Chapter 7: Dragoness’s Day Out

Aeris eased open the door to her room and peered outside. Technically, she didn’t have to be so secretive; she was allowed out of her room and could roam the estate grounds as she pleased. But she didn’t plan on staying around the estate, so it was vital that no one saw her sneak off.

Master Aaron forbade it and Maggie wasn’t too happy with the idea either, but Aeris had to see Aubrey again. More questions swam in the depths of her mind, ready to break for the surface. No one else would answer them for her and she was tired of not knowing anything about herself.

The grounds were quiet and empty. It was now or never. Lilith promised to keep Master Aaron busy. The only person to hide from was Maggie. After making sure no one was around to spot her, she crept outside, crouched down, and spread her wings wide, ready to take off.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” Maggie asked.

Aeris’s wings snapped to her sides. She slowly turned her head to see the red-haired woman who cared for her leaning against the wall, tapping her foot on the ground and looking very upset.

“Hello, Maggie,” Aeris said with a sheepish grin. The guilt of having to lie to her was almost unbearable. “I was just going to fly around the estate for a bit if that’s okay.”

“You’re lying,” Maggie said flatly. “You’re going to see Aubrey again, aren’t you?”

Aeris dropped her head, feeling ashamed. Margret laughed and patted the side of Aeris’ neck. “I’m not angry, but please don’t make a habit of lying to me. The world can be very dangerous, and I would like to at least know where you plan on going. What if something had happened to you?”

That thought hadn’t crossed her mind when she had agreed to become more independent. She dropped her head even lower. “I’m sorry, Maggie. I just…I wanted to see Aubrey again, and…” she couldn’t finish the sentence, so many conflicting emotions were bubbling up within her. She wanted answers, but she also didn’t want to upset anyone. Maggie, Lilith, Charles, not even Master Aaron understood what she was going through. The others cared for her. She didn’t want them to think she was ungrateful. There was so much more she wanted—needed out of life. Something she couldn’t get here.

Maggie gently took Aeris’s face in her hands. “Aeris, I want you to be honest, is this that important to you?”

Aeris nodded. Maggie sighed and whispered “Meet around back” before going into Aeris’ room.

Not really understanding the woman’s intentions, she did as she was told. A few moments later Maggie reappeared carrying the black cloak Master Aaron had given Aeris as a birthday present. Like many of the things her master gave her, there had been no reason to wear it became more for decoration than anything. “It won’t make you invisible, but at least you won’t stand out as much,” Maggie said. The cloak fit perfectly, covering just enough of Aeris’ body without restricting her movement though her wings were covered so flying was out of the question. But it made little difference. At first glance, no one would even recognize her. It even had a hood to hide her face.

Aeris was ecstatic. “Thank you so much, Maggie.”

“Yes, well, I don’t like Aubrey, but she knows far more about dragons than I. And more than anything, I want you to be happy. Just remember to be careful. I’ll make sure Lord Strauss doesn’t notice you’re gone. Be sure to return home by dinner, understand?”

“Of course, Maggie. I’ll make sure to back by then.”

“And, Aeris?”

“Hm?”

“It’s easier to go unnoticed if you head west before looping around through the trees. You’re less likely to be spotted.”

****

Getting to Aubrey’s mansion the second time was much easier than the first. She had only been there once, but she found her way as if it were her home. The closer she got, the more her excitement grew. How did a true dragon live? What was Aubrey going to show her? Aeris’s mind swarmed with questions. And the answers were just moments away.

Just as she approached the door, it swung open and Aubrey and Helen stepped outside. “Aeris?” Aubrey said. “This is unexpected. I see you didn’t bring your caretaker with you. I assume you’re here to learn more about our kind?” When Aeris nodded, Aubrey added, “I would love to tell you everything I know about our kind. But I’m afraid we must do this another time. Helen and I were about to go shopping.”

“Can I go?” Aeris asked, hopeful. “I’ve never really been shopping except for that one time…” She stopped talking and shuddered as the image of a vicious wild-born dragon standing over her filled her mind. It still didn’t diminish her curiosity.

