The Dragon Ring

Chapter 22: The New Queen

I lifted up the sword. I paused for a moment. I heard a voice in my head. It was mine but not. It sounded like Jack, but it wasn't. It sounded like the king, like Nari, like Mycket, like Kayda, like Mom, like Dad, even like Asher. Should you really do this? You shouldn't kill a person or creature just because they have done bad things. He said he'd rather die than be a prisoner though. Does that make it right to kill him?

"You are weak. You can't even kill someone." I shook my head and looked at him. "You can't even stand up to Kelcea at school without thinking of Jack or having him right there with you." How did he know.

"That's because I'm awkward and I can't make up good comebacks, until like two weeks later."

"Exactly. You're weak."

"Don't listen to him Lindy." Jack reassured me.

"I won't Jack. I'm not weak. I know it. Tie him up though." The King looked surprised that I wasn't going to kill him. "We're going to put you in jail, so you can live."

"No." He pushed me and ran towards the door. My head hit the floor and I felt dizzy.

"Lindy! Are you okay?" Jack started to come towards me.

"I'm fine! Get the King!" He ran out and I sat up. The room around me spun, but I stood up and ran anyway.

I could barely see, but I followed Jack into a room that was familiar, but it had a huge hole in the window. This was the trial room. The King was standing by the hole. He turned around.

"I relinquish my throne to Jack. But I will never be a prisoner." And he fell backwards out of the window.

"NO!" Jack yelled and ran up to the window. I heard a crack on the ground below. "No, he's... he can't be. No! He was supposed to live. Why? No... he could've lived." I walked up to Jack and hugged him. I looked down and saw the outline of a body, but the neck and bones were at a weird angle.

"Jack, it might be better this way. He won't be able to escape and kill you or anyone else."

"I guess you're right. But, I don't want to be King."

"What?"

"I want to stay in the human realm. I want to see you. I like Maple Valley. I'm going to give my crown to Kayda. She'll do a way better job then me."

***

A day later- a day in the dragon realm- the coronation of Jackson Lapide was taking place. I was nervous.

"Jack. You're going to make an awesome King." Kayda assured him.

"But I'm only thirteen. How would I be great?" I asked.

"Jack, you're smart and caring. You are going to be a great King." Kayda reassured him.

"You'd be better."

"No, my place is the royal guard and defenses. I would make a terrible queen." We stood in silence. We could hear the crowd below, waiting in anticipation to see their new king.

Lindy was somewhere else to get all fancied up to become the new 'ambassador from the human realm'. Which basically meant she'd come and visit to tell the court what was going on in the human realm. They are planning to instal a mini portal in a mirror back at her house.

Nari, Mycket, Sefrian, and Litranara were down in the crowd with the best seats to see me get crowned because I asked if they could.

Kayda was with me helping with finishing touches. She was wearing a short blue dress with frills. She had white tights on under. She also was wearing her military boots. She insisted that if any harm came she would have to be able to run and fight.

"Your Majesty, it is time." I took in a deep breath and looked at Kayda. She gave me an encouraging smile. The guard escorted us to the balcony door. The guard opened the door. I walked out with Kayda behind me. There were so many creatures in the crowd. Centaurs, Unicorns, Phoenixes, Pixies, Fairies, and more.

I saw Lindy on the balcony. She was beautiful. She was wearing a long purple dress. It started light at the top but the purple got darker as it went down. The end of the dress was almost black it was so dark. Her hair was pulled up into this fancy braided bun. I smiled. She smiled back.

I walked to the end of the balcony and stood in front of my people. The railing on the balcony sank into the floor. I knelt down, one knee on the ground and one bent. I bowed my head. "We are gathered here today to crown Jackson Invenio Lapide King of the Dragons," I smiled, "Last night a team of four creatures broke into the castle. Nari Ashdown, a phoenix and my best friend, Lindy Beath, a shapeshifter from the human realm, Jack Lapide, a dragon and new sovereign, and the famous Mycket Aurum, a dragon who was missing and has now returned. Lindy was the one to kill the old king, and gave the title to Jack. They have ended the age of war and are heros for it. Nari and Mycket would you please fly up to receive your rewards. Lindy will you please come forward. And Jack, please stand up." I stood up and Nari, Mycket, and Lindy came next to me. "We present you with these bravery medals." She pinned one on each of us. "Thank you."

The others stood back and I knelt again. A guard held up a pillow. A ruby crested crown sat on top. Kayda lifted up the crown and held it over my head.

"We now crown Jack Lapide as King of the Dragons." Kayda smiled and placed the crown on my head. I stood up. The creatures below cheered. I felt pride in my chest, but I would feel more pride in a minute.

"Thank you. My first act as king will be to, "I paused and looked at Kayda, "Relinquish my throne to Kayda Lapide." Kayda looked at me, jaw dropped. "Please kneel down in front of your people." She knelt. "We now gather here today to crown Kayda Lapide the new Dragon Queen!" I said proudly. Kayda stood up, mouth open slightly but she was happy. The crowd below cheered, louder than they had with me, but she had protected them for years and as Queen she'd protect them even better.

Litranara and Sefrian flew up to us on the balcony as the crowd was leaving.

"Oh my dragon fruit I am so proud of you!" Litranara came and hugged Kayda. Sefrian did too. We all ended up being in a big group hug.

So it's only the back of the dress 'cause I'm terrible at faces, or drawing in general. Sorry it's bad. Lindy's dress will be at the beginning of the next chapter.