*** Alzi, Main body ***

It wasn't completely natural to move through the house and help my kids, but with a bit of help, I made it to the carriage and off to Space's temple. Shimmer had warned her Mother we were coming last night, so all I had to do was snuggle up with Space for a bit and then get sent to the right realm.

The realm was warm. Extremely warm, like it was on fire. The land wasn't on fire, so I'm not sure where the heat came from exactly, but the heat must be what is forcing the very strange trees to grow. The trees were always close to the ground, and the canopy looked like an umbrella.

In the new realm, the connection to my other body was so faint that it was hard to confuse the two, making it a lot easier to move around with both bodies. So I won't look like a fool before the Queen, which is good because she didn't give us a chance to recover from our travels.

We had a little escort from Space's temple straight to the castle, where Shimmer led us through the halls. She had to be careful not to walk too fast and strangle herself on the leash. She didn't try too hard to hide the fact that she was on a leash, but I'm sure choking in front of her Mother's guards was too far for her.

"Alzi, dear, confidence. Talk firm with her, and you can be demanding. I am still declared as the next in line, so it is expected that my family will be a bit arrogant, and you are the head of that family with more backing than I have," Shimmer says before entering the throne room.

"Didn't need you to tell me," I say.

"I just wanted to make sure you knew you didn't have to give in. She'll ask for more than is required for our help."

"What is required?"

"The only thing that should be our kid spends some time in our realm. Nothing else, and it wouldn't be taking the kid away. Your second body, or main body, could be present when she is up here if you wish. She's going to be the princess who will rule our realm after us," Shimmer says.

"Then your family better not be terrible," I say.

"Then just avoid giving her an answer on that topic," Shimmer says. "Are we ready?"

"Yes," I say. I hope she was hiding our conversation, or Yuki was, cause I doubt the guards would just let us lie without filtering that information up to their Queen.

The doors open inwards with a strange creak for a few inches before they slam open, a blast of hot air rushes past us, and the throne room lights up for effect.

The nobles always love their shows, even if it makes no sense to sit in the dark. Or maybe that is a spell making it look like they were sitting in the dark?

Who cares?, I just start walking forward, urging Shimmer along. Geta follows to my left, Nakuma and Yuki follow a step behind. Our heels click across the marble floor together. I'm not sure if that is a trick by Yuki or if our feet really are hitting the ground together somehow.

Fires roar about everywhere you could put a fire and not catch a kitsune's tail on fire: the edge of the room, chandeliers, torches, columns, and even just random spots in the air. A bit on the nose if you ask me, but it does make me wonder what the dragons have. Will they just have channels of lava running everywhere?

Then you have the Queen, and her harem? They look more like her daughters. Maybe she's like Yuki's Mother and is just hanging onto the throne to feel powerful.

"Princess Alzi, Princess Shimmer, Princess Yuki, Geta, and Nakuma," a voice calls out. I'm having less and less reason to doubt my royalty, but it is strange being propelled from slave whore to princess so quickly. Part of it seemed just to be Queen Yumanea wanting me to feel special all of a sudden, but if the phoenixes are saying it, then I must really have some rights to the throne in the dragon realm.

"Welcome," the Queen says, standing. "Daughter, I'm happy you're back, though the clothing choice is... interesting."

"Thank you, Mother," Shimmer says, bowing her head. "I'm just filling my role as a mate."

"So it is true. Hard to blame you. Not even the made-up stories would dare to let a mortal claim that much favor from the heavens," the Queen says. "Can you at least come and give me a hug?"

Shimmer gives me a look, and I give her a nod and let the leash go free. Shimmer moves slowly towards her Mother, clearly not believing that she's about to be hugged.

Shimmer better not being lying about the Phoenixes supporting us.

The Queen really does hug Shimmer, kissing her on the head. It takes a minute for them to separate, but that is when the slap comes. Just a single one on the cheek, but it seems I'm the only one who was surprised that it came. Shimmer just turns her head back and waits for another.

"Do you understand?" the Queen asks.

"Yes," Shimmer says.

"Good, now return to your mate's side. We can begin the meeting official," the Queen says, clapping out. A few maids rush in and give us some chairs as she returns to her throne. Shimmer's sisters, I think, give out little laughs as Shimmer returns.

I take the seat and wait for the Queen to tell me I have to get her daughters pregnant. But the Queen just slumps over and rests her head in her hand, staring at me. The roaring of the fire fills the silence.

