Tine watched as the Clutch Elders assembled in the Hall of Ancestors for the Reading of his bloodline. As the Master of Records read his lineage starting with the first of his line and going forward for twenty generations, he felt his chest swell with pride. His line was one of the oldest and strongest of all of the dragon clutches scattered about. Thanks to senseless and fearful hunting in some parts of the world, his kind were fewer and fewer. Most humans were fearful of things that they did not understand or could not control. Realizing the Master of Records was waiting on him, he cleared his throat and asked him to repeat the question. Several of the male elders nudged each other in the ribs and openly laughed thinking he was thinking of his soon-to-be mate. He didn't bother to correct them. They wouldn't believe him anyway.
"I asked if you are preparing a
Mira lay in bed, curled up on her side in misery. She didn't understand what was wrong with her. She would cry at the slightest inclination. The feelings she had were over whelming her. She felt so lost and alone. She felt abandoned. She knew that Tine would be gone for several day, but had no idea that it would affect her so radically. She was so miserable that she didn't even bother to turn over her pillow that was wet, soaked, from her constant tears. They rolled down her face in a silvery trail, leaving her eyes red and swollen.As she lay there contemplating the depths of her misery, she heard her door open and heard a familiar step. Her father sat down on the side of the bed and took one of her hands in his and raised it to his lips."My darling daughter, it is time for you to
Mira could see the memory of the final battle at the old ruins in the forest. The woman clothed in an odd armor that was black with a gold sheen to it in the sunlight. Her arms were bare to mid-bicep. She had boiled leather sleeve attachments to cover her vulnerable shoulders. On her head sat a helmet of the same black material. Her back was covered the same way. Her legs were covered in leather trews that laced up the sides from knee to hip. Mira was slightly appalled by this showing of skin. But she also guessed it was the only way to get them on. She was standing in the middle of the keep bailey talking to several soldiers, giving orders and directions. No man sneered at her. She wore her authority as easily as she wore her armor. As she directed each group of men, they departed to do her bidding. Some stayed with her, these flanked and surrounded her in the back to guard her vulnerable spots and to fight at her side. Pride shown in the eyes of the men. Mira didn't know if it was
Raptor uttered one word, a name, "Amelia..."Amethyst stopped and looked from Tine and the elder to his uncle. "I'm sorry. I have been told that I look just like her. Amelia was my grandmother"Amethyst watched, along with Tine as Raptor absorbed this information. Watching the blood drain from his face as he mumbled some excuse and left to go back to the inn."What was that all about Tine?" Amethyst asked to anyone in general. "I have my suspicions, I'm afraid, but it is not my story to tell. At least, not until I find out for sure. But, I also suspect Lady Amethyst, that you already have some inkling of the answer yourself. However, I am not going to pry." A that moment, Mira could have happily melted through the floor as her stomach growled loudly. As loudly as Raptor had growled earlier."Heavens, it seems that someone is hungry. We should probably go in to dinner. I believe Tine that you and Mira are especially hungry."Amethyst turned and led the way toward the dining room where
Tine was so busy pacing that he almost missed the moment that Mira came down the stairs. Rushing to her side, he watched as her eyes dilated as their hands touched. He knew in that instance that she knew he was something other than human. He waited with no small amount of trepidation. Mira looked over at the man that she had quickly fallen in love with and smiled her best smile. In that smile Tine saw her love for him as well as her acceptance of whatever he was. Releasing the breath that he had unintentionally been holding, Tine returned her smile and leaned in to kiss her cheek."Here now! None of that!" Mira heard her mother say."Leave them be, dear. I remember when you chose me. We couldn't seem to keep our hands off of each others." Hearing his wife clear her throat loudly, he then tried to recant by saying, "Of c
The next morning Mira woke feeling incredibly refreshed. Her body didn't ache anymore, neither did her head. Her vision was clear and so was her mind. She sat and quickly began to dress in anticipation of seeing Tine and and making choices for their home. She was just getting into her dress when Mary entered."Here Miss, I can help you with that. We should get you downstairs. Cook has laid out a wonderful breakfast and your young man is waiting on you. Now, let's get you dressed for your young man." Mary smiled at Mira in the mirror as she laced up her dress for her.Downstairs, Tine and her parents were waiting at the table as she entered. Tine and her father stood as she entered the room. Reaching out, Tine gently guided her to her seat and cook passed the dishes to her mother, letting her serve herself and pass the dish to
