The Heart's Fire

[AngelofDeath]

(closed for Warr)


Shira fumed silently as she and her father waited to be announced to the court. The very idea of what was going on infuriated the dragoness to no end. The entire castle had heard her rage when her father first announced that she would be offered to the the High King's son as a potential wife. While Shira desired a mate of her own, her body's natural urge to reproduce kicking in having reached her second majority and now a true adult among her kind. What she didn't want was to be mated to a human of all things. She had all but challenged her father to get out of this, but she was the oldest daughter and her sisters were still too young. B'yon would hear nothing of her refusal and had made it quite clear he would outcast her if she didn't fall into line.

So here they were, in the Kingdom of Lightwater, waiting in the long procession line. The High King's son was the most sought out nobleman in all the kingdoms. By human standards he was handsome or so Shira had been told. He had seen several battles and led his father's armies to many victories. Fighting prowess did impress Shira but that wasn't enough to make her look forward to possibly being mated to a human. Just as dragons didn't hold appearance to the same standard as humans they also had a different view on clothing. Many often went about in their natural forms. They were comfortable going about on two legs as well as four. Females were as tall as the average human man. That being said when they did take human form their clothing highlighted the best of each half of the species. Unable to show off their battle scars as normal, for men the number of black and red claw marks adorned the sleeves of their shirts. In the case of her father King B'yon wore they typical shirt this one made of dark blue silk, but also a pair of black leather pants equally decorated and a thick circlet of twisted red and white gold with a large black stone set in the center.

Shira's head just barely past his shoulder's making her around the height of the prince her father had told her and thus taller than the women she was technically competing with. Her dress was typical of what all the females wore, sheer, tight and revealing. The dress had been modified to cover her breasts, her second mother having explained that human women did not go about as such. That had made Shira laugh and wonder just how they found a mate then. Arranged marriages happened amongst their kind, but were often broken before the couple were mated if they turned out to be incompatible. Traditional dresses left their breasts bared and the sides of the dresses either had high slits or shapes cut out to show off the shape and size of their hips. The gold fabric of her dress was more like a second skin and while her breasts were covered her hips were still exposed. Where her father was blond, Shira was red headed with streaks of gold here and there and her eyes were green, for the moment anyways. They changed day to day and with her mood. She wore a tiara of white gold with rubies upon it as well as a larger ruby around her neck on a thin chain.

"Presenting King B'yon and his daughter Princess Shira from the Kingdom of Dracos!" It was their turn.

"Shira behave yourself, please. A stronger alliance with the humans is needed," her father said under his breath as they stepped forward.

"I know father, you have mentioned that several times since first telling me." She thought to herself though that hopefully the prince liked his women short and human. The eyes of everyone seemed to be on them both, but on her more. Her focus returned to her father as they came to a stop before the high king, his wife and the prince. Bowing her father spoke.

"High King, I present my oldest daughter, Shira, to you and your son." If not for fear of exile she might have turn and ran instead Shira stepped forward and curtsied.

"Your Majesties." As she rose her eyes met those of the Prince, for a few seconds before she returned to her father's side.

"King B'yon. It is as always to see you in good health. Please enjoy the hospitality of my kingdom, both you and your daughter."

"Of course." B'yon took Shira's hand as they moved aside for the next presentation. As they stood off in the crowd Shira picked up on more than a few conversation about her 'scandalous' dress. It made her smirk and think that maybe they should have left the dress as it had been, that would have truly set the other nobles on their asses. As the procession continued Shira and her father took the offered wine from a passing serve. Princess and high born lady alike were presented to the prince and Shira actually found herself picking out what she though to be faults in them all. Dragons were competitive creatures by nature and even if she was against the idea, a part of her also wouldn't take all that kindly to loosing to someone that seemed so much less than she.

