by Autumn Dawn
Juniper and Kjetil’s room was almost Japanese in its simplicity, dominated by cream walls, dark woods and muted, elegant fabrics with pops of bright color. It had an attached bathroom with a huge stone shower stall, oversized tub and double sinks with sinfully soft towels.
“Nice,” Kjetil said, looking thoughtfully at the tub. “He has good taste.”
“Yep,” she agreed absently, looking out the windows at their private balcony. It was strange to see so many dragons in the sky. They were magnificent and intimidating. “It makes you feel small, doesn’t it?”
He put his arms around her and took in the view. “They’re pretty, but none of them can make an Iron Oak.”
She laughed and turned her face into his shoulder. “We’d better go see the house, especially the kitchen. I hope they stock chocolate and coffee; I might need comfort food before this is over.”
The family gathered in the large kitchen over hot drinks as Indris discussed the upcoming dinner with his mother. He gave Gilly a hard look. “Be respectful. She’s an old dragon and has earned your deference.” He looked at Juniper. “If she challenges you, feel free to stand your ground, but be prepared for the consequences. You’re the elder and she’ll want to know if you have backbone.”
Juniper raised a brow. “Should I wear something fireproof?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s not going to flame her granddaughters.”
Juniper frowned and pondered what constituted a challenge. Did grandma have a sharp tongue?
“What about me?” Margaret asked. “Should I be the one wearing armor?”
He kissed her brow. “She’ll leave you alone. It’s only the girls she will test. Don’t worry; they’ll do well.”
Juniper looked away. Margaret wouldn’t be tested because his mother didn’t think she was worthy. Arrogant dragons.
Chapter 14
Gilly managed to make her usual leathers look elegant. Juniper applied makeup and Margaret styled her hair, but the true magic was her ensemble. The tunic was tailored green velvet with an embossed, sleeveless leather vest. It was warm and felt pleasantly like light armor, and the leather pants breathed more than she’d thought they would. It came with a sash that tied around her waist and a new emerald and diamond necklace with matching earrings “to commemorate the occasion”.
Juniper blinked against the sparkle reflected in her bathroom mirror, and remarked, “At least I get to wear pants.”
Margaret, who was standing next to her and bedecked in shining strands of diamonds, sighed. “It makes him happy, Juni, and you look nice.” She fussed with the cosmetics, straightening up. “Maybe I went overboard on emphasizing natural beauty, but I wasn’t thinking of fitting in with dragons.”
Juniper’s face softened and she touched her mother’s shoulder. “I think you did a great job raising us. At least we aren’t spoiled.”
Margaret’s shoulders drooped. “I failed with your brother, though, and Gilly looks so happy now…”
Juniper snorted. “It’s not every day a woman’s asked to raise a dragon and a tree mage, and Justin is an adult. His choices aren’t your responsibility.” She almost added that she didn’t even like Justin, but bit it back. Her mom didn’t need to hear that.
“Anyway, we’re not here to impress grandma. Let the old dragon look us over and we’ll go back home and get on with our lives. Gilly’s the one who’ll have to deal with her the most, and according to Dad, if she keeps her mouth shut, she’ll be fine.”
Her mother looked at her doubtfully, and they burst out laughing.
“You’re right, she’s doomed,” Juniper chuckled, and led the way out of bathroom.
Kjetil took one look and froze, rooted to the spot. “Wow.”
Juniper smirked and did a pirouette. “You like? Take a good look, because next week it’s back to jeans and t’s.”
“I’ve got to take you out more often,” he murmured, his voice deep as he moved closer. “You’re beautiful, baby.” He kissed her knuckles and brushed a light kiss on her mouth. “Your grandmother will be impressed.”
Judging by her cool reception, her grandmother wasn’t impressed. Verya Hsstat was a silver-blonde, with coral and pink leathers she’d shaped into an elegant scaled dress. Judging by her jewelry, she favored blue-green tourmaline of neon intensity, white diamonds and opals. She was an old, old dragon who’d long disdained meaningless social niceties. Her parlor was painted cream, with coral leather couches and teal accents. She rose gracefully from her comfortable chair as her son presented his family.
