Darkstalker

I have no idea how dragons live in this place.

It feels like a sauna in my lungs. And it is disgusting. Shadowhunter keeps swatting at the air, coughing. Because this place is unfit for any dragon to live in. Obviously.

I take a glance at Clearsight, who's fanning herself with one wing.

"This is ridiculous. We already trekked through this for hours just to get here," Heartfire snaps. I'm only half-listening to him. It's been a long day.

Shadowhunter squirms at my chest. I sigh, lifting her up and setting her down on the treetop pavilion, hoping she has enough sense of self-preservation to not hurl herself off the edge of what has to be at least a thirty-foot drop.

Clearsight fiddles with her talons, staring off into the distance.

"When do you think the queen will be back?" She tilts her head at me. "Can you reach out your mind to hers? She is... all right? Right? I know they're just stories, but, well, the RainWings don't exactly have a reputation for being the most... hospitable." She cringes. I can tell she's already starting to check the futures.

Shadowhunter glances over the edge of our wooden platform, making a little scared squeak as she realizes how high-up we are. She barrels right into my arms. I sigh, passing her over to Clearsight. "I'll... go check on them, if it makes you feel any better."

"Okay." Clearsight gives me a small smile.

I push open the beaded curtain to the throne room, where...

"I TOLD you the NIGHTWINGS were going to be arriving today, Mom! How did you order seafood? NightWing does not sound like SeaWing."

A RainWing dragonet, maybe five years old, rubs his temples. His scales are a violent red, and his talons are latched into the wood floor.

"Macaw, don't be unreasonable," A RainWing with soft, pastel yellow scales dappled in bits of grey and black sighs.

Queen Vigilance growls. "How DARE you disrespect my tribe this way? We supply you with the life source of your kingdom, and this is how you--"

I, step forward, faking a cough.

"Oh! It's you!" The older female RainWing--the one with her wing protectively tented over the queen--rushes toward me. "I'm so sorry about this whole mistake, on behalf of my wife. We're so happy to welcome your tribe into our home. I'm Queen Ocelot, this is Queen Anaconda, and this little firework is our son, Prince Macaw."

Macaw hisses at Ocelot. "I am not your "little firework" mom. I'm the prince. You don't need to be so patronizing."

"I said that too, darling." Ocelot sighs. "We're going to have some trouble, um, providing you with suitable food, but I'm sure we can get some stuff you're more used to, and the correct caterers in by tomorrow. How do you feel about tropical fruits?"

"That'll be fine, Your Majesties. Thank you for allowing my tribe to stay in your kingdom. It's beautiful here, " I say smoothly.

"Oh, thank you--"

"You must be Darkstalker," the RainWing on the throne says, stepping down and bowing politely. She's slick, greenish-black, solid and unchanging, with a spear strapped to her back. "And you must be Her Majesty, Queen Vigilance. I apologize for all the inconvenience, and thank you for coming. The rest of your party may enter."

***

It's not so much a welcoming party as a game of chess. See, if it were a party, it would be about having fun. If it were a party, I wouldn't already have an action plan and a list of dragons I need to talk to.

Ocelot. Macaw. Maybe both of them if they're close to each other, but it'll be easier to make small talk with them one on one.

I let my mind open to theirs a little, and I think I've figured it out. Anaconda might come off regal and guarded, but on the inside, she cares a lot about her family. If there's any way to get through her shell, it's to gain the trust of her wife and son. Plus, I did my homework. The Rainwings have a different system than the rest of the tribes—in terms of power, Anaconda and Ocelot are equals. That means I don't just need to gain the trust of one queen... I need to gain the trust of both of them in order to make this alliance work.

And then, Anaconda. I'll talk to her about animus magic, bring up the possibilities of an alliance in war and her tribe's aid in shipping animus goods. If something goes wrong... I'm not sure.

But what I definitely wasn't planning for was that right after I finish my shift of trying tropical fruits I've never had before, sipping fancy champagne, and taking care of Shadowhunter, the queen of the RainWings approaches me.

I bow, not missing my cue by a second. "Your Majesty. It's an honour to be in your glorious kingdom."

"I know why you came here, Darkstalker of the NightWings. Why would we risk our tribe's army in an alliance with the NightWings? You know perfectly well the other tribes have no reason to challenge us in a war."

