Gajeel sighed, rubbing a tried hand over his face. He really did not have time for this. He glowered at the tent wall opposite his chair, sinking lower into his seat with a sulky expression.
"Glaring at the defenseless tent wall will not take you back to Levy any faster, Gajeel." Lily's amused voice came from somewhere near his right foot, the exceed having opted to eat his beloved kiwi snack more comfortably on the floor.
Gajeel sat up to better scowl down at the diminutive figure of his familiar.
"Neither will making smart comments like that! And I know your just as eager to get back home after what we've found in the ruins of Selvaria…"
Pantherlily just grunted in agreement, his mood sobering instantly. The reminder of the heavy tome that was carefully packed in their otherwise light luggage caused the pitch black exceed to sit up straight, his gaze fixing on his dragon companion.
"And are you sure that what we've found will have the information we need to truly help Levy?..."
"Aye. It will. It must. Otherwise…"
Gajeel halted abruptly as the entrance flap to the tent was flung open and three stalwart dragons marched in. Rogue led the trio, his nonchalant air a failed attempt to hide his overflowing excitement. He was followed by a surprisingly quiet and subdued Sting, right behind whom was…
"Father."
Gajeel rose to his feet, automatically standing to attention in front of the Lieutenant General. In response, Metalicana gave him a curt nod, indicating that he may stand at ease.
"It's good to see you again, son."
"Indeed." Interjected Rogue exuberantly. "There is exciting news in store for you, Sir Gajeel. Although it may not be as exciting as what you have already accomplished back in Alagesia - please allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your new bond with the lovely high fairy of spirit…"
Rogue was cut short by Gajeel's baleful glare. The irate iron dragon immediately rounded on his sire.
"You told them?! Haven't you ever heard of the word privacy, old man? I just wanted to share my happiness with you, you metal bag of bones, and you go around gossiping about me?! Honestly, it makes me regret telling you in the first place."
Metalicana merely raised a questioning brow, unimpressed with his progeny's tantrum.
"Why, of course. A soul bond is something to rejoice in, is it not? It should be shared with everyone. Unless, you are one of those imbecile dragons who forget to inform their partners that they've bonded with them… And you, my boy, are no imbecile - am I right?"
Gajeel gulped, a soft blush overtaking his features. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, refusing to look his father in the eye.
"T-the truth is…"
"Yes, son?"
"W-well, when you say the word inform it seems so... clinical... and besides, I'm a man of actions not words... so…"
"Sir Metalicana. This mode of questioning does not seem relevant, sir, for I'm absolutely sure Sir Gajeel has informed Lady Levy of her importance in his life." Rogue interrupted, respectfully bowing to the Lieutenant General. "When someone as… err… mentally challenged as General Natsu can inform his own soul-bonded and the rest of the dragon community of his engagement, then surely Sir Gajeel would have…"
"Wait." Gajeel gawked at Rogue, thoroughly distracted by his last statement. "What do you mean by 'Natsu's soul-bonded'?"
Rogue blinked. "Oh, haven't you heard? Sir Natsu bonded with the Princess of the Northern Elves tribe - Lisanna - just a few moons ago."
"He claims he bonded with Lisanna." Sting supplied in a quiet voice.
Rogue frowned. "That's what I said."
"And he's already announced his bond with her to the entire magical population?" A deep voice interjected, Pantherlily looking up from his delicious snack to address the older metal dragon. "Do not dragons usually wait for at least a month before making such an address?"
Metalicana hesitated, his glance flitting between the exceed and his son.
"Usually, yes. But in this case, the prophecy…" He trailed off, fixing his progeny with a long hard look.
Oh.
It made sense to Gajeel now. The flame idiot had always been fond of the little elf girl, and everyone knew she worshipped the ground that fool walked on. It wouldn't be a stretch for him to assume that she was his soulmate - if it weren't for the fact that another being existed who was practically made for the fire breathing moron. A female who wouldn't put up with his nonsense or get cowed by his fiery temper like the soft elf maiden could. One who could make the idiot laugh no matter what, and be kind and gentle when it really counted. In short, Lucy.
However, knowing the facts of the prophecy and the nature of his northern ilk, Gajeel had no doubt that Natsu had been put under immense pressure to 'choose' his bonded. Which would have resulted in the foolish fire breather latching on to the first reasonable choice in mate that came his way - in this case, Lisanna.
His cousin was an idiot.
It was at that moment that the object of Gajeel's musings chose to stride into the room - a shit-eating grin on his face.
"I'd say it was nice to see you again, you metal moron, but I wouldn't want to lie to ya."
"Same here, Salamander."
Despite their words, the look of solidarity that passed between the two cousins spoke otherwise. Natsu beamed at his metal brethren, his eyes twinkling with repressed glee.
"You must be wondering why we called your sorry ass all the way up here, are you not?" The fire-dragon teased.
Gajeel sighed, glaring at his cousin in silent accord.
