Chapter 23
Lauren and Gerald stayed by the lake cuddling the dragon eggs. Gerald had moved to where he was spooning Lauren because she shivered and he didn't want to move her. Soft pecks could be heard within the eggs but no cracks were made. Lauren fell asleep in Gerald's arms and he fed her his energy while she slept. She looked so beautiful while she slept, Gerald leaned down and kissed her lips. She smiled in her sleep and that made him happy. He felt so much love for her. He hated the thought of sharing her with anyone, but he knew it would be inevitable. The keeper had to bond with others to ensure a balance in her power. He knew that no other bond she would have would be as strong as theirs.
Just then, a crack formed in one of the eggs' shells. Small flames popped out the crack but the little dragon was too big for his hole. He would have to keep working. Gerald gently woke Lauren up. "Hey, the egg is cracked."
"Really, which one?" She turned in his arms and looked at the eggs. Now both eggs had a small crack in them. "Which one cracked first?"
"The fire dragon broke its shell first." Laruen reached out to help the dragons get out the eggs, but Gerald stopped her. "You can't help them. If you do, they will be weak and might die. This initial act determines how strong of a dragon they will become. They have to break out on their own."
Lauren understood that but it was hard to watch them struggle. "Which do you think will complete the task first?
"The wind dragon. He has a trick that some would call a cheat. I just think it is in their nature so it is fair." Gerald said.
"What kind of dragon are you? And for that matter what kind am I?" Lauren asked, trying to put her mind on something besides watching the baby dragons struggle.
I am a gold dragon for the most part. My father was an Ancient, so I inherited several of his abilities. You, my dear, are an iridescent dragon." Gerald replied.
Lauren expected him to go on with an explanation of the two types of dragons, but he didn't. "Come on. Give me more details. I don't know anything about dragons."
"I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment. Gold dragons are the last form of dragons. Most leader dragons are gold dragons. Fire, wind, water, and earth dragons are very common dragons. There is only one Gold dragon alive at a time and new Gold dragons are born out of their fathers, not their mothers. My father being an ancient dragon means he was the oldest dragon to ever live. I was the first gold dragon of this era. His father was the last Gold dragon of old. Once my father was born, dragons were able to take on human forms. I was the first of my kind that could cast spells, shape-shift into whatever I want, create golden magical objects, breathe underwater, use fire and wind attacks, and because I am the dragon King, I can control all other dragons. I can only control you to a certain extent however because you are my queen."
"I didn't know you could control me at all. We can get into that discussion later. What can an iridescent dragon do?"
"Well, Since you are the first one, I don't really know." Lauren looked shocked. "I guess I will be training my queen and my children how to be dragons at the same time. When we get into your training, we will find out what you can do. One thing is that you are a human that can turn into a dragon and you can have younglings."
"Really? And that doesn't bother you? Why am I just finding out that I am the first Iridescent dragon? What if there's something wrong with me? What if I am the downfall of all dragon kind?"
Gerald stopped Lauren's rant with a kiss. He pulled her tight and kissed her hard until she relaxed in his arms. "My father was the first of his kind and I was the first of my kind. We didn't destroy dragon kind and neither will you. You are a beautiful dragon and you have a beautiful human soul. Nothing bad can come from that combination." Suddenly, the wind dragon's egg shot up into the sky and then crashed down to the ground. It shattered into little bits of shell. "Ah, it did use the wind dragon trick to get out."
Lauren felt a little better when she saw the little dragon. It had iridescent wings and crystals for eyes. "Avel." Gerald said. And the little dragon landed on his shoulder. "His name shall be Avel for he is my breath."
Next, the fire dragon popped feet first out of her shell and started spitting fireballs at the ground. she flew up into the air spreading her iridescent wings and gliding on the wind currents. "Alinta." Gerald said. And the little dragon landed on his other shoulder. "Her name shall be Alinta for she is the fire of my love for you."
"Those are beautiful names. I guess naming is a kingly duty?"
"Yes. I am sorry but to consult you would be against dragon tradition. I am glad that you like the names. These are only our first. I hope we will have many more. We make beautiful dragons."
Lauren blushed. "Yes, they are beautiful. I am going to have to go to dragon school with my baby dragons also so I can learn everything I can about dragons."
