Page 10 of Fallen for the Two-Headed Dragon

No answer. He set the mug down gently and turned around. The human was lying on her side, her petite frame tucked around itself, her mouth slightly ajar. She was rather exquisite like this, with sleep clinging to her and the only thing coming from her mouth the drool of slumber. It was fortunate that he must leave instead of giving in to his desire to curl his body around her. He couldn’t pretend he hadn’t felt the fire of his spark burn brighter when he’d carried her to bed.

But this could not be delayed, and he had a long flight. He’d waited centuries for this Ivaan Kovgroff to receive his reckoning. Perhaps something in those wretched parchments could explain why he’d had to wait so long.

Chapter Seven

Rathym

The kingdom of the Great Flame had changed.

Rathym expected that to be the case, of course. Nothing stayed the same for two centuries. It was unsurprising to see the statues had changed, ancient dragons who’d fought for old ways of life replaced with dragons he didn’t recognize. Empty lots now hosted buildings for various shops and eateries.

What he hadn’t expected to see, however, was interspecies mingling everywhere he looked. He spotted dragons holding hands with minotaurs, harpies, and sirens. His homeland had apparently moved into the current century with more ease than he had. Not to mention he was one of few folks uncovered by some kind of loincloth or garment.

The council’s headquarters remained in the same spot as always, much to Rathym’s relief. He navigated the halls of the building by muscle memory. His feet took him straight to the head council member’s door, which was closed. He rapped his knuckles on the door and heard shushing from the other side.

A short saffron dragon answered his knock. Over their shoulder, Rathym noticed three others in the room. Two dragons, and one elf. An elf? In the council’s quarters? Curious.

“Sir Rathym Odrydimere!” The saffron dragon exclaimed his name as though they were old friends, but he didn’t recognize the puny thing at all. “I—we are so glad you could make it. This is, after all, your accomplishment. Without your guidance, the old council would have dropped the case against—”

“Yes, I was there.”

“Right, erm—”

“I’ve come to collect the paperwork on King Ludove’s assassination.”

“Ah! It should have been in the—”

“I haven’t owned a ring in centuries,” Rathym growled. His patience was growing thin. He glanced behind the council member and saw the room had cleared.

“Right, of course.” The saffron dragon was now pale as a sheet. They stumbled backward into their office and waved at a figure behind a window. “Do come in. I apologize for my reaction. I was not expecting you so early. I am council member Kolloth, they/them, at your service.”

Rathym grunted. He didn’t need to introduce himself. It was clear everyone had recognized him the moment the door was opened.

There was a soft rap on the door beside a window that peeked into an administrative office. The door opened a crack. A beautiful marigold dragon peered inside, waving a stack of parchment.

“Here’s the—Rathym?”

“Anabraxus,” he said around a lump in his throat. “You work for the council now?”

His childhood friend snorted. “That’s what you ask me, after all these years? You stubborn old man.”

He was about to retort when she closed the distance, embracing him with a ferocity he couldn’t match. He accepted the affection through clenched teeth.

“Ryuu will be so happy to see you.”

“I’m not staying.”

Anabraxus stiffened. She pulled away and placed the folder on council member Kolloth’s desk. “Of course not. But you’ll return for the reckoning. If you’d like to see some friendly faces, my husband and I would love to have you. Come for dinner the night before.”

When Rathym moved to speak, she held up a hand and turned away. “Think on it. You know where to find us.”

As the door clicked closed behind her, the council member cleared their throat and extended the stack of parchment. A golden signet ring was perched on top of the paperwork.

“I would hate for you to have to come all this way again.”

Rathym highly doubted there was anything else he wanted to discuss with the council, but he accepted the their offering and tromped out of the office, down the hall, down the staircase, and out the front door. He kept walking through the town square and didn’t slow to observe the strange, unfamiliar setting of his homeland. He walked all the way to the edge of town before releasing his full form and taking to the skies.

He wasn’t going home, not yet. He rose in the sky and traveled in the opposite way of his cave, not slowing until he saw the pool of shimmering molten orange sparkling below.

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