23. Freedom

As I stand in the courtyard, gazing out at the six magnificent dragons before me, I feel a sense of wonder and awe wash over me. Each dragon is more beautiful than the last, and I can feel their eyes on me, sizing me up. All seem to silently communicate with each other, snorting, huffing, and growling softly.

One of the dragons catches my eye. The spirit dragon, with scales shimmering like the moon, takes a step forward. Small onyx eyes sit dreadfully within the creature's hard, scaled skull, giving this being a terrifying looking appearance.

Several small crystal growths sit atop its head, just above its narrow, cat-like ears. A row of small crystal growths runs down the sides of each of its jaw lines. Its nose is flat and has two thick, curved nostrils with a small horn on its chin. Several sharp teeth poke out from the side of its mouth and reveal only a fraction of the terror hiding inside.

A short neck runs down from its head and into a slim body. The top is covered in pure white, stone-like scales and rows of small crystal growths run down its spine. Its bottom is covered in radiant skin, almost shimmering an iridescent shade of purple, contrasting the rest of its body. Two mighty limbs carry it to stand imposing and proud. Each limb has 3 digits, each of which end in thorny talons seemingly made of onyx.

Giant wings grow starting from just above its shoulders and end just past its shoulder blades. The wings are somewhat triangular. Thick skin and eerie bone structures make up most of the wing and small, sharp tips grow from each ending like massive spears.

Its spiky tail ends in a curled tip and is covered in the same stone-like scales as its body. Its eyes lock onto mine and I feel a jolt of electricity course through my veins.

The spirit dragon begins to walk towards me, its movements slow and deliberate. I can feel its eyes on me, boring into my soul. And then, in an instant, the dragon is standing right in front of me.  The stunning nacreous dragon lowers its head, but keeps its wings spread. *One... Two... Three...* I count in my head, golding eye contact as I had seen many months ago. Its wings - or rather, *her* wings - fold back against her body and she almost purrs at my touch.

I feel a surge of energy run through my body as the dragon's scales seem to shimmer and glow even more brightly. Then, I hear a voice in my mind. "Greetings, Princess Eira," the melodic voice says. *"My name is Soldreru. I am honored to have you as my companion."*

I feel a sense of wonder and excitement wash over me. This is much more… Intimate… Than what I felt with Vaemrath. Suddenly, I know what it means to have a true bond with a dragon companion.

As I stand there, trying to process my thoughts and emotions, I feel a sense of weight settle onto my shoulders. It's as if the responsibility of having a dragon companion has suddenly become very real. But at the same time, I feel a sense of lightness, of freedom. It's as if having Soldreru by my side has given me a sense of possibility, of potential. I look up at Soldreru, and our eyes meet. I can feel her thoughts and emotions, and I know that she can feel mine.

*"I have chosen you, Princess Eira," Soldreru proceeds, "to be my rider and my partner, because there is something that connects us deeper than you could possibly know. Before you ask, I am not sure what it is either, but I do know I was sent here to be with you for a reason."*

I feel a sense of curiosity wash over me. *"What reason?"* I ask.

*"King Ikyn has stopped all communication with the other dragons,"* Soldreru says. *"He has become isolated, withdrawn. And it is time for you to make a choice, Princess Eira."* I feel a sense of trepidation wash over me. *Not this again.* Soldreru presses on, *"You know what you must decide. There is very little time left."*

As I look into her eyes, I see a deep wisdom and understanding there. And I know that Soldreru is truly trying to guide me. I can feel that she does not mean for me to carry a heavier burden that Ikyn and Vaemrath have placed upon me. *All because of that damn tree. I just had to sit in that damn tree. Of all tress to sit in, why did it have to be the Gods’ Creation? Because I had no other choice? Yeah, right. I could have sat next to the waterfall or NEXT to the tree, but no. Of course I had to sit. IN. That. Damn. Tree. Stupid tree.*

I take a deep breath, trying to process my thoughts and emotions. I know that I have a difficult decision ahead of me. But I also know that I am not alone. I have Soldreru by my side. *Wait… How are Kyai and Sarkis going to take this? Oh no… AND Ikyn isn’t communicating with ANY of the dragons? To think, this whole time I thought I was being an immature, spoiled princess. He’s worse than I am!*

While I stand there, trying to make sense of everything, I feel just as lost now as I did in the caverns. I know I will make the right choice, no matter what the consequences may be. But what is the right choice? That is the question that echoes in my mind as I stand there, frozen in indecision.

Soldreru speaks to me once more. *“Princess, maybe it would be wise to-”*

*”Yes, yes. Yes.” I interrupt her, waving her off as I pace the courtyard. *”Okay, here is what we’re going to do. I am going to convince my father to host the kings of the tri-kingdom. I will let them all know everything. Right? That way, no one kingdom feels as if we have secrets to hide. Then we can discuss our options. I do not have to decide my fate alone.”*

Soldreru huffs, laying down with her head over her massive claws. *”Smart, Princess. I do see how that could be good… However, how well do you know Sarkis?”*

A tap on my shoulder makes me jump. Gweneira raises her hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, Eira, but you and Soldreru have taken an awful long time to connect. Is everything alright?" I glance towards the rest of the family, who have taken the stone benches lining the courtyard. They all watch me carefully. *That's right, no one else knows anything about what happened in the Dragon Lands.*

Sighing, I try to offer my sister a smile, but fail miserably. Straightening myself, I make my way closer to my family so I won't have to shout. "Did King Ikyn tell you why he chose me as his bride? The fate of the world as we know it depends on the next Dragon Queen to stand by his side. I was telling Soldreru that I would like to invite Kyai and Sarkis here to talk about our alternatives."

"There are no alternatives if the fate of the world is at stake," Lumi grumbles, folding her arms over her chest and glaring at me. "Why did you come back, Eira? Alone. Why isn't Ikyn here with you? If whatever decision you make - marry Ikyn, don't marry Ikyn - you're going to be miserable anyway, so why drag the fate of everyone's lives into it? Be a *QUEEN* and do what is best for your people."

"I am *not* Vaemrath, Lumi!" I scream. All the anger I was holding back from Ikyn unleashes. Of all the people I need support from, I would have expected it to be from my own sister. Taking deep breaths, I try to calm myself, but my blood is now boiling. "I don't know why I'm back, okay? I was locked in a cavern with the current Dragon Queen, Vaemrath, who just so happens to be Majesty Iliyana Savea. Yes, *SAVEA*... And if you saw her... If you saw *what* she became..."

My father rushes towards me, holding me in his arms as I drop to my knees, unable to contain the tears streaming down my face. I hiccup as I try to catch my breath, but the tears won't stop flowing.