*****No POV*****

The dragon, who used to have light in his azure gaze, stared blankly ahead. It was almost as though there was nothing inside of this creature. All that was left was instinctual reactions. So when the King's fingers trailed over the dragon's strange markings along his stomach there was a slight twitch. This was followed by a low rumble befitting of the monster the king thought dragons to be. But the king was uncaring of these reactions. He did not mind this close proximity to the thing whose kind was responsible for taking his wife from him.

No.

Because the cruel black collar gleamed it's oppressing aura around the young prince's neck.

There was no escaping the power of this collar.

So his wicked smile and peeling laughter reflected the happiness of his mood. Sure, his son was delusional enough to believe this dragon was his, predestined, something the King still did not truly understand the meaning of. But once again, he hardly cared. There was a deep set knowledge in him that Magnus would come around eventually. And then they would destroy dragonkind together.

"My, my, you wasted no time."

The King was just finishing up the final touches of the harness on the prince's body. It was made of a strong leather, ropes digging in harshly against the softer underbelly most dragons were known for. The muzzle —another delightful treat in his mind— was secured so only his command would allow the dragon to open its mouth to spew its deadly flames. The saddle was all that was left of the ensemble. Leather like the rest of the equipment, smooth and sharp with the metal tied into it.

"Of course I wouldn't. Not with this dreadful thing delivered as a gift right at my doorstep."

Just for fun, the king kicked the dragon harshly in the side. The small whine this act elicited was effectively muzzled by the wrappings around the dragon's mouth. Even this far gone pain sensations and their reactions did remain, no matter how detached the mind really was.

Malcolm scrutinized the dragon with narrowed eyes. "So this is the future king of the valley, eh? Thought he'd be more . . . impressive. Aren't dragons supposed to be more colorful?"

"Hmm. Well, I don't know how much this counts but . . ." Asmodeus yanked at one of those carefully folded wings. There was another whine of discontent as the appendage flapped open. What was revealed was a starry pattern, a fitting rendition of the night sky in scales. "I did find this."

"Oooooh, a Lightwood. Now that is impressive. Not to mention . . ."

"What?"

"If I'm correct, that was the dragon whose head I never received."

"What? You're saying . . ."

"Yes, I am."

A silence stretched out between the two men. But the king grew tired of it all too quickly. There would be no stopping it, this war they would enter with dragonkind. But with the weapons they prepared . . . the unexpected ally they made, well, it would not last long. They would soon enough be at the top. All dragons would either be wiped out or subservient to the cause.

But this bit of information was still strange, yet sensical.

It explained the despair on Magnus's face, the desperate plea for him to let the dragon prince go.

But a glance into those purple eyes reminded him of why he could not stop.

Not even for his son.

"No matter. We will end this war. Any delusions Magnus has can be dealt with afterwards."

The look Malcolm sent across at the King spoke volumes, lips curling up in the most wicked of smiles. Evil was rank, their plans starting to unfold. The King only had one thought on his mind. Protecting his Kingdom at all costs.

****Alec's POV****

Past . . .

He sat back on his hind legs. To say he was shocked was an understatement, the feeling coursing all the way from his wing tips to the end of his tail. His father stared back at him, looking a little worse for wear with that tight lipped smile and tired eyes.

"Son . . ."

Alec gaped at him for a second longer, unsure what to say. But at the increasing pain lingering on the King's face he knew he needed to say something. And so he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Why haven't you told this story before?"

Robert's white and black scales were a mismatched sort, not making sense until he opened his massive wings. Alec knew those came with age; the scars lingering on them came with sacrifice. Even dragons could be killed. And ever since dragons became hunted by Asmodeus and his group of hunters Robert put himself on the frontline to make sure their home remained just as safe as it ever was. The sacred boundary, the magic coursing through their homes were of the king's design. But this stretched one thin after awhile.

Responsibility should never be a burden, yet it was sometimes for the King.

Alec knew this would be his job someday.

"I think you know why."

"Because no one would believe you?" Alec asked tentatively. It was the only possibility that came to mind.

Robert shook his head. "While it's true that Asmodeus would not believe me, the same cannot be said for our people. They would understand all the implications of my story."

"Wouldn't that be a good thing?" Alec failed to see the problem here.

The huffed out bitter laugh was answer enough. "In a perfect world yes. But you have to remember—" Robert cut himself off, only to continue tiredly. "This is not a perfect world."

"Dad." Alec tried to meet his Father's gaze, but Robert refused to look back at him. There was something deeply sad in the king's expression, like he had come to this realization long ago but still had a hard time coming to terms with it.

"I know, I know son. I should carry more hope. But you've seen what the humans have done. How many of us have been hunted down. All we ever wanted was peace."

"They think you killed her." Alec murmured. "Maybe if you just explained it to As—"

"Alexander. Have you not listened to me at all?! Asmodeus would try to kill me if I set claws on his property. It's no use."

His face tightened. "But if we don't do anything the same cycle is just going to continue. Nothing will change if we stay this course!" Surely his father could see reason. But as he searched his father for understanding the older dragon just stared at him with desolation. And then Alec knew there was nothing to be gained. His father had lost a good friend —Magnus's mother— and the loss of her was something he had not recovered from.

It's up to me then.

Up to me to hunt down the person responsible for killing her.

And then humans will get along with dragons again.

But Alec had no clue what was about to come, the accidental betrayal at the hands of his predestined. So with a firm heart he set out on his journey with Magnus.

*******

A/N: Longer chapter will come next time! So stay tuned!