FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Scales and Honor: City of Light

Chapter 20: Sins of a Father

Arcturus opened his eyes softly with a pleasured sigh. The warmth of his dragon still pressed against him was soothing to his very core. Veledar currently had a forepaw wrapped around him, holding him firmly to his scaled chest.

_ Wait a minute...I'm naked?_

His eyes widened as he remembered the pleasure filled evening he had with Veledar. I sucked his cock...and swallowed his cum... He sighed, remembering the dragon had made out with him. Than he mounted me. He shivered slightly fondling thinking of the pleasurable thrusts, the moans, groans, and gasps they both had cried out. He pictured the dragon's maleness spreading him open, and how he had cried out his name for him. Arcturus felt blood rush to his cheeks at the memory, as he fondly caressed Veledar's scaly limb. Tracing around the pebbled scales, and working his was to the dragon's paw. The Knot. He remembered the hard ball of flesh that Veledar had forced into him. How it had swollen inside him and locked them together in a mind shattering pleasure filled embrace as the dragon unleashed his essence. He looked down to take a peak at the dragon's tanned slit.

He pictured the mighty ridged and knotted spear that was still held within it's confines. I did not even know they had knots. He winced as he remembered the forceful intrusion again. But it felt soooooo good afterwords. The thought sort of shocked him. Months ago he would have never imagined being tied to a dragon by his cock, and that feeling Veledar's pleasurable bursts of cum within him would feel so good. So right. He raised his hand to instead trace the crimson scales of the still sleeping dragon's neck. The dragon just gave out a rumbled mumble, kicking his left leg softly and pulling Arcturus tighter against him.

Arcturus gave a sigh, content to just remain within his dragon's grip. To close his eyes and melt within the warmth and listen to the steady rhythm of his heart. I could stay like this with him forever. That's when his stomach offered a counter proposal with a groan. Then it felt like a pack of ravenous wolves were tearing at his insides. Damn't to the nine hells. He opened his eyes with a scowl. All he wanted to do was cuddle with the dragon who had proclaimed his love for him, and now held him in his warm embrace. Is that too hard to ask? He clutched at his stomach as the pain returned, like a knife to the gut this time. Damn't I guess all the rutting we did really worked up an appetite. He yawned, and slid himself out of the dragon's grip with a begrudged sigh.

He shivered in the frigid morning air. He glanced back to the magnificent dragon still sleeping in his bed, and fought the urge to leap back into his paws. Press himself against those scales, and loose himself to the oven that was Veledar. The thought occurred he could even wake up the dragon.

_ He will probably even mount you again._ His brain whispered to him, Wouldn't that be fun? He wrinkled his nose, as despite how fun that would be it would not solve the hunger eating away at him. You could pleasure him with your mouth. And at the size he is at, it would be a good source of protein. Arcturus shook his head, fighting off the shiver and NEED to tend to his dragon. However with the next shake of his head his gaze fell to the creatures slit. The soft scales outlining it's entrance. He thought about how warm it had felt, and wet to plunge his hand into it.

“Grah.." He grit his teeth, fighting the urge to crawl to Veledar and worship him like the beautiful dragon that he was, and show him how much he cared for him. He was just about to with his next step when his stomach rumbled again, and a sharp stabbing pain pulled him back to his non lust filled senses.

Thank the gods.

He hastily donned his clothes, trying to avert his gaze from the dragon. He feared if he lingered upon his form, he might not be able to fight the absolute NEED to please him. He fastened his belt around his waist and wondered if this had not been the dragon's plan the entire time.

“Ah..." He gasped out, grabbing his rear-end. It ached with a dull pain, another reminder of the nights activities. Oh but what fun it was. He sighed, stretching out his limbs one by one. Then cracking his back. He let out another yawn, throwing on boots and fastening the buckles. Without another thought he padded over to the door, and opened the it with tender care. He let out a sigh as it did not creak or do anything to wake his sleeping friend. He dared a look at Veledar, sprawled out on his bed. There still was a satisfied look on his snout. Like even in his sleep he was proud that he had claimed Arcturus as his own. Umraadi. Arcturus thought to what the dragon had said. He was not sure what it had meant but it had obviously held great importance to him.

Arcturus carried himself down the hall, adjusting himself as he rubbed his sore backside again. Maybe the pantries still have dried food in them. He narrowed his eyes, remembering the food Veledar had returned. If he had only asked for baskets or something. We could have carried home some the damned stuff home. That thought brought back the wolves, and he hobbled over, grabbing at the invisible pain. He let out a groan as he continued down the hall, lit by the morning light that was sneaking it's way in from the window down the way. Arcturus blinked his eyes and shielded them from the fierce gaze of the sun.

_ Why did they even put that window there?_ He thought struggling to walk straight. He had to admit it was rather hard to do so with the aching reminder of the dragon's cock. It is not every day you take a dragon's spear after all....and his knot....and several blasts of his cum.. '

He finally reached the squeaky stairs after several blinding moments courtesy of the sun's rays. If I still lived here. I would have boarded up the damned thing by now. He let out a groan, and rubbed the green afterimage from his vision. His mind spiraled around the nights activities as he once more held the railing on the stairs. He carefully placed one boot down after the other, the stair letting out a loud squeak as he did so. He remembered the fuss his nanny had made as she had held him tightly within her feathers.

“Get those damned stairs fixed!" She had cursed. “Or put a cushion at the bloody bottom!"

But they never did of course. His father was always too busy drilling how to kill dragons into his head, or heading off to go slay them on his own. Arcturus scowled as his thoughts lingered on the man longer than he would have liked. He hated being alone for months at a time. The only comfort were his friends, the nanny, and the books of dragons that had kept him company. His father had always excused himself, by saying it was far too dangerous for a young lad like himself. The man would than ruffle Arcturus' hair and tell him he would join him when he was old and ready.

From those thoughts they shifted to the rain, his wet clothes, the tender embrace of his dragon, the twitching sensation as he dragged his tongue across his bare chest. He fondly recalled each of those memories from the night before, they were oh so vivid in his mind.

Than I proclaimed my love for him.

Arcturus stopped dead in the hallway at that detail. He leaned up against one of the walls, holding himself with his hands. My gods...I told him I loved him with all my being.....Why did I say that? He tried to pull the answer from his mind, some excuse to come up with to avoid the feelings within his heart and soul.

_ It was so easy last night with my world falling around me..._ Arcturus glanced up towards the stone ceiling. Trying to imagine the dragon still asleep on his bed. The rise and fall of his chest making the bed groan under his weight. With my world falling..you were the one to catch me dearest Veledar.. He let out a sigh and continued his walk. But I have only known you for a few months. He placed a hand to his forehead, slightly covering part of his hair. I can understand having feeling for the dragon,and gods I can certainly understand being sexually attracted to the handsome bastard...But love? Enough so to dedicate my entire life to him? He let out a deep breath, running his hands through his hair.

