Blood in the Yolk

…and in those days [of tribes], dragons of like kinds would commune. Dragons of the stones’ fruits; dragons of refined ores; and dragons of wood, stone, and leaf would raise their bowls in thanks to what spirits they had found out in the wilderness. To practice these things, to commune with lesser spirits, is profane to our creators.

To offer the dying blood of game, to burn away sweet fat, to decorate one’s dwelling or scales with bones and skins and skulls is abhorrent to them.

The death blood and the sweet fat - give them to the old, the impoverished, the lame. The bones and skulls - crush them, for skins and bone meal are good for dogs and pigs and grain.

If you live amongst men or the fair or the sturdy folk, give them the skins. Take no recompense. To take from things rightfully given is profanity to those who made us.

The mother of mothers spake to me. When I was still wet with the water of my egg, she cast me out, to be amongst the others. I was grown amidst the fair folk, and the sturdy folk, and the men of both shore and sea. She, who birthed all dragons, spoke to me when I fled to return to my kind.

Her words were like a mouth of fire, and her voice was that of thunderous waves. They came from the very sky itself.

She spoke to me, oh how she spake.

“Beast-child, why have you fled? Have I not given you all you need?”

Mother! I cried. I have no mate, there are no others like me in all the lands of my growing.

“Whelp! I have given you a hundred fathers and a thousand mothers, and more siblings than the sands of the shore. Still you have want?”

Daughter of King Sol! It is my 13th year. My flesh compels me in this season. The last frost has passed, and the trees have begun dressing themselves in their verdant glory! The fire has told me to go. Your sayings told me it would be profanity to stay and plant my seed there.

“Dearest child,” her voice had calmed, like fair tides, and she spoke again, “where I have put you is where you are to be. This urge to sow, it shall pass. Go, lock yourself up, accept no visitors, and make yourself clean in mine and my siblings’ sight. When the week has passed, go back again to your toils, and be amongst the people I have placed you…”

~ Excerpt from Sayings of the Speaker of Dragons.

Sprocket the Bronze Dragon

My jaw rested on the desk I sat at. Unbothered by the professor’s glare, I played with an ink pen, rolling it around my talons as the weird phenomenon of remembering a passage in common, and my mother singing it in Draconic, simultaneously played out in my mind.

I unconsciously hummed along with the voice of my mother, singing the part-hymn-part-sermon in its native Draconic. I recreated it poorly, lost in my stupor of boredom.

It was enough to distract me from the fact I had become a total cliche. I could still cringe at hearing myself almost saying “I love you” on the first day of a relationship. Post-coital professions of love still felt like something I shouldn’t even be capable of. With an inexperienced dragon, no less!

Moonstone was fun, but by no means a bedroom savant. Why is it so good with him? My one saving grace was that Moon reciprocated, much more courageous than I. A smile crawled across my face.

I tried to bring my mind back into focus.

This professor had the door slammed on his tail, being one of the last classes before a week break. No one in the room was focused. Our instructor could have spoken gibberish for the rest of class and I’m certain no one would have noticed.

Beyond the average level of boredom just before a vacation, several students were already feeling the theme of next week. Forgoing the number of herbs, spells, and other remedies, they apparently had decided to “retain their fire”, as some put it. The dragon to my immediate right was checking his pocket watch every few moments, then giving a pained expression, and tapping the tip of his tail on the stone floor.

The flat underside of his tail made a slight “plaping” sound I’m sure was doing nothing to cool his state of mind. I chuckled under my breath, sympathizing with the poor guy, and recalling my own adventures with going into this week “raw”.

During my gap year, I had made a lovely human friend, and he was more than happy to oblige my needs. The direct religious blasphemy that involved brought a smile to my face. He was a fellow welder and was the reason I still wore hoodies. We parted on amicable terms, but rarely sent one another letters three years on.

“Class!” The professor raised his voice. I looked up at the large gold dragon. “I said, ‘you are dismissed.’”

Some fled the room like it was filled with snakes, while others, like me, lazily collected their belongings and began funneling out of the room.

I had consumed one of the plant-based remedies, and still felt the slight lethargy it carried. I couldn’t do that to Moonstone just two weeks into our relationship. Still, a week wrapped up like an ampersand did sound pretty nice. The herb, ominously known as dragonsbane, only had two effects. Sleepy, and not worked up. Despite the side effects of lethargy, I’d heard from an alchemist friend of mine that it was being studied as an antidepressant.

Ash… I hadn’t seen Ash in a while. Might be worth stopping by. If they are unavailable to be called on, then I could just grab lunch in town.

A smile crossed my face. My plan was set. I’d drop my things off at my room and go to town.

***

…A drake’s [sic] first duty is to carry on his mother’s blood. To attempt to build a family with another drake [sic] is like an unbalanced yoke. Teeth and talons and fire[a euphemism for conflict/war] will burn the nest to ashes, and the whelps with it.

One should not be yoked with another kind, either. Does one till the field by yoking oxen and horses together? Is the offspring of a mare and a jack not born with dead seed?

~ Translated excerpt from The Speaker’s book of law.

***

I knocked on the door of the elevated apartment and caused quite the commotion inside. Something metal hit the floor, and I heard Ash yell a curse and a “one moment”. They answered the door with a scowl, but their face softened upon recognizing me.

“Oh, what have I done to cause the rogue of Silver Talon Springs to visit me?” They teased.

I answered in kind.

“I have put the life of skulduggery and crime behind me. My heart has been captured, and I am as tame as a steed.”

“Really, now?” They said in their normal voice. “Someone got the likes of you to settle down? Come on in.”

I followed them into their apartment and caught the scent of utilitarian cooking. They walked over to the other side of a bar style separator between the den and the kitchen. I followed them to it and sat as they continued cleaning up a spill of what appeared to be partially cooked chicken eggs.

“I can scarcely believe it myself. Sorry about the eggs.”

“It’s fine. I was goofing around trying to cook with only my tail and, well…”

They grabbed a few more eggs from the bowl on their counter and tried again. This time using their claws.

“Anyhow, who is the lucky… uh… person?” They offered.

“Oh, no guesses? Not even willing to commit to a species?”

“Sprocket, ignoring the time period you had two or three dragons on-call last year, there are three gryphons in this town, and you’ve slept with two of them and several humans.”

“Ash, I am wounded. I’ll have you know he’s a very nice dragon, thank you very much.” I finished with a dramatic effect, but before I was even done speaking they had turned on me, and were grinning.

“Oh, you finally did it, huh?” I cocked my head at them. “You got with that Opal dragon you’ve been absolutely enthralled with for over a year now, didn’t you?”

“He’s my best friend, how am I not supposed to be ‘enthralled’ by him?”

“Oh, you know it’s different. You were so… I don’t know… gentle around him? He certainly caught your attention with more than just his pretty scales.”

“He’s so smart.” I said wistfully.

Snapping back to reality, I reversed the question. “Well, what about you? Has anyone caught those scalpels you call eyes?”

“Uh, actually… yeah.” They admitted.

“Well, I’m intrigued.”

“He’s a guy from one of my alchemical courses. An incredible alchemist. Smart, but it’s not gone to his head. He’s the kind of honest and sincere I need to ground me.”

“Very nice. Any physical description?”

“Oh, yeah. He’s an amethyst named Night. Beautiful dark purple scales. He’s also just about the same size as me.”

“That can have some perks.”

“True, oh, right - you’re with a small dragon now, huh.” They grinned at me. “Try not to hurt him, you hear?”

“Har, har.” I deadpanned. “I took some dragonsbane for that exact reason.”

“Oh, well I’m not cycling this time, so y’all have fun with horny week.” They said, “I’ve got class with Night tomorrow. If he doesn’t say something, then I will. No need to fall into the old trap of making the masc presenting ones always make the first move.”

“Good for you.” I said. “I’m happy you found someone too.”

***

Praises to her prophet!

Praises to her prophet!

Praises to her prophet!

(Praises to her prophet!) For he brought the words we had so long ignored.

(Praises to her prophet!) For his ways prevent wars and pain and trouble.

(Praises to her prophet!) For his path is the wind side of the mountain.

~ Translated excerpt from Her Hymns, by The Speaker of Dragons

***

Moonstone rode on my back as we navigated the busy dormitories. Other dragons were packing and getting ready to fly to wherever they were spending the week on vacation.

“No, I’m not going home for the week.”

“Why’s that?” Moonstone asked from over my shoulder.

“No one worth going back to.”

“Oh…”

“What about you?” I asked as we got to the staircase.

“I’m going to go see both of my parents. My father first, then spending part of the week with my mom.”

After reaching the top of the stairs, Moonstone spoke.

“I’m just around the corner, here.”

I nodded and brought us into his den. Moonstone dismounted me, gave me a brief kiss, and beckoned me to follow to his room. He lived in a three dragon den. The fire pit in the center was more ornate than the one in my den, and it had a grate that could be set over it for cooking. Instead of the fourth room, there was an alcove containing a window and a ledge. It looked like a comfortable spot to read a book or cuddle up with a warm drink.

“I forgot how nice your den is, Moon.” I said, joining him as he walked into his nestroom.

“I don’t like it up here.” He whispered to me.

“There’s so many snobs, brats, and know-it-alls up here. A lot of the dragons on this floor are the children of nobles and wealthy merchants.”

“Fair enough. The hells are other dragons.”

“Excuse the mess.”

His room was like mine, but his nest bowl was elevated like an ornate bathtub, but as shallow as a human aspis shield. He had movable wooden blocks that sat flush to its lip for chin and book rests.

The rest of the room was unrolled scrolls, books face down on (presumably) important pages, and a few articles of clothing. I specifically noticed the absence of trash, old food, or standing water.

Oh, good. He’s a mess, not a slob. I couldn’t help the thought. Messy is cute, slobish is not. The admittedly judgy observations slipped through my mind unconsciously.

Why am I thinking about this now? I’ve been here before.

“It’s fine, love.” I said.

