by D. R. Grady
Marxin had been Aern’s older cousin and Kellen’s dragon who eventually had succumbed to old age and moved on to the next life. Kellen still missed the dragon.
With the birth of Fricassa and Aern’s dragon, hope could be restored to the Aasguards who had said goodbye to aging companions. Ari had also lost hers to old age and had sought out her brothers for comfort when her dragon passed.
Rykert watched Felix dancing around Maeze and wholly understood his dragon’s reticence of mating with a dragon so young. She was as cute as could be. Of course, that would fade as she became more familiar with her parents’ memories and learned how to best interpret them.
A thought jumped into his mind. As a battle scarred warrior in his own right, Felix had all the necessary tools at his disposal to aid Maeze in that endeavor. He could help her to evaluate the memory and garner the most good from each one.
This should help to mature the youthful dragon. At least enough that it would not seem so wrong to mate with the young, adult dragon.
Did this mean he and Felicity were able to join to their lives together? The lingering concern that they could open a portal remained in the back of their minds. In addition, her warrior instincts and their psychological stunted growth made it so they probably needed to hold off on their union. He and Felicity could work on a couple of those issues while they hunted Aasguard treasure.
“There is need for experts in dragon and Aasguard well being.” Where this came from, he did not bother to determine but it made all of them pause.
“It would be helpful to have an expert or two who knew a lot about dragons and their physiology.” Felicity gazed at Fricassa. “Especially those with dragon. Right now Fricassa no doubt has plenty of questions. We could also use an authority on Aasguard healing and childbirth.”
“We have never had a child birthed before.” At least Rykert had never heard of that.
“I am wondering if some of the healing mages might be able to aid us?” Felicity said.
He had not considered that. “Of course. They are different than us, but not so different.”
“Some mages are born, some are made. It all depends. We have always been made, but now with some of us mating, that could change.”
“Kellen is friends with Mozark, is he not?” Rykert had heard that Kellen had called upon his friend to aid them in the desampus battle.
“He is. We all met him. He is kind and seems very knowledgeable.”
“Do mages mate?” Aern stirred beside Fricassa.
“I do not know.” He answered honestly and Felicity agreed with this.
“Nor do I.”
Perhaps they should ask the others. “This is the place to ask that sort of question.”
“Especially in light of all the Aasguard warriors in residence at the moment.” Felicity hugged Maeze.
They said goodbye to the dragons and soon made their way back upstairs.
The future had always stretched before them with monotony. Now, it stretched before them with questions, but also hope.
CHAPTER NINE
When they reached the main living area again it was to find the area deserted. She and Rykert headed to the office area. Only to discover that their Aasguard friends were doing what they had intended when they built this school. Teaching.
Ari and Kellen trained their pupils on the far field.
Felicity turned to Rykert. “We are not going to learn much are we?”
“No.” He surveyed the calendar on the wall in the foyer. A large piece of artwork that could be altered as needed, it told students, teachers, and visitors alike the schedule for the day, week, and month. Rykert pointed to a circled day.
“This indicates that the actual celebrations are several days away.”
“We are here early.” She and Maeze came so they could spend time with Ari and Kellen and help with the preparations, but due to several Aasguard warriors’ inability to arrive on time, perhaps because of the dearth of dragon companions, the celebrations had been changed to a later date.
“I overheard Aern and Felix discuss plans to fly Raene and Vidar home today.”
“Really?” But it did not take long to ponder before she realized this made sense. “They do have plenty to do and I am certain their country cannot run itself.”
“No. Not for this long. Then I believe Lajos and Stefana are planning to leave this afternoon for a few days as they have plenty of tasks to accomplish.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Fricassa can fly. Despite her condition she is capable of doing everything she did previously. Only once she is closer to term should she curtail her activities.”
“You know Aern. Although at the time of this discussion he was unaware of her condition. You know he has already started to worry and cluck over Fricassa’s health.” Rykert’s droll tone made her laugh.
“I am sure. He is going to be harder to endure than her changing body.”
“It is fortunate that she loves him.”
Rykert said this with a catch in his throat and she stepped closer to him. “Love makes a huge difference.” She boldly placed a hand on his arm. Humans did so without thought. But Aasguards respected boundaries and rarely touched others.
Although she and her female counterparts were more likely to touch each other than any male warrior, they still did not indulge in physical contact much. A shame really. Such formality had only added to the lonely coldness of their existence.
Now she enjoyed the texture of his sleeve and the hard muscle underneath. She didn’t have much time to enjoy it. He snatched her close.
“I am glad.”
A knot in her throat prevented her from speaking so she simply gazed up at him, happy this man was in her life. Content that he was willing to court her and learn about her as she longed to learn about him. She relaxed. Already the multi-facets of this man intrigued her. His charming, witty self tended to prevent most people from delving deeper but she wanted to know everything.
The most amazing aspect of this is he welcomed her interest.
“We can leave after lunch.” He brushed a finger across her cheek.
