Strachana, Judy Colella [top 10 novels to read .TXT] 📗

looks left no question as to his identity. Of the four, only Zela couldn’t tell if the young man was a shape-shifted dragon or dragonkin.

Isthasy Di-Wer Xarzith bowed to the couple and gestured toward his companion. “Allow me to introduce my oldest son. This is I’gra-Nar. Like so many of us, he retains the inherent knowledge, the collective memory, if you will, of his progenitors. Because of this, he has always been curious about humans and to be honest, is the only one of my boys willing to meet your daughter.” He spoke with no offense in his tone, and his smile was friendly. “And I must tell you in all truth, that no one else among us all seemed inclined to take your offer.”

“We understand,” said Neri. “So you are curious about my dragonkin child?” He had begun addressing the younger dragon.

“I am. I’ve noticed that all the dragonkin offspring here are not only very attractive, but highly intelligent and in possession of the most interesting points of view on life.” I’gra-Nar crossed his arms and shrugged. “Nothing more than a pleasant friendship may come of it, but I believe it’s worth my time to go and meet her.”

This kind of casual arrogance was so typical of the race, that Neri thought nothing of it, was in fact pleased that this full-blood would consider his daughter for any type of relationship at all before even meeting her. “Then perhaps you will travel back with us? We left the children alone, and I do not feel right about staying away much longer.”

I’gra-Nar turned to his father with a shrug. “I have nothing pressing right now, do I? Are there enough to gather food from the more distant sources discussed earlier?”

“Enough and then some.” Isthasy Di-Wer Xarzith patted his son’s shoulder. “Go on. You’ve been working very hard and need a break, I think.” His wide smile, mimicked by his eyes, bespoke deep pride and respect. “I expect we’ll know your decision soon enough, yes?”

“Yes. Thank you, Father.” He took a deep breath and backed up several paces, bringing him outside the circle of firelight that defined his family’s living area within the cave. A moment later, he stood in his true form – a silver dragon nearly as large as Neri, his eyes glowing aquamarine, the glorious aroma of fresh rain emanating from his body.

“You’re magnificent!” Zela’s exclamation was instantaneous, involuntary, and genuine.

“Ththaannk yoouu, Zzzeeeellaaahh.” I’gra-Nar bowed his head in appreciation. “I amm honnorrred.”

Chalamar, who had joined them during her step-son’s transformation, put an arm around Zela’s shoulders and gave her a friendly squeeze. “He is beautiful, isn’t he.” This was not a question, and it was obvious she had as much admiration for I’gra-Nar as she did for his father.

Zela leaned into the woman’s embrace and patted one hand. “He is.” She took a deep breath. “Well, I suppose we’ll be leaving now. Thank you for your kind hospitality, Chalamar. Oh!” She pulled away and began undoing the clasp on the fur cloak. “Here’s your - ”

“No, no,” the other woman interrupted. “Keep it. Please – I have many more, and you’ll need it for your journey. Heavens, girl, you were half-frozen when first you arrived!”

Zela smiled and gave her a quick, warm hug, giving her profuse thanks.

“Very good!” Isthasy Di-Wer Xarzith, who had retained his human form through this exchange, gave the couple a nod. “Looks like it’s time to see about reattaching that rig of yours!” He walked off, heading for the area where the litter had been placed, calling on several of the humans and dragonkin to come help him.

Within the hour, Neri and I’gra-Nah were standing on the ledge outside the cave, Zela securely nestled in her litter, the warm furs supplementing her other cloaks and blankets. Good-byes and thank-yous had all been said, and now they were ready to go. Giving the younger dragon a curt nod, Neri flapped his mighty wings and within minutes, the two were soaring side-by-side through the clouds.

Ahead, the future of not only their family awaited, but that of mankind.

ACHT

 

Vorel was in a quandary. Kavin had been regaling her and her brother with stories of life outside their small sphere of experience, and to her ears it sounded irresistible and wonderful. As she listened, watching the animated way in which he described things she’d never imagined, sometimes standing and moving about when explaining a particularly exciting incident, she found herself wanting to run off with him. To explore the world. To explore…him.

There was no denying the physical attraction – Kavin was a handsome young man, muscular, tall, a natural athlete. She even wanted to taste him. That thought disturbed her a little, and when the human had gone to sleep, she pulled her brother outside to talk. Within the confines of the cave, Kavan might have heard her despite his meager human hearing.

“Do you like him, J’nah?” She began, but before he could respond she continued, “Because I do, and I’m not sure what to do about it. Our parents will be back with a possible consort for me - ”

“Maybe,” he interrupted, his frown reflecting some alarm at her enthusiasm.

“Yes, yes, maybe. But still. The point is, dear brother, what if I choose to be with Kavin instead of the dragon or dragonkin they bring back? If they do, that is.”

