The Return

Azula

I felt… overwhelmed with elvish… it was so perfect, so flowered… but Thakden was a good teacher. He and Paige were in his office with me, as well as his servants. The door was also open, and the headmaster’s room was only a level up. The Crimson King

All this was done to honestly protect him… as I know Drozo… I feel like his temper would supersede rationality if he thought there was any foul play…. Or if I was unfaithful. We both knew that was impossible… No male would have what a dragon king did… it would be a waste of time to even think to cheat, but dragons are a passionate people.

I was left to study… and study Common too… why did I ask for this. I used flash cards to review what I already knew and I passed the written common test at Fourth hour… but I did not stop when the town square clock rang Five.

“I think that’s enough.” Said a deep voice. I shot my head up and ran to Drozo. I hugged him, and he grunted.

“Easy little one. I return clean and only slightly maimed.” He grinned.

I saw what he meant immediately… his eyes looked evil. They glowed red slightly, and the whites of his eyes were black…. But the black dots, his pupils were no more… it was like looking into two deep red cabochons….

“Is it permanent?” I asked, hugging him again… I could feel the scars on his body… they were deep, but he wasn’t bleeding.

“I believe so… When I shifted back, I saw my eyes in the mirrors here… I’d rather this than losing them though.” He smiled. “Then I couldn’t see you.” He kissed me gently on the forehead.

His breathing was heavy… as if he’d ran up the stairs to see me instead of flying… It was possible though. The hall was pretty narrow after all…

“I don’t care… you’re home… I missed you dearly.” I mumbled. “I am so glad you have returned to me husband.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I think a festival would be in good order.” He smiled. “A wedding one.”

“But I still work on elvish.” I blurted.

“But you can read draconic at my level.” He countered.

“I forgot all about that.” I giggled sheepishly.

“I’ll go tell the judge.” Said Lord Thakden knocking on the wall to let him know he was behind him…. “You seem fine to be blind my lord.” He bowed.

“I see just fine… I just only see red.” He mumbled. “Also tell Judge Carken we’ll be there noon, the First Day of Fourth Moon.” He smiled… time had gone so fast….

“Your will and magic… in all your might you see likely this world and the spirit world at the same time. Do you see the spirit there?” He pointed at nothing.

“I thought that was a servant.” He mumbled.

“He Was, but he died 2 thousand years ago. He walks these halls, refusing to pass on because he wanted to be a student… he didn’t have the talent… and well… that’s why he’s dead.” Thakden said casually.

My guess was that he died trying to practice magic… and since he had no talent, he died.

“Is there a way to see color again?” Drozo asked.

“Well… you could try using a little less magic.” He suggested.

“That’s better. I like seeing the world in color… only red reminded me of my anger… and the blade made of hatred that blinded me.” He said petting my hair. “I longed for this…”

“Welcome back Drozo.” I said craning up to kiss him on the lips. He bent down, and we held each other a moment. He didn’t care who saw how much he loved me…I hadn’t seen him in what seemed like years…

“Tell them to sound that I have arrived. All meat purchased today will be on me.” He smiled.

“Son…, that’s a lot of gold…” Said Paige. She hesitated when she saw how… much more fierce he looked.

“I know what Rainath did… and I do not mind the money. It’s only gold… Plus there is so much to celebrate… the dead would not like that we weep after so many have been avenged.” He smiled.

“Then spend your gold my son.” She smiled, and he hugged her.

“I know what you wanted mother. I am still your son… I just look like I used too.” He chuckled. “Come, let’s walk home and let the mortals be happy today. They’ve been afraid in their homes, and the beastkin… those poor mortals.” He sighed. “Nox will have a preventative for their people soon… it can’t be cured, but the potion he plans will keep others from contracting it.” He said firmly.

“Then let’s go.” She smiled.

