Rynhara tugged at the hem of her new kimono as she followed Tiamora through the bustling underground market while dragon kin servants carried her clothes which were the resultof Tiamora buying all the options recommended by the elf. Despite her protests, the garment fit her so perfectly it felt like it was designed with her in mind.
It wasn't long before Rynhara noticed how much attention she was attracting. Passersby whispered behind their hands, their eyes darting toward her and then quickly away as if afraid of being caught staring.
"Why is everyone looking at me?" she muttered, her sharp teeth flashing in irritation.
"You're the dragon princess," Tiamora replied nonchalantly, gliding ahead. "People can sense power when it walks among them."
"I don't want to be sensed," Rynhara grumbled, trying in vain to make herself smaller.
"Too bad," Tiamora said, proudly smirking over her shoulder.
Rynhara sighed, her tail swishing irritably behind her as she tried to focus on navigating the crowded market. The scents of roasted meats, sizzling spices, and earthy herbs wafted through the air, mingling with the metallic tang of magic.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out near one of the stalls ahead. A merchant was shouting, his voice tinged with panic.
"Stop that thief! Someone stop her!"
Rynhara turned just in time to see a figure dart through the crowd—a small, hooded girl clutching a satchel that jingled with stolen goods. The thief was fast, weaving through the throng with practiced ease, but not fast enough to escape Tiamora's notice.
With a flick of her wrist, the Dragon Queen's tail shot out, coiling around the thief's ankle and yanking her off her feet. The satchel tumbled to the ground, spilling its contents—jewels, enchanted trinkets, and a small loaf of bread.
"Got you," Tiamora said, her tone calm but laced with menace.
The girl scrambled to her knees, throwing back her hood to reveal a face that couldn't have been older than ten. Her wild, ash-colored hair framed sharp golden eyes that glared defiantly at Tiamora and Rynhara.
"Let me go!" the girl hissed, baring surprisingly sharp teeth.
Rynhara blinked, her mismatched eyes narrowing. "Wait… she's part dragon."
Tiamora's tail relaxed slightly, enough to let the girl sit up but not escape. "Astute observation," Tiamora said, raising an eyebrow. "What's your name, little one?"
The girl hesitated, her eyes darting between Tiamora and Rynhara before she spat, "None of your business."
Tiamora chuckled. "Feisty. I like that." She turned to Rynhara. "What do you think, darling? Should we teach her some manners?"
Rynhara crossed her arms, her wings twitching irritably. "You're asking me?"
"Well, she is closer to your age," Tiamora said with a smirk.
"I'm not five!" Rynhara snapped.
Tiamora tilted her head. "Could have fooled me."
Before Rynhara could retort, the girl lunged forward, her claws swiping at Tiamora's tail. Her movements were quick and surprisingly skilled, but Tiamora easily evaded her strikes, pulling her tail back just out of reach.
"Enough," Tiamora said, her voice suddenly cold. The girl froze, her golden eyes wide with fear as Tiamora loomed over her.
"You're lucky," Tiamora continued, "that I'm feeling generous today. Stealing from my territory is a dangerous game, little dragon."
The girl's defiance faltered, and she lowered her gaze. "I didn't have a choice," she muttered. "I was hungry your majesty."
Tiamora's expression softened ever so slightly, but it was Rynhara who stepped forward. She crouched down, picking up the spilled bread and holding it out to the girl.
"Here," Rynhara said. "Take it."
The girl looked up, startled. "What? But—"
"Just take it," Rynhara said, her mismatched eyes softening. "I get it. You're trying to survive. But maybe next time, don't pick a fight with someone like her." She jabbed a thumb at Tiamora.
The girl hesitated, then snatched the bread from Rynhara's hands, clutching it tightly. "Thanks, I guess," she mumbled.
"What's your name?" Rynhara asked.
The girl hesitated again before muttering, "Kaelira."
"Well, Kaelira," Rynhara said, standing up and brushing off her dress, "maybe we can help you out. Unless you'd rather keep running around stealing bread."
Kaelira's eyes widened. "Why would you help me?"
"Why not?" Rynhara replied. "I know what it's like to have the world against you."
Tiamora raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching the interaction with an amused smile.
Kaelira stared at Rynhara for a long moment before nodding. "Alright… I'll hear you out. But if this is some kind of trick—"
"It's not," Rynhara said firmly. "Come on."
As they left the market together, Tiamora trailing behind with a knowing smirk, Rynhara couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just made her first ally in this strange, new life—and possibly her first headache, too.