The Dragon Prince

Chapter 26

Queen Regent Aohlee Fairmore

Imperial City, Vrinian

There was a small knock on the nursery door. I had been up most of the night with Rory. Even as a baby of only a few months old, his nightmares scare even me sometimes. I had never known a child to wake up screaming like he does. I sometimes wondered if it had to do with Lewis' ailment. Though I knew much about it, I didn't know if it was hereditary. Lewis had suffered from nightmares as well when he did manage to sleep. The door creaked open and I saw Tatiana peek her head around the corner. Lewis had been built like his father, and would have been as tall with the same facial features had it not been for his health that kept him small and frail. What I remember most about him physically however, he had inherited from his mother. His soft blond hair and his pale blue color of his eyes. Both features Rory had inherited as well. When Rory was first born and he had opened his eyes, the color was bright, like mine, however over the months they faded to Lewis's pale color. I could already see the resemblance Rory had to my family, though I hoped he would take after Lewis with his sweetness and strength. Lewis had gained his from his mother, and often when I was around her, my heart would always call out to her lost son.

"Antonio would like to see you." She shrugged while talking softly, careful not to wake her sleeping grandson. "He said something about important business that needed attending too." I groaned inwardly. I hated business, but I would bare it. I got up from the rocking chair, Rory still asleep in my arms. "Would you like me to stay with him?"

I nodded, placing him in her arms, as she smiled. I watched as she sat in the chair I had been in and started rocking him. After one long last look, I turned and left the nursery as quietly as I could. I didn't dally when it came to important business from Antonio. He had become King out of necessity, not because he wanted it, but because his brother had given it to him. When Marina had stated what she wanted, that she wanted to be as normal as she could, but if she was destined to be a royal, she wanted to be Queen by choice, not necessity. Basically meaning Felix would be the only exception. Queen by marriage. When I had sent her after Rory's dragon, it was only part of the excuse. I knew Marina felt different now, being a Princess again and not a Queen. If she saw Felix and he saw her, knowing what they now know, perhaps there was hope for them yet. They deserved to have a chance at the happiness that was taken from them.

When I made it to my study, I found Antonio there, as well as messengers who wore the symbols of Rivercross, Falconcreek, Starhaven, Autumnedge, Thorngate, Emberhelm and Pearlreach. The strongholds of Vrinian. Something was happening. They all bowed when I had entered, a sign of respect for their Queen Regent. "Shall we get down to business?" I offered. "Tell it to me straight, what is amiss in Vrinian?"

Antonio motioned towards a map that was spread out in the middle of the room on a large table. I walked over to it, though the messengers kept back, knowing their place. The map was of the entire realm of Zoshan, the kingdoms, the capital cities and their strongholds. "Emberhelm is under attack, but it isn't the only stronghold."

"How many of the Vrinian strongholds are under attack?" I questioned. "Who would do this?"

"The Rebellion is attacking all known alliances with Sarkin." My once father-in-law stated, grabbing a few of the small red metal chips. He placed them in various places around the map. Only one was in Vrinian. Emberhelm. Why only Emberhelm? "They are keeping the allies away from the main battle."

I sucked in a breath, realizing the plan. "The rebellion is attacking the Iron City. They are attacking Felix." Antonio nodded. "Then Vrinian must aid them. Is the rebellion going to attack us?" I asked.