The Horrid Truth

Kayla gazed out into the courtyard. Flamian stood, sword drawn, going through the routine of his practice. Every day, he would be out there training, and at night, he always vanished untill way past midnight. He would wake around noon, go back to sleep, then he would train more. She couldn't help but wonder where he disappeared to. She had a suspicion of what he was up to.

Finally, after five days, he had taken to the courtyard to train. Currently, her elder brother, Zax, stood in place as an opponent. They stood, blades at the ready, when Flame leapt forward. She watched as her brother twirled in a blur of parries and strokes. Flamian was hard pressed and quickly driven back.

"Is that it?" Zax asked. "Is that your best?"

Flame panted for breath. He leaped back as Zax swung at him. He gritted his teeth and charged the older man. Zax, taken aback but the sudden switch, was hard pressed. Flamian pushed him back farther and farther, his attacks increasing. Zax laughed. "That's more like it!!" The sound of metal striking metal could be heard for a mile. Several servants, and even a few neighbors, came to watch. Kayla smiled from her window. Flame always had held back. No one else had seen; she had ignored it. She always knew of his true nature, but she had chosen to throw him aside. She had been foolish.

Her eyes widened as Zax sword went flying. Moving as a blur, Flamian's tail lashed out behind the older draigon, and he shoved Zax, tripping him. He placed a foot on his fallen friend's chest and held the tip of his blade to Zax's throat. The crowd cheered. They all looked at Flamian with new eyes. He released Zax and helped him up. Then he turned and walked back inside. He headed up to his room, but as he turned the corner, he almost ran into Kayla.

She was in his arms before he could say anything. She leaned up on her toes, and her lips found his. The kiss seemed to last forever. Her taste, her smell...he had only dreamed of this, and now she was here in his arms. She pulled back slowly, reluctantly. Her eyes opened, and she sank even deeper into his embrace.

"I was so blind." she whispered. "I listened to lies, when I should have listened to my heart." A tear traced down her cheek.

Flamian sighed. "Don't dwell on the past. We still have trouble ahead."

She pulled back to look up at him. "What do you mean?"

He cupped her face in his hands and lightly kissed her lips. "There is far more at stake here than anyone realizes. Jardin isn't just after you. He's after the kingship."

"What?!" her eyes widened. "He's planning a revolt, and you didn't expose him?!"

Flame released her and turned away, frowning. "Many clans are already on his side. Kayla, this isn't just a revolt we're talking about. We are talking about a civil war."

Fresh tears fell from her eyes. "Isn't there anything you can do?"

He nodded. "I already warned the king. He's gathering his supporters, but there's no stopping it now."

"What about the Challenge?" she asked.

"He's convinced that he'll win. He won't be expecting the fight I'm planning on giving him. It will buy us some time, but not much." He said. He held her hands. "You should get some rest."

She embraced him. "You should too. You need all your strength for the battle." She kissed him once more before leaving him for her room. He stared after her, and when he slept he dreamt of her.