Qualin
It was weird being back in the palace. Minor and his siblings brought us to an open courtyard.
"Dad said to wait here." Galaxy perched himself on one of the benches and began sunning himself. It looked like it was a couple hours later in the morning than at the vacation house.
The others also began to stretch out, seeming totally relaxed. I couldn't help feeling a little nervous. My ears twitched every which way, all my senses on high alert. Would any one want revenge for what I did?
Minor took my hand and began to gently pull me towards a bench near Major. For a moment, I actually started to feel more at ease. Than a sharp snarl broke the quiet of the courtyard.
I spun on my heels, ready for anything. And sure enough, a familiar dragon was perched on a hedge, fangs barred, wings out, and scales raised like spiked hackles. Definitely the one I'd fought the night I broke into the palace. In a way, it felt like a life time ago, but this was a sudden return to reality.
"Hi, Aunt Shree." Minor stepped in front of me and I realized his siblings were all standing around us. Still seeming completely relaxed. For a moment I'd forgotten this was a family member.
The dragon, Shree, hissed and snarled louder, looking completely savage. I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise and a chill went down my spine; her bloodlust was palpable.
"Calm down, Auntie, he's with us." Galaxy was still calm, but his voice carried authority.
Minor was standing squarely in front of me, one hand reaching back to grasp mine. He didn't seem scared but was tense.
"It's alright, my love." A man stepped into view, moving to stand next to the hedge from which Shree was preparing to pounce.
"Hi, uncle Rayken."
"Hello, Minor, kids."
I recognized this warrior as one I'd fought and nearly killed, and the one who had nearly taken my head.
"How nice to see you again." His eyes locked with mine, his jaw set and one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Yeah." I tried to smile to break the tension. This may have been the first time I'd ever come face to face with someone I'd fought during a past job. It was so much more awkward than I had even imagined. "So... how are ya?"
"Alive. Thanks to my partner." He gestured slightly to Shree, whose snarl intensified.
"Yeah... guess I should apologize for that..." I ran a hand through my hair and smiled sheepishly, trying not to look too threatening.
"That would be a good start."
"It wasn't Qualin's fault!" Hearing Minor stand up for me made me feel an odd mixture of gratitude and guilt.
"I know. Your parents came by and explained the whole situation." His expression didn't soften. "So I know he was a slave and technically didn't have a choice, and I understand he's your...partner...even though I can't understand how you could partner with a thief and a murderer."
"Hey, that's not fair!" Minor stepped forward, sounding angry.
I grabbed his arm. "Hey, don't worry about it." He turned and I smiled, "I don't care what anyone says about me, accept you. Besides, he's just bitter that he lost..." Fuck my mouth! as soon as I heard the snarky tone lining my words, I regretted them. But seeing Minor's worried expression was like a knife in my heart, and being a jackass was like a fucking reflex.
Rayken and Shree also didn't appreciate my comment. I heard the sound of a sword being drawn, but Shree was faster, lounging past her partner, landing within striking distance of Minor and me.
As Minor began to step forward to confront her, I instinctively pulled him back. No way I was going to let him get hurt because of my mess.
"Enough!" Galaxy's voice boomed as he stepped between her and us. The energy that was pouring from him was immense and radiating a dizzying array of colors that pressed down on Shree.
Her ferocity diminished slightly as she crouched under the weight of Galaxy's energy, whining and struggling against it. I ventured a glance towards the warrior and saw he had stopped as well, his sword only half drawn. He seemed to be resisting the urge to attack on his own.
"Qualin is our brother's partner, which means he is our brother! ANYONE who has a problem with that has a problem with all of us."
Minor's other siblings all nodded and sounded in agreement. I felt dumbfounded.
Shree snapped and snarled. Somehow, I was able to understand her sounds and thrashing as language, and the beginning of a protest, but Minor cut her off.
"Dad forgave you, didn't he? Even after you and your siblings spent years trying to kill him and Mom, and he's your own litter mate!"
"I didn't want to be apart of that, I had no choice!" Shree hissed and whined, clearly unhappy about this reminder.
