12. Clara
12
CLARA
T he garden had quickly become her favorite place. The tall green foliage were walls that gave her privacy under the skies. It was a place she could reflect on everything. Yes, the library was quiet but within the mazes of the palace she could hide and just enjoy nature.
Despite the warm sun and the lovely roses, remorse ate away at her heart. It was all happening again. Just like in Xenakis. Prince Drakonis was as distraught as she expected, and he was blaming her for his grief just as her own people had. But at least he did not whisper behind her back. He confronted her which she could at least respect. At least he could have closure. His pain was hard now, but time would dull it.
The Fates had her push others along in their journey. As much as she wanted to change what she saw other factors made it impossible. She offered Gavril potions to help, but he declined them. She had tried to warn him to be careful of what he consumed and, instead of getting poisoned at dinner, he was poisoned during tea. Even with her warning, her prophecy came true.
Drakonis was at least stronger than she. Was she ever able to cry about her father’s death? Had she ever truly mourned? No. Her sister disappeared, thought to be dead, Romanus fought to get Xenakians space in Oceanus, and it left her to help Caius navigate his new life.
Gavril died honorably, and she was proud she could help him with his rites. The pure power of the inner dragon was a miraculous thing, something she never would have been able to get through books. Hades had to have given him a paradise. It was only fitting for one as he.
I accepted your request to come here because of Ragnar but now you do this! Is that how you thank me for my generosity!
Drakonis was so much like Elisora. Once their father had died Elisora lost sleep and acted as if a monster was constantly chasing her. Clara lost count of the many nights she ran to her sister’s room when she was screaming for their father in her dreams. And it was even worse when Romanus had forced her back to Oceanus. If King Nordskov had not of made it down there, then who knows if her sister would have still been alive. Now she was happy, albeit still damaged. Drakonis would find the same happiness. She only wished she could have helped him avoid the pain he was currently going through.
“Will he really be alright?” she mumbled, stopping in the middle of the white brick walkway.
“Big hearts seem to run in your family, your highness.”
Clara jumped, whipping around. Red flames appeared for a moment before a familiar face appeared.
“Lord Nero!” She exclaimed. Instead of robes he had light armor and a brown cloak. The hood laid behind his neck and over his braided black hair. His horns were grand, the sun glinting in the middle of the two tips. Even with how large he was, he bowed at the waist, a smirk on his midnight lips. “What are you doing here? Isn’t it dangerous?”
She bowed her head in greeting as he stood. Remnant of tobacco and pine wafted off him.
“Your elder brother is a pain in my arse, but he has his uses.” With long clawed fingers, Nero lifted a medallion glistening with diamonds and lapis lazuli. “Romanus, nor my queen, could bear you coming here by yourself. Thus, he crafted this useful artifact for me. I can change into whatever form I need.”
Clara gasped when the trinket lit up and he changed to a common dragon foot soldier. Had she been passing him in the castle she never would have looked twice. It lit up teal, and he turned into a shorter dragon with a hunchback and a missing eye. He looked like a beggar with white hair and gray scales. “Or maybe I should fit Kazimir’s ideal of what a gargoyle looks like.”
She laughed into her hand. It was rude, but what Lord Nero said was true. Prince Kazimir had little praise for any that wasn’t a noble dragon.
Nero squeezed the medallion again, changing back into his original form.
“Romanus must like you. It is very rare he uses his power for anyone,” Clara said.
“That imp despises me, but not as much as my King.” Nero crossed his arms. “But his love for you and my Queen outdoes any of that.”
“How is he?”
“Romanus is thriving. He is constantly at my Queen’s side whenever my King isn’t hogging all her attention. Neither have recovered from her…accident.”
Clara remembered. Romanus had kept her and Caius away, not wanting them to see Elisora in a half dead state. The sight of seeing another family member near death because of Axel would be too much for her to handle again.
“But my queen is strong,” Nero said proudly. “In fact, she asked if I would bring you back after your mission. She wants you to be there while she builds the port.”
“The Xenakians have returned to the surface?” Many of her people had missed the surface world, and longed to return. King Nordskov had sworn to Elisora he would rebuild Xenakis in the form of a port for their people. A dream come true. Nero shrugged. Clara’s smile was brief. It was nice to hear some good news considering everything she was going through. “When are you taking me back?” Clara asked.
Nero’s smile disappeared, his lips a flat line.
“I was ordered to not make any moves unless you explicitly asked for it. As much as you are missed, my queen understands the severity of your mission.”