While she hadn't had time to really take in the Prince's reaction to her, every other man around them, regardless of station or relationship took the time to look at her at least once. Towards the end of the presentations, Shira excused herself from her father's side and sought out fresh air. Again her actions set hushed whispers to fly about. She was more than capable of defending herself and even if she was not, fear of her father was warning enough to any and all not to trifle with the dragon princess.

 

[Warr]

Prince J'onn wasn't exactly one excited to be paired off with someone he didn't even know, even for the sake of his and his fathers kingdom. However, he would do it, if it meant a better future for the people he had fought for before. So for now, he stood there beside his father, wearing his royal garb for now, which consisted of a long red cape that fluttered behind him, a headband around his forehead, his bright red hair short and barely above his eyes. A few scars around his face, especially one noticable over his eyes, bright green, a strong stature, some muscle uner the otherwise regal clothing.

He watched and nodded a little at each of the presentations. None trult interested him, at least, not until the one known as Shira had shown up. He quirked an eyebrow at the presentation. Her dressing was...interesting to say the very least, showing off quite a few curves that were in themselves...well, nice, especially to J'onn. He eyed her for a moment before she walked off with her father, off to enjoy the festivities. He kept his eye on her for another moment before he was introduced with more of the presentations.

Finally, a few moments later he found he could not take it. Not only that, but there was something quite...on, and a little off, about that Shira female. He wasn't one to go chasing tail (Okay, he was but still), but...his natural curiosity was far too much for him. So he excused himself from his father and walked off into the crowd, looking around for a few moments before he saw a familiar shape disappear out the presentation hall.

He watched for a moment and looked about to make sure no one had been watching him. Of course, this was not the case, being the prince and all the eyes were ALWAYS on him. So, managing to slip through the rest of the crowd he wound up outside and brushed himself off. He hated dealing with crowds sometimes...looking up, he saw Shira standing there.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Shira sighed softly as she stood on the balcony. Lightwater was of course a lovely kingdom, nestled within the valley, but it wasn't home. She could only hope the prince really had an aversion to the idea of being married to a dragon, even one who could and did look as human as any other woman. Taking a slow sip of wine, Shira wondered just how much more of this she would have to deal with. Of course it was expected that Prince J'onn would mix and mingle with the various noblewomen presented to him.

They were all guests of his and his parents, so its not as if anyone was expecting to make a decision this very night. Least of all considering the fact that he probably knew none of them. Running the fingers of her left hand over the railing, the dragonness walked along, taking the the sights of the courtyard from the torchlight as well as listening to what was going on back in the main hall.

 

[Warr]

"Are you enjoying the view?"

J'onn walked over to Shira from behind, his arms crossed over his chest as he kept his eyes on her. She gave off that aura that, if startled, she could rend his head from the rest of his body. He didn't want to die yet after all. So he took caution when following the dragoness, undetected even for a moment. Admitedly, it wasn't his smartest move. Try to act calm. Try not to antagonize her.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Turning Shira found herself facing the prince. Surprised by his actions Shira simply stood there looking at him for a few moments before she nodded slowly. "Your home is very lovely, your highness." She was admittedly shocked that he had come out to speak with her. "My father has spoken often of view here in Lightwater. " The dragonness could sense his nervousness. Any other time it might have been warranted, but Shir was not going to do anything that would cause trouble between their kingdoms, let alone bring her father's wrath down upon her.

"I just came to catch my breath. This is the first time I've been around so many...", She though about her next words, but there was no point in lying, "humans. Its quite a change from Dracos."

 

[Warr]

"Thank you for your kind, if not forced, words." J'onn chuckled a little bit, keeping his distance. He didn't exactly trust her as far as he could throw her, despite the fact that she could very well become his next wife. Once more, he expressed an accute interest in her. "And he spoke correctly, the view is exceedingly impressive."

