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Dear Lady Alabaster,

Receiving your letter seemed odd. I thought you might simply come find me, but I suppose it makes sense. I have heard you were ill and bedridden, though scant details otherwise. Still, I am glad that, despite your health, you chose to write me. I, too, have thought a great deal about our last conversation and would like to explain myself.

I asked a great deal from you in a single day. First, I cast those spells on you, then I took you back to my chambers, then I left you with these weighty confessions I've shared with none. And much like I told you, I did have you investigated after our first meeting. It was as you left my home, watching you fly across the gardens with those great blue feathers splayed out and fluttering--I was taken aback by your beauty. I could not believe, frankly, my luck that you of all people might be here and we might have the chance to know each other. A beautiful young gryphon, with the seeming soul of my kin.

I was scared, Liolyn. Scared you might be some trap. So I contacted your old tutors, I interviewed them at length. The night we met was total accident, of course. I could not think clearly around you, and what I did--frankly, you have every reason to hold it against me for the rest of your time in Kor.

Whether you do or not is beside the point. I wish to see you again. As soon as you are well, I entreat you return to the palace. I can make up whatever excuse you might find suitable, but I know I need you here again. Your friendship means a great deal to me, and while I know there is some other dragon who you love, I hope you won't deny this prince the chance to deepen that friendship.

I would be lying if I did not also mention I desire more than friendship, but I will not be pushy. It would be unfair to both you and your lover to try and court you any more than I have. And more than a mate, Lily, it is a friend I need.

Thank you again for writing,

Prince Sirtas Cirrus

***

Dear Lily,

I saw you from a tower window in the gardens talking to Prince Sirtas today. There is gossip among the Finn that you are trying to become his mate. If Finn think it, then surely others in the palace and beyond have taken note of how much time you spend with him.

I take some consolation in your last letter stating otherwise. I understand that we must be careful with who our allies and enemies are. I am not sure yet if I believe Prince Sirtas can be our ally, but it is as you said, he does share a connection with us. I asked the older Finn born in House Cirrus about the prince, and I can confirm with certainty that Prince Rothishel had an affair with his apprentice. I am roughly the age Prince Sirtas was when my old self was killed for aiding my people. It is hard to believe that after all this time House Cirrus' scion has carried this grief with him.

Hard to believe when all of us still cower around him. I wonder if he blames us for what happened to Prince Rothishel. And Prince Rothishel, what life must he have led? I wonder if my aunt, your past self, knew about her mate's affair with Sirtas. Did she approve? How deeply did I feel for him in my past life? A part of me is curious what might have been, had my soul taken residence with any other dragon who was not a Finn. There are no memories of my past life that I can grasp to understand Sirtas better. He is my master, the monster who terrorizes my families with just his presence.

I do not wish to spend too much time waxing on about the prince. Suffice to say, I trust you, Lily. Given our situation, there is little else I can do.

But on to better news: I have a plan for how next we may meet. In two weeks' time will be Founding Day. Each year the Houses host a party that takes up the entirety of the palace gardens. Because of my scars, they will not allow me to be among the servants this year. I will be one of three Finn left at House Cirrus. The other two will be cleaning the upper floors while I will be in charge of the lower. During this time, the tower will be magically warded to keep guests from wandering inside, but the ring you wear should let you pass any enchantment placed on the entrances.

During the feast, if you come to House Cirrus I will be able to meet you on the first floor. There we can retreat to the Finn quarters for at least an hour of privacy. I can show my home and we should have time to--well, suffice it to say, I have missed your touch so much, and I am not sure when we will get another chance.

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Love, Rothishel

***

Dear Lady Liolyn Alabaster

I am not sure what compelled me to write you now. It has been a month since we first met, and though we see each other every other day by this point, I wish it were more still. I am enchanted by you. I did not even care who saw us dancing during Founder's Day. I've yet to know a biped who danced with dragons so well! Yet, most do not have wings or your youthful grace.

I was easily stunned by your beauty. More stunned that you asked to stay with me after the final dance. It is hard to believe that earlier this night I was frantically looking for you like a lost hatchling searching for its parent. Then I saw you there, standing by one of the fountains next to the stage where the musicians played. The light from the hundreds of paper lanterns overhead washed your blue feathers near violet, and when you turned and looked at me you positively glowed.

I cannot remember the last time I was left speechless like that. Perhaps that is hyperbole. I can, very well. It was with Prince Rothishel. Lily, I am writing you because I am, truly, afraid to tell you in person. I am afraid of rejection touching your features.

But I have fallen for you. As surely as any dragon can fall for another.

