Today was my first-time tasting cake. Andras, being a demon, simply summoned us breakfast out of thin air with the sugary treat being one of the dishes he conjured. The cake was very good. Sugary, sure, but it was balanced out with the dough which was made up of a lovely mix of eggs, flour, and milk. Delicious.

I thought about the prince for a moment. Perhaps I should go visit the capital he so warmly spoke of? I brushed aside the thought and just focused on the now. I was enjoying some food with Andras, and there were many flavors to savor, and I didn’t plan on missing out on any. We were both in our humanoid forms as to better savor the food. Eating in dragon form would be very messy but the smaller hands and mouth of the humanoid forms allowed for better tasting- rather than simple devouring.

We eventually quit eating, and I asked for a moment to speak with Andras. He nodded, perking his attention.

“You should come with me back to my family's cave. I’m sure they would be interested in meeting you. You may not be entirely a dragon, but you’re a strong and valuable ally to have regardless.”

Andras chuckled slightly. “So, you’re taking me to meet your parents already? I thought I was going to invite you for a drink or something before that stage...” I blushed a little, hitting his shoulder. “No, it’s not like that...” Andras laughed, shaking his head. “I’m just teasing you. I agree, I should meet them.”

His head then turned to face mine with a tiny glint in his eyes. “Would you like to get a drink with me sometime, by the way? Might as well commit to what I said.”

I blushed again, turning my face away from his. “I-I’d like that.” Andras turned his face to the exit of the cave with a smirk on his face. “Ladies first. Or are we not going to meet your parents?”

I hesitated for a moment, thinking about his offer. “How about we take that drink first? My parents can wait.” Andras turned to face me once more with the same glint in his eyes as before. “Of course, your highness.”

Andras snapped his fingers, instantly transporting us deeper inside the cave. There was a table there where the candles were already lit, and the cutlery was already in place.

Andras snapped his fingers once more and a bottle of some sorts appeared in his hands, and he popped it open with nothing but his hands. “This is my favorite wine; I hope you’ll like it.”

He poured some of the liquid into my glass, and I took a better look at it. It looked like water, but with a hint of green-yellow color. I began to worry that he might just be pouring me a glass of urine, but after smelling it I concluded that it was definitely not. It smelt strongly of a foreign smell. “What is that smell? It’s unlike anything I’ve smelt before.”

Andras raised an eyebrow and stopped pouring his own glass, placing the bottle on the table. “What, the alcohol? Yes, I suppose living as you have been you wouldn’t have had a chance to experience that.”

He grabbed his glass, taking a small sip of it. “Would you like anything to eat with this, my queen?”

I grabbed the glass, twirling the strange liquid around a little. “Just call me Apocalypso. Apo for short.”

Andras chuckled slightly. “Sure thing.”

I brought the glass up to my lips, experimentally taking a little sip. It had a rather strange taste, I could tell there was grape juice in the mix somewhere but there was another strong, bitter taste which almost overruled the grape. It was actually rather unpleasant, and I slightly cringed my lips. “Its… interesting.”

Andras took another sip then laughed. “The first few times are the worst. You get used to the alcohol eventually.”

I swallowed, feeling a slight tingle in my throat as the liquid passed through. It almost felt as if I was drinking liquid fire. “Gosh! That’s rather unpleasant…”

Andras chuckled again. “Maybe this wine is a little high in alcohol content. My bad.”

The bitter taste had almost completely faded by now, and I raised my eyebrows in intrigue. My mouth was filled with the grape-y taste from before, but now the taste was much clearer. “Oh! I like the aftertaste. Very grape-y.”

I took a look at my hands when I felt a little unwell. “Is this some sort of hallucinatory drug or something? My hands are flowing…”

Andras’ eyebrows rose in shock. “What? Already? Maybe dragons have low tolerance…” He put a hand on my forehead. “You’re burning up… How many fingers am I holding up?”

I saw his hand in front of my eyes. No, I saw two hands. I counted the fingers… “Dude! You have to get your hand checked out; demons shouldn’t have 6 fingers!”

Andras looked at me with a concerned expression. “Okay… I think you should go take a nap.”

I shook my head. “Now?? It’s the middle of the day! And- and I’m horny.”

Andras’ facial expression had turned from worry to sadness, and he stood from his chair and walked over to me with a sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know...”

My face contorted into a pout as his hands wrapped around my back and he lifted me up into a bridal position. “And do you, Apocalypso, take Andras as your husband?”

I brought my hand up to Andras’ cheek, cupping it. “Yes.”

Andras’ face looked to be entirely focused on something else than me. “Apocalypso… Please calm down.”

