Draco Interiorem - Latin for inner dragon.
It is the beasts that lives inside all Draconian's that gives them their fire. The children of the Kingdom are taught to harness this power and control the draconic forms that they take on. Without this control, the person turns into the monster that lives inside of them - their mind lost to savage instincts. In Draconia, those who aren't strong enough to possess it are killed to make sure the past does not repeat itself.
Lucy stormed through the stone hallways, her face set in a scowl as she pushed open large doors leading to the dining room that Natsu had stopped in front of. Her leg still held a limp, but her anger subsided the pain as her brown eyes found Gray, the winter sprite stuffing his face with a bread roll. She heard a faint snicker from her side, but paid it no mind as she pointed a finger at her victim.
"So this is where you've been," Lucy hissed, "Stuffing your face?"
Gray's eyes widened as he dropped the half eaten roll to the table. Lucy's glare being ignored as the chair fell to the floor from abrupt movements.
"Lucy," he breathed as he quickly made his way to her side. "They said you wouldn't be waking up for a few more days. Are you oka- wait, what are you wearing?"
The blonde didn't even bother looking down as she folded her arms over her chest, a soft blush dusting her cheeks as she remembered that the only thing she adorned was a large tunic. She simply didn't have the time as she had forced the Draconian King to take her to her friends - his mouth pulling into a frown as his dark green eyes went to the bandage that had bled through. Only agreeing as she refused anything else.
She was weary. Even if she had told Erza she would forge an alliance, there was something unsettling about being here that made her want to run. There was a twinge of nostalgia as she took everything in - the memories of her mother surging to the front of her mind after all these years. Yet, it also brought the hatred alongside it.
Lucy knew the anger shouldn't have been directed at them. Demons had attacked her mother. The demons of Zeref were the ones that had killed her, snuffing out her light and the only family that she had known. Erza had even told her, that her anger should be directed at the true culprit, the Demon King. Just like how she despised him for purging the Fae people. Yet, she couldn't help but hold the blame to them. Her mother hadn't fled for no reason. There was something else. That she was certain of as soon as she had nearly been mauled by the very King who they were soon to ask for help. The Draconian people were to be treated with caution.
That was why her face was scrunched into a sour frown as she stared down Gray. It wasn't that it was his fault that she had been woken up to such circumstances, but she had already tried to strangle the ruler of the people. She couldn't afford to let herself to do something else so foolish that could possibly lose them as allies. Erza was counting on her, and she knew that they wouldn't be leaving the gates alive if they refused.
"I've been bedridden and you ask me what I'm wearing?" Lucy shook her head as a sigh left her lips. "Where is Wendy?" she asked after a pause, turning her gaze to the man who still stood by the door, his eyes already on her. Lucy looked away.
"We are here on official business, you know."
Gray leaned back on the table, relaxing as he could see Lucy clearly hadn't been too affected by the poison as she was already up and about being a pain in his ass. He swore Erza had rubbed off on the blonde when it came to tasks regarding the war. She was as straight to the point as the Fae that had raised her into a warrior. Although, Lucy would at least relax when they weren't faced with a problem. Yet, with the war drawing closer and closer, he found only glimpses into the soft side that the blonde had. The teasing and bubbly spirit she possessed when Gray had met the young girl slowly fizzly out.
"About that," Gray started as he flicked his cold gaze to the Draconian royal, "We need to tell you-"
When the doors opened the winter sprite cut off. His words dying when Wendy stepped through the doors alongside an old, nearly crippled, man and the general with his second in command. Both were burly men - one significantly taller than the other with short blonde hair. Lucy didn't like the look of either man.
A frown was settled on the young girls lips, her hands clutching onto the scroll with the diplomats wax emblem unsealed. It wasn't till her eyes landed on Lucy that she did beam up at the blonde. Her slow walk turning into a jog as she approached and wrapped her arms around the injured archers waist.
Lucy's eyes widened for just a moment before she rested a hand on the younger girls back, the softest of smiles forming on her lips. She let herself ease into the embrace. It was always easier to be calm when Wendy was around. The young girl seemed to always be a nervous wreck, but she had a heart big enough for everyone.
"They said you wouldn't wake for a few more days," Wendy breathed as she pulled away from her, yet she paused when she looked down to see the blood that had smeared into her dress. "Lucy!" she nearly shouted. "You're bleeding?"
The archer grimaced.
"You shouldn't be walking! It looks like the wounds reopened." The diplomat peered at the soaked through bandages, her fingers coming up tentatively. "I'm going to have to rewrap the-"
A cough cut through her worrying. Lucy's brown eyes left the fretting girl to the old man. He was stepped forward, an old cane in his grasp to help him stand.
"Ambassador, there is much to discuss with Lady Heartfilia. If the war is as close as you say, then there can be no time to waste."
