Dragon 3 Chapter 12 (Patreon)

My wings rippled in the air as I continued to soar above the clouds, ducking into them anytime a plane came into sight. The last thing I needed was to be spotted and have a thousand pictures circling the internet.

Morgana rode on my back as I headed for Lucerne, so we could take the train into Sentarshaden. I only got lost once and had to land to use our phones to get us back on track. GPS doesn’t work so well miles up in the sky.

“Damn templars did work on you.” Morgana said as she finished stapling my side. She hung from my claws, which I kept steady, as I beat my wings. She’d been working on patching me up while we traveled, in case I needed my strength for another fight. I was healing quickly, but those staples would speed things along for the two large cuts the templars landed on me.

I was surprised at how little a cut several feet long bothered me as a dragon. But, I guess it wasn’t so bad, given my sheer size.

“Those swords go right through my scales.” I growled.

“Yeah, the celestials arm the humans well. I suppose it lets them have humans do a lot of their dirty work without having to come down here themselves.” Morgana agreed. “So, any chance you have a plan for when we get to Sentarshaden?”

“A rough one? I need to warn the Highaen Family. Jadelyn is friendly enough with the daughter, Tyrande, so I’m hoping she can give them the warning.” I paused. That was about as far as I’d gotten.

Morgana finished patching me up, so I hoisted her up to my back again.

She made herself at home behind my horns, using them as a windbreak. “If they know she’s part of the Highaen family, then they are going to come prepared. Even if she’s well protected, a full grown dragon will help their cause too much for them to ignore it. They could bring through many angels.”

I snorted at the sound of me being worth less than another dragon. The beast agreed.

“Calm down. No one knows what you really are, including us. Like I said before, I think you are some sort of dragon king. The fact that you can change colors is unique, and nothing I’ve ever heard before.” Morgana mused. “And it was pretty impressive that you were able to grow your wings from just a few dragon bones.”

I almost nodded, then remembered I had a passenger. “They called to my beast. I don’t know. Is one dragon eating another common?”

“Who knows? Most of dragon culture is lost or hidden. You’d have to meet the bronze king and ask him.”

I sighed internally. “I have a feeling that’ll happen sooner rather than later.” The way things were going, I was going to be outed soon. I kept having to use my abilities more and more publically.

Morgana stroked the top of my head. “The templars will keep your nature a secret, at least for now. It gives them the advantage of getting to you before any of the groups that would want to protect you get involved. But knowing you travel with me, it’s only a matter of time before they put things together and know your life story.”

I wrinkled my nose in distaste. I was sure everything about me was for sale somewhere on the internet. “Well, at least I don’t have any family they can go after. I’ll just have to stay safe. When we are back in Philly, the Scalewrights will become a nice shield.”

“Yes, Rupert will be so happy to learn that you’re a gold dragon.” Morgana laughed. I smiled, basking in the sound of her laugh. We might be in a bit of a mess, but having her back and healthy was well worth it.

“Let’s focus on the near term. How do I get into Sentarshaden without showing everyone I’m a dragon?”

“I suggest we take the train in. If you land outside the city, you can shift back and get dressed. We’ll take a cab to a train stop first thing in the morning.”

I almost asked why take the cab when we had a car, but I realized the red sporty car did not blend in. We needed something that would gather no attention.

Tilting my wings, I continued to glide over Switzerland through the clouds, heading towards Lucerne.

***

I back winged a landing behind a barn outside the city. Snow went flying everywhere, like a small snow storm around me.

My landing startled more than a few goats, and a dog at the farm house started barking up a storm.

“Quick.” I shifted back and held out my hand for my spatial artifact.

Morgana smirked, handing it back to me. “Still funny that you are carrying around the padding for my bra. Do I need to lock up my panties?”

I ignored her, quickly trying to get my clothes on in the snowy field. Meanwhile, Morgana was putting on her amulet to look more human.

A light went on in the farmhouse. The dog’s bark had alerted the family. That was our signal to get the heck out of here.

