The Flame And The Dragon - Blog Posts

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Let Him Go

The next morning, Kai wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed that Cole was still holding him. The chill of his nightmares was still in his system and as long as they were with nothing to confirm or disprove them, any emotion other than worry made Kai sick with guilt. Carefully he unwound himself from Cole's arms and tail and sat with his feet dangling over the side of the bed. The bedsheet wrapped around his shivering frame.

"Are you still thinking about those nightmares?" A voice suddenly asked and Kai jumped and whirled around. Cole hadn't moved from the spot he was lying in but met the teen with an expression that read Kai's thoughts like they were the opened pages of a picture book.

"When did you wake up?"

"The second you started moving," He answered and positioned himself so he was next to his consort. "You're still thinking about those nightmares aren't you?" He asked, but in his mouth, it was a statement not a question and Kai knew it. Kai confirmed his suspicions with a nod.

"I just wish I knew how they were doing; I know they'd both love it here, just like I do." He smiled warmly as he thought about his family living here with him and Cole. Lloyd would be ecstatic to have a whole castle to explore. Kai knew Nya would love the architecture. Kai chuckled at the thought then sighed. "But I have no idea what's happening to them if I could make sure they were alright." He sighed as his voice trailed off. He turned baffled when he felt Cole take his hand.

Cole's eyes suddenly lit up with pride like a child who couldn't wait to share their accomplishment with their parents.

"I know how to do that." He smiled before he hopped off the bed and scooped up a handful of clothes. Harumi must have placed there while they were asleep. "Get dressed." He ordered and Kai obeyed. Once they had donned Griffin's latest creations, which were surprisingly simple compared to the other clothing he had created for them not a few nights ago, Cole took Kai's hand and brought him towards the far side of the room. The magic mirror Cole sometimes used sat peacefully on its pedestal glittering in the morning sun seeping through the cracks in the curtains.

Cole cupped it in his hands, his face beaming, looking like a child with a secret. He then picked up the mirror and placed it in Kai's hands.

"If you ask this mirror anything that you'd like it will show you anything, anything you wish to see; I can't leave this castle so this is my only window out."

"It does that? How?" He asked as his eyes widened.

"I'm not sure how, but my mother always said it was special."

"And how do you know it works?" Kai asked the dragon hybrid, his voice skeptical. A flash of guilt lit across Cole's eyes for a moment. He cleared his throat and muster as much dignity as he could.

"I used it to check up on you during your first month here." He admitted and Kai felt his veins bulge at that information.

"You used it to spy on me?"

"Only temporarily!" Cole protested, defensively and quickly changed the subject to avoid another spat. "Do you want to use it or not?" He asked and Kai stared at the object skeptically. It wasn't like he had anything to lose.

"I'd like to see my siblings, Nya and Lloyd." He told the mirror. He watched as his reflection was swallowed by a sapphire mist that made him feel light and safe. Suddenly the mist in the mirror's glass changed from light blue to dark red. Lights in the red smoke spun in a hazy, milky spiral. Kai's eyes widened as shapes and shadows started to form. He felt Cole at his side, no doubt feeling that Kai would need support after witnessing this. Colors and images began to become clear.

Kai recognized the interior of his home and the figures that began to form until Kai recognized the figure of Nya.

Except it wasn't the Nya he knew. This Nya was wild with distress, her hair and clothing haggard like she hadn't slept. Her once beautiful eyes were filled with anger and fear, red-rimmed from tears, and clouded by heavy black bags of insomnia. The image suddenly changed and he watched as Nya and Lloyd crawled their way out of a small cave. Lloyd was coughing and wheezing and holding his mouth to keep himself silent. Horror and fear froze Kai in place as he watched Nya struggle on weak arms to pull him up, only to stumble, and both roll to the ground.

Sickness running deep into their bodies rendered them unable to properly move.

Lloyd suddenly collapsed to the ground, coughing loudly and rasping. It didn't even sound like coughing. It sounded like Lloyd was choking on air. He squeezed his chest like doing so would loosen the constriction of his throat and help him breathe. Nya try to help, but she was too weak to do anything. Tears of anguish streamed down their faces. Lloyd's eyes were wet with the pain of his illness and the terror of his situation. It took Kai all but a few moments to register what they were doing and why, and he brought his voice horrifyingly back to life with a scream.

Cole remained frozen while Kai screamed.

"This is all my fault!" The brunette shrieked, forcing Cole back to reality.

"What?" He gasped in horror, hearing his consort take the blame for what he knew was the hybrid's mistake.

"You don't understand!" Kai turned to him with a face full of terror and eyes bright and wild from dread, the mirror clutched in his shaking hands. "Lloyd's sick! He can't get sick in the winter! He can't handle it with his chest!" He sobbed as a lone tear fell from each eye and began pooling at his chin. "This is all my fault! I promised when my parents died that I'd take care of them! I'm here living a fairytale while Lloyd's dying and it's all my fault!"

Cole just watched Kai have a fit of his own.

He threw his hands over his head and screamed while he shook it back and forth with such force it was a miracle he didn't break his neck. A new dread froze Cole's being to the core. His eyes fell to the candle at the other side of the room. Its light dimmed as it counted down to the end of the month. The candle was now under ten centimeters in length and the flame was extremely dull. It was unlikely to continue burning in the next few days and once the purple flame went out, his fate would be sealed.

Now, for the first time in his life, Cole had a choice.

He was well aware of his feelings and Kai's. All he needed was time, and he did not doubt between now and then that Kai would eventually say those words that would once again make him human. His staff would be free, and Kai could stay with him, rule by his side, and together they could return his castle to all its magnificent glory. The only price would be the removal of the only two people Kai could love more than him. Or he could set him free, send Kai back to his old life with his family who loved him, safe and free.

Let his siblings be saved and return their lost brother to them, and let them return to their peaceful lives before he meddled in it with his selfish desires and wishes.

He knew the chances of Kai returning before the needed time were slim. The chances of him saying what needed to be said were even slimmer. Both choices brought life and death, brought hope and despair, but only one truly promised Kai's happiness. The choice was clear.

"Then what are you waiting for? Get Flame and go after them." He ordered and Kai's entire world shifted at Cole's words.

"What?" He asked in a whisper and Cole offered a sad smile, his eyes shadowed by rave bangs. "Your brother and sister need you, Kai, you have to be there for them now; I can't leave the castle grounds but you can," he explained and the truth in Cole's words crashed against the realization that he had the option, rendered Kai incapable of speech.

"But what about our deal?" Kai choked, barely whispering that last part. His face fell to the ground unable to meet Cole's face. The Dragon Lord didn't give him the luxury and knelt on one knee so he was looking up at him.

"I told you, you aren't a prisoner anymore, I've never thought of you as one, and if memory serves, I freed you less than a week ago; so you're free to come and go as you like." He chuckled lightly and tears poured from Kai's cheeks. Before Cole could wipe them away, Kai threw himself into his arms and wrapped them tightly around Cole's neck and shoulders, and buried his tearful face into his chest.

"Thank you, Cole." Kai sobbed as he poured all of his happiness, love, and gratitude into those three words. He was thankful to Cole for loving him enough to let him go. Cole returned the gesture, holding Kai tight like the brunette would vanish if he didn't. He barely felt it when Kai pulled away from him and rubbed his eyes with his sleeve.

"I'll come back; once Lloyd and Nya are better, all three of us will come," Kai promised with hopeful eyes, so much so that Cole wisely kept quiet.

"I know you will," He nodded. Kai rushed to leave then stopped when he realized the mirror was still in his hand. Quickly, he turned around, motioning to return it, but Cole only smiled and curled Kai's fingers over the box. "I want you to keep it."

"I can't keep this!" Kai immediately protested.

"I'm giving it to you so that way you'll always have these to remember me by." He smiled as his claw tapped the heart-shaped ruby jewel of the chocker still clasped around Kai's throat. He had forgotten he was wearing it and dared not take it off. Kai nodded graciously. Words could not express his gratitude.

"I will come back," He promised again before he turned and gave Cole one final smile before bursting from the room and down the hallway. Only when he was alone, did Cole finally collapse against the table with such force that the glass screamed its protest against his weight. A clawed hand gripped his dark locks. The silent tears pricking his eyes were all he could do to keep from completely breaking down. Part of him still screamed to run down the hallway take Kai in his arms and beg him not to go.

He steadied himself to do just that.

But his mind burst with the memory of the sick little boy Kai loved so much crying out for him. A lone tear streaked down Cole's scaled cheek. At that moment, Ronin entered the room. He had passed Kai running down the half, but he just assumed that the brunette didn't want to be caught sleeping in the same bed as Cole again. If that did happen, Kai would probably be teased by some of the least mature staff members. Ronin wasn't ashamed to admit that he might be in that group.

When he entered the bedroom, however, he was a little confused to see the sorrowful Cole and to feel the depressing tension in the room.

But the troll decided to shrug it off. He thought they might have just crashed from the excitement from last night.

"Well, well, your highness, I must say everything is going just right! I knew you had it in you!" He cackled loudly, but Cole didn't even glance at him.

"I told him to go home." He said with little to no emotion in his voice. Ronin stopped in mid-sentence as he realized what the dragon hybrid just said.

"You WHAT?! How could you do that?!"

"I had to."

"Yes-yes-yes, but why?!"

"Kai's little brother is ill and he and his sister are lost in the blizzard, and they need his help, so I let him go because I love him." Cole declared and Ronin stared at the calm, expressionless, yet teary-eyed face of the Dragon Lord. He stared for a few moments before he ran off to tell the others that they could kiss any hope of being human goodbye. Almost all the staff were finishing cleaning up and preparing breakfast. The darkening clouds outside alerted the entire staff of the approaching blizzard that was practically at their door.

Jay was peeking through the curtains.

At the table, Tox was quick at work, gathering whatever Shade was cooking onto a tray for Kai and Cole. No one had disturbed the pair because the not so innocent minded members of staff thought it would be best to leave them alone. They couldn't stay in bed forever, though. Echo made to go upstairs, only for the door to slam into his face when someone opened it from the other side. All eyes rose and blinked when they spied Kai standing there panting and flushed like he had been running.

His eyes clouded with panic and rimmed with red like he had been crying for hours.

"What the hell happened to you?" Shade gaped, lowering the flames of the hearth. He hadn't failed to take in Kai's haggard appearance and immediately his thoughts became dark. "Where is Cole?" he demanded darkly. The phrase sent a silent child of dread through the staff, horrified at the thought of their Master being the cause of the boy's distress.

"He's upstairs," Kai spoke quickly. He rushed to sprint to his room before anyone could stop him. Before anyone could say anything, Ronin suddenly ran into the room and gave his friends a devastating look. Regretfully, he told them what Cole had said to Kai and their reactions were what was expected.

"He did what?!" They all screamed in horror and despair. Ronin slumped back while the others crowded around him. Judging from the sorrow in Kai's apologetic eyes and his limbs twitching with hastiness, they knew there was more to it than that, and that nothing was fine. They could already hear the thunder of Kai's steps as he finished gathering his things before running to the stables to get Flame. Harumi couldn't believe that this was happening.

Ultra Violet collapsed in a chair gazing at the ground as if she were a frozen doll.

They didn't want to let Kai leave. He didn't know about the deadline. They wanted to tell him but they knew they couldn't. Pixal reminded them that Kai had to figure it out himself. The banter continued, screaming and curses, ideas and arguments and protests and no one said anything that hadn't already been said. No one noticed the youngest and smallest of their group slip away unknown amongst the chaos.

"I'm afraid it's true." The troll sighed sadly.

"Kai's going away?" Echo whimpered as tears welled up in his eyes.

"But they were so close!" Harumi shrieked and everyone couldn't help but agree. After all this time, Cole had finally learned to love and their curse was so close to being broken. Now all that hope and hard work were down the drain. Jay suddenly gasped when he came up with a last-minute idea.

"That's it, then! That should break the spell!" He grinned like a madman, but no one was convinced.

"But it's not enough, Kai has to love him in return," Zane told his friend.

"But he does! Everyone can see that!" Ultra Violet exclaimed and Zane gave her a cold look.

"Do you though? Has Kai ever actually said that he loves Cole?" He asked them and they all thought about it, but none of them could recall a time Kai ever told Cole that he loved the Dragon Lord. "No, he didn't, and now it's too late," Zane explained and everyone slumped in grief and despair. Back upstairs, Cole watched as Kai left on his horse from above on his bedroom balcony. He roared in sorrow and anger but his anguished roars were lost in the sound of the violent, icy winds...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 35

Chapter 35: The Blizzard

Scorched needles, scarps of wood blackened by rage, and bits of ash and charcoal scattered across the burnt snow where the proud pine tree once stood. Specks of blood and splinters dropped from the Sorcerer's scraped and roughened fingertips like someone had scattered rubies. His nails were shredded and his cuticles were split from clawing at the bark in a fit of rage. His fury had reduced the aged pine to a pile of ashes. All while, the raven remained still on its perch in the snow, completely unfazed by his master's wrath.

The Sorcerer's growl was dangerous and low before he suddenly screamed and spun around delivering a powerful blow to the young sapling unfortunate enough to be in the path of his wrath.

It made no effort to protests the Sorcerer's rage. Blinded by his rage, all he could see were the images his spy had shown. Images of that disgustingly repulsive beast, not even a beast but a half-beast, dancing with the Occulti, his Occulti. He clenching his fists causing his fingers to scream in pain but he was numb to all but his rage. He could forgive Kai for that. Surely the Dragon was becoming desperate and would use any kindness to trick the youth into saying the words needed to break his curse and deny him his greatest triumph.

He could forgive the youth for his naivety and his defenselessness.

He was merciful, but not after treachery. His wrath erupted, sending the curling shadows at his feet exploding in all directions. They shattered and pierced whatever they came in contact with until the clearing was a hollow circle of scorched earth.

"He's dirty! That damned whore! Damn him for giving away his purity, and damn me for thinking any one of their kind was redeemable!" He screamed and stomped his foot and tore at his hair and clothes until he panted like a beast after a hunt. But no matter how loud he screamed or how much he destroyed, it could never destroy that last scene from his mind. That beautiful boy, who should have been his consort and ruling at his side, wantonly giving his virginity to that monster and enjoying it.

He wanted to scream again, but someone else beat him to it.

"Lloyd! Where are you?!" A woman cried and the weak call was followed by a loud stumble against the carpet of snow. Bewildered, the Sorcerer quickly shielded himself among the trees careful not to let a spot of his red clothing betray his location. He watched a young woman rise stumbling from the muddy earth, and choke loudly on air. Like a shadow, the Sorcerer swooped closer and gasped. It was easy to miss from a distance but beneath the thick winter clock and the leaves and mud matting the sister of his Occulti.

The girl bulldozed through the woods and threw herself forward through the snow.

The action caused her heavy cloak to fall open revealing a shower of black hair, shiny even in the shadows of the winter forest. The girl immediately stumbled and almost fell over, but she was able to remain standing by leaning against a nearby tree. She was clearly sick as a dog and should be going home, but she had to keep going. She tried to scream, but instead choked on her own words and coughed in a way that made even the Sorcerer's skin crawl.

"I have... to find... Lloyd," She wheezed, shoving herself off the tree with surprising strength and half stumbled in her haste. She didn't get far before exhaustion and the brutal cold forced her to her knees. "I have to find them! I have to find Lloyd then we can save Kai! I have to get them back!" She spoke passionately to no one, but it was laced with the madness of grief. Again she shoved herself forward but instead her hands clenched her head and formed fists against her hair.

"I have to protect them! I promised I would! I promised them! Mom and Dad, I promised, and look what I've done! Lloyd's probably dead and I can't even think of what Kai's going through!" She screamed and tore at her hands and clothes with the rage and madness that only grief could drive a sane man to. She slammed her fists against the ground and punched at anything she could. All of a sudden, she was suddenly filled with new determination and charged into the blizzard, not aware she was being watched.

A triumphant smile split the Sorcerer's face.

Perhaps, there was some hope left after all. He smirked cunningly and called his pet. The bird abandoned its statue state and flew to its master's wrist.

"Tell me, my pet is he the one? The one our little Occulti spoke off?" He asked, but even though the bird said nothing a flash of its eyes and the Sorcerer had his answer. "And this 'Lloyd' she searches for, is he the other?" He questioned and again the bird was like a prop, only its glowing eyes gave an indication that it was alive. The Sorcerer snickered to conceal his glee, not wishing to betray his location to the still wandering mage. He spun in delight, thinking this was fantastic. It seemed that the Fates favored him after all.

"Follow her, when you've reached them both, alert me; now go!" He ordered as a grin curled wickedly on his face. The bird was off without another word, vanishing in the darkness while its Master laughed at his fortune. "Oh don't worry, girl, you shall see your little brother again soon!" He cackled like a flock of crows taking to wing and threw his bloody cloak over his shoulder...

****************

It had been two weeks since he ran away from home to find the castle where his beloved brother was being held prisoner by that beast. Two weeks he had been living in the woods surviving only because of the warming weather of the upcoming spring and because years of living a nomadic life had taught him to pack and prepare for the worst of situations. Two weeks since he had begun his search for Kai and he had found nothing. He thought it would be easy, with Spring fast approaching, that is until a blizzard appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

It had caught Lloyd completely off-guard and forced him to stop his search and find shelter.

Lloyd whimpered as he bunched his knees to his chest, shivering but not from the cold. The multiple fires he had started to keep the cave air warm, and the thick clothing he had packed had taken care of that. He covered his mouth to silence the heavy, haggard coughs fighting to escape. Quickly, he unpacked the bag containing a herbal blend and dumped it into the pot of water that had been boiling over the fire. He inhaled a sharp, large breathe and exhaled contently.

Immediately, he felt his throat soothe and his chest became less constricted.

He hadn't needed to use the herbal vapors so much before, but the cold weather wasn't doing his weak chest any good. He knew he would have been fine if he stayed in that warm house at night like a good boy. But how could he when Kai had been missing for almost five months, and the castle where the dragon kept him prisoner seemed to completely vanish? The thought made Lloyd's eyes prick with tears, but he managed not to cry. His fingers trembled, he clenched his arms and knees tighter in an attempt to feel some form of comfort.

But there was none. Nothing he did could replace the warmth and security he felt when he, Nya, and Kai were all together at home.

He knew he couldn't go home. Nya would never let him leave the house again until he was eighty. Lloyd didn't blame her, he ran away after all, but he couldn't keep waiting. He couldn't keep sitting around and doing nothing while his older sister worked and searched diligently for their missing sibling. He had traveled deeper and deeper into the woods. No matter how many times he found himself back at the path where they got lost in the storm, however, he couldn't find any trace of the huge castle.

Had it been sheer dumb luck that Kai found it the first time?

Or that they found it at all? Lloyd shook his head, forcing himself to dry his sleepy eyes. He then sat up with new determination, mentally forcing the tears and shivering down deep. If Kai could find the castle to save him and Nya then he could do the same thing to save Kai. He removed himself from the warmth of his fires and carefully approached the edge of the cave entrance, where he could hear the blizzard howling and blowing. The cold air bit angrily against his lukewarm skin, as if punishing him for daring to defy it.

Over the woods, he could see the setting sun was nothing more than a yellow sliver above the trees and the night had gone a deep grayish purple of twilight that bled into the dark blue and black of night.

Seeing that there was no point in traveling in the dark, Lloyd slid back into the crevice in the rocks and carefully covered it with a thick net of branches to keep out the cold. He had found this cave by sheer accident when he had slipped and fallen into the entrance. Through that, he discovered a fairly large-sized cave, hollowed out of the dirt and lined with rocks like a fox den. Lloyd had decided it would be the perfect place to camp while he explored the woods by day.

That proved to be true when the underground and rocks blocked out much of the night's cold.

The small opening allowed just enough air so that he wouldn't suffocate from the smoke of the fires. Sometimes, when he felt really weak and his medicine wasn't helping. He would have to spend all day curled up in his makeshift tent under the thick blankets he had brought until his shivering stopped and he could move again. Tonight had been one of his rare nights where he had just enough energy to go exploring again, but he regretted it when he had received an unwanted follower.

Lloyd shivered and blew air into his gloved hands, and rubbed them together before returning to the fire.

Outside a loud crunch of the snow made him scream, the sound echoing off the cave walls forcing Lloyd to cover his ears until it faded out.

"LLOYD!" Nya's voice suddenly screeched, coming closer to the cave. Before he could say anything, she pulled away from the cover and started sobbing tears of joy when she saw her little brother huddled in the dark. Lloyd didn't get a chance to react before she suddenly hugged the air out of his lungs. They stayed like that for a few seconds, before a look of rage fell over her face and she started shaking the little boy. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING LLOYD?! I'VE ALREADY LOST KAI, DO YOU THINK I WANT TO LOSE YOU?! WELL, DO YOU?!" She screamed, still sobbing through clenched teeth.

However, her rage suddenly vanished when Lloyd finally released all the tears he had been holding in and started sobbing loudly.

Nya sighed and hugged her little brother again, letting him sob into her shoulder until he eventually tired himself out and fell asleep. As soon as she was sure he was out cold, Nya packed up his things and lifted him up in her arms. Once he was secure and safe, she left the cave and began to head home. However, it only took a few seconds to discover that she couldn't find the trail leading back to the village in this monstrous blizzard. She tried turning around and heading back to the cave.

But her face paled when she realized that the blizzard had covered her footprints in fresh snow.

She was now stranded in the middle of a blizzard in the forest with one brother sick in her arms and the other being held prisoner by a monster...

****************

Kai screamed for his siblings in his sleep as he thrashed around in the bed, only to find himself restrained. His eyes suddenly flew open and he found himself being held in place by Cole, the man's green eyes fixed on him with a mixture of fear and concern. A cold stab of fear pierced him, completely unaware of where he was. He recognized Cole's room, but the bedsheets were twisted and half flung off. One of Kai's arms raised over his head the other clenched the pillow in a fierce death grip, with Cole holding both his wrists.

Cole's tail was wrapped firmly around Kai's waist to keep from thrashing about.

Slowly, so as not to scare him further, Cole unwound himself and looked him over for any sign of injury.

"Kai? Are you alright?" He asked, carefully and tenderly. The details of his nightmare came back to him like a cold knife twisting into his heart. A sudden stab of guilt and terror knifed through him, making Kai flip over and smother his face in a pillow and burst into tears. "Kai? Talk to me!" Cole pleaded as he kept shaking him, his voice sterner, but not losing an ounce of concern.

"I'm fine," Kai lied wiping his eyes. "I just had a nightmare."

"I can see that, you don't wake up crying and screaming if you've had a good dream," Cole said bluntly, lying down next to him and pulling Kai into his arms. Despite Cole's attempt at light humor, Kai said nothing. He just looked at the pillow beneath his face. A tear he hadn't noticed ran down his face and he found himself shaking again. He tried to speak but the only coherent thoughts in his head were the pleading, effusing eyes of his two brothers.

Determined to relieve his precious flame of his distress, Cole wrapped tentative arms around Kai.

He then pulled the brunette into his lap and brought him down with him against the pillows. Kai resisted the embrace and tried to protest but regretted it when Cole looked him straight in the eye. His face was a mask that betrayed no emotion, but his serious eyes held unspoken trust.

"You saw your siblings, didn't you? You're worried about them." He said and Kai's flinch of shock was the only answer Cole needed. "Don't look so surprised, you screamed both their names; I've had nightmares about my sister and parents for years after they vanished, so you don't have to hide your worry, and I don't want you thinking you can't come to me when you're upset like this." He promised as he tucked one of Kai's loose bangs behind his ear.

"It's not that," Kai admitted, feeling his chest stir at the words. He paused, guilt shaking him to the core. "I don't know if that was a nightmare or another premonition, but... it made me realize just how selfish I've been; here I am, happier than I've ever been in my entire life, surrounded by people who adore me, wearing the most expensive things I've ever owned! I'm practically living a fairy tale and they think I'm starving to death in some cold, dark tower, being tortured."

"Oh," Cole muttered as Kai covered his head with his arms and buried it in Cole's chest.

"They probably think I'm dead, Cole!" Kai cried as tears streamed down his face. He had never stopped thinking of his siblings, not since the day he had arrived at the castle. It seemed wrong to do anything else. Even when he started to like his confinement, and enjoy the company of the Dragon Lord, he still remembered his brother and sister and was comforted in the thought that they were both safe and hopefully happy. He never stopped to consider that his sacrifice might have the opposite effect of what he intended.

Or that his disappearance had destroyed their lives in a way he never considered.

But he had been so happy. The last few days were like a dream come true and he wanted nothing more than to pretend that it could last forever, and he dared, for once, to be selfish and think of nothing but his own happiness. Of course, that decision would come back to haunt him. Guilt pooled in Cole's gut and he cursed his own helplessness as he watched Kai weep. He hated seeing Kai like this. The brunette deserved to be happy and content, not feel like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and be consumed by guilt and shame for wanting to forget that and enjoy life for once.

Especially since it was his fault Kai's family was separated from him.

Looking back at the darkest and earliest days of when he and Kai met when he had unleashed his bitterness and rage against Nya and Lloyd. Kai's siblings had every right to be afraid of him. He had only agreed to Kai's proposal because the boy fascinated him and not because he cared at all about their fates, even if Lloyd's health had concerned him. It had filled him with shame and he knew he had to make up for it. None of them deserved to be separated from one another.

Especially not because of him.

They deserved better than that ridiculous town trapped in time, and he knew just how to do it. Cole stroked Kai's back and gently shook him. When Kai raised his head, eyes red-rimmed and cheeks damp with tears, Cole comforted him with caring words pressed with butterfly kisses along his neck and temples.

"If you're that concerned about them, then you can always invite them to stay here." He said with a soft smile and Kai shot up.

"What?" He croaked in a weak voice forced through a constricted throat.

"There's more than enough room here, the staff will adore them; you already said you three planned on leaving your town anyway, and I don't think they'll argue if you ask them, and I can bear the bulk of their hatred for your sake."

"Why would they hate you?" Kai blurted, too stunned to think clearly, and Cole raised an eyebrow of annoyed obviousness.

"Given the fact that I locked them in a tower and technically kidnapped you, I doubt they'd be happy to see me or be comfortable with the fact that you're now my lover, but as I said, I can bear the bulk of their hatred until they see I'm not as cold as I act."

"You'd do that for me?"

"I'd do anything for you," Cole replied, pressing their foreheads together. Overcome by emotion, Kai launched himself into Cole's chest and held him tight with such force he nearly knocked Cole over. Tears rained down his cheeks but this time they were happy tears.

"Thank you, Cole! Thank you so much! I don't deserve you!" Kai cried as he buried himself in Cole's torso grateful for the man's comfort and support and his understanding more than anything else.

"Don't ever say that again, don't even think it." Cole scolded but there was little force behind it. Cole pulled the comforter up to Kai's shoulders as they fell back asleep. "We'll talk more about it in the morning."

"Thank you, Cole, thank you for everything." Kai yawned as he dried his eyes.

"You have nothing to thank me for, it's the least I can do since you saved my soul." Cole smiled as he sensed Kai's lingering uncertainty, he continued to hold his lover close and comfort him until they finally fell back into a peaceful sleep. Cole continued to hold Kai, keeping a careful watch for the rest of the night, treasuring the feeling of holding Kai close. When the nightmares bothered him again, Cole was quick to chase them away and coaxed Kai back to sleep with soothing touches and caring words until Kai quieted...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Passionate Fornication

!SEXUAL CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER! !YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

****************

Kai felt his blood run cold. Unsure whether to feel upset or grateful, he, instead, felt baffled and numb. Like he had been told everything he knew about himself was a lie and there was a huge pit in his stomach, he couldn't fathom how it got there. He didn't understand. Cole gave him a small smile but his eyes were sad.

"I'm releasing you, you are no longer my prisoner, nor do you have to stay here if you choose not to." He repeated and the words made Kai's heart sink.

"I don't understand; you just told me how happy I make you, and then you turn right around and say I don't have to live here anymore?" He asked as he looked at the ground with wide eyes, uncertain what to say or what to think. "What are you saying, Cole? Do you want me to leave?"

"What? No!" Cole cried as he shot up, instantly concerned.

"Then explain it to me, Cole!" Kai demanded, his hands shook at his sides, and his gaze fixated on the ground.

"I don't want you to stay here against your will!" Cole said louder than he intended, causing Kai to shoot up, immediately confused. Panic flooded Cole at Kai's stare. Quickly, he opened his mouth to speak but only choked gasps escaped. His heart race picked up when he saw Kai's gaze return to the ground, his spikey bangs darkening his grim face.

"I never felt like a prisoner, Cole," Kai said, softly. "Maybe at first I did, but I can't remember when I stopped feeling like that." He reluctantly admitted, and before Cole could say a word, Kai leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "This has been the happiest time of my life, as well." He said as he pulled away with a small, sad smile. When Kai turned to leave, Cole, acting on instinct, grabbed Kai's hand gently, and forced words out of his strangled throat.

"Kai, please!" He begged, even though Kai still wouldn't turn around. "I know you're not a prisoner! I haven't thought of you like that for a long time, but as I said the fact still remains, and if you stayed here and things continued as they are, I would still feel like I'm keeping you here, or that you're only here because you're obligated to, and I don't want that; I don't want you to stay because you have to or because I want you too, but because you want to!" He explained, a hint of desperation in his voice.

Cole suddenly froze when Kai went rigid and shot up, but he still refused to turn around.

His heart sank when he felt Kai's hand slip away from his.

"What?" Kai asked with shaky hands. He didn't move in case his ears were playing tricks on him. He couldn't let his pounding heart override his rationality, no matter how much he wanted it to. Cole's eyes bulged when he realized what it was Kai meant. He mentally kicked himself for his idiotic babbling. This wasn't how he planned it, but then again by now he should have figured things in life hardly ever went as he planned. Regaining his focus, Cole straightened his posture, took a breath in an attempt to ease his rapid heart, and straightened his arms with his hands at his sides.

Regardless of the situation, he wanted to ask Kai, and he was going to, now or never.

He opened his mouth to speak but found himself stuttering. He cleared his throat and turned his gaze to the ground, not wanting to see Kai's face if he was rejected.

"Kai... will you stay with me?" He asked in a whisper, but Kai still heard it and the brunette was certain he felt his heart temporarily stop.

"Will you stay here with me, with everyone, at this castle, not as a captive or a prisoner, or as a servant or even a companion or guest, but because you want to stay here?" Cole stuttered unable to control the words pouring through his shaking lips. Kai still didn't turn around, but that was enough to freeze Cole's tongue. Kai soon looked up trying to keep his own voice steady.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"What?" Cole blinked.

"Just tell me, yes or no, do you want me to stay with you?" Kai asked as he whirled around and choked back a worried gasp, but failed to conceal the panic in his eyes. Cole looked at Kai like he was asking him why the sky was blue. Carefully, the dragon took Kai's shoulders and pulled him close so their eyes met. Cole's sharp emerald eyes burst with so much emotion it made Kai's own amber eyes bulge.

"Of course, I want you to stay, Kai! I want that more than anything!" He exclaimed with words that were loud and passionate but faded off as he looked towards the ground, his shaky hands loosely hanging off Kai's shoulders. "But, I don't want you to stay because you're obligated to by a rule or a debt, or even because I request it, I want you to stay only if it's what you want, you deserve the chance to make your own decision." He told the tanned teen.

Cole then carefully lifted himself up and looked into Kai's eyes, silently praying the younger understood what he was trying to say.

"I want you to stay, I want that more than I've ever wanted anything else, I want you to be mine." He finally said. It wasn't in the way he planned, but he no longer cared. He just wanted to know Kai's response. At first, Kai couldn't speak. His mind swam like a sea as his heart hammered so excitedly against his ribs Kai thought it was dancing. His entire body felt heavy and incredibly light at once. He felt tears in his eyes as his mouth unconsciously curved into a wide smile.

"Yes."

"What?" Cole gasped as he looked up only to find Kai smiling despite the small tears glittering in his eyes. Instead of answering, Kai wrapped his arms tightly around Cole's neck. The action too sudden for the Dragon Lord to prepare and he was almost thrown backward. Kai rested his chin on Cole's shoulder, happy tears streaked his cheeks, and he smiled when he felt Cole wrap his arms around him. Kai pulled back to face Cole, no doubt or hesitation marred his face or voice.

"Yes, Cole, I will stay with you, I want... I want you to be mine, as well." Kai blushed as he leaned forward and kissed Cole's lips. The dragon responded by wrapping one arm around Kai's waist and taking Kai's arm in the other, pulling him level with him and deepening their kiss. It was different from their other kisses. It was stronger, fiercer, and more forceful. Both of them pouring all of their emotions into a single kiss. Kai's arms subconsciously wrapped around Cole's neck and pulled himself closer against him.

Cole leaned down and pressed his lips deeper against Kai's, his claws wrapped around the back of Kai's head, kissing him harder.

When both their lips parted, their tongues coasted the others out of hiding. They tasted the other for the first time, but their kiss never lost an ounce of its gentleness. They moved against each other like they were one being, neither willing to break away unless they sensed the other about to do so, also. Cole's hands began to roam Kai's body while his tongue continued to explore Kai's inviting mouth. His tail slithered up Kai's leg, sending a delicious shiver up the brunette's spine.

The action caused Kai's grip on Cole to falter and his own hands began to explore the warm skin buried beneath the many layers of his clothing.

Kai's mind was spinning as feelings and instincts he had never felt before spiraled inside him creating a dangerous heat. Heavy pants and moans escaped him with each of Cole's touches. Each one made his body burn and feel more alive than ever. Cole wanted him more than anything. That thought alone made his rational thoughts dance away and his natural desires began engulfing his mind. He wanted Cole. He needed to feel those cool claws against his skin, and that contrasting body of flesh and scales pressed against his own.

The desire becoming too much to resist any longer, and Kai knew he didn't want to resist.

The sounds Kai made drove Cole mad with desire. His rationality vanished the second Kai kissed him. He could feel his restraint melting away and he no longer wanted to control it. All he knew was that he wanted Kai. He wanted to hold him, touch him, feel him, love him. He needed to feel Kai's skin under his claws, the tanned body arching beneath his. Cole wanted him like a drowning man wanted air to breathe, and Kai wanted him in return.

Cole used the last of his control to break the kiss, causing Kai to collapse into his arms.

Cole smirked at the look of bliss on his little flame's face. It felt wonderful to finally be able to say it.

"Don't tell me one little kiss blew you away?" He teased. Kai glared at him for a moment then flashed a smirk so devious it didn't belong on Kai's face. Kai grabbed the collar of Cole's jacket, pulled him down, and kissed him with so much force that Cole's eyes flew open completely caught off guard by the dominance. When Kai released him, Cole stumbled a bit. Kai's smirk curled at the corners.

"It'll take a lot more than that to wear me out," Kai boasted, deviously. He grabbed Cole's collar again, only gentler, and leaned up to Cole's ears. At first, Cole thought Kai was going to kiss him again, but instead, Kai whispered in his ear.

"Let's go somewhere right now, just you and me." He whispered seductively and Cole swore his heart just exploded with joy. His mind formed a devious plan in a matter of seconds. His grin matched Kai, and his tail uncoiled from Kai's leg and slipped Kai's feet from under him. Before Kai could even gasp, Cole had him tightly wrapped in his arms, carrying him like a bride. One arm tightly wound around his knees to keep Kai from kicking, the other pinned Kai's upper arms to his chest and against Cole's torso.

Kai growled when he found himself immobile.

"Cole! Put me down! You know I hate being carried!" Kai whined.

"That's exactly why I do it, now shut up and enjoy it." Cole teased, moving back towards the balcony doors. Kai flushed and instantly started to panic, scared to go back inside because everyone would see them. Cole laughed, only just able to resist teasing him. His room was the closest, but that would require him to carry Kai all the way back through the ballroom and up the stairs to his room, and Cole couldn't guarantee no one would see them.

Cole playfully taunted the brunette by turning to walk to the ballroom, purposely avoiding Kai's horrified face.

If Kai could die from embarrassment, he would have done so at that moment.

"Of course, I could always leap off this balcony and fly back to your room instead? If you prefer." Cole suggested, playfully spinning around and making Kai's body jerk.

"Do it!" Kai cried hastily. With a grin, Cole leaped elegantly onto the balcony railing. Kai tightened his grip on Cole's clothes. Once both were certain they were secure, Cole jumped into the air and flapped his wings, taking Kai into the air and above and over the castle. Beneath them, they could see the stained glass ceiling of the ballroom before Cole dove down and glided around the castle. Down below, the staff looked confused when a shadow crossed over the ballroom before disappearing.

Some of them recognized the shape and started to smirk.

When the rest turned to the balcony to see where their Master and his guest had disappeared to, all they found was Ronin leaning against the wall by the balcony with the giddiest smile on his face. Finally, he could no longer contain himself and burst out laughing. Even as everyone stared at him.

"Mission accomplished." The troll smirked when he finally stopped, whipping tears from his eyes. The second the words left his lips the entire room burst into cheers, excitement, and laughter.

"Now we can celebrate!" Jay announced grabbing another glass of wine...

****************

Kai was bewildered when the balcony Cole landed on had heavy, familiar curtains covering the glass doors. Kai's suspicions were confirmed when Cole open the lock with his tail and brushed the curtains away. The room they entered contained a familiar carpet, dark walls, and an inviting four-poster canopy bed with an iron frame, surrounded by mesh veils, in the center of the room against the wall.

"Wait, I thought we were going to my room?" Kai asked, suddenly becoming very nervous, though he wasn't sure why.

"Now why are you making such a fuss? Everyone knows I accompany you where ever you go; I doubt anyone would be surprised if they found you here, but to answer your question, I realized we'd probably have more privacy if we stayed here." Cole grinned as Kai looked surprised and confused at once. Cole could only find the look cute.

"Wasn't it you who suggested we go somewhere else, just you and me?" He grinned mischievously. However, there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes when they met Kai's that made him uncertain. "I won't stop you if you're uncertain, but I do want us both to accept what is between us." He added as his emerald eyes locked with Kai's amber ones, then turned towards the bed. Kai's eyes followed him and the teen gulped. He wasn't as naïve as people thought sometimes.

He knew exactly what was going to happen, and he also understood what Cole meant.

He was giving Kai the chance to decline now if he wanted to. It was a warning. It would have to be now or never, otherwise, he knew the prince could do little to control himself if Kai suddenly got cold feet. But was he truly ready for this big step? All his fears and insecurities, every conversation he had with his friends, everything he had been so afraid to voice to the Dragon King came back to him like a thick wad of blackness. The kind and understanding look in Cole's eyes quashed it, however.

The prince hadn't said a word.

He was waiting for confirmation. It was clear from the lust and desire Kai recognized that Cole knew what he wanted, but it was restricted. He refused to let the damn break. That alone made Kai smile, but was he really ready to surrender that much control to another person? Did he trust Cole enough to give him everything? Even if he already knew Cole would surrender it to him in a heartbeat? Kai said nothing as he shifted his position so Cole was holding him in one arm.

He wrapped his arms tightly around Cole's neck and kissed it in a form of confirmation.

Cole was stunned by the sudden kiss. His heart almost gave out when he realized Kai was giving him permission. He grinned like a cat and he leaped towards the bed and pulled the curtains away with his tail, feeling Kai burying himself deeper into the croak of his neck. Gently, Cole lay the beautiful brunette on the bed, but Kai was reluctant to let go of Cole's arms. He was determined to capture as much of the warmth and comfort Cole provided as possible.

Kai's heart thundered in his chest as his stomach suddenly felt like it was doing backflips and every inch of his body felt tender.

The slightest touch sent shivers up his skin. When Cole finally let him go, his knees bunched at his side, and his hands fell level with his head when he was propped against the thick pillows. Cole knelt over him, slightly, and offered him a kind smile.

"I know what you've given up for me." He said as he met Kai's worried eyes and rubbed his cheek delicately with his cool claws. "I know I've taken a lot from you, and what you've given up for me, to stay with me, and now I'm about to take something else from you, but I promise I will do everything within my power to make up for those losses." He promised Kai with a smile. He then kissed Kai's forehead and carefully maneuvered his body so he was kneeling above Kai's frame.

Kai moaned, meeting Cole with half-lidded eyes.

No words were spoken between them. Cole lay down next to him and pulled the brunette into his arms. Cole's wings lay limply at his side, content with just holding the smaller man and twirling his brown locks between his claws. Kai rolled onto his side, welcoming the embrace, and traced his fingers over Cole's chest and wings. Cole purred at the contact. The sensitive touches sent a shrill of desire through his being as he felt his animal instincts awakening.

He pulled Kai closer and maneuvered them so the teen was lying directly beneath him and kissed him roughly, which Kai returned.

Their hands roamed and petted determined to gain purchase of the other. Kai's arms wrapped around Cole, pulling him closer and turning the kiss more passionate. They broke away only slightly then kissed again, Cole unwilling to let their time apart be any longer than it had to. Despite how gentle they actually were, Cole's kisses were by far the most intense Kai had ever experienced. He finally broke the kiss himself and lay limp, panting heavily.

He didn't have much time to recover.

Cole replaced Kai's lips by kissing his jawline, his neck, his collar, and down to the patch of his upper chest exposed by his dress. Cole stopped to admire the choker. He smirked then proceeded to kiss and nip every inch of skin available to him while his hands ghosted up Kai's sides. Kai hissed at the contact, feeling Cole's claws dance along the skin exposed by the dress and his fangs grazing his chest. His head turned to the side and his fingers gripped the bed sheets tightly.

His breathing heavy and uneven and his heart thundered in his chest, lightning and pleasure flooded his veins.

He didn't notice Cole's claws undoing the ribbons of his dress, or Cole's tail removing his heels until the extra appendage discarded the unwanted shoes to the side. The dragon growled in frustration as he failed to remove the dress and decided to leave it until later. Kai then bunched his knees, trapping Cole between them. Kai looked up and saw Cole's eyes burning brightly with desire and want, but they hadn't lost a drop of their promise. Without taking his eyes off Kai, Cole moved towards Kai's dress.

He paused and growled in frustration, unsure how to remove it.

Sensing his annoyance, Kai pulled himself up with a smirk of his own and started removing the formal outfit with ease. Taking advantage of Cole's surprise, Kai kneeled up and started pushing Cole's coat off until they came to the hands. Cole pulled the coat off and threw it to the ground then pushed Kai back down beneath him. Kai leaned on his elbows and blushed, watching Cole pull his vest over his head and off his wings, revealing his bare upper body.

Kai had seen Cole topless before, but he had never fully been able to appreciate the man's form.

Now that he could, it made his face flush with awe and his body burn with desire. The dragon prince looked like a god. Subconsciously, Kai's fingers graced the delicious black and orange scales, licking his lips. He smoothed his hands up and down Cole's arms, massaging his biceps, loving the feel of the smooth, cool scales beneath his warm fingers. Cole blinked, surprised by the action. He stared at Kai with concerned green eyes.

"Are you sure, Kai?" He asked gravely. His claws clicked together, dangerously with a sharp screech that sounded like sharpening knives. "Even if I keep complete control, I could still hurt you, without even realizing it." He whimpered fearfully, but Kai suddenly covered his mouth with his warm hand. Cole blinked at the action, but couldn't help but think Kai's scowl looked more like a pout.

"I know what you're thinking, Cole, and don't you dare doubt yourself now! I want you to touch me!" He snapped, trying to think of some way to convince Cole that he wouldn't hurt him. His body was screaming to be touched and he had no idea how to stop it. Cole froze and stared at the teen beneath him, stunned by what he just heard. Beneath him, Kai fought in vain to hide the red spreading across his face once he realized what he'd just said.

He hesitated and looked down embarrassed.

"I think that came out wrong." He muttered in shame, but to his surprise, Cole smirked and pounced on him, kissing him roughly and pinning him to the mattress. Kai forgot to breathe and found himself falling into a limp mess when the kiss broke away, desperately trying to regain his breath. Moans and gasps escaped him as Cole's claws moved up his bare sides. He suddenly grabbed Kai's gloves and slid them down his arms, being sure to touch every inch of skin available to him.

Kai shuddered as he felt those claws dance up and down his heated skin.

Each touch made him shiver in delight. Cole smirked watching Kai wither and moan at even the slightest touches. Kai was a virgin so Cole wasn't surprised that he was extremely sensitive to even the lightest of touches. The dragon enjoyed taking advantage of that. When the gloves came off Kai's arms, he wove his claws and Kai's fingers together He pinned them level with Kai's head and feathered kisses on Kai's lips and collar. Kai arched and writhed under the touch.

He tried to move, but Cole kept him pinned in place.

His tail started to undo the buckle of his own belt. He ghosted the back of his sharp claws over the junction of Kai's thighs and pelvis making him release a loud sound akin to a squeak. Realizing what he just did, Kai's hand flew to cover his mouth, his eyes wide in mortified horror and he prayed Cole hadn't heard him. His hopes were dashed, however, when Cole looked at him puzzled then snorted.

"Kai, did you just squeak?" He asked in amusement. Kai flushed deeply at the amused tone.

"Maybe," He said with as much dignity as he could muster and Cole chuckled.

"I had no idea you were so vocal." He teased. Kai flushed at the comment and looked away, biting his lip.

"I never said that was a bad thing, now I'm curious to see what other sounds I can get you to make." Cole smiled and gently nuzzled the boy's cheek. Kai rolled his eyes then half screamed half squeaked when his dress suddenly ripped off, revealing his chest. His face went straight to crimson and his eyes expanded in horror and he clutched the garment to his chest. Cole burst out laughing at the site. He then gently pulled Kai's wrists out of their death grip, his tail throwing the dress to the floor with the rest of their clothing.

"I thought you weren't bashful about your body?" He teased, licking his lips as he scrutinized the chest, toned with small muscles and lovely tanned skin. Cole's smirk curled at the corners, revealing his fangs. His eyes suddenly became insanely brighter, burning with hunger. Kai was truly a beautiful human being. Kai blushed harder under Cole's intense eyes and worriedly laughed. He had never been afraid of anyone seeing him naked before, but now it sent a shiver he couldn't explain through him.

Cole chuckled, his claws climbing up Kai's chest until they came to his choker.

He had to admit, Kai was a sight in nothing but gold and rubies.

"I didn't know you're ears were pierced?" He hummed as he tilted his head mischievously, brushing Kai's ears, as Kai blushed again.

"Yeah, well, on one of our trips Nya got them done and convinced me to do it too, they looked cool so I agreed, but it hurt like hell; Mom wasn't exactly happy, though, so let's leave it at that." He explained, laughing lightly. Cole nodded and carefully removed the jewelry Kai wore and set it on the bedside table. Kai went to remove the choker but Cole stopped him.

"Leave it," He ordered as he braced himself on one arm and traced his own choker with his claws. "Do you know what these symbolize?" Cole asked, mischievously.

"No idea, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me," Kai smirked playfully and his eyes lighting up at the game.

"These were a birthday gift from my father who said I was to keep one, and the other I was to give to someone else; someone who is my soulmate in mind, soul, and body," Cole smirked as he winked at him. Kai blushed redder until he was certain it had to be hazardous to his health. Cole tilted Kai's chin to the side and kissed his neck, surprising the smaller youth. He then proceeded to nip and kiss every inch of Kai's neck and collar, not bothering with the choker.

Kai bit his lip but couldn't stop the strangled moans from escaping.

"Now when did you become so quiet?" He teased and Kai growled when he felt his face heat up. "We'll have to change that." He smirked as his fangs suddenly sank into the junction of Kai's neck and shoulders, sucking possessively. Kai cried out and arched his back. Two strong arms caught him and continued to suck on that spot leaving a lover's mark. Cole licked his lips, capturing as much of Kai's taste as he could, before returning to Kai's naked chest and littered it with kisses and nips.

His strong hands massaged the curves of Kai's frame as he cried out under the touches.

His arms wrapped around Cole's shoulders, pulling him closer while not disturbing his work. His trembling hands stroked Cole's back focusing on the junction between his wings, where he felt smooth scaled bumps along Cole's spine. Cole purred and growled at the touch, causing his own touches to become fiercer and his kisses rougher, making Kai mewl in delight. Cole's paws moved to Kai's back and started stroking his spine, making Kai arch into his touch.

The stroking of his back and the kisses against his front, soon became too much and Kai released his hold on Cole, but the dragon was quick to catch him and laid him back down with himself on top of Kai.

His tail hooked around Kai's waist and started squirming beneath the hems of his underpants. Kai's breath suddenly caught in his throat. He blushed and hissed when he felt Cole's tail stroking the sensitive junction of his thighs and pelvis, transforming his moan into a scream. Cole's claws stroked Kai's clothed hips, stroking his inner thighs and smoothing up his legs. Kai's hands flew to grab them, but Cole's tail ensnared them like a tentacle and pinned them above his head.

He was puzzled by his new position and tried to pull his wrists free.

Cole tutted and waved his finger teasingly, like a parent scolding a naughty child. Kai glared at him and hissed when Cole stroked his inner thighs up to his sensitive junction and teased the bare skin of his hips. Cole rose an eyebrow teasingly and used his tail to pull off his underwear. Kai screamed the cool air suddenly hitting his body. When he realized he was now naked before Cole, his whole body blushed and he tried to bunch his knees, but Cole was quick to stop him and kneeled beneath his thighs.

"None of that, my flame." Cole playfully scolded, releasing Kai's wrists and getting up from the bed. Kai looked confused and watched the prince dart over his dressers, his claws ghosting over various jars and vials until he came to one vial filled with an amber liquid. Cole smirked and returned to the bed. He set the vial down and moved to remove his own pants. They slide down his scales and off his legs with ease. He grabbed the vial with his tail and moved so he was lying over Kai with his lower half between his nervous lover's legs.

"I use this stuff to keep my scales from drying out, but I just thought of a better use for it." Cole smiled as he undid the cap with his tail and allowed the contents to spill over it. Kai gulped and lay still. Sensing his nervousness, Cole gently petted Kai's hair and kissed his forehead. "Don't be nervous, I won't hurt you." He soothed, lying flush against Kai's body, pinning his hands to the pillows with his claws again. Cole's mouth distracted Kai with kisses on his neck and chest.

He trapped Kai's lips in a simple but loving kiss, relishing in the intoxicating taste of his lover, and willed his tail down past Kai's sides and towards his entrance, massaging the ring of muscles.

Kai's eyes shut tightly and his legs shifted at the unusual feeling, but Cole kissed him again, willing his lover to lay still. Hoping to distract him from his discomfort, Cole let go of Kai's hands and instead pinned his hips to the bed. Kai panted heavily with his arms lying at his sides. His legs shifted to remove the foreign invader. Cole began nipping his chest, leaving a trail of butterfly kisses on the brunette's stomach, making Kai giggle, but it didn't ease the pressure he felt flickering uncomfortably around his entrance.

Cole's tongue suddenly slipped into his naval as one of his cool claws wrapped around his shaft, and Cole's tail began to push inside of him.

Kai screamed loudly as he tried to arch his back and buck his hips but Cole's claw kept his hip pinned in place. His mouth continued to tease his stomach and naval in a vain effort to calm the brunette down. Kai's hands flew up to grab something but all he could do was grab the comforter. He pulled tightly when Cole's cool claws clenched and unclenched his soft member, rendering him completely immobile. Kai tried to prevent the tail from moving but it did little good.

Every time he tried to move, Cole massaged his length causing him to fall back and throw his head to the side.

Cole's knees eased Kai's thighs further apart opening him up even more. He felt little pain, as Cole's tale was smooth and slicked with oil but the scaly object crashing against his sensitive insides felt foreign. Kai's hands flew to cover his head and face, his upper body curling in on itself. Cole did his best to distract Kai from the discomfort of his tail pushing deep inside his body in an effort to prepare him. He hated seeing Kai so torn between pleasure and discomfort, but long before they began he knew using his claws was out of the question.

The sharp objects were fine for teasing but preparation with them would only hurt him and Cole refused to let that happen.

Cole tried to soothe him but Kai refused to open his eyes. Kai shook his head and pulled himself tighter against his own body, desperate for anything to make the foreign object inside him go away. He couldn't shake the fact that it was Cole's tail. Then he felt it moving, not just pushing. A loud gasp was torn from his throat causing him to unwind himself and roll over so he was lying flat against the bed. Cole smirked when he found it. He let go of Kai's member and pinned the teen's hips to the bed, using his free paw to pin Kai's hand in place.

His actions proved correct when Kai jolted and cried out as his tail pushed hard against something incredibly sensitive deep inside his body, again and again.

Kai's scream shook the entire room. He collapsed onto the bed reduced to a mass of pleasure. That reduced his mind and body to a boneless mess. Cole smirked as he kept Kai pinned in place while his tail twisted and squirmed deeper and deeper into Kai's body, stretching the brunette's entrance by curling and circling it while the tip of his tail clenched and unclenched his most sensitive nerve. All Kai could do was scream in pleasure, and cry out as he was stretched to his limits.

His mind was completely blown to bits and his lower half-burned with heat.

Kai threw his head back, his pelvis jutting up on its own, despite Cole's claws, as the pleasure mounted more and more. It was becoming too much. Kai tried in vain to move, but Cole held him firmly but gently down. He didn't get to move as the object inside him twisted and turned and thrust powerfully just once. White light exploded behind Kai's eyes and he felt his entire body implode with the loudest scream he could muster. As it ended, Kai collapsed limply.

He hissed and squirmed, still feeling Cole's tail inside him, still twist and turn.

He hissed loudly when he felt it begin to withdraw with a strange sound. Cole swelled with pride at the sight of Kai's flushed, panting, boneless form. He then reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a cloth to clean the mess Kai's climax made from the teen's stomach. Kai moaned at the treatment on his stomach. His lungs desperately tried to regain some much-needed oxygen. His body felt heavy and spent, the foreign discomfort replaced by the pure pleasure that made his entire body feel like liquid and he was unsure if his bones would ever solidify.

He wasn't sure if he cared.

He did, however, notice the lack of warmth and attention paid to his unaccustomed body. He whimpered at the loss. He wanted Cole's warmth back. He wanted to hold it and never let it go. He panted unable to think or speak clearly. Cole smirked as he dropped the cloth to the floor and pulling his precious Kai into his arms. He laid Kai against the pillow with himself on top of him. Kai was positive his heart just exploded. Cole took the bottle off the bed and started pulling the blankets, sheets, and comforters over the two of them so only their hips and torsos were exposed in case anyone made the mistake of coming in uninvited.

"I'm going to make you mine and no one else's." He smirked and before Kai could question Cole further, the prince kissed him roughly, his claw releasing his hip and weaving with Kai's other hand pinning both his wrists level with his head. He would keep the gentleness for the actual act if he could control himself. With each passing second, Cole felt his control slipping more and more. His instincts were becoming stronger and stronger, threatening to control him and take the beautiful being beneath him as his own.

Cole pulled away, surprising Kai, and forced himself to calm down.

It was becoming even more impossible to control himself around Kai, but he had to be careful. He wanted his flame to know pleasure and love, not just wild passion and uncontrolled ecstasy.

"C-Cole?" Kai asked concerned like he had done something wrong but was unsure what. Cole ran a hand through his spiky hair and smiled as he kissed Kai's forehead.

"I don't think I can control myself much longer, Kai." He warned. Kai's eyes widened, for a second he swore he felt his heart stop beating. It finally hit him with the force of a tidal wave that after this, he would completely belong to Cole. Anything before now was just preparation and the only thing that mattered was what happened in this single moment. There would be no going back. Once they became one, he couldn't undo it. That realization exhilarated him and terrified him at the same time.

