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Marre groaned softly when James told him of the incident with the lance and shook his head "Lad did no-one ever tell you how forces work against one another? That if you push one way you will go the other? By pushing up the lance in one direction you effectively pulled yourself up into the air. Try not to experiment if Cill or I aren't there"

He turned slowly and pulled down a scroll "This should keep you busy for a while."

Unrolling the scroll slowly in front of James he tapped at a few of the characters with a talon. "This is the first scroll young dragons are ever given" he rumbled importantly into the bemused students mind "And they have to learn it quickly"

James leant over the scroll and tried to make sense of the spidery calligraphy. Some of them looked almost familiar in a disturbing kind of way.

"What are they? Master" he asked hesitantly, risking a look upwards at the Blue dragon staring down at him.

"Wyrmtongue Boy, The dragon runes one must learn if you are to gain control over your mana."

Cill nodded in agreement at his words but stayed quiet as she usually did when Marre was around. The years she had spent as an apprentice had instilled certain behaviours in her and she hung on the ancients every word.

James slowly made his way down the scroll not understanding one of the strange glyphs. The scroll was tightly wrapped and there seemed to be no end to them.

"How many runes are there master?"

"On this scroll? Five hundred. And I expect you to be able to read and write each and every one of them before the years end"

James blanched and leaned back, letting his breath out with a whoosh. "How many runes are there all together then Master?"

Marre grinned toothily "About five thousand so far. New runes are added as they are discovered while old runes are removed due to improved forms"

James sank down in his seat, the chair carefully altered for his size. "And I have to learn them all Master?"

Chuckling Marre handed him an elegant elf sized writing set "Moona sent this for you"

Pens and brushes of various sizes were arrayed in rows within the box and a large bottle of dark iron gall ink sat in one corner beside a tray of parchment.

James carefully pulled out a brush and examined it slowly, feeling the soft tip against his fingers "Cill has some of these, though she doesn't just use them for writing" he added with a grin at his suddenly shy mate as he recalled painting her for the ceremony.

"These are only to be used for writing with" Marre chuckled softly. "I want you to write each rune out ten times and learn its name" pointing to the first he murmured "This is JERA and is used often as an activator for a spell"

James dutifully copied out the rune slowly, making sure to get the curves and lines correct and cursing softly as he failed dismally.

Marre whispered quietly to Cill and the pair withdrew back to the workroom, leaving James to master his first spell component in peace.

Cill murmured her concerns to Marre once they were out of sight.

"He almost threw the lance out of the keep when he got irritated at it"

Marre nodded slowly "Yes, his power will be subject to his emotions until he learns control young Cill. Consider how far he has come in a short time though. He is not stupid and he dutifully attempts anything I set him even though he has had little experience with our culture" His gaze grew shrewd "And have you settled into the keep well? It has only been a few days I know but what do you feel about the place?"

Cill shuffled her paws a little "It is strange. They know we are mates but they seem to ignore it though there are little comments with gestures made to James. He laughs at them and doesn't pay them much attention. I think he is proud of me though" she added with a smirk.

Marre slithered up onto his lounger and rested his head in his paws "And what of Shalla and Tomako? Moona has been strangely reticent on them and his involvement"

Cill scowled at the mention of the spoilt dragoness "I think it was a shock to her. I know Tommy made some comments to her that didn't set well with her. Tomako seems to like the keep though and is coming back tomorrow to talk to Tommy and James some more"

Sighing Marre let his gaze slide up the shelves to the dark bottle holding the scale he had invested so much care on "Well, I hope she doesn't harbour ill-will towards you or James. It will be some time before he can control himself sufficiently to defend you in peril, until then you must guard him. I will instruct him in the use of the amulet he was given at the ceremony and bind you to it also"

Cill nodded eagerly "It is also an amplifier for thoughtspeech?" she asked with a tilt of her head.

"Yes. And if he learns how to focus properly will also act as a lens for his mana. Nokala and Carlina are already bound to it and can find him in an instant if they need to."

He rolled his eyes in seeming irritation "As can I. We hope you appreciate all the trouble we've gone through over this annoying human"

Cill rubbed her head against her old teacher's neck affectionately "We do Master." She cooed. "And we'll name our first hatchling after you"

Marre choked and spluttered as he turned to stare only to find her staring impishly at him, a grin hovering at the corners of her muzzle.

"Don't do that to me Cill, I'm an old dragon and not used to shocks anymore" he growled while swiftly dragging his gaze over her lower belly. No eggsign...yet. Old fool he told himself, it was far too soon to tell.