I sulked, limply giving into Andras’ arms as he carried me. “Woah. I’m flying.”

Eventually he stopped, putting me down onto a bed in the cave. I stretched, feeling the softness of the fabric before shouting good night right into Andras’ face. He looked at me with a concerned expression before pulling the blanket over me and walking away.

It didn’t take very long for me to fall asleep.

I woke up some time later with a horrible migraine. I clutched my forehead, feeling very dizzy. “Ugh… I feel awful.”

I swung my legs off the bed, trying to keep my eyes open. One of them landed upon Andras who was lying in a bed a few meters from me, appearing to be asleep.

I clambered up from the bed but found it difficult to remain standing. “What the hell is going on…” I shambled over to the exit of the cave before a wave of nausea came over me and I threw up on the grass. The same bitter taste I had felt before rolled over my mouth as I emptied my bowels of the foul liquid.

I wiped my mouth dry before looking around for some kind of water source. I was really, really thirsty.

I eventually caught a glimpse of a small lake, and I shambled my way over there before bending down and turning into my dragon form again. I submerged my mouth into the water, gulping down numerous liters before I pulled my head out of the water again. I felt better, but not by much.

I suddenly felt a soft tap on my left hind leg, and I looked to see what it was. It was a badger, apparently trying to eat my foot.

I couldn’t care any less and I plunged my head into the water once more, drinking even more before I pulled my head up into the air once more.

I finally regained my balance and a feeling of rage built up inside me. Did Andras try to poison me!?

I thundered back to the cave, probably crushing the poor badger under my feet in the process. I transformed back to my human form to better fit inside and stomped over to where the demon slept. I tapped his shoulder, causing the fiery fiend to wake up.

“Wha- oh. You’re up.” Andras’ face quickly went from shock to sorrow as he looked at me. “How… how are you feeling?”

I stood there with my hands crossed over my chest, tripping on one foot. “Am I fine? I think I should be the one asking that to you! Did you poison me?!” I bent down over the demon, yapping right into his face. He cowered a little, putting his hands up in defense. “No, I swear! I didn’t know dragons have such low tolerance for alcohol, trust me!”

I scoffed before turning around with an angry flourish. “Yeah right.” I stormed out of the cave before taking off from the ground and flying to the top of the cave. What was I thinking trusting him… I put a hand on my chin, trying to remember what had happened yesterday.

He must have poisoned me. There is no other explanation. I scoffed again. If he had anything he wanted to say to me, he could damn well come up here himself.

*Broody female alert.

It didn’t take very long for him to follow up after me. He landed next to me and sighed. “Look, I’m telling you. I didn’t know. You have to believe me- “

Stolen story; please report.

I scoffed, looking at him. “How come I remember nothing from yesterday then? How come my body threw up whatever you served me yesterday?”

Andras’ face turned to anger. “If I did serve you poison, why would I drink the same stuff? I’m telling you; I didn’t know! How would I have known? You’re the first dragon I’ve talked to in more than 400 years!” I was a little offended, but listened to him regardless. Andras saw the opportunity and continued. “Look, if it’s a sorry you want, then fine. I’m sorry. I promise not to do it again. Just… talk to me.”

I sighed before bringing my gaze up to meet his. “Okay. I believe you.” I put a hand on my shoulder, letting out an awkward laugh. “Maybe I overreacted a little bit… Sorry?”

Andras gave me a warm smile and put a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’d probably react the same way if I was in your stead. Can we still be friends, at least?” I sighed, looking into his eyes with a smile. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry too, for how I reacted…”

Andras folded his arms out, inviting me to a hug. I chuckled slightly before moving closer to him and wrapping my hands around his back and hugging him.

We hugged for a few minutes before I pulled away from him. “You know, I have been thinking about something.” Andras raised an eyebrow, looking into my eyes. “Oh? What is it?”

I blushed slightly, looking to the side. “There’s a reason I’ve been a little angry lately, actually. It’s mating season for dragons now…” I turned to face Andras again with an expectant look. He looked at me with eyes bigger than I’ve ever seen on him before, and a blush redder than a beetroot. “Y-You’d like to… With me?”

I nodded again before biting my lip. “Only if you want to, of course…” I put my pointer finger on his chest, twirling it across his chest teasingly. He looked down at my hand before suddenly grabbing it. “Of course, my queen.”

I giggled slightly before pulling my hand in, bringing his face right up to mine. I took a few breaths before I whispered. “Is this your first time kissing as well…?” Andras blushed before manifesting a mouth on his face. “Yes…”

I smirked, turning my head sideways before pouting my lips and bringing mine into contact with his. His skin was warm and wet, almost as if it was made of a liquid.

