Stygian

Chapter 2 of Part 1 of "Obsidian and Flame"

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If you’re new to The Môrdreigiau Chronicles, welcome! You might find the Glossary helpful for some of these words. Colons indicate the sea dragon’s thought communications.

Obsidian and Flame chronicles the story of Panawr, a sea dragon prince with a deadly secret, and Arddun, who possesses a useless gift and has no desire to marry a prince. When they come together, sparks fly, but they grow aware that something more is at stake than the throne. Can they save their home, Caer Morgana, or will their quest be in vain?

Arddun met Panawr at her sister’s hand fasting and the two exchanged barbs. They kept meeting in the solar, a cave containing the palace’s hot springs. Uncertain of whether Panawr has finally offered friendship, Arddun returned to the solar…

Arddun caught Panawr rubbing his left shoulder. He hastily covered up with his robe. :What do you want now?: he snapped.

:You never answered my question.: Arddun halted midway between him and the tunnel.

:That’s true.: Panawr regarded her, his thick dark eyebrows bunching.

:I wanted you to know I don’t need you to be my friend. I have no desire to—: She trailed off, remembering too late that she spoke to a prince, not a commoner. Arddun backed up a step.

He had the audacity to look amused by her outburst. :Good to know.: He stretched out his arms along the back of the sunken couch. :I won’t expect to see you tomorrow.:

:Let me know when you’re done soaking and I’ll arrange my schedule accordingly.: Arddun turned on her heel, her long pale green robes flaring. She left to the accompaniment of his chuckles.

Arddun returned to the grotto. She sat in its cool darkness until her body no longer felt so heated.

In the week that followed, Arddun decided to visit her parents and friends.

Her sister Indeg seemed glad to let her go. :I’ve been worried you’re at loose ends without me around.:

Arddun sensed that even in keeping her distance, she imposed on the couple. She grinned. :Worried? You’re too busy for that! I can see how besotted you both are.:

She left the palace, feeling a lightness and looseness in her shoulders once she left the Royal Quarter.

The weeklong visit wearied her more than she expected, for everyone wanted to know the royal family’s secrets. Were the rumours true? Was Prince Cynwal as easy-going as he appeared in his public appearances? Did her sister really love the prince? Did he love her? And what of Prince Panawr, who skulked in the background? He’d never even attended a solstice celebration. What was wrong with him? Why was he so cold?

Even with her repeated reminders that the royal privacy should be respected, the questions continued, and along with them, the recitation of gossip.

When Indeg sent word requesting her return, Arddun obeyed with pleasure.

The reason for the request soon became apparent. The Esteemed Eigr had called the family together for a rare evening meal together.

:I need you at my side,: murmured Indeg, leaning against Arddun, her head next to hers. They walked along a corridor toward the dining room. Their arms linked, they trailed behind her partner. :Cynwal has warned me these dinners can be quite fraught.:

A large forecourt contained the royal dining room, with double archways in pale oranges and yellows running along both levels of the two-storey high back wall. Arddun sat next to Indeg at the farthest end of the table.

The chairs at the table’s head and to the immediate left remained empty. Cynwal sat on the right, with Indeg between he and Arddun. Across from them sat Panawr and the youngest of the family, Princess Morfudd ferch Rhydderch.

Panawr gave her a short nod of acknowledgment and engaged his brother in private conversation.

:Arddun, in case you’ve forgotten, there is no private conversation while the Esteemed is in the room.: Princess Morfudd smiled in a way that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

From the way Indeg shifted in her seat, Arddun realised her sister had been included in the conversation.

:In fact,: Morfudd continued, their conversation now public to those at the table, :now that you two have surfaced, Indeg’s training should continue.: She flashed a cold smile at Arddun. :You are welcome too, of course.:

Indeg had told her about the necessity of training before the hand fasting. Morfudd was younger by five years. To be drilled by this squirt? Arddun buried her irritation.

