Cassandra Pendragon

The speed I could reach in the far less dense atmosphere was breathtaking. I felt like a meteor, my wings igniting the thin air along my passage while silvery and orange sparks whirled around me in a chaotic dance. Every small movement of my tails changed my trajectory immediately and I had to be careful as to not lose control and start tumbling head over tails through the sky. At my speed, I could easily have lost consciousness or simply broken the bones in my body from the immense forces that tore at my limbs.

At first, I could only feel that I was actually moving, my position didn’t change in relation to the carpet of toys below me and if it hadn’t been for the thrumming in my ears and the screaming forces of my passage, I would have started to panic, thinking I was stuck behind the horizon. While I descended faster and faster, the prevalent smell of ozone slowly turned into that of burning oxygen, mixed with hints of vaporising water and something salty, which reminded me of the sea, but soon, even that was lost. Colours, sounds, smells, it all became jumbled, and still I accelerated.

I had to close my eyes when the air around me became thicker, and started to burn along my body. On instinct I managed to form a cushion of power between my skin and the raging flames, a blanket of energy that kept me safe when even stone and metal would have melted and been reduced to stardust. Somewhere deep down I knew that I should slow down, that I wouldn’t be able to dodge or break in time if anything crossed my path but with my newfound power circling through my veins I felt intoxicated, the rush of adrenaline mixed with the surge of magic that pumped through me, made me feel invincible, untouchable… free.

I cast caution to the wind, pushed a constant stream of power from my core to gain a modicum of sense what was going on around me and angled my body in the direction my tattoo showed me, a sparkling torrent of light that guided me through a silvery world. Time passed, seconds, minutes, hours… I couldn’t say, I was filled with joy, my heartbeat a fluttering staccato in my chest and I knew without a doubt that this hadn’t been the last time I had taken a plunge like that. It was difficult to describe, but when my six tails trailed through the air like rudders made of silver, the waves in the wake of my wings cut through the skies like knifes of pure magic, I laughed form the bottom of my heart in the knowledge that I had found the place where I belonged.

I was a wanderer, bound to the endless sky and I would always be falling from one world to another, flying between two realms, just on the edge of what was and what could have been while mortal emotions tethered my immortal core to reality. I needed everything that was waiting for me, the woes and worries, the struggle and strive, I needed the love that I was so willingly offered and I needed the security and trust my family provided. But yet, I would always be rushing away, towards another horizon, only to bounce back and seek shelter from what I had found. I would always return.

Tears formed in the corner of my eye and flushed with energy as they were, I felt them being brushed away, another glittering layer of light behind me. My magic swelled with every moment, a growing fire in my chest, digging deeper to reach the yet untapped wells within me, where my life force burned and even deeper still, towards my soul. I knew that I was again on the cusp of losing control, of reaching too far and with a valiant effort, I pulled back, my wings spread wide as I slowed down. When I opened my eyes, the colours of the world and the warmth of the setting sun again flowed over me.

The eternal churning of the ocean, the cries of tropical birds that rose into the evening sky, the smells of salt and seaweed, burning charcoal, roasted meat and a bit fainter, herbs and ancient trees welcomed me. I was still hundreds of metres above the island, but I had found my way back and apparently my arrival hadn’t gone unnoticed. Ahri was racing towards me fast enough that the flames form her wings were streamers of crimson fire, reflected beautifully on her tresses of flowing hair. Even across the distance I could see her bright, green eyes shine, even more brightly than her wings. She truly looked like an angel.

If it hadn’t been for her embarrassingly funny expression, a mixture of relief, happiness, concern and fear, which made her frown and smile at the same time, she might have looked a bit scary, even to me. “I’m okay,” was all I said before I shot forwards.

We were in each others arms a moment later. I felt her lips on mine, a spark of energy ignited when we touched and for a few, breathless moments there was no need to speak.

“I’ve been worried,” she finally whispered. “Was it bad?” I shook my head.

“No, the memories were a bit… sad, maybe. But the transformation…” I kissed her again.

