“Well, I was on another mission.”
“He was stealing shielder components from me,” Syla said.
“Yes, I’d say it’s strange that you’re going to marry him, but it makes sense politically.”
“Yes,political reasonsare what draw her to me,” Vorik said.
“It can’t be your wit.”
“I have other desirable attributes.” Vorik gave the chieftess a dazzling smile.
Not looking dazzled, Atilya told Syla, “I’m almost regretful that all my people weren’t there to witness and help in your battle with the storm-god-possessed General Jhiton and his dragon allies, but I am glad that you were able to handle the situation with aplomb on your own. I suspected you had the ability to deal with your enemies without our help, and I thought your reign would be more secure—that more people wouldbelieve you deserved the position—if you managed on your own.”
“I wasn’t entirely without help.” Syla nodded toward Fel and squeezed Vorik’s hand. “And the gods gave me tools to facilitate protecting my people.”
“The gods give us all tools; not everyone uses them to their fullest.” Atilya pointed to the floating dock that her people had anchored beyond the barrier. A blue dragon and an orange dragon were alighting there as two of her people kayaked out to it. “Igliana mentioned that she would like to attend your wedding. Will dragons be allowed?”
“I… had planned to have it in the castle courtyard. That’s customary.”
“The stormers might be more inclined to come if it’s on a ship. And then you could have all kinds of dragons flying about, flinging fish at you.”
“Pardon?”
“Stormer tradition,” Vorik said. “Well, actually more of adragontradition that we’ve adopted into our culture, especially for riders who are bonded with one of their kind. They often deliver offerings of game and fish to mating ceremonies, thus to ensure the new couple has plenty to eat and can focus on procreation for a time.”
“Perhaps Igliana and those dragons who are curious could simply fly over the castle while we’re having our ceremony,” Syla murmured.
“While dropping fish from above the barrier?” Vorik raised his eyebrows.
“It wouldn’t be the first time a dragon has dropped something edible into the courtyard. I can have someone with a platter stand out there.”
Atilya looked over their heads.
Syla sensed Wreylith and Agrevlari approaching. Though the green dragon had been able to come and go since Syla and Vorik had joined in the shielder chamber, Agrevlari hadn’t departed that many times of late. He was sticking around, bringing offerings to Wreylith, and they’d frequently been seen flying around the island together.
“This is a new start to your kingdom, isn’t it?” Atilya asked. “A new future for humanity.”
“I hope so,” Syla said.
Atilya nodded at her, then headed back to her people.
The time of laying approaches,Wreylith announced.
“Oh,” Syla blurted. “I’ll get my medical kit.”
“You’re going to beinvolvedwith that?” Fel asked.
“She’s assured me that a dragon does not need a human’s help in laying eggs, but I promised I’d be there with my medical kit, just in case.”
Wreylith plucked up Syla while Agrevlari flew close enough for Vorik to leap onto his back. Together, the dragons flew toward the cave under the castle.
“I wasn’t envisioning thatIwould be involved with the egg laying,” Vorik called over to Syla.
“You’re the bonded human of the father. Aren’t you expected to bring an offering?”
“I have two jars of chocolate hazelnut butter left over, but dragons don’t generally want sweets.”
“You can give them to me. I find myself craving interesting things lately.”