This time he walked a little bit closer to her, once more arms crossed in front of his chest and no sword on his hip. He meant and showed no potential for harm. "I would imagine. When was the last time you were around humans, if I may ask?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

Shira gave him a look as she sipped the wine, wondering on what he meant by the question. "Not that long I assure you. We do have traders and merchants that come through the kingdom that are human as well as a few humans who live in the outlying villages." A few even had dragons as wives or husbands, but that wasn't the subject of their conversation.

Turning to face him fully with a small smile on her face, "And a question for a question. When's the last time you were around a dragon?" Shira relaxed somewhat since it was more than obvious the prince was still a bit wary around her. Not that she held that against him. " You can relax your highness," she held her hand up, palm facing him. "I have no intention of doing anything to cause trouble between our kingdoms. Our fathers are good friends after all." Now that they were facing each other, Shira really took him in. It was clear he was not one to just sit back and enjoy his title, the muscles and scars proved that. The scars did little to take away from his looks, in fact they enhanced them in a way. They showed that J'onn was a capable fighter and survivor.

 

[Warr]

He chuckled a little bit and nodded at her. If she showed no intent on starting a fight, then he wouldn't need to be wary any longer. He slowly made his way beside her, looking out upon the Kingdom of Lightwater. He came up here many a night and day just to enjoy the view and admire everything about the kingdom.

Finally snapping out of his daze, he didn't look at her just yet but stroked his chin in thought. "The last time escapes me, I'm afraid." he said. "But I have to say, it couldn't be more than a year or two. My father often spoke highly of your kind, especially your father. It is an honor to meet you of course, if I did not say so previously."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"You hadn't actually, but thank you none the less." Finishing the last of her wine Shira set the goblet down upon the railing. "So have you been enjoying the parade of women before you?" Dragons tended to be very frank and forward about things, and Shira was no different. She didn't mean it to be rude, she was simply curious as to what he thought of all this.

Since dragons took so long to reach an age where they were capable of reproducing, things like finding a permanent partner were put off until then. Before then after reaching their first majority, the average dragon had at least two or three lovers. A notion she was sure would shock any human who hadn't lived amongst them. That also was part of the reason why the whole ideal of this...parade annoyed her. Her father was coming close to turning his back on how their kind lived their lives. He wouldn't force her to accept J'onn, but she knew how his mind worked. Which meant King B'yon was also in on whatever her father had cooked up.

 

[Warr]

"I'm not entirely fond on the idea of an arranged marriage, t o tell you the truth," he said with a small sigh and a shake of his head. He began to lean over the railing of the balcony, "I understand its to help my kingdom grow and expand and what have you, but the idea of being forced upon someone I don't even know, it just puts a bad taste in my mouth."

He stood up again and looked at her from the corner of his eye. "Cosidering the fact that I am male, and many male would kill to be in my position to have parade f women offered to me, it must make me seem weak, yes?" He asked with a small chuckle escaping his throat. Someone in his position of potentially having a lover and not enjoying it? Surely, other people, especially the men, in his kingdom would see him as insane. Who wouldn't want to be in this position?

 

[AngelofDeath]

"For a human and noble maybe. If you were a dragon however you'd be in good company. We live far too long to be mated to someone we can't tolerate. Personally I can't understand the idea of arranged marriages. What good does it do a kingdom and its people for those who rule over them to be unhappy?" Well her opinion of him was more than it had been before. "Then again things like this are never about being happy. Its about securing bloodlines and maintaining order."

Her fingers stroked over the ruby around her neck slowly, "When my father told me about this I was ready to scream." She smirked, she had done more than scream at her father actually. Shira had actually made several passioned and rude comments about her father and whether the thin air of the clouds had affected his reasoning. It hadn't stopped anything of course.

/////


Back inside the pairs' fathers were busy talking. Or rather conspiring. "Well Alric, they are talking so that is a start. Shira of course is going to make it very hard for your son."

"J'onn's a good man. He'll win her over." He turned to his long time friend and raised his glass in salute, "Do you think either of them will figure out what we are up to?"