Panawr took note, glancing at Arddun, then Cynwal. :I’m sure Rathyen will appreciate your attendance too, sister. Your manners need mending.:

Morfudd stuck out her tongue at him.

His smile widened then vanished. He returned to his private conversation with Cynwal.

A bell rang. The three half-siblings leapt to their feet. Indeg and Arddun followed with alacrity.

The Esteemed Eigr made her entrance, a hand resting on her husband’s forearm in a stiff procession. Her steel grey hair was woven into a coronet but she didn’t wear any jewels. Neither did her husband.

The Esteemed Eigr sat at the table’s head while Rhydderch took his seat to her left. He smiled at each of his children.

:Cynwal, my son,: purred the Esteemed. :Have you been enjoying yourself?:

Cynwal flushed, glancing down at his empty plate. :Yes— that is… yes.:

Arddun reached for her sister’s hand under the table. Indeg gripped it, a tight smile on her lips.

:Please spare me the details.: Panawr’s dark eyes danced with amusement.

The Esteemed shot an irritated look at him. She raised her hand to shoulder height. A bevy of serving dreigiau môr entered, laden with heavy trays bearing food.

Sea rice of course, delicately flavoured to allow the other dishes of fish and vegetables to shine. Plates of food covered the table’s surface.

Arddun waited until the others started eating before she applied herself.

As the dinner progressed, the three half-siblings volunteered tidbits of their recent days. Their father drew them out, even leading Panawr into a blow-by-blow description of a recent session where he taught new palace guards in the use of their long spears.

The Esteemed set down her spoon. :Enough of that.:

Panawr ducked his head, his lips compressed.

:Now that Cynwal and Indeg are back among us, I’ve gathered you to make an important announcement.: The Esteemed paused to gauge their attention. :I have decided it is time for another to take my place. I won’t announce this publicly yet, but I will on the birth of my first grandchild.: She smiled at Cynwal.

Cynwal’s eyes widened, even as he grinned. :We weren’t going to share the news just yet, Mother.:

Arddun gasped, staring at Indeg and Cynwal. Truly they had been blessed to fall pregnant so soon.

The Esteemed shrugged, her beaming smile unrepentant. Indeg leaned against Cynwal’s shoulder with an uncertain smile and hesitant eyes. He patted her hand in reassurance. Cynwal’s family besieged the young couple, offering congratulations, Arddun among them.

When the initial delight settled, the Esteemed sighed, her shoulders relaxing. :This decision remains here within this family. I will not give the advantage to any other.:

We all agreed.

Panawr lay his hands flat on the dining table and looked at the Esteemed. :Surely you are too young to retire from public life?:

The Esteemed’s beaming smile grew thin. :Your attempt at flattery won’t change my mind. Be grateful I am giving you all the chance to build support. You, Panawr, have a long way to go.:

Panawr slouched back in his chair, scowling. :What do you mean by that?:

:You don’t know?: His sister Morfudd laughed, tapping him on his left shoulder.

His eye twitched. Arddun would not have noticed except she knew Morfudd hit Panawr’s scarred arm.

Panawr gritted his teeth. If he’d been in draig môr form, he’d have bared his fangs. :Why don’t you enlighten me, sister dear.:

Morfudd’s jaw dropped open. :Are you serious? You’re unaware that none dare approach you for fear of your scowl or your bite? You skulk about Lady-knows-where and are never seen in public. Regular citizens think something is wrong with you.:

:Is this true?: Panawr pinned Arddun with a fiery look. :You’re from the town.:

:They don’t know enough to form a reliable opinion,: Arddun replied with care. :However, you must have been seen because the general consensus is that you’re handsome.:

Panawr’s lips twitched in a swiftly hidden smile.

:Ha!: scoffed Morfudd. :Handsome, perhaps, but always despised for he’s cold, and he’s cruel, and—:

:That’s enough, daughter,: Rhydderch interrupted. :Nobody wants to hear a litany of their failures.:

Arddun’s gaze widened. She bent her head so none could see. Did no one in Panawar’s family offer him any sympathy?

