Chapter one – The illusion of free.
Dark is the fight for those without freedom, those who seek the sight of the sun must turn to the sky and beg to their lords. Help us, cry to them and ask for them to awaken and liberate us their children from the darkness.
Goddess of the sky, queen, God of fire, God of darkness and goddess who sees the fates of all. We cry to you to save us, free those of your children who have been swallowed by the depths of hell and let us live again.
Summon to us your blood and give us the strength to fight, to survive.
The wind blew hard outside as she closed the book and looked over at the bed, two sets of eyes stared back at her with eager eyes and wide smiles, she couldn't help but smile back at them as she rose from her seat and walked over to the shelf to place the book back.
“Another one please.” The sweet voice of the younger child begged.
“Not tonight.” The woman said and sat on the edge of the bed. “Go get in your bed Pen-Pen.”
The young girl frowned at her mother. “I want to stay in Aiden's bed. It's bigger.”
“Then where will your brother sleep my little one?” The woman asked her three year old daughter.
“He can sleep in my bed.” She said cheerfully but the older boy didn't seem pleased with that answer.
“I'm not sleeping in your bed, it's a baby bed.” He growled and crossed his arms.
“It is not.” Penelope retorted and stuck her tongue out at her six year old brother.
Natasha smiled at her children but shook her head at both of them. “Enough you two, Penelope get in your bed. Aiden do not fidget with your bond chain.”
“Please, can I just take it off until morning?” He pleaded with his mother but she gave him a firm look. “I won't let anyone see.”
“My little dragon, if I only could let you.” She said sadly. “You know I can't.”
“But my wings hurt, I can feel them hurting and they need to come out.” Aiden replied with a whisper. His green eyes staring back at her painfully.
“Not today my baby.” She replied and took her young daughter's hand. “I swear to you, soon.”
She guided the young girl to her bed on the other side of the large room and tucked her in, the girl's wings and tail safely tucked to a special pillow. The little female dragon looked up at her mother with sleepy curiosity.
“Why can I have my wings and tail out but Aiden can't?” She asked softly.
“Because no one knows your brother is a dragon my Pen-Pen.” Natasha replied sadly.
“Why?” She asked as her eyes began to flutter shut.
“It's a long story, one day I'll tell you.” Placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead she walked over to her son. “Get some rest my little dragon.”
“I'm not a little dragon, I'm a big dragon.” The boy grumbled miserably.
“I know you are, just like your daddy.” She whispered so that only he could hear.
“When will we see him again?” Aiden asked his mother. It pained Natasha sometimes to look at him; he looked so much like Kayne to her. Even though the magic of his bonds kept anyone else from seeing it, she still could and it hurt to know how much like him her son really was.
“I don't know love.” She said honestly. “I really don't know.”
“I hope soon.” He whispered before he too closed his eyes and started drifting to sleep.
Natasha kissed his cheek and then walked out of the room, turning off the light and looking back at the two most precious things in the world.
She closed the door and sighed, he asked her that question so often and her answer was always the same. She truly didn't know when she would be able to tell him that they would see his father again.
She walked towards the main living area and smiled when she saw a large male form lying on the couch fast asleep with a newspaper in his hands. She knelt down beside the form and nudged him awake. “Zack”
“Huh?” The 25 year old jumped when his mistress nudged him. “Did I fall asleep.”
“No, I was just checking your reflexes.” She teased and he scowled at her before grinning. “Yes of course you were asleep. What are you reading?”
“Funny pages.” He said with a sheepish grin.
“You still don't grow up.” She shook her head and sat down beside him. “Have you seen Rahu?”
“Yes, gone to Nikki tonight.” Zack said with a reassuring smile. “You are off the hook tonight.”
Zack was no longer the teenager that she'd met years ago. The sixteen year old who'd begged for his life. He was a man now, confident and strong. His powers had evolved and he was so powerful that not many could hold back their secrets from him; he'd also learnt to control his empathy and new abilities.
He was handsome; his blue eyes full of emotion, his smile made even the harem women melt when he entered the room. He was able to be elegant and yet rough and rouged when he wanted. He'd allowed his hair to grow down to his shoulders and he kept it tied back loosely, his skin had tanned considerably over the last five years and Natasha made sure that neither stopped training so his physic had become quite admirable.
Natasha couldn't be prouder of him; he made the noblemen shake around their wives and daughters when he was around. She wondered if their clan would even recognize him if they ever saw him again.
A young human woman with dyed purple hair came running into the room and both of them turned to stare at her frantic face.
“Good evening my lady, Lord Zackoroth, have you seen princess Teilau?” She asked and curtsied.
“No, not since dinner.” Natasha said then smiled. “Has she run off again?”
“Yes Lady Carsys, I'm afraid she's gone off the wall again. I was hoping I caught her in time.” The servant said nervously.
Zack got up with a grin. “I'll go get her.”
“You mean you'll go help her enjoy the city.” Natasha teased and laughed when the servant’s eyes widened. “She’ll be fine with Zack.”
“Oh my lady, I wish you wouldn't encourage her. It angers the king so much. A princess should not be out there with commoners.”
“You’re a commoner, we're commoners and it isn't going to kill her to enjoy herself.” She insisted as Zack put his jacket on.
“She's right, don't worry I'll have her home before the king ever notices she's missing.” He promised, he grabbed his sword and walked out of the room with a charming smile.
“My lady, if he finds out...” The girl insisted.
“Rhianna, enough. I'll take the responsibility if she's caught.” Natasha soothed the poor girl. Teilau was one of the king’s children, the poor woman hated living like a prisoner and she'd spent most of her adult life trying to escape.
Not that Natasha could blame her, she was expected to learn to sew and wave a fan around elegantly, she'd escaped four arranged marriages in her lifetime and though she could get under your skin when she got in trouble, Natasha adored her.
Natasha looked at Rhianna with a sympathetic smile; the girl had lived here since she was eight years old. An unfortunate thing, most of the younger women that lived here were girls who had been brought with their mothers when the king brought them into the harem.
Brought was a very loose statement, most of the women were kidnapped or sold. Some like her were taken from their dragons. Most of them had lost their lives and the girls were now without their dragon bond, she was one of three in the harem who'd ever managed to keep their dragon alive.