“You are more than welcome to come along,” Aubrey replied with a small smile.

The walk to the commercial district was shorter than Aeris expected. With Helen riding on Aubrey’s back, they were able to move at a much faster pace. Seeing a human riding atop a dragon was new to Aeris. Her master had not ridden her since he was a boy and even then, he used a bridle and saddle to ensure he never fell off and was injured.

Aubrey didn’t wear either of those things. Helen rode bareback and she remained perfectly balanced. Along the way, Aubrey explained how in the old days, humans used to ride on the backs of dragons. It was once considered a great honor and privilege reserved only for humans who proved themselves. After the Great Rebellion, it was considered demeaning and a sign of submission to carry a human and the humans saw riding a dragon as the ultimate form of dominance.

“I carry Helen because I believe in the old ways, and Helen is someone I deeply care for,” Aubrey explained. “She also doesn’t walk at the same pace as other humans. It would take far too long if she were to walk herself.”

“You know a lot about history,” Aeris said. “None of the books ever mentioned that.”

“Humans wouldn’t keep records of the times they actually respected dragon,” Aubrey replied stiffly. She relaxed and continued. “All the same, I find history to be a fascinating subject. I study everything I can about it. There’s so much to learn from those who came before. Dragons were once proud beings. We ruled over this world.” Her expression turned sour and her voice bitter. “But now we are either content to live as human playthings, or stubbornly close ourselves off from the world pretending the humans can be ignored. So much of our culture was lost during the Great Rebellion and no one—human nor dragon, seems to care. Did you know there are ruins not far from the city that has never been explored?”

“Really?” Aeris asked excitedly. The possibility of an adventure was too good to pass up. “Maybe we could be the first!”

“Perhaps we should. I was going to hire a team to explore for me, but I think whatever secrets that place may hold I would rather see with my own eyes. Now come, we are actually behind schedule and I would like to make up the time.” Aubrey began walking at a brisk pace. Aeris was still a little tired from running all the way there, but she managed to keep up.

The commercial district was just as Aeris remembered it the last time she visited. The overlapping sounds and smells were just as mesmerizing now as they were back then. The streets were more crowded than last time. More dragons roamed the streets this time as well. None of them paid any attention to Aeris, but she still shivered and huddled closer to Aubrey.

“Calm yourself, my dear,” Aubrey said, her tone commanding yet gentle like a parent speaking to a child. “You must never let others see your fear. Our kind has never been one to be beaten into submission. We bow only when we choose to. Besides, as long as you are in my company no dragon will dare harm you, domesticate or not.”

Hearing those words set Aeris’ mind at ease, but she still kept her head down. Even if no one intended to harm her, she couldn’t risk being seen and recognized. Why did she let her curiosity get the better of her? What was going to happen when her master returned her to buy something and a shopkeeper mentioned seeing her?

Aeris’s fears were forgotten once the shopping went underway. Dragons were allowed in most of the stores they visited. Helen pointed out they never shopped at places that didn’t allow dragons. The places they visited were so different from the places Aeris had been to with Master Aaron. The stores were modeled a lot like Aubrey’s home with the more delicate items placed higher up out of the reach of any wandering tails.

The shopkeepers were very polite. Aubrey knew many of the shopkeepers, and they even had set aside some of the things she had come to purchase. The cloak worked wonders; for once Aeris wasn’t the center of attention and bombarded with questions about her origins. It felt nice being no one for a day. The longer they walked, the more curious Aeris became. There was so much to learn and see. Turned out there were tons of tools and utensils to make it easier for dragons to use human implements such as windows and doors. Aeris wished she had some of these things for herself, but she also had no coin.

Aubrey and Helen taught Aeris how to shop. The proper way to haggle without offending, what not to do when browsing, and how to avoid scams and pressured into buying things she didn’t want or need.

Aeris quickly learned she loved shopping and was very good at it. Her knowledge of math allowed her to plan how much things would likely cost and avoid overspending. It didn’t bother her at all she couldn’t afford anything at the moment. Even knowing she would likely never be able to show off her new skills didn’t dampen her spirits.

