Page 31 of The Queen of Ash and Magic

“We are,” Dad smiles and steps to the side, so I can see what he has on the table.

“Oh my Gods,” I gasp. “It’s beautiful, Dad.”

On the table before me, there are two outfits. Mine is fashioned into a dress that will hug my figure but still remain comfortable. The obsidian plates with deep red Ignisium stones wrap around my chest and abdomen to offer not only protection from physical attacks but also make me resistant to fatal magical attacks. Under the mid-thigh length dress, I will wear snug black pants and black leather knee-high boots with flakes of Ignisium to further add to the protection and enhancement of my powers. Next to my outfit is a simple necklace. The gold chain is holding a pendant featuring a black obsidian stone with a blood-red Ignisium stone in the center. It looks like the pendant will clip into the plate of myarmor between my breasts. Drake’s armor is styled to mirror mine, only his is more intimidating. He also has a necklace that clips into the same spot. When I flip the pendants over, they are inscribed with the same words that our rings have.

“When Drakarus shifts,” Dad says to me. “It will shift with him. Your mother and Petra helped enchant everything so that when he shifts, his dragon will be protected as well. There will be a saddle built in that will keep you in place, so you do not have to hold on when riding him. His armor attracts yours, so unless you jump, you will not fall. You will also have that same protection when you fly with me, Keril, or Eyrx. We all have multiple saddle spots, including Drake, so that we can get you out if something happens. Julianna and your mother have similar armor that will mirror mine and Eyrx’s.”

“Why isn’t Juli shifting?” I ask him before turning to look at her. “How are you able to protect yourself without shifting?”

“I will have a bow that your mother enchanted,” she smiles.

“But why?” I ask.

“Wait,” Drake says. “Juli…”

“I… am pregnant,” Julianna smiles.

“Oh, Juli,” Drake says as he hugs her tightly.

“It wasn’t intentional If that counts for anything,” Eyrx says.

“I’m so confused,” I admit.

“Female dragons have certain windows where breeding is nearly guaranteed and when mating, her mate will knot no matter if he means to or not. I didn’t realize I was within that window… and… Dragons can sense the moment they get pregnant,” she explains. “You are a hybrid with the same sense as I have, so you will have those same windows and will know right away.”

“The difference with a hybrid is that Drake will sense when she is within that window,” Mom says. “And… his dragon won’t give him a choice.”

“So, what if we are in the middle of war?” I ask. “How bad would it be if I ended up pregnant?”

“We can change the armor to fit you better if that happens,” Mom says. “When you are flying with Drake, you will be able to lay forward, pregnant or not, and essentially be invisible. We would keep you with him or at least someone who is shifted unless absolutely sure that you were safe. Worst case, we take you to the caves where no one but us can find you.”

“So we’d be safe?” I ask.

“Absolutely,” she smiles. “We’ve thought of everything, plus some."

“Your tent is also soundproof,” Eyrx laughs.

“And large enough for him to shift,” Julianna winks.

“They are all like that,” Dad says.

“Good. I want a little sister,” I say, and Drake laughs.

“Better get to it, man,” Eyrx chuckles.

“Is his armor purple?” I ask, and Julianna giggles.

“It is,” Dad smirks. “I hear you bullied him for being a purple dragon?”

“I did,” I grin.

“What color do you think he is?”Mom asks.

“Hmmm,” I say stepping back to look at Dad. “If Drake is red and Eyrx is purple, I’d say you are… Black and dark blue.”

“That’s creepy,” Drake says. “How’d you know that?”

“Because blue is a comforting color,” I say. “Purple makes me happy. Red makes me feel safe. I love flowers, so I associate feelings and emotions with flowers and colors by default.”

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