Felix and Eri both stood in awkward silence as Aluin left. The Sage had left them with a lot to think about and neither of them knew where to even start. It wasn’t even just about marriage or an heir, they had also discussed Felix’s new role within elven society…

Champion, the word sounded strange in his mind and Aluin hadn’t been thrilled to hear him called that. Yet, the Sage did not elaborate, only saying the answer was in the journal.

Another mystery I suppose. At least I know where to look. He glanced over to the item in question. It was where he left it, sitting on top of his bed.

Funny, I don’t feel as hesitant about it as when I first found it. Back then, he had taken Fea’s warning to heart, but now? Now he had a burning curiosity. It was tied to the old, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t learn or glean anything useful from it.

Eri shuffled in place, bringing him back into the moment. It seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Not that I really know what to say either… Still, he decided to try. “So… We have a little bit before the other Sages arrive.”

“Y-yeah… I was thinking of what to do– I mean, there is a lot that needs my attention but I don’t know where to start.” Clearly, there was much on her mind.

“I think… Perhaps we should talk with our partners, together. If we are to be, um… If we are to be a family, I think we should include them.” He felt his cheeks flush as he struggled to get his own words out.

“That’s not a bad idea… I’m sure Oralyn can manage things for a little bit,” she nervously chuckled.

Felix let out a sigh. We’re so bad at this. “Come, let’s go find them. At the very least, we should spend some time with them.” He came up to her and offered a hand. She took it, squeezing tightly.

“Should we discuss what Zira wants to do?” Eri asked suddenly, as they slowly approached his door.

It took him a moment to realize what she meant. “Oh, about bonding?”

She nodded.

“Yeah, I think we all need to be on the same page. Especially because I think if Zira wants to do this, it needs to be with Kyrith. They will need to fully understand the consequences of that.”

Of course, I don’t think that will sway Zira away, let alone Kyrith once he knows. It didn’t help the reason why Zira was wanting to do this either, it was all for his and Eri’s sake.

In a way, it's sweet but I fear that it might complicate our bond… That was his greatest fear. I don’t want our bond to break.

With worry and doubt in his mind, he led them out of his room. There, standing next to the stairs, were Eri’s guards. They gave them a salute, no doubt something Oralyn had a hand in…

The only acknowledgment either of them gave back was a nod as they promptly made their way down the stairs and into the hallway. However, it was there that Felix realized he needed to say something.

“We’re going to meet up with our partners. Once we do, you will leave us,” he said sternly.

The guard captain gave him a curious look. “Our job–”

“I don’t care. Eri will be with me, Zira, and Kyrith. She’ll be safe.”

“But–”

“Look, you do not want to deal with an angry dragon. I can promise you that. And if you are worried about Oralyn, you can blame it all on me.”

The captain considered his words before finally agreeing. “Fair enough, but…” He looked to Eri. “And what shall we do while we wait for your return?”

“Huh? Oh, I don’t know. You may do as you like.”

“Alright then,” he said with a sly smile. “I think I have a few ideas…” He glanced over to the other guards. “We could do with some training.”

There were groans from them but no one outright objected.

Meanwhile, Felix gave him an approving nod. “Probably for the best. The dwarves will be here in a few hours, they’re coming here to help put together an army.”

A few of the guards nearly stumbled at that news.

“Really?” one of the other elven guards asked.

“Yeah, them and the gnomes.”

“Wow…”

The conversation died off as they finally made their way outside and towards the hatchery. There, Kyrith and Zira were already waiting. And, behind the hatchery, the colossal tree almost seemed to acknowledge his presence as well…

I take it you heard everything? he asked Zira after a moment.

Both of us were listening in. But, let's wait until we go somewhere more private.

Agreed. Felix spoke aloud as they came to a stop by the dragons, “You all are dismissed.”

The guards gave him and Eri one final salute before attempting to march off.

They definitely need practice, he thought as they awkwardly stepped out of sync with each other.

Zira chuffed.

“Something funny?” Kyrith asked, cocking his head.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

But Felix waved it off. “Not really, just an observation… Anyway, shall we head to our favorite spot?”

“Oh! Can we go to the pond instead?! I haven’t had a bath in a while…”

Felix laughed as Eri rolled her eyes. “Is that fine with you, Zira?”

“It sounds perfect, actually. Kyrith isn’t wrong, it has been a while,” she answered with a deep purr.

It was his turn to roll his eyes. “Alright, alright… I get it. We can head to the pond, just the four of us.” A moment later, he scrambled up to his spot on Zira. It was only then he noticed that her and Kyrith’s saddles and harnesses were removed.

Watcher and some of the kobolds helped get them off last night, Zira said, answering his unasked question.

Ah. Where did they put them?

In the hatchery. You can put mine back on, if you want.

No, no point. I’ll just have to remove it again. And besides, I’m more used to riding without the saddle… Though, I have to admit, it does make flying easier.