Putting my coat on, I pushed Morgana forward. She took the hint, leading the way through the snow and out onto the street before anyone noticed us.

We hoofed it for several miles before a taxi pulled up. “Morgana?” The man asked, peering out his window.

Him knowing her name surprised me, but then I realized she must have used an app to call the ride.

“Yes, we’d like a ride into the city.”

“What, may I ask, what you are doing out here without a ride?” The driver looked at the two of us skeptically as we waited, not answering his question. But finally he shook his head. “Get in. You’ll freeze to death out there.”

“Thank you.” I said, opening the door for my newest mate and piling in behind her.

We both did our best to pretend to be cold as he drove us back to the Lucerne train station, but neither of us were really affected by the cold.

Riding all the way to the train station in silence, Morgana paid the taxi driver handsomely for his help, and we hopped through the false wall in the train station just as the sun rose into the sky for a new day.

“Finally, I can take this off.” Morgana slid the amulet off her neck and back into her bra, showing off her blue skin once again.

I let my dragon eyes out, enjoying the release and not having to hide them. I looked around, feeling a little anxious being out in the open while we waited on the platform.

“How will the templars get their people to the city if they are going after Yev?” I asked, wondering if there were other routes besides the train.

“Not all at once.” Morgana answered. “I’d imagine if one of these trains filled up with Cherubs or templars, it would go somewhere and never be seen again. You don’t fuck with the Highaen.”

“How’d they survive the seventeenth century?” I wondered.

“They held their ground after gathering every high elf in Europe. And it didn’t hurt that T kept the church pretty distracted in Switzerland.” Morgana went quiet, picking at a nail.

I nudged her. “Not going to spill the secret on T?”

“Not mine to tell. But everyone was scared of him. No one will touch him as long as he stays under wraps, and he’s minded his own business. After all of it, he left Europe quickly and never came back.” Morgana explained. “It would be like poking a sleeping bear to mess with T now.”

Understanding that she wasn’t going to tell me what he did, I dropped it and waited patiently on the platform. My dragon eyes scanned the platform, but I didn’t see any sign of the church.

Then again, I’d have to wait until after we warned Tyrande to do anything, lest I have a run in with whatever served as the local law enforcement. It would be a pain to get arrested trying to protect Yev, which was why we’d need to bring them in on what we know, and likely my secret.

“So…” Morgana hesitated. “What do we tell your other mates when we get back?”

“That I did what I went after you to do.” I said casually. The idea of having multiple women was just part of my life, and they each knew that. I was growing to accept it as well.

Morgana scratched the back of her neck, for once looking quite nervous.

Thankfully, the train pulled up a moment later, saving Morgana from having to talk about it more.

She might be comfortable killing people and teasing me. But apparently the idea of joining a dragon's harem was harder for her to handle.

I was glad nobody identified Morgana, letting us make our way quietly onto the train. I even noticed another drow waiting on the platform, taking in the similarities with Morgana’s skin and build.

I was starting to understand why all the noise from being a celebrity got to Jadelyn. It was nice to travel without all the hubbub.

We jumped on the train and made our way to Sentarshaden.

***

As we stepped off the train, back in Sentarshaden, we walked over to a nearby street.

Morgana pulled the racing car out again, placing it on the street.

This time, the move was spotted. Paranormals were turning and commenting, a few taking out their phones to take photos.

“Well thanks. Now I’m going to be all over social media.” I said with a sigh, getting in the driver's seat and waiting for her to hop in.

The engine let out a satisfying roar as we made our way towards Jadelyn’s place. I’d only been there on foot, but I knew the general direction.

The city was still in celebration as the elves celebrated their root trees, but thankfully the Highaen family wasn’t causing a massive traffic jam this time.

We rolled up to Jadelyn’s place in no time.

The security guards eyed the car, but once they saw me, they waved us in after talking into their mics.

Scarlett and Jadelyn were already coming out the door as we rolled up into the circle drive.

“How did it go?” Jadelyn asked anxiously as we got out.

“Well, Morgana seemed to be in wonderful health now.” I spoke for the both of us.

