Phaedra froze in mid step. She could smell it. Blood.
However, the few guards she saw in the halls didn’t seem to notice, or mind. She sniffed the air a bit more and sighed. The smell of sweat and wet fur, and some of the blood smelled oddly… sweet. No wonder nobody looked concerned, that was her father’s and uncle’s blood.
She soon heard the growls, grunts and thumps coming from the throne room. She paused outside it for a moment before engaging in one of her favorite pastimes ever since she was a little lamb. Eavesdropping. She motioned for the guard to leave.
Once she was alone, she opened the door a crack to watch the two.
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Phaedra couldn’t help but wonder if this would be the time one of them FINALLY killed each other. She found it unlikely. She could still remember the first time she’d seen them fighting like this.
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That had knocked the smile off both their faces. Fenrir had reached out and, gently, pet her head. It hadn’t scared her then, but then she hadn’t realized who she was. “My dear, sweet Phaedra. You will never be alone. Should the day come that Obsius takes my heart, I will live on in him. He will love you as I do.”
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Obsius gave a light chuckle and shook his head. “You know, when she says things like that, I almost wish I had found Hildr first. Half my children are already scheming about how to get my head, and the other half are training to fight me for it.”
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If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
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Obsius disappeared, appearing across the throne room and moving so a pillar was between the two. “Perhaps she is attempting to lower your guard, to strike when you are vulnerable? She is part sheep; striking at such a moment would be ideal.”
Fenrir charged through the pillar, shattering it. “If only, she -- AGHHH!” Electricity enveloped him when he ran into Obsius’ trap. However, he threw his arms out and spikes of stone rose up, piercing the two crystal orbs that were making the electricity. “She hasn’t even attempted to lay claim to any territory of her own. That dragon was the first thing she’s actually argued with me over since her return. But now she’s letting the thing damage her room!”
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Fenrir growled and reached out a claw, snagging the spear from the air and crushing it. “Are you saying I’m too soft on her?” He then leaped forward.
Obsius smirked and started to pull away. However, his eyes went wide and his features contorted in alarm. His feet were wrapped in stone, trapping him there. A moment later Fenrir was on him, tackling him to the ground and lifting his claws up. “I yield!” Obsius yelled. “And probably a bit.”
Fenrir gave a light chuckle as he stood up, holding out a hand.
Phaedra sighed before shoving the door open. The resounding crash made them both look over. If he wanted to have her claim territory, then she supposed she’d make his dream come true. She knew exactly how to do it, too. Especially now. She glanced to her uncle. It was a bit dirty, but she supposed it was his own fault for fighting her father and tiring himself out. Besides, she knew he’d never fight her for real. “Uncle Obby -- I mean, Obsius,” Phaedra said, clenching her fists tightly.
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Fenrir paused for a moment, looking between the two. He then gave a small chuckle before moving back. Obsius gave a small smirk and nodded. “Oh? I see. Now what, I wonder, brings this on? Don’t you think you’re aiming a little high, my dear little niece?” he asked, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. “Though it would break my heart to have to make you cry.”
Phaedra’s cheeks went red and she reached up, knocking his hand aside. “No. I’m being greedy,” she said. “I have the dragon, now I want her territory. Her people, her lands. I want all of it.”
That made the smile fall off his face. He gently shook his head. “Ah. I see. Well, my dear little niece. I would love to give them to you. But you see, that is not my territory.”
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Phaedra took a small, deep breath. “You captured her. Wouldn’t her territory be yours?”
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However, after a moment she leaned against it and listened.
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Obsius chuckled as well. “Ahhhh, your child’s first conquest. Is there any greater feeling for a parent? You’re not going to let her go on her own, are you? You saw how much she was shaking. Trying to act so tough. Just like little Jasmine when she first went off.”
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Phaedra pulled away, her cheeks going a little red. Well, it was good to know the person who had torn her limb from limb believed in her. Now if only she could get Yroth to believe in her like that.
She was not looking forward to dealing with Carth, though. She’d heard of him from Gibs. Cunning, ruthless, weak but vicious. A true demon.
Still, she was Fenrir’s daughter. Kind of. She was certain she could handle one little fox demon. And if she couldn’t? Well… all she had to do was get Yroth there and her people free.
She’d figure out what to do afterwards.
Phaedra waved her hand, once more opening the makeshift door to allow herself to step into her room, waving back to close it behind herself again. “I’m ba--”
The words died in her throat when she saw the dragon wasn’t on her bed anymore. In fact, the dragon wasn’t anywhere. “No no no no--”
A crash made her cringe and draw her eyes towards her closet, where the tip of the dragon’s tail sticking out.
Oh. Good. She wasn’t free in the castle. Just going through all of her magic equipment. This was… slightly… less terrible. Even more of her stuff to destroy.