«Well, what are we waiting for?» She asked Noreus. It was his duty to get Rhianon to the window, preferably not the one the dragon was watching. Rianon could tell from a distance that he had recently returned from a hunt. His lair still smelled of blood and his claws of heat. He knew how to make candles light with magic, not fire. The wax in them never melted, but there was enough light to illuminate the library. Truth be told, the light was a luxury rather than a necessity, since a dragon could read in total darkness as well. For Rhianon herself, the distant moonlight was sufficient to discern all the lines of a book, and she could see just as well in the dark. She wondered what sort of power she had to be able to distinguish letters in the dark, unless they were fiery. To her ultra-sharp hearing came the quiet rustling of pages, the sound of dragon breaths, the scraping of claws. He did not pull books from the shelves, but brought them to him in time of need, brought by magic. He did not write himself, the quill itself drew strange symbols on the parchment. Only it wasnt ink, it was blood. Blood was what he needed. So once a week he went out hunting. Rhianon sympathized with his victims. More often than not, he would mutilate them severely before he killed them, but the angelic knowledge inscribed in the scrolls demanded their blood.
Once in the tower, she felt insecure at first. Everything here was quite nicely furnished. Apparently, the dragon had not lost its love of luxury. Only occasionally she could see burnt marks on the soft carpets and claws imprinted on the black wood of the shelving units.
Could it take on human form? If so, she would be more comfortable negotiating with him. If he could briefly become a gallant cavalier, they would have something to talk about.
Rhianon caught him studying the scrolls. She watched the beautiful emerald scales gleam in the candlelight for a long time. It seemed to emanate a myriad of sparkling sparks all by itself.
«I want» She only stepped out of the shadows when he noticed her. Her tongue was barely audible and yet she tried to explain out loud, not mentally, what she was doing here. He did not listen, however. The wise glowing eyes were so perceptive. He stared at her intently for only a second, and then his clawed paw rose and beckoned her forward. The claws moved so confidently and gracefully, as if they were thin angelic fingers, not ugly claws. And for a moment Rhianon thought she saw a beautiful blond creature, not a beast as sparkling as a jewel. It beckoned her into a world of forbidden knowledge, and Rhianon was ready to enter it.
When the spirit had finally completed its task, she was already sitting in her bedroom, intoxicated by the knowledge she had gained. The sage dragon did not hesitate to agree to help her because he knew beforehand the power was on her side. He could foresee the future or his mind helped him utter prophecies. It didnt matter to her, as long as he was on her side. Sometimes Rhianon saw a beautiful young man in his place, leaning over books. The vision usually lasted only a moment. It would seem strange to people. A richly dressed and handsome young man could not have been so keen on ancient scrolls, much less write them in someone elses blood. Naturally, sorcery was involved.
Already going through the witch potions she had stolen from Rothbert, she kept remembering her interactions with the dragon. She enjoyed her time in his tower. Perhaps she would visit him often, especially since he didnt mind.
«Why are you very late?» she scolded the spirit. He grumbled resentfully.
«You could have done it yourself.»
«I was busy elsewhere, you know. Did you get it all?» She didnt seem to have too many bottles and jars. Now well have to destroy it all. She couldnt figure out how to use it all for her own purposes. Unless she could use magic to determine what was in which vial.
«You can tell it by the scent,» the spirit advised.
«What is it about here?» Rhianon gazed excitedly at the flasks, something fluttering inside.
«You should destroy them now, unless you want them to spread all over the castle. I warn you, one day, theyll be able to break the glass. Look, theyre gaining strength already.»
Rhianon stared at the flask that was first in her hands. It looks like the spirit was right. Something green and large, with bulging eyes, was clawing at the glass. Soon the flask would be cramped. Rhianon, unable to stand her disgust, tossed the glass into the fireplace. The throw was accurate. The green creature from the shattered flask went straight into the flames, and most surprisingly in the fire it began to grow.
«Quick, move the screen!» She demanded of the spirit. Grunting and complaining, he hurried to carry out the orders.
«You shouldnt do that, madam, theyre all easy to free.»
«Ive seen Rothbert release them into the sewage. Did he do that as a child?»
«A villain from a young age is a villain,» said the spirit. «Humans, unlike us, its as if they were never innocent.»
