Winterfall

I woke as the sun hit my skin through the stained glass. Stretching awake, I could feel my moods had shifted, as my emotional state calmed. Thanks to the dream, the ring's power was diminished. Which I knew would benefit the both of us. To the point where I knew I could handle a day with Marcel.

Are you feeling alright?

Theo sounded a bit surprised at my statement.

Don’t we have to make this thing seem real right?

Just don’t let him get into your head.

I’ll try my best.

I walked over to my wardrobe and slipped on a pair of black pants with a dark emerald shirt. I threw my hair up in a high ponytail and made sure I had all of the magical jewels on.

Ring of Power Reserve and Strength Generation. This was the gem encrusted ring that my father gave me. It didn’t necessarily have a name so I decided on a name that fit the purpose of the ring.

Ring of Divination Protection. This was the name given to the set of rings that Theo had special made for us. This prevented spells like Scrying and Legend Lore.

Necklace of Mind Shielding. This was the most recent piece of jewelry Theo had made for me. This had just gotten done as it was a request he put in before he was put on bed rest. This was only made in hopes of helping with Marcel’s mind manipulation powers. The necklace itself contains several ruins that are invisible to the naked eye and send a pulse wave through my nervous system as an attempt at blocking mind related spells and abilities.

We had discovered that it did work with at least spells like Command which I allowed him to test on me after the necklace was finished.

The necklace itself was a pretty gold chain with a black metal rose laced with gold around its petal edges. The chain itself wasn’t too long as it hung just a few inches down my neck.

Speaking of jewelry, do you still have that crown? Remembering the crown from the spell that he cast last night in our dreams.

I heard him exhale, yes. I’m not sure what to do with it. I can’t leave it behind.

You have a Bag of Holding don’t you?

Smart. It’ll even hide the magic from it.

I’m going to stop by his room first before breakfast.

Got it.

I walked down the hall and took a left and walked down his wing. Marcel’s wing of the castle gave off a more eerie vibe than the rest of the castle. I’m not sure if it was just because it was how I felt or the fact that this wing had a faint smell of brimstone that grew stronger as you progressed down the hall. Regardless of the case, the feel in this wing of the castle had definitely changed.

His wing was darker and a bit warmer than the rest. As I walked closer to his door, I could feel my heart pound in my chest. I was nervous. I couldn’t help it even though our last meeting went alright, I was going to have to fend for myself. Thankfully I had the necklace to help.

~knock~ ~knock~ ~knock~

The door creaked open as he stood in the door frame, “Why hello my darling.”

I took a deep breath, almost choking on his scent. There's got to be something I can do in regards to his scent.

I can look into a magic item for that.

I may need that.

I’ll talk with Pari today to see if there is something she can craft.

I need to focus. I told myself.

“Would you like to hang out with me today?”

Marcel’s face said it all. He was surprised that I had asked that. “Is there more wedding planning?”

“No, that’s been taken care of now.”

“More children’s homes to visit?”

“There are always more homes to visit, but that is not the case here.”

“Well, what did you have in mind?”

“Let’s start with a walk first. See how that goes.”

I saw him think about it for a moment, “Sure. Now?”

“Let me eat breakfast first then we can go.”

“Can I join you for breakfast?”

I wanted to tell him no but I blurted out my answer without thinking, “Sure.”

I walked ahead of him down the hall and down the stairs. Thankfully, I knew that Theo was listening in so he could give Roland a heads up.

“Princess.” Theo spoke as we entered the kitchen, “King Marcel.” Theo gave him a slight courtesy. To which I knew made him uncomfortable.

“You can just call me Marcel.”

Theo nodded, “Are you two heading out for the day?” Theo pulled out a chair for me and handed me a plate of food.

“After breakfast. I’m not sure what we are doing.”

I responded to Theo, as I tried to keep it as professional as possible.

“I could take you to Summer Crest. You bolted so quickly that I didn’t get to take you around the kingdom.”

I felt the orange juice slip down my throat, “The last time I went there with you, you tried to manipulate my mind and almost killed my friend.”

“Ah, right. I did that.” Marcel scratched his forehead, “well, I sincerely apologize for that.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, “Sure…”

Maria…

“What was that?” Marcel growled.

“I…uh…nothing.”