He trilled at the diminutive. And continued looking around for something.

“Are you doing anything over the break?”

I had stared off, and Moonstone appeared in front of me.

“Huh?” I blinked at him. “Oh, napping, maybe. I might break into the shop my thesis project is in and get some work done.”

“Are you okay? You seem… snoozy.”

“Dragonsbane.” I yawned into a claw, and once I looked back at Moonstone, he looked almost… offended?

“Sprocket, you could have just come to me and asked for the spell. That’s what I’m using.”

“Oh, sorry. It’s just a habit at this point.”

He paused and looked at his claws.

“Can I ask you something?”

That got my attention, and I looked at Moon. He sat, and I followed suit, giving him a quizzical look. He didn’t look upset. The tip of his tail drew pensive circles on the ground by his foreclaws.

“Of course, is everything okay?” I asked.

“I know it’s super soon - but we’ve been friends for like three years - so maybe it’s not that weird - but we’ve only dated for a few weeks - and uhh - “

I pulled him to me with one of my wings, stopping his nervous ramble with a cute oof. I tucked my head into the tent I made over him and gave him a big, sunny smile.

“It’s okay, love. Just ask what you need to ask.”

“Okay, but there’s one part I don’t want you to get mad about.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Can you come with me this week, while I go see my parents?”

I bristled for a moment, and Moonstone must have noticed because he quickly appended:

“We’d only be seeing my father for an afternoon and dinner. We’d be staying with my mom most of the week.”

“Oh, that’s fine. Sure. Like I said, I wasn’t busy. Just… doesn’t your father still want you to find a female mate.” Then under my breath, “Or a wife.”

He slapped my shoulder with the back of his claw and rolled his eyes.

“Okay, so this is where I have to ask you not to get mad…”

***

Is not a single talon’s weight of gold enough to feed a dozen dragons?

For the silver that can fit in your palm, is it not enough to buy fish and cattle and game enough to feed five clutches?

Dragons of refined ores, set down your wasteful burial rites. Is it not enough that your own life is gone? Must you cast an ornament of scale, or horn, or claw to waste what could feed the poor?

Dragons of the earth’s fruit, why must you waste such vast land in burying your dead? You fill their graves with all the fruits of the earth, from citrine to sapphire, just for them to be taken up again by robbers and thieves.

Do as the dragons of wood and stone and leaf do, burn your dead. Let their ashes be an ornament, let their pyre be a ruby!

Do you not know that our Mother has sat a place aside for us? She birthed more than just beasts. Do you not know that she also hatched our souls? And when these bodies we so vainly glorify and fawn over are returned to ash and dust, she will decide which whelps she keeps, and which whelps she will turn away from her nest, or worse! What whelps she may cast from the cliffs of the creators’ domains.

~ Translated excerpt from The Speaker’s book of law.

***

We made our first stop in Silver Talon Springs. That way, we could avoid the updraft and fly from at a lower and calmer altitude.

Combining our bags was the only way to make Moon’s books balance with the clothing we packed. Despite his qualms about asking me to carry our things, I would have anyway, and it better suited my cover story of “hired help”.

Apparently, the afternoon and dinner with father dearest was that same day. So, we bathed, and I teased Moon mercilessly as we dressed one another. Just because my libido was dead didn’t mean I couldn’t still enjoy working him up.

That’s another perk of the spell. It’s much more selective with what it suppresses.

I touched down and finally got out the yawn I had been fighting with since half way down. Moonstone landed after me and walked around to speak.

“Okay, where to now?” He asked.

The chief concern was the corresponding down-draft on the opposite side of the mountain. In the best conditions, it would cause a glide through it to become a brutal crash on the ground. It was nearly as forceful as the updraft, just in a more dangerous direction.

There’s a home carved into the mountain’s base, opposite the town. Turns out that’s “The Duke’s” house.

We would be able to fly around towards the palm until we got to the other side of the “index talon”. Once we got there, we’d touch down and walk a few miles to the estate.

“Lunch before we go?” I asked.

“Alright!”

***

Praises to her prophet!

Praises to -

***

Every single god, damn this! I’d had that damn hymn stuck in my head for hours at this point - just flip flopping between common and Draconic. I needed relief.

We touched down to begin the walking part of our journey. I turned to Moonstone.

“Mind if I ask you a favor?” I asked.

“Yes… wait - no, I don’t mind.”

I chuckled, but then grew serious again. We began walking.

“Can you sing for me, please?”

He looked surprised for a moment, then blushed, cleared his throat, and replied.

“Sure! Uh… anything in particular.”

“Just something that’s not this hymn that’s boring itself into my brain.”

“I know some songs in common, if that will help.”

“Yes, that would be perfect.”

He hummed a bar or two, reminding himself of the melody, then began.

***

Wrap my tongue with yours,

And pin me to the floor.

I get so restless with you near me.

Hold my claws in yours.

I want you to explore,

Any part of me that strikes your fancy.

I need your fire, desire

I need your touch, your entire

Lovely body over me.

I need your hunger, your wonder.

I need your wants and your torture.

Do whatever you want with me.