But here I am...Declaring my love to the dragon who mated me...passionately...Like I was the love of his ever long life. Arcturus pictured the dragon embracing him again. The loving feeling he had when wrapped up within his paws. The delightful feeling of his breath on his neck, or face. It simply felt so right to be there, to hold him, and to kiss him. Veledar simply made him feel complete, he filled that void that had been ever present within his heart all this time. Why was this happening all so fast? I never fell this fast for anyone..not even...Selina... The thought scared him and made his hairs stand on end. He pushed open the door to the kitchen to find Lyndis, who was waiting with a smile sitting in one of the many comfortable chairs with earth brown cushions. She had her elbows propped up on the large oaken thing that was littered with polished scratches from the years it had served his family.

“Why hello there." She said, throwing him a large grin that stretched from ear to pointed ear. “Dragon rider... Did you happen to have any...fun last night?" She raised an eyebrow, and tilted her head slightly to the side.

“How did you know?" he asked quickly, taking a seat beside her. His eyes falling to Feku who happened to have found what looked like flour for pancakes.

“Hard not to know when you walk by and.....Hear a certain dragon roar intermixed with a certain paladin's cry of pleasure."

“Oh." Arcturus blushed, the embarrassment filling him. I thought everyone was asleep!

“It's fine Arcturus!" she laughed, clasping a hand to his shoulder. “Just next time tell your boyfriend..mate.." She wrinkled her nose. “Whatever dragon's call what you have..to keep it down." Lyndis chuckled. “Don't need him roaring each time in victory when he seeds you." She picked up a off-white mug of steaming coffee and took a quick sip. “Even if it is exciting for ya."

“Right.." He turned to Feku, who was busy whisking a metallic pot full of batter. Her snout was filled with determination, and covered in a thin dust of her work. “Feku...where did you get the food?"

Arcturus let out another large yawn, interrupting what he had said to his irritation. So he had to repeat himself to the kolbold who turned and gave him a curious look. Anything he told himself to keep from thinking of Veledar's apparent conquest of him.

“Miss Shandalar summoned up some flour for us." Feku smiled, her scales fading to a dull mossy green before his eyes. “So since everyone had a down in graveyard kind of day...I make pancakes!" She cheerfully pulled out the spoon, accidentally spilling some of the batter onto the floor with a soft plop. “Oops." she bend over with a rag to pick up the mess, her tail swishing back and forth as she worked.

“Nice topic change their Arcturus." Lyndis chuckled, placing her mug down onto the table with a dull thud. “So..." she put her hand to her chin. Her eyes widened to the size of saucer plates, “What did the dragon's cock look like?"

“Excuse me?" Arcturus gasped, nearly falling out of his chair in her forwardness. Thankfully Feku came over to distract him by placing a mug of coffee on the table for him. He thanked her with a quick word. Avoiding Lyndis question like he would a sword attack. He took a sip of the steaming brown liquid. He found it was just what his tired mind needed.

“Your stalling." Lyndis added with a grin, crossing her arms. “I'm not focking making fun of you Arcturus...Gods I've been wondering when you two were going to have a go at each other.. I just want to know....you know...Cordenth..." she stammered.

“What are ya talkin bout that has Lyndis here in such a twist?" Merlia laughed, opening the door. She walked in to join them at the table wearing dark red pajamas, supported by Krotos.

“I would like to know as well." the gryphon gave a mischievous smirk with his beak. “And of course why Arcturus' face is red as Crimson Sky's backside...of course..."

“Listen...I just don't want to go talking about what may or may not have happened..."

“You mated with Veledar?" Krotos propped Merlia up into a chair with a soft shove of his talons. He curled his neck around her to toss Arcturus a sly grin. “Cause you smell like him."

“Uh.."

“Finally!" The gryphon laughed. “So what did it look like?"

“Why is that everyone's first question?" Arcturus laughed loudly, “Not how am I doing , but what his bloody cock looked like?" Arcturus gestured to the door. “Why not go ask him? I am sure he would be glad to show it off to you, and bask in your admiration.

“H-he would?" Feku suddenly asked, her scales shifting a royal purple as she started to spread the batter into a pan. “I'll have to keep that in mind." she growled in the back of her throat.

Arcturus shook his head, taking another sip of coffee as his friends just stared at him with amused looks. “What?" he finally asked, setting his mug down once again.

“Well...you didn't tell us!" Lyndis laughed, followed by a chorus of the others adding. “Tell us!"

“Fine." he groaned to their collective cheers. “It was dark pink, had ridges that lined it, and it's head was tapered and spurted out lubricant okay?"

“How did he..." Krotos pointed a talon to Arcturus bottom. “Cause I'm no expert but I imagine hes..." Krotos shivered his feathers slightly. “Well endowed for a dragon.."

“Hah!" Merlia slapped the gryphon on his flank. “Ya jealous Krotos!" Ya got a ting for dragons do ya?"

Krotos just sat in silence clacking his beak as Merlia continued to laugh.

“To answer your question..He could have used a spell to make it fit..but he instead shrunk down until he could instead...He wanted it to feel more...natural." He thought back to how his entire body had wrapped around Veledar's rock hard organ. He shivered slightly, than groaned as the thought made his backside ache again.

They joked and laughed about dragon mating for the next ten minutes. The topic it seemed, acted like a perfect distraction from yesterdays somber tone. He told them with excitement at the trip he and Veledar had taken. He told them every detail, minus the sexy bits of course.

“Ya went fancy on a date wit him?" Merlia laughed crossing her arms. “An ya didn even tink ta bring us." She held up her hand before he could offer a reply. “I know Krotos and I were busy but..ya coulda gotten us."

“You were busy too?" Lyndis laughed, “Why am I not surprised?"

“Ya shouldn't at dis point lass. Sex can be quite the comforting ting." She stroked under Krotos beak, causing he gryphon to close his eyes and lean into her with a soft chirp. “And Krotos and I needed some comfortin in each other....Didn we?"

“And on.." Krotos nodded his with his eyes still closed.

Arcturus laughed as Lyndis gurgled into her mug, until Feku came over to the table with a giant plate piled high with pancakes. She had made enough it seemed for everyone.

“Breakfast is Readying!" Feku cried out with a smile. She stood proudly with her chest pushed out, her tail brushing the floor, as she tapped her claws together expectantly. “Well...be digging in!"

