Chapter 3 - Taking Flight

Princess Syra took a deep breath and crossed the room to grab a glass of salt water to help calm herself down. Ignoring Prince Aurelian’s attempt to catch her attention. As she neared the tables heaping with food and drink, she saw a familiar pair of wings and paused. Their beautiful wings were tucked in close to their body and she imagined how beautiful they would be extended out. She could see long brown tresses going down the winged being’s back. Suddenly, they turned around.

“Um hello. Sorry, I am… uh.. Your wings are beautiful.” Princess Syra blushed and looked away pressing her hand to her chest to calm her beating heart.

“Aren’t you precious? Would you like to see them fully extended? I could really use a break from keeping them tucked in.” Their cheeks were sharply angled, which brought attention to their eyes. They had orange eyes that had a pupil that seemed to rapidly change size as they looked at her.

“Yes! Er, I mean, I would be delighted to see such a beautiful sight.” She followed them out the doors to the outside balcony without a second thought.

Once outside she saw the winged being stretch their arms and move their wings slightly. Their black top was tied around their neck and had a small band around their back, their pants or maybe skirt? 

Syra wasn’t sure what to call the bottoms as they had both pant legs and skirt like pieces that fluttered in the night air. Her eyes were drawn to their bare stomach as they stretched, wearing such an outfit to a grand ball was near scandalous, but Syra had no idea who or what this being was and if this style of clothing was considered normal for them.

“Are you ready?” They half smiled as they caught Syra staring at their bare skin and their eyes glowed brighter for a moment as their pupils seemed to shrink.

“Yes.” Syra barely breathed out before they climbed onto the edge of the balcony and spread their wings. She had to move her head to see them fully, but she had never seen such a sight before and was enamored with every feather.

“Do you want to know how it feels to fly?” They asked over their shoulder.

“I have dreamt of flying before, but I have never actually thought… Yes! Yes, I do!” Syra smiled widely in the first genuine smile she had in a long time. The winged being turned and reached out their arms.

“You will have to hold onto me tightly, I don’t want to get in trouble for killing a kid.” They wrapped their arms around Syra as she wrapped hers around their waist as she felt her face heat.

“I am not a kid. I am nearly an adult and if you do not drop me, then you will not be charged with my murder.” Syra quipped.

“Oh, you have some bite to your tongue! I hope you are ready.” They smiled down at her.

The being jumped from the balcony and began falling, Syra was suddenly terrified they were going to die together. Suddenly she was going up and soaring higher and higher. 

Soon she could see the top of the spires of the castle, she could even see the submerged part’s lights glowing in the water. She had never imagined this castle could be so beautiful. They flew around the castle before landing back onto the balcony. They were both panting and Syra’s arms were sore from holding on so tight.

“Did you enjoy that? Was it as wonderful as you’d imagined?” The winged stranger asked between pants.

“Yes! I never imagined that the castle could look so beautiful! Thank you!” Syra hugged the winged being, they wrapped their arms around her in return.

“Excuse me?! Unhand the princess this instant.” Aurelian demanded, surprising both into jumping back, “What have you been doing with my fiancée?” His voice was a growl as he glared.

“Oh, I am suddenly your fiancée? We have not been officially engaged yet and earlier you made it clear you had no desire to marry me.” Princess Syra tilted her head at the audacity of this dragon.

“So you go and have a tryst with some random creature? What even is this… thing?” The prince yelled and gestured towards the winged being.

“I am Icarus, your Highness, I am half harpy.” As they bowed, their wings flexed out slightly.

“Half harpy? Well that explains it. Two beings that can magically seduce others having a secret tryst. Now, which of you enchanted the other first?” The Prince pointed between the two as his eyes looked Syra up and down without losing his glare.

“Please forgive me, my dear beloved fiancé,” Syra began with a deathly sweet tone, “but did you just outright say that I had a secret tryst because I am on the balcony with someone else? I did not know you had a jealous streak. That might make our future marriage a bit difficult for you since I apparently have seduction magic now.”

“Also as a well educated prince you surely know that harpies are often trained as sacred guardians of various temples. But I am certain you did not mean to insult a being who might have such sacred duties.” The Princess held her head up and challenged the prince with her eyes, he was silent for a moment as he glared with glowing eyes and smoke billowed from his nostrils.

“I apologize for accusing you without evidence, but then what were you two doing alone on the balcony that required such close contact and panting?” The Prince growled as his fangs grew and his scales began to emerge.

“I hugged them as they happen to be my dear friend who was showing off some of their new flying tricks. Tell me, my dear, will I be allowed to have friends once I am in your kingdom or even after our official engagement?” Princess Syra said in that sweet tone that seemed threatening in itself.

“Your dear friend? That I never met before? How did you meet such an… interesting friend? A commoner from a volcanic rocky island and a princess? Was it at a meeting for those with… complicated heritage?” His appearance became more human again as he laughed mockingly with his eyes never leaving Syra.

