Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
C adeyrn did his rounds, from the lowland area that led to the sea, which was not the vast ocean he had told Poe about, to a pass over the village, then soaring up the mountain to the enclave that the Rocky Mountain clutch had carved out.
He was just in time for their afternoon break. They called it tea. He thought that was hilarious, since they rarely drank tea, and usually had a full meal.
But who was he to complain?
Eager to see Poe, he landed in a clearing next to the copse of trees near the house and dressed, then strode off to the house of Gavin and his family, where Poe had been laid to bed when he fell asleep last night.
Hearing Poe speak to him in his mind had sent shivers through his entire body.
He had come bringing gifts. It was necessary, when one wooed one’s mate, to bring gifts.
So he had brought a basket overflowing with things necessary and also some not so particularly needed. He’d packed tunics and trousers in the softest materials that had been dyed in every color of the rainbows. He had brought lovely dried fruits and nuts, a start of a forit plant to repels flies, a lovely windchime covered in tinkling bells, and pies that were not for hands.
He had found a red parasol for Tanya along with a stuffed dragon that roared when it was squeezed.
He’d made sure to add many different stones and balls and wooden puzzles for the other children because it was unkind to bring presents for only one child.
Best of all, and most importantly, Cadeyrn found a diamond clear as glass, about the size of his fist. That would be his first addition to Poe’s hoard.
Once they had spent today together, then he would go speak to an elder about building his own home. Perhaps between the village and the Rocky Mountain clutch so that he had a space to house his mate’s hoard. That was most important.
He required a home that was adequate for his hoard, as well as his mate’s and his mate’s adopted child’s hoard, along with anything that their children may have need of.
Then he would invite Poe to view his homestead.
There were steps to this process, and he would follow them one at a time.
First, gifts.
The twins, Dustin and Austin, met him in the clearing. “Good day. Is everything all right?”
“All is well.” He did approve of the check-in.
“You came bearing goodies. I like it.”
“I did.” He nodded, unable to hide his rusty smile. “This is all for Poe and the children.”
Dustin grinned and bumped Austin’s shoulder. Possibly it was Austin grinning before bumping Dustin’s shoulder.
Cadeyrn wasn’t really sure. He wasn’t convinced it mattered.
“Somebody’s trying to impress the new guy.”
“Yes.” Of course he was. It seemed illogical to try to unimpress your mate. Of course, who knew what dragons did in the other world? It could be anything. “Yes, I wish to impress Poe.”
“Good on you, man.”
“Need some help? We can carry stuff.”
“We just wanted to make sure everything was okay, and invite you to come up for lunch.”
“That would be very nice, thank you. I have meat pies and mince ones to add to the meal.”
One of the twin males smiled. “Oh, man, I can’t wait for Poe and Tanya to taste those. We’ll keep the rampaging herd from grabbing them all and make sure they each get one of both.”
“Thank you.” He strode along with them. These were warriors, and he felt a kinship. But he was eager to see his mate. More and more the closer he got. “He is well? He slept and is feeling better?”
“Yeah. He seems less freaked out.”
“I’m sure it’s a hard thing to leave everything you know.”
“Trust me. I’ve dealt with some vampire attacks. This place is heaven compared to what they jumped out of.”
Cadeyrn found himself growling at the thought of someone hurting Poe and that little girl.
“Just be careful, if you don’t mind, about mentioning the V word to people because Nevvy’s parents were murdered by them, and she saw it.”
“Yeah, she and Myk almost died along with two of the babies, and then Esther’s parents were both captured and held for weeks.”
It was impossible to tell the twins apart, to determine who was talking.
“Esther’s mom was pregnant with her. We think that’s one of the reasons the bears got to cross with us.”
“The same with Gareth’s sister, Angel.”
“She’s a werewolf.”
He blinked at the twins. “And she was attacked by vampires?”
“No, but she had been hurt badly.”
“Obviously, there’s dragon blood somewhere in there, because Gareth’s like a golden dragon.”
