The Elementals: Chapter 23 Royalty

I manage to put off seeing my mum again for a whole week. The excuse was so that rain could train with her dragon powers, but really I just wanted a week of borderline normality where I could study, work and of course make out with my boyfriend. Unfortunately Rain has taken well to her training and is throwing water around like she has been doing it her whole life so I can’t put it off anymore.
We leave at night fall to meet Mr Elm in the same place as before. I can tell that sky and rain are excited about flying, but I'm dreading what comes shortly after. The journey is quicker than I remembered, but it's probably because I'm not distracted by the flying this time. 
"That was bloody amazing!" Sky says. 
"We should definitely do that more often, think of all the free holidays" Rain says. 
"No, it's too much of a risk. You must not fly unless necessary" Mr Elm warns. 
"I'd like to speak to her alone first if that's ok. If I'm not out in 10 minutes, please come and get me" I say and they nod in agreement, following Mr Elm to the only other large building here. 
"Lily! I hoped it was you, I'm glad you came back for us to protect you." My mum says coming to hug me. 
" I didn't come back to stay, I came for you to explain. I'm staying in Edinburgh, but I need to know everything so that I can protect myself." I say shutting down her hopes quickly. 
She sighs "Just hear me out first. I know you have a life there, but you have one here too. How do I explain this... Do you remember that story your dad used to read you every night?" She asks. 
"I still have it, it was all I had left of you." I say quietly. 
"Well it was a simplified and dressed up version of the truth. The love story between a prince of the earth kingdom and a princess of the fire kingdom, it was our story. We don't really have princes, but the council is as close to a monarchy as we have. There are 12 council members who rule over dragons, spilt into 3 air dragons who rule the sky, 3 earth dragons who rule the land, 3 water dragons who rule the sea and 3 fire dragons who rule the underworld- the humans called it hell. Each kingdom has a leader, an inherited title. Normally leaders mate within their own because it was believed that mixing elements would dilute the power we hold. Your father and I were supposed to marry other people, but we fell in love and we had you. You are the rightful leader of both the earth and fire kingdoms. With both our seats empty the balance of power in the council has been off and decisions have been made that have forced us into hiding. It's not just hunters that would be after you, there are dragons who would happily hand you over to them to keep you out of the council." Mum explains. 
"So not only is hell real, but I'm it's leader? And I'm the leader of earth? And you want me to come back to get involved in some dragon politics, even though they want me dead" I ask incredulously. 
"The underworld not what humans make it out to be, it is where fire dragons live among other creatures, like Peggy, he is what humans would call a hell hound, but he wouldn't hurt a fly unless he was protecting you. And taking your place is the best way to keep you safe, you will have two whole armies to protect you" 
"Peggy is what?!" I ask 
"A hell hound, you never questioned his unnaturally long life? If we take him to the underworld he would be able to breath fire, but on earth he is under strict orders to behave as a normal dog. I had to leave you with some protection" mum explains, taking away the last piece of life I thought was normal. 
Just as I think I might loose it over all the lies that have filled my life, Sky walks in. Seeing that I'm not ok, he walks to me and wraps his arms around me. 
My mothers demeanour changes instantly, large flames appear in her hands "what the fuck are you doing here. Get away from my daughter Ryder!" She snaps at him. This is more the mother I remember, fierce and easily provoked.
"Mum stop! This is Sky, he is my boyfriend." I say standing between them. 
She looks at me and then puts out her flames, but continues to glare at Sky. 
"You are his spitting image. You must be his son." She says. 
"Who's son? I never knew my parents. Mr Elm said hunters killed them" Sky says. 
"Ryder is the head of the water kingdom. People think we fire dragons are the bad ones, because fire is hard to control, but that bastard is the most monstrous man I have ever met." My mother says coldly. 
"You must be mistaken, Sky is an air dragon" I say. 
"Hmm, look at his eyes though, they are blue like water dragons. I'd say his poor mother was an air dragon. Ryder never took a wife so that he wouldn't have to give up his seat of power, but it didn't stop him forcing himself on those who couldn't fight him off. You are lucky to be alive, I heard that he killed anyone who bore his children." 
I feel Sky tense beside me and I take his hand to show my support. 
"So my father is alive?" Sky asks 
"Yes, but it's probably best if he doesn't know you are, it will only make you a target too." My mother warns. 
"I want to speak to him, I want to know what happened to my mother." Sky says getting angry. 
"If Lily takes her place on the council, she could support you taking over your father's seat, granting you both protection." My mother says. 
I shake my head. "I don't know anything about this world, I can't rule it! I just want to finish my studies and get a normal job." I protest. 
"I can teach you. Very few people know about this place, only a few of your father's and my trusted guards, including Mr Elm. You can go back study once you are safe."  
"Give me until summer break, it's only a few months, then I will come back to train with you. If, and only if, Sky and Rain can come too." I say trying to reach a compromise. 
"Ok, but you need to stay hidden until then. No one can suspect you. I don't want you to do anything except go to class and go home again." Mum says 
"I have to work too, to pay our rent." I argue. 
"Honey, I just told you that you are basically a princess, it does have its perks and money is one of them. I will take care of your finances." She says.
“Huh, well I guess that's ok then. We will return after the last exam" I say, glad I get to keep my life, but resigned to it being very sheltered until then.