If I ever finish a Chapter, expect it to be posted on Monday. As for the 10-year Anniversary image, the story may be posted on Fridays, as the 21st falls on a Friday. Although I can't make any promises on how many chapters there are or how long it'll last, as, again, I'll be focusing on this story. Also, forgive me for being repetitive as I'm dealing with a bit of brain fog, but I'll try my best to keep to schedule.

The Princess's Dragon Bride

Chapter 27: Sparks Fly

Lucina managed to pull herself from the nest of blankets far earlier than she had expected. Corrin, much to her surprise, was still asleep. The Ylissean princess couldn't help the knot in her stomach. She couldn't shake the events from yesterday. She cast one last glance back at the other princess, easing the stone that had settled in her stomach.

A faint movement caught her eyes as she pulled herself free from the quilts. Fear gripped her as she noticed something long slithering around under the blankets. She unsheathed her blade and carefully removed the covers. She prayed it wasn't poisonous if it was a snake slithering under the covers.

In one fluid motion, she pulled the covers off Corrin and revealed a long scaly something moving.. Fortunately, it wasn't a snake. Unfortunately, Corrin was sporting her tail again.

She lowered her blade, her adrenaline fading into confusion. Corrin began to stir then. "Luci?"

She put her sword away, "Corrin, sorry, did I wake you?"

Corrin sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Did I oversleep?"

"Well," she wasn't quite sure how to tell her.

Corrin followed her line of sight and saw what she was looking at. "Oh. I…" Lucina could see the dread in her features. "I didn't do that."

She hoped it was perhaps something Corrin did in her sleep. Maybe she hadn't noticed until now because Corrin was a far earlier riser. "Can you call it back?"

"I'm trying." Corrin's eyes looked wild as she clutched the blankets around her. "It's not working."

Luci then looked around the carriage. Thankfully, the boys seemed to have gone off to set up breakfast. "It's okay." She gently took one of Corrin's hands on her own. "We'll figure this out, But we should tell the others."

Corrin met her gaze, and Lucina could feel the other princess's grip tighten. "Okay." Lucina gave Corrin's hand a little reassuring squeeze.

Shulk smiled softly as he began pouring a cup of tea into two cups. He almost jumped backward as Pyra burst into his room. "Have you seen Prince Marth?"

The Seer frowned, "No." Now that he thought about it, he hadn't heard from the prince since last night. "Did he miss his training?"

"He did," Pyra crossed her arms, "and I haven't been able to find him."

"Did you check the Library?" If Marth hid anywhere, it would be there.

"I did," her expression softened. "You don't think he's hiding from me, do you?"

Shulk couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Nonsense," he placed the tea on a small tray. "Maybe you missed him in the library. I know I have."

The two seers walked to the library. After Pyra opened the double doors for Shulk, the blonde led Pyra through the maze of shelves to find a hidden pocket of chairs and tables.

The tables were crowded by many piles of books and in the middle of the organized chaos was Marth, head resting in a book, fast asleep. Shulk gave Pyra a soft smile as he weaved his way through the clutter and placed the tray next to the sleeping prince. Then he gently placed a hand on the prince's shoulder, waking him from his slumber.

"Shulk?" Marth pulled himself from his makeshift pillow and looked up at the seer. His eyes shot open when he noticed Pyra standing behind him. "Lady Pyra?" His face pinkened, "Did I miss training?"

She nodded as the prince buried his face in his hands. "So, what were you looking into?"

"Ah, right," Marth shot up and began pulling different books before the seers. He then presented to them two different books. "I was looking into what you told me about Corrin."

The material varied from legends of the Goddess Naga to old history books. A variety of tomes discussing ancient magics, and completely unrelated, a few on crystalline structures.

"I'm not entirely sure what Corrin is exactly," he opened the last tome discussing a race of dragons who take on human form. "But if she is anything like the manaketes of old..."

"She'll need a dragonstone," He returned his gaze to the seers, "and after looking into it, it's possible we can ask for one from the Divine Dragon resting at Mt Prism."

Robin returned to the wagon after gathering firewood. They had packed up the wagon and gone far enough to find a defensible position. He wasn't going to complain after the events of last night. Instead, they took off shortly once the horses were able to run again. Thankfully they found this position, allowing the horses to rest properly.

Blythe was on lookout tonight, eagerly awaiting the fire to start dinner. Akira was gathering ingredients, Cloud was gathering water, and the princesses were in a nearby clearing within seeing distance.

Robin tossed the logs down before striking it alight. "Seen anything?" Byleth only grunted in response, his bow at the ready.

The mage watched as Lucina demonstrated a few simple techniques with her blade. Corrin tried her best but ultimately fumbled her attempt and fell backward.

He couldn't fight the growing knot in his stomach. He said, "Can I ask you something?" Byleth turned to meet his gaze.

His gaze drifted back to the princesses. "Are you sure about Corrin?"