The other twin shook his head. “No, stupid, that is not… Gareth is not her blood brother.”
“Well, there’s some reason that that wolf got to cross and none of the other wolves did. What is it?”
“Hell, I don’t know.”
“Then don’t call me stupid if you don’t know.”
“Seriously?”
Cadeyrn tilted his head. “It is getting close to midsummer. The urges around those magical days are intense.”
And they made dragon alphas ridiculous. Like these brothers, fighting about nothing.
“Tell me about it. Andy doesn’t know if he wants to have another baby.”
“Puck does!”
“Shut up.”
“All of us that aren’t interested in, you know, are staying in one house and our mates are staying in another. And then we’ll share the children between us.”
“You make it sound like you’re going to serve them up for barbecue.”
Both the twins looked at each other and then the laughter started, hard, wild, and happy.
Cadeyrn wished he’d had siblings, but his parents had only had one child.
“That was hilarious, man. But yeah. I mean, it does kind of sound like that. And it feels so damn…ugh. I mean, I want my mate.”
“Of course.” He wanted his too. But this midsummer was not for that, not for him this cycle. No, he still had a great deal of wooing to do.
He would stay away for midsummer, doing his job and keeping the rowdy young alpha dragons from causing trouble.
“So.” The one twin, perhaps Austin, nudged him with one elbow. “You like Poe, huh?”
“I do.” He felt his neck heat, his ears following. “I—He calls to me.”
“Hey, we don’t mock,” the other twin said. “Not even a little. That’s cool. I mean, you seem like a stand-up guy.”
He frowned. “Is there a sit-down kind?”
“Huh?” They both stared at him.
“A sit-down…guy.”
“No. No, it’s a turn of phrase.”
“Ah.” They spoke the same language, ostensibly, but many times, he simply didn’t understand what they were saying. They had so many conceits with their language. He was more…what did they call it?
Thinking in a line.
It was not that Cadeyrn had no sense of humor. But he did have to make things very clear and understand them just as easily. As a guardian, he needed no misunderstandings in case someone was imparting the details of a threat, and he had to take care of it.
“Anyway, what we mean is, I think you’d be a great mate for Poe. Just remember how hard it has to be for him and don’t push too hard.”
“Of course not.” But he could promise that all he liked, couldn’t he? He had no idea what too hard was. All he knew was how to court someone like a member of the Galinea clutch. He knew how to bring gifts and spend time with his mate and make a home for him.
He had no idea how to be…subtle.
“What on earth do you mean, Austin? Don’t worry about Poe. That dragon was a cowboy. This is not as delicate flower…dragon…whatever. He survived vampires. Not only did the dude survive vampires, but he babysat everybody in our house. All by himself. I’m talking Lia, Esther. All the boys. Gavin’s kids. Even the little bears, everybody, all by himself. When we got back from our walk, nobody had died.”
“You do have a point, brother. I’ll give you that. You absolutely have a point. They were all sitting, playing a game, and being good. I think you might be right. He’s tough.”
Cadeyrn had to chuckle at the thought of his mate surrounded by children. One day, it would be their babies, if he was lucky. He would accept Tanya into his family as well, of course. He understood that she had lost her parents, but he would welcome her to his home.
Once it was built of course.
“Hi, Cade!” Tanya waved, as if she had been drawn from his thoughts.
“Hello.” He frowned, a bit surprised to see her, as well as a dozen others, appearing from the woods along the trail. What was she doing so far away from the clutch? Why were there other children with her? Where were their teachers?
“We’re playing hide and seek. Sebby and Kiefer are hiding, so is Penny. We can’t find any of them. They’re very good at hiding.”
“Daddy!” Lia ran to her father, a bear at her heels. “Can you help us find them? Even Esther says she’s not sniffing them or anything.”
“Do you think they would have hidden this far down? I imagine they’re up near the houses. Come on, guys. Let’s go find everybody.” Dustin wasn’t quite as worried as he thought the dragon ought to be, but everyone knew the children better than he did.