Wendy turned quickly. "She needs to be treated." Her usually small voice cut through the air - her lessons coming into effect as her back straightened, her chin lifting so her posture seeped authority and grace.
"I won't be wasting anytime, Advisor Yajima. Lady Heartfilia needs to hear this news in private and so we can discuss your terms. I see no qualms in providing her the necessary attention to her wounds while I do discuss the negotiations."
"Listen brat," a gravelly voice barked. "You're in our kingdom now, so you'd be wise to listen to our rules." Lucy's eyes came up to the shorter of the two men. He had a thick mane of dark hair, his eyes red as he glared at the three travellers who had entered their gates. Immediately she felt on edge, her hand twisting behind her back to grasp at a bow that wasn't there.
Lucy clenched her fist as she stepped back with Wendy, a protective hand coming to rest on the young diplomat's shoulder.
"Should you really be threatening us when we have the key to save your shit stain of a King?"
Lucy's eyes widened. Her gaze turning to Gray who had stepped forward. The winter sprite was calm as he stared down the other man, his hands folded over his chest. However, the second in command grinned, his canines glinting, as he popped his neck. He was getting ready to lunge.
"You've got guts, kid. But I'm afraid it's not gonna help ya here," the man barked as he cracked his knuckles, ready to raise a fist and attack.
It happened almost in an instant. The black haired Draconian pushed forward and Lucy grabbed a knife from the table, Gray was already forming ice around his knuckles. She pushed Wendy behind her as she brought herself between them. The archer was ready to bring the small butter knife to his throat. It wasn't the most ideal weapon, but Erza had taught her anything can kill a man if you knew how to use it. And this wasn't the first time she'd have to drive a blunt blade into someone's neck.
Yet, the archer didn't get the chance to even strike.
Lucy's eyes peered up at the pink mess of hair and the broad shoulders of the man in front of her. He was standing tall as his scaled hand grabbed Gajeel's fist.
"Watch yourself, Gajeel," Natsu's gruff voice called from in front of her. It was gravelly and deep, as if he was trying to retrain himself. Lucy nearly wanted to collapse on her knees from the pure power that seeped into his tone. It was just like when he had pinned her down, when she had really thought this man was going to…
"You're standing up for an outsider, Natsu?" Gajeel hissed as he glared down at his leader. "Just because of that blonde bitch?"
With a single movement Natsu sent a fist toward the man's face that sent him tumbling backwards - the temperature in the room seemed to rise a few degrees. Wendy's small gasp was the only noise filling the mess hall.
Gajeel put a hand to his jaw as he looked up at the prince before a chuckle left his lips.
"Pathetic. You can't even control your draco interiorem anymore." His smirk pulled further on his lips as his dark eyes connected to the slit one's of Natsu, and then they fell of Lucy. A growl bubbled in the prince's throat and Lucy couldn't help but take a hesitant step towards him. It was magnetic almost, but she pinned it down to that she knew this man would protect them if Gajeel was going to try something funny again. It was her instincts trusting that he'd help and that was all.
"To think, Salamander, that you won the-"
"That is enough, Gajeel," Yajima spoke, his old shaky voice cutting through the tension in the room. "I'll escort our guests to their quarters where they can rest and reconnect. It has been a long journey and there's many events that need to be discussed, as well as Miss Heartfilia's injury to be attended to." His old eyes looked sternly at the two men who still looked ready to rip out each others throats before he turned to Lucy. "If you would follow me, please."
With a hesitant nod, Lucy stepped forward, though she didn't get far until she stumbled. Wendy came to her side in an instant, Gray keeping close as well as they helped the archer to the short old man. She glanced back at Natsu - his eyes were back to the dark green she remembered when she had first seen him.
He looked up at her, his stare molten as his face was pinched in something Lucy couldn't quite place.
"And Laxus, be sure to keep your Lieutenant in check next time," Yajima called to the blonde man that stood stoic by the door - General of the Draconian army. The entire time he hadn't said a word and Lucy had nearly forgotten his presence altogether. It was ironic that his only response was a stiff nod.
She turned away as the older man opened the dining hall doors and gestured them to walk with him. Though, she could still feel eyes burning into her back as she followed him - Wendy and Gray by her side.
And she knew that it wasn't just one gaze that watched her.
A/N: Sorry this took awhile! I got quite busy in every day life, but I hope to update sooner now. This chapter was also going to be a lot longer also, however, I've decided to split it into two parts. I'm excited for what's to come as things will be spicing up!
Thank you to those who reviewed:
Gamwithaunicorn, K (Guest), blondehairedbabe, NerdmomDM, CrazyZaika, aliciacevbra, fairytailfanatic0703, TigerArrowgirl (Guest), Ushindeshi, Forbidden-Hanyou, Piglets12, KatanaNoNeko
Every comment I get from you guys makes me so happy and really motivates me to finish this story! I'm glad that people enjoy it.
~Doginshoe