Margaret received a nod. “It is good to meet my grandchild’s mother.”
Gilly bowed as she’d been instructed.
“You’re small for your age, but you have the family coloring,” Verya mused, looking pleased. “Have your horns come in yet? What color are they?”
“Ivory,” Gilly said warily.
“Hm. I look forward to seeing your dragon form.”
Indris waited patiently for his mother to acknowledge him and said, “And this is Juniper and her mate, Kjetil.”
“Ah, the wolf.” Verya looked at Kjetil and raised a brow. “Do you think you can keep the drakes from stealing young Juniper, Lt. Bjorn?” She seemed serious, but not especially worried.
“Let’s find out,” Kjetil said, smiling with anticipation of the challenge.
Verya looked amused. “Juniper. I’ve heard a great deal about you. Your exploits regularly make the news. You have quite a following among the drakes. Rumor has it Lord Verbreaker has forbidden others to speak to you until now, on pain of his displeasure.”
Juniper laughed. “Breaker did me a favor, then. Good to know.”
Verya gestured for them to sit. The coffee table was set with coffee, tea and snacks. “Please serve yourself.” She waited until they were settled and looked at Juniper. “So, you call the Skylord’s son by his first name.”
Juniper smiled wryly. “I’ve run into him a great deal lately, what with one thing and another.” She let the question dangle. Let Verya dig; it would make her happy.
“And yet you chose your wolf.”
“I like him,” Juniper said, patting Kjetil’s leg possessively. “Besides, from what I’ve seen, drakes are hot during courtship and ice when it’s over.” She looked into Kjetil’s eyes. “I like a nice, steady flame.”
His eyes heated.
“Hmph.” Verya took a sip of tea. “You’re a romantic, I see.”
“Guilty.”
“I’m pleased my daughter found someone to love,” Margaret said firmly, breaking up the sparring. “She knows what’s important in life.”
Verya inclined her head. “Tell me about yourself, Margaret. Have you considered having more children?”
Juniper flinched at a sudden realization. She stared at her mother. Her eyes jerked to Indris, but couldn’t meet his gaze. She looked back at her mother, flummoxed. Why had she never…? She’d just assumed… Nobody wanted to think about their parents’ sex life.
Kjetil took her hand and squeezed it gently in silent support.
She took a slow breath, her vision glassy, and started silently listing tree species by shade tolerance. Now was not the time to think about this, but she couldn’t help hearing her mother say, “Not at this time. I’m afraid I have my hands full with the three I have.” Mercifully, she turned the subject to general chitchat.
Juniper was grateful when the visit ended and silent as they returned to Indris’s home. She needed to be alone.
Unfortunately, her mother sensed the tension and announced, “We need a family meeting.”
“Mom,” Juniper said grimly, meeting Gilly’s eyes. Unfortunately, Gilly looked determined and hot under the collar.
Knowing she was doomed, Juniper trudged into the family room with Kjetil as everyone filed in. She dropped onto a couch to stare dully at the fire. She was feeling horribly depressed.
Gilly remained standing to demand, “So, are you really married, or what? Because grandma
’s right; you didn’t have a child.”
Juniper rubbed her temple.
“Your father and I are good friends,” Margaret said gently. “The important thing was that you were raised with a sense of security and family.”
“So do you have something on the side, or what?” Gilly demanded.
“That’s none of your business,” Indris said sternly. “But no, I don’t.”
The girls stared at their mother.
Margaret blushed, but said, “Indris and I are intimate. I imagine wolves are familiar with how that can be.”
Kjetil wisely kept his mouth shut.
Juniper sank deeper into the couch and wished she’d stayed home.
Gilly looked mulish. “So what, you’re together, but you’re not in love? One of those ‘stay together for the kids’ things?”
“Gilly.”
“Is there a predetermined time you’re going to break up? When I’m eighteen? Twenty? When did you decide I was old enough to handle it?”