Kai's eyes wandered down the rest of Cole's form, realizing this was the first time he had actually seen Cole naked.

Kai flushed and gulped, unable to remove himself from the site of his prince's glorious naked form until he felt cool claws dancing under his chin forcing him to look up. His blush darkened when he came to face to face with Cole's boastful smirk.

"Like what you see?" He teased lightly. Kai's blush darkened but he said nothing, his eyes unyielding. He then grinned in a way Cole found irresistible rather than intimidating, his legs spread nicely and submissively. Cole smirked, pinning Kai to the bed again. Kai fell back, his wrists pinned to the bed by Cole's claws. Cole's tail uncorked the bottle from earlier and poured the rest of its contents on his length, hissing with delight and anticipation.

His gaze never left Kai's.

His eyes became bright with animalistic desire. Kai started shaking when he felt a blunt pressure touch his ring, sending all his senses on high alert. He whimpered nervously, just as a blunt pressure came into contact with his sensitive entrance. His lower body arched, but Cole kept him pinned firmly in place, staring at him with warm eyes.

"Don't worry, Kai, I'll be gentle," Cole promised and kissed his forehead. A cry of raw pain tore itself violently from Kai's throat. He threw his head back and screamed as something large and thick slowly thrust into his body, stretching him painfully beyond his limits to accommodate Cole's much larger size. Pain coursed through his veins as he was completely filled. It made him shudder violently as he felt the dick press against his gut, sticking out slightly against his skin.

His eyes shut as he screamed against the pain.

Tears glittered on his thick lashes. His hands fought against Cole's claws, seeking something to grab and hold onto but Cole kept him firmly pinned in place. This was different from Cole's tail. His dick was thicker, fuller, and hotter. So hot it made his insides blaze, Kai didn't think he could stand the burning heat much longer. It made him throb and sting and pant and shudder. Cole was completely sheathed inside and it finally hit him that this was it.

Cole was truly inside him, filling him, mating him, making love to him.

The sensation sent a thrill of raw pain and pure pleasure through him, but he couldn't tell which was which. He released a loud sob and tilted his head to the side. He struggled against his bonds, panting and something, anything, to latch onto. Cole released one of his wrists to pin his hip in place and Kai instantly pulled himself up and latched onto Cole's chest and buried his face in his collar. Cole's other hand wrapped around Kai's waist allowing the teen's now free hand to fall limply at his side.

He hissed and panted as the action made his pain worse, but he desperately needed the comfort.

A loud hiss erupted from deep in Cole's throat when he felt the tight, unbearable heat of his flame surrounding him. His wings flexed to their full length and fluttered lightly in their master's delight as his tail twitched at his side. He groaned at the sensation, relief filling his body once the impossible tightness consumed him. His instincts blazed to life, shattering any control he might have had, all but commanding him to throw caution to the wind and claim the delightful treasure beneath him as his own.

However, Kai's heart-wrenching screams were enough to shake Cole free from those animal senses and hold relentlessly onto the last of control he still had.

He wrapped his arms around Kai's waist, letting the brunette pull him closer, and gently stroked Kai's back with his claws. He felt Kai shudder at the touch and dig deeper into the crook of his neck. Again Cole forced his instincts into submission. He wanted him to know only pleasure and love. A kiss was placed on Kai's lips, the backs of gentle claws rubbed circles around his hips and up his sides, coaxing him to relax. Cole soothed the brunette as he kissed Kai's forehead and tried to soothe him by kissing his neck and face.

The taste of Kai's skin made his body shake, and he prayed his precious flame was ready.

He could feel the last sliver of his control slipping away and his instincts taking over. Kai held onto Cole tightly, panting against the pain, extremely grateful Cole had held still. But he could tell by the restlessness in his eyes and the shuddering of Cole's body, he wouldn't be able to hold himself back much longer. His tail and wings flicked with desire and his eyes burned with an uncontainable yearning for him. The realization sent a shiver of delight and pride through him, and he gave a small smirk.

He fell back against the pillows just as Cole pinned him roughly to the bed.

Kai opened his mouth to protest the position but instead released a surprised and pleasured gasp when he felt the invader inside him shift. Then he screamed when he was suddenly thrust into once again. The action caused his entire body to lurch forward, his arms pinned by Cole's hand and tail, his hips held firmly in place, his free hand gripping the comforter tightly until he heard the seams rip. He suddenly realized Cole had done this on purpose to keep him still.

He panted loudly, unable to comprehend the sudden rush that suddenly filled him.

Kai used his free hand to stubbornly direct Cole's face towards his and kissed the other's returned the kiss, gently pushing against Kai so their bodies were against each other, causing his hips to move. Kai hissed at the contact. Cole's dick gently massaged his tender insides, making him pant, and gasp and moan at the foreign but pleasant feelings suddenly electrifying his senses to life. Cole smirked and rolled his hips. He continued the same action, delighting in the sight of Kai writhing under the simplest of moments, and relishing in the sweet sounds he was making.

Every touch made the teen arch and press closer against him, every movement of Cole's hips and dick left him screaming and writhing for more.

Pants exploded from Cole's mouth, his eyes became dreamy under the torturous delight. He barely felt it when he felt Cole pull his hips back until he felt the other abandoning him. He whimpered loudly at the loss. Kai did, however, feel it when Cole thrust back in, deeper and harsher than before hitting something that made Kai's entire body spasm. His back formed a permeate arch and his mouth opened wide as a scream of pleasure and pain erupted from his mouth.

Pleasure quickly overcame the pain as Cole arched forwards and retreated from inside him.

A combination of a moan and a scream burst free from Kai's throat as the movement continued. His hips thrusting against Cole's claws every time he felt Cole pull out, determined to recapture the warmth. Tears of bliss and delight formed in his lustful amber eyes. Kai released his loudest scream yet as something familiar was finally struck making him go blind in his bliss. Cole's tail left his wrist to wrap around his neglected dick, squeezing it tightly in time with Cole's rhythm.

Kai's hands shot forward, latching tightly onto Cole's shoulders.

He pulled the other tighter against him even as Cole pinned him down again with his body, and began moving faster and stronger than before. The action made Kai scream louder and louder every time Cole moved. The noirette held painfully tight on Kai's hips, his claws almost pricking the tender flesh, but Kai only shuddered at the action. The teen's moans of his name and screams of pleasure were music to Cole's ears. Each time he removed his dick, a quick snap of his hips put him deeper inside the teen, making Kai arch further against him and scream even louder.

His flame was so vocal and sensitive.

Kai's insides clenching and unclenching around him drove Cole wild. Any and all caution he felt earlier vanished allowing his instincts to take control. Feeling Kai arch and writhe against him fueled him to drive deeper and deeper into the body. Before long they simply moved against each other harshly with no set rhythm, simply determined to recapture the warmth the other provided. Each time, Cole felt Kai clenched and unclench around him, perfectly massaging him, like the smaller had been created solely for him.

His wings roared loudly at his sides summoning gusts of air around him, and allowing him to drive deeper into Kai.

With every scream of his name, Cole's tail squeezed Kai's weeping member tighter, making him writhe evermore. Kai continued to scream as pleasure coursed through his entire body. He screamed until he felt horse, and even then, he continued to push himself against Cole. His eyes flew open and he pulled Cole close to him, kissing him. Their kiss as wild as their lovemaking. Finally, Cole's own pleasure exploded driving into Kai the furthest he had.

With a roar of satisfaction, he released his essence, claiming Kai for himself.

This caused Kai to release his loudest moan and scream of the night. The feeling of Cole's tight tail coiling around his member combined with his essences coating Kai's core with warmth proved too much for the teen. He released his own pent-up passion all over their stomachs before collapsing limply beneath his dragon king. He hissed in discomfort when Cole pulled out of him and collapsed on top of him. Cole apologized, rolling off Kai and onto his side, his tail pulling the comforter up to their chests and twirled the locks of Kai's hair between his claws.

Kai turned to his side and tried to catch his breath, content with just having Cole next to him for the moment.

"You are so beautiful, and I'm so happy that you're mine." Cole complimented, kissing Kai chastely on the lips and forehead. Kai smirked at that comment. His nerves were still burning with energy, and though he was tired, he could feel his strength returning, and the site of his precious prince so close to him, so beautifully relaxed and all his, made him shiver with possessiveness.

"And you're mine, right?" Kai asked with a cute tilt of his head, like a kitten scrutinizing a mouse.

"Of course," Cole smiled, assuringly.

"You're going to be extremely sore, my flame," Cole grinned the warning. "You might not know it since this is your first time, but I do; I can tell you right now, after all this and with your slender figure, you'll be lucky if you can move come noon."

"I don't care," Kai said grabbing Cole's shoulders and kissed him boldly.

"My mischievous little imp, I hope you don't plan on doing that again, you've completely drained me." Cole teased lightly, wrapping his tail around Kai's waist and stroking Kai's side with his wing. Kai chuckled hoarsely, his voice rough from so much pleasure.

"No, I can't go again, as much as I'd like to, I can barely move as it is," Kai admitted with a blush, and pulled the comforter to him, hissing when he moved his lower back. Cole smiled and pulled Kai against his chest, then pulled the comforter up to his shoulders, covering them both in the thick materials.

"You should sleep." He said as he stroked one of Kai's bangs out of his face, watching as Kai yawned cutely and snuggled against the pillows. "I doubt either of us will be moving any time soon." He added with a smirk. Kai chuckled and rolled over in Cole's arms. His attention turned to the starlit sky outside the glass of Cole's balcony wall. His eyes faintly wandered to the candle in the corner. He couldn't believe this. If anyone told him, the first time he saw that object he would be here now asleep in the Dragon Lord's arms, after a night of love-making, he would have been angered by the very idea.

So much had changed in his life.

He hummed to himself, snuggling deeper into Cole's warmth. A small frown marred his face. He had chosen to stay, but he knew that decision wasn't an easy one, nor was it over. There was still much he had to do, and a lot he had to consider before he could fully comprehend what it was he had decided, but he knew he couldn't regret his decision. He turned around and felt his heartstrings tug at the sight of the Dragon Lord's peacefully sleeping face.

He knew then that he would never regret this decision.

Content, he yawned and finally gave into his exhausted body's demands and fell asleep. Next to him, Cole peeked an eye open and smiled at the peaceful site of his lover at sleep. Gently, he petted Kai's hair and kisses his forehead.

"I love you, Kai, I love you so much, I never thought I could, but I do; I don't know how or why, but everything about you makes me feel whole again," Cole spoke his own cherished secret then followed his slumbering lover's example, not seeing Kai smile in his sleep. However, while the two lovers slept, peacefully content in the aftermath of their lovemaking and the rest of the castle rejoiced, a furious cry of pure and absolute rage and disgust echoed from the dark depths of the forest...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The Dragon's Dance

Cole sighed as he stood in the center of the ballroom, watching as all but Harumi and Griffin rushed about the ballroom, seeing to the last minute preparations. Echo polished glass, Neuro rearranged the spread for the fifth time, and Pixal arranged the flower vases and spreading blooms decoratively along with the table. It left Cole torn between putting his foot down and telling them enough was enough, or laughing in amusement. Fortunately, Ultra Violet beat him to the punch when she burst into the room and groaned loudly at the chaos.

"Will you all knock it off! He's coming!" She barked at them. Her words made everyone jump then finish what they were doing before taking their positions. It would be rude to start without the guest of honor. "You don't get any nasty ideas." She winked playfully at the dragon prince before dashing off, cackling all the way. Cole blinked she walked off, and turned around, following her with his eyes. Before he could ponder the matter he heard a loud angry cry of pain beyond the closed doors of the ballroom.

"Ugh! I hate these shoes!" Kai's angry voice echoed from behind the door.

"Hey! What did I say, about that, Kai?" Jay scolded.

"But that's the third time I've tripped in these things! They're a death trap!"

"Oh shut up, do you have any idea how long it took Griffin to make those!" Tox giggled loudly.

"Shut up you two! We're here!" Jay exclaimed and the doors swung open, revealing Tox and Jay to the whole ballroom. The two of them waited for their guest of honor but when all they heard was a string of curses, Jay rushed back out.

"Come on!" He cried out loudly.

"Don't push, you'll make me fall!" Kai complained, stumbling over his shoes, but Tox was quick to catch him and elegantly yanked him into the ballroom. The second Kai entered the room, time froze. Without realizing it, the brunette was commanding the attention of the entire room. He was truly the belle of the ball. Flowers slipped from Nelson's fingers, while Pixal's arms fell at her side. Neuro didn't notice the wine he was pouring was completely missing Harumi's cup.

Griffin beamed at everyone's stunned faces and Echo and Ronin's eyes widened with mystification.

Cole couldn't take his eyes off of him. Across the room, Kai didn't notice their stares. All he saw was the Dragon Lord standing in the middle of the room, looking every inch like a fairy tale prince. When Kai met his eyes he found Cole sported a blank expression, and stunning mystification caused his eyes to bulge, and his trembling lips refused to speak. Kai blushed, suddenly taking in everyone's equally stunned expressions.

"Is something wrong?" He asked sheepishly. Cole almost didn't hear him, too lost in the magnificent vision that was Kai Smith. He had wondered what Griffin could possibly create to make the brunette look more beautiful than he already was and never in his life had Cole been so happy to be proven wrong. The outfit Kai wore hugged his figure in all the right places. But all Cole could focus on was the choker around Kai's neck. Pride surged through him, as well as delight.

Unable to resist any longer, Cole approached him and pulled the teen into an embrace that made him stumble over the heels of his boots.

"You'll have to forgive them, my flame, they've just never seen anyone so beautiful before, if I didn't know them better; I'd almost think they were jealous you're with me." Cole purred as he embraced him. Kai blushed as red as the ruby around his neck, while Cole addressed Griffin and Harumi.

"Thank you both, you have truly outdone yourselves." He praised, before turning to the staff. "I'd like to thank you all for joining us this evening! Tonight, we are all friends, and my only request is that you all enjoy the night to your heart's content... and Neuro, keep Jay and Nelson away from the food!" He joked and everyone burst out laughing, except Jay and Nelson, who blushed as bad as Kai. With that, the party began, and Kai fully took in the grand ballroom.

Across the room against the walls, Neuro had set up an enormous spread across long tables covered with gold cloth and dotted with bouquets of beautiful flowers in marble vases.

The glass floor beneath him had been smoothed and polished revealing the pale gold tiles. The windows and walls were free of dust and the stained glass shimmered in the thousands of candles that lined the walls and flooded the enormous chandeliers overhead like thousands of stars. Above him was the stained glass image of an army of enormous dragons flying and roaring against a sunset background. Around him, music started to play, though Kai wasn't sure where it was coming from.

At the table, Ultra Violet and Griffin were devouring the food, while Neuro poured Pixal a glass of wine.

Jay and Echo were dancing in the corner while Tox mingled with everyone else. Zane had struck up a conversation with Ronin. Harumi was showing off her new dress and Nelson was devouring what looked like candy. Kai couldn't believe that this was really the ballroom he had seen when he first arrived. Before it was caked in dust and dead looking. Now it was the most beautiful and perfect room Kai had ever seen, not that he had much experience in ballrooms.

"I take it you're impressed?" Cole asked with a smirk, pouring the two of them a glass of wine.

"This is amazing, did everyone do all this?" Kai asked with a smile, taking the glass.

"They were ecstatic to have a new project, Echo was quite adamant that this place be perfect for the evening." Cole nodded.

"It is," Kai said as he sipped the wine. "Thank you, so much, I didn't think anyone would do all this for me." He blushed lightly.

"I'd do anything for you, and so would everyone else," Cole smirked and kissed his forehead. Kai smiled at that. Cole grinned, examining Kai from head to toe. When he saw Cole's roaming eyes, Kai grew more flustered and Cole's grin widened...

****************

The party continued throughout the night. Though the staff was not large, they had taken Cole's words to heart and mixed and mingled with both their master and their guest that whole evening. They drank the wine and devoured food and deserts. By the time the food was gone, even Neuro and Zane had found themselves smiling and laughing. Music started playing though Kai couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from. Cole took Kai's hands and met his eyes, gesturing towards the dance floor.

Kai gave him a nervous glance, but Cole was quick to crush it and swooped the boy towards the center of the room.

Kai had never been good at ballroom dancing. Cole just whispered to him to keep his eyes on him, and suddenly he found himself dancing to a familiar tune. Shortly after, Echo took Jay's hand and dragged him towards the dance floor. Jay, however, gulped nervously and exchange glances with Zane. When he caught the icy eyes he smiled, but his eyes were adamant. Though his expression did not change, Zane nodded and watched them. Ultra Violet bowed towards Harumi, which she humored.

Eventually, everyone joined, and before long the whole room was dancing.

Quickly, as the music picked up, the ballroom dance shifted with the change in the music taking a quicker and more upbeat pace. Once that had everyone tapping their feet against the glassy floor and dancing in circles. Soon everyone exchange partners, dancing faster and faster as the music picked up. They clapped hands and spun in circles, filling the room with the sound of tap dancing among the antiphony of music, and the clapping of hands in time.

Finally, both Kai and Cole spun until everyone once again traded partners.

They found themselves, face to face, hand in hand with one another panting heavily from the dancing. Around them, everyone clapped and cheered, until the softer melody returned. Kai positioned himself to dance again but Cole surprised him by pulling him against his chest and flapping his wings into the air. Kai gasped at first but Cole calmed him down and stopped when they were positioned directly beneath the stained glass dragon. Around them, the chandeliers blazed brightly.

Cole held his wings steady, allowing him to remain airborne. When Kai felt Cole's grip loosen he immediately, held onto him tighter.

"Don't be afraid," Cole reassured him as he gently eased Kai's hands off him. Kai gasped when his feet suddenly felt solid like he was on solid ground. He gasped in shock and Cole winked, childishly, and offered his hand to Kai. The young man smirked and accepted it and before long they were once again dancing on air. Cole suddenly let Kai go to spin him then pulled him close again Then it was Kai's turn to lead. Neither of them needed words, speaking with their eyes.

Their bodies moved in tune with one another in a breathtaking aerial dance while below the staff members danced with their lovers.

They danced across the ceiling until Cole unexpectedly picked Kai up and let himself float towards a set of doors open to a large balcony.

"Come with me, I want to show you something." He said, setting Kai down, and held his hand. He led Kai outside towards the balcony. Kai shivered slightly when the late winter air hit him. Despite the full moon hanging in the sky, night had veiled the castle ground in darkness. Still, Kai waited for Cole to speak. Instead, Cole closed his eyes and focused on the orange sparks flickering from his fingers until they took the form of a sphere. Kai's eyes widened and he resisted the urge to touch it.

When Cole opened his eyes again he lifted his chin and Kai gasped as the sphere floated from his hands and floated towards the sky like a shooting star.

Suddenly it burst, raining stardust across the night sky. Kai was in awe as he braced the railing with exuberant hands, his eyes lit with childish wonder and amazement.

"How did you do that?"

"Lots and lots of practice, I thought you'd enjoy it." Cole boasted, proudly.

"I love it! Thank you! This was the best night of my life!" Kai said happily and hugged Cole tightly.

"I'm glad because I want to ask you something." Cole smiled, feeling his heart swell at Kai's sudden embrace.

"Anything," Kai replied as he let go and listened intently, but his smile fell when Cole frowned and turned around to look at the sky.

"You've been here for almost five months now Kai, and despite the ups and downs, they were some of the happiest times of my life," Cole spoke, kindly, but there was somberness in his words that made Kai's sense feel unstable. "I still can't believe all this is happening, that I'm really this happy, and I can only hope I've made you half as happy as you've made me," He said as he looked down, hunching himself over like he was ashamed of what he was about to say next. "But the truth is Kai, you're still a prisoner; MY prisoner."

Kai immediately opened his mouth to protest, but Cole covered his lips with his claws, making him freeze.

"Let me finish, even though I haven't thought of you in such a way for a long time, and I know no one else does, it doesn't change the fact that you are one, and you can't change that; I, however, can." He told the brunette and Kai's heart dropped into his stomach, fear, and dread suddenly overcoming him when he realized what it was Cole was implying. He wanted to speak, to protest no words come to him. Only strangled gasps of air escaped his throat.

"I'm not a prisoner." He managed to choke. Sensing his distress, Cole placed a hand on his shoulder and bent down to Kai's eye level.

"Whether anyone thinks so or not doesn't change that fact, you deserve better than that." He smiled but his eyes were sad. "You deserve your freedom, freedom I took away from you; I truly regret that, but had I not done so I might have never met you so it is not a bad regret." He shrugged lightly, trying to lighten the mood, but he failed. Kai tried to look away again, but Cole wouldn't let him. "I'm bound to this place, but you are not, and I won't keep you here against your will any longer."

Kai felt hot tears peek the corner of his eye.

His chest suddenly felt heavy and hard like something was digging into it with sharp claws.

"What... What are you saying, Cole?" He whimpered fearfully. Cole sighed hesitantly then turned to Kai with a neutral smile.

"I'm releasing you, Kai; you're no longer my prisoner."...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 32

Chapter 32: The Art Of The Dress

Kai gulped under her stare as Harumi grabbed his wrist, and yanked him forward. They had to get Kai ready for the ball tonight. She took in the teen's messy hair, mud and slush caked riding boots and dirt-splattered riding clothes. He had just taken Flame for a quick walk around the castle grounds with Ronin when Harumi suddenly dragged him away and Ronin took Flame back to the stables. Kai was seriously confused. The ball was not until tonight, so he didn't know why he needed to get ready so early.

Harumi insisted that her absolute mess and they had less than six hours to get him ready.

With a struggle, Harumi managed to drag the stubborn teen inside. Kai looked over his shoulder at the troll for help, but Ronin just threw his hands up in defense and chuckled nervously. He couldn't save the brunette from his fate. Harumi scared Ronin more than Kai did. The harpy ordered him upstairs. Echo had put in too much work into this for Kai to show up looking horrible. Kai tried desperately to pry Harumi's hand on his wrist, fearful of his destination, but she shoved him into his room and shut the door.

Kai stumbled in his haste but regained his footing as he blinked at the chaos circling around him.

Pixal and Tox were both giggling with mischievous smiles while they set up the changing wall, Pixal holding a plethora of bathing supplies in her arms. Tox was in the joint bathroom preparing a large tub with dozens of bubbles gurgling over the rims like a cauldron. Griffin tapped his foot impatiently, holding a pile of clothing covered in red silk Kai assumed was his clothing. Jay, Echo, and Nelson set up a changing wall and Neuro sighed in the corner with his hand buried in his greying hair.

When they heard Kai stumble into the room their eyes turned to him.

Jay, Echo, and Nelson immediately sat on the bed. Jay and Neuro had sympathetic smiles on their faces while Nelson was trying hard to laugh. Echo crossed his arms over his chest with a wide grin on his face. Griffin's face twisted to a wicked smirk. The combination of looks sent a shiver down Kai's spine and he took a wary step back only to bump into Harumi, who was perched at the door with her arms poised to catch him. Her grin made Kai gulp and he turned around only to come face to face with Tox and Pixal.

The normally sweet girls both sported, devilish smiles, like giddy school girls with a new doll.

That realization made Kai wish he could sink into the floor.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" He gulped, unsure if he truly wanted an answer to that question. He tried to take a hesitant step to the left, but Tox slithered to stop him. He faked right and waited for Tox to move, then went left. Too late he realized his mistake. Kai screeched when Harumi pounced from behind him and Kai was pinned by her strong grip before he could blink.

"What?! Put me down!" Kai demanded thrashing his arms and legs, stunned that Harumi managed to keep such a firm grip on his upper body.

"Oh no you don't," She taunted. "You're not going anywhere, we're going to scrub you from head to toe." She laughed as she dragged Kai towards the bath, but the brunette dugs his heels into the floor and tried to grab anything within reach to slow down his inevitable fate. He managed to free one of his arms from Harumi's grip, but Pixal grabbed his legs and Tox grabbed his wrists. The three women laughed and dragged him towards the washroom, ignoring Kai's rants and protests.

Kai flashed a pleading look over his shoulder, but the boys gave him the same fearful but sympathetic smile Ronin did.

"Sorry firecracker, we're sitting this one out," Jay smirked as he threw his hands up.

"W-W-W-Wait!" Kai pleaded, gripping onto the rim of the bathroom door with his free fingers, holding on firmly as the girls tried to pull him off. His nails scratched off chunks of wood when they finally ripped him off. Harumi shut the door and stripped him of his coat. A wicked gleam covered the three girl's faces.

"Don't worry, Kai, when we're done with you Cole won't be able to keep his hands off you!" Tox grinned wickedly. Kai gulped and backed into a corner before the three giggling ladies descended upon him. The girls had stripped Kai of his clothing faster than he could blink and shoved him backward into the tub of water sending a flood over the rim. Before he could protest, Harumi uplifted a basin of water over his head, drenching him. She then began attacking his hair with soap and her long nails.

"GET YOUR DAMN CLAWS OFF ME, YOU SHARP TALONED HARPY! I CAN SCRUB MYSELF!" Kai screamed a retort and shot to his feet, furious. He and Harumi exchanged glares but the older woman was adamant.

"THAT'S ENOUGH OUT OF YOU!" She scolded, harshly, and forced Kai back down by pushing his shoulders, surprising Kai with her strength. She shoved him under the water then hoisted him back up by his shoulders. Kai coughed and wheezed at soapy water filled his mouth, and released an animalistic growl but Harumi held him firmly by his shoulders while he lashed in the tub. Tox and Pixal then attacked every inch of his body with soap, scrub brushes, and a loofah sponge.

They battled the flailing limbs and the bathwater spraying all over them and the chamber floor.

"Hold still!" Harumi thundered, tightening her grip on one hand as she used the other to scrub Kai's back and shoulders

"Ow, stop that, Harumi, you're choking me!" Kai screeched, furiously. He tried to spray her with water to get her to let go, but missed and hit Pixal instead. Pixal shrieked as she was sprayed when she tried to scrub his hair.

"I've only got your shoulders, now stop that!" Harumi snapped. Tox shrieked rinsing her scrub brush in one of the basins then drowned it in more soap.

"My God, Kai, did you bathe at all this week? You're covered in grime!"

"No, I'm not!" Kai howled, insulted.

"The hell you aren't, I could grow Shade hundreds of ingredients in the muck I scrubbed off you!" Tox protested, returning to her crusade to rid the teen skin of any dirt. Kai wanted to insult them back, but he screamed in pain as a wave of soap fell into his face and stung his eyes.

"Ow! Pixal! Get that out of my face, you're getting soap in my eyes!"

"I wouldn't if you'd hold still!" She snapped, furiously attacking the floppy mane of brown hair. "My God you have so much hair! Tox, get me another basin! I'll need to wash this twice."

"The hell you are!" Kai protested angrily but Harumi dunked him under the warm, sudsy water and hauled him up for Pixal to scrub at his hair again. Kai thrashed furiously like a caged wild animal.

"This is worse than drowning in a frozen lake!" He cried as he thrashed his limbs, causing Harumi's grip to falter, but she quickly recovered.

"Harumi, don't let him go or he'll cause havoc!" Tox shrieked, concerned, grabbing another basin of water and dumped it over Kai's head riding his hair and upper body of soap, but it only worsened his already foul mood.

"Just wait until I get out of this you bitch!" Kai warned as Tox drained the bath and Pixal kept dumping water over him to remove the soap and shut him up...

****************

Cole heaved himself out of his private bathtub the second he heard the door to his room slam open. Water pooled at his feet and his heavy wings shook violently hoping to free the waterlogged limbs from the heavy water weighing them down. He ran a hand through his damp hair spreading raindrops everywhere before grabbing a towel and proceeded to dry himself as best he could. Once dry, he let his damp wings hang loose and wrapped the towel around his waist.

When he entered his joint bedroom, he found Ronin sitting on his bed about to fall over in his half-conscious state.

The boy jumped back to life when Griffin entered, dragging Jay, Echo, and Nelson behind him.

"You're not dressed yet?" Griffin shrieked. "What is wrong with you people? How am I supposed to make alterations if none of you try your clothes on?"

"Calm down, Griffin, there's still plenty of time," Cole snapped, drying his hair, while Ronin helped him dry off his heavy wings. Once that was done, Ronin threw the towels over the chairs and handed him the neat pile of clothing Griffin had laid out for him. Cole grabbed the breeches off the top and disappeared behind the wall while Ronin turned to his companions.

"Why are you three here again?" He blinked. "I thought you were supposed to be helping Kai and fixing up the ballroom?"

"The Ballroom's done," Echo boasted, thrusting his chest forward proudly. "Shade is just setting up the food right now, and I personally made sure everything is perfect!" The boy flashed a triumphant smile.

"You didn't go overboard did you?" Cole asked, coming out from behind the wall, and look at the rest of the clothes. "Could you help me out here, Ronin? You need three people to put this thing on." He asked and Ronin nodded. He helped his lord to the ties and buttons on the difficult outfit Griffin had concocted.

"No, I didn't," Echo answered with a proud glint in his eyes. "This is my far my grandest work!"

"I helped!" Jay smiled, wrapping his arms around Echo's waist, while Nelson laughed at his enthusiasm. Griffin scowled at their distraction as he thrust three sets of clothes into their arms and forcibly propelled them all into the bathroom. "It's time to get dressed!" He exclaimed as he shut the door and left the boys to change before turning to Ronin and the prince. "Are you two finished yet? Ronin needs to get dressed too!"

"I'm going as fast as I can! This thing has knots that have knots!" Ronin complained standing on his toes to meet Cole's taller height and snap the chains on the front in place.

"It isn't that bad," Griffin protested, sitting cross-legged on the bed, waiting impatiently for them to finish.

"This thing has at least six pieces!" Cole snapped.

"So what? It looks brilliant, doesn't it? Besides Kai's is worse."

"I believe it, but he's right you look brilliant! Kai's going to be speechless." Ronin sighed when he finished buttoning Cole's top. Cole smiled and spun around in front of the full-body mirror to test his new clothes from all angles. His ballroom outfit, which consisted of a golden vest over a white dress shirt with a white kerchief, black dress pants trimmed with gold, and a stunning black ballroom tailcoat trimmed with gold. Cole had also tied his shaggy black hair into a ponytail adorned with a silky black ribbon.

"I'll admit it, I didn't think it was possible, but Griffin's outdone himself." He beamed with pride. "Hopefully, it'll be enough to convince my flame," Cole mumbled to himself.

"Tonight he'll be yours." Ronin corrected earning him a confused look from the prince. "We all know what you're thinking, Cole, we wouldn't be a good staff if we didn't know what our prince was thinking! You have nothing to worry about." He added with a smile.

"I hope you're right, I know Kai's answer, but there's still a nagging disbelief that's there." Cole smiled, mentally scolding himself for doubting his staff's loyalty. His sharp claws ran through his bangs.

"Don't be nervous, Kai feels the same way about you, even if he's not ready to admit it out loud just yet, and everyone knows how you feel about him." Ronin reassured him and that made Cole smile.

"Alright, you, time to get you changed." The tailor insisted as he dragged the troll away. Before Ronin could blink, he had been thrown into the same room as his friends, stripped and redressed in a new outfit. Ronin groaned as he looked over his outfit. He knew it was rude to complain and he should be grateful but Griffin had decked him out in formfitting black pants with a pair of spiked-heeled ankle boots, and a shirt made of a smooth black material that was open in the back, but the bottom billowed over his hips.

There were no sleeves, instead, the top material was held with a double ring that hung loosely about his neck.

Long fingerless black gloves with rubies over the back of the hands climbed up his arms, held to the collar of the shirt by gold chains. It was a comfortable outfit, but Ronin had grown so used to lose clothing that covered everything but his hands and head that wearing form-fitting clothing that showed even bits and pieces of his skin made him feel exposed. Echo thought he looked like a girl as he took in his own outfit. They consisted of light brown, form-fitting pants and a white long tunic that was also turtle necked but pillowed almost like a dress near the bottom.

Long black gloves with wide ends that curved to points formed sleeves over his shoulders and a large gold bow half his size, tied in the back.

Jay thought his boyfriend looked spectacular as he tied the bow. His own outfit consisted of a navy blue militaristic style outfit with silver accents, black gloves, and knee-high black boots. Nelson sat on the bed watching them. He eased his boredom by picking at a loose thread on his white, knee-length pants that billowed from the calf down. His outfit was similar to Ronin's but the shirt was a sleeveless turtleneck and was dark purple, and his sleeves were fabric bunched up from the wrists to the upper arms.

Silver leggings peeked above his knee-high black and silver boots.

These were normally not his style, but he didn't mind.

"What did I tell you, Cole," Griffin boasted, loudly, clapping his hands together. "My best work!"

"I believe so," Cole nodded, brushing his black locks to perfection. "Now I'm curious to see what you conjured for Kai."

"I swear if he's not ready by the time I get there, heads will roll!" Griffin exclaimed loudly as he bolted for the door. Cole and his staff laughed hearing Griffin's rant echoing off the hallways.

"I believe that is our cue," Cole announced. The servants quickly proceeded to take their positions in the ballroom, Ronin was the last to leave but Cole stopped him.

"Before you go, will do me a grand favor, Ronin?"

"Of course, name it?" Ronin replied. Cole swooped over to a corner of the room and pulled out two strange silver boxes. He opened one and pulled out the most beautiful piece of jewelry Ronin had ever seen.

"Will you give this to Kai? Tell him if he still wishes to be mine tonight, he'll wear it, but if not I'll understand." He requested. Ronin nodded and bolted towards the East Wing as fast as his legs could carry him. Cole smiled before opening the second box and pulled out an identical chocker, only this one was silver with an emerald heart, and snapped it around his neck then descended down the Western entrance to the ballroom. He couldn't wait to see what Griffin planned for Kai...

****************

Kai growled as he sat on a stool in front of the vanity, his chin resting irritated in his hand while Harumi, Tox, and Pixal dried, brushed, and tried in vain to do something with his untamable hair. After two hours of vicious bathing, he had been dragged out of the tub, dried, dressed in a thin, silk bathrobe for the next phase of his torture. The light material felt wonderful against his tender skin, raw from having half his skin scrubbed off, at least that was what he felt like.

"My God, you have so much, hair! Someone get me another brush!" Harumi hollered over her shoulder. Neuro rushed in, now sporting his new clothing as opposed to his normal uniform. A long velvet grey frock coat, folded over and buttoned down the left side of the chest to hip in a militaristic fashion, and matching pants, white gloves, and black boots with gold buckles. It took all of Kai's willpower not to bury his head in his folded arm, but he knew the girls would shriek if he did.

He bit back and growl every time they came across a particularly stubborn tangle.

"I don't think we'll be able to do anything with his hair, Harumi," Pixal said letting the silk strands bounce back to their natural shape.

"I could've told you that," Kai snapped.

"Oh, be nice," Tox scolded playfully and Harumi pondered for a bit.

"I suppose we'll just have to touch it up with jewelry then." She beamed as she clapped her hands together. "Your ears are pierced, right Kai?"

"Yes," Kai replied looking over his shoulder.

"I'll be right back then! Thank God Griffin decided to go with the gold!" Harumi cheered as she vanished and emerged a moment later with a small wooden jewelry box and began digging through the pieces. Finally, she gave a triumphant cheer and gently titled Kai's head so it was facing her. "Hold still." She warned as she gently pierced his ears with dangling, gold, and ruby earrings shaped like a flying phoenix. She then placed a crown-like headdress shaped like phoenix wings curled around a large ruby on his head, allowing his spikey bangs to spill over it.

"There! You look wonderful!" The girls cheered, while Kai examined their work in the mirror. He had never been fond of gold accessories before but found himself liking them as he admired his reflection.

"Now all we need to do is get you dressed," Tox decided.

"Hurry up, Harumi!" Griffin suddenly thundered as he hammered loudly on the door. "There's less than three hours until the ball starts and I need to see if Kai's clothes need any alterations!"

"We're coming!" Harumi shouted as she threw the door open and the girls led Kai behind the changing wall to help him into the difficult outfit. After a few minutes, Kai was glad he had the girls' help getting ready. The outfit Griffin had created for the evening had more ribbons and ties on it than he cared to count. It would have been a bear to get the thing on properly by himself.

"Wow, you've outdone yourself, Griffin," Tox complimented over the wall. "He looks ravishing!"

"I told you he'd look splendid in gold," Pixal added and Harumi smiled as she laced up the back of Kai's clothing. Kai skimmed over what it was exactly he was wearing and blushed, taking in just how splendid the outfit actually was. Kai wasn't a huge fan of dresses, but he thought this was absolutely gorgeous. The bright, crimson red dress left the top of his shoulders uncovered, but did cover the sides and flowed down into a fancy heart-shaped neckline.

It was a loose fit which made the dress both enjoyable to wear and look at.

His had been left uncovered and in a way, help put focus on his soft tanned skin. The dress's waist was narrow, but it was a loose fit. A gold bow had been wrapped around his waist and positioned slightly to one side. Below the waist, the dress widened had glittering gold ends. The dress reached just above his ankles and was the same length all around. He was given a pair of shining, golden, high-heeled shoes, gorgeous on their own, an ideal match in combination with the dress.

To top it all off he was wearing a pair of simple, but stylish, red elbow-length gloves.

"Are you all sure about this? It is splendid, but I'll probably make it look ridiculous." He pouted as he gazed at his reflection. Before anyone could protest Griffin thundered over.

"I don't ever want to hear that come out of your mouth again!" He scolded swatting Kai's head with two fingers making him wince. "First of all, nothing I make looks ridiculous!" He spoke in a harsh tone, but it softened as he continued but did not lose an ounce of its authority. "Second, that's nonsense and you know it! You're just nervous; I could strip you naked and send you to that ballroom in nothing but a smock and you'd still look fantastic, and don't you ever let yourself forget it."

Kai blinked at the tailor's earnestness then smiled, suddenly feeling very silly.

"We're all done," Harumi announced.

"Good," Griffin smiled as he grabbed Kai's clothed wrists and pulled him back into his room. "Now then, you're done; just give me a few minutes to get everyone else dressed and we'll escort you to the ballroom, got to do this traditionally after all," Griffin winked, ushering everyone out of the room, leaving Kai alone. Alone, at last, he looked at his reflection and smirked proudly at the stunning being staring back at him.

"I do look good." He said out loud when a knock disturbed his play. "Come in!" He called out, wondering who it was. Ronin entered the room holding a box in his hand which almost slipped when he took in Kai's new appearance.

"Can I help you with anything?" Kai smirked, proudly. Ronin looked confused then blushed and straightened himself.

"Cole asked me to bring this to you, he said if you still want to be his for the evening he'd like you to wear it, but he said he would understand if you didn't."

"Thanks a lot, Ronin, I'll see you downstairs." Kai smiled. Ronin bowed and left. Kai sat on the bed and carefully opened the box gasping at the choker inside. It had a golden dragon curled up around a ruby love heart. His fingers gingerly traced over the elegant carvings and circled the beautifully cut ruby shaped exactly like a love heart. Carefully, he removed it from the box and clasped it around his own neck...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Human Again

Echo barked orders as the staff while digging a mountain of dust out of the candle holders and polishing them until the iron shined. Cole had only given them a day to get this ballroom perfect, so they had no chance to slack off. Not if they wanted this curse broken. Jay pushed a rag as big as him across the window clearing away trails of dust and leaving the clean stain glass glittering in his wake. Pixal sighed as she whipped her forehead from exhaustion.

She had been helping Ultra Violet and Harumi clean the stained glass ceiling, and her wings ached from their constant fluttering.

Harumi unhooked the tapestries and drapes and gathered them into a pile that Nelson gathered for washing. Down below Neuro and Tox swept away a century of dirt and dust from the frosty glass floor and out over the balcony. Unfortunately, once the chandeliers, ceilings, and windows were done, more dust caked the floor in dark clumps. Echo gazed over their progress from the chandeliers and groaned. After hours of cleaning the ballroom still needed a lot of work, but he was determined.

The first layer of dust and the cobwebs had been cleared from the windows and chandeliers, they just had to clean the rest of the place.

But with some of the staff still doing the regular chores and Shade still deciding what to make and gathering ingredients, they had little help. There was no point in asking Griffin. The second Echo told him about the ball, he had locked himself in his studio. It was only a matter of time before Harumi joined him. Sensing the poor team morale, Echo cleared his throat loudly, catching everyone's attention.

"Right then! You all know why we're here! We have exactly twelve hours, thirty-six minutes, and fifteen seconds to create the most magical, spontaneous, romantic atmosphere known to man or beast." He chuckled weakly at his little joke, but no one else did, so he got more serious. "Right then, I'm sure that I don't need to remind you all that if the flame goes out of the candle, the spell will never be broken!"

"Lighten up Echo and let nature take its course!" Ronin called out and the others all made sounds of agreement.

"It's obvious there's a spark between them." Nelson giggled.

"Yeah but there's no harm in fanning the flames a little; if we pull this off, and Kai is the key, we could all finally be human again!" Tox cheered with starry eyes.

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, Tox," Neuro chided gently.

"I don't think she's that far off," Harumi answered. "I mean it's obvious there's something going on between those two, and, think about it; have any of you actually thought of what it would be like to be human again? Finally human after all this time?" She asked and everyone in the room suddenly paused. They had thought of that. They still remembered the earlier days of their cursed existences when they could only take the form of the monsters they were cursed too.

How difficult it had been to change between their physical and spectral forms.

How tricky it had been to muster enough energy to maintain a physical body in their human appearances, but even then they only lasted a short time. Shade couldn't even leave the kitchen without the risk of fading away forever. He may not say it, but everyone knew it hurt the chef more than anyone. Over the last one hundred years, they had feared, hated, despised, and relished in their new existences. They eventually started doing what they had always done and lived their lives to the fullest and trying to make each day a little better than the last.

Even with the dark curse looming over their heads, they had had time to prepare for it.

To accept it. To come to terms with it whether the curse was broken or not. But when Cole had fallen into despair and nothing the staff could do could change his moods or bring him out of the dark, lonely existence he had accepted for himself, they too seemed chained to their fate by despair. But the past four to five months had changed all that. Kai's presence in the castle had given them a spark of hope and they were no longer afraid to continue to live their lives again.

This time they prepared for two outcomes.

Their end which if that was the case they would go to with no regrets knowing they were loyal to Cole to the end and knowing they lived their lives to the best of their ability. The other one was where the spell is broken and they become human and their lives began all over again. Even though all of them were hoping for the latter, it was still terrifying regardless. The thought of being human again. Of the possibility of a new life and the chance to either remain in the castle that had always been their home or to start over in a new one.

Either one promised its own laughs and tears, its own joys and heartaches, but wasn't that what freedom was?

Wasn't that what being human truly meant?

"I'm not sure what I'd do if I were human again," Tox pondered to herself."I don't really think I'd leave here, I mean, as much as I love to leave the castle for once and see the kingdom again and what's changed in the last century, I don't really think I'd have any other place to go, this is my home after all; I guess, I'd just live like I have been, doing what I love until the day I die, and to be honest, I am getting sick of constantly being so young." She smiled and looked at her hands with a chuckle.

"Oh, I can't wait to start aging again!" Nelson added, immediately.

"I am so sick of looking like a teen! I swear I don't care if I grow old and die, if this is what being young forever is like, then all those children's tales can keep their immortality and eternal youth nonsense," Echo chided, sweeping up a cloud of dust in his anger until a laughing Jay stopped him.

"I second that." Ronin raised his hand. "Honestly, though, I think I'd like to find something else to do, I mean I can't exactly be Cole's servant forever."

"I wouldn't mind," Jay added, pulling himself onto the windowsill to sit. His eyes wandered to Echo who continued to battle the dust in the window. "Though there is one thing I'd like to do if I were human again."

"What's that?" Echo asked curiously since he was the only one close enough to hear the mumble. Jay just smiled.

"I'll tell you later."

"Would you miss your spirit form, Jay? You know like being able to fly and control lightning and stuff?" Tox asked.

"Probably," He laughed. "But it was fun while it lasted, and you can only fly and be covered in fuzz for so long before it gets boring."

"Would you miss flying, Pixal?" Neuro asked nervously. "I know you can in your pixie form."

"Well, I think of it as a new experience, like when you jump in a lake for the first time; at the time the experience is amazing and it's a wonderful and fond memory, but if you do it too often, you get bored of it so, I think I will miss flying, but it's not like I won't be able to take the experience with me." She giggled.

"That's a good point!" Nelson added.

"I don't think I'll miss my spirit form," Ronin laughed, leaning against the wall. "My human body is certainly not as short that's for sure, I wonder how Shade will handle not being trapped in the kitchens?"

"I doubt that being bound to the kitchen is much much fun," Harumi replied and turned to Neuro. "What about you?" She asked and he blinked at her response. "It seems we've neglected your opinions on the matter?"

"Well, I think I'd like to be human again."

"Why's that?" Tox asked curiously.

"I know I'm alive and not knowing when I'll die instead of having a clock ticking over my head," He said with a small leer. With that said, they all returned to their respective tasks. If they had any hope of becoming human again, this night needed to get off without a problem. As they all worked and gossiped amongst themselves, Echo was surprised when Jay suddenly dragged him away from his work so they could talk privately. He almost stumbled over his own foot in his attempts to keep up with the faster male.

Again he cursed his youthful form.

He hated that his body had to freeze in time just as he was finally beginning to mature physically.

"Jay! We're almost by the dining hall!" The boy cried as he dug the heels of his boots into the stone of the floor, kicking up the rug as he did so, forcing Jay to stop and turn around, but he didn't release his hold on Echo's hand.

"You said you wanted to tell me something? Well out with it? I don't want to be away from the ballroom for too long."

"We won't be that long," Jay smirked.

"Don't even think about it." Echo growled and blushed.

"Actually, I wasn't, I just want to ask you something very important." Jay laughed. Echo crossed his arms and straightened himself.

"Well?" He asked impatiently. Jay took a breath and stiffened his back.

"Will you do me the honors of being my date for the ball? Not as a friend or as a companion but as mine and no one else's?" He asked with a sweet smile. Echo swore he felt his footing slip like the ground was about to give way beneath him.

"P-P-Pardon?"

"I want us to go to the ball together, where everyone will know we're together if they don't already," Jay replied as his serious eyes betrayed his normally perky expression, but it told Echo he had never been more certain of anything before.

"You really want to take me?" He asked, his voice was shaking, but from what he wasn't sure.

"Of course, I do, I love you, and let's face it we can't hide this forever, and I honestly don't want to." Jay smiled. Before Jay could say anything else, a force like a wrecking ball plowed into his chest with such vigor it knocked the wind from his chest and sent him reeling to the floor.

"Do you even have to ask me?" Echo giggled as he hugged him so tightly, Jay swore he felt one of his ribs crack, but the younger boy didn't notice it in his enthusiasm. Tears of bliss welled in Echo's eyes. "Of course I will Jay!" He exclaimed as he jumped off Jay and grabbed his hand. Jay stumbled forward as his little lover now dragged him back through the castle, impossibly fast for the boy's short stature.

"Now I have to make sure the ballroom is spectacular! I'm going to make this a night no one forgets!" Echo sang the entire trip back to the ballroom, Jay stumbling and laughing behind him...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 30

Chapter 30: The Greenhouse

Kai gazed at the card in his hands, before shifting his neutral eyes back towards his opponents. His four competitors all held their cards close to their faces, leaving only their deceiving eyes visible. Though there was no pot between them, they played with the skill and secrecy as if they were competing for a fortune. Finally, in turns starting with the one to the left of the dealer. Echo, who had never played the game until Kai started teaching him earlier that week.

They threw down their hands.

Jay slammed the cards down, revealing three jacks. Ronin smirked and revealed three queens. Tox threw down five low, mismatched cards, all in diamonds. Kai flashed a bright smirk and elegantly laid out three Kings and two fives. His grin doubled in size as his competitors growled, and he crossed his hands proudly over his chest.

"What have you got, Echo?" Kai asked, triumphantly. The boy fidgeted a bit, nervously looking at his own hand, then everyone else's.

"Well, I think I got two pairs," He said uncertainly and began placing down cards. "One pair and another pair." He told them and just like that, it was like someone flipped a switch. Tox and the three boys gasped, screamed, and dropped their jaws when Echo color-coordinated his cards. He placed the ace of spades next to the ace of clubs in one pile and the aces of hearts and diamonds in a second.

"Awe man!" Ronin threw down his cards and leaned back on his hands. "Echo always wins!"

"Are you sure you've never played poker before?" Kai asked with suspicious eyes and Echo blushed. "Beginner's luck? Or maybe I just had a good teacher?" He guessed as he flashed a guilty smile. Kai melted under the boy's eyes, flashing the same pleading look Lloyd used to get out of trouble. At first glance, it looked purely innocent. However, he had grown up with Lloyd and he knew full well Echo was far more mature than he let others believe.

"Don't try and butter me up, I'm immune to that," Kai smirked as he ruffled Echo's hair.

"Honestly though, I really think it's just luck." Echo laughed

"Let's try a different game," Ronin suggested as he gathered up the cards and started shuffling the cards, performing an impressive bridge.

"No thanks, we've been playing cards all morning." Kai sighed, leaned back against his pillows, and unfurled his crossed legs from their uncomfortable position. As much as Kai loved spending time with his friends, his confinement to this room, even for the sake of his health was driving him to madness. At least when Cole locked him in this room a few months back he could actually walk around and go out on the balcony.

"We could do something else?" Jay suggested sympathetically and Kai gave him a small smile. He knew Jay took his job as the castle entertainer seriously, but at this point, there was little he could do.

"Honestly, Jay, I just can't wait to get the hell out of this bedroom, I feel like I've been stuck in here forever," Kai complained, loudly. As if on cue, the door to Kai's room opened followed by the sound of large, leathery wings.

"Perhaps I can change that?" Cole said as he swaggered inside, slightly irritated Kai wasn't alone but ignored it when he saw the surprise on Kai's face. The young man was propped broadly against his backrest donning only a pair of red pajamas and a thick, fuzzy robe and it was mid-afternoon.

"Are you here to make sure I stay in bed like a good little boy?" Kai teased, sarcastically. Cole snorted and called his bluff.

"Actually, I was going to say that you've been given a clean bill of health and if you wanted to get dressed, but if you insist." He smirked as he turned to leave but Kai was faster and jumped off the bed and grabbed the clothes out of Cole's arms in less than a second, not even acknowledging the flowers.

"Thank you!" Kai said sweetly before disappearing into the bathroom to change.

"He's happy," Ronin laughed and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"I'll bet, he's been stuck in here for almost two weeks and Winter's almost over." Tox hummed as she slithered off the bed and opened the curtains letting sunlight spill into the room.

"Speaking of that, I want your attention," Cole announced earning all of his servant's attention. "Echo, I've already given Zane an outline, but I'm planning a ball in a few weeks, and I need someone in charge of cleaning up the ballroom and making it spectacular, you up for it?" He smirked with a wink as he put the roses in a nearby vase. Echo looked flabbergasted then ecstatic.

"I'd love to!" He exclaimed, practically bursting from his seat, and grabbed Jay and Tox's hands. "I'll start right away! I make it look prettier than it did on your coronation!" He cheered and jumped with glee, dragging his two helpless captives behind him, his cheers echoing around the hallway. Ronin turned to his master with bewildered eyes.

"Aren't you going to join them? The ball is for the whole castle and it's going to take a lot of preparations." Cole chuckled. Ronin's eyes doubled in size before a wide grin of delight split his face and he bolted off after his friends, laughing giddily.

"Where did everyone go?" A familiar brunette suddenly asked. Cole turned around at the sound of Kai's voice and lost his breath. Griffin's latest outfit for Kai consisted of a long-sleeved shirt and matching pants made of dark crimson satin. Smooth, shiny cloth tightly hugged his arms, legs, and torso but flared at his wrists and ankles. Black lace adored the collar like black wings. The red of his sleeves stuck out at his wrists giving his outfit a flame-like appearance.

"You look ravishing," Cole purred as he licked his lips making Kai blush and grunt in annoyance.

"What's with all the lace?" He asked a bit put off by the feminine decoration. Cole shrugged, though his own clothing consisted of a simple green shirt and pants that bunched at the knees where his scales formed spikes and a simple black frock coat. Cole quickly leaned over, placed an arm behind Kai's shoulders and hooked his other arm under Kai's knees, and yanked him into a bridal carry.

"Cole! What are you doing?" Kai yelped and threw his arms around Cole's neck for support.

"What?" Cole asked in mock innocence. Kai growled and fidgeted fiercely in Cole's grip.

"I hate being carried, you know that! Besides, Echo and Neuro said I was fine, so let me walk on my own!"

"Correction, they said you were allowed to leave so long as you did not over-exert yourself, and you remained indoors."

"But I can still walk!" He complained, punching Cole's chest but became annoyed when Cole didn't even flinch.

"Now, come on, I have something very special I want to share with you." He grinned. Kai said nothing, preferring to crossing his arms and pout, but ceased his fighting.

"Alright, I suppose I can forgive you then, as long as I'm out of my room for the rest of the day."

"I guarantee it," Cole smirked. He held onto Kai when they came to the hallway and leaped onto the banister. Kai clung to him when they suddenly took to the air and screeched when Cole dropped. Cole glided on his wings until he landed on the main level, falling to one knee. Cole's breath suddenly caught in his chest and a pounding pain erupted right where Kai's elbow collided with his ribs. Cole growled at him then smirked wickedly. Before Kai could counter he was suddenly flung into the air and found his chest and chin whacking against Cole's hard, scaled spine, the tail of his coat flopped over his head.

A shiver raked his spine when he felt sharp, cold claws stroke his hips where the hems of his shirt exposed his skin.

"You never learn do you, Kai?" He said and Kai could just picture the smirk on Cole's face. Immediately realizing his position, Kai turned as red as his clothing, and his defenses erupted in a fit of anger and embarrassment.

"COLE!" Kai screamed and thrashed, flailing his limbs and pounding his fists as hard as he could against Cole's back, and pushed himself up so his body was somewhat straight. "Let go! I can tolerate your bridal carry obsession but I'll be damned if I'm carried like this!" He shouted and shrieked as Cole grabbed one of his ankles to keep the thrashing limb from striking him. He couldn't contain himself and burst out laughing at Kai's temper tantrum.

Finally, Cole took pity on him and wrapped his tail around Kai's waist then released his hold.

Kai released a combination of a yelp of surprise and a screech of fear when he was suddenly flipped over and found himself on his feet, Cole's tail securely wrapped around his waist. Cole hadn't stopped laughing.

"Don't get sick again, Kai, you're too amusing," Cole said as he choked out words between laughs. Kai growled like a caged animal. His balled fists, furious eyes, and twisted jaw were marred by his strawberry red face. He wanted to speak but his words turned to embarrassing snarls.

"Now don't be like that, I'm only teasing." Cole smiled and wrapped a wing about Kai's back in apology.

"At least I'm walking now." Kai snorted as he gave a small smile and let Cole led him down a familiar corridor. For a second Kai thought Cole was taking him back to the library. They stopped by the recognizable curved doors, however, he found Cole's attention on another part of the hallway. It was adjacent to the library entrance and opposite the enormous windows lining the hallway. At first glance, it looked like the rest of the wall. Kai could see the faint outline of ivory vines and stone flowers growing from the ground into a curved arch shape.

Cole shoved the doors open with a hard shove.

Light burst from inside and Kai could see that the ceiling was curved like a half-cylinder. It was made entirely of glass, flooding the room with sunlight. He covered his eyes with his arm and let Cole guide him inside. When he looked up, he found himself in the center of another world. His breath caught in this throat when he realized the world was actually a giant greenhouse. He quickly realized that the greenhouse was more than just an inside garden.

