A whole week flew by, with Snowheart keeping a close eye on Orca, bringing her things to eat and taking her to the river whenever she felt like exploring. Not once had he left her side for he felt terrible.
Yes, she may have upset him, but he should have acted like a true Icewing and made sure that he let her know that he was fine. Yet he allowed his emotions to dictate his motions.
Right now, he was lying on the bank of the main river, watching Orca tackle her younger sisters, Tsunami and Anemone. Anemone had forgiven her eldest sister, which stunned Snowheart if he was honest.
He also had yet to explain to everyone of what had happened a week ago, since they were more focused on drawing out information from the Sandwing they had captured.
It is time you tell them all about who you truly are. you can't keep the truth from them any longer, for the more time you keep it from them, the more damage it will cause when they finally figure it out.
Snowheart turned his head to the left, noticing the soul form of Queen Pearl lying on her side, looking at him. She was a beautiful Seawing, with features that made her look like a larger version of Orca. Yet he had no interest in Orca. and it appeared she had snuffed out her interest in him.
He was glad she didn't see him romantically anymore. Taking a deep breath, Snowheart returned his gaze to the three Seawings who laughed and played around in the deep river before another voice echoed in his mind.
Queen Coral did at one point play with the idea of you being an animus, yet she dismissed it. Snowheart looked to his right, noticing a small female Sandwing curled up. He knew only he could see them, and that urged him to be careful when he focused his gaze upon any of the ancient Kings or Queens that appeared before him.
Please, forgive me Prince Snowheart. My name is Queen Scorpion. Scorpion bowed her head toward Snowheart while he kept his eyes on her, tilting his head slightly before he spoke.
You are very small for an adult Sandwing. Honestly, it's rather cute! He chuckled softly, watching Scorpion's face flush red before she hissed playfully at him.
Snowheart relaxed once more, shaking his head before he got up and told the three girls he was heading back, since Tsunami had told him she could keep an eye on Orca, and Orca herself had even said that she was a tough girl and would be okay.
Meanwhile, Glory was talking with Queen Coral, Thorn, Cobra and her Royal Council about strengthening the frontline. Some Seawings had already arrived, along with the Royal Seawing Council who were escorted into the Royal Pavillion.
Each one of them gave a bow towards Queen Coral, before doing the same for Queen Glory. They proceeded to sit around the large oval table, waiting for the rest to join, which wasn't many, for Coral had disbanded her old Royal council due to corruption and made a new one not even a year ago.
The Royal Seawing Council had six members, with each one assigned to their task. sometimes one if not two council members will be given two roles if some things raise their heads.
Lately, Coral had appointed the newest member of the council, Bringing the number up to seven.
"Right, let us get right to business" Glory said, tapping her tail against the wooden floorboards. yet, just as the meeting was about to start, Prince Snowheart made his way through the entrance, his white scales reflected the sunlight that bled through the large open windows.
"Oh!, Hello Prince Snowheart... Is every-" "I have something to tell you all" Snowheart interrupted Blueberry, watching as looks of confusion, worry and curiosity clouded everyone's faces.
"Well, we're all listening, Prince Snowheart" Glory said, sounding queenly since they were in a royal meeting. Snowheart studied the expressions on everyone's faces carefully before he cast his gaze down at the wooden floorboards.
It's okay to feel worried or even afraid, Prince Snowheart, but remember, make sure you tell the full truth if you want to earn their full support. Snowheart listened to Queen Pearl's wise words, letting them bore into his mind before he breathed in, shuffling on his paws slightly, which earned him a few stares of confusion.
"Are you feeling well, Prince Snowheart?" One of the Royal Rain/Night Council members asked, tilting her head slightly while Queen Glory made her way around the large table, being mindful of the long tails of the Seawings before she sat down on her haunches in front of Snowheart, looking up at him.
"It's alright, you can tell u-" "I'm... an animus" The room went deathly quiet, everyone stared at Snowheart in shock at what they had just heard. The first to break from their trans was Queen Coral, who shook her head before she leaned forward slightly.
"So that is how you brought my Daughter back. But I thought that-" "I'm not just an animus" Snowheart once again interrupted, his gaze snapping from Coral back to Glory, who looked up at him with the most unbelievable look of shock.
