Legend of the Inero Dragon

by JF Jenkins

  Gwen sputtered, rolling her eyes. "I like it better. It makes you more dependent on me. Because I'm—"

  "Not my property, yes, I know. Whatever the reason we feed them, it gives us a logical one to leave. Especially when I add that you have always wanted to see the ocean, and how the islands we share with the Terran border are stunning this time of year." He clasped his hands together. "Trust me, we'll practically be shoved out the door and not allowed back for at least two or three weeks. After all, I have a lot of time to make up for since I haven't bedded you properly yet."

  "And how long will this take?"

  Jason shrugged, moving back to her so he could put his arms around her again. "Not too long. Leave it all to me. I have to make it seem like it's my father's idea, or at the very least my brother's. Otherwise they might think I'm being too emotional about the situation. As of right now I have their sympathies, but I'm not sure how much longer that's going to last."

  She breathed out sharply. Not exactly what she had been hoping for. It did buy her some time to try and figure out a way to tell her parents, though. She still dreamed of seeing them again, and even though Jason had said they could try, she also had to stay realistic. If they were going to flee the country, there was no way she could visit them. Not without putting them in danger. Chances were Gwen would never see her family again. If there was a way for her to take her parents with, she would find it, but the extra stop could ruin the plan. In the end, she knew her parents would want her to be safe from harm more than anything else in the world. It wouldn't stop her from writing them and letting them know she was safe.

  "You dragons are complicated," Gwen mumbled. Politics in general were complex. Every time Jason explained things to her, she understood it enough to follow along. It didn't change how much everything annoyed her, though. Why did Jason have to be involved in the first place? Why was it on his shoulders to help save the world? And more importantly, why couldn't he live the way he wanted? So much of what he did was overanalyzed and ridiculed. The simplicity of home was one of the things she missed the most.

  "We aren't any more complicated than the humans are. Which I think is something my people tend to forget. The dragons aren't different from the regular humans. I'd like to believe my father has the entire nation's best interests in mind and not just our species. If that were the case, then there wouldn't be so much suffering outside of the city. He's always been shortsighted anyway. I mean, he has these big goals. He gets these plans, which sound great in theory, but he doesn't research all of the angles. I don't believe he's thinking about all of his people here, but I don't know the last time I've seen him do something for the humans that didn't involve them being a tool."

  "I can't think of a time I've seen him do something for anyone without them being used as a tool," she said under her breath.

  "Huh?"

  "I didn't say anything."

  "No, you did. Or have you forgotten that I have excellent hearing." He folded his arms across his chest. "What I want to know is how you know so much about my father without ever meeting him? All of your experience with him has been secondhand."

  "I don't much like what I've been hearing. These are my observations as an outsider, yes. If you want me to think good things about him, then I would start telling me something good. I can't help what I know, but you can."

  "I don't want to fight," he said then left the room.

  I don't want to fight either. She breathed out slowly as she rolled her eyes. It was a defense mechanism more than anything else. Rolling her eyes helped her hold back her tears of frustration.

  She pushed her bag to the side and out of sight. They hadn't had visitors since Chris and Navi left. Actually, the two had been the couple's only company since they moved into the house. Gwen could count on one hand how many times she'd seen Matthias over, and even then he never entered. The two always spoke outside on the sidewalk or inside the castle where she wasn't around. Still, she couldn't be too careful. She wasn't even sure if she should have brought up the idea of leaving inside of the house with how paranoid Jason was. Gwen had never been good with discretion or holding her tongue period. I need to learn before I get us both into trouble.

  The bag out of sight and out of mind, she went after him. It took a lot to make him so angry. He only left when he got mad. But she'd never been the cause before.

  "Jason? Honey?" she called out, looking into all of the rooms as she passed by. She found him outside on the front doorstep. With a shaking hand, she reached out to touch his arm.

  "He's not all bad," he whispered.

  "He's your father. Of course you don't think that," she said, trying to understand. How would she feel if he'd accused her father of being nothing more than a manipulative monster? Jason scowled, and she realized then how horrible her words must have sounded.

  "What I mean is you love him. You've seen all of the different sides of who he is. I would worry if you did think he was completely bad," she explained while rubbing his lower back. "What is he normally like?"

  He released a heavy sigh. "Driven. Passionate. He's always cared about me, though. Sure, he's not the best at showing it, but he does have his moments. It's because of him that you're here with me. He knew you would be the one. I don't know how he does it, but he always has this way of knowing those kinds of things about me. He's always given me the most amazing, heartfelt gifts, and he just...knows things. I always took it as a sign of love even if we don't spend as much time together. He's always with Matt."

  "Sounds like you were lonely."

  "No, I do have a lot of other brothers. Most of those I was close with have moved out of the castle and started their own families. A few of the women took me on as their own. I have three mothers."

  "You've never talked about your mothers before."

  "You've never asked about her."

  She bit her lip. "I wasn't sure if it was a taboo subject, given how women are treated here. The wife politics are almost as complicated as the ones between the dragon races."