A field of grass was contoured by a sundry of hedges and bushes.

A fountain stood in the back right of the greenhouse, always tinkling with the sound of water. The flowers and plants were forming a miniature world of their own, full of mysteries and wonder. They were a delight for butterflies. There were some bird feeders scattered around and the sounds of many different birds echoed around. The hedges and bushes had recently been trimmed. A path of stepping stones curves around each bend in the garden, beckoning people to explore the garden and showing them the best sights at the same time.

Roots slightly disrupted the pristine look as they hungrily search for even more pieces of land to expand to.

The fountain eternally beckoned all visitors, drawing all attention toward it. The flowers and plants were surely a sight to behold, and the hedges and bushes looked fantastic. The focus was just simply on the fountain.

"This is the Queen's Greenhouse, a sacred place only those allowed by the Queen or someone invited by one whom she has personally granted permission may enter; even the staff isn't allowed inside," Cole explained and that hasn't surprised Kai. He could tell the room has been well cared for. None of the plants had lost their brilliance, the flowers hadn't lost their reality, and the little birds hadn't lost their beauty.

"I'm honored that you'd share this with me," Kai spoke graciously. Though the room was only the size of a tall living room, the walls and plants made it seem much smaller and worldly bigger all at once. Its oval shape blended everything without the disruption of corners. Kai was lost in the world the queen created until he felt firm hands grip his shoulders to steady him. In the corner of the room, he found a small stool in front of a shed and a stack of gardening supplies, jars of paint, and bowls of tools.

Next to the shed was a large statue of the couple he recognized from the portrait in Cole's room, lavished in beautiful wedding garbs.

The man held his bride in his arms. The bride held a beautiful bouquet of roses. Kai flinched when he felt Cole's wing wrap around his form. Kai turned to stare at him but Cole's gaze was in an unknown universe, a worldly smile set upon his face.

"I was a child when she first brought me here, I asked her if Dad ever saw it, and she laughed and said the first time she brought him here was to show him the statue she had made, the one of their wedding day." He smiled and Kai's eyes returned to the portrait. Just imagining the sheer joy the king must have felt when his wife showed him the statue their love inspired. "Then she finally told him the real reason why she'd brought him there, she'd wanted to tell him she was pregnant."

Kai's eyes widened, but Cole just smiled in an almost childlike way.

Cole wrapped his arms around the boy's shoulder, and met Kai's eyes with his own, glowing with something that made Kai's heart skip a beat. Kai tried to find his voice but found he could barely breathe. So much had happened, so much had yet to happen but somehow it all seemed less complex when he looked into Cole's eyes. Rationality and emotion warred against one another in a way that made Kai want to scream. For a brief moment, he despaired as to how such a glorious creature could find one such as him so special.

But just as quickly, he crushed those thoughts and relaxed his mind.

The hammering of his heart suddenly sounded quiet and the sudden wash of emotion made his eyes droop and his lips part. It took all of Cole's willpower not to simply kiss his captive senselessly and pin him against the floor. He knew Kai wouldn't stop him if he did, but the last nagging sliver of control had ruthlessly crushed those desires. It was getting harder and harder to control himself around him, but Cole promised himself he would wait.

He wouldn't take that step until they were both certain, but it didn't stop him from wanting to pull the smaller man into his arms.

Kai's half-lidded eyes and the slight parting of his lips made Cole lick his fangs. Fire and desire burned in his veins, sending his every nerve ending ablaze. His claws carefully danced up Kai's clothed arms before firmly taking hold of his tanned shoulders. The young man didn't flinch. Without warning, Cole broke his control and crashed their lips together in a rich, passionate kiss. Kai immediately parted his lips and gripped the collar of Cole's coat and shirt tightly.

He pulled the Dragon Lord closer against him, deepening the desire between them.

A fire burst between them, their limbs and lips moved and explored new territories, claiming whatever they could touch. The scorching touch between them made them both burn for more and more. They mutually broke away, their eyes never leaving the others. Cole's grip on Kai's shoulders tightened and he roughly pulled the teen forward until their foreheads touched.

"You make it so difficult to keep control, my flame." Cole panted each word.

"Then why not break your control?" Kai smirked as his eyes lit up at the challenge. Uncertainty flashed in Cole's eyes.

"You have no idea what you're asking." He warned as one of his hands reached for one of the objects near the gardening supplies. He held a thick metal container clearly in line with Kai's vision. With a simple clench of his wrists, his claws sliced it to ribbons of metal, his muscles crushing them together before Cole dropped to the ground. Kai rolled his eyes.

"That isn't what I meant, and you know it."

"Perhaps not, but the fact remains, I'm still a dragon, Kai." Cole frowned. "I have teeth and claws, scales and a tail and brute strength, if I'm not careful, I could kill you with my brutality."

"No, you wouldn't," Kai said confidently.

"How do you know?" Cole challenged, unconvinced.

"Because I know you," He said firmly, his gentle hands moving to cradle the dragon's face in his hands. "I know for a fact you would never hurt me, you might roar at me, but you've had to dodge a few of my punches too so I guess that makes us even." He winked playfully. Despite himself, Cole couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you sure? I'm not blind, Kai, I see the fear in your eyes." He smiled with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, you're right, I am scared, but not of you; I have taken your true form into consideration, and you can't fault me for finding the idea of losing my virginity to a dragon a bit intimidating, that and I'm not rushing into anything," Kai sighed as he flicked Cole's nose, but his stance assured him he was serious, despite the playful banter. "I mean it, I mean, technically, we haven't even been on a proper date yet." He winked.

"Then perhaps you'd like to?" Cole smirked. Kai blinked, making Cole grin wider. "I was thinking of hosting a ball soon since that ballroom hasn't been used in years and the staff has been dying to use it, so perhaps, having an event where the whole castle may enjoy the evening is the best idea."

"Really?" Kai blinked in surprise. He didn't think Cole was the party type and his only experience was the boring affairs Morro hosted. Then again, if Echo was designing the evening and Jay and Ronin were in charge under Zane's supervision, he had no doubt it would be an enjoyable night. Cole nodded with a smile as he leaned forward, wrapping his free arm possessively around Kai's waist.

"You would do me a grand honor by being my date for the evening?"

"I'd love to!" Kai burst, enthusiastically. Cole was taken aback by the suddenness but laughed at Kai's spryness.

"Are you sure, Kai?" Cole teased, releasing him slightly. "You wouldn't mind attending a romantic affair with someone old enough to be your ancestor? I am, after all, 121 years?"

"Nope, not unless you mind going out in public with an immature teenager who's not yet twenty, would you?" Kai countered, his eyes lighting up at the game.

"Not in the slightest," Cole responded. Neither of them broke eye contact until finally they couldn't contain themselves any longer and they broke into a fit of amusement. Their pearls of laughter could be heard all the way from the ballroom...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Brotherly Advice

Cole had to face it, making out with someone was not the worst thing the staff had caught him doing, but that didn't make him or Kai feel any better. Harumi had already left with little Nelson, trying to salvage the boy's remaining innocence while they still could. Shade groaned, crossing his arms with mock annoyance, completely unaffected by Cole's incensed glare. After he had heard Neuro screaming, he took a risk and abandoned his post in the kitchen.

He was shocked to find Neuro and their friends screaming along with Kai and Cole who were both in an awkward position on the bed.

It didn't take him long to figure out what had happened. Neuro just slouched in his seat and pressed his fingers to his lower temple. Across from them, Cole was growling like a caged beast. Jay, Echo, Tox, and Ronin all looked at the floor or off into space, unable to look anyone in the face without blushing. Kai buried his mortified face in his hands, refusing to even meet the perverse chef's smirk. After the incident, Kai had practically kicked everyone out of his room, grabbed the clothes they had bought him, and locked himself in the bathroom.

Though he could still feel the chill of his recent illness, Kai felt an instant relief being fully clothed.

If he simply been naked when everyone arrived he wouldn't have worried. He would have changed into the clothes just as calmly as he had since the day he arrived. However, being caught with his captor, the very Master of the Castle no less, in such a compromising position that shattered the youth's entire demeanor. Though he might be naïve in matters of seduction, he didn't deny that he had enjoyed his time with Cole before they had been interrupted.

Now Kai just wanted to curl up and hide until he forgot this was over.

Despite the thick sweater, warm overcoat, pants, gloves, and socks, Kai felt naked and exposed in front of everyone's awkward eyes. Unable to take anymore, he stood on wobbly legs and headed back to bed. He almost groaned when he saw everyone was still here. He might hide in the library until everyone forgot about this. He wouldn't delude himself into thinking there was any chance Shade wouldn't tell the whole castle about this if they didn't already know.

Shade interrupted, scooping up the abandoned teapot, poured the dark green liquid into a cup, and shoved it into Kai's hands.

"I fixed this for you and you better drink the whole pot while it's still hot 'cause I'm not bringing you another one." He warned and Kai opened his mouth to protest but after a hard look from Cole and Shade and looks of concern from the boys, he sipped the hot tea. Heat immediately filled his being but he grimaced and stiffened at the strange combination of bitter, mint, and sweetness crafting an unpleasant blend. He gasped after swallowing a large gulp and shuddered.

"What's in this?" He asked, pleadingly. The chef plopped onto the edge of Kai's bed, ignoring the teen's disgruntled scowl.

"Just something that should knock that chill right out of your system, and you better drink all of it, or you'll just break my heart." He shrugged as he refilled Kai's cup with a wink. Kai sank into the pillows and downed the cup quickly. His mouth and throat burned from the hot liquid and he felt heat suddenly flood into his system but the bland taste in his mouth made him feel sick.

"Ugh, this tastes awful."

"Most things that are good for you are awful, like staying in bed and getting plenty of sleep." Cole teased lightly. Kai glared and opened his mouth to protest but was instantly silenced when Cole tilted his chin and kissed his cheek. Kai forgot to breathe. For a moment, he forgot everyone else was there. Cole stepped away and fished the comforter off the floor and draped it over Kai's body that was now propped against the pillows. He then took a thicker fur blanket Harumi had left out from the previous night and added that as well until his flame was safely tucked beneath the warmth.

"I'll be checking on you every so often, so don't even think of getting up." He warned, kissing Kai's forehead and ushered his staff out the door. Neuro smirked and dragged Shade behind him back to the kitchen before he faded. Jay, Tox, Ronin, and Echo were not far behind him. Once gone, Cole handed Kai a second teacup. "Make sure you drink that as well, I don't want you dehydrating either; I'll ask Neuro to fix you something but I have no doubt the whole house will know you're awake by the time I get downstairs." He chuckled.

Monetarily breaking his trance, Kai shook his head and pulled on the neck of his thick sweater suddenly feeling very hot.

"Can I at least open the curtain? Get some light in here? It's too stuffy," He complained; the thick air felt hot and bothersome. Cole pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

"I'll put the fire out, but that's all; your immune system is still too weak, and the last thing I want is you catching pneumonia, too." He said as he got up and opened the fireplace across from Kai's bed. With a flap of his wings, the air blew out the flames. The resulting back wave sent a refreshing wind across Kai's front.

"Thank you." He said but glared at the teacup.

"Glaring at it won't make it go away you know," He chuckled and Kai growled in response.

"I really think this is all too much," He sighed as h looked away with a turn of his nose and set the tea on the nightstand.

"Maybe, but I don't like taking chance with someone I care about." He smiled warmly as he removed himself from the fireplace and swept to his flame's side and kissed his forehead. Before Kai could answer, the prince pulled away and left the room, a small smile on his face and he closed the door. Kai touched the cheek Cole had kissed and hissed at how cold his fingertips felt. A sudden lump in his throat made him cough violently until he grabbed the tea and downed as much of it as he could without coughing.

Maybe the tea wasn't such a bad idea.

Kai grimaced and set the empty cup next to the still steaming teapot. Kai pulled off the thick sweater, leaving himself in just his shirt, and gently tossed it to the end of the bed. Then he settled down beneath the thick covers and lied on his flat stomach. He rubbed his shoulders more out of confusion than cold. That had been the first time Cole had shown him any open displays of affection, let alone in front of his staff. Before, anything they had done together had been in the shelter of the library or Cole's room.

The most open they had gone was probably the dining room or outside, but even then it was only when Cole was positive they were alone.

Kai assumed that was for the sake of the servants. It must have been uncomfortable seeing their Lord partake in such open displays of affection, let alone with another person, no matter how much they encouraged it. A flush of heat darkened Kai's face when memories of that morning flashed before his mind. Embarrassment flooded his being at the memory of being caught. What they were about to do suddenly hit him with the blunt force of a sledgehammer.

He buried his face in his pillow dug one hand beneath the pillows, and another through his sweaty bangs.

Shade's bitter tea was working after all, and the crimson blush of the morning's events only made his body heat up unnaturally fast. He didn't know what he was going to do. The brunette released a muffled moan and collapsed as if sleep would erase all his confusion...

****************

True to his word, Kai had obeyed Cole's orders and reluctantly remained on bed rest until Neuro and Echo firmly agreed that he was fully recovered, but by the end of the week, the lack of movement and being trapped in his room had driven Kai to the last of his nerves. He would have left the room if he didn't fear the wrath of the gossiping staff. That and he was worried Cole would get upset if he disobeyed him again. Fortunately, despite Cole's insistence that Kai needed as much rest as possible, Kai had had lots of company since the entire castle had been more than ecstatic when Shade flooded the staff with news of his awakening.

That and the buzzing with gossip about what had occurred in his room after Cole had forbidden the chef from speaking a word.

Ultra Violet and Harumi had come to check up on him occasionally while Neuro and Shade would bring him food. Echo would check his health and on more than one occasion Nelson would be with him, making sure Kai ate or drank all of his medicine he had been given, though most of the time he would just talk to him. Kai had been extremely grateful for the conversations since on more than one occasion he swore he would go insane from lying in bed all day.

Thankfully the boy didn't seem to affect by seeing Cole and Kai making out.

When the brunette thought about it, with what that child and everyone also had been through, seeing two people kissing would be the least of their trauma. Nelson was not much older than Lloyd and Kai could cry at the thought of his little brother and sister going through anything like that. Then again, he could cry just thinking about them at all. He hoped that they were settling into their new normal, without him. Perhaps if things keeping going well for him and Cole, Kai might be able to convince the prince to let him visit them from time to time.

But with what happened the last time Cole thought he would leave, Kai didn't think it would be wise to ask.

That didn't mean he didn't miss them every minute of every day since he was imprisoned in this castle. He also missed the boys always barging into his room asking to play games. He didn't blame them for keeping their distances at first, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to look either one of them in the eyes without blushing. Fortunately, however, on an occasion when the staff was currently occupied, they had been charged with keeping Kai entertained as it was Jay's profession.

That didn't mean it was uncomfortable at first.

After a few awkward stares and embarrassing questions, they confirmed that he was fine. The four servants were happy to finally see with their own eyes that Kai was alright. They were so happy that they all sprang onto his bed and hugged him tightly. Kai thought he would burst, but he just laughed and didn't complain. For the rest of the afternoon, they had done nothing but play games. Since then the quartet made it their personal job to see that Kai was kept happy and entertained while he recovered.

During their time together, Kai admitted that he had been scared about doing the deed with Cole.

He did care about Cole, more than he had anyone other than his siblings, but he wasn't ready for that stage of a relationship. Maybe when he was a little older and dated Cole a little longer he would be ready. They would have to see how things played out between them. However, it didn't solve one problem that had been on Kai's mind for well over a week. Cole hadn't come to see him since the morning he had awakened...

****************

Cole sighed happily as he walked down a familiar hallway, a large bouquet of bright, crimson red roses and Griffin's newest lace creation tucked securely under his arm. His razor-sharp claws were extremely careful not to damage the delicate red petals. Once he concluded that the lace was simply for decorative persons and that the tailor was not attempting anything, he had gladly agreed to bring it to Kai. He had felt insanely giddy when Echo had come back from his daily check-up on Kai.

He confirmed that Kai was finally healthy enough to be up and about but that it was still best he remain indoors and continue to dress appropriately for the Winter to be safe.

Griffin, in his excitement, presented Cole with a new outfit he and the girls had been stitching in their spare time while the others kept Kai company. But at the same time, part of him felt extremely nervous. An emotion previously deemed unthinkable for the Dragon Lord. Yet for all his confidence and arrogance, Cole honestly felt like he had rather face an army than carry on down the hallway to his captive's bedroom. But still, he pressed on.

After all, it would be the first time he had seen him since the morning he and Kai almost slept together.

At least he believed that was the modern term for what it was. The memory made him growl in anger and shame at his own stupidity. How could he allow himself to lose control so easily? In this form with its superior strength, sharp claws, rough scales, and powerful muscle structure he could have easily damaged or severely hurt Kai with his brutality. Never mind the fact that Kai had just woken up from a coma and was recovering from freezing death.

Both of which Cole had caused thanks to his own paranoia.

Cole paused for a bit to cover his face, but his sharp claws gently poked his skin causing him to pull back. He glared at it with a mixture of hatred and disgust. He didn't have fingers, just curved claws that furled and unfurled according to his whim. His palms and hand was nothing more than a paw coated in rough scales and soft underpads. His scaled tail twitched almost arrogantly at his side. His disappointed wings hung limply about his back and he exhaled an exasperated sigh.

He had been very grateful Jay and the others had taken the liberty to keep him informed on Kai's reaction and feelings about what happened between them.

He knew he shouldn't have been surprised by them though. Kai was roughly the same age he was when he had first become interested in physical intimacy. Over the years, curiosity and loneliness had compelled the young king to seek relationships that branched beyond emotional commitments. It didn't surprise him Kai had the same urges. But Cole had to keep reminding himself that Kai was still young, compared to him. He was young enough to be his grandson, even if Cole's personality hadn't evolved much beyond his twenty-one years.

It didn't surprise him that giving himself to someone probably still scared Kai.

Again, he was grateful the others had taken upon themselves to keep Kai company and trusted him with the information they had received. Cole wasn't naïve. He knew even without his dragon form he was an intimidating figure. With it, it only made things more difficult. He knew even if his and Kai's relationship had been healthy and prosperous, and built on their mutual affection and trust in one another rather than the lust for physical contact, the desire was still there.

The emotional attachment only made the need much stronger, and that much more terrifying.

But it didn't change the fact that Kai was still human and he was a dragon and the physical difference created another problem. Cole wasn't about to deny that he wanted Kai, but he had known for a while it was much deeper than lust. He wanted Kai in a way he had never wanted anyone or anything else. Want couldn't even begin to describe what he had felt. Need didn't sound right either. He wanted Kai in mind, body, and soul, but at the same time, he had also wanted Kai to want him in the same way.

Just being near Kai was enough to heighten all of Cole's senses.

Kai's smiles and laughs and clever wit were enough to make him smile, even laugh for the first time in decades. Kai's fiery spirit and temper both challenged and delighted him at every turn, but Kai's kindness and gentle, fun-loving nature never ceased to amaze him, and though his hot-headedness and obstinacy annoyed him to the bitter end, there was simply nothing to dislike about his flame. The fact that Kai was by far the most beautiful person he had ever met.

He possessed gorgeous amber eyes that left him breathless with every gaze was only a bonus.

His flawlessly tanned skin looked like it had been carved by the very sun and glowed in the right light. Kai truly was a gem, and in the past, Cole's arrogant self would have said such a gem should only be his, but now he wondered if he even deserved the right to call Kai his. Not when he had taken so much from him. Not when there was so much he couldn't give him, even if Kai willingly gave him everything. Kai deserved so much more than what Cole could give him.

He deserved everything.

He deserved to live his life as free as a bird. He should be surrounded by everyone that cared about him. To be loved by someone who could love him more than anything else until the end of time. Not a prisoner to the man who tore him away from everything in hopes of using him to break the curse still looming over his head. Even if Kai did return Cole's feelings it wouldn't change anything. Cole swore that come spring the cruel mistress known as fate would return to reap his soul.

Kai deserved better than that.

"Are those for Kai?" A familiar voice suddenly asked and Cole was immediately taken out of his depressing thoughts by the innocent question, but the tone held ulterior motives. Cole stopped and followed the voice of his Steward. Zane leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed over his chest. Instead of his stoic expression, he sported a sharp, proud smile and confidence, almost arrogant eyes. Cole matched the steward's smirk with one of his own.

"As a matter of fact, yes they are, I thought he'd enjoy them, and Griffin was just begging me to let him try them on," Cole said with a confident flare and continued his quest. Zane didn't answer. Instead, he waited. When Cole walked past him he finally replied.

"He's pretty spoiled for a prisoner." He said, causing Cole to stop in his tracks, and whirled around.

"I beg your pardon," He spoke dangerously low. Zane's expression faded in an instant. His neutral mask returned.

"I'm only stating a fact."

"You dare jest about this?!" Cole accused, exasperated.

"I never jest." Zane cut him off and turned around to meet Cole's dangerous eyes with his own grave icy ones. "Think about it Cole, even though no one would dare even think of him as such, and he possesses an extraordinary amount of freedom, he is technically still your prisoner." He explained. Cole wanted to scream, protest, yell, and scold and dismiss his steward in a way that would ensure he never dared to disrespect him again.

Instead, he was silenced by his own anger.

Not at his steward, but at himself. There was no denying the truth in the man's words. He had just confirmed it not moments before. But hearing it from someone else, having that fact that the boy he dared call his own was, in reality, his captive, sent him into such a state of anger and remorse he couldn't speak. His body could only shake in fury. Zane said nothing to that but waited patiently for his Master to regain control of the emotion raging within him.

He watched Cole's trembling paw move to cover his face and run a hand grip his raven locks.

He watched Cole exhale and his posture become that of a man graciously accepting defeat.

"What would you have me do then, Zane? Though I am bitter to admit it, you're correct, Kai is still my prisoner, so how do you suppose I go about fixing it?" He asked.

"I thought that would be obvious; how else? Set him free." Zane chuckled. The words hit Cole like a hurricane knocking him off his feet. Each word dropped like a stone in a well. He had to set Kai free? Send him back to where he came from, away from his side, possibly forever? The thought clutched at his heart like a deathly cold hand squeezing the breath from his body, filling him with a viperous terror he couldn't see.

"How can you even suggest that? You were the one who suggested he might be my key and now you're telling me to send him away" Cole asked, his words were all breath. Zane raised an eyebrow, unaffected by the prince's outburst.

"You misunderstand, I said you should set him free not send him away."

"There's a difference?" Cole hissed.

"Let me finish; first, you should set him free, assure him that he is no longer a prisoner, then ask him to stay with you." He asked but Cole was dumbfounded. "Ask him to stay, not as a prisoner, or captive, or hostage or guest or even as the key; simply because you want him to stay with you, not out of any obligation, but out of his own free will," Zane answered his master's unasked question, his confident smirk more evident.

"You think I should ask him to remain with me, purely because I don't ever want to be parted from him?" Cole asked, bewildered.

"Don't you?"

"More than anything."

"I'm glad." Zane smiled as he removed himself from the pillar and leaned forward against the banister of the hallway. "Everyone in this castle cares for you Cole, we more than just respect you as our Master, we all want you to be happy and Kai makes you happy, and I have little doubt that he's the one for you; all you have to do is accept it and we'll accept you," Zane spoke with the purest of loyalty. Cole nodded, grateful for his Steward's words.

"And what of you, Zane?" He asked, his turn to flash the smirk of a cat with all the cream. Zane's eyes narrowed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," He replied, but in his voice, it was a lie.

"Come now, Zane, I know you're not naïve, nor are you oblivious, I severely doubt you haven't noticed your own brother's intrigue?" He smirked but Zane said nothing, choosing to close his eyes. His face was a cross between a pout of annoyance and a scowl of defeat. "How long have you known?" Cole asked, crossing his arms.

"I've known before he did." He answered, knowing it didn't exactly answer the question. A chuckle escaped him. "Back when they were too young to know what it was they were feeling; ironic how romantic feelings are obvious to everyone but those experiencing them."

"Perhaps, but perhaps that's the nature of love, it doesn't see with the eyes," Cole smirked as he leaned against the banister, next to Zane.

"That's true." Zane agreed though he sounded reluctant. Cole gave him a sympathetic smile.

"You do know no one can love him more than Jay does, I think that is more than clear."

"He's the one for Echo," Zane admitted, grudgingly. "I've known that for a while, too."

"You know he's not the child he used to be, Echo, I mean, I remember when he used to be a timid little boy who would follow you everywhere but was always exceedingly shy around you; I always thought that was because you acted more of a father to him than a brother, but not everyone has chosen to remain stoic this last century as I have, some of us have used this time to mature, evolve, and become stronger," Cole explained.

"Yes, Echo doesn't need a father anymore, he needs a brother and not one to take care of him, he has Jay for that, and he's mature enough now to know exactly what that means and what it entitles and to be completely honest," Zane spoke like he was irritated but there was legitimate respect and pride in his voice. "I truly do believe Jay is the one for him, and that just annoys me even more!" He growled as he gripped the banister. Cole couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh come now, Zane, you knew Echo would grow up eventually? That's no reason to treat Jay like he's trying to take Echo away from you."

"He is!" Zane snapped, before regaining his composure. "In a matter of speaking." He sighed and Cole laughed again.

"It's no wonder they've found it impossible to tell you?" He asked with another light laugh and Zane snorted.

"I really do hate being right sometimes." He huffed as he regained his composure and lifted himself to meet the prince. "So, will you be taking my advice then?" He asked and Cole remained still. His face neutral and his eyes betraying no emotion.

"I'm not sure." He replied and it was Zane's turn to smile.

"Do you doubt he will say yes?" He asked, catching Cole off guard. He pondered them for a moment, then turned on his heels and continued towards Kai's room.

"I appreciate your assistance, Zane." He called over his shoulder.

"That is my profession." The Steward nodded as he watched Cole disappear down the hall. A moment later, Cole found himself strolling down a familiar hallway. Zane's words continued to run around in his head. He smiled when he found himself outside Kai and room and shifted his clothed burden to open the door. He already knew Kai's answer...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 28

Chapter 28: The Letter

Blood smeared the knuckles when they made contact with the thick wood of the thickest tree trunk. The Sorcerer hissed and hollered as he banged his hands furiously against the tree. His entire body shook with rage at the evidence his newest spy brought him. He waited too long. He pulled himself away from the free and covered his face with his hand. Now it was only a matter of time before Kai gave into Cole's seduction. He banged the tree again, then composed himself and pulled the hood of his cloak over his raven hair.

He watched the cut of his hand swell and bubble until perfectly healed skin was revealed.

He waited too long. The second he suspected the teen had Occulti blood he should have acted! His growl morphed into a roar.

"Damn to the depths of my lust and pride!" He bellowed. He had known he had taken a heavy gamble when he decided to change his strategy, but it was too difficult to resist such a tempting specimen, especially since if his seduction proved a success it would devastate the Dragon Lord more than a thousand of the most vicious monsters. Now, his miscalculation had caused him a major setback. It was worse when it became clear exactly who this mysterious specimen was.

It had been easy to ignore the first instance as merely a single occurrence.

It wasn't uncommon for humans to discover untapped abilities in traumatic or near-death situations. Many people held biological connections to magical ancestors. The religions might have changed, but the blood certainly didn't, he himself was proof of that. Still, many lines had become so thinned by mundane human blood any inherited power could only be tapped through stress or shock and usually only once. But the skills used to defeat his monsters and the premonitions were too much to be a coincidence.

That Occulti whore was dead and she continued to be a thorn in his side.

A wicked smile curled across his lips as he approached the road. The raven sat immobile like a statue on his shoulder awaiting instructions. It didn't matter now. She failed then and she will fail now.

"I'm running out of time, and I'll be damned if I let some Occulti whore destroy over one hundred years of patience and hard work!" He thundered and looked to the crow. It shot up and waited for orders. "Watch them, if they do anything together, inform me immediately; I don't have much time to carry out the next stage of my plan." He commanded. The crow bowed its head and flapped away into the night. The Sorcerer's grin widened as he chuckled then burst out laughing when he came to the main road.

He turned around taking one last look at the castle in the distance.

"Enjoy your concubine while it lasts, prince." He smirked recalling the conversations his spies had recorded. Episodes of the life the boy had forsaken to appease the dragon's wishes. Memories of a high-ranking man who fancied him. Of the childhood instances experienced in Ignacia. Of the siblings he had sacrificed himself for, who were no doubt still terrified for their brother's safety. He may have feelings for the dragon, but Kai was like any other human when it came to sacrificing.

As the Sorcerer walked along the forgotten path, he noticed a cold stream still flowing and an evil idea formed in his mind.

He dunked his hands into the freezing liquid and used his magic to create a small ball of water.

"Enough talking, time for some screaming." He cackled as he blew into the bubble turning it into an ice ball. He then shook the ball violently before throwing it into the air. He smirked as it broke apart and a grey, shimmering mist blew through the wind towards the castle. That should buy him some time...

****************

Nya hollered and roared in rage as she slamming the door to her house shut. It screamed in protest as it suffered the force of his anger. The only thing the village idiots were good for was gossip and apparently, Morro's dismissal of Kai's fate had spread faster than an infectious plague. So much now even other towns were mocking them. No matter where she went to who she begged to help her, she was simply laughed at. One of them even suggested she join her brothers and started to believe in children's stories.

A frustrated hand ripped at Nya's raven bangs.

The only one who seemed remotely worried was the librarian, Dr. Saunders, but he was just one old man. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't go wandering through the dark forest, let alone take on a dragon-hybrid monster. She stormed into the kitchen, her angry steps echoing loudly in the empty room. Nya growled and started grabbing whatever her furious mind thought she would need and stuffed them into a bag she already had set up on the kitchen table.

If no one will help her, she would find that castle and get him back herself.

She stuffed the bag with food, maps, and anything else. She strapped it tight and threw it over her shoulders, donned her thickest coat to keep out the freezing winter air, her cloak, and her heaviest boots. Once she was secure, she turned to the staircase.

"Lloyd, I spoke with Mrs. Grumbmiller, you're gonna stay with her until I get back, is that alright?" She called loudly. Her words echoed through the house, and she braced herself for her younger brother's protests. Instead, she found only silence and she started to panic. She quickly realizing Lloyd hadn't run downstairs when she came inside. He didn't come crying and begging to know if anyone would help them like he had done every time she came home over the last two months.

When their previous attempts had failed.

After two months of trying, Nya and Lloyd returned home only to discover the town was debating what to do with their house and shop now that they were gone. It was only because of Nya's fury that the town would act so irresponsibly. Nya refused to leave their home unattended. Despite Lloyd's protest, Nya left him behind to protect the shop under Mrs. Grumbmiller's care during the lonely nights. Panic started to rush through Nya's entire being.

She bolted from the stairs, checking each room on the ground floor, painstakingly for her younger brother.

When her search failed she thundered up the old steps. Her eyes scanned every room, meticulously for any sign of the young boy. Nya's eyes widened when she entered her own room. Lloyd had been known to sleep there some nights when his worry became too much. Again she found it all empty, even missing a few things. The realization made her sick as she bolted upstairs, heading straight towards Lloyd's bedroom. She panicked and threw the door open but her heart sank into her stomach.

The room was empty, but dressers were left open, empty of clothes.

Her thick winter cloak was missing from the hanger as well as Lloyd's thickest pair of boots. The only evidence that the boy had been there at all was a note left on the bed. She grabbed it with haste and read it as fast as she could. Her eyes bulged with horror and fear as she read over each word, filled with tears.

Nya,

If you're reading this then I'm already gone. I'm sorry I didn't wait until you came back but no one is going to help us, I know that now. I can't leave our big brother to suffer in that horrible place. He's only there to protect me, so I've decided I'm going to go back to that castle, and no matter what I must do I will free our big brother. No matter what. I've already taken more than enough remedy so I won't choke, so don't worry about me.

Please don't come after me, Nya.

I know you and what you're planning. You'll try and switch places with Kai and I can't let that happen. That dumb duke is right about one thing, you two have sacrificed everything for me, now it's my turn to help you.

I love you, Ny-Ny.

Nya screamed and cursed, crushing the little note in her hand, cursing her baby brother's foolishness. Her hands clenched the window as she looked outside. Though Winter was fading quickly, new frost still encased the ground. Winter was still dangerous and it was the most hazardous time of year for someone with Lloyd's condition. She could also swear that those dark clouds rolling in were the signs of an incoming blizzard. A bad one at that.

Snow was already falling and getting heavier with every passing second.

She screeched as she tied on her boots and hopped down the hall, before finally falling over and stormed out the front door. If Lloyd died, she was going to murder him. As soon as she was ready, Nya bolted down the street and towards the woods for any sign of Lloyd as she vanished into the night. She was in such as rush that she didn't notice or hearing the hammer of footsteps approaching the now-empty home. The snow-covered any evidence of her footprints within seconds, masking her trail in the process.

Seconds after Nya left, Morro and Bansha arrived with Noble's collection wagon.

"Nya! Lloyd! Kai!" Morro hollered as he shoved the door to the dark house open, not even bothering with chivalry as Bansha stepped inside behind him. As soon as they entered, they saw that the house was vacant of light and life. The lamps had burnt out, the doors were locked, and no sound echoed through the rooms.

"Where are they? I thought Nya would be back by now!" The duke screeched like an angry owl.

"They're not here, Morro." She quirked, not wishing to be on the wrong side of the Duke's anger.

"This is ridiculous! How long do they plan on being gone? It's been four months!" He bellowed throughout the house. He hissed in a furious rage when no one answered him.

"Morro, you don't think... maybe..." Bansha trailed off nervously. She nervously rubbed her arms and flinched and looked at the floor when Morro's heated glare turned to her.

"If you are going to say what I think you're going to say, I don't want to hear it! There is no such thing as dragons or castles or any of this nonsense! It was a lie! A trick of their little minds!"

"But Morro, think of it!" She protested. "Kai's been gone for almost four months, and ever since his disappearance Nya has been going around town and asking anyone to help her, and Lloyd's been doing the same thing, swearing on their lives that he's been kidnapped and taken hostage by this dragon; they've even gone so far as to seek help from other towns! Why would they keep this story of a 'dragon' kidnapping Kai going if it wasn't true? What if Kai really was kidnapped?"

Morro glared at the girl and opened his mouth to protest but found he could not.

Instead, he stormed back through the door scowling.

"Alright, say this 'dragon' does exist and their story is true? Why would Kai stay with such a monstrosity?" He chuckled darkly.

"Well as you said, Morro, he would do anything to protect his family correct? Maybe, he was forced?" She suggested.

"Excuse me, duke." A smooth voice interrupted Morro as he was about to scream again. The two of them turned around and saw a tall man dressed in vibrant red and purple colors that made him glow in the darkness of the storm approached them. His hood shadowed his face and eyes and only pale streaks of black hair were visible.

"Forgive my forward intrusion, but I'm afraid I couldn't help but overhearing your plight, the plight of your town, and I think I may know what has befallen this unfortunate family." He said with the best fake saddest look he could muster. The pair exchanged equal bewildered glances until Morro's gaze hardened and he returned his glare to the man.

"And who are you?"

"My name of no importance to one of such caliber as yourself, sir." He bowed respectfully. Morro soaked the flattery up like a sponge, but Bansha shivered, catching the sinister smile crossing the man's face.

"Know only that I wish to aid you, I have traveled much in my lifetime, seeking wisdom and the destruction of injustice; if this creature is who I fear we must act quickly or I fear this boy, your fiancé's fate, may already be sealed."

"What are you talking about? What will happen to my Kai?" Morro demanded.

"My entire life, my lady, has been devoted to the destruction of a terrible beast who is responsible for the downfall of my ancestors." The man began. "A hundred years ago they ruled these lands until they were brutally betrayed by this creature, as punishment he was cursed to become a dragon and since then I have hunted him down in hopes of avenging my family's senseless destruction and it seems I have finally found him." He spoke with the passion of a tragic hero but remained focused on their reactions.

He could see they were both skeptical but there was fear evident in their eyes.

Fear that he knew was the perfect fuel for creating an angry mob or a rebellion or an army to obey one's will if it would promise the return of their safety.

"What does your personal crusade have to do with my fiancé?" Morro demanded again as Bansha's hands found his arm and squeezed it tightly, shivering at the frightening presence the man radiated.

"As I said, sir, the dragon is a monster." He spat. "He seeks an end to his curse, and unfortunately, that freedom includes the seduction of a beautiful and talented mortal, and apparently he's settled for this boy you've fallen for, so just you watch; he will descend his destruction on the entire town if given the chance!" The man spoke, emphasizing the destruction of the town and the word seduction.

"No!" Morro screamed and thrashed in fury and rage. "Kill him! Destroy him! Slice off his head!"

"Calm yourself, my lord." The stranger soothed in a sophisticated voice that commanded obedience. "There is still time to save the boy and his family, but I need your help, yours and this town's if you are willing to help me?" He asked as his eyes were soft and his voice pleading. "My only request is that you let me kill the monster, all I ask is to avenge my family, your land shall be yours once more and whatever riches are in the castle, I'm wealthy enough that I do not need such trivial things, all I seek is to avenge my family."

"Of course," Morro announced, throwing his cloak over his shoulder and howling in his delight. "We must get to the town hall immediately! Bansha, go and gather my council, tell them to rally the people, we have to rescue my fiancé!" He ordered, leaving no room for argument. Bansha shivered and nodded mutely, before rushing down the street desperate to get away from the man.

"By the way, who should I say you are when I explain you to the city?" The duke turned to the man as he hauled after his maid. He was shocked, however, to find the man had vanished into thin air. The only difference to before was the thundering of the incoming snowstorm clouds...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The Awakening

Cole woke up groggily, unsure if he had even slept at all. The previous night had been rougher than he thought. He froze when he felt an abrupt shift from the body next to him. The brush of bare skin made him groan until he shifted his position to get a good look at the condition of his sleeping partner. Kai was still unconscious, but his eyes weren't shut as tightly. His breathing wasn't as raspy and heavy as it had been the previous night. A small smile graced his lips in between breathing, but the flush of fever still danced across his face.

Carefully, Cole leaned over and pressed his lips to Kai's forehead while the back of his claws ran down the boy's chest and stomach.

He frowned slightly at the warmth of his forehead but smiled when the frosty touch of the boy's skin had faded back to its core temperature. Cole expelled a breath of relief and fished around for a robe or something to quickly throw on. He refused to embarrass his staff when Neuro or someone else returned to check on Kai's health. He found a large, black robe with two slits in the back sitting on the dresser with a note from Harumi. He donned it, making a mental note to thank the seamstress later, and lied down on the bed pulling Kai's shivering form closer to him.

He didn't have long to wait before Neuro and a satyr named Bolobo arrived.

Without a word, Cole let his precious flame go and let them work.

"His core temperature is back up, but it's too early to relax just yet," Bolobo explained feeling Kai's forehead, his chest, and torso and moving outwards his arms and legs. "My prime concern is that fever." He added as her hard brown eyes fell on the heavy red staining Kai's face when he rolled the boy onto his back.

"Is there anything you can give him?" Cole asked the satyr, crossing his arms tightly, his wings twitched with nervous impatience. Neuro looked from Kai to his basket and bit his lip.

"It's too dangerous to give him something while he's unconscious, but I might be able to make something external to reduce the fever." He replied as he dug through his basket and pulled out a corked bottle of pale pinkish-yellow fluid. He carefully uncorked the bottle, filling the room with a thick, woody odor. He set the basket on the floor, poured a few drops on his palm and fingers. He pulled the blankets down with his free hand flinching when Kai started to shiver again and gently rubbed the oil over Kai's chest in smooth circles.

The teen started to inhale deeply then started to calm down.

Neuro repeated the process once more when Kai's skin absorbed the oil, then wiped his hand on a washcloth and recorked the bottle.

"Any more is too risky," He answered before Cole could ask. "Bolobo and Shade will brew up a tonic for when he wakes up, but for now I think it's best to keep him warm and keep getting his body temperature up, he still has the chill in him."

"How long?" Cole asked with grave eyes. Bolobo and Neuro exchanged soulful glances then sighed.

"I'd give him another day or two, but if the hypothermia isn't out of him by then, then there isn't much else we can do," Bolobo replied. Cole nodded and bowed his head back to his slumbering captive. The two left without another word, leaving the two men alone. Kai's breathing was still a bit heavy and his face still flushed but the chill of hypothermia made itself clear each time he shivered. Worry clouded his eyes. Kai had been fine before so why was he shivering now?

Obviousness smacked him in the head like a blunt object.

Kai had his warmth then, being away from it for so long had caused him to relapse. Cole growled and without a second thought began removing his robe. He slid back under the thick blankets and began piling them over Kai's bare arms and shoulders. His wings wrapped around the teen and he pulled Kai closer. He gently rubbed his back in hopes of soothing him. The paste Neuro had used left a sharp, pungent stench in Cole's nostrils, but the aroma seemed to calm Kai a little.

A deeper sigh left Cole when Kai's shivering started to lessen and finally stop.

He smiled graciously when he felt Kai snuggle deeper into his warmth and felt him smile against his skin. He placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. Still too warm, but at least his body wasn't as cold. Shifting closer to the body, he gently stroked Kai's cheek taking in the sweet smile and the faint rosy color in his cheeks. His claws tenderly brushed over the soft, warm lips and traced the sloping curves of Kai's cheekbone. He jumped suddenly when he felt Kai burrow deeper into his warmth.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

Kai was the last person he would expect to be a cuddly person, but Cole wasn't one to complain. He gently brushed the spikey brown hair with his claws, smiling as the silk strands wove around his claws. His tail carefully moved under the blankets and coiled over Kai's hip and side like a snake. Anything to draw life back into Kai's body. For the first time in his life, he was grateful for this dragon body. The cursed form he had always hated was now the prime thing keeping Kai alive.

Even now he could feel his body heating up to combat the cold it felt when Kai pressed against it, and he held him tighter to force the warmth back to its source.

Never before did Cole not feel like a monster. Despite his staff's encouragement and Kai all but forcing him to see the truth, a small sliver of doubt kept a leech-like grip on his heart. The reminder that no matter how much Kai cared for him, Cole could never have such a precious gem in his arms as his own. The fact that he was, physically, still a monster was more than enough to shatter the fragile hope he had been building. Never did he consider himself more than what he was.

A man imprisoned in the form of a dragon.

Neither one nor the other but something dismal in between. He never dared to see the beauty of his form. He never thought to experience the gift of flying blessed upon a winged creature. Or realize the effortlessness it took to save another's life or the possibility that his form could do more than hurt, let alone give life. Yet somehow, Kai did. He never looked at Cole with fear or disgust. It was strange, to say the least. Even stranger to daring to hope that the emotions stirring within him were more than simple care.

That maybe, just maybe, the walls be built around himself had faded without his knowledge and that he had begun to do the one thing he knew was impossible, fall in love.

How or why or even when it happened no longer mattered. Cole had found the one person in the world who could understand him. He was sure of that now. However, the danger still remained. Even now, in Cole's arms, Kai was far from safe. Even if his flame woke up, did he admit his feelings? What if these emotions were simply concern or gratification? Would they vanish once Kai regained his health? No, he couldn't take such a risk. Not unless he was positive of himself as well as his heart.

Kai deserved that, at least.

That way, even if Kai didn't feel the same, Cole could die knowing he had found the one thing he desired most. Again, he kissed Kai's forehead and settled back into the comforting embrace of his presence, memorizing as much of the peaceful moment as he could, and believing, for once, that it would last...

****************

Kai hummed as he dreamed of his sanctuary. He found himself lying in a field of sparkling roses, glowing like jewels against the thick, lush, comfy grass. Above him, he could make out the castle. It shimmered against the clear sky as the stained glass windows sparkled like jewels. In the field, he could see Jay chasing Echo across the field with Nelson not too far behind, under the watchful eye of Zane. Ronin and Tox leaned against Bolobo under the shade of a tree.

Shade and Neuro sat on a picnic blanket making daisy chains.

On another blanket, Harumi laid with her head on her wife's lap while Ultra Violet twirled her bangs around her fingers, and Griffin laughed. Kai watched from the hillside, where he lied back against the roses. Except that he wasn't alone this time. Kai wove his fingers with his dream lover's claws, feeling a cool tingle running through them. For a moment they just lied there among the roses, their hands intertwined. Their heads turned and bright amber eyes met brilliant green.

Kai didn't need to see to know who his savior was.

His dream lover. His Dragon Lord. How could he have missed it before? It all made such perfect sense in retrospect. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was what was happening now.

"Come to me, my Flame..." He purred and Kai's eyes widened when his lover began to sing the words of his mother's lullaby in a deep soothing chime. Kai had almost forgotten about it. Even though he had sung the words himself for Lloyd and sometimes Nya when she got too stressed, they sounded so familiar, yet so different. Kai rolled onto his side met his lover's warm eyes with a smile and answered.

"I'm already here, exactly where I want to be." He smiled as he leaned closer so he and his Dragon Lord were only a few inches apart. He hummed when the Dragon Lord began stroking his hair. His eyes fluttered closed, soothed by the tender touch and the crystal chimes in the air. Words filled his mind as the music hummed in his ears.

"Come to me, my Flame..." The dragon repeated. Kai chuckled to himself and leaned a bit closer into his lover's embrace so his head was resting on his folded hands. He heard a low rush of wind then felt cool shade wrap over him.

"I told you, I'm already here." He sighed and his Dragon Lord chuckled, lightly.

"That wasn't what I meant." He spoke in a rich voice with a sultry rasp. Then he began to sing again. Kai could hear him move, and when he opened his eyes, he found his Dragon Lord leaning over him. Kai blinked in surprise and couldn't help but flush at the fact he was sprawled out beneath the Dragon Lord, but his savior just gave him a small smile and whispered.

"Will you be my key, Kai? Will you set me free?" he asked softly. At first, he couldn't answer. The concept sounded foreign but familiar all at once. When he did remember he mentally slapped himself for forgetting. The key to breaking the Dragon Lord's curse. The key to freeing his lover and all the people been nothing but kind to him. Kai smiled at the prince, no doubt or hesitation cloud his voice.

"Yes, Cole, I want to be your key." He promised as he leaned up to meet his lover's lips. Outside his dream world, Kai smiled in his sleep. But his lover didn't kiss him back. Instead, he turned his head, as if startled by a strange noise. Kai blinked and looked at his companion bewildered, even more so when his companion stood up hastily. His eyes focused on something foreign in the distance. Before Kai could ask what was wrong his savior broke into a run.

"Wait! Come back!" Kai called and chased after him, determined not to lose him. The hillside vanished and before he knew it he was chasing the Dragon Lord through a field covered in long grass and speckled in flowers that curled and blackened as they died. He wasn't sure how long they continued to run, but Kai refused to let the distance between them increase. Finally, his Dragon Lord leaped off the hill and vanished behind it. Kai could see his wings and head peeking over the greenery.

The Dragon Lord had stopped in a small clearing, his back still towards Kai, but his wings had fallen limp behind him.

Kai felt a surge of relief when he made it to the hillside and made to call to Cole, but the words were quickly replaced by a scream. At the base of the small hill lied the corpses of all the members of the castle. Red splotched their bodies and their glassy eyes were all frozen open. Thorny rose vines with withered, blackened blooms contorted around their spread arms and bodies. The corpses of roses and vines littered the area like thorny green skeletons speckled with blood shining like scattered rubies against the black ground.

In the center, where the ring of thorns and dead roses died was a circle of scorched earth, vacant of vegetation.

It was as if life knew better than to dare accumulate in that circle. That was where he found his Dragon Lord shaking and collapsed to his knees as if every movement hurt him. His beautiful wings, reduced to tattered strips of bleached leather, his clothes ripped to shreds and blood speckling the visible skin and scales. He turned to Kai with sad, pleading eyes, as if begging him for help. He was either forbidden to speak or didn't have the strength to.

It was then he heard a laugh like ice cracking on a frozen lake.

Kai's blood froze in his veins. He knew that laugh he followed the crackling sound to the man standing in front of his weakened lover.

"Get away from him!" Kai yelled, entering the clearing. There, he saw the same wine and amethyst-colored clothing and soulless eyes of the man who tried to kill him. Rage boiled in his blood as he suddenly recognized who he was. "You're behind all this!" Kai screamed in fury. The man said nothing. He just smiled a curled, mocking smile that set Kai's blood ablaze. His natural protective instincts and anger took over. Sparks crackled to life in his hands forming flames around his fists.

"Ah, so you've discovered your power, too bad it won't do you any good," He mocked the teenager and Kai saw red.

"I said get away from him!" He screamed throwing his hands forward, palms open and bright hot flames burst from his hands, roaring at their victim. But the man didn't flinch. His smile never faltered. Then he threw back his cape and raised a hand, sending a blast of purple fire back at Kai. The flames collided and he blocked the attack with ease. Kai's eyes bulged out of his skull and the man just laughed. When he brought his hand down again the flames and sparks retracted, forming a giant spell that bounced back towards its source.

Kai barely had time to scream before he was thrown backward with such force he skidded against the ground.

He coughed and groaned, aching from the force of his own attack.

"You can't save them!" The man's voice echoed dramatically around from everywhere. Kai shot up and turned to the closest corpse. Echo was lying only a few inches from Jay with their fingers just shy of touching. He got to his feet and crawled over to the boy's body and gently reached to touch it. He retracted his hand when Cole screamed, falling over and clawing at the ground until his wails transformed into a dragon's cry of agony. Lights clustered together above the victims spiraling into single orbs then blazed through the air all spiraling towards a single center.

Above the screaming and writhing Dragon Lord.

His limbs and back contorted. His spine cracked and the scales of his arms, legs, and back began to spread until they covered his entire form. He was no longer a man, but a dragon. Kai rushed to him, but streaming lights stopped him. The Sorcerer crackled like a madman, his laughter increased in volume as all of the lights came together in his hand. Around him Kai could see the ghost of each victim kneeling over their own corpses, weeping bitterly.

Some of them shrieked from despair, others just looked at him with dead, glassy eyes vacant of all emotion.

"I told you, boy, you can't save them," The Sorcerer chided, mockingly. When the lights died away it revealed the object in his hand. A crimson red wax candle with a bright, flickering purple flame. Kai's heart stopped in his chest when he saw it. His eyes fell on the dragon, writing on the ground. He groaned as he moved until their eyes met. The Dragon Lord's eyes were the only thing that was still human. They pleaded for him to run and save himself.

"He'll never be yours, you know." The Sorcerer said as he walked towards him. Kai took a shaky step away from him suddenly overcome by a nameless fear. The Sorcerer's smirk widened as he stepped closer, his intent naked in his eyes. Kai took another step back and stumbled over his own feet and landed on his butt but he continued to back away from the man. The Sorcerer laughed at his efforts and leaned closer so his eyes burned straight into Kai's.

"Even if you give him your mind and body and soul, he can give you his heart, he can give you his body." He smirked as he gestured with his arm to the ring of corpses, his grip on the candle dangerously tight. "But his soul and theirs belong to me!" He roared and suddenly crushed the candle in his hand...

****************

Electric fear shocked his heart and mind to life and Kai shot up panting. Only when he confirmed he was back in his room, and that the contents of his subconscious experience hadn't actually happened did he calm down. He concluded that it was a dream, running a nervous hand through his damp bangs. Or was it a disturbing premonition? He prayed it was the former and not the latter. Just the thought of it coming true sent a shiver of horror through his spine.

However, when he shivered again, he realized it was from cold.

His hands immediately flew to his shoulders and began rubbing his chest, hoping to bring warmth back to his form. He felt nothing between himself and the blankets confirming his suspicions that he was naked. A jolt of alert brought his senses into focus when he felt something wrapped around his torso and a leathery texture pressed against his back and sides. He had never been modest, but the sudden lover-like embrace sent a blush of embarrassment and fear surging through him.

He couldn't remember how he had to be gotten there.

He knew he had been sick, he still felt the weakness in his limbs and his weary body was abnormally pale. Unfortunately, his last clear memory was falling through the ice when he had been skating with the others, the rest were hazy recollections. He heard a light purring next to him, reminding him that he wasn't alone in the bed. Fear of what he might have done compelled him to simply slip away, but the desire to know compelled him to accept his actions.

Slowly, unwillingly, he turned around and looked down and found himself wrapped in the arms and wings of the slumbering Dragon Lord.

Unable to contain himself any longer, a loud, mortified shriek tore itself from his lungs. The sudden scream zapped Cole to life. He tried to take a battle stance but found the bed he was in too small for his massive form and instead he stumbled and collapsed in a mass on the floor. He swore as he got up, forgetting his lack of dress. He yelped and leaped into the air when his upper back and head were attacked. He whirled around and braced himself for a fight only to discover his assailant was a pillow.

Confused, he followed the source and resisted the urge to laugh when he found Kai bunched up, back pressed against the headboard on the other side of the bed.

He clutched the remaining comforter in his fist and held it to his chest like he was trying to merge the cloth with his skin. His free hand clutched braced himself against the mattress, clutching the sheets so tightly they started to rip. His eyes were narrow in embarrassed rage, his jaw twisted to grit and his face was bright scarlet from shame.

"What the hell are you doing here!" He demanded turning redder when the comforter shifted, revealing some of his skin. He used his free hand to cover it up, still blushing glaring. "Why am I naked? Or a better question is why are you naked? And in my room? In my bed!" Kai shrieked, positive he had a permanent blush on his face by now. Cole didn't answer. He had a blank look on his face, like was he momentarily stunned.

"What?" He questioned then looked down at himself. He grimaced at his own stupidity, scooped his robe off the floor, slid his wings through the slits, and clumsily tied it closed as he walked. It did little to cover him. Kai's heart rate doubled in speed watching the near-naked dragon came closer. Questions that needed answers swam in his mind like fish trapped in a net and Cole's silence only increased his panic. Instinctively, he inched away as the Dragon Lord came closer.

Finally, he backed up too far and he fell straight off his bed and landed on his back, only adding to his humiliation.

Cole paused, waiting for him to get up. When he saw this, Kai scampered to his feet as he took the comforter with him and backed away. He cursed when his back hit the wall. He stuttered an order and pointed at his assailant.

"What are you doing?" He demanded but Cole still didn't answer. His face was still vacant of emotion except for shock. He leaned closer and gently grabbed one of Kai's arms and held him steady despite Kai's yelps and stammering protests. "W-W-Wait! Stop!" He cried as he closed his eyes tightly, and struggled in the prince's grip until he felt the gentle touch of lips against his forehead. His eyes flew open and a small blush dusted his cheeks, but for a different reason.

Before he could question the action, Cole removed his lips and replaced them with the back of his hand.

"Your fever's gone." Cole breathed, still in shock. He double-checked, taking into consideration the temperature differences between them. "You're still a bit warm, but it's definitely gone." He added as the realization suddenly brought another concern to light. "You're awake!" Cole exclaimed as he jumped for joy. Kai's eye twitched in frustration.

"Of course, I'm awake! Why wouldn't I be? Now for the last time, Cole what the hell is going on?!" He growled but once again he never got an answer. Cole suddenly grasped his shoulders and pulling him into a tight, loving embrace like Kai would disappear if Cole loosened his grip. Kai was even more confused now. Cole released him and smiled at the confused boy. "What's going on?" Kai asked again, bewilderment all over his face. Cole stared at him like he was insane.

"You... you don't remember?" He frowned, then he pinched the top of his nose. "Of course, Kai, what's the last thing you remember?" He asked but Kai struggled to remember.

