The sun had not yet risen over the city of Calathen as Lilly made her way down the long winding halls. She was amazed by the size and splendor of the palace, yet another human work that put what dragons did to shame. Everywhere there was art, or history, intricate carvings, or mosaic tiles. It was a delight of color, light, and even shape, as room and halls combined to become mazes. She had scarcely explored any of them since arriving from the valley two days ago but looked forward to prowling about.
Tavis and Ayawa had been left in charge of both the city and the fledgling empire while Gersius was away to secure the egg. They had carefully executed Gersius's instructions, securing the city and beginning the process of reorganization. With Numidel at their side to lend some much-needed might, most of the people had bowed their heads and accepted the change. Still, they had reports that some provinces were unwilling to call him the Emperor, saying that he was not of the proper bloodlines to hold such a title.
Sarah wanted to burn these provinces, but Gersius knew the issue was with the local lords, not the people. The legend of the divines uniting behind him had spread far and wide, proving to the common man who he was. He said the nobles will try to plot and scheme, playing their petty games. When he came for their loyalty, it was their heads that would roll, not the peoples.
It was strange to see the passion with which Gersius worked. Unwilling to bend any longer, he asserted his rule as Emperor as a fact that was undeniable. Night and day, he poured over reports, made decisions, and spearheaded searches of districts, temples, and the like for the relics of the various orders. Lengwin had been running his own searches of the holdings of Astikar, carefully cataloging every item and asset as he rebuilt his damaged order.
Gersius believed they would be in the city a month or more, sending out diplomatic missions and dealing with the roving bandersook packs that still plagued the countryside. Tavis and Ayawa had seen to it the dead were cleared away, and a storehouse of weapons and armor created. The temple of Ulustrah had been mercifully untouched, and women already sang in its marbled halls, their voices a sweet song of return.
Lilly had a surprising amount of time on her hands. Her only task was to oversee the cleaning and repair of Balisha's temple and the general care of her flock. Now that they were back, the ceremonies for the lost had begun, and Lilly sand funeral rights for many of her fallen followers.
It was to the temple of Balisha she rushed, the great empty building beside the palace with its wide yard and statue to her mother. She simmered with anger every time she saw it, unable to believe her mother was the last priestess of Balisha before Lilly took up the mantle. She walked down the brick path, the stone smooth under her feet. Her followers had spent the weeks they were away cleaning the yard and filling in the scars of battle. The stones from the dragon head pillar were pilled at the side, waiting for masons to restore them, but the head had been cracked in two.
Up the steps, she went pausing at the place where Gerisus once lay dead. It reminded her of that day in the valley when the roles had been reversed. True, she had still been alive, but the symbolism was great. Gersius snatched her from death, only to be snatched from it himself by her.
She put the painful thought aside and went into the temple, pausing to remember the gold and silver that once littered this floor. Her hoard, the source of all her pain, had been recovered, but in the process, her dreams had died. What good was all the gold in the world without him?
Lingering too long, she didn't hear Gersius approach as the hand of her lover squeezed at her shoulder. She turned to smile, realizing he must have followed moments behind, knowing full well she would run for the temple. Without a word, she turned and relished the moment, this was a rare time where they were alone, and she wanted to savor it.
Her dress came away as his hands roved her body, the two eager to share the love they had. His egg was laid in the valley, but Lilly desired more. For the next hour, they made love in the great hall of the temple, her body his in every way.
When at last they finished, she lay in his arms as long as she dared. The others would be about soon, and he had more important things to do than play with her. More than even during the march, there was work to do, and if Sarah caught her, Lilly would be scolded for how she spent her time.
With an I love you, they parted ways, and she was halfway across the yard when Sarah appeared at the gate. She was grateful they hadn't lingered a minute more and smiled as Sarah made her way to meet her. With a few heavy sniffs, Sarah gave her a scowl and wanted to know what she had been doing. Lilly refused to lie and told her she had been worshiping in the temple.
“Come you, little creature of love,” Sarah groaned and took her hand. “Our husband's speech is going to begin before noon. He had better hurry too, instead of wasting time with unimportant things.”
“Will I be allowed to introduce Balisha to the city?” Lilly asked as they left the yard.
