little love to be lost between the two; since an early age, little, stubborn Delo had always found a way to cause trouble for Shendalzare. As the years passed, Delo had only grown more cunning and vicious in her antics, and the rift between them was now too large to cross. Shendalzare regretted it, at times. Violent though they might be, but family bonds had always been important to the Skywrath people.
"Queen-in-Waiting. I thought this day would never come." Slowly, Delozara paced closer toward Shendelzare, her slender body swaying in rhythm with her body's movements. Much like a cat stalking its prey, Shendelzare thought. She stood her ground, watching her move closer till they were but a hands-breadth apart. "Tell me, how does it feel, O Mighty Queen?" Delozara's words were nearly a whisper.
"I am not yet Queen, and you would do well to remember that," Shendelzare admonished. "Our lord Mother still reigns on the Nest, and may Scree'auk bless her with many more years to come."
"Of that, I am certain, dear sister. I but sought to ask, as a good sister should, out of the concern and goodwill of my very heart." Sweet words, but the newly-appointed heir knew better. She gave a snort of disgust, and Delozare laughed, a rich, throaty sound, yet somehow devoid of any kind of humor. Stepping back, the sister gave a martyred shrug. "Well, accept it or not, Shendelzare. For who knows what might happen? Mayhap, the day when a new Queen arises might not be so far off."
"You go too far, Delozara, even for you." Shendelzare's voice had gone flat, the threat in it plain and obvious. The royal sister simply unfurled her wings, and with a few powerful beats, lifted herself off the ground. Hovering in the sky above her, Delozara called out sweetly, "You are far too serious, sister dear. Well, this has been a simply pleasant chat. I shall leave you to your duties now, shall I? For I am sure you have quite a burden to bear, O noble Queen-in-Waiting."
Shendelzare watched as her sister left the hall, waiting for the last echoes of her wingbeats to fade away before opening her own wings. But as she made her own way through the Ghastly Eyrie, one worrying thought pervaded her mind.
What was that about?
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