I got a tingly feeling coming from between my legs and I squeezed my thighs together before I plunged my tongue into his mouth. I met his own half-way, and we fought a few seconds for dominance before he won, and I submissively let him explore my mouth to his fullest. He eventually pulled away for air, and a thin line of saliva connected our mouths as he pulled away, panting.

“So… right here, or do you prefer a bed…”

I only chuckled slightly before pulling him to the ground, causing us both to roll down the hill.

A few hours later I laid beside Andras with a hand on my belly. “That was great...” I looked to the demon beside me, and he smirked toward me. “It was. I get why people do this now...”

I chuckled. Both him and me are virgins- well we were. “I’m glad you pulled out. I don’t think I'd be able to bear young quite yet...” I cringed slightly, as I remembered that my body was technically only one year old.

Andras turned to his side, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’d never do anything like that without your consent.” I looked at his face and smiled. “So... would you like to be my boyfriend?”

Andras wasn’t entirely a demon. Apparently, he had spent a lot of time around dragons and their draconic aura had spread into his own, making him a half-dragonborn half-demon hybrid. I think my parents would be more accepting of him than any other demon. Andras gave me a little laugh. “I’d love to.”

I smiled back at him. “Then I'll be your girlfriend.”

I brought my hand down to his, grabbing ahold of it. Andras briefly blushed, before smiling at me once more. “Well, it’s lovely to lie here with you but maybe we should go say hi to your parents like you suggested earlier? I’d love to meet them; they’ll be my in-laws eventually after all-” I giggled slightly. “I’d like that.”

Andras smiled one more time at me before getting up from the ground and pulling me alongside him. “So, how would you prefer we travel? I know multiple ways.” I put a hand on my chin before shrugging. “What do you suggest?”

Andras smiled before waving his hand in front of him, creating what looked like a portal in front of him. “When I fought against God, one of the perks I got from my victory is the ability to teleport anywhere in this world as long as I've been there before. I’ve visited your mountain a multitude of times, your grandparents- well, they were allies in the war. They unfortunately died sometime after the war was concluded however...”

I instantly perked up upon hearing this. “Oh? Tell me their names!” Andras chuckled slightly, before answering. “Your grandfather’s name was Egnis, and your grandmothers’ name was Ragnar.” I looked at Andras in awe. “You really knew them, didn’t you... Did they have any other children?”

Andras put a hand on his chin, appearing in-thought. “I do remember two of the dragon’s names. One of them was called Fury, I remember her because she...” he stopped himself, shaking his head. “That’s not important. The other one I remember was Inferno, because he was a hybrid. Very potent mix of fire and wind.”

I thought about my brother, remembering he was the same way. “So, he was orange?” Andras shook his head. “No, I distinctly remember him being pink.” I laughed a little, imagining a pink dragon. “Well, that must sure have been a sight to behold.”

Andras chuckled before pointing toward the portal once more. “Shall we proceed?” I nodded, and we stepped through the twirling hellfire, hand in hand.

“My daughter... mated with a demon.”

Dad was in utter disbelief at what he had heard, but he wasn’t angry. “If that’s what destiny told you was correct, then so be it. Mates come of all shapes and sizes after all, it’s not forged in stone you need to marry a dragon.”

A half-smile appeared on my face, and I thanked my dad. “Thank you for understanding, if nothing else.” Dad gave me a cautious smile before returning his gaze to Andras. “You. You keep my daughter safe; you hear?!” Andras nervously rubbed the back of his head and laughed. “I-I didn’t have any other plans, sir.”

Dad huffed a little before turning around and going back inside the cave. Andras looked at me with a smile. “He’s very protective of you. That’s a good sign.” I gave Andras a thankful smile. “Thank you for understanding. He’ll warm up eventually.”

I looked back inside the cave and in what felt like less than a second, mother stormed out of the cave with a scream of glee. “Apocalypso! You’ve already found your mate? I’m so happy for you!!” Mom immediately transformed into human form and took Andras’ hand, shaking it. “So very nice to meet you! Your name was...?” Andras was a little taken aback by my mother’s forwardness and nervously replied. “A-Andras, ma’am.”

My mom stopped shaking his hand almost immediately and looked to be in a state of shock. “C-Come again?” Andras looked very confused and tried to let go of my mother’s hand, but she wouldn’t let go. “A-Andras...”

My mother immediately let go of his hand and squinted her eyes in disbelief. “After all these years. I can’t believe it.” A small smile appeared on her face, and she folded her arms out. “Do you remember me? Ucle Adras.”

