Chapter 28

Corliss squinted against the blinding sunlight, her hand doing little to block it out. Three weeks. Three weeks of traveling from Ayveri to the Eld city stronghold and they still had two days to go.

And it was all because of those dragons.

Don't get her wrong. She absolutely adored both Odanth and Ollyn, but they were trouble. Oh, were they trouble. Especially when Meron was causing trouble right along with them.

"They're fine, Corliss," the male in question called out from behind her atop his own horse.

"But how do you know they're fine, huh? You put rocks in those bags you tied to them."

"Do you need to get your eyes checked? Because look again. They're doing perfect. You know this is what they do during training at the caves, right? Did you never watch Gaven and Ruvyn with the others?"

"Of course, I did, but I..."

He cut her off with a laugh as he urged his horse forward to ride side by side with her. "Stop worrying. Our boys are fine."

Corliss's face flushed with annoyance and just a little bit of embarrassment. Our boys. Meron started calling them that on their first night away from Ayveri. She'd had to do a doubletake when he did, so nonchalant and without any embarrassment from him. And yes, he did realize what he said and how he said it.

Now, he'd been calling them by the endearment for those last few weeks and Corliss was still getting used to it. It made her smile, though, mostly whenever she could manage to hide it would him seeing. They were still on edge around each other, still hesitant to talk about anything other than the dragons after that first and only disastrous dinner.

"What would you say to stopping at one of the smaller villages for the night?" Meron asked her then. He nodded in the direction of a mountain path that disappeared through the trees. "I know of one just half an hour's ride past that boundary."

"Why, though, when we have hours of daylight left? We're only a day's ride out from the stronghold."

"Just trust me, all right? I think you'll like. And we could both use a night in a real bed, couldn't we?"

Corliss wasn't going to argue with him there. Even though they'd had comfortable lodgings in her magically expanded tent, which Bridget had taught her how to do a few decades before, there was nothing like being in a real home with a real bed.

"Do you know of an inn there?"

Meron smiled fondly as he looked up at Ollyn and Odanth flying perfectly overhead. "Sort of, but not quite. We'll be welcomed nonetheless."

"You're not going to tell me anything, are you?"

"Nope. You'll find out soon enough."

Corliss grumbled, which only made Meron let out a chuckle as he took the lead. He whistled loudly, making both dragons peer down at them from a hundred feet above before taking nosedives down. Her heart leapt into her throat, watching the two of them happily roaring as they plummeted, wings tight and bodies sleek as arrows, but then stopped themselves with just a dozen feet between them and the ground. Ground which shook as they landed, even if gracefully.

"Good boys," Meron grinned. "Now, you're going to have to walk the rest of the way, all right? And be careful you don't take out too many of the trees."

With him still leading, Corliss guided her own horse behind on the narrow trail that only narrowed as soon as they passed the tree line. With the thick canopy overhead, everything darkened around them. It was welcome, though, especially since it had been so long since Corliss had been home in Eld. Not only were the mountains and valleys and grasslands welcome to her, so were the dense forests that surrounded the western side of the city stronghold.

Of course, she knew of the few villages that dotted throughout the territory. How could she not when she would someday rule over it?

So, after another half hour passed, she knew exactly where she was when Meron brought them through the gates of a moderate size village of Tergaron. The trees opened up to the sky again, along with a huge space for Ollyn and Odanth to make themselves comfortable for the night. Both dragons were a little hesitant, especially where there were other, far older dragons there as well. This would be good for them, though, and one of the main reasons they'd decided to come to Eld. Not only training, but socialization.

Tergaron was popular with most of the riders since it was close to the dragon caves. Some had even made it their permanent home. The main road going through it held shops and two taverns while the three other roads that branched off were lined with homes. There was a three-story inn across from the village leader's home to the north of the main square. Merchants had set up their carts along the village center, circling around the water fountain, and dozens of people walked around, looking and talking and laughing.

While Corliss didn't want to leave Odanth and Ollyn just yet, the dragons were already making their way a large clearing a short distance away. They didn't even look to them for permission either, just went on their way Meron looked back at her just as she turned forward again, seeing the look of worry.

"They're not going to be babies for too long, Lis," he told her, slowing his horse alongside hers.

"I know. And this is why we're here in Eld, right? Training and socialization."

"Come on," he said with a nod of his head, heading into the direction of the city center. "This way."

As the two of them continued down the stone paved road, more and more people seemed to recognize them. Males and females stopped in their tracks to watch as the future Lady of Eld and the Eld army commander passed by. Even the children dropped their toys to jump up and down and wave. Corliss found herself smiling at them all, even as their bows and curtsies made her blush in embarrassment. She needed to get used to this, though, and couldn't be hiding away in Ayveri for too much longer.