Cade, of course, knew the woods.
They all marched up toward the houses, calling for the hiding children. It didn’t take very long for everyone to gather outside, including Sebby and Kiefer.
“What is going on?” Samuel demanded. “Why were you hiding?”
Sebby’s expression was utterly confused. “We said we were going to hide over by the greenhouses. Why did you go that far?”
Arielle shook her head, a half sandwich in her hand. “JBot, you know better than to go down there. Don’t go down the mountain without growing up or a big sister. It’s either me or Sebby.”
“What about me?” Lia demanded.
“You’re not old enough yet.” Arielle snapped back. “And you aren’t supposed to be down the mountain.”
“Why weren’t you with them?” another of the dragons asked.
“I wasn’t playing. I was in the kitchen with Helena helping her cook bacon.”
“You are the oldest, and you are supposed to be paying attention!” Devon snapped, and Arielle’s eyes went fiery.
“I’m not their parents!” she roared, shaking the ground.
Cadeyrn didn’t like how this situation was unfolding. “Please, everyone?—”
Seth was searching through the children before surging to the forefront. “Where’s Penny?”
Beau’s eyebrows lowered. “Stella, have you seen Penny?”
There was a screeching call that drove, not only into the pit of his brain, but most likely all the others’ too, because everyone jerked as Stella screamed, obviously calling for her baby cousin.
“I can’t hear her.” Beau ran straight to Zeke. “I can’t hear my baby.”
Poe came racing to him, one hand on his arm. “Cade. Cade, can you help? Can you help us?”
“I can help.” It was, in effect, his job to help. “Beau, calm your mate. All will be well. She is small. She may have fallen deep into the ground, which can make it hard to hear. Also, there are a few places in the woods that are spaces of pure solitude, created for meditation for the mystics. If she found one of those, it is simply that you can’t hear her. Now, everyone. Everyone…”
The noise didn’t ease in the least, which actually aggravated him quite a bit. “I said everyone listen.”
The crowd went blessedly quiet, and he nodded in satisfaction.
“Thank you. I need one person from every house to go in and find your helpers, please, and have them search the homes as quickly as possible, including the basement areas. Poe, I need you to attend to the children along with Seth, Gareth, and Myk. Thank you. Tyson, Zeke, twins, Gavin—you take each direction, fly out and search for her. Please remember, if she’s frightened, she may try to hide.”
He shook his head. “We are not angry with her; we just want her found. I’m going to go search in secluded places, and see if I can find her. Be at peace, and know that I shall keep you protected.” He met Seth’s eyes. “I will find your child.”
“Thank you again. Thank you very much.” Poe squeezed his fingers, and the touch sent shivers up and down the spine.
“Of course. I’ll see you when I get back with the child. I wish to spend time with you.”
Poe’s eyes widened even more. “Okay.”
He nodded, happy with the assent. Then he leaped into the air, shifting as he went. There was a clearing in the woods where he could land and work his way out instead of trudging all the way on foot.
Penny. He focused his thoughts on her, remembering what she looked like. Such a sweet, happy child. He did know her face, despite his troubles keeping all the names straight.
No, he would find her. He would. Systematically, he would uncover all the hiding places.
He flew down, following the way that the children would have traveled, making slow circles out from the greenhouse. He could hear all the other dragons calling for the little lost one, and the sound was worried, frightened.
He just sang quietly. Letting his dragon be at peace. What did he care for anxiety and worry when there were songs to be had?
Finally, he heard a tiny chirrup in the pit of his brain.
What’s that? What’s that song? Is that a shiny penny?
He moved deeper into the forest, circling again. There was a grove of massive willow trees here, a mystical copse hidden from view.
This particular space was protected by a very powerful dragon, one that was known to him.
He landed quietly, and then he sat to wait. He was not allowed to enter, of course.
Why would I not be allowed inside the groves, he pondered. Could it be because it is protected by an evil old witch? A mean terrifying dragon who bites the head off of the clan’s children and spits then out.