She shivered in response. This man lightened the gloom of long years of living with no goal. And little purpose in life.
It had sucked her into a dark abyss and she had feared being trapped there for the rest of this life. A fate she had not been able to tolerate. That is why she had seriously entertained moving on to the next life.
Her eyes widened. “Wait, after lunch?” She searched his face. “Aern and Felix are flying people to their homes, are they not?”
“The plan was for Aern and Felix to take Vidar and Raene and as far as I know, they could still do so. It is not that far by air.”
“That is true. After Felix returns, he would be free to leave.”
“Aern could take Vidar and Raene by himself without any effort.” Rykert stated the obvious.
“Right, but Felix would enjoy the flight.”
“He moaned about how he is not getting enough activity here, so I am certain he will welcome the excursion. It would give Fricassa time to say goodbye to Maeze and prepare to leave.”
Felicity had not thought about leaving, but gazing at the calendar that clearly showed a change of plans she couldn’t dispute that it made sense for them to make alternate plans. “If we can verify that Atlas would make an excellent Aasguard Treasury then once all the Aasguards arrive…”
“We shall be able to alert all of them as to our plans.”
“Do you believe some will wish to join us this afternoon?”
He did not respond at first. Felicity had yet to decide how she felt about having others accompany them. Part of her longed for that and the other part resented it.
“Scared to be alone with me, love?” He ruined his tough question by scooping her off her feet and twirling her around the room. Laughter bubbled.
“Yes and no.” He set her on her feet and their gazes connected.
The wonderful aspect of this relat
ionship with Rykert was she had no need to explain herself. He understood what she meant.
“Yes.” He took a deep breath. “I imagine that once we make the Treasury suitable for our needs, we can tell others and those who wish to contribute, be it their own treasure or that of a warrior who has passed on, they can arrange for that.”
She further pondered the subject. “We might not need to treasure hunt at all.”
“Perhaps not. Atlas could become overcrowded just with the monies of those who are gone.”
“Yes. I remember Kellen stating that he designed his treasury space to expand as needed. I am certain we can do the same. Lajos believes Atlas is well suited to that.” She hoped his memories were correct.
Rykert stared off into the distance. “We can do so easily enough. I wonder if we should scout out a second treasury place, however. In addition to Kellen’s which will overcrowd quickly if we add several treasures.”
“Perhaps we should. If we do not ever require it, that is fine, but should we need additional space, then we do have said space.” She readjusted her sword.
He gathered her close again. “We do not need to do so during this expedition but perhaps after the school opening.”
Warmth infused her as she snuggled close. “I applaud this plan.”
‡‡
Rykert enjoyed how Felicity snuggled into him. They had come a long way in their relationship in this short time span. He savored the feel of her muscular curves and strong body against his own. Femininity and vitality that were all Felicity intertwined into an irresistible mate.
The clamor of a new arrival on the front steps broke them apart. He and Felicity turned toward the visitor in welcome.
Mozark the mage stepped into the school. His features remained schooled in the wisdom and power of his kind.
Felicity stepped forward in welcome of the man who brightened at the sight of her.
“You have not battled desampus lately?”
The man’s gentle teasing somehow endeared Rykert to him. He did not flirt with Felicity or show any emotion other than friendship and the camaraderie that resulted in fighting a battle together.
“No, thank goodness. And you? You are well?” They took each other’s hands in that shared friendship before Felicity turned to him. “This is my… mate, Rykert the Bold. Rykert this is Mozark.”
He shook Mozark’s hand as they exchanged greetings. “We have a few questions for you. However we plan to leave this afternoon.”
“I plan to enjoy Kellen and Ari’s company until after the celebrations.” Mozark did not allude to the fact that he would likely be put to work, but he also appeared content with the notion. “We shall make time to meet and I shall endeavor to answer your questions.”
Rykert guessed this man had likely been born in the same age as he and Felicity. Rykert had a few hundred years on her, but in this day that sort of difference mattered not. Mozark might be a decade or so older than him if rumors were true.
His black hair was streaked with one band of gray. This only happened to one of their kind when a traumatic event occurred. Additional rumors swirled that he had gained said streak before he converted to a mage.
Through the years Rykert had made a point to listen to all snippets of information, gossip, and rumors as this sort of information proved useful. Mostly to keep from committing a faux pas, but also to keep a pulse on the society in which they lived. When rumors became truths, Rykert and Felix altered their own course of action.
This practice had aided them through the years. He guessed other Aasguards did the same.
Gossip and the like were not pleasant and he never repeated it, but it kept society civilized and in check.
Kellen and Ari entered the foyer area from the direction of the left training field and stepped forward to eagerly greet their newest guest. The respect filtering between the three people standing with them impressed him. Through body language he detected that Ari might not know Mozark well, but she was inclined to include him into her friendship circle.
Also from body language, he picked up that Kellen and Mozark had formed a friendship bond. He wondered what strange reason prevented enhanced peoples from collaborating. Such as mages, Aasguards, and healers, in particular. Rykert had never fathomed why they did not.
