The Mirror
The Mirror
“She just might.” Seraphina murmured behind them.
Violet turned around studying her face briefly, before she grinned. “Good,” she stood close to the ramparts and shouted, “Kagan is dead! I think it’s far past time for all of us to go home!”
“What if we don’t have a home to go to?” One of the men shouted.
“What if we want to stay?” One of the women shouted.
“Then stay,” Violet declared glancing at her sister and Ettrick. “With us. Stay as our equals. We’ve served a master for long enough, don’t you think?”
Seraphina stepped around them as they discussed options with those willing to stay and those who wanted to return back to the realm they were from, having enough of the dark skies of the Monster realm. She looked at Shazir, who stood straight as she walked towards him. “You were willing to die?” she asked him.
Shazir grimaced. “I’m sorry for the letter, I wasn’t sure you would come if I simply asked.”
Seraphina scowled. “You—”
“He has a point Seraphina,” Tariq spoke up from behind them both.
Seraphina surveyed him with a glare. “Do you think I wish to hear that from you?”
Tariq rolled his eyes, turning to look at Shazir. “The Queen of Beshumaar, she would let you come back to the realm, now. You have more than made up your penance.”
“I have never been more afraid, and surer of myself then in this land.” Shazir murmured. He glanced to Seraphina. “I know you owe me nothing, even if we are bonded by blood. I would never ask you to subject yourself to this existence. But I do know that I love you, and when I was saying goodbye to you in that letter, I meant every word.”
Tariq raised his eyebrows, as he glanced at Seraphina who seemed to be fuming slightly, steam billowing out of her ears. “She does have the ability to travel from place to place. And a Dragon is preferable when they are allowed the freedom to roam.”
“I think if you stay, they could use a leader,” Seraphina murmured, gesturing to the girls in front of them. “Not to be a King.”
“A Guardian,” Shazir murmured, a true smile erupting on his face. “I think that’s something I can do.”
“And so, another story unfolds…”
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Fog flowed over the beach like a wave, the water shimmered silver in the moonlight, as Zara and Nasir pushed their rowboat up the shore. Nasir pushed the bow down in the sand before leaning against it heavily as he turned to look at the Pirate ship docked just off the beach. His eyes flicked to where Zara stood, her fingers lightly touching the mirror he knew she’d placed on the rucksack that leaned against her hip.
“Are you sure about this?” Nasir asked his voice loud in the near silence of the beach.
“The Pirates can rest on their ship; I’m not interested in stoking my grandmother’s ire this trip.”
Nasir’s brows furrowed. The first time they’d been here she hadn’t worried of such a thing. He watched as she trudged through the sand, a layer of white sand coating the bottom of her leather boots. He reached out to her wrist as she walked past him, using her slightly to sit up straighter as he pulled her towards him.
“Tell me what’s different this time.” He asked quietly searching her eyes. He’d not known Zara for long, but he’d traveled with her long enough to know when she was bothered. He could tell she clearly was bothered and worried by something.
Zara’s eyes flicked up to his before she looked back at the island. “I’ve heard some things,” she murmured quietly. “Seen even more,” she whispered pulling out the mirror. “I might have to make a decision that could impact us both.”
“What kind of decision?” Nasir asked, bending closer his lips landing on her cheek softly. “Whatever it is, wherever you need to go, I’m with you. I made a vow as your husband, to protect, love, and honor you. It is a vow I plan on keeping.” He murmured, putting a hand on each side of her face leaning his forehead to touch hers. “Wherever you go, so will I.”