Ir'alith felt as though her eyes were on fire—that they were burning holes in the world itself.

She had not been surprised at Carl's immediate grasp of the fundamentals of elemental energy manipulation—something she had thought herself incredibly clever for mastering in a single day when it had taken others of her kin weeks. That Carl had managed it instantly had been within expectations.

He was a dragon. Dragons should be skilled at using magic of all forms. She had reasoned that his lack of knowledge regarding the magic she used was the result of his much more powerful dragon-magic having taken its place; what use would dragons have for lesser magics?

Her decision to attempt a mind link had been borne of the sudden, intense desire to truly know how he regarded her. She was only slightly skilled in the ways of the empath, having lost her mother before she could learn more, and she could not sense any manner of emotion from Carl.

It had been a mystery that had been elucidated from the link.

Carl cared deeply for his wife and daughters. More than she had imagined even considering her peoples' notions of marriage and family.

He was also attracted to her. The thought made her giddy, which was a sensation she had not felt in a long time.

So surprised had she been by the revelation that she severed the link prematurely, leaving small fragments of their minds embedded into each others' psyches. She had found herself desiring a beverage named 'coffee' which she had never before encountered.

But still, she had wondered: who could this wife of Carl's be to whom he showed such devotion?

To her further surprise, he had encouraged the idea of seeing his wife. While she normally would have cast a divining spell for her own use, as she had while conversing with him earlier in the day, she had reasoned that such a thing would be impolite. This was the wife of a dragon, and one who had made clear his intent and desire to court her!

Instead, she had created a gate so that Carl could look on with her.

He had seemed impressed, likely at the idea that lesser magics could be so capable as to create a gate to his plane. Not all magic-users were so capable; Ir'alith felt proud of her unique level of ability at that moment.

Carl's wife Annie…

She had not been as Ir'alith had expected.

Then he had stepped through the gate.

Ir'alith had naturally averted her gaze and refrained from listening, even if it had been unexpected for him to do so. She would not be jealous of Carl's wife. But…

The suspicion had grown within her.

She had introduced herself—Annie had seemed surprised at the meeting—feeling embarrassed that she was already meeting the wife of her suitor. Was this the natural progression of courtship for dragons?! Her father had been of no use, only reminding her to remain respectful and speaking yet again of future alliances.

The situation had been too surreal for Ir'alith, and she had temporarily had her previous thoughts knocked from her mind.

But then she had pulled Carl back through, and her suspicions had returned.

Was Annie…

Was Carl's wife a human?

The more she considered it as an option, the more certain she became.

This could be the only possibility: it was impossible for Ir'alith to create a gate to the plane of fire. The way had been closed.

No, Carl's wife must be hidden away on a different plane for Ir'alith to be able to create and maintain a gate leading to her.

But then…

Had she seen a human and not killed it?

She had introduced herself to a human?

Blushed at it?

Thought it was pretty?

Her rage returned in full.

Human.

That hated word.

"Is Annie a human?" she asked, feeling again that certainty.

Humans infected everything they touched.

They touched everything.

The solution was obvious.

Everything must die.

"Yeah, why?" Carl replied, confirming that his wife was a human.

Ir'alith's world turned red.

The one thing she had believed would remain untainted by the vile creatures who had tortured her for so many years and broken her mind…

A last gasp of sanity broke through. No! She screamed the word within her mind.

Kill.

The tiny remaining part of her which was still capable of thinking recognized the danger she was in. "But why her?" she struggled to get out, attempting to force herself to think of something beyond the endless fields of blood that her mind was presenting to her as the certain—the only—future.

Carl sat back against the front of the car and crossed his arms. "Because I love her," he said fiercely, glaring at her.

Ir'alith could not comprehend the words.

Carl loved…a human?

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Was such a thing even possible?

But Carl had said it.

Her savior.

The dragon who had made clear his desire to court her.

Which must mean…

This Annie human was a good human?

No! That was not…

But she must be! She was the wife of Carl! The mother of his daughters!

And if she was a teacher…

The thought wound its way around Ir'alith's mind to its conclusion.

If Annie was a teacher, then she must have those she taught. And since she was not in the plane of elemental fire with the other dragons, she…

She must teach other humans?

But Carl would never leave his wife with humans unless…

Ir'alith tore herself free from her madness once more.

There must be other humans who do not need to be exterminated. Who do not seek to do harm to other races.

