Darkstalker and I were sitting in the throne room talking as there were no more duties for today. But we wanted to be in the room because no guard would have to walk too far and get in too much trouble.

Speaking about guards, one just interrupted us about now, and I saw my mate growl as he whirled around to face the NightWing. "what is so important that you interrupt me and my love?" he hissed, and I winced at the harshness of his tone. to ease his anger I brushed my wing against his. I saw his shoulders relax, and he drew a breath before looking at the guard again, giving him a lash of his tail as a sign. "your highness, there are reports of a giant Wyren at our borders. He wishes to speak with you. And, uh, he is not that friendly. To be correct, he already killed five guards, the last patrol."

My eyes widen. Five guards? So fast? "what color was this dragon?" I asked, feeling dread rise in my stomach. The guard looked at me and flicked his ear "red golden, your highness," he clicked, and I winced, snapping my eyes shut. Darkstalker touched my wing with his and twined our tails together "love, what is it?" he asked, voice filled with concern. I didn't answer him; I only felt after the bond I still had to cut with my One.

There. It was there, not far away. He was here. Smaug had come. "we need to evacuate the kingdom," I said, opening my eyes. Darkstalker frowned "why? what's wrong?" I sighed, turning to face him "it is my ex-mate, Smaug. He has come. We need to get our people to safety. The tribe will not survive against him." I gritted out between clenched teeth. "this kingdom is of expected fighters," my mate Darkstalker assured me "we do not back down, and you know that. he will have hell coming," he growled, his eyes turning dark, and I knew he was going to that dark place of his.

"no, you and our tribe will not be putting yourselves in danger. It's me he wants. I didn't cut our bond when I took you as a mate. If I don't do that, he will still feel attached to me and feel like I betrayed him. But it's better he comes after me and not our dragons. Please," I pleaded, but Darkstalker shook his head "my love, I cannot lose you now, not when I just go you back." he said, his eyes wide and teary. I sighed and tightened the hold on our tails.

"you need to leave. Go for the Rain forest. I will meet Smaug at the Great Diamond town square. He will come to me to know that. And you," I looked at the guard, "tell the tribe that they need to leave." Before I flew off, I didn't let them say anything, heading for the great doors and passing many of my subjects to none I paid attention to.

I soon flew out and headed for the Great Diamond town square. It was as beautiful as Darkstalker had told me. I had known where it was due to an elder NightWing showing me around on my first day as Queen. The sun was at its peak, so I knew Smaug would come sooner or later. I just hoped he wouldn't kill anyone else.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Smaug did come to a few wingbeats later, anger pooling in his eyes and his chest glowing with new fire.

"There you are," he growled. "I was starting to wonder how much of this kingdom I had to tear up before you showed up" I stayed calm with my chin lifted, but my eyes held guilt and sadness. He and I were a good couple when we first found each other. He helped me get better at fighting, something my parents never could. And now I had to make sure he didnt attack my tribe. "Smaug," I greeted before lashing my tail, "your attack on the tribe was completely unitary. You could just have sent for me."

Smaug scoffed, lifting his head and looking at me with so much disappointment and heartbreak that I felt terrible about all this. "you speak like you're one of them now. have you forgotten me already? Your kingdom? These were the dragons that attacked us. That king of yours is the one who killed you, Dazyn! And now you suddenly committed to him? what about me, huh? Did I mean nothing to you?" by now, I could see the tears pooling in his golden eyes, and I felt so much guilt inside me, and I bowed my head.

"I came out here to end things between us. I knew I should have done that before rushing off to find Darkstalker. I didn't even tell you I was alive. I-I am sorry, but I know it won't heal the wound and fix the pain I caused. all I want you to know is that I feel guilty about all this, I really do, and I wished I had come to you first, but I needed to smooth things over with Darkstalker, and then I guess I found out... you weren't the one I loved...." I took a deep breath and paused, readying myself to hear anything from Smaug, but I heard nothing; only his breathing was growing more profound, meaning he was holding back tears.

I sighed, looked up, and continued, "Smaug, you are one of the best dragons I've ever met, and I really loved you. I did. But now I am here and see what I was meant to be. I was meant to stay back home doing nothing living with you. My soul chose this, and so did my heart. But maybe once I could find you again, but now we have to live like friends. So I... I guess this is goodbye for now," I choked out and bit my lip to suppress the tears.

Smaug sighed and walked closer to me, making me back up "n-no, don't come closer! it'll make this harder..." I didn't get to finish as Smaug suddenly wrapped his wings around me and twinned around tails together. He hugged me. I was shell-shocked before I finally melted and hugged him back.

This time I let my tears fall as we parted ways. Smaug smiled at me, tears rolling down his cheeks, too. "I understand, Dazyn. I'm sorry I wasn't enough for you. I hope you and Darkstalker will be happy. ... don't forget me, alright?" I nodded eagerly and smiled brokenly. "How could I forget you, Smaug? You helped me find myself after I was lost and scared," I told him honesty, and he smiled, dipping his head to a formal bow "very well. I guess this is goodbye, Queen," he teased, but the playful tone vanished, and he sighed "I am gonna miss you" he admitted, and I smiled.

"so am I, Smaug. But we will see each other again, I promise," I said, and he nodded before turning around and leaving. I sighed and looked down at the cobblestone before breaking down finally.

And I sobbed.

~ ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ ~