With a dumb expression on his face, Melryn stares in the middle of dressing. In front of him was his mother who had just told him what had happened the day before.
"You are being serious mother? Me married?" [Melryn]
Folding her arms, Litralia only nodded amused by her son's bemused state.
"Your sister-in-law did quite well for her first dealings will the Yuikra. But you should pay your respects to her before you leave for the academy today. Much bloodshed was avoided by this marriage." [Litralia]
The realization that what he was being told was true began to sink in.
"I thought there would be complications." [Melryn]
"There were but not something a master could not handle." [Litralia]
The night before when all the nessicary documents had been finalized. A group of Haldrathin had attempted to retrieve Illtris and her son. In an attempt to take the young woman and the money.Needless to say, once the signatures were on the paper. Illtris instantly became part of the clan. Meaning any action against her would be bloody and swift.
Melryn however, had not been told about the incident. Because Illtris herself never knew there was any danger towards her. Everything had been dealt with silently.
"I am not sure what to say." [Melryn]
"Say nothing, be appreciative that your brother allows this marriage." [Lanthim]
It was an indisputable fact that the one who had all power in the Drathalkin clan was Lanthim. While Leinea was in no way a figurehead. Which was her husband's intent. A harmonious environment between the two of them meant that. Neither is shown brighter than the other. There was no pettiness between them or jealousy. They performed their respective parts with perfect unity.
To Melryn he wished for such a marriage. But realized that it wasn't going to be easy. Watching his elder brother move this way and that having. To deal with two wives and maintain the harmony that existed now. But not a perfect harmony, there was always some discontent between Leinea and Mynrea. Hidden from the rest but not hard to see. While they when with family would act appropriately as if all was well.
Things between the two dragons were not always smooth. For Mynrea her granddaughter not having a child made her unhappy. While before he got injured Lanthim would come to visit with her. But things would never develop intimately. They would talk laugh and enjoy each other's company. But never had they slept together once since being married.
This was leading to her becoming more unhappy as the months stretched on. Now with Lanthim unable to do anything. Mynrea found herself trying to spend more time with him and Leinea.
Laying together with Lanthim in the meditation room. Mynrea lay on her chest looking down on his scared face. Leinea had left a few minutes earlier to depart for the academy. Lifting onto her elbows she began to play with his hair.
"You know Mynrea, my eyes may be gone but I can see." [Lanthim]
In the position she was laying in if he tilted his he far enough he could see her breast. That being said looking at the world through natural mana. Made it so he did not have to move at all which was convenient.
"I know, Does this displease you." [Mynrea]
"Not at all, I would like to see more." [Lanthim]
Raising his hand to her face Mynrea felt a power pulse of energy through her body. Her face was reddening slightly. Having her husband tell her he would be happy with more was pleasing to her ears.
"My body Mynrea is not in a state. That allows me to give you children at this time. The wound to my thigh makes any kind of movement excruciating." [Lanthim]
Looking down to the wound Mynrea could see that there was a slight pinkish red coming through the bandage.
"Why would you concentrate on other wounds that were not so needful?" [Mynrea]
"It was easier to reconstruct my tendril network with shorter lengths to work from." [Lanthim]
Setting herself back down off her elbows. Mynrea moved just next to Lanthim so to see his face.
"It has been a short while since you returned hasn't it?" [Mynrea]
True while it felt like she had lived in this residence for a year. In truth, it had been less than seven months since the three of them started living together.
"Indeed not long at all and much has happened." [Lanthim]
True much had happened over the last months but Mynrea was unhappy with the most recent. While at the same time helping to bring it about.
"Yes, it is nice that Melryn is not inconvenienced by having to deal with two wives. At least we will have a child born into this clan." [Mynrea]
"That is unfair Mynrea." [Lanthim]
Lanthim's tone was soft but stern.
"I have done the best I can. You can not blame me or Leinea for the way things have turned out so far." [Lanthim]
"Not Leinea? But why can't I? She only slept with you one time to evade the question. Since that time nothing I feel you are happy with just being happy little friends." [Mynrea]
The conversation was turning away from Lanthim quickly. That said he would not be dictated to. Unlike Mynrea who had by use of telepathic transmissions through familiars. Sustained and built a relationship with Lanthim over the ten years he was gone. Leinea had only ever heard stories about him as she grew up. So there was nothing between them at all.
Sitting herself up Mynrea sat frustrated in her face. After months of waiting to eat slowly at her.
