#some magic

Excellent heavy metal. Such an example of heavy metal that's more stylish than anything else. That's exactly what I'm talking about. That's the sound. The intro is quick. And then the song starts. So characteristic. High-pitched, whiny vocals. But the song has a positive vibe. About the '80s. This is probably one of the symbols of the '80s in heavy metal. Not the heaviness, but the style. One of those CDs.

Thank you so much for sharing 💚

Oooooh thank you so much ✨ This means a lot to me, I really appreciate it! 🎁

I love to draw and share, but it's pure gold and dopamine when my art make people's eyes shine 🤩 This makes me so happy I screetch🦉 and sending big and cozy Wrecker hugs to you! 🤗

I want to share another trick to enjoy Hunter's golden eye glance even more, because I noticed that I accidentally wove some magic in this piece 🪄

Look directly in those eyes of his, breathe and you may notice after some seconds his smirk twitches up a little bit in the corner 😎 Try out and enjoy 😉 🪶

   “I have found something the Daerites are willing to take in exchange for peace, you.” My father said flatly.

I stared at my father in disbelief, disbelief quickly changed to anger as his words sank in. Some people struck out in rage, screaming words and flying fists, but my anger was a quiet rage, at least outwardly, but for now I quickly fixed my face to one of indifference, my expression not matching my cruel words.

“I should have known. After all, what’s the use of a daughter except to sell away for peace? Forget soulmates. You’re more important than fate.”

His flat facade broke slightly, only slightly, only for a second, but I saw it, and I knew I had won.

“You leave in a fortnight. The Daerites are sending an escort to collect you.” He told me, reminding me that I may have won this battle, but I had lost the war. I was still being sold away, sent to the kingdom we had been fighting on and off for centuries.

With his cold declaration he turned and left. I also turned and left, heading the opposite direction down the hall. My anger was simmering and it was about to boil over. I broke into a run as I dashed out of the manor, heading for the training grounds. Technically, I was forbidden from entering since I was a girl, so as I ran I activated the charm on my bracelet and shifted. The charm on my bracelet allowed for me to easily switch clothes when I shapeshifted.  

Shapeshifting was a rare ability, but I had managed to hide it from my father with the help of the nursemaid who raised me. She and I were the only ones who knew of my ability and I intended to keep it that way. Where as Alexandra had to be a prim and proper princess, confined to her strict rule, Alex had the freedom to become a fighter. He was able to train and fight and wear pants and make dumb jokes and brawl with his friends. Alex had a freedom that Alexandra could only imagine of having.

As I entered the training fields one of the guards who was taking a break looked up. “Woah Alex, what’s got you so mad?”

“My fucking father.” I growled as I approached a training dummy that was meant for training hand to hand combat.

“What did he do now?” The guard, Ryan, asked.

My fists slammed into the dummy as I began burning my anger off through the premise of training.

“I have to move in a fortnight.” I grunted. “He accepted someone’s request to have me as their personal guard.”

“Is he even allowed to do that?” Ryan demanded, sharing a but of my anger.

“Yes.” I said shortly through panting breaths.

“That’s sucks. I’m sorry.” He said. “Unfortunately, I have a stupid late shift so I need go and try and catch some sleep before it starts.”

I grunted in acknowledgment, hoping that he wouldn’t take it personally. My anger only grew as I let my angry thoughts feed my fists, and I found it hard to focus on much else. Eventually, I managed to lose myself in the pounding hits against the leather padded dummy, and my own heaving chest as I panted for breath. Sweat quickly soaked my shirt and it seemed stifling under the heat of the sun. I paused to rip my shirt off quickly, throwing it out of the way.

“Damn.” Someone - Damien, I recognized the voice - muttered just loud enough to be heard behind me. “My offer’s still up if you ever want to change your mind.”

“My answers no Damien.” I replied, not looking up. “It will always be no.”

He sighed dramatically, but I know that it was mostly an act. “And yet you still tease me with that body of yours.”

I rolled my eyes even though I knew he couldn’t see. He was such a dumbass. It was lucky my father was too self-centered to realize what hid guards for up to under his nose.

“One day your going to ask the wrong person.” I warned.

“What’s life without a little danger.” He returned.

I paused in my training to glare at him. He just grinned without a hint of remorse and tossed a canteen at me. I caught it, nodding my thanks.

“I still don’t understand why you go around hooking up with people. You have a soulmate.” I pointed to his soul mark that peeked out from beneath his sleeve.

“And, when I meet them, I’m all theirs and only theirs. But, until then I’m not going to deny myself.” He gave me a pointed look. “Some of us like to have a little fun.”

I just glared at him. “Some of us have reasons to be serious.”

“I’m sensing that you’re talking about something specifically.” He said, urging mr to continue.

“My stupid excuse for a father decide to force his way into my life and accepted a personal guard assignment on my behalf. I’m leaving in a fortnight.”