“It’s amazing I can see… I can feel so much more. I always knew you are beautiful, but this… when I look at you now, I can see your magic, crimson and alive… and I can almost taste it, radiating off your skin. It’s almost as if I was blind and now, someone has pulled away the shutters form my eyes.” Her hand wandered down my cheek to come to rest above my heart, before she asked, slightly anxious:

“What about this? Has anything changed between us?” I smiled and caressingly slung my tails around her.

“Does it feel like it? If anything has changed, I’m even happier to have you with me. I’m not going to leave you, I never have and I never will. I am yours for as long as you want me. And even if you don’t, I’ll wait until you change your mind. I already did.”

“Have you dreamt about us again?”

“Partly, but nothing I didn’t know before. Lucifer was… I am just glad that I have the chance to hold you in my arms again.” I leaned forward and tried to convey what I couldn’t put into words with another kiss. I wanted her to know just how much she meant to me. I thought I managed to get my message across when she practically melted into me, her warmth an enticing blanket I never wanted to cast off.

“I love you, too,” she mumbled a few second later. “While we are still alone, want to tell me what you saw?”

“Frankly, not that much, but it could be darn useful. When you… you know, left me behind, I ran to earth and trespassed on Amazeroth’s domain. With a little help from an old friend, I decided to check on my own future and when I realised that I was going to have one, I made something for me. A device that’ll allow me to teleport to a couple of place, but I haven’t seen where it might take me. I do know how to get my hands on it, though. At least, if I haven’t messed up.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I didn’t know you could do that. Spying on your future, I mean. Are you still able to?”

“I think so, but… I’ve already told you that I met Lucifer face to face. He explicitly told me not to try, not unless I’m much more resilient. I imagine the backlash of interacting with my future, heck, probably even my past, would be too much for me to handle right now. So… unless your life depends on it, I’m not going to try.”

“It doesn’t sound like you should, even then.”

“No, it really doesn’t, but I guess in that case I won’t really care. Best to stay safe and sound, don’t you agree?” She nodded, her hair tickling my chin when she buried her face in the nape of my neck.

“How long do you think we can stay here before someone comes to fetch us,” I asked quietly.

“Not for long, the sun is almost setting and I imagine the dwarfs are already waiting for us. They want to bury their comrades tonight, remember? And I assume your mother is already tearing through the tents in frustration. She really loves you, you know, and it’s killing her that she can’t truly help you anymore. Not to mention your dragon, demon and the… three fey you adopted.”

“Of course… just out of curiosity, are you still set on announcing our engagement tonight?”

“Definitely. While you were gone I talked to Xorlosh. He thinks it’s a good idea. Unless you changed your mind?” She tried to sound casual but I could hear the faint trace of anxiety in her voice.

“Never. Which reminds me… when I fell from the sky, I spotted a few islands not too far away. I know we’re not getting married, but I’d still like to take you away for a day or two, leave all the madness behind. When we know where everybody’s headed, we can take some time for ourselves, an advanced honeymoon, if you will. That is…. If you want to.” She bit my ear playfully but her tails tightened around my waist before she replied:

“Don’t ask stupid questions. If it was up to me, we could go right now… but I know you want to play a part in the burial and probably have a dozen things to take care of beforehand. Uh… speaking of things to take care of… remember how upset Viyara was, earlier today?”

“Of course. Am I going to find out why?” She nodded and bit her lip.

“The thing is… I’m almost certain that you have another sibling.” I gasped. Of all the things she could have said, that wasn’t something I had expected. For a split second I thought she had to be joking but I knew her well enough to know that one, she truly believed what she had said and two, she’d never make a tasteless joke about an important part of my life. When I looked into her eyes, I saw her worry and I squeezed her hand lightly to prompt her to go on.

“Viyara came to me instead of you because she wasn’t sure, but… alright, first of all I’m talking about Reia. She most likely… definitely is closely related to Mordred. I can’t say if it’s through your mom, your dad or both of them, but it’s practically certain that she shares in his blood.”

“How did you figure that out?”

“I didn’t, Viyara did with the help of one of the kids, Estrella… do you remember Ignus’ story?”

“Which one, exactly?”