"I was skating with the boys and the ice broke, I think I fell in and, then it was all a blur; I remember a shadow, a light, music, and something... a voice calling out to me, but... I don't know if that was real or if I was dreaming... what does this have to do with anything?"

"Kai, you had hypothermia, you've been asleep for three days." Cole sighed with a grave look. Kai was glad Cole was holding him since if he hadn't been Kai was sure he would have collapsed from shock. "You were unconscious and freezing; everyone was worried sick, but thankfully, my body heat managed to get your core temperature back up." He smiled weakly but one look from Kai cut him off.

"Cole, what happened?" He asked. The sharpness in the boy's eyes and the gravity in his voice demanded the truth. Cole frowned but didn't look away. His face was conflicted. As if it was torn between two decisions that both promised a negative end.

"I dove in to save you, but I thought you were trying to leave so I threw you in the dungeon." He admitted in shame and Kai's eyes widened. "But after reading your gift, I realized how stupid I was and freed you but..."

"But what?" Kai asked, but Cole was hesitant.

"Nothing." He muttered, but Kai wasn't stupid.

"Cole, you saw him, didn't you? The man with the red cloak?" He asked, but it was clearly a statement.

"How do- How do you know?" He stuttered in disbelief.

"The night I... ran away, he... well, he made it obvious what he wanted, when I escaped him he sent that beast on me, didn't he? That's why you came to save me, wasn't it? You knew it was him? He did something again, didn't he? With that monster in the lake?" He explained with a frown like he had been keeping a terrible secret and had no choice but to reveal it to prevent devastation. Cole's hands fell limp at his sides and stumbled backward until he was sitting on the mattress.

He opened his mouth to speak but no sound would come out.

The words died in his throat. Kai's expression hadn't changed. Instead, he leaned over and put a hand on Cole's knee so they were face to face.

"Cole, I need to ask you something, and I need you to tell me the truth alright?" He said as the gravity in his voice was rivaled only his. Cole nodded. He said nothing but his eyes promised Kai the world. "That night, you and I saved each other, tell me... did I kill that monster with fire magic?"

"Yes, you did," Cole answered, sensing the desperation in his plea. Kai didn't look surprised. Instead, he fell to his knees, his arms at his sides, allowing the comforter to pull around his hips. His hair shadowed his eyes, but Cole caught the smile on his face. Cole knelt down in front of him, his wings braced to comfort him, but Kai just chuckled darkly. "So it did happen, that explains it."

"Explains what?" Cole asked confused, gently tilting Kai's chin so their eyes were even. He gasped in surprise when he saw the tears glistening at the base of Kai's lashes, but his twisted smile hadn't faltered.

"Everything," He retorted but regretted it when he saw the worry on the prince's eyes. Kai pulled away from him and pulled himself back so he was leaning against the wall. Feeling cold returning, he pulled the comforter up and wrapped it around his shoulders.

"It was you, Cole, I'd been dreaming about you." He growled as his hands started shaking and he looked at the floor, unable to look Cole in the eye. "After I arrived here, they started becoming clearer and clearer; now... now, I'm convinced somehow they're real, my dreams, my magic," He muttered as he looked at his shaking hands, remembering how it felt when sparks flew between them. "Now, I'm convinced something terrible will happen, and the worst part is that I don't think I can stop it."

Cole couldn't take anymore and rushed to the teen's side.

He gently ceased Kai's shoulders and pulled him closer. He hadn't failed to notice the tears abandoning his face.

"Kai, shush, don't worry about that, they're just dreams." He soothed, stroking Kai's bangs away from his face and gently running the smooth backs of his claws over his cheek to brush away the tears. Kai shook his head and whipped his eyes with his arms, angry at himself for his lack of control, but the tears of fear and sheer helplessness refused to stop.

"They're not dreams, Cole! I was naïve to think they were!" He shouted. The volume and intensity, caused Cole to fall back from shock. Kai's fist shook in rage next to him and his wild eyes were bright with unrivaled certainty. "I know about the curse, Cole," He whispered, trying to look away, but found he couldn't. "I pretended not to because no one likes to talk about it, but I know, and I know him... that man, sorcerer, whoever he is he's behind it, isn't he? If you don't break the curse by spring he's going to take your soul, right!? Tell me!"

Cole said nothing, but his neutral mask spoke more than a thousand words.

"I know no one can reveal the details of the curse or how to break it, even you, but that doesn't matter, I'll find a way." He promised as he shifted his position so he and Cole were face to face. Tears glittered on Kai's eyelashes, but he was smiling, happily, making Cole more confused. "Cole, I don't regret coming here, or choosing to stay; being here with you, the boys, everyone... I've never been happier than I am when I'm here, everyone here is so wonderful; no one's treated me like an outcast."

He paused for a moment, but no doubt or hesitation clouded his voice when he spoke next.

"Whenever I'm with you, I can't explain it but... I'm happier than I've ever been in my entire life." Kai smiled brightly, gently whipping aside a joyful tear. Reading the bewildered and almost blank look on Cole's face the entire time he spoke, Kai didn't know how Cole would react to his declaration. The moment Kai finished his sentence Cole pulled him into his arms and rested his chin on Kai's shoulder. At first, the sudden embrace surprised him, but Kai could feel the warmth and the passion behind it radiating against their bare skin.

"Cole?" Kai questioned, but it was more a statement of happiness than a voice of concern.

"I don't care about that stupid curse," He whispered against Kai's skin. He blinked and gently pulled away, confused. Cole just smiled at him and wrapped his arm around Kai's still covered waist and stroked his cheek. "I mean it, even if I lose my soul; even if I spend the rest of eternity in hell, I don't care! That bastard can do whatever he wants to me, it won't change anything, and do you know why?" He asked, but Kai didn't and Cole smiled again.

"Because I'll always be able to take this with me." He declared and Kai's widened at what the man was implying and a slight pink color rose in his cheeks. Cole chuckled and hugged him tighter. "You've made me happier too, Kai, happier than I'd ever thought possible, I'd given up hope that I'd ever been happy again." He said as he pulled away to look Kai in the eye and pressed their foreheads together. "I'm not going to lose that or throw it away for anything so I promise you, no matter what gets thrown in my way or who stands in front of me, I promise I'll protect you with every fiber of my being, nothing is going to take you away from me, my flame."

Kai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Tears burst from his eyes and laughter exploded from his mouth.

He threw his arms around Cole's neck and hugged him with such force he was taken off guard and his scaled spine and wings crashed against the bed frame. They both laughed at the action, but when their eyes opened and locked once more, they wasted no time and closed the distance between them. Lips molded perfectly over the other, Kai's arms wrapped tightly around Cole's neck and shoulders. Cole's wrapped around Kai's waist pressing the blanket still wrapped around Kai's hips and torso, closer to his flesh.

One hand stroked up Kai's upper back as his tail twitched at his side.

The kiss slowly turned deeper. His body moving on its own, Cole kept one arm around Kai's waist and the other clutched the bed and hoisted himself up. His arm repositioned Kai so he was holding him bridal style with one arm. Kai's arms tightened their hold on Cole, not wanting to break away just yet. They finally paused to breathe when they fell back against the mattress. Cole took notice at how lovely Kai looked sprawled out beneath him on the bed.

Face flush, one arm level with his head the other at his side, eyes half-lidded with passion, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.

Seeing that the dragon hybrid above him wasn't moving, Kai leaned forward and kissed Cole passionately. He pulled him closer against him, urging him to move, and Cole obeyed. His body was now flush against Kai's as their arms wrapped around the other. The loose knot of his robe had come undone long ago. The comforter, the only thing separating them, slipped further down Kai's waist until it finally settled just above his hips.

"Rise and Shine you too! Shade made tea!" Neuro suddenly shouted as he burst through the door, balancing a tray with a large steaming teapot and several teacups in one hand and used the other to pry Echo, Nelson, and Jay off his waist. Harumi suddenly shoved the articles she had been holding into Ronin's arms and tried to help pry the servants off Neuro. The sudden commotion brought the two men back to reality. Their eyes flew to the spectacle, which froze the instant it turned its attention to the two on the bed.

All of their eyes flew open at the sight of their Master, robe opened and sprawled on top of their guest, who was in nothing but a bedsheet.

Amber and emerald eyes widened in horror. The servants just stared, too shocked to do anything else. Suddenly, the entire East Wing erupted in eight different, horrifying screams. No one noticed the red eyes peeking through the crack in the curtains...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Cold Concern

Cole's eyes widened as his mind trying to wrap around what he was just told. After he had taken a shivering Kai back to his room, Neuro had examined the brunette, but the news had been grim, to say the least. His skin is still freezing, and his fever wouldn't go down and they couldn't give him anything because he was unconscious and it was too dangerous. Even if they did give him something to bring down the fever, it would only make the hypothermia worse.

It was very dangerous to treat hypothermia using medication.

Too much heat was just a dangerous as too much cold when it came to treating hypothermia. They needed to get the brunette's core temperature back up to a safe level. Unfortunately, that was impossible at this point because they couldn't do it anymore. It required something none of them were able to properly do long enough to bring up his core temperature. They needed body heat. Jay and the others tried to help, but Neuro dismissed them.

Their spirit forms didn't give off any body heat and their creature forms didn't provide enough.

That was when Cole said he would do it. He was the only one of them that was purely physical, and he was a dragon. His body's naturally warmer than a human's. Neuro advised against this, however, saying that Kai's cold body could have serious consequences against the prince's own body heat. Cole ran his claws through his hair, barely nicking his fin-like ears until he heard another haggard cough. His eyes shot to Kai, who was coughing again, barely able to move.

The boys held him down trying to keep him steady.

Cole made up his mind. He walked past Neuro, removed his clothes, and worked off his boots.

"Neuro, take the boys outside and tell everyone what's going on and check on Kai's vitals every so often until he wakes up; take shifts if you must."

"What? No!" Neuro cried. "I mean, it's possible, but what if it doesn't work? Cole's heat might get Kai's core temperature back up, but if he doesn't cool down in time, he could-"

"Would it give Kai a chance?" Cole asked, sitting on the edge of the bed, and gently scooped the protesting fox, bear cub, troll, and naga into his arms. Neuron's jaw dropped.

"Well, yes, but-"

"That's all I need to know," Cole decided, placing Jay and Nelson in Neuro's arms and Ronin and Tox in Echo's.

"This isn't fair, Master! Let us stay too!" Nelson pleaded, squirming to escape his prison.

"No!" Echo chided, gently. "Listen you four, I know you want to help, but the best thing we can do right now is waiting, trust your master." He told them and all four of them opened their mouth to protest, but Echo's smile silences them.

"You better know what you're doing, Cole!" Jay glared, but his worry was visible in his eyes.

"I do, leave us." He told them, undoing his belt. Neuro's eyes narrowed, but he obeyed and followed Echo outside.

"Don't bother with his arms or legs, that'll only work the cold back towards his heart and lungs, focus on his head, his torso, and his groin, and if he doesn't warm up by morning come find us immediately." He warned just before closing the door behind him. When the door shut, Cole stripped the rest of his clothes and slid under the thick cocoon of blankets. He carefully pulled Kai into his warm chest and pressed their torsos together. He hissed when Kai's icy skin touched his.

He bit his lip and pressed Kai's forehead against his collar.

He wrapped a wing around Kai's head and hair, the other around his back and hips. He tucked the covers into every crevice around him, making sure no cold seeped through.

"Kai, I'm sorry." He whispered, hoping his flame could still hear him. He rubbed the young man's back when he started shivering again. He hugged Kai closer. "I'm so sorry I didn't protect you, I never thought... I didn't think that bastard would go this far! I know I should've seen it, but..." His voice broke on the last part, and he had to stop to keep himself from breaking down. He lay his precious flame down again, smiling when Kai stopped shivering, but his skin was still cold, and his fever still high.

He gently kissed the boy's forehead and pulled him closer, wrapping him in his warmth and letting the coolness of Kai's flesh wash over him.

He hadn't realized just how hot he'd been until now. Already he could feel drowsiness overcome him.

"I promise," Cole whispered in Kai's ear. "I promise when you wake up, I'll protect you and I don't care what he throws at me; I'll never let that...that... monster anywhere near you, again! I won't!" Cole hissed as he clenched the blankets at his side, before settling down against the mattress, then the warmth of the cocoon the staff created for Kai and the soothing coolness of Kai's skin, lulling the Dragon Lord to sleep.

"Please... come back to me, Kai." He whimpered as a small tear rolled down his cheek, gently damping the teen's forehead. "I can't lose you too, Kai, I can't..." He said at last before the stress, anxiety, and terror finally took their toll on him and he collapsed into darkness. "I'm not strong enough too."...

****************

Zane sighed as he slid his back against the door to the room his younger brother shared with the three other servants. After a flurry of questions and concerns, panic attacks, and hours of reassurance from Neuro, he had finally got the three boys to settle into an uneasy sleep. He had been annoyed when Echo clamped onto Jay the entire time before finally falling asleep in the fox's arms. But he didn't have the heart to comment on it. There was too much unrest already.

"How are they?" Someone suddenly asked and Zane looked up to see Ronin standing in the hallway.

"They'll be fine, they're just worried like we all are," Zane explained and slouched against the door, anxiety taking its toll on him as well.

"I'm not surprised, who knows what those kids saw," Ronin sighed as he took off his hat and ran a hand through his dark hair, and closed his eyes. Just then Griffin sped in, having listening into their conversation, but Zane and Ronin didn't seem to care.

"Speaking of that, what exactly happened today?" He asked gravely.

"This was more than just a simple ice break wasn't it?" Zane also asked the troll. Ronin's eyes scanned the hallway, double-checking to make sure no one was there and gestured Griffin and Zane to come closer.

"I didn't want to say anything in front of everyone but something doesn't add up," He whispered. "I checked that ice meself and I swear on my life it was at least six inches thick and I think we can all agree there's no way Kai's heavy enough to crack it, let alone fall through, and something else was there, in the lake."

"What?"

"There was this little creepy-looking bird there, it let out this sound that scared Kai's horse and made it break the ice." He explained and Griffin's eyes widened in horror. He turned to the Stewart whose eyes were hard and unreadable.

"Zane?" He gulped but Zane said nothing. Then he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Double the guard, no one is to leave the castle without an escort and at least one of the guards, myself, you two, or the Master." He ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Until winter is over, everyone is confined to the immediate grounds until further notice; if our fears are correct, then we're not taking any chances."...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Symphony Of Fate

Kai and Cole spent the next few minutes just holding in each other's arms as the servants danced and celebrated at their feet. A few such as Shade, Harumi, and Neuro had already left to their respective workstations for the night. As they finally pulled apart, Kai looked like he wanted to say something to the prince, something he had been meaning to say for a while, when suddenly the entire tower started to shake. Everyone froze as the tremor subsided.

At first, they all thought it was an earthquake, that is until another tremor hit, occupied by the sound of piano keys.

Instead of fading, however, the shaking only got more and more violent as the music grew louder. Cole vaguely recognized the sound as Beethoven's 5th Symphony, but no didn't seem time to worry about that.

"What is this? What's going on?" Nelson cried in fear as the entire prison tower shook violently.

"I don't know!" Tox shrieked as the tremors caused the room to crumble and chunks to fall from the ceiling.

"Hurry now, hurry!" Zane shouted as he tried to get everyone out of the road of the falling debris. Cole had to push Kai away seconds before a large rock impaled the spot where the brunette once stood. Kai could only look around in complete shock and fear as the dungeon around him was being reduced the rumble and his friends screamed and ran around, looking for an escape.

"Can you believe I never took a lesson?" A voice crackled through the entire castle as the music boomed. Cole's eyes widened in horror and anger, recognizing the voice almost instantly. Before he could do anything, however, the floor between him and Kai separated.

"Cole!" Kai shouted as he and the others were forced to back up against the far wall to stop themselves from falling into the seemingly bottomless pit.

"Kai!" Cole shouted back, but he knew there wasn't much he could do. The cell was too small and unstable to fly over. His best bet was to find the source of this dark magic and stop it before Kai or anyone else got hurt. He knew there was only one organ big enough to produce this much noise, with or without magic. He burst out of the cell and flew madly through the castle until he came to a room down the hall from his bedroom. He flew through the doors and snarled when he saw the old pipe organ with familiar black magic pouring out of it.

"YOU!" He roared with more fury than he had ever felt.

"Greetings your highness! I hope you like the song!" He mocked cruelly. "You can remain as you are forever and ever!" The disembodied voice laughed evilly as the music started up again.

"Enough!" Cole shouted as he charged at the organ, intending to destroy it. Before he could, however, the madman blasted him with some kind of music magic, knocking him into the wall...

****************

Back in the falling dungeon, Kai somehow managed to place one of the few fallen roof beams across the crack in the dungeon floor and began to lead everyone across the floor. They could hear Cole trying to stop the music, but when he went quiet, Kai feared the worst. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he just knew that he had to get down there and see what he could do to help stop this attack. He would give it everything he had to stop this.

Kai may not be half-dragon like Cole or have any real supernatural powers, but that didn't mean he was going to stay in this crumbling tower like some kind of damsel in distress.

The first thing he had to do was get his friends to safety before he went charging into some kind of battle.

"Be careful." He warned the servants and they all thankfully made it across the crack with little trouble. Once they were all safe, they all dashed towards the source of the music to try and help the hybrid prince. As they ran, Jay, Tox, and Nelson all froze by their master's bedroom as the others carried on. The door was wide open and they had a clear view of the room and the enchanted candle. The shaking had almost knocked the flicking candle off the table it was resting on.

"The candle!" Nelson cried in horror. If that candle went out or was damaged in any way, any hope of becoming human again would be destroyed along with it. When they said they would be ok with staying with the curse, they were only trying to comfort Kai and themselves. But now that they knew that there was still a chance of Kai lifting the curse, they didn't want to lose it again.

"I've got it! I've got it!" Tox shouted as she shot forward and caught the candle just before it hit the floor. Unfortunately, the tremors were still too strong for them to safely put the candle back in its resting spot. They would have to wait and hope Kai and Cole stopped this attack soon...

****************

When Kai and the others made it to the room where the music for coming from, they all froze at what they saw. The dark magic had warped the pipe organ into a monstrous creation as dark magic and music thundered and boomed from the twisted pipes. Cole lay on his back a few feet from them, completely motionless. For a brief moment, Kai thought the Dragon Lord was dead. Just then, Cole groaned in pain as he rolled over onto his front but was still too out of it to stand up.

Kai sighed in relief, but the moment was short-lived as the organ released another burst of power.

This caused more cracks and chucks to fall from the walls and ceilings, and the statues to break and shatter. Without thinking, Kai rushed to Cole's side in an effort to protect him. The servants attempted to follow, but the organ shot them all back. As Kai tried to wake Cole up, a peal of deep, evil laughter suddenly came out of the organ. This caused Kai to freeze before he growled and faced the instrument of destruction, recognizing the laughter.

As he did this, no one noticed Cole slowly start to regain consciousness.

He opened his eyes to the sight of Kai standing protectively in front of him before the giant organ.

"Well, well, well, the prized slut had finally arrived! I would have thought you'd have frozen to death in that cell!" The sorcerer cackled and Cole growled lowly at Kai being called a prized slut. "I don't understand why you would care so much for a monster who imprisoned both you and your siblings but also cut you off from everything you knew and loved and then threw you in a freezing, filthy dungeon just because you wanted to have a little bit of fun." The madman mocked and Kai hesitated for a second.

He hadn't forgiven Cole for those first three things, but he was getting there.

After spending so much time with the prince, he now understood that Cole was a good man underneath all those scales and anger. He was just lonely and desperate to find someone to break this horrible curse. Now Kai may care about Cole and the others, but he couldn't promise them that he could break the curse this sorcerer had put on them. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to try.

"You're the only monster here." He snarled at the organ. "Cole may have his faults, but he's a good man inside and I'd rather spend the rest of my life here than let you hurting him anymore you spineless bastard!" He shouted, shocking everyone, Cole mostly. "You're so pathetic that you have to rely on little birds and a rusty piano to do your dirty work! You haven't got the guts to face us yourself!" He laughed bitterly and the sorcerer roared with rage.

"Kai..." Cole muttered in shock and joy, startling the brunette. He didn't know Cole was awake and had heard every word. Before either of them could say a word, the organ suddenly blasted Kai in the back, sending him flying into the far wall. He let out a cry of pain as he crumbled down to his side, not getting up. "KAI!" Cole exclaimed in horror before turning his fury to the instrument. He wanted to destroy it, but he was too busy avoiding the weapon's attacks.

All of a sudden, Zane burst into the battle and charged at the organ.

The sorcerer was so focused on Cole that he didn't have time to react as the yeti punched the cold pipes of the organ. The music stopped and was replaced with a high-pitched, screeching echo that erupted into the entire castle. Everyone cried out in pain as they covered their ears, but this briefly cut off the sorcerer's connection. As Kai opened his eyes were a groan, he looked around and zeroed in on a stone mallet from one of the destroyed statues.

"Cole! The mallet!" He cried and Cole looked to where he was pointing. Knowing what the teen was thinking, he shot forward and grabbed the weapon. The sorcerer tried to stop him, but Cole flew high into the air, successfully dodging the magic with an unknown form of rage and determination. With a mighty roar, Cole launched the mallet at the organ, breaking it and ending the evil music. Once they were sure the tremors had stopped, Tox carefully put the candle back on the table.

After making sure it was secure, she and the others went to check on Kai and Cole.

They were surprised and a little scared to see Cole slamming the stone mallet into the remains of the pipe organ until they were both broken beyond repair. The force of the pipe organ falling ripped a hole in the wall, exposing the room to the cold winter air and the dark woods surrounding the castle. An unearthly shriek echoed from the metal remains as a sickly dark purple mist floated out and up into the shadows of the roof. Everyone in the ruined room was in stunned silence for a moment before Cole let out a shaky breath and turned to Kai.

He wanted to say something, but then he saw how pale the usually tanned teen suddenly was.

His body suddenly fell limp and he fell over coughing and shuddering. Cole caught him and realized that Kai's clothes were still wet from his unexpected swim in the lake. Cole started rubbing his back to help him breathe better, but all the teen could manage was a series of heavy, desperate rasps. When his eyes started to close, Ronin shot forward and slapped him hard across the face, waking him instantly. Cole wanted to break the troll's hand for that, but deep down he knew why he did it.

"Don't you dare go to sleep!" He commanded and started taking off the rest of his wet clothes. "Don't just stand there, help me!" He yelled at Jay and Echo. "We have to get him out of these wet clothes or he'll freeze to death!" He ordered and the couple nodded and started helping him. Cole shook his head to clear his thoughts at the sight of Kai's naked body and stood up. He removed his own shirt and wrapped it around Kai's trembling shoulders.

One of the advantages of being a dragon hybrid was being larger than others, so his clothes wrapped around Kai like a thin blanket.

Ronin felt Kai's forehead and cursed loudly. The teen struggled to stay awake, but his eyelids felt like lead and his body couldn't support his weight.

"Cole we have to get him out the cold, now! He's barely conscious!"

"I know!" Cole snarled, but everyone could sense the terror laced in the prince's voice.

"We got the blankets!" Harumi hollered and started wrapping them around Kai's naked form.

"You four, go and get whatever Neuro has for treating hypothermia and Zane, you take him back to his room," Cole ordered Nelson, Jay, Echo, and Tox as he scooped Kai bridal style in his arms, double-checking to make sure the blankets and coat were wrapped securely around his body, before handing him over to the yeti. Zane adjusted his grip and held the teen as close to his chest as he could to block out the cold. Once Kai was secure, everyone departed to do their separate tasks, leaving Cole alone in the partially destroyed room.

The prince stood there for a second, glaring at the remains of the organ before he made to leave and check on Kai.

But before taking off, he growled furiously and turned to the hole that revealed the woods.

"I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND I'LL RIP YOU LIMB FOR LIMB FOR THIS! I SWEAR IT! I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!" He screamed a terrible combination of a declaration of vengeance and the furious roar of a dragon determined to avenge its fallen comrades. With that, he turned around, flapped his wings flew back into the depths of the palace as fast as his wings could fly, roaring in anger and terror the entire way...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 24

Chapter 24: A Cut Above The Rest

In the dungeon Kai leaning against the wall as he scanned his prison. It was smaller than his bedroom, surprisingly enough, with large stones making up the walls and chains like the ones currently shackled to his wrists hung from the ceiling. There were no windows and the door had a little opening at the bottom where the prisoners were served their food. Kai slowly let out his breath. It didn't puff out in front of him, which was good. It meant that it wasn't overly cold in here.

It was still pretty cold, though.

Goosebumps were prickling along Kai's skin as cold seeped through the thin, damp clothes he was wearing. With a tired grunt, Kai managed to cross his arms over his chest and pulled his legs close. Kai was at Cole's mercy, and knowing him it'd probably be forever before the prince freed him. Much to Kai's shock, however, a part of him still loved Cole, despite what had happened now and before with his siblings. Kai scowled, hugging himself tighter as he shivered.

The dungeon shouldn't be cold enough to be any sort of danger.

Cole wouldn't have locked him in here if it was, but that didn't mean that it wasn't uncomfortable. Kai started to fantasize about different ways of getting Cole back if he was let out as he waited, and waited, and waited. So far, his favorite idea was to dump bright pink glitter on Cole while he was sleeping. Kai's teeth started to chatter loudly. It startled him, and he clenched his jaw to stop it, which just made him all the more aware of how severely the rest of Kai was shaking.

Kai curled in tighter on himself, trying to keep what heat he had left.

It wasn't until Kai's face had gone numb that he reluctantly extracted his hands from where he'd been pressing them against his legs. He winced as the cold started to numb his fingertips. Kai tried to rub some warmth into his legs, but he couldn't feel his hands anymore. Even if he could, they were shaking too much for him to concentrate. He tucked them under his arms, not that it helped much at this point. The cold stone of the wall was leeching heat away from where his back was pressed against it, so Kai scooted farther into the dungeon as far as his chains would allow, still shivering.

He swore under his breath, hugging his legs to his chest and pressing his face into his knees.

He really hoped Cole came to his senses soon and let him out, or at the very least someone would just come and check on him. Then they might see his shivering and possibly give him a blanket of some kind. Kai kept coming up with ways to get Cole back, drawing inspiration from the pranks that Lloyd had played when he was younger. After a long time, Kai blinked, dimly realizing that he had zoned out. He tried to remember what he'd been thinking about before, but his mind was too fuzzy.

He had stopped shivering, but couldn't remember if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Kai breathed out, letting himself relax a little bit. His muscles ached, not wanting to move. He was really, really tired. He should take a nap. That would be nice. There were sounds, though. They sounded like words, but they were far away. Then all of the sudden they were louder, closer, and Kai could hear them well. Not that he remembered what they meant. As his mind started drifting again, something or someone suddenly released his wrists from the shackles and caught him in their arms.

"Kai?" A timid voice whispered and Kai slowly opened his amber eyes, seeing the worried teary eyes of his friends. He struggled to look up and saw Zane was holding against his chest so he was in a seating position. Harumi suddenly burst into the cell from the open door, carrying a large duvet cover from the nearest bedroom.

"Here you go, darling." She smiled sadly as she wrapped Kai up like a newborn baby. The brunette offered her a grateful smile in return, a little disappointed that it wasn't Cole who saved him from possibly freezing to death in his prison cell. He curled up a little as he soaked up the warmth from the blanket and Zane's body heat. When his body finally regained most of its heat and he had stopped shivering, Kai sat up slightly and turned to his friends.

"Guys, I'm sorry." He said weakly. "Nothing's changed."

"I warned you nothing would change." Shade suddenly said, and everyone but Kai glared at him. "I warned you all that the master would not allow this, I warned you this was all a hopeless folly!" He shouted and Kai winced, looking down in shame at giving them all false hope. "But...I was wrong." He added, surprising everyone. "If we felt lost and lonely, with not a dream in our heads, your words lifted our spirits high."

"Yeah Kai, remember what you said?" Nelson asked with a heartwarming smile, but Kai shrugged, not sure what the boy wanted him to say. "That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive, as long as our shining star shines above." He said and Kai's eyes widened for a second, remembering what he kept telling them and what he had even put in the story for Cole. Kai smiled and pulled the boy into a hug.

"You know what, Kai? I don't need to be human to be happy." Jay said and they all nodded in agreement. True, they missed being human, but as long as they had each other then perhaps everything would be alright.

"I suppose I can do without mistletoe." Shade sighed before suddenly pulling Neuro into a rough, passionate kiss.

"Well, I don't need tinsel." Neuro spat in embarrassment. He might love the cook, but he hated it when Shade got too physical when they were in public.

"Oh, I don't need holly." Shade counted.

"I don't need a wreath." Neuro huffed and his lover snarled. Kai turned to the others, but they didn't look fazed by the row. This sort of thing happened all the time.

"I don't need ornaments."

"I don't need turkey!"

"I don't need stuffing."

"I don't need pudding!" Neuro exclaimed and Shade looked ready to tear his hair out.

"To each his own my love, you know how to get me stressed, but if it comes to making things special I'm a cut above the rest!"

"If you could see facts clearly, you would say that I've been blessed!"

"You can't hold a candle to my timing!" Shade laughed bitterly as he flicked Neuro right between the eyes. Kai saw this as the right time to step in and, with shaking legs, stood up and approached them, still clutching the blanket around him. The couple stopped their fighting and helped to teen stay upright, worry clear on everyone's faces.

"You belong side by side, you should never be apart because if you're both together, you're really twice as smart." He told them both calmly, and the couple all shared a look before a smile appeared on their faces.

"Twice as smart? He does have a point." Shade smirked.

"Yes, well, two heads are better than one I suppose." Neuro agreed and everyone else visibly relaxed that a proper fight hadn't broken out between them. At that moment, however, a large frame suddenly appeared in the still opened door frame, blocking out the light from the hall, and they all turned to see Cole standing there. They all froze in fear when they saw him. None of them were supposed to be in here and Kai was supposed to be shackled up.

Instead of anger, however, the only expression the prince had was one of sadness and regret.

Without even acknowledging the servants, Cole walked to Kai, who was glaring at him and gently took his hands into his scaly ones. Kai made no move to pull away and when he saw the regret in Cole's green orbs his anger melted into pity.

"Can you forgive me?" He pleaded, looking ready to cry before Kai could answer.

"I'm sorry for leaving the castle when I wasn't supposed to,"

"I admit that I overreacted, but I would have been fine if you had just asked from my permission and told me where you were going, but I don't really blame you for that part," Cole replied, giving Jay, Echo, and Ronin a glance and they all gulped. He wrapped Kai in a strong embrace who looked up at him in his soft eyes. Kai felt an ugly combination of grief, heartache, and guilt burning in his heart.

"Does this mean you forgive me?" Cole asked.

"I'll forgive you if you'll forgive me," He replied shyly and Cole's response was cupping his cheek and turning to him.

"Always." He promised and kissed the brunette softly. It wasn't passionate, more like a shaky first kiss where someone didn't quite know what to do. Kai was stunned for a second, but recovered quickly and put a little bit more passion into it, realizing just how much he missed Cole's kisses, even though he might not have gotten many yet. The servants all cheered as their master and Kai reconciled their relationship. As they all celebrated, no one saw an inky black cloud of dark magic seep into the castle as look for the perfect tool of destruction.

It eventually found a large, seemingly abandoned giant pipe organ bolted to the wall.

It seemingly melted into the instrument, turning the grand pipe organ black as night. It suddenly began playing loud music, which shook the castle to pieces...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Temptations Of Hope

Cole angrily paced around his room as the clock struck twelve. The only lights in the room were the moonlight reflecting off the untouched, white snow and the purple flame coming from the now almost completely melted red candle. His instincts warned him not to feel for Kai. Life was so much simpler before he came along, before Cole and the others dared to hope. Cole sighed tiredly as he slumped into a torn-up armchair. He had thought Kai was the one.

He didn't know why he continued to torment himself.

His eyes fell on the candle and an enraged growl bubbled in his throat. That was the symbol of his curse, and it needed to be destroyed and end these adolescent notions of love and redemption. It would end all of his pain forever. Cole growled and raised his arm to smash the weakening flame. Just as he was about to destroy it, a couple of cinders flew from the flame. Cole watched as it landed next to the gift, which Kai left for Cole next to the bed.

The prince's eyes widened in shock, recognizing the small, nice handwriting on the gift's little label.

The hybrid carefully picked up the lovely wrapped gift as if it was made of glass. He quickly ripped off the wrapping paper and was surprised to see it was a book Kai had written just for him. Without really thinking about it, Cole sat back down and started reading the story Kai had made. The incredibly detailed story inside talked about an enchanted castle and how the master seemed as cold as winter. His cries echoed through the stone wall of the castle, and though he was surrounded by servants, he was all alone.

It went on to say that thanks to that simple act of kindness, he knew someone cared.

Even though he didn't read much, even before he was cursed, Cole knew this was an amazing story. It ends it all off, Kai wrote about how that time of year was spent exchanging humble gifts, but the greatest gift that anyone received was the gift of hope. As Cole finished the book and put it down, he contemplated what the book meant by hope. Once he had hope that was hope to break the spell. But as the years passed, that hope had started to fade until it was almost nonexistent.

That is until Kai suddenly forced his way into his life and that hope burned brightly for the first time since he was first cursed.

Then Kai tried to leave the castle, despite his promise, and almost drowned in a freezing lake. It wasn't just the fact that Kai left, but also that he almost lost his life again because Cole wasn't there to protect him. Despite his anger, Cole still loved and cared deeply for Kai. He didn't want to see the teen get hurt and if that meant he had to lock Kai in a cell then so be it. It was probably the safest place for Kai since Cole was certain that he had just blown any chance with the brunette and any hope of breaking this curse.

As soon as that thought entered his mind, however, his mother's voices echoed through his very soul.

She used to say that regardless of how desperate things may seem, remember, people could always have hope. All of a sudden, Cole realized his idiocy and what he had done to Kai in his blinding anger. He promised himself there and then that he would do his best job to find the perfect way to beg for Kai's forgiveness if the begging wasn't enough in itself. He knew it was going to be hard, but he was ready for that. With that in mind, Cole stood up from his chair and bolted out of the room towards the dungeons.

He failed to see the enraged shadow made of dark magic scowling at his retreating form.

This was not part of his plan...

****************

He growled in rage as he watched the dragon prince flee to attempt to make up with Kai through his purple crystal ball. Despite all Cole had done, he knew that the brunette loved the hybrid and would forgive him. The man snarled as he ran his hand through his raven hair, pacing around as he tried to find a way to stop this from happening. He stared out of the small, empty window of his hideout in the ghost town of Kilmarnock hundreds of miles from any civilization.

What was once a wide avenue that led to Kilmarnock was unrecognizable as nature had begun reclaiming the now unused area.

The crisp and clean-looking town now looked more like a jungle as trees and gardens grew beyond their now unkempt boundaries. Many doors had collapsed as the rot was eating away their edges. The open doorways that were once perhaps very welcoming were now an eerie and unwelcoming sight. Broken cars and rusty pieces of metal littered some of the larger driveways, stripped from all but their most useless parts. Kilmarnock, once rich with life, hopes, dreams, and aspirations was now partially reclaimed by nature.

The sounds of insects, winds, and creaking wood of trees which were once drowned out by the sounds of people had returned as the dominant sounds once more.

The clock tower was somehow still rich with sounds, but it wasn't its bells and gears as those had stopped working a long time ago. It was a flock of crows that had made this once great pillar their new home. No matter how you looked at it this town was an eerie sight to behold. Lives forgotten, perhaps completely ruined and there was barely anything to show for it. But even though everything may seem like it was lost forever there was still a silver lining.

While this town was no longer home to the families that lived here, it was now home to families of wild animals.

The enchanted candle would flicker out any day now, and Kai had yet to proclaim his love for Cole. He couldn't afford for Cole to suddenly find the key to ending his curse and everyone's suffering. He saw red as he thought about what this could mean for his revenge when Kai and Cole made things up and confessed their love for each other. The prince got the one he loves and his curse would be broken, and then it was a happy ending for everyone.

The enchantment will be lifted, and that stuck-up brat and his family's suffering would fade into the background.

He refused to let them get off that easily. He used his magic to set the cauldron bubbling and boiling and opened his spellbook. He flipped through a dozen pages until he finally found exactly what he was looking for. He ran around his hovel, searching for the needed ingredients. These included red and white rose petals, pearly white swan and dove feathers, maple leaves, and a bright red apple. He threw them all into the black cauldron and the liquid inside turned a stunning crimson red.

"I call the darkness unto me, from deepest depths of earth and sea, from ancient evils unawoken, break that what can not be broken." He chanted loudly before grabbing another set of ingredients. These included a dead raven, a red poppy, blood of a black cat, and a human skull. "To blackest night I pledge my soul I crush my heart to burning coal, to summon forth a deathly power, to see my hatred foe devoured!" He bellowed and suddenly a blast of black smoke shot out of the cauldron.

It filled the room in a matter of seconds before it shot out the window like a bolt of lighting.

He cackled loudly as he watched the dark magic travel straight to Cole's castle, standing out against the white fluffy clouds like blood on a white wedding dress. They couldn't fall in love if they were dead...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Frosty Rescue

"This is the best day ever!" Nelson cheered as they skated around the frozen lake. Everyone was still skating around, except Echo, who was sat on the bank with Kai's horse Flame. Kai couldn't help but agree with the child, really enjoying himself for the first time in years. As much as Kai loved his siblings, they were too busy trying to make ends meet to really have fun, with the odd exceptions of Lloyd. Their little brother was the only light Kai and Nya had in their lives.

The brunette really hoped his siblings were alright without him.

Despite things getting better between him and Cole, Kai still felt trapped within the castle, so it was nice to get out and do something, even if it was just some ice-skating. As they skated around, Echo looked up at the sky and saw the dark clouds rolling in. He frowned at this. He had thought it would be clear skies all day, so where had those clouds come from?

"We'd better hurry back guys, it's starting to get stormy." He called for the others. All four of them groaned in disappointment, but complied and started skating over to Echo and Flame. Kai mounted his faithful horse and the others transformed into their creature forms, and just as Kai was about the ride Flame home, the stallion suddenly froze. They looked past Flame's head and saw a small creature standing in the snow a few feet away from them.

It appeared to be a type of bird.

It had two small wings and four small, clawed legs, with a long tail. It had two eyes that sat lightly in its sockets with a thin, sharp beak. Its skin was thin but strong and it was covered in short, thin feathers. Its feather colors were mostly dark purple and black. It didn't look at all intimidating, being only the size of a tennis ball, but something about it set the others on the edge.

"What is that?" Ronin asked, and that set the creature off. It suddenly let out the loudest, banshee-like scream Kai had ever heard. The sound was so loud it actually hurt their ears. The sound scared Flame and he ran in the opposite direction towards the frozen lake. With the speed, he was running at Flame slipped and this caused him to break the ice, exposing the icy waters below. Kai and the others started to scream as Flame started to try and buck them off him, sending Nelson flying into the air.

He went flying into the water and sank into the darkness.

"Where is he?!" Jay cried as they jumped off the still scared Flame and started desperately looking for the child.

"HHHEEELLLPPP MMMEEE!" Nelson garbled as his head vanished again. Kai saw this and, acting solely on instinct, he jumped into the freezing lake after him. Thankfully Nelson was close to the surface so Kai could grab his arms. Unfortunately, there was a strong current pulling them away from the hole in the ice, and that combined with Nelson's added weight and lack of oxygen meant Kai couldn't swim them to safety. The others saw this and they sprang into action.

"Hold on, guys! We will save you!" Jay cried and they started scanning the ice for the pair. Jay soon found Kai under the ice, banging his fist up against it while his other hand gripped Nelson and his feet kicked furiously under them to keep them afloat. As soon as Jay saw them underneath the ice and called for the other. Ronin rushed over to Jay, pulling out his dagger, and stabbed at the ice, freeing Kai and Nelson. They both emerged from underneath the ice, cough up the water from their lungs and shivering as the cold air froze their sore limbs.

When he regained some strength, Kai fully pulled Nelson out of the water and onto the ice with the others, but he stayed in the water until he caught his breath.

"Oh, Nelson, thank God you're safe." Echo smiled in relief as he checked the child over for any injuries.

"I wasn't frightened." Nelson grinned and they all rolled their eyes. The moment of relief was shattered, however, what the little bird from before suddenly shot up into the air and stared down at the group. Kai felt like he had seen those cold, soulless eyes before. He gasped when he realized those were the eyes of that creepy man Kai had met in the forest where Cole saved him from that monster. Before he could tell the others, the bird dove into the water next to Kai and disappeared into the darkness.

It was so dark the others couldn't see what it was doing, but they could faintly make out a purple glow under the rippling water.

Kai tried to climb out of the lake to safety, but it was already too late. The bird had infected the pondweeds below with dark magic and the plants suddenly shot up underneath him and wrapped around his leg, pulling him back under the water. Kai screamed and clawed at the ice, but it was hopeless. The others all try to pull him back up, but he slipped underneath the surface. Kai struggled against the weeds around his leg, but he couldn't get away.

Suddenly he saw a dark shape floating beside him.

He squinted his eyes to see what it was and almost screamed when he saw it was the creepy man from before, giving him a sadistic and perverted grin. It almost looked like the man didn't need air. As Kai struggled, the man swam forward and suddenly forced a rough and passionate kiss on his tanned lips, catching Kai off guard. When the man finally let him go, Kai reflectively gagged, but instantly regretted it when the air in his lungs was replaced with icy water.

The evil man just smiled as he faded back into the shadows of the water, leaving Kai to his watery grave.

Kai floundered, panicked, and made things worse as he tended to do. He was mad at himself for letting this happen even. Maybe he deserved this for being so stubborn, or not thinking before he acts, or trading places with Nya and Lloyd, or being cruel, or leaving the castle grounds without Cole's permission. He could hear someone shouting his name from the surface, but he couldn't tell who it was. The water garbled the sound, and his hearing seemed to be the first sense to go.

He could taste and smell the dirty lake water choking his lungs, he fell numb to the chill of the temperature, and he saw that this was probably the end for Kai Ash Smith.

Drowning in a frozen lake after not only breaking his promise and being forced to kiss a pervert who was trying to kill. Now there was not any time to appreciate the fact he might've been friends with an actual prince. Not just any prince, but the legendary hybrid Dragon Lord. He coughed causing more water to seep in, and the sheer burn he felt in his chest told him that this was it. In his fading moments, Kai felt something big and strong wrap around him and the water rushed down past him.

All of a sudden everything came back into focus.

Kai hacked up what had to be a gallon and a half of water. Jay and Echo were stood not too far away, both looking rueful and on the verge of crying. Nelson was full-on sobbing into Ronin's shoulder as the troll tried to calm him down. But when Kai did a headcount, he saw they were all standing in front of him and none of them looked wet, with the exception of Nelson. In his exhaustion, he searched to see who had saved him from drowning and realized his feet are nowhere near the ground.

He looked up, finding his body rested in the arms of a large black dragon.

Before Kai could work himself to thank his savior, he saw the burning rage in Cole's green eyes as he looked straight ahead. His scaly face was not giving away his true emotions. Kai wanted to say something, but he felt the cold claws of sleep fighting to claim him. In his muddled state, Kai just assumed he was safe with Cole and retreated to dreamland. He rested his head against Cole's strong chest and falling asleep to the sound of his mighty heartbeat.

Cole huffed frosty air out his nose, but said nothing and started carrying Kai back to the castle on foot.

The others just stood there in a mixer of relief, fear, and sadness as they watched their master carry his pale, almost lifeless, captive back to his prison.

"What have we done?" Jay finally asked in a terrified whisper, but no one had an answer...

****************

Kai shivered as he sat on the floor of the dungeon, his wrists bound about his head in black, rusted chains. His eyes were closed and his head hung low as the cold stabbed into his tanned skin like tiny needles. A large granite door with a tiny barred window marked the only entrance to this dungeon's cell. Beyond the door was a large, dark, damp room. The cell they were in was full of rusty chains, rubble, and rat droppings. A single, dim torch allowed him to see carved out words in the stone walls, faded and forgotten by time itself, but Kai couldn't make out what they said.

When they returned to the castle, Cole had the brunette checked over to make sure he wasn't seriously injured.

Once he was sure Kai would leave, he dragged the teen to the dungeons and imprisoned him there. He didn't even bother to change Kai out of his torn, soaked clothes, and this caused Kai to shiver even more. The prince was now standing in the doorway, glaring down at Kai with burning green eyes. He hadn't said a word to Kai since he saved him, and that alone scared the teen more than anything so far.

"You said you'd never leave." He finally said, hurt, anger, and betrayal echoing through the cell.

"I-I-I wasn't trying to l-l-leave, I j-j-just wanted to have s-s-some fun w-w-with the others." He stuttered out, his entire frame shaking from the freezing air. He had thought that Cole might not have been pleased to learn he had left, but he had thought that he could reason with him and smooth it over when he learned that he had gone with Jay, Echo, Ronin, and Nelson and that he was planning on coming back. Unfortunately, Cole wasn't in an understanding mood or sympathetic to his suffering.

"You broke your word and for that, you will rot in this dungeon forever!" He snarled and stormed out the cell without another word. He made sure to slam the cell door as hard as he could as he left, the sound echoing loudly through the entire dungeon and causing Kai to flinch in fright, still not opening his eyes. As he listened to Cole stomping away, Kai couldn't stop the tears raining from his tightly closed amber orbs. He should have known better than to hope.

Cole would never be anything but a monstrous beast...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Don’t Fall In Love

Bansha's teeth chattered loudly as she followed Morro down the alleyways, starting to regret her life choices. Now Banshaa would never question Morro, but he could tell he had completely lost his senses. Morro kept telling her that he needed Kai for his plan to work. He may be strange, but he was the best. But the man they were going to see was a child-broker, and he absolutely terrified her. A tremor of fear, not cold, rushed through her very being.

Her heart skipped beats radically each time she gazed at the all too familiar alleyway.

Morro kept insisting that he will have Kai as his husband and if he must take drastic measures to make him see sense, he shall. Bansha tried to speak up, but she flinched when Morro turned around and glared at her. Harsh green eyes burned with determination and desire. Bansha bit her lip to keep from speaking and kept her head down. She refused to look up when an all too familiar building came into view. The building where the Child Broker did his business, safe from the law, safe from anyone who would dare tell him otherwise.

She struggled to keep up with Morro's pace.

The Duke stormed up the steps and bounded on the door harshly, screaming demands to be let in from the heavy snow. A call that the door was unlocked was all he needed. Hastily, Morro turned the lock and grabbed Bansha, dragging the reluctant woman inside, out of the cold. The two of them stripped their soaked cloaks and took their seats in the two plush armchairs. Morro shook his dark hair, scattering the water from the melted snow everywhere.

Bansha took her seat and meekly kept her hands folded in her lap.

After an abnormally short wait, a tall man stormed into the room. He shed his own coat and hat and hung them on a nearby coat hanger, revealing a short mop of silvery-gray hair. His brownish amber orbs shone with annoyance, but with the pale laughter of a child. Banshaa shivered and kept her eyes focused on her lap. Morro sat up straight as the man took a seat behind the desk and sat with his hands folded in front of him.

"Good evening, Master Noble; thank you so much for coming out at such an hour to see us." He flashed a bright smile and spoke in a voice of fake appreciation. Master Noble's face remained neutral.

"Please don't try playing me, Morro; I don't appreciate being forced to leave my orphanage in the middle of the night." He groaned with annoyance. Expecting this, Morro removed a small sack from his pocket and dropped it in front of the man. Gold coins and jewels spilled from the opening. His eyes scrutinized the contents then returned to the duchess. "Alright, I'm listening."

"I can tell you're a man of simplicity, so I'll just get straight to the point, you're familiar with the Smith family correct? I believe your services were required after the unfortunate death of Ray and Maya?"

"My services were not required at all, both Kai and Nya were beyond legal age and were able to take care of Lloyd," He groaned, at the statement of the obvious.

"Well you see, Kai is far too selfless, God Bless him, he refuses to see that his siblings are holding him back from his potential, his future, and when I offer him his heart's desire, he refuses me."

"Oh really?" He cut the duke off and drew out the word in a mocking manner. "I heard of your arranged ordeal, are you sure it wasn't your decision to arrange an entire wedding on his front yard mere moments before you all but demanded he marries you?"

"It's his fault! If he wasn't so naïve, I wouldn't be forced to take such drastic measures!" Morro screeched as he jumped to his feet; enraged that he would speak so frivolously of his humiliation. Quickly, he composed himself and returned to his seat, clearing his throat.

"Not that this isn't humorous, Morro, but I fail to see what your failed courtship with Kai has to do with me," He joked playfully. Morro's fist clenched but he reigned in his composure.

"I want Kai as my husband, but so long as he believes his siblings are in need of his help, he won't leave them." He smirked. "You're aware of young Lloyd's health condition, correct? His chest problem? I heard his last attack caused his heart to nearly stop, such a sick child needs proper care, not to be a burden to his siblings who have no knowledge of medicine, don't you agree?"

"Lloyd is far from a child, under-aged, perhaps, but he's what thirteen? He'll reach manhood in less than three, four years, and both Nya and Kai know the remedy to soothe him, from what I've been told." Noble explained. "It would be a waste to put Lloyd in child care."

"Perhaps, but everyone knows Kai would do anything to protect his little family." He growled. "Even perhaps, make a deal to keep his younger brother from being taken away from Nya, if Nya was rendered unfit to care for him?" He asked as a sinister smirk crossed the duke's face. Banshaa's face contorted with horror as her eyes flew to her master. A shiver racked her entire body she gazed at the menacing smirk of victory on Morro's smug face.

"Perhaps, but then again there is also the problem," Noble replied, twirling a gold coin beneath his fingers. "From what I've been told, Nya and Kai have done a stand-up job raising Lloyd and makes more than enough to support each other; I doubt there is anything I could say or do that would convince the town taking Lloyd away from them would be in their best interests, and I do care for my reputation."

"Nya is unfit!" Morro shouted as he rose to his feet again. "Kai has been missing for almost two and a half months with no word of him, and not a week after they supposedly left for a trip, did she and Lloyd come screaming and pounding on my door in the middle of the night, ranting and raving about how their brother had been kidnapped by a dragon? A dragon, of all the ludicrous things!"

"What?" Noble frowned.

"It's been well over two months and all they have done is go back and forth in those woods and repeat this tale to anyone who would listen to them! Ask anyone! I thought they were only joking at first, which is why I waited so long to come to you, but now I'm convinced Nya has lost her sanity and she's spreading it to her brother!" He bellowed. Noble rose a brow at this new information.

"Really now? A dragon? Are you sure about this? I have heard rumors of people becoming lost in those woods, perhaps what they found was the old monarch's castle." He replied curiosity. "Of course, the monarch hasn't ruled nor had a regent in almost a hundred years so it must be abandoned by now."

"It matters not, the point is, if Nya is insane, she can't raise Lloyd correct?!" Morro snapped, slamming his fist against the table while Noble's face remained neutral.

"I suppose, but before I make any final judgments, I'd have to see for myself; are Nya and Lloyd at home this evening?"

"No," Banshaa said softly. Her body shaking and her eyes focused on the ground, knowing if she looked at him her voice would break. "We stopped by this evening to see, but their shop was closed, it looked liked it hadn't been opened in weeks, and there was only a sign on the door saying they would be going into another town to seek help, it did not say when they would be back."

"You see? Now she's taking Lloyd on a wild goose chase when she should be searching the woods for my fiancé!" Morro continued. Realizing that he was still standing, Morro cleared his throat and sat back down as a king on a throne. "Now do you understand my proposal?" He asked as a wicked satisfaction shined in his dark green eyes and his lips curled into a smirk.

"So Morro, if I understand you correctly, you wish for me to declare that Nya is an unfit guardian and threaten to have her arrested and Lloyd confined to foster care until he is deemed fit to live on his own unless Kai agrees to marry you?" Noble asked, then pinched the bridge between his nose.

"That is precisely what I mean," Morro smirked evilly. Noble threaded his fingers through his silver strands, his elbows braced on the table, and his face a mask of discomfort.

"Oh Lord in heaven, that's despicable, truly repulsive," He replied as his face vanished behind a curtain of hair until a low, maniacal chuckle escaped him. His face emerged shocking both Morro and Banshaa. It was the face of a mad man. "I love it!"...

****************

The next few weeks passed by in a blur of bliss for Kai. Winter had settled in nicely over the whole valley. Snow filled the world, deeper and deeper. The trees and gutters of the castle towers glittered with icicles. Windows glistened with frost, and the ponds and streams had frozen in sheets of ice. With the approaching frost, the house was busier than ever. Shade kept the staff busy gathering enough food for the winter months and enough coal and wood to keep the castle warm and alive.

Things had been going so great between Kai and Cole that the brunette thought he should get him a present.

The only problem was that Cole hadn't really shared his own interest with the teen, and that made Kai feel horrible. Cole knew what Kai loved most in the world were his books and all those stories. That was why the Dragon Lord had given him the library. That was what Kai chose in the end. He was going to give Cole a story. But not just any story, one written and illustrated by Kai. Kai hoped this would open more doors for him and he hoped that if he got to know Cole, they would find more things to say.

Kai vowed that one day he would reach him, there has to be some way.

He might have been a loner back in the town, but even Kai knew that everyone needed someone there for them, so Cole must need someone as well. If Kai got to know him better, he knew exactly what he would do He would read him stories from picture books, all filled with wonder. Magic worlds where the impossible becomes the everyday. They would find a mountaintop and some moonbeams to sit under, and Kai would lead because he knew the way there.

There was so much to discover, but Kai did it all the time. He could live inside bright pages, where the words all rhyme.

They would slay the dragons that still followed Cole around, and the prince would almost certainly smile as his dreams left the ground. He would read him stories about mermaids, kings, and sunken treasures. Kai knew a place, just a dot, too small to measure, and Kai will take him there because he knew the road. He would tell him stories about heroes who overcame their deepest despair, and hope that they put hope into his heart again and that Cole will cherish it every day.

Cole could find a better world and the strength to face tomorrow.

Kai was sure that if Cole knew the road, he would want to stay. Kai really hoped Cole liked his little gift. After he had sneaked into Cole's room and placed the nicely wrapped present on his bedside table, he left to go and find something to do. As amazing as this castle was, there wasn't that much to do when you're confined inside for the rest of your life. That was why he jumped at the invite Jay, Echo, Nelson, and Ronin gave him. They were all going to this frozen lake somewhere in the forest to do some skating.

Since they had all been working so hard, they thought everyone would enjoy some time outside.

Kai was a little worried about leaving the castle grounds, especially when he gave Cole his word, but they promised him it would be fine. They would only be gone for two hours at the top and Cole spent most of his time looking up in the towers or his room so he wouldn't even know they had gone. That managed to convince Kai, so he grabbed his winter clothes, some spear skates and followed the group to the lake. They rode their on Flame to get there faster. Eventually, they reached the falls, and Kai had to admit that the view was worth the hike.

Three separate streams of water were frozen in incredible, twisting pillars up the side of a cliff that was taller than the castle.

The basin at their bases was equally impressive, the water frozen in curling waves. All of the ice was a beautiful, glittering white that shone even with the sun hiding behind clouds. As soon as they reached the lake, they all got their skates on and started having fun.

"Eat my snow, Ronin," Jay laughed skating backward past him.

