“No, you are nothing of the sort.” Chimera whispered against Nyer’s hair as he nuzzled the Changeling, “You are the Queen’s most prized possession for someone who is not a true fae. Her heart is entirely in your hands. It’s the other Gentry that war over this particular place that you need to worry about.”

— — — — —

“Yeah well you’re a prince. And this dress feels like all that’s left of my days spent there with you.. I got it the same day you promised to protect my dreams.” Opal smiled softly as she stood and turned offering the small box to Slate, “This um.. this I found and it made me think of you. I mean, I think about you all the time, but um, anyway!!”

Inside was a black chain holding a stone that shifted with aurora borealis.

“I am hardly strong enough to be little more then an annoyance to one of the True Fae.” Nyer said wrapping his arms around Chimera “But I canot abide someone insulting my Queen, which is why I wish to teach the dragon some manners through heartache.” Nyer stayed his intent.

———

“This is beautiful, where could you have found such a thing.” Slate could not hide his Draconic heritage at such a captivating treasure. “Maybe we can do more then thinking about each other, there is no reason we can not fulfill our responsibilities and still see each other.”

“Maybe, but you have me on your side.” Chimera purred, still nuzzling his head against Nyer’s, “And I can contend with them. And tell me.. why do you believe that I agreed to this arrangement?” He smiled slyly.

— — — — —

“I actually.. um, I’ll tell you over dinner.” Opal blushed, smiling ear to ear, “The place is just down this way.” She closed the chest and pushed it back under the bed before leading Slate from the hut and down a road that curved somewhat steeply down, below an overhang that had some benches with tables and a few Changelings of the realm dining on what could be akin to BBQ. Along one wall underneath the overhang  was a long sort of buffet, where a handful of Changelings cooked and served the flavorful fare. Opal brought them to the beginning where one Changeling picked up two plates and quickly piled the aromatic food onto the trays before passing it down until Opal dig into a satchel hanging at her hip for some coins, “I really hope you like this.. it’s the absolute best place going anywhere.”

“I prefer hearing your motivations coming from your lips.” Nyer relaxed pulling just slightly away so he could see the Faes face. “I know I am chasing the impossible but I still have to, can you imagine the harshness in the way he spoke to my Queen.” Nyer almost chuckled “this is not fair how am I suppose to think straight with you here.”

———

“This looks delicious.” Slate was impressed by the food despite his own draconic apetites there was something about the comfort and laid back nature of the place. “So what was that back at your place what do you have on your mind ?” Slate said finding a seat.

“I did not accept because of the Dragon. He was only doing what he felt right for Arcadia and his friend whom I am seeking to save from the horrors of magic...” Chimera smiled and kissed Nyer softly before pulling back just enough to look at him, “I accepted because of you. We can avenge your beautiful Queen, but she cannot have you all to herself.”

— — — — —

“So um.. it was a piece of amber originally, but I’ve been shaping in into something I thought you might like..” Opal blushed and focused on her plate as she nibbled between speaking, “I love having the experience of being outside and seeing new things, but many people out here don’t really talk much to me. I mean, if you look around, it’s obvious that I’m not the same craft as the other Changelings here. And I do miss hanging out with you. So what was your grand plan for seeing each other more?”

Nyer could not hide his blush at the affection. “You really wanted to see me again then.” Nyer said on a whisper lost to the idea of it for a moment so use to be summoned, beaconed, and ordered that the idea struck a cord.

———

“It is really a spectacular thing, the way it shimmers and shines, it is quite a treasure.” Slate spoke excitedly “you belong here just like anyone else, anyone who rejects that is just being foolish, I remember you hatching in the palace, you belong here like everyone else.” Slater assured before taking a bite to eat. “I need to work on a way for sneaking out of the castle when they are not keeping me busy.”

“You and I have a special relationship. You may not have wanted it at first and only did it to save the being you were shaped and cultured to fall in love with, but things changed.” Chimera held his smile, completely confident in his words and his gaze only leaving Nyer enough to blink, “And I of course changed my initial feelings for you. I knew why you’d come to me, but you were interesting and still now, I feel as though I’ll never know all of you, but it only pushes me to try harder for you.”

— — — — —

“What do they usually do to keep you occupied?” Opal asked after swallowing a bit of the meal, “Please tell me you’re not just sitting in that room all day meeting and greeting... And maybe I could help sneak you out. If I have to report weekly to your father, then I’ll be at the palace anyway, and if you’re there at the throne, it’ll be easy to time.”

“What more of me is there to know that you do not already?” Nyer chuckled his guard relaxed as he fealt virtually no tension. “How much depth can there be in someone with such a defined purpose ? I was made to do what I do.” Nyer seemed amused with the paradox he found himself in.

“What must I do for you to teach me ?” Nyer asked.

