"I-I can't love you. Everyone that I love has been taken away from me, and I don't think I can handle another heartbreak."

Name:

Vashra

Age:

76

Gender:

Female

Mate:

None

Appearance:

Vashra is on the smaller side and angular, when standing beside her rider you'll find that her head is the entire length of them and no more. She has a grace about her, being long necked rather than short. Her scales are palest lavender and the membrane of her wings is slightly pink. Her horns are twisted and ivory, a trail of them down her spine, the color matches her underbelly. Vashra's eyes are an icy blue and very expressive for a dragon.

Personality:

Vashra may look dainty to the naked eye, but she's a creature of violence and can hold her ground very well. She's nippy and even if you're close to her rider personally, she'll try and scare you as best as she can. She's been known to pick fights and win against much larger dragons, most likely due to her ability to be quick. As nasty as she can be (and picky too!) , she does love her rider and would die for them.

He made his way inside, the castle staff rushing around. A manservant, John, approached Caspian and bowed quickly, “His majesty requests your presence in his study,” he said curtly, bowing again before rushing off to another task.

Caspian audibly groaned. He still smelled of dragon and was practically starved. He didn’t care if that was his own doing. The prince made his way to his father’s study. The castle halls were lit by lanterns, well enough to see the kingdom’s red and gold banners strapped to the wall every ten feet. There were no windows in the halls, only the bedrooms. Even then, some were without. There were times Caspian hated it and others where he was glad to be in the dark. The design being to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. However, today was a day where he was already itching to be anywhere but here.

When he reached his father’s study, he laid his hand upon the door and knocked thrice upon the heavy oak. “Enter,” his father’s muffled voice called.

The guards on either side moved to push the door open for him, returning to their post immediately after the door shut behind the prince. Seeing the prince standing in front of the king was like looking in a mirror that ages. He had his fathers eyes, build, skin, and face. The only thing he inherited from his mother was her dark curls. Thank the Gods for his father was balding and that happened to be in Caspian’s top three fears.

“You sent for me, father?” the prince asked, sounding bored. And he was.

His father nodded, “Yes, I needed to make you aware of certain arrangements that will be happening quite soon.” Caspian raised a brow. “The Court of the Kingdom of Kaeldris has extended an olive branch-”

“Because they are losing,” the prince interrupted, his father shooting him a chilling look.

“That may be true, but it saves us both many losses. You’ll be marrying the princess, Kiera. She will arrive within the fortnight. I informed them there was no need to rush. Allow her to set her things in order and such,” he paused. “We should have sent word that we could tend to her wardrobe. I do hope the climate agrees with her.”

Caspian raised a brow, “I am to marry her?” He scoffed. “Me?”

“Who else?” The king looked at his son deadpan. “You are the crown prince, or have you forgotten?" Caspian clenched his teeth. “You’ll not argue. You can have any mistress of your choosing. You could have several for all I care. However, your union to the princess will end this long war. A worthy sacrifice, don’t you think?”

Caspian scoffed again, turning from him. “You cannot be serious, father. I do not know her. Perhaps she will hate me. Hate our country? Perhaps Vashra will do me a favor and eat her.”

“Don’t speak ill, Caspian. For that will be your wife,” He crossed the room, gripping his son by the jaw. “Are we clear?”

The prince pushed himself away, nodding. He went to open his mouth and his father shook his head, waving him off.

“You’re dismissed. Your mother will be waiting for you at breakfast,” he mentioned as he made his way back to his desk.

“You’ll not be joining us?”

“No, I must write to them in response. Hopefully they will send word before her arrival, we’ll have her a proper wardrobe with proper Sylvarian silk. Perhaps the twins will help with the selections,” he said, putting pen to paper.

Caspian nodded, leaving to make his way to the dining room.

___

Upon his arrival, the three women stood and curtsied, he bowed in return. Silly formalities. Caspian took his seat beside his mother, immediately cutting into the sweet pastry upon his plate. His mother cleared her throat. “Caspian, you smell of dragon,” she said flatly.

“Yes, mother, I was riding,” he said, popping a bite into his mouth.

“I am hoping this new arrangement will encourage you to spend less time upon that beast,” she said. The twins in front of them shared a look. Their mother caught it and glared. “I know you already know. Your maids speak with mine, it is not a secret anymore. Your father has spoken to Caspian, has he not?” she said, turning to her son who nodded, mouth full and loading his plate further. “See.”

“Do you think she will be pretty?” Estelle asked, tilting her head.

“It is of no matter. It is to end a war, which is far more important, Estelle,” the woman shook her head.

Althea looked over at her twin and shrugged. “It would make it easier, wouldn’t it?”

The queen shot her daughter a look, “You are both vain creatures, shame on you.”

Caspian let out a bout of laughter. “I simply hope she doesn’t shy away from Vashra, she does love a chase.”

His mother sighed. "Enough, eat your breakfasts." The children shared a look, but did return to their meals. Maybe he'd be lucky and she'd take to the twins kindly. That is, if he didn't.

Geneviève stood outside on the balcony that is connected to her room. Her arms are rested on the railing as her gaze sweeps over the garden below her. She loves flowers and she is glad that the King was nice enough, which she isn't surprised since he treats her as his other daughter, to let her be next to it when she asked if it was a possibility. It reminds her of some good memories before her world turned upside down. She loves flowers still, but sometimes it is too hard to look at for too long before they bring back the memories that she tries to always push to the back of her mind.

She let a sigh slip from her lips before she turned her head to the sky. Her brother is probably laughing at her right now. She has always hated royalty with a passion because they were the ones that caused the war. That war is where her brother died. She will never be able to forgive them for what they have done. She finds it rather ironic now that she is best friends with the princess and that now she is posing as royalty. He is probably rolling around in his grave, knowing that she is going to hate every second of it with a passion.