It wasn’t until they were looking for the last item on their list, more thread and needles to repair the cushion as the fabric wasn’t very claw resistant, that Aeris was brought crashing back into reality.

“Do you have rocks in your ears? I know you understand me, so cut the bullshit!”

“Maybe I would understand you if you spoke plain!”

The voices belonged to a human and dragon arguing at a fruit stand. The dragon was a Ravager like Aubrey, but he was closer to Aeris’ size. His scales were a darker shade of red, bordering on brown.

The human on the other hand was quite large. His large frame overshadowed the dragon glaring at him and he had the thickest arms Aeris had ever seen.

Despite the size difference, the Ravager showed no signs of backing down. He slapped his tail against the ground and glared the human. “You told me to come back tomorrow, and now you’re charging me more than what we agreed on,” he said. “I only have enough for the old price.”

“Well, the price changed,” the human retorted, “So either pay up or fuck off.”

The Ravager stamped and growled, “That’s not what we agreed.”

The human reached under the counter and pulled out a small beat-up sign. Written on the sign were the words “Sold Out” in very sloppy handwriting. He slammed it on the counter in front of the dragon and pointed to its weathered surface. “You see this? It says you pay the price for that day. If you want yesterday’s prices, you should’ve gotten here yesterday.”

“Lady Aubrey?” Helen asked.

Aubrey was silent for a moment as she watched the pair argue. She soon replied, “This is a simple business disagreement. It doesn’t require our attention. Let’s go.”

“That human is lying,” Aeris whispered.

Aubrey stopped and turned back to her. “What? How do you know?”

“The sign doesn’t say that. It says ‘Sold Out.’ ”

“You can read human writing? Never mind, follow me, dear.”

Aeris noticed Helen looked very nervous as they approached the pair at the stand. Neither the human nor the dragon arguing noticed them approaching.

Aubrey loudly cleared her throat slapped her tail on the ground, getting the pair’s attention. “I can understand standing by your business practices, but I never thought outright swindling your customers was a smart business practice.”

The human turned to her with a venomous stare. “And just who the fuck are you? And where do you get off calling me a liar?”

Aubrey straightened up. Her blood-red scales seemed to almost glow as she narrowed her eyes.

Helen quickly spoke up. “We know you’re lying about that sign. It doesn’t say anything about you setting your own prices.”

The male Ravager turned back to the human. “What?”

The human appeared flustered, but then he reached behind the counter and pulled out a large rifle. “If you think for one second that you and your friend can scare me, you got another thing coming.”

The male Ravager shrank away from the counter, but Aubrey continued to stare the human down. Aeris felt the sudden urge to run away; her muscles even began to tense up in preparation to bolt at any moment. She regretted ever mentioning anything about the human lying. There was no explaining a gunshot injury assuming she survived.

A gentle touch to the back from Helen chased away the feelings of anxiety and fear. “It’s all right,” she whispered. “Lady Aubrey said she would protect you and no dragon dares go back on their word.”

“I suggest you drop your weapon before I’m forced to do something unpleasant,” Aubrey said, a deep growl making her words difficult to understand.

Now other humans were beginning to stop and stare. Aeris wished they wouldn’t. It reminded her of the time she had been attacked by the Genial and people stared and whispered. No one bothered to help then either. The human holding the rifle began to shake, his resolved wavering. Aeris didn’t envy him one bit. If he killed one dragon the other would surely go after him.

“Lady Aubrey, perhaps we should go before things get out of hand,” Helen whispered.

Aubrey refused to take her eyes off the man. “And let this human continue to take advantage of his customers? I think not.”

“You dragons are so quick to tear a man’s head off if he threatens your ‘precious’ honor, yet you don’t hesitate to do the same. If you’re calling me a liar you better have some damn good proof backing it,” the human threatened. He was bluffing. Aeris wasn’t sure how she knew. The man’s voice lacked any sort of confidence or conviction. Master Aaron always said in a business deal it was how one used their words that mattered.

Aeris cleared her throat and stepped forward. She didn’t know what she was doing or why, but she felt the need to do something. She straightened up to her full height but still had to crane her neck a bit to look larger the human in the eye. “I’m sorry, but are you sure you want things to end this way? My mas—uh, caretaker always says a business lives or dies by its reputation.”

