Maya stood on her balcony, staring around at the miserable city she now called home. Her dark brown eyes glaring at the fires from the guards at the gate around the palace.
"How long have we been here?" She asked, a strong gust of wind blowing her short hair around, causing the 2 heavy gems hanging off her ear to sway.
"3 weeks." Murtagh replied from her bedroom.
"Is that all?" She whispered.
"My time went by fast."
"You weren't kept in a 6 by 6 cell for 2 weeks either." She turned around and looked at him.
"You weren't under his gaze for 3 weeks. Do you know what he gave me?"
"The red dragon egg. I know. He asked me about it. He wanted to know which one would hatch for you. He showed me them. They are beautiful. One was red, the other was an emerald green. Perfectly smooth."
"When you are done day dreaming, I'll asked you a question."
"What?" She smiled.
"What do I do?"
"Keep it with you at all times. Never let it out of your sight. Cherish it. Love it, and when it hatches for you, smile at it and place your hand on it's forehead." She walked over to him and placed her hand on his cheek, "Smile when it learns to talk, and laugh as it flies with Anurin. Cry when your fun is over, and fear the wrath of Galbatorix." She sat down next to him and wrapped her hand around his.
"This is different."
"What is different?"
"You're being smart and thinking through something."
"I went through the same thing when I found Anurin's egg. It was at my side constantly." Her smile faded, "He's coming to invite us to dinner. I suggest you leave quickly." She kissed him and pushed him to her balcony. He jumped onto his and into his room. The bedroom door opened as the man walked in.
"Good evening Maya. Would you care to join me for dinner?" He asked, a knowing grin on his face.
"I would love to join you, sir. Let me slip into something more comfortable." She smiled. He nodded and left. She walked to the closet and pulled out a silky dark blue strapless dress. She pulled it on and ran her hand through her hair. The walked to a mirror and into the two holes in her left ear, she placed an amethyst stone on a silver chain and a small onyx stone on a gold chain into their respective holes. A soft knock resonated from her door.
"Change of plan, Maya. Come to Murtagh's room."
It hatched. Anurin's rich voice said, and it is a he.
Lovely. So no new eggs in this place. She walked to her door and down the hall to the next door. She pushed it open and was attacked by a small red dragon as it buried his head under her arm.
"What, may I ask, have you been doing to this poor thing?" She pet it and laughed as it squeaked. Murtagh turned his head and growled, "Come now, dear. He wouldn't have hatched if he didn't think you were right for the position." She walked over to him and dropped the dragon on his lap. Out of instinct, he placed his hand on the dragon to steady it. He ripped his hand from it and cried out in pain and shock. The dragon blinked his eyes at Maya and nipped at her hand, pulling it closer to him.
"Well done, Murtagh." Galbatorix said, grinning, "You don't have any lessons for meetings to attend until I say so, understood, Maya? You are to remain with him and his dragon until I send for you 3."
"Yes sir." She smiled.
"Good night." He turned and left. Maya sat down next to Murtagh and laughed as the dragon crawled into her lap.
"He's cute." Murtagh growled and turned his back, "Hey, don't be jealous. I'm yours and only yours." He turned back and picked the dragon up and placed him on the pillow, "What are you going to name him?"
"I don't know."
"Just to tell you, it me almost 9 months to name Anurin. I didn't know any names he liked." She cringed and looked at the dragon as it blinked his ruby eyes at her, "You're a smart one. Murtagh. Open your mind to him." The dragon squeaked and started humming.
"Thorn."
"Excuse me?"
"His name."
"Thorn it is. Anurin will be at the balcony in a few minutes to see him." The dragon stretched his wings and lifted his small body off the ground and to the balcony railing. Anurin's large head appeared in front of the red dragon. The two touched noses.
He's a quick learner. He knows you name, Murtagh's name, as well as mine. Give him a few days and he will be speaking to you both. The purple dragon said. Maya nodded repeated it to Murtagh.
"Thorn." He said. The dragon turned its head and looked at him, "Come here. Lets go eat." Thorn flew into his arms and climbed up to his shoulder, wrapping his tail around his neck. Maya smiled and walked over to Anurin. She kissed his nose and returned to Murtagh's side.
"Under orders from Galbatorix, I am to be at your and his side until he calls us."
"I can live with that order." He wrapped around arm around her waist and they walked down to the kitchen. The cook smiled at them as they entered.
"Good evening, Lord, Lady. What can I get you?"
"some food for the little one, and a small salad and an apple for me." Maya said.
"Whatever meat you have cooked." Murtagh said, sitting down at the small wooden table. Maya sat down opposite him and smiled at the dragon as he sat down on the table.
"He's cute. What's his name?" One of the kitchen maids asked.
"Thorn." The women on the kitchen staff giggled, causing Maya to glare at them all.
"back to work, ladies." Cook said. He placed the food on the table and pushed everyone but them out. Maya ate her salad slowly and watched Murtagh fight with Thorn for his steak.
"Red Rider." She said softly, "Just like your father." Murtagh looked at her.
"What did you say?"
"nothing." She smiled and picked Thorn up. His sides vibrated at the sign of affection and watched Murtagh eat, "How we are going to live together if I refuse to cook or touch raw meat and you won't eat anything but meat."
"We'll make it work." A loud crash from the adjoining room caused Maya to jump up, thrust Thorn into Murtagh's arms and run out the door. Galbatorix stood there, looking at her.
"You've been holding back information from me, Maya dearest." He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, "How long?"
"How long what?" She growled.
"You and him." He jabbed his finger at the kitchen door.
"6 months maybe. I thought my personal life was none of your business?"
"When it involves him, it is my business." He looked at her, then at Murtagh how stood in the doorway, "Return your room." He nodded slowly and left, "as for you…"
"Doesn't this play to your advantage?" she asked, carefully. He glared at her, "I mean, Murtagh, being the son of your pat greatest ally, and me, being elven born, both of us Riders, and now your most powerful allies. Can you image what kids would be like?" His heated glare melted into a sick smirk.
"I catch what you mean. Go to his room, tell him that you and him are going to be married."