He had been so sure she would wait, going back with their snorkels and closing the small cabin. Sasha heard him swearing and shouting her name far beneath her. She had already started the hiking along the small path upwards. Away from the secluded beach at the tip of the ocean, back to reality and the royal castle.

She would talk to Ivy, and soon she would have to talk to Greg. It was due time.

The path in front of her was small, but the footprints of Elias were visible, the stones smoothened by his hands pulling him up many times. She stopped, catching her breath and looking out at the small pond beneath her. It was difficult to believe the ocean was reaching up here. Far out in the water, she saw a gigantic tail wisping up water. She put her hand in front of her eyes, covering the sun. It was a giant dragon, the black body shimmering with pink scales. The piercing blue eyes were like flashlights, and they seemed to be looking straight at her.

“Denise!”

She knew this dragon. How come she was here? Sasha speeded up, now even more eager to reach the top of the cliff. Denise erupted once more from the water and then took off towards the beach.

When Sasha reached the top she was soaring in her muscles. She heard the panting of Denise, and just as she had assumed, the dragon waited there for her.

She was not the only one that waited. Towards a tree stood Elias, leisurely looking at her.

“There is a fast way babe”, Elias mocked her.

“Yeah, and there is a fast way down. Faster than your cableway.”

“You two. Jump up”, Denise said. “Your sister and Isaak are making a spectacle of themselves.

“Isaak?” Elias asked, a furrow between his brows as he ran forward. He didn’t stay to ask, he just cast Sasha up at the dragon back.

“What are you doing?”

“Saving his ass”, Elias said.

Denise didn’t wait to explain either. She took off from the ground, her horns the same color as the sunset behind them.

Sasha grabbed hold of Elias and muttered. If her sister really would mess up she would have told her. Wouldn’t she?

The king and Isaak were fighting. In the middle of the open area outside the ball, the two men were dancing around each other with lances. Making small stitches at each other, but not coming the whole way through. The queen had taken out a chair and looked a the spectacle with a boring smile. Ivy was standing with her back towards the scene, looking at some flowers. They were the only ones in the circle of people around the two fighters that Sasha noticed.

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“Could you land in the middle? Sweeping both of the fuckers with your tail?” Elias asked.

“I might accidentally hurt someone in the process.”

“Please do”, Sasha bit out. Isaak was too stupid for his good. How would he be respected as a king if he lost in front of everyone? The queen would never let him win and the king would fight to the death for her, which he might miss in skill more than compensated with his healing capacity.

Denise started her way down with a steep dive. The ground came fast closer. Sasha felt the adrenalin rush in her stomach. Soon she had to jump or crash with the dragon. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the wind. She felt the air against her chin, the rough and smooth breeze teasing her. The endless force that trimmed the trees. The same source that cooled her skin on a warm day. Keeping a tight grip around Elias she felt how the wind lifted her upwards and aside. Denise continued down towards Isaak and the kind as she slowly, gracefully was transferred towards Ivy. Just as she felt her feet touch the ground she heard the tail sweeping close.

Her sister choose that exact moment to turn around, push between Elias and Sasha, and enter the circle of dust Denise had created.

“Thank you”, she said and smiled sweetly at the dragon as she acknowledges her entrance. She picked up the two lances from the ground. Her glance gave the king and Isaak a royal dismiss.

Once again Ivy turned, depositing the lances, one with Sasha, and one with Elias.

“Could you pick me some flowers and burn these things?” Ivy asked.

They both did as asked, curious about this new turn of events. Ivy held the flowers in her hand, not waiting for the deed of burning lances to be finished, instead of addressing the two men that were raised from the ground, still shouting daggers at each other.

“You have both offended the queen”, Ivy said. “You will bring Anna this flower and ask for forgiveness.”

Isaak chuckled, bowing in front of Ivy, pressing a kiss towards her hand, and picking the velvet red rose. Without a care in the world, he loafed towards the queen.

“Sorry, my queen. It was not my intention to disturb your sensitive soul”, he said.

The people looking at the spectacle were all taking a deep breath in, the silence telling, no one daring to laugh and risk offending the queen.

A flicker of mischievous was seen in the queen's eyes, she looked from Ivy to Isaak, a small nod.

“He does have humor at least, my dear daughter.” She took the flower and pondered for some moments, trying to make up her mind about something. “I did enjoy the show.”

“I live to pleasure mam”, Isaak said.

He bowed and moved to the side, obviously not wanting to be near the approaching king. Behind them, an intense murmur spread. The queen had saved Isaak, but what more, she had called Ivy her daughter. Was she to marry Elias?

Sasha’s smile tensed at the gossip, so instead of listening in, she turned towards the king. He was approaching the queen, his sole focus on her.

“Love”, the king said, leaving the flower in the queen's hand and brushing her chin. “You have the most mesmerizing eyes.”

It was obvious to anyone, the king had seized to care about anyone else than the women in front of him. Ivy, Isaak, and all of the rest of them blend into the background and disappear from the world.

“You are forgiven”, Ivy said. “Now, the rest of you. Go back to the ball.”

Denise hissed at the last words, clearly making a statement that anyone that didn’t take Ivys advice would get a helping tail in the right direction.

“Shall we?” Elias said. “You heard the lady.”

“Didn’t think you enjoyed the dance”, Sasha countered.

“I might have misjudged the amount of entertainment.”

He took her elbow and guided her gently towards the entrance of the castle. Sasha saw the deep frown on her mother's face and her look towards Ivy. The queen massaged her temple. She might accept Isaak, or she might not, but she was not in the favour of Elias courting Sasha. Elias slowed down just briefly as they were passing Isaak.

“Next time you intend on making a prank ensure I am here or I will personally kill you”, Elias said, glaring at Isaak and the red scratches covering his skin.