Jadelyn grabbed Morgana in a big hug that left the feisty woman at a loss for what to do. After a few moments, Morgana wrapped her arms around Jadelyn, returning the hug.

“Thank you.” Morgna said.

“You’re welcome. Anything for a… sister wife?” Jadelyn struggled with what to call Morgana.

“That sounds so… like the same sort of people that would marry their cousins.” Scarlett made a face. “Is there a dragon term for this?”

I raised my hands in surrender. “How am I supposed to know?”

“I’m sure he’ll collect us and forget about us like his hoard, won’t he?” Jadelyn hit a dramatic pose.

“Never.” I scooped up my siren mate, carrying her inside. “You can all be dragon wives or mates. Does that sound better?”

“Dragon wives.” Jadelyn spoke the words, trying them out for herself. “I like it. It makes me sound fierce.”

“You are as fierce as a newborn kitten.” Scarlett commented, following in behind us.

“Hey! Remember that magic duel I did not too long ago?”

Morgana coughed into her hand. “The one where there was an attempt on your life, and your entire guard group nearly shit themselves? That one?”

Jadelyn puffed out her cheeks, still stubbornly clinging to it as a counterpoint to her lack of ferocity. I carried her into the kitchen and planted her on a bar stool before kissing her.

“I like you just the way you are. But we can’t stay here for too long. We learned some things while we were out adventuring through the templar headquarters.” I started into the story.

Several times, I had to stop and clarify a few points for the girls, but when I got to the point of Morgana’s tree, her nails dug into my arm.

I paused, looking down into her anxious eyes. I knew she was protective of it, but we had to keep things open in our family. We couldn’t keep secrets from each other.

“Morgana, they will keep your secret.”

“But root trees are—”

Jadelyn interrupted her. “Can we pick it up and have it planted in one of my homes? Or we can just buy out whatever this town is, and I can have my family build a fortress around it.”

Of course she’d jump to solving it that way.

“The templars won’t sell that site for all the money in the world.” I told her. “Somehow, Morgana’s root tree is serving as an anchor for a portal to the celestial plane.”

“Oh.” Jadelyn’s mouth made a large circle. “Yeah, they won’t sell that. It also makes quite the pickle, doesn’t it?”

“We ended up leaving the portal. I guess technically I took one of the dragon bones attached to it, but I don’t think that did much.”

I trailed off, wondering how to add the next bit. “The other thing you two should know is that the portal is what we believe gives Morgana her unique magic.”

Jadelyn and Scarlett nodded along, as if that made complete sense.

“So, then, how did you guys get out?” Scarlett asked.

I went through the rest of the story. Jadelyn winced several times when I talked about the fights.

When I got to where we had to run out of the motel, Scarlett held up her hand and stopped me again.

“Why did they know you were there?” She asked, the grin on her face saying she had a strong leading theory. “I mean, you were just hiding in a motel room, right? Certainly nothing happened?”

I didn’t think her grin could grow any wider at that point.

“Shut it.” Morgana snapped.

I rolled my eyes, knowing what I said was about to lead to more teasing. “We may have gotten carried away.”

“Ha!” Scarlett grinned. “Who was on top?”

“Me, of course.” Morgana said proudly.

“Damn it Zach.” Scarlett grumbled as she rummaged in her pockets.

Jadelyn held out her hand in the universal sign of ‘pay me’. “I knew she’d ride the dragon her first time.”

“It’s so big though!” Scarlett shook her head.

Morgana leaned forward conspiratorially. “Massive. Hurt so much at first.”

“You get used to it. Sort of.” Scarlett agreed.

“Enough.” I said, feeling awkward at that moment that was quickly descending into talk of my dick.

I went back into the story of our escape, covering off on the rest of the time in Austria and our trip back to Sentarshaden.

“So, we have two big issues. One, the templars are coming for Yev, and that’s my fault. Two, the templars will probably come for Morgana and me sooner or later.”