B'yon tilted his head in thought, "Shira might sooner or later. She's very smart and knows I would never willingly force her to choose a mate. I can only hope she does after the fact. She has her mother's temper and if she's happy with him, it might cool her fires somewhat."

The two father shared a laugh and went back to their prior conversation about raiders from the west and how to strengthen their shared borders.

 

[Warr]

He laughed when she said she was ready to scream. "I believe I was in the same boat as you, though not as ready to scream as it was to slaughter something out of anger." Another laugh and he shook his head, chuckling and rubbing the back of his head, fingers combing into his red hair.

"Funny how our fathers can be...loving and somewhat caring, and at the same time out to potentially ruin or lives...or some variation of." He said, shaking his head a little bit,.

 

[AngelofDeath]

"That is what parents do. Of course in my father's case my five younger siblings make up for it. Honestly I doubt you would even think of looking at me as a potential wife. I'm more than likely far too much for you to handle to begin with." Shira didn't even think how arrogant that might have made her sound. While not common human/dragon couple did happen so it wasn't like it was out of the realm of possibility. It was just that J'onn was used to human women, how they act, how they thought. Take away the scales on her back and Shira looked as human as anyone else. She wasn't though, she was a dragon who took human form.

 

[Warr]

"Is that a challenge?" he asked, crossing his arms and turning to face her. "While you may be a dragon, I'll have yoou know I have a very open mind, grew up with one of course. So with you inciuating that I wouldn't be able to handle you..." He paused and smirked a little. "Well, I may have to take you up on that challenge. I've never been one to give up THAT easily after all."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Shira's flashed gold a bit when he asked her if it was a challenge. "What are you suggesting that I challenge you to try and win me over?" Shira laughed and shook her head, "My you do have a strange sense of humor, my lord. I almost thought you were serious there for a moment. Having an open mind is good." Picking her empty goblet up she smiled softly. "I do applaud the effort though, but I still stand by the comment. If you'll excuse me I need to refresh my goblet."

Inclining her head Shira, turned and headed back inside, a slight sway to her hips. J'onn had to be joking, then again if she agreed to such a notion it would be possible for Shira to get out of the situation without having to do anything drastic. While the servant refilled her goblet, and a few eyes trailed her way, Shira noted that their fathers were speaking. Which wasn't strange, considering their friendship and the fact Dracos and Lightwater were neighbors. Taking a sip, the dragonness watched the other nobles as they stood about talking or dancing while the musicians played.

 

[Warr]

As she walked off he frowned a little and huffed. Did she not think he was capable? He'd fought more wars than all of his fathers generals. He was a hardened warrior, a prince and fighter, and she did not think he was capable of...excuse the phrase, taming her? Ha, that was quite the laugh. So he stood there for a few more moments and watched as she disappeared.

Looking back out into the Kingdom, thoughts began to course through his mind. Thoughts, ideas...and of course, plans. He figured, that this Shira woiuld be quite fun...

 

[AngelofDeath]

Shira watched the people come and go. Now and then she would look back towards the balcony, but apparently J'onn was content to stay out there. Not that she could blame him, she could just imagine the stampede of bodies and princesses and other high borne ladies tried to get his attention. It would be impossible odds for all of them to be against the idea of marrying the prince.

After awhile she stepped back outside, seeing him looking out on the kingdom she mused, "You know, one might think you've already decided those other women aren't for you. I'm sure your father would like to see you mingling. It would be bad form to simply ignored them all."

 

[Warr]

"It would help if any of the other girls interested me," J'onn said and turned back to her. "There's no point in talking to a bunch of collective airheads who only see me as a way for glory, gold and royalty." He shurgged a little bit. and turned to face her. "I'm sure my father would understand if I didn't decde right away."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Well I doubt he was expecting you to make a decision tonight. If you want to snub them all, I suppose that's fine as well. Its not as if I have to worry about the opinions of others." She moved to where he was and took another sip of her drink, "So tell me, Prince J'onn, what makes you think you could handle me?" Setting the goblet down she stalked towards him.