“Gilly,” Indris said firmly.
Gilly stormed from the room.
Juniper had enough. She popped up and followed Gilly out, grateful Kjetil let her go. Gilly needed her now.
Gilly looked at her when Juniper followed her into the room, angry tears spilling over her cheeks. They hissed and steamed, and her eyes glowed like furnaces. “It’s not new, right? We knew it was screwed up.”
Juniper pulled her into a crushing hug, aware she was shaking. She buried her face in Gilly’s hair, ignoring the scalding tears that fell on her shoulder. “I know. I know, sis.”
“He’s not my father, anyway,” Gilly said defiantly, but her voice broke.
“Hurts,” Juniper choked out, her throat tight with pain.
“He’s going to leave us!” Gilly jerked away, kicked the bed, and sat down like a puppet with broken strings.
Juniper dragged a sleeve over her eyes and fetched a roll of toilet paper (dragons didn’t have tissues) and joined her. She’d already lost one father; she wouldn’t have thought losing Indris would be this hard.
Gilly blew her nose and threw the tissue on the floor. She gulped in a shuddering breath. “I hate them.”
Juniper flopped on the bed and looked at the ceiling.
“It’s Chaldaic’s fault.” Gilly thumped her thigh. “I wouldn’t be here without him!”
Juniper scowled. “What? You’d leave me with just Justin for a sibling? You suck.”
Gilly choked on a laugh. “So you’re glad you’re stuck with me?”
“I gotta have someone to beat up, right? A little sister is…oof!” Juniper laughed as a pillow socked her in the stomach. She reached for another to retaliate, ducking against the hail of blows. She snatched a pillow and reared up to deliver a mighty blow…except it landed on Indris. She froze.
Indris caught the pillow and smiled faintly. “Come with me, girls.” He set the pillow aside and handed Juniper her coat. “You’ll need this.”
They flew over the blue peaks as the sun set, painting the mountains violet and gold. He flew for a long time, circling the city and farther out, over deep valleys and mirrored lakes. They spiraled high and dove, careful with Juniper, Gilly’s rider. The sky was magic, the view incomparable.
Finally, Indris settled on a peak to contemplate the first stars while Juniper snuggled under Gilly’s wing to warm up.
He was silent for a long time, and when he finally spoke, his great, slit-pupil eyes glowed with warm flame. “My girls. How I love you.” He contemplated the stars. “I didn’t know what I was missing until I was given daughters.” He looked at them again, his eyes brimming with love. “Don’t you know I will never leave you?”
Gilly snuffled, and Juniper’s eyes burned.
He gently touched Gilly with his nose. “Margaret and I are one in our love for you. I will never give you up. You need my love and protection, and it is so fierce, I could never tolerate another male as your mother’s mate, raising you. Our union may not be the great romance you dream of, but neither of us cares. We wanted to raise you together. No one loves you the way we do.”
Juniper sniffed. “But…”
“Stop trying to make choices for others and be grateful for what you have,” Indris advised, his voice deep with a touch of humor. “Live your life the way you wish, and know that you are loved.”
“But you and Mom…” Gilly said sadly.
“Change is difficult, but it is a part of life,” Indris said. “You can let the winds batter you, or you can ride them.” He carefully spread his wing over them in a dragon hug, his body still so he wouldn’t crush Juniper. Juniper leaned against his hot hide, feeling the scales under her cheek. Gilly nuzzled his shoulder, comforted. Together, they watched the moon rise.
Kjetil offered Juniper a hot cocoa when they got in, thoughtfully spiked with Irish Cream. She kissed his cheek and wearily followed him to their room.
“Better?” he asked, hanging her coat in the closet.
“Better,” she sighed.
“Good. It’s cold out there. Why don’t I get a bath started?”
She was grateful for his warm arms that night, sleepy and passive as he caressed her, letting him comfort her. Whatever was going on with her family, at least she had him.
“Why do we have to meet again?”