“Damn dude.” He muttered, more seriously. “Need me to beat him up?”

I shook my head, knowing that could never happen. “No, thanks though.”

Damien walked over and pulled me into a hug. “I’m sure you’ll survive.”

If only he knew the truth he might not say the same. Who knew what the Daerites were going to do?

I returned the hug. “I wish I could be so confident.” I said quietly, too quietly for him to hear.

“Want to spar?” He offered. “Before you destroy that dummy.”

I glanced up at the sky, crap it was almost dinner time and I was a sweaty mess. “Sorry, I just realized I’m almost late for a shift. I need to get cleaned up first.”

“No worries dude.” He said patting me on the back one more time before heading to a different dummy, as I collected my shirt and left the arena. I needed to hurry if I wanted to quickly rinse off before arriving at dinner. I could shapeshift, but I couldn’t change the fact that I was a sweaty mess. As I ran across the fields towards the manor I did shapeshift. As Alex didn’t technically exist, he wasn’t allowed in the castle, Alexandra was. And, she had dinner to get to - I had a dinner to get to.

149.1

   A fortnight passed far too quickly for my liking. Soon I found myself in a barren room - everything having been packed away, but only a few sets of clothes were coming with me. The king wouldn’t spend any more on this than he had to. I glanced at the mirror, hating the reflection that looked back. It wasn’t the worst outfit. A humble (if that was possible for a princess) dress suited for travel, instead of some of the other bulkier things my father sometimes forced me in.

   I sighed, turning away and leaving my room. I put my blank mask in place and headed down the hall. Dread filled me, but I pushed it away. There was nothing I could do to change the fact that I was walking towards my doom.

   When I walked out of the lodge to where the Daerites were waiting, the last thing I was expecting was to meet one of their eyes and for a burning sensation to spread across my chest where one of my soulmarks was.

   A flicker of pain may have managed to slip through my mask before I managed to rein in my emotions even as it continued to burn. They managed to hide the pain as well, neither of us speaking.

   “Here is my daughter, Princess Alexandra as promised.” My father spoke, introducing me, although I’m sure everyone had guessed who I was. “May this mark the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.”

   I tore my eyes away from my soulmate, staring at the ground instead. I would deal with this earth-shattering revelation later. Right now, I needed to get through this dreadful transfer.

   “As long as you don’t break from the terms of our agreement, we will have peace as long as our ancestors live.” The Daerite ambassador replied with a thinly veiled threat.

   The burning in my chest faded and I hasard another glance at the Daerite that was my soulmate. I couldn’t tell much about them, their armor causing them to blend in with the rest of them. I felt my eyes drawn to the main thing that differentiated us from them, the horns that sprouted from their heads. My soulmates’ were straight and rather short, but the ambassador had horns that curled around his head.

   Knowing I was being rude (and caring for some reason) I dropped my eyes back to the ground as I crossed the threshold into the middle of the Daerite guards. My father had already left. I don’t know what I expected. The ambassador turned to me.

   “I hope you can ride.” He said, pointing to a riderless horse.

   If it wasn’t for Alex, I wouldn’t be able to, but luckily I had learned to ride as him. As I mounted the horse though, I realized that I didn’t know how to ride in a dress.

   I tried to control my anger as this small inconvenience built on my anger that had only grown with time. It wouldn’t do for them to see me breaking down on the first day, in the first ten minutes.

   The ambassador seemed slightly amused at my struggles as I finally managed to get the damn dress to sit correctly, but finally I was ready and we were off.

   It didn’t take long for my soulmate to sidle up to me. Riding closer than was strictly necessary for protocol.

   “Are we going to talk about this?” They asked, voice muffled by their helmet, but also they were speaking quietly so as to not be overheard.

   “Probably should.” I answered, lacking the emotional energy to deal with this right now.

   “Later?” They asked. “Not here.”

   I shrugged, not knowing if I truly had a choice. They moved away again, but only slightly. Despite myself, I couldn’t help missing the closeness. Stupid soulmates.

   Luckily, they didn’t try anything for the rest of the two week journey to their capital city. While in our kingdom, my escort had garnered strange looks, but while in theirs, I was the only one who garnered strange looks. As I had looked at their horns the villagers we passed seemed to look at my head, finding my lack of horns strange.

It was weird being the odd one out. I normally didn’t have a problem fitting into new situations - when I was in control that is. My shapeshifting ability made it quite handy to help me fit into new situations that I willing entered without my father’s knowledge. But, I couldn’t exactly just grow a new pair of horns right in front of watching eyes. I had two secrets I would never reveal no matter the cost. One, my shapeshifting ability, and two, the fact that I had two soulmarks, one across my chest and one that wrapped around my lower left leg.

I realized as we travelled that those may be increasingly hard to keep in a foreign kingdom and now that I had discovered one of my soulmates. If I hadn’t had years of practice at hiding all emotions from my father, my despair may have shown on my face. As it was, occasionally a hint may have peeked through my mask.