Reaching up with her left hand she traced the scars on his face, "You've fought many battles and won. I'm sure you've never had any trouble winning a girl over or two." Her fingers slid under his chin, tilting his head back, which was just for show since they were of equal height. "I however am no mere girl to be trifled with and wooed with easy words and a few steamy looks. You will have to do far better than that." Shira was sure by now he noticed just how much warmer her own body was in relation to his own.

"If you are man enough," her eyes dipped over his body and then rose to his once more, the green now mixed with gold, "by all means, prove that you might make a worthy husband."

 

[Warr]

Considering what she was, he was amazing at how soft she was stroking and tracing at his scars, allowing her to do as she wanted, forced his head back and tolkd him that he would need more than words and looks to win her over. He looked at her as she looked down at his body and back into his eyes.

"By all means, prove that you might make a worthy husband."

That brought another smile to his face, and after giving another chuckle, as he tended to, said, "I accept your challenge, Madam."

 

[AngelofDeath]

'Hmm he actually agreed, interesting,' Shira thought to herself as she stepped back and let her hand fell away from his face. "Oh make no mistake your highness, this challenge is yours." She inclined her head to him along with a small curtsy, "If you will excuse me I think I shall retire for the evening."

Rooms had been set aside for all of King Alric's guests and truth be told Shira planned to take one quick evening flight before actually going to sleep. She needed to stretch her wings and just be herself for a few moments. Both she and her father and the other nobles would be there for several days and if her instincts were right J'onn was going to leave her with very little time to go flying.

 

[Warr]

"Have a good rest, Madam." he said as he watched her disappear from his sight again. He stood out there for another few moments as he continued to plan and think of what he could do to win over the Dragoness. Hell, he couldn't even think of why he was so interested in her, could it have been because of the fact she challenged him, or was there something more about it? He frowned a little bit as he reached up and rubbed his head band, as he did when he was thinking.

Pushing the thoughts out of his mind fo now, he walked through the remaining people and to his own sleeping quarters. If his instinct was right, he was going to need all the sleep he could get...

 

[AngelofDeath]

Once in her rooms, Shira opened the doors to her own private balcony. It was a bit small, but Shira could manage it. Thankfully it was high up enough and there was the beginnings of a good breeze. Her body began to glow as she stepped out into the night, her body changing and growing. When the glow faded in her place stood a gold and red dragon. From nose to tail she was close to 12 feet long. Tucking her wings in close she climbed onto the balcony railing and then leapt into the air her large wings catching the breeze as she did. A few good strong flaps and Shira was airborne.

Slowly she circled the castle, letting the cool air slide over her scales and take her cares away for the time being.

 

[Warr]

Before he did decide to go to bed, he wanted one final look out into the kingdom, the peace and serenity he felt from them all just put him in such a state of bliss. He looked out one final time, eyes wandernig ovr the lights that began to snuff themselves out and looked up to see a very large figure swoop by his balcony. He frowned. He should have known.

"Enjoy your flight, Miss Shira." He said to himself as he walked back into his room and climbed into his bed. "For the games begin tomorrow...' And closed his eyes.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Shira flew about for around an hour before finally returning to her rooms and settling down for bed. Laying her dress aside Shira slid under the covers naked and let sleep claim her. She didn't know why she had agreed to the challenge, consider her opinion of the whole affair, but if she was going to be stuck in Lightwater for the time being, the dragonness might as well have some fun.

The next morning after breakfast Shira found herself wandering th castle gardens. She had done her best not to inhale her food, but it had been difficult to sit there listening to the other women fawn over the prince and speculate on how to best catch his eye. It wouldn't take long for them to figure out that the prince had eyes for only one and it was none of them. Today she wore a silver and blue dress that did look very much like the one she worse last night.

As she wandered around Shira began to wonder just how J'onn plan to impress her.