Cill lowered her gaze, chastened for now "Sorry master" her tone trying to keep the tinge of amusement from it. "But we do want young. And you did say it was possible"

Marre blinked "I did? When?" Cill smirked and slid onto a lounger "Well you told mother - and she told me"

Marre groaned inwardly, damned females and their chattering, his tail lashed from side to side in irritation. "And I take it you have been trying even though you are out of season now?"

Cill's eyes widened and danced with amusement "Oh we try every night...and morning too sometimes"

Marre snorted "Stop trying to shock me. I was young once too you know" his expression softening as he remembered his early years and the pleasures of mating.

"It is only natural to want to reproduce with your chosen mate but ...in this case, it will cause problems that may not go away in a hurry"

Cill nodded sadly "I know the clanship ceremony was odd... I felt a lot of suppressed feelings from the others but James liked meeting the hatchlings and they liked him too" she added vehemently.

Marre nodded "We can only wait and see. Now then, how would you like to try the Anifornum spell now you have mastered invisibility? I think it would be wise to learn it."

Cill nodded eagerly as the ancient brought down another scroll from his private rack and offered it to her.

Back at the Keep things were progressing as usual while the Dragon-rider and his mount- a term chuckled over frequently by some of the other novices- were away.

Lord Duncan sat at his desk and sighed at the pile of parchment on his desk. Surely there was more to running a Keep than dealing with petty complaints?

"Martin!" he yelled out the door at the startled seneschal.

"Yes Sir?"

"Go down to the chapel and see Father Champlain. If he's healthy enough get him up here. We need to discuss a few things. Oh and while your down there, go talk to Master Blacksmith Desmond and tell him the next shipment of coal from the New Forest will be late. Those damn barons want more money" He scratched a note on the parchment.

Martin nodded in acquiescence and trotted down the stairs towards the inner bailey.

Sighing Duncan tugged the latest dispatches from London from his bag and laid them on his desk.

James proudly presented Marre with still ink-damp copies of the runes he had managed to memorise that afternoon and groaned inwardly as he was set homework, the ancient handing him the scroll and telling him he expected at least ten more runes the next day.

"Especially Mannaz and Inguz " he stated solemnly "The runes of opening and protection" he helpfully pointed out the odd shapes that looked like an upside down M with an X across it and one that looked like an arrowhead spread widely apart pointing towards the left.

Nodding James tucked the drawing kit under his arm and stepped up beside Cill in the travel portal. With a smirk she tucked him in beside her beneath a wing and triggered the spell to the portal in the keeps courtyard.

People stopped and stared at the sight of the couple until they caught Cill's gaze and then hurried on with their business as if a dragoness bearing a human under her wing was a common occurrence. Dusk was approaching and with it the desire to remain outside vanished along with the light.

James stroked Cill's side gently as they walked towards their home. Both had a lot on their minds and felt slightly overwhelmed at the pace of events.

Opening the door James grinned at her "After a human wedding I'm supposed to carry my wife over the threshold of the house" he murmured, stepping aside to let her enter easily with her wings tucked up.

"You'd only hurt yourself" she chuckled back warmly carefully tucking the scroll into her rack. James put the writing kit on his desk where he looked at it ruefully. "I'll never manage ten runes tonight" he muttered to Cill as he peered at his own scroll.

"Then learn what you can my love" she purred and stroked his shoulders gently as he leaned back into her caress feeling it ease his tenseness "mmm... that's nice"

Cill could feel him relax and purred gently as her palms rubbed down his back "Have you looked at your amulet yet?" she asked curiously, peering over his shoulder.

James shook his head slowly "Not closely. It doesn't look as if it does much though" reaching into his jerkin he pulled out the golden disk and looked at the ring of runes inscribed into the edge. "Hey, here's that rune Marre said was for protection."

Nodding softly Cill looked closely at the amulet "It's a locator amulet" she purred.

"So they know where I am all the time now?" he asked, feeling a tinge of suspicion at the thought of Nokala and Carlina being able to spy on him.

"Only if you want them to." She reassured him" It's already bound to mother and father but it still needs to be linked to me. If you get hit by anymore rogues I want to be able to find you first"

James grinned 'so you can hit me for not letting you play as well?" he reached back and scratched her neck cheerfully.

Cill snorted warmly down the back of his neck "So I can deal with the fools that did it of course - then I can hit you."

James chuckled and then flushed as his stomach growled. "Time for supper - if they've left any for us in the mess hall. Care to come along?" he grinned wickedly.

