The Queen had to leave as soon as they finished desert, leaving them alone at the table. Anya was still working on her piece of chocolate cake.

"That went better than expected," Orlyn said.

"Your mom isn't as bad as you said she was."

He nodded. "I was a little upset because of everything, so... yeah."

Orlyn looked up at her. "How do you like your cake?"

"It's good..."

He smiled. "Good."

"Sorry about what Soi did..."

"I know it wasn't your fault." He put a hand on her shoulder. "She needs to learn you're the one in charge."

"Yeah... that's easier said than done."

"It's always easier said than done. It’s just like the military. You have to earn their respect by showing them you're in charge." He rubbed her shoulder a little. "Find something you can use against her."

"She is a part of my soul. She has more against me than I her."

Orlyn sighed. "I don't know then. Maybe find something big. She's the reason you're cursed. So, get everyone against her, big time."

"She's the dominate one, only Leasu has some power to stop Soi a bit."

"Oh. Then...” He sighed. "I-I don't know..."

He moved his chair closer to her. "It's just... It's like she tortures you on purpose."

She just shrugged, "Probably... I don't really know."

"I'll keep blocking her for you then."

"Okay... but that's just pissing her off more."

"Great. Well...  maybe she'll learn that if she keeps her mouth shut, she won't be blocked. It's simple conditioning."

"Do you think that would really work on her? She did keep quiet on my end as she spoke to your mother."

"It might."

She sighed and pushed the un-finished cake away. "I hope so."

Orlyn's arm moved around her. "We should work on the treaty some more tomorrow. And we don't have to stay in the palace to work on it."

He chuckled. "You don't have to wear a dress either."

"Thank the Gods..." She rested her head against his.

"We could even go to one of the moons." He sighed. "But it is getting late. With all those voices in your head, I'm sure you value your rest."

"Yeah, sleep would be nice."

He smiled. "C'mon. I'll walk you back to your room."

*****

Drayn sat slumped in his now throne, completely alone. He was finding ruling the system was harder than he thought, but he found that to be feared by his people was better than to be loved by his people. Within the few months of rule, the palace and the entire kingdom was in perfect order due to hundreds of public executions of those that spoke against his rule. The palace was different as well. Not in structure, but the way it functioned. All the harems in the palace were destroyed along with all the girls in them.

Now, he had his elite soldiers and weapon designers could practice and experiment in their new facilities were the Harems used to be. His sister's room was not touched in any way. He sighed and then yawned, How boring it is to be King...

He closed his eyes. I do hope Niaya is well and that wherever and whoever are holding her aren't brainwashing her anymore. That has to be why she left me. That damn Takerdean and that worthless Human female!

The doors to the throne room opened and a man came in.  "My Liege," he said, bowing.  "I have some things to report."

"Very well, please continue." Drayn sat up straight, unlike regular civilians, his soldiers and scientists were treated with honor and respect. In the military's eyes, Drayn was a just and fair ruler that simply does not go easy on criminals.

"We have found a more efficient way of animating zombies for use in boarding operations. The cold vacuum of space made it so we had to launch the pods at close range. We still have to be close, but a few hundred meters can make all the difference.” He looked over a PDA he held. "The Nova Cannon has had its frame built. We are currently looking for ways to power it."

"Excellent. I admire the speed of those in charge of its production and those improving some of our tactics. I will ensure generous compensation for the time spent once all projects are completed."

"Thank you, My Liege.” He checked his PDA once more. "There is also one private piece of information I think you would be interested in."

"Yes?"

He raised the PDA and pressed a few buttons on it. An image appeared. "This footage was captured by a passing drone."

The image began to move. Two redheaded figures walked on it. Both appeared to have short hair. One was taller and seemed to be a male. The other was shorter and it was hard to tell the gender with the fuzzy image.

He recognized the shorter one immediately, "Niaya!"

Drayn growled, "What did those barbarians do to her?!"

"We do not know, My Liege." The image showed the two figures talking.

"We were unable to capture any audio, because of the way drone technology works. We do have the location though.” The figures began walking again and out of the image.

The image faded away. "I can order your private cruiser prepped in a single hour."

"Yes, thank you. I know she is alive and appears well. Is there any other news that you think I need to know?"

"They're filthy Mekans, who are holding her. It was only a flyby, My Liege. I am very sure that your direct involvement would yield the best results."

"Yes, and I have a good idea on how to deal with them in an efficient manner. Has there been any intergalactic news on Takerde recently?"