Byleth turned behind him, staring at something else Robin couldn't see. "It's hard to explain," he returned his attention to Robin. "but we're sure."

Corrin tried copying Lucina again, throwing all her weight to one side. After an awkward half-spin, she fumbled and fell forward.

"And you said there was something off?"

Lucina thankfully caught her, and after the two lingered like that for a moment, they bashfully righted themselves.

"She's clearly of dragon's blood," they both watched Corrin's tail flick about as she seemed too shy to speak to the other princess. "But something is blocking her power."

A seal, then, makes sense. Dragons were powerful beings, and many old legends talked about them going on many rampages due to losing control. The only thing that bothered him was why now. Corrin's hesitation told him she wasn't quite used to losing control like this. Unless… he glanced downwards towards the fire tome in his hands. Is it wearing off, or is she unintentionally weakening it?

He returned his gaze back down to the training session again. Perhaps she figured it out too. Maybe that's why she insisted on training her. Lucina was resting a hand on Corrin's hips, attempting to help her adjust her stance. Corrin struggled to swing her practice blade.

Robin couldn't help but smile as a nostalgic feeling dug its claws into his chest. Lucina is very much like her father. Chrom's phantom touch lingered in his memories. Robin tightened his grip on his tome.

Lucina's arm reached outwards without thinking, catching Corrin as she fumbled again. "I'm starting to think you're doing this on purpose."

Corrin's cheeks pinkened, and as if to answer her, she buried her face into Lucina's chest, far too embarrassed to admit or deny anything.

Lucina couldn't hold back her laughter. "Maybe we should focus on your balance first."

Corrin peeked up at her, her cheeks puffed out in a cute little pout. "I can do this." she managed to right herself before attempting the swing Lucina had shown her. She tripped over her own feet, and as Lucina caught her again, her tail looped around the swordswoman's arm.

"The thing has a mind of its own, I swear," the pink hue on Corrin's face was lovely. And Lucina had to wrestle down her own heart as it threatened to break free.

"Maybe it's instinctual?" The Ylissean helped the Koopa princess back to her feet. "Like a cat's, it's already trying to balance itself, but you're focusing too much on it."

Corrin tilts her head to the side. "You think so?"

"It's only a hunch, really," she offered a hand out to the other princess. "Maybe try focusing on something else."

Corrin's cheeks pinkened further. "It's kind of hard to forget you have a tail." she stared at her own tail and pouted slightly.

She couldn't keep the smile off her face as a memory resurfaced, "Corrin," perhaps it was her turn to distract Corrin from her own racing thoughts like she had done for her many moons ago.

Corrin turned to meet her gaze, but her cheeks never lost that lovely hue. Maybe … I can distract her too. What can I do, though?

She held out her hand and said, "Dance with me."

Corrin's eyes widened in excitement, "But there isn't any music," she seemed so timid, but her eyes never lost that eager light, "and I can't keep my balance. I'll fall."

"Then I'll catch you," Corrin placed her hands in Lucina's and followed her lead to a song that none could hear.

Their dance was awkward at first. Eventually, they found a rhythm, and Corrin's arms found themselves looped around Lucina's neck. Lucina smiled as Corrin's balance seemed to be a worry of the past as her tail stopped tripping her up.

"Thank you," Corrin whispered as she tilted her head upwards to meet Lucina's.

"For what? I told you, you were just overthinking it," she smiled back.

"For everything," she rested her head on Lucina's shoulder, or rather the space between her shoulder and neck. "You kidnapped me when I told you I was scared. You're teaching me another new skill" Lucina smiled as she continued, "You've kept me safe."

Corrin raised her head to better meet Lucina's eyes. "You calmed me down when I was on the verge of actualizing my greatest nightmare." Lucina could see the tears beginning to sparkle in the corner of Corrin's eyes. "You were there to help me tell the others the truth about myself."

"Even now," she smiled despite the tears. "You're dancing with me to keep my mind off everything that's happened."

"I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you." A tear wiggled free and began to slide down her face.

"Peace, Corrin." Lucina's hand drifted upward as she lightly whipped away the first tear to break free. "You don't owe me anything."

Her chest felt far too tight as her heart rampaged within her ribcage. "Your smile is enough."

Corrin's eyes sparkled with an inner light and stilled Lucina's heart for a second. "Lucina," the sound of her full name threatened to sill her heart permanently. "I'm so glad I met you."

Lucina felt as if there was a lightning bolt in her chest. As if all the stars align within her mind. "Me too."

AN/ Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I've uploaded a chapter of this story. But again, I've just been a little all over the place mentally. Mostly tired. It might be burnout. It may just be me overthinking something that's supposed to be fun. But I'm thinking of taking my vacation early this year. With any hope, I'll get some work done without worrying about keeping a schedule. I know I could just toss it out, but … not having a schedule is even more stressful. Anyways I'm sorry I won't be able to keep posting, but with any luck, next year will be full of regular uploads. Anyways, see you guys next year. Happy holidays.

~ (11/12/2022)