Legend of Spyro: Gifted Curse




CHAPTER 33



Without much further issue beyond having to slow a bit for the inclement weather, the train finally approached the borders of the kingdom several days later.  The hero couple were in the observation car with the others again to see the border town they were passing through.  The sun cast long morning shadows of the hills and trees across the approaching sweeping buildings and flight decks.  The two couldn't believe their eyes.  Everything was curvaceous, slinky and almost porous in appearance, with plenty of space for Dragons to flex their wings and fly everywhere, unlike the somewhat cramped and clustered Warfang where multiple species coexisted.  This far north was clearly a dracocentric space, at least this town as they passed.  A vast open market lay within a hollowed hill with several large platform floors going up to the peak, and there were streamers and lanterns everywhere as if they were ready for a celebration, or coming off the heels of one.  A tall tower trundled past, with lots of spiraling flight decks along the sides and a mushroomed apex for lookouts.  Cynder giggled at the phallic appearance but said nothing.  After the town, they passed open fields of crops now bogged down and desolate with winter cleanliness, but the fences caught Spyro's attention - unlike the fanciful architecture, these were crude and ugly haphazard fences of sharpened logs angled every which way, a stark contrast to the crescent-shaped stone dwellings and worker sheds rather evenly dotting the fields.  

"Creatures displaced by the Ape incursions still roam these lands, seeking territories and destroying our crops," Emeralda said with a sad sigh and shake of her head.  "Even the cursed Ape-liches and ghouls themselves that still persist after the Dark Master's fall sometimes come in groups, but are thankfully dissuaded by these...eyesores of defenses."

"Heh... de-fences..." Liiana whispered, getting a wink from Cynder.

"Where do they come from? Like...where do they dwell now?" Spyro asked.

"The snowy plains and hills here will become much more exaggerated as we approach our mountain home.  There are plenty of places for foul things to hide.  Too many for us to corral with our dwindling numbers."

"Don't go doing anything stupid," Cynder whispered when she saw the look in his eyes.  He growled softly in response but said nothing.

They passed another town, what looked to be a mining center with the massive spiraling pit in the distance.  Everything here was still following that sweeping, looping, curvy style, though this place obviously produced enough metal to make itself more shiny in comparison to the border farm town.  This time, though, there were lots of smaller dwelling spaces for Furs.  "I thought they couldn't really survive this far north?" Cynder mused as she saw some Moles with their wide-brimmed metal hats working on smelting ingots.

"We're actually not that far north right now.  It's not usually this snowy...this is due to the land shifts."

"Ah...right."

"We've had to rapidly adapt though, and I'd like to think we've done well in that regard.  Anglapala is largely dracocentric, but we do have our more nimble-handed assistants as well, those looking to get away from the drama of their homes."

The mountains slowly rolled up, with a large wall and an impressively massive bridge spanning over the tracks between two slopes flanking them.  "Our outer watch wall," Liiana explained as she craned her neck against the window to gaze up at the overpass.  "Darn.  Dunno if he's up there."

"I do not think your brother is on shift today," presumably her mother replied.  "If he is he'd better be getting that overtime he talked about."

The mountain pass felt almost claustrophobic after the wide open expanses earlier.  Trees hemmed them in, along with several large, thick walls.  Cynder was about to ask what the walls were for, but her question was quickly answered when she saw a slumped portion of the slope ending right atop one of the wall areas.  Chiseled paths wove here and there, with beautifully intricate lampposts still gleaming with warm incandescence.  There were also occasional garden areas, trees and bushes fenced in with beautiful white stone partly covered in green mossy runoff.  Another overpass, and then another, lit beneath with bright glowing crystals.  A bridge came into view around a bend ahead, with a spectacular waterfall pouring down several different steppes in the mountainside.  It had been rigged with more brightly glowing crystals, giving the whole waterfall and its overhanging trees an almost ethereal appearance.  The river below had several diverting forks of chiseled stone, leading to processing stations that were just barely visible from their height as they passed along the bridge. 