"Or you can read the books in my library. I will bring you some to read in your spire. That way, our children will look at both of us as sources for their education. I want you to be my equal in all ways because once you are filled with the knowledge that you need, you might even surpass me."
"You are the smartest person ... being, I know. I will be happy to be half as smart, but I do understand what you are saying. Are you okay with me saying that I love you? I know it must seem weird since I will have a love for others."
"No. I am happy that you love me. I believe you have enough love for many. I actually needed to hear you say it. I was afraid that you felt forced to be with me like it was an obligation. I know you are to be the center of many worlds, so you will have many bonds. Like I said before, I am glad to be your first, to have your love as well, is a boon." He reached over and took Lauren in his arms. He gave her a sweet kiss as he caressed her. She responded with a strong passion that flowed to him in waves of energy. "Do you want to go for a short flight with me?"
"Sure. That sounds like fun. What about the babies?" Lauren replied.
Gerald jumped out of the window and transformed into his dragon form. "Hand them to me." Lauren picked up the sleeping babies and handed them to their father. She watched as he opened a small pouch and placed them inside.
"That's so cute and something I didn't know about dragons." Lauren said with a laugh.
"Ha, ha. Dragons are the seahorses of the air. Males can carry the babies until they are strong enough to learn to fly. We even carry them if there is any danger. I can even shrink you if we get into a dangerous place and carry you."
Lauren gave him a smile and then she jumped out of the window, landing beside him. "Good to know." She changed into her dragon form and curled her tail around his.
"You do know what that does to me don't you?" Gerald asked, "You are flirting with danger."
"I am flirting. I don't know if it is with danger." She tightened the wrap. "You are not dangerous for me." She shot up into the sky and he followed her.
They played in the wind and sunshine in the middle heaven and then flew to the dragon realm. Lauren didn't realize that the two realms were that close. "We are the guardians of the heavens so it is important that we are close."
They flew to the garden where they were bonded and then straight up into the air. "Are you sure you want this again?"
"Yes. I feel funny not having eggs in my pockets." She smiled and moved closer to him. He wrapped her tail with his and flew higher. Once they were high enough to dive without being hurt, he stopped and hovered. "I am ready."
"I want you to breathe fire with me," Gerald said. "All the eggs that go through my fire will become wind or fire, unless I was about to die, which is when a gold dragon will come and it won't be in an egg. It will be born full grown and able to rule within a few months." Lauren's face changed and he felt a change in her mood. "Sorry. I was not trying to be morbid. I just wanted you to know. I am happy to be here with you and I want to see what your fire would yield since it is a new fire."
"I understand. It's just I don't want to think about you dying, even when I know it will be a while and that you will be careful with your life."
" Yes. It is hard to kill a dragon. Now, my love, are you ready?"
She nodded yes and he dove. She blew out her fire but it was clear shards of diamonds and stars. The stars shone with a blue flame and the diamonds were filled with an iridescent glow.
They completed the mating cycle twice. Two new eggs were created, one that was blue and crystal, the other that was iridescent and sparkly. Again she put them in her pocket and Gerald carried her back to the castle in Crystal City. "Why don't we stay here for a little while so I can check on things? We can also see if we can do anything for Jon.
"That would be a good idea. I would love to meet his family and find out how he got abducted. Do you know any of the details?" Lauren asked.
"Not enough to help him like I want to. The earth witch has a being that has been trying to contaminate the dragon realm for ages. She is very cunning and has put tracers in many of the people she took and then released. I found out too late about the attack on Jon. He was not at home when he was taken. I don't know how he ended up out of the city at such a young age."
"How did you know he was young?"
"He is young now. Jon is only 16 years old. That is young. You taught him in middle school so you know he was young."
"Not to change the subject, but do you know how old I am?"
"Old enough to have a bond with me and be my queen." He smiled at the smirk she made. "No. I don't know how old you are and I don't think you know how old I am. Age is not important in imagination and now that you are bonded with me, you will gain immortality."
Lauren realized that she had not told Gerald what she had learned from her grandparents. "Um...Well, I found out some news from my grandparents that you have the right to know." She told him about her parentage and Evandayln's condition. She sat in his lap and nervously twisted her fingers hoping he didn't take the news badly.