She let some of her amusement leak through the bond but said nothing. Instead, they waited for Eri and Kyrith.

“Ready?!” he called out once she was in her perch.

“We’re ready!” Kyrith answered, beating Eri.

With that, the two dragons wasted no time and set off at a canter towards the pond…

***

The pond was cool and crisp in the late summer morning. It was refreshing and helped ease some of Felix’s worries. Yet, it was also a reminder of the changing seasons and the battle that would soon come.

Despite that though, in this moment, he was happy and content. The dragons were playing in the water while he and Eri sat along the shoreline drying off. They held each other’s hands as they watched in peaceful silence.

This is what I want, he thought. I could live with just this. Felix had no delusions of grandeur or power. He truly wanted none of it, only to have Eri, Kyrith, and Zira at his side. They were, in his mind, family.

Family… He was starting to think of their relationship as exactly that. Even more so after the talk about marriage and an heir. In truth, he was fine with all that.

He knew that eventually he and Eri would settle down and marry. They would have a child, possibly several, and Zira and Kyrith would be their guardians–

Felix couldn’t help but smile at the thought of a newborn baby resting peacefully in a crib. A crib that was surrounded by dragons. No one would dare...

His smile attracted the attention of Eri. “Something funny?”

“Yeah. I was thinking about if we had a child, no one would mess with them. Not with Kyrith and Zira around.”

She laughed. “That would be a sight to see.”

“It would.”

The two of them fell into blissful silence once more. However, there was one topic he was avoiding. One he really shouldn’t shy away from, and the main reason why the four of them were out here alone.

Zira and Kyrith.

His partner wanted to bond with Kyrith so that he and Eri would have a connection. There was lingering doubt, and for good reason. Bonds were special and personal, forming one meant you trusted the other.

But is it right to ask Kyrith to do something like this, just for our selfishness? Zira was fine with it, it was her idea after all, but that didn’t mean Kyrith was.

A mental nudge from Zira made him shake his head and look up. The two dragons were exiting the water and making their way to him and Eri.

I will ask him, she said.

I will let you do that then, he thought as he stood up.

It was time.

The two dragons came to a stop and brought their attention down upon him. There was a feeling of anticipation in the air.

Felix started the conversation.

“I know that the two of you were listening in earlier. Still, I think we should all talk. I think we should make decisions as a… As a family.”

Kyrith perked up at that. Meanwhile Zira only lowered her head in a nod.

“Family?” the ember-colored dragon said, tasting the word.

“Yes, family. The truth is, Eri and I will eventually marry, that is a foregone conclusion– Even before all this talk about queens. Already, though, I consider you family, Kyrith. You and Zira.”

“Family…” the dragon muttered, repeating the word. “Family sounds nice.”

“It is, which brings us to the main reason why we are here…” Felix gestured to Zira. “If you will, please.”

All eyes shifted to her as she prepared to speak.

“Kyrith,” Zira started with, “I would like to form a bond with you.”

The ember dragon blinked, seemingly stunned. “W-what?”

“I would like to form a bond with you–”

“Why?” The question surprised Felix just as much as it had Zira.

Did Eri not tell him anything? he wondered and glanced her way. She had the same look of confusion. I guess she has… He decided to keep his mouth shut and let the two dragons talk.

“Because… Because I want Felix and Eri to have a bond–”

“But what about you and me?” Kyrith asked, again catching Zira by surprise.

She was thankfully quicker to react this time. “Kyrith, for the longest time I didn’t know what to think of you. I found you annoying and child-like. I believed that you only ever did things to get attention…”

The ember-colored dragon slumped and lowered his head, defeated. Yet, Zira was not done.

“However, I came to realize something. I came to realize it was I who was acting like a child. My selfishness and pettiness blinded me to what you were really trying to do. You simply wanted to be my friend.

“But, Kyrith, I dare say, you are something more than a friend to me. You are… Family. We are family. Eri and Felix are family. Ithea is… Well, she is my mother, so I suppose she is family too.”

“I-I am confused… What are you trying to say?”

Zira got close to him, looking him directly in the eyes and spoke softly. “What I’m saying is that I want to bond with my family. Do you want to bond with me?”

Kyrith looked to Eri, who gave him an encouraging smile. “Do what your heart says, Kyrith. No one will fault you for your answer.”

He then turned his gaze to Felix. “Kyrith, this is your decision. No matter what, you are still family.”

The dragon stared at him a moment longer before looking towards the ground in contemplation. The rest of them waited patiently for his answer…

Finally, slowly, Kyrith lifted his head up to Zira.

“All I wanted were friends…” he trailed off for a moment, his voice shaky. “To tell you the truth, I was always a little jealous that you still had your mother. I don’t think I will ever know mine, and I never considered that I could have a family.

“I-I hope you don’t hate me for that. But it's truly how I felt. But now?” He dug his talons into the soft ground. “But now, all I want is that. I want a family…” He paused.

“I want to bond with you.”