Wrap our tails like twine,

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I’m addicted to your taste, my wine

Let me be drunk on you.

Hold me in your wings

I don’t much care for the finer things

I need you, not gifts or rings

I need your fire, desire

I need your touch, your entire

Lovely body over me.

I need your hunger, your wonder.

I need your wants and your torture.

Do whatever you want with me.

***

I nearly tripped over my jaw when I heard the first verse. The rest of the song, though, was almost enough to break through the dragonbane’s effects. He sang it beautifully, and the desire in his voice came through to make his casual performance even better.

“That… was incredible, Moon.”

“Thanks!”

He bumped his hip against mine as we walked, and I had to admit, more than a small part of me wanted to tackle him off the trail at that moment.

“It was just… surprisingly explicit. Not that it’s a bad thing, it’s just… hard to imagine where that would be performed.”

“I think this song is only on pressed records. The singer doesn’t like performing, they just like making music. In my opinion, it lets them get a lot more personal with what they sing about.”

“Interesting, so where did you listen to it?”

“They have it at the tea room. There’s another phonograph upstairs, so if you rent the room you can pick your own music while you drink your tea. I’ll take you there sometime!”

***

A few miles, and a light chat later, we approached a large garden’s wrought-iron gate. Beyond the gate, and carved into the face of a cliff, was the facade of an ostentatious manor. Pillars under a large, carved half dome jutted from the facade before the large etched crystal doors. Everywhere, there were carvings of various stylized dragons. Some did combat, some posed mincingly, and still others showed off their bodies with sensuous zeal.

I thought back to the apartment my mother and I had rented after my father passed. How I’d learned trades to fix it up and help her pay rent. This felt like a different world. We all knew the monarch and the royal family as a bit of a national joke, parading around with all pomp and ceremony, but none of the governmental power.

This house, it demonstrated wealth.

It demonstrated that the power this family wielded had never gone away. It just changed from the divinely appointed command of a monarch to the subtle, yet more substantial, power of wealth.

I looked to Moonstone on my left, and he looked grave.

“You okay?” I asked.

He paused, shook his head, and stepped forward.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

***

Marquess Moonstone the Opal Dragon

I marched through the all-too-familiar garden up to the large crystal door. This slice of curated nature had been a reprieve to me when growing up. Father and mom would fight, and I would flee to be amongst the flowers. My father would instruct me in dueling, and I would drag my sore, bruised muscles to the pond to lay and watch the colorful fish. Hero and I would find little hidden places and…

I shook my head. There was no need to further stir my anger before seeing him again.

By the door, a severe-looking topaz dragon stood at attention. I didn’t recognize them, but I knew what they were there for. Father’s butler assigned them to receive us.

They eyed Sprocket as we approached, but as we mounted the stairs, he spoke.

“Marquess, who have you brought?”

“I’ve hired a friend to carry my things for me.”

“Very well.” He said, then turned and walked inside, shutting the door behind him.

Sprocket looked confused, then spoke. “Is he not letting us in?”

“The Duke meets all his guests at the door, so we will be waiting for him to receive us.”

Sprocket blinked at me, failing to hide the incredulity, and finally said. “Oh, okay.”

A few moments later, the crystal doors opened and a sleek dark gray dragon stepped from the door, head held uncomfortably high, and dressed in a sharp charcoal jacket inspired by the officers of our long gone standing army.

Dear old dad.

“It is good you have decided to finally use your family’s wealth and influence, Moonstone.” He looked down his snout at Sprocket, despite only being slightly larger than him. “What family are you from?”

Sprocket, to my surprise, stood up straight and addressed my father respectfully. I’d known Sprocket long enough to catch the brief glint of malice in his eye.

“I am Sprocket, son of Signate, the Lord of the Southern Golden Isles. It’s an honor to meet you, Duke Cinereal.”

“And you are a friend of my son, Viscount Sprocket?“

“Yes sir.” The distinctly-not-a-Viscount Sprocket said.

“Since you are of a noble family, I’ll have you at my table. Please leave your bags with the claw here at the door. He will see you receive them after dinner.”

My father then turned sharply and strode inside. I gestured for Sprocket to follow, and whispered to him.

“Who the hell is Lord Signate?”

“He’s the ‘lord’ of the town I’m from. His son is a creep, so if I accidentally misbehave, I’d prefer the shit fall on him.” He gave me a wink, and I couldn’t help conspiratorially giggling along with Sprocket’s lie.

“Well, after you Viscount Sprocket.” I teased. Since we were alone, I slapped his rear with my tail and he hopped a little before walking.

***

“Viscount” Sprocket the Bronze Dragon

First singing to me like a succubus, then that little whip with his tail? This little twerp is gonna get it.

I had to balance it, though. Actually getting caught was out of the question, but I had enough confidence in my roguish chops that I could torture him without us being in danger of getting caught.

We stepped into the foyer. The word foyer hardly contained the actual size of the room. An enormous, ornate staircase stood on the other side of a stone inlaid version of their family seal. It was an outstretched claw that had two rings on its index talon, representing the school and the town. Other jewelry on each of the fingers represented the other towns and structures carved into the famous mountain range.