Finally, we reached the large manor where the Daerite royal family lived. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved that travel was over or terrified that I had to face my new life head on.

Surprisingly, the King was waiting out front of the Manor when we arrived.

“I hope your journey went well.” The King greeted kindly. “I’m sure you want to rest. I can have a guard show you to your room. Introductions can wait till dinner if that suits your needs.”

I nodded, barely masking my surprise at his seemingly genuine kindness. It was foreign, and so different from my father’s cold exterior.

The guards left and the ambassador went inside, while a guard stepped forwards from their post at the entrance at the King’s beckon.

“Show our guest to her room please.” The guard nodded, bowing slightly to the King before I dismounted, a groom taking the horse from me, and followed them inside. They led me down a hall, up several steps of stairs, and down another hall before stopping in front of a door.

“Your room, my lady.” The guard bowed.

“Thank you.” I said simply, entering the room as they left. It was a large room, but plain, no decorations. I didn’t care that much as long as it offered me privacy. I glanced through the wardrobes, hoping that there were pants somewhere. Anything to get out of this dreaded dress. Nothing. Dammit.

Wait. An idea occurred to me. There were no guards outside my door, the one who had led me up here had left. I could be Alex, I would probably need to add a pair of horns, but I think I could manage. It would be a relief to finally drop this stupid princess act for the first time in two weeks. I quickly shifted, feeling my new horns experimentally. Not happy, per say, about looking like a Daerite, but it could be worse. They had been surprisingly not horrid so far, but I couldn’t just put the war behind me so easily.

I left the room, hoping that no one would question a strange new presence. No one had in my manor, but this was completely different. I realized how different when I promptly got myself lost, unable to find an exit. I accidentally ran into someone while looking around desperately for some sign of where I was.

”Sorry.” I muttered, quickly moving on.

“Wait.” The stranger said, grabbing my arm.

Fear began to fill me. Was I already found out?

“You look lost? Are you new?” They asked, and I looked up and met their eyes, pleasantly surprised, but when a burning sensation, gentler this time, spread across my chest fear and panic quickly replaced it. Crap. I wrenched my arm out of their grip and turned and ran.

Smart, no, but I hadn’t considered the possibility of running into my soulmate, or that it would have any effect while in this form. I should have figured it out. I really should have. I mean the soulmarks never went away no matter what form I took as far as I could tell. It was harder to tell on animals, presumably they were still there though beneath the fur, scales, or feathers.

Running truly had been dumb considering I was lost, but luckily I found an exit. Unfortunately, it led into a large gardens. I hesitated slightly, but it was long enough for my soulmate to catch me. They grabbed my wrist, but when I yanked it away and kept running they tackled me to the ground. I struggled to get out from under them, but they had the advantage. They managed to pin me even as I struggled to buck them off or free a hand or anything. No luck.

“Who are you?” They demanded. “What the hell is going on?”

I couldn’t believe I had been found out so early, so horribly. One secret gone already, one giant ass secret that I had kept my whole life. Did Daerites even know that shapeshifters existed? I wouldn’t last here. My father had sent me to my death, I opened my mouth, but no words managed to escape my tightening throat as panic grasped me. My heart pounding practically right out of my chest. My breathing way too rapid and not from my short sprint.

It didn’t help that the burning on my chest was still there, only slightly, but enough.

“Are you okay?” They asked, concerned.

Unable to form words I just shook my head. No. No for so many reasons.

They sat upright, still straddling me, but giving me space. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything.” I managed to choke out, as my panic faded ever so slightly.

“Everything?” They repeated, confused.

I nodded, taking advantage of their relaxed position to wriggle out from under them, pushing myself to my feet. They also stood, grabbing my wrist, presumably to stop me from running again.

“I don’t suppose you can just forget this?” I asked, my throat having opened back up.

They shook their head. “No, I can’t.”

I sighed, hanging my head. “I figured.”

“We can start with introductions?” They offered.

I nodded.

“I’ll go first.” They started. “I’m Tathri. She/her. The princess's personal guard.”

“She/her?” I asked, unfamiliar with the expression.

“My pronouns.” She clarified. “It’s custom here to add them when you meet someone for the first time.”

“That’s smart, actually.” I muttered.

She smiled slightly. “Yeah. You’re turn.”

“Uh, Alex...” I debated whether to say my full name and decide not. “He- she-“ I stumbled over the pronouns completely unsure. “I don’t know. I guess he/him?” I shrugged. I had always used those in this form, but she/her in my other. It was necessary for the disguise I had never considered otherwise.

Tathri gave me a slightly strange glance, but it faded quickly. “Now, however I would like an explanation, and there is something else we still need to talk about. I was actually looking for you before you ran into me.”

