A giant explosion rumbled through the dark dungeon room, leaving yet another crater in the middle of the already massacred space.

"Why? I was imagining a tiny candlelight," Morrigan threw her arms up in frustration, her face covered in sweat and soot. No matter how hard she tried to control her flames and make them small, her mind always wandered back to the fainted guards and the judgmental stares of the Demon Castle inhabitants.

"That sure didn't look like a candlelight," Azrael said, sitting behind a tall stone wall that separated him from the place of carnage. He had a drink in one of his hands and a book in another, looking quite relaxed.

"You could try and teach me something for a change," she glared at him, considering whether he should become her next target.

"I can't teach you anything until you learn some basic control," he replied nonchalantly and took another sip of his drink.

"But how can I learn any control if you won't even give me any tips," she retorted and felt the strongest sense of deja vu. It was the same when she had to absorb a magical gem for the first time. Azrael refused to explain anything and she was left to boil in her own incompetence.

Why does he expect me to understand everything right away?

"How did my mom teach you to control fire?" she prodded.

"She didn't have to. I was a natural," the demon grinned victoriously, and now she really wanted to burn him to cinders.

"Then how come you couldn't dry yourself off before?" Morrigan snickered.

"I have no use for servant magic. It's their job to dry stuff, not mine," Azrael retorted, completely unphased by her attempted jab.

"Such a helpful teacher you are. I should get you replaced."

"Hey, now. No need to get hasty," Azrael closed his book and got up from his chair. "I can tell you what your problem is, but knowing that will hardly solve it."

"Knowing the problem makes it half a problem," Morrigan retorted, confident that even the smallest bit of information could help tip the scales in her favor.

"You are too emotional," Azrael said and poked her forehead.

"Huh?" she stared up at him dumbfounded.

"As I said – you are too emotional. You get riled up really easily and that in turn messes with your mind and your ability to control magic."

"But I've never had any trouble with shadow walking or shape-shifting," she objected.

"That's because those don't have any levels of power that require control. You either can shift or you can't. But with fire, the results will vary greatly depending on your mental state," Azrael said then outstretched his hand towards her. "Enough for today. You need to cool down."

"I can do it!" Morrigan protested.

"No. I can see that you're still riled up. Let's try again tomorrow," he pushed his hand closer to her, and begrudgingly Morrigan took it. The demon teleported them in front of Alphegor's and Morrigan's chambers, surprising Gunna who was polishing one of the vases by the door.

"Lady Morrigan, you're back already," the dwarf nanny bowed to Azrael, who gave her a curt wave and then disappeared into darkness.

"Yeah. Practice was cut short today…" Morrigan said, her eyes downcast. Gunna instantly picked up on her sour mood and walked up to her.

"Why don't we have some nice tea and cake? I hear they baked some fresh lavabee honey cake."

"Lavabee honey cake?" Morrigan tilted her head quizzically. She had heard of lavabees before. Apparently, these rather large insects lived close to lava lakes and rivers and somehow managed to turn the hot goop into actual edible honey. But it was a rare delicacy and Morrigan hadn't yet had a chance to taste it.

"Yes. Would you like to try it? It was supposed to be served to His Majesty after dinner, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you took a slice for yourself early."

"I would!" Morrigan nodded, and she felt herself getting giddy at the prospect of a nice dessert. Gunna hurried away to the kitchens while Morrigan retreated into her living room and waited.

After a while, the nanny returned pushing a little cart that had the slice of the aforementioned cake. It had many thin layers in between each sat a nice helping of orangeish cream. Over the top, there was a drizzle of what Morrigan assumed to be the lavabee honey. It was slightly translucent, just like normal honey, but its color was rich and resembled hot magma.

"Here you go, Lady Morrigan. Enjoy!" Gunna said, putting the cake and a cup of tea on the coffee table. Morrigan eagerly grabbed the little dessert spoon, eager to dig in, but then realized that there was only one slice.

"What about you, Gunna?"

"I appreciate your concern, but I could not partake in a dessert that is meant for the King," the nanny refused with a smile and instead motioned her to eat.

"But…"

"No buts. You need this dessert more than I do," the nanny said and sat down on the sofa next to Morrigan. "Tell me what weighs on your heart so heavily, child? You've only just returned home a few days ago and yet your mood is already so sullen."

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Morrigan sighed and then stared at the teacup in front of her. She took a moment to gather her thoughts and then spoke up.

"It's just that when my father found me, he reassured me that I'd have all the time in the world to learn how to be a proper princess and heir. And yet the moment I came back, there was this political strife in front of me. I don't blame Father. I understand that even if he is a king, he cannot just do whatever he wishes. He cannot just force people to accept me and disregard other princesses."

Morrigan sighed and thought of all the rumors that were circulating through the Demon Castle, and by extension – the whole Underworld. How maids and servants muttered among themselves that the eldest daughter should be the next Queen instead of the youngest. How Morrigan's power was too unstable and dangerous. How it would destroy the Demon Kingdom.

I never wanted any part of this, and yet once again I am the center of attention.

Gunna's warm hand touched Morrigan's shoulder and she was brought out of her thoughts.

"I understand that the burden you bear is great – but do not forget that you are who you are and nobody can change that."

"But I can always improve. I can learn things, I can gain control over my weaknesses," she said resolutely.