Atop the staircase, the Duke called out.

“Marquette Moonstone, Viscount Sprocket. Refresh yourselves and meet me in the tea room.”

He didn’t wait before continuing to stride away. I followed Moon to a room along the floor of the foyer, and we found ourselves in a bathroom.

Not a water closet, for private matters. This was an actual bathing room. There were shallow, heated pools and grooming supplies all about. The tile went from floor to ceiling for ease of cleaning the room itself, and the room smelled of soaps and fragrant oils.

We cleaned up from the journey here, and before we left, I spoke.

“Hey, Moonstone.”

He turned to me, and I caught his snout gently with my claw. I then licked from his collarbone to his ear, kissed his cheek, and whispered.

“You’re in so much trouble for that little tail slap.”

He shivered, and I stepped from the room.

***

Marquess Moonstone the Opal Dragon

My jaw hung open as I watched Sprocket’s tail disappear through the door.

It’s good we were in a cold climate. It’s especially good that this cold climate made pants normal. I was incredibly hard, and we were about to have tea with my father.

I clenched my legs and thought of the task at hand. That brought me back in.

I stepped from the room as well. Sprocket stood innocently waiting on me, as if nothing had happened. A ghost of a smile passed over his features.

“After you.” He said.

I stomped on by, doing little more than making louder clicks on the hard stone floors.

Then we arrived at my father’s study. Straightening my robes, I stepped in, with my head held high, but not as pretentiously aloft as my father. He sat upon a large, luxuriant cushion, and held a small glass with an amber liquid in it. I sniffed the air. Amontillado. I hated Sherry.

As we arrived, my father took notice and gestured to a servant to refill his glass and to pour ours. My father then dismissed them, and looked at us, from over his snout, as we sat on our, apparently, assigned cushions.

I thought of a line from a poem. His sneer of cold command. I had faint, perhaps deluded, memories of him being kinder around mom, smiling, even. That memory was so far removed from the dragon that sat before me, it may as well have been a different dragon.

“I trust, Moonstone, that you are performing as expected in your studies?”

“Yes, sir.” I replied, and I noticed Sprocket looking back and forth at us as we spoke.

“A marvel, really, given how much of your allowance you seem to eat and drink away.”

Sprocket looked confused at this, but he did not know of my plan. I would tell him later.

“Well, I’ve also begun doing as you said, and exercising my authority.”

Sprocket fixed his face before my father looked at him. Assuming the pleasant and slightly dumb look he had been wearing since we got here.

“Sprocket, was it?” Father gestured with his glass, and Sprocket took a small sip.

“Yes, sir.”

“How have you come into acquaintance with my son?”

“Extracurricular activities.” He chimed.

Oh, no, no, no. Please don’t say theater, please please don’t mention that.

“Of what sorts?” Even my father looked concerned.

“Dueling, sir.”

A weight lifted off my back. Thank the Gods.

“I hadn’t realized my son had continued on with the sport.” He said, then leaned back and continued sipping his drink.

“He’s quite good, too.” Sprocket said, still playing his part. “He’s never failed to finish me off in our one on one sets.”

Sprocket turned to me. Placid expression briefly returning to the cunning, teasing dragon I knew. I felt a slight flush.

“You must be terrible at fencing then, Viscount, as Moonstone is by far the worst duelist I have ever seen.”

Sprocket seemed taken aback by my father’s uncouth honesty.

“It begs the question.” He continued, “What do you gain by placating my son with such obviously unearned victories.”

Panic buzzed in my brain, although it only reflected as a slight frown on my face.

Sprocket replied. “Ahh, well… you see sir -“

“Spit it out, then.”

“We drink together.” Sprocket admitted. “I let him win so he keeps hanging out with me so we can drink.”

My father flicked his eyes to me.

“See, Moonstone. There’s always some other motive. Fortunately for you, this one,” he gestured at Sprocket, “is harmless.”

Sprocket was giving his best guilty look. My father then stood, set his glass on the table, and spoke.

“Dinner is in 15 minutes. Get washed up.”

He then left us in the room, presumably, to what he believed to be our own turmoil. Sprocket looked at me, no longer acting.

“Drinking? Food? You’re practically an Ascetic.” He asked.

“I’ll explain later.” I said, walking up to him. “Thank you for playing this part.”

“It’s no problem, Moon. I - “

I bit his ear and pulled him down to be level with me. I followed that with soft kisses to where each of my canines pressed especially sharply. Sprocket groaned and clenched his eyes shut. I nearly dragged him to the floor with the light bite.

“Your move.” I said, then sauntered from the room.

***

Sprocket the Bronze Dragon

This… this is why I love this little white gemstone. Beyond his demure and proper facade was a dragon as devious and playful as any I had ever met. Ash’s words came to mind. More than just his pretty scales. It was damn true, and though my ear hurt, my heart swelled with love for him.

Right then, I wanted nothing more than to rip off those pants he was wearing off, and cast his cloak to the wind.