“I cannot help but be grateful, but I guess if any of my siblings were to appear I would hope it would be her.”
“Ragnar would not allow it,” he said point blank. He lifted a hand like he was swatting a fly. “But Romanus would be beheaded immediately. The only reason he was not killed in Herrlof was because he was Elisora’s brother. No one here has that same affection for you. Or so I think?”
“No!” She said with a gasp. Clara blushed. It was incredible enough that a love story like her sister’s existed. There was no way it could happen to her too. “I mean, there may have been one person who seemed to care but he is gone now.”
“Chancellor Gavril Kostas,” Nero said. Clara nodded. “Yes. I saw the funeral you performed. It was enchanting. How did you learn of the rites?”
“Lord Gavril,” Clara said. “He gave me some translated pages before his death.”
Why Gavril did not want Drakonis to know about the plan still puzzled her. He loved Drakonis so. Denial and betrayal must have made the day so much harder for him.
“There are a lot of secrets here,” Clara continued. “Many pretend to want to help, but it is all an illusion.”
“Yes. I believe I told you about such things before your journey,” Nero confirmed.
“I came here looking for the Heir, but I’m starting to believe that is a hopeless feat.”
Clara hugged herself, rubbing her thumbs along her upper forearms. She turned and watched the bugs scurry along the pathway into the greenery.
Booted footsteps approached her. She looked up when she saw Nero extend a hand towards her. She took it, albeit hesitantly, and he folded it into his forearm. Clara fought the urge to squeeze the large muscle hiding under his tunic.
“Let us walk,” he said.
“But isn’t that…”
“I have infiltrated more dangerous places,” Nero interrupted. “You will walk with me.”
Running away from Lord Nero’s nagging was a relief in the beginning. The constant nagging and him telling her she was going to fail grated at her. Maybe it was because she craved something familiar. Or maybe it was because she was wallowing in self-pity. Whatever the reason, this time she didn’t mind being with Lord Nero and started stepping alongside him, his long legs purposely taking shorter strides to accommodate her.
“You have no deep connections to the Pythia,” Nero stated. “When I looked through the records, I noticed you never went through any rituals to be one of her priestesses.”
“No,” Clara confirmed. “But she has desired me for my abilities for a very long time. I see use in her status so I will use it from time to time.”
“I never thought someone as kind as you would have it in you,” Nero said. “So, you use Ragnar and the Pythia’s name and status to get yourself in Ouroboros, full well knowing that there could be consequences.”
“I figured I would have more of a chance as someone with powerful connections.”
Despite her troubles, she did not regret it. She loved meeting Gavril and Alastair. Drakonis…he was taking more space in her mind day by day.
“I saw something when Elly was in Ouroboros,” Clara continued. “It was a future so dark and dangerous that it moved me to tears. Even now it still wakes me up from my dreams. I’m not sure if I can change it, but I believed I had to try.”
“You believed?”
“Prince Drakonis said things to me yesterday. His words have me questioning my own motivations. Do I really have a right to find the Heir? Even if I do find him would I not be using him like a pawn?” Her chestnut eyes glazed with tears. “Is my selfish desire to save my family reason enough to forcibly bring out and use a dragon?” A tear fell down her tanned cheek. A light breeze blew her wavy black hair, a strand blowing across her face. “To use the heir would mean to take them away from their family. What if he is one of the princes.” Clara sensed the tenseness between Prince Drakonis and Kazimir. Per Gavril, Emperor Konstantin believed Kazimir was the chosen one but… “Gavril believes that Drakonis could be the chosen one.”
The story he told her broke her heart. What had happened at the Ruins to change the brothers that used to be close? She had no right to ask either of them, but it weighed on her mind.
“It would make sense. Drakonis is a war hero, adored by more than just dragon kind. Him taking the throne would be a good move.” Nero nodded, while speaking.
“But the Emperor…”
“The Emperor is a fool if he selects Kazimir. That boy is a smoothtalking womanizer who believes himself smarter than he really is.” Nero stopped the two of them. “Speaking of which, I saw how Valen tried to lure you to him. Never be alone with either of them.”
“You were watching me then?”
“You are never alone,” Nero confirmed. “I have vowed to my queen that I would watch over you after you crossed the border. She will have my head if anything happens to you. Ragnar doesn’t wish to see Elisora grieving again. You being here stalls any plans that Kazimir or Konstantin may have on us. One wrong move and they would have a declaration of war from the seas and skies.” Clara smiled. It was nice to be so loved.