I knew this was coming, but I still hated it. My eye dropped to the earth, and I yanked my wrist out of her grasp, grabbing my elbow with my hand, crossing my arm across my body.

“I - I am....  I can...” I stumbled over my words never even having prepared to say these words. “How much do you know about shapeshifters?”

“Shapeshifters?” She repeated, shocked.

I nodded, still not meeting her gaze.

“Well... they can shift shapes?” She said uncertainty.

I nodded.

“They’re rare...?” She added, reaching.

I nodded again.

“You are one?” She hazard to guess.

I hesitated, but nodded again.

“How? How does no one know?” She asked, still shocked.

I shifted under her gaze. “I tried very hard to keep it a secret and I succeeded, until I didn’t take soulmates into account.”

“Why keep it a secret?” She asked.

I gave her a ‘duh’ look. “You met my father? You were in my kingdom? You are seeing what I like to shift into?”

She didn’t respond right away and I added. “It was the one thing I had that my father couldn’t control.”

Understanding flashed across her face. “I’m sorry.”

I wasn’t sure what she was apologizing for, but I was surprised she apologized at all.

“Now we still need to have my talk. If you don’t want anyone else knowing, I suggest you shift.” She advised.

I nodded, but hesitated. “Can you look away?” I asked. “I’ve never shifted in front of someone else before.”

She nodded and turned. I quickly shifted.

“Okay.” I said, back to my princess act.

She turned and gasped slightly. “That’s weird. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.”

“Don’t worry I don’t plan on shifting in front of you or anyone else again.” I said calmly, as fitting of Alexandra.

“Still he/him pronouns?” She asked as we walked back to the manor.

I shook my head. “She/her.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Now, what are we talking about?” I asked, a hint of curiosity breaking through my mask.

“I think it’s more of a see it and believe it thing. We are going to meet the princess, everything else should make more sense then.” She explained, without explaining anything.

“The princess? What does she have to do with this?” I pushed.

“Everything.” She answered, mimicking my response (intentionally or not) from earlier.

I realized I wasn’t going to get any answers so I just followed her silently through the confusing halls. We stopped outside of a room near mine (I think).

Tathri knocked on the door. “Zan. We need to talk.” She called though the wood.

Zan? It must be a nickname. I was pretty sure the princess's full name was Shraiazan.

The door opened. “What about Ri? You sound serious is everything okay?” The princess asked as she opened the door.

“Who are-“ She stopped mid sentence as our eyes met. A burning around my left leg. I stumbled slightly, the sudden pain catching me completely off guard.

Tathri reached out and steadied me. “I suppose that makes things slightly easier to explain.” She muttered as we shuffled into the room.

“Alex...andra,” She stumbled slightly over my first name, unsure. “Meet Shraiazan, she/her, who is also our soulmate, which you have probably figured out. Shraiazan meet Alexandra, she/her, the Letikin princess.”

“I can see that.” Shraiazan muttered.

This was all too much to take in. Both my soulmates were Daerites. Both my soulmates had two soulmates. One of them knew I was a shapeshifter. I had lost my two secrets. I had lost control. I stepped away from both of them towards the door.

“Don’t run Alexandra.” Tathri pleaded.

“This... this is all... all too much.” I muttered, before quickly leaving the room, shifting as I closed the door behind me, changing into a small bug. I landed on the wall, watching as Tathri stepped out of the room, glanced both ways and cursed. The princess also stepped out into the hall, force morphed into confusion.

“Where in the world did she go?” Shraiazan asked.

Tathri shrugged. “No clue, I have no idea how she got away so fast.”

Both returned to the room, and I flew away. Once I managed to get outside I shifted into a bird, deciding that a flight might help clear my mind before I would be expected to face them again later for official introductions.

149.2

   It was almost dinner time. I flew back towards the manor, shifting and landing in a secluded spot, before entering the manor on foot. I paused as I realized that I had no idea where the dining room was.

   I glanced around at the hallways that all look the same and decided to go for my tied and true method of wandering around until I found it or someone. It turned out to be the latter, I saw the King as he rounded a corner in front of me.

   Unsure of the formalities expected of me, I decided to play it safe and bow.

   “There’s no need for that Alexandra. You’re our guest.” The king said as he came closer.

   I straightened. “With all due respect your majesty, I think we both know that I’m not your typical guest.”

   “That may be true, but hospitality did not just fly out the door when you walked in.” He said as I followed him through the hall.

   I gave him that and didn’t respond as we entered the dining room. The Princess and Tathri - although she was in armor now - were inside.

   “I would like to formally introduce you to Princess Shraiazan, and her personal guard, who was part of your escort, Tathri. Both she/her. And, I’m King Ricard, he/him.” The King introduced. I was still slightly weirded out by the whole pronouns thing. It was all just foreign. But, it wouldn’t do to be rude, I made sure my discomfort didn’t show and I introduced myself.