"Is that a challenge!" The competitive man grunted and kicked across the ice to gain extra speed. Echo flopped onto his stomach while Nelson did a large figure eight then did a few spins in the air. Kai leaped over Echo and swirled in a half-circle, then bent over to help him up. Across the lake, Ronin and Jay continued their race and from the childish teasing and roars of frustration, Jay was winning.

"Hey you two, are you going to do that all day?" Kai asked, using his hands to amplify his voice. The two boys turned to face him then crashed into the snow. The three remaining skaters burst out laughing; their fallen companions crawled out of the snow and shook their heads. Ronin removed his earmuffs and shook the snow-free from his hair. Jay just laughed like a kid in a candy store. None of them noticed the smirking eyes watching them through the darkness of the woods...

****************

Cole sighed in frustration as he listened to the clock ticking loudly. He had wanted to do something nice for Kai, so he got all dressed up and ordered Shade to make them the nicest, most spicy, romantic dinner he could. He knew Kai loved spicy foods and books. Hopefully, with this and the library, he and Kai could grow closer and closer together. Sure, they seemed pretty solid now, but it was better to be safe than sorry and strengthen their bond while he could.

After he was dressed and the food was ready, Cole sent Zane to look for the brunette, but that was almost an hour ago.

The castle and the surrounding grounds might be very big, but it shouldn't be hard to find the only human in the entire castle. He sighed again as the clock kept ticking, growing more and more impatient as the seconds ticked by. He didn't know why he was being kept waiting.

"ZANE!" He bellowed so loud it shook the entire castle. Within seconds, the white yeti burst into the room with a silver trolly with a whole tea set on it

"Alright, sir, hold on." Zane smiled as naturally as he could. "Such a brisk day, you look positively chilled to the bone!"

"Where's Kai?" Cole demanded, keeping his gaze out the window, not seeing Zane gulp nervously.

"How about a nice pot of tea, sir?" He suggested as he began to pour the warm liquid into a nice China cup. Cole said nothing as he took the tea and drink it all in one big gulp, shocking his servant for a second.

"A bit more tea, sir? Good for the heart, you know."

"No, thank you." Cole declined politely.

"Just a spot?" Zane pushed.

"No more."

"But there's always room for tea."

"I said no more!" Cole shouted as he whipped around to glare at Zane, now seeing how uncomfortable and nervous he looked. "Zane, are you trying to distract me?"

"No, sir." Zane denied and an awkward silence filled the room as Cole seemed to stare directly into his soul. "Are you sure you don't want more tea?"

"Enough! Where's Kai!?" He shouted and Zane sighed in defeat, knowing that he could never hide anything from the dragon hybrid.

"We can't find him, sir."

"What?!" Cole exclaimed, not wanting to believe it, but he knew Zane would almost never lie to him. "Leave me!" He ordered and Zane quickly fled the room. As soon as the yeti was gone, Cole grabbed the magic mirror. The mirror appeared as an ordinary mirror, silver in color, with intricate rose and vine decorations. An ornate lion-like creature encapsulated the handle of the mirror with its mouth. On the back of the mirror, there was a symbol that somewhat resembled a fleur-de-lis.

This magical mirror allowed its users to see anything he or she wished to see on its glass and in its current situation.

Ashamed of his monstrous form, Cole concealed himself inside his castle, with this magic mirror as his only window to the outside world.

"Show me, Kai!" He ordered and the reflective surface of the mirror was enveloped in a golden glow as an image began to form. It showed Kai with Jay, Ronin, Nelson, and Echo out in the snow with Flame. Cole's eyes widened in a mixture of sorrow and confusion, believing that he was running off. His sadness quickly evaporated into anger at the thought of Kai breaking their agreement. He vowed to bring that spoiled, ungrateful brat back, but there was a voice in the back of his head.

It was a voice telling him that Kai had abandoned him.

He should listen to his instincts as they have never steered him wrong or lead him astray. He should have listened when he first believed Kai would break his heart. The quickest way to break a heart, to make someone depressed and ill, was to get them all tangled up inside. The side effects could kill. If Cole must love someone, he may as well just love himself. He would never leave and he would find he got more rest and he would always feel as good as new.

His freedom was the most important thing.

He couldn't talk for hours, send flowers, write poems, or sing songs and dance beneath the stars that shine above. As soon as someone's heart rules their head their life was not their own. It's hell when someone was always there and it's bliss to be alone, and love of any kind is bad. Whether it be a dog, a child, or a cat, they always took up so much precious time, and to Cole, there was no sense in that. Love took the wildest heart and made it tame and emotions were a thing all great men overcame.

Cole knew he couldn't get attached to anyone or anything because there was nothing worse than things that cling.

He might turn to drink and he would never rest. He might end up mad, and looking like some poor demented dove. He could never fall in love. Cole suddenly let out a feral growl and left the room in a rage. He was going to drag Kai back to the castle and make him wish he had never broken their deal. As the dragon prince left the castle, he failed to hear the faint, hollow laughter of supposed victory as a shadow melted into the halls of the castle...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Kiss

Kai sighed lightly as he waited for his breakfast. Both he and Cole were sat in a small dining room with a few portraits and objects dotted around. In the center of the room, there was a beautiful breakfast table with Kai at one end and Cole at the other, with Jay and Echo between them. Kai was served breakfast first. It was a steaming hot bowl of porridge with slices of fruit sprinkled on top. As he began to eat the tasty food, he looked at Cole, gobbling up his food with no table manners whatsoever.

Kai turned away and tried to ignore it, but Nelson came to the rescue.

He nudged the spoon with his little finger, and Cole reached out for it. Kai looked at him in wonder and confusion as he tried to eat with the spoon, but he had little success. Nelson and Jay laughed, but Echo shot them an admonishing look. Finally, Kai put down his spoon and lifted his bowl as if in a toast. Cole looked at the compromise and did the same. They both began to sip their breakfast out of their bowls. They stared into each other's eyes as they sipped their breakfast and silently placed the bowls back on the table.

The prince and the brunette stared at each other before they finally had the sense to break eye contact.

"That was awkward," Cole muttered, but Kai still heard it.

"Well I certainly won't do it again, I think I'd rather deal with another one of Morro's wedding schemes than go through that again." He joked lightly. At the word, 'wedding' and a foreign name the room spun towards him.

"Be pardon?" Echo asked as he, Nelson, and Jay all looking at Kai with confused eyes with a hint of fear. Kai closed his eyes and grumbled to himself, forgetting everyone in the room. He had been away from home too long.

"Who is Morro?" Cole asked and Kai's eyes snapped open at the firm anger in his voice. His narrowed eyes matched the expression along with something else Kai found curious. It was possessiveness. If he wasn't stuck in such a position, Kai would've smiled and teased him for it, but he knew better. Besides, he and Cole promised to be honest with each other. Kai was distracted by a tug on his sleeve. Nelson, who returned to his creature form, fidgeted nervously.

"Is Morro your lady?" He asked quietly. After a short spasm, Kai was positive his heart had stopped.

"Of course not!" He exploded without thinking then mentally kicked himself when Nelson and the others jumped back. He gave them a small smile in apology for the misunderstanding. Hearing a possessive and impatient growl behind him, Kai sighed and turned his body to the right. The look on Cole's face demanded he explains this. "He's a childhood friend of mine, or at least he used to be." He added. He looked Cole in the eye and kept his face neutral, wanting to see Cole's reaction before doing or saying anything he might regret later on.

A wave of jealousy Cole only now just realize was bubbling inside him suddenly relaxed.

His stomach flopped in an emotional puddle of happiness, anger, guilt, relief, possessiveness, and sheer stupidity. It took all his will to keep himself from visibly scolding himself for his own arrogance. Hadn't he and Kai agreed to be honest with the other? Who was he to act so possessive of a teen who technically wasn't even his? The realization sent a painful jolt through his gut, but he wasn't naïve enough to admit to something he knew wasn't his decision to make.

Again he kicked himself.

Of course, this Morro person was probably a friend of his. Time had blended together for so long, he almost forgot Kai wasn't from the castle. He forgot Kai had a home, a family, and a possible relationship Cole had dragged him from. But Cole was sure Kai would have told him if he had that.

"What happened to Morro?" Jay suddenly asked before Cole could stop him. Kai said nothing for a moment before he glared daggers at the now-empty bowl as if it was Morro. Upon seeing Kai's distressed look, Cole reached over the table and took Kai's tanned hand into his scaly ones.

"Kai, if you don't wish to tell us about this Morro person them don't; we understand, just take your time." He reassured the teen, squeezing his hand slightly. Kai was a little stunned by this but smiled and squeezed back.

"That was kind of you," He said and the dragon prince flushed when he found Kai smirking at him.

"That's our Master." Jay agreed and the others all nodded, and Kai had to agree. Even as Cole grimaced and dismissed the staff with a bark, Kai caught the smile in his green eyes. He laughed, irking a growl from the Dragon Lord.

"What's so funny?" He asked, more embarrassed than annoyed, and handed Nelson his dishes when he started gathering them up.

"I just find it very ironic," Kai teased and gently shoved his leftovers towards a drooling Jay. The blue fox barely got it in his mouth before Echo plucked him off the table by his tail and dragged him off the table and back to the kitchen. Nelson chuckled and followed the couple.

"What's that?" Cole asked; his eyes shifting double-checking to make sure they were alone. A teasing smile slit Kai's face.

"That you act all tough and intimidating when you're really just a big softie." He giggled and Cole stoically dropped his spoon. Kai couldn't hold back anymore and laughed so hard he lost his grip on the table and fell out of his chair. He laughed until his sides began to hurt. He clenched his side with an arm to stifle the pain and banged the other fist on the ground. He didn't stop until Cole pounced and landed in front of him. Kai almost jumped out of his skin.

Especially after Cole kneeled over him and pinned him against the side of the table with his claws.

A devious smirk in his eyes and a wicked fanged smile flashed in Kai's direction.

"Don't do that!" Kai snapped, furiously. His face flushed with anger when Cole started laughing.

"Now, when did you get so jumpy?"

"Since you decided to take it upon yourself to scare the wits from me," Kai growled as his eyes lit up, recognizing the game, but unyielding to surrender. Using his smaller size to his advantage, he carefully and slowly rolled to the left then faked right, then slid under Cole's left arm and made a dash; only to flop over when something grabbed his ankle. Kai realized his mistake too late. Before he could move, Cole's tail yanked him backward and he landed on his back.

Cole didn't waste a second and pounced on top of him.

"Now where do you think you're going?" The Dragon Lord teased as he kneeled over the teen until their foreheads touched. Kai flushed at the contact and bit his lip trying to regain control of the situation.

"To help clean up?" He blurted in an obvious last-ditch effort and flashed a guilty-innocent smile. He shivered when Cole's smirk curled into a devious smile.

"No, my little captive, you've insulted me and need be punished." He purred lowly. Kai opened his mouth to question further but the words were chocked by an explosion of pearly laughter, and the vibrations sent up his sides by the strokes of Cole's claws. His hands shot to stop them, but Cole's tail grabbed his wrist and pinned it to the floor, pinning him. Another fit of giggles and pleads erupted from the teen. Cole smirked at his captive and felt himself laughing also at the sight.

His knuckles grazed up and down Kai's ticklish sides.

He refused to use his claws in case he hurt the brunette. A sudden joy filled him every time Kai laughed, whether it was from the play or just in general.

"Cole... please... I can't breathe," He choked through fits of laughter. Cole laughed but shortened his attacks to give his captive more room to breathe.

"Just apologize and I'll stop."

"Do I have to?" Kai whined, half-panting, half-laughing. He got his answer when Cole stroked one of his sensitive sports. "Okay, Okay, I apologize."

"Un-uh, you have to say it the correct way."

"Oh come on," Kai whined, with tears in his eyes from the play. Instead of giving him more tickles, Cole leaned forward, and lightly held Kai's free hand with his claws then kissed him chastely on the lips. It was short and brief, but the intensity of it galvanized Kai's entire body. He barely felt Cole pull away, but when he did and Kai was suddenly thrown back into reality, he felt strangely empty.

"Alright, I'm sorry I insulted you, now can you please let me up?" He finally conceded.

"That wasn't so hard now, was it?" Cole teased, and sat up, releasing Kai. Normally, Kai would've been annoyed to the bitter end at the arrogance of the teasing, but surprisingly he found himself comforted by it. Comforted that the playful tone was reserved for him and him alone...

****************

After they finished their breakfast, Cole urged Kai to dress up warmly and to follow him out into the courtyard. It had been snowing heavily the last few days, so the entire forest and castle were covered in deep, glittery snow. Icicles hung from the trees and castle, like Christmas decorations that sparkled in the sunlight. Kai might not like the cold, but even he would say it looked beautiful. As Cole and Kai walked through the courtyard, Kai noticed a flock of small birds and stopped to feed them.

Cole smiled as he watched the birds flock towards the brunette and peck the food in his hands.

Kai could feel the prince's gaze on his back but said nothing. He couldn't stop thinking about the Dragon Lord's change in personality and his new playful nature. There was something sweet, and almost kind. He remembered how Cole was mean, coarse, and unrefined when they first met. But now he was dear and so unsure of himself. Kai started to wonder why he didn't see it there before. Thinking that feed birds looked easy and fun, the hybrid knelt beside his captive, who smiled and passed him the bird seeds.

While trying to attract the birds, Cole shoved a handful of seed at them, but they jumped back in fright at his sudden movements.

Kai barely managed to hold in his giggles at his watched the prince's efforts. Finally, when he saw how upset Cole was getting at his repeated failures, he took a handful and gently spread it out, creating a thin trail. After a minute, one landed in Cole's hands, and he looked up at the brunette, thrilled. Kai smiled gleefully as one of the robins landed on his finger. He didn't notice his hand brush against Cole's scaly one as he stood up and wandered off

Cole felt a warm feeling bubble in his chest at the brief touch, but he didn't want to believe that Kai actually loved him.

Then again, Kai has never been this nice to him before, so it might just be possible. Kai ducked around a tree, leaving Cole with the birds. He began to look doubtful again, but turned his head around the tree and laughed when he saw Cole was covered with birds before he twitched and they all flew away. Kai snickered at the startled, yet proud look on the prince's face. These feelings were new, and a bit alarming to the brunette. He had never, ever thought that this could happen.

True, that Cole was no Prince Charming, but there was something in him that Kai simply didn't see.

With a mischievous smirk, Kai threw a snowball at Cole, knocking him back into the snow. When he realized what had happened, Cole grinned and began to gather a large pile of snow. Kai quickly threw another snowball at Cole, who dropped his huge pile of snow on his head. He chased Kai around a tree, but he ducked around the other side and sneaked up on him from behind, but Cole dodged the incoming attack. The Dragon Lord swaggered towards his victim, placed his hands on his sides, and leaned forward slightly so he was more level with Kai.

"It seems I have the advantage now."

"That's not fair!" Kai squealed as he slid away, trying to get to his feet again. Cole had to admire his persistence. He offered Kai a hand, which the teen reluctantly took. He gasped when Cole pulled him to his feet and he crashed against the dragon's warm chest.

"Hey!" Kai half complained, a large smile split across his face. Cole couldn't get enough of that smile and Kai couldn't help but blush at the adoration in those lovely eyes. They didn't need words to express what they wanted or how they felt. All they had to do was feel and move, so they did. Kai moved his arms so they were around Cole's neck and stood on the tips of his toes to better match his height. Generously, Cole wrapped his arm around Kai's waist pulling him closer, and leaned down so their foreheads and noses pressed together.

They were both too proud to speak, too bold to resist, too nervous to take the next step on their own; so instead they did it together.

They both closed eyes, and leaned forward. Their lips brushed then met at the same time, sweet and unhurried, but it wasn't enough, they wanted even more. Kai leaned forward as much as he could. He pulled Cole closer against him and pressed his lips deeper against his. Cole obeyed and pulled him closer, deepening their kiss. It deepened and lessoned on its own accorded, never once losing its sweetness. It was a battle of will and dominance.

It was a mutual desire.

An equal pushing and pulling of their emotions and heartstrings. When they pulled away, they were still dazed. Still holding the other tightly, trying with all their might not to lose the moment. Only when reality dragged them back into its clutches did they finally understand what they had done, but unlike before they didn't pull away. But the nervousness returned in full force. Kai bit his lip and looked away. Cole set him down, his expression was much more somber.

Neither had the courage to say anything, but they didn't need to.

As they walked back to the castle in the freezing snow, neither of them saw they had an audience. Above them, staff members crowded at the windows for a better look or flooded the balconies. They didn't notice the giddy looks and squeals from the staff mates or the groans of others who'd lost bets or were missing the action. Nor did they noticed the narrowed eyes watching them from the woods, already forming a devious plan to ensure this was indeed their last kiss...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch19

Chapter 19: The Gift

The cold wind bit mercilessly at Kai's exposed neck and cheeks. It had been snowing heavily for almost a week and snow blanketed the landscape once the blizzard ceased. Thick icicles hung from the balconies and roofs of the castle, and snow caked the roofs and towers. But the frosted surface, open fields of white hills, and frosted trees created the perfect environment for the playful staff. White, fluffy snow crunched loudly beneath his fur-lined paddock boots.

Harumi gave Kai a new pair of thick leather riding breeches and a long-sleeved, form-fitting, dark crimson turtleneck.

Over the outfit, he wore a long, red fur coat that covered most of his skinny frame. Soft fur tickled his skin and snuggly hugged the warmth to his body while the leather exterior managed to block any wind that dared try and penetrate it. Kai spun around a couple of times admiring the new coat from all angles and wondering what Cole would think if he saw him in it. Flame trotted beside him, overjoyed to see his master again. Nelson was running around the castle grounds with them, excited to see and touch a real-life horse for the first time in over a century.

The stallion was happy to let the boy pet him and ride on his back.

He always loved attention, just like his owner. The horse suddenly snorted into Kai's spikey hair and rubbed against his arms. He sniffed Kai's jacket and started digging through it Kai laughed at the treatment and pulled a juicy red apple from his pocket. He grinned as Flame's dark eyes lit up and he carefully snatched the apple from his master's hand and devoured the tasty treat. When he was finished he licked Kai's cheek, making the teen laugh loudly.

None of them noticed Cole admiring them from the balcony, watching the stallion triumphantly gallop across the snow-covered plains.

A small smile was on Cole's face when he watched Flame play with Kai and Nelson. His main focus was on his captive, though once in his thoughts the word no longer seemed appropriate. He felt a small jump in his chest when Kai smiled and laugh when Nelson tried racing Flame. Cole realized that was the first time he'd ever truly seen Kai smile or laugh. The teenager smiled brilliantly and laughed alongside Nelson as he had never before experienced something so enjoyable in his life.

It was a stark contrast to the feisty character he'd become accustomed to.

Just the sight of Kai's warm smile he'd kept hidden from him melted Cole's frozen heart. His breath hitched being suddenly exposed to the most innocent and blissful side of the otherwise resolute and world-hardened young man. For a brief moment, Cole would've given anything to have Kai smile at him like that. Subconsciously, his hand touched his bandaged torso beneath his opened coat. He hadn't bothered wearing a shirt under it, in case Kai insisted he changes the bandages again.

The wound had fully healed by now.

It had taken much longer than he thought it would have, and had no doubt it could've been a lot worse, had it not been for the teen's persistence. Cole had never felt this way before. His claws subconsciously moved to his chest as if feeling his heartbeat for the first time as it thundered in his chest. He sighed in frustration and started back towards his room, and down the stairs. Cole collapsed into his favorite chair at the head of the dining room table and sank to the seat.

His hands started massaging his temples in a desperate act to help him think but it did little to help.

His attention turned to the wide window, the curtains were drawn open. He could only faintly see the dots of his captive and his servants, but that perfect smile Kai had worn so effortlessly burned vividly in his mind. He sighed and collapsed his upper body against the table. A small stab of pain filled his chest at the realization that he was probably the only one who hadn't had the honor of seeing Kai smile like that. Or maybe he had and didn't realize it.

He had felt this foreign emotion for reasons he assumed was simply because he hadn't had time to focus on them.

When he saw Kai today, playing in the snow with Nelson he'd normally just think it was childish or idiotic when the only thing they'll do is get cold and wet, but he'd never felt this way before. Like he'd do anything to him smile like that all the time. With that thought, Cole rose to his feet, eyes bright with determination. He wanted to do something for him and not as a thank you or a repayment, just for the hell of it. He'd heard through the grapevine that Kai loved books, though the statement didn't surprise him.

It seemed natural that Kai would possess an artistic soul.

An idea formed in Cole's mind, forming a grin. With that, he turned around and burst from the room, radiating an aura that could rival the people playing outside in the snow...

****************

After putting Flame back in the stables and Nelson had said goodbye because he had some chores to do, Kai had intended to go and find someplace to get warmed up again and rid the cold from his bones. That is until Cole suddenly pulled him aside and said that he had something to show the teen. Kai was confused by that, but his curiosity won and he followed close behind the Dragon Lord as they walked to his surprise. Neither of them said anything.

It was like when Kai first arrived at the castle, but there was now hardly any tension between them.

Kai recognized the way to the ballroom, only instead of entering, Cole continued walking, so Kai followed him. The brunette looked around at the area of the castle he had yet to explore. Large curtains pooled like waterfalls of gold and silver around the enormous windows. The pale moonlight poured through them illuminating the different posed dragon statues standing in between each window. The hallway ended in front of two curved-shaped ivory doors outlined in gold, beneath a glittering emerald tapestry embroidered with a huge silver tree.

Cole suddenly came to a stop and Kai barely managed to stop walking straight into the hybrid's back.

He opened his mouth to speak, but again was cut off, this time by a sudden blackness wrapping around his eyes.

"Cole, what are you doing?" He asked as his hands instinctively moved to remove the blindfold, but Cole stopped him.

"It's a surprise, and I can't have you spoiling it by peeking." He said, loosely tying the cloth securely around Kai's eyes. He kept his paw on Kai's hands. Kai sighed and let Cole guide him.

"Can't you trust me by now? What if I promise not to open my eyes?"

"I do trust you, but I also know your curiosity has a nasty little habit of always getting the better of you." He admitted. The scream of wooden doors opening filled Kai's ears. Temporarily blinded, he let Cole guide him inside the mysterious room. They stopped in the middle of the room, and Cole let go of his hands.

"Can I take this thing off now?" Kai said more impatiently than he meant to sound, but there was anxiousness that didn't go unnoticed by Cole.

"Not yet." He whispered. A swoop sound and a gust of wind was his only warning, followed by the screech of reeling curtain holders. The light brightened the darkness covering his eyes and Kai wondered if that was moonlight.

"Now?" He asked with the anticipation of a child waiting for a birthday present. A loud thump was his answer.

"Now," Cole said as he carefully cut the blindfold and moved so he could see Kai's reaction. Kai kept his eyes closed for a second, momentarily fearing what he was going to see but his enthusiasm won and they slowly opened, then bulged with joy. A gasp of delight escaped his mouth and his cheeks flushed with happiness. He spun around taking in the wonder around him and resisted the urge to pinch himself in case he was dreaming all of this.

"This is incredible!" Kai breathed, his amber eyes alive and bright with childish wonder as they took in his special surprise. He was in the largest, most magnificent library he had ever seen. The room was enormous and rectangular with a roof that curved to a slope. Books lined all four of the walls so tall ladders were placed on them in intervals. The shelves were separated only by two enormous stained glass windows stretching all the way to the ceiling.

The moonlight illuminating them in a way the sunlight never could.

In the corner, an elegant golden staircase with spiral patterns carved into the wooden banisters spiraled to a second floor, an entire open circle overlooking the first floor. The bookcases on the second level, looped together like a giant circle stopping just at the base of a huge mural painted in rich detail upon the ceiling. A midnight blue dotted with silver stars with bigger ones forming constellations, whose true forms were painted in brilliant gold lines.

On the ground floor, globes were dotted around as well as several couches and chairs.

Two or three large desks made from giant smoothed slabs of stone made a suitable workstation on either side of the room. Two bookcases stretched from the walls stood on either side of an enormous white marble fireplace trimmed with gold and interline with black onyx. Just above it behind the banister of the second floor rested another huge stain glass window. Only this one was arched and was decorated with the symbol for the Tree of Knowledge.

But what stunned Kai the most were the books.

They were different from the ones he was used to. Each book was an antique, bound in velvet, leather, or hardcovers with thick hinges. Some had locks while others had jewels embedded in the cover. Older volumes had simple plain leather or velvet coverings with only the title on the side. Others were painted a vibrant blue, red or green. Age had dulled the colors, but none of them lost their wisdom. Upon closer inspection, he noticed each elegantly carved bookcase had a sliding glass cover protecting the books from air and moisture.

Even the second floor has multiple glass doors despite the circular shape, showing him these books had not just been well-used but loved and cared for.

Kai practically jumped with excitement, before bolting around and pouncing on Cole in a hug so sudden he almost fell over.

"I take it you like it?" He laughed.

"I love it! I've never seen so many books in my life, or such an amazing place, I mean look at this!" The teen beamed as he raced around like a kid in a candy store, admiring each shelf, each globe, each desk, the fireplace, then bolting up the spiral staircase and exploring the entire top section. He moved so fast Cole got dizzy following him.

"Thank you!" Kai smiled when he came back downstairs, and hugged him tightly. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"I'm glad you enjoy it." Cole's smile brightened. Kai's face was almost an exact mirror of the one he'd seen earlier. "Because it's yours." He added and Kai gasped in shock. He examined the hybrid's face for any hint of lies, but when he saw none, the brunette squealed in delight as he wrapped Cole in a tight hug.

"Oh, thank you so much!"...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch18

Chapter 18: The Truth

Kai stumbled as he carried the bundle of clean sheets and thick curtains in his arms while balancing a bucket filled with bars of soap, clothes, and oil polish. Despite taking him back to the castle and tending to his injuries, Cole still gave him punishment for breaking his promise and left the castle grounds. Cole only told him to clean the Lord's room and as a reward, he would let the brunette go for a ride on Flame, who was being pampered in the stables by the staff.

Immediately, he dreaded the job but the thought of seeing Flame sent a wave of joy through him.

Kai chuckled to himself. He couldn't deny it was nice being able to spend time with Cole without having to worry about setting off his temper or arguing with him, but if Cole thought he would be that easy to win over, he was sadly mistaken. His eyes lit up at the challenge until the weight of the objects in his arms brought him back to reality. He groaned in annoyance as he reminded himself of the task at hand. When he found Cole's room again, he was surprised to find the door open and the room empty.

He set the items on a clean-looking spot and dug out the bucket, oil varnish, and a half-melted cake of soap.

He dumped the soap in the bucket and filled it with water from the bathroom, and poured a generous amount of varnish into the water. Supplies in hand, he turned to his opponent and glared. His eyes darted from the dusty furniture to the smudges on the wall, the glass, and furniture scattered across the floor. Fortunately, the sheets had done their job, the couches and chairs were free of dirt. He set the bucket on the floor and fished out the leather gloves the servents had given him and slipped them on, refusing to risk cutting his hands.

Carefully, he gathered the scraps and put them in a pile out of the way until he could figure out what to do with them.

Fortunately, none of the pieces were too heavy or large, but the tiny scraps littered the floor. Dropping to his hands and knees, he meticulously scanned the floor until he'd moved every visible scrap to a harmless location. He sighed and fell back on his knees, pulling off his gloves and tucking them into his pocket. Not wanting to ruin any more clothes, he slipped off his jacket and placed it on a nearby chair. He tied a clean cloth around his mouth to keep away the dust.

He grabbed the bucket, the rags, and the rest of the equipment and began attacking the layers of dust covering the furniture.

Painstakingly, he dug into each crevice, leaving a glossy trail in his wake. By the time he finished the furniture, the dust and holes caked the rag, making it useless. He fished out another cloth and attacked the walls. He growled as higher smudges mocked his height and stretched on his toes, scrubbing the black smudges, fiercely. His arm screamed with each stroke. When he couldn't bear the pain, he finally receded and switched hands letting his sore arm fall limp at his side.

He exhaled deeply in liberation an hour later from exhaustion.

His eyes wandered from the pale spots on the wall to the smudges on the floor. Groaning, he dunked a thicker rag in the bucket and carpet and brushed with passion. He stopped and wiped the sweat from his brow, his arms ached with stiffness. When the last smudge faded, leaving bright blue in its wake, he threw the destroyed cloth in the bucket and struggling to lift it. His muscles screamed at him until he dumped his burden in Cole's bathroom sink.

Free at last, he rewarded himself by collapsing in the nearest piece of furniture which turned out to be the bed.

He sighed in relief and let gravity sink his body into the softness of the bed, his arms liquefying with numbness when he tried to move them. His legs dangled over the bedside. A smirk of victory crossed his face. Now all he needed to do was replace the sheets and he was done. He lost count of how many hours he'd been working. For all he knew, he'd been asleep most of the morning and it was already late afternoon. He wasn't sure he cared anymore.

Finally, his body gave and he closed his eyes in relaxation.

"Damn, did you do everything?" A voice suddenly said. Kai's eyes popped open. He jumped in surprise and whirled around just in time to see Cole standing in the doorway balancing a tray of food in his hands. His eyes scanned the room from top to bottom, raising an impressed brow. "You did a nice job."

"Thank you." Kai smiled as he stood on his feet, stumbling slightly from the heaviness of his body. "I still have to do the sheets before I can see Flame, right?" He asked hopefully. Cole frowned and gestured towards the window. Kai's heart sank. Darkness had already crept across the sky, and the last traces of sunlight were the deep purple and reds of dusk. "That's impossible! I only lied down for a few minutes!" He protested, his eyes unintentionally drawing him to the window, pressing his forehead against the glass.

"You must've fallen asleep," Cole concluded, looking around the room again. "Not that I blame you, you certainly did more than I expected."

"Damnit! All that work for nothing!" Kai cursed and pressed his head against the glass hard enough for the sound to echo. Cole almost laughed at the teen's mild tantrum.

"Now you will have the entire day to spend with your horse, and it's supposed to be nice tomorrow." He said as he sat the tray on the table, strolled over to the teen, and gently grasped his shoulders. Kai was taken aback when he was pulled from his position and guided towards the table. He took a seat in a chair that was far too big for him. His stomach sang with glee at the sight of the food Shade must've prepared for him. The thick aroma of spices and meats caused his mouth to water.

"Now eat before it gets cold, otherwise you'll give Shade a heart attack," Cole said, motioning for the teen to eat up. "Besides, I know for a fact you haven't eaten since yesterday and you're much too thin as it is." He teased and Kai surrendered, his eyes widening as he took in what Shade had prepared. A large bowl of thick tomato soup with a plate of bread spread with garlic and herbs and mushrooms boiled in butter formed the appetizers. A whole hen baked to a golden brown and dressed with chestnut and hazelnut stuffing formed the centerpiece.

A separate plate of roasted eggs, potatoes sprinkled with parsley and a plate of biscuits sat next to it.

A bottle of light blackberry wine and two jeweled encrusted goblets completed the meal. He wasted no time, and dove for the closest thing he could find. Devouring the soup, a biscuit, and the spread toast, he moved onto the mushrooms. He ate half the chicken before Cole grabbed his hand and offered him a goblet of wine.

"Slow down before you choke." He commanded. He swallowed a mouthful of food and blushed, mortified by his bad manners.

"Sorry, I guess I was hungrier than I thought." He apologized, taking the goblet. He sipped the wine, noticing Cole had not moved except to stop him. "Aren't you going to eat anything?" he asked, concerned. Cole's eyes widened. His face too confused to respond as if he'd never been asked such a question. "Here, there's more than enough here for two." He suggested, offering the plate of mushrooms.

"I... I don't need to eat."

"But... you do eat, don't you?"

"I can, I just don't need to."

"So, in other words, just because you don't need to do something, you don't do it?"

"Exactly."

"That sounds boring," Kai commented, taking an empty plate and set one of everything on it, then filled the second glass with wine. Cole opened his mouth to question the action only for Kai to place the plate and goblet in front of him. Cole stared at the food with confusion, then back at the grinning teenager.

"Did you not hear what I just told you?"

"I heard you, but you can still eat and Shade's food is delicious, I can't eat all of it and he'll be crushed if we throw some of it out."

"I just told you, I don't need to eat." Cole snapped, biting back his annoyance. "If there's no point to things, why do them?"

"Haven't you ever just done something for the sake of doing it?" Kai interrogated, trying to keep his voice civil. "If not for any other reason than because you can, or to have fun, or to try something new?" He asked and to emphasized his point, he picked up the plate and held it closer to Cole. "When was the last time you actually tasted something? I'll bet one bite and you won't stop."

"Why does it matter?" Cole replied harshly, snatching the plate away and setting it back on the table. "If I don't need something, then what's the point? It's such a waste if something isn't done for a purpose."

"It's not a waste! It's not poison and besides, you not eating means it will go to waste and your staff would've worked hard for nothing." Kai scolded, gesturing with a swing of his hand to address everyone who wasn't in the room.

"I adore my staff, thank you very much, but I doubt my lack of appetite bothers them," Cole answered in a dry tone. "They still eat, though I fail to see the reason why, and regardless, they have always found other ways to entertain themselves in the past." He snarled. Kai's brow narrowed but he had a mischievous smirk on his face.

"But not what they want to do, so everyone else is denied their wants solely because you have nothing better to do but wallow in your room? No wonder you're so grouchy all the time, you must bore yourself to death."

"You really don't know when to bite your tongue, do you?"

"Well spare me for trying to bring a little sunshine to the doom and gloom you call your life." Kai protested, getting to his feet. "I just don't understand you, you have an entire castle here, people who adore your company, and all you do is lock yourself in this room and break things! It's like you purposely go out of your way to make yourself miserable and everyone worries themselves sick because of it." He glared and Cole was on his feet in an instant, anger in his eyes.

"I have my reasons and they are none of your concern nor anyone else's." He countered harshly and turned left. Using his smaller stature to his advantage, Kai cut in front of him, forcing Cole to look at him.

"It is my concern and everyone else's when everyone worries about you." Kai protested passionately. "All the time I hear everyone worrying over you and wondering why you've never left your room; the last two weeks, all they did was ask me what happened to you, and ever since I arrived here, I've been wondering what I did to make you so angry with me!" He blurted out. Cole's expression dropped. The anger from before had vanished, leaving Cole's face a mask of neutrality.

Kai froze and bit his lip as an awkward silence passed between them.

His eyes hadn't left Cole's but he felt himself shaking slightly beneath that gaze. Finally, Cole shook his head, a line formed on his lips.

"If you're referring to the incident in the ballroom, you can relax, I'm not angry at you for that; our... conversation just brought up a few bad memories and I overreacted and your rudeness did little to soften my temper so we were both at fault and it's done." He replied and Kai wobbled a bit, almost sick with relief, but another question came to mind. He opened his mouth to ask, but he bit it back. The rift between them was already large enough.

"What is it?" Cole ordered, curiosity softening the command.

"Nothing," Kai replied, lowering his gaze.

"You wanted to ask me something," Cole observed. Kai didn't look up until the tip of the dragon's tail curled beneath his chin. Cole's arms crossed over his chest, an amused smile crossed his face as he leaned over to meet Kai's eye level. "I know from past experience what happens when your curiosity isn't satisfied, so ask." He said humorously, but there was forcefulness as well. Kai had never been afraid of Cole before the previous night, and he wasn't now, but the knot in his gut twisted.

His voice felt like it vanished.

He froze in place, enthralled by the desire to see what was beyond those emerald depths but the fear of adding another layer to the barrier between them was equally as strong. As if sensing the teenager's dilemma, Cole's expression softened. "Whatever it is, I promise I won't get upset." He added. The statement broke the enchantment. Kai closed his eyes and exhaled a breath.

"Is that your family?" He asked. Completely blown away, by the statement Cole's face dropped to one of flabbergasted silence

"What do you mean?" He asked in a breathy voice, releasing Kai from his grip. His tail curled nervously at his feet. Kai swallowed, almost too afraid to ask, but knowing it was too late, his eyes wandered to the painting on the other side of the room. The cloth had been removed when he changed it and now it was open and visible beneath its glass case.

"The painting over there, are they your family?" He asked with concerned eyes, silently praying he hadn't unintentionally tread into forbidden territory. Cole didn't answer, but the look of conflict on his face spoke for him. He was torn between anger, anguish, and something else. Kai opened his mouth to apologize but Cole raised a hand.

"Don't apologize, you were only curious." He said quickly, silencing any apology. Cole swooped past him, quickly strolling to the balcony, and braced himself on the table where the candle rested. His claws sank into the table as he gave a heavy sigh.

"It's alright if you don't want to say anything." Kai blurted out quickly, his mind racing for some way to repair the rift he knew he'd increased. Cole shot up and the second his eyes met Kai, the teen looked at the ground. "I won't pry into your private life."

"It's not that!" Cole said quickly, hoping to remove the young man's unwarranted guilt. "You've done nothing wrong, it's just something I've come to accept; I know I can't change it no matter how much I wish I could, so I've just accepted it." He explained, turning his back to Kai, who looked at him with wide eyes. Realization at their misunderstanding dawned on him, and he shook his head, turning his attention back to the painting then Cole.

"Are you talking about the curse?" He asked, without thinking. Cole shot up, completely astounded by the statement. He knew the boy knew who he was, but he was forbidden to speak of the details nonetheless.

"I read it in a book," Kai explained with a small smile. "The librarian gave it to me, it's my favorite book." He explained, trying to stifle a laugh at the jaw-dropped expression on Cole's face. "I didn't believe it at first, but it told about this castle, the prince who lived here, the sorcerer who cursed him for no sin other than wanting to protect his kingdom; I wasn't even sure it was real until I saw you for the first time and I later found out Zane wrote it."

"I don't believe this," Cole muttered as he collapsed in a nearby chair, his face a mask of pure shock.

"It wasn't that difficult to figure out, everyone does a horrible job of hiding it every time I ask about it, how dense do they think I am?" He explained with a laugh.

"It isn't that, they can't tell you." He explained, noticing the cute look of confusion on Kai's face. "It is part of our curse, no one can reveal the details of it or how to break it to an outsider; Zane is the only exception because he wrote it down." He laughed to himself at the irony.

"Wait, you mean you knew about it?"

"Yeah, who do you think gave him permission to do so?" Cole laughed, standing up. He hooked a hand around Kai's arm, pulling him to his feet with such swiftness their eyes met again. "I was joking at the time, I'm glad he took me seriously."

"Yes, but that still doesn't answer my question." He replied. "Is that your family? You don't have to tell me about them, I just wasn't sure; they look a lot like you, so I just assumed." He added gently. Cole's face was unreadable as he let Kai go. His eyes darted back to the painting of the happy family safely locked away behind the glass, carefully taking in every detail.

"Why do you want to know?" He asked his voice stoic and his eyes absent of emotion.

"Because I want to get to know you." He answered honestly. His eyes and voice held true conviction, not a flicker of doubt. "The real you, not the character I read in a book or the façade you put up to keep people away, I want to know the real Cole." He said passionately. Finally, Cole closed his eyes and shook his head with a small smile at the boy before him. He walked past Kai with a commanding aura. Kai's gaze followed him until he saw Cole had stopped in front of the painting.

His claws gently glided over the glass and gently caressed the cheek of the girl in the painting.

"My mother was the sweetest person you'd ever meet." He sighed sadly. "She had a heart of gold and a temper to match, do not mistake her though, you would not wish to anger her in fact, those who did often wish they hadn't but she was fair in her discipline; all children in the kingdom she considered her own and it was her personal duty to help all the orphans in any way she could; there was not a soul you could find who didn't love her and I doubt there was anything about her you couldn't love."

"She sounds so kind."

"She was a firm ruler, a tough woman, and a very strict parent." He smiled and, for a moment, Kai swore it was the smile of a child longing for his mother. "My father loved us with every fiber of his soul but he was always willing to sacrifice his own time and happiness for the good of his kingdom." He continued. "He didn't sit around and let officials do the work for him and when something needed to be built or when there was a battle, he was there; he always said a King is only as good as the people who follow him and he never asked his people to do anything he himself wouldn't do." Cole paused for a minute to chuckle at the memory.

"That's a good thing to teach."

"That was the first lesson he taught me; respect for my people." The Dragon Lord smiled at the memory. "I hated it when I was younger; always having to go into town and work, but my father was firm with me, especially in his discipline; despite his duties, however, he always made time for us, and every day, he'd take my sister and I horseback riding or he'd educate us on what it meant to be King; he wasn't there as much as I would've liked, but I also understood his reasons." He sighed heavily.

Kai felt his heart jump as he heard Cole speak, never before had he spoken so kindly, so happily.

It was like he was living a dream and nothing else mattered. He stood up and strolled over to his side.

"They sound wonderful." He smiled, recalling his own parents before they passed away.

"They were."

"Is that your sister?" Kai asked, gesturing a hand to the young girl in the image. Cole didn't answer at first. Instead, he knelt down to meet the eyes of the girl.

"I loved my sister the most, even though she was adopted." He replied.

"She was disowned by her original guardian, but it didn't matter to me or my parents; she was my sister and she meant the world to me, I adored her and she looked up to me and I promised her I'd do anything to protect her." His voice was bright with adoration that Kai swore could only rival his own love for Lloyd. "She was so young." His voice faded to a whisper as his forehead pressing against the glass. "She did nothing wrong." He mumbled. His claws clenched, scratching the glass.

"Neither did you," Kai added, with a small grin of understanding. "Is that why you lock yourself away here? To punish yourself?" He asked and the dragon hybrid looked up. Fierce emeralds bore straight into concerned ambers. The younger held still, not pressuring him but waiting for an answer.

"Why are you so persistent?"

"Why do you avoid answering me?" Kai persisted, his glare hardening. "Am I correct?"

"It doesn't matter," Cole huffed before he turned around and started towards the door, his tail wrapping around Kai's waist gesturing for him to follow. Kai dug his heels into the ground, wincing as the scaly appendage tightened. He bit his lip to keep from crying out. Cole tugged on him, but the stubborn teen remained firm, refusing to back down. Finally, Kai slapped the appendage away and glared at the king. Cole winced, more shocked than angry by the strike.

"What is the matter with you?" He demanded harshly, moving to grab the teen, but Kai evaded his talons, refusing to let time repeat.

"Why is it so hard to answer me?"

"Why does it matter?" He growled at the teen's boldness, his tail whipping at his side, filling the room with loud smacks every time it struck something. "Go back to your room, Kai, you're done here." He ordered, pointing to the door.

"I am not leaving until you answer me!" He shouted and Cole saw red. Before either of them could react he roughly grabbed his upper arm and pinned him against the glass, but not hard enough to hurt him, only immobilize him.

"You are the most stubborn person I have ever met!"

"Funny, I was just about to say the same thing about you! Now let go of me, this instant!" He yelled as he wrenched his arms, but Cole harshly tugged him closer, making him wince.

"You know nothing about me!" The dragon hybrid snapped, shaking the teen slightly.

"That's exactly my point!" Kai argued, clawing at the man's talons with his free hand, in a weak attempt to earn release from his captor's grip, digging his heels into the ground. "You only tell me about everyone else, but you never say anything about yourself! And when I ask you why you stay here, you change the subject or avoid it? Why! You did nothing wrong! So why are you punishing yourself for a crime you didn't commit?"

"You think I don't know that!" Cole exploded, with such force that Kai went silent. Slightly afraid of the mad anger in the Lord's face, Kai stopped his resistance, paralyzed. He put up no resistance as Cole forcefully pulled him closer. "I know I did nothing wrong! I know there was nothing I could've done! Is it better knowing I could do nothing but watch as my entire family vanished right before my eyes and I could do nothing to save them? That I could do nothing to stop the monster who stole them from me from turning me into this repulsive creature? Yes, I'm well aware of that!"

A disturbing silence fell between them, disturbed only by Cole's heavy breathing.

Slowly, regaining his composure, Kai's gaze softened, and his voice civilized.

"So you are punishing yourself." He concluded in an expressionless voice. He'd braced himself for a blow, expecting Cole to strike him, or yell at him once more, but he did neither. Instead, he responded in the last way Kai expected him to. He laughed. Low pearls rolled off his lips like small dark chuckled, before finally erupting into a triumphant burst of hysterics.

"You think I blame myself for that?" Cole mocked, still laughing. "I'd have to be a damned fool to even think that? Why should I when I know the real culprit?" He asked, breathless from laughing. The Dragon Lord then released him and with a shove, more powerful than he intended, threw the teen back into an armchair he'd backed himself against. Kai hissed at the treatment, but his eyes never left Cole's. Cole strolled across the table, bracing himself against an opposite chair, his head hung low as he continued to laugh.

"You really want to know?" He asked with sadness. Regaining himself, Kai nodded, suddenly alert.

"So persistent, fine I'll tell you." Cole chuckled darkly and his voice drifted off. "I stay here because it's easier this way; it's safer, keeping everyone at arm's length so they can't abandon you because they can't stand the sight of you and they can't insult you or turn you away despite all you've done for them because you're a monster; I've done nothing wrong, but still the world rejects and repulses me; I've long accepted I'm a monster." He explained.

Bitter sarcasm drenched his retort with venom.

Each anguished word, poisoned with a frightening familiarity, all while Kai absorbed each brutal word.

"I just don't like being reminded what I already know." He concluded. "It's just safer this way."

"You fool!" Kai protested in a tone so sharp, Cole shot up. Kai's eyes were locked on the floor, his hands balled into fists at his sides and his frame shook violently with rage. "You're a fool, Cole!" He exploded.

"How dare you!" Cole erupted, rage and betrayal in his voice. He was a fool for accepting sympathy.

"Yes, I dare!" Kai countered, stepping forward until he was face to face with the hybrid. "How dare you just give up!" He paused, voice shaking with anger as he tried to find the right words. "You were betrayed, shunned, and abandoned, I don't blame you for that! But how dare you give in to those accusations! So what?! Just because a bunch of heartless traitors shun you and tell you you're a monster that automatically makes it true? When do you ever listen to anyone but yourself!?" He demanded angrily.

Cole's talons ceased the teen by his shoulders and lifted him off the ground, growling with rage.

"You know nothing! You don't know anything that I've been through! You have no idea what it's to be shunned and hated for nothing! You have no idea!" He bellowed so loud Kai was sure the whole castle shook. Kai flinched at the words, not by the harshness in the man's accusation but by its inaccuracy. He shoved the man off him, so hard, Cole was taken aback by the force and stumbled backward. His legs hit those of the armchair and he fell back, but before he could forget, Kai braced his hands on either arm, pinning the man beneath him.

Stunned by the sudden action, Cole froze, paralyzed by the ferocity and gravity in the intense gaze.

"You think I don't know what it's like to be hated? To be shunned and mocked through no fault of my own? Do you think I don't feel something when I see the way people look at me and whisper about me as I walk by? You don't think I know they think I'm a freak! Just because everyone agrees I'm some brazen youth whose only purpose in life should be to marry some pompous aristocrat, live in a gilded cage, and raise spoiled children until I croak means I should accept it and do it?" His shaking grew work as he spoke.

Passion and rage consumed him, and he narrowed his eyes, biting back the tears threatening to fall.

"At least I don't give up! At least I don't just give up and accept what everyone thinks! Because they're wrong! And I know they are! Even if they all agree, even if everyone and everything thinks you're something doesn't mean you are, right? Even if they drill it into your skull, even if they convince you you're a monster or a freak! That doesn't mean it's true!" He finished screaming, his entire body shook violently. Without bothering to wait for a reaction from the stunned Lord, Kai pulled back and turned to leave, knowing he couldn't keep himself in control any longer.

He didn't get far.

In a flash, Cole blocked the man's path with his wings, carefully placing a talon on his shoulder, and gently turned him to face him, but Kai refused to meet his gaze.

"Kai, wait!" Cole called softly. When the teen looked up, Cole's eyes widened. Tears streaked the teen's face like transparent rivers. Droplets accumulated on Kai's chin until they finally dropped to the floor or dampened Cole's claws.

"What!" The teenager snapped, harshly, furiously rubbing away the signs of his weakness. Even with tears falling from Kai's eyes, fire blazed in them. Those same indomitable eyes he adored, at first sight, blazed with so many emotions at once. Anger, anguish, sympathy, disgust, hurt. It was hard to tell who they were for or what emotions were directed at whom. Frozen at the sight before him, Cole moved a clawed hand to catch the tears, unsure how to react.

The Lord gently brushed his chest, wondering why his heart suddenly felt like it sprang free, and why hit hurt when he saw the tears, he tried so hard to force back fall.

"Kai, I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." He choked, sincerely. Kai froze at the sudden apology, barely feeling the leathery wings wrap around him. He found Cole staring at him, guilt and remorse glazed his features. His eyes softened when they met his gently demanding the truth "Are you speaking about me or yourself?" He asked and Kai moved his arm to wipe away his tears before responding.

"Both." He replied. Just then two arms wrapped around him and pulled him into a tight, warm embrace. Cole gently brushed away the remains of his tears, careful not to prick the delicate skin with his claws. Unable to resist, he carefully leaned down and gently kissed the remaining tears away. Kai froze when the king pulled back, his face crimson. His voice died in his throat, unsure of how to respond to the sudden gesture, even as his finger subconsciously brushed the tender area the kiss left behind.

Cole smiled at the reaction and gently stroked the kindred spirit's soft hair hoping to calm him before gently whispering.

"No one has ever cried for my sake." He whispered as he embraced the boy tighter, enjoying the warmth Kai's body radiated. Relishing in the comfort, Kai leaned his forehead against Cole's chest, the soft material of Cole's shirt brushed against his cheek, cushioned by the lean muscles beneath. Cole wrapped his arms and tail around his waist, his wings wrapping them in a cocoon of bliss. Kai finally collapsed, emotionally exhausted, his body felt heavy with bliss.

The Dragon Lord followed his example, taking the teen with him, fell back into his chair.

His body felt as though an enormous burden had been lifted from his being and the loss of such a weight had left him immobile with peace. Cole hummed as he gently running his claws through the silky brunette locks, not caring whether or not Kai heard him. The teen smiled as he faded in and out of consciousness and exhaustion started to take its toll on him. Cole closed his own eyes, letting his hand fall limply at his side...

****************

When he opened his eyes, Cole couldn't recall where he was. He closed his eyes and shook his head for a moment, gently brushing his claw through his black hair. He looked down, feeling a heavyweight on his chest. He almost jumped up in surprise when he found his house guest curled against his chest like a cat. Once the memories returned, however, he calmed himself down and smiled. He had to admit, Kai looked adorable while he slept.

So peaceful and innocent, without a care in the world.

The opposite of the fiery, strong-willed spirit he was when he awoke. Cole decided to let him sleep for a bit longer. He carefully gathered the teen in his arms and carried him to his bed. He brushed aside the veils with his tail and gently placed the boy on his side, pulling the comforter over him. His eyes fell back on the half-eaten tray of food on the table. He tested it with his finger. It was cold but not enough to be inedible. He paused for a bit when he heard a stir behind him.

"Cole?" Kai called half-consciously. Kai rolled onto his stomach and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, blearily looking for the other man. He found him by the table gathering the food and goblets from before.

"I'm just cleaning up," Cole said over his shoulder. He watched as Kai rolled over and sat upon the bed, kicking off his boots and letting his jacket slip from his shoulders. Perhaps letting him sleep in his clothes wasn't such a good idea. He left the plates on the table and strolled over to the wardrobe, searching for something light. His eyes darted to something bright on the table. Closer inspection revealed the garment was a folded pile of red silk glowing like a hot beacon among the dark color scheme.

He snatched up the garment and let the slippery material fall open, revealing an angel-sleeved robe that fell to the knees.

The size indicated it was much too small for him but saw it would fit Kai perfectly. His sharp eyes caught a white note in the pocket. He pulled it out and his eyes skinned it over, instantly recognizing Harumi's handwriting.

For Kai, since he'll probably need it.

His jaw clenched and his face reddened as he crumpled the note in his hand, reminding himself she was too valuable to kill. He could just hear the implication. What the hell did she think they'd be doing? Cole purposely chose not to answer that question. He took a breath and composed himself before placing the garment over his arm and exiting the wardrobe. Having grown used to his dragon scales, sleeping in his clothes no longer bothered him.

When he returned, he paused for a moment.

His eyes drank in the delicious sight of his house guest stripped to only his pants. Cole smirked, licking his fangs at the delicious creamy-caramel skin, briefly wondering if it tasted as sweet as it looked. Deciding to take advantage of the situation before the teen returned to full waking, he slowly strolled over to him. His tail grabbed the blanket as Kai climbed back into the bed. Kai growled, half exhausted, annoyed, and yanked the comforter.

Cole won the small war, the younger being too tired to argue.

When he noticed Kai's eyes starting to brighten, he waited until the teen turned to glare at him. When Kai did so, he held out the robe to him, smiling. Kai blinked in confusion as the slippery material fell into his hands.

"It isn't very comfortable sleeping in your clothes," Cole answered the unasked question. chuckling slightly at the boy's confusion. Realization caused Kai's eyes to bulge and he looked at Cole, then robe, then down at himself. Kai instinctively pulled the robe to his chest, his face scarlet as he glared at the smirking king.

"Cole!" He howled, more from mortification than anger.

"Relax, you can change in the bathroom." Cole smiled, gesturing to the door next to the wardrobe. With as much dignity as the teen could muster, Kai stood up, still clutching the robe, and disappeared into the bathroom. He released a sigh of relief seeing that it was clean. Chuckling, Cole returned to his earlier work, glaring down at the chicken bones, empty plates, and goblet. The wine bottle had been resealed, but the second goblet was still half-full and small amounts of appetizers littered the smaller plates.

"It would be a waste," He agreed, gathering all the food onto one large plate and stacking the dirty ones. He grabbed the half-full goblet, debating its fate. Dumping it would be a waste, but he couldn't return it to the bottle either. His eyes narrowed at the tempting liquid. He couldn't recall the last time he had wine. Hadn't Kai said something about seizing the moment?

"Oh what the hell?" He finally decided, raising the goblet to his lips. A mixture of richness and a sweet woody tang ignited his senses. His eyes flew open. The small sip turned into a large gulp, then another, then another, determined to capture the burning the liquid brought him. He gorged himself until every drop was gone from the goblet then wrenched it away to breathe. "God, I'd forgotten how good this stuff is." He said loudly as if buzzed by the minimal alcohol.

He wiped his mouth on his shirt and turned to the appetizers.

He scooped up a biscuit and took a bite. It was cold and the butter had hardened, but the combination tasted divine. He downed the other half in one gulp, unable to resist the pleasure it brought to his taste buds. He grabbed another appetizer, this time, a piece of bread with the garlic and herb spread and bit down. The bread tasted harder than the biscuit but the pasty spread had softened it, the sharpness of herbs leaving a bittersweet desire for more.

He swallowed the delicious treat before eating another one, deciding to savor the taste before it was gone.

Potatoes dripping with garlic butter went down thick and creamy. Next was the stuffed mushroom. Juice trickled down his chin and the rich, stuffing crunched in his mouth, savoring each bite until he could stand it no longer and swallowed the rest. He licked his lips and fingers, determined to capture the remains of the taste before opening the wine again and downing the rest of the bottle. The taste of berry juice flushed his senses while the sharp brisk of alcohol burned his throat.

He gulped the juice, not even bothering to stop as his lungs screamed for air and his throat burned.

He pulled the bottle from his lips and gasped as the final drop went down. He was buzzed from the ecstasy of the experience. He wobbly placed the empty bottle on the tray and carefully got to his feet. The buzz of drunkenness beginning to slip away as his body cleared his system of the alcohol.