  "More so, I think. The wives make it personal." He laughed. While she didn't think it funny, she did enjoy seeing the smile on his face again. "I've never met my birth mother, Gwen. One rumor says she died shortly after we were born. Another says she ran away. I have vague memories from when I was three years old of being raised by a couple in the outskirts of the city. I've always wondered if that was her. When I asked my father about it, he was so angry with me he refused to speak with me for a week. He apologized. I was young and curious. I learned fast not to ever bring her up again."

  She couldn't say anything. No words came to her. Nothing seemed good enough. Thankfully, he continued before the silence became too unsettling.

  "I think what bothers me the most is I know you're right. I haven't said anything nice about my father to you since we met because there haven't been many nice things to say. Deep down I know it's because he's changed into someone I don't like and he's taking my brother along with him. I want to fix it and I can't. That's the part that bugs me the most. I can't fix it."

  "It's not your job to."

  "I'm the older brother. I've always felt like it was part of my description to protect him and help him." His eyes softening, he smiled ever so slightly. "The story goes that on the day we were born, I was the first to hatch. I was in my dragon shape, which isn't a common shape for newborns, I should add. There's a myth floating around about how dragons born in this shape are meant for greatness and are powerful in magic. I suppose it could be true. Anyway, after I hatched, Matthias was apparently having a hard time cracking out of his shell. Father says I squawked the whole time, cheering him on. He always jokes about how if I had been able to, I would have gotten up and pulled him out myself."

  "You'll find a way to help him some day," Gwen said. "Maybe this will all turn into some kind of a wake-up call." We can only hope.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Jason sat next to his brother at the breakfast table. His hands were
on his lap as he tried to figure out how he was going to bring up his honeymoon plan. He had spent the last four days thinking about how to word his request. He couldn't come off as whiny or weak, but he still needed to maintain some of his vulnerability to entice his brother's help. His nervousness must have shown as he tapped his fingers on the table because Matthias picked up on it right away.

  "What's wrong?" he asked in a hushed voice, leaning in toward Jason.

  "It's Gwen," he said. He wanted to stick as close to the truth as possible. He'd never been good at lying. Growing up, his stepmother had called him the lie detector. Matthias was the liar while Jason would be the one to give it away.

  What about Gwen? His brother moved the conversation to telepathy, which Jason greatly appreciated. The snickering he still heard behind his back from his half-brothers bothered him a lot more than he ever let on. He didn't need them listening in and using it for more gossip material.

  I think it's time.

  Hopefully, Matt would understand what he meant without any more details. He didn't know if he could explain it further and keep a straight face. The idea of making love to Gwen always brought the widest smile to his face. Especially once he realized that it would happen one day and sooner than he'd originally expected. Every day they grew closer to each other. He knew her walls and apprehensions were starting to crumble. His were, too. Everything he felt about relationships was changing, and his skepticism about love was gone.

  Matt stopped chewing, giving him a side-glance. You mean...

  Jason nodded, amused by the reaction. He buttered a roll and casually ate it, nodding appropriately at his father who was currently addressing the entire table. It didn't seem important, only praises for his sons and how honored he felt to have them in the family. Nothing Jason hadn't heard before. Lynx had a tendency to give this speech once every few months to keep the young men's morale high.

  Wow, that's a huge leap from where you were last time we talked. What happened? Matt asked.

  We had a moment. Actually, we've had several moments, Jason said.

  Sure sounds like it. So then why haven't you… yet? You sound sure enough. I don't understand what's stopping you now. Is she not at the same place?

  I think she is. I wouldn't say it's time if she wasn't. But she's restless here, unhappy. I don't know why.

  Maybe she needs a friend.

  I think she's homesick actually. Or tired of the city, at least. You know she's from the country. She doesn't understand this world we live in. I think that's why it's so hard for her to make friends sometimes. That part would not be difficult for him to sell. It was the truest element of the entire plan. I don't know what to do, though. Taking her home could be dangerous since we haven't consummated yet. She could run off, or her parents might try something. I want to believe she's loyal to me, but women are difficult to read.

  Tell me about it.

  So I'm sure you understand my dilemma now? I've tried to offer her some romance, hoping to woo her and make her forget the sadness. It doesn't help.

  You need to be away from the distractions. She needs all of your attention, not just parts of it when you have time. I bet she feels insecure.

  Do you think so? Jason wanted to laugh. Gwen was the last thing from insecure and she had no reason to feel that way over their relationship. His eyes had never been on another woman. If it got Matt to fall in line with everything though, he'd play dumb. Playing dumb was the easiest lie for him because he didn't have to say much of anything.

  It's a possibility. I'm sure you could go on a vacation. Your work at the castle isn't anything someone else can't do for a little while, right? It sounded like a left-handed compliment. Matt had never talked less of him before, so there was no reason to believe he would now.

  If you think it's a good idea, I will ask Father for permission. You understand him far better than anyone else, Jason said.

  Let me lead you in. He's been in a bit of a sour mood lately. Ever since Navi left, he hasn't been his usual self. On the other hand, he's been insisting I spend lots of time with Kat and make sure she's happy with me. Who knows, right? Still, I don't want him to lash out at you since he kind of has a tendency to do that.