Arcturus along with everyone else scrambled to gather the pancakes to their plates, not wanting to disappoint the kolbold's sweet look she was giving them. They grabbed up some forks she had brought over and started wolfing the food down. Arcturus shrugged internally. They were not the best food he had over the past few weeks, but they did do the job of curing him of his pained hunger. He gazed up at the ceiling of his home, wishing he had some more of the Emerald ladies food, or perhaps Mary's. He wrinkled his brow, shook his head, and decided to break that thought by focusing on his friends instead.

“So...tell me about last night." Merlia smiled, her voice suddenly turning sweet. “Did ya gaze inta each others eyes, whisperin sweet nothings as ya stroked his twithin frills?" She placed her chin into her hands and gave a pleased sigh as if she were imagining it right before her eyes. “Or did he play wit yer hair and tell ya how beautiful ya were, while he wrapped ya both wit his wings?"

“N-" He tried to reply.

“How about cuddlin, did ya snuggle inta da wee hours? Enjoyin each oters company?"

_ Well._

“Ah....I so love dem love stories." She turned to the others with a wink. “I set dese two love dragons up ya know." She gave Krotos a frown as the gryphon seemed to be silently laughing out of breath at the dwarves display.

“Oh wuts funny ya blue birdy? Ya tink it's funny I like romance?"

“I...honestly did not expect it from you." Lyndis replied before Krotos could utter a word.

“What...she said!" The gryphon gasped, finding his voice and pointing to the half-elf.

“Well I tink its awfully pretty dat they be lovin each oter." She crossed her arms and returned her gaze to Arcturus with a grin. “So whens da weddin?"

“The what?" Arcturus nearly did a double take, spitting out some of the coffee he had just taken another sip of at clearly the wrong moment.

“Ya heard wut I said. I asked wen da weddin be!" She thumbed back towards the blue gryphon. “I assume Krotos here be da best man?"

Arcturus gaze fell to the gryphon in question. Krotos had swelled out his chest puffing his feathers out, and extending his crown ones.

“I would naturally be a great choice." He let out a pleased chirp. “My plumage is quite fetching."

“See?" Merlia laughed. “And hes up for it ta boot!...I can see it now." She sighed, staring off as if in deep thought.

“Well Merlia we are not..." Arcturus' thoughts went to Veledar's forceful thrust into him, the knot swelling up inside of him and locking them together with pure nerve shattering bliss. He recalled the word Umraadi again that Veledar had said to him. He almost could feel the dragon's paws holding him tightly against him as he sighed in his ear, calling him his mate.

“Uh-uh" The dwarf held up her hands, “Dun ruin it fer me. I can picture it now." She gestured to Arcturus with a wave of her palm. “You all dressed up in a fancy suit, with a red shirt...for Veledar o course." She pointed up towards the ceiling, “That dragon o yers, scales all polished so that they glitter in da sun. His tail swishin from side ta side, as ya speak softly ta one another, and gaze inta each oters eyes fondly." She smiled, sighing again. “Than he moves in and you whisper such fond words inta each oters ears. Such tender and loving words that ya cant help but kiss each oter wit tears in yer eyes...YOU TWO ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER!" Merlia nudged him, “Ya can tank me o course."

“Thank you Merlia than..For introducing me to my apparent soul mate." he laughed softly, causing her to chuckle ever the harder.

“Than ya go back ta ya room, cave, or whatever..and ya..." She winked, “Go at it until ya both are exhausted."

“Now wouldn tha' be a sight ta see." Krotos squawked with a clack of his beak, settling his wings."

Arcturus felt himself go red again as he mind drifted back to Veledar's, grunts, and moans as the thrust himself to the hilt within him. How the dragon's cock had stretched him so wonderfully, as he breathed into his ear. His body shivered and he clenched his rear end out of instinct, as if it were trying to milk the dragon's phantom cock. Part of him wanted to keep practicing with an ever larger Veledar. Maybe you would be able to take his full form without too much magical support. He looked up at the ceiling, trying to picture Veledar again. How he wanted to run upstairs at this moment and throw himself at the dragon, coax him once again into arousal, and show the dragon what he deserved.

_ Ahh._

Arcturus shook his head, trying to clear his mind of being bred by the strong and dominant dragon sleeping upstairs. Thankfully Krotos was his savior as the gryphon started talking about his kind's mating rituals.

“And that's when the mating couple going at it enters a dive bomb. We spiral around locked with one another in pleased cries, and chirps.

“That must be terrifying!" Lyndis gasped, “That doesn't sound too arousing in the slightest!"

“Hah." Merlia shoved Krotos slightly with an amused grin. “Neva heard of it, but it sounds interestin."

“It works better if both parties have wings." Krotos than ruffled his feathers, and clacked his beak together trying to get some syrup that had clung to it. “AHH!" he angrily squawked. He clawed at his beak with a talon until Merlia grabbed his head.

“Stop yer fussin, yer startin ta sound like da red scaled baby!" She laughed, wiping his beak gently with a hankerchief. “Dere. Good as new." She placed her hand to her hip, and smirked. “What would ya do witout me?"

“Probably be somewhere with a sticky beak."

“Is dat from the syrup or da dragon?" She bursted out, as the gryphon and her laughed loudly together.

“Well I can certainly see how things will be while we are together." Shandalar strode in, standing up straight with a stern face. “You all sitting around talking about fornication and genitalia while some of us do the hard work around here." She walked over to the table, picked up a plate, and piled some pancakes onto it.

“Would ya look at dat. I didn tink a cold breeze could sweep in 'ere, but it did." Merlia scowled, as everyone else quieted down, and went back to eating their pancakes. “Way ta ruin da good cheer Shandalar."

“Good cheer, wont help me decipher those papers upstairs. However do not fret too much Merlia. You will not find me down here often." She tapped the side of her head three times with one of her fingers, “Some of us have actual work that needs to be done." She held up her hand, thanked Feku, and exited the room without a word.

Merlia just stared at the kitchen door, as if Shandalar would suddenly come back and chastise them for something else. “Doin notin she says. Who does dat stuck up, pointy haired, finger twirlin, dress wearin ninny, tink she is?" Merlia stood up, shoving her chair against the table with a loud audible scrape. “Thank ya Feku for da meal. I tink I best be getting back ta work." She turned to the blue gryphon who was licking his plate with long strokes of his pink tongue.

“Krotos want ta come wit me?"

“I thought we already that this morning?" The gryphon tilted his beak to the side with a grin, clacking his beak together. “Awk Awk Awk."

“Not dat ya horny bird. Dere be plenty of time ta be humpin later." She waved for him to follow as she strolled to the door. “Best we get ta checkin da area, make sure dey not be followin miss twiddle fingers bad mood."She turned to Arcturus, thrusting a finger at him accusingly. “Annnd... make sure dis ones little date wit da dragon didn bring us unwanted attention."

