Eternal Ebony

Chapter 4

Oblivion was sitting on a throne beside Ebon, watching the dragons pacing the halls. He turned his head to the queen, his eyes on the entrance. "Why are we here again?" he asked. "I'm so bored, darling." Ebon rolled her eyes. Oblivion wasn't usually interested in the workings of the palace. Or being a new king, for that matter, she thought grumpily. She guessed Oblivion must of heard it, because he gave her a look. "To be honest," she sighed. "I have no idea. Hey, this throne has to stay warm somehow." She turned regally to the hall, seeing the eyes of her wandering court settle on her. She somehow sensed the tenseness of her court. She felt the eyes constantly on her. But she didn't mind. It made her feel important in a way that she never could on her own. She placed her talons on the crown on her head and balanced it carefully. Settling her talons again, she watched as Orion came into the hall and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty," he said. "The court is done operating for the day. You are welcome to leave now, if you wish." Oblivion saw that he made a face, like he wasn't sure he had said that correctly. Oblivion smiled at him, and that seemed to make him relax, because he saw the tension quickly exit his rigid wings and shoulders. Ebon sighed and gently took the crown from off her head. Stepping off the throne, she set it carefully in its place on her seat.

"Good," she said, sighing. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to sit on that throne all day? You can't lose your composure. Ever." Her eyes widened, like she didn't know whether she should say that out loud. But there was barely anyone else in the hall. Looking around, she told Orion he could leave. Orion bowed, and quickly left the room. Risking a quick glance around, Ebon stalked to the window, opened it, and launched.

"Wait!" Oblivion cried after her, his wings flaring. But it was too late. His queen was already spinning away. He sighed, snapping his wings fully open and lifting from the window sill. He glided carefully on the wind, catching gracefully up to her within a few strokes. She sighed and shook her head. "It's impossible to get ahead of you for very long, isn't it?" she said, smiling. Oblivion grinned back at her. "Yes," he said. "No one has gotten away with it successfully. Yet." Ebon looked down on her kingdom as her smile slowly faded away. There was a shine in her eyes, and her posture was finally one of her own. "Oblivion," she said. "I'm so tired. Can you believe that? I've done nothing all day but sit, and yet my muscles are so rigid. I'm sick of holding that composure all day." Oblivion knew what she meant. The queen had to sit just so. Never raise her voice. She couldn't shout, or lash her tail, or flare her wings. She wasn't allowed to display any emotion whatsoever unless it was important. The court would find out about it, rumors would spread, and even the slightest twitch lessened the hold Ebon had on her reputation. And there was little she could do to raise it up again. Oblivion always said he could change that. But Ebon didn't want him using his magic that much until they knew more about it. I know it's safe! I've used it a thousand times! he thought. But Ebon was happy. Happy wife, happy life. That's what the humans said. Oblivion watched the tension in Ebon's wings snap like a bowstring. She relaxed, gliding carefully on the wind. Her tiny figure was half that of his own. Yet she seemed bigger than the whole castle to him. He wasn't sure what his life was about before her. What was his purpose? To be a king? Was that what he was truly meant to do? He had so many questions about his life that were impossible to answer at this point. He turned his head and realized that Ebon was humming quietly to herself. Oblivion drifted closer.

"What song are you singing?" he asked her quietly. Ebon started back, startled. "Oh," she said. "Do you listen to the human genre?"

"Yes. I like it a lot."

"I'm singing Rainbow."

"Sing it for me. You have a gorgeous voice, love."

Ebon wasn't sure. She never liked singing in front of dragons. She took and deep breath and cleared her throat.