“Of course,” Sarah said with a sigh and looked at her. “You know how important this is to the both of you. Gersius will speak first; then you will introduce the goddess back to the world.”
Lilly nodded but a tear formed in her eye as she relived just how close it all came to failing. Looking around the yard made the pain more intense and caused her to wonder if she would ever heal. So many of her followers were gone and would not be there to sing for Balisha. Worse, Gersius had almost not been there to sing, and that would have broken the power of Balisha's order.
Sarah noted the pain both in Lilly’s face and over the bind. She gave that hand a gentle squeeze and spoke softly to encourage her.
“Child, I know you are hurting over the losses. You really should talk to one of us.”
“Please, I don’t want to talk about it,” Lilly said as Sarah struck a cord. It was true the forces of Balisha had been slaughtered in a desperate battle to secure the gate. Lilly had lost nearly half her army in a single terrible struggle, faces, and names of people she had grown to love. Now they were gone because of a lie meant to turn an empire against them, and she would morn everyone.
The streets were slowly coming alive as Sarah led the way through the palace district into the lower halls. Guards saluted with praises for the dragons, calling both the flowers of Calathen. She took Lilly up through the garden terraces where the city could be seen from above. Here she paused to look out over a railing, her mind reliving the battle.
“I felt it,” Lilly said as her hand came to Sarah’s shoulder. “When that spear pierced your chest. I was already in too much pain to react, but I knew it was you.”
Sarah put her hand over Lilly's and turned to look into those blue eyes. “I was scared,” she admitted. “Not for myself, but for you, and Gersius, and Thayle. For the first time in my life, I was worried about another, and I lost focus in battle.”
“I have done that,” Lilly insisted. “It’s hard to stay focused when the ones you love are in danger.”
Sarah nodded as Lilly leaned into her back.
“Sarah, you can't blame yourself.”
“I most certainly can,” Sarah sighed. “He told us that he lost focus when he felt the stab. It was my foolish mistake echoing over the bind that got our husband killed. If you hadn't been such an angel of love, there would be only one dragon knight.” She paused to look over the city again as a tear ran down her cheek. “To think a dragon consumed two hoards to save a man.”
“Gersius is worth it,” Lilly said in a whisper.
“I know,” Sarah said. “But doesn’t the part of you that is the dragon scream out at what you did?”
Lilly nodded and closed her eyes. She did indeed feel the call and trembled at night to think of what she had done. Without that gold, she would grow weak and eventually die, but he was worth it, every ounce of it.
“You won’t grow weak and die,” Sarah said. “I am going to summon a portion of my hoard to the palace. I want you to sleep on it a few nights a week.”
“But it’s your hoard,” Lilly said in surprise.
“Child, you have been without a hoard for months. I just want to make sure you are being fed properly. A dragon should not go so long without a rest.”
“Will you lay on it with me?” Lilly asked, causing Sarah to smile.
“Of course I will,” Sarah said with a motherly tone. “I will keep my daughter safe.”
She smiled as a presence grew in the bind, and both women turned to see Thayle approaching from an inner hall. She strode right up to the woman and hugged Sarah, allowing Sarah to pull her into those loving arms.
“Are you feeling any better?” Sarah asked.
“I’m fine,” Thayle said. “The price has been paid, and my duty to Ulustrah is done.”
“Child, Ulustrah isn't done with you,” Sarah said as she rubbed Thayle's back. “You are about to stand before the land as an Empress of the Dragon Empire. As a priestess of Ulustrah, YOU will be one of the most powerful people in the world.”
Thayle nodded and looked to Lilly, who stood silently by. “Well, I do have good news. Lilly's tent it up.”
“It is?” Lilly asked with a bright smile.
“It’s right on the edge of the camp north of the wall,” Thayle said. “I assigned three women to help; you can get to work any time.”
“That should make you happy,” Sarah said as Lilly glowed over the bind.
Lilly nodded as Sarah took a hand from each of them. “Come on; we should get ready. Our husband wants you to appear in your armor to make a point that we are conquerors.”
“And what about your role in this display?” Thayle asked.
Sarah smiled as she squeezed their hands. “I am going to show the people that the dragon empire is more than just a name.”
They swept through the halls heading for the upper palace that had become their home. Here they began to change when Gersius finally arrived to join them.