"I am amazed. I can't believe that your life story has been kept from you. Your actual nature. You are an earth Goddess and daughter of the Keeper. And above that, the Keepers have always been earth goddesses. All this time, we believed them human."
"Are you upset with me? I should have told you this earlier."
"No. You have not upset me. You told me when it came to mind. I love you no matter the delay. I have learned over the years that it is not good to get angry over simple things."
"You love me?"
"Yes. I don't want you to reply to my proclamation until you are sure of how you feel. I will know the truth of it."
"I understand. I don't use that word without thought, but I have already told you that I love you." Lauren kissed his cheek. "Now, let's get back on topic. Jon is young so you said he shouldn't have been outside of the city."
"Yes." Gerald let the topic change. "We have rules about who can leave the city and if a person has not been trained, they can't leave the castle. No. Someone had to have taken him out. Maybe he was given to the witch."
"That's terrible. I hope that is not true. Who would be so evil to do such a thing? Wouldn't that be treason to your kingdom?"
"Maybe, but that is what I want to investigate. We need to find out the truth about Jon. Are you ready to get started?"
"Yes."
Gerald took her hand and led her to the throne room. When they entered the door, everyone bowed and took a knee. He continued to walk forward and guided her to the front of the room. When they reached the dais, he guided her to the throne next to his and coaxed her to sit down. He then sat down next to her. "Good day, Do we have business to present to the royals this day?"
The royals. She was one of the royals and he was going to ask her to help with court business. He looked at her and smiled. Through their bond, he said, "Don't be nervous. I will only ask you to advise me through our bond, but if I feel you have a good answer to a problem, I will want you to voice the answer, okay?"
His words calmed her. "Okay. I do need to learn how to do this. Thank you for becoming my teacher." She smiled.
They heard case after case. Gerald passed judgment over most of the cases. Lauren voiced the judgment over 10 of them. The onlookers gave looks of pride and confidence. She won their favor.
"She may be young but she is very intelligent and mature. I am glad our king is bonded to her." Gerald heard someone say. He looked over to the speaker. "Cora, Please step forward." The speaker stepped up. "Do you have a petition?"
"Why, yes, As you know, I have been looking for my son for years. He was taken by an earth witch when he was young."
"Could you tell the story of the event to our queen as she does not know the details?" Lauren saw the cunningness of Gerald and prepared to listen.
"I have three sons. As is tradition, my eldest son is my husband's heir, my second son is our family's protector, and then I had a third son. He had no title or claims in our household so my husband decided to send him to the temple so he could learn to be a mage. My second son was charged to take him to the temple high in the mountains. On their way, they were attacked and my youngest son was taken. My second son was beaten to the point where he almost died. He barely made it back to the city. I came to see you when I learned of the attack and I am still waiting for my son's return."
"What would be your son's fate if he returned?" Lauren asked.
"He would be sent to the temple as he was meant to as a child. I know he will be grown but that is his calling."
"Where are your husband and other sons? Why don't they come with you to petition me?" Gerald asked.
"I...I am alone now. My husband died a few months after my youngest was taken and my eldest became the leader of the family. My second son backs him as the leader. I was put aside in a house away from the estate and I do not have any say in any business. I live on an allowance provided by my husband."
Gerald looked at Lauren and it seemed she was thinking the same thing he was. "I want to speak to your sons. I have news but I want to tell your whole family."
"As you say," Cora answered. She bowed and left. Her sons would be summoned and then tomorrow she would come back to see the king.
That evening, Lauren and Gerald were in his, well, their room dressing for dinner. "So, you are a natural queen. You gave such good advice. I am so happy to have you."
"Thanks. I am happy I didn't have to talk out loud first. Being able to talk to you first made things easier."
"Lauren, I would never let you do anything to embarrass you or me. We are a team. Now, let's move on to Jon. Did you pick up on the situation of the story? What do you think happened?"
Lauren was quiet for a minute and then said, "I need to go to the Keep. I will be able to answer your question then. Let's go back to the Keep quickly. We will come right back in time for the morning business." Gerald looked at her questioningly but he didn't voice the concern. They left to go to the Keep so Lauren can go read the truth in Jon's life book.