JJ

“Caldarus,” You murmur, yawning and half asleep. “I have to go.”

You wish you didn’t have to. That you could stay laying beside him all day long and until the stars started to appear in the sky. But your farm couldn’t do without you for much longer, selfish as you were to sneak away promptly after your morning chores. Not to mention the requests you still had to fulfill…

The guardian of Mistria heaves out a long disappointed sigh, and you open your eyes to see a troubled frown on his handsome face. You press your lips together, stifling a smile. It felt good to know that Caldarus missed you just as much as you missed him when the two of you were apart.

“I regret to see you go. But…if you must.” Caldarus says, slowly opening his eyes, blinking away the sleepiness of your shared midday nap. “Mistria would certainly be worse for wear if I kept you all to myself.”

Once his vision returns, Caldarus tilts his head and stares at you for a moment. His troubled expression lingers. You wonder what’s on his mind. Perhaps an old memory of his had resurfaced? They weren’t always pleasant, as Caldarus had confessed to you, which led him to becoming quiet and distant at times, much to your worry. 

“Caldarus? Is something wrong?”

Instantly, the dragon man’s troubled expression melts away and his golden eyes soften as he regards you fondly.

“My apologies, I was just lost in thought. What tasks do you need to attend to today?”

You sit up beside him, and Caldarus follows. He reaches for your boots, and places them by your feet. You thank him before working to slip them back on.

“Oh, not much. Just fulfilling a request for Holt, refilling the auto feeders, putting the extra turnips I harvested into the shipping bin, and then…” 

Your words trail off the instant you recall what you have planned for the late afternoon. Caldarus’ claws brush along your side, caressing you tenderly as he patiently waits for you to continue. Your eyes follow where he’s touching and a soft heat slowly spreads across your skin from the place he’s pampering. It occurs to you then that Caldarus has been a lot more…touchy as of late.

“Seridia has also requested my presence this afternoon.”

Caldarus instantly freezes, his gentle expression falling into one of ill disguised irritation as he digests your words.

“Ah.” He responds curtly. “I see.”

The mention of the Witch Queen is always a sore point of contention for Caldarus. But surprisingly, despite his clear disdain for the other dragon (and vice versa), he has never made you feel guilty for having helped her, or for having ended up awkwardly sworn to the two of them. 

‘It is your nature to help others.’ Caldarus had explained on that day as he walked you back to your farm. 

‘To be angry at you for something like that…I may as well be angry at the wind for blowing, or the sun for shining. Truthfully, I am angry at myself. For not seeing it sooner, for not reaching you in time, and for not protecting you like a dragon should.’

Heaving a sigh, you move to get up, but Caldarus’s gentle hands capture your sides and guide you back down onto the blanket. You look over your shoulder at him, surprised at his bold gesture. Caldarus was always careful with you, but the way he’d maneuvered you just now…

“Your hair,” Caldarus says quietly, fingers threading along your unruly tresses that had come undone during your nap. “It’s tangled. Please, allow me…”

Like gentle morning rain, Calcarus’ claws comb through your hair. His smile is soft, private, and just for you as he dutifully untangles and smooths each strand. Each movement, every little spark of contact, is revering. As if you were something divine. Something worthy of worship from this great dragon.

You can feel your heart pound in your chest, your breath coming out in quiet, fluttery waves. Caldarus, seemingly oblivious to just how much his affectionate touches are affecting you, picks up one of the marigolds he had picked for you, knowing that you loved to always have a bouquet of both them and the temple flowers at your kitchen table.

“You truly are exquisite.” Caldarus whispers, slipping the blossom into your hair and pressing a tender kiss to your cheek. “In the long centuries I have lived, my heart has never felt so at ease. I’ve never shared such tender moments with anyone, and I want you to know that I truly treasure each moment we spend together.”