Arcturus sighed, he had managed to push that little complication out of his mind last night. All that had been on his mind was the terror of last night, and having a wonderful time with that sleeping dragon upstairs. He hated to admit it though, Merlia had a point. He and Veledar were reckless. The dragon that I told I confessed my love for. The thought was still strange to him, as Merlia grabbed Krotos by his ear gently and dragged him out of the kitchen with a chirp of surprise.

“Getting rough are we?" The gryphon smirked.

“Come on ya handsome ting...We got work ta do!"

“Have fun you two!" Lyndis laughed, calling out to them with a wave of her hand.

Feku sat down across from them. Setting her plate onto the table with a soft noise. “Mmmmmm" the little kobold beamed, her tail swishing back and forth behind her as she took a bite. “I LOVE pancakes!" She exclaimed after swallowing the fluffy mouthful.

“Wait, tell me you've had these before?" Arcturus raised an eyebrow. “I was almost certain you had them."

“We had them at table....But I did not try!" She replied, practically inhaling the next pancake in a single bite.

“So if Merlia and Krotos are out scouting, what does that leave us to do?" Lyndis sighed, placing her hands and crossed arms onto the table. “Shandalar is even too busy to identify the rings and such."

“We could always train to better improve ourselves." He shrugged.

“Don't go turning into her as well." She smirked standing up with a sigh. “I am going to explore this place." She thumbed her chest, “Figure I do something while the elf looks up what the next step is." She looked down to the pancakes. “Maybe go this tavern of yours, and buy us some proper food to eat. Ya know, get some really good for you to cook." She gestured to Feku who had started to look offended.

“That would be wonderful!" Feku exclaimed between mouths of food... “Summoned ingredients good...Real ingredients best thing!"

“I can certainly look forward to that." Arcturus chuckled. “And if your going to the Hummingbird Tavern, just say Arcturus sent ya. I am sure he will give you a fair price for the food." He than quickly told her directions how to get there from the house. With a wave he exited the kitchen with a smile.

He strolled out the doors to the outside, letting the cool morning air wrap around him. He sighed continuing through the vibrant green grass, covered in glistening morning dew that twinkled in the sun's early rays. In the distance he could make out the rolling hills that he played in as a boy, of viridian green with dots of purple, and orange. He remembered picking flowers for a young girl once there when he was twelve. From the multicolored hills they turned into a forest of tall trees that were at least three times the size of Veledar in height. They were had started to develop a myriad of colors along the edges of their leaves. It had looked like a painter had started to dot the sea of greens with dashes of crimson, orange, golds, and every other color. It was this sight alone that filled him with memories of why he love the months in autumn, or at least the beginning of it anyway.

He let out a sigh as he remembered his mothers looks of happiness when they had gazed out from the house together. He could not remember her voice anymore, but he could recall the words. She had loved this time of year as well, and was always happy to share it with him. He tore his eyes away from the trees and the memory to the looming mountain past the forest. Like a giant guardian it gazed down on them from afar. The dull grey of it's surface broken up by cracks of green, browns, and other various earth colors. Near the top he could even make out a thin layer of bright white, like it had been dipped in the flour Feku had been working with.

He shook his head and made his way to Asterion, who was kneeling down on a brown mat with his eyes closed. The breeze made the bull's hair and beard dance in it's caress, and the ever soft flicking of his tail made the fierce warrior look truly at peace. Arcturus shivered as the breeze rustled his clothing, and once again he cursed himself for not grabbing his gambeson, cloak, or tabard to keep him warmer. He clutched at his side and chattered his teeth, as he picked up the pace to his companion.

“Good morning battle brother Arcturus." The bull said suddenly, his voice gruff like normal but a grin had found it's way to his muzzle.

“Battle brother?" He replied, coming to a stop. “That's a new title you have decided to give me. Why is that?" He went to reach for his sword to start his morning ritual but instead of the hilt of it's hilt his hands grasped air. Right...the sword is still in the den. He narrowed his eyes and entered the stances, instead lashing out with his limbs instead of the sword. He thought to Bahamat as he recalled the key phrases within his spellbook that he had committed to memory.

“Yes, you have been for several days now, but last night finally locked it in." The bull sat up straight. “You defeated a mighty foe with your dragon by your side. I am most impressed."

“Is that so?" he struck at the air like it was a villain most vile, trying to forget the pain that once again returned to remind him of his dragon's maleness.

“Yes, Indeed. Your ability to call upon such strength to defend your mate is a good trait."

“It was the magical band that allowed me to do it." He said, remembering slicing through the metal monsters neck."

“No..the ability to stand back up. You showed true determination." He opened his eyes. “That is why I do not mind fraternization between fellow warriors." His tail swished softly behind him, as he sighed. Like he was trying to remember better times, of battles long since passed. “Some even fancied bulls over cows of course."

_ Does everyone know Veledar bred me?_ “Did you hear the dragon's roar as well?" He turned his head with his motions to look to the amused cleric.

“So he roared when he filled your backside with his seed did he?" Asterion's smirk only grew larger. “I did not know that..Although you must have had great stamina to take him...or a spell was involved..."

“Well how did you know he mated me last night then?"

“Well.." He laughed heartily, his chest raising and falling. “I am not blind Arcturus, I can see that you two were not exactly subtle in showing your affections." Asterion held up his hand, stifling his laughter. “I don't disapprove of your affections, they once again proved quite useful when the dragon came to our aide, than you to his. But even if I did not know this. The way you look at each other, the way he shows off to you, and.." Asterion pointed to Arcturus's legs. “The way you have been walking reminds me of some of the cows I bred." He chuckled, “They walked with the same limp, and complained about the soreness they got from stretching.

OH. Arcturus felt his blood go warm, and his cheeks redden. He had not thought it was that noticeable. He focused on trying to move normally, now that it had been drawn to his attention. He winced as the dull pain in his ass returned.

“Sore?" Asterion asked, “I can offer you a remedy if you would like to remove the pain. It involves just gathering some plants I noticed around the place." he laughed in his throat. “It's almost as if someone planned on this."

“No..No.." Arcturus struck out with his hand once again. He imagined that if he had his sword their would have been a loud swoosh in the air. He instead felt a tad silly.

“Ah I see. Getting used to the pain? I approve. Better get used to it after all. Especially if you are going to be doing it again."

“And how do you...know that?" He spun to his left, kicked, and pretended to lash out with his invisible sword.

“Trust me Arcturus, after I had a good romp with a cow. I always wanted more, and I can see it in your eyes." He stood up, thumping his chest. “Do not be ashamed...you loved it. Embrace the joy of life." The bull's eyes fell to the kitchen, and Arcturus saw them narrow. His grin, smile, and any sense of happiness seemed to wash away until the stern faced Asterion was before him once again. “I guess I should go see what the kobold has prepared for breakfast. She tried oh so desperately to get me to stay there and wait." He sighed, his shoulder slumping.