"Security has been tightened surprisingly. All drones sent anywhere near the borders are terminated."

"Hmmm... then something is happening. Keep all eyes and ears open. I will be ready to leave when my cruiser is."

"Of course."

Drayn gave his soldier a nod. "You are dismissed."

He bowed and left the room.

Drayn stood and looked out on the windows near his throne, Soon you will be back home Niaya...

*****

Like always, Joshyn was the first one up. He yawned and began to free his face from the loose strands of his long hair. He opened his eyes and found her still cuddled next to him. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

The lips of the ex-Ameynite Princess curled into a smile. Her eyes opened only a little. "Do you always have to get up so early?"

He chuckled, "hey, I am used to it. You can sleep in if you want."

"I think I will.” She moaned a little, before tugging at the sheets.

He jumped out of bed and let her have all the blankets. He then made his way towards the washroom for a quick bath. Niaya sighed, burying her face into the pillow.  I love it here...

Sister...a faint voice in the back of her mind replied, I am coming for you.

What the…?   She sat up a little bit. Just my imagination... Niaya closed her eyes and buried her face back into the pillow.

Joshyn began humming from the washroom. Niaya chuckled a little.  He always does that. She yawned and rolled in the bed a little.

Once he stopped humming, five minutes later, he walked out of the washroom with a towel around his waist. He was also vigorously drying his hair with another towel. He then got frustrated and then just set himself on fire, instantly drying himself. Both towels were now nothing but ash at his feet.

He shrugged and then began searching for a change of clothes he kept in her room incase he ended up staying the night with her, which was every night.

"What're we doing today?" she asked.

"Vegetable picking and maybe milking for cheese." He still was searching.

"Your clothes are under mine," she finally said. "I don't want anyone to know about us yet. I just...” Niaya sat up, pushing a single, thin, long braid behind her ear, where the rest of her hair was short. "I don't know. I'm not too sure how your mom will react."

"I do. She will squeeze you and then make wedding plans."

"Great." She did not sound very enthusiastic.

He pouted.

"I-I-I don't know, Josh... Look, I love you, you know that. It's just... the whole marriage thing I don't know yet."

He walked over and kissed her forehead, "I know."

She smiled. "Yeah. Thanks.” Niaya put a hand on his cheek.

He grinned and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before going to get his clothes. His hair was down long and without his ponytail.

"How's Sarka doing? I hardly see him."

"He's doing better, but Momma is still keeping him inside."

"Weird. He should be about healed-up now."

He began dressing quickly. "Well, she's worried about him re-injuring himself now. She wants to make sure he can lift and carry without any strain."

"Oh.” She smiled. "You two are really lucky."

"Thank you."

"My mom... she was murdered by my father when I was... like... eight.” She sighed. "She loved us. If... if she was alive, I don't think Drayn would've done some of the things he's done."

Joshyn walked over to her, his shirt only halfway on and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back, pulling him down. "She is still watching over you though. I am sure she is trying to help you both as much as her spirit will allow."

"I know," she whispered in his ear. "You'd better get back to your room."

Niaya slowly let go of him. "I'll see you out there though."

He nodded and gave her another quick kiss. "Yeah, I have to fight this hair for awhile."

"If it's giving you so many problems, do what I did."

"I like my hair though..." he paused, "unless you don't like it."

"Your hair. Your call." She chuckled. "I like my hair short. Do you like my hair short?"

"It fits you well. But you would look beautiful no matter what you did to your hair."

She blushed. "Thank you, Joshyn."

He smiled. "I will see you later."

"Yeah."

He left quietly, leaving her alone in bed. Niaya sighed. Darn you, Joshyn. I can't get back to sleep!

She climbed out of bed and went to wash up.

After a little bit, Niaya was redoing her braid, half-dressed and sitting on the bed. She looked down at it for a second, before going back to it. There was a knock on the door.

"Yes?" she called.

"Breakfast is ready." Joshyn replied cheerfully from the other side of the door.

"Gimme a minute!” She finished with the braid and finished pulling on her simple tunic.

Sister...

She cocked her head.

"Okay. Hey, guess what..."

"What?" Niaya asked.

I am coming for you.

"Sarka went out today for a walk."

Huh? She shook her head a little. "Oh, that's good to hear."

I will free you from these savages... so that you can rule with me...

"Yeah, it is."