Andras seemed to be in disbelief when the puzzle piece finally fell into place and his eyes widened with shock. “Fury?! Is that really you?” Mom’s eyes immediately welled up into tears and she hugged Andras. “It’s been so, so long. I thought you died...”

Andras reciprocated the hug, and I was just left standing completely dumbfounded. She was... Fury? Why did she have multiple names...?” After they finished hugging Andras immediately asked what I had on my mind. “Apo told me your name was Phyrra... I always assumed your parents had another child, but it was you all along?”

My mom- I don’t really know what to call her now- looked very somber and replied. “After the war we were forced to go into hiding. The angels were relentless in their search, and eventually tracked down my parents... as you would know.” I immediately widened my eyes in realization. So that’s how they died.

Andras sighed, placing a hand on my mom’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to save them. If I'd have intervened- well, I was so damaged at the time the only outcome would have been me perishing right along with them.”

My mom nodded her head. “I don’t blame you. They knew what they signed up for when they accepted to be bonded to you.” Andras nodded his head before facing me. “I take it this is news to you. Your mother and I share a... similar story.” I didn’t really know what he meant by that, but I chalked it up to them both knowing my parents.

Andras faced my mother again and smiled. “In any event, it’s good to see you again. I hope we can get to know each other... again.” Mom smirked and nodded her head. “Well, of course. You’re my son-in-law after all.”

Andras blushed, facing me. “We haven’t really made it official yet... But we’d love to, isn’t that right Apo?” I smiled at Andras and nodded. “That’s right babe.”

Mom smiled one more time before turning away from us. “I won’t bore you love birds anymore; you know where to find me if you need me.”

Andras turned to face me, then laughed. I reciprocated it, and after some time we both headed into the cave. “She seems nice.”

I stopped him for a moment, snapping my fingers. “There is actually one more thing I'd like to show you. Do you know any light spells? We’ll need some light for it to work.” Andras simply snapped his fingers, flaring the burning parts of his body up and illuminating the cave in green. “How’s that?” I let out an impressed hum and took him further into the cave before we reached the purple emblem. “Now, look...”

I pushed my hand into the purple rock once more, infusing it with void like I had done before. The purple glowed, before the void-black portal appeared in its usual position. “And here it is, my own little dimension. It’s safe, don’t worry.”

Andras looked a little worried at the twirling black mass, but he seemed to trust me regardless. “If you say it's safe, I'll believe it.” He plunged his hand into the portal, and I could see a slight cringe form on his face, and I asked him what was wrong. “I didn’t expect it to be so viscous.”

I snickered slightly before putting my own hand into the portal. “I’ll see you on the other side.” I stepped through, popping out in the void dimension. Andras stepped through not long after, and I helped pull him through the last few centimeters. His eyes immediately widened, and he looked in awe at the void cave. “Woah. It’s just like the other cave.”

I smiled. “That’s not the most impressive part of this place. He’ll be here any second now.”

Andras was about to ask me something when the familiar purple pillar appeared from the roof. The fire soon subsided, and Sirrus was once again standing on the cave floor with the same, unmistakable smile. “Good afternoon, my queen.”

I looked at Andras with a smile, and he looked completely dumbfounded. “Is this your butler or something?” Sirrus immediately perked up upon hearing Andras’ words and raised an eyebrow. “Demon, you have the missus’ smell all over you. Have you mated with her?”

I rolled my eyes and looked at Sirrus. “Yes, he did.” Sirrus bowed almost immediately upon hearing my words. “My apologies. If I had known, I would not have addressed your highness so bluntly. It’s an honor, my king.” Andras looked a little shocked but listened along regardless. I pulled him down toward me before whispering into his ear. “Don’t worry, he’s like this with everyone.”

I had sat down at the war table, looking at the different dots once more while Andras was busy exploring the cave surroundings. I suddenly got a strange feeling, like I had forgotten something very important. “Sirrus, would you come here a minute?”

Sirrus immediately appeared next to me and spoke. “What’s the matter?”

I shook my head a little before pointing toward one of the dots on the map. It was pink. “Do you know what the name of this dragon is?”

Sirrus rose his head to the ceiling, appearing to be in thought. “If I recall correctly that particular dragon’s name is Inferno.”

I nodded with intrigue. “I see. Oh, one more thing. Andras has been struggling with keeping his limbs from falling off, do you know anything that might be able to fix that?”

Sirrus gave me a broad smile before speaking. “Yes, indeed. I know of the limbs you speak of. The moment they arrived in this dimension, I took great care in preserving them.” Sirrus snapped his fingers, summoning a rather large glass container filled with what looked like a pair of demon arms and two legs.

“I believe these belong to the King.”