“She was cooking pancakes with syrup..Not exactly a warriors meal....." He said, concern for the bull growing.

“Nonsense, if it takes care of the need of hunger it is a warriors meal. Although while we are here I should perhaps find something else. It would be tiresome to eat the same thing over and over again."

“Well go ask Lyndis. She said she wanted to head out to a tavern and purchase some provisions that they had." Arcturus thought to Harold, and how he would most likely be out of any food after his friends were done buying the place. He laughed internally at the thought of Lyndis just purchasing the inn from him. His mind returned to the stern face of the bull, which had not changed in the slightest. Arcturus even got the impression he was struggling with some sort of dilemma that was boiling near the surface of his mind. “Asterion are you okay?"

“Fine.." Asterion packed up his cloth with a brief swish of his tail. “I will take care of it on my own." He stood up and clamped a hand onto Arcturus' shoulder firmly. “Thank you for the concern battle brother." He turned back towards the kitchen. “Now I might take the half-elf on that mission of hers. Now if you excuse me, I have a meal to go vanquish." With a quick wave, the bull trotted across the field of green and into the kitchen. “So I heard you had pancakes?" He said loudly, his voice carrying all the way to Arcturus.

Arcturus smiled with his next few movements. He thought how the gruff Asterion was starting to grow on them. He thought perhaps the bull would even get Veledar's name from the dragon some day. He frowned when he remembered the dragon's words on the boat.

_ If he decides to stay with us anyway._

With his next movement, his mind was filled with Veledar's cerulean eyes sparkling like sapphires in the light as they stared at him. Course he will...I just have to ask for his help... His thoughts drifted again to the moans, the gasps, and thrusts as Veledar knotted him. He felt his blood start to quicken, as each thrust was reenacted in his mind. He even felt small tingles radiate into his fingers, as he could almost feel each smack against his backside, every pleasured gasp, and feel the dragon's sensual licks on his neck.

“I love you Veledar." The words came easy again as he looked to the sky, He knew he cared about the dragon deeply, But love him? It was practically almost two months he had spent with the dragon, obviously not long enough to learn about the older dragon and fall head over heels. Right? His next strike into the air he stopped dead in his tracks, as he imagined the dragon's warmth, and how he felt with him right there. How comforting it was, and how with his wings around him it made all the troubles of the world fade away into nothing. Like as long as he was with this dragon, nothing else mattered. His world could very well be burning around him,and as long as he had Veledar, it felt like things were going to be okay.

“But here I am." He said. “Thoughts swirling around over you." He thought back to how fast everything had occurred, and a slight tinge of guilt that it had not been this fast with his wife. However with a quick shake of his head and remembering her helping him to the deck of the ship. He knew it was an illusion produced by his injured mind, but...He could not help feel she would have given him the approval to love the dragon.

“I just want you to be happy my love." she would have said, caressing his cheek softly. Her eyes starting to mist. “No matter what, I want your days to be filled with happiness. Do not let the darkness take your light from this world...Do not let that dragon take you like he took us."

He would have held her back, tears in his eyes. Brushing away her hair, and kissing her one last time. With a quick thank you escaping his lips, and a great hug that would have threatened to crush her.

Arcturus sighed, Damn Veledar...what have you done to me. He chuckled into his own head. He looked up to his estate, picturing the dragon's scales that ran along his body as they shimmered in the light. His muscles rippling as he held him tight. He imagined his warm breath on his chest as he nuzzled him. The love from his heart leaking into him, and making him collapse onto him with a pleasured sigh. Everything about you is intoxicating my dearest dragon...Maybe you did in fact cast a spell on me.

He shook his head at that thought. Nonsense that idea is stupid. Just like the first time it popped into my head...Course...maybe he is doing it subconsciously and he cant help it?...Would it be wrong if that was the case? Arcturus thought to their passionate mating once more, the night of fun, the laughter they had shared, and the pleasure they had embraced. “No...No it's real.."

“ACK!" He shouted out, clutching his chest as it felt like he had just been stabbed. His breath quickened as he collapsed to his knees, ignoring the wetness from the dew. He clenched his eyes tight as he released a hiss of pain. “Grrrrrtt.." The pain only lasted for a few more moments, but it still left him there holding his shirt tight within his grip, and gasping on the cold air.

What in the nine hells was that?

He stood up slowly, his body shaking all over. He rubbed his chest as the pain dully pulsed from his heart again. His eyes widened in grim realization of what that had felt like. It had felt like all the times that he had experienced Veledar's emotions. “Veledar!" he gasped out, picturing his dragon in pain. He sprinted across the field, his head full of worry. Picturing numerous scenes of the dragon somehow injured within the estate. He only stopped dead when he felt a rising anger in his chest. Burning, like a volcano within him, threatening to explode. He had never felt this before, he wanted to just throw his head up to the sky and scream a roar of fury. He lifted his shaking hands to his eyes, and formed them into fists. It was like he wanted to punch the first person he saw, even if they had done him no harm whatsoever. Veledar...whats...

Glass shattered above him, followed by a mighty roar from the dragon he loved. He looked up to see Veledar had bounded out the window, and changing his size mid wing flap to his true size. He swung around in the air, his tail thrashing out.

“Arcturus!" The dragon bellowed in a thunderous anger filled fury that seemed to shake the very ground. His blue eyes locked onto him as the dragon back-winged, scattering up any loose dirt and throwing it to the ground. Wind battered the human, thrashing his clothes in their fury. The dragon than puffed out his chest, breathing heavily, as he looked to him with eyes of anger, pain, and loss.

*

Early that morning Veledar gave a great tongue curling yawn as he stretched out onto the bed of his human. He wiggled his body as it's softness, making a mental note to get something like this for his lair. He opened his eyes to gaze at the ceiling while he flicked his frilled tail against the floor. It will have to be bigger of course. So I can fit all of me. He stretched each of his limbs towards the sky, throwing his neck down on the soft bed and working out the kink in his neck. The thought occurred to him how lucky he was that there was little furniture in this room. For he was sure that he would have knocked over some of it at least. He gave a slight groan from the morning sun steaming in through the windows to make his scales shine. He slumped back into the bed, wiggling once more in the warmth. He let out a sigh, wondering if he could just sleep here the entire day basking in the warmth of the sun. I could certainly try. After all a dragon that has lost a most treasured possession should be able to do whatever he desires to get his mind off of it. He arched his neck up to gaze around the room, frowning as he realized his paladin was gone. He chuckled in the back of his throat as he thought back to the last night. He really is my paladin now.

