The sun was going down, coloring the sky in a scheme of orange, pink and purple that grew darker as the minutes passed, and the shining orb crowned the image as it reflected a golden light into their bodies.
Arline’s head was rocking back and forth. She was trying not to give in to the calmness of the trip and fall asleep. Not only that, but Larsin asked her if he could braid her hair denoting how clearly bored he was. And that wasn’t helping her staying awake either.
“If you are feeling tired, you can rest” he lightly said.
“Where do you recommend I should rest, Larsin?” Arline asked with a tired yet funny tone on her voice.
“Just lay your head back Arline” he was smiling innocently.
She did, not feeling very comfortable but after a few minutes she fell asleep. None of them could blame her, traveling on a dragon was, in reality, very comfortable. It was warm, no bouncing and the breeze really eased down the mood. They wanted to join her in her sleep but were already used to it. The group carried on, all night long through the dark sky.
Arline suddenly woke up after feeling she was falling and felt her ear ringing again.
“Are you alright darling?” Calix asked, noticing her viewing the ocean below them.
“Oh yes, just lost balance” she lied and smiled timidly, Calix nodded back.
“We’re getting closer Larsin” Zeroun announced.
“I can tell” he sounded a little nervous “You will certainly hate me now” the prince grabbed her by her waist again.
“What? Why?” Arline sounded confused and held her breath when his hand touched her side.
“Ready?” Calix seemed excited like a kid getting his favorite toy for Christmas, way too excited in her opinion.
“For what?” Arline was getting scared.
“Oh you’re going to love it” Calix then went further away.
“It’s completely safe, we just have to announce our incoming” Larsin said to her “Trust me”
She felt safe with them, on land. Not in the middle of nowhere, having the sky above them and the sea below. She still thought dying during a dragon flight, in the hands of a mysterious prince and his equally mysterious friends was pretty surreal. So she just accepted her fate.
Larsin gently pushed his chest towards Arline’s back, so both got closer to the dragon. She felt how she began to blush, and so did he. But as soon as Larsin gave the reins a little shake, Vatra sped up through the air, and the rest followed. Arline felt absolutely terrified for the first five seconds but noticed she was secure and nothing could happen to her.
She couldn’t distinguish it first, but now she certainly noticed a piece of land as they were approaching. She first thought they were going to stop at what seemed like the dock, but continued taking a sharp turn, rounding what she gathered was the castle. Just then they slowed down, directing the dragons to the docks. Once they landed, they hoped out, deeply stretching their bodies.
“Good job Arline” Calix congratulated her, hugging his new friend by her shoulders.
“Why do you sound so impressed?” she crossed her arms and smiled at him.
“You’re new at this, most people violently throw up” he admitted “He almost died the first time” he pointed at Larsin, Arline could tell he enjoyed putting his friend in embarrassing situations, especially if girls were around.
“I had to stay in bed for five days until the nausea faded away” he admitted laughing.
She mouthed “wow”. They were heading out when they saw a corpulent figure with a furry dark beard appearing from around the corner, screaming in joy “My son, you are back” he stretched his arms, welcoming Larsin, who rushed to hug his father.
“That’s King Cadel, Larsin’s father” Zeroun whispered at Arline, pulling her and Calix back.
“Good man, he seems intimidating at first, he’ll be very welcoming to you” Calix comforted her.
“I see the resemblance” Arline confessed.
“Ha! Yes, you haven’t seen Merrick yet, he’s the spitting image of him, not as big though” he was thinking out loud “Anyways, he’s who you should worry about, not the big man over there” he had his back turned and Zeroun just closed his eyes, he was done with his friend. He felt a shadow growing behind him and saw Zeroun and Arline bowing down with a mocking side smile.
“Oh dear Calix” the King looked very happy to see them “I appreciate you for not consider me as intimidating as before” his voice fitted his body, very deep yet it was sweet, accompanied by very dark eyes.
“I’m really sorr...” Calix couldn’t finish the sentence because the King embraced him in a tight hug. It was almost as if the boys were his children as well.
Arline felt terribly out of place, when suddenly the man looked her way and extended his big hand, she felt a rush of adrenaline through her body. She was nervous. That man unnecessarily intimidated her “Would you do me the honor miss?” he politely asked, changing his tone entirely.
Arline gently blushed and took his Majesty’s arm. He placed a comforting hand over hers, the way a father would to make his child feel safe, and began their way out of the docks.
“Well my dear” he directed his attention to her “What is your name?” the boys were behind him.
“Arline Cole sir” she politely responded.
“My son has briefly told me most of what you have done for them and what has happened” she lowered her head, embarrassed “And you are more than welcome at my home until we figure out exactly what happened” he said with a smile.