After spending the better part of the afternoon with the young designer, Tine was ready to have some time alone with Mira. Standing, he nodded to her mother, who had just entered the room."I would like to take Mira for a stroll, if I may?" At her mother's nod, Mira smiled. Tine gently guided her with a hand on her lower back.Just as they were about to reach the door someone knocked. Tine was hesitant to answer the door. While his mate did live here, this wasn't his home to allow anyone entrance to. Just then, almost as if she had heard him, Lady Amethyst bid him to let the guest in. When he opened the door, Raptor stood there, his eyes wild and red rimmed. His hair mussed like he had run his fingers through it multiple times and his heart was on his face.B
Mira and Tine could feel the palpable tension when the entered her home. But Lady Amethyst, determined to keep their secret until the Harvest festival and the wedding, stood and greeted her daughter with a kiss on her cheek."There you are, my darling. Look how wonderful you look. You're cheeks are flushed and your eyes a positively sparkling. You and Tine must be hungry. It is almost time for dinner and cook has outdone herself as usual. She has leg of lamb with mint jelly, squash au gratin, fresh pickles, leafy vegetables and a wonderful chess pie for dessert. Come in and get ready for dinner."Mira looked from her mother to Raptor. Only just then seeing the resemblance in the shape of their faces, the up-tilted eyes and the honey toned skin. Gasping, she squeezed Tines hand, needing something to steady her. Tine sens
Mira woke to the sun's rays coming through her window. She stretched lazily and got up out of her bed and started her morning routine. as she was about to pull her favorite light blue dress from her wardrobe, her mother entered the room. She was carrying what appeared to be a pair of trousers, a white shirt and a lightweight jacket."Hey you go, My Darling. I had these made for you earlier this year. The tailor just had them delivered to the house. I thought you might like to wear them while we are out with Tine. After all, we will be on horseback for quite a bit of time, and I thought perhaps you would be more comfortable in trousers."Lady Amethyst walked into the room and nonchalantly laid her packages on her daughter's bed like it was an everyday occurrence for her to wear pants. Many women in the village did. Espec
"You will marry him, Mei! Or you will be sacrificed to the mountain dragon, on the order of the governor." Mei's mother looked horrified, knowing the old goat would do it. For spite, if nothing else."I don't care." Mei said, taking her mother's hands onto her own and holding them. She lifted them and kissed them gently, before continuing. "Mother, Father, he has already had five young wives who have died mysteriously. Do you want me to be number ?six" Mei replied, looking at her father, who was frowning."I will be beaten slowly to death by that old gas bag and his son. I would rather die a quick death, being eaten by a dragon. At least then, I would not suffer." Mei let her words hang in the air, knowing that her parents could not argue her logic.Hanging his head, her
28 years later"But Dad! " Then man said, displaying his displeasure at his sire's response."Son, you sister cannot keep sneaking out of the fortress. She is of age to meet her mate. Obviously, no one here in the village is her mate. I want you to travel with her to the East. It has already been arranged. Shewin and Long are expecting you within the next week."Father and son stood together, and anyone who cared to notice, they were a match for twins. Dragons stopped aging around 30 or 35 years of age. However, the son was still not yet there. He was only 28, and the sister that was being discussed was 23. She was a wild child. Her great-great grandfather had indulged her shamelessly and she lacked a l
Mira decided that she was going to enjoy being married to Tine. He had been a gentle but passionate lover. He had introduced her to delights that she had never considered, or even knew about. Today marked the third day of their married life, and the reading of the bloodlines would be today. In their home, in the grand gathering area outside of the fortress, but within it's walls.The Lorekeepers, the Clutch Elders, Tomas the elderly priest who had married them, her parents, the Eastern Emperor and his family. All would be present. As these thoughts chased themselves across her mind, she stretched her body and reached for her husband. Husband. The very word made her smile. Her life had changed so much Tine had come into her life. Now, secrets were about to be revealed.When she realized that Tine was not in the bed with her, she raised up on her elbows and looked around the room. The bathing room door was closed and she heard movement coming from the other room. Getting up, she grabbed
