This chapter is heavily unedited as I just wanted to get it out and published for you, my lovely readers.

Thank you!

-:-:-:-:-

The following three weeks passed in a blur of repetitive activities. Tallulah woke most mornings snuggled against Atlas in his dragon form and they spent their days riding through the train of people. As they traveled, more and more people returned to their homes and land, and Tallulah was sad to see some of them go. Tallulah had grown particularly fond of Eunessa-who was the one to find her after she'd left Idris, and knew Benna as they were from the same region. Tallulah respected their right to depart as they passed their homes. If she was int heir position she would have done the same.

Kalden had joined them three days after her first nightly flight with Atlas and Tallulah found him to be absolutely perfect for Rika. His demeanor was easy-going but firm and it brought a better sense of confidence to Rika that Tallulah had not witnessed before.

Atlas was always telling her that mates should balance each other out, but she wondered what that meant for them. Tallulah wouldn't call herself stubborn or willful, quite the opposite actually. What she saw in Atlas was always his goodness and perhaps where he found strength, she found peace. Where she was just, and she thought back to the moment she'd driven the sword through Gareth and wanted Atlas to do the same with Kelwin for this, Atlas was merciful; and his patience was impeccable, any mother would long to have the same.

Benna had become Tallulah's confidant once Rika's mate had returned and sometimes she felt like Benna was as ditzy as any woman could be, but she had to remember that while she'd been holed in a room during her stay under Kelwin's roof, Benna was able to go out and interact with everyone to gather intel where she couldn't, and she was ever faithful to Tallulah.

Aurora's betrayal had begun to really sink in three days after the whole affair. Tallulah should have seen it while she was in Idris. The letters she'd seen Aurora sending had not been for Atlas, but for Kelwin to intercept. It made Tallulah curious about her interactions with Gareth while in Idris as well, was that some scheme set up from Aurora's letters? It couldn't have been though, if he'd known sooner who she was, their cover would have been blown from the start.

We will get to the bottom of everything once we are in Aria. I am at fault for not seeing her true nature before sending her to you. Atlas had told her once he'd caught the drifting thoughts. That day in particular she'd wanted to confront Aurora, and while Atlas wasn't outright saying no to her doing so she felt the impression that he didn't want her to do it. Rika and Benna loudly voiced their objections as well.

Later that day, Lunea had told Tallulah she went to visit her mate who wouldn't say anything but to call her a traitor for her actions. Lunea put up a strong front, but Tallulah knew she was hurting and felt all the more worse for it. Tallulah's own shackles were shattered the moment she'd driven the sword through Gareth, but that didn't stop the nightmares from haunting her.

Tallulah began noticing her own healing much more as the trek progressed. By the end of their first week on the road she could move without feeling like she'd split open from the effort.

There were good days and bad days with the pain, but the most obnoxious aspect was the itching as her skin knitted itself together. The itchiest areas were right under her chest and right below her bellybutton. Tallulah blamed the bandages for this itchiness. As her skin closed up, the scales that had once been clinging for dear life finally came loose and fell off with each bandage change. No one was certain if the scales could ever grow back; past experience told Tallulah they wouldn't, but she was hopeful for at least some of them to come back.

Tallulah found that she could walk around during the day now-instead of being carried on Ronan's back-after a fortnight of traveling. When she woke up this morning, her usual aches of walking were very dull and it no longer pained her to stand for a time. Tallulah considered it a win in that moment, and silently rejoiced to herself for it.

As more people departed from the train traveling towards Aria the pace at which they traveled increased. What had taken Tallulah, Atlas, Mykel, and, Ander a bit over a month to traverse would be shortened by only a few days this time. Tallulah was looking forward to a soft bed to sleep in for the night. The pile of blankets she slept on while curled up with Atlas did little to quell the pokes, the sticks, and the aches from the ground.

They were only a few days away from returning to Aria and Tallulah's nerves were getting the better of her. Nothing Atlas could say would help deter the feelings. She was nervous for more than one reason, but the main reason was her standing in the court. She was first introduced as a man, but only a fool would call her that now. The months she spent honing her body we negated by her imprisonment, and while she was tall of stature, complacency due to injury allowed her body to return to a more feminine facade. She didn't mind looking more womanly, she actually preferred it-not the dresses though.
Tallulah was currently breaking her fast with Benna and Rika as Atlas spoke to Ander, Mykel, Reylan, Latimer and the other commanders this morning. Kalden, along with several others he was held captive with, was with them to help with official reports from his captivity and who all was involved. They had been fleshing out the details of everything in any moment Atlas spared away from her-which wasn't a lot.

"Are you ready to face the masses in a few days?" Rika asked, wiggling her eyebrows at Tallulah.

"Absolutely not. I am still trying to wrap my head around everything. These last few weeks have helped me get my mind straight, but-"

"You already have the blood bond with Atlas, they cannot refuse you," Benna interrupted, annoyed. Rika gave her a swipe on the shoulder.

