The Dragon's Kiss



Kel could only wonder what kind of thoughts were running through the Emperor's mind as he stared at the beautifully glowing stone.

When she'd met them, the two men were enemies--maybe even worse. There was no hint of brotherly affection between them. In fact, she never would have guessed they were related if she hadn't been told so.

They hated each other, the Emperor and his half brother.

They constantly spewed insults toward each other, plotted against each other, and raised their weapons against each other on more than one occasion.

However, when Calix was suffering from the illness that took him whenever he absorbed too much of Kel's power, that moonstone had been there.

It was a stretch to think that Soren was in Mevani at that time--that he knew of the Dragon Emperor's secret condition and left his own moonstone perfectly for Kel to find.

But it made even less sense to think that it had all been a coincidence. 

Just that night, Kel knew Calix had seen the man with his own eyes. It wasn't from a distance in a crowded place either, but close by in the very inn they were spending the night.

He could have captured him then and there.

But he let him go.

Was he repaying the favor? Or was there something else between them aside from their hatred? Something that ran deeper and stronger than the fierce feelings and devious tricks between them.

Suddenly, she thought of a piece from Itzae's letter.

'...I've hidden many things from you about yourself, your powers and, most importantly, your family.'

Her family.

She'd been enraged by those words at first, but at that moment, they made her feel something she couldn't quite explain.

Could there be someone out there like that for her? Someone she shared a deep connection with that couldn't be marred by time or distance?

She drifted back to sleep peacefully after that, that single happy thought driving away all the unpleasant dreams of earlier.

For the next several days, Kel was on guard.

Every time she saw something out of the corner of her eye, she'd whirl around to take a look. When the weather turned rainy and the soldiers all donned their cloaks, she swore she saw Soren every time she turned around, only to find a poor soldier feeling very uneasy under her suspicious gaze.

The man from Subterra never crossed their paths again, however, and over time, she felt herself begin to relax.

"I noticed you didn't glare at any guards today," Calix teased her one evening as they stood facing each other, each with a sword in their hands.

Though she wasn't feeling on edge anymore, the state of her malfunctioning powers still hadn't improved despite their near-daily practice sessions.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kel huffed, lunging forward.

Their swords clanked against each other, sending each of them backward.

"I heard some men are afraid to even wear their hood when it's raining because of you," Calix smirked, landing on his feet.

Kel paid him no heed, bending her knees to steady herself as she landed.

In spite of the Emperor's taunting, her lips curled into a smile as she gazed at the ground between them.

It was faint but unmistakable.

Scorch marks.

After crashing against the Emperor, her sword must have spat some flames onto the ground as she flew back.

"Look at that!" Kel exclaimed. "It didn't fizzle out this time!"

The small black lines weren't anything impressive, but she couldn't help the wave of relief washing over her at the sight of them. Practicing every day was paying off. She was gaining control of her powers again.

"Hmmm," Calix rubbed his chin as he stared at the marks. "I'm beginning to have a theory.. but it's not one I like."

"What? You mean the reason I'm getting my power back is because you aren't sleeping with me every night?" Kel chuckled.

She expected the Emperor to laugh at her absurd idea, but he looked up at her with solemn eyes. 

He opened his mouth to reply but then closed it again, his eyebrows knitting together.

"Hey.." Kel took a step toward him. "I was just joking, you know."

Calix let out a sigh as he met Kel's concerned gaze and shook his head.

"Let's keep working on it and see what happens."

The rain let up as the caravan drew closer to Pandreia, but the wind soon took its place in making the journey uncomfortable.

Fortunately, the Pandreian officials were traveling alongside them and taught the Northern people how to wrap their heads and faces in a way that kept the blowing dirt out of their eyes.

Is it this windy in the port of Halseva? Kel wondered. 

Her dreams of a temperate oceanside city were slowly becoming weathered with the blustering gales. 

One evening, she voiced her concerns to Lucy, who then went to consult their Pandreian travel companions.

"They said this area near the border is the worst for wind," Lucy reported when she returned. "Halseva is breezy because of the ocean, but they said it was a pleasant breeze--nothing like these winds."

"I sure hope that's the case," Kel pouted. "Thank you for gathering that information for me."

"It's my pleasure," Lucy smiled. "By the way, aren't you close friends with one of the Pandreian delegates?"

"Uh.. I don't think so," Kel faltered, thinking back to the awkward dance she shared with Taegus on the final day of the engagement celebration.

The boy had said his piece and then bid her farewell as if they'd never see each other again. 

So, did that mark the end of their friendship as well?

"I didn't think you'd answer that question so pleasantly."

Calix walked through the room's door with a pleased look on his face.

"Were you really eavesdropping?" Kel raised an eyebrow. "The great Emperor of the Serin Empire?"

"I just happened to hear mention of my dear Consort's old friend," Calix shrugged. "I hope that boy won't be sad when he finds out you've cast him aside."

"I haven't 'cast him aside'," Kel shot back. "I'm just not sure what to consider him as anymore."

"Oh! Are you saying he's become a lover to you now?" Calix's eyes scrunched into a playful glare.

"Of course not!" Kel blurted. "When would I even have the time for that with you alwa-"

"Sorry to interrupt," Lucy chimed in, "but your definitely-not-a-lover-but-not-quite-a-friend is lingering outside the window."

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