Dragon Blossom

Clessa. The red queen.

Impossible, was the Red Prince actually Queen Clessa of Pellegrin? Lady Mera, the dragon Meraxes, looked at the petite red-haired woman like a rat looks at a snake.

For Meraxes, the situation was like standing at the edge of an abyss with broken wings and a sword at her neck. The memory of her battle with the legendary dragon slayer Helfrem, fifteen hundred years ago, came to mind. He had been a great warrior, unlike the fool Freydelhart. He had made her fear for her life for the first time, and it was precisely the Red Prince who had saved her scales, only to replace him in her nightmares. Caramin was the name humans gave him; they had named the very color carmine after his scales, though they no longer remembered.

Meraxes was one of the largest and most powerful of the lesser dragons, as she had demonstrated by holding single combat with the White Prince, but Caramin was different. Remembering the red of his eyes made her tremble and break into a cold sweat. She did not know his power, but it was not necessary; he had dominated her with his mere presence that day, and now, with both in human bodies, the feeling that it was an unbreakable will of the world itself did not disappear.

In the form of Queen Clessa, Caramin behaved like the dragon Mera knew. Anyone would say she was the tallest person in the room and inspired the same fear in humans as if she were in her draconic form. The difference was how she moved, seductively slithering, provoking both men and women whether they knew her secret or not. Her arrogance showed in her perfect smile and soft voice. She controlled the throne room with clear and direct orders, never needing to show anger or make threats; her mere presence was enough. Eri perceived her, hiding behind her mother's legs whenever the queen approached.

"Well, now that we're all comfortable," the queen began, "perhaps you would like an explanation of the situation. I wouldn't want you to think I brought you here to kill you. The incident with my vassal and your ship was unfortunate; he had orders to kill any dragon that approached, and he couldn't disobey. I didn't expect Artemia to send us her princess, and much less did I expect Meraxes. By the way, I'm delighted to see you again. You must write more of those books; I grew up in this body reading them and recognized they were yours by all the mentions of blood buds. They were always your favorites. But what was I saying? Oh yes, you see, we actually need dragon slayers in Pellegrin. My ambassadors were always sincere; they had no idea who I am..."

"One moment... Your Majesty?" The foolish dragon slayer who claimed to be Lady Eri's father only opened his mouth to embarrass himself. "We are willing to believe in the goodwill of a dragon, but I would like to know why your dragon really attacked us. Eri had reasoned with him; he didn't seem to be attacking us out of mere loyalty or obligation."

It was a good point. Mera had heard him roar unintelligible babble while attacking the ship.

"Oh, by the divine sun, certainly, yes. I think to maintain appearances, we must use royal titles. Protocol bores me, but what can you do? And well, the rest is due to my power. I can dominate other dragons like any other prince, but I can also give an absolute order. If I ask a dragon under my control to do something, it cannot disobey. I can only give one order at a time to each dragon, but it won't disappear until they have fulfilled it. Relax, Meraxes, I don't remember giving you any absolute order, and now that Eri dominates you, I can't do it. My power has many rules, but it is useful."

Why was she telling humans the nature and limits of her power? Caramin had always been talkative but never indiscreet. In fifteen hundred years, Mera had never managed to learn what she had revealed in just a few minutes.

"As I was saying, good Jamdar has been a friend for many years, but I fear he only learns of my nature today. Young Ori is a delight, always so loyal. So much so that my power works on him... there aren't many humans with hearts so faithful to accept dominion as a dragon does. But I digress again. I sent them to ask for help; the other princes discovered me and are trying to force me out by attacking my people. My dragons have defended the city so far, but soon they won't be enough. I have kept Pellegrin safe from war for generations; they are no longer prepared for this battle."