The human turned his glare to Aeris. A pitiful display of aggression as she could see there was more trepidation than aggression in his eyes. “What do I care if I lose a few customers?”

“You’re going to lose a lot more than a few customers,” Aeris said, her confidence growing with every word. Her voice carried authority and it shocked even her. It was if nothing could challenge her. Not even the rifle in the human’s hands scared her anymore. “If word gets around that you lie to your customers, or threaten them when they get upset, how many do you think will come back? Or are you thinking no one will care about a couple of dragons?”

“I would imagine dragons are his biggest customers,” Aubrey said. “We can easily eat twice as much as any human, so we must always buy large quantities of food.”

“So even losing just one dragon would be a large blow to your profits. Then once the dragons leave, those who support them are going next. Even those who don’t support dragons will be hesitant to do business with you after so many customers refuse to do business with you. How long before you start cheating humans next?”

The man’s resolve shattered as he lowered his rifle. “L-Look, maybe we can work something out?”

“As if I would stoop so low as to do business with a man who would point a gun at me knowing he lied,” Aubrey spat. She turned to the other Ravager. “And what of you? Will you do business with this man?”

“I don’t think I will,” the Ravager said. “There’s other places where I can buy fruit.”

Aeris cast one last look over at the human before he vanished behind a veil of people. He looked very confused by the recent events. It felt good putting him in his place. Just like with the Everfields, only she liked this outcome. The human was the one receiving the strange looks.

“That was quite excellent how you handled that,” Aubrey said. “I suspect he’ll be much friendlier to any dragons who pass his stall now.”

“Yes, thank you so much for your help,” the other Ravager said, bowing low to the ground. “I shopped there for almost three years.” A terse growl escaped him. “And all that time he was lying to me.”

“Well, thank Aeris,” Aubrey said. “She’s the one who pointed out that human was lying. I was going to kill that man for daring to threaten me, but Aeris found a solution that doesn’t make us look like mindless beasts. I will have to remember that. I never imagined I would learn something from you.”

“Oh! Please forgive my rudeness, my matriarch.” He bowed again, his snout almost touching the ground. “My name is Windor.”

Aubrey returned the bow although she did not bend as far. “Well met, Windor. My name is Aubrey.”

Aeris bowed as well. “And I am Aeris.”

“My name is Helen. It is a pleasure to meet you, Windor.”

“Thank you again for your help, Aubrey, Helen, and Aeris. There’s this great bakery that serves dragon not far from here,” Windor said. “It isn’t much, but I would love to buy you a treat as thanks for helping me.”

As they walked to the bakery, Aeris felt some of her uneasiness return. She hadn’t had may pleasant experiences with dragons besides Aubrey. What if Windor was the same way? Sure he was friendly now, but what if he learned she was a domesticate?

Helen leaned over to Aeris and whispered, “Everything will be fine. Even if he doesn’t like domesticates, dragons have a strong sense of honor they strictly abide by—especially clan-borns. You have done him a great service. If nothing else, he must repay that debt.”

Her words helped Aeris calm down a bit, but the fear didn’t leave entirely.

Upon entering the bakery, a cornucopia of sweet smells filled her nose and her fears were forgotten. Her neck hurt she was moving it so much trying to take in everything, the smells of the various cakes and pastries filling her nose and making her mouth water.

“Aeris, you’re drooling,” Aubrey said.

Aeris snapped her mouth closed and wiped it with her foreleg. Thankfully they were the only ones in the bakery. Drooling in public was so unseemly. “Sorry,” she mumbled. She also noticed Aubrey’s tail twitching in anticipation as she stared hungrily at the sweets.

Aubrey laughed. “It’s all right, my dear. I take it you’ve never been in a place like this before.”

“Well, no. I’ve had sweets before, but I never been to a place like this. I asked Master Aaron if we visit one, but he said—”

“Well, he’s not here,” Aubrey interjected quickly.