"Exactly! You were only following orders of someone stronger because you were afraid. But when you ran away, Dad gave you shelter and protected you. He even brought you here to keep you safe and away from the fighting, and you were able to meet your partner." Minor looked up to Rayken. "And you didn't seem to mind her violent past."
"Th--"
Minor continued without allowing interruptions. "And even when your other little mates began to also make amends and wanted to reconnect with you, they were against you partnering with a person. Uncle Quick Strike even tried to kill Rayken! Dad had to intervene. But you've forgiven your brother, haven't you?"
"Quick Strike is rough, but he kept us all safe during difficult years. And, he's changed... he's softer now..."
"My point is that you forgave him, and at that point, he was just being an ass!"
The look of shock and amusement from Minor's siblings at his language was hilarious, but I bit back my laughter... Maybe I was a little bit of a bad influence.
Minor pressed on. "If you really look at our family, Qualin is far from having the worst transgressions. I mean, didn't you find it odd that most of his attacks were clearly non-fatal? And none were true killing blows. Even though he was under orders to kill, and was obviously skilled and powerful enough to do so?"
The courtyard fell silent. I had to admit, I was curious about all the apparent drama and transgressions in Minor's family. A few memories Minor had shared came to mind and I got the sense that I was familiar with a few incidents. Strange. But that curiosity was quickly over shadowed. It was rather cathartic to hear Minor defend me, and praise my skills.
"That doesn't mean I have to like him." Shree's voice was finally calm as she sat, turning her face away and adjusting her wings. "It's only natural to feel hostile to someone who injured your partner."
"I am sorry for that." I took a deep breath and stepped forward, brushing off Minor's attempts to keep me behind him. I wanted to try and make things right. Not sure what else to do, I slowly knelt on the ground and lowered my head, my hands clenching the grass in front of me. I hated feeling so exposed, like I was about to accept a beating. I couldn't help tensing in anticipation of a kick to the head or a whip across my back. "Please forgive me."
***
Minor
I could feel my partner trembling slightly, trying to hide his vulnerability. It was unbearable.
Kneeling beside him, I leaned across his back, resting my check in the back of his head. He needed to know that he was safe. Nothing was going to happen.
His trembling stopped and I looked up at my auntie and uncle, my head still resting on his. "He is my other half. Hurting him hurts me. Killing him is the same as killing me."
Aunt Shree whined and came over to nuzzle me. I knew she'd understand. I grew up hearing how she was willing to die to be with Rayken, even though she was the first in the family to partner outside the Animal Kingdom. Of course she was protective of him. She just needed to see that Qualin wasn't a threat.
"Relax, kid." Uncle Rayken sheathed his sword. No one is going to kill your partner. And yes, I am well aware that your parents supported Shree and I marrying despite objections on both sides. I may not understand... this... but I'm not trying to object. And I am still a palace guard, only the King or Queen can issue punishment, and they've granted him a full pardon. That doesn't mean that all is forgiven and forgotten. Trust is earned. He is getting a chance because we trust you."
"See? I'm sure we can all learn to get along." Galaxy commented, sounding rather chipper. "Qualin is sorry. And let's face it, you two nearly killed him before, so you got even. But seriously, bro," Galaxy chuckled and I felt a sense a joy when Qualin looked up at him in response. "Maybe don't taunt the ones you attacked. No need to cause unnecessary offense."
"Yeah, pride can be a real bitch. I struggle with that, too... and can run my mouth a bit too much sometimes." He sat up his ears drooping a little bit, then bowed his head again. "I'm sorry for that as well." This time his apology was sincere without the sense of terror.
"It's fine." Uncle Rayken bowed slightly to acknowledge the apology. "Just be mindful in the future. Everyone here has a great respect for King Draco and his family, but not all will fully grasp your particular situation and may feel a bit bitter that you've gotten off so easily."
"They'll get over it." Dad's voice responded confidently. Turning to the right, I saw him, Romnoe, and Callie entering the courtyard from the castle. His relaxed and matter-of-fact tone, along with out friends' reassuring smiles put me at ease and I finally pulled away from my partner, keeping just one hand on his back while we knelt more casually on the grass and greeted the new arrivals.