Veledar pushed himself over, and then onto his fours. He pleasantly thought to mating Arcturus, and how the human had felt so tight, delighting in the human's moans and squirms as he penetrated him so thoroughly. He kneaded the bed, wishing the human was there right now to be caught in his embrace. He sighed and pulled himself off of the bed, letting his tail thump to the floor. He unfolded,and refolded his glorious wings against his back. He smiled to himself as he scratched his head with a talon. I even knotted him. The memory surfaced of the forceful thrusts that had done the deed, and the roar as he finally claimed Arcturus as his mate. He stopped suddenly, that had surprised him. The knot is reserved for ones mate. He told himself as he arched his back like a cat as he continued his stretching.

_ And I tied him with it._

He snorted, remembering how they had declared their love for one another. He grinned as his heart felt warm from the memory. Oh Arcturus how you have won this dragon's heart....If there was anyone deserving of me....it is you. He growled in the back of his throat lustfully as he pictured himself hilting his cock in the human once more. All of me. He padded his way towards the door, his tail swishing and dragging across the floor boards with a small scrape. He chuckled as he remembered the previous nights activities. The drinks, the sexual encounters, it was like they had been on one of those date things he had read about in his stories. He opened the door, ducking his head and strolling out into the hallway with a large smile on his snout.

His smile faded as he looked left, than jerked his head to the right. Each way looked similar enough to the dragon that he realized he had no idea how to get back downstairs. Manticore's bottom. The dragon let out loud groan as his frills drooped. He sniffed the air taking in the stale scent , trying to find his human's scent. His frown only deepened as he smelled himself going off in both directions. Right...he smells like me now. That brought a smile back to his face as he loved the image of Arcturus covered in his white gold, and than licking it off of him with his tongue to the human's moans of approval.

He turned his head back to inspect each way before him. He thumped his tail against the floor with a dull thump in irritation. Well anyway is as good as any. It's not like this place is gigantic. I will eventually find my way out. “Damn you for having a confusing house Arcturus." He hissed, than giving a grumpy. “Hmmpf." and a quick snort of air from his snout. He started along the left path, making sure to drag his tail frill along the wall, and knocking over every painting that was still hung on it. It was not many, but with each clattering of them on the floor was like music to him. He would smile each time like he had pulled some great prank. He swished his tail happily from side to side as he continued his strut through the hallway.

_ Who would have thought Arcturus, that when you entered my cave we would end up caring for each other so?_ He remembered that it was not that long ago that they had fought one another, even if it was a tad unfair. His mind lingered on every stargazing they shared, cuddled up against one another so tightly, every side splitting laughter. How this one mortal could bring so much joy to his life he did not know.

_ He is my greatest treasure._ His eyes widened remembering his time with the Emerald Lady, and what she had said to him before they had left.

** “You will hold the greatest treasure you have ever known, but it will be torn from your claws."**

Hah! Arcturus torn from my claws?_He let out a loud audible chuckle into the still air. _I would like to see someone try to take Arcturus from me....my mate.. I'd rip them to pieces. He swelled up his chest as if someone was watching him, the scales on his chest clinking together. For I am Veledar, Crimson Sky the bold, savior of paladins, destroyer of metal monsters, conqueror of fiercest storms. His smirk grew larger with each title that he added onto his name. He had to remind Arcturus to write them all down somewhere. Hell I will have so many titles eventually that I, Veledar the great will be unable to remember them all. He imagined Arcturus holding a giant roll of manila parchment covered with ink with all the names he had accumulated over the years. It seemed to stretch on forever in his cave, the paper winding and twisting. He drummed his claws on the floor, swishing his tail as he rounded a corner to another corridor that looked exactly like the last one.

_ Great._

He paused to look out one of the many windows that lined this one. Well at least this one is different in that one regard. He thought back to when he followed Arcturus to the room, trying to recall if the path had this many windows. He snorted as he realized that his attention had been on the human the entire time, and had not taken in any of their surroundings. Manticore's bottom. He rolled his eyes in irritation at his apparent failing. Curse you Arcturus...and curse your wonderful kisses. He tapped his tail, smiling as he imagined himself snaking his tongue into Arcturus' mouth, threatening to plunge it into the human's throat. Thrusting up against his body, spreading the human on his cock as he gave a soft, but forceful hump into his body.

The dragon shook his head, trying to desperately fight off the mental image of him mating the human. I need to find my way downstairs..Not flag here in the hallway and be forced to relieve myself with my tongue. He stared out the window, tapping his claws again. I need to find Arcturus to do it instead. He snickered in glee. I could always just break one of these windows, and bound towards the ground. It would be sort of a justice for building such a confusing house dearest human. Veledar than rolled his eyes and sighed as he pictured the human glaring at him with wrinkled brow. Chastising him with a pointed finger. He figured Arcturus would not like him wrecking his nest. The paintings after all could simply be rehung on the wall, but broken glass could take a tad longer to fix.

Veledar returned his gaze out the window, looking to the vast skies that longed to pull him into their loving embrace. It was like an itch down his spine as he shook slightly, and he knew the only cure for it. It radiated to the rest of his limbs, down his scaly forelimb and resting in his paws. “Graah." he growled, turning away from the sky with a swish of his tail. How he wanted to leave this place. Not that it wasn't pleasurable. He would ever fondly remember this building as where he finally took Arcturus for his own, and they had declared their love for each other in their moment of passion. He sighed.

“Look at me. Actually liking this place built on the backs of dead dragons." he said aloud, smacking his tail in irritation on the floor. “You might be the only one in your family that was redeemable.....and not cause you love me." He thought to the glorious times the human had saved him. Each time he had been surprised by his bravery, touched by his fairness, and proud to call him a friend.

_ Mate now._

He could not help but grin at that fact. How he had with but a forceful thrust, tied them together. He practically bounced on his paws as he continued down the hallway. He could not wait to find his human, pull him close against him, and subject him to a round of nuzzles, licks, and hugs. Just like he deserves. He rounded the next corner, his tail swishing in happiness behind him and accidentally knocking over a vase that had been placed on a desk lining this hallway. It collided with the ground, shattering into hundreds of pieces with a loud crack.

_ Uhoh_

He glanced around quickly to make sure that no one had seen his clumsy blunder. He twitched his frills as he narrowed his eyes at the broken piece of art. Of course I find the ONE vase and break it. He looked to the many doors, almost expecting one of his companions to leap out with a smile on their faces and point out he could not go anywhere without breaking anything with his blasted tail. However it was clear after a short time that no one was coming. No one was going to know about this. Well no ones here.. He used his frilled tail to sweep the broken shards from the floor to under the desk that the vase had sat upon peacefully until Veledar introduced it to his tail.

_ There_

He snorted, grinning wide as there was now no sign of the broken shards anywhere in the main part of the hallway. He swelled his chest up with pride, as he looked around once more to find no one looking at him, gawking, or poking fun at his expense. No one will be the wiser. He returned to his walk, rounding the next corner with a proud strut. His claws clacked against the surface of the floor, echoing down the hallway.