“Well, Tyrande will come over again tonight. Her and Yev have been spending the evenings here after the Tredelas ceremonies.” Jadelyn said simply. “We’ll tell them about what you’ve found.”

“Jade, will it be that simple?” I wondered if they’d even believe the story.

“You are my mate.” Jadelyn said proudly. “Trust me. Your words will carry a new weight.”

I nodded, knowing she was probably right. The Scalewrights were an enormous power in the paranormal world. My words would at least be considered.

“Okay, then tonight we’ll tell Tyrande and Yev. I also want no backlash on Morgana.” I said, worried for my newest mate to meet the high elves knowing there was tension between the two.

“Won’t be a problem.” Morgana said. “I’m hated, not hunted.”

“That, and she’d never do something like that in my house.” Jadelyn confirmed.

Scarlett seemed less than pleased with Jadelyn’s comfort. “If the templars are coming for him and Yev, then we’ll need to run through the safety drills again tonight. Now that Morgana’s part of the team, she can help too.”

“What am I getting roped into?” Morgana asked, as she was starting to get more comfortable in Jadelyn’s home. She walked around, opening cabinets and looking around inside.

“Safety drills. Anything I can help you find?” Jadelyn asked, eager to help.

“Do you happen to have any blood?” Morgana asked. “I’ve been drinking the same kind for far too long, and I’d like a little something different.”

“Um, I think we have some in the cooler downstairs.” Jadelyn hopped off her barstool and ran to grab some.

I’d expected her to be thrown off by that request, but I should have guessed that blood was a standard drink for some paranormals their family would entertain.

Jadelyn popped back up a minute later with a dark red wine bottle. The bottom of the bottle had a blood drop sticker on it. I tucked that away in my mind, not to make a mistake later.

“Oh, that’s quite a nice one. Virginal women 1863.” Morgana said, taking the bottle.

“Wait, really?” I said, leaning over to get a look at the label.

The rest of the room laughed at me.

“No, idiot. Virgins taste terrible.” Morgana said. “This is an Italian vampire company, 1976. Probably decent.”

“Ah.” How was I supposed to know how blood wine vintages worked? “Got a favorite year or place?”

“Nope.” Morgana said swiftly. “I’ve been drinking champagned cherub for over two hundred years to keep everything at bay. I’ll still drink it, but damn, is it nice to have something else for a change.”

She pulled the cork out deftly with a knife and drank straight from the bottle. When she paused, she let out a drawn-out sigh. “That hits the spot.”

“I’ll make sure to have more of it on hand.” Jadelyn smiled. “You should send me some of the cherub wine, too. I’ll keep it stocked here and in Philly.”

Morgana almost seemed uncomfortable with how quickly Jadelyn was assimilating into her life. I’d felt the same, which made it even more amusing to watch happen to Morgana.

“Where’s the fur ball?” Morgana asked, looking around as if she were half expecting Kelly to pop out any second.

“Um, not here right now.” Scarlett looked uncomfortable, catching my attention.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“I’m not quite sure. She seemed mad when you weren’t here today and stormed out. Said something about an appointment?” Scarlett winced.

I put it together pretty quickly. I’d said I’d be there to support her at the fertility clinics. I’d been so lost in all the chaos, I forgot this would be the day of her appointment.

Pulling out my phone, I started to text Kelly and stopped.

Instead, I started calling the only three fertility clinics in the city, asking as a dumb husband when my appointments were.

The first told me in an apologetic tone that I’d missed my appointment and that my wife hadn’t looked too happy.

The second told me that the appointment was in just a few minutes and my wife was already there.

“I’ll have one of my men drive you.” Scarlett was already putting down her phone, no doubt texting them.

“Thanks. I told her I’d help her with the fertility clinic visits.”

“Just be back for dinner.” Jadelyn said. “Tryande and Yev should be here when you get back.”

I kissed my three mates in turn. The beast was extremely satisfied. It even paused at Scarlett, considering if she should be marked too.

Something for later, beasty, we need to hurry.

After the goodbyes, I headed off to find Kelly. I was the one that had put her in this position, and I wanted to help her get through it.