«Neither were you. Only he was,» Rhianon remembered Madael. One of the chests the spirit had brought, bright gold, looked so much like a piece of his armor. She flung open the lid, but strangely enough the trapped creature was cute. Rhianon beckoned to it, and it jumped out onto the table, spreading its thin wings gracefully.
«It looked like a tiny dragon,» she remarked, peering at the pale gold skin and patterned tail. The expression on its face was a little treacherous, but it was cute all the same. «It looked like a toy made of gold. Cute,» she was already playing with him.»
«And this one is real,» the spirit commented. «But its still dangerous to keep him. He may soon grow noticeably in size.»
«Ill keep this one, anyway,» Rhianon watched as her new pet sat down on an open book she had just borrowed from the dragons tower, examining the symbols painted on it. The scent of an unfading rose also attracted him, and he pulled it toward him with his paw.
«What is about these?«The spirit asked about the flasks.
«Throw them down into the chasm. Destroy them. Youve got to think with your head for once.»
After muttering something incomprehensible, the spirit obeyed. The flasks were gone, so he must have taken them to the abyss or somewhere else. The main thing was not in some water channel, where they could grow in peace. Rhianon had not had time to warn him of that, and now she had only to rely on his ingenuity.
She was distracted by playing with her new pet. It was no bigger than a kitten, but it was beautiful. She had never imagined that a dragon could be so petite and so beautiful. It was as if it had been cast in pure gold and brought to life by magic. Its eyes sparkled like two aquamarines. The patterned wings twitched. The claws, too, were gold. And the hide reflected the moonlight. Not a monster, but a toy. She was glad she had stolen it and let it go.
«You are priceless, little one,» she whispered, handing him a ribbon of her hair to play with. Despite his size, however, he proved surprisingly clever. Instead of playing the silly, helpless kitten, he studied the book and gathered glittering objects from the table to form his own little treasure chest. He, too, is beckoned by gems. So let him keep what he finds for himself.
«Will you have somebody like him?» The spirit who had just returned asked nonchalantly. How could he have made it through the task so quickly? Rhianon shuddered in surprise.
«I hope you brought them far from the castle, didnt you?» She teased him.
«Theyre at the bottom of a chasm a long way from here, milady. And you have no intention of parting with the golden toy, have you?»
«You are priceless, little one,» she whispered, handing him a ribbon of her hair to play with. Despite his size, however, he proved surprisingly clever. Instead of playing the silly, helpless kitten, he studied the book and gathered glittering objects from the table to form his own little treasure chest. He, too, is beckoned by gems. So let him keep what he finds for himself.
«Will you have somebody like him?» The spirit who had just returned asked nonchalantly. How could he have made it through the task so quickly? Rhianon shuddered in surprise.
«I hope you brought them far from the castle, didnt you?» She teased him.
«Theyre at the bottom of a chasm a long way from here, milady. And you have no intention of parting with the golden toy, have you?»
«Dont touch it,» Rhianon said, shielding her pet.
«Tell that to sir Vivian,» snorted the spirit.»
«Dont worry. He wont come into my chambers.»
«But the little dragon might slip out.»
«Ill keep an eye on him,» Rhianon promised.
«Its difficult. Hes restless. What if someone sees him?»
Rhianon was about to say that if she was to have a lover, it would be an angel, not a man, but she remembered Ferdinand. Though he was the least of her worries, he would mistake her new pet, like the harpy, for a charming overseas beast recently imported by merchants from distant lands. In general, he would be able to find a reasonable explanation for everything.
«Would you like to give birth to one?» The spirits ominous whisper above her ear sent a chill down her spine.
«Leave me alone,» she commanded.
«But it can be so soon,» he kept repeating himself. «You will give birth to a dragon, beautiful and golden. Gold is his fathers color. The moment it comes into the world, Madaels watch will chime, and he will know.»
«Dont you dare to speak his name. You mustnt.»
«I know.» He snapped back. «But Ive already broken every possible rule for you. Theres nothing left to do now.»
«Is it for me?» She looked incredulous. «Who am I to tell you that you have to do anything for me? You didnt even see me before I came to Vinor. You were sitting here all alone, waiting for someone to pick on, and I was the only one who showed up. Thats all.»
«Youre shortsighted.»
«And youre a bad kiss-ass. You cant convince me that you were in love with me long before you saw me.»
