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PROLOGUE
As 2 moons shone high overhead, the third a crescent shape, a dragon the color of a lapis-slathered twilight was hunched over a sheet of paper, pen in talons as she curled her tail around a deep black egg.
It was laced with traces of midnight blue waves and star-like speckles.
My dearest Prince Hurricane, the letter started,
Our daughter is doing well–at least, I think it's a female. The egg is a beautiful cross between our tribes; I can't wait until she comes into the world.
The dragon paused her intense, quick-but-elegant writing for a moment, to contemplate what she should write next.
If you want to see her, come to the bush under the burnt ash tree in the NightWing kingdom, when only one moon is shining. If I'm not there, I've been found out. I suspect you already know which of the names we discussed I've chosen. I love you and our little dragonet so much. This may be the last time I can contact you, so please, save this letter for when she can read.
With greatest affections,
Midnight
Midnight released the pen from her grasp, and let out a sigh, turning her head towards the egg. She immediately felt a sense of fierce love and determination to protect her unhatched dragonet, and curled her tail around the egg tighter. She hoped Hurricane received the letter as soon as he could, and didn't keep their little one waiting.
"I love you," she whispered to the little egg; the twilight-colored dragon knew what was approaching, and, heart-wrenchingly, gripped the midnight blue egg in her talons, gently placing it in the bush, before giving it a last affectionate glance and turning off to mail the letter.
• • •
After it was successfully sent, Midnight was almost immediately stopped by two bulky-looking NightWings, accompanied by a slightly smaller one; she recognized Queen Duskender almost immediately.
"You know what you did, Midnightscales," the queen snarled coldly. "and don't think you can escape the punishment. Come along, the entire tribe is waiting," she commanded, as the guards slipped past the queen and hustled Midnight to the destination.
She gave a last, fleeting thought of Prince Hurricane, whose duty was to now take care of their dragonet, and the dragonet in question, who she hoped lived a long, happy life, without ever having to be found out.
As they approached the execution chamber, she couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like if she was a SeaWing instead, or if Hurricane was a NightWing. Maybe then, everything would be different, and she could live a happy life with him and their little one.
However, they'd never have the chance–or, at least, that's what she thought.
• • •
Prince Hurricane received the letter about a month later. One moon was shining high overhead; it was time.
Hurricane slipped speedily through the sky blue waters, his aquamarine scales shimmering in the moonlight.
He quickly broke through the surface of the water and discreetly raced through the trees and undergrowth. Burnt ash tree, burnt ash tree… he repeated in his mind.
It didn't take as long as he thought it would to find the blackened tree, however.
Though it would be difficult for any other dragon, he easily spotted the egg–no, his dragonet, in the bush. However, no sign of Midnight…
Rage bubbled up inside the prince like a blowfish on the surface.
How dare Queen Nightender do this to Midnightscales–to Hurricane and the little egg as well? He knew that the current SeaWing queen would never exact such a harsh punishment upon a dragon.. Right?
Hurricane, no time to get caught up in your temper right now. You have a dragonet that's ready to hatch. It needs you. He thought firmly to himself.
He quickly reached for the egg, talons outstretched; although, now the egg was a grayish blue.
Almost instantly, as if it–no, she–was waiting for her father to find her, the egg splintered into tiny pieces, revealing a small, adorable little dragonet, the color of the deep blue evening skies.
Though, she wasn't without her SeaWing traits; glowing stripes, starburst and spiral marks on the insides of her wings, and gills. She was the most beautiful little thing the prince had ever seen in his life.
He hadn't forgotten the name Midnight chose.
"Moontide," he murmured to the tiny dragonet while she made the cutest little noises known to dragon. "but we'll just call you Tide for short, okay?" The small, curious blue dragon tilted her head and let out a curr? sound, which Hurricane assumed meant agreement.
He let out a short sigh, and said to the newly hatched dragonet, "I'll have to tell my mother about all of this, won't I? Oh, well, at least we have each other if anything happens, my little wave." He murmured, gently placing her on his back.
For tonight, at least, Hurricane could share his first moment of peace and happiness with his daughter.
He made himself comfortable, and gently lay on the grass beneath the ash tree. He'd go back to the SeaWing Kingdom tomorrow.
For now, he'd enjoy this moment. I hope that Tide will always be safe, just like this, with me wherever she goes… And with that last thought, he drifted into a tranquil slumber.