“‘When our children meet again,’” said Kareen, “‘and our bloods become one.’ Don’t you have any idea how their blood would become one?”

Cessilia frowned.

“They died... in the same place?” she suddenly guessed. “They were apart all this time, but they reunited there?”

An enigmatic smile appeared on Kareen’s lips, and she stopped walking, her eyes fixated on the ocean.

“Who knows how far and deep this ocean runs under the ground we walk on? Who knows how many centuries it takes for a mountain to become a hill? And who could possibly know the desire for two long-lost lovers to reunite, beyond time and space?”

Cessilia was stunned.

The dragons’ story was so like her parents... she only realized then. They had gone through the death of the other, only to be reunited, a long, long time after. Perhaps it had taken centuries, but perhaps neither had ever really given up. Had the Sea Dragon dug its way, day after day, year after year, for centuries, back to that mountain where its love had died? To die in that lake, but not before witnessing how their children had finally come to be one again. The dragon had met Cassandra, one of the last descendants of its precious, long-lost, and beloved human, and finally been able to rest in peace... right in the place where the Earth Dragon had passed.

“...The vault,” muttered Cessilia. “The Imperial Dragon Vault, the one Glahad guards. It’s a cave, isn’t it? I saw it once... a very old cave. But it’s far above the ground level.”

“You’re a smart child, Cessilia. Yes, this place used to be the very heart of a mountain... a mountain Glahad’s ancestors ferociously protected for centuries. Why do you think that stubborn old dragon never leaves it? It’s his duty, and it is the duty of the strongest dragons in our family. Even Krai guards it at times now. And your brother’s dragon will guard it too, someday. And, according to your mother, that place is connected to–”

“To the lake,” smiled Cessilia. “Isn’t it? That explains a lot... that explains how Jinn was taken out without our family knowing!”

“Jinn?”

“The Red Dragon from the beach. Wouldn’t we have noticed another dragon egg appearing?”

Kareen smiled enigmatically once again.

“There are still many things we don’t know about our dragons, my Cessi. They are as sacred as they are our companions. That is why such secrets like their birth, the vault, and the eggs should remain a secret, always. Especially from people like the Cheshi. Do not forget. No one should know the dragons better than dragons themselves, Cessilia. Leave them a few of their secrets. That’s the best way we will ever protect them and our family.”

“I will,” Cessilia promised.

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter 32

For a while, neither of them added anything, simply staring at the sea and its waves. Because they had walked closer and closer to the Fish Market, not only were the familiar smells getting to them, but the voices and sounds as well. Cessilia could hear Nana’s uncles and aunts starting their work day as usual, perhaps working even harder to help the Kingdom after this complicated battle. The smell of delicious beignet dough soon came to their noses, and she heard her grandmother take a deep breath.

“Ah... this is what an old woman like me needs,” she said. “New delicacies, fresh air, and some place to have new fun.”

“So you really plan on staying?” Cessilia couldn’t help but ask.

“Of course. I have a feeling my first great-grandbabies will be born in this Eastern Kingdom, do you think I would possibly miss that?!”

Cessilia blushed. Children... She hadn’t even dared think about it recently. To think her grandmother already expected some... unless she meant that it would take a while for Kassian to find his partner? But there was Darsan too, and his relationship with Nana would probably keep progressing smoothly. Cessilia didn’t know what to add after that, so she said nothing. But to her surprise, her grandmother chuckled.

“There you go again, my Cessilia. Too serious... You really are your parents’ child. Don’t worry. I still plan to live on for a few more years, you have plenty of time. Moreover, this place really does need some work...”

She stared down at a portion of the street they stood in, where the locals had gathered the pieces of debris that nothing could be done with. Some children were clearly given the task to sort it out as they were busy organizing it into piles of wood, metal, or stones with little brooms, an older boy in charge. The sight gave Cessilia an idea.

“You should become one of the counselors,” she said.

“Me?” her grandmother exclaimed. “Why would I? This old lady is long retired from politics!”

“Ashen could use someone like you,” Cessilia insisted. “Grandmother, you know politics and men better than anyone! It’s going to take a while before we get a new council going and finish digging out all of the traitors. You’re unbiased as a non-citizen of the Kingdom, and you’re the wisest, most clear-sighted person I know.”

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere, Cessilia. Like I said, I just want a palace and fresh morning cocktails every day until the end of my life. Actually, a view of the sea would be nice, as well.”

“You’re not just going to stay here doing nothing while Ashen and I struggle,” Cessilia smiled. “I know you too well, Grandmother. You just don’t know how to sit back when our family is in trouble...”

“This old lady already outlived two Emperors, Cessilia. I do not want to have to take care of that brat of a king too!”

“Think about it. Please. It’s not like you’ll be busy until your palace is done... in many, many months.”

Her grandmother rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, directing her stare toward the Fish Market rather than facing her stubborn granddaughter. Cessilia didn’t insist, but she was confident she’d get her grandmother to change her mind. Now that this tiny seed was planted in her mind, Lady Kareen would most likely keep an eye on the politics of this Kingdom, and she would definitely come out of her palace to help if they ever needed it. Perhaps she wouldn’t become a counselor, but Cessilia had learned to aim high if she wanted to hit anything at all...

“Who are you calling a brat of a king, Lady Kareen?”

Behind them, Ashen appeared, sighing. Cessilia had temporarily forgotten about his new haircut, so she got to discover it a second time, with much pleasure when she turned around. She couldn’t help herself and walked up to him, a big smile on her face. Ashen smiled back, grabbing her hands. Beside them, Lady Kareen clicked her tongue loudly, a habit when she was annoyed, one she had passed on to most of her children and grandchildren.

“Who else?” she shrugged. “You’re too green to call yourself a man just yet.”

“I’m up for a challenge,” Ashen retorted. “Moreover, I heard the War God himself gets called a brat...”

Cessilia bit her lower lip to keep herself from laughing. Indeed, her grandmother wasn’t gentle with the men she cared about... She never had been. Ashen then turned his eyes to Cessi. He looked a bit calmer, more serene than before.

“Sorry,” he said. “Our talk took a bit... longer than expected.”

“Did you manage to tell him everything you wanted to say?”

“I hope so... I probably still won’t become the Cheshi’s favorite King, but that can’t be helped. I don’t think I’ll ever really trust them either. They never really forgave my mother, and neither did she. So, I think we might have to leave it at that for a while. I’ve already learned to ignore them, anyway. And since they are quite obsessed with my future Queen...”

“Speaking of,” said Kareen, “you–”

“Grandmother,” Cessilia suddenly interrupted her. “...Not now, please.”

Kareen raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t mad at her granddaughter for cutting her off, but surprised. Cessilia had always been, by far, the most shy and obedient of her grandchildren, so this was highly unusual for her. After a few seconds, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

“...I think I’ll go and check out that Fish Market,” she finally said. “Those Dorosef people seem like they can come up with... surprising ideas.”

Without giving them the time to say anything, she turned around and left, walking as elegantly as ever despite heading to the Fish Market.

Cessilia and Ashen watched the older woman until she was completely out of sight, then he turned to her, frowning and clearly a bit confused.

“What was that?” he asked.

“Grandmother was starting to be a bit too... inquisitive, about our love life.”

“Hasn’t she always been?”

“Let’s just say I’m trying to manage her expectations for the future,” muttered Cessilia, a bit embarrassed.