“Come to hear your own speech?” Sarah asked. “Shouldn’t you be ready?”
Gersius smiled and walked to where Sarah was helping Lilly into a set of polished armor adorned with the symbols of Balisha.
“I wanted to clear my head,” he said and smiled at Lilly. “The banquet is planned for tomorrow night. Most of the local houses and families should be in attendance.”
“Why are we having a banquet?” Lilly asked as Sarah tightened a strap on the back of her armor.
“Today’s speech is to formally announce to the people that we are the ones who will rule the land. It is also to herald the return of Balisha to the people and encouragement to come to seek her blessing. The banquet is to speak directly to the nobility and give them a chance to meet us. Many contest our right to rule.”
“Let them contest it with me,” Sarah growled. “Oh, and that reminds me, the ladies are meeting for tea in the blue hall after the speech. You two are going to attend and meet the wives of these nobles.”
“Do we have to?” Thayle groaned.
“Yes,” Sarah replied firmly. “These are women of power and influence. They need to meet the two women who will stand above them. I picked out outfits for you already, but I won't be here to dress you. I expect you to shine as examples of the strength of our new empire.”
“Yes, mother,” Thayle said with a sigh.
Gersius began to dress as Sarah finished with Lilly and moved to help Thayle with her dragon knight armor. She smiled to be so useful, preparing her loves for the biggest moment of their lives. She was the matron who ran the house now, the servants and staff coming to her for orders. The people called her the mighty one, the great red death, or if they were wise, the queen of the red star. Today was the day they would be presented to the people, at last, the brightest jewels in her crown.
Once they were dressed, she walked with them to a lower hall where she at last departed. Her role today was one of shock and display, meant to ensure the people remembered what was said.
From here, they walked in silence, heading for a balcony from which they would address the people. Lilly clutched Thayle’s hand nervously as they walked down a long arched tunnel. Well ahead of them was a doorway thrown wide, creating a curtain of sunlight. Even from where they walked, they could hear the din of thousands of voices echoing down the corridor.
Lilly tensed as they reached the light and stepped out onto a balcony overlooking the king's yard, the largest plaza in the city. She gasped to see them, the masses of people packed side by side, filling the yard so completely that not a patch of ground was visible. There were so many they spilled down every street and causeway, and every building had shudders thrown wide to reveal even more leaning out and waiting.
“There are so many!” Lilly gasped in awe as Gerius strode right to the edge of the balcony. He looked like an Emperor already, his dragon knight armor repaired and polished to a mirror sheen. His regal purple cloak stirring in a gentle breeze as he looked down with impassive eyes on the city he had conquered. On his head was a simple golden band of leaves, marking him as the one true Emperor. Lilly and Thayle stepped to his side as a roar filled the air, and for a moment, it was impossible to hear anything but the din.
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Banners flanked the balcony showing things that hadn't been seen in many years. The new white and red banner of Astikar was held high, as well as Thayle's war banner for Ulustrah. A red falcon was holding a sword to mark the return of the falcons to the order of Astikar. Vellis was prominently featured, but there was one more. High above them all was a banner of blue and silver showing two great dragons, one red, one silver facing each other as if about to combine. It was Balisha's banner, and just below it flew the flag of the dragon knight. Gersius was amazed the enemy hadn't destroyed it and left it untouched in the vaults where it was kept. Now it flew to show the city that the true Dragon Knight was finally in charge.
His speech was simple, a promise to restore order not just to the city but to the whole of the empire. The Doan would be stopped, and the land healed as they marched forward into a new age of glory. He announced that men and dragons would stand united under Balisha's love for both their kinds. Then he condemned the Father Abbot and the terrible crimes of the raven guard. He promised to hunt these men down and drag them into the light, where their crimes would be judged and punished. All of this was done with an assurance that he had the might to see it through. He and his wives would rule the empire, and the world around them would tremble. As he got to a crescendo in his rhetoric and boasted of the power of the dragons, Sarah arrived. She flew directly over the palace heading into the city. With a massive bellow of fire, she turned the sky around her red, but she wasn't done yet. Pulling up, she flapped to hover in place and began to weave, fanning the flames to keep it alive and creating a great ring of fire above the awe-struck people.