   “I’m Princess Alexandra, she/her.” I introduce, my voice calm, my mask in place.

   “I see you’re familiar with our customs.” The king grinned.

   “Only a little.” I admitted.

   “Well, unfortunately I have a meeting so I can’t attend dinner, but you three enjoy yourselves.” The king excused himself, and I began to wonder if he knew. The Princess was his daughter, and although I never told my father anything, I couldn’t begin to guess at their relationship.

   I carefully avoided either of their eyes as I sat down at the table. From what I knew, the burn when you meet your soulmate’s eyes is supposed to become a gentle warmth as your relationship increases. Kinda like fates way of saying, be nice or you’ll burn. If your close enough to make eye contact you should be close enough to be nice. I didn’t know how I felt about fate.

   “If we try to talk about it, will you run again?” Tathri asked, hesitantly after the food had been brought out and the servants had left.

   “No, that would be rude. We’re eating.” I answered flatly.

   Shraiazan sighed. “And it wasn’t rude before?”

   “Maybe... I panicked.” I admitted, but kept my voice steady.

   We ate in silence for a while, before Shraiazan broke it. “Will we only see you at dinner or...? She trailed off.

   “I don’t know. I don’t know what’s expected of me. I’ve never been sold to another kingdom for peace before.” I said, my words not matching my same calm tone.

   Tathri chuckled. “It’s not all bad, is it? I mean you found us?”

   “You’re right. It could be worse.” I acknowledged.

   “Are you always so formal?” Shraiazan asked.

   “I’m Princess Alexandra, it doesn’t do for me to be informal.” I offered in response.

   “Aren’t you ever just Alexandra?” Shraiazan asked. “Not Princess Alexandra.”

   I shook my head. “Not that anyone else ever sees.”

   I felt Tathri’s gaze on me and made the mistake of looking up and meeting her gaze. The burn returned to my chest and I noticed her shift slightly.

   “You know that the burn gets better if we become closer.” Tathri told me, giving me a pointed look.

   I didn’t respond for a while, but my curiosity got the best of my. “What does my soulmark look like on you?” I asked, they knew from each other what theirs looked like but I was left in the dark.

   In answer, Tathri pushed up one of her sleeved rolling it up to her bicep. “Like this.”

   It was a strange shape, a wolf that changed into a snake that changed into a bird. It was like no soulmark I had ever seen. Tathri’s was two crossed swords with a chain wrapping around them and Shraiazan’s was to intertwining vines that wrapped around my leg from my ankle to my knee with flowers sprouting periodically.

   “Weird.” I muttered, but it did make some sense. I was a shapeshifter. The mark made sense when you looked at it from that angle.

   Tathri pulled her sleeve back down.

   “What do you do in your free time?” Shraiazan asked, in an attempt to get to know me. If only she knew how many walls Alexandra had up. Maybe if I could be Alex I could be slightly more honest, but the Princess couldn’t afford to let anyone found out how she really spent her free time.

   “I would help my father with whatever he needed.” I answered, lying.

   “What will you do here?” She pressed.

   “I don’t know.” I answered, still lying. I would probably spend it shifted, enjoying the freedoms that Alexandra could never have. The only thing I wasn’t sure of was whether to remain Alex or to become someone else.

   I felt Tathri’s gaze on me again, but I didn’t make the mistake of meeting it again. I had finished eating, but wasn’t sure if I could leave yet.

   Shraiazan sighed again. “Can you give us something to work with Alexandra, we’re just trying to get to know you?”

   “No one knows me.” I answered plainly. “It’s safer that way.”

   “Safer how?” Shraiazan pressed.

   “Everyone had secrets.” I answered vaguely.

   “Don’t you trust anyone?”

   “No.”

   “That must be lonely.” Shraiazan answered with a hint of pity.

   “I had friends.” I countered - well, Alex had friends. “I suppose now I don’t though.”

   “You have us.” Tathri supplied.

   I didn’t answer, knowing I shouldn’t offend them outright, but not able to overcome my prejudice.

   Shraiazan stood. “I suppose we’ll see you tomorrow for dinner then. Breakfast and lunch are casual, you’ll be able to find food here or in the kitchens next door.”

   Tathri followed her, and I left soon after. My exhaustion caught up to me so I decided to just find my way back up to my room and go to sleep for the night.

149.3

   I woke up as the sun rose. The morning rays that began to peek in through my windows raising me from my sleep. I moved quickly and efficiently trading my nightgown for a normal plain dress that I found in the closet, but I didn’t plan to stay in it long. I walked over to the windows and with a smile realized that they could be opened. I pulled open the window, crouched on the ledge and jumped. I shifted as soon as I left the ledge, flying away as a raven.