———

“I must admit and this may sound either petty or foolish to you but I love the spinning of Court intrigue, I suppose in that regard I do just meet and greet people.” Slate said with a smile “I try to do things in a way to entertain my dad, no one really knows it but he is hurting inside and I just want him to be happy again.” Slate grew quirt as he spoke. “That sounds like a perfect plan.” Slate said in agreement.

Chimera smiled, kissing Nyer again deeply this time.

The deal ultimately Chimera wouldn’t budge from was oddly not to be forgotten and for at least one of Nyer’s visits each week to be nothing other than pleasure. On such visits, there was no talk of Oneirmancy, but anything else applied. Chimera told Nyer is was up to the Changeling himself whether the shackles were left on or taken off.

During their sessions of dreamwalking and all the manipulations it involved, Nyer discovered things well beyond Oisin’s teachings. He also found that Chimera was serious in his warnings and gave them often, repeating himself and making it clear he wanted Nyer to fully comprehend the dangers. Oisin, while he may have continued to teach the Queen’s favored advisor offered little to no caution and eventually Nyer came to quiet realize it wa through jealousy and would never learn much more through Oisin. His better chances were absolutely with Chimera.

On this day, however, the Queen sent summons for Nyer, waiting for him in her chambers.

— — — — —

Slate and Opal executed their plans, seemingly perfectly. It went on for a long time with them stealing away each week, grabbing a meal at a rotation of places on the outskirts where the Mirror looked into the rest of the inferno that protected Seth’s inner sanctum. During this time, the two grew closer and closer as well as more adult in both mindset and appearance. And it didn’t seem to matter how exhausted Opal was after some of her reports, she would always come to Slate.

At the beginning of the day they were to meet, Slate received a summons to the meet the Dragon in the library. Seth was there and took him to a secret passageway that was a long dark hallways with small circular rooms at varying distances, each room housing what Seth explained as tiny worlds. He explained to him a great deal about being a True Fae and what his roll was in the Pantheon and how he came to be one of the original powers of Arcadia.

Seth then took his son to view the labyrinth that protected the Abyssal Mirror for the first time. It was hellish landscape that held a constant harsh heat and seemed to constantly snow ash. There were walkways that sprawled what seemed like forever separated by either molten rivers of magma or obsidian mountains or both. With that, dotted along the snaking maze of pathways were the pure beings of magic that Seth had created; hellish three headed beasts, impish devils, rock and fire elementals, and more. They both hid as Opal in her Phoenix state suddenly flew overhead, her brilliant white form faded with an ever shifting night sky of the aurora borealis speckled and marred with raining ash. Her eyes had changed to reflect the hellscape she witnessed every day, and some of the creatures even went so far as to try and attack her, hurling fire and burning away from of her feathers. Seth took Slate back to the place.

“I.. I know what you’ve been doing.” Seth spoke once he and Slate were back in the place, in a quiet place where they would not be bothered, “And I want you to stop.”

Nyer headed the summons of his Queen attentive to her call as always. He was certain to grant Chimera his every whim so long as it meant they were one step closer to his aims, not that the fair Changeling needed much provocation to come to his two time master.

———

All color nearly drained from Slate at his fathers words and he grew filled with anger “What do you mean you want me to stop ? We have been doing this for years, I cannot simply stop.” Slate protested.

The door was ajar, and he caught her pacing the room. She was in a plain black gown, her hair oddly down as it trailed behind her moving form. Clearly she was stressed to be in such a state.

— — — — —

Seth sighed and sat down, watching Slate with an odd serenity, “There is a reason why you need to stop seeing her. It’s my priority to protect you, Slate. You are my blood, my son and one of the biggest loves of my life. If I felt this would end or even continue well, I would let you do as you desire. But... Don’t put yourself through the turmoil that girl will absolutely bring you. I.. I hate saying this, but I maybe I should’ve let her go back with them..”

“My Queen!” Nyer entered with a state of shock and unease “How May your humble servant be of service to you ?”

———

“I refuse to believe your actually saying this to me, I promised to protect her and I am not going back on my word.” Slate spoke erratically

“Nyer.. You came. Thank you.” Zoeva came immediately to him and pulled him into her embrace, “I have made a decision.. But I’m nervous and certain events must transpire before I make this public, but you are my confidant and the subject of my choice.”

— — — — —

“You’re promise is fulfilled.” Seth answered maintaining his calm, “You needn’t worry about her or spare any more thought on the matter.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:38, Tue 14 May 2019.

“What exactly is it that you have decided my Queen ?” Nyer spoke with a hint of confusion.

———

“You cannot make this decision for me what about what I want!” Slate was still stand offish

She pulled back just slightly to look at him, a faint tremble in her hold, “You are going to be named as my Prince.”

