You Don't Know What Pain Is

When Sky came too again she found herself alone besides the woman with silver hair. Her head still hurt from earlier and it was proving difficult to remember her name. Then again it was hard to remember a lot of things. Like had she seen this room before? She somehow knew she had and that she'd met people here but who? Sitting up Sky found it really difficult to push herself out of the bed. Sliding her legs over the edge Sky looked at their boniness and knew they couldn't support herself. It was like she remembered trying but failing. "Do you remember where you are," asked the woman with silver hair.

"No," asked Sky as she looked down at her flesh draped hands.

"Do you remember who I am," asked the woman as she sat her book down.

"We have met, but I don't remember your name," answered Sky looking back up at the woman.

"Well that's progress at least," replied the woman getting up from her chair. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

"I need a bath," replied Sky not really sure on why.

"You had a bath yesterday do you not remember," informed the woman.

"No I don't, can I have another," asked Sky on the verge of tear as she looked at her sickly body.

"Do you not feel unclean or do you just want the warmth," asked the woman as she gathered up the blanket that was on the bed.

"I want to be warm," said Sky as a slight shiver ran through her.

She was mighty cold but then again she didn't have anything to keep her warm. "Well then how about today we go to the hot springs," said the lady wrapping her up in the blanket. "Most of all of the good ones are closed at this hour, but we can use the one at the temple. I'm sure they'll make an exception."

With that, the lady scooped Sky up like she weighed nothing and sauntered out of the room. Sky was still so tired as she wondered how long she was asleep. The thought struck her as she thought about Mayaya. If she could see her she'd know how long she'd been out but where was her little manticore cub? "Where is Mayaya?"

"At this time of night she goes hunting don't you remember," asked the woman as she continued to walk with a precession of guards behind her.

"No," replied Sky weekly as her dragon looked through the guards to see memories of her looking weak and talking. There were quite a few actually. "We've had this talk before huh?"

"Many times Princess," replied the woman as they left the castle.

"Why don't I remember them?"

"I do not know that answer, Princess."

"Why is your hair silver," asked Sky as the wind blew it around her face from where her head lay on her shoulder.

"Because I'm old," stated the lady as if that was the honest answer, but Sky knew it wasn't.

"Lier," said Sky but she left it at that.

If the woman didn't want to tell her then she didn't have to. Pausing at the gate the woman shifted Skys weight a little as an old and gruff voice asked, "Where are you taking the Princess at this time of the morning in the snow Mable."

"To the temple to soak in the hot springs," informed the older woman.

"I take it you haven't run this by Lady Silvanus, have you? You know I can't let you pass, by order of the High Lord," stated the guard as his scowl deepened.

Seeing something sparkle behind the guard Sky looked over his shoulder. Sitting up straighter at the sight Sky strained her eyes. At the end of the street stood Michael and Eli. Jumping to the surface her dragon cried out for them as hands began to restrain her. She had to make it to them because they could make this all better. Somehow she knew they could. Deep down within her soul, she knew Michael could make this pain go away. Pulling on her magic she willed herself to them. The distance wasn't that great and she could see the ground. Letting out a startled scream the hands holding her got a little tighter as Sky whirred around in her arms. "Where did they go," asked Sky looking around for Michael and Eli but only finding two startled looking men.

"Who are you looking for child," asked Mable as she quickly carried her farther down the road in the opposite direction of the strange men.

"I thought I saw Eli and Michael but I must have been mistaken," sighed Sky upset by their absence. "Can I have my hot bath now?"

Huffing as she practically ran from the shouting voices behind her Mable answered, "I'm working on it child please bear with me a little longer."

Racing through the streets Mable came to a large set of wooden doors and began kicking them as hard as she could. Moments later someone in white robes opened the door and looked at Mable with displeasure. "In the Goddess's name, Lady Mable are you trying to break the door down? Who is that in your arms at this time of the morning?"

"I have no time to explain Father Esau I need to use the hot springs," replied Mable pushing her way into the temple forcefully.

Sky watched the older man's eyes grow round as he looked between her and the shouting voices from behind them. Running through the building and out the back they entered some sort of courtyard. At least that's what Sky thought it was because there were walls all the way around it and no roof, but it was a sorry excuse for a courtyard. There was no grass or flowers or even a tree to shade anyone. The only thing pretty or elegant here was the white marble statues of Goddess dipping her toe in the milky white water. There was nothing but rocks and a small pond full of what looked like steaming milk. Setting Sky down quickly Mable began stripping her of her nightgown as the cranky old guard came to a clattering stop behind her. "You crazy old silver dragon," roared the man completely out of breath. "I told the High Lord he would regret keeping you in his service!"

"I am not crazy, and leave us be," snarled the woman as she went to pick Sky up out of the floor.

"Do not touch the freak," growled the man in return as he quickly yanked Mable away from Sky.

"I'll take it from here Mable," came a voice that had everyone frozen in place.

Looking at the woman with golden hair and eyes Sky watched her wade out of the water. "Do I know you," asked Sky with a sense of familiarity. "I feel like….Why can't I remember?"

"Shhh," said the woman picking Sky up. "I'm about the fix that."

Packing Sky into the waters she felt the warmth of it surrounding her. Sighing in relief her eyes drifted close and sleep took her once again.

*******

Michael yawned as he followed Eli out to the parade grounds where he would conduct the winter uniform inspections. Well, he would inspect all of the generals and team commanders. Then they would inspect their own regiments, but it's not like he grades them as harshly as they would their own men. This was really away for his troops to see his face and remind them why they serve and who they are fighting for. It wasn't like he was super excited to do this. Nope, it was just traditions and a moral buster or so he was told. To him, he was just a man and he couldn't understand why just being in his presence could boost moral. Either way, it was his job to serve his people and if it made them happy so be it.

Making his way onto the parade grounds the Regent Commander called the army to attention. In one smooth movement, four thousand men moved as one as their voices rang out, "Hail to the King! Hail to the one! We kneel to the crown as we stand in the sun! Hail to the King!"

The bangs of armor-clad fists to their chest echoed across the early morning hills as Michael and his guards stopped in front of them all. "Yes good morning little King of the north," came a booming yet very feminine voice from behind him.

