The Bond (Book 2) (37 page)

Her eyes widened slightly. Their color, pale green, contrasted amazingly with her skin tone. He had to resist the urge to touch her long eyelashes.

“I s–suppose,” she said. “Sure.”

He cleared his throat. “What lead you to come all this way? I know you said you were curious about the rumor, but it is a very long way to chase a possibly false story.”

She looked up at the darkening sky, opened her mouth slightly, and ran the tip of her tongue along her teeth. “At first, it was to find Aeron.” She took a step to the bench just outside and sat.

He seated himself next to her. “The dragon boy.”

She nodded. “Xochi knew we had a purpose, but not what that purpose was. We thought he would know more about it. Of course, we realized our purpose when we ran across a nahual on the way here. Still, we continued.”

“Why?”

She stared into the distance. “I had nothing left to return to. I had no home, no family, really, and only one friend. A friend who fully supported the journey.”

She frowned. “I might have been a little selfish, I suppose.”

“How so?”

“I dragged Xochi away from her family.”

“No,” he shook his head. “You saved her. You got her away from the Order. You brought her here.”

“That is true.” She smiled. “And we found another family here, a home.”

Her words were a revelation. He leaned back against the wall.

We
are
a family, he thought. This
is
a home.

He raised his brows and murmured, “A place to belong.”

“Yes,” she said. “I guess knowing there was a dragon boy somewhere meant that there was a place where dragons were thought of as something other than evil. That was a place I
wanted
to find.”

“I’m glad you did.”

They sat in silence for a bit. Jessip didn’t mind at all. He liked sitting here with Renata, with their dragons nearby.

She leaned closer. “Tomorrow night’s dessert says Willem is one of the two.”

“Oh ho!” He smiled. “So, you think he’s going to bond?”

“Dragons are not stupid, even young ones. Willem has a bonded boyfriend. That would give the dragon who bonds Willem an edge when trying for a mate, wouldn’t you say?”

Jessip turned to her. “Beauty and brains. That’s a powerful combination.”

Cheeks darkening in a blush, she said, “Will you take the wager, or no?”

He chuckled. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass. As questionable as my opinion is on who a dragon will choose, I, too, think Willem will be bonded.”

It had taken longer to explain what a gateway was to Nenet than to actually use it. But finally, they passed through the portal and hovered a few miles from House Yaot.

The rock face of the dragons’ warren gleamed in the light just before sunset. The tunnel openings were like holes punched in a sheet of gold. Aeron took in the amazing view.

“
That’s House Yaot?” Willem’s shout came over his shoulder, words almost stolen by the wind.

Aeron nodded. “Yes!” He wished they had time to enjoy the sights. Maybe on another trip.

Take us, Nenet.
This close to House Yaot, he didn’t want to chance being overheard by using group-speak.

Nenet lead them east. Her flight took them along the mountain range which began to veer a little north.

These mountains were much larger than those near Caer Baronel. Snow capped the taller spires, tinted orange and red in the evening sun. The trees, too, were different. Forests of deep green—pine, fir, or spruce, Aeron couldn’t tell exactly which from this altitude—blanketed the valleys below. He settled in for what was turning out to be a beautiful flight.

Maybe an hour had passed when he started feeling the chill. Not thinking the flight would be too long, he’d left the winter gear off and only wore riding gear. He hoped his friends weren’t suffering too much.

He was about to ask Willem how he was doing when Nenet slowed, turned, and glided toward one of the mountains.

We have come, Chel.

Aeron could just make out a cave opening. There was a relatively flat area in front and a gentle slope that lead down to the treeline and further down to the foothills below.

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.