Thread: Burned and Blackened Blood (G23 & loneiysong)

Tirana immediately felt better when her grandmother consoled her. She sighed and nodded and held her wrist. She wished she could tell her about the voice deep inside her that only grew louder and more insistent. The voice that was separate and apart from her conscience. Deep down she knew it was the dragon. The one that would split free. The one that was what everyone feared. Tirana carefully built a cage around the dragon, but everyone knew that no cage kept a dragon. No matter how well built, no matter how carefully plotted, every dragon broke free. Tirana walked with her grandmother as she spoke of Furad's skull. Alas there were many stories of that glint in her mouth. The one that she loved most of all was when Furads lover died, the little dragon, she became so distraught when their children began bickering over his prized sword, that she took it and drove it into her own mouth and flew into the skies to mourn his death. But there were so many stories abut Furad and every little gemstone on her body that it was told that if the seas were ink and the skies were parchment that it wouldn't begin to tell half of the stories. She grinned and held her grandmothers hand and laughed and kissed her cheek. Grandmother, it is always such a treat to hear that story from you. She whispered before they were swarmed with the family. The antics of her uncles always made her laugh deep within herself. Granted they angered her father, were the end of her brothers jokes whether they knew it or not, there was a freedom in all of their actions that she loved and adored secretly. She bowed and nodded to her uncles and then to the aunts and returned kisses on the cheeks. When she leaned down to hug her sweet niece Beth, she heard the whisper and blushed. She was already hearing the stories and letting the fear get to her. Soon she would not hug her, soon it would be a thing of the past. Only the children were the ones who didn't listen to instincts, who let themselves come close. And those who were old believers of the dragon. But they usually didn't know and just roamed too close to her without knowing. She grinned letting Beth go back and stood up letting the child go. Soon her favorite uncle, and the only one that she kept in contact with came in. She saw the pain and exhaustion in his eyes and knew. She had felt it in the ravens. The longing. She could see him in several past lives sitting in on many dragon councils, the few rare trusted humans on dragon councils. Strong and brave. Trusting the balance of head and heart. She wrapped her arms around Marcus and sighed hugging him tightly and frowned. My favored uncle, my heart wept at your loss and continues still, I wish there was something I could do to help mend your heart. She whispered softly to him as she pressed her face into his chest and shut her eyes tighter letting her words be only heard by him and then she looked up at him and frowned. She held his arm. Tirana could feel him studying her face, and she allowed him, she didn't shy away like she would normally, but allowed the man to find what he would. Baring herself. Tirana watched him go and then swallowed hard and took an unconscious step back as the trumpet blared. The true heirs and next in line were coming. The true tormentors in her life. They were to enter the room. The dragon in her coiled and growled. Please. Furad She whispered quietly. Please, keep me from their gaze. The eldest of the brothers, and the ring leaders burst from the open doors. Damien. Just entering the room he sent a cold chill all around the room. He was dressed in a dark purple robe and looked around. He caught the eyes of Tirana and grinned. He had something planned. In those cold blue eyes, he grinned. He strode towards his crown his chin raised high and his gaze forward. He walked forward like he already had claim to the throne. He met the dragon skulls gaze full on. One no one had the gall to do. Soon the next boys, twins, Fen and Tarwin, came bustling in playing tug of war with each others robes and rough housing. Stopping in midstride, he glared at the boys and turned and walked to them. If you insist on acting like the insufferable fool uncles, Hiram and Namath, I will tie you upside down by your toes from my window of my room and pour hot oil on you. Do you understand. His voice was a low growl. Damien was a muscled man. Girls fawned over him and he had many a maidens heart. But he was very cruel. The twins looked up and nodded. The twins were thin and bean pole shaped boys who looked down. Damien being assured they learned their lesson, turned and went to the crowns and smiled. Hello Hogs Kiss. He sniffed petulantly at the servant. Looking down at his Red Diamond crown, he smiled widely. His crown was thick and resembled flames. Raising it, he placed it on his head and smiled to Hogs Kiss. Turning, he went to the Queen mother and knelt low showing her the finest respect. True he was cruel he never did anything that could warrant her to punish him. And he was always mothers boy. The two twin boys both went up not saying anything to Hodgkiss, and placed on their crowns. Fen had a dark emerald crown while Tarwin had a lighter emerald. They went to go pay their respect to Rowena. Meanwhile, Damien stood beside Tirana and grinned wickedly. I don't believe we got to finish what we started last night. He hissed. Leave me alone. She said simply. I am the future prince you have to listen to what I say, cow, or I will tell. She sighed and grit her teeth the dragon in her growling. She glared ahead. Meet me tonight before the fireworks. No one else, or you will be sorry. He said simply and moved away waiting for the queen to come in so he could stand beside her.