Turquoise heaved a very heavy sight.
"I was told I was meant to be your older brother. That it would be written on the sihgn outside of the enclosure and that people would see us as such."
"An older brother?" said Pearl.
This was very, very much unexpected. Certainly it was much more pleasant than being announced that she had to be the mate of the former head of the Prince Guard but it was quite confusing. What did it mean? What was Gareth, now Turquoise, supposed to be doing? Protect her? Feed her? She was in s cage and she could take care of herself, after all.
"Yeah, kiddo. I know you're not very happy about it," said softly Turquoise, misinterpreting Pearl's expression. "I guess the new king of the land thought that me mating with a dragon would be disgusting enough to turn me off. Don't be vexed. As I told you, I used to be human, so having sex with you would be as horrid for me as if someone told you to satisfy a guy. So if I am to keep you company while not mating with you, well, I might as well be given the designation of an older brother. That being said, I was the last of my four brothers, so I lack experience. I guess I'll learn on the job."
"How did you get transformed?" asked Pearl.
She was curious and wasn't sure if she should admit that she was herself a transformed human male. None other than the rightful prince of this place, in fact. Gareth sighed again.
"I was head of the Prince Guard. I was meant to protect the royal family. But then the prince disappeared. I suspected foul play so I tried to investigate. But then a wizard took the role of king and declared himself the new ruler. He apparently transformed the old king and queen and then made himself king. I tried to protest but he changed me into a dragon to exhibit here. As an example to anyone else, you see. A pudgy dragon to boot," he grumbled, showing the big belly he now sported and that had a definite gut.
"And... The new king? He's liked? Did they find the missing prince?" Pearl asked, not resisting the temptation to know, whatever the answer might be.
"The prince? Some say he was found, but no clear answers. I haven’t seen solid proof of anything, at least. Could be just rumours. And the new king is liked. Feared, yeah, because of his magic, but also liked. He apparently lowered taxes on people and distributed food and established new holidays. He even made gold and food and wine rain on his villages, thanks to his magic."
Pearl wanted to scream. Of course people liked that bastard Antyny, with his awesome magical abilities! Of course, former Prince Jasper didn't bother thinking that his parents could have hired magicians of their own and done such charitable deeds.
"And the old king and queen? What happened to them?"
"Anyone's guess," muttered Turquoise. "People say they were transformed, but it could be into anything. Rumours are flying off from anywhere. The creepier the most told. I suppose it helps Antyny's rule of terror."
"But..." started Pearl before stopping.
"Now if you don’t mind, let me resume my nap. Then it'll be lunch and I heard it'll be fried fish and meat."
Turquoise rolled over lazily, leaving Pearl to reflect on whether she should tell Gareth about who she really was. How would he react? And what had really happened to his parents? But now he knew more, at least. And how would living with Gareth go? Would he be pleasant to room with?