"I told you so." A familiar voice chuckled lightly. The Dragon Lord almost dropped the bottle. His heart plunged into his stomach as he whirled around, just in time to catch the wide grin on Kai's face as he leaned in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were brilliant with triumph and his grin nearly split his face, alerting Cole he had seen the entire scene. Ignoring the blush on his face and the large bruise on his ego, Cole got to his feet and glared at the teen.

Kai said nothing.

He removed himself from the door and walking back towards the bed, the red robe he was wearing perfectly molded his form and leaving nothing to the imagination, but Cole barely noticed. His blush worsening and his glare hardening as Kai's grin spoke more than a thousand voices. Kai sat on the bed and smiled at him, daring him to counter him.

"Go to bed!" Cole finally snapped, plopping down on an armchair. Kai smiled and shook his head...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch17

Chapter 17: The Reason

"Would you hold still?!" Kai snapped, pulling the cloth soaked with medical herbs from the kitchen away.

"That stings!" Cole argued as he moved his clawed hand to cover the wound and prevent Kai from touching it but hissed every time his claws grazed the surface of the wound. Kai snorted feeling his blood boil in rage. He'd had to drag the man back to the castle and wake up some of the servants to get the things he needed. Then he had to drag Cole to the kitchen and force him to sit on the table. Shade all but exploded when the two entered the kitchen covered in leaves, dirt, and blood, all of which were scattered all over the room.

Then he practically buried Kai and Cole with questions when he saw the wound on the man's chest, despite Cole's insistence that it was only a scratch and that he was fine.

He only managed to free himself of the other noirette's badgering by pointing to Kai. The brunette was digging through the cabinets for anything he could use. Shade all but exploded. Now, Kai had to put up with the Dragon Lord acting like a child while he tried to remove his coat and the remains of his shirt to nurse his wounds. His already thinning patience was on the verge of snapping.

"If you'd hold still, and let me clean the damn thing, it wouldn't hurt as much!"

"If you hadn't run away, this never would've happened!" Cole yelled in a voice bitter with sarcasm before he deliberately scolded. "Do you have any idea how stupid that was? How much danger you were in! You were only lucky you were on your way back to the castle, or I wouldn't have been able to save you!" He shouted. Kai growled and threw down the washcloth.

"If you hadn't started blasting things and scaring me, I never would've left!" The teen countered, if for nothing more than to wipe the smirk off the man's face. "You scared the shit out of me!"

"You shouldn't have been in the West Wing in the first place! You were specifically told what it was, by several people I might add, and I never permitted you to enter my room! How would you feel if someone entered your room without permission? And don't lie to me because we both know you've would've reacted the same way!" Cole retorted. Kai felt his ego bruise at that comment and opened his mouth to protest but bit back the words and exhaled.

"You're right." He said with no emotion. Cole was stunned and clearly not expecting such a response.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said you are right." He repeated in a more civil voice. He was tired of this blame game. "I shouldn't have gone into your room without your permission and I'm sorry." He said and his apology was sincere, but when he looked up again, his fierce eyes bore into Cole's. The dragon hybrid sat frozen by the intensity. "But I'm not the only one at fault here! You should learn to control your temper!" He scolded. Instantly, Cole opened his mouth to counter but immediately realized he had no answer.

He felt his pride deflate when he realized the boy was right. He had lost his temper, but he refused to take all the blame for this.

"I'm the only one with a temper or at fault here! You should learn to listen and do what you're told!"

"I already know that!" Kai snapped, collapsing into a chair. "I'm too impulsive; it's one of my faults but, to be honest, if you weren't always hiding maybe I wouldn't be so curious." He mumbled out loud, dumping more yarrow on the cloth. "I've been here almost a month and the only thing I know about you is that you have a temper, you're a control freak and you can throw energy."

"Haven't you ever heard 'curiosity killed the cat'?" Cole snorted but chuckled lightly.

"Yeah, I have." Kai chuckled. "As a kid, I always heard the story of Bluebeard; everyone always said it was supposed to show how curiosity only causes trouble." He chuckled then smiled. "But I always thought that if that were true and the girl obeyed her husband, he would've killed her anyway, and start the process all over again, but because of her curiosity, not only did she find out the truth, she and her brothers managed to kill the guy and save a lot of other girls from suffering the same fate." He burst out laughing at the memory.

Cole just stared as he listened intensely.

"No one could answer that one, not even Mom and Dad said curiosity was a double-edged sword; it helps us learn new things and make discoveries but if we let it get the better of us, we set ourselves up for trouble and I always let mine get the best of me."

"Obviously," Cole added before his voice took a stricter tone. "Next time you want to ease your curiosity, you should try asking."

"So if I asked you, you would have let me into your room even if it was for the sake of getting to know you better?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, his voice a mixture of sarcasm and teasing.

"Hell no!" Cole blurted out fiercely. He realized his mistake when the smirk on Kai's face widened. Again his pride was dented. "I see your point." He mumbled with as much dignity as he could muster.

"And you say I'm impulsive." Kai teased.

"You are." He countered, leaning closer to him. Since he was sitting at the table, their eyes were level with each other. "You're reckless, that's why you get into trouble and you never have the control to hold your tongue when the time calls for it, and you always put others or your pride before your own safety; there's a time and place when your own safety should be more important than defending your pride."

"Like in the woods, when that thing tried to kill you?" Kai asked as he raised an eyebrow in an accosting tone. "I don't care what happens to me if someone I care about is in danger! If I can help them I will!"

"You care about me?" Cole smirked and a blush painted Kai's face before he growled back.

"That's not the point!"

"I know what you meant." He chuckled as he shook his head with a small smile. "But I stand by what I told you before, if you keep focusing on everyone else's happiness and let your pride get the better of you, you'll never be happy." He said and the statement didn't anger Kai as much as it did the first time, but he still felt his irritation spike as a result. He opened his mouth to protest but Cole cut him off. "Everyone else who goes out of their way to try and make you happy will constantly worry about you because they know you'll always put everyone else before yourself." The hybrid said and any protest or angry words died in his throat.

He never looked at it that way before but it was as if the last piece of an extremely difficult puzzle had suddenly been put into place.

Nya had told him something similar before she and Lloyd had left. Everyone else in the palace had been sick with worry over him since he arrived, worse after his and Cole's fight. The teen put the medical supplies down and lowered his head.

"Why did you let me stay here?" He asked in a low voice, unsure if he wanted an answer.

"I don't understand." Cole blinked. Kai raised his head and glared at him.

"When I asked you to let me stay in Nya and Lloyd's place, why did you say yes? You said so yourself, I'm nothing but trouble?"

"I never said that." Cole corrected.

"That doesn't answer my question." Kai glared. Now it was Cole's turn to smile, a smile that curled at the corners.

"You really want to know why I let you stay here?" He asked and Kai nodded.

"Because you fascinated me the second I saw you." He replied and he raised his claws and spoke in a passionate, free-flowing voice as if he no longer had to keep something secret. Kai was clearly not expecting such an answer.

"What?"

"I'd never seen or met anyone like you; you found my castle all on your own, you were willing to sacrifice everything for your family and when you saw my true form for the first time, not only were you not afraid of me, you knew who I was! I didn't believe it when my staff called your arrival here a miracle, but everything about you astounded me." Cole paused for a moment, taking in the stunned expression on Kai's face. "Every time you saw me, you showed no fear and you refused to obey or respect me unless it was earned and you defy my every order; you countered every rule, regulation, or demand I made with one of your own and you had an answer for each one."

He paused for a moment and looked around the kitchen, not surprised to see the staff had left.

"You treat everyone in the castle-like people, where anyone else would've fled in terror, you let them pamper you even though you hate being waited on, you treat this place as if it were your home, and you put your own needs on hold for the sake of someone else." He sighed and Kai blinked again, but Cole was unsure if he was truly confused or if he disbelieved Cole meant what he was saying. "I agreed to keep you here for the reason that everything about you fascinates me from your beauty, intelligence, spirit, fiery temper, fierce independence, courage, heart... need I go on?" Cole smirked at the crimson blush spreading rapidly across Kai's face when he realized Cole was serious.

"I-I..."

"You're like a desert rose, Kai, something so unique and powerful that it can grow in the wildest of places." He smiled warmly. "You're like one giant puzzle and no matter how hard I try, I can't figure you out, but mark my words, I plan to." He promised. Kai just sat there for a moment, too stunned to speak. His mind was still trying to process what he was just told, completely ignoring the blush he knew was blazing across his face. When his mind finally put everything into perspective, he smiled a small smile and laughed.

"Funny, back home everyone but my siblings considered me everything from odd and peculiar to weird and bizarre for the way I am, and yet here, everyone seems to like me for that reason."

"Then those ignorant, backward fools need to get their asses out of the past and accept the end of aristocracy; I've been trapped in this castle for over a hundred years and I know full well things are much different." Cole laughed. Kai couldn't help but laugh in agreement. He flashed a small smile before turning back to the cloth soaked in yarrow medicine.

"Now hold still and let me finish cleaning this, it'll sting a bit." He warned before pressing the liquid-drenched cloth to the wound. Cole bit his lip, a hiss making his pain evident but he held still while the boy gently worked.

"Just a little longer, I promise." Kai comforted him, throwing away the dirty rag and grabbing another one. Once the wound was clean, he screwed the yarrow jar shut and took out a cotton-padded patch large enough to cover the entire wound. He grabbed one of the thick aloe leaves, cut it open, and squeezed the clear gelatin onto the patch before carefully spreading it all over. Cole watched patiently as he emptied the entire leaf until it curled.

Once that was done, Kai carefully lifted the patch from the bottom and pressed it to the wound.

Cole hissed, but this time, he only felt slight discomfort.

"Don't worry," Kai said, wiping off his hands. "It's aloe, it's more soothing than yarrow and it'll stop the itch and it's also a very powerful disinfectant." He explained, pressing his hand to the patch gently. "Now, I just need you to remove your coat so I can bandage it." He said and Cole shrugged the garment off his shoulders, revealing his entire upper body. Kai bit back a blush as the naked flesh was revealed to him. Kai quickly grabbed the bandages and carefully began wrapping them around Cole's waist.

"You're a good nurse," Cole commented, noticing how skilled the teen was.

"Thank you." He replied as he forced down another blush.

"Where'd you learn this, if you don't mind me asking?"

"My mom and dad taught me," Kai replied. "Our family was well known for their knowledge of herbs and since we traveled a lot when I was younger, we had to make sure we knew what to do in case one of us got hurt before we reached the next town or doctor, but most of the time, it was just me and Dad always teased me, saying that was why the yarrow stung; it was both a healer and a punishment for misbehaving."

"Sounds like the two of you were close."

"When I was little, he would always buy me the most beautiful and bizarre things wherever we went and he'd tell me stories about them." Kai smiled. "My favorites were always the ones about how our family descended from a powerful line of warriors from Japan."

"He sounds like a good man." Cole laughed. "My father was like that, he always told me our family was chosen by the legendary dragon to protect this kingdom from corruption and prejudice, and obviously, this castle's theme was modeled around that myth."

"I noticed," Kai replied as he tied the bandage tightly. Once he was finished, he frowned and turned away again. Cole looked concerned until he noticed another blush forming on the boy's cheeks. "Thank you, by the way." The teen finally spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you, for saving me." He clarified. Now it was Cole's turn to blush, but he hid it by coughing in his hand.

"You're welcome, and thank you... for coming back." He added.

"I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

"Oh, is that all?" Cole replied, sounding a little disappointed.

"No, that's not all." Kai giggled a bit. "Honestly, I like it here; it's nice to be away from that town for a while and I'd feel bad if I left everyone without saying goodbye, and besides, I want to get to know you too." He added. Cole just smiled and gently ran his claws through Kai's hair before scooping him into his arms like a bride. The teenager yelped at the sudden movement.

"H-Hey! W-Wait a minute!" The teen protested.

"Don't think this means you're off the hook, you're still in big trouble for going in my room," Cole smirked and laughed. Kai snorted and crossed his arms. He hated being carried. The few staff members watching backed away as Cole flew through the hallway with his captive in his arms. The four creatures stood frozen, their eyes bulged and their mouths dropped in identical masks of shock.

"Um..." Jay mouthed, pointing to where the two men just were. "Did they just—"

"Uh-huh." Ronin nodded.

"And then they—" Tox continued.

"Yup." Echo finished. This was certainly an interesting turn of events...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch16

Chapter 16: The Fire Within

Kai's legs and body screamed at him to stop, or at least slowdown. His lungs felt like they exploded but Kai refused to stop. He thrashed and growled as claw-like branches scraped and tore at his silk shirt and pulled at his cloak. His boots sank into the ankle-deep carpet of mud and dead leaves, causing him to stumble several times. Nevertheless, he pressed onward, his heart hammered loudly in his chest from anxiety. He had no idea where the castle was anymore.

He was heavily panting as he blindly tried to navigate himself through the black woods, hoping for some sign, but none came.

A crash behind him caused him to whirl around. A loud snarl, the thunder of feet, and the crushing of branches echoed in the background with the force of a huge stampede. Kai's heart leaped into his throat at this. Pain and exhaustion forgotten, Kai bolted into a sprint running as fast as he could. Snarls and claws hammered behind him but he refused to look back as the hunter chased him. A stray root sticking out the ground caught his ankle, causing him to trip.

He crashed into the icy mud and leaves beneath him.

Spitting out leaves, he pushed himself to his knees and prepared to run again but froze when a huge shadow flew over him. It suddenly landed in front of him. He stumbled backward, paralyzed by fear. His mouth opened in a voiceless scream. Tremor wracked his body, paralyzing him as his eyes met the pupil-less, soulless, demonic eyes of a monster. Its enormous, muscular body was covered in tight, pitch-black skin. Enormous razor-sharp talons protruded from its paws and a long, thin tail tipped with a spike curled and cracked like a whip.

Its head was fat but its nose and jaw were slender like those of an alligator's head.

A black, forked tongue licked its lips as it stepped towards Kai. Opening its jaws and flexing its claws in preparation for devouring the boy in front of him, it sprang. Kai closed his eyes and waited for death. Instead of death, however, another shadow swooped in front of him. A loud bellow like the roar of a dragon echoed through the clearing, followed by a loud thud as the source of the sound landed with force. Kai opened his eyes to see large wings unfurled to protect him as the figure stood to his full height.

Kai's eyes widened as he now stood behind none other than the Dragon Lord.

Cole didn't answer him as he released a harsh punch straight into the side of the monster's head. It sent it crashing into the trunk of a tree. Kai stood frozen, too overcome by shock to move or speak.

"Don't just stand there, you idiot!" Cole commanded and a harsh tug on his arm brought the boy back to reality and he jumped to his feet.

"What is that thing?" Kai demanded as the creature recovered from the blow and shook its head, snarling at the pair with rage. Cole cursed and wrapped an arm around Kai's waist and pulled him against him. Before Kai could protest, a scream tore from his throat as he was hurled into the air by a giant gust of wind. Cole flexed his wings and with a mighty leap, they burst into the air, barely missing as the beast pounced again. Terrified and confused, Kai's arms flayed until his hands clenched the front of Cole's jacket and he buried his face in the man's coat from shock.

Beneath them, the beast snarled opening and snapping its monstrous jaw and sending sticky, thick salvia everywhere.

"Cole, what is that thing?" Kai demanded as the Dragon Lord landed on the branch of a tree. He screamed when the beast started clawing against the trunk of the tree, attempting to climb it, but Cole was faster and slapped it in the side with a swing from his powerful tail. The beast crashed to the ground, howling furiously in its rage, and began clawing once more. Cole snarled as his eyes flashed with determination as he released Kai's legs and pulled him close to his body.

Kai gasped at the protective, and slightly possessive, look in the man's eye.

Orange sparks danced between the Dragon Lord's claws before a blast of bright orange energy struck the beast in the chest. It howled and screamed in pain, fury burning in its soulless eyes. It pounced ferociously and sank its claws into the bark of the tree before racing towards its prey with inhuman speed. Cole flew into the air just as the beast pounced, the swipe of its claws barely missing them. Cole landed on another tree and carefully placed Kai on a thick branch, a good distance from the beast.

"Stay here!" He ordered, turning to glare at the beast with cold eyes.

"Wait! You're not-"

"Please, for once in your life, do what I tell you!" Cole warned with an almost desperate plea before his eyes returned to the beast. All concern melted away and his hard, stoic expression returned as he elegantly leaped from the tree and landed in a crouch position, his wings expanding to their full length. Once the beast saw him, it bent low to the ground and crawled towards Cole like a shark circling its prey. Cole matched it with an arrogant smirk on his face.

"Come on." He tempted the beast. "Are you the best that bastard can do?" He mocked the monster, which snarled and snapped its disgusting fangs, trying to look threatening. Blinded by its anger, the monster lunged at the Dragon Lord. Cole dodged easily and kicked the monster hard in the gut. It recovered as it was falling and pounced with its maw open but Cole grabbed its snout and lower jaw and yanked them apart. The monster exploded with rage, struggling in vain to free itself but Cole snapped its mouth shut, struggling to lift it before slamming it against the ground.

The beast squealed and rolled over, barely missing as Cole slammed his foot into the frosty ground where the monster once lay.

The battle raged on and Kai watched in amazement. For the first time since he was trapped in the tower, Kai saw the real Dragon Lord. Moonlight poured through the trees, making lights dance across Cole's form. The powerful wings flapped and moved perfectly in sync with his body, either to shield him from harm or to let him swiftly dodge the monster's strikes. His arms and legs were brawny and muscular and, covered by almost impenetrable scales, each limb moving together in swift, lethal motions.

His claws were always poised to attack while his feet were quick and positioned to either dodge or strike.

His body moved with all the strength and power of a dragon but the adaptability and flexibility of a human. The Dragon Lord was the perfect fighter. Kai's eyes widened, enthralled even more by the sight before him. He was sucked in by the brutal but beautiful display of power the Dragon Lord presented. Just as the Dragon Lord's victory seemed assured, the beast suddenly pounced again. This time, however, it landed in front of its assailant, dodging Cole's punch and leaving his un-scaled sides open.

The beast leaped forward and sank its teeth into exposed Cole's side.

Kai screamed louder than he ever had in his life. A sound between a human cry and a dragon's roar of pain ripped from Cole's mouth. Blood and pain exploded from his side as he slashed the beast across the snout, causing the monster to release its hold as part of its mouth were ripped off. It wailed feebly and backed away to nurse its wound. Cole fell back against a tree and his hand flew to cover his side. His black hand was red as rubies as blood dripped from his hands and speckling the frosty ground.

He hissed in pain and turned to Kai, who was hastily trying to free himself from the tree.

"Kai, get out of here now!" He called to the boy, the pain in his eyes evident, as he gestured north with his other hand. "The castle is that way! I'll distract him as long as I can, but you'll be able to make it from here."

"But what about—"

"Go! Now!" He bellowed as loud as he could. That was his only warning before he took to the air as the beast lunged at him, invigorated by the smell of blood. Cole bit back a scream as his side tore during the flight. The beast took advantage of this and pounced, swatting the man out of the air. Overcome by shock, Cole crashed to the ground and didn't bother stopping the scream that escaped him.

"Get away from him, you monster!" Kai yelled as the beast stalked towards its weakened prey. Confused, it turned its head only to find its previous prey standing at the base of the tree, shaking in rage. Cole growled and opened his mouth to yell at the boy to run, but no sound came out. "You want me? Come and get me!" Kai taunted as his eyes blazed with fire. The beast growled and charged. Kai didn't move. Instead, he backed up until his back was pressed against the trunk of a tree.

He jumped and grabbed a thick but low branched with both hands and, with haste, pulled himself onto it, just as the beast crashed headfirst into the base of the tree.

It howled as it thrashed its head wildly, showering blood everywhere from its injured nose. Taking advantage, Kai lowered his body on the branch. With the skill of a gymnast, swung his body back and forth until he swung himself full circle and launched his body forward. His feet collided with the beast's side, sending it crashing through branches as it fell to the ground. He finished by releasing his grip on the branch and landing in a perfect crouched position.

"What the hell?" Cole gasped as his eyes wide with disbelief.

"What?" Kai asked, panting. "You thought you were the only one who knew how to fight?" He asked but the teen didn't wait for a response and knelt to inspect Cole's wound.

"Look out!" Cole shouted, jumping to his feet and pouncing on Kai just as the beast lunged at them again. It sailed over them before orienting itself and sliding across the dirt, blood, and saliva dripping from its fangs.

"Damnit! This thing doesn't know when to quit!" Kai cursed as he moved to grab Cole but the man grabbed him first and forced him to meet his eyes.

"That thing is after you."

"Me? Why?"

"Not now!" He shouted as he pulled Kai behind him and bit back a loud grunt when he put weight on his bleeding side. "Just go!" He ordered and started to walk towards the beast, but Kai didn't move. His eyes darted from the barely standing Dragon Lord to the beast who, despite the damage it took, looked fresh and ready to fight. Cole saved him when that monstrous thing attacked him. Despite Kai breaking into his room, almost ruining his candle, he still came to help him.

Now, he was willing to sacrifice himself to protect him.

What about everyone at the castle who needed Cole's protection? They would be devastated if he died because Kai ran away. His fists clenched at his sides. His nails sank into his palms and his face grew red with rage.

"Cole, get behind me." He spoke in a dangerously low voice. Cole opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by the sharp look in Kai's amber eyes. Kai turned to the beast with a blank expression. He glared at the beast with hatred, wanting to blame it for all his pain. The beast's jaw formed a twisted smile before it charged towards its prey, ready to rip the boy limb from limb. Kai didn't move. His determination to protect the one who saved him and his anger at both the creature that hurt Cole and his own stupidity burned in his eyes like fire.

Heat pooled in his hands, sparks forming between his fingers and crackling to life.

As the beast closed in, he turned to meet its eyes. All his anger, determination, protection, and emotions spiraled together. Without any hesitation or training, he raised his flaming hands in the air and dropped to his knees, sinking his hands into the dirt. Bright red and gold flames burst from his hands. The beast roared in shock and anguish as tongs of fire consumed its entire body. Its skin burned from its bones as it howled and wailed with an excruciating, inhuman cry of death.

Fire danced in Kai's eyes until only a smoldering pile of ashes remained.

When he rose to his feet and the burning dissipated from his palms, his senses returned to him. He shook his head and looked quizzically at his hands, then back to the Dragon Lord, who doubled over in pain, clenching his side. Forgetting his internal questions, Kai dashed to his side and hooked Cole's arm over his shoulder before helping him lean back and rest against a tree.

"Hold still." He ordered once Cole sat down and swiftly removed his cloak. "You'll tear it open."

"Don't fuss," Cole said but Kai had already removed his cloak and ripped it into long strips. Cole hissed when Kai started to tear open his coat and began to lift his shirt. The dragon hybrid tried to move but Kai held him in place.

"Will you stay still?! I'm trying to get to the wound!" He explained and shuddered when he saw just how bad the bite was. "Damn, it doesn't look deep but I'll still need to disinfect it when we get back to the castle, I hope you've got yarrow tincture or something."

"It doesn't matter, it'll heal on its own, now let—"

"Not a chance in hell!" Kai protested harshly, pressing a clean piece of fabric to the wound. Cole yowled at the pressure but held still as Kai tied the rest of the long strips around his hip and side, forming a make-shift bandage. "There, that should hold it until we get back to the castle." He said and the second he finished, Kai hooked Cole's arm around his shoulder and used the other to help him to his feet.

"Can you still walk?"

"I said I'm fine!" Cole snapped and removed his arm, but the second he put pressure on his side he hissed and slouched over, Kai quick to catch him.

"If this is fine, I hope I never see your idea of dying." The teen said sarcastically and he allowed Cole to slouch half of his body weight on him. "I'm stronger than I look." He added but Cole said nothing. His pride having already been wounded, he allowed the boy to help him home...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch15

Chapter 15: The Candle

Even at night and covered in a century's worth of dust, the Ballroom glittered with radiance. The full moon brightly illuminated the stained glass windows in a way the sunlight never could, filling the world with colored splashes of silver-like liquid opals. The dragon design on the ceiling glowed with light, giving the illusion that the dragon was flying overhead. Given the realism, Kai had to remind himself it was only glass. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled as each step took him closer to the foreboding staircase.

He froze in front of the staircase, gazing up the spiraling black stairs and the veils of shadows consuming it.

He took a hesitant first step and then another until he broke into a run, refusing to look back. He refused to stop, even as the staircase spiraled and the darkness, if possible, grew darker. When he reached the top, a long corridor, illuminated only by the faint moonlight, greeted him. He hesitated as he took in the dark hallway. The design was similar to the hallways that led to the east wing, except one wall was made of clear windows and the other looked like a balcony overlooking the ballroom.

The corridor's windows were not stained glass.

Instead, they were covered by tattered curtains that must've once been red or blue at some point. Time, age, and dust had darkened the curtains to black and brown. In addition, unlike the vine-like wood carving in the rest of the manor, the pillars and railings of this balcony were made of metal. There were flowing, intricate swirls in heart-shaped interlocking patterns. The pillars carved in the shape of wingless dragons, connected by their tails and noses.

Dust caked the floors and glass, creating a heavy fog over the windows.

Shadows danced everywhere, making it too dark to even see where the corridor went. Despite that, Kai pressed onward, determined not to let anything hinder his resolve. After what felt like an eternity, he finally approached an enormous door crafted from white birch with the engraving of a stunning dragon. Tiny dark grey crystals were embedded into the wood, forming scales, glowing emeralds made the eyes, and smoothed onyx formed the claws.

The carving looked so real that Kai had to bite back a scream.

Brushing aside the last strands of fear he felt entering the Dragon Lord's quarters uninvited, Kai grabbed the large door knockers and pushed the heavy doors open. He cursed his small stature when they didn't budge. He tried again and managed to push the door open a small crack. Once it was large enough for him to fit through, he slid his slim form through the door and jumped when the door shut behind him. He turned to scan the room and his eyes widened as he was overcome by a sense of déjà vu.

Shredded tapestries, caked in dust, hung everywhere.

Broken furniture pieces scattered across the dark blue carpet. Sheets, grey from age, covered the table and chairs in the corner. Another covered an enormous wardrobe sat in the corner. The only thing that looked in prime shape was the enormous canopy bed in the corner and a blank sheet of silk hanging on the wall. Unlike the rest of the room, it was clean silver and formed a veil covering what looked like a large indent in the wall. Curiosity getting the better of him, the teen crept through the room with the stealth of a ninja.

His steps were graceful and careful, avoiding each piece of broken furniture or anything that would make a noise.

When he came to the curtain, he leaned against the wall and carefully lifted the sheet to peek inside. A glass case brushed against his fingertips, further engaging his curiosity. With a harsh pull, he pulled down the rest of the silk, kicking up clouds of dust. He covered his mouth and choked on the thick particles until they finally settled. His eyes bulged at the sight of the cloth's secret. An enormous, stunning painting. It was about as tall as Kai and the image so realistic that Kai swore he was looking at a colored photograph.

The pine border and the glass case shielded the ancient object from the air, moisture, and anything else that would try to damage it.

Stunned by the fine craftsmanship, Kai's fingers gently graced the surface of the glass, hoping to touch the object. The setting greatly resembled a throne room of some sort. Two cerulean curtains framed each side and, in the background, stood a tall, lean man of middle-age with neat black hair and grey eyes. Next to him stood a slightly shorter woman with dramatically long raven hair and brilliant green eyes dressed in dark grey. Both of them were dressed like royalty and they were holding hands.

The foreground was even more impressive.

Standing before the royal couple was a little girl about a year or two younger than Lloyd and to her right stood a teenager just a little bit older than Kai and Nya. Kai's eyes rested on each one, admiring their beauty and wondering who they must've been in life. Once his eyes fell on the teenage prince, however, his breath caught in his throat and his eyes nearly bulged out of his skill. Brilliant green eyes that looked like stunning emeralds met his amber ones.

He took a step back in shock, stumbling over a broken chair in his haste.

The black hair, elegant features, perfect posture, muscular physique, and black dragon-shaped armor looked familiar but the eyes were the true answer. Kai shakily looked up, unable to tear his gaze away from those brilliant, sharp, green eyes. They were so mysterious and powerful yet carried a secret kindness. He recognized those eyes as the same eyes that belonged to the mystery man in his dreams. He got to his feet, only to fall backward, stumbling over a jerky step, and grunted when he hit the floor.

He hissed as pain rushed up to his side and back.

His mind was dominated by confusion and uncertainty. One answer led to a thousand new questions. His heart hammered in his chest as his mind raced, torn between leaving now while he was still undiscovered or staying to learn the truth behind what he just saw. The sight of a sudden flash of faint light behind him sent his heart into his throat. His back stiffened as he froze in fear. When no sound, yells, or movement was heard, he slowly turned to look over his shoulder and blinked in surprise.

Something was glowing a dim purple in the corner on an elegant nightstand.

Ignoring his pains, he got to his feet, wondering how he missed such a sight. The dim purple light brightened even more as he approached it, illuminating the balcony and the nightstand rested on. It was only when he was close enough to touch it did he see the object was a red candle, more beautiful and bizarre than any he'd ever seen. The candle was a bright crimson red with a purple flame burning away. It was sat in a black, metal base with some strange symbols engraved into the metal.

He was certain the candle must be been much taller because the candle was only just longer than his finger.

The still melting red wax was pooling down the nightstand and onto the dusty floor. It looked like freshly spilled blood. The small purple flame seemed to grow weaker, but it was still strong enough to burn. It was the most beautiful thing Kai had ever seen. A small click caught Kai's attention, and his eyes widened as the symbols engraved into the metal bottom holding the candle started to glow, and out of nowhere music started to play. The music flooded the room.

Enthralled by the object, Kai's hands moved independently of his mind to carefully cup the lovely object in his palms.

The melting wax was warm but for some reason, it didn't hurt him. His eyes remained transfixed on the flame as it flickered and danced. Music filled his ears, echoing around him like it did in his dreams. His body and mind were no longer his, spellbound by the object for reasons he didn't understand. His eyes closed as he absorbed the music. The image of roses curled at his feet, black wings surrounded him, a glittering castle formed on the edge of the hillside as words started to play.

Music and words flowed through his mind, soothing his heart.

Each word echoed in the air like the fluttering of wings. So familiar yet he couldn't quite put his finger on it. The melody curved and arched like a graceful bird rising higher and higher into the air, then fell like the rise and fall of the sea in a timeless rhythm. Suddenly, Kai's eyes flashed open. Realization struck him like a slap across the face, returning him to reality, and more unanswered questions flooded his mind. The song, the words, and the images all spiraled together until the world seemed to fall apart.

He suddenly felt hollow, as if he'd suddenly awoken only to discover everything he ever thought was real was nothing more than a dream.

The dream, the song, the music. Now he knew where he had heard it before. They were the words to his poem. The song was the same song his prince sang to him in his dreams. His entire world suddenly froze. He didn't remember the loud sound of wings behind him or feel the candle slip from his trembling hands. He was suddenly thrown back to reality by a brutally sharp pound to his side, sending him flying across the room and crashing against the floor of the room.

Pain exploded from his side and he was unable to stop the scream that ripped from his throat.

He opened his mouth to glare and yell at his assailant, but froze instead. The Dragon Lord flew across the room, his wings expanding like a shield as he threw himself to his knees, panting in shock. His eyes were fixed on the candle he cradled in his hands which he held with tenderness and care. Fear and terror were vivid in his eyes and he painstakingly checked the red candle for any damage. Once he was satisfied, he exhaled a sigh of relief as the symbols stopped glowing, silencing its song.

Gently, he placed it back on its table. Kai hesitantly got to his feet.

He tried to move, only to be paralyzed when the Lord turned his attention to him. Every ounce of affection Kai had seen earlier in the Dragon Lord's face transformed into hate and malice. A growl tore itself from its throat, his fangs perturbed from his lips like a snarling beast and his eyes burned with anger. They were no longer the brilliant green orbs of a human or the silted pupils of a dragon he'd grown used to. No, anger had changed them, transformed them into the eyes of a ferocious beast.

Kai's entire demeanor shattered at the sight.

He backed himself against the wall and his hands flew behind him as if trying to push it back, anything to get as far away from the dragon before him. Tremor racked his entire body and, for the first time since he arrived at the castle, Kai truly feared for his life.

"You." The dragon hybrid said with a voice that was all breath and venom, so full of rage that he couldn't form a complete sentence. The teen before him opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. Kai's voice died in his throat and he remained a prisoner in his own body.

"Do. You. Have. Any. Idea. WHAT YOU ALMOST DID?" The Dragon Lord roared so loud Kai was certain people from the town could hear it. He started moving towards the teen and Kai tried to move back, only to sink deeper into the wall.

"I-I-I'm sorry! I didn't—"

"Get out." The dragon demanded in a dangerously low voice.

"What?" Kai asked without thinking and instantly regretted it.

"GET OUT!" The Dragon Lord exploded. His claws suddenly expanded and bolts of gold energy exploded from his claws, striking random places throughout the room, hitting furniture, the walls, and the floor, leaving only black scorch marks in their wake. Kai screamed. Gold, lava-like energy exploded before his very eyes. Focused purely on his own safety, his body sprang from its position on the wall. He barely dodged the blast of energy that struck the wall and he broke into a sprint.

Almost instantly, Cole calmed down, then fell into despair, finally realizing that he may have destroyed his chance with Kai.

The brunette reached the stairway and grabbed his cloak. He rushed down the stairs, wrapping the cloak around him and bursting past a confused Jay and Ronin.

"Wh- Where are you going?" Jay asked.

"Promise or no promise, I can't stay here another minute!" Kai snarled, but the terror was clear in his eyes.

"Oh no, wait, please! Please wait!" Ronin pleaded, but Kai slammed the door behind him. Jay and Ronin both bow their heads in sadness. Outside, Kai bolted from the doors to the castle and leaped through the gates without thinking. He didn't care where he was running or noticed the unfamiliar woods flying past him as he ran. His mind forced his body to obey, focused on one thing and one thing only. Getting as far away from the Dragon Lord as he possibly could.

Not once did he look back...

****************

Kai didn't stop running until exhaustion finally caught up with his body and his knees gave away beneath him. He crashed to the ground with only his shaky arms to hold him up. His lungs exploded from lack of air and his breathing was in heavy pants. His heart thundered against his ribs, causing pains in his chest as he tried desperately to breathe. Finally, he leaned against a tree and collapsed. Once he calmed down, his situation and what his actions had caused came flooding back to him.

His eyes bulged and his breath hitched as the memory hit him with the force of a tidal wave.

His hands wove into his hair and yanked the tresses as he buried his face in his knees. How could he have been so stupid? He growled in frustration and punched the ground next to him. Sighing in defeat, he forced himself to his feet and braced against a tree until his body had recovered enough for him to walk and started back towards the castle. The direction he was headed confused him. He knew he should be terrified. He knew he should be looking for a way back to town, back home to his siblings, instead of prison and a possible death sentence.

But oddly, he didn't feel like he was returning to that prison or an apology, just the opposite actually.

He mentally kicked himself and pounded his skull with his fists for letting his curiosity get the better of him. Had he learned nothing from all of the times he had been grounded or punished for sneaking off and getting into things he shouldn't? All the servants had told him straight out what was in the West Wing and that Cole didn't like anyone in his private chamber. Of course, the Dragon Lord would be furious at him for invading his privacy like that!

If their roles were reversed and Cole had entered his room when he wasn't there, he'd have been pretty pissed too.

Nya had given him a black eye once for sneaking into her room and going through her stuff once. He also dropped the candle, obviously something of great importance to the Dragon Lord. Kai buried his face in his hands. He may have just damaged his and Cole's relationship beyond repair because he couldn't control his pride and childish curiosity. Cole's chilling words echoed in his mind once again. He knew there was no way he was getting off with just a smack on the wrist this time.

Cole would not hurt him, but Kai would no doubt be locked in the tower for this, or at the very least he'd get a slap.

He took a breath and sighed as a harsh gust of wind suddenly chilling him right to the bone, reminding him where he was. He looked down at his attire. Silk and leather were clearly not the best clothing for the approaching winter. But that was the least of his problems. He sighed and started down the path towards the castle. He made a severe mistake so he was going to do this with dignity and accept his punishment like a man, and, if he had to, he would beg Cole's forgiveness.

Kai was not letting this end before it even had a chance to start.

"My, my, how very noble of you." Something suddenly hissed. Kai froze in mid-step. He swore he'd felt his heart stop beating at the sound of a stranger's voice. It sounded cultured and refined, but too cruel to be considered polite.

"Who's there?" Kai demanded as he whirled around, meeting only with the wind. A sudden dread chilled him to the bone followed by a low chuckle, rich with amusement. Kai bolted around again, and this time, someone emerged from the darkness of the forest. Red robes draped the figure from head to toe, making his face all but invisible. His eyes were hidden beneath his hood but wisps of black hair peeked out from beneath it.

"Who are you?!" He demanded again with more bravado. The figure swooped as if to vanish, only to reappear in front of him and shove him hard against a tree, knocking the wind from his lungs. Kai thrashed but the figure grabbed his wrists and pinned them at his sides.

"My, my, feisty little thing aren't you?" The stranger laughed in amusement, a lecherous smile curled across his face. "I can certainly see why Cole's taken such an interest in you." He teased, richly amused as if entertaining a child. Kai shivered at the perverted tone in the man's voice and pulled at his wrists again but the figure's grip was like iron.

"Get off me! Let go!" He thundered, showing no fear.

"Ah, so you do have some fight still in you." His smile widened to a smirk like a predator who knew it had its prey cornered. "That is good, very good, it's such a shame Cole wasn't strong enough to just take you when he had the chance." He said as a wicked gleam filled the man's eyes and Kai shivered in horror, recognizing that look. It was the same lust he saw in Morro's eyes every time he looked at him. "You'll make a lovely consort." The figure smirked, leaning forward to claim those fiery lips as his own.

"Over my dead body!" Kai protested furiously. Before the man could respond, Kai kneed the man in the stomach. The stranger howled in pain and freed Kai's wrists in surprise. Taking advantage of his sudden freedom, Kai elbowed his assailant in the back then gave him a roundabout kick to the side, sending the man crashing into a tree. When the figure fell to the ground, Kai broke into a run and sprinted as fast as he could away from the stranger.

He prayed for all he was worth that he was going in the right direction.

"Fiery little devil." The stranger groaned as he pulled himself to his feet. Under different circumstances, he'd be furious at the boy for such vulgar treatment but instead found himself amused and intrigued. "A beautiful desert rose with some fire." He chuckled. Cole always did like exotic gems. He chuckled darkly at that thought. Unfortunately, it seemed the Dragon Lord's contamination was already running too deep. "Such a shame, such a lovely specimen deserves far better than to suffer the fate that befalls the Dragon Lord's love, if he'd only chosen me, he would've made a delightful bed mate, so beautiful, his fire in my bed, what a waste." He growled at his misfortune, before chanting a dark spell.

The wind howled and the ground shook as the spell took form and the shadows spiraled together in summoning.

Black and sticky green tresses spiraled together, revealing a monstrous creature crafted of shadows. Its jaws snapped with hunger and dripped with saliva. Its master smirked at his accomplishment.

"Go and kill the boy." He ordered. The creature didn't need to be told twice and, with a powerful leap, jumped over its master and darted after its prey. "It really is so unfortunate such a beautiful creature such as yourself had to die, but I can't possibly have Cole thinking you love him, can I? That would just ruin everything!" He laughed to himself like a mad man. His laughter echoed throughout the forest like a swarm of scavenging ravens taking flight...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch14

Chapter 14: The Greetings

Kai awoke with a start from his dreamful slumber, temporarily forgetting where he was. He tried to sit but found himself pinned in place by a weight on his chest. His first instinct was to panic, but he controlled himself and slowly looked down at the weight constricting his breathing only to find a passed-out blue fox sprawled out on top of him, snoring loudly. Kai groaned as he gently scooped the slumbering creature in one arm, and used the other to push himself into a sitting position.

Jay really needed to start taking dieting more seriously.

Kai carefully moved the furry creature onto his lap. His back arched as he stretched his arms and back, before falling back against the soft pillows. Despite his desire to hate his new home, he couldn't recall the last time he had slept so well and it seemed neither had his companions. He chuckled noticing the sprawled blue fox on his lap. He also saw the werebear sprawled on the end of the bed, the centaur blissfully snoring on one of the spare pillows and the troll curled up in a nest he made.

Once they had found Kai's room through the endless labyrinth of hallways the elder insisted they stay with him, if only to ease his boredom.

He'd managed to worm it out of them that many of the stories surrounding the castle's former monarch were true. Each servant had a special position in the castle. He'd been especially grateful to Echo for the lovely room upon learning he was responsible for the room's décor. The three had been awake talking for an hour, by the time Ronin arrived. At first, the troll seemed reluctant to intrude on the conversation, but Kai convinced him otherwise and before long it was as if the five had known each other for years.

He hadn't recalled when he fell asleep or who had fallen asleep first, all he'd known was he never felt so accepted.

He smiled and shivered. Realizing he was naked under the blankets, he looked around for the clothes he'd discarded. Instead, he found a neatly folded pile of silk and a single parchment written in black ink. Forgetting Jay was on his lap, he leaned over and froze when the blue fox rolled over and was torn between laughing or sighing when the furry creature clenched the comforter in its little claws and snored loudly. Kai snatched the parchment and scanned it over, not letting the blanket slip from his grasp.

Dearest Kai,

I see you've acquainted yourself with my staff, though unfortunately not the ones I insisted you acquaint yourself with first. I've already told the tailor and seamstresses to meet you as soon as you awake and have provided you with some necessities. I suggest you put them on and bathe before their arrival in order to avoid any unnecessary embarrassment. I've already asked Harumi to have that coat fitted for you, I do hope you enjoy it.

Sincerely, Dragon Lord Cole

Kai was once again torn between growling in anger or embarrassment. It didn't take him long to realize the necessities his host had provided were a burgundy silk robe and a pair of undergarments. He slipped them on and tied the robe tightly, feeling the tightness against his stomach, before he lied back against the bed with his legs dangling forward, the sinking of his weight barely touching the slumbering creatures. He wondered what he had gotten himself into as he felt his eyes flutter closed.

"Ah, good your awake." A new voice suddenly said. Kai's eyes flew open and he sat up with such haste the sudden bounce of the bed, shook all four creatures into wakefulness. Kai's eyes widened as a snickering pale green-skinned woman with long white hair and pointed ears stood before him. Her arms crossed over her chest, though instead of hands and feet, talons replaced them and green wings erupted from her arms.

"I was starting the Master had to kiss you to wake you up." She snickered. Too shocked to think clearly and unsure what else to do, Kai screamed loudly. The harpy blinked, before taking in her current form and laughed brightly.

"Sorry, I forgot." She snickered before a pale green flash surrounded her, turning her skin pale pink and her previous sharp eyes into large emeralds, and instead of wings a green dress covered her form. "That better?" She smiled. Still frozen and unsure how to react, Kai nodded, mutely.

"Uh... who are you?" He asked, torn between confusion and shock.

"Harumi Jade, at your service." She smiled proudly with a slight bow in her step. "And you must be Kai, then, our new guest?"

"Yes," Kai replied, while the four creatures on the bed faded to their human forms, stretching and rubbing their eyes off the mist of sleep.

"Harumi, what are you doing here?" Nelson yawned. "Did Pixel send you?"

"Relax, I'm here because our guest needs to meet the rest of his staff and the Master wanted to make sure we took care of his wardrobe." She smiled, taking in Kai's attire. "As lovely as you look in that you can't go around in nothing but a bathrobe can you?" She asked as she leaned forward with a playful wink and made a gesture to Kai's attire. Realizing for the first time he was still wearing only the silk robe, Kai went crimson.

"Do you mind!" He snapped, though the hard blush on his face made the threat impossible to take it seriously.

"You are feisty." She smiled and patted his head, earning a growl of annoyance from Kai. "We need someone lively around here." She smiled, before walking over to the wardrobe and pulled out a large, fluffy white towel, and gently tossed it to him. Before Kai had time to question her, she grabbed his arm and pulled him with such haste he almost stumbled out of the bed much to his embarrassment.

"Hey! What are you-?" He demanded before suddenly finding himself shoved into a joint bathroom he hadn't noticed upon his first arrival.

"You get into the bath and wash up while I get the rest of my co-workers so we can get everything prepared; what kind of hosts would we be if we let you go around in nothing but your birthday suit? Now in you go." She ordered and at this point, he wasn't sure if he should be annoyed, angered, or embarrassed. Too confused to notice the room, he leaned against the door and released a sigh he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Growing up and having been raised to be headstrong and independent, the overly eccentric maid suddenly mothering him felt strange.

Techniques for dealing with domestic servants felt completely inappropriate for the eccentric staff that insisted on seeing to his domestic needs.

A loud knock made him jump.

"Kai, are you alright?" Echo asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." He replied calmly. "Just... not used to all this attention." He admitted.

"Sorry about that, you'll have to forgive Mai; she's always like this when we have guests." Jay snickered.

"She likes to take her job as head seamstress very seriously," Echo added. "Do you need any help?"

"I'll be alright." He replied, deciding to finally get down to the actual task of bathing, realizing he hadn't had a proper bath in almost two days. He placed the towel on a wicker basket in the corner. The washroom carried an identical baroque style to the room it joined. The smooth floor beneath his feet was pale gold and cream marble. His eyes scanned the rest of the room. The room itself wasn't a rectangular shape but curved slightly and had four interlocking parts.

The two side walls were pale yellow to match the floor but curved slightly to meet the front and back walls like a cylinder.

A large changing wall with bronze curtains stood against the wall with a wood table on either side lit with a dark metal candle holder. On the opposite wall hung an enormous full-length black mirror. Next to him against the only flat wall was a large black framed vanity with a glass top and a stunning silver mirror hanging above it. Several desk-like stands for a variety of brushes, perfume, and fragrance bottles, herbs, and other toiletries, a toilet sat in the far corner.

The wall was a polished black stone.

The gold and crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. A large window embedded in the stone let light into the room. In front of it, sat an enormous porcelain tub with black clawed feet that sank into the stone of the floor. It was large enough for Kai to lay out his entire body, with brass pipes coiling from the floor up the side and around a bronze wheel and over the side, for adding water. The steam rising from the murky surface and the mountains of bubbles revealed someone had already set the bath for him.

Smiling, Kai undid his robe and set it and the towel on the vanity, before climbing in and sinking into the warm water.

The soothing heat relaxed his entire body until he sank beneath the surface. His entire body felt like he was floating. He closed his eyes and let the stress he'd endured the past few days melt away. Lost in the serene, he pouted when he felt something tap his head. He shot up and threw his head back, his hair falling back like a veil, sending a wave of water behind him. He turned around and was shocked at the sight behind him. Harumi, still in her human form, and his four servants, in their creature forms, stood drenched and dripping.

Biting back a laugh, Kai opened his mouth to ask what had happened, until he remembered himself resurfacing, sending a wave of water behind him.

"Sorry about that." He snickered, watching as Jay and Echo tried to shake themselves dry. This made Jay's hair stand up like a puffball. Unable to hold it back any longer, Kai burst out laughing.

"Hey!" Jay glared, though it was impossible to see through the storm of fuzz.

"You could've warned us before you decided to get us all wet." Ronin snapped, drying himself off on Kai's towel and doing the same thing to Nelson.

"Oh leave him be." Harumi smiled, brushing her damp white hair behind her, before turning to her new guests. "The boys just wanted to show you how to get more hot water." She explained, walking over to the bronze pipes at the end of the tub and turned one of the bronze wheels. A loud gurgling echoed through the walls, followed by a wrenching stench that made Kai wince.

"What the hell is that?" He demanded.

"Natural hot springs, there's a bunch of them under this castle," Jay explained, managing to tame his fur. Before Kai could question further, a wave of hot water was suddenly uplifted over his head, followed by a sudden rush of fingers and scrubbing across his mass of hair.

"Hey! What the-?"

"Wow, you have so much hair." Harumi mused as she continued soaping him down, paying particular attention to the large mane of brown hair that had fallen up the top of his head. "Ronin go make sure the others don't go overboard, Echo go get me another brush, Jay, stop worrying about you're fur and get over here." She commanded and the second the blue fox hit the floor another wave of water-drenched him as Kai battled the woman intent on washing him.

"Hold still." She snapped.

"I can wash my own body thank you," Kai growled, only to be silenced by Harumi heaving another basin of water over his head.

"I'm sorry about this, Kai." Nelson apologized, shaking his tiny claws. "I told you Harumi takes her job seriously." He tried to soothe the growling teen. Before Harumi could attack him again, Kai stood from the tub with his hands balled into fists at his sides and was about to say something but a towel in his face silenced him.

"Have you no shame!" She scolded, motioning to the teen's naked form standing in the middle of the tab. Kai glared at her as he wrapped the towel around himself.

"Why should I be ashamed of my body? Besides, you're the one who charged in here after I said I didn't need help, thank you." He replied, trying to be civil. Harumi ran a hand through her bangs. Something between a smile and a smirk curled across her face.

"I never thought I'd live to see the day Shade was right, you are feisty." She smiled and handed him his robe. "Sorry about that, but you know I can't have our guest going around covered in grime." She answered a bit milder. "Once you're finished, the rest of my staff would like to meet you and fix your wardrobe."

"I'm fine, really," Kai replied, unused to the attention.

"You're in a towel, and the seamstresses will be crushed if you denied them a chance at a new project for the first time in years." She grinned and Kai sighed in defeat.

"Alright, alright, you win."

"I always do, but please, just call me Harumi." She insisted, flashing a playful smile.

"Only if you can convince everyone else here to just call me Kai since word seems to spread extremely fast here." He smirked.

"Of course, and you can't blame us, you're the best news we've had in over a century, now make haste!" She smiled, before dashing from the room, grabbing Echo, Nelson, and a still drenched Jay on her way out. Now he was finally, alone, Kai dried himself off as best he could, tossed the towel in the basket by the tub, and reapplied his robe. He grabbed a brush and did his best to detangle his hair. Once dry, his spikes returned to their natural shape.

Feeling refreshed he took a breath and braced himself for the chaos waiting for him on the other side.

He exhaled and with a swift flick of the wrist, he re-entered his room. His mouth nearly hit the floor. Piles of fabric in many different colors, textures, and designs covered the floors and desk and stacked in piles that almost touched the ceiling even scattered across the bed. A box of various multi-colored threads, some with needles in them and pin cushions sat on the desk and vanity. Another box full of ribbons and other fabrics sat on the dresser and in the hands of a tall girl in a bright purple and red dress with matching wings sprouting from her back.

For a second her skin was white and her hair was silver.

The second he blinked, her wings vanished and her skin was pink but her hair remained silver around her bright green eyes. He recognized Tox by her green hair. She was laughing with the girl while holding a box filled with various silver objects that looked like scissors. A boy with rich brown hair with crimson red sunglasses hiding his eyes. He wore a white and red jumpsuit and he was sat on a pedestal in the middle of the room. Harumi was standing in front of the open wardrobe, pulling out and tossing various things over her shoulder.

Nelson, Jay, Echo, and Ronin all sat on the rim of the bed in order to avoid becoming lost in the chaos.

"What the hell happened here?" Kai blinked, overcome by surprise to say anything else. All eyes suddenly fell on him. Tox and the other girl dashed across the room and grabbed him before he could escape and dragged him across the room to the pedestal, chattering and giggling.

"You were right, Tox, he is perfect! Oh, I can already imagine the wardrobe we can create." The silver-haired girl squeaked.

"I told you, Pixel." Tox agreed while the two gently dropped Kai on the bed, dividing the creatures currently occupied on it. Before they could do anything else, Kai threw them off.

"Who the hell are you and what do you think you're doing!" He demanded.

"I'm the seamstress, of course." Pixel replied, clearly angered by his tone. "Now hold still and let us do our job." She ordered, grabbing a piece of measuring tape.

"You will do no such thing." Kai protested. "I apologize if this puts a damper on your 'fun', but given the fact this is my wardrobe you're making, I think my opinion matters far more than yours." He stated boldly although sarcasm leaked into the beginning. Pixel looked at him like a child suddenly being scolded. Tox burst out laughing.

"I warned you that he was fiery, Pixel," Harumi said over her shoulder, before finally closing the wardrobe. Pixel growled and was about to retort when the boy pulled her behind him.

"That's enough ladies; you're going to smother our guest with all this attention." He half scolded, half-joked, though Pixel pouted angrily anyway, before he turned his attention to the still glaring Kai, and offered a hand for him to shake. "Sorry about them, they're just excited, I'm Griffin, the Tailor, you've already met my apprentice Pixel."

"I'm Kai." The teen smiled, shaking his hand.

"Let's get your wardrobe started shall we?" He smiled and undid the necklaces of tape.

"Listen, I appreciate all this really, I do, but you don't have to—"

"You're wearing a bathrobe." Griffin cut him off. "Neuro said you were independent, but relax, we do this for a living, and I finally get to do something new for a change." He smirked while gently shoving Kai on top of the pedestal at the mercy of Pixel and Tox measuring every part of his body.

"Cole hardly lets us do anything for him anymore." Tox snorted and growled when Kai fidgeted away from her, glaring. "Will you hold still!"

"I can tell you my measurements myself you know."

"Thank you, but we would like to stay as accurate as possible," Griffin explained. "Now anything specific I need to know before we decide what colors and fabrics to use and what to make?" He asked as his eyes scanned Kai's body. "Although, I'm liking a wardrobe of red for you, and I'm also assuming you don't like anything too loose or tight, but something form-fitting?"

"Red is my favorite color, but I've never been picky when it comes to what I wear, I just wear what I like." He explained with a shrug.

"I got just the thing! I have a talent for knowing what people need." He smirked. Once the girls finished measuring Kai, the tailor turned to Harumi with a smirk. She smiled as if the two were speaking a secret language and set out across the labyrinth of fabrics. "Well, red is a definite for you." He said as he pulled out a sheet of scarlet silk and held it up to Kai's face. He hummed in thought and then pulled out the respective color and then choosing the fabrics.

"Silk is perfect for light weather but in this chilly weather you're going to want something light and flexible, but still warm." He said as he tossed several different fabrics over his shoulder, the objects all floated and unfolded in the air while he pulled out his scissors and cut them with smooth strokes.

"And gold too!" Pixel added, turning to Kai. "It matches your eyes, and I think it'll compliment your skin tone as well."

"And black too! The master loves black!" Tox added, pulling out a black satin material.

"Materials, ladies! Materials!" Griffin howled over his shoulder. "Do you have any specific preferences for pants, Kai?" He asked the brunette. Kai blinked and thought for a moment.

"Just as long as I can move in them, but I do like leather."

"I can do that." He nodded. "We use leather for ridding pants and coats anyway." He said grabbing said materials. "Leather to keep the cold and water out with some soft, velvet or fleece on the inside and you'll have a perfect jacket." He added and turned to Kai again taking his size into account. "I think I'll stick with a knee-length for you, it'll make you look taller, any patterns or such we need to consider?"

"Well I really liked the outfit I had yesterday; anything along those lines will work and I've always been one for the baroque style." He chuckled. Griffin looked like he was about to burst from happiness.

"This is going to be so much fun!" He said ecstatically and dashed about the room grabbing several spools of thread, and fabrics. Between the four of them the room was a tornado of colors and fabrics flying about the room to the point Kai fell back against his bed, suddenly consumed by a wave of dizziness. The four servants all dove behind him, seeking shelter from the torrent.

