Author note: I'm sorry that i've taken so long with this. I'll be better, swear. I've been brought to my attention I don't really give many details on how Coral looks so at the end of this chapter i'll have a personlal bio, for those interested.
Disclaimer: It occurs to me that i've never said that I own only my Coral.
CHAP THREE
My wings are burning by the time I land in the courtyard. The trip back was terrible do to a freak storm that had pelted me with icy rain and fierce drafts of wind. But none the less... The keep was a sight for soar eyes. I wore a Serpiente dress of ice blue that showed every curve of my slender body and left no doubt that I was female. The Avian women were harshly murmuring like the gossip mongers they were. I could clearly imagine the rumors that would soon spread through the keep. Despite my embarrassment I held my head high, daring any to comment if they had the guts.
From my peripheral vision I saw my sister, Danica Shardae, Break away from her Alistair. To my shock she swept me up in a hug and I felt the heat of her avian body. I heard the whispers flare up as I gently disentangled myself. Gold eyes met and it was as if we weren't separated by years of cool aloofness. Then she moved back, motioning me to follow. I did, growing my demi wings to float up to my mothers chambers.
Nacola Shardae didn't so much as twitch a muscle as I entered. Her cold gaze swept my body with what looked like disinterest but I caught the look of disgust flare up.
"Why are you wearing such a thing? Burn it." She ordered in a commanding tone. And that was that. No welcome, just a simple order. I nodded briefly and ventured a voice.
"My lady, I come bearing a request from Zane Cobriana." I felt my sister and mother stiffen up. Minutes ticked by before my mother spoke, her tone sharp steel.
"How dare you defile my sanctum with that beast's name? Have you no honor? No self respect for me, your mother, your leader?"
"Of course I do it is just..."
"Silence! Get out. Go to your chamber and burn that vile dress and never... Never speak of this again to me." Danica followed me up to my chamber. Ignoring her I slipped the silk from my body, tossing it to my bed where Danica jumped away. The dress I pulled on in its place was very demure, a soft gold to match my hair. I picked up the Serpiente dress and stared. I should have done as my mother said, burned it. Yet a deep reluctance caught me as I held the silky garment, felt it slide in my fingers. In a spur of defiance I opened a drawer and thrust it inside.
When I finally turned to Danica she was watching me with the same confused expression. I sat beside her.
"It really is good to see you."
"Don't lie. You know as well as I that we haven't been a real family for years." She opened her mouth to protest but she closed it, unable to deny the simple truth. It occurred to me then that I wasn't the only one who'd lost herself in the avian courts rigidity.
"Listen I'm just tired. I didn't mean to snap at you. Danica, surely you see the sense in just meeting with them?" I didn't bother specifying who I meant. "It'll be before the Mistari Miso and Disa. They'd be insane, Danica, to try something there." My sister cringed away and only then did I realize that I was speaking out, my fists clenched. I forced myself to relax. "Please..."
"This means a lot to you..."
"Yes."
"I'll talk to mother but... well you know how she is with these things." Unfortunately I did. Well Zane, I tried. If it fails then that was it. All the same though I realized inside that even if my mother did agree and rejected any form of piece the Mistari Disa offered, I would accept. And the very thought of what that might entail scared me more than anything else.
Two weeks later
Two weeks later I sat on a silk pillow of bright red. Terror rose in my throat as the full import of what I'd done settled on me. My mother had actually allowed me to go. Shock one. When she'd seen us off her eyes had sparked a cold fury at me that still made me shudder. With Rei on one side and Karl on the other I felt a little better. Erica and Gerard were on the other side of Rei. I sat in the middle of all four of them, feeling protected but too coddled. Then the serpents walked in. Suddenly I was glad of the coddling presence of my two suitors and other guards. Of course Rei and I could never be for he was falcon. I knew only after I'd caught him shifting. He'd sworn me to secrecy which I held because I didn't want to lose so dear a friend. My wandering thoughts were captured when Zane and his guard sat down. Once again they all wore shimmering colors that made even the seasoned warrior Gerard flush. That was oddly comforting. With cool eyes I quickly scanned the group. One besides Zane was Cobra, a woman with long black hair, her mate at close step. Behind Zane was a woman with sapphire eyes. He introduced her as his mother, the woman his sister and her mate, along with his guard, a white haired serpent, Allania. The Mistari wasted no time in launching into the topic.
"So Zane you speak for your side correct?"
"Yes." He acknowledged. The Disa nodded and turned to me.
"Coral, same question." I nodded coolly. Then my body stiffened when she asked if one of the young men were my Alistair's.
"No... My Alistair does his flying elsewhere, where I cannot yet touch." The dio looked at me with new interest. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen. I'll be seventeen at the end of the month." The dios eyes shot up.
"And you were engaged?"
"Yes. I would have been his official mate on my birthday." He shook his head as if the very thought saddened him. Why no one could understand that this was simply how we Avian chose to live, I'd never understand.
"Did you love him?" The Disa asked gently. I hesitated and it was obvious the question made my guards uncomfortable. Only good manners kept them from intervening.
