Traitor to the Crown

Chapter 16

Leif eagerly rushed towards the palace door, the wyverns opening it as she approached. She was taken aback when she ran into something large, grey, and scaly standing in her way.

"I didn't know you would be so excited to see me again, my liege." he said, with an overly formal bow after he helped her to her feet.

"Wha...Ascaris? What are you doing here?" Leif said in disbelief.

"I thought you got my letter." Ascaris replied. "Although, if you didn't read it I would understand."

"It's been awhile since I last saw you, and I thought..." Leif started.

"Aww, did you miss me?" Ascaris purred.

"What? NO!" Leif snapped, pushing him out of her way.

"I'm hurt by that, Leif. Very hurt." Ascaris said in mock disappointment.

"Look, if you can't see right now, I'm extremely busy and I can't stay and chat. Nothing personal, but I just have to go." Leif replied. "Ugh, now where is he? I thought Vaskin would be up by now."

"Oh, I see how it is. You're off on a prior arranged meeting, aren't you?" Ascaris said, examining his claws for a moment.

"It's nothing like that! I have other things in my life other than relationships! Now if you excuse me, I have to help one of my friends find someone. We have a lot of ground to cover, and I really don't see why I'm talking to you anymore." Leif sternly replied, spreading her wings and rocketing into the sky.

"Oh, well, if that's the case then maybe I can help." Ascaris said, flying after her.

"That's really really kind of you, but I think i've got this on my own." Leif said, trying to dodge him. She looked down and noticed a dark crimson form gaining on her beneath the clouds and she motioned to Hadrix with her neck, trying to get his attention.

"Oh, Hey!" Hadrix called back, flying upwards to join her.

"So who's this lucky guy?" Ascaris asked, appearing from under the clouds.

"What? Hadrix? He's...he's just..." Leif said, flushing slightly as she tried to race ahead of Ascaris.

"Oh, I'm obviously her big beefy boyfriend from far away who just happens to have come back just in time to catch you flirting with my girl!" Hadrix sarcastically joked.

"Really?" Ascaris gasped.

"What? NO! That's Hadrix. He's my little brother." Leif grumbled, shooting Hadrix a dirty look.

"You date your brother?" Ascaris gasped even louder.

"Wha..?" Leif started, before Hadrix butted in, "Oh yeah! We go out like all the time!"

"I swear I will grind you into a million tiny pieces Hadrix!" Leif muttered under her breath, too quiet for either of them to her her.

"Love ya too sis!" Hadrix playfully shot back with a cheeky wink.

"Why you insufferable little..." Leif started, chasing after him.

"Hey, you're the one who's technically the little sister! I mean, look at you! You're tiny!" Hadrix said as she dove towards him and missed as he dodged out of her way at the last second.

"I can see the chemistry..." Ascaris sadly commented.

"Heck no! He's my younger brother! And besides, he's a prick most of the time and just one of the most uncivilized animals I've ever seen! The thought of dating him just makes me sick!" Leif growled.