T–Thank you.
Nenet made for the cave, landing several dozen feet before it. Anaya set down next to her.
“I don’t think I can ever get enough of flying,” Sharrah said, smiling, as she dismounted. “Though I am glad I thought to wear a coat.”
Aeron was happy she’d gotten over her fear of being on dragonback. Flying was just too amazing to be missed.
“You and me both,” Willem murmured, hopping to the ground. He patted Anaya’s neck. “Thanks, lovely girl.”
Anaya chirped at him.
Aeron smiled and jumped down. “Alright. I’ll open the gateway, and Anaya will bring over the two groups. Be quick, love. I don’t want to keep the portal open too long.”
Anaya barked a confirmation and launched herself into the sky. She hovered over them as he began the gateway spell.
Concentrating on the Dragon Stable, he created the anchor there. The anchor’s twin was placed one hundred feet above. The framework came next, colored bands of light stretching from the anchor above off into the distance to the one in the Caer. More steps followed, each completed quickly and confidently. He’d used this spell so often, it was finished in less than three seconds.
A swirling cloud of sorcerous light appeared at the anchor above, glowing against the backdrop of the first stars of the night. Anaya flew into the misty portal and disappeared.
She emerged from the softly luminous cloud only a few minutes later and brought her riders down.
“Quickly,” Aeron said as they hopped off.
The three moved back after dismounting, and Anaya leapt into the air for the last trip. After less than ten minutes, everyone stood on the mountain staring at the night vista around them.
Aeron watched the portal fade to darkness.
“I’ve never seen mountains like this before.” Fillion’s voice was quiet with awe. “They’re enormous!”
“How much farther north are we?” Master Millinith rubbed her arms. “It’s definitely colder.”
Aeron shrugged. “I dunno, two or three hundred miles, maybe?”
“We’re also at a higher altitude,” Willem added.
“We should get to the eggs, Aeron.” Gregor stared at Nenet.
“Right.” Turning to the cave entrance, Aeron said, “If you would lead us, Nenet?”
They followed as the dragon walked to the cave. Aeron, Willem and Anaya trailed behind.
Aeron squeezed Willem’s hand. “Good luck,” he whispered.
Willem smiled nervously and squeezed back.
Once inside, small lanterns were brought out to light their way. Shadows danced along the passage as they followed Nenet. Patches of light moss appeared here and there, adding their soft glow to the illumination. Not long after, the tunnel opened up.
We come. Anaya sounded excited and happy. She started to croon.
As they exited the passage into a large space, Nenet picked up the croon. Gregor and Master Millinith stepped to the side, whispering. She wrote in a notebook as they talked. The others stood around, eyes on the eggs.
“Don’t make sudden moves,” Aeron told them quietly. “Slow and steady, please. Remember that unbonded dragons are very nervous.”
T–Thank you for coming, Anaya, Aeron. And e–everyone else.
Chel stood next to her eggs at the center of the large cavern. Sitting upon a mound of soil, the eggs both bore brown splotches, but the right egg also had a splattering of gold.
We have brought candidates for your children. Aeron walked a few steps forward and looked at the eggs. You do not need to be afraid, little ones. Your mother has invited us here to meet you.
I–I am not afraid. The boy’s voice shook slightly, belying his words.
Aeron wondered which of the two that was. He grinned and turned to Willem.
Willem was smiling. Of course you’re not.
Aeron stared at him, eyes wide. When had Willem learned to speak in group? He turned to Anaya, and she winked. She knew? Or had she helped him?
Turning back to the eggs, Aeron motioned to the hopefuls. The candidates would like to introduce themselves to you two.
“Gather ’round them,” he said to his friends.
The candidates formed a rough half-circle before the eggs. Chel, a few feet to the side of the eggs, watched them. She appeared calm, but her wings would twitch occasionally, rise up, and then lower again.
Liara, at the far left, stepped forward. “Hello. My name is Liara, and I would be honored to be bond-mate to either of you.” She curtsied—a nice touch, Aeron thought—and stepped back.