"Are they always like this?" Kai asked the others.

"We think it gets worse with old age." Ronin replied. A knock on the door suddenly froze the entire room. Servants, clothing workers, fabrics and supplies, and even Kai turned his attention to the door.

"Dinner!" Neuro announced, opening the door, in one hand and holding a large tray in the other. Behind him, an enormous purple unicorn with blazing fiery eyes followed. In any other case, Kai would've found the creature almost shocking but when it answered, balancing a tray of food and drink on her back and even her head and looking like it was mentally struggling to do so, Kai couldn't help but chuckle. He stood up and took the tray from the unicorn's head, and placed it on the bed.

Just in time for a starving Jay, Echo, and Nelson to devour it, while Ronin, valuing his life more than his stomach, remained on the side.

"Thanks, I appreciate that." The unicorn flashed a childish grin. A pale purple light formed around and Ultra Violet remained. "You must be Kai, my name's Ultra Violet." She welcomed, before turning to the servants. "Hey, you three!" She called and the three servants jumped. "Quit stuffing ya faces and help me, we got a guest here!" She scolded. Blushing from their rude manners, Echo and Jay transformed and each grabbed a plate from Violet.

Nelson grabbed the third and offered Kai a cup of tea.

Once her hands were free, Harumi embraced her with a powerful hug.

"Hi, sweety." She laughed proudly. Violet only snickered. Kai blinked, confused by the sudden display of emotion.

"Harumi and Violet are married," Nelson answered his unasked questions. "Don't worry about it, they're always like this."

"Another thing that gets worse with old age." Ronin teased, taking something from Neuro and handing it to Kai. The teen looked down surprised to find the clothed he'd worn when he first arrived clean and neatly folded in the boy's hands.

"Thanks." He smiled graciously and started towards the joint bathroom, with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Jay asked as he passed by. "And don't say nothing either, because I can see through it."

"It's true, Kai," Neuro said. "Jay makes it his personal job to make sure no one in this castle is distressed."

"Unfortunately, he's had little success with Cole." Echo laughed, then stopped when all eyes turned angrily to him. The centaur shrank back. Kai exhaled and offered up a small smile.

"Look everyone, this is wonderful and I appreciate all this, I truly do, but... this all just so much to take in; I'm just not used to all of this." He admitted, hoping he didn't offend them. The staff had been nothing but kind to him since arrived and making his stay as bearable had possible. Failure to do so was the last thing he wanted them to think. He tensed when he felt someone pat his head. His first instinct was an annoyance for being treated like a child, but strangely it brought him comfort.

He relaxed when he saw Violet with a grin that just radiated happiness.

"Hey no worries, we understand, we're all just ecstatic to have ya here, besides you're our guest! What kind of hosts would we be if we didn't make ya feel welcome here?"

"I have an idea." Ronin perked up. "How about we show you around the castle?"

"Really?" Kai perked up, liking the idea of an enormous castle to explore.

"Sure, even these guys it's gonna take some time to get all this clothes stuff done, and who wants to stay cooped up in here all night."

"And we did promise to show you the library," Nelson added.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Echo jumped up. "Go get dressed and let's go!"

"Thank you!" Kai smiled excitingly and rushed off to change his clothes...

****************

Bansha swore she would lose whatever hearing she had left if she had to listen to Morro for another moment. The Duke had done nothing but scream and scrub the mud and grime from his body since his dreadful mortification at the hands of Kai's brutal rejection. Looking back, perhaps preparing an entire wedding before actually proposing wasn't such a good idea. It was such a shame that the dress would never see the sunlight again.

Though Bansha felt a small comfort knowing the seamstresses had managed to rescue and convert most of the cloth.

"How could he do this to be Bansha!? How!? How could he humiliate me!?" The Duke raved like a spoiled child who was being told 'no' for the first time. He paced back and forth furiously throughout the common room. The heels of his shoes pulled at the knitting of the carpets forming large holes. His gloved hands balled at his sides and he took heavy breathes in failed attempts to calm his raging nerves.

"Who does he think he is!?" He screeched. "That boy, doesn't he realize how lucky, how blessed he is? I would never have had to be so bold if he just got over his shyness and accepted my proposal like he was supposed to! No one says no to me!"

"Kai is a fool for rejecting you, everyone knows that," Bansha said, preparing another cup of tea for when her master's current mood swing finished. The Duke snatched the teacup from the table and clenched it so hard the fragile china almost cracked in his hands.

"Dismissed, rejected! Disgraced! Publicly humiliated!" He screeched throwing the cup into the fire watching with a dark satisfaction as it shattered into a million pieces and melted. In shock and slightly terrified, Bansha hesitated to hand her another cup.

"More tea, my lord?" She asked, trepidation seeping into her voice which made Morro smile, though Bansha couldn't see it. Whoever said it was better to be loved than feared clearly never knew the luxuries of a high-ranking position.

"No." He dismissed her request harshly. A timid knock on the door halted another howling. "Come in!" Morro demanded thundering. A servant entered the room, clearly intimidated.

"M-My lord, the e-eldest and youngest S-Smiths are here t-to see you." She stuttered.

"Did they say what for? Speak!" Morro demanded.

"They said something about Mr. Kai and that they must speak with you urgently." The servent replied and Morro smirked victoriously.

"Come Bansha! It seems Nya has finally seen the wisdom behind my request." The duke said, practically radiated arrogance as he skipped from the room, with a timid Bansha behind him. Morro practically flew down the staircase, giddy to see what Nya had to tell him, but his pride transformed to confusion once he met with the two siblings. Both were still standing on the front porch, panting as if they'd been running for hours. Their clothes were a mess and splotched with mud and their hair was a mess.

Neither of them looked as if they'd bathed or changed their clothes since they left.

"Whatever has happened to you too?" Bansha asked, clearly concerned, while Morro only looked horrified that they'd dare come see him in such a state.

"Morro!" Lloyd cried as he bolted to him before Nya could stop him. "You have to help, he-he-he has Kai! That thing has my big brother! He's got him locked in a tower or a dungeon or somewhere!" The boy blabbered his voice choked with tears and fear to speak coherently. Morro brushed him off in disgust.

"What are you talking about." The Duke snapped, though paid attention once he heard Kai's name somewhere in the babble.

"Who has Kai?" Bansha asked, placing a gentle hand on Lloyd's shoulders.

"A dragon! A cruel terrible dragon!" He announced as if the very word would bring doom. Morro and Bansha froze. Just as Morro looked as if he would burst out laughing Nya stepped in.

"It's true! While we were lost in the storm, we found his castle, he trapped us there, Kai offered to exchange himself for our freedom! He's still trapped there with that monster! We have to save him! You're the only one that can help us!" Nya exclaimed. She hated herself at that moment and for having no choice but to swallow her pride and morals and everything else her family taught her and go crawling to the one person she despised more than anything on earth.

But Kai was in danger and her pride could burn in hell if it meant Kai's freedom.

As much as she hated herself for doing so, she knew Morro's desire for Kai was the only hope they had. Morro burst out laughing.

"A dragon? I think you've finally read one too many fairy tales; now what is the real reason you're here?" The Duke laughed.

"It's the truth, Morro!" Lloyd cried in fear for his brother.

"I'm sure you're just imagining things, Kai probably just decided to follow you and got lost in the woods," Bansha reassured the boy.

"No dammit!" Nya howled, shocking everyone by the force behind her voice. "My twin brother is the prisoner of a monster who is doing God knows what to him as we speak! I would never come to you of all people if it wasn't serious Morro! Please help us rescue him!" She begged. The force and truthfulness behind Nya's voice were shocking, but Morro looked past it the second he heard the insult.

"I've heard enough of this!" The Duke thundered and snapped his fingers for his guards. "Gentlemen please, escort these two off my estate." He ordered and like toy soldiers, the two men took each of them by the arm and dragged them towards the door.

"Dammit, Morro, listen to us!" Nya roared in anger and desperation.

"Please! Helo Kai!" Lloyd cried out all the way until the guards slammed the doors in their faces. The guards then bowed to their master and left.

"I wonder what could've happened to cause such a scene." Bansha wondered aloud.

"They've gone mad! Why else would they go about screaming about dragons?" Morro snapped.

"But they sounded so scared, and it isn't like Kai to run off and cause his family such distress; he'd do anything for those two." Bansha countered. Morro snorted at the remark, determined to remain angered. Even if the Smiths were telling the truth, it was only fitting he refused them. They were, after all, the only obstacle between him and his precious Kai after all. A dark realization suddenly filled his mind, making him pause.

"My lord?" Bansha asked, noticed her master's sudden change in demeanor. A shiver froze her to the core as she caught the duke's smile.

"You're absolutely right, Bansha," Morro spoke with a dark, almost malicious laugh. "Kai would do anything for those two."...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch13

Chapter 13: The Cursed Castle

The staircase led to the first floor and Kai was back in the front hallway. The enormous locked doors to the front mocked him as he passed by. He snorted and growled trying to navigate his way through the labyrinth of chambers. His stomach refused to silence. He turned down another hallway but every corridor appeared the same. They were made of stone and lit with candles, but each was decorated in a different manner. This only made it more difficult to decide where to go.

Two oak doors blocked the end of the hallway.

A light leaking from the bottom caught Kai's attention. He turned the handles and shoved the doors open a crack, preventing any noise. His eyes widened as he scanned the enormous dining room Even in the darkness, the room was stunning. A smooth, green carpet covered the floor, while a red carpet stretched from the entrance, up too small steps, and to a large platform where a gold and silver table sat. Matching chairs in a similar fashion lined the walls opposite the ends of the table.

Behind the table, three windows covered almost the entire wall, shaped like the top of an octagon.

They were lined with maroon curtains tied with a gold cord. The darkness outside told him it was still night. A crystal chandelier lit with many candles hung from the ceiling on a thick chain, while candle holders lit with cream-colored candles rested on the oak tables. A huge fireplace framed with black stone rested in the opposite wall where a huge mirror rested above the mantelpiece. There was no ceiling. Instead, there was a balcony. Kai recognized as one of the ones he'd traveled when Cole showed him to his room, branched from one wall to the other.

Kai shivered to wonder what the room must have looked like during the day, with light spilling in from the windows.

In the far corner, lights danced behind another door, diverting his attention. He slowly approached the door and gently pushed it open. A short stone hallway lit by orange and yellow lights led to the kitchen where he could hear voices. Caution and curious, Kai pressed his back against the opposite wall, keeping himself in the safety of the shadows, before silently sliding towards the kitchen entrance. He carefully leaned over to peer inside. The kitchen was full of bright lights though he could only see a few candles and enormous wheel-shaped chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

In the corner was an enormous brick structure that Kai could've mistaken for an alter if not for the black smoke pouring out the brick tower.

There was blazing yellow and orange fire burning wildly within it. The kitchen was huge. It was an entire room made of stone and glass and the floor was made of a sandy-gold stone. The fire pit, contained by the enormous brick stove, rested in the far corner embedded in the wall. A line of black tools hung from the wall around the stove, so they were within easy reach. A tall man, taller than Kai with short black hair and ghostly pale skin stood before the fire pit.

With a wave of his arms, the fires roared to life, before calming with the flick of the man's wrist.

He carried jars of spices from the mess upon the huge wooden table in the middle of the room and rearranged them in the towering spice cabinet next to the stove. Servants moved about, two he recognized as the man and woman in the tower, scurried about the kitchen carrying plates of little cakes, baskets of apple and fruits, and trays covered with silver tins. They placed them all on a huge wooden table in the middle. The table was full of knives and cutting boards and overcrowded with apples, peppers, carrots, and other vegetables.

The servants gathered them all in baskets before relocating them in either the huge icebox in the corner of the enormous pantry, so large it covered almost the entire wall.

Over a large silver sink, Neuro scrubbed pots beneath a faucet of running water. Steam rose when the hot water touched the cool, gray water. Nelson was sat on one of the countertops drying plates. Tox and Ronin who Kai recognized from the tower were carrying large pots, struggling with large towers of plates and cauldrons of water. The two placed the objects on the table before a flash of turquoise and green surrounding them. A green naga and a short troll stood in their place.

They then relocated the dishes from the countertops to the cupboards above the counters.

They were carved from wood but each one had a glass window so people could see where each one went. The raven-haired man in the corner turned around, barking orders, revealing his true face. He had a few inches on Kai and pale, almost grey, skin and onyx-colored eyes. A strong hand wiped the sweat from his brow. He wore black gloves and a sleeveless black vest with silver shoulder braces, a silver wolf symbol with red eyes, and in front of a blue area on the chest.

His legs were designed with gray pants and black boots.

His white cooking apron was blotched with soot and stained red. Kai ducked behind the wall hoping he wasn't seen. His heart hammered in his chest in confusion and excitement, as he pondered who, or rather what, they were.

"UGH! I can't believe this! I slave all day over a hot stove, quite literally and what!? It all goes to waste!" He hollered as he raised his hands in protest. The other servants and the boy on the counter jumped. The only one unafraid of the cook's temper was Neuro, who was still doing dishes.

"Oh, stop your grousing! It's been a long night for all of us!" Neuro told him. Shade rolled his eyes but said nothing else. Not a moment later Jay, who Kai also recognized from the tower, bulldozed into the room through the opposite door, panting heavily. Echo ran beside him, looking just as exhausted as Jay.

"Sorry guys," Jay panted, before glowing in a dark blue light. A blue fox took his place. Kai's eyes almost bulged out of his skull. He couldn't look away as Echo closed his eyes and in a flash of gold, only a brown centaur remained. They had intended to continue their search for Kai, but they noticed how much work the others had to do since dinner was canceled and it wasn't like Kai could leave the castle. Wasting no time, Jay, in the form of a Raijū, grabbed a stack of plates clearly too heavy for him.

The tiny creature struggled to use his powers to float but managed to lift it and made his way towards the pantry.

"Jay let me help you," Echo begged his companion.

"I got it," Jay grunted until finally, he faltered as his body fell, sending plates scattering around him. Without thinking Kai dove and slid across the floor to catch the falling creature in his arms. Plates rained around him, as Kai pulled the shaking fox in his arms. Everyone, who had moved for the same reason, froze and stared at the boy on the floor. Kai blinked in surprise until his eyes widened in remembrance.

"Oh, you're there," Jay said. "Echo and I wondered where you disappeared too." He smiled. Kai reacted quickly. His entire body jumped and he fell backward until he was in a half-sitting, half-lying position. His eyes were wide with shock and awe. The action sent Jay flying into the air, forcing him to use his powers to float. The cook crossed his arms and smirked at the teen on the floor. Jay rubbed his head with a paw before blinking at his savor.

He smiled brightly and extended a paw to Kai, who stared at him with a mixture of shock, confusion, and amazement.

"I'm Jay, please to meet you."

"Uh, hello," Kai replied as he shook Jay's paw with two fingers.

"I apologize about this," Neuro said as he leaned forward slightly so his eyes met Kia's bewildered ones. "My name is Neuro, and before you ask, no you are not in any way mad, and I do hope our presence didn't shock you; we didn't expect to meet you formally until tomorrow, otherwise we would've made your acquaintance already but now that you're here, we'd like to welcome you, Master... Kai, is it?" He asked. Kai nodded, still shocked.

"Sorry about before." Tox hissed as she slithered over. "We didn't get to introduce ourselves, the name's Tox." She smiled before there was a flash of green. When it faded again a green-haired woman landed on her heels and offered a hand to Kai.

"Hello," Kai replied, a bit breathlessly, and shook the offered hand. Tox took the opportunity to pull him to his feet.

"Sorry, about earlier." Echo smiled sadly before reappearing as the brunette boy with gold eyes a moment later. "I hope all of our transforming back and forth didn't scare you." He smiled sincerely.

"It's alright, I don't mind." Kai smiled. "I'm assuming these are your cursed forms?" He asked gesturing to Jay's fox form.

"Only if we want, it's just exhausting to stay human and easier for us to move like this," Jay explained.

"But the Dragon Lord is a mix of man and creature, so how come none of you are?" He asked, wondering why they were suddenly switching between their human forms and the monstrous forms he recognized from the fairy tale. They all shared uncomfortable looks so Kai thought it'd be best to drop the subject.

"I'm Ronin." The troll smiled from the counter. Kai nodded with a small smile.

"Easy there, lads, you don't wanna shock the boy anymore than he already has been shocked tonight." Shade teased before narrowing his eyes to the teen in front of him. Kai stayed still as Shade's hard eyes, void of emotion and impossible to read, scanned him over critically. "The boys told me you're the reason the Master was throwing a fit this afternoon, is that true?" He asked and Kai raised an eyebrow.

"If he threw a tantrum because I refused to obey him then that is no one's fault but his own; I made myself perfectly clear when I said I refused to become another one of his servants just because we made a deal." He answered. Everyone froze for a bit, then Shade did the last thing anyone expected, he laughed.

"You got guts, it about time someone deflated the oversized ego of Cole's! He needs to learn to lighten up a bit." The cook laughed in such a way, Kai wasn't sure if it was good or bad until the noirette smirked. "Welcome to the hellhole, I'm Shade, the cook here and Neuro's husband, at your service."

"My name's Nelson." The boy he'd seen earlier jumped from the counter to greet him with a bright smile on his face. "You've already met Jay." He said and gestured to the blue fox floating in the air, knocking Ronin off the counter. The troll growled and began a chase. Kai ducked and moved, hoping to avoid the crossfire. Soon Tox and Echo both returned to their human forms and joined in the play.

"Don't mind them." Neuro chuckled. "They're always eager to see a new face; now, if there is anything at all we can do to make your stay more comfortable, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Yeah, we haven't had any guests here in ages!" Jay smiled, stopping in the air, causing the other three creatures to crash into him.

"Well, I am a little hungry."

"You hear that? He's hungry!" Neuro instantly beamed as he turned to Shade.

"Start the fire!" Shade smiled as he spun around and waved his hand. The oven erupted in flames. "Pull out the spices, break out the china!" He ordered and not a moment later, everyone did as commanded. The spice cabinet flew open and various jars of different colored herbs were removed and drawers opened, revealing the forks, spoons, and knives.

"Wait!" Tox countered. "Didn't the Master say-"

"Until I die, not a soul in this castle is going to bed hungry!" He declared, boldly. Kai almost blushed at the attention.

"Really, you don't have to-"

"Shut it!" Shade cut him off he dropped the two huge pots he'd been carrying on top of the roaring stove. Before Kai could blink Shade flew in front of him making him jump and stumble backward. Shade circled him, scanning him up and down then pinched his arm making Kai growl, and snatch his arm away

"What the hell are you doing!" He demanded angrily but Shade didn't seem to hear him.

"I've got my work cut out for me." The chef shook his head both in disappointment and in excitement at the new challenge. "Not to worry, when I'm done with you you'll never eat again! You need it, you're way too thin for a normal seventeen—"

"I'M NINETEEN!"

"That's even worse! Do you ever eat?! You're nothing but skin and bones!" Shade gasped in horror. Before Kai could answer, Shade started running around the room gathering ingredients. "We are going to need chickens, chestnuts, and broth for stuffing and plenty of hazelnuts!" He started shouting randomly, grabbing a basket of apples from the pantry, and began slicing through each one like butter. "Three cups of flour, six eggs, and a quarter of milk… MOVE IT!" He roared.

The servants scurried throughout the kitchen as the dook randomly shouted what he needed.

The chef darted from the icebox to the pantry or the table. He was grabbing, slicing, and throwing food over his shoulder into pots, on pans, or plates. The whole process was so quick and complex, Kai suddenly felt dizzy watching him work.

"TOX!"

"HERE!" The naga answered while Shade placed a tray of sliced cheeses and crackers and assorted fruits in her hands.

"Bring that to the dining hall and don't spill a single one or I'll skin you alive!"

"GOT IT!" She replied, before jumping off the counter and dashing towards the dining room. When Kai felt something pull on his sleeve, he looked down and found Nelson tugging on his sleeve.

"You'll love it, Shade's a great cook." He reassured the brunette. Smiling, Kai scooped the small boy into his arms, making him yelp, and walked towards the dining room. He shoved the doors open, so Tox and Ronin could get in and place the food on the table. He gently placed Nelson on the table and turned around just in time to see Jay fly in. The blue fox struggled to carry a huge bowl of gravy on his head as he panted exhaustedly. Taking pity on him, when Jay started to slowly fall to the ground, Kai took the pot of Jay's head and carried it to the table.

"Hey! That's our job!" Jay moaned in annoyance. Kai chuckled at the pout on the fox's face.

"What? So now I'm not even allowed to help? Fuck that! Listen, guys, I appreciate all this, really, but I can take care of myself, I really can't stand being waited on all the time." He insisted. The servants just nodded and retreated back to the kitchen before coming back with more food, putting up no resistance whenever Kai offered to help. When Shade finished, all things delicious and imaginable were spread across the table. Kai noticed they'd only set one plate for him, but looking at the display before him, he knew there was no way he could ever hope to eat all the food.

A basket full of ripe, red apples arranged next to a basket of bread and rolls that sat next to a plate of butter.

The centerpiece was a huge chicken stuffed with chestnut stuffing, next to a bowl of hot, buttery gravy. Wheel-shaped plates of cheese and crackers that were hemmed by pieces of ham and beef served as appetizers. A single, large golden goblet was filled with rich, burgundy wine. For dessert, there were plates of fruits. There were strawberries smoothed with cream and dusted with brown sugar, raspberries coated in chocolate, hazelnuts dipped in honey, and over a dozen tiny cakes filled with cream with light pink frosting.

Kai couldn't say anything as his mouth began to water at the sight of all that delicious food.

"I take pride in my work," Shade smirked, before gently shoving Kai into the dining room. He turned to leave but Kai stopped him.

"Aren't you having any?" He asked. Shade paused and raised an eyebrow, before remembering this was only Kai's first night here.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I literally can't, I can't leave the kitchen, I'm bound to it." He replied, sounding angry and almost sad. The noirette didn't give Kai time to answer and turned to leave again, but Kai jumped in front of him. He blocked the door before turning to the rest of the confused staff.

"You guys can't expect me to eat all that by myself, right? I assumed you were making enough for everyone?" He asked and Shade blinked. Kai's determination refused to falter. Again the cook smirked and crossed his arms.

"You got a good heart, but even though we can, we don't need to eat; it's part of our curse."

"When was the last time any of you actually enjoyed your own cooking?"

"Over a hundred years ago." He answered flatly. He resisted the urge to urge to snort at the stunned look on Kai's face. Instead of questioning him, Kai strolled back to the table and sat down at the table.

"Come on, the food looks delicious, and I already know there's a possible way I can finish all this by myself, so feel free; I'd don't mind, I like company."

"Sure." Jay shrugged as he hopped onto the table and grabbed a cake before plopping it in his mouth. Shade plucked the blue fox by his tail.

"At least have the decency to wait, I didn't go through all the trouble of cooking just so you could eat it all in five minutes." He scolded, while everyone else either grabbed a chair or followed Jay's example and took a seat on the table. Shade dropped Jay next to Nelson and leaned against the table, before grabbing one of the cakes and took a bite. "So, Kai, what would you like?" He asked. Kai's eyes scanned the mountains of food again, already feeling his stomach begging.

"I'll just have a bit of everything." He finally said. Kai had never cared much for the laws of physics, but whoever said the matter couldn't be created or destroyed clearly never met Jay or Ronin before. In the span of a few short seconds, the two creatures had devoured over half the food that was leftover, after everyone claimed their meal. They made all that food vanish in less than a few seconds. Kai could only stare at them in shock.

"Don't think about it." Someone suddenly said. Kai jumped and turned to Echo, who was standing next to him, munching on a cake and a strawberry. "Ronin and Jay are eating machines, Shade says the day he leaves either one of them in the kitchen unattended is the day he lets us all starve to death." The centare laughed before eating his strawberry. Shade nodded at this, sinking his unusually long canine into an apple. Kai chuckled before stealing another cake, while the two boys fought over the last of the cream-filled sweets.

He couldn't believe how much he was enjoying himself.

Everything unhappy and frustrating about the previous evening just seemed like a bad dream. Once everyone had eaten their choice of food, they'd began bombarding Kai with questions about himself, each one of them curious to learn everything about their new guest. He'd given up trying to persuade them not to call him Master Kai and decided it was just something he'd have to get used to. The younger staff and Nelson were all careful to avoid anything that related to his siblings, which he was grateful for.

Despite his unusual happiness, the ache of never seeing his family again left a heavy hollow weight in his chest.

"So, you like books?" Nelson asked, sipping a glass of orange juice.

"Lloyd and I used to spend all our time in the bookstore whenever we got a chance." He nodded. Jay perked up and let go of the cake he'd been holding, sending Ronin, who was trying to take the cake, flying backward and almost off the table.

"We should show you the library then, right Tox?" He asked, turning to the naga, who was busy licking the last of the chicken off a drumstick.

"Of course, it's on the second floor."

"You have a library? Where is it?" Kai asked, excited.

"We'll show you tomorrow, we've gone through the whole day already." Echo replied. Kai blinked before looking around for some form of a clock in the room. An antique grandfather clock in the hallway, chimed to life, alerting the staff it was already 9 o'clock.

"Wow, I guess time really does fly when you're having fun." He chuckled and continued to socialize with the younger staff. Tox, Jay, and Nelson all asked Kai questions about himself, especially when he let it slip that he liked to write. It rather surprised everyone else. It was almost too impossible to believe this guy was the same rebellious and feisty teen who'd all but sent their Master into a fury the night before. Ronin suddenly stopped eating and jumped from the table.

In a flash of turquoise, he returned to his human form and grabbed a large tray, and began piling it with enough food for at least two people.

He clenched the silver handles and turned to the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Kai asked curiously.

"The Master didn't come down for dinner, so he must be hungry." He answered flatly. A sudden rage filled Kai and he snorted, remembering the argument they'd had earlier. Ronin turned to the new guest and offered a small smile.

"He's really not bad, except when he's in a mood, but really, he's not bad; you'll forgive him when you get to know him and until then, have a good night." He smiled before exiting the room and strolling up the staircase Kai hadn't noticed before. Kai's ever narrowed but he said nothing.

"You'll have to forgive him, Kai." Neuro sighed. "It's just been so long, and he hasn't really interacted with people for quite some time; sometimes he forgets what it's like to be kind and I'm sure you can understand, haven't you ever felt so out of place it was like everyone was against you for reasons you could not understand?" He asked and Kai almost choked on the wine he'd been drinking. He couldn't answer, but Neuro's words echoed in his mind like a guilty conscious smacking him for an act of stupidity.

He didn't answer and instead just looked at the floor.

For a moment he wondered if it was Cole or him Neuro had been talking about. The last chapter of the fairy tale repeated in his head, and for the first time in two days, he had to remind himself it wasn't just a fairy tale, but a true story. A true story about a hundred years of isolation. He shook his head and tried to dispel the thoughts. He didn't want to think about that right now. He didn't want to spoil his good mood with those thoughts. He didn't regret his and Cole's argument earlier.

Tragedy or not, he reacted the way anyone would, he told himself.

Kai sighed and stood from his chair, causing everyone in the room to stare.

"I'm going to head to bed if that's alright." He said with a small smile.

"We'll go with you." Jay volunteered, floating up and resting on Kai's shoulder. Kai chuckled before offering an arm to Nelson. Nelson took advantage of the gesture and took hold of Kai's hand.

"Are you three coming?" He asked, Shade, Echo, Neuro, and Tox.

"No thank you," Tox replied.

"We should clean this up, and don't you dare volunteer to help, this is the only time of the night Shade and I get to be alone." Neuro smiled, teasingly, though the smirk on Shade's face suggested a few not so innocent intentions. Kai shuddered, before turning to Echo.

"Coming?"

"I have to help the others; the rest of the staff will want to meet you tomorrow." He replied and Kai nodded, before leaving the room, and asking his new friends the quickest way to the East Wing. No one noticed the shadow standing on the balcony overlooking the dining hall, or the green eyes transfixed on the smiling form of their new guest and the equally laughing faces of his staff. He retreated to the safety of the shadows hoping to let them have their moment of happiness, undisturbed...

****************

No one but Ronin noticed the flash of black retreating towards the West Wing. Ronin stopped outside a familiar door of dark wood, engraved with the stunning carving of a dragon. It stood tall and proud as beautiful as it was dangerous, powerful wings twice its length flexed to its full length empowering the border of the doors. Ronin shifted the weight of the tray to one hand and used his free one to knock the silver door knockers. Without an answer, the doors unlocked themselves with a loud click and the shifting of gears like a clock.

Swiftly, but gently, Ronin turned the doorknob and gently pushed the large doors open.

He was met with darkness, lit only by the crack of light from the hallway.

"Master?" He called gently, before entering the room and carefully closing it behind him. Only the bright glow of a large red candle in the corner lit the room. Shredded tapestries hung from the walls, and tattered orange curtains covered the glass doors leading to a balcony. A table covered in white cloth sat on the raised platform. On the table sat the Master's most treasured items, which Ronin dared not touch. The once-grand room was caked with dust and cobwebs.

The only thing untouched by the dust was the huge canopy bed in the corner.

The frame made from iron and the comforter and pillows were shades of black, red, and amber. The curtains around it were tattered and faded with age, but they'd done their job keeping age from touching the bed. The curtain was open and Ronin could see his master sitting there, wrapped in his enormous wings.

"Master? It's time for dinner." He called again. The Dragon Lord finally acknowledged his presents and opened his wings. Ronin gave him a small smile, before setting the tray down on of the broken tables. Of all the servants in the castle, Ronin was one of the only two allowed such familiarity with their Master. He wasn't sure if it was because he'd been there the longest, or if it was because Cole was the one who brought him there and offered him sanctuary.

Ronin accepted that gift with pride.

He made no effort to take advantage of it. Cole smiled and rose from his seat.

"Shouldn't you be making sure our guest doesn't get lost?" He teased.

"Don't worry, Nelson is with him; I'm not foolish enough to leave him alone with Jay, even you wouldn't do something that cruel."

"You put too much faith in me, all of you do." He chuckled lightly. "Anyone else would have, should have, given up on me long ago; I'd have already given up on myself by now."

"Don't say that!" Ronin said, too outspokenly, but it was too late to stop himself. "You don't have enough faith in yourself, you're one of the strongest people I've ever met! I refuse to believe that man who saved me can't be saved himself." He finally choked out, though it hardly measured up to what he wanted to say.

"You really think I don't want to believe that?" Cole asked rhetorically. "Do you really think, I hadn't thought of that when three strangers literally dropped on my doorstep? I hope and I pray and yet instead of an angel I get this brazen, obnoxious boy who can't hold his tongue or keep his temper." Cole chuckled, but Ronin knew it wasn't humorous. "I'm done and I won't pretend to be anything other than what I am." He sighed. Ronin opened his mouth to protest but Cole just smiled.

"Go to bed, I'm sure Kai would enjoy the company." He said and Ronin didn't argue. He just nodded and before leaving his master alone. When the troll was gone, Cole turned to the tray on the table, and with the weave of his arm, it crashed against the wall with the loud clang of metal and silver. He scowled to himself. They all placed too much faith in him. It would only be disappointing when he failed. He growled with disgust at himself before turning to the table in front of the balcony and gazed at the crimson red candle as the bright purple flame flickered back and forth.

One hand braced the rim of the table, the other covering his face with his black scaled paw.

The peace was married to the memory of those who'd given up everything for him. The ones he had lost. The ones he failed to protect.

"It's hopeless."...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch12

Chapter 12: The New Clothes

Kai didn't want to move. Even as the noon light poured through the window, taking him from the other reality of sleep. Taking advantage of the sudden wakefulness, his stomach took the time to growl. The pain of emptiness effectively ruined Kai's sleep. The boy growled and tried to sink deeper into the soft pillows and comfy mattress. His hand reached to pull his comforter tighter around his body. Except there was no comforter and the pillows were not his.

Surprise shocked Kai into wakefulness, and he looked around his room frantically to try and figure out where he was.

This bedroom was not his back in the town. The bed was too soft against his aching skin. The pillows his head was snuggled against were too fancy. The bed and furniture too rich for what he and Nya earned, no matter how much they saved up, and the outline was nothing like the room he'd created for himself in his father's house. Last night suddenly came crashing back to him. A hand rose to gently press against his temples while the other braced his shaking form.

The reality finally sank in that all the events of the previous day had not simply been a nightmare as he had hoped.

It had all been real. Kai certainty didn't feel real, though. Nothing about this felt real to him. He really wanted to feel like he'd suddenly followed a white rabbit and fallen through the rabbit hole, and awoken in a twisted version of his once-favorite fairy tale. He'd dreamed about this before but never in his life had he ever dared wish for it to come true and yet here he was. The prisoner of the Dragon Lord he'd read about every day since he was little.

Living out his sentence in a magnificent castle that haunted his thoughts, and sleeping in a room that suited a prince.

Kai just froze, stunned as the utter impossibility of his situation crashed against the sheer actuality of it. He shivered, pulling the covers tighter against his bare skin, the only warmth he had was the baggy sweater rubbing softly against his chest. It was then he realized something. A shiver of dread suddenly crawled up Kai's spine as the cool air suddenly bit the bare skin of his arms, legs, and torso. Slowly, very slowly, he looked down at himself and found he was wearing nothing but a red sweater and his boxers.

He screamed in both anger and shock, before growling and wrapping the covers around his naked body.

His face turned as red as the sweater, despite the fact no one was in the room. He wondered what had happened before the answer suddenly crashed into his mind, making him see red all over again. His fists clenched the fabric so hard his knuckles went white. It had to be Cole who undressed him while he was asleep and couldn't do anything. He had ordered the servants to not speak to him, so he doubted they took a peek in while he was fast asleep.

Kai growled low in this throat.

He searched frantically for his clothes and only found a neat pile of different clothes at the end of the large bed. A letter sat on top of the pile. Kai stood up and snatched the paper off the pile, using one hand to keep the baggy sweater on him. His name was written in elegant black ink.

Dearest Kai,

As I'm sure you are aware of, you have no clothes, and no, it was not I who undressed you, but I refused to let you roam around my castle in your filthy mud-stained clothes. Therefore, as an act of kindness, I've provided you with a new outfit until the seamstresses and tailor can create a new wardrobe to suit your liking. I suggest you become acquainted with them soon for I will not be around to provide for your needs if you do not take it upon yourself to see if they are met.

Sincerely Cole.

Kai growled and crunched the note into a ball in his hand, unsure if he should be grateful or angered at the note's tone. Any kindness Cole had tried to place in it was stained by the sheer arrogance he could just hear behind the words. It was like Kai was a child and Cole was teaching him how to take care of himself. However, that last line burned a blush across his face. He crumpled the note in his hand and threw it across the room before scanning over the clothes.

Kai couldn't deny the clothes were lovely.

They reminded him of the garments he'd seen when the family had lived in London for a time. The clothes in his arms seemed unique as if they were made just for him. He growled in frustration before swallowing his pride and pulled the sweater off. It was either accept Cole's gift or go naked. At this point, he wasn't sure which was worse anymore. The long-sleeved burgundy red shirt fitted against his lean form and was trimmed with white cuffs.

Black pants with a slit from just below the knee to the floor sculpted his legs then flared at his ankles and the hems had gold designs.

The slender knee-high black leather boots with gold clasps completed the outfit. Once he was fully dressed he jumped to his feet and spun around in front of the mirror as if testing out the outfit. He hated to admit it, but the clothes were perfect. He noticed a crimson sash on the bed. He snatched it up and walked over to the vanity mirror and wardrobe, both were empty of garments but to his happiness, he found a wooden box of old accessories.

He dug through it until he found a gold cross-shaped pendant with a ruby at the top bottom and on each arm of the golden cross.

He looped the sash threw the loop at the top and carefully tied it around his neck in the form of a chocker. This was so much better. He smirked to himself, admiring his appearance in the tall mirror. Lloyd would have loved these clothes. He was always Kai's chief fashion advisor back home. Kai chuckled as he started remembering all the times he and Lloyd had spent their afternoons filling their diverse wardrobes. Realization crashed into him again.

All enjoyment was quickly sapped from his face until he matched the shocked, broken face in the mirror.

He hadn't thought about Nya and Lloyd since he had woken up. He mentally kicked himself for forgetting even for a moment why he was there. He leaned his head against the mirror, before sighing in defeat. It didn't matter now. Kai had made his choice and he could only hope and pray they found happiness. As if answering his prayers for a distraction, his stomach suddenly howled its protests, reminding him he hadn't eaten anything since the previous morning.

His argument with Cole was still fresh in his mind, but he wasn't going to let that arrogant bastard starve him.

Kai stormed to the door before carefully gripping the golden handle. He gave it an experimental turn and found it was unlocked. He turned it completely and pulled it open. No one was outside. The hallways were dark as they had been the previous night save for the light seeping through the skylights overhead and the burning candles. Kai smirked, but deciding not to tempt his luck. He carefully scanned the hallway before slipping out of the safety of his room and slid against the wall.

Nothing moved.

No one acknowledged his presence. In fact, the castle seemed as deserted as it appeared when he first arrived in this hell-hole. Smirking in victory, Kai strolled through the hallway past the wide windows and descended down the staircase. Now all he had to do was find the kitchen...

****************

Echo sighed as his back hit the wall. He put up no resistance as his lover ravished his neck with small kisses and caresses against his bronze skin through his dark brown suit as his golden yellow eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. The touches sent a shiver of delight through him. Cole had put Jay there to guard the door and to tell the lord when Kai woke up. When Echo walked past, however, Jay became a little distracted.

"Jay..." Echo moaned through half-lidded eyes.

"Yes?" The ginger-haired teen smiled.

"We can't stay here, we'll get caught." He said and gestured to the hallway, behind them, though Jay had been sure to hide them behind the curtain first. They dreaded the thought of anyone other than Ronin or Tox should see them. Having been the best of friends as teens, a hundred years together in a castle had only caused their bond to grow and bloom until neither could deny the love between them. They mutually agreed to keep it a secret.

At least until the curse was broken.

Hopefully, if they were right about Kai Smith being the answers to all their prayers, they would all be fully human again and then, while everyone was happy and celebrating, they would tell Zane about their relationship, and Echo's older brother would take it a whole lot better than he would have done before.

"Aw, do we have to?" Jay whined and Echo could only laugh. Jay was such a child, but Echo loved that about him. It certainly didn't stop Jay from being serious when the situation called for it.

"You want someone to find us?" He teased.

"Of course not! Do you know how over-protective Zane is? He'll never let me see you again, or do something worse." Jay panicked as his breathing and heartbeat started to speed up in fear. Zane was Echo's older brother and everyone in the castle knew that nothing would stop the yeti from making sure his brother was safe, not even Cole. Zane would let hell freeze over before he let anything dare to harm his little brother in any way, shape, or form.

The very thought was enough to send Jay into a fit of panic attacks until he felt Echo's gentle hands on his arms.

"Then we need to keep quiet about it, just for a little while longer." He replied, disappearing through the curtain. Unable to resist, Jay swooped behind him before wrapping an arm around his lover's waist and stealing a kiss from him. Only to then ceremonially dropped him to the cold floor. Echo hissed in shock before he stared back at Jay's shocked face.

"Kai!"

"Kai? That's something you say when you're kissing you're boyfriend?" Echo growled angrily. Jay turned to Echo then threw his hands up in defense and shook his head.

"No! no! no! Look!" He pointed behind his upset lover. Echo turned his head just in time to see their new brunette guest disappearing down the stairs...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch11

Chapter 11: The Cerise Room

Kai's defiant gaze and wails of despair echoed in Cole's mind even as he followed Skylor and Chamille out towards the courtyard, to make sure the two guards returned both of Kai's siblings home safely. Both of them begged and pleaded for their brother's return, even offering the same deal, but Cole refused them. The smaller one could barely speak as his coughing fit returned with force.

"Get going both of you!" Cole ordered, as Skylor and Chamille secured Nya and Lloyd and took off to the forest. Knowing his servant's speeds, Cole assumed the two humans would be home in a manner of minutes, and plenty of time to make sure the smallest boy got his medication. Sighing, Cole turned on his heels and returned to the manor. He couldn't help but feel the pain of guilt wash over him as he heard his prisoner's wails, but he brushed it off.

The brunette will just have to get used to it. He concluded that as he stormed back up the spiraling staircase to the tower.

"Um... Master?" A timid voice said, causing him to pause.

"What, Jay?" He snarled, turning to the blue fox.

"Well, uh, we were just wondering which one of the guest rooms we should be preparing for Kai, you know?" He gulped as he tried to steady his voice. Cole had never harmed or hurt any of his servants and didn't ever plan to, but the lord's presence and commanding authority made it difficult to not feel nervous in his presence.

"And why would you all be wondering that?"

"Well, we just figured since Kai is going to be staying with us for some time, that maybe he would be more comfortable staying in a proper room." Nelson timidly explained. Cole snarled, causing Jay to squeak and took a step back.

"Or not."

"Cole!" Someone snapped and Cole turned to meet a scowling young yeti. Even though he was slightly shorter than Cole, Zane still stood tall, but it was the way Zane said Cole's true name, that even he sometimes forgot in the depths of his mind, that herald his attention.

"Zane!" Nelson cried and abandoned his creature form for his human one and hugged the yeti. Zane gave him a small smile before his neutral mask returned when his eyes met his Master's.

"Nelson, I believe me and the master have other matters to discuss at the moment." He said. Unlike the younger servants, Zane was one of the few who had no fear of Cole.

"Really, and what matters?" Cole joked arrogantly despite Zane's scowl deepening.

"I certainly hope you don't plan on leaving that poor boy locked up and freezing to death in that tower all night?" Zane scolded, making no effort to hide the disdain in his voice.

"And why not?" Cole challenged, with a sarcastic tone. "He is certainly strong enough to handle it, and besides, he had no trouble screeching at me when he made the deal." He snarled.

"Master please," Neuro pleaded as he flew in, hoping to calm his Master's temper. "The boy lost his family and his freedom in less than an hour; anyone would be upset in his position."

"Besides, your curse's deadline is in less than five months, Master," Nelson said as he kept his face towards Zane, so Cole couldn't read his emotions. "It would be a waste to have your last hope of breaking the spell freezing in a tower, who knows some, curtsey may inspire him to follow suit; he most certainly wasn't this feisty when I first saw him." He explained and Zane resisted the urge to smirk, knowing exactly what the werebear was trying to do.

"Anyone would be feisty if they found their family locked up, and he is a bit of a mess, a good night's sleep and a hot meal might help him relax," Jay added.

"Hmm, you all seem to have put too much faith in a child who claims to hate me." Cole chuckled, bitterly.

"Cole, are you saying you don't care if the curse is broken or not! You know what happened to you if it isn't!" Zane hissed, growling at his stubborn master, more out of concern than anything else.

"I'm well aware of that, Zane, I simply don't see the point in raising everyone's hopes when they'll only be shot down in the end," Cole replied in a very detached manner. "But if it will put you all at ease; no, I don't plan on keeping him in the tower." He snapped and stormed towards the tower staircase. "Go prepare the Cerise room."

"The Cerise room?" Jay gasped as everyone, even Zane's, eyes widened with surprise.

"It suits him, go get the others and set it up, now." He ordered and watched the servents move. "Nothing too over the top, he won't like that," Cole ordered, turning back towards the tower and ignoring all the baffled glances his servants were sending him. "He's not some helpless docile kid who'll just accept his fate and be happy with a pretty room." He explained without stopping or looking behind him before he vanished up the tower steps.

"That was a very clever but a very risky move, Nelson." Zane half scolded when the Master was out of hearing range.

"I know, but the Master is always so stubborn because he's lonely, who knows, maybe spending time with Kai will be good for him?" The werebear boy smiled, optimistically...

****************

The iron door slammed open with a loud clang when Cole shoved it. His dragon eyes scanned the tower dungeon for his captive. He found him right where he left him, collapsed in front of the windowsill, still crying. Cole felt his heartstrings wrench at the sight of the strong-willed youth looking so broken, but shook it away.

"Kai?" He called. No sooner has the teen heard his name did he lookup. Wild amber eyes blazed with anger and sorrow; visible tears marks on his cheeks. Kai wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and gripped the windowsill before pulling himself into a standing position. Then, without warning, he dashed forward and with one swift motion punched Cole in the face.

The dragon hybrid's head snapped to one side with a force that almost knocked him over.

"YOU BASTARD!" Kai exploded, shaking in anger, but refused to let any more tears fall. "You couldn't give five measly seconds to say goodbye!? I had just signed my life away to you! I gave up everything for my family and I'll never see them again or say that I loved them! Did you not see my little brother's face? I couldn't even have a minute to calm him and down and tell him I'd be alright!" He roared. All he wanted was to tear Cole's tail off and shove it down the lord's throat.

Cole moved his head back and moved one of his clawed hands to rub the abused cheek, eyes glowing dangerously at the teenager as he continued his rant.

Cole remained silent, purely from shock. No one ever spoke to him like that or stuck him, even after he'd been cursed. Anger soon replaced astonishment. Cole's pride kicked in and he snatched his captive's wrist before he could move away. Kai opened his mouth to protest but was silenced when Cole slammed him back against the stone wall, pinning both his wrists above his head. The dragon hybrid's tail around Kai's thigh, holding him in place.

Fearing the worst, Kai began to struggle, but Cole pinned him with his free hand and forced the teen to look at him.

"Strike me again, and there will be dire consequences." Cole hissed in a dangerously low voice. A slight satisfaction filled him when Kai shivered, though the brunette's glare refused to falter.

"Let go of me!" Kai growled and bit his lip until he tasted blood when Cole used one of his legs to pin him against the wall. He refused to cry out. He wouldn't give the Dragon Lord the satisfaction.

"Let's get something straight here, candle; you don't make the rules, I do, you agreed to be here and follow them, so I suggest remember that or your time here will not be pleasant and I won't hesitate to punish you if you disobey me, again." He growled before he released Kai and he dropped to the floor. "Mark my words; I will douse that defiant flame of yours." He smirked and turned and headed back towards the door. "Now, if you're done throwing a tantrum, I'll show you to your room."

"My room?" Kai asked his head shot up, and he got to his feet.

"Of course, you didn't think I was heartless enough to leave you here in the tower all night, did you? Surely even you must have a higher opinion of people, unless, of course, you would rather stay." He mocked. Kai growled at the mocking tone and felt his ego bruise a bit, showing Cole that was what he thought. Swallowing his pride, Kai followed the lord out of the tower. Cole grabbed a nearby lantern and ordered Kai to follow him. As they walked, Kai's amber eyes wandered around the corridor in amazement.

The castle's inside was just as magnificent as the outside.

Once Cole escorted him up the staircase to the second floor, he followed down a hallway, done like an open balcony with marble railings. Kai peeked over the side and found a fantastic view of the main corridor and several other rooms. Chandeliers made of glass and crystal and candles hung from the ceilings on thick chains, and statues of gargoyles and mythical creatures embedded the walls. His gaze fell on the marble floors beneath him to the shadowed ceiling.

The points and curves of the roof were done elaborately,

Windows of stained glass were speckled everywhere, while the pillars seemed to continue forever into the infinite darkness. Unlike the castle of his dreams, everything in this place was a darker color or seemed veiled in shadows. No dust or cobwebs littered the castle walls or floor. Not even the polished stone of the statues, floor, and balconies were all aged by time. Cole's eyes trailed behind him, mentally telling himself he only wanted to make sure the boy was following him, but another part of him couldn't resist the look on his captive's face as he scanned his new home.

The silence between them suddenly became tense and suffocating.

Cole had always welcomed silence, the absence of noise had always offered him a sense of peace, but suddenly, he'd give anything to break the silence. Knowing Kai wouldn't make the first move, he cleared his throat.

"Since the castle is your home, you're free to move about it as you like; if you get lost or wish to find a specific location, ask the servants." The Master explained. A snort was his only answer. It was a miracle Cole didn't scowl. "The only restrictions are that you are not to leave the palace grounds or go anywhere near the woods, but that is for your own safety; the second is you are not allowed near the west wing under any circumstances."

"What's in the west wing?"

"That is not your business!" Cole snapped before they started walking again. "Other than that, you are free to go about as you wish." He added, but this time his answer was full-blown laughter. Cole stopped in his tracks and whirled around. Kai didn't even flinch at his feral gaze.

"If you think giving me a room and suddenly being polite will convince me to forgive and forget, and make nice, you are sorely mistaken!" He spat with heavy sarcasm in his's voice. "I have no intention of becoming another one of your servants, so do us both a favor and don't pretend to be nice to me." He snapped. Cole's first response was anger. The fury rose inside him like a caged beast, then it turned to anguish. This person knew his story, and yet he criticized him?

His expression suddenly changed and he started laughing, but it wasn't a normal laugh.

His laughter wasn't what Kai usually heard when people showed their happiness. This was darker, more amused, and curled with a type of humor that chilled Kai to the bone. Once the king's gaze returned to him, he smirked at Kai's state, a smile that curled at the corners.

"You have quite a defiant spirit and a sharp tongue." He said as he took a step towards the human, who took a step back, but Cole continued forward not letting the short distance between them grow. Kai cursed when his back hit the wall of the balcony and his hands grabbed air. Cole leaned over his captive, meeting the boy's amber eyes, their faces now even closer. "It'd be wise of you to keep that tongue of yours in check, otherwise, it just might get you killed." He warned.

Kai flinched when one of Cole's claws traced his cheek.

He breathed in Kai's ear before pulling back, leaving Kai still shaking against the banister. The teen cursed himself for showing weakness in front of his capture, but his glare returned with full force. His defiance only seemed to amuse Cole even more. He then turned to the room that would now be Kai's new home. The click of keys unlocking the large gold door was the only warning Kai got before he suddenly found himself whisked inside his new room.

Not even bothering to check around, he turned his attention to his capture and glared.

"I can walk just fine on my own." He scowled but Cole snorted as he shook his head, and turned around as if leaving.

"Despite the circumstances, and as difficult as this is for you to accept, I do hope you enjoy your stay here." He said and Kai resisted the urge to blink at the sympathy in the Dragon Lord's voice.

"Now, get dressed and have the servants bring you down for dinner." He commanded.

"No," Kai said, hands balled into fists at his sides. Cole froze in his tracks.

"I beg your pardon?" He growled, his voice was lower and more dangerous than it had been all night.

"I'm not hungry." He said flatly, grateful his empty stomach didn't voice its protests.

"I wasn't asking if you were hungry or not, I'm telling you that you're going to dinner." He ordered as his glare met Kai's, the intensity of his own green depths rivaled by the untamable fire in Kai's amber orbs.

"No, I'm not." He said simply; his tone undaunted. His eyes bore into the Dragon Lord's. They remained transfixed, neither willing to break their control or give the other the satisfaction of knowing he'd won. Finally, the dragon hybrid smiled, a small smirk that made Kai blink, before a boom of laughter erupted from Cole. Blood boiled in Kai's veins. Did Cole really find him so amusing? The thought made his teeth clench in rage.

"Very well, be stubborn; I will not argue." He half-mocked. "If you insist on acting this way then starve for the night! Perhaps going without food for a while will do your attitude some good." He laughed, but just as quickly his glare turned hard and he leaned over to meet Kai's eyes. The boy too stunned to do anything but a standstill. "But I mean what I say when you won't get anything tonight! The servants obey only me and if I order them not to, they'll obey so you won't be able to have them bring you something because you skipped a meal because of your stubbornness, so you either come now or go without, the choice is yours." He snarled.

Despite the flinch in his step and his churning stomach, Kai's glare refused to falter.

"I'll take my chances."

"Fine." Cole huffed before he turned on his heels and stormed out the door. He said nothing else as the door slammed shut, leaving Kai alone in the gilded cage. Kai growled and kick the door in frustration, before grabbing the nearest pillow and released a violent scream he'd been holding back into it. After he was finished he let it drop into his lap and panted in frustration. It didn't make him feel better, but it felt nice to release some of his pent-up stress.

When he opened his eyes, he finally took in the surroundings of his new room.

He wasn't sure what to expect when Cole said he was having a room in the palace. He expected something straight out of a fairytale when the princess got her prince. The exact opposite of what he got. The room was beautiful in a gothic way. Instead of a wooden bed, he got an iron frame bed. A grotesque pattern formed the headboard and end of the bed like a spider web. The iron frame contorted upward like twisted vines in a type of canopy.

Red and gold veiled the roof and draped down, pooling once it hit the carpet like waterfalls of gold and blood.

Bright red blankets of satin draped the full-sized mattress. Pillows that were woven from gold, red, and black satin and Egyptian cotton aligned the headboard in various sizes, forming patterns that served both comfort and decorative. Next to the bed was a black iron table in the same molding as the bed. A lit candle rested peacefully next to a book bound in brown leather and a black pen. Above the table, a large branched candlestick rested against the wall.

Each of its multiple branches held a lit, vanilla-scented candle.

Opposite the bed, a fire roared to life contained by about three feet of obsidian stone and mantle. Iron and glass served to keep the embers safely contained while heat flooded into the room. Candles lined the mantelpiece, all in iron candle holders. A black vase filled with white and yellow roses in the center contrasted with the black stone of the mantle. Two large candles blazed to life in black, iron lanterns on either side of the fireplace. Kai's eyes wandered further around the room.

All the furniture was simple yet elegantly carved from rich wood with gold handles.

The pieces lined against the walls opposite the bed. In the far corner, against the same wall as the fireplace, an enormous wardrobe towered over him, almost touching the ceiling. The carvings resembled the vines of a forest, moving up the wood, while the images of deer decorated the doors. Next to it was a door that Kai could see led to a bathroom. The polished obsidian floor contrasted nicely with the ivory tub and the pale cream marble counters.

In the corner next to the entrance door sat a carved wooden desk and a large bookshelf, stacked with books with brass or silver bindings.

Brass knobs and bindings decorated the desk where stacks of paper, books, and pens had already been organized. The darkness of the furniture and bed contrasted nicely with the gold carpets covering the floors. Despite his desire to hate the room, Kai loved it, but at the same time, it was a gift from his captor. What drew Kai's attention was the wall on the left side of the bed. A strip made almost entirely out of glass, save for the aged, gold bindings of a doorway and the mesh curtains.

If not for the balcony appearing through the invisible wall, Kai could've been convinced nothing was there.

He got up and walked to the glass. A transparent reflection met him as he approached. His hand moved automatically to meet that of his reflection, only to feel the cold glass of the invisible barrier beneath it. He saw the dark forest, covered with snow and ice, beneath a towering mountain. The full moon, shimmering in the black sky, perfected the image. It became too difficult to look beyond his reflection and at the portrait behind it before he found himself meeting his eyes in the clear mirror.

His hand gently retracted from the glass, pulling back as far as it could before tightening into a fist.

Kai growled and punched the glass window, hard. Not even a crack or dent marred the surface. His bangs shadowed his eyes as he lowered his face and pressed his forehead against the glass, shaking in anger, anguish, and fear. All his emotions pooled together at once making it impossible to calm himself down. His nails scraped against the living symbol of the bitterness of his sacrifice. Overcome by his raging emotions, he struggled backward from the window until the back of his hand touched the iron sides of the bed.

He collapsed to the floor, no longer caring about the tears on his cheeks...

****************

After a few hours of leaving Kai to stew, Cole decided he had had enough waiting and he walked back to the Cerise Room to check if Kai had finally cracked and wanted to get some dinner. When he arrived, however, he was a little surprised to see Jay, Tox, Ronin, and Nelson crouched by Kai's bedroom door with their ears pressed up against it. Cole struggled to suppress a laugh at the sight. It was clear they hadn't noticed him as he walked closer.