I blinked. Suddenly realizing I was alert. Oh, Gods…

The bags are with the staff. No dragonsbane.

“Moonstone!” I shout-whispered as I followed through the study door. “Moonstone?”

Urgently surveying the mezzanine, I saw one other open door from where I stood, and I could see it was a dining room.

I rushed over, hoping to catch Moonstone before we were required to sit.

Once I entered, I saw a long 30-or-so dragon table with the Duke sitting at one end, and Moonstone sitting at the other. They were both looking at me. A blush came to my face as I sat next to Moonstone.

“Moonstone, I need - “ I tried whispering, but Duke Cinereal interrupted me.

“Excuse me, Viscount. Do you not know it is impolite to whisper in front of the master of a house?”

“Sorry, sir.”

“Well?”

This son of a snake.

“I was saying, Hey Moonstone, you know that scale that’s been stuck and itching and burning terribly? It finally fell out! Now I don’t have to chew those bitter pain-killing herbs any longer.” I said.

I looked at Moonstone, and tried to hold his gaze, desperately hoping he’d read between the lines.

“Ugh, disgusting. I am sorry I asked.” The Duke said.

Moonstone met my eye with a questioning look before his eyes went wide. Then I felt the faint movement of magic as he began casting.

Moonstone’s foreclaws remained on the table as I felt one of his rear talons touch my leg, and cool relief flooded through me. Did he just cast with one of his back claws? Impressive. The relief was immediate and jarring. The animal craving in me vanished, leaving just the actual attraction I had to Moonstone in its wake. It also didn’t cause the lethargic but slightly happy feelings I had grown accustomed to during ‘mating season’.

A few silent, awkward moments later, a door opened, and a dragon pushed a cart into the dining room. Silently, they put our plates on the table and exited the room.

Before me sat a lamb shank in a translucent green sauce. It smelled of herbs, mint most strongly. The cutlery surrounding my plate was, to me, indecipherable. I could fake the pleasantries, but I had not actually learned etiquette, so I watched Moonstone in the corner of my vision, to not be so obviously imitating him. He picked up the outermost fork and knife, and began delicately cutting into the meat. I followed suit.

The lamb was tender, and the herb sauce complemented the savory cut of lamb. The small bite I took was about one-third of the meat. We ate silently, and metal scraping against porcelain was the only sound in the room. Moonstone and The Duke seemed to watch one another; each one’s look nearly becoming a glare before looking away to take another bite.

The atmosphere was frigid, despite the heat the surrounding granite had trapped. Moonstone had clearly brought me here to force some civility from the pompous dragon acting as our host.

“I am not pleased with the court’s ruling,” the Duke said, unprompted. “I find interspecies sodomy a matter of much distaste. It’s as useless to society as same-sex mates.”

He looked at us, gauging our reactions, as we looked on incredulously.

“Not for religious reasons, mind you. I’m not an imbecile.” He added.

It’s like he was being as unpleasant of a person as possible, on purpose. I folded my claws on the table before me.

“With all due respect, sir,” I began, and Moonstone tensed. “why should you care? If you don’t want to sleep with gryphons or humans or males, then just don’t.”

He was scowling, but remained composed.

“I don’t have a problem with ‘sleeping with males’, Viscount. I am referring to so-called relationships and matings that are fruitless, not to whom one chooses as concubines. I am responsible for the people of this mountain, and I will not see them fall into debauchery.”

He was speaking through his teeth, and to my surprise, Moonstone spoke up with the frustration of a thousand unresolved arguments in his voice.

“Please, father.” He spat. “Responsible? Really? To whom, a deposed King? To our ‘Mother ordained’ rite to rule?”

His father put his claws on the table, disturbing the silverware with the sounds of clashing metal.

“I will not hear this blatant disregard for our heritage -”

“A heritage! Of what? Incest? Patricide? Raping the kings son and loosing the war for the monarchy?”

Moonstone had stood as well, and I put my claw on his shoulder. He glared at it, then took a deep breath, and sat back down. His father’s face fell.

“I will concede that my grandfather did much to… damage our name. Can’t you see this is why we should repair it?”

The Duke’s face softened as he spoke, and I turned from watching Moonstone to hear him.

“Yes, he abused marriage to the degree that we, as a people, reject it now, but we can rebuild. We can bring dragonkind back to the glory of old, if we uphold our honor.”

Moonstone gave a deep, defeated sigh.

“There were no glory days, father. Two generations after the monarchy fell, your generation voted to disband the military. Things have been getting better without the royal families. Without the king.”

His father grew sober, the angry drive of his determination failing into resignation and disappointment.

“I know the futility of changing your mind, son. Will you have a moment to speak privately before you depart?” The elder dragon asked.

“Unfortunately not, father. I should really be getting to mother’s house before dark.”

“Very well then, I will send my concerns to you via letter. Good night.”

With this, he stood and marched from the room, taking the icy air with him.

I glanced at Moonstone, who seemed to finally relax for the first time since we got here. I picked up the lamb bone and brought it to my mouth.

“Wait, don’t!” Moonstone said.