"You're underestimating yourself. The RainWing army is the best in the world—"

Anaconda sighs. "Flattery isn't going to get you anywhere, Darkstalker."

I narrow my eyes. "Our kingdoms can benefit each other. I'd be willing to work with you, give you specific animus touched items at your request. Anything you want. At any time, within reason--just write me a letter. You can have predictions from Clearsight herself even, helping you run the kingdom when you need it, any kind of assistance. We humbly request your partnership--"

The green in Anaconda's scales leeches away to a pure black. "And why would you need our help? You have all the magic in the world. Our armies are pathetic compared to the ones you would create if you so needed to."

"That..." I pause. Clearsight would know what to say, wouldn't she? Because she genuinely believes in this. Unlike me. "Is not an option right now."

"Why? Are you--"

A high, shrill, familiar scream vibrates through the air, chilling me right down to my bones.

Clearsight breaks away from Macaw in a panic, racing toward the edge of the platform as Shadowhunter teeters right off it. I push through the crowd, trying to get to her--

And that's when she starts to fly--sloppy flaps of her small, feeble wings gradually becoming just a little bit more confident.

An uncontrollable grin spreads across my snout. And even though I know I'm supposed to be controlled and professional, right now, I can't help it.

I jump off the edge, racing to catch up. Shadowhunter squeals in joy. I shoot her a grin, glancing at one of the banana trees ahead.

"Race you!" I put on a little burst of speed.

And I'm not sure how she understands me exactly. But somehow she does--flapping her wings frantically, trying to get ahead of me.

I let her win. I fly her tired body back to the treetop pavilion and scoop her up in my arms, spinning her around in circles, and I don't care about the disgusted look on Queen Vigilance's face. I don't care.

This is my daughter.

***

"It is true that because of your magic, my kingdom is more secure than it ever has been. The benefits your technology has given us are immeasurable," Ocelot says slowly. Her scales are a rich orange today, peppered with black spots. She looks exhausted. "And I understand the threat your kingdom is under. But I will not risk the lives of my citizens for nothing. These are real dragons we're talking about, not just numbers."

Clearsight nods her head. "I understand, Your Majesty."

"My wife and I have been discussing this. And we've come to a mutual agreement." Ocelot nods at Anaconda, as if to say, you take it from here, sweetie.

"My husband is not your genie in the bottle you just get to use whenever it's convenient," Clearsight hisses, slamming her talon down on the table. "And as far as I know, you don't have his permission on that."

"Actually, we had a lovely chat at last night's party all about it. He also indicated predictions from Lady Clearsight herself, if she felt so inclined?" Anaconda smiles ever-so-slightly.

Clearsight buries her head in her arms. We've been bickering with each other like this for hours. I can feel Shadowhunter getting increasingly hyper, desperate to run around and test out her newfound wings. (I would know, she always chews on my tail when she's like this.) "Yes, of course that would be possible. Within... certain restrictions?"

Heartfire raises one eyebrow. "How do we not know you wouldn't abuse that power and turn on us? If you have a chance to use our magic, with absolutely no restraints--"

"We promise--" Ocelot starts calmly.

"I thought his whole thing was supposed to be about trust. I'm offended you even dare to insinuate--" Anaconda finishes.

Queen Vigilance glowers at Queen Anaconda with all of her might. But the RainWing queen isn't backing down.

I'm trying to keep my mind closed off for the sake of my sanity, but I can't help but pick up on the cold, cave-like feeling of Vigilance's mind. Can't let them think they're in control.

"Heartfire, be quiet. I want to know what kind of benefits my tribe would get from such a deal, " Vigilance hisses.

"We would be willing to send our forces to guard all your shipments of animus-touched goods, and protect your supply routes from bandits. We would send our most elite guards to protect you, your children, your council, and your castle. And promise our full support, should your tribe ever have to go to war, provided you uphold your side of the deal, " Ocelot says evenly.

Queen Vigilance shifts her jaw. She's wearing so many ostentatious jewels that I'm amazed she can still fly.

"I would be willing to consider such a deal, " she says slowly.

"So would I." There's something unsettling in Heartfire's eyes. Clearsight exchanges a worried glance with me.

The scribe, quietly sitting at the corner of the polished mahogany table, pulls out a long roll of parchment and starts to write, in beautiful, rolling cursive handwriting.

By the time the sun has set, our powers are the continent's new plaything. And we have ourselves a legally binding deal.