"Alright, I concede. There really is no 'polite' way to discourage you three when your so concerned for me and I'm too tired." Kuera agreed, taking Gale and climbing into a rather nice, small egg nest that fit Kyera and the baby snuggly. "Thank You, Dragon Mother… for everything." Kyera's words were so sincere that the Dragon Mother could only smile and lead Raina and Clovis away.
"Dragon Mother, why was it so important you bless my brother?" Little Raina asked. She had matured a fair bit sense the day she turned 8 and began tending dragons here.
"Oh my dear it's simple, my blessing was the difference in life, and death." The Dragon Mother explained seemingly undisturbed by her words but the two listening stopped in their tracks, staring at her. She realized something was wrong and turned back to look at them, an eyebrow raised.
"Simple?" Clovis asked, it being unsettling when a Goddess called the demise of his child 'simple'. As if it had no meaning at all.
"Yes, simple. If he had been blessed by the Goddess of Fate he would have died or his future taken in the Hands of Fate. Though, truth be told he would not have survived. The boy has Shadow energy more strongly than even Kane, the purest of the brothers. To remove that aura and replace it with light would be disastrous. If we were lucky he would just have a major personality shift, if we were not the baby would have been distorted and vaporized by waring powers" The Dragon Mother explained as she patted a jumping dragonling on the head.
"Then… the decree… the elders dammed my son to death." Clovis remembered the document that had chained The Shadow King.
"Yes, though not necessarily. Fate can stop such things but If she had there is a good chance your child would have been a pawn in her game. Luckily, Kyera made a pact with me early in the pregnancy for me to bless Her children, including Raina and any from here on out. Raina got Gale to me before Fate could show me her claim so the child is safe." The Dragon Mother shrugged her shoulders a bit an impish smile on her lips. "We Dragon Kin tend to see the dangers before they come and destroy all who cross the path."
"Remind me not to cross you." Clovis replied realizing how well prepared the Dragon Mother and his own wife had been. To think his biggest worry during the pregnancy was how to keep Mother and baby warm.
"You won't need a reminder… maybe a dust pan." The Dragon Mother replied with a sweet smile and sharp eyes that warned him she was serious. Raina shivered, feeling that intent from several feet away.
"I see. May we go flying now?" Raina asked wanting away from the unpleasantness of this conversation. Clovis nodded and Ember met him at the entrance, guards dragons didn't enter the Nest without a den mother's approval and despite his pleading, Ivory would not give him that. The nest was her domain and he would respect that.
"Go ahead, Kyera and Little Gale will be safe here." The Dragon Mother reassured them as the father and daughter pair mounted their respective steeds. Tempest bowed to the Goddess before leaping into the sky to fly with Ember.
Ivory however, walked to The Dragon Mother's side. "Mother, the baby…" she began and the Dragon Mother Smiles.
"Yes, Little one. I Know. Take care of your charge. Lady Kyera will be the one in most need of care. Her path is still cobbled with difficulty. It will pain me to lose you, and your brother dear one but then there is the pride of what you will become." Her words were gentle and filled Ivory's heart with pride but also unease. She then returned to Kyera's side. the exhausted tigress had changed form from human to tiger and snuggled, wrapped around her darling cub. Gale was fast asleep, his little hands holding his mother's heavy Paw.
(Author Note: it seems I've been swept away by a bit of a muse, and my next web novel story may be in a different world of my version of witches and were kin.)