Master of Dragons, Part 1 (complete)
Chapter 32

They both scattered, as if being caught doing something they shouldn’t have. Elric was now facing away, hands in his pocket, while she was on the floor a mess of limb, dragon, and blanket. The two dragons did not react well to her suddenly jumping. Pup had pounced over her dragon and onto her chest, clinging to her like a child. On the other hand, her dragon got tangled up in her legs as she was trying to get up, and was now under one leg, and partially on top of the other. Pups tail had wrapped around her waist, while her dragons tail wrapped around her legs. She did not get far.

Athelstan stood at the door, but she could see it was actually Venrir. All it took was the playful squint of his eye, and the shit-eating smirk.

The air in the room continued to cackle, and she was sure if magic wasn’t placed on it, everything would be on fire. However, it was also now humid, as if water had evaporated and made the air heavy.

That was new.

“Glad to see you survived, Ver!” Venrir said again, climbing in. She blinked. But she felt fine? No aches or pain, not like when she got stabbed or whipped.

“Why do you say that?” She asked wrapping her arm around pup and giving him a small pat on the back. Understanding, the dogdragon released its death grip on her torso. Her dragon wiggled its way under her leg, then curled itself in pup’s spot. Pup however, curled up around her back this time. Elric kicked the fur covered floor a bit awkwardly, before taking a seat beside her. Venrir, who didn’t seem to care about intruding on their intimate moment, took a seat on the side opposite of Elric.

“Athe told you that-” Venrir started, taking no heed of her shy glance at Elric. “-Dragons created everything?” She nodded, acknowledging him. Information was more important than… Well, whatever that kiss was. “Well, what he probably did not tell you was, although we call the Celestials the Firsts, they aren’t the first. The first two Dragons were the embodiment of light and dark. Together, they created the other celestials who helped create this world. We all come from light and dark, some have it stronger in them.” This was new. She looked over to Elric, who had his eyes downcast, listening to Venrir. “However, since Human’s were created last by Light and Dark, the other First Ones did not give any other element to them. Well, they wanted to. The Light One stole them- Athe told you that already.” He leaned back onto his hands, eyes glinting. “Basically, humans only have two elements inside their body, light and dark. That means when a dragon bonds to them, it’s adding an outside element into a body that can’t handle it. Which, is why some dragon masters die if the dragon bonds to much with them.”

“Ah, that.” Elric pipped in. He took her hand, the one with spiked Sapphire. It glinted between black and deep blue as he twisted her palm upwards. His hands were so large compared to hers. She never really noticed, until now. “These marks are how much the dragon bonded to you, Ver.” And how much the dragon has given its magic to you, like Athelstan said earlier. Elric kept her hand in his, his thumb trailed over one of the marks on her inner palm, making her shiver a bit. But, where did he read that? Was that something he learned after she left? He smiled at her, his attention turning back to Venrir.

“Yes, there are also two forms of bond. One where the dragon chooses you to be a companion, and one where you become-” He looked between her and Elric, the words coming out quickly. “Basically, the dragon gives themselves to the other. The mark it leaves, it is on the heart-” His sentence was a bit faster then normal, as if he shouldn’t even be saying it. Was it that taboo?

“You are getting off track.” Elric interrupted. He glared at Venrir, who smiled a bit. Odd. Did the two get to know each other while she was out?

“Yes, sorry. Anyway, most humans can only take one dragon’s bond. Human bodies are not meant to hold magic like ours, or Landborn. A Landborn? They could probably bond with more then one dragon, but most of us don’t like to share-” He chuckled. “At least, for bonding.” He added. Oh, she blushed a bit. How indecent. “Off topic, yes.” He said, looking at Elric. Elric was seething, which was rare because he loved information. “When pup bonded to you,” He reached out and patted her dragondogs head. “Which, he didn’t know better, he is very young. However he still almost killed you by exploding your body with magic. It’s a miracle you survived.” He grinned at her, as if her mortality was casual.

“Then, why are the marks all over me now?” She asked, wiggling her also marked toes.

“The two dragons seemed to have gotten jealous and imprinted as much as they could on you. Which, could have also killed you. Most humans can’t even handle a palm sized mark.” Venrir joked. Was that a joke? Oh, his grin said it wasn’t.

Then why was she alive?

“You are fated to do great things, Verrine.” Venrir’s playful tone made her look up, but his eyes weren’t on her, but rather on Elric.

“I guess I am going to have to practice my swordsmanship to keep up with you, huh?” Elric’s thumb rubbed against her inner wrist. His hand was cool against hers, as if it was slowly sapping the heat in her body. The two men keep staring at eachother, it was as if they were speaking without words. Why was it so tense? Why did Elric’s face slowly become more and more unreadable? He only used that expression when he was pissed or hiding something.

“You have a long way to catch up, s-slacker.” She tried to joke, but Elric’s expression was still unreadable. Venrir stood up, finally breaking their staring contest.

“I should check to see if any of those things are around.” Venrir patted her head, as if she was a child. She blinked, a mix of anger and awkwardness filling her. Anger she was treated like a child, awkward because she was sure her hair was a greasy mess.

Wait. Those things?

“I have some things to tell you Ver.” Elric said, watching and Venrir left the cart. Finally, his gaze turned to hers. It was still unreadable. She shifted a bit, making both dragons huff at her. “It’s about your brother.” She grimaced at the thought of her brother. Why would he bring that up? No, Elric wouldn’t bring up for no reason. “And the Lord of our City.” His tone had taken a low monotone. What did have anything to do with the Lord? She was but a commoner. Slowly, his brows furrowed, and she was able to see emotion melt onto his face.

But why did he look so devastated?

“They have Lily.”