"You of all people should understand her level of anxiety surrounding this. The city first knew her as a MAN, how do you think it'll look? Some people will be idiotic enough to assume some healers did something to 'him'" gods above, Tallulah couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Ladies, healers aren't capable of such things. I should know, my mother was one. And it isn't their refusal that worries me, but how they will be with my authority over them,"

"Look around, Tallulah, these people we have been traveling with will attest to your goodness and capabilities as a leader alongside Atlas. Not to mention, since that infernal book was retrieved you've been perusing it every chance you get to find the information you're looking for," Rika was correct in this. Tallulah read the book in the evenings after her flights with Atlas, and it made for interesting conversations. Much of what was written Atlas didn't know about which was concerning until they came upon a section where one of Kelwin's ancestors was a royal scribe and record keeper for the king, so it made sense that they would have those records. Atlas argued that they should have been kept in Aria and that Kelwin's ancestor was wrong for taking them. She agreed with him, knowing that the information could and would have been used for leverage. They stumbled upon her original findings shortly after that revelation.

"We already found it, but there is so much more within the book that we've gon through and it's so interesting. Atlas is already planning a return trip to Idris once everything in Aria has settled to retrieve as many of the records horded there as possible," Tallulah didn't bother to explain the part of Kelwin's ancestor working for the king. That was probably the biggest reason for their current conflicts. Knowing that it wouldn't happen again and the two kingdoms could become allies was enough for Tallulah.

"I don't wish to be a bore, but I couldn't imagine reading history like that. Give me a good ballad or an epic and we'll be friends," Benna said. Rika looked sheepishly at Tallulah as if in agreement with Benna. Tallulah was already aware they preferred more fiction, like ballads and epic romances, over history and medicine. She dropped the topic as she knew she'd be able to discuss it with Atlas later.

"What we should really discuss is your dress for your presentation to the city," Benna was quick to change the topic, and Tallulah wasn't sure how she felt discussing dresses, but she would oblige because she knew Benna was right. Her presentation to the city would matter as it was but a single cog in the wheel that would decide her overall reception as queen. "-and blue is definitely off the table," Benna had continued her train of thought.

Welcome to being a lady, where dresses are your armor, and jewelry your weapons. Atlas said to her.

Gods above, I wish it weren't so. Tallulah replied with a mental huff. Where Atlas could make a pair of riding clothes look royal, she would look like a pauper by comparison.

"I think a lovely peach color would suit her the best; her complexion isn't as pale as before, but with her fiery hair and deep blue scales the peach would complement her nicely," Rika suggested.
"What if I wanted to wear black," Tallulah suggested. Rika and Benna both looked like they'd been slapped.

They both began speaking, interjecting over each other trying to explain why black would not be appropriate,

"That would make you look sickly"

"-eugh-it would be like you're attending a burial ceremony,"

"-not to mention-" Tallulah stopped Benna before she could elaborate further.

"Okay, okay, black is not the choice. What about a green gown?"

Green would be lovely on you, and I think your ladies would agree. She had Atlas' support in this, so no one could argue against it.

"Green could work, deep shades for the bodice and skirt and pale green for the sleeves with embroidery trimmings. Maybe we could ask Lunea if she brought anything with her from Idris that we could use,"

Tallulah was loathe to bother Lunea right now, but perhaps it would be good to include her in this. They took their time to catch up to the cart they'd claimed as theirs. Lunea was walking beside it, lost in thought. Tallulah hoped she wasn't trying to communicate with her mate after the disastrous attempt before.

"Lady Lunea, we have a situation you may be able to help us with," Rika was quick to get to the point. Lunea looked in their direction and a flicker of happiness crossed her eyes. Tallulah was relieved to see it. "Do you by chance have any gowns with you? I don't think we will have time to fashion something new for Tallulah before we reach Aria, but we can enhance a dress or gown that we already have,"

Understanding dawned on her face. "Ah, I forgot this is the first time you will be presented as your true self. I did bring a trunk with me, but most of my gowns will be too short. No matter though-we can stitch pieces together as needed, and let out the hems,"

To make things easier, they all got into the cart instead of taking the trunk out to look through everything. The cart would help keep things clean and contained, and they wouldn't have to worry about catching up to it later. It wasn't an overly large trunk, but it did take up one corner of the cart and Tallulah hadn't even noticed it before.

"This was what I could easily grab before we left, so I'm not even sure what I have in here," Lunea admitted, looking abashed. All four women pulled out dress after dress, sorted them by their colors, and put back any not in consideration. Lunea was right about one thing, everything was short, but the rich greens she saw in the gowns before them were stunning.

And I thought you despised dresses. Tallulah could hear the mental chuckle from Atlas.