I picked up a cookie and took a bite of it.

“Be honest with me Maria please?”

I could feel Marcel’s stare. He was trying to work a bit of magic but thankfully I could feel the magic pulse through the necklace and block any potential mind effects.

I looked up at him, "if you were sorry, you wouldn’t have done it in the first place Marcel. I have told you time and time again that I do not appreciate things being forced.”

He went silent for a moment, “look, I’m still trying to figure out things here. I’m not used to the “rules” of the realm here.”

“What are you used to?” My voice was more harsh than before.

The question caught him off guard, “well, chaos.”

That I could believe. A devil high lord with an army that tries to invade mortal planes. Yeah, he definitely loves chaos.

“There is chaos here, it’s just more controlled you could say,” Theo spoke up.

“What do you know about chaos?” Marcel questioned him.

“Well, we had to deal with some fiends a week ago.” Theo looked up at him as he spoke this, trying to figure out if he knew about it at all.

“The ones that attacked Maria?”

“Those very same ones.”

“Those fools..” Marcel whispered underneath his breath.

“What was that?” Theo mimicked Marcel’s low tone growl.

“Nothing.” Marcel was quick to respond to that. “I’m sorry about that attack. I feel a bit at fault for that. Though, I heard you handled that attack well?” He turned the conversation to me, ignoring Theo completely.

“For the most part.” I dared to talk about it too much as I didn’t want him to know how much effort we were putting in training.

“I’m proud that you are sharpening your skills, you were pretty weak in our fight.”

I couldn’t help but glare at him, “it’s because of that fight that I strengthened my skills.”

“Well, at least something came out of that.”

“You could say that.”

“So, is traveling to Summer Crest out of the question?”

“Yes. We will figure something out here.”

Marcel nodded, “very well, we could explore the city some. I still have yet to explore much outside of the children’s homes. Perhaps, you can lead me around each ring?”

I glanced over at Theo, “I prefer her not to travel in the inner rings, however if you promise me you will protect her and watch her there, I will allow it.”

Marcel thought briefly, “understood, I will keep a watchful eye on her. As I assume you will as well?”

I watched as they both glared at each other. “Yes, as I see fit.” Theo said.

“So my assumptions were right?” Marcel spoke, “Bonded pair?”

“Bonded pair?” Theo questioned, “how did you get to that conclusion?”

“Just a feeling.” Marcel spoke, “It’s rare to see something so…unique. I’ve only heard stories of such bonds.”

“It’s interesting that you came to that conclusion.”

“Is it Théoden? I know your type. Silver dragon’s are among the rarest types of them all. Crimson filled me in on a lot of it.”

“So you know?”

“Know that you are a silver dragon? Yes, I have known for a while now.”

Theo fell silent. The whole room did. Well, except for my heart. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart against my chest cavity.

“Please, if I wanted to act aggressively against you by now Théoden I would have. Relax Maria, I could hear that heart of yours.” Marcel gave me a smile.

“Just watch over her today Marcel.”

“Don’t worry I got her.” Marcel walked around me and wrapped his arm around my neck and looked up at Theo.

“You're not making this any easier Marcel but I trust Maria.”

Theo got up and placed his plate in the wash bin. He stood in front of us for a brief moment. He took a deep breath and released it. I will be watching. I trust you. I don’t trust him.

I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love you Théoden Ryuu Lodsmock.

And I love you Maria Rose Silverviris.

With that Theo left me alone in the kitchen with Marcel hanging his arm around me. I knew that he was jealous but he hid it well. It did leave me a bit uneasy that Marcel knew that Theo was a dragon and that he had a bond. Though it did not surprise me that he figured that out. I mean that is why he tried not to utilize the bond to take his mind control away.

“Ready to go my darling?” Marcel spoke as he glanced down at me with a grin.

I looked up at him and felt the tiniest bit of magic seep through my mind. He sighed, “you can tell him I won’t make you do anything stupid.”

I smiled at him, “he knows.” I stood up and placed my plate in the wash bin. I patted Roland’s shoulder as I knew he was uneasy through this whole conversation. “It’s alright Roland.” Roland nodded as I looked over at Marcel, “Let’s get this day going.”

“Where to first my darling?”

“The Nobel ring. The outer ring in my kingdom.”