At that moment, a tall, lean human with the thickest head of brown hair Aeris had ever seen, walked into the room. He smiled warmly at his customers as he approached the counter. “Hello there. You are just in time; I have a fresh batch of cakes ready to come out of the oven.”

“Great! I’ll take one for each of my friends,” Windor said. Turning to the others, he added, “It’s my treat, so please order whatever you like.”

Aeris squealed with delight. “Really? I can order whatever I want?” Happy as she was for the invitation, she also knew not to be greedy. She ordered only a single strawberry shortcake, something she had never tasted before. Aubrey and Helen explained this was more Aeris’ reward and so purchased their treats themselves. They agreed to eat there so they could have a chance to rest their legs. It wasn’t until they sat down that they realized how sore they were from walking most of the day. Aeris tried to take her time eating the cake, but it proved very difficult given how tasty it was. When she got home, she was definitely going to ask Maggie about getting her another one.

While they ate, they talked. Turned out Windor didn’t have a caretaker in the usual sense. He lived alone in a special section of the city called the dragon’s district where any dragon not under the direct care of a human lived. The district was “managed” by a human, but each dragon was in charge of caring for themselves.

It sounded like a very scary life to Aeris. Sure, there were things about her life she wished were different, but she also didn’t want to know what it would be like to not have her master watching over her.

“Aeris, perhaps we should visit there next,” Aubrey said. “It will be a great way to introduce you to how a dragon should live.”

Aeris nearly choked on a piece of cake. “I-Is that really a good idea? But you said domesticates aren’t liked much, and—”

“Indeed, a domesticate wouldn’t be safe going to the dragon’s district alone,” Aubrey pointed out. “But you won’t be alone. And as I said before, no dragon will dare try to harm you in my presence.”

What about when I’m not in your presence? Aeris thought. Back at the party, Reks and the other dragons were so quick to turn on her the moment they weren’t being watched.

As if sensing her thoughts, Windor added, “Aeris, I can promise you that many dragons don’t care that much about domesticates. Yes, seeing one pissing us off, but it’s usually out of sight, out of mind. And if that doesn’t reassure you then once they learn a matriarch vouches for you, they will ignore you.”

Aeris nodded in agreement but still wasn’t convinced.

“I hope this isn’t rude, Aeris, but would you taking off your hood so I can see your face?” Windor asked. “We’ve been talking this entire time and I still have no idea what you look like.”

Before Aeris could object, Aubrey pulled the hood back. Aeris squealed in terror and fought the urge to hide her head under the table. Only her fear of embarrassing Aubrey kept Aeris upright.

Windor stared, wide-eyed. Aeris looked away and noticed the bakery owner staring at her as well. Their staring left her disheartened. Did any dragon know what she was? “I had no idea you were so beautiful,” Windor said. Aeris ducked under the table.

“Aeris, be proud of yourself,” Aubrey said, a hint of annoyance lacing her voice. “Your appearance makes you stand out in ways no other dragon could rival. Do not hide from it.”

Not wanting to upset Aubrey or make Windor regret meeting her, Aeris came out from under the table but kept her head down. “So, could you tell me more about the dragon’s district?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.

“There’s at least one in every large human city,” Aubrey explained. “It’s almost a separate city in a way. The dragons there often police themselves and look after one another. Crimes committed there are handled by the dragons and as such, very few humans go there.”

“But because dragon laws are so different from humans, dragon districts are often seen as lawless,” Helen added. “For example, only under very specific circumstances is murder considered a crime.”

“And humans are very content to look the other way until another human is killed,” Aubrey said with an exasperated huff. “Their definition of murder seems to only apply to them.”

“To get things back on track,” Windor said nervously. “Each dragon district is ‘ruled’ by a matriarch. She keeps the other dragons in line and communicates with the humans on our behalf.”

“And before you ask, Aeris, I am not the matriarch of the dragon district,” Aubrey said. Aeris closed her mouth and nodded. “That title belongs to another: a rambunctious short-snout who goes by the name Cutter. I suggest avoiding her if you can. Her temper is legendary.”

“She’s right,” Windor added, shuddering at an unknown thought. “I hear even humans are afraid of her.”

