Velasca

She’d been an Amazon once, back when they were new. When they were free to roam the world, free from males and the steady, predictable life of a permanent clan that slowly chocked you to death. Back when things were good, even if it was hard and dangerous.

They were free.

But even though she enjoyed the freedom, Velasca wanted more.

She’d always been in love with Cyan- almost all the Amazons were, at one point or another, but her feelings lasted long past the hatchling crush most of the others had. Lasted until they became real, something more than they ever could have been otherwise if it wasn’t honest, true love. She wanted to be by Cyan’s side, to help rule over the Amazons for her.

And then Cyan married Terreis, and Velasca’s heart broke.

If she couldn’t have Cyan, she could at least have the Amazons, though, and so she challenge Cyan for leadership. And lost.

She should have been drive out, should have been forced to leave, but she wasn’t. Oh, she was punished- ate the last of the hunts, slept on the outside of the huddle, found herself walking alone more and more often as they traveled down the paths. Everyone was still nice, in word and action, but it was clear that few still saw her as a true part of the clan.

And then Terreis turned against Cyan, fought her and won, and Valesca saw her chance. She attacked, hoping to kill the traitor, to end her and take her place by Cyan’s side, once she was restored to her proper place as ruler.

And once again she lost. This time she lost and was driven from the clan, Terreis pursuing her until the clan was far behind them, driving her as far away as she could. And Valesca kept running. Running for her life, running for somewhere she could be safe, running for days and nights until the weeks blended into some mess of a storm she didn’t understand. She barely slept, barely ate, just kept running from her shame, her broken heart, the family that had turned against her.

That was how Callisto found her- weak, scared, tired, longing for it to end, one way or another. And Callisto offered her a way to make it so.

A way to make her strong, stronger than any who had ever lived before. Stronger than the gods themselves, giving her the power to reign over the world. Strong enough to destroy the Amazons.

She ate the ambrosia Callisto offered, and rose a new dragon, ready to see the end.

She was disgusted, when she finally found the Amazons again. They had given up the road for a permanent clan, had taken on the title of Queen’s Guard, and had dedicated themselves to Queen Tamora- and, more importantly, Princess Gabrielle.

Just like Callisto had told her. They had fallen in love with their little princess, were prepared to lay down their lives and die for her if that was what was necessary, and it sickened her.

So she set out to destroy her, to return the Amazons to their former glory, and to take her place as their leader.

She and Callisto posed themselves as wandering mates to the Queen- not a lie, for the two of them had shared a bed for months now, though to call it love was to be wrong. They hated each other, knew that they were just using each other to meet some form of end, but she didn’t care. A hate mate was the best she could do at the moment, and so she accepted it, because something better was on the horizon.

They were accepted in, given quarters within the lair, and then they waited. She waited for her chance to take down the little princess, to end her life and return the Amazons to who they once were. She waited for the chance to strike.