Chapter 5 — Closed Spaces
I finally finished getting dressed in my new ceremonial dress. Scorin, my father, and Belzagus designed it together — and if you're thinking it's supposed to be cute and delicate, it's not.
The dress was purple and black from top to bottom. The skirt hit above the knee — modern, clean, nothing dragging on the floor.
"At least I can actually walk in this."
It showed enough to turn heads but covered everything that mattered. The fabric hugged my body just enough to let me know it wasn't going anywhere — fitted from the chest down without being suffocating.
"Okay whoever did the chest area knew exactly what they were doing and I have questions."
Underneath the skirt were black spats because looking good and being able to kick someone were not mutually exclusive in this house. Purple and black embroidery ran along the edges like armor markings. Small protective sigils stitched into the lining where no one could see them.
Then came the heels.
"These better not betray me today."
Black. Demon made. The kind that looked elegant from across the room and hit hard up close if it came to that.
My hair was pulled into a high ponytail and I was done. I looked at myself in the mirror for exactly three seconds before I got uncomfortable with how good I looked.
I grabbed Noxx and headed for the door.
"Alright. Let's go before I talk myself out of these heels."
CLACK CLACK CLACK
The heels announced to me before I even reached the staircase. Nira floated beside me with her arms crossed like a tiny bodyguard who had somewhere better to be.
I started down the stairs slowly — not because I was being dramatic, but because these heels were demon made and I still didn't fully trust them.
"One step at a time. One step at a time."
Noxx walked beside me completely unbothered, tail going, like he wasn't watching me negotiate with a staircase in heels.
"If I miss a step Amanda is gonna have a field day taking care of me."
The photos lined the wall the way they always did — me as a small child, growing year by year into the thirteen year old standing here now.
Nira settled onto my shoulder as I reached the main floor landing and looked up at the pictures quietly.
"Our memories are one now."
I reached up and rubbed the top of her head with my index finger. She stared at the photos — her face in those early years, my face growing into them. Two people becoming one story without either of us choosing it.
I turned toward the living room.
The room was exactly how my mother had it — purple and black everywhere. Dark
velvet curtains framing the windows, obsidian shelves lined with glass ornaments that caught the light, a deep purple rug anchoring the center of the room beneath the low black coffee table.
The large flatscreen sat mounted on the wall between two tall black candle stands that burned with a quiet violet flame even in the daytime.
Lady Vahlra and Lady Nyxeris were settled into the sofa looking completely at home. They both waved without pulling their eyes from the screen.
"Good morning Princess!"
Before I could answer, the announcer spoke.
"This just in — a black duffle bag was found washed up on the shore of a human beach within the Human Kingdom. Local residents report that inside the bag they discovered the dismembered remains of a missing human male. Two years missing."
I stopped.
Noxx stopped beside me.
Nira went very still on my shoulder.
A human law officer on screen reached into the bag with gloved hands, the
footage heavily censored for viewers at home. Then the officer pulled back and the camera stayed on his face.
"Hang on folks. I think we found something else in the bag."
The censorship cleared as the bag was closed. The officer raised what he had in his hand and held it toward the camera.
"It's a bow. The bow hero's bow — broken clean in half and stuffed inside the bag along with the body."
I felt something cold move through my chest.
"Isn't that…"
The words stopped in my throat. I knew that bow. Something about the shape of it pulled at a memory I couldn't quite reach but felt close enough to touch.
Noxx pressed his head against my leg quietly. Nira said nothing on my shoulder.
Then an arm settled around my shoulders. Warm. Steady. Unhurried.
"Good afternoon."
Scorin stood beside me like he had always been there. His black and gold armor catching the violet light of the room. His silver white hair pushed back from his face. His gold eyes on the television for just a moment before he looked away like it wasn't worth his attention.
"Brunch is ready, Sophia."
His voice was calm. Easy. The kind of calm that doesn't announce itself.
The weight in the room shifted. Lady Vahlra glanced at him once then back at the screen. Lady Nyxeris smiled politely at nothing in particular.
I looked at him for a second longer than I meant to. He was already steering me gently toward the dining room like the news report was already over.
It wasn't.
But somehow standing next to him made it feel that way.
"You're being pushy all of a sudden. You don't like the news huh?"
I looked at him with a sly grin as he kept his eyes forward.
"What's wrong?"
The dining room was long and warm — a dark mahogany table that stretched
the length of the room, black candle holders running down the center with purple flames burning low. The walls were deep violet with black trim, demon art framed between tall narrow windows
that let in just enough light to make everything glow. The chairs were high backed and dark, each one carved with House Malphas markings along the edges.
My father sat at the head of the table talking to my mother beside him. He was already making her laugh after what sounded like a long morning of meetings.
"Then I had to come all the way back home just to get the paperwork — even when I showed them the documents on the phone. I didn't want to argue. I came early."
Lysandra laughed softly and let him hold her hand under the table. Aunt Sera stood behind them quietly with Madina right beside her. They both wore the same uniform — a black maid uniform made from fabric that looked like it came from Lysandra's family back in the elven forest. White blouse. Black blazer draped over the shoulders. A skirt that didn't go past the knee but kept everything proper.
"You seem to be in high spirits today darling. What's got you so cheerful?"
My father's eyes moved to me the moment I stepped further into the room. He looked me over slowly like he was calculating exactly how long I had taken to get ready.
"My darling daughter. Every second it feels like you are growing into such a beautiful and fierce young lady."
Malphas wore an expensive black suit with a purple rose clipped to his right chest. His horns had been polished — Jessica's work without a doubt. His black suede shoes were sharp enough to be considered a weapon.