Natsu chuckled. "Well... let's just say there's been a change in management… Things are going to be a little different in the Dragon Unit of the Magical Alliance Army from now on forth."
Gajeel cocked his head in confusion, frowning at the fire breather. Natsu's grin grew wider at his cousin's perplexed look.
"Field Marshal Herschel has opted to retire from the field. He tried very hard to get his daughter to take his place, but thankfully, that bitch didn't even have backing amongst our Northern kin. After a whole lot of talking, they finally gave the job to a southerner. Me. And I'm making some major changes around here, starting with bringing back those dragons and other magical folk who actually know what they're doing on a battlefield. Starting with you, you iron idiot."
Natsu paused for effect, missing the shadow that briefly fell over Gajeel's visage.
"So long story short, metal brain - you've been pardoned. We want your sorry ass back here, and this time as a General."
"... I see."
Natsu raised a brow, his brilliant grin fading a bit. "Well I didn't expect a wet blanket such as you to jump for joy, but a little more enthusiasm would be nice."
"I'm not coming back."
Natsu gaped at him whilst Rogue looked positively devastated. Metalicana and Sting remained impassive.
"Why the hell not, iron brains?!"
Gajeel grimaced. It went against the grain to refuse an honor such as this, his dragon blood screamed at him to right the wrong of his dismissal... but he knew he couldn't walk away from Alagesia. Levy was most certainly the main reason - but not the only one. He owed his queen, as well as the rabbit, his support against the guerrilla demon troops. He also knew there was no way in hell he was going to be the one to tell his brash, brainless and overprotective cousin the true danger his mother and future bonded were in. Yes, he didn't believe for a minute all this nonsense about Lisanna - as nice and pretty as the elf princess was, Lucy was Natsu's future bonded whether the idiot realized it or not. And since the moron would be needed here, it was up to him to protect their homeland.
"I can't leave Levy."
"Well… I get that she's your bonded, but surely she'd understand?"
"She would. But I still can't leave her. A fact that any of you morons would understand if you were bonded too."
"Hey! I'm bonded to Lisanna, for your information!"
"I meant really bonded - not whatever made-up romance you have going on with the elven princess."
Natsu glared at his cousin. "Are you implying what we have isn't real?"
"I'm outright telling you, you fool!"
Natsu growled, light flames beginning to lick his skin as his temper quickly rose. Gajeel ignored the signs of his impending explosion, charging forward with his line of thought.
"Did your heart stop for 3 beats?"
Natsu continued to glare at his cousin, but still grit out an honest reply.
"...No."
"Did you feel an overwhelming passion for her and desire to protect her?"
"No, but…"
"Did you…"
"DAMMIT GAJEEL! NO! I DIDN'T! I didn't feel any of that! But did you ever stop to think, you metal bastard, that perhaps I couldn't feel the same as you? Because I'm not a full dragon, remember?!"
"Technically, neither am I, Natsu. I've got a fairy heart, remember?!"
Natsu halted mid-insult, gazing at his cousin slightly slack-jawed.
Gajeel only sighed, running a hand through his disheveled, long black locks.
"Honestly, all that stuff I just asked you about are just the bells and whistles of bonding. Doesn't matter if you felt them or not."
Gajeel fixed his cousin with a serious, searching look.
"Just answer me this, cousin. Do you feel a sense of peace when she's around? As if there is no other being in the whole world who would understand and accept you exactly the way you are?"
Natsu opened his mouth to respond, only to find that he could not. Worry creased his brow and he fell silent, contemplating his cousin's words.
Gajeel regarded his cousin with pity. "Look, I can't pretend to understand what you're going through. The dragon gods only know how much torment you've endured… But I don't want to watch you throw away your chance at true happiness just because you've been pressured by all those damn northern dragons and a prophecy… Or out of fear that you'll never find her. She's there. And she's closer than you think. As for your question to me - my answer has not changed. I will not rejoin. No matter what."
A heavy silence fell over the room. One that was finally broken by an unexpected voice.
"I understand, Sir Gajeel." Sting said quietly, his eyes dull with hidden grief as his thoughts drifted to the angelic, fair-haired, human he had met some time before. "If you are fortunate enough to have the chance to remain by her side - then that is what you must choose. No matter the cost."
Natsu made a sound of impatience, throwing his hands up in the air in an exasperated gesture.
"So be it, you ore ogre! But don't expect this offer to ever be repeated again."
He swept out of the tent without a backward glance, immediately barking out useless orders at a hapless pair of soldiers loitering near the entrance. Sting exited behind his commander quietly, Rogue following suit after throwing his hero a forlorn glance. Gajeel remained in place, gazing at the fluttering curtain, his father's gaze boring into him.
"You are hiding something, son."
Gajeel did not respond. Instead he turned to face his sire, sharing a loaded look with him - a secret plea not to push the topic.
Metalicana understood. He nodded gravely, his gaze flitting to the entrance of the tent where he knew there would be at least one or two nosy, unscrupulous soldiers looking for a scrap of information to either gossip about or sell.