"... I knew him literally my whole life. He was my friend, my tutor, my confident, my intended. An avian is brought up to trust her very life in her Alistair's hands. I would have given Varik this same trust for as long as I drew breath, had he lived... Considering this I'd say in my own way I loved him." The Disa and Dio nodded but I caught the look of disgust on Zane's mothers face as she listened.
"And Zane Have you a mate?"
"Taking a mate in this time of battle would be a death sentence on any woman in exchange for her love." Was the serpent's calm reply. I could see the discontent this roused on his guards face. Sorrow, I read. Well so Zane was lying when he said he had no woman. Not surprising, I mused.
"Very well then. I will confer with my mate for a moment." The two turned away and when no one was paying attention I mouthed to Zane.
"Where's Gregory?"
"Resting." He mouthed back, his head cocked to the side in a relaxed manner. What a deception, I thought wildly for a moment as I felt the powerful weight of his gaze again. A Serpiente could strike faster than an avian ever could. Which every day we gave thanks for our wings and smaller frames. As the Disa and Dio conferred I took the opportunity to observe the hall. They sat on a raised dais of chalky granite. The cave was smoothed down, a dull polish to it.
"We have decided what must be done." The Dio announced. "You both are willing to do anything for peace, correct?" We both nodded and I silenced Karl's protest with a flick of my wrist. The disgruntled Avian fell silent.
"Good. In order to mend a crack in these walls around you we must bring the rifts closer, create a tie to bind the sides together." The dio paused to allow his mate to continue for him.
"You are our Granite wall. We must mend you. We have decided the only choice to promote peace is to bring you together. Zane, take Coral, the only free hawk in her line, and make her your Naga. Likewise Coral take Zane and make him your Alistair." The room was silent for a moment as the words sunk in. Make him my… I couldn't even form the rest of the sentence in my head. But without intending to do so I spoke in a small, wary voice.
"And you believe that such a reckless action will end this bloodshed?"
"My lady, I refuse to allow you to consider this!" Karl was up, as was Erica.
"That's right! No vile serpent will lay hand on my lady!" The small sparrow called in an angry voice, breaking away from the avian call of formality. My horrified eyes must have conveyed some silent command to Rei for he rose when I rose.
"Forgive me, my lady, for their rude outburst. As the reason for the scene I take full responsibility."
"My lady, no…" I silenced Rei with a look of cold steel my mother would have approved heartily of.
"Erica and Karl are of my personal guard. It is my job to reprimand them before even you Rei."
"After then, you will send them to me?" I nodded my head absently before returning to the Disa.
"Forgive me but I do not believe you've taken into consideration the cultural differences between my and Zane's people." I paused to glance at Karl who breathed in to make a small comment. "If you do not mind I'd like a night to consider this thing you suggest." The Disa nodded in understanding.
"Of course. I anticipated this so I had rooms prepared for you and the serpents. We will convene hear tomorrow to hear both your answers. Until then, I bid you good night." It was only after I was outside that I realized we'd talked much longer than I'd originally thought. It was twilight, the sun giving a last spurt of beauty next to the large full moon. The scenery was breath taking really but it didn't compare in my heart to the bountiful forest of my homeland. I shut the door on Reis Cree that we had to speak after he was done reprimanding Erica and Karl.
I was more tired then I thought I was. I pulled the tunic dress over my head just as I heard, "Coral, we must speak." From behind me.
I whirled, covering myself. Zane Cobriana stood in my window, his body relaxed against the frame. Again I was shocked by the shear size of him. His powerful shoulders seemed to fill the room with his all too male form, shrinking it down.
"What?" I snapped. He moved into the room like he owned it. Pausing in front of me he yanked the tunic away from me to reveal the modest gown I wore for bed. It was see-through at the bottom and the top floated around me. None had ever seen me so close to undress. Well except for when he'd seen me in that ridiculous serpent dress they'd stuck me in before.
"I rather like you better like this. You don't wear that arrogant 'Bow down to me mere mortals' look when you aren't on watch. His eyes made a slow study of my body which caused a blush to rise up to my cheeks. I didn't like the tingles he was creating all over my skin. He was so different from the males I was surrounded by on a day to day basis.
"What do you want?" I asked again.
"To ask you to agree to be my Naga." I'd been expecting that. And with a sinking heart I already knew my answer…
END CHAP THREE
AUTHOR NOTE: A lot of talking in this one right? Well that was my fault. Sorry again it took so long to update this. I'll find a better schedule for my stories. And I promise the next chapter of this won't rely so heavily on dialogue…. See you then!
Personal bio:
Name: Coral Shardae
Age: 16-17
Looks: Long golden hair to her lower back, slender body, bright gold eyes
Personal info: Coral is finding herself seeing things differently. She realizes how frozen she has become in her own fear of anyone she loves being taken away from her. Spurred on by this she makes a rash decision to deny every avian law and help a serpent. This sets off a serious of events that lead her to change drastically, finding herself amongst new experiences and feelings that are considered terrible by her avian peers. I hope you will all stay with her on her journey.