She turned around and headed back into the room, surprised that the there were already dresses laid out on the bed before her. Her brows rose, wondering how she didn't notice that someone came into the room. She must've been so deep in thought that she didn't notice someone knocking on the door and coming in to set the dresses on the bed. Serves her right for being lost in her own thoughts to not pay attention to her surroundings.

She went up to the bed, her hands slightly gliding over the expensive materials. Some were rather simple, some had lace on them, others had diamonds and jewels. A small scoff of disgust left her lips. She recogonizes that some of the dresses are from Kiera's closet, knowing that they are similar in size that she should fit decently enough in them. Others were ones that the King had tailor to her a few years ago that she had stuffed in the back of her closet that only come out once in a blue moon for balls that they sometimes hold. She hates that she is going to have to wear dresses the entire time that she is visiting the Prince. She wonders if she could get away with wearing pants and a shirt every once in a while or if they would snear at her for not beng very Princess like.

She let a groan leave her lips as she remembers that she is going to have to act the complete opposite of herself. It is going to be a challenge, but she is going to try the best she can if something slips, it slips. Then again, at least they don't know who Kiera completely is personality wise since the King has kept her behind the kingdom walls for so long. They have a vague idea what Kiera looks like, and she isn't surprised that the King is having her go since they look fairly similar, minus the heterochromatic eyes and the scar on her face. She knows how to hide those well and won't have an issue trying to conceal them.

There was a knock on the door before a servant peeked his head in. "The carriage will be ready in an hour to head to Sylvaria, Gen."

She nodded her head and gave him a slight smile. "Thank you. You can take these dresses and put them in with my luggage. I'll be ready soon."

She got up and headed towards the bathroom. She closed the door behind her, hearing as the servant started moving around to get everything in order. She went towards the sink and pulled a drawer open, showing mutliple different vials. She picked two of them up and set them on the counter. She looked at them, not quite reaching out to try and use them.

She got them from a friend a few months ago who is a Witch. She had wanted to get something to help conceal the scar. He took that idea that she would want one of her eyes to be concealed and be the same color, hence the other vial she has on the counter. She has only used his potions once before in the past. She trusted that he wouldn't do anything to harm her, especially since they have been friends since they were kids. She knows it only last for a day, so she would have to get up every morning to drink more of the potion to ensure that she keeps her identity a secret until she knows that the Prince won't do Kiera harm.

She picked up one vial and took a sip of it before setting it down. She watched as the scar vanished, knowing that it also concealed the rest of the scars among her body as well. She hummed, wishing that she tried this sooner so she didn't have the bad memories that came with the scar. She grabbed the other vial and repeated the process. Her left eye turned from honey to a bright ocean blue, just like her other eye. She was surprised how well it worked, slightly sad that she couldn't keep her unique eye color.

She grabbed a simple emerald green dress that she hung in the bathroom before she went to the balcony. The sleeves were long, having them drag on the ground as she walked. It had a sweetheart neckline, showing more skin than she has shown in years. She is going to have to get used to both that and the dresses, along with trying to act as a Princess to the best of her ability. She grabbed a gold tiara with small emerald jewels in it and set it on top of her head.

She stared at herself in awe in the mirror at how much she looked like a princess along with how different she looked as well. She looked gorgeous. She never considered herself to be pretty, but having on a gown with a crown on top of her head made her feel differently about that. She shook her head, knowing she shouldn't get used to it and grabbed the potion vials and made her way out of the bathroom. She slipped the vials in a small bag and handed it to the servant.

She followed him out, slightly keeping her head down so she didn't have to interact with anyone. She just wanted to get to the carriage and be on her way quickly. Once she made it through the halls past multiple people and into the carriage, she let a sigh of relief out. That was short lived once Kiera poked her head in.

"So rude that you are leaving without saying goodbye." Kiera pouted, her bottom lip jutting out slightly, She knew she was slightly joking and trying to make light of the situation. "I'm sorry that you have to do this because of my father."

Gen shrugged her shoulders. "It is fine. If it was anyone else, I would never consider doing this." She said as she gave her best friend a smile. Kiera knows about her past, yet she doesn't judge her for it. She is glad for it. "I'm sure all will go well. I hope to see you sooner rather than later as well." She said as she got up from her seat to lean forward to hug the Princess.

Kiera hugged her tightly. "Knowing you, I know it will. My father and I both trust your judgement as well." She said as she pulled away. "You look like a Princess. It suits you."

Gen rolled her eyes and sat back down, trying to make herself feel comfortable. "Don't get used to it." She said with a small smile.

"Never." Kiera laughed as she closed the door. "Have fun and I hope to see you soon!" She winked at her as the carriage started to pull away.

Gen shook her head, a small laugh leaving her lips. That woman is for sure going to be the death of her if something were to happen to her. She waved to her before she leaned back in her seat. She fiddled with her hands, knowing that she is going to have a hard time with everything.

The only thing that Kiera doesn't know is what she is. She has hid that most of her life as there are not many Dragon shifters in the world. There are Dragon Riders, but not many Dragon shifters. Sure, she could've flown, but that would be risky. She rather hide everything about her, not wanting it to get out. She would only be used as a prize possession and she doesn't want that. her being a prized possession would be the last thing anyone will do.

She glanced out the window, knowing it will take the rest of the day to get to Sylvaria. She remembers saying she should be there around dinner time. She hopes that she doesn't have to eat much and that most of the interactions will start tomorrow. She has a feeling that won't be happening though.