Gersius hammered home that he and Thayle were the Dragon Knights chosen by the divines to fight in their name. With a slam of an armored fist, he declared himself Emperor and his wives empresses. Above their heads, the ring of fire exploded, black clouds boiling in the air as it waived and shaped into a crown of brilliant flame with Sarah at its peak. It was a display of grand magnificence, the likes of which the people had never dreamed. All were struck silent as Gersius called on them to remain, there was one more thing that had to be made clear, and he turned to Lilly.
Sarah let the fire go, and it quickly turned to smoke as she flew off. Lilly bowed and moved to steps along the side, climbing to a higher ledge as the stunned crowd looked on. She breathed heavily as the weight of the moment came upon her. She arrived at a small round balcony over a ledge. Below her were what remained of her followers as she walked to the very edge and looked down.
Gersius spoke again and introduced her as the high dovina of Balisha, leader of the faith belonging to the queen of dragons. He announced that her temple would be restored, and her faith spread to all the corners of the empire. He then told the crowd to be silent and listen as Lilly sang Balisha's song.
She took a deep breath and looked out over the city. With determination, she opened her heart and began to sing. Her voice was like silver, echoing from every wall as she cried with all her might. When the song reached its midpoint, she dipped into the dragon voice, lending the dual tones to an already powerful song. She lifted her hands high and cried out to Balisha's glory, the song going on as her followers now joined in. They offered a balance to her high tones, giving the song even more power. Then something they didn't expect happened as Lilly started to glow. Slowly she lifted, floating into the air as she glowed with a brilliant luminance, her voice singing yet somehow more powerful still. Around her appeared an image of her dragon form made of blue light holding its hands high as if it too were singing.
The display was one of power and awe as Lilly returned the faith of Balisha to the land. When the song ended, she floated down gently but looked confused by it all. Gersiud dismissed the crowds and went to Lilly's side as she came down the steps with tears in her eyes.
She explained that she heard Balisha singing the song with her, their voices becoming one. Once again, the divines had acted and displayed who they supported. They looked up to see Sarah circling high above; at least she got to see that moment of glory.
They retreated from the plaza returning to the upper rooms to change into the outfits Sarah left out for them. Sarah herself flew out to meet Numidel and hunt down a particularly large pack of bandersooks seen to the north. As Lilly put on her frilly gown of blues and white, Thayle put on one of simple greens with golden twists. Sarah now insisted they wear jewelry, so Lilly put on her blue necklace and the bracelet Thayle bought her, she struggled in the mirror to get the earrings in, but Gersius helped her. Thayle wore a gift from Sarah, a golden netting studded with green stones that draped her shoulders. Her hair was pulled into a long braid and passed through three golden rings also studded in green. They painted lips and gently powdered faces before Gersius looked at them both and told them how beautiful they were.
With smiles to his aura reflect that he was truthful, the two women set out for the hall and tea with the noblewoman.
“I’m nervous,” Lilly admitted as they walked through the palace.
“Lilly, you're the empress. You have nothing to be worried about,” Thayle said as she too trembled. They arrived outside the ornate wooden doors, polished to a marble sheen and stained a deep golden brown. Three guards in royal finery opened the doors, and in they swept into a room lit by candles and a garden ledge on the far side. A great table of food and wine was set out in the middle, as were chairs to seat a hundred. Talking in hushed whispers were nearly a hundred women, dressed in their best gowns and out to make a statement. Lilly clutched Thayle’s hand all the tighter as narrow eyes and fake smiles turned to greet them.
The women crowded around Lilly and Thayle making bold introductions and being sure to lavish as many titles on themselves as they could. They spoke in haughty voices and looked down noses as if the two women were not their equals.
Thayle did most of the responding, nodding her head slightly to acknowledge a particular woman had been met before the next one took her place. It went on for a terribly long time but eventually, the introductions were made, and Thayle was able to cross the room with Lilly in hand and pour the frightened dragon a wine.
The niceties out of the way, the ladies, began to ask questions about Gersius, the empire, and his plans. Thayle expected this, as information gathering was a bit of an art among noblewomen. Her mother was a master of it, able to coax out an answer to a question she never quite asked. When they two failed to provide anything useful, they switched tactics and began to probe their relationship.