“Thank you so much sir, really” She had a hopeful expression in her face, once she lifted her head.
“I will need you to tell me everything about that little adventure of yours” Arline nodded.
They were walking through town. It was a cloudy day but some sun rays were leaking through. The boys were walking behind King Cadel and Arline, while she was vividly telling him everything. He was listening, very focused, paying close attention to details and making questions when necessary.
In some point, Zeroun and Calix said their goodbyes and went to the barricades, with the rest of the army. Larsin then joined his father and her while they were entering the doors of the palace.
It was an impressive structure. Built with grey stone and a gothic theme, it made the building look cold and scary. Yet, she found it comforting once inside. The interior screamed wealth on every corner. The floors were dark oak, with thick drapes hanging from the ceilings, the furniture was the same material as the floors and was decorated with silver ornaments.
What scared Arline the most wasn’t how big and tall the entrance was but the two furry beasts that were napping at their feet, which woke up as soon as they smelled the King, very obedient but lost all sense of calmness once they saw Larsin. They threw themselves over him, knocking him over, licking his face and moving their strong tails as if they were whips.
“I forgot how strong they were” Larsin was trying to get up but failing instantly as one of the giant dogs took a seat on his lap, pressing him against the floor. He made a face of discomfort but grabbed the beast’s neck and hugged it tightly, smelling and rubbing his face on its fur, while the other licked his face.
“They have been howling every night and sleeping in your bed, waiting for you son” his father confessed “Your mother will be happy to see you, that I can guarantee”
“I’m sure” he smiled, getting back up “Is he back yet?” Larsin completely changed his tone, expression and even his body language when he asked about his brother, he became a tougher person.
The wolves directed their attention to Arline, allowing her to pet them. She quickly realized they were acting like domestic dogs except for their size, but decided to maintain a respectful distance in case they turned to their wild side.
“He arrived yesterday” his father said calmly “Do not begin a war on your first day back Larsin” he warned him.
“I won’t, I just need to consult him about something” he quickly said, calming his father’s nerves who seemed surprised and was about to continue when the heavy doors opened, revealing a slim woman with mossy green eyes just like Larsin’s, long eyelashes and very long chocolate brown hair. She was wearing a simple grey tunic embroidered with silver thread, that added an elegant touch to such a simple piece.
When she locked eyes with Larsin, they both rushed to each others embrace. “I missed you mother” the way Larsin hugged his mother made Arline realize how close he was to her as he buried his neck on hers, making the woman’s grip became tighter.
“I missed you more my boy, I was afraid something bad might’ve happen to you” she caressed her son’s features when she pulled away from the hug.
“Well, we were very close” he directed his eyes to Arline “She helped us most of the time” he reached for her to get her closer. She had to admit Larsin had an ease with words and introductions.
The Queen didn’t even ask Arline her name and immediately hugged her, which took the new guest by surprise, but Arline just gently placed her arms around the woman, not knowing if it was appropriate or not “Thank you so much, those three can be really reckless when they get together” Arline nodded shyly.
“Really?” Larsin sounded offended.
“Really” his mother said “Dear what is your name?” she turned back at her.
“Arline, your Majesty” the Queen looked pleased with the treatment.
“She is staying Merlina, I will tell you the details later” the King stepped in.
“Wonderful” she was carefully analyzing their guest “Both of you need to get warm, the cold must have been unbearable” she sounded protective and worried for both of them.
“You have no idea” Larsin quickly said.
They separated respectively. Larsin went to his dorms and Arline was being guided by the Queen to hers, accompanied by a maid, Pauline.
“You will be staying here Arline” she heartily said when they were entering the room.
“It is wonderful, thank you very much for your kindness” she thought she might’ve been too polite but she still couldn’t believe she hadn’t died, so she was going to thank everyone for the bare minimum they did for her.
“You helped our son Arline, we wouldn’t send you to the dungeons” she took out a dress similar to hers from the drawer “I hope they behaved” she referred to the boys with a very poorly hidden worried tone.
“They were a dream” she quickly pointed out, easing the Queen’s thoughts “In reality, they helped me first, I just retrieved the favor” The Queen sighed in relief.
“Pauline will help you get comfortable, Larsin will come to escort you to dinner later” she gave her an assuring smile.
She nodded, thanking her again. The Queen closed the door behind her. She liked Arline a lot, not just because of how polite and well spoken she was, but whenever she was close she felt gentle strokes of pure energy. The King felt it too. As Larsin thought, everyone liked her, but the real test was awaiting for her a few meters aways, Larsin’s brother, Merrick.
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