Cill cocked her head to one side and thought. "I've not seen this 'mess' you have spoken of before. Is it very untidy?"

James took her paw in hand and led her to the door "Only after everyone has eaten" he replied with a grin.

Tomako thought over his plan with glee. It was foolproof. Tucking the designs for his armor under the sizable stack of his bed he went over the plan in his head once more. Well - It might be foolproof. After all if it worked for humans - why not dragons? He rubbed his paws together happily and stepped from his room lightly making his way towards the main lair.

Pausing outside his sister's room he thought he could hear cursing and growling intermixed with sniffling coming from within. Although he would have been the first to admit his sister was a royal pain in the tailspade he also knew she was intelligent and sensitive. Her arrogance was merely a way to shield her emotions from harm and present a tough front to the world.

He debated briefly with himself about knocking, raising a talon to do so then shrugging he simply barged in like an annoying older brother would be expected to do.

Shalla's bed was an unmade, disorganized pile. That more than anything had Tomako worried as she was usually scrupulous about keeping it tidy. The grumbling emerald dragoness was tightly curled atop the pile, her tail over her snout and her eyes closed.

Making his way over slowly he could see where she had been crying, her snout still damp with tears. Laying a paw on her neck he stroked it slowly, soothing her.

"What's the matter sis?" he purred quietly, feeling emotional turmoil in her mind.

Shalla drew herself in tighter and didn't say anything so Tomako kept stroking and just talked quietly.

"I'm going back to the keep tomorrow, are you coming too? I think Tommy would like to see you again? I want to talk to some of the humans there so Id have to leave you alone and hope you wouldn't get into trouble" he let himself ramble on quietly and slowly he felt her relax under his stroking. "I think James and Cill will be busy with Marre and their training so there won't be a lot else for you to do there. So I understand if you don't want to come along..."

Shalla muttered something that Tomako didn't quite catch but it sounded like a curse so he kept talking "I've been thinking about starting up my own lair and moving out. Mother seemed to think it was a good idea" he felt her shiver and tense at this and hummed to himself.

"I suppose you want to stay here and repaint your talons? They do look a little drab right now" he watched as said talons clenched in the covering of the bed. She was listening it seemed.

"I don't suppose Tommy wouldn't be interested in a dragoness without properly painted talons..' he began and grinned to himself as she pulled her snout out from under her tail and glared at him.

"I wouldn't know or care what a monkey wants" she hissed flatly but her eyes wouldn't make contact with his and they glistened with unshed tears.

"Oh I wouldn't suggest that you did. But you must look good otherwise you let every dragon down by letting them think we're slovenly"

Shalla sighed and slumped down once more "Why can't I stop thinking about him?" she growled, punching the bed forcefully. "I keep seeing his silly monkey face"

Tomako nodded sagely "And you feel embarrassed at liking a human? Like Cill does?"

Shalla nodded fearfully, wondering if her brother would laugh at her as she knew her father would.

"Then you must make the decision" he said, taking a towel off the bed and dabbing her snout gently "Do you want to see him again?"

Shalla nodded slowly "But Father...he would be..." she broke off at the thought of Divitchka finding out she was keeping company with humans. "You know how he is"

Tomako wiped a streak off her muzzle "And what did you think Cill's parents thought? It must have been a terrible shock for them too"

Shalla nuzzled her brother thankfully as she felt her mood lighten. "Should I talk to them about it?" she felt her ruffs glow pink in embarrassment at the thought.

"I would talk to Cill first. And nicely too ... I know you two aren't exactly fond of one another but perhaps its time to put that aside"

Shalla burst into tears once more "I'm so ashamed" she sobbed as the fresh tears rolled down her snout "I made a total fool of myself in front of her"

Tomako sighed and held her against his chest until she recovered a little "Yes, you did" he admitted bringing up the towel again "but I don't think they will hold it against you"

Shalla sniffled into the towel "I haven't told Eriga or Gergid about it - they want to know what happened and to visit the keep again"

Tomako hummed and thought about this "Tell them they can visit later, when you've gotten to know the place better perhaps" he murmured to her "Now...do you want to come with me tomorrow and see Tommy again?" He chuckled "Not many dragonesses have their own human you know".

Shalla nodded slowly "I would like to come along." She hadn't considered it that way other than owning a human as a pet. It would put her in an exclusive club but she couldn't help thinking it went a lot deeper than that with Cill and her human, they had mated and joined after all.