He held both our hands and gently escorted us out the university. He left my books and my leather bag. Someone could get it later…

The bell towers around town rang, and there were cheers in the streets when we left... but as the people cheered and my mate walked slowly, hiding his limp… they feared his gaze.

“We have won!” he roared over the crowd, and the dragons cheered. The bars around town gave away their cheapest beer free today. “No more, shall mortals suffer undeath… Let us celebrate our lost loved ones. Let them look down on us and see our joy to lift their spirits!” He waved kingly.

He was passed meat and beer, and I was hungry, so I had a small sandwich on the way with Paige… The Crimson King flew in the air doing twirls and loops with Rainath…. People thanked him, and he looked content… I don’t think my husband had ever gotten a hero’s welcome… but now that he had it, I think he would never go back to how he was....

I doubt he’d ever have the urge to anyway with me as his wife as well… I think That’s what the other drakes also celebrated… the peace that could come with this. I wasn’t even tired from the makeshift parade either. Everyone’s happiness was infectious.

The walk like this took until sundown, and there wasn’t a servant around… the orphans and the Sisters were here in the castle. They cooked for us and the dragon kings, since they had not left yet. They summoned their wives, and about at 10th hour, we had dinner together.

“I’ve never seen…. Man-children before.” Said Ghast. “Well, I’ve not paid attention anyway…. Can I have one?” He asked.

“No.” Said Sister Trish firmly. “You only want my children like someone wants to play with a wolf pup.” She said with crossed arms.

There were chuckles… he was serious.

“No. My dear, would you like one?” He asked his wife.

“I do… we dragons do not really have childhoods… we’re born aware…. But the babe in your arms looks so frail…” She mumbled.

“He is.” She said firmly. “He will grow to be a man one day. He will live and think and talk and grow… and also our children can do nothing for themselves, even relieve themselves of their waste. They have to be taught Everything… even how to use the toilet.”

It was then that they realized how serious it was.

“And… you care for all these little ones not your own?” Ghast asked.

“Aye, though now there’s four sisters here to help me now…. So it isn’t so hard.” She smiled.

“A Toast.” Said Ghast. “To our Mighty King who stopped the dead from rising… and the frail human who watches over his people in his stead.”

We raised our glasses and toasted to that…

“And I propose another toast. I think it fair we marry on the First Day next moon… I believe that’s 15 or so days away. There will be no grand ceremony, but we will have a reception afterwards.” He said with a smile.

The first to raise thier glasses were the Crimson King, his mother, and brother.

The rest followed. The only one who seemed hesitant about it was the Blue Dragon Queen and her husband… they didn’t like humans, they tolerated them. They had changed in great strides, but the marriage between mortal and drake was still… not really accepted.

I understood it though. Other color drakes lost their wings if they were born hybrid… they called them salamanders and lizards. They did not treat them as equals, but at the same time, even that was changing. I saw many in guard uniform, or on patrol when Drozo left.

“I also would like to say something.” Said Rainath.

“So long as it isn’t an apology, go ahead.” Said Drozo.

“I wanted to say that the city is forever safe, as it is officially and Finally holy ground. That’s thanks to my mate, as well as apparently the drop of blood from a pure heart.” He chuckled.

“That’s something I don’t think I’ll Ever have.” Laughed Drozo. “I thank you both Crimson Heir Rainath, and Zeshava. I also thank all of you for protecting my city and mate, when yours was under threat… but there will be true peace now. I feel it…” He said happily.

We ate what the Sisters made…. It was stuffed whole pig. They gutted it well, and put potatoes and herbs inside… the dragons shared a few sheep… roasted whole and cleaned out as well… I was so stuffed.

I don’t see how he could put it all away, but my mate didn’t even leave bones. He looked so different compared to before this started… he looked … older. Like a general of many years in his mid 30’s… it made me wonder what he went through… how much pain… the slight smell of sulfur now that I closed my eyes a moment.

In the morning all the leaders would leave, and I would have my mate to myself… I would ask then… and I would soothe his pains.