Some healers and mages lapped over into each other’s abilities but all of them tended to keep their distance and he did not understand that. For that matter, humans failed to mingle with them other than to employ their services. But many of those who had taken the enhanced pathway had been born human.
Seeing this friendship between Kellen and Mozark made Rykert determine to be better about reaching out to others not of his own kind. If their Aasguard numbers continued to dwindle, he would have to make friends with others, but it did not escape him that each of these groups could benefit one another. They were all the same, essentially, they had simply taken different paths.
Felicity slanted a look at him. “I agree,” she whispered.
His eyebrows rose. “You just read my thoughts?”
“Your intentions.” She smiled and his breath caught.
He leaned down to peck her lips before they were drawn with Kellen, Ari, and Mozark into the living room area.
“We are leaving this afternoon.” Felicity told Ari on the side.
Who gasped. “You are leaving? But the celebrations…” She glanced toward the calendar in the foyer. “Oh, you have a few days. What are you heading out to do?”
“We plan to see if Atlas will suit our purposes for a universal treasury.” Rykert answered for her.
Kellen and Mozark stopped conversing to listen to their conversation. Mozark appeared intrigued. “A universal treasury?”
“As you are certainly aware, many of our kind have passed on.” He appreciated the sorrow that crossed the mage’s face. “Those who have done so left treasures scattered across the lands. Our hope is to combine them into one location, then whenever an Aasguard, or,” he set his gaze on Felicity, “we had not considered this, but healers are always in need of funds and if mages, or others require funds, we have plenty.”
Mozark raised a finger to his chin. “I support this plan. There are many who could do so much better with proper funds. And in this Age of the Aasguard, many of your kind could also do good in this world with sufficient monies. I myself have discovered several treasures left by your kind.”
“Please tell us you sent those monies to a few of those causes you mentioned?” Felicity leaned forward.
“I did. I knew the warriors who had earned those treasures and believed they would approve of where I sent their hard earned funds.”
“That is what we plan to do, only on a grander scale.” Rykert studied the man across from him. He then turned his attention on Felicity. She reached out a hand to him.
“Yes, we should ask.”
He grinned. “I adore a woman who can read my mind.” But he sobered before turning to the mage again. “Would you be willing to consult with us on where to send some of the treasure we plan to settle in Atlas?”
“I would be honored.” The man’s lack of hesitation bespoke of knowledge of worthy places who would use the monies wisely and for the benefit of others. That was the Aasguard way.
“On that note, perhaps we should prepare to be on our way so we can determine whether Atlas will be suitable.”
“If it is not, I might be able to help you with several locations.” Kellen and Mozark spoke at the same time.
“We have already discussed that we might need additional space.”
“Ta ta for now.” And Rykert whisked Felicity from the room with enough verve to elicit laughter.
CHAPTER TEN
“How much do we need to do before we leave?” Felicity tipped her head back to peer into Rykert’s face. She doubted she would ever tire of doing so.
He sent her a droll look. One he did very well. “We have to pack and round up our dragons.”
“Right. T
hat should take approximately a minute and a half then.”
“I am assuming thirty seconds to pack and a full minute to round up the dragons?”
“The dragons will be the harder, more time consuming part.” She played along with him although Maeze was usually ready and willing for new adventures.
“Felix dithers.”
Since she could picture this, Felicity did and it made her laugh. “Okay, I can see that.”
“It might take us two minutes and thirty seconds. As soon as we have to leave, he remembers eight things he needs to do first.” Affection leaked profusely from his statement.
While she couldn’t think of four things a dragon would need to do Felicity could envision Felix scurrying about. “At least Felix is nimble on his feet. Imagine if he tended toward clumsiness.”
A pained look overtook Rykert’s face. “I have been grateful for centuries that Felix is not as large as Aern and although he putters right before we leave, he has never fallen on me.”
She shot him an astonished look. “Wait, has Aern fallen on Vidar?”
Rykert’s absurd expression made her laugh again. “Not that I am aware. But it is probably a good thing Vidar is massive in his own right.”
“Yes. And I did hear Vidar mention not so long ago that Aern’s penchant for tripping over his own two feet pushed him to be that much faster.”
“Certainly makes sense.”
She did not hide the smile that flitted about her lips. His gaze snapped there. “I am thankful for Salunga all over again. And now Maeze.”
“You were fine with a baby dragon, so to speak?”
“There were moments, but remember, her parents remained until she was ready to be with me, so I lived with two adult dragons and Maeze until Salunga and Keark passed on.”
“Of course. They would not have offered you a new dragon as soon as she hatched.”
“No. They wanted to spend as much time as possible with their new daughter. Again, they were thrilled with Maeze, and rightfully so.” She could say the same about Maeze. The young dragon’s charm would only increase. Sort of in the same manner as Aern without the risk of being squashed. “Her personality does remind me of Aern.”