Fillion stepped forward next. “Hi. My name is Fillion. I really love dragons. I’d be honored to be bond-mate to either of you. Thank you.” He bowed and stepped back.
As Chel watched the candidates, heard their words, her nervousness seemed to wane. Her wings unfurled less and less frequently. Aeron nodded. Good. Not that he blamed the mother dragon. These were her babes, after all. And they’d be leaving her, soon.
He glanced at Willem. At the far end of the half-circle, he’d be last. Aeron took a breath and tried to calm his nerves.
Cheddar was next. He cleared his throat. “Hello. My name is Cheddar. I, too, think highly of dragons, and would be honored to be bond-mate to either of you.” He bowed and stepped back.
Sharrah seemed tentative. “Hello. My name is Sharrah. I would be honored to be chosen as bond-mate to either of you. Thank you.” She curtsied and stepped back, staring at the ground.
Next was Willem. Aeron felt as nervous as when he had first met Anaya. Blood pounding in his ears, he stared at the blond boy. Please be chosen!
Dragons choose who they will. There is no use worrying over it.
I know, love. But I so want him to be bonded.
Willem stepped forward, looking confident. Smiling, he said, “Hello, little ones. My name is Willem. I would be honored should either of you choose me as bond-mate. Thank you for considering us.” He bowed and stepped back.
Aeron’s heart was beating fast. How could Willem look so calm at a time like this? Aeron glanced at the candidates and the eggs. How long had it taken Zolin to decide? Aeron couldn’t remember.
It is time to choose, precious ones. Anaya’s voice was calm. You have heard the candidates. Now, sense them, know them, and make your choice.
Aeron turned to her. She was smart to give them guidance. The young dragons had no idea what to do, yet.
A sharp rap made him jump. The egg with gold was moving! And so was the other! Each wobbled and jerked as raps, taps and bangs came from within.
The candidates stared with rapt attention. Hope, nervousness, desire, and more, were reflected in eyes glued to the moving eggs.
Aeron turned back just as one broke open, brown-spotted bits of shell falling to the soil. A hatchling rolled from it and came to a stop a few feet away, a tangle of wings and limbs. A little wail, annoyed, came from the boy.
A few of the candidates took a step forward, but Aeron held up his hand. “He’s not hurt. Let him find his feet.”
No sooner had he said that, than the hatchling stood, wings raised. His hide was a deep, rich brown, like mahogany. He turned gold eyes on the candidates and studied each one.
The right egg burst open, then, in a shower of shell shards. The hatchling poked its head out, tiny claws on the edge of the break. Hopping to the ground, he also raised his wings. A deep green covered his body, with a faint hint of blue here and there. He paced before the candidates, also studying each one. His sparkling eyes seemed to see into each of them as he moved his gaze from one to another.
With a bark, the little mahogany dragon padded, ran, and then leapt onto Fillion.
Laughing, Fillion wrapped his arms around the dragon as they fell over. “He says he chose me!”
“What’s his name?” Master Millinith said.
“Coatl.”
Aeron turned to the remaining dragon. The green hatchling paced back and forth before the candidates. A quick glance
showed Willem’s calm was shattered. He stared at the hatchling, hope and worry in his eyes. The other candidates, too, watched the hatchling.
After a short flick of his wings, the little dragon furled them on his back and stopped pacing. He walked to Liara and looked up at the raven-haired girl. Her eyes grew large, then disappointed as the dragon turned and walked to Cheddar. The little dragon stared at him a moment, then moved to Sharrah. He gave out a quiet bark that sounded like he was comforting her before moving on to the last candidate.
Willem stared at him.
The little dragon chirped and backed away.
Aeron’s chest felt tight. Were all the candidates being refused?
Letting out a breath, Willem fell to his knees, head lowered.
The hatchling tilted his head, gold eyes on Willem.
Why do I cry? Willem looked up. Because you didn’t choose any of us. We weren’t good enough for you. I wasn’t good enough for you. And now, you won’t be bonded.
The young dragon looked over the other people in the cavern and returned his gaze to Willem. All here are good enough. But you are my choice.