— — — — —

“I will have your fascination with that thing destroy you!” Seth stood, his voice and patience seemingly gone in an instant, “I hoped by moving her from the palace and to Edge that you would loose your interest but I see keeping you part has only worsened it. She is no longer yours to worry about it! She’s not a pet for you and she’s not your friend! She’s nothing but trouble and if I have to send her permanently to the underground, I will because you will forget about her!”

“Prince ? Are you certain? I have done nothing to earn such a prestigious honor.” Nyer was surprised at the suggestion.

———

“Why are you doing this ? Are you jealous that I have found someone that might make me happy.” Slate spay the words realizing to late the venom they carried and instantly felt guilt for the suggestion

“Yes, but I cannot name you as such to the kingdom until you have gained back the Phoenix back.” She took a step back from him, but her hands moved down his arms until she could entangle her fingers with his, “However.. I um.. I want to celebrate with you in our own personal way... And I..” She gave his hands a squeeze s she struggled to get the words out, “I want you sit back and enjoy for a change.”

— — — — —

“I forbid you to see that thing again because you’re falling in love and she’s going to leave just like everyone else does!!” Seth leaned in as he yelled, Slate’s words breaking the truth out finally, “Let her fall into place as the object that she is. She’s a potent tool and nothing more; not your friend, not anything you should’ve ever been attached to! And don’t think I don’t blame myself for letting it happen... I...” the Dragon turned away, pacing several steps to the wall, “I thought you were lonely without anyone your age, but I knew I had to be a parent first.. your friend second... But clearly I can’t do both.”

“I understand.” Nyer was nearly at a loss for words no where in his wildest dreams did he even think such a thing would be possible. He knew his plans were in motion and all of this made him desire to embarrass the Dragon more but he allowed those thought reprieve and squeezed her hand in his.

———

“Dad this is not fair.” Slate was frightened, he could not recall such anger in his fathers words or demeanor before and practically raised his arms in a defensive posture and tears beginning to well in his eyes from both fear and sorrow.

Zoeva pulled Nyer to her own bed where she normally slept alone. It wasn’t a place she ever entertained visits, even if everyone knew where her sleeping chambers were. She laid back and pulled the pale Changeling atop her, kissing him deeply.

— — — — —

“Life isn’t fair.” Seth stated as he turned halfway to look at Slate, his expression one of defeat, “I cannot risk you being taken from me too. I’m sorry, but you’re all I have. I’ve seen what will happen if you continue to go off. What you saw of her today is the last of it. She’s no longer allowed here. Word reached her yesterday that she’s going to permanently be moved to Abyss. It’s all taken care of.. I cannot loose you too.”

Nyer allowed his affection to run deep his lips seizing her and kissing her deeply in a way that was new for him as he was flush with emotion.

———

“Please, do not punish her for my choices, I will confine myself wherever you wish but do not send her there.” Slate pleaded falling to his knees.

Zoeva brought her hands beneath his shirt to his back, caressing over his skin as she lost herself in the passionate liplock.

— — — — —

“SETH!!” A collective of voices sounded from somewhere in the palace, but at the core of it was Opal, “FACE ME GREAT DRAGON!!”

Seth growled, “You will wait here!” He slammed open the door and shifted to his half dragon form, leaping through the hallways to the source of the Phoenix.

Nyer knew how to move his lower half presses against her his hands worked to free her as his body grew intense with passion.

———

Slate could hardly sit ideally by as anarchy seemed to fall over his home he chased in pursuit of his father.

Zoeva’s hands too began to work of freeing her secret prince of his clothing. She moaned into the kiss as she could feel his skin against hers, but she refused to pull from the affection.

— — — — —

Slate was more than able to keep pace with his father and both reached the Grand Hall justabout the same time. Within the chamber was Opal in her mythical form, surrounded by an aura of orange and red flames. The tips of her long tail feathers and wings were burned away, revealing charred quills. She screeched as soon as she saw Seth, the sound coursing through the palace.

“You are not welcomed here any longer!” Seth roared, “I will give you but a single chance to leave back to the Edge.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:31, Tue 14 May 2019.

Nyer allowed his hands to free her from her constraints and shifted his affection from her lips to her neck and then her shoulder.

———

“Stop it! This is madness.” Slate cried out pleading for both sides to find reason.

“Nyer.. Please, let me treat you.” Zoeva gasped unable to hide her delight as her pale prince showered her in affection, “You always do for me and I don’t do enough for you.”

— — — — —

A bright glow engulfed Opal as she moved back into her human form, but she was naked with several severe burns and her long hair that once was to her knees had been burned to shoulder length. Tears glazed her eyes as she glared at Seth, her normal, singular voice screaming, “Why did you do this?!”

Seth however was unmoved, “Leave now!!”