The word had gotten around the kingdom that the king had been killed. His dragons immediately made their way to Cassie, who was to be the next in line for the throne. In Pona, the king was chosen based on their worthiness and their care for the kingdom.
Cassie sent a note to the far ports on one of her new dragons, knowing that's where Mike would be heading next. She had wanted to mourn her king, but she didn't have time. It was crucial that the rogue Lucantians and Tenebrians get of the island.
In the throne room, Cassie sat upon the throne with one of the dragons by her side and tears in her eyes. She had abandoned her night robes for her warrior armor, not caring if anyone saw her as a soldier as opposed to a king.
Klais had gone back to his ship and sent his people to search all over Pona.
In order to protect her people, Cassie had her soldiers station themselves in the town and sneaking around to make sure the Lucantian guards weren't hurting her people. She knew that she had to stay on the throne or Klais would question the leadership and attempt to take over Pona.
A loud roaring echoed through the room and the messenger dragon landed inside, the note gone.
"Did you deliver it?" Cassie asked the dragon. It purred in response, giving Cassie her answer. She ran her hand over its neck. "Good. Go scout the island and make sure everyone is okay. Both of you."
Both dragons took off as the door to the throne room opened.
Klais walked inside, a grin on his face. "You're their new leader?" There was humor in his voice, showing he didn't take Cassie seriously.
"Yes, I am. I'll ask you to leave my island once your search is complete. You've done enough damage."
Cassie knew she had disgust dripping from her voice, but she didn't care. This man had killed her mentor and sent her brother on the run. She had no reason to respect him.
"I've actually sent for another ship of mine. It should be here in a week. It holds the council members who are the parents to the children that the Tenebrians kidnapped. They'll be making demands, and it's best that you meet them."
"You're not in charge of me, Klais. I don't want your people here. You all need to leave. I've got families who are terrified that they're going to be murdered in their sleep!"
"I'll leave once I've gotten what's mine."
"Why do you even care? It's a few rogue Tenebrians and Lucantians. They can't have much impact," Cassie snapped, struggling to hold back the fact that she knew Klais's plan.
"The council members who care for them refuse to do work until I find their children and those responsible for taking them."
Cassie scoffed. "Then get a new council. Don't threaten my people because yours ran away! How do you know they were kidnapped?"
"The Tenebrian in your prison is willing to give whatever information so long as I don't kill him. They're selfish, Tenebrians are. I can't wait until we don't have to deal with them any longer." Klais laughed darkly, making a horrible shiver run up Cassie's spine.
"What does that mean?"
"It's none of your concern, Ponanian. Let's just say that your shipments have been most helpful." Klais began to leave the room. "I'll be expecting places to stay once my council members arrive."
Cassie let out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding. She called her dragons and demanded they find her warriors.
"I want you all, as well as any brave souls from the kingdom, to go to the mountains. Befriend dragons and make sure they come back with you. We need to be ready to protect ourselves."
One of the guards bowed to Cassie before speaking. "Forgive me, your majesty, but aren't we allies of Divisus? Why must we prepare?"
Cassie sighed. "We are allies of Tenebris now. The new Supreme of Divisus is planning something terrible and I will not be part of that." She shook her head and ordered the dragons to protect the group heading to the mountains. "Stay safe."
The warriors bowed and left.
•••
"Baby."
"No."
"Babyyyyy," Richie whined, drawling out the 'y' to get Eddie's attention. "Pay attention to meeeeee."
"I am!" Eddie insisted, running a cyan liquid under Richie's eye that would help reduce the bruising. "Stop whining."
"You're paying attention to my eye, not me!"
"Do you want an infection, Richie?" Eddie snapped, dabbing a bit of disinfectant cream over his nose where it was cut.
"If an infection means you making out with me, I'll take it."
"If you get an infection and die-"
"Eddie, my love," Richie said, pulling away and making eye contact with his boyfriend. "I've grown up in a place where I never treated any of my injuries. I'll be okay."
Eddie didn't seem convinced. "You have the resources, though, so you should use them!"
Richie chuckled and took the creams and liquids off the table next to them and put them back in their box.
As soon as they boarded the ship, Eddie went straight for the first aid kit and dragged Richie to a room to clean him up. The others didn't mind in the slightest, staying on the deck as Mike steered them away from Pona as quickly as they could.
Eddie was about to protest Richie putting away the medicines, but was cut of by Richie pulling Eddie into his lap.
"You're gorgeous," Richie said with a soft smile, playing with the oversized sleeve on the jacket Eddie had been borrowing for the past three weeks. "And you're still wearing my jacket."
"Just until it stops smelling like you," Eddie muttered, resting his forehead on Richie's shoulder. "Then you can have it back."
"Thanks, Eds," Richie said sarcastically, kissing Eddie's neck and throat, before he pressed a kiss to his nose. "Are you afraid?"
Eddie nodded, running his thumb down Richie's cheek. "I can't lose you."
"You won't," Richie insisted, hugging Eddie tightly. "I promise you won't."
Eddie grinned and kissed Richie again, this time firmer and not pulling back. Their lips moved together slowly, Richie's hands on Eddie's waist and Eddie's cupping Richie's face. They kept kissing until the door to their room opened, leaving them with red faces and swollen lips.
"Uh, Mike wants to have a meeting," Stan said, giving them both an awkward thumbs up before escaping the situation he walked in on.
Richie rolled his eyes, standing up and carrying Eddie, who tensed at first before calming down and settling into his boyfriend.
"You won't lose me," Richie whispered in his ear again as they made their way to the deck.
