They Took My Wings

Chapter Two

The sight that met us when we entered the Great Hall—pausing at the top of the stairs as was custom—was almost the perfect image of a rich and joyous celebration. Glowing sculptures of precious stone, fountains of Talent-manipulated air and wine, plants created from fire and water; it was a worthy setting for the kings and queens, crowns and seconds, that had gathered from around the world to celebrate the engagement of High Heir Nethvarian Dai Erish, the Heir of Dai, to Familiar Ylf Crown Prince Kaiem El-Varnian, the Prince of El: the first officially recognised relationship between a dragon and an ylf, a High Royal and a Familiar. But for all the beauty, one look at the guests was enough to dispel the illusion of joy. Set jaws. Stiff shoulders. Quaking hands. Suspicious glances. The bravest were barely even trying to hide their contempt.

"Well, this is going to be awkward," I chuckled, preening in my outrageous costume as we began our decent of the stairs.

"They don't look happy with us, do they. But then again, we have kept them waiting for two hours." Kai's expression was appropriately neutral, but there was mischief in his eyes that mirrored my own.

"They want a show," I said. "Shall we make it an interesting one?"

"Don't we always?" he returned.

We reached the centre of the dance floor and turned to face one another. The orchestra started the eleventh repetition of the waltz. We started to dance. And I was instantly glad I'd spent time practising how to move in my rock-dress. Kai and I had a reputation to uphold. We were spectacular dancers—we wouldn't be able to make the Court cringe at the unnaturalness of our partnership otherwise.

"You look particularly spikey tonight," Kai commented after a few turns. "Did you file your horns and spines especially for me? Or are you showing off for the court?"

I beamed. "It's my engagement ball. Do I look pretty?"

"Very cute."

I rumbled a growl deep in my chest. "When I kill you, I'm going to feed your body to a hellhound."

"That's considerate of you; I'd hate to be wasted."

I growled louder and tried to burn him with my eyes.

"So, you were trying to look scary."

"I am scary. I'm a dragon. Don't you have any self-preservation instincts?"

"Hmm. So, if you're trying to be scary, does that mean I shouldn't tell you that you look beautiful tonight?"

I stumbled, my legs tangling in the unforgiving mesh of my gown. But before I could fall far, Kai caught me and disguised my flounder for an elaborate twirl.

"Careful, Eri," Kai grinned. "You don't want the Court to see you trip over your own feet. It will undermine your scariness. Oh, and that's my third win today."

Before I had time to gather my thoughts and make a witty retort, we were upright and finishing the waltz.

As a minuet began—they'd finally moved on from the waltz—the prince led me to my silver throne at the far end of the Great Hall and excused himself with a wink before slipping into the crowd.

I glowered after him.

Third win? There was no third win! There wasn't even a first or second win. The bluff hadn't counted; he'd only won our race because he'd cheated; and I hadn't tripped! I'd merely stumbled a little because he'd done the charm-thing: the sly trick he used to scam cooks into giving him extra helpings of dessert, and swindle guards into giving him keys to restricted areas of the library.

From across the Hall, Kai caught my eye and shot me another wink.

I glared back. Lying, cheating evil prince. What are you plotting?