“Thank you,” she said.
“There is no need,” Nero answered. “I will not interfere with anything you do unless you call my name. But understand that once you call my name then you will be exposed. There will be no going back for you. If I am forced out, you must come with me.”
Clara nodded.
A cold sweat overcame her as she heard rustling behind the maze. Nero did not seem fazed. He tugged her arm in another direction.
“I will not pretend to understand what you are going through,” Nero continued. “You are not strong, but you prove yourself to be clever. That could work even more in your favor. What I can advise you is that you must focus on the reason you are here. Stop at nothing to reach your goal, whatever that may be. If it does not hurt my King, I will help you.”
“But what about…” She paused, struggling to find the words. She did not want to be like the others that followed the Pythia and the gods. She did not want to be like Axel. He had used Elisora to destroy Xenakis. Would she be different than he? She rubbed her temple.
Nero stopped them again. He touched the amulet and changed to a simple dragon foot soldier. He stood ahead of her. A shadow fell across the pathway. When she looked up, she saw fully transformed dragons flying ahead. Two other soldiers had turned a corner and walked past her. They both bowed. When they didn’t lift their heads, she hurriedly asked them too.
“My lady, are you lost?” one asked. Clara opened her mouth, but words would not come out.
“We can help you, my lady,” the second one offered.
“I-I am fine,” she said. “Your gardens are quite lovely,” she said quickly. “I merely wanted to walk through them.”
“Please do not go far my lady. Duke Alastair and Prince Drakonis will be panicked.” The first one said.
Clara nodded and they continued. Clara fell in step with the disguised Nero.
“Nice job,” he complimented.
“I was terrified.” She sighed. Her blood was pumping through her veins, her mind a whirlwind. “I really wish there was a place for me to relax.” She lifted her hand to her forehead. “I’ve been needing to meditate.”
“I know of a place. Follow,” Nero commanded.
Lord Nero’s strides were longer. Clara nearly had to run to keep up. Instead of manicured green walls or roses, cypresses reached towards the skies, disguising the pair from the sky. She could only peak the blue every now and then.
Many nights she longed to pass through this wood, but she wished to go the land with all the blossoms. Fairies wouldn’t be in this area, but it was nice to imagine walking through curtains of colorful flowers with their magical blessings sparkling with the stars.
“There is a cove with a waterfall. Traffic should be minimal so no one should bother you.”
Water made her heart warm. How long had it been since she had been in the ocean? A lake?
“Thank you, Lord Nero.”
He nodded lifting a large branch. She ducked underneath it with a skip in her step. When the sound of rushing water reached her ears, she smiled and ran. It was foolish. She lived in the ocean for a good part of her life, but she still couldn’t resist water. It was her home; her peace.
The waterfall was perfect. Rainbows formed where the rushing water met the still. Steamed emanated from it like a hot spring. There was a large mountain, but no one would recognize her if they were at the top. She was invisible. Just as she always was.
“I will leave my cloak here.” Nero transformed back to his gargoyle form, laying his brown cloak on a boulder.
“But what about you?” she questioned.
“Do not worry for me. You are my queen’s sister; thus you are one of us. I will not leave you to freeze.”
Clara’s heart warmed. Lord Nero had simultaneously annoyed and scared her. His aura told her stories of darkness and madness. It was a weight she didn’t wish to dig further into.
“Do not stay long,” Nero continued. “We are close to the palace, so when you are finished just cover yourself and then head straight. You will be able to find a servant.”
Clara nodded and slipped off her sandals. She approached the bank and dipped her toe in. It was warmer than she had anticipated.
“You will figure out why you were sent here.” She looked over her shoulder. Nero stood, uncharacteristically serious. “I do not believe there is true good or evil in this world. If we question, why we do things then that will only lead to more questions. It is something that will drive you mad. If you believe that finding this Heir will save those you love, then damn what others believe. In this world, we can only really rely on ourselves.”
Clara was silent for a moment. Was this the side that Elisora saw in King Nordskov?
She released the breath she had not realized she was holding.
“You better not peek.”
Nero threw his head back in laughter. She smiled. The man said he did not want thanks, but her heart whispered it anyway.
“Are you kidding my lady? I would be gutted and thrown to the Kraken.” He arched his arm in the air and bowed theatrically. “Just remember. If you need a way out, then merely say my name.”
With those words, Nero disappeared into the shadow of the wood.