Could she see herself doing that with Tommy? Her mind held up several paths and all of them led to trouble but strangely she didn't feel that worried about it.

Tomako finished wiping her muzzle with the towel and leaning down gave her a friendly lick "come on, lets go have a swim and then you can repaint your talons that lovely shade of blue for Tommy" he teased, heading for the door

Shalla gave a mock growl and took a swipe at his tail before following him out the door and down to the pools.

Father Champlain sat uncomfortably in the chair opposite Duncan, the old cleric swaddled in blankets and covers until only his chubby face was visible amidst the swirls of clothing.

Lord Tarrant sighed as he looked at the priest "Father, Have you spoken with James since... that night?" he hesitantly put the question to the feeble ecclesiastic.

"Yes Duncan" came the surprisingly calm reply "He was able to swear on the cross that he refuted Satan and all the books say no true demon could do such a thing without destroying themselves in the process" the priest's tongue moistened his dry lips slowly, like a fat slug.

"And have you met his...wife?" Duncan asked cautiously. "They have been joined in the dragon ceremony, but not in the human ceremony"

Father Champlain coughed thickly into a handkerchief "No, I haven't met the dragon yet though I hear the talk from the merchants and novices and there seems to be a general feeling of disbelief"

Duncan grunted "she has a rather overpowering presence and is very protective of James, as are his parents in law" he wiped a hand over his suddenly sweaty forehead.

"Speaking of his father-in-law. He was quite adamant that James and Cill should go through the human ceremony also and soon"

The priest's gnarled fingers clutched the sides of the chair. He was wearing fingerless gloves, Duncan noticed.

"A Christian chapel should not be used to join an animal and a human. The lord himself would smite us for such blasphemy" he stated, eyes boring into Duncan's.

Duncan was ready for this "Animals cannot talk Father, Cill can. Her species should not be an issue." Especially if it means us all not being fried alive he thought to himself.

He could see the priest was wriggling on the hook as he felt guilty at torturing James but was also looking for a way to reconcile a human marrying a dragon in his chapel.

Father Champlain squirmed in his seat. He was still atrociously weak and felt mixed emotions at the request; part of him rejoiced at the thought of being the first priest to baptize and then perform a marriage of dragon with human. What would the bishop say?

He had a good idea of the color the bishop would be after he finished telling him, he might even be defrocked but it would still be too late. His fingers tapped irritatingly on the arm of the chair as he considered his course of action.

"Very well, I shall arrange it," she sighed "but you must sanction this and stand behind me all the way to the bishop and perhaps higher"

Duncan grinned "I so swear. I think you will like Cill Father, she is quite charming for a sixteen foot long fire breather"

Father Champlain grunted as he tried to stand up "Was that a joke?"

James stuck his head round the door leading into the mess hall. He had timed it right and the place was quite busy but there were still a few tables unoccupied. He pulled his head back before anyone noticed him and smiled at Cill.

"There's a nice table near to the kitchen" he murmured to her and pushed the door open widely so she could follow him in.

Every head turned and every eye widened as James strode in seemingly uncaringly with Cill right behind him, ducking her head so she could enter easily she followed him to the low table and looked round before curling her tail in front of her. Making herself comfortable she sat carefully on her haunches, her horns almost brushing the ceiling.

Ignoring the stares James reached out and took some bread from the table, breaking it in half he offered some to Cill "Do you eat bread?" he asked her quietly.

Cill took the offering and sniffed it gently, playing her tongue over it while the other fascinated diners watched every move. Shifting it carefully to her mouth she bit on it and tried to work her fangs over the doughy mass without much success.

James grinned and waved to Jane in the kitchen. She cheerfully waved back and disappeared for a moment before returning from the dark recesses bearing a pair of freshly roasted geese and placing them triumphantly in front of the smiling pair.

"Enjoy ya dinner, mighty Dragon-humper" Jane whispered to the suddenly blushing James as she walked back to the kitchen with a wink and a swirl of skirts.

Cill swallowed hard and used her tongue to clean the residual bread from her fangs and talons before her eyes lit on the hot goose and she tried not to drool in anticipation.

Tankards and goblets shook and spilt their contents as novices and merchants alike stared as Cill picked up the goose and bit heavily into it. There was total silence as she delicately pulled it apart with loud crackling noises from the splintering bones.

The watching diners couldn't hear the rather tart comments Cill made to James as she ate.

"Do they always stare at people having their dinner?" she growled to him, making sure to stare back at a gape-mouthed novice as she pulled a drumstick from the Goose and snapped her jaws on it. He slammed his mouth shut and looked away quickly, face flaming.