"Lanthim tell me. Why is she not pregnant? Why is there no child. INSIDE OF ME!" [Mynrea]
In the last part, she cried out letting everything she felt out in that one moment. Laying silent Lanthim could not help but grieve himself.
"I have wronged you Mynrea. I thought that If I gave Leinea time things would move towards that course naturally." [Lanthim]
"And now you see that all you did was become comfortable with how things were." [Mynrea]
Mynrea felt anger and bitterness as she spoke. Just watching the two of them play around was sickening.
"I will have to talk with Leinea about this privately." [Lanthim]
Nodding Mynrea wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Good, I hope something can come out of that conversation." [Mynrea]
Saying this she processed to leave the meditation room with a hopeful heart.
Academy of Alistri Campus Lawn
Sitting together as always the Drathalkin clan had a new member. Sitting next to Leinea with her new husband Melryn. Staring at her with a discontented look on his face. Having been forbidden to sit with Illtris until Leinea said otherwise
"I have been able to get four days' leave for the two of you. I would send Uslign to stay with Litralia until you both calm down." [Leinea]
Ittris's went instantly red as Leinea whisper into her ear.
"Are you sure so much time will be required? We just got married shouldn't things be left to settle a little?"
Instantly both looked at Melryn who wanted to hear what they were saying.
"No, I am pretty sure you will need it." [Leinea]
What was being implied made Illtris a little worried.?She had anticipated Melryn being receptive to sleeping with her. But with what was being said to her now. He may be a little more than just receptive.
"You should be fine. The fifth day is an off day so you can have an extra day to get used to each other.[Leinea]
Leinea had not for herself experienced an impulsive husband. Lanthim at first seemed distant but was a loving partner.
"I think after classes, we girls should go look for a good place for the two of you to settle into." [Syrelia]
Thinking he had found a way to be with Illtris. The words "we girls" instantly defeated him. Feeling a hand on his shoulder he looked to Aldain who tried to comfort him.
Drathalkin Residence Leinea's Favorite Garden
Having all arrived at Leinea's Territory. The three girls looked at each other amazed. When this gathering was arranged Illtris did not think about what to wear So she came dressed as simply as possible. P
She a white blouse with a yellow skirt that went to her knees. With the sun still shining bright she had a parasol for a daughter from a powerful clan it was not much.
Looking at Syrelia while she wore a blue one-piece dress. The quality of the material made what she wore look like she was going to a globally ranked clan-hosted ball. Both turned looking intently at Leinea. Dressed in a red shirt that she had acquired from Lanthim's closet. A pair of pants that accentuated everything about her legs. Having her hair done up in a ponytail she had gone full tomboy.
"What? It is comfortable." [Leinea]
The next moment the shirt changed. Becoming tighter around her chest. Folding her arms she understood what was going on.
{Lanthim.}
Passing her thoughts through the bonding she waited for a response. With a hand placed impatiently on her hip. Other others with her wondered if something was wrong.
{I shall not repent.}
While the bonding was an effective way of communicating. Because Lanthim was higher order he was not confined to other aspects of the bonding. Mainly the ability to have her partner's mind open to her. At this moment Leinea just stood. A look on her face as if she would harm someone. She could feel the playful, joyful emotions passing through.
"Sigh. Well since we are here let's look through this map and see where we would like to begin." [Leinea]
Taking the map she had in her free hand and placing it on the ground in front of everyone. The entire residence was able to be seen.
"So, if we were to go house to house. We could be travelling around this place for weeks. This map will give us the ability to pick out places of interest. To ease our search." [Leinea]
Looking at the map intently Illtris began to formulate what she would need. The way each building was built everything seemed to blend into everything else.
"While a good view is nice. Bathing is communal so every building has easy access. Only specific buildings have their amenities but that is to keep outsiders away." [Leinea]
The idea of communal bathing was not foreign to Illtris just not on this scale. And because she had just married into the clan. She could choose the best possible location two start her new life with Melryn.
"How about here? Third peak second tier." [Syrelia]
Pointing to a place that according to the map looked at least acceptable to see if there was a place to put down roots there.
"Should be as good as any I think." [Illtris]
Picking up the map. Leinea took the lead to a platform close to where they currently stood. A portal opened just as they arrived on the other side the place they wished to go. Not questioning the fortuitous nature of the portal all three arrived at thetheirsired location.
"So we have a bathhouse what would your next criteria for a good home be." [Leinea]
Thinking about this kind of thing now felt a little daunting. Every time he would think of something. Something else would immediately follow. This kind of experience was not one she remember having in the past. But she would have to get past her imitations for this new life.