“You must be grateful to have such a good husband,” A short but slender woman with golden hair said, being sure to direct her question at Lilly. They sensed a weakness in her and decided she was likely to crack before Thayle.
“Gersius is very good to us,” Lilly responded as she looked over her wine.
“Yes, but you are lucky he is so ambitious. You will be able to live in his great wealth and power,” older women with graying hair and a firm face added.
Lilly looked at Thayle with confusion, not sure why that was important.
“Why does that matter?” Lilly asked.
Some of the women laughed, and the older women spoke again.
“My dear, surely you understand that such a powerful man will bring with his luxury and comfort. Look about the place you now call home that he has provided for you. You will scarcely have to lift a finger or work. You will have all the rewards his power commands.”
Again Lilly looked at Thayle, who sighed at the woman's words and shook her head.
“I do not understand. Why do I care about Gersius’s power as an emperor?” Lilly asked.
Again the women laughed, and several of them whispered to one another. Lilly felt a sudden pang of annoyance at the realization she had no idea what these women were laughing about. Were they laughing at her? That thought brought a bit of the dragon out, and Lilly decided to ask a question of her own.
“Why is this so funny?” Lilly demanded to know.
Another woman in a frilled red dress and dark hair spoke up.
“You are both women; surely you understand your place in the political structure. You are to be the beautiful flower at his side. Always attentive to his needs and quick to scurry away when anything of importance must be discussed.” Lilly wrinkled her face at the words, unable to understand them as well. “You more than any should understand that. He did name you Lilly after all,” the woman added.
“What does my name have to do with anything?” Lilly retorted as Thayle put a hand to her arm. She cautioned Lilly to calm, but more laughs spread across the group, and Lilly became truly angry.
“You are the flower at his side, his Lilly. He has already named you for your purpose,” one of them said.
Lilly turned to Thayle and spoke in a firm tone.
“Explain to me what they are talking about before I kill one of them!”
The laughter in the group suddenly died away.
“They are fools, Lilly. They believe you are nothing more to Gersius than a tool to be used in the bedroom and have no true value to him outside of our appearance.”
“But he never wanted that from us in the first place; he was our friend!”
“Sweetheart, I know, but these women have traded their good looks for comfortable places and easy lives. They do not have equal value in their relationship with their husbands and assume we are the same.”
Lilly turned back to the woman, a deep scowl on her face.
“I am not some cheap object to be used and discard. I am more offended that you think Gersius would treat us that way than that you think we are like you!”
A few women laughed again, and the older women spoke.
“The foolishness of youth. Time will prove us right.”
“Oh no!” Thayle gasped.
“The foolishness of youth!” Lilly roared. “I am older than all of you added together! I am a dragon, and I have lived longer than your grandparent's grandparents!” She surged forward to glare into the woman’s face. “And what time do you think will prove you right? Which one of you battled your way through a city, killing dozens of men in the process to save your husband? Which one of you traveled into the wilds and fought trolls and duloch, and whatever that horrible vine monster was for the ones you loved?”
“It is called a creeper vine,” Thayle added.
“Yes, one of those!” Lilly roared into the startled faces of the gathered women. “Which one of you has fought armies, and assassins, and monsters to protect the ones you loved?”
The women's faces looked shocked, and several of them began to back away.
“I am not like you! Thayle is not like you! And you had better never say such a thing of Sarah if you wish to live to see another day! We stand at his side! We fight, and we bleed, and we cry together! When the important matters come up, it is to us he turns for solutions and advice! He makes many of the final decisions, but always after he has consulted us. We don't care because this is his quest and his goal, but Thayle, Sarah, and I knew that from the beginning. We agreed to follow him and help accomplish it, but do not mistake our following his lead as insignificant. Even if we were, we would still be far above you all. You're not even insignificant. You're not even a consideration. You are little better than slaves!”
“You’re the ones who are bound to him. You are less than slaves!” one bold woman shot back.
Thayle put an arm on Lilly’s shoulder as the rage poured over the binding link.
“Lilly, don’t kill any of them!” Thayle implored her. “Sarah will be very cross.
“Sarah would already have thrown their lifeless husks from the balcony!” Lilly cried as her eyes burst into blue fire and her voice dipped into a menacing dual-tone. She stalked toward the retreating women with hands clenched into fists, her face flaring with rage.