“About the Pendragons and that you might be the descendants of an ancient, shapeshifting, draconic family? Reia has a very similar form of magic inside of her, and it’s practically the same with your brother. While sparks of it can be found among most of your people, there’s no one but those two who carries enough to make a difference. Unfortunately we can’t check if it’s the same with you and your mother, since…”

“Since our bodies and our magic have been altered so much, I see. And because my father is gone, there’s no way to know for certain but since Mordred can’t be Reia’s father, they’re most likely siblings… or could he? Have you spoken to him? Or my mum?” She shook her head.

“No, I wanted to talk to you first. There’s another possibility. She could also be Arthur’s. If she is Mordred’s daughter it won’t matter too much, but if she is the child of one of your parents, or Arthur’s…” she didn’t finish her sentence, she didn’t have to. Arthur was married, as were my parents. Our culture didn’t take lightly to adultery, neither of a husband, nor a wife. While it would be mostly embarrassing and somewhat painful if my parents were involved, considering all that was left of our nation was a boatload of children, it would be downright catastrophic for Arthur’s authority.

And then there was the girl, Reia. It might have been shortsighted, but I was mainly concerned for her and what it might do to her, if the truth came out. It might not matter at all, or she might get branded as an illegitimate offspring, an outcome I could easily imagine with all the noble brats we had saved. On the other hand, she could have a family again… but I didn’t even know if she wanted one. I wouldn’t have, if I had been in her shoes.

“You didn’t talk to Reia either, I assume?”

“No… but she knows something’s up. That girl is scary smart when she wants to be. You’re thinking about whether or not you should allow her to make the decision, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I… frankly, I think it’s her right. She has to decide if she wants to know who neglected her for all of her life. I’m just not so certain whether or not it’d be fair to burden her at all.”

“It wouldn’t, I can tell you that much. But… that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be right.”

“No, no it doesn’t.” A smiled tugged at the corners of my mouth. “Well, I always wanted a little sister, anyways.”

“Technically, she’s still older than you, by quite a margin. You’re taking it much better than I expected. Aren’t you angry?”

“That whoever it was didn’t tell me and left her to be raised by someone else? Sure, but… honestly, it’s actually none of my business, I’ve been a child until a few days ago. I can’t blame anyone for not confiding in me. Also, I know it’s not my mum. I just do. She’d never leave her child to anyone else. Plus, if it really is tied to the name and not some unimaginable coincidence, she wouldn’t be able to pass it on. My father was of the royal family, she comes from high nobility. And I’m not going to be mad at a dead man, I always knew my father wasn’t perfect but he was still my dad. That’s not going to change. As for my brothers… Mordred I’m going to slap into tomorrow and Arthur… he’d have a lot of explaining to do with his holier-than-thou attitude. But mostly I’m kind of happy. Nobody will believe that she’s older than me and not being the youngest in the family sounds terrific. Plus, now I won’t feel so bad when I have to box her ears.”

“No, and that might turn out to be quite important,” she chuckled. “But seriously, what do you want me to do? Hold my tongue?”

“For now. I imagine she’ll corner one of us or Viyara tonight anyways, but I don’t want her to know, not yet. It’s been enough. When we’re all onboard, there’ll be plenty of time. And I also want to talk to my dear brother, at least the one I can get my hands on, beforehand.”

“Your choice, but don’t you want to include your mother? She of all people should know.”

“No… if my father was still alive, I’d agree, but he isn’t. If it turns out that he betrayed her, I’ll not tell her. I’ll get Mordred to claim the responsibility or think of something else, but I’m not going to force her to question her whole life without a chance at closure. That’d be cruel.”

“By the Great Fox, Cassy, your mum is much tougher than you giver her credit for. And she’s not an imbecile. Why do you always have to patronise her?”

“I’m not, but… don’t you think I have a right to keep her happy, if I can?”

“That’s not what you’re doing, you’re trying to keep her safe, ignorant. Didn’t you tell me that people have a right to make their own choices? You shouldn’t take that one away from her.” I inhaled deeply, she was right. I didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of my past but it still stung.

“Fine, I’m not going to. But I won’t talk to her tonight and I’d very much appreciate it, if you’d do the same.”

“I’d even have helped you keep her in the dark, don’t worry, I won’t say anything without your say so. But you shouldn’t wait too long, otherwise one of them might piece it together on their own.”