"Queen Glory, I never told you, but I almost died when a civil war broke out in my Kingdom. After some fighting, I and the rebel leader broke through the Ice after he detonated an animus-enchanted Cactus bomb, causing both of us to fall through the Ice before we crashed onto the floor of a great Icy ravine. I was wounded, and so was He, but I was able to get the upper hand before I thrusted a spear I found on the ground, through his chest and heart" He shuffled on his paws every now and again.
"After I fell unconscious, I must have been moved, for when I woke up, I found myself in a completely new room. I... Saw Queen Diamond standing before me" Gasps, followed by dragons muttering to each other filled the large space before Snowheart continued.
"Yet she was in a sort of spiritual form, which shocked me at first. But it was like she was really there, as if I could reach out and touch her. which I could... Sorry for making it sound confusing" Snowheart shook his head, yet Glory spoke.
"Nono, It's okay, carry on" She urged the Icewing Prince, watching as he frowned before he let out a huff.
"After Diamond healed me with some sort of power, which I now possess. She and her husband, called King Icelance, took me to a very large meeting room, which had a single pair from each tribe. Sandwings, Skywings, Rainwings, Nightwings, and so on."
He let out another sigh, his eyes flicking to look at Coral, seeing her stare at him with the most curious expression.
"So... What happened after that?" One of the Seawing Council members questioned which earned a few dragons giving nods of agreement.
"Well... After I had met most of them, Diamond told me that when they all merged with my soul, I would become an extremely rare type of dragon... An Apex Scales"
"Wait, wait wait... You're telling me, that you met a bunch of dead Queens and Kings before they merged their souls with yours and turned you-" "Into an Apex Scales, yet. Though I am still learning the true extent of my abilities. Diamond is here, yet only I can see her, and only I can see the others" Snowheart explained, hoping this wasn't too confusing at all. Thorn then made her way around the table, her tail flicking while Qibli followed her from behind.
"Tell me, who was the Queen during Queen Diamond?" Thorn knew the answer, yet she felt she had to question Snowheart.
"Well, there is Queen Scorpion, Queen Pearl, Queen Swallow, Queen Amazonian, Queen Diamond of course, Queen Marsh, and Queen Night. Do you want to know the Kings?" He asked Thorn and the others, who looked at him with wide eyes.
"Wha- How on three moons-" "I told you, They all merged their souls with mine" Snowheart rolled his eyes, letting out a huff of frostbreath before he sat on his haunches while Glory glanced down at the wooden floorboards, a thoughtful expression washing over her face.
"This is... Shocking and sudden news I must say... Sadly this meeting will have to wait, for I need time to process what I have been told" The Rain/Night Queen said, shaking her head before everyone around the large wooden table disbanded, leaving the entrance before only Glory, Snowheart, Thorn, Cobra, Qibli and Coral were left.
"I think we should all retire for the night and think about how to properly discuss this, and see what else Prince Snowheart has to spill" Glory gave Snowheart a side glance while she turned on the spot, heading back around the table to where she was sat before while Coral and the Sandwings left the Pavillion.
Snowheart let out a sigh, turning before he too left the Pavillion, looking up at the sky, he noticed that night was beginning to creep in, allowing darker shades of blue as well as sunset colours to overtake the bright blues. He lowered his head before he began his way back to his sleeping area.
Once he reached his rather large hut, he pushed the door open, entering before he closed the door behind him. He made his way over to the middle of the living room before he flopped onto his stomach.
Well, that's very non-royal like for you, Prince Snowheart. He heard Queen Amazonian's voice, making him roll his eyes before he looked to the left, noticing her standing at the entrance to the kitchen, her vibrant-coloured tail flicking about while she kept her wings neatly against her body.
Even if he is acting like this, I believe he did well with telling the others of what he has been keeping back. I am very proud of you Prince Snowheart, and I'm sure Queen Glacier is as well. He heard Queen Diamond speak to his right, causing him to look over to where the large soft sofa was, seeing the smaller Icewing dragoness curled up on it, lying beside her husband, King Icelance.
"Thank you, Queen Diamond. Though I feel I have done something wrong by telling them" He admitted, shaking his head before he curled up, closing his eyes before he tried to go to sleep while the sounds of many insects filled the evening air.
Diamond, along with the rest of the deceased royals, all made sure to keep quiet, joining Snowheart in slumber, even if they didn't need to.
.
.
Goodnight, Prince of ice