by Crystal Dawn
That’s exactly what they did and they both laughed as if their hearts weren’t breaking. Niku ate even though he’d just eaten because dragons were always hungry and he didn‘t want to hurt her feelings. Cretia finally left and Niku cleaned up as he had insisted on. Once that was done, he went to bed where he slept fitfully because of worries and bad dreams. When morning came, he was up early. He drank a bitter herbal tea that woke up the senses to prepare the man and the dragon for a busy and hopefully productive day.
Outside, he changed to his dragon form and flew to the castle, landing on the roof in the spot designated for those assigned to or visiting the castle for work reasons. Guards stood by in front of all the doors going into the castle. He was easily recognized and waved through.
Niku headed to the office assigned to him where his assistants were or soon would be. Romo was one of them, he was in charge of the guard and directly under Niku’s supervision. His friend was good at his job and rarely needed any assistance or advice. The other group that was under Niku, was the Special Forces teams that took on anything no one else was trusted with. Each team had a captain in charge that directed the rest of their team and ensured the job got done.
Niku only had a few hundred males under him, but his tasks were the most important ones. His males guarded royalty and dealt with the toughest and most important difficulties that cropped up around the planet. Even though he was only a major, in most things he answered directly to the Emperor. His authority wasn’t limited to one kingdom, it carried across the planet. He was content with his position and the pay was higher than any other major he knew of, not that he told anyone what his salary was.
The only thing necessary to make his life complete, was for Betty to agree to be his mate. Dragons needed to have families even if it was only a mate. They could go mad without the ties that kept them anchored to reality. A Dragon only had one mate and that’s why even though dragons were technically immortal, their numbers had been falling for generations. Earth might be what changes all this.
It wasn’t only that a large number had found their chosen ones, but that two chosen ones had made complete transformations. To fly side by side with his mate was a dream he’d never before allowed himself to imagine. What color would she be? Would she be small or almost as large as he was? Would she have the marks of a warrior or something else? His dragon was excited to find out.
Davy had been marked as a warrior, Romo had admitted, but only to him that Bree also had the marks. She had no interest in the military so maybe it was best to keep that quiet. Betty had no interest in that either. Just because they were marked shouldn’t mean they had to serve, but that rule was applied to males.
Gazo, his personal assistant, sat at the desk in front of his office. “Kenley, the rogue leader, has agreed to the meeting for today. Both of you are to go in alone. He will meet you at Galea Falls. Do you want to accept his terms and agree to meet him?”
“Yes. What time?”
Gazo looked at the clock on the wall. “You have four hours to prepare yourself.”
“That should be plenty of time.”
“Do you really see any good coming of this?” Gazo wondered.
“At the least, it might help us to understand why they went rogue to help prevent others from doing so. Best case scenario, we will find a way to heal all our people. Worst case, it will do no good at all.”
“I’m not sure that it is possible to heal our people through them. My vote is to destroy them before the harm us in a way we will never recover.”
“You love battle too much, Gazo. This is a better solution, we must at least try. Battle should only occur once you have tried all the other options.”
“It amazes me that you are an unbeatable warrior, yet you prefer not to fight.”
“I love to fight, Gazo. I just don’t like to kill. It’s a last resort.”
“We will once again have to agree to disagree.” Gazo noted.
Gazo was a warrior and while Niku was as well, it was a rare warrior that was also a diplomat. Battle was the way of dragons. Only those with royal blood could breathe fire that was about ten percent of dragons. Niko could and Gazo could not. It was ironic that Niku had more of the deadly gifts a warrior dragon could have and yet didn’t like to kill. Gazo had almost no gifts and was as bloodthirsty as they could get.
Now Niku went to his office and began to sort the paperwork and put in a call to the emperor. “Niku, is the meeting on?”
“Yes, my emperor. The meeting is on in four hours. Wish me luck.”
“You have skill, it is more reliable than luck.”
With that, the call was over. He would do those tasks he could until the time was near. Kenley had been a training sergeant when he suddenly decided their way was not the right one. The male and several of the warriors he was training had gone rogue. Now they stole for a living and tried to rally citizens to their cause. That was largely ineffective. It might be a small movement, more like a thorn in their side than anything, but even a thorn was uncomfortable and could cause an infection. Once they were dealt with, everyone’s lives could go back to being boring and predictable.
Time went slowly but eventually it was time to go. Niku went to the roof and changed. His dragon flew high and proud until he was near the falls. He circled lower and lower without seeing anyone. There was no worry, Kenley would come as he’d agreed. Niku and Kenley had been friends once upon a time. It seemed like another lifetime. They’d been young and idealistic wanting nothing but the best for the people. It was hard to say why Kenley had gone rogue while Niku had adapted and learned to help his people within the government structure.
Kenley’s big green dragon circled above on the air currents dropping lower with each circle. Even though he was considered a traitor to their people, Niku couldn’t bring himself to hate him. He still remembered the much younger version of the male that he’d gone fishing and hunting with.
