Robbin's POV
Blue light cascaded over my vision as I slowly blinked myself awake. My dragon eyes, I thought to myself. It went away as soon as I gain full consciousness and my sight captured complete darkness, aside from the moonlight dripping through the curtains. The bed felt empty next to me. Xander was gone? He never leaves at night. Getting up, I walked tiredly to the wardrobe and pulled out some of my nightwear clothing, and left in search for him. Looking out of the walls of windows, the sky was gaining color from the sun as it rose, just barely peeking over the trees. I'm not sure how long I slept but I know it should've been longer. These days, my rest has been cut short, possibly due to the stress from everything.
The palace wasn't silent despite the time of day. Guards were heard down all hallways as they began to change shifts. They'd bow at me whenever they directly passed by. I ignored them mostly, but still gave a noticing nod and questioned where their king went. Of course, no one had seen him. Xander wasn't anywhere I thought to search from him. The war room was vacant, as his office and throne room. I didn't know where else to go, and that annoyed me. There were things about Xander that I didn't know yet. We never exactly sat down and discussed our lives. Maybe if we did, there'd be better communication.
I began checking random rooms. Bedrooms I once cleaned as an omega were clear. The kitchen and dining area were so as well. Maybe he's training? My body was still tired from waking up and I began to feel frustrated that I couldn't find him. I even tried focusing on his scent, but nothing. Worry started to creep up my neck at this.
The lift that took me down to the training center dragged on as it slowly lowered. When it opened, I subconsciously told myself to send some guards in search of Xander if he wasn't here. And as I walked into the center, the deafening silence indicated that it was empty. I was about to head back up when I heard metal clanging together and my attention only focused on that. The sound came from ahead of me near the short-ranged weapons. My footsteps became inaudible and I was glad to have left the bedroom barefooted. The sound didn't reappear but instead was replaced with incoherent sounds, like gasps. My head peered over the line of bo staffs that stood on its own and that when I saw it, or rather them.
It was Lilliana being devoured by Grey. "I cupped my mouth with one of my hands and backed away, clumsily knocking over a cart full of throwing knives. Their eyes flipped to me as I still stood there dumbfounded at this. Lilliana and Grey?
"Um," she said, "We can explain?" Was that a question?
"Robbin, are you alright?" Was I? Most likely no.
"What is...this," I gestured my hand flatly between them. They released their hold on each other and waited a few moments before responding.
"We were going to tell you, but wanted to wait until we knew for sure." Lilliana glanced away from my gaze, probably feeling embarrassed that she just got caught kissing my royal advisor. She finally met my eyes again and grabbed Grey's hand tightly. "I think Grey is my mate."
"Come again?"
"Well," Lilliana shifted slightly, "It started sometime after Grey arrived. I always found myself watching him. I thought it was stupid at first," She looked up and smiled when they met eyes, "But I'm sure of it. Even my wolf was eager to see him every day."
"But a werewolf mating with a dragon is so uncommon. I doubt there are three cases right here in the kingdom." My skepticism brought a wave of emotions to Lilliana's face.
"You'd deny him of me?" She asked in a sudden harsh tone but caught herself at the end and looked at me wide-eyed. "Queen Robbin, I'm so sorry," She bowed.
"No, it's okay. I'm just...I'm happy that you found your mate, Lilliana. I've heard that the older you get, the more torment it can be without them." She nodded at my understanding and held onto Grey tighter. "And you, Grey? Are you happy?"
He nodded sternly. It wasn't from being unsure but the military man in him. Honestly, I wasn't sure if Grey would ever find someone. He'd always been standoffish except to the royal family.
"And you too feel uncomplicated," I asked unknowingly.
"Why wouldn't we?" Lilliana questioned.
"Nothing. Nothing. Well," I started backing away from them, feeling awkward for interrupting their moment, "Oh, I almost forgot. Have either of you seen Xander? I can't seem to find him anywhere."
They exchanged glances for a moment before Lilliana responded. "We did see him on our way down here. He was heading outside."
"Outside? What would he do out there?"
"Run. He is a werewolf after all. Maybe he wanted to get some fresh air. Just like you do when you ride your dragon."
I nodded in realization. I forgot about that. About his wolf habits. Had he always done this-leave at night to escape the responsibilities of king...or me? "Thank you," I rushed out and left the training center. Of course, he went for a run. Everywhere I checked I was looking for the other version of Xander, the human one.
I walked toward an exit door and one of the guards opened it for me, bowing slightly. Cold air collided with my body, completely unaffecting me, and I focused on Xander's scent. My dragon powers have been unpredictable lately, but the calming classes I've been taking for them have helped.
In through the nose. Hold. Out through the mouth. Focus on the person you wish to find. In through the nose. Remember their scent. Hold. Find the traces of their scent. Exhale.
I thought after a few tries it was pointless until Xander's strong, overpowering smell invaded my nose. My eyes shifted their vision to a blue and power began running through my veins. I did it? Other senses tried to take over but I pushed them away. I only concentrated on Xander. He wasn't that far from me. Close in fact and was with someone. I let the other scent into my body to figure out who and I shuddered.