“Even when I was helplessly bound to him, he treated me like a valued friend. No, he treasured me and protected me. He would sooner have died before see any harm come to me. How many of you can say that about your husbands?”
“Empty words. You think that about him, but put him to the test, and he will abandon you.” The older woman spat back.
Lilly's anger burned like a fire, and Thayle stepped between her and the women and then turned a stone glare at the older woman.
“He has already been tested!” Thayle yelled in her face. “He was given a choice of great reward or death over Lilly's life. He chose death! He was brutally beaten and sadistically tortured for over a day to get him to betray Lilly, and he never did! Don't you ever dare to insult him again, or Lilly and I will compete to see which of us can kill you first!”
The woman’s face paled an ashen gray, and the flock began to scatter like frightened birds as Thayle promised to help Lilly kill them all. They moved too far corners of the room and began to talk amount themselves nervously as Thayle took Lilly to two chairs set high on some steps. Thayle turned to Lilly, who shook with rage and whose eyes burned with cruelty and hate.
“Lilly please, those women are fools and not worth your anger,” Thayle said, trying to soothe her and grateful they were out of earshot.
“They insulted me, but more, they insulted you and our husband. How can they think that about us?”
“Lilly, you were introduced to the world of men through Gersius. He is a rare and nobleman who values us above his own life. But most men are not like Gersius. Many do see women as little more than a useful distraction in the bedroom.”
“Why?”
Thayle sighed. “I don't know. It's far more prevalent in the upper classes of men. The wealthier and more powerful a man becomes, the less value he often holds for women. Maybe it is because so many women will offer a powerful man whatever he wants in exchange for comfort and privilege. He is swimming in women throwing themselves at him to snare a comfortable home.”
“Why do men and women act like that?” Lilly asked.
“I don’t know, but there is a saying that power corrupts the heart. Many people seem to bear that truth out, but there have been notable exceptions throughout history, and Gersius is one of them. He loves us both dearly, and we know he does because we can feel it. Reach out, Lilly, find him in your heart, and feel him across the bind. You can feel his love even now.”
Lilly closed her eyes and focused on him, and could instantly feel him. He was someplace across the palace grounds, not too far away but certainly, several minutes walk. She felt a warm sensation from him, a soothing wave of love, and her anger began to melt away.
“I know he loves us. But wouldn't it make more sense for women not to throw themselves at these men? Why do they not make lives for themselves?”
“Lilly few women aspire to more than owning fine dresses and eating fine foods. They don't want to work as you, and I have. They would balk at the thought of half the struggles you and I have gone through for him. They would faint away at the suggestion they pick up a sword and fight to defend their husband.”
“I do not like these women,” Lilly replied with a frown.
“We have to tolerate them because their husbands are powerful men that our husband needs to solidify the empire. But that does not mean we have to like them. Let's just play our roles and show them we are in power now, and they had better learn to bow.”
Lilly looked away and studied the floor. “The women in our orders work. They train, they fight, they help people who need help.”
Thayle smiled. “Lilly, those are good women who want more for themselves. They have chosen to work and better themselves.”
“But they still get married?” Lilly asked.
“Of course they do. But they marry for better reasons. They marry because the man they marry loves them, just as we did.”
Lilly pondered the thought for a moment. “So humans marry for love or gain?”
Thayle smiled at her. “There are many motivations for marriage. But those two are the most common.”
“Am I doing something wrong when I go to his bed with him?” Lilly asked as she folded her arms over her chest.
Thayle's eyes widened, and she shook her head. “No, sweetheart, don't let those vipers poison your mind like that. We share his bed because we want to be a part of him. It is true that many societies consider a wife's duty to provide for a husband's needs. But you and I have needs too.” Thayle said with a smile. “He always makes sure our needs are met as well with great love and compassion.”
Lilly suddenly blushed, and she covered her face with her hands.
“I had no idea human mating was so… pleasurable,” she said shyly.
Thayle reached up and pulled Lilly’s hands down. “Sweetheart, it is that way to help bring the lovers together. It helps bind their hearts to one another in a joyous display of affection. For most people, this the height of their connection to one another, but we are special. We are bound to one another, and we can share so much more. I dare say that nobody in this world shares a love like us.