The green dragon landed and changed and the male that stood there was still much like the one he remembered from so long ago. “It’s good to see you my friend.” Niku greeted.
“Is it?” Kenley asked.
“We were once the best of friends. A shadow of that will always be there no matter what happens between us now.” Niku observed.
“You wish to bring us back into the society we fight to change.”
“That society is best changed from the inside by following the rules and the laws. Progress has been made. Many freedoms have been granted. The emperor and the kings are not your enemy. They are good males struggling to do the best for their people and keep the balance. You could have fought for a better life at their side, not against them.”
“You’ve been brainwashed. They want to hold onto their power. The people are their possessions and they have no care for them.”
“That’s just not true.”
“What about the mate situation? They are using that to control us.”
“Are you trying to say the planet being destroyed was their fault? They’ve found another option and are testing compatibility. It’s what a responsible person does.”
“You are lost to our cause, Niku.”
“I was never willing to be a rogue. It’s wrong to cause the trouble you do and to steal from average citizens. I’d hoped you would see that.”
“We do what we must.”
“But why? What is it you hope to change?”
“There’s nothing new here. You know what I want. We need industry and change.”
“You’re hurting the very people you say you want to help. That’s never right.”
“I guess we’re done here then.”
“If that’s your decision then yes. There was a chance of forgiveness had you agreed to come back.”
“Does that include any of my males that is willing to come back?”
“The emperor wants you to see that together we can do what’s best for our people. If some of your males truly wish to recant and come back, I�
��ll speak to the emperor. He’s tough but fair.”
“I’ll send you a message if anyone wants to go back to their old life.” Kenley changed and took off in the blink of an eye.
Niku waited until he was out of sight, then he changed and took flight as well. Things had not gone as he’d hoped. “Did you hear all of it?” Niku touched the audio transmitter to make sure it was still there.
“Yes, it is disappointing.”
“Yes, Emperor, it is. I had hoped he’d consider coming back.”
“You did all you could.” That was the truth and it hurt. Now that the diplomacy was done, the battle would begin. I hoped I would not have to take on Kenley personally. There was so much history between us and I didn’t want to hurt or even kill him.
The conversation was over so he concentrated on the pleasure of flying. The wind in his face, the view below, the silence except for the rushing sounds of the wind. His dragon loved to fly high and rule the sky. At the level he flew right now, his gray color made him look like a shadow to those who looked upward. Sometimes he felt like a shadow, unseen and unimportant.
His dragon needed his mate and his male half needed her too. How could he ever convince her he was the one for her? All this had to happen when he was trying to woo his mate. His dragon wanted to roar but the castle came into view. He landed easily and changed back to a man to head down to his office. The day was almost done, but he felt like he’d accomplished nothing.
“How did it go?” Gazo asked. Niku just shook his head. There was nothing else to say. He headed to his office where he made calls and answered emails until it was time to leave.
Niku stretched and popped his joints. Being inside a small room like this most of the day was hard on the dragon. It was time to leave now and he left his office and joined the line of dragons going up to the roof to head home. The line moved fast since everyone was in a hurry to leave and they changed and took off instantly. The line split between two areas to take off from. Soon he was ready and the change moved over him in a second and he was off.
He’d never thought much about the change but if somehow he convinced Betty to be his mate, she would probably change. That’s when he would need to talk her through a first change that he had made long ago. It was a faded memory overshadowed with the excitement of meeting his dragon side. There had been pain that first time, but it had been quickly forgotten by the realization that he could fly.
Flying was the one thing that Niku loved more than anything. It took his breath away and relaxed him. Flying made him happy no matter what bad news or tragedies he left behind on the ground. That helped keep a dragon sane, the ability to put everything aside when they flew. Now he was flying and the wind was in his face, the sky was the limit, and only peace rolled through him.
It was all over when he landed and changed back. He remembered that Romo and the ladies were supposed to come by and tour the castle. They hadn’t showed up so he changed back and flew to Romo’s house.
Knocking on the door, Romo greeted him. “Is everything alright?” Niku asked.
“No.” Romo replied. “Bree is sick and the others are trying to help her. Apparently morning sickness isn’t just in the mornings.”
“What is morning sickness?” Niku wondered.
“It’s something females who are carrying young can get.”
“I’ve never been around a pregnant woman.”
“Me either. Not until now.”
“What should we do?” Niku asked.
“Maybe we should fix something for supper since the women are busy?”
“Isn’t soup good for illness? While I was in Earth I saw a chicken noodle soup commercial.”
“Chicken would be like the keis we have here, wouldn’t it? They are both domestic birds.”
“We have something like noodles too.”
Niku and Romo got to work and using the ingredients of a local soup but substituting noodles for the rice like grain and chicken for the beef like meat. When they were done they set the soup in the fireplace kettle to simmer. They fixed themselves sandwiches and waited.
The women came out one by one. “How is Bree?” Romo asked.
“She emptied her stomach and now she’s sleeping. Maybe she’ll eat when she gets up. What do I smell?” Dori asked.