A crease formed between Willem’s brows. I don’t understand. You walked away.
I–I wanted to jump on you, into your arms, like Coatl did. He sounded a touch embarrassed.
Willem let out a short laugh, cheeks wet with tears, and opened his arms.
The green hatchling ran into his embrace.
“Balam.” Willem’s voice was quiet and happy.
Aeron’s chest loosened, and he could breathe again. Willem would know the joys of being a dragonlinked. He would be bonded! Which reminded him.
“Sharrah, Cheddar, Liara.” His voice sounded rough. He cleared his throat. “Now that they’ve chosen, we should all wait over here until the bonding is complete.”
Anaya turned to Chel, and the mother dragon walked over to stand by her and Nenet.
Trying to conceal their disappointment—and not fully succeeding—the remaining candidates stood with the others.
Gregor nudged the food sacks with his toe. “Should we give these to Fillion and Willem?”
“That’s a good idea.” Aeron turned to Willem to ask if Balam was hungry, when blinding light made him shield his eyes and look away.
“The Bond,” Liara whispered.
Chel let out a worried bark, but Anaya placed a paw on her arm.
It is the Bond, Chel. Do not fear. He is very happy right now.
Chel glanced at Anaya before returning her gaze to Balam. She let out a nervous chirp.
Another burst of blinding light made everyone look away once more. The Bond had engulfed Fillion and Coatl in brilliance.
Aeron thought back to his own bonding and felt the excitement, the astonishment, and the joy anew. He turned to Anaya and sent a pulse of love through the link. The warm, enfolding feeling came through from her as well.
Once the last Bond was complete, Willem stood and turned to the anxious mother dragon.
Thank you for allowing us this opportunity, Chel. Please, meet your son. He bowed to her and stepped to the side.
Aeron was so proud right now he could hardly contain himself.
Anaya let out a pleased rumble.
“Please, meet your sons.” Fillion bowed and moved next to Willem.
Chel ducked her head at the two boys, then hurried over to the hatchlings. Croons and chirps and barks were heard as nose-touches and rubbed faces were passed around the dragon family.
Sharrah sighed. “Isn’t it just wonderful?”
“Welcome to the family Chel, Balam, and Coatl.” Aeron thought his whisper had been too low to carry, but Liara looked at him and smiled, nodding.
Master Millinith leaned over. “Didn’t they seem a bit more confident than Zolin was?”
Aeron thought about it. “You’re right, these two didn’t seem to be very scared at all. At least once they hatched.”
“I wonder why?”
Anaya, did you notice that Balam and Coatl weren’t as nervous when they hatched as Zolin had been, or you?
Nenet is wise. She and Chel spoke with the boys this past week about what was to come. She remembered how nervous Zolin had been and wanted to ease their minds before the hatching.
She is wise indeed. We should keep doing that from now on.
When Aeron explained it to her, Master Millinith agreed. “Absolutely. Anything that makes a hatching easier is welcome.”
“I still can’t get over how big they are right out of the egg,” Gregor said, watching Balam and Coat. “Nearly as big as wolves.” He looked at Chel. “Then again, they’re small compared to a full-sized dragon.”
I am hungry. The voice was the same as the one who had said he wasn’t afraid, Balam.
Willem laughed.
“I wish we could weigh them now, before they eat.” Sharrah’s mouth was twisted in a frown.
“Unless you have a scale in your carryall,” Aeron said, smiling, “that’s not like to happen.” He grabbed one of the food sacks and Gregor grabbed the other.
“Thanks,” Willem said, taking the food from Aeron. He squatted next to Balam. “Not to worry. There is some delicious meat for you in here.” He worked at untying the pack.
Paws clasped in eagerness, Balam sat on his haunches, wings twitching.
Willem looked at the little dragon and laughed.
He was having his own silent conversations now. It made Aeron happy and sad at the same time. He leaned over, squeezed the blond boy’s shoulder, and said, “Congratulations.”