“Dragons don’t feel this connection from mating. My mother described it to me once. It sounds more like a brief and brutal thing. Something a female never wants to do but must do in order to have a brood.”
“This is why you have your human form. Balisha wanted you to learn about these things from a human perspective. She wanted you to know the blessing of love and passion.”
“I know. But I am still embarrassed sometimes. I am a dragon, and that part of me sometimes wonders how I came to desire the affections of two humans so deeply.”
Thayle took Lilly’s hand and planted a kiss on her lips. She pulled away gently and looked up into the eyes of blue fire.
“Dragons don't kiss, do they?”
Lilly shook her head no.
“But you enjoy kissing,” Thayle asked.
Lilly nodded her head yes.
“This is what you are meant to learn, Lilly, how to love and be loved. You were given this form so you could kiss the ones you loved. So you could share their beds and feel the pleasure that comes with it. Never let anybody try to convince you that doing so is somehow wrong. Always go to bed with a heart full of love and a desire to express it.”
Lilly nodded as she stared into Thayle’s eyes. “I promise I will.”
“The world will change, and people will come and go. People will tell you things about your relationship and how it is bad, wrong, or improper. You hold on to your love and never let those people scratch you.”
“I will. Thank you for being my friend.”
Thayle smiled and squeezed her hand. “I am more than your friend. Didn’t you tell me once that I belonged to you?”
Lilly smiled and squeezed her hand back.
“If you belonged to me, you would be like those women said. A possession.”
“Yes, but I am dragon possession. I like being part of your hoard.”
Lilly smiled and ran her hands up Thayles arms and wrapped them around the back of her head.
“You little priestess are my greatest treasure, and I am never letting you go.”
“You promise?” Thayle said with a smile.
Lilly's eyes blazed, and her smile spread across her face.
“I more than promise, I command you to stay with me and be my possession all the rest of your life!”
Thayle flinched and gasped as she felt the sudden compulsion and the magic of the bind pulling at her heart. She was now hopelessly bound to be Lilly’s possession, a permanent part of her treasure horde.”
“That was shocking,” Thayle gasped out.
Lilly smiled as she held Thayle's head firmly. “It does feel strange when a command takes hold, doesn't it?”
“Yes, neither of you have given me one before. I didn’t even realize you felt anything from it.”
“Are you upset that I gave you a command?”
Thayle smiled back. “No, I am glad to know you treasure me so much. You once told me how Gersius treasured you. I have wanted to feel that way ever since.”
Lilly's thumbs traced little circles on Thayle's cheeks as she held her firmly. “I have been moved to great emotion today. As a dragon, I struggle when I am in such a state. I am going back to our bedroom and taking my possession with me. I wish her to help me relax in a more intimate way.”
Thayle blushed and tried to look down, but Lilly held her firmly and locked her eyes.
“I love you, Lilly,” Thayle whispered up into those eyes.
“I know you do. I can see your light now. You know I love you. But we both enjoy saying it to each other. “
Thayle smiled and blushed even more. They turned back to the women in the room before sitting down, and Thayle took the lead to address them. She bid them share what role their husbands played in the nobility, causing a near conflict as they rushed to be the most prominent speaker.
Fresh tea was continually brought for two hours, and niceties were exchanged as a battle of words and information commenced. When it was finally over, the women departed Thayle looked to Lilly with a near exhausted expression.
“Take me to bed, my dragon master. I will show you how much I love you,” Thayle said with a flutter of her eyes.
Lilly finally released the wine she had been clutching but took Thayle’s hand instead and led her into the palace rooms.
“I just hope Gersius is far enough away,” Lilly said with a laugh.
“What do you mean?” Thayle asked.
“I am sure he is talking to the nobles or the priests. I hope he isn’t close enough to feel us across the bind.”
Thayles eyes suddenly went wide, and she pulled at Lilly's hand. “Oh, Lilly, maybe we shouldn't.”
Lilly smiled and kept dragging her along. “I need you now. He will just have to suffer through it. It is his fault for binding us after all.”
Thayle put her free hand over her face as Lilly led her to the bedroom door. “I hope we don’t embarrass him,” she groaned.
“I hope he comes looking for us and joins,” Lilly said, pulling Thayle into the room. “Now show me all the places you can kiss.”