Balls Deep

Seeing another dragon pack what belongings they could carry on their back and coax their young into the sky was heartbreaking. It wasn’t an unfamiliar sight. Every day, more dragons left for better protected, healthier, and oftentimes, warmer lands. Not that I could blame them for seeking a better life for themselves, or their young, but every dragon that left weakened the horde further. Weakened me.  Soon our wards would shatter, and I couldn’t say when. It could be months, or hours. When they broke like a cheap glass vase, the horde that depended on me to keep them safe...

My memories of this place were filled with laughter and mischief, all involving my uncle. He was different from the man I remembered from my youth. For one, he was taller and more muscular. Even as a boy, I thought he was tall. He stood higher than my dad, but had he grown somehow? Also, he exuded strength and calm. He was steadier than before. His aura was all sorts of colors, the dark blue of sadness being the main one that stood out to me. I failed to understand why when we passed rows of carefully looked after buildings....

Hours later, at a more appropriate time to be awake, when breakfast was almost ready, and the members of my horde, who were always close at hand, were ready to eat, I announced the departure of Raoul, his mate, and their daughter.  The news landed about as well as I expected.  The members of my horde who have been with me the longest, and wouldn’t leave unless it was absolutely necessary for their continued survival were angry and hurt.  They saw Raoul leaving as a type of abandonment. Maybe if I didn’t understand why he felt the need to leave,...

Despite the calm air I was trying to project after my rude awakening, nerves filled my gut. There was a lot riding on this meeting. I wanted the horde to like me as the magic relied on having little resistance. The more they battled me over my place among them, the harder it would be for me to repair all the damage. Really, this was just a stopgap measure. Uncle Mar needed a mate. Like, really badly. A mate would stabilize the horde and the magic. It would be better if it was a male omega, as we had more...

No one else seemed to notice that Edain was falling asleep at the breakfast table while forcing himself to finish his food, aside from Caspar, but after their little spat, he made no move to encourage my nephew back to bed. Some guard he was turning out to be. But my nephew didn’t need him. I was here, after all, and I’d take care of him however he needed to be taken care of.  Right now, he needed more rest if he was going to do any sort of magic, and I was determined to see he got it.  Pushing...

Naps were life. I’m sure I said that already, but I woke after another sleep feeling worlds better than before and less like roadkill. After another shower, I felt more like myself. My magic did its thing, healing the aches and pains I’d gained from the long flight and lack of sleep. My stomach rumbled as I towel dried my hair. I couldn’t tell what time of day it was, so I had no idea if I had slept through lunch, dinner, or even the entire night into the next morning. The door was pushed open after a brief knock....

Edain, nor his dragon, being so used to warmer weather, were built for the temperatures this high in the mountains, where it was cold more often than not. Next time I took him out, I’d be sure to bundle him up so he didn’t spend the last leg of the journey home attempting to suppress his shiver.  Did anyone in the horde even own a pair of mittens?  If not, it wouldn’t be any trouble to take a trip into town and get what Edain needed until he adjusted to the climate. It wouldn’t take long but in the meantime,...