She smiled. "Joshyn, can you give me a minute or so? Tell Hyrra I'll be down in a bit!"

"Will do."

She closed her eyes. I am okay... What are you doing?

I am going to bring you back home. I did it. I was finally strong enough to beat him. Now, you can take your place and rule, just like we always said we would.

Oh...She sighed.

So just wait patiently... I am almost ready to attack.

That caught her attention.  What?! Attack? What are you thinking?!

I am not going to let them brainwash you any longer. I am going to ensure that they never touch you again.

She scoffed. You think I'm in danger? These people have been nothing but kind to me!

What lies have they made you believe? I will make them all pay for keeping you from me. You would never leave me if it weren’t for them. And that red-haired Dragon is the first one on my list...

Don't you dare enter his mind!

No, I will kill him physically... Drayn's mind was then blocked. She could not reach his mind at all.

Tears began to well-up in her eyes.  No...  NO!  Niaya clenched her eyes shut. A pulse of mental energy ruined the room. The mirror shattered, while the chairs and table broke apart. The glass windows burst as well. "You're not going to hurt anyone, Drayn!"

Niaya closed her eyes, looking for Drayn's mind. Her efforts were in vain.

She began to shake out of anger. Things began to fall off her simple wardrobe, the floor and the little house groaned at the growing vibrations seeping from the ground below. A bright flash assailed her eyes followed by an ear-shattering boom. Niaya quickly grabbed her boots and ran down stairs, nearly falling down them.

"Joshyn!" she shouted, hopping as she pulled a boot on.

"Niaya! Outside hurry, it’s Joshyn!" the voice was a very frantic Illysis. She pulled her other boot on and followed, in a panic. The family was all outside looking towards the Northwest.

The red crystal of the Cornerstone of Fire, the large spire that dominated the northwest corner of the village, was no longer there. Her eyes quickly went to find Joshyn. She could not see him or Sarka and ran over to where the family was standing in horror. That is when she saw him. Maraval held the limp form of his youngest son in his arms.

"What-what happened?" she asked. "Tell me!"  

"We're under attack!" Maraval said.

"They hit the cornerstone..." Illysis was almost in tears, "we Dragons are connected to those spires...".

Niaya froze. She felt so cold.

"Sarka is gone too!" The female dragon turned toward the east where the army of the enemy was quickly approaching, a line of thousands of undead warriors. "I will do my best..."

She ran off, turning in to the silver Dragon as she did. She let out a loud roar and took to the skies followed by the green-scaled Dragon who took off not too far away.

Niaya watched them go. She looked back at Joshyn in his father's arms. Hyrra looked at her husband, "I will watch them... go."

He nodded, before running after Illysis.

Niaya gently put a hand on Joshyn's cheek after his father had put him down. She looked up at Hyrra. "Is he okay?"

"I-I don't know... and my Sarka is also missing...." Hyrra began to cry, "My baby boys..."

She looked carefully at Joshyn. By the Gods, I hope this works... She gently put a hand on him, before attempting to heal him. After a minute, Joshyn groaned a little and managed to open his eyes.

"Joshyn?" she asked.

He looked pale and he seemed to want to close his eyes, "Niaya... what..."

"Drayn's back."

That seemed to sober him up more than anything, "What?"

He tried to get up only to fall back down.

"Whoa, easy."

"I... can't..." Joshyn looked at his hands in shock.

"He hit the cornerstone. Just... just rest.” Niaya gently put her arms around him.

"That... that can't be. It would have to be charged by the opposite element during the..." Joshyn shook his head, "no, no... it couldn't..."

"Oh, no..." She panicked as she realized what her brother did.

"Where's Sarka?" Joshyn looked at his mother and Hyrra could only shake her head.

Niaya slowly stood up. Joshyn looked at her before standing up as well, although shakily. "Momma, please protect Niaya."

She looked at him, eyes wide and starting to fill with tears. "What are you doing?”

He gave her a small smile, "I have to protect all those that I love."

She closed her eyes. Don’t do anything stupid. Drayn has you on the top of his hit list.

He sighed and then nodded, I will do my best... but please, stay here with Momma... I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you... or Sarka.

If Drayn shows up though, tell me!

I will, my love.

She gave him a smile. "Be careful," she whispered.

He gave her a grin before highlighting himself in red-orange flame. It took him longer to transform, but he eventually took to the air with the loudest roar the village had ever heard. For those that I love... I will fight till the elements take me.

******