“We were shocked by how it never stopped, though,” continued Kassian. “Father had already captured and interrogated some to find out what they wanted, so we knew they were after you and who had sent them. But they were still getting closer and closer to our family. Some of our siblings were still very young at the time, the youngest wasn’t even a year old. We even found spies lurking around, probably trying to find out why you weren’t dead yet, to bring the information back to your father.”

Ashen’s expression was slowly sinking. Even Cessilia was in shock. She had no idea about any of this. Darsan was only a year older than she was, and Kassian was the same age as Ashen. That meant her older brothers had been protecting the two of them for years without them even having the slightest idea...

“Our aunt reinforced the defenses at the border, and we sent some of our younger siblings to stay with our grandmother too, but we could never be at ease. We always had to keep an eye out. That night... when Father found out you and Cessilia had snuck out of the Onyx Castle, he became furious.”

“Wait... you mean he wasn’t furious because I was with Cessilia, but because...”

“You and our sister had put yourselves in danger,” nodded Kassian. “We... Father, Darsan, and I had argued about it, but he was too angry and decided to tell you to leave. He knew you’d be strong enough to survive after your training, and just like me and Darsan, you’d have no difficulty fighting those people off. But he couldn’t endure Cessilia, Mother, or one of our siblings being in danger any longer.”

“He kicked your butt right out because it was simpler,” added Darsan, “and he figured a certain someone would follow you too...”

His eyes went to Cessilia, who was slowly realizing the truth. The memory she had tried to bury deep inside all this time was re-emerging. The men who had captured her and tortured her and Cece had said some things about a prince they had to kill... For the longest time, she hadn’t thought much about it. At that time, she had no idea about Ashen’s background, and she was part of the Imperial Family. She had thought they were talking about one of her brothers or her father. She had never thought...

“Wait...” muttered Ashen, livid.

His dark eyes kept going to Cessilia, to the large scar on her throat. He was also slowly starting to understand the truth about that night. Kassian and Darsan exchanged a glance, the latter crossing his arms with a pissed-off expression.

“Yep,” he grunted. “Our little sister did exactly what we had feared she’d do...”

“We found out too late that she wasn’t in her room,” muttered Kassian. “We went after her as fast as we could, but... I take it that you heard the rest of it already.”

His eyes went to Cessilia, who was still in shock.

“Th-the men who attacked me and C-Cece were... after Ashen?” she muttered.

“Yeah,” said Darsan. “Seems like they were fine using a girl and her dragon as the side prize.”

A long, heavy silence ensued. No one dared to say a word, all a bit shaken up or affected by their story. Cessilia and Ashen’s hands had parted. She had tears of anger in her eyes. She had no idea how long those people had been targeting Ashen. How could they repeatedly send someone to kill a teenage boy?! Meanwhile, Ashen was as still as a stone, his eyes on the floor, completely stunned.

“...That’s so sad,” muttered Nana, breaking the silence, tears in her eyes.

“Well, there’s nothing to be done about it anymore,” said Tessandra. “...You guys should really get going now. I’m sorry about what happened to you two, but right now, my man is still waiting in the middle of the city to be killed or saved. So, let’s get going and see what the Cheshi have to offer, or we’ll have a lot more fucking tragic love stories.”

They closed the door of Bastat’s safe house behind them, dark expressions in their eyes. While Naptunie walked ahead, a bit excited to see the Cheshi, Cessilia was much slower behind her, still dismayed by the revelations Kassian had just divulged. They had parted without a word, and Ashen had remained mute, in complete shock, not even giving her a glance...

“Don’t worry,” suddenly said her older brother’s voice.

She lifted her eyes to see Darsan smiling at her. He put his big fur cloak on her shoulders, and his large hands after that, patting her gently.

“Kassian isn’t as mad as he makes it look, and your Ashen’s not that much of an idiot,” he continued. “He just needs a bit of... toughening up! Do you remember? They used to be super close too. Just leave it to Kassian, alright? He’ll get Ashen back on track. Don’t worry, little sis. We’re here for you!”