_ Since Arcturus is my mate...does this make this place MINE?_

He tilted his head at the thought. With Arcturus being his treasure now, and treasure could certainly not have treasure of their own. Veledar grinned to himself. This place is MINE. He let out a loud chuckle from deep in his throat. “Grahahahah. I Veledar have bed the greatest dragon slaying families son. I than claimed his estate as my own!" That seemed about right, with Arcturus by his side he would rule this place. “Although I would have to change the hallways." He wrinkled his snout. Make each one unique..So I can actually find anything in this damned place. He stretched his wings out wide to fill the hallway as he let out another yawn. With a few snaps of his maw he refolded them against his back.

He gave a deep sigh. Despite that sounding appealing, he doubted he could just go back to lounging around while life moved around outside. He blamed his friends of course, especially Arcturus. For this accursed yearn for adventure. “I can see it now." He laughed, imagining Arcturus, Lyndis, Merlia, Asterion, and yes even Shandalar heading out to parts unknown. New things to see, treasure to find, the smiles they would share. Veledar gave a pleased trill at that thought. And every night I would have Arcturus with me.

_ “As long as I draw breath you will never be alone."_ The humans words sticking in his mind like the most strongest glue. It warmed his heart to the point he was afraid it would melt right out his chest. He gave one last pleased growl at the imaginary future he pictured for them. All the tales that would be told round the campfires, the titles he would no doubt earn, the people that would know of Veledar...Crimson Sky.

Although the pleasant future melted away and he remembered the night before. Not the pleasurable evening he spend with his paladin, but of what had transpired before hand. The ache of loss, the eyes of everyone looking so tired. He recalled seeing the look of vengeance stirring in Merlia, and Krotos. Than he remembered Gus and Veledar hung his head. That human had died never knowing his name. True he had not known the man for long, but he had found his company enjoyable, and that of his mate and offspring.

_ I would have liked to have known him longer._

Veledar snorted at the thought. He was certain given enough time he would have shared his name with the man. He mused at the thought that all the mortals he seemed to be meeting were worthy of learning his name. To think I once told Arcturus that dragon's only called other dragon's friends. He stopped mid stride for a moment, his tail swishing side to side.

_ I am with a pawful of mortals who look to me...not as a monster...but a treasure to behold...Even Asterion._ Veledar snorted. Is warming up to me. The dragon rose his head and swelled his chest once more, the scales quietly clinking together. It is only natural of course...I am their leader..and I am most beautiful..and a delight to the senses. His thoughts returned to the pleasant future, before narrowing and thinking of the more realistic one that was most likely to unfold.

He remembered Kroto's words as he spoke about avenging the man he had bonded with. He thought to Merlia's oath to see Ulga returned to her. Than his mind lingered on Arcturus, who had watched his friend melt before his eyes, than learned his nation was committing horrible crimes, a nation he had helped for a time.

_ He will probably see that it's his duty to put an end to them._

He snorted, knowing that there would be no adventure to be had, no tombs to explore, none of the other various things he had imagined in his bright future.

Just getting sucked into this war of mortal kind.

He bared his teeth as he paced back and forth, his tail scraping the walls gently with each turn of his body. And if Arcturus get involved....WHEN he gets involved he will need someone to watch that soft behind of his. Veledar stopped mid pace, picturing himself flying with Arcturus, shouting and cheering with glee into the sky. He smiled, Maybe there will be a different adventure, Maybe it would not be full of looting, tomb hunting, or even treasure gaining...But it could still have the smiles, pleasurable times, and his human right beside him to share it with. Veledar took a deep breath. “Yes...That would be grand.."

He took another deep breath as he continued on his way down the frustrating hallway. His nostrils twitched as the smell was different here than it had been in other places. It was an odd smell that made him stop mid stride, for he had never smelled this scent ever before. He sniffed a few more times,as curiosity swirled around in his mind at the possibilities of what it could be. It was a musky sort of smell that hung in the air, turning his attention to a partially opened door. He followed the smell and his instinct to it. The curiosity that was in his mind had spread to the rest of his body, and the need to open this door and see what was inside was undeniable,

What could you have in here?

He pushed the door open slowly with a forepaw. It creaked open as anticipation built within his scaled chest. Light from the hallway poured into the darkened room to reveal the dark red carpeted floor that looked like someone had spilled blood over it's surface. Bones hung from the ceiling by thin wires, seemingly hovering in the air with devious intent. Veledar felt a small tinge of ice fill him, followed by disgust. Those were dragon bones up there. With a snarl he stepped into this horrid room, his head turned to one of the walls. It was covered with numerous heads of dragons of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Their faces were staring at him with blank expressions, they reminded him for a moment of a wall of horrid puppets.

“Grrrrr." He growled out. He had known Arcturus belonged to a family of good for nothing dragon murders. He took pride that he had plucked his human away and allowed him to flourish and become something greater. But this. He lifted his maw to show his teeth to some phantom face. This is terrible. No dragon should be put on display like this....Like some trophy......Some mark of status. _ He gazed around at all the heads, anger swirling inside of him like a dull storm. _Was stealing our treasure and killing us not enough? He grabbed a female bronze dragon's head on the wall. Ripping it from it's wooden plaque and smashing it onto the floor, than tearing into the cursed thing . Each rip of his claws into the mockery of the dragoness a joyous thing until the head was tattered, ripped, and unrecognizable for what it had been.

Veledar rose his head, his blood burning hot. He knew in his bones this room had to be destroyed. I could burn it. The thought was easy, all it took was a simple breath from him and this entire place would go up in flames. It would spread to everything in the room, and reduce it to nothing more than a blackened pile of ash. Never again would it be a spot of darkness on the tapestry of Arcturus. He went to take a deep breath, thrashing his tail against one of the chairs in this room. It exploded with force, sending the wooden legs flying in different directions, as the mighty appendage vanquished the wooden foe. He stopped mid inhale to what Arcturus would say in this moment, if say the fire got out of control and started burning down the rest of the place.

_ Manticores bottom._

He swallowed his breath and tore into the carpet with long strong strokes instead. He snorted a thin plume of blackened smoke as he worked, so wishing he could have ignored his paladin's concerns and simply lit the room ablaze. He rose from his handiwork, the floor a tattered mess of dragon slash marks. He grinned, grabbing a green male head off the wall and doing to it the same thing he had done to the bronze one just a moment earlier. This at least made his temper simmer for a moment, and not focus on burning the room down. With his latest head destroyed he snorted in triumph, pulling his angry glare from that wall to another one that had a fireplace of blackened stone that reminded Veledar of onyx.