Spinning around Michael's jaw almost hit the floor at the sight of a gold dragon standing directly behind him. Instinctually he went to a knee quickly as his army smartly followed suit. "Goddess of the world and the creator of your people it honers us to be in your presence," said Michaels dragon bringing himself to the surface.

"Doing your winter inspection I see," replied the Goddess looking over the thousands of bowing heads. "I hate to inform you though you will have to postpone or cancel this inspection."

"If it pleases you, my Goddess," replied Michael as he rose to his feet.

"Oh it doesn't, but I can't have you awake while I do what I must. I can't have you killing everybody so I need you to sleep," stated the dragon as she blew a puff of smoke at Michael causing him to crumple to the ground. "He'll wake up whenever I get done fixing his mate. You take good care of my favorite child now."

With that, the Golden dragon vanished leaving an army of men in awe and wonder. "Well," said Shelby making his way onto the parade field. "I never thought I'd ever get to see the Goddess with my own eyes. Now how are we going to keep him from freezing to death?"

At that point, everyone turned to see Michael in his dragon form passed out and snoring.

*******

Waking up with a start Sky looked into a pair of golden eyes. "Do I know you," asked Sky with a sense of familiarity. "I feel like….Why can't I remember?"

"Because you are imperfect," said the woman with a sad smile.

"Am I going to the mother now," asked Sky as she fought to keep her eyes open.

"No, because your job here isn't done," whispered the woman.

"Can I quiet," asked Sky bluntly causing the woman to laugh.

"No."

"Can't say I didn't try," replied Sky as her eyes began to drift close.

"Sky," said the woman causing Sky to force her eyes open again.

"I need to rebuild you and it's going to hurt, a lot. I was hoping these waters would do the trick but it's not," said the woman as she looked at her with sad eyes. "The mother gave you a good foundation but she built your house out of sticks. Sticks rot and return to the mother. I need to build you out of brick because you are a mountain and not a tree."

"I am a freak," whispered Sky sadly as her eyes drifted closed.

"No, you are the heart of the world created by the mother, to save what I have turned a blind eye to, but no more," said the woman before she released her hold on Sky.

Plunging into the water Sky's eyes shot open quickly. Flailing as something pulled her down deeper into the milky water Sky screamed out in pain. Watching all of her oxygen floating away from her, her brain reel as it felt like her skin was being pulled from her bones. The water around her began to turn red as her blood flowed into it. Pain, unimaginably pain numbs her mind as her body is pulled apart piece by piece. She cries out for help, she cries out for salvation, but no words are heard. She had no throat to make them. She has no mouth for them to come out of. She has nothing, she is nothing, but won't someone, anyone, help her?

Being yanked away from her body Sky found herself standing out among the stars staring at brightly lit balls of blue and green. Afraid and alone she looked at all of these magical looking spheres for help, needing help. Snot and tears streamed down her face as she cries out upon deaf ears.

"Why do you cry," asked a white wolf with the body of a man as he appeared out of nowhere.

"I don't know anymore," cried Sky feeling lost and alone.

"You have traveled outside your boundaries heart of the world created by Ptah and guarded by the daughter of Akhekhu," said the wolf-man as his voice reverberated through the heavens.

"I'm sorry," cried Sky wiping the tears from her face, "I didn't mean to."

"What is this," snarled the man taking Sky's arm quickly and examining it.

Sniffling Sky looked at the black patch on her arm before realizing she had them all over her body. Laying his hand on a black patch of skin the man growled before saying, "Orcus so that's where you ran off too." Turning glowing blue eyes up toward her the wolf-man smiled. "You are in luck little world. My daughter can help you."

Suddenly Sky finds herself standing in a perfectly round field surround on all sides by trees. In the background she can see snow-topped mountains and a sky that was bluer then she was used to. Looking down at her body she could see that she was insubstantial again, but the ground felt weird. The earth below her feet didn't feel welcoming or warm like it normally did. It felt foreign to her like she was no longer standing on the mother at all but a stranger.

Trying to reason this through she heard a voice floating to her on the wind. As she looked up Sky could see a woman in strange clothes and white hair riding out of the woods. In the woman's arms was a sleeping baby. The woman was singing to her a song about dragons. "With you at my side, the dragon sleeps. On dragon wing, your wishes will leap. Your wishes can bring forth a destructive future or you can bring salvation," sang the woman with white hair.

She looks like me, thought Sky as the woman rode closer. "Why are you here," came an unfamiliar voice as white ropes shot up from the ground. "You do not belong here!"

Sky screamed out in pain and panic as the ropes tightened painfully around her. "Please cried Sky. "Please help me!"

Rearing up the horse spooked as the earth began to sake. The woman disappeared off the horse to only reappear seconds later on the ground cradling her sleeping infant. "You're world is dying why should I care," said the voice as the ropes began to burn what was left of her body.

"I don't want to die," cried Sky as she fought against her bindings.

"What the hell is this," asked the woman as she made her way to stand in front of Sky.

Holding her hand out the woman reached out and touched something that Sky couldn't see. As her eyes began to glow blue Skys dragon called out to her, but the woman couldn't hear her screams.

Suddenly Sky was floating within a warm bath of milky white water, but she felt disorientated like she was everywhere and nowhere at once. "You're back too soon," said the Goddess from somewhere she couldn't see.

"I'm sorry I just keep jumping from place to place," replied Sky as her disembodied voice seemed to float from all directions at once.

"It's okay. It shouldn't be to much longer. I didn't create you so you're a little more tricky to try to put back together," informed the Goddess.

Floating there for a bit within the warm white water Sky asked, "I thought you created everything so how is it you didn't create me, and who is Ptah?"

"How is it you've come across that name," laughed the Goddess causing the water to stir making Sky swirl along with it.

"The wolf faced man called me the heart of the world created by Ptah and guarded by the daughter of Akhekhu. I'm not sure what any of that means," replied Sky riding the waves of the Goddess's laughter.

"Let me see if I can explain it a little to you. Ptah goes by many names and he is a world creator," replied the Goddess as Sky felt two of her pieces being joined back together.

"So he is a God," asked Sky gritting in pain as it felt like the pieces were being hammered into place.

"No I am a God he is more," informed the Goddess.

"I don't understand."

"Of course not my child. All of this is above your understanding." Sitting silently for a while the Goddess tried again. "Okay, I want you to think about horses."

"Okay."

"Now your kind is the horse, and I am the rider. I rule over you as your God. I make sure you have food, water, and shelter. I tell you when to eat. I tell you when to sleep. I tell you when you can breed. I cry when you are born, and I weep when I return you to the mother. You are my show pony. Now the world creators are the arena in which I ride and control you. They are more than the both of us as we are not the only ones in the show. Does this help?"

"So Ptah created the world and you created its' people," said Sky trying to absorb all of this information.

"No, Ptah created the world and its people. I created the dragons. They are my imperfect creations," said the Goddess hammering more of Sky's pieces together.

"So they are imperfect like me?"

"Oh, not by a long shot," laughed the Goddess again sending Sky off to twirl and sway. "You are like a patchwork quilt, a very finely done patchwork quilt. My dragons are like a superbly crafted blanket with breeding problems."

This time the goddess laughed harder making the water churn so much Sky began to feel nauseous. "I fell in love with this world and because of my stupidity I wanted to make it prettier so I created the dragon race. Unfortunately, I did something wrong, because I am a God, not a creator. It's my lack of power and knowledge that has doomed the dragon race. It is my fault that the dragons have such a hard time conceiving children and the lack of females. No matter what I do I can't seem to fix it. I make sure I find the two most compatible and put them together but it still fails. Yet the humans breed like rabbits and produce more girls than boys. Which in turn counters their birthing problems since so many females die at that stage in life. They are a perfect creation form the creator who can do wonders if they would only try, but they squander their gifts. If only I could figure it out my children wouldn't be dying. An then there is you," continued the Goddess as another piece of Sky joined the small group and the pain began again. "I don't even know how or where you came from. The mother says she created you but-"

The voice of the goddess became muffled and to quiet to hear as if Sky was being pulled away again. It was strange because it didn't feel like she'd gone anywhere, but her disembodiment did seem to get better. She felt more whole and her pain was gone at least for now. Feeling the water level drop Sky looked around the white world as the Goddess continued to jabber away. Try as she might she couldn't hear her but she could hear sloshing like a man wading through high water. Looking for the sound she finally found an elderly man with a basket wading through the water. Every so often he'd reach in a pull out a rose peddle and then placed it within his basket. When Sky went to say something he just raised his finger to his lips in the sign for her to be quiet. Nodding her head she continued to watch the man picking the peddles out of the water.

Making his way toward Sky he stopped briefly and smiled at her. Reaching out his hand he touched her forehead and pulled from it a rosebud. Smiling in amazement Sky's eyes grew bigger as the man dumped the rose puddles on it. Magically the peddles swirled around the rosebud before joining with it creating a beautifully formed bloom. Handing Sky the rose the man patted her head before wading passed her. Lifting the rose to her face, Sky's nose was filled with the scent of peppermint and pine. Confused Sky held the rose to her chest as she turned to ask the man a question about the smell, but he was gone. In fact so was the sound of the goddess talking. "Excuse me," called Sky looking about the white world full of water that was beginning to recede. Looking back down she found the flower that was in her hands was now gone. Searching the water quickly she couldn't find the flower at all and she began to cry. "Hello? I'm sorry I lost the flower!"

*******

Michael found himself standing in a world of white as far as the eyes could see. All around him was a strange milky white water that was oddly warm. He remembered the Goddess had told him he needed to sleep, but what kind of dream was this? There were many nights he'd had some odd dreams, but this one took the cake. This dream felt way too real and the water he was swimming in added to that realness, and was the water level dropping? Soon enough he was standing on his feet as the water continued to lower. Hearing a small gasp of someone taking in air, Michael turned to see a head full of white hair emerging from the water. Sky thought Michael as he began to make his way toward the person. Lower still the water went as he waded toward the obvious woman as the water exposed the sensuous curves of her back that rolled into a nice plump backside. As the woman moved as if looking for something Michael couldn't help but admire the cords of the woman back as they bunched and flexed.

Could this be Sky thought Michael? If she'd made it into his dreams he'd been staring at the picture for far too long now. Of course then again his dragon has been beside himself with worry and grief. He wants to drop everything and fly down to her, but everyone knew his dragon would be more of a hindrance than a help. They had said she was delirious and fought everyone and everything. That her body had literally thrown out everything that had rotted inside her when she'd die to grow anew. His dragon knew something wasn't right and he could feel it, but he couldn't go down there. They said if he saw her now, his dragon would go on a killing rampage. For that reason, he stayed at the castle and made daily trips to the Kings Temple. He would look that the painting of the golden dragon who stood behind the woman with golden hair and eyes. There he'd pray for her to help Sky. Well, he prayed to anyone who would listen, but he felt like it was falling of deaf ears.

Stopping right behind the woman Michael only intended to tap her on the shoulder. Even if this was a dream and the woman had white hair didn't mean it was Sky. In the dream world, nothing was as it seemed, and this woman was probably no different. Raising his hand up the scent of peppermint and pine-filled his nose as the woman cried out in Sky's voice, "Hello? I'm sorry I lost the flower!"

Losing grip on reality Michael latched onto the woman and buried his face in her peppermint smelling hair. Giving a little squeak the body he held tightly against him stiffened. Feeling a hand trying to pull him free Michael shook his head no as he tucked his nose behind Sky's ear. "Please let me hold you for a bit. I have lost you so many times within my head I just need to hold you."

Sky wasn't sure what to do at the moment and wasn't even sure if this was really happening. There was no logical way Michael could behind her but yet his scent was all around her. Even the feel of his electrifying skin was touching her back. Thinking of that Sky grew even more still. She felt his skin, meaning he was naked and as she looked down she'd noted that she was too. On any normal day Sky could care less about clothes. As a child, she had hated them and still wasn't too fond of them, but they were required in everyday life. Nakedness had never bothered her whether it was hers or someone elses. That was until right now with Michael pressed up tightly against her. He had asked for her to let him hold her and she had no problems with that except for his left hand. His right hand had a tight grip on her rib cage his left hand had a hold of her right breast. You wouldn't think that would have her squirming but the heat and the tingling sensation from were his hand was making contact did. The warmth of it seemed to be flowing straight down to her core. Pressing her legs together to try to stem the pressure that seemed to gather there, Sky could feel wetness. Unsure if it was from the water or her, she froze as Michael growled. Sky shuttered at the feel of the hot breath that blew across her neck. Unable to take it any more Sky wiggled a little and asked, "I'm sorry, but can you move your hand?"

Feeling Michael shifting behind her so he could look over her shoulder the man practically purred, "What hand? This hand?"

Expecting Michael to remove his hand from her breast Sky choked when he squeezed her breast harder before pinching her nipple between his thumb and his pointer finger. The pleasure it gave her had her back arching as he growled, "I'm going to like this dream."

Sky wanted to protest that statement but she choked on the words before they came out. Michael had slid his other hand down and nested his fingers into the tight-nit curls at the apex of her hips. Trying to move her hips back from his questing fingers Sky only managed to push herself back farther into Michael's hard body. Moving his one hand from her one breast to the other Sky stood on shaky legs as Michael's questing hand continued further south. "By the Goddess, this dream feels so real," growled Michael as his fingers parted Sky's slick fold.

Skys mind reeled at what to do. Was this real? She had thought it was, but Michael keeps talking about a dream. Was this a dream? Was this a walkabout. All of these thoughts continued to get jumbled up as she tried to form words but couldn't. Just then Michael pressed his finger harder into her. Twirling them a bit he then as he brought them back out before driving them in again. Having never felt such pleasure Sky let her body react as she practically crawled backward up Michael's body. "Like that, do you," asked Michael with a dark laugh before tightening his hold on her.

Oh, she like it, that was for sure, but she wasn't sure she liked it enough to answer. Her dragon, on the other hand, had her answering his question in a breathless moan, "Yes."

"Shall I do it more," asked Michael as his fingers began to rub her harder and faster.

Sky could do nothing but scream out as she threw her head back over Michael's shoulder and arched her back. She felt like she was falling and her wold was spiraling out of control. At this point, she could only hold on to him because his hard body was the only solid thing she could find. "Oh Goddess yes," growled Michael as his finger slid effortlessly into her slick heated channel. "Scream for me, my mate."

Sky wanted to, but nothing came out as she spasmed in his arms. It was too much. She could feel his finger insider her digging at her insides and her world was shattering. Grabbing on to something hard trying desperately to find purchase, Michael was laughing again. "Here you are hanging off my horns again. I thought we had this conversation before."

Just then Michael curled his finger in such a way Sky lost her hold on reality as lights exploded behind her eyes. A wave of power flooded out of her as fluid gushed from her womanhood. She had a vague fear that she'd just peed on him as she channel began to spasm around his still questing fingers. "By the Goddess this is real," shouted Michael but it was too late Sky gone.

Sky shot from the hot water choking and sputtering as her lower half continued to contract. Pleasure was still coursing through her body at whatever Michael had done to her. Throwing herself onto the grass Sky's lungs billowed in and out like a raging bull as she tried to reassemble the pieces Michael had shattered and scattered to the four corners of the world. "Do you smell," came a voice somewhere in the distance, but Sky was too busy pushing the mush that was her brain back together.

"I smell him too," said a second voice as the sound of soft footsteps approaching her.

Suddenly something big and heavy landed on her taking the breath she already didn't have away. "Your back," shouted Mayaya as her sandpaper tongue took off a layer of skin from her face.

"Oh, Goddess that hurts," shouted Sky trying to push the horse-sized cat off of her which didn't do much good.

"You smell funny," said Mayaya sniffing her all over. "Who's the smell clinging to your skin? His scent is even down here!"

"Hey," shouted Sky leaping off the ground as Mayaya shoved her nose into her crotch. "That is not okay!"

"My Queen," came a voice from directly behind her.

"Why does everyone keep calling me that," snapped Sky spinning around. "Owen!" Practically jumping on the man Sky wrapped her arms around him in a big hug. "When did you get here?"

"Tom and I got here three days ago," informed Owen as Sky released him and began looking around quickly.

"Tommy," shouted Sky as she leaped for him.

Catching her effortlessly the Twin spun her around as he hugged her tightly. "Oh, we missed you little wildfire."

"Is Jerry here too," asked Sky looking around quickly as Tom set her back down her feet.

"No he is still with his Majesty at the castle," replied Tom taking his jacket off and placing it around her shoulders.

Sliding her arms in Sky danced around a bit on the cold grass as she suddenly needed to pee. Glancing around quickly Sky crossed her legs while saying, "Um can we pick this up in a bit I've really got to go pee."

Laughing both men gestured in the same direction as Sky took off that way running. Breathing a sigh of relief Sky sat on the toilet for a minute examining her own body after cleaning herself. When she heard a knock on the door Sky's face flushed quickly like she was caught doing something she shouldn't have been. "My Queen are you okay," asked Owen from behind the door.

"Yes," replied Sky quickly cleaning her hands and making her way out of the door. "And stop calling me Queen it's as bad as calling me, Princess. I am neither," grumbled Sky.

"If you are not our Queen then why is it Michaels scent clinging to your skin," asked Tom stepping up beside her and dragging in a breath of air.

Sky could feel the heat in her face at her embarrassment as she pointedly looked at the floor. Remembering what Michael had done to her Sky could feel her body reacting again causing both men's nostrils to flare. "This is a house of worship not a-," shouted a man as he walked around the corner but he froze instantly when he saw Sky.

Looking inside the priest Sky eyes rounded as realization set in. "You can smell that!" Pulling Tommy's jacket down further Sky wanted to die of embarrassment. "And we didn't mate," shouted Sky, or practically screamed it at Owen who was looking up at the ceiling. "I was eight when I said that!"

Growling Sky began to stomp her way back into the beautiful garden where Mayaya was lounging. Climbing onto her back as she stood Sky glared at the to grinning dragons. "We all know that the King can't mate so stop bringing up the past. Lets go…." Sky wanted to say home but currently, she didn't know where she was or how she got here. "Let's go somewhere."

"Sky wait," shouted Owen as Mayaya spread her wings and took off into the sky.

Sky didn't want to wait, yeah sure she was probably being really childish right now, but who cares. It's devastating to a girl when she discovers that her oldest childhood friends knew that she was wanting to mate the King. It felt like she was an eight-year-old girl again and everyone was laughing at her. Wanting to crawl in a hole and die Sky didn't care where Mayaya was taking her as long as it was away from the noses that could smell her neediness. Landing on a balcony Mayaya meowed and clawed at the door. "Where are we," asked Sky looking around.

"We are at Jeffery's door. He will let us in. He takes me hunting sometimes," answered Mayaya meowing again.

Looking out over the dark city Sky had a weird sense of Déjà vu. "Mayaya! Do you know what time it is," snapped a strange man as he threw the door open?

Everything that happened next happened so quickly it all became a blur. The man's dragon had pushed himself to the surface and he jumped at Sky. Before she could move the man's arms were around her and then they were off as he flew across the balcony. Then there where snarls and rattles, and angry males everywhere including a little juvenile dragon she knew well. Standing there shocked as Owen and Tom pushed Sky backward, William and this stranger advanced on them like their enemy. Out of nowhere April comes rushing into the middle of the standoff compounding the problem. Sky was lost on what to do. Mayaya looked completely confused and tried to move out of everyone's way. "Sky! you're alive!," shouted April as she tried to rush toward Sky only to get pulled back but Jeffery and William.

"What is the meaning of all of this," shouted an older woman with silver hair in her nightgown. "Sky by the Goddess! Look at you," exclaimed the woman but froze after taking two steps toward her

"Mable what's going on," came another voice this one from a blonde-haired woman making her way into the circus as well. "Pew all the testosterone is nauseating on this balcony," continued the woman waving her hand in front of her face. Taking a look around the older lady's eyes landed on Sky. "Oh, My Queen you are finally back with us. May the Goddess be praised," said the woman with a smile as she headed her way.

Stopping about halfway the woman's eyes grew round as she looked between Sky and the King's two guards. "You have got to be kidding," shouted Sky throwing her hands in the air. "Can everyone smell it!"

Screaming out in frustration and anger Sky leaped over the balcony wall. Disappearing she brought herself safely to the ground before running away from her issues. Currently, she wanted to crawl in a hole and die a slight death, because even the old lady knew she'd been with the King. On top of that, the old lady thought the same thing as everyone else did and that was that she'd mated with the King. It's not like the King was in that pond thing with her, or at least she didn't think so. Eli and the rest would be here if they were true. Either way, none of it made sense and she didn't like everyone thinking she's practice mated with the King. She remembered when she was eight and everyone made fun of her for years after just proclaiming she was going to mate the King. Little human girls proclaimed their marriage to old men all the time. Why was it that for her it was different?

Tears began to run down her face at the thought. Everyone always made fun of her or called her a freak. She'd never really been excepted by anyone besides the Kings Guards. Now she had April and William, and April was her only true best friend. April could leave whenever she wanted, but she chose to stay because she really liked Sky. William stayed because his sister stayed and he was a good kid, but he was just that a kid.

Even in the Land of Water, even though everyone was nice, most people leered at her. They might never say anything unpleasant but their memories would always show bad things. That was one thing no one could hide and that's the memories the snakes inside held. The memories that defined your character. Memories that called her a freak. Here she was hoping for a new adventure with a fresh start and everything ends up like this, cried Sky within her mind. Trying to outrun and maneuver the heard of people in her wake Sky pushed her powers to the limits of their reach as she would jump from one end of a street to the other. Luckily it was really early in the morning and the streets were empty. There was no way she'd be able to manage all of this with people rushing about on their daily errands.

Reappearing at the end of a street Sky took a sharp right and ran smack into this young man. Getting the air knocked out of her Sky shucked in a sharp breath as they both tumbled into the street. Getting to her feet quickly Sky could practically taste the boys fear as it clung thickly to the air around him. Hearing the stomping of heavy feet coming from the direction the boy had come she could see four men heading her way. Inside them, she could see their murderous intent to kill the boy. Without hesitation, Sky spun quickly, grabbed the boys hand, and began running down the street back the direction she came. Pure fear poured into her from her contact with the boy, as his memories of running flowed with them. He had been running for years now staying only just ahead of the men who where trying to kill him. All because of his black hair and his metal moving powers.

Metal powers thought Sky as cogs began to spin in her brain. Black hair thought Sky as her head began to feel like it was being split open. Stumbling she grabbed her hand as the boy tried to pull her up. "Ma'am we've got to keep running! They'll catch us," cried the young boy tugging harder.

Sky wanted to get up. She wanted to keep running but she physically couldn't. Memories, a year and a half worth of memories came rushing back. With it came the thousands of people's memories from the world full of chaotic strings that ran this way and that. All of those memories of running and death. "Lady please they are right there," cried the boy pulling harder.

"We've got you now," came a males voice from somewhere she couldn't see.

All she could see where the flashes of faces, and places she'd never been. Even with the diversity of it all, they all had one thing in common and that was these people with black hair. She couldn't help these people or at least not at this moment, but there was one she could help. Unfortunately not in the state she was in which was bent over in the street holding her head together as it threatened to come apart. Forcing air up from her lungs Sky screamed out for Tom as power rolled through her. Moments later the click of boots and the flap of wings let her know someone had landed nearby. "What do you want fire dragon," snapped one of the men who sounded very winded. "This is our bounty go get your own."

"Of course you'd summon me for a fight, and here my brother is going to miss all the fun. Won't he be jealous when I tell him later, but either way. You touch my Queen and I will rip you limb from limb," snarled Tom.

Sky couldn't see his face as the flashes continued to torment her, but she knew Tom's face would have morphed from his childlike grin to that of a cold-blooded killer. Fire dragons love fighting and blood as much as a fat kid loved cake. They lived and breathed by the sword and they weren't having fun unless someone was bleeding. "Take the whore and go," shouted a different voice before a snarled came from the opposite direction Tom had landed followed quickly by a thud.

"I'll give you that one Owen only causes you got their first, but the next is mine," growled Tom. "The Queen did call for me after all."

"Who do you think you are punk! You messed with the wrong men," said a strange voice before continuing, "Get'm boys."

Finding it hard to follow the fight do the raising of the volume in her head. Sky curled up in a ball in the street as the memories continued to pour into her. She could hear screams, but she couldn't figure out if they were from reality or the never-ending hell within her head. Somewhere Sky could hear someone calling her name and a vague sensation that someone was rubbing her back. Currently, all she could think about was the boy and stopping this barrage of memories. She thinks she told them to save the boy, but she wasn't sure or was it to save the baby. Somewhere there was a baby crying for its mother but was it a now or a then thing, Sky didn't know. She couldn't differentiate between the memories and reality. "What are all of these people," came a voice she seemed to remember or maybe not.

Maybe it was one of the thousands in her heard right now vying for attention. "I've seen this before. We need to run. I saw this at the destruction of Hadley. All of these people are dead!"

I know that voice, I'm sure thought Sky, but where do I know that voice from. "If that happens here, thousands of people will die," shouted a child-like voice.

"SKY," shouted a booming voice in her head shaking her to her core.

Sky sat there within the mess of her brain trying to figure out where the voice came from. It seems to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. "Sky," boomed the voice again as a sharp pain radiated outward from her chest.

Burning through the pain in her head Sky began pulling at whatever was on her chest that was burning her. "What the hell is that on her chest," shouted one person before a second shouted, "Her eyes! They are white!"

"Sky," shouted the booming voice again shaking her to her core.

Unable to do much more than a squeak as the pain in her head and chest threatened to still her voice Sky simply replied, "yes."

As soon as those words were out of her mouth it was like a flood gate was opened. A blackness flooded her world absorbing the light as it went. By the time it was done it was black as pitch within her head. "Better," asked the booming voice but this time it was much quieter.

"Yes, thank you," sighed Sky.

"I know you normally don't have to follow my orders, but as long as I'm in here, SLEEP," said the voice before everything within her world turned off.

When Sky came back too again she found herself in a familiar bed with a bandage across her chest. Lifting the bandage up she could see the handprint was back but this time it was worse than before. This time the entire handprint was black like her skin was burned to a crisp. Groaning as she pushed herself out of bed April arrived out of nowhere, "How are you feeling?"

"Like a bull elephant is standing on my head, but at least I remember where I am. How long was I out this time," asked Sky pushing herself from the bed.

"Only about two days," replied April offering support.

"I'm okay but I would like a bath. Man, my head hurts" complained Sky as she walked toward the closet door that she knew would lead her to the bathroom on the other side.

"Okay I'll have Jeffery get you some food and you can soak and eat to your heart's content. I'll even turn the lights down low. That should help with your headache," informed April rushing past her to get the water going and turning down the lights.

Once that was done she was gone again to request food. Sky was starving, but her head hurt so bad it was making her nauseous. Sinking farther down into the water Sky relaxed into the warmth of it. Moments later April came back packing a chair with her. Sitting down and kicking her feet up on the tub April grinned at her. "So did you do it," asked April with her Cheshire cat grin.

"Do what," asked Sky lifting the washrag off of her face.

"The King of course," laughed April causing Sky to practically choke.

Sitting up straight Sky threw the rag at her while she stammered, "NanananNo! I can't believe you asked me that! I'm only twenty! You said females don't start thinking about practice mating until like two-fifty."

"Yeah well, it's not like you're a normal dragon. Aint no dragon alive at the age of twenty rocking a body like that. On top of that, no twenty year old can produce mating hormones either, and you reeked of them. He rocked your world and I want details," laughed April leaning forward and giving her a playful shove.

Gasping at the contact Sky's eyes went wide as she looked at her best friend. "By the Goddess April! The memories in your head," exclaimed Sky as her face went bright red.

"So which ones did you see? Did you do one of them? All of them? Inquiring minds want to know," asked April leaning forward as Sky flopped back into the tub covering her red face with a rag.

"I'm not telling," informed Sky thinking back at her time in the white water with Michael.

"Party pooper," grumbled April before they sat there in comfortable silence.

After a long while of replaying the memory Sky couldn't hold back anymore as she sat up like something bit her. "I think I peed on him," exclaimed Sky so quickly that between the movement and her practically shouting April almost fell out of her chair.

"WHAT?!"

By the time Sky was done telling April everything, she was on the floor laughing so hard she was crying. Right as she was about to say something a crow flew into the bathroom and landed on the edge of the tub. "Dead Bird," screamed Sky shooting out of the bathtub cutting off whatever April intended to say.

The shrillness of the scream along with the pitch had Owen and Jeffery rushing into the bathroom. Owen was trying not to laugh as Sky was practically climbing the walls to try to escape the crow that was bouncing on the ground in front of her. "Sky it's okay it's just a messenger bird," giggled Owen failing to contain his laughter.

"It's a dead bird," shouted Sky leaping over the thing and running out of the room.

As the bird took off flying after her everyone covered their ears at her scream that shook the castle. "Sky calm down," shouted April as she raced after her. "How can it be dead if it's moving?"

"Dead thing's move and they can make you sick," shouted Sky from the safety of her bed where she'd drawn the curtains. "They can make you dead like them."

"Dead things don't move," scoffed April opening the bed curtains which in turn let the bird into the bed with Sky.

"Yes they do," shouted Sky leaping out of the bed and racing across the room.

"Actually they can," informed Jeffery. "In the south, there is a group called the undead army. They are all dead and they move. If they kill you then your body gets up and you are now part of the undead army. The only way to make sure your loved ones don't get up after they die is to burn the bodies."

April stood there in complete shock over this information as Sky went screaming across the bedroom. "What is the meaning of all this racket," shouted an older man with blonde hair as he stormed into the room. "Please tell me that's not what I think I just saw," asked the man as Sky went screaming pasted him leaping over the couch. "Pet of the King," shouted the man in rage as he stomped his way over to the couch. "If you can not act civilized then I will ask you to leave this instant!"

Grabbing the couch the man slung it to the side revealing nothing. Looking around quickly the man knew he didn't see her leave from behind the couch so where was she? Watching the crow land and hop several times in one direction Sky screamed again as her body seemed to materialize out of nowhere before jumping to her feet and running again. Snatching Sky out of thin air the Man blanched a little before slamming her to the ground. "By the Goddess," exclaimed the man whipping blood from his face before using his knee to hold Sky down. "It's not a dead bird you stupid fool. Face your fears like a man or do not seek a man's position pet of the King," snapped the man grabbing the bird and shoving it into the Sky's face.

"My Lord your nose," said one of the guards quickly rushing to his side.

"Leave me be while I train this unruly dog," growled the man before he leaped to his feet.

"Get off of me," snarled Sky as blue flames shot up all around her.

"You are in my house and if you wish to act like a dog I will put you on the floor like one. Now get dressed and act like a proper lady or get out of my house," snapped the man before storming out of the door.

Pushing herself up from the floor Sky glared at the man and his guards as they exited her room. She didn't care who he was but already she didn't much care for the man. "Sky come on," whispered April tugging her back toward the closet as the dead bird tried to land on her shoulder.

Squeaking she moved quickly away from it before glaring at the dead thing as well.

By the time supper came around Sky had gotten a little more used to the bird that was void of snakes. Everything living had snakes that lived inside and showed her memories. When you die the snakes die too and they rot away the same as the body. Considering there was nothing inside this bird it had been dead a while, and there was no convincing her differently. At least the bird stayed in her room and didn't leave when the group did. Since she was already in hot water with the Lord of the House who was the man who shoved the bird in her face. April made sure she was dressed appropriately for her first formal supper within the Silvanus household. Promising to play nice Sky made sure to mind all of her manners and act like the lady she wasn't. Which was all going well until the Lord of the house asked, "Do you have to do that at the table?"

Looking down the table at him Sky raised an eyebrow in question. Not knowing who he was talking to Sky sat there quietly before he sneered at her and asked again. "Can you not do that at that table!"

Still confused Sky looked around her before looking back up at him. "Do what? Eat? I thought that's what happened at the supper table."

Several people snickered, others clearers their throats, but everyone got quiet as the Lady Silvanus looked at her husband in shock. "That thing with the eyes? It's unnatural and freakish and blasphemy against the Goddess and her creations."

"Brandon," snapped the Lady Silvanus at her husband's blatant disrespect.

"Don't "Brandon," me woman," snapped Brandon pointing his fork at her before turning it back toward Sky. "Everyone else might treat the pet of the King like a Queen but I will not. I will treat her like the bitch dog she is. A stray he found in the woods and creation of the dead God freak in the south. Just like those-" Brandon cut himself off but Sky could see the flashes of memories in his head.

They were smiling faces of people with black hair and light-colored eyes. Sky was slightly confused between the anger and happy memories, but the images made her head hurt. It felt like it was trying to split open again at the thought of those people. Then she remembered the boy from last night. Well her last night anyway. "What happened to the boy," asked Sky as a deep rumbling growl rolled from her chest as she rose to her feet.

"That freak boy you saved," snapped the High Lord as he stood to his feet. "We dealt with him the way he should have been dealt with at birth. The way all freaks should be dealt with and that's returning them to the mother," snarled the High lord.

Within him, Sky could see he was lying. She could see he passed the boy off to a group of people in cloaks. The boy looked scared, but it also looked like he went willingly. Something wasn't right here. "You lie," stated Sky as fact.

"You think I jest girl," shouted the man slamming his hands down on the table upsetting his drink spilling it everywhere. "You should mind your tongue in my house. You are a guest here and I have all rights to send you packing. After all, it is your fault that our council member is dead. You sent that cursed child to the capital and now it'll live because of you. That baby should have been dealt with here!"

The word baby seemed to echo through her head as the ground be-neither her shook like a giant had tried to kick its way through the earth. Pain threatened to steal her vision as she turned her eyes toward the table that was disintegrating before her eyes. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear you threaten what is mine," rumbled Sky dragon. Her voice seemed to carry a power of its own as the dishes on what was left of the table shook in fear of her. "You threaten that baby again and I will kill you and everyone who gets in my way. You even so much as hint to touching a baby in a harmful manner and I will tear you limb from limb. I will make you relive that baby's pain over and over again until you die. Have you heard my words old man?"

"If it wasn't for the King's mandate you'd be out of my house freak, but I hear your words," replied the High Lord as blood began dripping from his eyes and nose.

Without the customary courtesies of buying the High Lords leave Sky abruptly spun around and left the dining hall. Making it out of the hall and into the hallway Sky felt a set of hands quickly take her arm. Rattling a warning as she tried to yank her hand away she turned in the direction of whoever had her. "It's okay, just rest your hand here on my arm. There is a wall two inches in front of you. Can you not see it," asked a voice she didn't recognize.

Fishing around in his head Sky heard the man hiss in pain as his step faltered a little bit. She didn't mean to dig so deep, but she was currently struggling for control as she replied, "Sorry Jeffery."

"I didn't think you could see because your eyes are glowing white right now. I've never seen them white before. Not like I've seen them open a lot in the last year, but they've never been that color," replied Jeffery as he made his way down the hallway and back into Sky's room.

Holding her head Sky's groaned as the pain got worse, and the foreign memories began their invasion again. Covering her ears as the volume began to climb to the point of painful Sky was begging to loose reality again. Out of nowhere, something hit her in the chest so hard it sent her flying backward in her chair as she cried on in pain. Her chest was on fire and the pain was stealing her breath away. What felt like an eternity later Sky found herself drenched in sweet clutching her chest on the floor. At least the voices were gone and she could see worried faces again as they all looked down on her. "Are you better now," asked April dunking a rag in water and lifting Sky's shirt.

Looking down Sky could see her chest was smoking and the handprint had burned through her shirt. Shaking her head yes Sky laid back as April laid the rag on her and listened to the hissing sound. "Sky explain to me what happens when you go away like that," asked Owen as he sat down with a notebook and a pen.

Sky tried to explain what she saw, felt, and heard when the voices come. As well as the pain in her chest, but everything also made her so tired. When she was finally done Owen asked, "When did all of this start, or was this something that always happened and it's just getting stronger?"

Shaking her head no Sky yawned as her eyes began to close as she replied, "After I touched Claire's mating mark on her back."

Grumbling as something shook her Sky nocked the hand away. "Sky you've got to get up. You start your classes today and you've yet to eat breakfast," stated April shaking Sky again.

"Five more minutes," grumbled Sky as she rolled over into a path of foul Mayaya breath.

Try as she might Sky couldn't hack the manticore breath and forced herself up. Sluggishly going about her morning routine April still managed to get Sky down to the dining hall before the food was served. "I see that the King's pet is uncivilized as ever this morning," snapped Brandon as he glared down the table at her. "Where are your manners pet!"

"Bless the Goddess you didn't die in your sleep High Lord. It is good to see you greet the morning," replied Sky as she-dragon glared at him.

Growling at her Brandon stabbed his fork into the table before shouting, "I thought I told you not to do that at my table!"

Pushing her dragon back down so that she didn't color her eyes. Sky didn't miss the little snatch of memory of Michael at the breakfast table with his guards before her dragon was gone. The man's memories wherein such conflict to his words. Sky's mind did cartwheels trying to reason it out. On top of that, why did he hate her so much? Glaring at her husband, Lilly turned a pleasant smile toward Sky. "Good morning Prin-"

"She is not a Princess," snapped Brandon slapping the table making Lilly jump.

"By royal decrees she is," growled Tom trying desperately to remember his place.

"The King might have decreed it but she is no Princess of mine! She's the King's pet and nothing more than a dog! But dogs listen better than this bitch does. If you can't control your eyes then close the damn things," roared Brandon as his face began to redden with his anger.

Not knowing what to do Sky looked down at her plate. She was too angry for her dragon to go down. She didn't know how to let her dragon stay up and look for danger without her eyes glowing. She knew she was here to do the Kings Guards courses, but Sky didn't know if she could handle this for the next several years. Jamie had lied in his letter about this parents. They were not a nice and fun like Eli's. Pushing herself back from the table Sky went to stand up when Brandon snapped at her again. "Where are you going dog? You did not ask permission to leave. Surely the Land of Water taught you manners. Then again what should I expect from a freak like you?"

"My man is Sky, not dog, not bitch, and certainly not the Kings pet," stated Sky between clinched teeth. "I am no longer hungry High Lord, I buy your leave."

"No, you will sit like the good dog you are supposed to be and learn to be a proper lady. NOW SIT DOWN!"

Sky was gritting her teeth so hard she would have figured they would have broken under the stress. "Sit down Sky," said Tom under his breath as he gave her pleading eyes.

Sitting back down Sky slides the chair forward causing everyone to cringe at the sound. "Get up and do it again," snapped Brandon glaring at her. When Sky didn't move he shouted louder. "Dog, I said get up and do it again!"

Slowly pushing herself back away from the table Sky could feel the chair beginning to crumble underneath her. When she was fully to her feet what was left of the chair fell to ash on the ground. "First my table and now my chair! I will be billing you for everything you burn so feel free to destroy whatever. I will just upgrade my dining room as we go piece by piece if I have to," laughed the High Lord with a malevolent tone. "Either way you can stand there until I am done eating for all I care. You are not dismissed, and since you are not hungry, server pick up her plate. As well, let it be known that the dog doesn't eat unless she sits at this table like a proper lady! I think a metal mover would make a better dragon than you," spat High Lord before physically spitting on the floor.

"They are dragons the same as you and me," growled Sky as the air began to vibrate again.

"They are freaks like you and nowhere close to being the Goddess's creation like me and my kind," stated Brandon as he slammed his glass down on the table before shouting. "Close your eyes dog, since you can't control them!"

Bouncing from foot to foot through breakfast Sky stared at her feet trying to control the anger within her. Halfway through their meal, the High Lord lost his temper again. "Captain of the guard. You will move her fighting schedule forward. That dog has got too much energy in the morning. Maybe if she burns it off before breakfast she can stand still so the rest of us civilized dragons can enjoy our meal!"

"If that is what pleases you," replied a guard causing Sky to glance up at him.

Looking at the man with blonde hair the memory of the guard with black hair came to mind. Wondering what happened to him Sky asked, "What happened to the last Captain of the Guard I met a year ago?"

"I thought I said for you to close your eyes," shouted the High Lord sinking his butter knife deeply into the table. Looking at the floor again Sky saw a glimpse of the guard riding away in civilian clothes with a sad look on his face. "After I heard what he allowed to happen within the guard's kitchen I stripped him of his rank and sent him on his way."

"That's not right," shouted Sky this time meeting the High Lords eyes glare for glare. "None of that was his fault!"

"What I do within my lands and within my house is my business, not yours! You mind your own business dog and stay out of mine! You are dismissed!"

Without further delay, Sky turned on her heels and stormed toward the door. Grabbing the handle she pulled it open only to pause as the man shouted, "Where are your manners dog!"

Shooting daggers at him with her eyes she shouted. "Woof Woof! I hope you choke on your breakfast."

Ripping the door open Sky looked at the handle in her hand as the door crashed to the floor. Rolling her eyes Sky tossed the handle over her shoulder before continuing on her way. "I buy your leave High Lord," came several voices at once before the sound of feet could be heard hurrying after her.

Making her way back into her room Sky squeaked when crow came to greet her. Cringing when the bird landed on her shoulder Sky inwardly squirmed when the bird began rubbing its beak against the side of her head. "You do know all you have to do it touch the bird and tell it that you accept the message and it'll go away," stated Tom making his way into her room.

"I am not touching that dead bird," shouted Sky making the crow take flight before coming right back to her.

"Fine but you need to head to the classrooms," said April making her way into the room. "This way. I'll show you."