Chapter 22
Auren
I dreamed of queen dragons, which often happened when I stayed at Wyrmpeak. The stones themselves of the mountain were soaked with memories of my kind and humans, many of which I’d absorbed in the shell when I was born in the hatching sands below.
But I’d never seen her before.
Impossible to forget, because this queen was massive.
My eyes fought to try to take her in and failed.
Queen dragons were large by design, needing to be able to out fly and fight off unworthy males, but her…
If I possessed her size, I’d never need listen to another stupid male again.
They’d scatter as I passed by, lest I eat them.
Which had the queen turning to stare at me.
My wings burned with the effort of trying to keep up with her, yet hers shifted in lazy swoops. That wasn’t the only thing that separated us. In the dark of night, I thought her gold scales were bleached pale by the moon’s glow, but as she drew closer, I saw she glittered silver white, not gold.
A silver queen? I thought. The dream begin to fray as my conscious mind rose from the depths of sleep, curious about what I was seeing. Her eye bore into mine, feeling like she stared down into my soul. Who are you, ancient queen?
Sometimes the memory of a dragon was so complete, you could conduct simple conversations with them, learning more of the past, but whatever trace this queen had left on Wyrmpeak, it was not capable of that.
She just flew on, her body moving like a machine caught in perpetual motion.
I was ready to wake up, to free myself from this pointless dream, when she finally replied.
Silver mates with gold. That was enough to force me awake, because I’d heard those words before. Silver mates with gold and creates—
With a blink, my den came into focus. The mid-morning sun as it started to seep through the doorway, the way my scales gleamed in the light, that had me moving.
That and the whirling shapes of dragons flying to the drafts of hot air had my claws raking along the stone as I got to my feet.
One step, two and I launched myself out of the den and into the air, climbing swiftly with every sweep.
Just not as fast as the silver queen of my dreams.
It felt like she dogged my path, which had me rising higher and higher until the muscles in my wings burned in reality.
Above the clouds, I was free of the world of dreams, left to stare down at the now tiny settlement of Wyrmpeak.
The mountain, the buildings looked like something a human child might play with.
I let out a long breath, allowing myself to hover for a moment, enjoying the peace.
But not for long.
Out for your morning fly, my queen.
Some creature’s voices felt like they dripped on my scales, leaving a burning residue in their wake like a green dragon’s acid, but it was an orange beast that swam into view. One of the older males from Dragon Home, I recognised him immediately.
And the danger he posed.
Such a beautiful morning for it, another said and that had me whirling around to see a red dragon had slunk up behind me, rising through the clouds.
You idiot, Auren, I thought. Have you remembered nothing your father taught you?
Though the sun pales in comparison to your beauty, young Auren.
The fact this male knew my name, mentioned my youth, set my fangs grinding against each other, but I forced myself to reply. Remain polite, that’s what Father always impressed upon us. Allow them hope, because it’s only when that dies does a male get truly dangerous.
But I didn’t want them to eye my body, tracing the line of it as if they had some sort of right to it. In my mind’s eye, I saw that massive silver queen and knew she didn’t trouble herself with any other beast’s hope or lack of it.
Indeed. That word was dragged out of the depths of me. Now, if you excuse me…
A sharp cry, much like the scream of an eagle had us all whirling around to see something emerge from the clouds.
For a second I thought it was the silver queen, because the bright glitter of their scales was somewhat similar.
Darker, more like gunmetal, I noticed that, right as the three silver dragons swooped up, claws outstretched.
I shouldn’t be glad to see the older males scatter in a series of lumbering movements.
I definitely shouldn’t be pleased by the way they spluttered, citing some accord, some rule, perhaps even the deep magics themselves, as to why the silver dragons should not be driving them away from me with a flick of their tails. Drive them off they did though
These males, they irritate you, the largest said, coming to hover beside me.
All males irritate me!
My snapped reply, it was not one I ever gave voice to. Father had made clear the danger of doing so, but this silver dragon, Slate, he had told me his name was, he just snorted and then took off, driving the older males back as the others that hovered in the air below.