I’ll show you witch, you little sapling. The heavy branches of the willow tree parted, a wizened silver dragon peering out, her horns topped with a crown of flowers. Don’t make me hurt you, Cadeyrn. I gave birth to your mother.
He chuckled softly. Wyrmnain. There’s a child, and she’s lost. I don’t suppose she crawled into the grove?
She did, and I didn’t recognize her, so I thought I would keep her safe here until someone came for her . His grandmother smiled, her chuckle fond. She is bright. She’ll be one of us. Where did she come from?
The new dragons up in the mountains. She crawled a long way. Much too far for one as little as her.
I imagine it was one of those pixies. She was giggling when they deposited her here, and she had a handful of candy.
He would have to warn the others then. The pixies never meant to harm, but it happened . I don’t suppose you’d let me bring her home?
Only if you promise to bring her back. I would like to see her. Her song is always welcome. Any news in the world?
Did he have news? I’m wooing a mate. His name is Poe. He’s beautiful and new and he rescued a child from vamfyr.
Her eyes flashed with danger. Oh my. And they’re both well, no permanent harm?
No, Wyrmnain, not that we can see. I’ll bring them to you though. Both. I would want your blessing.
And your father’s blessing?
Cadeyrn flicked one wing. That would happen or it would not. His father was a good dragon, but so distant sometimes, caught in his studies.
Please, Wyrmnain. Her parents are very worried. May I take her home?
Come, little Penny. Come kiss your wyrmnain, and go home, but promise to visit again.
The little one toddled out, face and hands sticky with candy. “I promise. We sing the magic songs again. You’ll let me come.”
Nothing will be able to stop that. Magic will happen as it will. Thank you for your light, little singer.
“Love, Wyrmnain.”
As I love you. Cadeyrn reached for Penny. We must be home. Your parents are very worried. I am so happy to see you.
He scooped her up, bowed deeply to his grandmother and took to the air.
Penny squealed with delight, and he roared, letting the other dragons know he had found her. Cadeyrn couldn’t resist doing a little loop de loop, giving her more to laugh about. These children were so loved. So happy.
So fearless.
He circled down rather slowly to the homestead, not wanting to do his usual dive and make Penny’s ears pop.
She clung to him, laughing, her face tipped up to the sky.
He landed as gently as he could, then uncurled his claw and let Penny run out to greet her family.
“I met Wyrmnain!” Penny squealed. “She wants me to come stay with her when I get bigger.”
Beau lifted her into his arms. “You scared, us, Penny-girl. You scared Papa half to death.”
“Sorry.” She nuzzled her father’s broad shoulder. “Didn’t mean to.”
“The candy mans! The candy mans told me where to find her.”
Cadeyrn frowned. He needed to nip this in the bud. “Now I need all of you to listen to me, please. The pixies—they aren’t mean, but they’re also not safe. The candy men, I mean.” He shook his head. “They don’t understand how easy it is for little dragons to get lost. So you mustn’t follow them. Even if there’s candy. Not without a grown-up. You mustn’t ever follow them.”
Poe frowned and drew Tanya into a hug. “So, I think that possibly this is something important.”
Tyson nodded, scowling. “Yes, we should know about this.”
“I had no idea that they were wandering up here already. They tend to stay away from crowds, but live near towns. It’s very rare that we see a child by itself. They must have been out exploring.”
The pixies weren’t dangerous, per se, or malicious, they just were what they were. Clever little beasts who tended to cause a little bit of trouble. “They’re distant cousins of the brownies. Very distant. But the truth is this is a new world for you, a new place, and you must be careful until you’ve learned all of the different things that can harm you.”
As much as these new dragons would like to think of this as the magical space of a perfect world where there were no dangers lurking, the simple fact was that was not true. Every place had darkness. Every place had things with teeth and claws and venom.
And Cadeyrn had to protect the dragons from them.
Beau nodded, so serious. “Do you understand, little Penny? Let’s not run out of sight anymore.”
