Shadow of the Dragon

Chapter Two

With a sigh, her Majesty rose. Icy eyes glowing with confidence and something else I could not identify. Her gown flowed silently around her, causing colors to blur around the edges before coming to rest against her strong, still frame.

Perhaps in hindsight, picking a fight
with the woman who controlled my whole existence wasn't the smartest thing to do. But, I didn't really care.

"Well, daughter?" She spoke softly, the room carrying her voice, capturing different notes of the same song.

"I heard you the first time."

Acting as if she hadn't heard me, which was entirely possible, her weird room seemed to carry anyone's voice but mine, she extended her left hand, where it swayed back and forth.

A subtle crackling hum filled the air. Tracing the sound with my ears, my eyes suspiciously flickered to the floor.

A silver river of ice was making its way towards me. Curving like a snake, the blue water twisted and writhed closer, skimming over polished floorboards and patterned carpet skins. It flowed feverishly bright, absorbing the rays of light in the surrounding air, causing any reflection within the shallow trickle to become twisted. Beneath the reflection, I saw a flicker of raven hair.  I glanced at the Guardian.
She remained motionless, forehead pressed firmly against the floor, refusing to move as the ice made its way forward, and I was reminded of my anger.
With a sneer, I flared my wings and stuck out my chin, defiance etched in every molecule of my being. I looked twice my size, and as I stepped forward, my eyes glowed red.
A soft hiss filled the air, shards of ice instantly turning to liquid and evaporating if it dared near my toes, forming a dry circle around my feet as the rest of the floor was littered with little blue puddles.
My heart flared triumphantly as I met her gaze once more.

All she did was smile.

Involuntarily, I stepped back, before regaining my composure. Suddenly the platform she stood upon seemed unreachable, and even though we were the same height, she towered above me.

"It took you twice as long as the last time." Her voice was emotionless, empty of life. "Really, Moonlight. I would have expected you to be practicing."

I had been practicing.

"However," she paused, as if choosing her words carefully. "There will be time for sanctions later. I called you here for a different reason."

After a moment, she turned towards the Guardian.
"Guardian of the Moon and all that flies beneath, rise, Raven."
The beautiful warrior did so, cat-like grace allowing her to move without a single sound.

"As I was saying," she returned her gaze on me.
"Moonlight?"
"Still here." I paused, and after a moments consideration, I curtsied, "...Your Highness."

"Cute." She frowned. "But you did not let me finish. You are aware of the upcoming festival," Her voice echoed around us, softly this time. "The first one since you coming of age." She gestured toward my hair. "This means it is also the first one you will be attending."

I nodded. I knew this already.
"I called you here to make sure you are capable of handling the responsibility that comes with this honor."
She eyed me up and down. "Are you?"
"I am." I crossed my arms. I've been preparing for this day and night for years, dreaming of finally meeting the other half of the island's population and getting my first taste of true freedom.