        I would grab food eventually, but I wanted to try to get down to the training fields before they were too busy. As I flew overhead, scouting the training grounds out, I realized that I was wrong in assuming they wouldn’t be busy in the morning. But, a crowd could work to my advantage. No one should notice an extra body. I landed in a hidden spot and shifted into Daerite Alex. I then entered the training grounds, blending in with the crowds of sweating training soldiers.

   I knew that both male and female Daerites fought, but it was Trang’s seeing men and women fight alongside each other. It occurred to me that I didn’t have to be a guy to sneak into the training grounds anymore, but considering I was already here, I decided against shifting. Someone patted my back, spooking me.

   “You look new. Care to spar? I like to get a feel for the newbies.” The tall man asked.

   Knowing that I could escape if he caught me in my lie, I nodded.

   He grinned. “Come on then.”

   I followed him to a clear spot and he settled into a fighting stance. I did the same. He attacked first a jab for my face. I sighed neatly, sending a kick towards his abdomen. He stepped to the side, stepping forwards to send a punch into my gut. I didn’t have time to dodge and grunted as I took the blow, but I didn’t let it stop me. I grabbed his boulder and drove my knee up. He grunted, but quickly returned with a jab that forced me to release my grip on him and move to the side.

      He sent a kick flying to my side, and I grabbed his leg, using his momentum to pull him behind me and throw him down to the ground. I turned and quickly pinned him, hands raised over his face.

          “Well done newbie.” He grunted, and I let him up. “But, you don’t dite like any Daerite I know.”

          “Well you know me now.” I pointed out.

          He chuckled slightly. “That I do. Cole, by the way, he/him.”

           “Alex, he/him.” I returned.

           “Well Alex, why don’t I take you to your commander. I’m sure they’ll be glad to have someone as skilled as you among their ranks.” Cole said, beginning to walk through the crowds.

         “Funny story...” I began, as Cole turned back to me when I didn’t follow. “I’m not actually a new recruit.”

         His face turned to confusion. “Why are you here then? How are you here?”

         “Because I wanted to train, and I walked in.” I answered nonchalantly.

   “So you snuck into the royal training grounds?” Cole asked raising an eyebrow.

   “Sneak is a strong word.” I commented, biding my time, waiting for a reaction - most likely an attack.

   Cole laughed. “Well, you are a good fighter, you should consider joining the guard.”

   No one was attacking me yet, that was surprising. “Unfortunately, I have other duties that take up too much of time.”

   “That is a pity.” He began and I waited for the words that would signal that I needed to get out of here. “But, I don’t mind you coming here and training. As long as you don't get into trouble you’ll be good practice for the other guards since you fight weird. As long as you don’t go around shouting that you’re not a guard I don’t think we’ll have a problem.”

   That was definitely not the reaction that I was expecting. But, it was a good reaction.

   “Really?” I gasped, shocked and surprised, even as a smile began spreading across my face.

   Cole nodded. “Really, as long as I can trust you not to abuse it.”

   I nodded. “Just training, got it.

   “In that case...” He smiled. “Go again?”

   I nodded, and he struck first. We sparred until we were both sweaty and exhausted. Cole was a good fighter, and fought with a different style than I was used to. After my first victory her had managed to beat me for a long streak, before I got a better read on his fighting style and managed to get some victories for myself.

As I offered Cole a hand, he said. “Unfortunately, I so have real recruits to train. See you around Alex.”

I nodded as he disappeared into the crowd, and I began making my way out, to go get breakfast. As I was exiting the training grounds I saw the princess out of the corner of my eye. It took me a second to recognize her since she wasn’t in a dress. She was in clothes more suited to a guard. But, what did I know? Nothing, at least not here. I carefully kept my eyes trained below eye level, not wanting a repeat of what happened with Tathri.

“Not training?” The princess called out, and I withered a bit inside. Of course she would try and make conversation. I kept my eyes trained just past her head, even as I looked up.

“Just finished.” I answered.

“Have energy for a few more rounds?” She asked. “All the other guards look busy, and I need someone to spar with.”

“Yes.” I really should’ve said no, but I was in no position - as Alex - to say no to the princess.

“What’s your name?” She asked,a s we walked back over to the training gounds.

“Alex, he/him.” I replied, the introduction feeling slightly less foreign in my mouth.

“Princess Shraiazan, she/her, but I’m sure you knew that.” She chuckled slightly.

I just nodded, and when we arrived at the training grounds, I realized just how hard avoiding eye contact was going to be. Fighting - even just sparring - without looking my opponent in the eye was difficult, but my fear of slipping up and being caught in a lie and my secret being revealed gave me enough motivation to make it through.

Shraiazan was a good fighter I realized after the first round when I ended up flat on my back.

“Why do you even need a guard?” I grunted as I picked myself back up.

She chuckled even as she jabbed at me. “Tathri is an exceptional guard, and besides one person can always only do so much against numbers.”

I ducked below another swing, returning with my own left hook. “An exceptional guard who is nowhere to be seen.” I pointed out.