«Considering what you look like, none of us can help falling in love with you. Youre the kind of girl you can see from a distance. And it hurts to look at you, if you must know. It hurts to be far away from you, and you wont let me be near you.»
«I think its because of the baby,» she tried to comfort him. «If he really is his fathers son, he is your future lord. You see him in me, and your instinct to serve is working. You see it as love for me, but when Edwin is born, it will be different.»
Edwin! This is the first time she has uttered his name. Rhianon had already promised the spirits that she would call him that. What is so magical about that name? And why did she think she would not give birth to a monster? After all, the invisible interlocutor had already informed her that she would give birth to a dragon. Why, then, does she need a special name to make it unavailable to his father. All dragons are subjects to Madael anyway. And yet it seemed to Rhianon that now, by naming him out loud, she had stirred up something unforeseen. It was as if she had deliberately made a comment to inform his immortal father that Edwin existed. Madael has a right to know that he is about to have a son. Yet he does not know this. Perhaps he has no idea. The name, like a spell, must hide the truth from him. But its not like he flew here in anger to demand his child back, so the spirits havent lied. He could still be, though. He can assert his rights to the child, and then really be war. Or rather, war will not change anything; the duel must be between her and him. Rhianon prepared herself for that. Madaels son would be prince of Vinor, no one would ever know the truth. You cant pass off a monster as Ferdinands child anymore. And a boy, even handsome as an angel, could pass for a brother of Florian and Claude. They need a younger brother, dont they? Perhaps in the future some disease will take the lives of the older princes and Edwin will be king. Rhianon stared at her own fingernails with exaggerated attention. It wasnt fair, but Setius was in the castle, after all. He could have brought the vibe of the very creepy contagion that roamed beneath Madeels tower here. And if he didnt bring it in now, he might bring it in later, she might ask him to, if he didnt figure it out himself. All of them cursed and beautiful are themselves interested in their lords son being first in everything.
Rhianon watched the miniature dragon on her desk. He was perched on the pages of an open book, and a fragrant rose now lay beside him, along with several other precious ornaments, which he scrutinized. He must have been cramped and uncomfortable in the box where he had been locked up, for now, free, he was wrinkling painfully and kneading his stiff claws.
He was very handsome. Rhianon admired him as if he were a rare jewel. It was a gift she had never dreamed of receiving. It would be good if, contrary to the spirits warning, it did not grow, but remained as diminutive as an expensive toy. Then it would be possible to spoil it, to give it jewelry, and to put it to sleep on a velvet pillow. She wanted a pet like that, and he, despite all his dexterity and laudable agility, was in no hurry to get away from her.
Rhianon took the brooch out of the box and held it out to him, to which the little dragon reacted with great joy. He was real, or he wouldnt be so fond of jewelry. Rhianon had noticed that he wasnt interested in just any object, only the purest stones and trinkets of gold.
«So you are still in the power of your former master,» she gently caressed his golden-tipped head, combed and feathered with sharp ears. The little dragon obviously did not understand her, but his claws slid enchantingly over the gold, so reminiscent of Dennitsa, almost forgotten but still unconsciously and warmly loved. To Rhianon herself, too, he reached out as if he had known her for a long time. She even laughed at the warnings of her invisible companion.
«Well, my little one, if you believe him you will soon have a brother like you in every way,» she stroked the golden head, which was nice and warm, and laughed merrily. «Then you will not only share the contents of my boxes. You will also have to fight over Ferdinands crown.»
She figured the little dragon wouldnt mind snatching the glittering crown from her head even now. She would lend the crown to him for a while. She was even curious to see how, for its tiny size, it would manage to try it on. The suddenly and long silent spirit apparently disapproved of her jokes. Rhianon didnt care. Let him keep his mouth shut; if he was dissatisfied or jealous of something, that was his problem. She watched as the little dragon greedily gathered jewels from the table and laughed. In the same way she was going to take treasure from her enemies.
More than revenge
It was heavenly strife. It was the deafening noise of wings beating against each other. It was the scratching of claws against thin angel skin. Shouts and accusations like a birds cackle. It was the dazzling gleam of swords. He was already nearly blinded once when he looked at Dennitsa. He dared to swing his sword at him, and now his hand was withering and worms were crawling in it. But the ruthless and beautiful angel still continued to beckon him through sleep.