Heat rises from your chest and settles brazenly on your cheeks as Caldarus continues to adorn your hair with flowers. Although a novice to human courtship (and courtship in general), Caldarus has a way with words that makes you both melt but also feel so incredibly…smitten. Every word is laced with his unabashed sincerity, enduring curiosity, and a subtle yet burning passion that simmers beneath the surface. 

But, to be honest, sometimes his cryptic words drive you crazy. Because you can never really tell if he is speaking innocently from the heart, or if he means something more…

“Caldarus…”

The dragon’s hands circle your waist and pull you back against him. Your back hits Caldarus’ chest with a light thump. You look up, a little startled.

“Caldarus, what’s go—”

And before you can finish, his lips seal yours with a kiss.

This kiss is unlike any Caldarus had given you in the past. It’s bold. Hot and searing, like a brand or a vow. One that reveals a deep and painful longing, carrying with it feelings that transcend the stars and even time.

You gasp into his mouth, and Caldarus groans with satisfaction, deepening the kiss to savor your taste. Your heart, your skin, your every sound. Caldarus indulges in every part you’re willing to share.

“Caldarus,” You manage to breathe against his lips, desperate and pleading. “I want to stay. You know I do. But I can’t.”

Caldarus suddenly lays you back down onto the picnic blanket. He hovers over you, the glow of his golden eyes replacing the radiant light from the sun above. Your entire body shudders, and you feel a strange wave of magic surround you, tingling and crackling like an electric current over your skin. 

“Just one moment longer, my dragonsworn.”

My dragonsworn.

Caldarus has called you that many times in the past. But this time it feels…different. Like a sparrow calling across a twilight taiga for its other half. Forlorn, but with tremendous hope in its heart. Just like you had been before you set foot in Mistria.

You nod your assent, and Caldarus kisses you again. Passionate and fiery, his body bears down on yours. Gentle but firm. As if he couldn’t bear any more distance. As if he couldn't get close enough. His tongue shyly caresses your lips, and you feel your insides clench deliciously as you accept him. Heart pounding in your ears.

Just as you’re about to run out of air, Caldarus releases your lips, pressing tender kisses to your cheeks as you gasp for breath.

You whimper his name, arching as his lips travel along your jaw, then down your neck.

The thrill that climbs up your spine as Caldarus’ fangs brush against your neck, leaves you wide eyes and breathless. He’s gentle as always, leaving little love bites as he goes. But then he finds a place, a sensitive little spot on your neck that makes your back curl deliciously into him. 

Caldarus moans under his breath, sucking at your flesh more harshly than you initially anticipate. It aches and burns a little, but it feels so incredibly good. A soft, airy whimper escapes you, and Caldarus responds with a rumbling purr that nearly drives you insane. Impulsive, your fingers dig and grip at his soft robes, pulling him closer, wanting more.

Then suddenly, Caldaru’s lips release your throat, and the two of you (in your dizzy love drunk frenzy) just stare at one another. Eyes hooded, panting and disheveled, the desire that lingers is still thick and sizzling. Caldarus smiles warmly, his amber gaze appraising you for just a moment before he reaches for your hair and adjusts a marigold that had fallen.

“Will you come back tonight?”

Your heart skips a beat at his request. Was this an innocent invite for supper like before? Or was Caldarus asking you to actually spend the night with him? 

“Um…sure, but it might not be until later. I need to make sure my animals are fed and back inside before I come back up here.”

Caldarus nods.

“I’ll meet you at your farm. Allow me to help you with your chores. Then, I’ll walk you back here and make dinner for you.”

Your stomach tightens at the thought of having to fill your belly with Caldarus’ cooking after a long day of work. His gestures are so kind, and truly it is the thought that counts but…well, maybe you can grab a quick bowl of soup at the Sleeping Dragon Inn on your way up…

“Oh…ah well thank you! How thoughtful!”

Caldarus catches your hesitation. His gentle laugh lets you know that he’s caught you red handed.

“I know that look. Worry not. I’ll have Reina help me prepare it.”