“I didn’t run away! I went with the man to see the granny lady. I wasn’t bad! She said I was a blessing!”
“Well, come here and see this granny, my little blessing.” One of this clan’s elders came up and took little Penny, cuddling her. “Come, children, let’s all make cookies together. We’ve got peanut butter.” She smiled at Beau. “Don’t worry, we’ll watch them while you all have so much to discuss with Cade. Obviously, we need to understand more about the flora and fauna.”
He noticed that Seth followed the children in with the elders, as did Puck. The other adults stayed behind.
As did Arielle and Sebastian.
Those two were going to create two amazing new clans that would shift this world on its axis.
“So what are these candy men?” Abe asked, eyes flashing with curiosity.
“Pixies. They’re simply pixies. Sparkly little mischief makers. They lure children with candy. Usually it’s harmless, but they don’t understand how far they can lead the little ones away.”
“What do you mean?” Gavin growled. “What do they want?”
“They feed off laughter. Joy.”
“I don’t understand.”
Cade shrugged, neither did he. He was absolutely not an expert on every being that lived on this world. “A pixie doesn’t hurt anyone on purpose. Almost every child has seen a pixie. They mean no harm except that they don’t think; they don’t understand danger. They take a child away and make it laugh, make it happy. They feed it candy, and they play. They take the happiness in, and then once they have eaten their fill, they leave. But by then, the child is drawn away from the others. That can be dangerous. Do you understand? It’s not with any ill intent, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous.”
“Ah.” Zeke nodded. “I see. It’s like the gnomes in your houses, Jules. Remember how the little gnome kids could go all sorts of places, but if your babies followed, they got stuck in the rock?”
Jules and his brother shuddered, sharing worried glances. “Yes. That was awful.”
“What else is there to worry about?” Beau asked.
“Well…” He chewed his lip. “We are lucky not to have most of the varieties of plants here in our lands that might hurt someone. I have read about fauna in the fire lands that will spit fire or eat small creatures.”
Brandon held up one hand. “Is there someone like an archivist? A librarian? A scholar? Somewhere I can go and learn these things? Oliver, Devon, and I could go with Puck, and, between the four of us, we could soak up some knowledge from down in the village.”
Arielle held up one hand, and Cadeyrn acknowledged her. “Arielle?”
“I can talk to my teacher and ask her to help us, maybe to come and teach a class up here for the little ones or to show me, and I could teach?—”
“I could do it too!” Sebby interrupted. “I’m a good teacher!”
Arielle stared at him, then she took a deep breath, blowing out a tiny bit of smoke. “Sebby could so help. He’s a very good teacher, better than I am.”
That had to have cost something, because Brand and Devon both nodded as if they were proud.
“That would be very, very helpful, Arielle. Absolutely.” Cade chose his next words with care. “Most things here cause harm by accident as opposed to maliciously. However, every place has darkness. Every place has things that can cause strife. I will speak to the elders and see who would be best for you all to go and learn from.”
It surprised him that it was Poe that nodded. “It’s hard to not know anything. Everything here is different. And I’m… I’m finding it a little scary. I haven’t even flown yet, because it just seems… I mean I could go for decades before without even shifting into a dragon, and in this world, everybody’s…” Poe sighed, stopped, and shook his head. “I just have a lot to learn.”
Cade puffed up a little. “I would take you flying whenever you want. I have flown here all my life. I would make sure you were safe.”
He saw a few quickly hidden smiles, but it was his right and privilege to offer. This was his mate.
“Cade is a great flyer,” Beau agreed. “And he’s a guardian for the village, so he’s totally the one to teach you the safe limits on space.”
Poe ducked his head, ears going red. “I would like that. I really would. Once Tanya is a little more settled…”
“Of course. I understand that she might get worried if you were to leave her for too long.” For now. He could wait. He had been patient for so long. What was a little more time?
He drew in a deep breath, then let it out. “I will help in any way that I can, my friends.”
“Thank you, Cadeyrn. Would you like something to eat?” Seth asked.