“Niku and I made some soup for Bree.”
“It smells good. Maybe she’ll be able to hold it down after she wakes. I’m worried that this may be a rough pregnancy. She needs to see a healer, tomorrow if possible.” Dori suggested.
“Alright. I’ll take her to the castle with me and see if the healers will have time to see her.” Romo said.
“I’m sure she’ll be okay once she gets something for the morning sickness.” Dori explained.
“I hope so. I worry about her.” Romo admitted.
Betty came out and sat by her mom. “It’s weird that the sickness came on so bad the first time.”
“Is that unusual?” Romo asked.
“Yeah, it might have something to do with the change, too.” Betty speculated.
“It’s hard to say. Davy changed without much trouble. She’s the only other one that has.” Romo admitted.
It gave Niku another worry. If Betty changed and became pregnant, would she also get this ill? There seemed too many concerns with Earth mates. Niku and Romo sat talking and Bree came out a couple hours later.
“I’m sorry I messed up the plans to tour the castle.” Bree said.
“The castle will be there whenever you feel well enough to go. I’m just glad you feel better.” Niku admitted.
“I feel hungry now. What is that I smell?”
“Soup.” Romo said. “Do you want to try to eat a little?”
Bree’s stomach growled and she blushed. “Yes, just a little in case.”
Romo fetched a bowl and spoon then used the ladle to fill her bowl halfway. “Be careful. It’s hot.”
Bree blew on a spoonful and sipped at it. “This tastes good. What is it?”
“It’s our version of chicken soup.” Romo admitted.
“It’s good. You can make this for me anytime.” Bree decided as she sipped the soup.
Niku was glad she felt better and hoped she would not be ill anymore. It was getting late so he said his goodbyes and went home wondering if Betty and Selia would ever be coming home with him.
Once he was home, it was the same old thing but a different day. He went to bed hoping he’d find some peace in sleep, but there was none. Stretching his cramped muscles and rubbing his tired eyes, he got out of bed and took a shower just to wake up.
The flight to work would probably be the highlight of the day. Gazo greeted him when he arrived and he went to his office to get some work done. Instead, he sat at his desk thinking about Betty and how he wanted to impress her. The interest seemed to have been there when they’d met.
The day finally came to an end and today he had no invitation to Romo’s house although he knew he would be welcome if he went. Maybe absence would make the heart grow fonder. Niku looked around his place when his dragon landed. It was a nice house but the yard and the land had gone to hell since it had been vacant for nearly a year when he had bought it.
The real estate market hit highs and lows based on the availability of mates. At the time the owner had died, everyone knew about the planet the mates came from. Potential mates were leaving the area in droves. Niku knew about other possibilities and put in an offer based on hopeful optimism. It had been his hope at the time that he and his mate would work the land together. If she became pregnant right away, he would hire help for her. The situation seemed to have changed and it was time for him to take things in hand before the weeds took over things completely.
Niku stayed in his dragon form. Some of the areas of land had nothing but weeds and he started with those, scorching them lightly. It was just enough to burn off the unwanted plants and any seeds they had. It was a common practice and some fire dragons made a living doing it. His dr
agon loved the freedom of blowing fire as he flew.
About half the fields were burned off, the fire died almost instantly. It had taken thirty minutes to avoid days of backbreaking work. He would fix supper and then get back to work. Maybe it would take his mind off his mating difficulties.
He entered the house to the aroma of meat cooking. Cretia had come to see him again. “I know what you’re thinking but I’m only trying to be nice to a friend.”
“Cretia, even if she rejects me, my dragon doesn’t want another.” Niku tried to explain.
“I understand, but I’m lonely, Niku. I need your friendship even if that’s all you can give me.”
Niku understood. Cretia had come here to mate, but the male that had chosen her had died before they had joined. Others had shown an interest, but she had always refused. He wasn’t sure if it was because she liked him or because he could offer her more than any of the others who had shown interest, but she seemed to hold out for an offer from him. It was an offer she would never get.
“Okay, you went through a lot of trouble tonight, but no more surprises. Okay?”
Cretia smiled as if she’d been granted a gift. Why couldn’t Betty want him that way? Niku set the table for two and they sat down to eat. There was a knock on the door so he went to answer it. “Hey Romo, what’s up?”
“The ladies sent me over here to see if you brought some licorice home with you. Selia has a tummy ache and she’s crying for some. Hey, Cretia. How are you doing?” Romo asked.
Cretia didn’t answer, she just dropped her head and stared at the floor. Niku dug out a box of licorice and handed it to Romo who smiled as he put it in his bag. “Thank you. Sorry I interrupted your evening.”
Romo turned around, took off running, and changed as he ran. The bag was held in his giant claw as he flew homeward. He went back to the table and they finished their meal. Cretia began to clear the table.
“You know my rules. When you cook, I clean. Have a seat and pour yourself a glass of wine.” They talked as Niku cleaned.
“I saw you burned off some of your fields. They look good and ready to till.” Cretia observed.