Chapter 21 #3
If all the females decided to attack Jildarin, it would be four against one.
He couldn’t battle so many at once, and all it would take was one getting around him to slay Rylana.
She looked again toward the mithril lance, wondering if she might yet reach it and pull it free. It had been eager to slay dragons.
But her enemies would know the weapon was a threat. They would incinerate her before she could reach it.
To her surprise, Killaynia came to stand beside Jildarin and turned to face the sisters.
My brother’s human servant is loyal to him, she said telepathically. She was the one who led me here, who knew he was in danger.
He was not in danger, Foxvonla said, tail going out rigid. We invited him here to battle against the males interested in mating with us and siring our offspring. They had to prove themselves worthy, but it was he who defeated all lesser contenders.
He is the one we want, Loxvonla added. Looking at Jildarin, she issued a rumbling sound almost like a cat’s purr.
I do not want you. Jildarin growled. Once again, you have attempted to manipulate me. I declare you an enemy of the Killcrusher Clan.
Your mother, Jixana-grozanarav, presides over the clan, Loxvonla said. Only she may make such declarations.
After I inform her of what has occurred here, she may agree with my brother’s assessment, Killaynia said. Leave now. Take one of these lesser males to satisfy your urges and gift you with offspring.
They are too wounded to mate!
A weak groan came from the male dragon that Rylana had struck. He’d finally managed to pull the lance free, but he didn’t rise. He groaned again and remained on his side, bleeding from his many wounds.
Who would mate with one who lets a puny human impale him so? Loxvonla’s next vocalization was a sound of disgust.
Nonetheless, these are the males available to you, Killaynia said. Take them and leave.
Jildarin sprang from his position in front of the cairn, his movement startling the females.
Wings flapping with haste, they flew back several yards.
But he wasn’t heading toward them. Instead, he landed beside the injured male dragon and plucked up the bloody lance.
He leaped back to the rock pile, his eyes meeting Rylana’s, and he lowered the weapon in his jaws.
She put aside her bow and accepted it, relieved to have its cool magic back in her hands. Emboldened, she climbed to the top of the cairn to stand visible to the female dragons as Jildarin rotated to face them again. He, Killaynia, and Rylana stood together, a united front.
Disgusting, Loxvonla said.
Yes, your actions have been, Killaynia said. Leave without embarrassing yourselves further, and know that I will report all of this to our mother.
Jixana-grozanarav has been our ally, Loxvonla said. She has wanted her son to mate with us. She desires powerful offspring as much as we do.
Then pray to her great winged ancestors that her opinion of you does not change after this.
Leave now! Jildarin roared again. He sounded understandably cranky. Perhaps some magic laced his words, because the command convinced the three females to take flight. Soon, they disappeared over the trees.
Jildarin and Killaynia turned to Rylana.
Come, my partner, Jildarin said. We will return to Tranquility. I’ve been away too long. I must begin preparations for the dwarven king’s visit.
That’s what’s foremost on your mind right now? Killaynia asked him.
It is a thing on my mind. Jildarin’s emerald gaze remained on Rylana as he spoke, and she felt great warmth and gratitude toward him. Even when he was in his dragon form, he cared about her. On the return trip, you will ride on my back.
Jildarin shot a quick look toward his sister, as if to make it clear he was the only dragon Rylana was meant to ride upon.
Killaynia snorted. Of course she will. It is not as if I would have allowed a lowly human female on my back if not for a belief that you were in danger.
This female is worthy to ride on a dragon.
Warmed by his praise, Rylana hurried to collect her arrows, more than ready to leave.
That is perhaps so, Killaynia surprised her by saying. I will inform our mother that she fearlessly faced and almost killed Markotisin and that she worried for you when you did not return. She is loyal to you.
Yes. Jildarin lowered his belly to the ground so that Rylana could more easily climb on. She appreciated that. With the lance as well as her bow and quiver, her hands were full. That didn’t keep her from pausing to hug Jildarin’s foreleg and lean her face against his shoulder first.
He shifted to touch his jaw to the top of her head, a warm breath of air stirring her hair.
I won’t mention the nuzzling to Mother, Killaynia said dryly before springing into the air.
Jildarin lifted his head to glower at his sister—hopefully not too harshly—as she flew above the trees. Rylana climbed onto his back, relieved to head back to town. Judging by how tender her cheeks felt, she might need to find a large tub of burn ointment before returning to a normal workday.