"They will get used to it love" James murmured as he picked up his own goose and pulled a drumstick of his own off so he could gnaw on it. "They have never seen a dragon eating before"

Cill snorted gently and slowly pulled the goose in twain with her jaws, the juices dripping down her chin. James grinned "Are you showing off dear?" he teased, tossing his goose-bone towards the fire where the dogs lay.

Cill sniffed "If they want to stare... let them" she purred and swallowed half the goose in one go. Forests of horrified eyes watching it travel down her gullet slowly.

James grinned "That's the spirit" he murmured and pulled the other leg of his goose off "for you my sweet" he murmured, holding it up for her with a smile. There was a collective gasp from the watchers.

Cill smiled back and leaning over gently took it from his hand with her mouth, her tongue lasciviously curling over his fingers briefly "Now who's showing off?" she asked with a gleeful tone in her voice as she tilted her head back to swallow the offering.

The silence was broken by muted muttering and mumbling from the surrounding tables that both ignored as they shared their dinner, eyes meeting and thoughts merging in a pleasant manner, each feeling the same quiet delight at one another's company. Slowly the diners began to return to their own meals, now cold and greasy on their plates but not taking their eyes off the couple.

Lord Hampton finished the letter informing the master of the Keep that his daughter would soon be arriving for a visit and could he provide lodging and victuals during her stay, all expenses would be covered. The parchment crackled softly as he sanded it to dry the remaining ink and gently folded it into a secure package. He reached over and took a stick of sealing wax from the box on the table and melted a portion onto the closure.

Blowing lightly on it until it grew semisolid he pressed the signet of his ring into the wax, leaving his imprint and sealing it firmly. Weighing it in his hand his eyes grew thoughtful. His daughter was naïve about the dangers on the road and though he had provided several guards for the trip he remained apprehensive as to the possibility of kidnapping and ransom.

Giving a small shrug he put the letter in a silver tray and summoning his butler instructed him to have it on a private courier to the keep the next morning. It would be a week before she left so that would give them time to prepare he considered, though no doubt there would be complaints at the keep about having to cater to a noblewoman.

But that's what noblewomen were for he thought with a chuckle...making trouble.

James and Cill sighed as they finished their meal together. Jane sashayed out from the kitchen and placed a small tankard of ale in front of James. She paused and smiled at Cill "what about ya luv?" she asked the dragoness "Would ya like some ale too?"

Cill blinked and looked at the tankard before leaning over to sniff cautiously at it. "It smells a bit funny. Is it like that 'wine' I tried before?" she asked James

James grinned and took a sip "Not quite, this is made from grain and tingles nicely on the tongue. Why don't you try some?"

Cill peered at the tankard "It's a little small for me to drink from, but I'll give it a go" Taking it carefully and ignoring the stares of the nervous mess-goers she flicked her tongue into the tankard several times, her eyes growing wider each time "Mm..Its nicer than that wine drink and feels nice on my tongue - do you have a bigger mug?"

Jane thought for a moment and nodded "I thin' I can come up wi' somethin"

Disappearing into the back room for a moment she came out with a small ale keg "This is 'bout yer size" she said and expertly tapped the keg so Cill could drink from the hole on the top "Gi' it a go"

Cill grasped the keg in her paws carefully and lifted it up; aware she was the subject of many eyes. This night would be talked about for many years afterwards with those that had been there given rapt attention and pressed for more detail by disbelieving listeners

James had a sudden feeling of apprehension as Cill tilted the keg back slowly, her mouth open as the potent brew poured easily in an aromatic stream over her tongue and glugged steadily down her gullet. He watched in alarm as it kept pouring. "er Cill..." he began, but it was too late. She tilted the keg almost upside down to get the last drop and then lowered it with a satisfied smirk on her muzzle "Mmmmm that was nice!" she purred, her eyes suddenly a little glazed and wide as she looked at him. "Maaakes me feeeel allll relaxxxed"

James looked furiously at Jane who wisely picked up the keg and ran for it back to the kitchen. There was still a muted rumbling from the watching crowd, mainly around the new threat to their ale supply they had just discovered.

Cill burped quietly, her paw covering her muzzle discreetly. "Whaat sh-should weee do now?" she thought to James, the thoughtspeech gurgling and unsteady in his mind. James realized he had to get her out of the mess before she fell asleep or worse - what if she was sick? He'd never seen anyone drink an entire keg of ale before.