If this Cutter was anything like the Genial who attacked Aeris in the commercial district, she planned to stay as far away from her as possible. Aubrey began discussing the history of dragon districts and how they came to be, but Aeris wasn’t listening. She was distracted by Windor staring.

It was strange she didn’t mind it when she caught him looking at her. Whenever the humans stared it made her uncomfortable. It was their eyes. They carried a look that they wanted something from her. Nothing more than an object of their desire. But Windor was different. He looked at her instead of through her.

The attention almost made her forget the reason for being there in the first place. She liked Windor’s company and wanted to spend more time with him. Not wanting to ruin things, Aeris kept quiet and didn’t ask many questions. Aubrey took charge of the conversation and answered anything Aeris wanted to know. She also steered the conversation toward a different subject whenever Windor asked questions about Aeris’ life.

Once everyone finished their treats, they left the bakery in high spirits. Aeris wanted to ask so many more questions, but Aubrey said, “In time. There is a lot to tell you and it would not do to overwhelm you all at once.”

“I guess this is where we part ways,” Windor said, bowing again. “I will never forget what you did for me. Thank you.”

“Actually, Aeris, how about you and Windor meet again?” Helen offered. “The two of you have been very quiet, but you seem to enjoy each other’s company.”

Aeris turned to the woman so fast, her neck hurt. “What? I couldn’t do that. My master—”

“Does not get to tell you who can and cannot see,” Aubrey growled. “But I also do not agree with this. It’s too soon for her, Helen.”

Helen said, “Lady Aubrey, you said yourself Aeris needs to meet other dragons. How else will she know how a true dragon lives?”

Aubrey thought on her response for a moment. “Very well. But only if Aeris wishes it.”

Aeris wanted to hide under her wing and avoid the subject entirely. Of course, she wanted to see Windor again, but the thought of being alone with him gave her feelings she couldn’t describe. Windor didn’t appear very comfortable with the subject either. “I-I guess that would be fine,” she said.

“Then it’s settled. How about the two of you meet here at the bakery?” Helen offered. “You both already know exactly where it is, so it’ll be easy to find.”

“That’s a great idea,” Windor said. “Aeris, is that okay?”

Unable to speak, Aeris settled for nodding. Was this happening right now? It sounded like the human had just arranged a date for her.

“Excellent. Then the two of you can meet back here tomorrow,” Helen said.

Aeris found her voice. “I have to go to another gathering my master tomorrow. But I can go the day after.” Windor and Aubrey cringed at the word master, but neither spoke on it.

“Then the day after tomorrow it is,” Windor said.

“Very well. Now it is getting late, and we need to be going,” Aubrey said, as she steered Aeris down the street, leaving Windor behind.

No one spoke until Windor was out of sight. Aubrey quickly turned to Helen. “What was that about, Helen?”

Helen quickly bowed. “Forgive me, Lady Aubrey, but I noticed the way they were staring at each other. It’s clear he likes Aeris, and I think she likes him.”

“That is not the point,” Aubrey shot back. “Have you forgotten Aeris’ relationship with her caretaker? Regardless of my reservations about the man, we have no right to push Aeris into cheating on him.”

That snapped Aeris out of her stupor. “Aubrey, Master Aaron and I are not a couple.”

Aubrey slowly turned to Aeris. “What?”

Aeris shrank away. Something in Aubrey’s eyes and voice showed she had said the wrong thing.

“Lady Aubrey, remember Aeris doesn’t know about dragon customs,” Helen said quickly. To Aeris, she added, “Dragons take sexual acts very seriously. To them, it’s not something you do with just anyone. As you can guess, they are very proud so of course, they are very selective in their partners.”

“But then why are you pushing me to see Windor?” Aeris asked.

“We said to see him, not fuck him,” Aubrey growled. “Aeris, you do realize that both humans and dragons frown on interspecies relationships. Why would you put yourself through such hardship when you don’t truly want him?”

“He’s my master.”

The look in Aubrey’s eyes made even Helen step back. Aeris quickly stared at the ground. No one spoke or moved as if the slightest move would set Aubrey off.

