Queen Caira: Thank you for taking the time to review. You deserved the dedication as you encouraged me to write Lucius and Draco's reunion!
Notes: Thougts like so: Hmm
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Chapter Ten
Ten Days after Lucius' visit to his son, Dragon Grounds, secret location
The Prince of the Shadowlands stood beside his husband as they surveyed the Dragon training grounds.
A cold wind issued off the sea making his husband burrow a little more into his fur-lined cloak. This far north, the weather was numbing, freezing winds continually sweeping across the land as winter bit fiercely into the country, giving little – if any – respite.
The grey sea appeared dull and sullen in the weak morning light. The sky above was ominous, the hue of tarnished silver, clouds fattened calves ready for the slaughter.
It will snow soon. Tom thought, his face turned to the dismal heavens.
Glancing back down he gently touched Lucius with a black-gloved hand, but it was the nervous looking man to his left that he addressed.
"Will they be ready for fighting?" Tom nodded towards the two Hungarian Horntails that sat hissing at each other.
"Yes, Prince, very soon. The two teams and their support are almost ready to harness the power of these magnificent beasts." The man's speech was guttural causing Lucius to frown in concentration as he attempted to understand, but Tom had no such problem as he had conversed with this man many times.
"Where are our gifts from the Chinese?"
"Inside, my Prince. Do you wish to see them now?"
"Very much so."
Casting a glance at his shivering husband, Tom felt concern – concern he didn't allow to show on his face in front of a lowly subordinate such as the man on their left.
"Do you wish to see our new acquisitions, or would you rather wait in the dining hall?"
Lucius smiled tiredly. "See them."
"If you are sure…"
"Yes, Tom, I am certain."
Tom once more titled his face to the rapidly blackening sky and felt the first snowflakes on his exposed nose and mouth.
"Let us move quickly, I wish to see how the new dragons are settling in."
Flurries of snow began to fall as they walked towards the inside settlement, obscuring the path by the time they reached the cavernous entrance to the magically concealed dragon training and breeding centre.
Warmth enveloped them, wrapping them in a comforting blanket, ridding them of the last clutches of cold. The atmosphere grew hotter as they walked deeper into the complex, building up to a almost suffocating heat where the Eastern Dragons were kept – different breeds were not only kept separate, but also in different areas. Therefore, Tom and Lucius were in an E Division; otherwise know as the Eastern Division for dragons from Asia.
They passed an enclosure where a mother dragon closely guarded her nest. Her beautiful scarlet hide shone in the fiery light, her elegant face framed with golden coloured spikes, giving her a fearsome edge to her appearance. She was a Chinese Fireball, renowned for their intelligence.
There were more of her kind in a connecting enclosure, mere hatchlings at play, all of them possessing the same terrible beauty.
Progressing still further the trio entered a cosy 'cave', its floor layered with gold and jewels with the colourful bloom of flowers – all sparkling as stars.
Niches in the craggy walls offered purchases and a high ceiling plenty of space for flight and massive wingspans.
Here was the prize that Tom had left China with so many months ago - the same mission that Tom had brought his husband the exquisite china tea set.
Lucius gasped, truly awed by the splendour before him … and it wasn't the treasure that dazzled him, but the beauty of the creatures that inhabited this habitat.
Three magnificent dragons lay curled up on the heaps of seized wealth, their long, sinuous shapes melding into one as they wound their snake-like bodies around each other.
Silver scales glittered in the bright light, outshining the horde surrounding and dribbling over them. Their beauty was breathtaking. If Lucius had thought the Chinese Fireball a beautiful creature he had to amend that statement for these dragons were truly beyond description.
Their silver hides were brushed with a deep gold granting a shifting hue to their complexions. One lazy eye opened to reveal irises the warm shade of tropical seas.
Delicate, pale gold tendrils wafted from long snouts and above large eyes. They seemed to sway in the gentle air currents that filled the chamber.
Enthralled by what he saw Lucius was too overcome to speak.
Tom grinned, actually grinned, when he saw his husband's pleasure. Leaning close he whispered in Lucius' left ear: "You approve Lucius?"
There was no response and Tom repeated the question a tad louder, this time with success. Silver eyes blinked. "Very much so Tom! But what are they for? Surely not for fighting?"
Tom laughed high and cold. "No, they are here to improve the intelligence of fighters so they do not keep getting killed through stupid efforts. Simultaneously, they are here to breed greater compliancy in our fighters so we can gain a slight increase in control over them.
"They are also very old, very magical creatures. They can communicate with humans if they are so willing and form deep, lasting attachments with their chosen human or humans. They would be useful sentinels: loyal, intelligent yet fierce when necessary. We could learn from them."
