05

The ceremony was followed by a dinner in the Royal Family’s private garden. The space had been loving decorating and grown with magic, resulting in a lovely canopy. When the rain came, the flowers would bloom and shield those underneath, but on days like today, the flowers retracted, providing enough shade and light for all underneath it to be comfortable. Kai was uncharacteristically staring into space and completely unfocused on the task at hand, and Matt saw this as his chance to intervene.

While assuming the form of a rabbit, Matt jumped next to Kai. “What’s wrong?”

Kai recognized Matt by his distinct voice. “Wait, how are you a rabbit?”

Matt was an average size for a rabbit, white fur, and maintained many distinct characteristics from his previous form: small horns, a bandage around his chest, and a hefty lizard’s tail.

“A rabbit can sneak into the garden.”

“That didn’t answer my question!”

“I’m a self-taught master shapeshifter. Ushida told you this.”

Kai grew slightly agitated. “Forgive me if there’s moments from our first meeting that I forgot.”

“What was that, Knight Kai?” asked Ushida’s father, King Mugido. Kai suddenly remembered he was not alone.

“Oh, I am deeply sorry, your majesty. I remembered, I need my sword if I am to protect the princess.”

“Ah, yes. Please hurry back. This is your meal after all,” said the king, waving him off.

Kai left the chair and headed towards a small alcove back inside the castle to continue his conversation with Matt, who followed him, hopping along. 

Matt persisted with his curiosity. “I see you hardly ate. What’s on your mind?”

“I suppose I can share. Especially since some of this concerns you…” Kai wasn’t ready to entirely trust Matt, but now, that didn’t matter. If Matt was special to Ushida, Kai had to learn to accept him as well. “I might have been swept up in the moment. But I don’t know if I’m ready to be the Princess’s personal bodyguard. What if I’m not strong enough to protect her during a time of crisis?”

“If it’s too much work, just quit.” Matt was quick with a solution. “And once you quit the knighthood, we can go on a date!” He nuzzled into Kai. It was a harmless display of affection from a small animal, but Kai remained aware of the rabbit’s true identity.

“But if that’s what you’re worried about, why don’t we see if you’re ready?” Matt hopped down. He peeled off the bandage around his chest, revealing a glowing nine-pointed star tattoo.

His gentle rabbit mouth stretched into a lizard’s snout, his horns extended outward, wings sprouted from his back. His body pulsed bigger, and the dragon ran out of the castle towards the garden party.

Matt the Half-Dragon was now fully in dragon form.

He snatched Ushida in his claw, and flew to the top of a nearby windmill on one of the hills surrounding the castle.