"We both want things," the Queen finally says. "Due to my daughter's failures, what I want is difficult to get. So where do we go from here?"

"Sea gave me quite the promise," I say.

"Yes, that promise has been shared a few different ways with me. Can I make a different request?"

"You haven't made one."

"I did, and you said no to it. Unless you're saying you will get my daughters, or wives, or me pregnant at some point soon."

"I'm not going to promise that."

"Like I said, you answered no to my request. Just before we met, I would like you to spend time with my daughters instead of promising that Shimmer will carry more kids."

"How will this time be spent?" I ask. I'm already going against what Shimmer said I have to do.

"However you wish to spend it, within reason. No hurting my daughters or just having them nearby while you do other things. You know, give them a chance for a few years to have a bond form somewhat naturally," the Queen says, motioning to the women around her. They don't do anything suggestive, just a bunch of smiles and a few waves.

I tug at Shimmer's collar and drag her into my lap. She melts into me, trying to play the role of a helpless lover. "And you work to handle the dragons?" I ask.

"Yes. As long as we aren't expected to beat them. That is a rather expensive task to do, and the promise of a chance for payment just won't do, not when I can lock Shimmer up and just let you get taken for free. Fertility's grip would be strong, but it won't last forever, no matter how willing Sea is to stay on the altar. I think my ask is fair. Shimmer stays married to you, the daughter will be a member of the phoenix royal family and will grow up to know her people, and you give some of my daughters that didn't fail you a chance to become your friend, or Shimmer bares more children, so of which will join the first in being part of the phoenix culture. They don't all have to, but I hope you give them all the chance to see this part of the heritage."

"Please, Alzi," Shimmer whispers. "I want my daughter to know about my people."

"Three years. Within three years, I will have started meeting your daughters, or Shimmer will be pregnant again. If I meet your daughters, then that goes on for five years. Otherwise, Shimmer will carry at least four children."

"You'll meet my daughters at a party tomorrow. A celebration of Shimmer's pregnancy. Just my family and no nudity or drinking. No pressure for anyone to have sex or close contact. I would do it tonight, but Shimmer has asked for tonight to have protection at our spring. We can have the celebration during lunch, and you can leave and be with your family for dinner. I hope you will help my women with healing. We have our healers and will handle it for the most part, but if you are the closest, I would hope you would help."

"Fine," I say. "If one hand gropes me."

"None shall. That includes you, Shimmer. Fail again, and I'll take you off Alzi's hand after that child and sacrifice you to the true phoenixes."

"Yes, Mother."

"Then we have a deal, my daughter. I'm sorry that the bond isn't stronger. Shimmer was commanded to become your wife. That meant defending you. I'm sorry that didn't happen. Our relationship is important to me. If there is anything else you need, please ask. If it doesn't require my people to sacrifice, it will be free. I wish I didn't have to ask for something in return for defending you, but it will be my women sacrificing, and they didn't ask me to send a failure to your side. I can't have them lose their lives for free. I hope you understand. But now, please enjoy your short stay here. If you need me, just say something. Shimmer can relay the request to me or my wives or maids to fill it."

"If I request you get pregnant."

"That is off the table till after the war. The royal family needs to contend with the royal dragons. There aren't many royal dragons, but that doesn't mean they are easy to handle. But after that, yes, I would warm your bed if that is the request. I will not submit to you, but I know how to play the part if you wish. My mates as well. But we both know that isn't a likely request. Please don't tease my daughters with the chances of having sex. I know the meetings will naturally string them along some, but don't add to it. Be honest with your feelings."

"I will be."

"Thank you. Please, enjoy our realm."

"I'll try," I say, giving Shimmer another tug. She slides off my lap. "One thing. Have you submitted before?"

"No."

"If I get you to submit?"

"Then I would be your mate. But I will not be like Shimmer or any dragon you make your mate. I would be submissive for breeding, and that is it."

"I can always breed a woman, doesn't matter her state."

"Ruling my realm has almost nothing to do with breeding. I doubt you wish to spend a large amount of time breeding me. I hope you won't ruin my ability to protect and serve my realm if you manage to make me submit."

"We'll see," I say. "You could always give up the crown. But I doubt we'll have to worry about that."

The Queen gives me a soft chuckle as I turn and walk out, my wives and maids quickly gather around me. The door slams open again, and we walk through.

"Are you interested in my Mother?" Shimmer asks.

"Not really," I say. "What should we do for lunch?"

"How about we go to my room for lunch?" Shimmer says. "Then we can get ready for the bath."

"That works."