“You visit so rarely that I cannot possibly introduce you to all of my friends. You do remember that sirens swim, right? I met them when I visited their island out of curiosity. And of course we became fast friends since we understand the plight of being mocked by those with… simple heritage.” She turned her back towards Aurelian, but he grabbed her arm.

“Must I remind you of our future marriage again to stop you from your dalliances? Or is this something I must suffer through our entire marriage? I wonder if the future children you mentioned earlier will actually be mine.” Prince Aurelian began to drag her towards him, but Princess Syra pulled her arm away causing his claws to scratch her. 

“Must I suffer being called a harlot throughout our marriage when I have done no such wrong? Your father seems to think I can guide you to be a wise ruler, is this because of my powers or because he is worried for the future of your kingdom with such a cruel and thoughtless king?” As she spoke blood began to run down her arm and drip onto the stone, Aurelian flinched at the sight.

“I… apologize, Princess Syra, for my unjust accusations. I….” His eyes looked uneasily at her arm as he hung his head slightly, “I did not mean to cause you harm.”

“Thank you, Prince Aurelian. I truly hope you do learn from this. I want a kind and loving spouse.” Her tone darkened into a sound that would chill one’s bones when swimming alone in the ocean, “I will not tolerate another injury from you for any reason. I do hope you remember what happens to the siren's mates once they are no longer useful.” As she finished her statement, she smiled her practiced gentle smile and turned away from him once more.

“I do apologize my dear friend for his highness’s behavior, I hope you will not hold it against him. Icar, I hope you enjoy the rest of the ball.” The Princess turned to head inside.

“If you ever want to go on another flight of fancy with me, here is my summoning card.” Icar whispered as they slipped an object into her hand.

Princess Syra hid the card within her dress and walked towards the door. Prince Aurelian held out his arm to escort her, but she walked past him and opened the door. As she entered and Aurelian followed, she noticed a few people trying to move away from the door, some did not bother to move and simply smirked at her.

Well, I guess my goal to avoid causing rumors is ruined. That damn Prince. 

She took a deep breath and held her head high as she looked towards a familiar and friendly face. She walked across and took a deep breath in as she finally arrived to talk to Duchess Ophelia.

“Lia, you are not going to believe the mess I just got myself into. I told myself not to make a fool of myself, but then I go talk to a complete stranger and follow them outside! That is insane! Why did I do that?” Syra talked quickly and quietly, while grabbing Ophelia’s hand.

“You did what?! You could have been kidnapped or assassinated!” Lia took a breath before continuing, “But clearly you weren’t. So what did happen?”

“I followed this beautiful person with wings outside so they could show me their wings. I was so excited and stunned and flustered, I just said yes without thinking. And so they showed me their wingspan, which was impressive by the way, and then they offered to fly with me.” Syra continued with barely a breath between each word.

“Oh, Oceania, tell me you did not. You and beautiful faces! They get you into so much trouble. I say this as your friend and your family, but you need to stop talking to people just because you think they are beautiful!” Lia lightly smacked Syra and then noticed her still wet bloody arm. “What happened? Did this winged being hurt you?”

“What? Oh, no. That happened after we landed safely back on the balcony, but Lia, it was so beautiful in the sky! You know how much I have dreamed of flying and it was far better than I could imagine! The view was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!” Syra gushed

“Now you are going to be in love with flying for being beautiful.” Lia sighed, “but that doesn’t explain your arm! We are going to sneak out and get it treated real quick, but keep talking.” Lia covered Syra’s arm and they walked out a side door of the ballroom.

“I hugged Icar for letting me finally fly as I have often dreamed and then Aurelian came outside and decided that we were having a secret love affair.” Syra felt her rage try to bubble up all over again just thinking about it, she fought it down as always.

“Icar is the winged being’s name? So Aurelian thought you were having an affair with a stranger? Wow! Is that because you are a siren or just because he hates you?” Lia’s tone was offended as they walked a bit faster through the hall.

“Oh, he had a lot to say about sirens and their ‘seductive magic’. He also accused Icar, oh whose full name is Icarus, of having this seductive magic too because they are half harpy. Oh and he had a lot to say about us both being mixed species.” Syra ranted as they almost arrived at the royal physician’s office.

“Seriously? Does he not realize that insulting you could end the allyship between his kingdom and our queendom? Why does he care anyway? He has said many times over the years that he does not wish to marry you.” Lia paused, still holding Syra’s bloody arm as her eyes looked over the injury.

“He made it clear that I am his fiancée despite us not being officially engaged. He got so angry, he began transforming. I don’t understand him, he constantly insults me and says he has no interest in marrying me, but the moment he sees another person touching me, he gets angry.” Syra opened the door and brought Lia along into the physician’s office.