"Let's go out and get some fresh air love" he murmured and grasped her paw with his hand carefully "It's a lovely night out there and the moon is full"

Cill stood up a little unsteadily and moved with him towards the door, there was a moment of confusion where her wings presented a problem in getting out but he tucked them up carefully and led her into the warm night air.

Cill inhaled deeply and felt marvelous. She didn't know why she felt so light headed and relaxed but it wasn't hurting her and she had her mate here to care for her too. She grabbed James and held him against her purring as her tongue slathered his face much to the amusement of several mess-goers as they passed by.

James was getting worried, how was going to get her home in this state? Cill looked up at the full moon and murred louder "Look, its sooooo bright. I loooove flying on bright nights" James tried not to panic, the vision of a drunken dragon trying to fly filling his head with disastrous consequences.

"Lets go up here love" he murmured to her, leading her to the ramp that led to the inner wall of the keep "we can look over the forest from up here" Talons clicking on the flagstones as she lurched after her mate Cill was aware her head was spinning a little more than after the wine drink she had experienced but she felt secure and safe inside the keep, it was even better than a lair in some ways.

James led her up to the high battlements and leaned against her, stroking her neck "You shouldn't have drunk all that ale, love" he chuckled to her. Cill sat on her haunches and leaned heavily on him, teetering a little and threatening to fall over. "Mmm?"

Cill felt as if she was wrapped in a nice warm cloud with her mate snuggled against her side...something was missing though.

"Ruuuub myyy belly" she murmured to James who obliged cheerfully, his palms stroking over the smooth iridescent scales of her stomach. The moonlight reflecting off her was spectacular he had to admit as he admired her, his hands sliding up to tease the sensitive area beneath her breasts. He looked swiftly around the battlement and was gratified to see the entire area was deserted so he continued his tender caresses as Cill purred with quiet delight.

Lowering her head Cill nuzzled his cheek and lifting her chin he kissed her gently until they were sensuously sharing one another's tongues and pressing their bodies together.

Cill felt rising warmth in her loins and hissed in pleasure when her mates hand slid down her belly to stroke the puffy lips of her sex. James felt his hand grow wet and slippery as he ran it over the moist vent. "Do you want me inside you love?" he murmured to her, the scent of her arousing him and making his shaft strain in his breeches.

"Yessss" she hissed back eagerly, her paws roughly tugging on the clothing in the way of her goal. James helped her strip him off and soon he was lying naked in front of her, his clothing strewn beneath him to prevent the cold of the stones from distracting him from pleasing his mate.

Growling softly in anticipation and still feeling that wonderful sense of light-headedness Cill straddled him and slowly rocked her hips back and forth, savoring the sensations that his shaft sent shooting through her loins. Gripping the edge of the battlement with her paws she looked down at him, eyes slitted in pleasure and giving off little croons of delight with each movement.

James had the added thrill of risk as he thrust up inside her powerfully, hearing her grunt in appreciation as he strove to please her. He knew that while they couldn't be seen surely someone would come to investigate the strange noises and perhaps interfere.

Putting those thoughts out of his head he started to move in a slow rhythm with Cill. Their hips met in a soft collision as they both lost themselves in the moment and moved together in heavy passion. Cill's tail swept slowly from side to side and her talons dug into the stones of the wall as she felt James grind against her lips, his hands reaching up to tweak her proud nipples teasingly. The dragoness shivered deliciously through a small climax that soaked her lover's loins in warm fluids, once more marking him with her scent and wafting it on the breeze over the forest.

Try though they might to keep control and draw out the pleasure the pair soon found themselves panting and coupling with all their strength. Their eyes locked on one another as they both strove for release. Cill felt the building of her climax start in her loins and slowly work its way up her spine until she could contain it no longer. Spreading her wings wide and lifting her head to the sky she let out a powerful roar of satisfaction and a long billowing flame that lit the keep and forest for miles around.

Inside the keep terrified heads turned as one to the battlement where the moonlit silhouette of a proud dragoness with her quivering wings outstretched and jaws wide open and triumphant could clearly be seen along with the dwindling smoke from her proclamation of fire.

James couldn't help but hold on to her and shudder through his own release as Cill proclaimed the Keep as her own, the home of her mate and their offspring to the forest.

The roar rolled through hidden dells and holes, badgers dug frantically into their setts and foxes trembled in their dens. Other ears perked up at the knowledge that a friendly dragon and her mate had arrived and claimed a territory. The secretive forest population of fairies, sprites and several gryphons looked at one another and grinned.