"Have a safe journey home, son. God's speed."
"With your blessings, sir. Lily and I will take our leave."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Loke?"
The orange-haired spirit hummed in response, his eyes still fixed on the parchment in his hands.
"Oh, will you put that down already! As I've told you more than enough times - I cannot rearrange that seating chart to put you next to Lady Elmira's daughters!"
"Cannot or will not?"
The murderous glare Lucy directed at her old friend had the lion spirit snorting in amusement.
"But truly Lucy, you usually do not mind when I want to have a little fun… Something else must be troubling you… Or - you've finally acknowledged your lustful and possessive love for me!"
Lucy groaned and buried her head in her hands as the head of the zodiac spirits burst into laughter.
"Loke? Can you be serious?"
Loke abruptly halted his chortling, regarding his Princess with a softer, more concerned look.
"Of course, Lucy. Tell me what you've really called me here for."
Lucy hesitated, glancing about the empty conference chamber, before rising to address the guards just outside. She closed and bolted the doors as she re-entered the room, ignoring the raised brow of her intrigued spirit friend.
With a huff she sprawled out on a cushioned chair, gazing at the ceiling with a grimace.
"It is about the latest entrant to our high-court… Seigrein…"
Loke immediately sat up straighter in his own chair, his gaze snapping to Lucy's lounging form.
"What about him?"
"How much would you bet that he is a spy for Alvarez…?"
Loke chuckled, a devilish smirk on his lips. "Oh, I don't need to bet on that, Princess. I know. My own sources have all but confirmed that our 'refugee' from the north of Fiore is in fact a puppet of the Alvarez king - we have already set up a system to intercept his correspondence. We can be rid of him soon enough."
Lucy merely hummed, her eyes still fixed on the ornate paintings adorning the ceiling above her.
Loke frowned. Lucy had still not relaxed despite his reassuring words - the stiff set of her shoulders and her twiddling fingers showed him as much.
"Are you afraid, Princess? We can have the guard doubled if you have any concerns for your personal safety…"
"Nay, Loke. I just think it a little odd that your sources were able to uncover his underlying purpose so quickly. I have other sources in the court too, and they have also confirmed what you have just stated…"
Loke's frown deepened as he thought over his monarch's words. What she said was true. They had uncovered the man's true purpose far faster and more thoroughly than they had of others in the past.
"But doesn't that just imply that we have perfected our method of detecting spies?"
At his words, Lucy let out an amused giggle, turning her head from its comfortable position to regard her friend with twinkling eyes.
"You, sir, are the definition of prideful arrogance!"
Loke stuck his tongue out at her, causing her to erupt into a second bout of giggles. She calmed down a moment later, turning back to gaze at the ceiling as she carefully composed her thoughts into words.
"I would like to believe it were a reason as simple as that… But I cannot help but feel it is not. There is something about the man… I cannot describe it… Being in his presence that day, it felt so..."
"Unsettling?"
"Yes." Lucy breathed, her eyes seeking out Loke's once more. "It is only intuition for now, but I believe Seigrein is here with an ulterior motive. Apart from being an Alvarez spy, which he undoubtedly is, there is another - possibly more dangerous - reason he has infiltrated our court. I wish you to keep an extra close watch on him, Loke."
"Yes, your majesty."
Lucy sighed. "It would be foolish to dispose of him too quickly… We must find out what his hidden goal is, and ensure that he nor any others that may come later will ever be able to succeed in their efforts… whatever that may be."
Loke nodded in acquiescence. "I will continue to monitor his correspondence, but I will not take action until we have discussed it."
Lucy sat up abruptly, fixing Loke with a stern gaze.
"Our comrades in the castle and amongst the Protectors need not know, for now. Let us keep this between ourselves, Loke."
Loke shot her a grim smile. "Perfectly understood, your majesty."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jellal just stared. His heart beat madly in his chest, his breathing laboured as he struggled to control his body's extreme reactions - all the while unable to comprehend what his body was so desperately trying to convey to him.
It was only a woman, after all.
Yes, she was beautiful. In fact, he would wager to say she was one of the most exquisite women he had ever laid eyes upon. But he had seen his fair share of beauties over his extensive travels, and although he was no stranger to the occasional lust of the flesh, the emotions that overwhelmed him and the fire that coursed through his veins now was a far cry from the casual amorous intent that he had suitably satisfied in the past…
This was the sweetest kind of torture.
Somewhere, in the dark recesses of his heart, a seed took root. A softness that he did not know he possessed lightened his eyes the longer his gaze on the battling maiden lengthened.
He casually leaned towards the courtier on his right, tapping the corpulent man's shoulder.
"Lord Tyrus. Who may that be - the knight with the scarlet hair?"
"Why, her? Ah… She's quite eye-catching isn't she? But not a man alive here would dare approach that devil-woman - she could skewer you with a single look!"
"Her name?"
"Lady Scarlett. Erza is her given name, I believe…"
Erza...