I froze. “Don’t eat the marrow?”

“Yes. He’ll know we were lying if you do.”

I sat the bone down, but also gave Moon a quizzical look.

“I hate using this terminology, but ‘eating the marrow’ is something only ‘poor dragons’ do.” He said.

“Ahh.” I said. “Was that… uh… bad?”

Moonstone was looking at his claws on the table.

“Pretty par for the course, actually.”

“So, you two are… good?”

“Yeah. Let’s just go.”

“We leave the plates?”

“Yes.”

***

Though it is our mothers who bring life, heed your fathers, children. For drakes [sic], you should emulate your father. Step in his footprints as he walks. Feel his wake as he flies. Follow your fathers even unto war.

Do not be like the [tribal period] dragons of old and raise the whelps together. Each needs the attention of their creator, much as we pray to the Mother of all Dragons.

Daughters, emulate your mothers. Walk in her path. Her eye shall train yours in all the ways of discernment. Her claws will train you in the ways of making, and in governance, and in money.

Do as you are told by your elders. Has our mother not given them their years such that they may teach, that they may be an example?

~ Excerpt from Sayings of the Speaker of Dragons.

***

As we flew from the manor, east over pine forests, I flew above Moonstone, and once I saw a small clearing in the woods, I grabbed him around the belly and flew us down to the soft, dead grass.

He rolled over, and I leaned down to kiss him. His warmth felt amazing after the chill of flying. Though, when my claws trailed downwards, he grabbed my wrists and spoke.

“I wasn’t lying, we do need to get to Mom’s house by sundown.”

“Alright, fine, but before I forget, what exactly did your great-grandfather do?”

“Oh…” he gave a pained expression before looking back up at me. “My twice great-grandfather was a noble of the old kingdom, but not royalty. The royal family was just gryphons at that time. Great-great-grandfather was well loved by the recently unified dragons, but his son, my great-grandfather, was a monster that he kept from the public eye via bribes and intimidation.”

He paused.

“I’m following so far.”

He gestured for me to let him up, so I helped him to his claws. He sat and continued.

“Knowing his son… hmmm… lacked the personality to wed on his own, my great-great-grandfather promised the aid of all the dragons he had sway over, in exchange for the princes’ hand in marriage for his son.”

“This is the story of why we reject marriage.”

“Yes, the prince and his lover’s suicide basically lost the old king the war, but cemented my families place as royalty. A place taken just as the king lost his casus belli to fight the Republic.”

“Why was your great-grandfather not the king, then?”

“The prince’s younger brother murdered him, and took the throne himself. Dragons didn’t take it as an act of war, because it was seen as an honorable act of revenge.”

“Damn, I’ve heard bits and pieces, but I never connected all that with actually being your family.”

“I guess you can understand why I want to distance myself after school.”

“Why wait?”

Moonstone looked up at me and smirked. I cocked my head, eager for whatever secret I was to be let in on.

“Remember when father said all I did was drink and eat?”

“Yeah, that was odd.”

“He’s been paying my way through the mages program. He’s also given me an allowance to ‘maintain my status’. I’ve been squirreling away random amounts of that allowance to pay for the program myself, in case he disowns me.”

I was impressed, and a grin spread its wings across my face.

“Clever boy.” I said.

“I have my moments.” He said, then nuzzled into my shoulder.

“Oh, ho ho. Don’t get all cuddly with me.” I said performatively. “You’re still in plenty of trouble, Moon.”

“Oh, how could I forget?” he asked salaciously, and ran the tip of his tail against the inside of my thigh. “I started this, don’t you remember?”

With that, he stepped up to me, pulled his tail out from under me, then whipped my rear again and took off in one movement.

“You little - “ I yelled, and followed him, flying away from the setting sun.

***

The last oranges and purples were fading as we landed in the outskirts of a small town a few leagues from the Silver Talon Mountains.

It was a much sleepier town than The Springs, and more dragon focused. The low wooden buildings were short compared to towns where humans lived, and the only noise we could hear was the hubbub of a small bar and a few - especially entrepreneurial - vendors packing up as we walked towards the square.

Moonstone’s gate was different here. There was pep to it, and though both of us were tired from the long flight, he nearly trot to our destination.

We finally arrived at a two story tavern, and I saw a beautiful pearl dragon standing on the balcony. They wore a glossy white cloak that accented their scales. The cloak floated in place as she made a delighted sound and suddenly dove towards the opal dragon in front of me.

The swooping dragon grabbed Moonstone and lifted him just enough to roll him on his back. She landed over him and then wrapped her forelegs around his neck. I looked away for a moment because she still stood on her hind legs, leaving her rear up in the air.

“Mom!” Moonstone sounded equally happy and surprised.

“Welcome home, Moon.”

I moved to their side and sat. Moonstone’s mother nuzzled his cheek, and he laughed earnestly at the sensation and with the joy of his welcome. My heart warmed, but there was a pit in my gut. The contrasting sensations concerned me. Before me was a tender display of love, so:

Why do I feel so afraid?