Darsan’s warm and comforting words finally made her smile. Cessilia nodded and walked into his embrace, happy to have her older brother there. Because Darsan was so big, she felt like he could wrap all of her in his arms, and it was the most comforting space. She heard him chuckle.

“I missed you too! Hey, next time, take me along, alright? I know Dad and Kassian aren’t all that fun, but you should have at least told me! Escaping to see a boy... Ugh, I don’t want to think about you getting a boyfriend! You’re too young!”

“If I’m t-too young, you’re also t-too young to date Nana...”

“Hey, I’m eleven months older than you. That’s still–!”

“Oh, Sir Dragon!” Naptunie exclaimed, who hadn’t heard any of that. “Good morning! Oh, sorry, I don’t have any beignets for you today... Oh, and Sir Shiny Dragon! Good morning to you too!”

Both Krai and Kian had appeared at the same time, their heads appearing at the end street with their eyes shining in excitement. When those two were next to each other, it was easier to see their differences. Kian’s body was indeed longer, more snake-like, while Krai was bigger, like a bull. Kian’s wings were also thinner and longer, almost like fins, while Krai’s were larger and seemed stronger.

“You should see my dragon!” Darsan said. “Dran’s even bigger than these two!”

“Oh, really? ...He couldn’t come with you?” asked Naptunie, a bit disappointed.

Her question made Darsan grimace, visibly embarrassed.

“Ah... uh, not really. We both made a bit of a mess back home, so we were grounded. Dran’s with my dad, he tends to be a pain when he’s let loose, so...”

“He’s t-too much like you,” said Cessilia, walking up to the dragons to pet them.

“Hey, I’m a free spirit! It can’t be helped that things are so weak next to me! You see these muscles, Nana? I train six hours a day to get this strong! ...You like strong men, right?”

Naptunie nodded, a bit shy, but Darsan kept showing off his biceps proudly, and she was happily being the audience. Cessilia chuckled.

“He b-broke columns of the Imperial P-Palace when we were young,” she told Naptunie. “Our aunt even b-banished Dran t-twice because he made a mess d-during the festival too...”

“What, really?!”

“Cessi!” groaned Darsan. “You’re supposed to help me...”

They joked for a while, but Naptunie was more impressed by Darsan’s antics than scared. They played around with the dragons for a while too, both of them attracted to Cessilia’s pets and the delicious smells on Naptunie. The rain was now a calm drizzle that ran down their scales, but neither seemed bothered by it.

“Good morning.”

They turned around, spotting Aglithia standing there with a faint smile. She was wearing the same outfit as yesterday, and was busy eating one of the familiar beignets.

“Ah!” Nana exclaimed.

“I can’t help but get one when I can,” said Aglithia, amicable. “They truly are delicious.”

Naptunie blushed a bit, proud of her family’s food’s reputation. Meanwhile, Cessilia was surprised by how calm and easy-going that woman was. Next to her, Darsan crossed his arms, visibly doubtful as well.

The dragons also reacted to this woman’s presence. While Kian growled a bit, like a fair warning to a stranger, Krai tilted its large head and approached slowly. Aglithia stared right back at the dragon, completely calm and fearless despite the large size of the beast. It was as if she was perfectly familiar with dragons already. The siblings exchanged a look, and Nana was in awe too. People rarely felt anything other than fear when first meeting a dragon, especially an adult one. The enormous difference in size and the large claws and fangs usually kept even the most curious ones at a safe distance. Aglithia, however, seemed completely fascinated by the dragon and not the slightest bit intimidated.

“They are two beautiful ones,” she said calmly.

“How d-do you...?”

“I am not afraid,” she said. “Moreover, dragons sense fear, don’t they? It excites them.”

Darsan and Cessilia exchanged another intrigued look. That woman did know a thing or two... Soon enough, though, she turned away from the dragons to smile at them.

“Are we ready to go? Are... the others not coming, then?”

“They need t-to rest,” said Cessilia.