The Flaming Ice

Chapter 15: Fish-Attack

I wake up the same way I fell asleep last night: guilty. I know I have nothing to feel guilty about - I'm only trying to help River get into Aqua's good graces again - but how the princess and I argued yesterday unsettles me. We had slept through the day until the evening meal, and even then we avoided each other. She ate with Coral and Tetra while I ate with River and his friends. I couldn't ignore my scales prickling the entire time, it was so awkward. Maybe the much needed sleep of Aqua would change her mind about River, even if it's just a little bit. I can't imagine living here for the rest of my time without Aqua by my side.

I stand up from my nest, the gentle noise of the waterfalls echoing around my small quarter, and stretch my wings. Then I push through the vines, leaving the room, and silently cross the hall to Aqua's quarter. I take a quick deep breath before nudging my head between the tendrils overhanging the opening, peering into her nest. But it is empty.

I then go to the second best option: the Central Cave. Standing at the entrance to the Royalty Quarters tunnel, and scan the cavern. Eventually I spot Aqua talking with Coral and Tetra near the edge of the cave, by the Tribe Dungeon entrance. I walk slowly over to them, preparing myself. As Aqua's back is to me, Tetra and Coral see me before her, and as I approach them they pause in their laughing, looking behind their friend to watch me. One of my wing twitches nervously, and Aqua turns around to face me. I can't read her expression.

Before I can decide to stalk away, I ask softly, "Can I talk to you, Aqua?"

It only takes a second before Aqua nods and guides me some tail-lengths away from Tetra and Coral, who gaze after us curiously. When we are out of earshot of any other dragons, I burst out, "I'm so sorry about yesterday -"

But Aqua interrupts me. "No, I'm the one who should be sorry," she murmurs sincerely, her head lowered. "I've been thinking, and I realized maybe I am being a bit too melodramatic about River. Perhaps he has changed, but I still can't forget what he did in the past."

She had started so well, but the last part rips away all the progress. "Aqua," I begin to protest.

"But for you," the lilac dragonette resumes, "I am willing to lighten up on him, though it would make me feel better if you also have a bit of suspicion in the back of your mind."

And that makes everything right. I nod, sighing slightly in relief. "Okay," I agree, dipping my head. "I can do that. Thank you."

Aqua smiles then, causing myself to smile. "I just don't want to lose my friendship with you over something as silly as this," she admits. "You'd be lost in this world without me, too."

I laugh at that, all sense of guilt and anger dissipating. I ended up succeeding in my mission given to me by River after all, even if it is  just a little bit.

Aqua's marine eyes flick behind me then before returning to me. "It seems like someone is waiting for you."

Glancing behind me, I see Wisdom sitting in the tunnel leading to his quarter, his wise green gaze sparkling in the blue-tinted light as he watches me. I face Aqua again then, prepared to say goodbye while I go to my waterbreath lesson, but I am greeted by a hug from her, her wings brushing my sides. I graze my own wings against hers before we go our separate ways.

Wisdom stands up as I approach him. "You two made up, I see?"

My ears twitch in both surprise and shame. "You noticed?" I whisper. We walk down the tunnel to his quarter, leaving the chattering of the Central Cave behind.

Wisdom huffs out a laugh. "You and the princess have been inseparable since you came to the Dragon Tribes, for the most part. The only times I saw you out of your quarters yesterday was for your novice Tribe fighter lesson and to eat, and something must have happened between then that possessed the both of you to not share a kill."