1,015 Years Ago

  I don’t like what’s been happening lately. When Xavier and I first came here we were introduced to Sorin and Finn the very first day. Even for a boy, Sorin seemed very serious, and I was a bit frightened by him until he smiled and patted me on the head. Finn pulled my hair and joked about the color. I stepped on his foot. He looked at me with shock, and then we all laughed.

  Those are my best friends, and we have been together ever since. Even though I had been worried about growing up among humans, my betrothed and his best friend never felt like that. They were both princes of the dragon’s line, though any sort of divinity was very far removed. The dragon served the sun while we served the moon, but still, Xavier and I became close to the last two descendants of the dragon.

  As we grow up, something odd has been happening. It’s like a brick wall has been built, slowly, over time, between me and my three closest companions. I barely noticed it at first, but castle life separated us. And by the time I realized the wall was too high for me to climb over.

  They have started training for knighthood. Something I ignored because I had no interest in swords or bruises or getting sweaty in the midday sun. But it changed them. Nobody called me little terror or knocked me into the mud anymore though they still played roughly with each other.

  And one day, I realized that while they were all still close friends, I had become a young lady they wanted to respect and protect.

  Or that’s what the Queen would say.

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  I would say I had been left out.

  Everyone thinks I haven’t made friends with the other ladies because I’m haughty, but that’s not true. I don’t dislike other women. But my mother, the moon, gave birth to me with a heart that had room for very few. I only wanted my special people. My Sorin, Xavier, and Finn.

  And Mael.

  But I’m not supposed to talk about that.

  –

  1,012 Years Ago

  The King continues his warmongering. But now my friends are of age, and they will be going with the rest of the army. But at last there was finally an engagement feast for Sorin and me. It was the happiest I’ve been since those childhood days when we all played together. Sorin kept me by his side the whole night, his eyes warm and proud as he looked at me. He whispered all sorts of wonderful promises to me. Xavier and Finn shared drinks with us, and we all laughed like time had never passed. In my heart, we were back in the rear garden, kids again with nothing to do but get into trouble.

  I was happy not to be lonely anymore.

  The dream ended as soon as it had begun. The men smiled and waved as they rode off and left the rest of us behind with nothing but worry and questions. They were going off on their wonderful adventure, but I was left on the ramparts with a sharp pain in my stomach and shameful tears on my face as I watched them disappear. Xavier and Finn passed beyond the gates, but Sorin paused and turned around once again to look for me. I hid so he wouldn’t see me.

  I had been left behind again. So, of course, I did the thing I promised myself I wouldn’t do again. I went into the mountains to see my secret. Even if he is grumpy and always says he will eat me if I don’t leave soon. He never actually does. And he listens. His scales are warm. His cave glitters, and I pretend it’s the only place I know as I curl up and sleep against the back of a legendary beast.

  Mael, I think you are my only friend now.

  There are certain things we never say out loud.