She didn’t reply right away, grunting as I landed a kick. “Everyone needs breaks.”

I dodged her kick and she was knocked off balance so I followed up by stepping behind her and shoving her down. She ended up face down in the dirt. I straddled her back.

“Yield.” She muttered, and I immediately climbed off, offering a hand.

“Come on. I have time for one more before she tracks me down.” She said, beckoning me forwards.

“Breaks? Huh.” I chuckled.

“Okay... I may have ditched her.” She admitted as she blocked my punch. “She doesn’t like me training with all the other guards. Says that crowds pose too big of a threat.” She grunted as I landed a blow, before continuing. “I call BS. I’m literally surrounded by guards. I couldn’t be safer.”

The irony was not lost on me as she so confidently sparred with someone who was definitely not a guard, not even a Daerite.

She grabbed my arm when I put too much in my next punch and pulled me forwards, following up with a knee to the gut that left me gasping. She then grabbed me and flung me to the ground.

“Yield.” I wheezed out, still recovering when she pinned me to the ground.

She quickly got off me and offered me a hand which I took. “Thanks for the spars Alex, but I don’t want Tathri yelling at you, so I’m going to make myself scarce. I suggest you do the same.”

I nodded. “Good luck with that Princess.”

She offered a small grin before disappearing. I did the same leaving the training fields to finally go get something to eat.

I did remember to duck in a secluded place and shift before entering the kitchens, but I still gained strange looks from the cooks.

“Odd time to eat.” One of them - a young teen - commented, and an older cool slapped their hand over her mouth.

“Sorry Princess. What can we make for you?” The older one said, bowing slightly.

“What do you have left from breakfast?” I asked, not wanting to trouble them, knowing that I had come in at a weird time.

The cool paused to think. “Eggs and bacon but-“

“That’s fine.” I assured the cook, cutting them off. “Really, you don’t need to cook me something special.”

“I’ll get that for you right away m’lady.” The teen said, hastily putting together a plate.

When they handed it to me I gave them a small smile. “Thanks.”

I took the plate and sat in the dining room, feeling awkward alone in the large space, but not knowing anywhere else to eat. I ate as fast as possible while still being refined. Some habits are hard to drop even when no one is around. When I was done I dropped my dishes off in the kitchen, and returned to my room to figure out what to do for the rest of the day. I had dinner with the others in the evening but until then I was free to do whatever having no real role in this kingdom except a prize to use as leverage over my father with. I still didn’t understand the whole deal. It wasn’t even an arranged marriage he just sent me off.

I walked into my room, quickly realized I would have nothing to do here and debated between finding the princess and asking if I could do anything and just running around the woods as an animal and perhaps taking a dip in a river if I could find one. I knew the first option would be better in the long run, but the second one was so much more appealing. For one it didn’t invoke being Princess Alexandra, and for two, well it meant not being Princess Alexandra. I decided that I could at least pretend to make an effort at doing the first option before giving in and doing the second.

I left my room and took the short few steps to the princess’s room and knocked. Not surprisingly, I got no response. Now, I could go for that run in the woods. I turned away and met the princess’s eyes and then Tathri’s as I saw them found the corner into the hall. I quickly hid my wince as burning spread across my chest and up my leg. I quickly dropped their gazes and the burn slowly began to fade.

“Hi Alexandra.” Shraiazan greeted.

“You know if you just talked to us and we’re nice then you wouldn’t have to constantly avoid eye contact.” Tathri pointed out, and Shraiazan slapped her lightly on the shoulder.

“Ease off Ri. She just got here.” She chided, then turned back to me. “What are you up to?”

I debated my answer, looking for you, or going for a walk in the woods. The second sounded a little odd, especially for Princess Alexandra, so I went with the first.

“Looking for you.” I answered.

“Really? Why?” Shraiazan asked, sounding very surprised. Tathri looked similarly surprised and oddly, slightly apologetic.

“I have nothing to do. I thought that I would see if I could be of some use.” I explained, making sure my disappointment didn’t show through in my tone.

“Well... today we don’t have any court because it’s Rawaza, so nothing to do politically. But, you’re welcome to tag along with us as we just goof around.” Shraiazan answered, shrugging.

“You’re allowed to just ‘goof around?’” I asked, eyebrows raised in shock.

“You aren’t?” She returned.

I shook my head.

“Well, now you are.” Tathri said, chiming in unexpectedly. “But you might want to change out of that dress, since we’re going riding.”

I had to admit that did sound kind of fun. On the few occasions I had managed to ride as Alex I had enjoyed it despite falling off twice on my first try. I hesitated though because I had a problem.

“One problem.” I began. “I don’t actually have anything to wear that’s not a dress.” It was technically a lie. I had Alex’s clothes but I can’t use that.

“Really? Well, we’ll have to fix that, but for now you can borrow some of my clothes.” Shraiazan offered.