  I trust your wisdom. Jason didn't agree. His father only yelled at him one time in his entire life. The stepmothers were another story. When it came to Lynx, he always got off lightly. Lynx may have loved Matt more, but he was also harsher when punishing him. No doubt because he expected greater things, and Matt had a lot of his hardheaded nature. He needed strict discipline. All Jason had ever needed was one disapproving look and he corrected his errors, no lectures required. Matt, no doubt, had a skewed perspective since he was the favorite.

  After breakfast Father wants to have a private meeting with us. That would be the perfect time to bring it up, Matt said.

  He does? Jason raised an eyebrow, pausing from eating.

  Yes, didn't he call you?

  No.

  Weird, he said he would. Then again, he may have forgotten. He's so distracted and—

  Not himself, yes. I can tell. Jason glanced over at his father and noticed that he was slouching. He picked at his food, barely eating. It had been going on for a few days. Jason didn't know if he should worry yet.

  Jason barely touched his food. The nervous knots in his stomach were starting to tie themselves tighter as his mind wondered what this private meeting would be about. He'd never been asked into a private meeting. He'd had time alone with his father and brother, but it'd never been called a meeting. This sounded like business. He cringed at the idea. Whatever his father wanted from him, he doubted it would be something he'd actually want to do. Maybe Lynx had forgotten or got distracted by his own misery. Something felt wrong.

  After breakfast, all of his half-brothers stood to go about their business for the day. Usually, this was also Jason's cue to leave as well, but as he started to stand, Matt clamped a hand over his.

  Sit.

  Jason stayed put, watching as the dining hall emptied, leaving the three of them alone. With everyone else gone, the room felt much larger than it actually was. It also felt hollow and uncomfortable. The smallest of movements echoed throughout.

  "We can go in a moment," Lynx said as he kicked his feet up onto the table. "I do not want to leave with the crowd. Someone might try to take my attention away from you, then I might never find my way back."

  "Yes, Father," Jason said, poking at what remained of his breakfast with a fork. Now his stomach was growling, but he didn't want to resume eating. It might be perceived as rude. The only reason he wanted to eat was because it gave him something to do to fill the awkward space. If Matt would start talking, it wouldn't have been quite as bad. Only the sounds of the kitchen staff cleaning the mess could be heard.

  Ten minutes passed before Lynx stood. The brothers followed suit, then the three went straight to Lynx's special office. He had several in the castle, each with a different purpose. One he used when he didn't mind being disturbed by others, another he used for military purposes, and the last one was for him to use when he was expecting visits from his wife. They did not go to any of these rooms. The office was across the castle from the dining hall, tucked away into a corner. Jason had always believed the door was a closet. The room wasn't much bigger than one.

  The room was circular and around ten feet wide. The walls were made completely of brick and the ceiling was low. Jason felt claustrophobic. It was large enough for the three of them to be comfortable as well as intimate. But if there had been more visitors, he might have felt differently. Matt also explored the room with his eyes. It must have been his first time in there also.

  "Sit wherever you please," Lynx said, making a small gesture to the five chairs set in a circle. He then closed the door and paced around the room in slow circles. It made Jason dizzy. "What I'm about to ask from you is not an easy thing. Matthias has already heard the request, but I have not heard his thoughts on the matter. I decided I would hear
from both of you at the same time. Despite your youth, your opinions are important to me."

  "Your words are kind," Matt said, sitting in the chair furthest from the door. Jason took the seat closest to it.

  "What's going on?" he asked.

  "For some time now I have been working with the Holy Prophet of God, Seth, as you know," Lynx said. "He has provided me with much insight on a number of key things happening amongst our people. For instance, I have seen the plots the Oceina tribe has made against our nation. With his guidance, I have been able to make a plan of attack to protect our people. With his persuasion, the Terran have allied themselves with us. We have received the information needed to create powerful weaponry and get supplies for our troops so that we have a successful operation."

  Jason raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn't expected his father to explain things so bluntly. It explained the reports from the council and the upcoming war Navi had spoken about. It explained just about everything outside of why. He waited for his father to continue.

  "Since before you were both born, I had been told by my father, who was told by his father and so on down the line, that a great prophet would come during the life of the Touched. You both know you are Touched. What I didn't realize was that the prophet would be someone so young. You've both seen him, so you know what I am saying. I was told to prepare for his coming and to have my army prepared and willing to march with me into Hell if need be. So I began to strengthen our numbers and studied magical infusion in our weaponry. I have always known the Oceina were our enemy. They are naturally our weakness, but the Terran is theirs. With our high numbers, mixed with the Earth elemental magic being added to our armor and weapons, we will be unstoppable. The Terran dragons themselves may still join in on the attack."

  Jason didn't know how to absorb this information. There was so much going on his head was spinning. All he could do was stare at his father blankly.

  Lynx frowned and continued. "Here is the information Matthias is aware of. The prophet has seen many more things. He has the ability to see into realms we could only dream of. However, he does not have the power to do this alone. He needs your assistance, your magic, to take his gifts to the next level."