Waves of Ice: a Wings of Fire fanfiction (COMPLETED)

29.

Eclipse

I hate DFC meetings.

I'm not supposed to think that. I'm sure Lady Allknowing wouldn't want me to think that. I'm sure Mom would give me stern looks, and Dad would tell me off, and Way would probably launch into a two-hour lecture about how amazing and perfect Queen Vigilance and Lady Allknowing are. I've tried to see their way of thinking; forced myself to believe it. But these meetings still make my stomach churn, and my head feel like it's about to split open.

"Now, children," Allknowing says, frowning like we've personally done something to disappoint her. "I hope you have all prepared your paragraphs, explaining what our justice system does for you." She stalks through the rows of dragonets, glaring. "These are in preparation for our first trip to witness the executions firsthand, as I hope you all will remember. Your understanding of this topic is imperative." She pauses, and I wonder if it would really be that weird if I just jumped out the window and flew away. "Which one of you would like to go first?"

No one raises their talon. Most of us are only here because parents whose dragonets are enrolled in the DFC get extra rations--and ever since Way and his friends joined the older group, ours has been a lot enthusiastic without anyone to police us.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself.

"Eclipse."

Lady Allknowing hates me with a burning passion. I've tried everything I can think of to win her over: given her some of Mom's homegrown strawberries. Baked a cake on her birthday. Painted a life-size portrait of her by memory. But she still goes out of her way to make my life as difficult as possible.

I don't even like her--she's cruel, and petty, and self-centred. But I've never been a problem student before, and I don't intend to start now.

"Yes, Lady Allknowing?" I ask, bowing my head down in respect for a dragon I have absolutely none for.

"Would you like to go first?"

I clear my throat. "Of course, Lady Allknowing."

I make my way to the front of the class. Lady Allknowing wrinkles up her snout.

"The firm justice system of the Night Kingdom has helped me, and my family, in many different ways," I recite. I didn't even write my own paragraph, just stole Shadowhunter's old one from back when she had to do this.

Mom and Dad, begging for Lady Allknowing to stop. Bandages and bruises and muffled screams...

"It keeps us safe from crime, weeding out the weak of this kingdom to... make way for the strong and loyal." I fiddle with my paper, crumpling up the edges.

Lady Allknowing frowns. "Thank you, Eclipse. You may go back to your seat."

I don't need to be told twice.

***

The only good thing about having to go to the DFC every day after school is that after the meetings end, Prince and I can usually hang out.

His bedroom has always creeped the both of us out a little; covered in ancient mosaics and murals, starting to peel off the walls, and draped in blood-red velvet. When we were little, we used to spend hours staring at them, making up stories for all of the different dragons. He has this giant canopy bed.