I've decided to post one more chapter tonight; special thanks to Celestialskyfire for reviewing!
If Darkstalker had never been born... (Part two)
Starquest- the NightWing messenger, had returned with news that the three other NightWings were to stay at The Ice Palace for two more days, as Queen Vigilance had more things to discuss through Galaxy and Abyss. Meanwhile, Snowflake and Arctic were to show Foeslayer around the Palace, while most of the time, Arctic just talked with her, as Snowflake absolutely refused to join in.
He learned that Foeslayer had had a sister, Nebula, but she'd been killed by a rampaging SkyWing. That was part of the reason the NightWings were allying with the IceWings against the SkyWings.
Arctic found himself loving the smaller NightWing more and more as they talked, sometimes playfully bumping into each other. At one point, Snowflake came to an abrupt stop at the corridor leading to the First Circle sleeping spaces. "I'm tired." She stuck her snout in the air, and stalked away, her talons making a clicking sound on the ice floor.
Foeslayer and Arctic watched her go, before turning to grin at each other, then continue walking. "So THAT'S your future wife?" Foeslayer laughed, but was it his imagination, or did her smile not quite reach her eyes? "Yes..." Arctic tried to smile, but as usual when talking about Snowflake, all he could do was grimace.
Foeslayer started laughing, not realizing that in her fit, she'd brushed up her wing against his, and Three Moons, he certainly wasn't going to move. "What will your dragonets be like?" She guffawed, obviously finding real pleasure in teasing him. "They'll be all, 'hmmphm, my Daddy can't remember my name, so I'll stick my snout in the air and get a neck ache! So at least I'll be like Mommy!' That's hilarious!"
Normally, Arctic would most certainly NOT find his situation funny, but he was content just to watch Foeslayer be happy. After the amused NightWing caught her breath, she stood back up and promptly proceeded to accidentally trip over her own talons and fall flat on top of the current IceWing Prince, knocking them both to the floor and mashing their snouts together.
They both froze, staring at each other with wide eyes. Foeslayer seemed to shake herself, before getting off of him a second later. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm so sorry..." She mumbled, sitting down and wrapping her wings and tail around herself. "Hey," Arctic gave a gentle smile, brushing his wing with hers. "I'm not mad... We're both unhurt, and it's ok.." He slowly calmed her down, and the two dragons continued their walk, acting like that'd never happened.
They eventually made their way back to the older dragons, and Galaxy nuzzled his daughter softly. "Did you learn anything?" He asked Foeslayer gently, behaving like a true father, while Arctic looked on, curious, and strangely envious. His parents never nuzzled him like that or showed any affection to him period. Foeslayer nodded, answering her father, but his concerned face showed Arctic that Galaxy was confused by her uncharacteristic silence.
"I showed her around the barracks, and we talked for a while." Arctic spoke to Galaxy, greatly aware that Queen Diamond and Abyss were both watching him. Galaxy gave him a nod, and once again Arctic felt like the male NightWing seemed to know absolutely everything that went on in his head. Wait... Galaxy or Abyss couldn't be mindreaders... Could they?
He observed them both closely, as the adults had continued talking. "Excuse me," he interrupted, taking a step forward so that he was standing in front of Abyss. "I'm terribly sorry for interrupting, but I am merely curious over a detail." Once again, he used his, stuck-up-IceWing-Prince-I'm-better-then-the-world voice. He felt Foeslayer's eyes on him, watching him curiously, and that gave him courage.
Galaxy seemed nervous, but he cleared his throat and nodded, giving Arctic permission to speak. "I was merely wondering if any of you were mindreaders..." He trailed off, hoping desperately that none of them were... Especially Foeslayer, then she would've heard that he was already in love with her and cared for her more than anything else and STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS!
Arctic shook his head to clear his thoughts, and waited for an answer. No one answered for a second, so he felt relieved... Until Galaxy stepped forward and stated; "I am a mindreader." Arctic felt like he was sinking, and he managed to control himself enough so he could give a polite nod and excuse himself, all the while feeling Foeslayer's dark green gaze on his retreating back.
He made his way into his quarters, and collapsed on his icy ledge. Foeslayer's... Father.. Mindreader.. He had to know about Arctic's feelings for the small female NightWing. So why didn't he say anything? A rap of talons on his door startled Arctic, and he slowly went over and opened the door, his brilliant blue eyes widening when he realized who it was. "Hello, Galaxy... Erm.. Sir.. What brings you here?"
He nervously chuckled when Galaxy stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. The large NightWing stared down at the younger dragon, his black eyes glowing. "You know why I'm here." The NightWing said, sitting down and gesturing Arctic to do the same. "I'm not going to kill you," Galaxy said, obviously hearing the entire barrage of Arctic's thoughts of how the older dragon was going to destroy him. "I'm here to talk about... My daughter."
And that's that! Review, and here's a question for you! :What do you think Artic will tell Galaxy? Will he confess? Play dumb? Both?:
