Dragon Blood (Completed)

The Bluescale Dragons

Chapter 11

An altar was prepared in the gardens off the east wing of the castle. It had been established long ago when the first Bluescales built the castle, and each generation has used it to burn away their mortal forms ever since. A stone table was held up by intricately carved dragons. They were so realistic, it looked like they would take flight at any moment. The table stood in the center of a large clearing, surrounded by the high protective walls of the castle a hundred yards away.

Patrols flew overhead, dominated by the Bluescale guard, though dragons from every royal present could be seen in the mix. Zane stood next to his father at the end of the line closest to the altar in their dragon forms. The line stretched from the castle door to the circle prepared around the altar for the ritual. The line normally wasn't this long, even for a royal's ritual, but the entire staff and many of the guard of BluescaleCastle were present. All the visiting royals and their visiting assemblages had all turned out for the event.

Everyone was in their dragon form, except for Maze, who was standing next to the stone table, waiting for the queen to arrive. It was tradition for guests to stand in their dragon forms to symbolize the power they were about to gain once they shed their mortal forms that prevented them from becoming their true selves.

Zane did his best to stay focused, but he kept straining his eyes to see if the queen had come out of the castle yet. This ceremony was sacred; he knew it couldn't be rushed, but he wanted Paige in her dragon form, to be healed, and become stronger than she was at the moment. Now that the time was upon them, he felt the patience he'd had throughout the day of preparation evaporate.

Normally, it was parents and family members carrying an infant, but with the queen and prince, everything was different. It even felt different. There wasn't the usual buzz of excitement, or the joyous family reunion that happened at these events. This ritual was laced with a feeling of desperation and fear. If this didn't cure the queen, the whole realm would feel the breath they had been allowed to take snuffed out, the way Zane's air had been denied him in the waterway. He knew the two Bluescales were like that first single breath he'd been given, and how desperately the people would want more like he had. Two was a precious few. If the queen didn't recover, young Dean would feel devastatingly vulnerable. Just one small target for Balaan to eliminate before the Alignment in a few short months.

Drake's words still burned in Zane's mind, 'It's too late for the girl.'

The words shouted at him as the Bluescales finally came into view. Paige looked small in the arms of one of her guards. She was barely conscious, her eyes only half open.

Dean walked solemnly beside them with his guard, two of which were in their mortal forms, the other in their dragon form, flying low circles over his charge as they made their way down the long path.

Dean looked up at Zane as he passed, giving him shy smile. Zane gave him a wide toothy grin that caused the boy to giggle. Titus let out a low throated rumble, letting Zane know he disapproved.

The guard set Paige on the altar. She sat on the edge for a moment, her long gown flowing past her feet. The beautiful dress did nothing to take away her pain, or make her look any stronger than she was. She took a few deep breaths, then scooted back slightly so she could stretch out to lay flat.

Dean was helped up on the altar next to her. When they were lying next to each other, Paige reached over to take Dean's little hand in hers. She then looked over and said something to Dean, giving him a winning smile. Dean nodded, grinning in response to whatever she had said.