_ How many fireplaces does this place need?_

His eyes were drawn to a large white cloth. It seemed to be covering some sort of larger display by the looks of it. Veledar padded over, making out the horns of a dragon clearly hidden by the sheet. He shot daggers at it, and grabbed the sheet with a claw. His talons poking holes in the thin cloth. His mind dreaded what could be behind this sheet, but he had to know. He had to know the full extent of horrors this room had before he went to Arcturus and got permission to light the place on fire. Hell we just get some buckets or something with water...and we can light this room on fire together. Than we can mate right here in mockery of his family. Famed son of dragon slayers, falls for dragon, they passionately make love every night to moans, gasps, and mighty roars. Veledar smiled, he liked the sound of that story. He tightened his grip and ripped down the white sheet with one violent tug. It fluttered to the ground to collect in an uneven pile, as Veledar's jaw dropped , and his eyes widened.

Hanging above the fireplace was a bust of a red dragon with beautiful crimson scales that sparkled in the sun's rays. Her underscales, and the ones under her eyes were a bright sea foam. Bright cerulean eyes stared at him, and in the sun they seemed to sparkle like sapphires. He knew this dragon deep in his gut. The longer he looked at it he knew why. She has my eyes. He felt his heart start to ache, like it had just been plucked from his chest. He backed away in disbelief, knocking over a desk, that clattered to the floor.

“No...No.." he mumbled, gazing at what the head lay between. Two dark green banners hung on either side of the red dragon's head. With the symbol of a golden lion holding a sword and shield. The banners from his nightmares. The ones who had stolen his brother from him, and scared him for years to come. Apparently they had robbed him of his biological mother, denied him a right that all dragon's had. He felt tears start to well up in his eyes as he remembered her voice from the egg. How she had sang to him, spoken such wonderful words to him. She had even been the one to name him, called him her little crimson.

He collapsed onto the floor sobbing uncontrollably, his tail twitching on the ground as he went to curl on himself. He let out another pained sob, as he knocked other chairs over, and spread the wreckage he had done around. He felt hallow, like all his nerves had gone numb all at once. He sobbed and cried for several minutes before rising with a snarl. He tore into everything in that room, smashing other things with his tail as the tears continued to come.

Arcturus

The thought surface from the fog of hate brewing inside his boiling blood body. This was his family. The family I vowed to destroy. To wipe them all out from the face of this earth.. He snatched the banner from the wall with a snarl. He had to know, he had to hear it from the paladin's own mouth.

How could the one I love...."ARCTURUS!" he roared out, leaping from the window in the hallway with a single bound. It shattered into thousands of little pieces as he spread his wings wide, and he bellowed his fury again to the heavens. He locked his eyes onto the human he called his friend. The human he said he loved. The one who was part of the family he swore to kill.

“We need to talk." He said in a growl, puffing out his chest when he landed. Ripping up earth as he had strode his way over.

“Veledar...what has you so-"

Veledar tossed the banner violently at his feet. “Explain this most vile thing this instant!"

Arcturus picked up the banner, Veledar could feel the uncertainty lingering in his chest. His eyes looked to the symbol on the banner and than back to Veledar. “T-this is my families crest on our banner...Why?"

“YOUR CREST?" he snarled, turning away from his human and thrashing his tail so hard against the ground it left an impact, and made his hide ache. “YOUR FAMILY KILLED MY BROTHER ARCTURUS!" he turned around snapping his jaw. “AND THAT DRAGON UPSTAIRS...THE ONE ABOVE THAT FIREPLACE.....THAT WAS MY MOTHER!" He pointed up towards the broken window by thrusting a wing talon at it. He could feel his anger swirling within his entire body, almost blinding. He fought the urge to throw a ball of fire up there and incinerate the place.

“Radiant flame?" Arcturus voice was low, worry hanging in it. “That dragon kept the skulls of mortals and used them to build a bridge..it was a story passed down from.-"

“LIES!" Veledar hissed in fury, ripping up more earth with his claws. “NOTHING BUT VILE LIES!" He advanced on his human, who actually took a step back from him. “I SWORE TO KILL YOUR FAMILY ARCTURUS....ALL OF YOU!" He narrowed his eyes at the human he loved. The human he had knotted. The one he had called his mate. He shook his head, casting out the blinding hate that was filling him. There was no way on this earth he could kill him.

Not Arcturus.

“Veledar...I am not them!" Arcturus shouted out, finally finding his voice. The human went to step forward but Veledar recoiled away from him, baring his teeth.

“You share their blood Arcturus." He strode around him, tail flicking. “You will be a CONSTANT reminder of all that I have lost...You even cost me my book! Your family has been at the root of every misfortune that has plagued my life!" He took another step away from the human who seemed at a loss for words, and still had confusion swirling around his mind. The human he had mated, knotted, his enemy.

_ Why did it have to be him?_ His limbs shook as he shifted weight from one to the other. Why...W-were his words even real?...O-or just another plan concocted by his family...A-another one to add to the list.

“Veledar...listen...your hate has blinded you! I know what you saw is horrid, my explanation..poor..but please...I'm sorry! I can't help what my family has done to you! I have done everything in my power to help you! I even mated with you for gods sakes! You knotted me!"

“I know." Veledar hissed, the human's words were all true. Just like they always had been. However despite how they sounded he still felt uncertainty lingering in his bones. This was all too much for even one such as himself. “Arcturus.." He snorted, his anger subsiding. “Please..." he backed away from the human, who still had confusion in his heart. “I need space...Time to think about this....revelation....time to come to grip with this."

“Veledar...please." Arcturus pleaded, his eyes starting to mist.

Veledar spread his wings, raising his head to the sky, and turning away from the human. He lowered himself and swished his tail as he prepared himself for flight. How would I remain around him...knowing everything his family has done... Why did it have to be you... He fought the pain still lurking in his bones. The oath he made long ago echoing in his mind, telling him to lash out and strike Arcturus down were he stood. Make his vengeance complete, and finally put that horrid family to rest. No.. He told himself. Not Arcturus...

“Will you be back?" Arcturus sniffed, Veledar could hear him take a few steps towards him.

Veledar stopped to think about what he should say. He loved the human dearly, but he hated his family. Arcturus was his mate. He arched his neck to look at him., but instead saw the forms of his mother denied to him and brother taken from him, surrounding the human who had tears streaming from green eyes like rivers.

“I...don't know Arcturus." He hung his head. “If...I do not..I want you to have a safe journey.." He flapped his wings and bounded into the sky without another word, ignoring the screaming cries of his name into the air. Veledar wiped the tears that were now streaming down his own snout as he realized it may be the last time he gazed upon Arcturus. With another flap he left behind the others. He left behind the estate, and He left behind Arcturus, the human he loved dearly with all his heart.