A second golden head popped out, gasping for air. The first dragonet shoved its head beneath the second’s chin, offering support while it filled its lungs.
Mesmerized, the older dragons watched in stunned silence.
“They’re twins,” Jade murmured. “It saved its twin before it suffocated in the egg.”
“Phew. I’m glad they both got out safe,” Violet said. His voice shook like he was on the verge of tears.
Cobalt glanced at his bitten paw. He understood now. The hatchling had fangs to help its twin.
Once the second dragonet was free, they both tumbled easily out of the shell. Now they acted like normal hatchlings—except there were two of them.
“Aww. They’re so cute... Wait.” Thystle frowned, glancing back and forth between the twins. “They look exactly the same. How are we supposed to tell them apart?”
“Let’s put clothes on one of them,” Crimson suggested. “Ooh, can I make the outfit?”
Violet snorted. “You saw their fangs. They’ll rip apart your precious clothes.”
Crimson looked horrified. “Never mind.”
Cobalt scooped the twins up, extending his wings to protect them from the rain.
Thystle bounced closer. The other dragons weren’t far behind. They were all curious about the new hatchlings.
“What will their names be?” Jade asked. “If I may make a suggestion, how about Austen and Brontë?”
Crimson gasped. “Satin and Silk!”
“Rock and Roll!” Thystle countered.
Violet called out next. “Faith and Destiny!”
Cobalt was glad for the heavy rain. It drowned out half of their suggestions.
He glanced at the two identical dragons. Even in the overcast light, their scales gleamed like gold. An idea sprang to his mind.
“Aurum and Saffron,” he stated. “Those will be their names.”
“Those are okay, I guess,” Thystle grumbled. “But I still can’t tell them apart. Which one is which?”
Cobalt hadn’t thought that far ahead. He didn’t want to admit it, but he couldn’t differentiate them, either.
“We’ll think of something,” he promised. “For now, let’s get these little ones to shelter in the castle.”
The twin dragonets sat side by side, happily squeaking at one another, oblivious to everything else. Now that all the stress was over, Cobalt was hopeful for them.
No matter what, they would always have each other.
One
Aurum
“Dude, stop hiding my shit!”I griped.
Saffron sat back on his knees. He’d been organizing his DVD collection when I stormed in. He stared blankly, shooting me that oblivious look that he’d been giving me way too often lately.
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
“Don’t act dumb. My dye’s missing.”