You heave a sigh of relief, then smile and press a kiss to the tip of his nose. Caldarus blinks, surprised.

“This kiss is new. Is kissing on the nose usual amongst humans? It is a sign of gratitude?”

“It is.” You say, reaching up to press another tender kiss to his lips.

“A sign of my gratitude and…my affection.”

(***)

You open the doors to Seridia’s home, squinting for a moment at the gleam of her brilliant golden decor shining in the lavender firelight.

“There you are!” Seridia calls, standing up and circling around her desk to meet you. Ever confident, the Witch Queen always leaves you in awe at her presence.  “You have quite some nerve to keep me waiting…”

Before you can respond, Seridia abruptly stops and stares at you. Really stares at you. You can practically feel her sharp, predatory gaze traveling up and down your form, stopping to linger at your hair and on your neck. Uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze, you shift your weight from foot to foot.

“What?” You ask with a half laugh, looking yourself over but finding nothing amiss. “Is there something wrong? Do I have something weird on my—”

Seridia’s hearty, booming laughter interrupts you, echoing like a melody across her chambers. She laughs and laughs, and you, completely oblivious to the source of her amusement, simply stare at the dragon queen.

“What’s so funny?”

Seridia’s laughter subsides as she makes her way towards you. Before you know it, her clawed fingers reach up to brush along your hair. When she pulls away, a marigold sits prettily on her fingertips.

“How delightful,” Seridia chuckles, grinning wide with amusement. “I can see now that this arrangement is really getting under that worm’s skin.” 

You blink. Utterly confused. Getting under Caldarus’ skin? Didn’t the three of you agree to a truce? 

Seridia smiles at your confused expression.

“Oh my dear. I forget, you’re new to the affairs of dragons.”

Seridia studies the flower in her claws.

“Allow me to enlighten you then. Dragons are avaricious creatures by nature. We are powerful, stubborn and steadfast, and extremely territorial over those we deem worthy of our protection.”

The Witch Queen twirls the tender blossom in her fingers for a moment longer, then she grins, crushing the flower in her powerful hands before closing the distance between the two of you. You’re frozen in place as Seridia’s fingers reach and touch the tender spot on your neck.

“In short,” Seridia clicks her tongue. “Dragons don’t like to share.”

It all hits you at that exact moment.

The marigolds and temple flowers Caldarus placed in your hair. That bold kiss. The tender bite he left on your neck. These weren’t just passionate frivolities of the moment. They were deliberate. A bold proclamation of who exactly Seridia (or any other) would have to contend with should they take too many liberties.

Seridia’s thumb circles over the bruise on your throat, her eyes narrowing. You can feel a crackling spark on your skin, hot like fire, but with no pain. When Seridia pulls her hand away to inspect it, you are shocked to see a nasty scorched circle mar the pad of her thumb. It disappears quickly. Almost as quickly as you’ve seen it.

Magic. And powerful magic at that. Strong enough to wound even Seridia.

“Dragons especially hate sharing those they intend to claim as their mate.” Seridia’s red eyes flash back to yours. “Given how far that traitorous worm has gone for you, it’s actually quite hilarious that it’s taken him this long to get around to it.”

Your cheeks heat up at the memory of Caldarus' request from earlier that day.

“Will you come back tonight?”

“Oh.” You whisper, a cocktail of embarrassment and excitement bubbling in your gut, your mind swirling a thousand miles a minute. “Y–you think so?”

Seridia immediately takes notice of your sorry, frazzled state and gives into another bout of delighted laughter.

“Oh come now, don’t be embarrassed! This is wonderful news! With you as our shared dragonsworn, and Caldarus pining for you every second of the day…” A wicked grin spreads across Seridia’s face, sending a chill down your spine.

“Oh yes, just think of all the wonderful possibilities.”

Frowning, you cross your arms and nail the dragon queen with a hard glare.

“Seridia,” You warn. “Don’t torment him.”

Seridia flicks her wrist, dismissing your warning as if it were a mere annoying insect.