And I nodded, following her into her room. She pulled some clothes out of her dressers, handing a shirt and pants to me. I took them but stood filled with uncertainty, with both their eyes trained on me. Did they expect me to change right here?

“Oh.” Shraiazan gasped, looking embarrassed. “Sorry, we’ll turn.”

Once her and Tathri turned, I quickly slipped out of my dress and boots and pulled the pants and shirt on. It felt strange wearing clothes like these in this form, but I liked it.

“I’m done.” I said as I bundled up my dress.

They turned back around and Tathri gave me a slightly strange look, before fixing her composure. I wondered why, and ultimately decided it was because she was comparing me to Alex.

“Come on. Let’s go.” Shraiazan said, leading the way out of the hallway.

“How well can you ride?” Tathri asked. “I know you rode here, but that was just a walk on a road.”

“Not very well.” I admitted. “My father never saw fit to teach me how to ride.”

“How do you know how to ride then?” Shraiazan asked, confused.

I didn’t know how to answer because I definitely couldn’t give the truth - that I was a shapeshifter and that Alex occasionally went riding with friends.

Luckily, Tathri answered with a chuckle. “Like you’ve never broken the rules Zan.”

“Hey.” She protested, but laughed. “Okay... maybe that was deserved, but Alexandra doesn’t seem like the type to break the rules.”

Knowing full well that she was right if you excluded my time spent shifted. I answered in a completely neutral tone. “Don’t I?”

Shraiazan looked completely stunned by my response. “That’s, Uh, I didn’t mean. That’s not...”

I laughed, perhaps the wardrobe change had let a little of Alex sneak through. “I’m joking relax.”

Tathri bursted out laughing at that and Shraiazan looked slightly appalled before chuckling.

“Didn’t know you had it in you.” Tathri chuckled.

I smiled before my mask was put back in place. We walked outside and made our way over to the stables, where Shraiazan began walking towards the paddocks behind them.

“You can ride Red. She’s a good mare, reliable. Do you know how to tack one up?” She asked, as she stopped by one pasture, grabbing a halter.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Great.” She smiled. “You can meet us in the stable then. Red’s the chestnut mare over there.” She pointed to a horse that was grazing by one edge of the pasture.

I took the halter from her, easily caught Red - she was right she was a good mare and led her back to the stable where Tathri and Shraiazan were grooming their horses.

Tathri tossed a brush to me after I tied up red and I easily caught it, getting to work. Tathri and Shraizan were chatting about something, but I wasn’t paying much attention until I heard Shraizan mention me, well not me - Alex.

“I managed to find a nice guard named Alex. He was willing to spar with me despite having just gotten done.” Shraizan said nonchalantly and Tathri’s eyes immediately shot to mine.

“Oh, really?” She asked while still staring at me, the increasingly familiar burn spreading across my chest.

Oblivious, Shraizan continued. “Yeah, he fought a little strangely, but was pretty decent.” She paused. “I think he was a little shy though, because he never met my eyes. Although he did seem comfortable joking around with me. Maybe he was just trying to follow some weird custom. I didn’t want to bring it up.”

“Strange.” Tathri murmured. “He must just have an odd tick.”

She had helped keep my secret. She could’ve just given me away. She had obviously figured it out.

“Huh, that reminds me. Alexandra?” Shraiazan turned to me. “Do you go by a nickname? Like I call Tathri, Ri and she calls me Zan - you can call me that too. I know my full name is a mouthful.”

“Uh.” I shrugged. “No, not really. I don’t have anyone to call me one.”

“Do you want to go by one?” She pressed.

I debated. I had always kept Alexandra and Alex separate. But, here, everything was changing. I mean I was wearing pants, as Alexandra. But, I didn’t just want to go by Alex. She might draw the connection too easily. Although, she seems to already have connected it somewhat.

“Uh, I’m not sure.” I finally said, realizing that she was waiting for an answer.

“Ok. Just let us know.” Zan said, shrugging it off. “Now, let’s get these horses saddled. I’ll show you where Red’s stuff is.”

I followed her into a tack room where she handed me the tack. I tacked Red up, much slower than Zan and Tathri, but I did it. They waited patiently for me, chatting until I had finished fastening the bridal in place.

Seeing that I was done Tathri asked. “Ready?”

I nodded.

“Let’s go then.” Zan smiled.

I followed them and mounted with significantly less struggle then a few days ago since I wasn’t in a dress.

“We’ll start off slow going through the woods, but when we get to the Lemder meadow, Ri and I are going to go ahead. We’ll wait for you on the other side, so go your own pace.” Zan explained, as we walked along a trail in the woods.

I nodded. “I understand.”

Fat Amy: you were dancing with Chloe and you said to her "redhead... you must be a Weasley."

Beca: well... That's all?

Fat Amy: and then you asked her if she wanted to do some magic in your "female chamber of secrets".

Beca: oh god... What did she said?