It wasn't just her they were greeting that way, but Meron, too. Not only because he was Commander but...

"You're the son of the village leader?" she asked, staring up at the pristine white, two-story home he stopped them at. "How come you never told me?"

Meron shrugged, jumping down off his horse. "You never asked. My mother always taught me not to use my privilege as her son."

"So, you're mother's leader?"

"Yes. Like I told you before, she's the more outspoke one while my father's quiet. She was passed the title from her own mother. She loves to have people over and throws monthly parties for the whole village. My father's content with whatever she wants, being the quieter one. That doesn't mean he doesn't contribute to those parties, though. He's usually the one handling the musical arrangements and the decorations. He's an artist through and through, either working on a new music or art piece. They balance each other out, though."

"Sounds like it," Corliss said, finding herself smiling.

"You don't have to be nervous to meet them, you know," he said, holding her horse steady as he stared at her.

Still, she wasn't moving. "Why not? I'm meeting your parents. And just like Bridget and Alberich, they're going to think something's going on between us. Which it's not."

Meron hesitated, eyes never leaving her face even as she stared up at the house. "No, nothing's going on. We're just two acquaintances who just happen to share twin bloodrite bonded dragons."

"You can at least call us friends, Meron."

"Are we?" he questioned, raising a brow. "Because that fight a few weeks ago would say otherwise."

"Are you still thinking that ridiculous thought from that first night?"

"No. Because you were right."

"Then, Commander, we're not just 'acquaintances,' but friends."

"Friends and nothing more."

A nervous knot formed in the pit of her stomach. "Um-hm."

Meron heaved a sigh. "Then come on, would you?"

Jumping down from her horse, she left him to the two stable hands who rushed out to greet them. Both she and Meron grabbed their bags, slinging them over their shoulders, before Meron showed her inside.

As soon as they stepped inside, the foyer was bright and open. A circular wooden table sat in the center, a beautiful bouquet of flowers on top of it. The windows were open as they passed through a sitting room, then down a short hallway past an office, dining room, and library. Paintings lined the walls, ranging from portraits to landscapes. Corliss found herself slowing her pace, even as Meron continued toward the archway into the kitchen.

Just like every other room on the lower level, the kitchen and breakfast nook were bright from the back doors that opened to a patio and garden. Not only were the scents of the flowers filling the air, but also the sweet aromas from what was cooking on the stovetop.

A female stood with her back to them, having not heard them come in. She was humming over a recipe book she had on a stand, her blond hair in a braid down her back, and her hands elbow-deep in a bowl of dough.

Meron leaned one hip against the island counter, crossing his arms with a smile. "Looks like we came just in time for the good stuff. Apple turnovers...my favorite. It's almost like you knew I was coming home."

His mother Renna jumped at the sound of his voice and spun around, a flour-covered hand flying to her chest.

"Mother above, you don't have to scare me like that!" she yelled at him. It took her a moment to calm herself, but then she realized he was really there, standing in their kitchen. "Meron! What are you doing home?"

Meron's grin stretched wide as he rushed forward and scooped his mother up into his arms, lifting her off her feet as she laughed.

When he finally set her down, she took her face in her hands, kissing both his cheeks, and leaving white handprints on his tanned skin. "I thought you said you were going to be staying in Ayveri?"

"I was, but then something happened...and we knew we needed to come here to Eld for a few weeks."

Renna's blond brows furrowed. "What do you mean by we...?"

He stepped back, both of them looking at Corliss.

She would have laughed at the sight of his flour-covered face if she hadn't been so nervous with officially meeting his mother.

Renna's eyes popped open wide as she furiously wiped her hands on her apron and gave a slight curtsy. "Lady Corliss, I wasn't...I wasn't expecting you," she said in a rush as she walked over. She immediately took her hands in hers, leaning forward to kiss both cheeks. "My name is Renna Brandt. It's so nice to officially meet you, though I've seen you from afar, of course. I've known your parents forever and love them like my own family."

"It's nice to meet you, too, Renna," Corliss told her with a smile. "And please just call me Corliss. I've heard a lot about you from Meron, including your love of cooking which you instilled in him."

Renna laughed as they both glanced back at the male in question. "And has he used those cooking skills to try and impress you?"

"He tried. Almost set my apartment on fire, though."

"You can't be serious."

"Oh, I am."

"Meron Brandt! How could you? Have I taught you nothing?"

Corliss's laugh echoed through the kitchen as Renna left her to smack Meron on the back of the head.

Another had joined them then, his hands and tunic covered in ink and paint. Evander Brandt looked just as surprised to see his son home as Renna had been, even more so when he saw Corliss there, too.