You can fly free now, my queen. This silver dragon’s name was Brightfang, call me ‘Fang, he’d said. They will not bother you anymore.
And who will stop you and your brothers from annoying me?
That was too sharp, but I couldn’t seem to keep my thoughts to myself. With a sigh, I twisted in the air and then arrowed back downwards. Feeling the air rush past my skull, buffeting my wings as my claws shot out, I could almost persuade myself I was a great queen, subject to none.
Instead of a commodity that was argued over.
Returning to the mountain, I heard my stomach rumble. Changing course, I made for the pens of cattle and sheep bred for us to eat. The bleat and then the rush of hot blood, I could almost taste it, but there was no such peace to be gained, not even in my morning meal.
Dragons’ minds connect in different ways.
Some can communicate over many, many miles, particularly when the bond between them is strong, but others need to be closer to overhear conversations.
I burst into one right now as I drew closer.
Father was there, much to the consternation of the animals, as were a familiar group of dragons.
The older males from Dragon Home. Turned away from my side, the same beasts and more had come to accost my father.
You said we would all be granted the opportunity to court the queens, one said.
Yes, I— Father replied.
Wait until the females reach maturity, that’s what you said, Hadrian, another spluttered. Well, Cynane’s daughters have been fully grown for some years.
Something I’m well aware of.
Father’s dry tone would have had me falling silent, but these males didn’t have the sense the gods gave a cow.
So it’s time to find them mates.
Find them… As if we were just like the cattle in the pens, ready to be led to slaughter.
And what’s being done about these silver dragons? I felt a buzz in my head, which meant that more and more dragons were talking at the same time and I couldn’t process all of their thoughts. Silver dragons that are fixated on one of our queens.
Our? I didn’t belong to a single one of them and I wouldn’t ever, not if I had any say in the matter.
Father assured me that would change when I went into heat, but I shot back that I simply wouldn’t allow that to happen.
A queen could control her own fertility to avoid just this situation, being bound to beasts that didn’t deserve her.
You know what happens when gold dragons mate with silver.
That had my wings working hard. I was dropping like a stone, ready to join this conversation.
Dragons kept talking about this as if it was knowledge that was well known, and yet I’d never even heard of silver dragons before their appearance at the keep.
The wind whipped up by my descent had all of the dragons below looking up at my approach.
I hated the way the males preened, arching their necks and flexing their wings, as if that would persuade me they were anything other than terrible pests.
Father? I said, landing beside him, and the others all took a step forward.
My jaws locked tight lest I let out a rude snort as they all collided with each other in their haste to get to me. There was a whole lot of scuffling and affronted sounds before they seemed to recover their dignity.
Auren. The warmth in Father’s voice, in his bronze eyes helped dispel some of my irritation. His neck stretched out as he pressed his forehead to mine. How fare you this morning, daughter?
I didn’t get a chance to reply.
You shine brighter than the sun, great Auren, one said, his thoughts unwelcome and intrusive, but as soon as I severed that connection, another ventured forward.
More beautiful than a newly minted coin, the next dragon enthused.
A gold one or a silver one? I turned to my father. Why have you told me nothing about silver dragons before, Father?
Apparently, that was enough to stop the persistent push of the male dragons. They all went very still, staring at Father.
I did the same.
This is a conversation that needs to be had in private, he replied. You will excuse Auren and I.
The silver dragons need to be kept away from the females, the orange dragon said, and that was it.
All the control, all the restraint my father had tried so hard to instil in me, shattered.
I was striding forward, jaws opening as I came to stand between him and my father.
Flames trickled over my fangs, making clear what a mistake this male had made.
Who are you to tell ‘a female’ what she should and shouldn’t do?
My thoughts were like a lash across this male’s mind and I was gratified to see him scramble backwards.
I can allay your fears. I have no intention of mating with the silver dragons.
The orange male’s head jerked up. And the same can be said of you.
My anger left me, so I turned to face my father.
Even without our psychic bond, I would’ve sensed his disappointment in the set of his muzzle. Father?
This way, he said, turning tail only to leap into the sky. It appears its past time we have this conversation, daughter.