It was time. Mira struggled to breath as her body was washed, oiled and perfumed by her mother and Mary, her maid. Her mother had even made some suggests for the night. Mira was mildly aghast, but definitely embarrassed by some of the things her mom had said. While Mary had simply smirked at Lady Amethyst's suggestions and nodded, with a wicked glint in her eye.She was very much anticipating joining with her soon to be husband in their marriage bed tonight. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought of all of the new things she would experience over the coming nights. Perhaps, days, as well. As Mary brought her lacy under slip for her to put on, Meiying entered the room, carrying the large bouquet of flowers that had colors that were a brilliant white against her dress in the dark colors with the flame work beading. The stark contrast of the two were to draw simile of Tine
With the screams of the old man still ringing in his ears, Tine turns to the young man, hanging against the wall shackled, dirty and crying out in terror. Without taking his eyes off of the the young man, Tine picked up the wickedly sharp, curved blade. The blade itself had an unnatural glow to it. The moonstone the goddess Mystera gifted his dad with when he was born had been used to craft the blade. His dad had it crafted into a blade mixed with celestial steel from a fallen heavenly body. It had never dulled in all of his 700 years, and he had occasion to use it often in his life.Seeing the knife in the hands of his tormentor and torturer, Ashton trembled. He knew crying would not save him. The only thing that would save him was an intervention of some kind. He watched as the dragon approached him with the knife held in such a deceptively casual manner. When Tine was sta
Due to the nice weather, the banquet was outside. The banquet was taking place outside of Mira's parent's home in their large garden. Several tables were sit up with table clothes, crystal, fine china and highly polished tableware. The candles were inside decorated hurricane globes to, not just keep the wind from blowing out the candles, but to enhance their glow and brightness. Each table seated twenty people and Mira counted 20 tables. Plus the table where her parents, Tine and herself will be seated. So that tradition and protocol can be satisfied, Tine and his representative, Raptor would set at one end, then her parents in the middle, with Tine seated on the outside, then Raptor next to her father. Then her mother seated next to him, with Mira herself on the outside. Tradition states that this seating arrangement is this way because the lovers had to be separated in a "cooling down" period. They were to have not physical contact from the previous mid-day until the time of their w
The smell of the incense that had been lit in the temple clung to them as the group exited the temple. Mira could smell it lingering in her nostrils. Not that she minded. It was an altogether pleasant smell. Spicy and fragrant with notes of sweetness to keep it from being overpowering with something else to soften the fragrance. At the exit, waiting for them was Raptor and her grandmother. It seems that Mira's original plan was not fulfilled because Adalinda was spending the day with the younger man."Good evening Grandmother. Have you come to offer prayers for something?" Mira asked."No. I came to meet you two. Tine is to go to my home to get ready for the banquet, while you go to your home to prepare and pack some of your things for tomorrow." Mira nodded. She had been expecting this. Her mother had been helping her pack u
Mira was awaken to the loud commotion coming from the direction of the village. It sounded like a large group of men on horseback, a small army. Getting and going to her window, she pulled back her curtain and gasped loudly. There was a small army of mounted soldiers. Roughly, 75-100 men to be precise. But what had caused her to gasp was the prisoner cart in the center of the men. In it were two men. Both filthy, in clothes that had once reflected their wealth and station in life. The fine silk torn in places, and soiled in ways that spoke of the lack of cleanliness and hygiene. Mira's nose wrinkled at the thought of the smell.Hearing a familiar voice, Mira looked down and watched as her mother and father, already dressed for the day, walked out to meet the head soldier in the column. Mira realized that it was her cousins Richard and Robard. In between them was a carriage.
Mira looked at herself in the full length mirror. Her wedding dress was, in a word, stunning. It wrapped around her in waves with various pleats and drapes. There were small red and orange beads that were incorporated in it. At first glance, the beadwork was random with no organization. But if you watched as Mira walked the beads appeared to be flames flowing down the skirt. He dress was not a traditional dress. It was close fitting and in a color that started out as a beautiful gold and then faded into a beautiful fiery orange until the lower half of her skirt, which was a brilliant bright, scarlet color.She was in awe. Of the dress. Of Violet and her talents. Of the material. The silk, from the Orient, the beads from deep in the earth. Her soon-to-be husband, who had asked for these colors to be used in their wedding, stating that it was the colors on his family crest. Bu