to make me travel in a dress?" I slipped it on over my head. "Its easier to travel in breaches and a shirt."

"That may be so, but you are a queen." Carlisle crossed his arms as i stepped out. "not just a queen, but the queen who rules over kings and queens. people will see you on the road, be glad i am not putting you in a full gown with how important this trip is."

"fine." i rolled my eyes. "did you pack enough clothing for the trip?"

"of course." he handed me the small, simple box that now help my jewelry. "They're already on the carriage. speaking of which, i believe it is time for you to be off."

i walked to the door, and looked back at Carlisle, "Take care of my family for me, i know your not a fan of James, but he's my husband."

"don't worry Lexie." Carlisle dropped the formalities. "your family is safe with me."