"Why do we have to have a ball for our birthday? It's stupid and pointless!" Jasper nearly shouted at his father.
Draven's expression was calm, void of emotion as he spoke, "Because you are turning 18. It is an important event, especially for a member of the royal family."
"It's fucking stupid," he argued. "We shouldn't be forced to do it."
"Jasper, just drop it. There's no need to be so immature about it," Damion's irritated voice spoke.
"Fuck off…" Jasper muttered, storming up to his room.
Damion sighed, "He is so annoying."
Draven chuckled, "Try and get along, Damion. You two are twins."
"Hey, I'm not the one who's always causing trouble or cursing at people or pushing people away." Though Draven expressed amusement, the look in his eyes was that of worry or unease.
"Damion, your father and I have something to give you tonight for your birthday," Alexandria said from beside Draven.
"Aren't birthday presents supposed to wait until the actual date of birth?" he laughed, a happy smile on his face.
She dismissed his statement with a wave of her hand, "Oh it's alright. Your birthday is only a day away." Damion smiled and nodded, going up to his room to read.
The family had just finished dinner and they were waiting patiently for the 'present' to arrive. Jasper, as usual, was agitated and impatient.
"How much longer till we get whatever 'it' is?" he asked. Just then a tall, tan skinned man with white hair that hung loosely around his face walked in with a pale boy who looked about the same age as Damion and Jasper. He had long black hair that stopped at his shoulders and an air about him that screamed 'get away.'
"Welcome Ambrose," Draven stood and bowed to his old friend.
Ambrose bowed back, "Hello, my king. I see the boys have grown up much." Though Ambrose's tone was friendly, his expression was blank.
"Yes, they have."
"I'm glad. We wouldn't want immature children to take over the Nightshadow throne," he smirked, glancing at the twins. Damion's anger flared, but he remained calm and showed no sign of any emotion; Jasper, on the other hand, growled, earning him a look from his father and a smirk from Ambrose.
"Who are they?" Jasper questioned bitterly.
"It would do you well to respect your higher up," Ambrose looked down at Jasper.
"Last time I checked, you weren't the prince," Jasper snapped.
Ambrose chuckled and smiled politely at the snarky comment. "I am Ambrose, and this is Uri," he introduced, gesturing to the boy beside him.
Damion spoke up with a friendly smile, "It's nice to meet you."
"At least one of you has manners," Ambrose smirked.
"Sorry to be frank, but how can Uri be a present? He is a person…" Jasper asked.
Draven laughed, "You could think of him as a servant, or a friend, or a pet. He is a gift from Ambrose."
"How can a person be a pet?" he muttered under his breath.
"Perhaps you should learn your surroundings before you toss away an idea. I am a dragon," Uri finally said something. Damion nodded his head and Jasper scowled at the boy.
"A dragon? Interesting…" Damion smiled. His curiosity was sparked, though he knew to be cautious around Uri.
Uri sighed and turned to Ambrose, "Couldn't I do something else? I don't want to have to be with these…." He took a moment to think of an insult, but came up blank. Ambrose looked at Uri with an apathetic expression.
"You will listen to Damion and Jasper and especially Draven and Alexandria. They will be reporting to me and I will stop in at random times to check up."
"I don't need a fucking babysitter," Uri muttered. Ambrose lifted his hand and smacked Uri hard across the face, leaving a large red mark and a couple gashes down his cheek. Uri stepped back from the impact, placing a hand on the wound.
"Watch your tongue, dragon. It is an honor that someone like you can serve the royal family. Be grateful." Ambrose's tone was harsh and threatening. Uri said nothing as he looked to the ground, removing his bloody hand from his face. Ambrose looked at Draven and smiled politely, "I will be attending the ball for their 18th birthday. It will do me good to see what kind of people I need to worry about and how Uri is behaving." He glanced at Uri and then back at the king.
"Feel free to bring a guest or two," Alexandria smiled kindly. Ambrose nodded and then walked out, leaving Uri behind.
"Everything is going as planned...Perhaps the twins can teach that lizard a thing or two..." Ambrose smirked, talking to himself as he left the castle.