Scowling, Panawr rose and quit the table.

The lessons on the royal family traditions and customs delayed Arddun’s plans to return to the palace’s hot springs. She escaped the classroom after her midday meal. Panawr’s two usual companions napped on the benches in the clearing.

She entered the cave, the warm a welcome change from the chill of the palace classroom, one of the many meeting rooms in the palace. The tutor had heard of the new royal pregnancy and felt a fresh urgency in educating Indeg and her sister.

In the sunken centre of the cave, Panawr lay on the curved bench, slumbering.

Arddun took her accustomed place against the wall, loosening her robes. She had a good view of Panawr. One arm hung off the bench, the other lay over his eyes. His chest, bared by his opened robe, rose and fell with regularity.

Arddun smiled, appreciating the view. Panawr looked almost boyish when at rest, his usual scowl absent.

Her eyelids drifted closed only to open at Panawr’s mutterings. Was he awake? She prepared to stand but saw he still slept. Deep in the dreaming state, his body twitched in response to his dreams.

Panawr’s rumblings rose to the level of a low moan. Ardunn glanced at the tunnel, expecting his friends to come and check on him. When they did not, she assumed his dreaming thoughts didn’t reach beyond the cave.

His body tossed, arms rising as if to fend off some attacker. His legs scrabbled on the stone bench, unable to gain any purchase. :No!: he sobbed. :No! Please, no!:

Arddun rose and crossed to him, scrambling down onto the sunken circular bench. Tentatively, she touched his knee.

He kicked her, his foot connecting with her shoulder. She sprawled backward, ending up flat on the bench seat. She propped herself up on her elbows, considering how to safely wake him.

Panawr’s open eyes didn’t seem to see her. He scurried backward on his elbows and feet.

:Panawr?: She sat up, flicking her robe to cover her lower legs. :Panawr? It’s me.:

His eyes focused on her. He froze in position, his chest heaving.

Arddun leaned toward him, careful to keep her movements slow :Are you awake now? You were dreaming.:

He groaned, swinging his legs off the curved bench and into a seated position. He straightened his back, staring off into the distance. :I’m fine. You may leave now.:

The slight trembling in his hands and shoulders said otherwise.

She glanced over her shoulder. Panawr’s dream terrors still hadn’t been heard by the two dreigiau môr outside. Or if they had heard, they hadn’t dared to interfere.

Arddun looked back at him, taking in his silent distress and how he struggled to overcome it. :I don’t think anyone heard,: she murmured to reassure him. Her gaze drifted from his profile to his bared shoulder and his blackened upper arm. She sucked in a breath. :Your arm.:

He glanced at her, saw the direction of her gaze, and covered himself, tying his belt with a decisive tug. :Get out.:

Arddun moved toward him instead. :I saw last night that it pained you. A healer—:

:—can’t do anything more. It is healed as much as it can.: His gaze flicked to her face and away. :I see you’re not going to obey me today.:

Agreeing, she slid to sit next to him. :Sometimes companionship can put an end to the night terrors. A dose of reality.:

Panawr scoffed, looking down at his clenched hands. :That was reality. It was not a dream but a memory. I can never forget it, not even in my sleep.:

Arddun wanted to know more but changed the subject, thinking she pushed as far she dared. :Your mother was not kind to you last night.:

:She’s not my mother.: Panawr’s lip curled. He glanced at her, brows bent in a slight frown. :Both Morfudd and I have different mothers. I thought this was common knowledge.:

:But you live in her house.:

He looked away, his chin jutting up and out.

Arddun regarded him. His maternal hurt ran deeper than his memory-dream. She wanted to console him but his tensed body told her it wouldn’t be welcome.

She rose. :Don’t worry. I’ll keep what happened here a secret.: She bowed. On straightening, she caught sight of his startled expression.

She turned to go, but Panawr caught hold of her robe. She twisted, gazing down at him.

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