Blue Monday

As I am awaiting Cassius’s toast to pop up out of the toaster, to accompany his huge breakfast of five poached eggs, three sausages, and a pile of bacon, I iron an identical shirt to the one Clint had complained about. I know I ironed his other shirt, but I will not go into his room until I have to. The triplet’s respective dragons have also become more irritable as of late. It still freaks me out to see a human and his dragon standing side by side; as a dragon, itself, wasn't scary enough, now you must contend with his human, as well. That is why I keep my head down and pray to any god who listens that I can become invisible long enough to escape this hell.

I remember when I wanted to believe that only humans existed. I was around six years old, living at the orphanage. My teacher would read us stories on all sorts of fantastical things, from witches to vampires and dragons, and she would tell us about the brave souls who would slay them. This one boy, named Tim, and I would often exclude ourselves from the group and fantasize that we were the valiant slayers. On one such day, I was hiding in the woods waiting for Tim to come slay me. I tripped over my shoelace, but when I tried to stand, I felt claws tearing at my shirt, as a huge paw pressed down on my back, leaving thin, bloody lines. I screamed and threw dirt at the creature. As I stood, I saw glowing silver eyes staring at me from a dark green dragon with dark purple, almost black, horns. It was the size of a small horse, but to the child in me, it was the size of a house. That was the day I learned that dragons existed and my fear of them began. I never told anyone that a dragon attacked me, only that I fell into a patch of bayberry bushes. Now I work for the things I fear the most.

Just my luck, the stupid toast sticks to the side of the toaster and begins to burn. I turn off the iron and hang up Clint’s shirt before I remake Cassius’s toast. Once I get everything ready, I go back up the five flights of stairs. This palace is a massive labyrinth and far too extravagant for just the few that dwell here. This is yet another dragon trait that I will never understand. They attribute success to opulence and quantity of possessions and, yes, servants like myself, are considered one of those many possessions. I hate feeling like a thing. The servants are kind to me and they respect my devotion to duty. At least I am wanted. Just no by the Trio; that’s what I call them. 

After using my foot to knock, Clint opens his door. I hold up his freshly ironed shirt. Inspecting every inch, he looks it over. “This will do, but do it right the first time,” he grumbles. I bow and quickly leave as he slams the door closed. I know that I did it right the first time, but I also know not to talk back to the Trio. 

I tried once a few years ago...

***Flashback***

I had just left my adoptive parents’ home as I was headed to the palace. It was a nice day until I literally ran into the Trio. “Look who we have here guys. It's a field mouse,” Clint mocked. He spoke in a combination of his voice and Carter’s, his dragon. I knew that my day had just gone to shit because I feared that their verbal tirades would turn violent. 

“Looks more like a bug to me,” Cassius sneered.

I tried to get around them but it was no use. They shoved me around them like they were playing Hot Potato. I am not sure what came over me, but I raised my hand and slapped Cassius. He threw me to the ground as he commanded his brothers, “Hold her, this bitch needs to be reminded of her place.” After he said that, he opened the fly of his pants and proceeded to urinate on me. I screamed for help that never arrived. Cassius had each of his brothers urinate on me as well. However, he was far from satisfied. 

Cassius ordered Clint to grab me. I was carried into the barn where I was coated in excrement and pig’s blood. Then Cassius had Conner and his dragon Caleb fly me into the woods a few miles from the palace. Conner’s eyes had a glimpse of remorse before he abandoned me. I had no choice but to try to hurry back to Naga before I became dinner to one of the beasts that inhabit these woods. 

****End Flashback***

Out of all of the brothers, Cassius has always treated me the worst. I might never figure out why, because I try to avoid him, just as I do the rest of The Trio. I know that he hates that his parents chose me, but I had no control over their decision. The brothers view me as their nanny, not as their assistant. I am mature for my age, but that can't be why I was chosen. I am thankful for the pay, but not the duties. I wish that the King and Queen would have chosen someone else. 

I bite my lip before I knock on Cassius’s door. As I lower my chin to my chest, I raise the loaded breakfast tray. I hear his dragon, Asher, growl and I immediately know that something must not be to his liking. A clawed deep red hand knocks the tray and its contents to the floor. “Clean it up,” he commanded, as he moved quickly so that he could lift up his right foot and kicked me into his room. This is the last place that I wanted to be today, alone with Cassius and his pissy dragon. Fuck my luck! Will I ever catch a break?

All dragons are moody, even the ones that adopted me. My adoptive parents, unlike many others in the tribe, rarely let their dragons out or even shift, because they know that it terrifies me. The Trio simply don't care and I am certain that they do it on purpose to frighten me. They want me to run and abandon my duties, but even if I did, I would be dragged back here. I have to stay until I graduate and then I can give my adoptive parents a portion of my earnings and flee this place forever and go back to live among humans. Now I need to focus and avoid Cassius’s and Asher’s wrath.