Before standing up, his mother kissed his cheek. “Who is this? Could it be the Sprocket I’ve heard so much about?”

“Mooooom.” Moon cried.

She let him up, and he returned the hug before coming back to stand by me. I fixed my face with a mostly genuine smile and put a wing over Moonstone.

“Yes mom, this is Sprocket. We are together.”

“I figured it was going to happen eventually.” She chimed. She turned to me and extended a claw. “I’m Ammolite. It’s good to finally meet you.”

I took her claw and was pulled into a hug. I chuckled, but her embrace just served to remind me of the pit in my stomach.

As we entered, a smaller opal dragon and two citrine dragons of the same height greeted us. These must be the half-siblings he mentioned. Once they noticed our entry, the smaller opal dragon cried “Moonstone!” and ran towards him. The two citrines who were cleaning noticed and walked up more casually. A heartbeat later, the smaller opal dragon was on Moon’s back, and the two others were picking around his mage robes.

“You’ve never worn your mage robes home before.” One said.

“Who is this?” said the other.

“Everyone,” Moonstone said, “this is my partner, Sprocket.”

The twins were now looking at me, though the smaller opal dragon was still nuzzling her older brother’s neck. They all seemed to be secondary school age.

“Sprocket, this is - “

“Spark” the one on my left said.

“And Crackle.” said the one on my right.

“Were you two really from the same egg?” I asked.

“Is it that hard to believe?” Spark said.

Looking at them, no. No, it was not.

“My backpack here is Coral.” Moonstone said. “She’s the youngest.”

Ammolite had walked in behind us and had stepped behind the bar. I noticed and finally surveyed the room.

There were wooden tables all about, and a warm fire crackling in a fireplace to my right. It had a hearth large enough that a dragon could lie in front of it. The bar and staircase were on the left wall, across from the fire. Besides that, there were two or three guests curiously watching the familial display.

“Alright, y’all.” His mom announced. “Now that Moon is here, we’ll eat.”

There was a “yay!” from the gathered dragons, and the patrons as well.

“Spark, Crackle get everyone bowls, please.”

Moonstone, his siblings, and I all sat at a table waiting for his mom to join us after serving her customers.

The bowls were plain, stone, and utilitarian, but the size promised a portion that had me swallowing to not drool on the table. I think I’d only had that morsel of lamb today. Damn dragonsbane, making me too lazy to eat.

Dinner was a tomato stew, filled with chopped, fresh herbs, onion, and garlic. Some large tomatoes had been cut, cored, and stuffed with cheese, then added towards the end of cooking, offering a tender centerpiece to cut and eat with a spoon. It was wonderful, filling, and truly felt like a home cooked meal. I didn’t know how long it had been since I’d eaten something like this. I probably hadn’t since dad passed. During the meal, conversation was light, playful, and full of stories from their time apart. I even joined in, much to Moonstone’s glee.

“When I was a first year, I discovered a magical potion! It was called wine, and it made dealing with roommates so much easier.”

This got a sincere laugh. Bowls sat empty on the table as the stories and banter continued. Moonstone even made me tell the story of waking up in the dormitory’s mulch landing area. This earned even more laughs. Once the conversation calmed, and topics grew more reflective, Moonstone shared the story of how we got together, earning some partial teasing, but sincere awws from his siblings and mother.

All the while, my eyes kept flicking to Ammolite. She was incredible, caring, and clearly loved her children dearly. That pit in me started to ache, and seeing the love in her eyes as her son recounted our story, turned that ache to a sting. I couldn’t imagine her ranting like a lunatic, or rambling to herself for hours in the middle of the night. Though, there was a time I couldn’t imagine my own mother doing that either.

I kept my smile and actually had fun eating and talking with them all. When Ammolite mentioned washing up and resting, I felt relieved. I’d felt that stinging for long enough, and I needed that beautiful, wonderful evening to be over.

***

Drakes [sic], protect your mothers. The one that gave you life is one who you should never cease to serve. Is she not your connection to the mother of us all?

~ Excerpt from Sayings of the Speaker of Dragons.

***

I dragged my tail and hardly lifted my claws as Moonstone and I finally made it to the room we would stay in for the next few days. Moonstone, also wearing his weariness, smiled softly at me as he closed the door. I dropped the tail bags in the corner and stretched as he folded up his mage robe and sat it on a chair by the bed.

He then sauntered up to me.

“I believe I owe… recompense, perhaps? for my indiscretions earlier?”

I pulled him to me, kissed him, and then pressed my forehead to his.

“Moon, not tonight, I… I -”

I took a deep breath, considering what I had to say, but then a dam broke in me, and tears rolled down my snout. Before I even realized I was crying, a sob racked my chest, and Moonstone brought his head up.

“Oh, Gods Sprocket.” he hesitated for a moment, but then pulled my head to his chest, and began stroking the top of my head. I pulled in choked breaths as more sobs shook my body.

The sudden outpouring of emotion felt like it came from nowhere, but I knew where it came from. A few deliberate, steadying breaths later, I looked Moonstone in the eye.

“I- I need to tell you a story. Can we go for a walk?”