Page 50 of Gift from the Wing

“Of course it is. Be careful.”

She gives me a sweet little smile and a wink when we break our kiss and her musical laughter follows me out into the hall. That little noise is enough to settle my dragon’s ass down so I can make it outside.

He’s been on the frits since she burst through the ward in the south wing without us. He calmed down once we got through, but rewatching everything this morning through her eyes was a lot.

It’s a whole different perspective when we watch things like that. For example, her first day of fucking classes. Yeah, I saw it all go down, but I was trying to fight my way to her, so I missed bits and pieces. Seeing it all today, from start to finish, has my dragon ready to fly to the fucker’s house and eat him.

We should’ve killed him rather than almost drown him.

Jogging out of the central foyer and through the doors, I take a deep breath of fresh air. It’s been too long since I flew over the Central. Granted, people used to run inside when they saw me in the air, or they’d drop down and cower. I couldn’t give a fuck now, though. These clear skies are calling my name today.

Rounding the corner of the gardens where the clearing breaks out, my steps slow and I subtly sigh. Not loud enough to be heard but enough to get the aggravation out of my system before they notice I’m here.

Well, before he notices.

I’m trying, sort of, to get on board with this whole vampire king being my dad thing.

Okay, it’s not really a ‘thing.’ It’s real.

It’s not just one thing holding me back. It’s multiple things. All the questions I have, self-consciousness, fear. There’s a hefty dose of all of it mixed in there.

My initial reaction was to try to blame it on the fact that accepting him would diminish the Vito dads’ stance in my life, but I quickly shut that down. No one can replace them. They’re my dads, through and through. If Keeper can’t get on board with acknowledging that, accepting that he’s an addition and not the only one who holds that title in my heart, then that’s my answer on where he stands.

I guess I got a couple more fears to go along with that excuse. Like I need to know what happened between him and my mom, but I’m not ready to hear it or explain what I’ve been through. And I’m just scared to build a relationship with him.

There’s no doubt that if what he says is true about Willow’s bloodline, then she’ll get the portal to Essemist Keep open. Then he’ll be gone. How do we have a relationship realms away?

We don’t. That’s the answer.

I want to be happy about this, accept it as fully as my little wanderer has. I haven’t told her not to claim him or anything like that, so subconsciously, I fucking guess I’m already getting on board.

Hell if I know.

See what I mean?

This shit is too confusing and complicated.

Mustering up a smile, I approach Keeper where he and Tanith are having a stare off. It’s easy to tell they’re communicating and whatever he’s saying is annoying her based on her chuffing and the small balls of smoke blowing from her nose.

“Hello, Draken,”Tanith says, bowing her head to me as I walk up.

“What’s up Tanith? Gone for a flight yet today?”I ask as I lay my forehead to her.

“No. My lord is nervous about scaring the townsfolk. I am a dragon that feeds on knowledge, for Essemist’s sake, not a Baccum. I’m not going to eat the little people,”she scoffs and the sarcastic tone has me laughing.

“She’s complaining about flying, isn’t she?” Keeper asks, throwing his hands up and shaking his head.

Clearing my throat and cutting my laughter off, I say, “Yeah. Something about she’s a dragon not a Baccum. Whatever the hell that is.”

“Nasty creatures. They don’t take small sips but rather suck their victims dry until there’s not a drop of blood left,” he says with a grimace that matches my own. “And, Tanith, you know good and well I was not comparing you to them. I simply pointed out the people of Elementra are not used to seeing any other dragon aside from Draken fly the skies and it may be intimidating for them.”

“Understood, but I am no threat to them. If the Matriarch is comfortable with me frolicking around her gardens, her people will be just fine.”

I smirk at the feisty dragon in front of me. I don’t quite understand Keeper’s and her bonded relationship yet, but I’m pretty sure she’s not asking permission if she can fly or not. I got a feeling it’s more of a respect thing. She’d have already taken to the skies if she felt like it. She’s just considering his unease in the situation, but she’s making her unhappiness about it known.

“It’s really not a problem. I’m going up now. My dragon needs to stretch his wings,” I say, not exactly inviting them but offering the opportunity if they want to take it.

“See. Draken is going up and we will join him,”Tanith declares, earning a laugh from me and a grunt from Keeper.

---