"Shouldn't you three be in bed by now?" He said and the servants jumped and whirled around to see Cole standing there with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

"Witt all due respect, Master, we're over 100 years old, and it's only 1 am." Ronin replied.

"Rules are rules; now get to bed before I call Zane." He playfully warned, watching them scurry away. A small chuckled escaped his mouth before his attention turned to the real reason he'd returned to the east wing. The lock of the door opened with a shallow click and a low creek. Though darkness shrouded the room in shadow, the multiple candle-lit candle holders and the roaring fire lit the room in a bright glow. He saw that his captive was not on the bed where he'd left him, or at the desk, or in the bathroom.

His dragon eyes scanned the corners of the large room until they caught a flash of red on the other side of the iron bed frame.

With an elegant swoop, the Dragon King found himself on the other side of the room, staring down at his shivering captive on the floor. Cole sighed and knelt down, a clawed hand removed the stray strand of hair from the boy's sleeping face. This revealed the tear-streaks on his cheeks. Carefully, Cole whipped the tears away with the back of his hand. A silent shiver ran through his hand when the warm skin touched his cool scales. The boy truly was beautiful.

He didn't know what Kai had to be so stubborn.

He sighed before hooking his arms under Kai's legs and back and gently lifting him into his arms. Kai's coat slid to the floor with the action, but Cole's tail was quick to catch it. Relieving his captive of the uncomfortable position, the dragon lord placed him on the bed, him resting against pillows. His eyes scanned the boy over, taking in his dirty shirt and pants. They had been soiled from the day's events. Cole closed his eyes and with a snap of his fingers, the clothes joined Kai's coat on the floor.

The Master turned to the wardrobe and pulled out something for the brunette to wear tomorrow.

His eyes caught something shinning against the candlelight.

"I thought I'd lost this." He muttered as his clawed hands lingered over one of his old dark red sweaters. He pulled it from its place on the chair and held it open. It looked as lovely as it did when he'd lost it. The fabric as crimson as freshly spilled blood and the stitching of a gold dragon decorated along the arms. His eyes darted from the sweater to his shivering captive, then back to the sweater. He deposited the fresh clothes on the rim of the bed and gently covered his captive's shivering body.

He made a note to have Harumi have it fitted for him once he was settled.

That sweater looked better on Kai than it did on him...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch10

Chapter 10: The Bargain

"Nya! Lloyd! If you two are here, please answer me!" Kai screeched desperately, growing more and more worried. "Dammit, where are you two!" He shouted as loud as he could. A loud squeak screamed behind him, and Kai turned around in a flash. A wooden door with iron bolts, he hadn't noticed before, creaked open. Against his better judgment, Kai approached it, caution in each guarded step.

"Who's there!" He demanded. He received no answer but found himself in another chamber that contrasted with the rest of the castle. The room closely resembled a tower entrance, but the stone was not made of marble like the rest of the castle. The light of an oil lamp on the wall faintly lit the room in a pale orange glow, barely illuminating the silhouette of the staircase spiraling to the top of the castle. Shadows danced in the corner as if beckoning him to follow.

Every single thought told him to turn on his heels and go the other way, but the thought of his siblings possibly trapped in such a gruesome place quickly altered Kai's decision.

He grabbed the lamp from its hook and raised it above his head. A complete sphere of orange light surrounded him as he cautiously making his way up the stairs. The tower walls felt dank and wet beneath his hands. The air was heavy with the disgusting stench of mildew. Grime covered the walls in some places while flecks of moss speckled enormous stone blocks in others. Huge blocks formed the steps, built on top of the other in a spiral, so large it was like walking two steps at a time.

Barely any space existed between the two walls except for the width of the staircase.

This caused the uneasy feeling of claustrophobia to creep up Kai's spine, but he forced it away. Shadows danced in front of him, like small creatures struggling up the steps. The second their shadows left his sight, they stopped, as if waiting for him to follow. Kai blinked at the strange shapes but shook his head to relieve his worry.

"Nya! Lloyd!" He howled again, his voice bouncing loudly against the stone of the tower, reflecting a harsh echo. Kai increased his speed as fast as he could up the enormous steps. Once he reached the top he stopped and held his ground at the sound of panting. Once he made sure he had the advantage if anyone attacked him, he turned around and held up the bright lamp, but saw nothing. They made it to the top of the staircase faster than expected.

Both Jay and Ronin faltered until they both collapsed to the ground.

Their legs were very sore from running up such a long flight of stairs and their lungs panted desperately for air. Tox slithered up the last of the steps, shaking and panting with the last of her strength before finally collapsing in a heap on the floor. They had quickly hidden when the loud footsteps of Kai's heavy boots charged up the stairs. The three hissed at the brightness of Kai's lamp. The boy barely noticed, however, clearly too worried about his brother and sister.

Once Kai shrugged the sound off as rats, the lamplight and moonlight peeking through the windows told him he was in the highest room of the tower.

The stone blocks melded into a slate cone that seemed to go on forever. Glassless windows form gaping holes all over the roof allowing moonlight to spill into the room. The moonlight highlighted the iron bolts, locks, and bars upon the heavy wooden door on the other side of the room, clearly marking the tower as the dungeon. The smell of mold and grime hung in the air, creating a revolting stench. The floor was littered with straw and small broken pieces of the wall.

The dim light of Kai's lamp danced across the room.

He moved his hands to cover his mouth in a weak attempt to block out the horrid stench. The sound of crying quickly froze him in place, followed by the soothing shushing sounds he knew by heart. Keys was the first thing that popped into Kai's mind. He searched frantically for any signs of a key. Kai searched around until his eyes spied the keys on the hook. Practically leaping across the room, Kai clumsily snatched the keys from the hook and fiddled with each one until with a joyful click the lock came undone and Kai swung the door open.

Anger, relief, and sheer joy bombarded him all at once.

Nya and Lloyd were sat on the floor of the dark, dank, rancid prison chamber, leaning beneath the only glass-less window in the room. Heavy manacles connected to about five feet of thick chains shackled their ankles to the wall. Both were shivering from the freezing temperature, both the stone and the open window caused. The fact that neither had their coats didn't help to ease the chill. Nya and Lloyd looked up in shock and slight fear when the door opened.

Nya wrapped her arms securely around Lloyd as the small boy cried in her chest and lap.

Their eyes widened even more at the sight of, no their capturer, but their third sibling standing in the doorway.

"Kai!" Lloyd cried out. Wasting no time Kai dashed over to them. The second his knees hit the floor, Lloyd threw himself into his brother's arms and wrapped them rightly around Kai's waist, crying loudly. Unable to do anything else but kneels there, Kai returned the gesture and stoked the little's one's bangs until he calmed down.

"It is okay, I got you." He promised when Lloyd calmed down enough to look at him. The only one not smiling or emotional at the trio's reunion, which they both soon noticed, was Nya. Instead, the only female Smith sibling looked furious, her blue eyes burning with anger, fear, and remorse, and her entire body was shaking like she didn't know whether to strangle her twin or hug him until he burst.

"You should not have come here." She managed to choke out after many failed attempts to speak. It was directed at Kai, but the tone made Lloyd clench his older brother tighter.

"What the hell does that mean? You think I would just leave you two to rot?" Kai demanded. Nya didn't argue with him, instead, she just grabbed the keys Kai dropped when Lloyd hugged him and threw them at him.

"Listen to me; take Lloyd, get out of here, go back to the town, and don't. Ever. Come back." She ordered, her tone held no room for argument, but Kai was never one to follow orders.

"I am not leaving either of you here." He declared sternly.

"Dammit Kai, for once in your life, do what I tell you! You and Lloyd have to get out of here before he gets back; if he finds you here he'll-"

"HE ALREADY HAS!" A booming voice thundered throughout the prison tower. Kai froze as the chilling voice stiffened his spine. Lloyd screamed and buried his face in the safety of Kai's chest and Nya, for the first time in her life, was scared speechless. Even the three people who Kai hadn't noticed were outside started shaking. All three backed themselves against the wall, hiding. Kai didn't turn around. Instead, he slowly got to his feet, holding Lloyd securely in his arms, wrapped in his coat, and held him tightly.

He stood and turned around to face Nya and Lloyd's capture.

The man had hidden in the shadows, only his eyes were visible. Two striking orbs of jade glowing unnaturally in the darkness. He watched as those eyes turned to the three people Kai hadn't noticed before, shivering in the corner.

"Tox, go help, Nelson." The voice commanded. The green-haired woman burst from the room and vanished down the stairs in less than a second. When his gaze met the remaining two, both boys swallowed loud lumps in their throats. "I'll deal with you two later." He stated before turning his frozen gaze to the siblings. Kai felt a shiver run up his spine when those green eyes fell on him, but he held his ground.

"Who are you?" He demanded in a calm, unreadable voice.

"You're in no place to be making demands." The voice mocked, arrogantly. "But if you must know, I am the master of this castle and all within its walls."

"Are you the ones who kidnapped my brother and sister?" Kai demanded. His face was a neutral mask and his amber eyes were hard and unyielding.

"I've done nothing of the sort." The shadow removed itself from the wall and moved towards them without leaving the darkness, extremely cautious of the moonlight bathing Kai and his two siblings. "You're siblings trespassed on my property and entered this castle without my permission; therefore, as the master, I have every right to keep them both here until I decide to let them leave, or until they die, whichever comes first." He spoke in a harsh, arrogant tone.

"Trespassing doesn't warrant such a punishment!" Kai shouted, clenching his free hand at his side. The shadow raised an eyebrow at the fierceness burning in those amber gems, clearly intrigued by the brunette.

"It matters not, ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the laws; if you wish to grant your sister's request, however, I'll allow you take your brother home, but either way, one of you is staying and not even your persistence will convince me otherwise." The shadow stated firmly. Kai was about to retort until Lloyd started coughing in his arms. He'd obviously been trying to hide it, but the loud choking coughs and heavy pants alerted everyone in the room to his condition.

In a second, Kai's expression went from fury to fear as he fell to his knees and rearranged the smaller boy in his arms.

As he did this, the blond boy released the worst coughing fit even the Master of the castle had ever heard. Kai felt like punching the floor.

"He can't stay here, Kai, he'll only get sicker," Nya explained, lying Lloyd down in her lap, as the boy tried desperately to refill his lungs.

"What's wrong with him?" The Master asked taking a step forward, but Kai was on his feet in front of his family before the shadow could get any closer.

"He was born with asthma." He explained. "The doctor said it should work itself out as he gets older, but whenever he has an attack it has to be controlled or he could get worse!"

"Then give him some medicine."

"I don't have it." Kai retorted before turning to his sister. "Where is it? I know you packed some when you two left, I checked three times." He reminded her, but Nya bit her lip.

"We did have it, but... it was in the carriage." She replied and Kai mentally swore. The medicine was still in the carriage. The carriage he untied from Flame's reigns before they rode into the woods. Swallowing his pride, Kai turned back to the master.

"Lloyd can't stay here; he'll die if he does."

"Then take him back to your town." The master ordered. "I won't stop you, I already said only one of you has to stay."

"I'm not leaving Nya here either." He said firmly. The master raised another eyebrow, stepping closer, making his silhouette and eyes visible but nothing more.

"Then what would you propose, I do?" He asked, turning to the smaller boy who was shaking in his older brother's arms. He doubted Lloyd truly was as sick as his brothers feared, but something had to be done about that vicious cough. But first, he wanted to see how the youth in front of him would react. His eyes fell back on Kai. This one intrigued him, challenged him with no fear, met him blow for blow with a spirit that refused to break, and fierce independence.

Even now, despite his obvious fear for his younger brother's life, his sister's freedom, and his anger at himself, the boy refused to show any sign of weakness.

The Master was interested to see just how far that spirit would go, as the master watched the amber-eyed teen calculate a plan in his head.

"How about a deal?" Kai said, at last, lifting his head to meet the Master's eyes. Blazing amber was burning with all the fire the master loved, bore into his orbs of cold green. The master raised an eyebrow, curious.

"I'm listening."

"You said one of us has to stay here, right? But you never specified who." He explained. The Master's brightened curiously as a smile slowly crept across his face.

"I don't believe I did." He admitted and Kai wanted to snarl at the arrogance in his voice. Nya must've figured out where Kai was going because she stiffened and protested immediately, but Kai ignored her.

"Then how about this: you let Lloyd and Nya return to the village and never bother either of them again, no imprisonment, no nothing." He bargained, not a glimmer of doubt or hesitation in his eyes.

"You're terms are steep, little candle." The Master said as he circled him, keeping in the shadows. Kai stood his ground. The master was testing him, looking for any sign of weakness, like a predator searching for its prey's weak spot before making the killing blow. "I assume you're willing to offer me something just as valuable in return?"

"No." He said bluntly. "Nowhere near as valuable but it's all I have got to bargain with."

"Very well, but I can't agree unless I know what it is you are offering me, candle?" He replied and Kai shivered when he felt a claw-like hand brush one of his spikey brown bangs behind his ear. He already knew what Kai was going to say, he just wanted to hear him say it.

"You promise to let them go, no tricks, not double-cross, no loopholes, not nothing, and... you can have me, instead."

"KAI NO!"

"That is an awfully steep sacrifice, candle." He said and Kai could hear the smirk in the Master's voice. "You know you'd be giving up everything right? You'd be trapped here until I decide to let you leave and you'd never see your family or your home again."

"It'd be worth it." He said immediately.

"But that's not all." The master continued. A clawed hand tugged on Kai's wrist pulling him into the shadows despite his struggle, while the opposite held his chin forcing him to meet the Master's eyes. "I saw it the moment I first laid eyes on you; you're a spirit as wild as an untamed falcon, a wildfire that burns vigorously with freedom! If you agree to this, you'd be throwing all that away; you'd never be free again and you'd be confined to this castle and the grounds, or, if I ordered it, this very room." He whispered darkly in Kai's ear.

It was a miracle Kai managed to not shiver when he felt those cold, scaly, clawed hands firmly grasp his shoulders.

He was testing him and Kai knew it. Testing his weakness and exploiting everything he loved, knowing he was requiring the teen to sacrifice everything while he lost nothing. Waiting for him to weaken and refuse. Waiting for him to break. Clenching his fists at his side, Kai closed his eyes forgetting his own desires and focusing solely on his siblings. Lloyd needed medicine and he needed Nya to take care of him. That was how it had always been since Ray died.

Kai and Nya would take care of all three of them financially, but only Nya would take care of him and Lloyd emotionally.

They'd both be safe, free from this nightmarish lord, his dark prison, and all it would cost him was everything he ever loved and cared for.

"Come into the light and let me see you," Kai whispered, without turning around.

"What!?" The Master roared as he released his shoulders.

"No disrespect, I just wish to see who it is I'm signing my life away to before I tell you my decision." He explained. It wouldn't matter either way, but if this guy thought he could keep Kai in the dark forever, he was mistaken.

"Swear to me you won't scream." He said after a moment of silence. Kai nodded and braced himself for the worst as the Master stepped into the moonlight. Immediately, Kai looked up. For all his arrogance and selfishness and harsh deeds, the Master was a breathtaking creature. He was human, yet at the same time, he wasn't. The Dragon Lord was indeed the right name. He wasn't human or a dragon, but both. He stood seven feet tall, easily towering over Kai.

A shaggy mop of black hair on the top of his head revealed two pointed fin-like ears.

His dragon fangs glittered pristine white in the moonlight, protruding from his upper lip, visible when he smirked though his face betrayed no emotion. His human body stood firmly with large muscles. Instead of human skin, a clutter of black and dark orange scales formed a spike at both his elbows to his wrists. Smooth dragon scales looked like armor at first glance. The dragonskin glistened down his arms. Sharp black claws that could easily rip him to shreds were at the end of his long fingers.

Kai shivered, remembering them on his shoulders and holding his chin a few moments ago.

Just below his back from both his shoulders, they appeared. Two enormous dragon wings were as big as he was, membraned and muscled, like a bat's, and were topped with a small black spike. They were strong and more powerful and looked like they could consume the brunette in their leathery grasp. They were glowing the same black and dark orange as his scales. Unable to control his body anymore, Kai scanned the rest of the Dragon Lord's body.

His top half was covered by a sleeveless black jacket trimmed with silver and closed in the front.

Behind him, Kai could see a large, muscled tail, glistening with black scales, moving on its own accord, and the end curled like a whip. Moving his eyes from the lethal abdomen, Kai scanned down the Dragon Lord's legs and feet. Black pants tightly hugged the strong legs leaving little to the imagination. More scaled armor covered his legs from the knees down, forming a pair of boot-like dragon legs resembling his claws, but with stronger paws and shorter nails.

"Well?" The Master asked, forcing Kai's gaze to return to those green eyes. Immediately he was trapped by the paralyzing gaze of those sharp orbs with only black slits for pupils. Dragon claws, dragon scales, dragon wings, dragon eyes. Immediately Kai knew where they were, who the Master was, and what was happening and the realization made him dizzy and unable to move. It took all his willpower not to faint as he tried to remember the hybrid's name.

"Y-You're Prince Cole B-Brookstone, the Dragon L-Lord." He stuttered out eventually. Surprise suddenly filled the dragon's eyes, as if shocked someone knew who he was without having to explain his past. But as quickly as it appeared, a smirk replaced it. Beauty, fire, and brains. He truly was a rare jewel.

"That is correct, my candle," Cole smirked, but his eyes bore into Kai's with no emotion, noticing Kai's fierce resistance as he tried desperately not to show fear or desire. "So what do you say now?" He commanded, seductively. His claws danced under Kai's chin making him whimper slightly. "Do we have an agreement?" He asked, trying to intimidate him, but still, Kai refused to show any weakness.

"Kai no!" Lloyd pleaded, through another violent cough.

"You have my word." Kai choked in a whisper.

"Done!" Cole roared releasing the teen and ordering the servants at the door to release Nya and Lloyd. Unable to hold himself up any longer, Kai's knees give way and he collapsed to the floor, closing his eyes and buried his face in his hands to keep tears from falling. The second Jay and Ronin undid their chains, Lloyd threw his arms around his older brother crying, pleading with him to come back. All Kai could do was hold him. He felt Nya hug his shoulders, not saying a word, knowing nothing she said would change his mind.

"Dammit, Kai." She snarled quietly. She didn't have time for anything else. Cole grabbed the back of her cloak, and called for two other servants, and threw her to the two guardsmen.

"Skylor, Chamille, take them back to the village." He commanded before turning back to Lloyd and Kai on the floor. "Time to go, little one." He said in a more civil voice.

"NO! Kai has to come too!" Lloyd screamed, clenching Kai tighter.

"It's alright, green bean, I'll be fine, just go with Nya, alright?" Kai said with forced a smile but Lloyd saw right through it and just continued to cry. With a sigh, Cole snatched the smaller away from Kai and, with a little more care, handed him to Chamille despite Lloyd's struggling and coughing.

"Get them there as fast as you can, and make sure he gets his medicine," Cole ordered the two monsters, before pointing to Lloyd. The two nodded and left, dragging Nya and Lloyd with them, looks of remorse on their face as they tried to block out the pleads and cries coming from all three siblings. Kai made a dash for the door but Cole already locked it. He wrestling with the door and screamed at the top of his lungs before he gave up. He sprinted to the window and clenched the stone windowsill, looking for the guards.

He finally found them, but could barely see them from the tower prison.

He could see his siblings fighting with them, as the guards held a now blindfolded Nya and Lloyd in their arms and took them to the forest. They would make sure they couldn't find their way back to the castle but could get back to the village. His heart shattered when he saw Lloyd, crying and screaming and shouting his full name. He was so scared, but he had no fear for himself or Nya. His fear was a direct result of his beloved brother's unknown fate as the lord's prisoner.

Kai collapsed to the floor in a shaking heap, curled his arms around the window sill, and buried his face in his arms.

He did nothing to stop the river of tears from falling. They were tears of anger, grief, remorse, and loss. He had always hated crying, considered it a weakness, but it seemed impossible not to cry at that moment. The window served as a permanent reminder of the outside world that was forever barred to him since chances were, he'd never set foot outside his current cell. He had signed his life away. His family, his dreams, his freedom, everything he ever held dear, to a devilish creature who knew nothing of sacrifice.

Now was the perfect time to cry...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch9

Chapter 9: The Boy in the Castle

Kai's amber eyes remained fixed on the huge castle before him. The structure stood dark, curved, and magnificent with an unearthly quality that invited doom, but drew unwary travelers to it like ships to a beacon in a raging storm. The two towers boarding the main castle and the multiple spikes, towers, and spires created a jagged line against the sky. Every gargoyle, every window, every arch, and balcony is a perfect mirror of the castle in Kai's mind.

"This is.." He trailed off, the words dying in his throat; his hands gripped the iron bars of the gate so hard the rust of the iron dug into his hands. The only difference between the two castles was this one was dark and foreboding, while the one he was used to was white and rich with life. "This place was only supposed to be a dream! It can't exist." He tried to tell himself and yet there it was. A perfect dark, mirror-image of the castle he saw every time he closed his eyes.

This was where Lloyd and Nya were trapped?

Shaking his head free of the trance once his gaze fell back on Nya's coat, Kai released his grip on the gate then took a few steps back. With a mighty kick, the gates swung open with a loud screech.

"Come on Flame." He called, but the second his foot stepped through the gates a chill ran through his body, either from coldness or fear. The stallion followed, though was much more cautious in his steps and a look of trepidation in his eyes. Kai scowled to himself. Even the horse thinks coming here is a bad idea. But he ignored his own apprehensions and bolted to the entrance.

"Stay here." He told Flame, before cautious climbing up marble steps. He approached the massive doors of the enormous castle, cautiously. The decoration was more lavish than any Kai had seen. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it must've been like centuries prior without age and weather to wither its contents. Swallowing a lump of hesitation, he pulled on the door knockers. The doors open just as the gate did, and once again, the second he stepped through the doors it was like he'd entered another world.

Despite the castle's outwardly withered appearance, the inside was nothing short of magnificent.

With slight hesitation in his step, the teen took a step down the stunning red carpet. Walls of glass were at both sides of him, hazy from years of neglect and caked with dust. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. He could only imagine how lovely the crystals and glass looked in the sunlight. He came to another set of enormous doors, much nicer and more elaborate than the ones outside. Vines and roses were elegantly carved into the fine oak wood, climbing up the sides of the door and surrounding the stunning carving of what looked like an enormous dragon.

Kai shook his head again, forcing himself to stay focused.

The doors flung open with a mighty shove and again he found himself within the depths of the castle. His eyes widened in shock. He had never imagined the inside, nor had he ever dreamed it, but even he had to agree it was far more magnificent than he could have possibly imagined. The front hall alone was huge and alight with enormous iron and crystal chandeliers filled with burning wax candles. Brass candle holders lined the inner hallway.

The small candle flames bathed the entire front entrance in a pale glow.

A majestic marble staircase spiraled in one direction leading above the first staircase to what looked like a balcony-hallway. The hallways were like crystal-lined marble chambers that could lead anywhere. The ceiling seemed to go up and on forever like a giant cathedral. The chains holding the chandeliers vanished in the darkness. Gargoyles and statues embedded in the huge walls above him were in scattered locations. The darkness and years of dust draped the entire castle in an eerie atmosphere, but the history of the castle itself spoke more than a hundred ancient tomes.

"Hello!" Kai called, hearing his voice echo against the empty hallways. "Does anybody live here? Hello!" He called again. His own voice boomed around him, the only drop of sound among the room of silence. "I'm looking for my brother and sister! Hello!" He tried for the third time but still got no answer. Confident that the castle was indeed abandoned he turned to the left towards the first corridor. He started calling Nya and Lloyd's names, unable to shake the feeling that someone was watching him in the main hallway...

****************

"What on earth were you and Tox thinking, Jay?" The white and black-haired man in disappointment. He also had a goatee and black eyebrows that looked similar to Kai's. He wore a gray and tan robe-like attire with a leather collar and belt. Jay was currently lying on his back, atop the dining room table, since it hadn't been used in well over a century. Ronin was pacing around in front of them. Zane was in the other room talking to the castle's seamstresses to pay them any attention.

"I know! I know! I'm sorry!" Jay apologized but it was muffled by his hands covering his face. He sat up and braced himself on his arms. "Look me in the eye, Neuro, and tell me you could've left them freezing to death in the middle of a storm?" He asked as his dark blue orbs met Neuro's brilliant onyx ones. Neuro sighed, running a hand through his hair. The white and black wings he adorned in his Tengu form flexed and flapped in thought. Even long before he'd come to the castle, it was rare a single dark thought filled his mind or he wished malice on anyone.

The very thought of him leaving two innocents alone to fend for themselves and being able to cope with such a choice was nothing short of laughable.

"No, I couldn't even if I wished to." He sighed, turning his teacup in his hands. Jay slid off the table, and gulped down his cold tea in one gulp, hoping the mixture would ease the stress barraging his mind. Sadly, it did nothing.

"He shouldn't have been so harsh though; if he had only given me two seconds to explain..." The ginger-haired teen muttered as he gripped the table so hard his nails dug into the wood. Rising to his feet, Neuro placed and comforting hand on Jay's shoulder. He knew Jay blamed himself for what happened the previous night and felt guilty.

"I won't deny his decision was and is a dreadful mistake, but you know he has his reasons; he suffers more a day than any of us could ever understand." He said as Jay collapsed in a chair, and crossed his arms.

"Doesn't mean he has to be so harsh!"

"I warned you." Ronin snapped. "Didn't I warn you? I told you he'd react that way!" He exclaimed as he ran his hands through his brown hair and gripped the locks tightly. "What were you thinking, Jay! Bringing them inside is one thing, but what were you thinking! Changing their clothes, letting them sleep on the master's favorite couch, playing with the boy!" He ranted, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, excuse me for trying to be hospitable!" Jay retorted. Neuro sighed in annoyance, doing his best to tune out the two boy's argument, if only for his own sake and sanity...

****************

In the other room, Zane had just finished speaking with the castle's seamstresses by the time Nelson burst into the room, wild with excitement. Nelson was a young boy around Lloyd's age with light brown hair combed to the side. He was wearing a purple sweatshirt with white printed on the back and light blue pants. The seamstress was in her true form, a stunning woman with elegant waves of bleached white hair tied in a bun. Her stunning sharp emerald eyes radiated fierce independence but softened when she saw Nelson.

She always had a soft spot for the younger members of the staff.

"Where are you off to in such a rush?" She asked, sweetly.

"Harumi, Zane, you're not gonna believe this!" Nelson practically bounced with excitement. "There's a boy in the castle!"

"We're aware of that, Nelson; he's in the tower with his sister," Zane responded, without taking his eyes off the clipboard.

"Not them, Zane!" Nelson corrected. "There's another boy in the castle! He's here looking for them!"

"Are you sure?" Harumi asked, eyes wide with surprise.

"I'm positive!"

"That's enough, Nelson!" Zane scolded. "We all have work to do including you; no time for stories."

"But Zane—"

"Enough Nelson!" The yeti snapped, but before Zane could say another word, another servant burst into the room with a wide giddy grin. It was a woman with long black hair that was tied back in a tall ponytail with pale, almost grey skin and violet eyes. She wore a dark purple biker outfit. Harumi jumped in surprise at her sudden entrance.

"Ultra Violet! You'll give me a heart attack!" She scolded her wife. Though Harumi and Ultra Violet were the same age, Violet always acted so much younger.

"What is it, Ultra Violet?" Zane asked, sternly, clearly not in the mood for any more surprises since the previous night.

"THERE'S A BOY IN THE CASTLE! AN ACTUAL BOY!" She shrieked, almost bursting with happiness. Harumi's jaw hit the floor. Zane's eyes bulged out of his skull.

"I told you so!" Nelson screamed with a glare and a wide smirk...

****************

Neuro's hand clenched the teacup and plate so hard it almost shattered. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes in frustration, unable to decide if he should yell at the two arguing boys in front of him or drag them upstairs by their ears.

"I don't care if the Master is being unfair, that's already been established! Fact is you put them in danger!" Ronin accused.

"Well excuse me for trying to be nice!" Jay retorted meeting the man's angry gaze.

"Figures, the first two people to enter this fucking place in a hundred years, and we get them both imprisoned in a tower for the rest of their lives!" The troll snarled as he turned away and started pulling at his hair in frustration. Jay growled in anger. Neuro slammed the cup down on the table.

"Silence the both of you!" He scolded them both, causing both of them to turn their heads. They knew full well of the temper that was hidden behind Neuro's polite and stoic appearance, but it was still a shock when it surfaced. "If you two do not refrain from arguing this very second, so help me God I will—"

"Nya?" An unfamiliar voice suddenly echoed nearby. All three servants froze and bolted towards the source of the voice, their anger was forgotten. A flash of red passed the dining room entrance. Jay and Ronin met eyes before throwing themselves up and gripping the side of the wall. Their eyes widened and their mouths gaped in shock.

"It's a boy!" Jay announced.

"No, ya think?" Ronin retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"What is he doing here?" Neuro asked as he blinked in shock, bewilderment, and worry. A giddy smile crossed Jay's face, and he started bouncing up and down in happiness.

"I knew it! I knew it! Don't you see?" He explained dancing around a bewildered Ronin. "He's the one! The one we've been waiting for! The one who's going to break the spell!"

"Jay, we've been through this, you're optimizing again!" Ronin said extremely patiently and panicked as if he were talking to an insane asylum patient.

"And it's paid off!" Jay beamed before he suddenly bounced before dashing to catch up to their guest.

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" Neuro called, then cried out in shock when a purple dash crashed into him and another dove over him.

"Sorry, Neuro!" Nelson apologized over his shoulder. Tox bolted after her smaller friend in her naga form, before transforming back into her own human form without halting in her step. Before Neuro could voice a protest, several gusts of wind bolted past him, sending him to the floor again. The first one came from a small glowing pixie with purple wings and a familiar, giddy grin. She was followed by a stunning woman with long white hair, pointed ears, talons for hands and feet, and jade green feathered wings growing from her arms.

Another fairy and a purple naga followed closely behind her.

"Sorry, Neuro, we're in a rush!" The purple pixie, Ultra Violet, called over her thin, amethyst wings.

"What the hell is going on?" Neuro demanded.

"They're a boy in the castle!" The fairy paused in mid-flight to respond, before following the others. Neuro remained sitting on the floor, his jaw slacked in shock, and his eyes bulged with confusion.

"Has everyone lost their minds?"...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch8

Chapter 8: The Proposal

Kai suddenly jumped out of his skin and stumbled into a heap on the floor. After untangling himself, Kai shook his head and found himself on the kitchen floor. His book lied open on the table and the chair he'd fallen asleep in tipped over when he stumbled. A loud knocking against the front door sent obnoxious vibrations through the entire house. He punched the floor in frustration. It took all his willpower not to destroy everything within two feet of him.

It wasn't the first time he'd fallen asleep reading a book, but it was the closest he'd ever come to seeing his dream lover or kissing him.

The obnoxious pounding on his front door only increased his already burning fury. The furious brunette stormed to his feet and stomped to the front door before unlocking it and throwing it open. He intended to take his rage on the idiot foolish enough to wake him from such a wonderful dream.

"WHAT!" He bellowed. Then his jaw hit the floor, out of shock more than anything else.

"Why hello darling," Morro flashed a seductive smirk, swaggering into the house. The duke's swagger wasn't in any way surprising; in fact, Morro visited the Smith's home frequently in his attempts to either seduce Kai or bribe Nya into a marriage contract. The fact that he'd invited himself in wasn't a surprise either. Being the Duke, he would claim it was his own right to be allowed in. Dismissing of him would be a direct insult and utter rudeness.

What shocked Kai to the core was that this time, however, and only this time, Morro had arrive draped in nothing but a wedding suit and was holding up a gorgeous, white-laced wedding dress to the brunette!

It was clearly tailored for Kai. Heck, it even had his full name stitched on the tag. The dress left the top of the shoulders uncovered, but didn't cover the sides and flows down into an elegant plunging neckline. It's a relaxed fit which makes the dress look comfortable, yet elegant and stylish. The arms had been left uncovered. A choice that added to the elegance and grace of the dress. The dress's waist was wide, but it was a comfortable fit. A small, elegant belt helped accentuate the waist without being too much.

Below the waist, the dress widened and has a bell style.

The dress reached well above the ankles and was slightly longer at the sides and back of the dress. The final touch was the white veil embroidered with flowers. At first, Kai was too shocked to say anything, but once his head cleared enough to think straight, he turned to the duke, glaring.

"Morro... what a pleasant surprise." He kept his voice civil solely out of respect for his relatives. The words rolled like poison off his tongue. Misinterpreting this as a sign of approval, Morro smiled a smile that curled at the corners.

"I'm sure." He brushed up against the brunette, leaning in close, causing Kai to take a step back. His green eyes flashed like a siren about to seduce its prey. It was a miracle of Kai's will that he hadn't already thrown the duke out of the house. He exhaled a breath when Morro pulled back and looked around his home. He sighed with disapproval. "Why do you live in this God-forsaken house, Kai? It's so... small and plain, and it's in the middle of the woods?" He complained.

Kai clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, his face was red with rage.

"I like my house; it's more than enough room for me, Nya, and Lloyd and we actually quite enjoy the walk to town and the woods; Nya finds it inspirational." He answered, doing his best to keep his voice civil.

"I wasn't asking if you tolerated it." Morro snapped, strolling towards him again. "I was saying..." He began until he caught his reflection in the hallway mirror. He stopped and smirked at the handsome god in the mirror, and ran his hand through the jet black locks, and straightened his bow tie. Kai scowled in disgust. Morro was as shallow as a puddle. Once the Duke was finished entertaining himself, he strolled back to Kai in that seductive swagger the brunette was beginning to hate more and more.

"I wasn't asking if you could tolerate it, darling, I simply meant that you deserve more." He smirked as he brushed against him causing him to take a long step backward. "Surely, you've always dreamed of something better than this?" He purred and Kai raised an eyebrow at this. He dreamed of getting out of this rat hole and of what he could learn, where he could go, and what he could see. Not what house he lived in. It took all of Kai's willpower not to roll his eyes.

Only Morro would care for something so frivolous.

"And what exactly do I deserve?" He demanded, expressionlessly, crossing the room to return to the kitchen. Morro's smile curled, taking a step towards Kai.

"You, my darling, deserve the best and only the best."

"And what is that." He asked, his neutral mask refused to fade.

"A grand, beautiful home filled to brim with treasures and endless elegant rooms." He swooned, brushing up against him again. Kai stepped back but Morro stepped forward. "A high title and position worthy of your status, the respect, and admiration of all the people around you, a house full of servants to wait on you hand and foot and, of course..." His fingers danced up Kai's chest, making him shiver in horror. Kai gripped the table, resisting the urge to grab the man in front of him by the neck and throw him out the window.

Respect for his family forced his temper under control.

"You need a spouse; someone who is gorgeous, educated, well-respected, highly thought of, someone who has known you your entire life; to ravish you each and every night and spoil you with whatever your heart desires." He grinned and Kai swore his skin turned green when the noirette said ravish. He couldn't even concentrate on the rest. By some miracle, he managed to hold his stomach and worm his way out of his grasp, unable to listen to Morro's ridiculous delusion of his wishes anymore.

Again his gift of words failed him, unable to find a world revolting enough to describe the spoiled and selfish dream world Morro was creating.

"And you know who that woman would be?" He asked as he cut him off when he escaped into the hallway.

"I can't even imagine." He retorted, not even trying to hide the sarcasm in his voice.

"Me, darling." The duke said gleefully, in a voice so giddy, it would make even the strongest of men, sick to their stomachs. "And all it takes is one little question…" He growled seductively as he pushed himself up against the brunette, as he skillfully backed up until he felt his back hit the front door.

"Morro, are you asking me what I think you're asking me?" Kai gulped as his amber eyes almost bulged out of his skull in a mixture of anger, shock, and disbelief. Morro's eyes turned dangerous with impatience. The noirette braced his arms on either side of Kai trapping him between him and the front door, and never in his life had Kai cursed his short height more than he did then.

"You aren't very bright are you darling? Let's be clear then; I am going to marry you!" He exclaimed and his eyes lowered seductively, as he moved his face closer, not noticing Kai's free hand wrap around the doorknob.

"I do have something I want to tell you," Kai smirked, feeling morally obligated to all humankind for the good deed he was about to do. Smirking in victory, Morro closed his eyes and leaned forward waiting for Kai's lips to meet his. "OVER MY DEAD, ROTTING BODY!" He suddenly shouted in burning rage. A sharp turn of the doorknob and dodge to the left by Kai and Morro was so overcome by surprise. He screamed when he stumbled through the door and straight into the mud that had been acuminating after last night's storm.

The once stunning white wedding dress he had been holding was now completely ruined by the sticky brown mud.

A band suddenly roared to life, until a series of collective gasps filled the air. Kai felt his jaw drop. The entire town stood in front of his house dressed in tuxes and ball gowns. A gazebo, decorated in white roses with a priest holding a bible standing beneath it, stood at the edge of the property. A red carpet covered in white petals led from the gazebo to a few feet from the mud where the duke had landed. All the eyes of the town folks were glued to either Morro or Kai.

A few people glared at the brunette with jealously, while some were in tears.

Even a large, delicious-looking wedding cake had been placed in the center of a silk cloth-covered table and surrounded by goblets filled with red wine.

"You arranged an entire wedding behind my back?" Kai growled shaking with fury. All control vanished in a single instant. Furious amber eyes bore into Morro like pools of fire. "Get. This. Through. Your skull. Morro." He spat his name as if it were poison. "I. Will. NEVER. EVER. MARRY. YOU! Now get off my property and FSM help you if you come back because I will not be responsible for my actions!" He roared. He then slammed the door shut, sending the entire town into shock.

Morro's screams of fury were the last things he heard before he bolted through the house and out the back.

He crashed into the side of the deck, panting uncontrollably. Shock, anger, disgust, and a dozen other emotions burned through his veins all at once, consuming him and making it impossible to think straight. He couldn't even speak coherently or even say the word. The very realization was too horrific for his mind to comprehend. He knew full well what Morro wanted, but the man lived and breathed formalities, and that dictated one had to ask permission of the parents first then ask the person to marry them.

Morro was not bold enough to defy the traditions that dictated his place in society, only because they gave him all the power he wanted.

He had dropped hints, made advances, and whatever else to persuade Kai to marry him. But he had never shown up at his house demanding he accepted his proposal. The fact he'd arrived with a wedding dress and had the entire town outside his front door as if expecting Kai to marry him that second was even worse! Kai couldn't stand being the idea of being the husband of that pompous asshole. He jumped over the railing of the deck and bolted across the yard, so fast, the fields vanished under him and the trees were a blur.

He didn't stop.

It wasn't until he found himself skidding in the dirt, barely stopping in front of the pond and falling back into a bed of daisies and dandelions in their cotton form, that he finally calmed himself down enough to think. Kai panted like he ran a marathon. The blood still accumulated in his face, but his color was still pale. Tears streaked his cheeks, purely from shock more than anything else. He didn't know what was wrong with people. He grabbed his head and screamed as loud as he could in frustration, but only because he knew this far from town no one could hear him.

He didn't feel better once he stopped.

He felt embarrassed. Still, he fell back against the field and calmed himself down, wishing more than ever he'd given in to Lloyd's demands. Once he's calmed down, he sat up, bunched his knees against his chest, and buried his face in his hands. He wanted out of this God-forsaken dirt farm not to be trapped in it and being married to the duke until death did they part. He knew no one in this stupid town would accept or see him as anything other than what they wanted him to be.

They only saw him as another part of their perfect unspoken plan.

No one cared about his wishes or what he wanted. They only cared about how he fitted into their provincial grand design. He knew that would be the case since the day he arrived, but it still. How could it not when everyone around you drills and hammers it into your skull that who you are and everything about you is wrong? Kai wiped the tears from his cheeks, refusing to cry or shed a single tear for the town he'd been forced to call home. He couldn't even begin to imagine how much Vincent was writhing in his grave for what Morro did to the place.

Or who much his parents were kicking themselves for leaving the twins and Lloyd to fend for themselves.

Kai promised himself that he was getting out of there. He didn't care how did it or when. He was getting out of that place and was never coming back. His hand soon discovered a stem and he turned to it. A dandelion stood there. Its cottony seeds were in full bloom, ready to be swept away by the wind. A childish game of making wishes and blowing on dandelions flashed in Kai's mind. He carefully picked the stem and twirled the cottony blossom in his hand.

It was a silly thing to do, really, but at that moment it seemed right.

"I wish for someone to understand me; someone who will love me for who I am and nothing less." He wished before taking a large intake of breath and releasing it over the seeds. The cottony seeds dispersed in an instant sending strands fluttering into the distances, carrying with them his deepest wish. A sudden high-pitched cry broke his serenity. Kai's eyes widened in recognition. Sitting up, his fears were confirmed when a brown blob charged straight for him.

It was their horse, Flame, still attached to the caravan.

Kai was on his feet in a second. He bolted to the stallion. Flame skid to a stop, clearly not wanting to hurt his master, the cavern rolled and jolted forward then back in response. Kai grabbed the reigns and stroked the stallion, speaking soothing words until the horse was calmed. Flame's intelligent eyes gazed into Kai's sadly. The brunette's heart plummeted when he noticed the horse was missing its rider and no one was inside or on the caravan.

Panic swept through him as he turned to the stallion, with terrified eyes.

"Flame, where are Nya and Lloyd? Did you lose them? Are they hurt?" He asked the horse desperately. Understanding the boy's fear, Flame neighed loudly before gesturing his head back towards the forest. Taking in the boy's bewildered look, the horse tried to move as far as the caravan would allow towards the path he'd come from as if telling him to follow. Understanding what the horse was saying, Kai's eyes widened. His hands grabbed the reigns tying Flame to the caravan and he viciously untied the knots and set it on the floor.

He bolted across the field, charged into the house, and grabbed his black winter coat off the hook, and threw it on over a long-sleeved red shirt and black pants.

He pulled on his riding boots and grabbed the scarlet scarf Maya made him before running back outside. The stallion was still waiting for him and gestured for Kai to climb on. Once the rider was settled, with a flick of the reigns the strong horse took off. Determination fired Kai's blood at the thought of the only family he had left lost in the woods, alone and without help. The townspeople made no effort to hide their fears when it came to the large, frightening forest.

They had all heard nothing but horror stories about that place.

Dr. Saunders had once told to the siblings that many of the townsfolk believed the stories of a cursed family who used to rule these very lands over a century ago before a wizard cursed them. Dr. Saunders told those stories in an effort to convince people that stories were meant to entertain and not believe. The superstitious residents believed them nonetheless. Even Ray warned the siblings never to venture too deep into the woods.

"Go Flame!" Kai commanded, waving his hands in the reigns. Detecting the urgency in his voice gave Flame the sudden burst of speed he needed until the horse found himself in a familiar forest clearing. Sunlight had dipped beneath the trees lighting the darkness of the forest with an orange and violet glow.

"Is this the place?" Kai asked the horse. Flame neighed in response. Heaving himself over Flame's side, Kai slid down from the saddle and look around. The horse sniffed the ground for any traces of Nya and Lloyd but the storm had washed away most of the trail. Anything to indicate the direction Kai's siblings went was covered by rivers of mud and a carpet of leaves from the storm. Kai swore, bending down to examine the ground. The rain had washed a mountain of mud over the area, burying any traces of footprints that might have been left behind.

His eyes meticulously scanned the forest floor, for any clues as to what happened, until he finally left the road and searched the bushes.

His hand suddenly found something smooth and tough almost like leather. With a flutter of hope, Kai gripped the cloth and ripped it free from the branches and mud on top of it, and shook it open. He recognized the material instantly. He growled as he clutched Lloyd's coat so hard his knuckles turned white.

"They were here, Flame, and if I know Nya, if they're lost in a storm the first thing going through her mind is finding shelter, especially if Lloyd's hurt." He told the stallion. The horse nodded in agreement, before sniffing the ground again. Slowly, he started to walk, following whatever was left of the scent. Kai followed, searching for any sign as to which direction his siblings must've gone. A loud neigh knocked Kai out of his thoughts. Flame grabbed his scarf with his teeth and pulled the brunette teen toward another path in the woods, before gesturing his head to the path.

It was different from the others.

Unlike the dirt paths caked with mud and overgrown with plants, this one was smoothed and made of fine cobblestones. Small plants and weeds were dotted it but the ground remained in place and that was when Kai saw them. Footprints made from boots, sinking thickly in the mud, symbolizing the owner was carrying some extra weight when the prints were made.

"Flame, you are brilliant!" He laughed as he hugged the brown horse's neck, before climbing back on. With a snap of the reigns, the horse took off, following the path and the prints deeper and deeper into the woods, until at last the woods came to an abrupt end. The path led to an enormous gate of rusted black iron standing so profoundly. A grey cloak lied past the gates on the side of the road where its owner must've collapsed. Kai dismounted gracefully, pulling on Flame's reigns until his fingers intertwined with the bars of the gate.

His family was there.

They had to be. His eyes followed the path all the way to the end. His amber eyes bulged in stunned awe.

"It can't be..." He whispered as shock and disbelief reeled through his entire being. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in surprise. "That's... not possible."...

The Flame and the Dragon Ch 7

Chapter 7: The Master

"What the hell were you thinking!" A voice rang in Nya's head as she felt herself slowly regaining consciousness. She tried to shake the weariness from her mind and focus on the different voices echoing around her.

"Well, we weren't leaving them to freeze to death out in the rain all night." A soft voice argued.

"Yeah, and it's hard to ignore two people who suddenly dropped on your doorstep." A third voice with a laid back, casual tone to it added. The first voice shrieked in frustration.

"I don't care! I understand you guys wanted to help the poor things, really I do, but think about home! What do you think he's gonna do when he comes downstairs, finds us taking care of two strangers who are currently sitting on his favorite couch, after having trespassed! He isn't going to consider you're good deed!"

"Then don't tell him, Zane." A fourth, female voice entered, heavy with a hissing sound.

"Don't encourage them, Tox!" The first voice, Zane, scolded the woman, Tox.

"Come on Zane, we can't just leave them out in the storm? I mean we could just..." The soft voice argued timidly, pausing as if to ponder his options. "Just let them stay here the night and let them leave before he wakes up? The Master will never know."

"Jay..." Zane addressed the boy to who the diffident voice belonged too. "Look me in the eye and tell me you actually believe that will work?"

"Oh for FSM's sake, Zane." The unidentified voice howled, followed a stomping foot. "What do you suggest we do?" He challenged. Silence soon followed, allowing Nya time to recover and force her eyes to open. Haziness filled her vision as lights suddenly filled them but she blinked them away and sat up. Relieved to find Lloyd next to her. He was fast asleep, breathing normally, and wrapped in a warm blanket, and his clothes, hair, and skin bone dry.

She couldn't help but smile at how cute he looked sleeping.

She looked down at herself, not only to find she was no longer on the cobblestone path but a soft leather couch, covered by a thick fur blanket. The rainwater has been stripped to the last drop from her clothes, hair, and skin, much to her shock, though she refused to complain. Nya shook away the last waves of sleep and turned to thank their caretakers. But when she turned to the source of the voices she found not people, but four creatures standing in a circle.

One was a troll, one was a white yeti, and one was a green naga.

The last was a creature she didn't recognize. Its body was composed of lightning and with the form of a white and blue fox. Lloyd stirred awake, cutely rubbing his eyes, and shook his head adjusting to the light. The blue fox gently strolled over to Lloyd. It started climbing up the couch like a cat and perched itself on the headrest before cutely holding out a small paw for the boy to shake.

"Hi there, I'm Jay." It smiled and Lloyd's reaction was that of a wound-up spring. The small boy screamed and jumped and fell backward all in one motion, his hand missing the couch and fell into nothing causing him to crash to the floor in a heap. His eyes bulged out of his skull when the furry creature looked over the edge of the couch.

"You okay?" Jay asked.

"A talking fox?" Lloyd muttered from the floor, his voice speaking automatically, shaking. Nya was clearly frozen from shock.

"I'm not a talking fox! I'm a raijū!" Jay stomped his foot, rising to his feet insulted. He growled when he heard the troll and naga snickering, threatening to burst into laughter. Lloyd repositioned himself onto his knees just in time to meet toxic green eyes. The green naga smiled brightly.

"Hey! Name's Tox, what's yours? And before you ask, I'm a naga."

"I'm... Lloyd." He replied, momentarily forgetting to breathe, but answered nonetheless, before turning his he'd to his sister. She was frozen on the couch, with Jay floating around her head on a ball of electricity, waving his blue paws in front of her face.

"Hello? Is she mute?"

"She's in shock, you idiot!" The troll howled. "I'm Ronin, by the way."

"So who are you?" Lloyd smiled at the quiet yeti.

"I am Zane, a yeti with the power to control the element of ice," Zane explained, holding out a clawed hand to Lloyd. Lloyd shook the yeti's claw.

"I'm Lloyd and that's my big sister Nya." She smiled at his elder sibling. Though shock was evident all over her face, Nya held up a hand and waved.

"Oh for the love of FSM." Ronin smacked his forehead before a brilliant glow surrounded his body. A second later, the troll vanished and the light expanded until a tall human man stood in its place. He had wavy brown hair, dark brown eyes with the beginning of a beard on his face. He wore a dark cyan jumper with light brown pants and a large red hat. His arms crossed over his chest as he turned to the siblings.

"Is this better?" He asked but Nya fell out of her seat, still in shock.

"Perhaps this will help?" Zane suggested and a flash of turquoise and in place of the slender, white yeti stood a tall, strongly-built boy, around Ronin's height. He had platinum blonde, almost snowy white, hair that stood up straight in something like a crew cut and bright icy blue eyes. He wore white pants and shoes with a long-sleeved, cyan blue shirt under a navy blue knitted vest. The newly turned man offered a hand to the youngest Smith who was still on the floor.

Lloyd took it without thinking unable to take his eyes off the white-haired man standing before him.

Lloyd's eyes darted to Zane, then Jay, then Ronin and Tox. Tox and Jay looked at the other and smiled, before answering his unasked question. Jay landed on the floor, bathed in a navy blue light, before the blue fox he once was transformed into his true form. He was a young man with reddish-brown curly hair with brown eyebrows and light freckles. He usually wore a blue jacket with a white stripe over a white t-shirt and blue pants with an orange wooly scarf.

Despite his mature features his large, dark blue eyes and mischievous smile radiated innocence and youth.

They all looked to the naga. Tox smiled and a light green flash was the only warning anyone had before in the green naga's place stood a small, petite, almost delicate girl who was around Nya's age. She had long green hair tied back into a ponytail similar to Nya's with sickly, pale, yellowish skin and bright green eyes. Around her neck was a black, studded choker. She was wearing a ripped green tank top that was cut short to reveal her stomach and black, torn-up jeans.

Even though all of them were in human form they still had a few tell-tale signs that they weren't fully human.

Tox still had snake eyes and Ronin's ears were pointed and he had fangs poking out of his mouth. Zane still had a cold air around him and every time he exhaled the siblings could see his breath. Jay's limbs occasionally twitched with electricity.

"I'm sorry if I sound rude, but you three know they can't stay here! It's bad enough you even brought them inside!" Zane suddenly glared, dragged them back to the issue at hand.

"We didn't mean to intrude," Nya explained, "I just needed to find Lloyd shelter from the storm, we'll leave in the morning."

"Hell no!" Jay cut him off. "You're not intruding at all! Zane is just worried about the Master that's all, but he's asleep, just let us warn him quickly that you're here, and then—"

Suddenly an earth-shattering roar echoed through the castle shaking everyone within it to their knees. A tremor ran through Nya's body and Lloyd threw himself in his sister's arms, shaking in fear. The master was awake, and he was furious with the four creatures. A sharp gust of wind roared through the castle, silencing all the candles and shrouding everything in darkness. Despite the fear wracking their bodies the four creatures moved to hide their guests as best they could.

It was a vain attempt to hold their master's anger.

All four of them shook in fear. They knew full well the Master would never harm them, but just his presence alone was intimidating.

"Nya, I'm scared." Lloyd trembled as he tried to hide in his sister's coat.

"Shh, it'll be alright, I've got you." Nya soothed in a vain attempt to calm him down. But she screamed when suddenly a loud gust of wind like the beat of giant wings followed by the loud thump of someone landing behind him before the siblings or the creature could react, and then suddenly she came face to face with two blazing green eyes with black slits, not human, almost like a dragon's. Kai stories flashed in Nya's mind like old photographs.

Stunned mystification caused her eyes to bulge.

"That's not possible," She muttered as her mind began spinning and her body felt faint, but she stood her ground. She couldn't show fear with Lloyd in her arms. The master glared at her, those impossibly green eyes bore into her terrified ocean eyes like piercing arrows. Then he chuckled, a low callous laugh.

"Is that all you can do?" He spoke in a dark, humorous hiss. His green eyes aligned with the fire of hurt and rage that seemed so much older and deeper than his youth. "Stare at me, like I'm some kind of monster."

"It's our fault, not theirs! We're the ones who brought them here!" Jay, who had always been outspoken, tried in vain to defend them but the master's loud growl soon silenced him. Even Zane, who was one of the few who could speak to the master freely, shivered at his temper.

"We mean no harm," Nya replied. "My brother and I just needed shelter from the storm." She explained. The eyes left her and the moment they did, Nya felt as if some enchantment upon her had broken, until she realized the master has not even noticed Lloyd until that point. Before she could speak another world, Lloyd's screamed pierced the night, followed by Nya's when she felt Lloyd ripped from her arms. Something cold and metallic, wrap around her arm, prying them apart harshly.

"Please don't hurt my brother!" She screamed, without thinking. The master's eyes bulged in both horror and confusion before bitterness and humor once again filled them. Harsh laughter spilled from the master's lips shaking everyone to the core.

"Of course that would be your first assumption, too bad; I was going to be lenient, but since it seems you don't know how to hold your tongue, I suppose you'll need a harsher lesson." The master spoke arrogantly, in a tone that froze Nya's core, she couldn't see Lloyd in the darkness but could hear his tears and trembling. Each one ripped another piece of her apart.

"Zane, put them to bed, now." He ordered, glaring at Ronin, Jay, and Tox. Zane reluctantly nodded and obeyed. Eyes wide, the trio moved to flee, but Zane caught them before they could escape. In a flash of light, the boys and Tox human forms vanished and the three creatures fell to the floor. Again they attempted to make a dash for the nearest door, but the Zane caught them in ice before they could escape. They struggled if only to help their new friends.

The master simply snorted at their efforts.

"That's all they'll ever see me as." He muttered in a harsh voice, ceased all of their strugglings. The tone he said it in made it impossible to tell if he was speaking to the siblings or the other four creatures. "They'll only see me as a... a monster" He hissed in a voice of rage and bitterness, before scolding harshly at the trio's loud protests.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" He commanded before flying away dragging his thrashing and screaming prisoners with him, towards the tower. Guilt and remorse poisoned the four creatures. Even Jay could no longer struggle as Zane brought them upstairs to the room they shared for as long as they could remember. The guilt and harshness of their master's tone hurt more than the extremely light punishment ever could. Even worse were Lloyd's screams of terror echoing through the castle until the loud clang of the tower door slamming shut replaced it.

A gloom once again settled over the castle as their master retreated brokenly to his only sanctuary.

A silent shiver of hope was tearing thread by thread that they would ever be free. Or the master's true love would ever come to free their prince from the undeserving and unspeakable fate that was sure to come the following spring...