Title: Snake Singer

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, but the plot belongs to me.

With a slight puff of my cheeks and an exhale of breath the small candle that burned dimly in the window blew out. The room went dark, I wasn't afraid though, I could hear the even breathing from the bed across the room, and though it was dark I made my way there perfectly. Stepping where I needed to and swerving my body to accommodate the placing of the furniture.

I stood beside the corner of the bed, and watched as the moonlight sown down on my husband Zane Cobriana, king and leader of the serpiente people. I lowered my hand gently from my side and stroked his forehead with my fingers. His slick black hair curling underneath my touch as I brushed it away from his closed eyes. How strange it must have seemed to see us together, Zane, a Cobriana, and myself a Shardae. For centuries our families had been mortal enemies, but now the man that I was taught was my enemy was now my husband, and I could not deny that I loved him greatly.

With a smile on my face I stepped into bed, lifting the covers slightly so I would not disturb Zane. The busyness of the day had been exhausted for him, and I knew the stress that he was feeling weighed heavily on him. Ever sense we decided to move to Haente, the new capital city of the now joined nations of avian and serpiente, a greater unrest as pressed our people. There are uprisings everywhere, and rebellions that seem destined to carry on forever.

As I laid my head upon the pillow I stroked my hand over Zane's face, a motion that usually woke him from even his deepest sleep, but still his eyes remained closed. I kissed the soft skin underneath his eye and let him be, I realized that he was to exhausted to be disturbed. After looking into his peaceful face once more I closed my eyes to sleep.

A loud bang, followed by even louder footsteps woke both Zane and I up instantly. The commotion sent Zane out of our bed quickly, fearing that traitors had entered the keep. I saw him reach for his blade promptly, holding it up in the darkness, and no doubt surveying the room with his nocturnal vision. "Forgive me you're highness!" Said a loud voice from the doorway. A great sigh of relieve over took me as I recognized Rei's soothing voice from the man who had spoken. I quickly raised myself up from the bed and fumbling to the corner lit a candle. Immediately I handed it to Zane who took it gladly, but I could see on his face that he was not happy with this interruption.

By the time I had lit another candle and held it up Rei began to speak again. With the candle's light I could see twelve or so guards behind my beloved friend, all heavily armed and on alert. "Again pardon me for this interruption but you're highnesses their is fighting all around the keep. The rebels outnumber us here, and it is no longer safe for you to remain here."

Zane and I both looked at each other at the same time, I knew that he could see the fear in my eyes and he quickly moved to my side to sooth me. "Truly, must we leave?" I asked bitterly, not wanting to leave my new home, and the peace that it brought with it. Zane held tightly to my hand as he leaned his head to mine, with his lips to my ear he said: "get dressed, I'll return for you soon." I held back tears as he kissed my, his lips lovingly yet forcefully pressed to mine. I choked back tears as he pulled away and was lead out by Rei. Before the door closed I heard Zane command that there be at least four guards placed at my door.

When the door closed I quickly scrambled to light more candles, desperate for the comfort of the light. Once a few candles had been lit I went to the window, holding the light up to the glass, hoping that I could see something, some sign that the news Rei had brought was untrue; I couldn't bare more fighting.

I realized quickly that I would be able to see nothing and put the candle down beside the bed. Cautiously and without delay I removed my night close and dressed in a pair of plain slacks and a white blouse. I sat on the bed to lace up my boots and pinned my hair up in a messy bush on top of my head, I didn't care what I looked like really, but I was nerves and had no idea what would happen if more fighting continued; would it break Zane and I up? Would we to be a casualty of this never ending war, like so many others?

Without another look at myself I ran to the door, expecting, though still startled by the four guards that Zane had posted there. All of them bowed when I entered the hallway, but I quickly stopped them: "tell me the truth; how bad is the fighting." I ordered, throwing off any hint from my voice that I was frightened.

"It is best if you and Zane get as far away from the city as possible my lady." Said one of the guards; a serpiente to my right. I sighed, but I knew that if he had said anything more I would lose control over myself, and it was times like this when I needed to stay as composed as possible.

Myself, and my four escorts, two in front of my and two in back made our way to the throne room, I hoped to find Zane there, and possibly get some more answers. Upon entering I found Zane with Rei and a few other of his advisors. "Zane" I called out, throwing myself into his arms when I got close enough, "tell me it isn't true" I said, even though I new that I could deny it no longer. He smiled at me, and lovingly stroked the feathers behind my hair; a gesture that I knew he was not completely comfortable with doing even after all this time.

"Rei" he said, turning away from me and looking back at Rei who stood a few feet away. "I would like you to accompany my wife to safety."

Rei and I both protested immediately.

Rei furrowed his eyes and dropped his usually high shoulders: "my lord I would wish to stay and see this rebellion through till the end."

"I know you would" Zane said matter-of-factly, turning back to me, curling his arms around my shoulders and pressing my close to him. "But there is no one else who I trust with this, I know no harm will come to Danica with you to protect her."

"Zane I'm not leaving you" I said, the tone of my voice would have been enough to halt the argument any other time, but Zane was forceful as he said, gently and in my ear.

"I need to know that you are safe. No harm will come to me as long as I know that I have you to come back to, now please, go, you'll be saving us both."

A tear fell from my eye and rolled down my cheek as I wrapped my arms around him. He accented the motion and held me tightly in return. I was fearful, if I left would I ever see him again? "Go," he whispered into my ear again, his warm breath steaming my flesh as the desperation in his tone sent shivers through me.

I shock my head, plastering a fake smile on my lips, hoping that it would comfort him, but I knew that it didn't. Rei stepped away from the other advisers and approached me. I pressed my lips tightly to Zane's one final time before I pulled myself away, I could feel Zane lean into the kiss, and I knew that he was saddened when I pulled away. I followed Rei quickly; who led me to the balcony at the end of the thrown room. I didn't want to turn around, knowing that if I saw Zane again I would wont to be in his arms again, but I knew that he was watching me. I knew that he wouldn't turn until he knew that I was safely out of the keep and on my way to wherever it was that Rei was going to take me.

I could feel Zane's gaze on me, even though I didn't turn around until I reached the rim of the balcony. My head turning to see that Zane was indeed watching me, his face magnifying ever step that I took. I smiled at him, before stepping out into the darkness. My body quickly transforming into my Hawk counterpart, and quickly taking to the sky. I let my feathered wings glide under the wind as Rei and I headed out into the darkness of the bloody night.