The thoughts were like the frigid wind atop the Cliff of Sacrifice, and she felt the last of her fury die out.

For the moment.

Then she recalled what she had just done.

I questioned his choosing of Annie as his wife?!

The significance of her actions rocked her.

The bond of marriage was sacred to her kin; as a race with lifespans that extended eternally, marriage was the declaration that two would be as one.

It was a bond which lasted forever.

How many could truly dedicate themselves to another for all time?

Her mother and father had, but there were few among her kin who chose such a thing. Perhaps two would be as one for a hundred or several hundred years, but forever?

And she had questioned that bond?

There were few ways to cause greater offense than this, and it was one of the strictest taboos among her people.

Her father remained silent, likely out of horror at what she had done.

She felt her previous giddiness and elation drain away.

Ir'alith stared at the ground, unable to meet Carl's gaze. "I apologize, Carl," she said, knowing the futility of such an apology.

She had questioned his unending vow to a human, who would die far too soon and leave him stricken with grief. She had questioned such dedication?

If he could devote himself so completely to one with such a short lifespan, then with me, perhaps…

The thought fragmented off as she sliced it out of her mind. She could not consider such things. She had squandered that chance with her weakness.

"My rudeness has no excuse," Ir'alith said, feeling curiously hollow. "I…" I will leave and never contact him again. Such a rift cannot be mended. "I must return," she said, facing away from him so that she would not have to see the look of disgust on his face. She opened a gate to the small cave she had huddled in previously, preparing to call her axe and helm back to herself. Such a tiny, uncomfortable hole is fitting. Truly I am weak.

"Hey, no need to leave so fast. I mean, unless you need to be somewhere."

Ir'alith came to a complete halt. He… He does not sound disgusted with me? Nor furious? Nor—

"You… Wanna go for a drive?" Carl asked.

The words confused her. A drive? She understood the words, but not in this combination. She turned around, staring at Carl, who did not appear to be displaying any of the expressions she had expected. "A drive?" she repeated.

Carl slapped the front of his car. "Yeah, this thing can go really fast. You seem a little down, so maybe it'll cheer you up?"

A drive is to operate his car. And… He wishes to—

{Do not question his actions! He overlooks your insult, and for this you should be grateful!}

Ir'alith felt her emptiness begin to fill with hope. He has such interest in me that he would even—

{I may yet give my approval, but Carl has much to—}

Your approval? Papa, were you not demanding I accept his proposal?

{He is a dragon! For such an alliance I would—}

Papa, you exhaust me. She hesitated a moment. "You would still choose to spend time with me despite my outburst?"

{Alith, why would you ask such a thing!}

Because I am curious!

Carl settled back onto the front of his car, clearly displaying his nonaggression. "We're both adults," he said in a calm tone. "Everyone's got their issues; you apologized, and I can respect that you're working on your…anger. Er, sorry if that's a sensitive topic."

Ir'alith felt an incredible weight settle onto herself and looked down at the ground between them once more. Of course he would see through my clumsy attempt at disguising my emotions. "I suppose it would have been impossible for one such as you not to take notice," she said. He only indulges me now after seeing how weak I truly am.

"Don't worry about it," Carl said, sounding dismissive, as though she had not gravely insulted him. "We're friends, right?"

He truly regards me as a friend?

"C'mon, take a break for a little while. I promise this'll raise your spirits."

She looked up hesitantly, seeing Carl standing in front of his car. "Truly?"

Carl walked back towards the side of the car he had been sitting in when she arrived, beckoning for her to join him on the opposite side of the car.

Ir'alith stared after him. He…has forgiven me? Or was he aware of my weakness, and… The thought dazzled her. Perhaps he had recognized it immediately upon their first meeting, and he had known all along? He had taken no offense because he knew that she was not of sound mind?

And yet, he was still attracted to her?

She felt her heartbeats quicken. Did he judge the whole of me from our first meeting? How could he…

{Must you question everything, daughter? Your chance to secure an alliance with the dragons has not yet passed!}

Ir'alith flicked her tail. Papa, please. My mind is already strained.

{Alith, I apologize. I…}

I know, Papa. She understood the appeal of an alliance with even a single dragon. But more than that, she found that Carl had a way of making her hearts pound in a way that nothing else had. It was with this in mind that she finally strode towards the side of the car that he had directed, peeking at him and the car out of the corner of her eye as she moved.