Princess Anemone was curious as to what her mother wanted to tell her. The young SeaWing had just turned seven, and was excited to be a full-grown dragon. This probably has something to do with my future, Anemone thought as she swam into the Deep Palace’s throne room.
Her mother, Queen Coral, smiled at her from her throne. Next to the queen was a young male SeaWing. He was green with a nervous expression. The green reminded Anemone too much of Whirlpool, her old tutor.
What’s going on? Anemone asked in Aquatic, the SeaWing language. Who is that?
Anemone, Queen Coral started. This is Bigfin. He’s going to be your husband. You’re getting married tomorrow.
My husband!? Anemone thought, her stomach dropping. I don’t want a husband! she yelled at her mother.
Coral looked taken aback. Of course you do, the queen said. That RainWing was just a phase.
Not me! Anemone said. I do want to marry a dragon. I want to marry Tamarin.
Coral clutched her pearl necklace. You’re still dating that blind RainWing? The queen asked. I thought you would have broken up with her by now.
Anemone felt like she was going to start breathing fire. She wished she still had her animus magic. She had never felt so angry at her mother.
Well, you’re wrong. Anemone said. It’s not a phase. It never was. Stop trying to control my life!
Stop being difficult. Coral said. I only want what’s best for you.
What you want for me isn’t what I want! Anemone snapped. I don’t want to be your perfect daughter! I want to live my own life!
Go to your room. Coral said. Now. You’re getting married tomorrow and that’s final.
Anemone growled, then swam off in the direction of her room. Why can’t she accept what I want? The princess thought. Why does she want Tsunami and I to marry noble SeaWings, and then get shocked when we don’t want to!?
The princess stopped next to one of the palace’s windows and sighed. She’ll never accept me for who I really am, won’t she?
Then, she got an idea. Mother can’t force me to get married if I’m not here tomorrow!
Anemone looked around, then swam out the window. I’m sorry, Auklet. She thought as she swam for the surface. But I’m not staying here. She broke the surface of the ocean and immediately turned herself southwest, toward the Rainforest Kingdom.
Toward Tamarin.
It took three days of swimming and flying to get to the Rainforest Kingdom. Anemone was resting in one of the rivers, tired from the almost non-stop travel, when she heard the sound of flying and dragons talking.
“Turtle told me that he’s going to be an uncle soon!” said a voice that Anemone recognized as Kinkajou’s.
“I know,” said another voice. “Anemone told me in one of her letters.”
Tamarin! Anemone thought happily. She watched as the two RainWings burst out of the trees. “It’s such a nice day – Anemone!” Kinkajou cut herself off when she saw the SeaWing.
“Anemone’s here?” Tamarin asked.
“Hi!” Anemone exclaimed, flying out of the river to meet the two RainWings. She and Tamarin grabbed each other’s talons in midair.
“What are you doing here?” Kinkajou asked Anemone harshly.
“Kinkajou, be nice.” Tamarin said. Kinkajou rolled her eyes, but kept silent.
“I can’t go home.” Anemone said. “Mother picked out a husband for me. She was going to force me to get married to someone I didn’t even know.”
“Whoa, what?” Kinkajou asked. “But you and Tamarin have been a couple for four years now. Did she forget?”
“She thought we were a phase!” Anemone said. “She doesn’t care what I want! I can’t stay there anymore.”
Tamarin put one of her talons on Anemone’s cheek. “You’re here now. Queen Glory is very understanding. I’m sure she’ll let you stay.”
The next thing Anemone knew, she was standing in front of Queen Glory at the royal pavilion. The queen looked tired but alert as she listened to Anemone. When the princess was done, Glory sighed. “Tsunami was worried that Queen Coral would force you to marry someone you didn’t want to.” She said, stepping toward her. “Your mother can be a real bitch sometimes.”
Anemone giggled. She had never heard anyone describe her mother like that. “She’s a stickler for tradition.” She said.
Glory smirked. “She gave me a massive lecture that the queen of the RainWings should marry another RainWing, not a NightWing. I told her I didn’t care.” Glory said. “I have a daughter now, and I love her.”
“Where’s Deathbringer?” Anemone asked.
Tamarin smiled. “He’s looking after his daughter.”
As if on cue, Deathbringer landed on the pavilion. Anemone could see that he was holding a small purple dragonet.
“What is it, Deathbringer?” Glory asked.
“Firefly wants her mother.” Deathbringer said. The little RainWing-NightWing hybrid was reaching for the queen. “Mommy!” the little princess said, reaching her talons toward the queen.
Glory rolled her eyes. “Your sister is visiting tomorrow, by the way.” The queen said as she walked over to her partner’s side.
Anemone beamed.
The next morning, Anemone was eating breakfast when Tsunami and her friends arrived.
“Anemone!” Tsunami said happily. The two sisters hugged. Anemone looked over her sister’s shoulder at the other dragonets of destiny. Sunny looked as happy as ever, Starflight looked a bit nervous, and Clay looked absolutely exhausted.
“What’s up with Clay?” Anemone asked.
“He’s a dad now.” Tsunami explained. “And newly hatched dragonets are exhausting.”
“I know how that feels.” Glory said, walking over to Clay. “Don’t worry, I caught a boar for you earlier.”
Clay smiled. That was when Anemone noticed that Clay was wearing a sling around his neck. Inside was an orange-brown dragonet fast asleep.
“Aww,” Anemone said quietly, “What’s her name?”
“Magma.” Clay whispered as Glory brought him a roasted boar.
Tsunami pulled Anemone aside. “Mother is convinced that you’ve been kidnapped.” She said, “But I’m guessing that you haven’t.”
Anemone nodded. “She had a husband all picked out for me. Tell her that I haven’t been kidnapped and where I am, but I’m not coming home.”
“Okay.” Tsunami said. “I can do that.”
Six years passed, and Anemone received many letters from Coral demanding that she come home and give her grandchildren, blah blah blah. Then, Anemone was visited by Auklet.
“Auklet!” Anemone said as she wrapped her wings around her little sister. “What brings you to the Rainforest Kingdom?”
“I wanted to visit.” Auklet said, “And I have something hilarious to talk to you about. You remember the Mothers of the Scorching, right?”
Anemone nodded. How could anyone forget the massive dragonesses that had reappeared over the last few months? Not to mention that Quetzelcoutal was living in the Rainforest Kingdom, and recently Iris had visited her.
“Well, Mother went to visit Leviathan, the SeaWing,” Auklet began. “And things were going well, until Mother said, ‘You should be honored to meet the most genetically superior family of the superior tribe.’”
“What happened?” Anemone asked.
“Leviathan flipped out on her, and started yelling at her about how up her ass she was, and about how we’re all just dragons.” Auklet said. “I’ve never seen Mother look so intimidated in her life! The guards were shocked; they’ve never seen anyone speak to Mother like that.
“And then Mother told her about your ‘disobedience’ for not marrying the dragon she picked out for you, and Leviathan got even angrier!” Auklet started laughing. “It was amazing! Leviathan was immediately on your side! I wish you could have seen it, it was amazing.”
Anemone started laughing, too.