It isn't a crime to admire beautiful craftsmanship. She retorted. One dress in particular did stand out. The emerald green of the skirt contrasted nicely with the pale green corset and white bodice underneath. The sleeves were long, but made of a lace so sheer and fine that her scales would be seen through them. It was no longer necessary for Tallulah to hide her scales from the world, but the doubt, and the disdain for what she had been was so ingrained that sleeves in which nothing could be seen beneath only felt natural.

Besides, if I am to be at war with the council, I need to make sure my armor has no holes or ruin. She could feel the approval coming from Atlas at her thought.

"I think that is a lovely choice. I have only worn it once before," Lunea paused before clarifying: "I wore this when Elias was named heir for Kelwin. There was a whole celebration in Idris for it," Tallulah remembered that. She'd been nearly ten and seven. It must have happened after Mykel and Ander discovered their mate bond. Gods they were so young. She wasn't allowed to attend the celebration, but Talon was and did. "I don't know what possessed me to bring it, but I will happily let you have it and make modifications. It was one of my sister's creations," Tallulah had only worn Mararet's work once before and she had burned the dress after her wedding night proved to be a disaster. Tallulah felt the discomfort coming from Atlas at the passing thought, though it was more of a primal feeling, meaning that it was his inner beast being affected by the idea and not the man.

"I would be delighted to use this, thank you," Tallulah said to Lunea. They inspected the hems on the gown and it could be let down just enough for the dress to brush the tops her boots. Benna suggested adding a lace hem to bring it down a little further and Tallulah could see no point in arguing. She let Benna and Rika go off in search of some lace and thread while she stayed behind with Lunea.

"As his reckoning gets closer, it's like a noose tightening around my own neck and not his," Lunea spoke, eyes glassy. "I never loved him, but it hurts knowing he isn't long for this world," Tallulah wanted to wrap this woman in her arms and weep with her. "I say this because you will understand, your ladies wouldn't, despite knowing what you've been through. It's something else to experience it," Lunea's words were heavy, but honestly.

"I see the love and adoration you receive from Atlas and I am so gods-damned envious that I never could have something as precious as that," The envy was clear as day on Lunea's expression, but never hatred. Lunea was too good and too kind for hatred.

"For the longest I believed I wasn't deserving of his patience and admiration because it was ingrained in me for twenty years of my life," Tallulah told her. "I was an abomination to everyone and I didn't deserve a special life-whatever that had meant,"

"I am so, so sorry. I did my best with my children, and was blessed that none got their father's inhibitions. No child should fear their parents, or live in fear because of their parents," the glassy look had been replaced with pity, and it was a look Tallulah knew well.

"What's done is done," Tallulah dismissed it, and instead inquired about her children. Her responses to this subject were much happier and it pleased Tallulah. Lunea's daughter, Corrine, was remarkably bright and very eager to find her mate. The women shared a knowing glance at this. Corrine was a professed lover of all things whimsy. Tallulah knew she would have gotten along well with Benna, especially when Lunea remarked that Corrine enjoyed sewing and painting-painting was a luxury that only the highborns and nobles could enjoy as pigments were very expensive. Tallulah would have loved to learn, and perhaps she could once things were settled.

"I would love to have her visit once things have cooled off; I would like to know what it's like to have a sister," Tallulah said.

"That's funny," Lunea's eyes lit up with mirth when she was told this. "When there was all of the commotion about your disappearance, and she found out she was so angry that you hadn't waited for your mate,"

"Did you ever share with her after I was prisoner what my circumstances were?" Tallulah was almost hesitant to ask as she'd been very detailed about her experiences with Gareth and she wasn't sure how much could be explained without those explicit details.

If it was anything like what you last experienced, I wish that I could have ended him for you. I will never pry in that part of your past unless you share it freely. I know details from our visit to Idris before your capture, but those memories are yours and yours alone to share when you're ready.

"I did...and I know I should have asked you first, but I felt it important for her to understand that she is privileged to know who and what she is," Tallulah would have granted her consent if she'd been asked and she told Lunea as much. When she was queen-because she would be-she would help those like her: those raised without an understanding of what it means to be a dragon kin.

Tallulah had almost forgotten about Lunea's youngest son, a little toddling boy. And when she asked about him, Lunea told her that he was being looked after by his nanny. Tallulah could tell it hurt for her to leave little Hawk behind, and guessed it was part of her current doldrums.

"I am sure Elias or Corrine will help with Hawk as needed; Corrine loves her little brother," Tallulah could empathize with that, she loved both Talon and Mykel as her brothers, and by extension she loved Ander. She wasn't sure yet how she felt about Iris. Her bluntness was greatly appreciated, but the woman gave Tallulah the chills. She equated it towards the woman's golden eyes and how they unnerved her.

Benna and Rika returned shortly after her conversation with Lunea came to a halt. The smug grins on their faces told tallulah all she needed to know, they'd gotten exactly what they needed for the gown. Gods above she would greet her kingdom in just a few short days.