The Dragon’s Throne 1

Anna was elated, and so close to the platform when she heard another shriek and looked up to see a second dragon flying through the air, straight for them.

She didn’t recognize the face, though it was hard to recognize each dragon on sight even if they weren’t flying straight at her hundreds of feet in the air.  But she did recognize the murderous look in the dragon’s eyes, and she realized at the last second that the look was not directed at Marissa.

Anna prepared herself, gripping tight to Marissa as the second dragon slammed into them both.  But the force of the blow was too hard, and with a sickening feeling, she lost her grip on Marissa and began free falling toward the ground, back first.

She righted herself so that she was facedown, spreading her arms and legs wide.  There was a popping noise as the hidden fabric pulled out with her arms and legs, and she breathed a quick sigh of relief as the makeshift wings caught air and her descent slowed. 

She saw Eli take flight then, coming toward her as she moved her body with the wind, gliding through the air faster than she would have liked.  He pulled up beside her, matching her speed so that she could climb onto his back, then starting toward the ground when she yelled out to him.

“No!  Take me back up there.  I’m going to finish this.”

Eli looked back at her as he changed course, his eyes the only remnant of his human visage.  He dipped his head to let her know that he agreed, then pulled up, heading after Marissa and the mystery dragon who had come to her aid.

Anna stood on Eli’s back, hooking her feet into the fabric of the suit that had stretched and molded to fit him as he had gone from human to dragon.  She was locked in, staff in hand and ready to fight. 

Marissa and the other dragon were in the air together, Marissa obviously weakened by the encounter with Anna. 

“The male dragon,” Anna directed, and Eli changed course, going for the dragon that had knocked Anna off Marissa and sent her plummeting to what the dragon must have thought was her death. 

The male dragon looked up to see them, roaring in anger and spitting fire as they got closer.  Eli tilted and weaved, avoiding the flames and getting Anna closer.  Anna slammed the staff into the dragon’s ribs three times in quick succession, choosing spots close to the wings and hitting them as hard as she could. 

Eli circled around, and went back at the unknown dragon, who was struggling to stay adrift in the air.  Showing no mercy, Anna grabbed the staff in both hands like a golf club, swinging upward and catching the dragon in his jaw.

The blow knocked the dragon off balance, and sent him plummeting in a tailspin almost straight down.  Anna turned her attention to Marissa as Eli flew straight for her.  She was still flying crooked, her scaly face pained, her movements jerky while her body focused on healing herself midflight. She was struggling, and only a few blows from losing her ability to hold her shift.  Anna took a moment to check the skies for the other dragon, or any others that were there to jump to Marissa’s defense, but the mystery dragon had disappeared from view, and she wasn’t sure where he had ended up.

Marissa cried out in fear and pain when she saw them coming at her, but she made no moves to get out of their way.  As Anna thought, she was too weak to fight back, and was barely able to stay in the air.

“Leave this place and I won’t kill you!” Anna yelled out as they got closer, holding the staff above her head menacingly. 

Marissa shrieked in rage, but Anna could see in her eyes that she was beaten down and had no more fight left in her.

“This is your only chance; leave or die.  Your choice, Marissa.”

Marissa glared at Anna for a moment, then lowered her head in defeat, her message clear.  She had fought and lost, and she knew that she was outmatched. 

“Don’t show your face here again,” Anna said.  “I will not show you mercy a second time.”

Marissa banked left, heading east without another noise to voice her disapproval.  Anna slipped her feet from the fabric that locked them in, sliding onto Eli’s back and holding on as he floated back down to the earth, landing deftly on the platform where his parents still stood.

Anna lowered herself off Eli’s back, her body trembling but her resolve strong.  She held the staff in her hand, her head held high and defiant as she addressed the crowd.

“If anyone else wants to challenge me, do not do it in a cowardly manner.  Come at me now, or follow me.  I did not choose this fate for myself, but I will not be intimidated.  I will not grant the next attacker the mercy granted to Marissa.  The next dragon who challenges me will die.”

Anna stood there, not even reacting when Eli stood next to her in human form, lending his support silently and showing the kingdom that he stood beside her.

No one came forward, and with less trembling and her head still held high, she turned to Lauren and Silas and smiled.

They returned her smile, the look of pride clear on both of their faces.  Her heart swelled and for the first time, she felt completely confident in her place in this new future. 

Lauren stepped forward, taking the delicate silver and amethyst crown from her own head and placing it on Anna’s head.  Lauren hugged Anna close to the cheers of the crowd that was still gathered below, whispering in her ear just loud enough to be heard over the applause from below them.

“You are the daughter I always dreamed you would be,” Lauren said.  “Fate chose wisely.”

Anna nodded, not knowing what to say.