"What is their name?"
"I cannot tell even you that, my love." The last Tom ensured their guide did not overhear. He bothered not with his guards – the Hi'dai and the higher positioned Death Eaters were used to their affectionate addresses.
Lucius cast a longing look at the exquisite creatures. "Are they coming home with us then?"
Tom barely controlled the amusement he felt bubbling up inside. "Maybe I can be persuaded to bring one, though two would be better."
Their guide nodded. "They prefer company my Prince, unless you are going to attach a human to one for all hours. But that human would have to spend practically every waking – and sleeping – moment with the dragon."
"Inconvenient then," remarked Tom scowling slightly, "but easily solved." Turning to his husband. "Do you wish to have two then?"
Lucius' eyes blazed with the brilliance of the stars. "Yes! If that is possible."
Tom nodded, "It is. I will simply negotiate for more. I have what they want and vice-versa. The rest just involves a series of exchanges to get to that state where we both have what we want."
"Thank you Tom," said Lucius with all his heart, his love all the greater. The sacrifice was worth what I gained.
"Don't mention it. After all, we don't want you to grow bored now do we?"
Lucius' dalliance with Bill still grated on Tom's nerves – even though it had not been consummated, it irritated him. Jealously was an ugly emotion and Tom loved his husband – love that was mixed strongly with the solid belief that Lucius was his and no one else's … and he would fight to keep him.
Lucius' heart soared as he heard the embers of jealously and sensed the warning behind the words. You have nothing to fear Tom. I did what I did to ensure your attention and rid myself – and you – of unscrupulous, or better said, inconvenient personnel; that it helped heal the breech between my son and I was another plus and aim of my ambitious plan.
Tom waved away the guide and gestured to their Hi'dai to withdraw a few extra paces so he could have a private word with his husband. He then pulled his personal demon aside into a convenient nook.
Stroking the fine silver-gold sheet, Tom allowed his long fingers to caress a smooth cheek. Lucius met his inquisitive gaze with a wary one.
Tom smiled indulgently. "There is one thing I would like to know Lucius, and I would be obliged if you answered truthfully – or as truthfully as a Consort to the Dark Prince can."
"Yeees?" replied his husband, drawing out his response.
The red eyes turned hard. "What did you gain out of your machinations Lucius?"
"Pardon?"
"You heard me, my sweet. What did you gain from plotting Valdis and Vampire's overthrow? From using Bill, seducing him while he seduced you?"
His husband's grey eyes flashed, his tone irritated. "Bill did not seduce me."
Tom did not believe this for a moment but saw no advantage from pursuing the subject so instead pressed on with his first inquiry.
Lucius looked him as if he considered Tom to be foolish for not realising sooner. "You really don't know?" Gently he touched his fingers to Tom's arm, before gazing steadily into burning crimson orbs. "For you, for me, for our children. Who else?"
Tom blinked. It was his turn to say, "Pardon?"
Lucius smirked. "You'll understand eventually, Tom. But consider: how can a neglected husband and children function without the spouse/father?"
Tom simply stared at Lucius, handsome face set in a disbelieving frown. He was beginning to doubt his husband's sanity all over again. Admittedly, Lucius was almost healed but who said that a person couldn't have a few backslides?
Lucius simply grinned and Tom decided to leave it at that for the present. Kissing his husband hungrily he let their tongues duel for a brief moment before breaking off, smiling as he noted the stormy eyes, swriling his passion.
"Let us finish our visit," he said, and stepped out into the cavern, signalling their Hi'dai to reform.
His husband followed with a mischievous smile touching the desire Lucius felt.
0-0-0-0
Valdis snarled as he sat filling out another form, quill scratching across the parchment, liberally spilling ink – he wasn't the neatest writer to live.
He sat behind a cluttered desk in a small cramped room, full to bursting. Pieces of parchment littered the desk, two other desks, and from overflowing file cabinets.
Lanterns of oil and dribbling candles were stuck firmly in the few spaces, with a burning chandelier hanging directly above his head – magically warded to prevent wax from dripping and setting fire to the countless documents and reports, and also of course, to protect him.
Valdis, once Commander of the Werewolves and the Dark Prince's Secret Operations, now languished within these four grey walls, struggling his way through dull reports from minor personnel, creating copies and reading documents.
The guards outside changed again, a pathetic highlight in his otherwise humdrum day.
"I'll get you Lucius," he hissed, sharp fangs dripping saliva. "I'll make you pay for what you did to me." Fury tightened his breast. "I'll get back what was – is – mine, you wait and see you little slut."