I realized it tonight. I had carried you into my bed like our first night together, giggling and drunk. We did not even make love, for we were both too clumsy and exhausted from our night of revelry. When you fell asleep against me, all I could think was how I never wanted to lose your touch. The warmth of your body against mine felt magnetic. As if a force made it difficult to peel myself away just to write this letter. But I needed to--I was going mad lying in bed with you, and knew I would not sleep if I did not exorcise these feelings onto the page.

I am scared to know what you think. I know there is another dragon in your life. Truly, I do not mind. I knew Prince Rothishel loved another. I did not know who, I never met her, but I sensed her presence in his life regardless. There is... so much I actually wish to tell you, so much that is far too dangerous to say in a letter, things that must be said aloud.

Just being here with you, your friend or whatever it is we are is enough for me, Lily. I care for you like no other in Kor. Do what you must, and my heart will be open to you. And if you find there is enough love in you for more than one dragon--if the love for this dragon is not enough or if it sours, I will be here. I want you, Lily.

Thank you, for all that you are, for all the joy you have given me in this short time,

Prince Sirtas Cirrus

***

Dear Lily,

Three times in six weeks have we had real time together. All the furtive glances, hushed exchanges, quick touches, and these letters barely sustain me between those times. Now that you come and go from House Cirrus, I am not sure if I am better for it or in agony because of it.

But yesterday afternoon was perhaps the most joyous time we've had together. The mixture of surprise and excitement when Sirtas was called away for an emergency meeting during your dinner with him still lingers in my mind. I had been your server that evening, and you waited only long enough for the dragon to leave the tower before jumping into my embrace. It was nice to sit and have dinner together for once. Side by side, always touching, always talking as if we knew to gorge ourselves on each other's company. Three hours of bliss. Oh if it were only longer than that!

After I left you to anticipate Prince Sirtas' return, my sister and mother confronted me in our den. I had not exactly had a chance to clean myself up at all, and they smelled your perfume on my scales.

I tried to play it off, but I am not a very good liar. So far, my invisibility has protected us, but I do not go unnoticed by other Finn! Especially my mother and sister. They assumed I was courting the Finn of another house, which I impulsively told them as much. It is not an excuse I believe will hold past a week, but it gives me enough time to come up with another excuse perhaps.

In the meantime, I write you this letter tonight with my thoughts wild with you. My scales still prickle from where you touched them, and I hope they remain that way. I do not want to wash away your scent. Let every Finn in this tower know that I love a woman who smells of coral hearts, whose blue feathers are radiant as the crystal lake below the palace! I wish it were so, Lily. I wished we lived in a world where we had nothing to hide. Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if I were Prince Sirtas. If I had his power nothing in this world could stop me from being with you.

Though, I admit, it scares me, too, to think that. For I wonder why Sirtas has not done exactly this. I have seen the way he looks at you. Sometimes I worry you will wake up and realize you could have everything in the world simply by choosing him over me. The fact you haven't might be the scariest thing of all. That I am deserving of a love like yours...

I count myself among the luckiest of dragons to have it.

Love, Rothishel

***

Dear Lady Liolyn Alabaster

I am afraid the other princes have finally had enough of our parading about the palace. We should assume any conversation we have now might be watched magically, but I have warded this letter to be unreadable to all but you. It is quite the enchantment, really. And the fact I have done it is a risk in and of itself, so I have a request: I am not sure what you have done with my past letters, but this one you should destroy. Commit words to memory then burn what is here.

During our dinner, I was called away and confronted about our relationship. To be frank, I am in trouble in our dear community. I have not, despite the attempts of many different dragonesses, taken a mate. Nor an apprentice for breath magic. I was expected by now to do both. The reason this has alarmed the other princes is connected to my old mentor, Prince Rothishel.

You see, Liolyn, the true reason Prince Rothishel was tried for treason and killed was because he took a Finn as his mate and stopped trying to impose our laws on the Finn of his house. My father and the other princes were actively belligerent in their punishment of Rothishel. They were cruel, and wanted to make an example of him for any merciful prince who came after.

My prince... he was too good for this world we live in.

But this is why the other Houses are so concerned with me. They fear I will follow in my master's footsteps, and were it not for our very public affair I would likely be getting investigated for that very thing right now. They do not even like my affair with you. Bipeds who are consorts are one thing, but never has one been taken as a mate by royalty. Frankly, it is considered "polluting" the bloodlines.

They have expressed their concern. I must admit I do not care for their concern. When I was younger, I did not understand how my master could risk everything on love like he did--even as I wanted to risk everything for him. I understand his position now.

My crime does not compare to Rothishel's, but it does bring to bear how wary the other princes are. How little I am trusted despite years of loyal service. I have, perhaps, been more harsh on my Finn than any because I knew I was watched.

What I have told you could cost us both our lives, but Lily, I love you more than life itself. When we next meet, we will have much to discuss.

Now please, burn this letter.

Love, Prince Sirtas Cirrus