Indris’s lips thinned. “Your grandmother enjoys protocol.”
Gilly sighed. She lounged in an overstuffed chair in Indris’s family room, one foot tapping in agitation. “It’s not like we have anything in common but a deadbeat dad.”
“You are children of my son, blood of my family.” Grandma Verya’s voice said sternly as she entered the room, two dragons in tow. “And because I said so.”
Gilly bolted upright. “I didn’t know you were there. Sorry.”
Verya inclined her head. “Gilly, these are Chaldaic’s other hatchlings, Ria and Sombri.”
Juniper assumed their grandmother had insisted on their presence, but they made no secret of their disdain for Gilly. The hatchlings looked at each other in mutual contempt leavened by mild curiosity.
Indris had already shared background on his niece and nephew. Ria was thirty-three, the product of a dragon mating that didn’t result in a permanent union. She had red hair and leathers, and her eyes gleamed electric blue.
Sombri was twenty-seven, with black-red hair and leathers. His eyes were dark, and like his leathers, held a hint of red. His human mother refused to have anything to do with him or Chaldaic, and he’d been raised by his sister and grandmother.
Being a dragon, Gilly wasn’t troubled by a touchy-feely need to get close to her half-siblings, and she wasn’t a rival for Chaldaic’s affections. Flanked by Indris and Juniper, she assessed the pair while Verya watched sternly, ready to crack heads.
Ria looked her over. “Pink. I remember being your age. Young dragons so often feel the need to seem more dangerous than they are. How your coloring must trouble you.”
Gilly gave Ria a flat look. “I’m touched you care.”
Indris nudged Margaret to keep her silent. He’d coached her that coddling Gilly would be a terrible mistake. In this setting, his mother was in charge.
“That’s enough, children. We’re going for a family flight. Margaret, Juniper, Kjetil, forgive me, but I think it’s best if this time it’s dragons only.”
Margaret clamped her mouth shut and inclined her head.
“We understand,” Juniper said smoothly. “Have fun, sis.” She suppressed a grin at Gilly’s dirty look.
Juniper planned to explore Indris’s personal library, but her mother clearly needed a distraction. Judging by her scowl as she looked out the window, watching the dragon’s retreating forms, she was not a happy camper.
“You know, it’s never too early to shop for Christmas,” she told her mom. “and isn’t Aunt Rita’s birthday coming up? We should get her something.” She managed to keep her mother entertained with shopping and lunch until late that afternoon. Kjetil r
emained alert, but the colorful dragons weren’t interested in them. After all, predators didn’t mind the mice until they were hungry, and these dragons were well fed.
So was Gilly when she returned. “We hunted deer!” she said with a proud smile. “It was awesome!” She beamed at Indris, who looked relaxed and content in a way he rarely was at home.
Juniper felt a pang as she realized how hard it must be on him to try to live like a human when he was with them. His brother had messed up his life, but he’d met the challenge like a man. It said a lot about him and Margaret that they’d tried so hard for Gilly’s sake.
Kjetil noticed her expression and put an arm around her. “One more day, and you can go back to tree herding.”
She snorted. “My trees don’t walk, and we should all be grateful. One Jabberwocky was enough.” She shivered.
“Are you looking forward to the festival tomorrow?” Kjetil asked.
“It will be interesting. I’ve never been to a dragon feast day before.”
“You’ll like the aerial combat display,” Indris said, pouring a glass of whisky for himself and Kjetil. “There’s nothing like it in the city, and there’s dancing. Even Gilly’s allowed, although I will be watching very, very closely,” he said mock sternly. “Even young drakes are randy troublemakers.”
Gilly snorted. “I don’t think I’ll fall in love over one dance.”
“Some of them will be at the academy,” Indris said, but left it alone. He bore the expression of a man suffering the trials of an unwed daughter.
Gilly confessed later in the kitchen to Juniper and their mom, “The brother might be okay, sorta, but even Indris agrees the girl is stupid and shallow. We won’t be exchanging Christmas cards.”