Eventually, Aubrey broke the silence, her voice flat and cold. “Let’s go.”

The walk back to Aubrey’s mansion was silent and awkward. Aeris didn’t understand why Aubrey was so upset, and her fear of upsetting the Ravager further kept her from asking. Once, she gathered the courage to ask, but Helen quickly touched her shoulder preventing the conversation.

Once they reached the mansion, Aubrey turned to Helen and asked, “Could you give us a moment?

Aeris knew Aubrey was unlikely to harm her, but she still gave a pleading look not to leave them alone. Helen bowed and took her leave without hesitation. To Aeris’ surprise, the proud Ravager kicked timidly at the ground, avoiding her gaze. “This is difficult for me to say. First, I want to apologize for getting upset with you. It seems your ignorance extends to more than your experience with dragons. I truly dislike your relationship with that man. If you want, you could live with me. There is plenty of room here and I promise you will want for nothing.”

That was not at all what Aeris expected. She stared at Aubrey, mouth agape. Until now, she never thought about leaving Master Aaron. Should she leave her master alone? What about Maggie?

As if sensing her thoughts, Aubrey added, “You do not need to answer now. Think about it. It is not what I wished to discuss with you.” She looked away and sighed. It was odd seeing someone so proud and sure of herself behaving this way, but Aeris remained quiet. “I was impressed by your ability to read. Embarrassing as it is to admit, I never considered the usefulness of learning the humans’ written language. I spent 80 years among humans and I never realized my ignorance.”

Aeris tilted her head. Did she hear Aubrey say she had been around humans for 80 years? “Aubrey, how old are you?” A rude question and she chided her curiosity for making it.

“Why I’m 114, Aeris. And that’s considered quite young among dragons.”

“Over a hundred?! How long do we live for?”

“That is a question even we do not know the answer to,” Aubrey replied with a solemn shake of her head. “Dragons don’t typically die of old age. Our kind lives to prove our strength over one another, so our life-expectancy is quite short. Though I once met a dragon who claimed to be over 500 years old.

“But that is a conversation for another time. Back to my original question: Aeris, would you be willing to teach me to read?”

Aeris answered without hesitation. “Of course. I would be honored to.”

Aubrey straightened up, and she was back to the regal, proud dragon Aeris admired. “Thank you. I’ll be ready to begin our lessons whenever you are ready.”

“How about the next time we see each other? There’s still a lot I need to learn about dragons, so I want to come back as soon as I can.”

“Very well. My door is always open to you so return whenever you wish. We’ll begin the lessons the next time we meet. Now you likely already know this, but you should be careful not to let other humans know you can read or that you’re instructing me. Many humans wouldn’t take kindly to it.”

Aeris nodded again. This was a speech she had already heard from Maggie. She bade Aubrey good night and started the walk back home.

Of all the things that happened today, what was going to happen the day after tomorrow occupied Aeris’s mind. It was too much too soon. She didn’t know the first thing about Windor, but she was supposed to go out with him, alone? And what did it mean? Was it a date? An outing between friends? Did Windor consider her a friend? Did he want to be something more? The questions fought for dominance of her mind making it impossible to think about anything else.

It wasn’t until she made it back to her room that she calmed down. Aubrey and Helen would never have suggested it if they thought Windor would do anything to harm her. It was just a matter of not doing anything to embarrass herself.

“You’re certainly in high spirits today,” Lilith said.

Aeris jolted in surprise at her sudden voice. She didn’t even hear the woman come in.

“I was waiting here patiently for you to return,” Lilith explained. She motioned to the cloak Aeris wore. “I take it you had fun today.”

“I had a great deal of fun, and I learned so much! But, Lilith, I have to go out again soon. Would you mind—?”

“Of course, Aeris, I would be honored to cover for you. As I said before, we’re a team, and I want to help you.”

“Thank you. And…could you…teach me about dating?” This was her only hope. She wasn’t sure Maggie or Master Aaron would approve, so Lilith was her best bet if she were to make this work. Going into this without any idea what to do would not end well.

Lilith smiled. “I would love to.”