Page 34 of Morel Dilemma

“At the library one morning when I woke especially…” Jildarin glanced at her. “Alert. Apparently, while common in other species, there is little documentation to suggest human females emit chemical signals. Further, it’s believed that male humans lack a functioning vomeronasal organ, which would be required to detect pheromones if they were emitted.”

“That must have been fascinating reading.”

“Increasing one’s understanding on topics of personal importance is fascinating.”

“You’re an interesting date, Jildarin.”

“Yes.”

Rylana smiled, gazed around the trees and the park, and decided she didn’t mind discussing Jildarin’s library readings with him. Even if this wasn’t what she’d thought they would talk about when he’d drawn her back into the shadows, he was a more entertaining companion than many she’d had.

Her roving gaze chanced upon an elven guard who’d wandered away from the gathering of elders and stood on the path nearby. He wasn’t looking at them, but why did Rylana have a feeling he was monitoring them? She hoped the elves didn’t think she was a threat to their elders—or the queen, if that was who was under the veil.

“With the morning erection comes a desire for coitus which is not logical since I do not intend to impregnate any females of a two-legged species. I am doubtful that is even possible since I am a dragon.” Now, Jildarin sounded a little exasperated. Or annoyed. That the biology of the form he’d chosen was imposing itself upon his day?

“I think human males—and the same goes for dwarves, ogres, orcs, trolls, and especially goblins, from what I’ve seen—have a subconscious imperative to, ah, impregnate as many females as possible. To ensure their genetic material will be passed on. A lot.”

“Ah. Yes, that was discussed in the book I read. A subconscious imperative. I’d glossed dismissively over it. Hm.” Now he sounded more thoughtful than annoyed or exasperated. Maybe even enlightened.

Rylana didn’t laugh, but she had to stifle the urge to do so.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to get my own room? Your life might be less complicated if my pheromones weren’t floating all over your lair.”

“You will not leave,” Jildarin said promptly. “You are my business partner.”

“And thus should sleep on the floor in your storeroom.”

“In the place of our work, yes.”

“Even if nice lodgings with a bed and a mattress happened to become available nearby?”

Jildarin gazed at her. “You require such furnishings? Did you not, as a mercenary, sleep in a tent or, if you were patrolling the jungles in search of enemies, on the ground or in a tree?”

“Yes, but that’s not ideal for humans, especially human women. We like a few comforts.”

“Like nesting material? Female dragons are more drawn to preparing nesting areas in our caves, especially when the egg-laying time approaches, than males, who are content sleeping on rocks.”

“I’m not planning to lay any eggs, despite my father’s wishes, but, yes, I suppose you could think of a bed that way. As a nest.”

Jildarin nodded. “I understand. Perhaps there would be room to dedicate a small section of my lair to such a thing.”

Rylana scratched her jaw. She’d been thinking more of getting a room somewhere nearby, one furnished with such niceties as a bed, wardrobe, and maybe even a bathtub.

“What materials do humans favor?” Jildarin asked.

“For… beds?”

“The favored nesting materials for female dragons are pine boughs, silver-feather maiden grass, giant reeds, mud, the furry hides of their prey, and, to scratch itchy scales, the bones and fangs of fallen enemies.”

“You know, a rented room is sounding more and more appealing.”

“You will not leave. You will prepare your nesting area as you wish. As someone who has slept with gnomish commercial ovens prodding me in my back, I understand that it is not desirable to rest in an uncomfortable position.”

“That is true.” This also wasn’t a conversation she’d expected to have with Jildarin, and she wondered what that pointy-eared guard—he was clearly eavesdropping—thought of it. If she’d just been given permission to spruce up her corner of the warehouse with a bed and wardrobe, she wouldn’t regret the chat, regardless of what the elf thought. “After we’ve resolved the eviction issue, maybe I’ll go shopping.”

“Do so.”

“It would be a shame if I left, and you didn’t wake up alert as often.”