"Or you could show to others that your weaknesses are actually your strengths," the nanny smiled, then pushed the cake towards Morrigan. "Eat it, child. You'll feel better."

Morrigan stared at Gunna for a moment, then turned her gaze towards the cake.

Turn my weakness into strength. How would I even do that? I didn't know that Gunna liked to talk in riddles.

The sweet smell of the dessert made her stomach grumble, so she grabbed the spoon and took a bite of cake. Once its flavor reached her tongue, her taste buds exploded with a mixture of sweetness from what tasted like condensed milk cream, the cake layers which were less sweet and more neutral in flavor, and the explosiveness of the lavabee honey.

The honey was like a bit of magic on her tongue – just like those sweets she once tasted in Linberor market. It was hot and spicy, but at the same mild and not all harsh like a pepper would be. As she swallowed the first bite, the warmth of it spread down her throat and then went through her whole body.

"Gunna! This is amazing," Morrigan cheered and took a sip of her favorite peppermint tea which helped to soften the spiciness and cleanse her palate.

"I knew you'd like it, Lady Morrigan. Lavabee honey is said to taste like warmth and often is given to people who are having a hard time," the nanny explained and urged her to have some more. Morrigan took the spare spoon that stood on the cart and scooped a piece of cake onto it.

"You taste it!"

"Lady Morrigan, I already said that I–"

"Princess's orders. Eat it or suffer punishment. Silent treatment for ten minutes," Morrigan puffed out her cheeks and held the spoon towards the nanny. Gunna sighed and then took the offered bite of cake. Her eyes lit up as she ate it, regaining the vigor that the nanny seemed to have lost over the years Morrigan was missing.

"It is indeed delicious. Thank you. What a kind child you are!"

"Food always tastes better when shared with others," Morrigan smiled and then took another bite of the cake. "I just wish my troubles with fire magic would dissolve as easily as this cake in my mouth."

"If you're having trouble with fire magic, why not request an expert? Surely Master Alphegor would spare no resource for your sake," the nanny said.

He probably would find me a teacher if I just asked, but that could bring a different set of problems. The teacher would have to be trustworthy, and the training would still have to be done in some hidden place to avoid rumors. Also, Azrael will sulk if I get another magic teacher. Even if their specialty is just fire magic.

"An expert in fire magic, you say…" Morrigan drawled as she munched on the cake. "Wait… I know an expert! I have to go now. Thank you, Gunna!"

She turned into a shadow and without hesitation sped down the castle wall to the yard.

"Lady Morrigan, wait! What about your cake?" The nanny called after her, but Morrigan was too excited to turn back.

***

Morrigan rushed into the dragon stables, which were a good chunk bigger than before, and saw Haku curled up in a corner, chewing on a piece of wood somewhat apathetically.

The dragon had grown considerably since the last time she saw him – he was a good deal bigger than a horse. For her, it felt like no more than a few weeks, but she realized that the dragon had not seen her for two whole years.

How will he react? Will he be angry that I left him alone for so long? Will he hate me?

"Hey, Haku," she spoke up softly so as to not startle the not-so-little dragon. He didn't react, instead continuing to chew on the wood.

Has he perhaps… forgotten me?

"It's been a while, Haku. It's me. Morrigan," she said and slowly approached him. But the dragon didn't acknowledge her presence, acting as if there was nobody else there. Morrigan inched closer and closer to him while talking soothingly.

"How have you been? Has everyone been treating you well?"

When she was about a few meters away from him, the dragon suddenly moved his tail in a sweeping motion, and she heard chains clatter. She paused and looked over Haku's limbs – they were bound by chains.

"Haku, what have they done to you?" she exclaimed and rushed to his side, throwing caution out of the window. The stable opened then and one of the patrol guards came in. When he saw Morrigan crouched down near Haku, pulling at the chains, the guard rushed forward.

"Your Highness, get away from there! That dragon is incredibly dangerous!"

At his voice, Haku jumped up to his feet and snarled viciously, his mouth filling with hot flames. The guard stopped, his eyes darting from the dragon to Morrigan who was still tugging at the chains.

"How dare you chain up Haku? Where are the keys?" Morrigan demanded.

"Your Highness, get away from there!" The guard stepped close, reaching his hand out. Haku roared, and Morrigan saw how he was preparing to spew fire at the demon. She jumped out in front of him defensively.

"No, Haku! I know what they did to you is horrible, but if you hurt somebody then it'll only make things worse."

Haku blinked as if he had finally noticed her. The flames in his mouth died down, but his gaze remained sharp.

"That's right, Haku. Good dragon," she purred at him. Then she looked back at the guard. "Bring me the key to his shackles at once or you'll become his dinner!"

The guard paled and pulled the key out of his pocket. Morrigan went up to him and took it.

"Princess, please understand. This dragon went completely berserk after you disappeared."

"Well, clearly you don't know how to treat a dragon properly," she huffed and went up to Haku. He watched her suspiciously but didn't object to her closeness. After a few minutes, his chains were removed. Haku tentatively lifted his limbs, then looked at Morrigan.

"Isn't that better?" she said with a smile. But Haku roared in response, and his mouth filled with hot flames again.

Oh no… Is he mad after all?

"Run, Princess!"