Willem looked up, a mix of emotions on his face. “Thank you.” He turned back to Balam, laughing. “Yes, little one, I know. I’m trying to open it.” He resumed his work on the sack.
Aeron walked over to Anaya and hugged her neck. Why do I feel incredibly happy, but also strangely sad?
You must share him now.
Aeron froze. Is this how you felt when Willem and I started dating? He hoped not. He didn’t ever want to cause Anaya any sadness.
Only a little. We are one, after all. I know how you feel, and you know how I feel. There is nothing separating us. You and Willem are not bonded, so the two of you are not the same. You must do more to know each other, to know each other’s feelings. Now, there is another clouding the issue.
Aeron leaned against her. Nenet isn’t the only one who is wise.
A rumbling chuckle thrummed against his body.
Once the hatchlings had eaten, Sharrah got to work.
“Willem,” she said, handing him a notebook. “Your dragon log. Let’s start measurements immediately.”
Brows raised in surprise, Willem took the log, smiled, and nodded. He looked at Aeron.
“I’ll help.” Aeron walked over, took the measure tape Sharrah handed him, and he and Willem began.
She walked over to Gregor and Fillion, who began doing the same several feet away, with Cheddar helping.
It was kind of fun, measuring again on a hatchling. Aeron smiled as Willem instructed Balam on how to stand, where to put his wings, and all the things the little dragon needed to know for measurements. Balam was so small, yet, that Sharrah only really had to help with some of the wing measurements. When they were done, Willem spent some time writing in the log.
Aeron walked over to Master Millinith. She looked troubled. “Anything wrong?”
“Wrong? No.” She shook her head. “I’m just realizing that we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
“Even more than trying to get the guild approved?” Aeron grinned.
She returned his wry grin. “I know, as if we don’t have enough to worry about, I think of more to add to our plate.” She looked at the hatchlings. “Only two months ago we had but one dragon. Then we had two, and then three. Now we have five.”
“Our numbers are growing.” Aeron watched Willem and Balam. The little dragon, having eaten his fill, looked sleepy.
“And quickly. We’ve got three males and two females, now. I hope our dragons
choose their mating partners based on their bond-mates’ desires, at least to some extent. It will make things easier.”
Aeron nodded and blushed. The same concern had weighed on his mind every now and again. He didn’t want to force Anaya to mate with a dragon she didn’t want to, however, so he’d kept those thoughts tightly bound. Still, the idea that she’d end up with Zolin or Coatl bothered him.
‘The dragon chooses who he or she will.’ Those words, which he’d often used to explain bonding, could very well be used for who they’d choose as a mate.
“And where are all the dragons going to live?” Master Millinith stared at the newest additions.
That was a good question. There were four dens, yet they had five dragons.
“I can bunk with Aeron for now,” Willem said as he walked over. Behind him, his bond-mate slept on the ground, curled in a ball. “We can put a cot in his room. Balam is small enough, still, that he should be able to share Anaya’s den with no issues. Assuming she doesn’t mind, of course.”
“I’ll ask!” Aeron turned to Anaya. Did you hear Willem’s suggestion? Would you mind if Balam shared your den until we have a bigger place? That would give her and Balam a chance to be together, to maybe start liking each other! Aeron hoped she was okay with the idea.
It will be fun.
“She says it will be fun,” Aeron said, turning to Master Millinith.
“It will be fun,” Willem said. “Almost like you’re back in the dorms.”
Well, not exactly like back in the dorms, Aeron mused. Instead of having to share space with dozens of boys, there would only be the two of them in his room. His brows raised. Only the two—
“Well, it was going to happen sooner or later.” Master Millinith stared at him.
His eyes grew large and his cheeks warmed.
She turned to Willem. “We’re getting dragons so quickly that I knew we’d likely have to make some kind of temporary accommodations, at least until work progresses far enough at the quarry.”
Aeron let out a breath.
“The quarry?” Sharrah said.
Master Millinith nodded. “We’ve looked at several places, but have failed to find a more suitable location than Aeron’s initial suggestion. That’s where we’re going to build the guildhall.”
The Bond (Book 2) Page 33
