Breathlessly she said, "You monster! That was a surprise."

He gave her a devilish smile. "I know what my wife wants." She increased her pace over him. When he brought his hand over her breasts and kneaded them, he came.

Hard.

With a roar that could be heard over the noisy waterfall.

"I can never get you enough," said Daryn as he threaded his fingers through her hair when she was lying beside him, all spent and breathless.

"Hmm," she replied lazily. She turned and buried her face in his chest. "Tomorrow I have to go and meet Quetz. He has been insisting for a long time now."

"Can I also come with you?" he asked.

"If you like, but from the way he has been forcing me, I think my lessons are going to be intense. You will get bored. Besides, I would want you to check upon the status of the Starfish Refineries."

"Why?" He stopped playing with her hair.

"Because I want to buy it the moment it goes for auction," she said softly, making lazy circles on his chest. "It's important for me."

He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on the crown of her head. "I understand baby," he replied just as softly.

In the night Daryn felt the sheets of the bed near him and found her missing. Alarmed he jolted up only to find that the sun was high up in the sky. It was already 8AM. She was gone. He already missed his wife. Last night after the mind blowing rounds of sex several times, he had finally slept and slept like a log, thoroughly spent and milked by his mate. With a sigh, he got out of the bed towards the bathroom. He knew that she wouldn't be coming until the evening.

---

When Dawn reached Ensmoire Forests, she found Quetz flying in the sky. He was eagerly waiting for her. He stretched his neck down to see her. He dived out of the sky, flapped his wings hard to reach her and landed fiercely in front of her, keeping his wings half raised. His tail lashed behind him enthusiastically.

'How are you Dawn?' he asked through their mental bond. His body was appearing a beautiful shade of green, scales glistening against the sun rays as if trying to reflect light through a gem. 'It's been quite a grueling week for you.'

Dawn stared at the dragon in front of her. Why did he appear muscular and longer? Was that an optical illusion because he was standing against the light or did he actually grow longer? 'You've grown longer?' she said, sounding surprised.

'I think so too,' he replied as he padded on his feet to circle her, as if trying to show his physique. He tilted his head and gave her a side look. 'How do I look?'

Dawn circled on her spot with him, measuring him with her eyes. Yes, her dragon had grown longer after they had practiced magic the last time. She pressed her hands to her mouth. Then she exclaimed, "You have grown bulkier and taller and longer and—"

Quetz stopped and gave her a dragon smile baring his fangs. 'I think I look good. Your reactions to the changes in my body were surprisingly pleasant.'

'But how?' she was bewildered as she stepped closer to him and brushed his neck. The muscles beneath them rippled. 'You look amazing and strong and healthy and—"

Quetz hummed in smugness. 'Shall we start your new lesson?'

'Sure!' Dawn replied with a grin.

'Then hop on me, rider!' said the dragon and lowered his body for her.

Dawn climbed atop him and he took to the sky. 'What am I going to learn today?' she asked. Surely he must be having a regime planned out for her.

'I don't know Dawn. The magic comes by itself. Every layer opens on its own when your body is molded to the first layer, when your body understands your energies, your power. When it is ready for the next level, you would know. So we have to start with where we left and your powers are going to guide me."

Mesmerized by his explanation, Dawn couldn't wait for the next level of magic she would face. It was exciting as hell.

Quetz dipped lower towards the river. The skies above became clouded. Thunder and lightning streaked the sky silver. 'Are you ready?' he asked.

'I am,' she replied as she straightened her body and held his horn.

With powerful strokes of wings, Quetz lunged towards the lightning. Clouds surrounded them and it became hazy. When they neared the silver bolt, Dawn lurched forward and caught it in her hands. Magic flowed through her as silver and white beams of crackling lights coiled all around her and danced around her fingers. Her body radiated as brightly as the lightning in her hands. She could feel so much power within her.

Quetz dived down towards the surface of the river and the clouds cleared making her vision silvery.

'Practice your magic now,' he said.

As if knowing what to do next, Dawn waited for him to lower down further, to the silvery exterior of the river. When he was flying parallel to the water's surface, she lowered her hands. She found herself speaking, 'Aquam Venire.' The water rose up against the gravity and swirled impatiently as if dying to touch her hands. "Venire!" she commanded. Once again the water forced itself and the waves leapt higher in the form of birds. They found the hands and seemed to feel at home when the owner caressed them like it was her pet. Water continued to rise in waves after waves, never leaving her contact until Quetz glided over the surface.

Last time, Dawn had fallen in the river while performing the same magic, but today she knew what to do, and how to do. It was a mystery she didn't want to delve in because it was power she wanted to gloat in. It was fulfilling, it was heady.

'I think you are ready for your next magic, Dawn,' said Quetz. 'Let go of your pet.'

'I have just started Quetz,' she replied as water streams played around her fingers, mixing with the crackle of the lights. Whenever it came in contact with the beams, it fragmented into droplets and twirled around to find its host.

'We need to uncover more. Let it go,' he commanded her.

Reluctantly, Dawn said, "Derelinqas…" and the water receded. 'How do I even know this language?' she asked as Quetz soared higher in the sky. He was flying towards the forests.

'I told you, you will be discovering new facets every time. Magic is innate to some individuals. It comes naturally to the dragon riders. However, you have to call it to you, summon that invisible power. The power is going to infuse your body and leave you stronger, and if you won't hone the power, won't let it feel you, it is going to fade as quickly as it came.' When they were over the dense trees, Quetz lowered in order to find a clearing. 'The language that comes to you naturally is the magical language known only to you. Only the dragon riders know of it and right now this world has only two dragon riders.'

Yes, she was a rare being. Did she even understand the meaning of it? Did she understand her importance?