"Hello, Father," Meron smiled, stepping forward to give him a tight hug. He nodded down to his hands. "Working on something new?"

"Always," the male grinned.

Corliss was caught off guard by how similar they looked, though Evander's hair was dark and Meron's blond like his mother's. For being an only child, it was clear Meron was close to both of his parents, especially when the three of them hugged each other again. Evander, though...his gaze never left Corliss.

"So, you've brought the future Lady of Eld with you, huh? Something going on between the two of you?"

Corliss and Meron glanced at one another before saying at the same time, "No."

And said it far too quickly.

Which had both Renna and Evander smiling.

"Well," Corliss backtracked. "There's a little something going on between us, but that involves two others."

With curious looks from his parents, Meron stepped out the back doors onto the patio, looked around to make sure there was nothing in the way for two adolescent dragons to smash while landing, and gave a sharp whistle.

Twin roars of excitement sounded from across the village, loud enough to rattle the windows as they got closer. Corliss couldn't help but smile as Odanth and Ollyn circled above the house twice before landing, shaking the ground as they did. They took up most of the wide expanse of grass between the patio and the gardens, tucking in their wings just as she always had them do.

"Twin dragons," Evander said in awe as Corliss and Meron went to greet the two. "I've never heard of such a thing."

"This is Ollyn," Meron said in introduction, running his hand between the dragon's eyes as he grumbled in contentment. "And Corliss's is named Odanth."

"They're rambunctious and wild, but they'll be on their best behavior while we're here, won't you?" Corliss said to Odanth in a cooing voice, rubbing her hand along his jaw and scratching in the place he loved most.

"And you didn't think to send word that your egg hatched?" Renna grumbled as she walked down the patio steps to the four of them. Instantly, Odanth and Ollyn were curious just as they always were with new people. "Two. And both of you are bloodrite bonded to one."

"Yes," Corliss and Meron said together, then glared at each other when they did.

Both Renna and Evander caught the looks and grinned.

Renna was the one to laugh. "Oh, you two are going to have a lot of fun, aren't you?"

***

Corliss opened the door to the small guestroom Renna had showed her just a few hours before. Her bags were still at the foot of the bed, but the windows were now cracked, letting in the cool night breeze. Sounds of snoring came from the gardens below, letting her know both dragons were fast asleep, even though she'd just been down to kiss them goodnight.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she started unlacing her boots, placing them beside the wardrobe by the bathing room door. She made quick work of the laces on her leather pants, wriggling out of them before tugging off her shirt. Next to go was the binding around her chest, which made her sigh in relief. After a quick shower after a long, exhausting day, she slipped on her strappy silk nightgown, brushed her teeth, and knotted her hair on top of her head. But as soon as she pulled down the fluffy white covers of the bed, a knock at the door had her groaning.

"Don't be so mean and grumpy," Meron grinned as soon as she pulled open the door. His eyes trailed her up and down, slowing over her bare legs, the curves of her breasts beneath the silk. "Ready for bed already?"

Corliss half-glared...then smothered a yawn with one hand. "I'm tired. Can I help you?"

He shrugged one shoulder, then leaned against the doorframe. "Just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed."

Nodding, she copied his stance and leaned against the other side. "Your mother showed me where everything was. And she gave me the recipe for that chicken dish she made for dinner. I'll have to try it out sometime back home and not almost burn my apartment down."

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

"Nope," Corliss grinned, then rubbed her hands up and down her arms. "Seriously, though. Your parents are even more great than you told me."

"I think my mother is in love with you. My father, too."

"Don't bring many females home, do you?"

"No," he smiled as he shook his head. "I don't, actually. Then again, I don't have many females in my life."

"Oh, doesn't that make me feel special. Then I better make your life a living hell, right?"

"Bridget's right. You are a pain in the ass."

"A pain in the ass both of you seem to like having around."

Meron chuckled again as he pushed himself up from the doorframe. "I'll see you in the morning, all right? I'm just down the hall if you need anything. Like a shared midnight snack. Or maybe a bedtime story read to you. Or some cuddles that don't come from the dragons."

"Then I know exactly which room not to go into, right?"

Just one step and he was in front of her. One step to feel the heat of him brushing up against her exposed skin, though the silk fabric. His eyes roamed over her again before lifting to her face. Then, just to torture her a little, he leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheekbone in the softest of kisses. But it was the jolt of heat that spread through her every limb that had her almost melting against him and pulling him closer.

"Goodnight, Lady Lis," Meron said to her then. "I'll see you in the morning."

And he was gone before she could say her own goodnight...and even before she could give him a rude hand gesture in return.