It wasn't another werewolf. It was a dragon. Mine.
I could practically see them together. No, really. See. was it the power of sight? Even before, I never mastered it since the gift was draining and hard to control. I shook off the thoughts and ran over to Mystic Lake. Blue colors spread throughout the sky as it was now morning. The castle grounds would soon be overtaken by training classes and guards. Silence filled the woods between the lake and the castle, only morning birds and the sound of my bare feet running in the muddy ground being heard. When I finally made it to them, Vision was hunched over Xander's wolf. No teeth were bared. No hair or wings were raised. Were they communicating? No, they're different species. It'd be impossible to understand each other with words, but with instincts? That's a possible yes.
Vision broke his eye contact with Xander to notice my presence and gave a loud huff of air, stomping over to me. I met him halfway and rubbed my hand along his dark scales, still feeling butterflies in my stomach whenever I touch him. It's been so long that everytime I touch him now, it's like the first. My vision returned to normal and colors began to switch to their original state, even the sky which was actually a blood-orange shade.
Xander's wolf trotted toward me and I felt protective of him. What would Vision do if he showed me any affection? Is Xander jealous of Vision right now? Just as I knew he would, the large wolf rubbed against my body, causing Vision the internally growl. Xander met my eyes and I could see my reflection in the green orbs. One of my hands moved away from vision's face to run my fingers through Xander's fur. It was a bit rough, but I liked it.
"I've been looking for you," I whispered, "But it seems you wanted some...alone time with Vision. Should I go?" Xander's head shook lightly like he was shaking his fur but it was meant as a response. "It's morning," I looked up at the sky momentarily then back at him, "I'm going to take him for a fly. I'll see you soon." Xander huffed and rubbed himself against me once more before taking off into the woods. "Thank you for not eating him," I said to Vision in the Westerlie tongue, "What did he say to you?"
"Vision moved his head away from me and lowered one of his wings. "Oh," I scoffed, "What, are you too keeping secrets now? Alright. Fine. keep your secrets." I climbed up and settled myself on Vision's back. "You're both full of it."
Vision and I flew for hours. The wind was growing colder as winter approach but it didn't affect me. I knew I had to be back early today but it was so hard to stop flying. It becomes addicting after awhile. A dragon blood carrier is part dragon, and flying is our instinct. Still, I needed self-restraint. I may be the dragon queen, but I am the ruler of werewolves.
My shortened time in the sky gave me time to think about recent events. The hanging in the Easterlie kingdom was the first to flood my mind. Those young men didn't deserve to die. It's just more reason to capture Ryker. These battles cannot continue. If it does, we'll be looking at another war. Kingdom against kingdom. Our world cannot risk another one falling. Not after we lost the Broken Kingdom. The fall of them is the reason my mother died, and I can't lose anyone else, not when I just got everything back.
When our ride came to an end, I sadly said goodbye to Vision and sent him to the Eastern training center with Sereion and Phoebion. By now, it was the middle of the day and I was needed for queen duties. Over time in my new rule, I've grown used to the responsibilities. Xander lets me meet with citizens to discuss issues in the packs and I find accommodating solutions for them. I also have a strong voice in council meetings which are once a month. This new life, I can live with it. I thought it was wrong to abandon my motherland, to leave everything I knew before my imprisonment behind, but I took on the role well.
I certainly wasn't going to be the queen of the Westerlie Kingdom. That was a birthright I did not have. Phineas was the firstborn. He was to become king and my sister and I would've married noblemen. We rebelled the idea, of course. Marriage means containment and there's nothing dragons hate more than being contained.
Cloudy skies above mean shone a storm was coming. Xander wasn't waiting for me today, though he was expecting me soon. I quickly hurried inside the castle and changed into my formal queen attire. Black dragon scaled tailored coat and simple woven pants. The last touch, as always was the red-scaled cloak drenched over my right shoulder. I let the omegas finish braiding my hair, leaving the bottom half down while they worked on the top. I've changed. The way I stood, spoke, even way I did my hair. I began to have the confidence of ruling a country.
I was escorted by palace guards to the Eastern training center where Xander and many packs from the kingdom stood waiting for me. It was quiet although murmurs in the crowds spread like wildfire. The dragons flying above landed behind us as I took my place near Xander. It was time.
"Bring him forward," Xander commanded. Two guards walked up to us and dropped a man to his knees. "Doctor Viktor Talin, you stand before we accused of treason to the kingdom. Your charge is feeding information about the Northerner kingdom to the Rogues. How do you plead?"
The doctor sighed. "Guilty as charged."
"Do you have any last words?"
Viktor glared up at me. "Your alliance with the dragons has sparked a war, King Xander. A war that will end in flames. Ryker might be driven by revenge and hate, but he knew the true goal. Dragon queen, you will be the death of us all."
Xander looked at me and I began speaking in his place. "Viktor Talin. For your crimes against the Northerner kingdom, I, Robbin Drakon, queen of the wolves and fire, the land and the sky, I hereby sentence you to death by fire." I mindlinked Vision and he rose his head high above Xander and me before spewing out fire, burning the doctor to ashes.