0-0-0-0
Captain Olrich happily stretched, body and mind relaxing. Around him brilliantly yellow sand reached as far as the eye could see, and in front of him was a twinkling, bright blue sea.
He was on his first holiday for years, as a thank you present from the Consort. Smiling to himself, Captain Olrich silently toasted the silver-blond devil that had arranged matters so artfully.
As he sipped cool pineapple juice he wondered what had happened to the 'package' he had helped smuggle out.
0-0-0-0
The man struggled up the steep incline, boots slipping and crunching over ice and snow. A cold, yet bright, sun shone down on the dusty white world. Everything glimmered like diamonds where it touched.
The man was oblivious to the fiery disc, high in the sky. It illuminated, but gave no warmth.
He was more concerned with where he was, and more precisely, who he was. His mind was blank; a gaping chasm echoing with the roar of an ivory waterfall that dashed the last remaining images of a life lived, replacing them with aching silence.
In the small portion of his mind that remained he recalled that he had been brought to this place – this land of snow and ice – by a … by a … by a man, a man whose name escaped him for the present.
Had it been a man? Came the confusing thought ere it died away to nothing, not even leaving a faint trace for the bewildered man to follow.
Dazed, he shook his head, causing flame coloured strands to brush unshaven cheeks, eyelids trapping eyes with irises of sparkling blue. Behind them flickered the persistent question: who am I?
Groaning, the lean man stumbled onwards, once more searching his surroundings. His breath coiled in the air, a fine mist amidst the freezing landscape. However, the beautiful yet cruel land yielded no clue as to his identity or location.
A world of ice?No … that sounded wrong. A land of eternal ice? Of snow?
Whimpering he shook his head harder, frustration building as the rumbling waterfall doubled in noise, drowning out his thought processes. Digging the heel of his calloused palm into his head he rubbed vigorously, in an attempt to deafen the roaring tide.
A small reprieve came and he sucked in a large gulp of frigid air.
Who am I? He screamed silently. Then out loud: "Who am I?"
There was no response – either from inside or from the world outside. Instead everything lay under a watchful hush. Trees loomed in the dazzling whiteness, attired in fine wedding dresses made of snow and ice.
From the heaps and mounds stared unseen eyes, but they too were quiet.
Another attack came, this one surmounting his previous defences and smashing his world away in its brutal wake.
Sinking to his feet, the man clapped his hands over his head, the pain crippling. Weary in soul and heart the man wished for an end to this agony.
The end came surprisingly fast, and with it came true forgetfulness. Peace flowed through his shattered brain, soothing his torn neurones with gentle fingers and smoothing the stones of memory until they were as smooth as glass.
Rising to his feet, warm boots gripping the slippery surface, the man blinked in the dawn of a new age.
The previously hostile world now beckoned, welcoming him with a glad heart – a greeting he returned with genuine joy.
Moving forwards he wandered the path ablaze with wonder and glory at the stern beauty of the landscape.
The sky above darkened to a grey, leaden expression, forewarning more snow, yet it bothered him not.
Reaching a bend in the track the man with fire for hair and turquoise for eyes, espied a cottage nestled amongst the silent trees. Sudden knowledge sprouted in his brain, planted by a careful hand. This shoot of understanding started to grow, its roots taking firm hold and the questions the man had been asking faded away like ghosts in horror films.
Entering the cottage he found it richly appointed, with a room to the left containing a crimson armchair, a blazing fire, and hot food on a plate.
Hunger for the first time surfaced and the man pulled off coat, hat, gloves and scarf and padded over to sit in the welcoming seat.
When the man and woman materialised he evidenced no shock or fear, for all intents and purposes acting as if this was expected. The man poured a thick burgundy liquid into a golden goblet, while the woman covered him in a nice fluffy blanket.
Who am I? Echoed the dying whisper. Who …am …I..?
The man winced and paused in his eating, but already the thought was vanishing into nothingness, memory gone – he did not even remember he had asked such a question.
Why should he? He knew who he was and where!
Happy now, no longer tired and desperate, the man ate.
0-0-0-0
After all, Lucius was a man who rewarded those who served him faithfully … whether they knew it or not.
The End
Author's Note:
Chinese Fireball information was obtained from The Harry Potter Lexicon.
Thank you to everyone who has read this tale. Especial thanks goes to those who reviewed The Dark Prince and His Consort, your encouragement kept me going!
To those who may read this later, I hope you enjoyed this story!
As always, I promise to answer any and all reviews.
Thank you for taking the time to read,
Jadwiga