Then his red eyes moved past me.
To Scorin.
Scorin's gold eyes met them without flinching. Neither of them spoke. Neither of them needed to. The air between them carried something heavy and settled — the kind of weight that only existed between two people who already knew the same secret.
I felt Scorin's pulse jump through his fingertips where his hand held mine.
"Hey…"
I looked up at him. His eyes were still on my father.
"Say something."
Nothing.
I looked between them for a second longer than I should have. Then my patience ran out.
I grabbed one of his black dragon horns and yanked him down to my level.
"HEY!"
"AH! SOPHIA THAT HURTS — OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY!"
My mother started laughing. My father smiled and said nothing, watching us like this was exactly what he needed to see after a long morning. Noxx sat in the corner watching Scorin get handled with absolutely zero sympathy.
"STOP IGNORING ME!"
KNOCK KNOCK
The door behind us opened.
Riku stood in the doorway with Syrin beside him. Draxx right behind them with Krazia. They took in the scene — me still gripping Scorin's horn, Scorin bent at an uncomfortable angle, everyone
at the table watching like it was entertainment.
Riku looked at it for one full second.
"I'm fine watching. But can we get to our seats first?"
Draxx was already laughing. Syrin looked delighted. Krazia stood beside Draxx
taking it all in quietly.
Scorin looked at me while still bent at that uncomfortable angle.
"Can you let go of my horn now? This is kind of embarrassing."
My mother waved her hand toward me still settling from her laughter.
"Sweetheart, you are too honest with your feelings. Don't grab his horns until you are above age."
My father's fingers tapped on the table.
"So how long are you both going to keep acting like you're already married?"
I remembered what Scorin's mother told me — she specifically said that when a dragon or demon's significant other grabs their horn it's considered a mating call. With a deadpan stare I
let go and crossed my arms over my chest.
"It's too soon for that dragon boy."
He looked at me completely unbothered.
"You grabbed it first."
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Looked away.
Moments later we all sat at the table. Syrin and Krazia sat with me while Scorin sat with Draxx and Riku on the other side of the long table. Belzagus sat in his own room while Madina finished serving everyone then went straight back to him.
"So last night Riku bought me this demon vuitton bag even when I told him not to. Your brother is drowning me with too much love Sophia. How do I make him stop?"
I sipped on my orange juice and sat there thinking about everything Scorin had given me. The watch. The clothes. The unyielding affection he kept close even when I was being difficult about it. The kind of person who could take a joke and throw one back without missing a beat.
I looked over at him across the table. He was sitting quietly with his eyes closed, face relaxed, looking completely at peace with the world.
Then without turning his head he raised his cup slowly.
"You're staring again."
I looked back at my orange juice.
"I can't complain," I said quietly.
Like the day someone takes me away from Scorin will be out of my cold lifeless hands.
Krazia smiled and placed her elbows on the table with her cheek resting on her fist.
"Seems like you both really got to know each other over these two years."
I smiled without answering. Scorin found my gaze across the table and gave me a warm smile with his eyes still half closed. Riku and Draxx waved at their own fiancées.
Then my father's voice cut through the room.
"Now let me explain what happens after we leave. Everyone listen."
Belzagus appeared in the doorway of his room, leaning against the frame. Madina stood behind him holding his hands from behind, her sapphire eyes and white fluffy wolf ears peeking over his shoulder. The room went quiet.
"We will all be joining the ceremony. Syrin will be performing the Neutral Kingdom's national anthem followed by a short concert. Then the ribbon cutting."
I looked back toward Scorin. He had moved from his seat and was now standing behind my chair with his eyes closed, arms folded, completely still.
I elbowed him in the thigh.
THUMP
"…Heeeeey. Pay attention."
One eye opened slowly.
"I was listening."
My father caught my eye and waved his hand gently — letting Scorin be. Then
he continued.
"This is also going to be the moment where Ragalia might try to make his move. I don't know how. I don't know when."
He paused and looked at Belzagus.
"How was the two year training with Sophia, Belzagus?"
"EXCUSE ME!"
Belzagus raised his hand immediately to cut me off.
"My sister is not like the other female demons walking around this kingdom."
Syrin and Krazia both looked at me like they were seeing me differently. Krazia reached over and grabbed my bicep with both hands, squeezing once.
"Now that you mention it — two years ago you weren't this toned."
I yanked my arm back and gave her a look.
She giggled. Syrin leaned forward slightly and looked a little too closely.
"Yeah… you've really been growing."
I put one finger under her chin and raised her face to meet my eyes.
"My face is up here pop star."
Riku and Draxx erupted. Belzagus's laugh was muffled by Madina pressing her hand over his mouth, her chest against his back like she was trying to physically contain him. I turned to Scorin for backup.
He was looking at the ceiling with the straightest face I had ever seen on him.
Not helpful.
My father cleared his throat and the room settled.
"The ceremony starts at five in the afternoon. We need to be at the Neutral Kingdom by three for the meet and greet. Everyone start getting ready."
He closed his eyes and finished his coffee.
"Meet and greet?"
He placed his cup down and opened his eyes. The whole room listened.
"Everyone is there to see you, my darling daughter."
Before I could respond, footsteps came from the living room doorway. My father looked up. Scorin opened his eyes without moving. A familiar green hand grabbed the door frame and Ritchie stepped through.
"My King. Princess Sophia's carriage awaits."
Malphas smiled and stood, taking Lysandra's hand in his.
"Now everyone. Let's go to the Neutral Kingdom."