He smiled. Much like his clutch, like his village, these dragons showed care through food. There was always something amazing to eat. “I would be glad to share food with you.”
Poe fell into step with him as they walked toward the nearest house, and Cade glanced down at him. “So you are doing well, my—Poe?”
“Um. Yeah. I mean, like I said. I’m still trying to decide if I’m scared or happy to be here, but I’m okay.”
“I hope soon you will be less intimidated. I want for you to be happy here.”
“That’s very kind.” Poe gave him a sidelong glance. cheeks as red as his ears.
“I am not merely being kind. I am interested in you, Poe.” So much for slow. But he did not want to miss his chance with Poe and let him hide away in the house.
Poe frowned. “Interested?”
“In you. As a mate.”
“Oh!” Poe blinked. “Oh, wow.”
“I do not mean to worry you. I will not press myself on you. But I wanted you to know that I would like to court you.”
“I… Um. Thank you? I think you’re very attractive.”
What did that mean, he wondered. He hoped it was a good thing. “Thank you. I find you irresistible.”
Poe blinked at him, then smiled, cheeks bright red. “I—You.” Then Poe leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Good.”
He wanted to roar his pleasure to the mountain spirits. A little crack of lightning did hit far up in the hills where it wouldn’t hurt anyone.
“I have gifts for you. I think.” Cadeyrn stopped, looking about.
“The kids took them to the house for you, Cade,” Beau said. “I’m sure so they could look through them.”
Poe chuckled, taking his big paw in one hand. “Oh, I can see that.”
They wandered over to the common area where all the dragon families tended to gather. It was so pleasant, nestled in between all of the different keeps with this half-built gathering house, the long tables, and places for the children to play.
His own house would be smaller than these, but the Rocky Mountain clan had many families and many children. He was only one dragon, and Poe seemed, at least at this point, to be only one dragon. So they did not need a keep, simply a home. He did appreciate the way that the families had come together, creating their own little village. It pleased him.
“So tell me about your village,” Poe murmured, squeezing his finger. “Is it neat? Are people nice? Where is your house? You’re a cop, right?”
Cadeyrn didn’t follow. “I’m sorry?”
Poe tilted his head. “A sheriff? A police officer? Law enforcement?”
Ah. He did enforce the laws of the land, so to speak. “Yes. I’m a guardian. I ensure the peace.”
Poe nodded to him. “A peacekeeper, then. All right, so who makes the laws? How does that work? Do you vote?”
Cade tilted his head. “I don’t know who created the laws. The laws haven’t changed in…ever.”
“All right. How about this? Do you have a ruler? A king?”
He’d read about kings. They were for places with castles and crowns. “I believe that in the cities they have rulers. We have a council of elders. The oldest of us, the wisest, the kindest. They form the council, and they help us to thrive.” In theory.
It didn’t seem to be that complicated. Things happened the way that they were supposed to, and when things didn’t happen the way they were supposed to, he went in and helped and that was that.
Poe nodded to him, but still, there was a look of confusion on his face.
Eagan sat down with them, the scholar always ready to teach. “Let me try to explain. I have looked into this a bit. They seem to have a very consensus driven, egalitarian system of government. There’s a council who is agreed upon by the populace. There does not seem to be an overarching system of government or a single ruler that we’ve discovered thus far. Things seem to be much more rigid in the larger communities. There are cities here, apparently, some quite large, but here where we are, it does seem to be a fairly straightforward system of governing. The crime rate is very low and it usually has something to do with drunkenness and mischief.”
Poe stared at Eagan, the expression more than a touch dazed. Goddess, that was more information than I wanted. Seriously, I just didn’t want to get thrown in the pokey my first time down there.
What’s a pokey?
Poe blinked at him, then he grinned. A jail? A dungeon? Can you really hear me?
I can! We don’t need a dungeon. We’re small. If someone is drunk, we send them home.
I love that.
Poe could hear him.
That was half the battle of the courtship already.