J’nah folded his legs and lowered himself to the ground. When she joined him he said, “Look, Vorel, I understand a little about how you feel, but please remember something. This is the first male you’ve ever met outside of our family, so of course he’s going to seem, I don’t know, desirable, I guess. But what if you run off with him, only find out later that the individual Father and Mother found was a better match?”

She nodded and scowled. Vorel was not an impulsive sort; she always took her time when thinking a thing through. But her body and emotions were being most insistent at the moment, causing her to ignore the saner side of her nature. Still, J’nah’s words not only rang true, but made a great deal of sense. She’d hoped he would be logical, which was why she was confessing her feelings to him in the first place. “I really should,” she said at last. “Doesn’t seem fair, though.” She pulled up a tuft of brown grass and flung it away, irritated.

“I suppose. But you know, if nothing else, we’ve made a good friend, yes?”

“Yes. We have.” Too bad this “good friend” was an attractive male… “I wanted to taste him, J’nah. What do you suppose that means?”

He gaped at her for a moment. “I – I mean – I have no idea, Vorel. That’s weird, that is. Did you mean ‘taste’ like sample his flavor for a possible meal? Silvers don’t eat people, you know. Father says only Chro- ”

“I don’t think it’s that kind of hunger.” In the dark, a human couldn’t have seen her blush, but dragons have dark-vision, something even dragonkin inherit.

“Vorel!”

She gave a cry of embarrassment and frustration, jumping to her feet. “Shut up, J’nah! This is all new to me, okay?”

“Oh, calm down. It’s new to me, too.”

“Except you have no desire to…to…” She stopped abruptly and stalked back into the cave, mortified, confused.

Behind her, J’nah shook his head and lay back on the ground, enjoying the cold against his back as he stared up at the moon. A moment later he smiled, telling himself how glad he was not to have been born a girl.

 

*~*~*~*

 

As he had during the start of the journey, Neri stopped on a barren mountainside plateau halfway between the the northern mountains and his own. This was for Zela’s sake, and when he explained it to I’gra-Nah, the younger dragon said he’d expected this to be the cause.

Zela emerged from her temporary home to sit comfortably between her husband’s ears, and there, she treated both dragons to some of her songs. Having the fur cloak made it possible for her to be outside for more than a few minutes, a situation both dragons appreciated as they drifted off to sleep, the small, lovely stream of music lulling them, offering a delicious sense of peace.

During the second half of the journey, I’gra-Nah told Neri he could see now why the older dragon had chosen this human as a wife.

“She is quite remarkable,” Neri said, pleased.

“And very beautiful for a human!”

“Indeed she is. But mostly, it’s her heart that I see. Of course, when I’m in human form, I find her most pleasing in other ways as well.” He chuckled, knowing no further explanation was necessary, at the same time making it obvious that his love for this woman was vast and deep.

“I hope I can find happiness like yours. Perhaps with your daughter, but if not, with someone.”

“You’re a good dragon, I’gra-Nah. I expect you’ll find the right mate and be happy in love and in children.”

They said nothing more for the remainder of the flight, having already become easy in each other’s company. The air gradually became warmer the closer they got to Neri’s home mountain, making the last part of the trip more pleasant for Zela. But when they were within twenty miles of home, they ran into a gigantic bank of black clouds. Normally, Neri would fly above such weather, but the dark mass reached so high, he knew his wife would suffocate at the altitude he’d need to reach to get beyond them. So he lowered his head, aiming for the space between the bottom of the thunderheads and the ground. He’d have to be a swifter now, if he wanted to keep Zela from getting drenched.

As soon as they landed, she hurried out, climbing down Neri’s muzzle and dropping to the grass. Her children had emerged from the cave and rushed out to meet her, pulling her back inside without paying much attention to the two gigantic forms standing like earthbound clouds in the meadow.

“Are you well?” asked Vorel, helping her mother remove the layers of cloaks. “Here – your gown is still dry but your hair is soaked.” She threw a thick sheet over the woman’s head and began rubbing her hair.

“Vorel, stop!” Zela was laughing. “I can do this. Go see your father. And…and a new friend.”

A look passed between Vorel and J’nah, who was standing nearby shaking out his mother’s damp cloaks. “Of course. Thank you, Mother.” She shrugged at her brother and headed for the mouth of the cave.

By this time, both Neri and I’gra-Nah had shifted into human form and were standing just inside, Neri gesturing at the interior and explaining something to the tall young man beside him. Vorel took in the newcomer’s appearance with a sense of growing panic. He was beyond doubt the most beautiful person she’d ever seen, and unlike Kavin, was decidedly draconic. This made things somehow worse because now she found herself drawn to him in a way she could never be toward a mere human. Thus the panic – what was she to do now? Talk about unfair!

“Ah! Vorel!” Her father had seen her approach and waved her forward with an impatient gesture.

“Hello, Father.” She kept her tone as neutral