After several more overpasses and defensive fortifications flanking the rail line, the mountain opened up ahead to a wide open area, practically a caldera flanking one side of an even taller peak, and within this long-eroded crater, sat the Kingdom of Anglapala.  The train rode along one elevated side of the crater and began its curving approach.  A grand citysprawl met them, with far more of those twisting, curving buildings full of decorative flight holes and decks, glowing crystals and hardy mushrooms everywhere.  The grand palaces sat atop a hill in the center, easily visible from where they were.  Three large buildings, just as described to them, with one atop a peak higher than the other two, situated to the north closer to the higher rising mountain peak. Several titanic dragon statues, damaged by wartime attacks, were covered in scaffolding and lights for restoration attempts.  

As the train approached the colorful, swirling station, fireworks began booking overhead, catching Spyro and Cynder by surprise.  "Oh, that's unexpected," Emeralda tittered.  "This was supposed to be a more...clandestine outing, but...I suppose the lords and ladies wanted more rapport."

"Are we...being...paraded?" Cynder asked hesitantly.

"Perhaps in the litters, but you need not expose yourself to the public if you do not wish.  Though, I can say, most of them would be very happy to see you."

As the engine slowed and steam hissed back over the cars, Cynder took a few deep breaths, Spyro covering her with his wing.  "Hey...you don't have to if you don't want to, Cyn.  Don't feel pressured."

"Mmm...trying not to..."

"Here," the newly-pregnant assistant offered, handing Cynder a mug of fine-ground drachalla tea and honey.  The black dragoness downed it eagerly and shivered at the surge of warmth in her body as another cup was poured.  Sipping this one more slowly, she gave a nasal sigh of relaxation into the cup, the steam fogging her scales for a second.  

"Thanks...that helps a lot..."

"Just let us know if you need more and we'll have it right to you, as our honored guests."

Emeralda nodded.  "You'll be carried to the diplomacy center and your luggage will be brought along so you may settle for the night, then tomorrow we'll talk about the schedule.  And remember, even if someone advances with interest, you are completely free to accept or decline as you feel you need to.  Do not worry about disappointing someone."

"Alright..." she whispered, Spyro kissing her cheek. 

"We've got this, hun.  Together."

She smiled and nuzzled into his neck again, hugging the eggs with her forelegs.  Leaning down to nuzzle the shells, she huffed against them, somewhat hoping to hear them shift and squeak again, but they'd been quite silent the whole trip.

The litters were aligned against the side doors of the passenger cabs, the ladies exiting first, the floating transports bearing them away one at a time this time rather than clustering them together.  Liiana rode with her mother though, eagerly waving to the crowd gathering by the roadside.  Spyro and Cynder were last, their litter open on the entry side and closed on the road face for her privacy.  With a few breaths to steady herself, the black dragoness headed in, with Spyro right behind her.  As it turned to bear them up the road, she gave her husband a shy look with her internal debate, then she reached over and opened the side.

The crowd cheered as the hero couple was exposed, dressed up in their jewelry from Ember and some silky dark robes for warmth.  Cynder felt a giddy sense of excitement well up in her at all the smiling faces...yet it felt odd that there were so few Dragons, most of them were Furs.

It really hit hard right then, their endangerment situation.  

Spyro wrapped his tail around hers for her comfort and she held his paw appreciatively, the two waving to the audience as they were borne along the road behind the other ladies.  

It did take a while to pass through the city and approach the ruling hill, but there was no shortage of interesting architecture to behold, keeping their attention when the majority of the greeting crowd had thinned out along the road and now they were passing by living districts and smaller businesses.  Wonderful aromas of wood smokes and spices and doughs and meats wafted around here and there, getting them quite hungry as they ascended the slope.  

The grand palace's three main buildings circled a wonderous courtyard full of magical devices, all reflecting light and water and ice and fire every which way in a finely calculated dance of technological marvel.  A tall fountain in the center kept it all moving, with rotating spurts hitting chimes and creating a nice background melody that also served to keep the time.  While the other litters were borne away from their path, Spyro and Cynder's was taken further up the higher hill to the diplomacy center, a grand building of swirling stone and crystal and metal almost looking like some large technological cloud.  Soft lights faded in and out in various spots, creating a soothing atmosphere almost like being underwater.  Fountains gently trickled everywhere inside, with a relaxing running water ambience.  The guards led them through the vast halls to the second floor, their room a very large and open space with several beds and tall, flowing curtains softly billowing in the mountain breeze.  A huge fireplace was already blazing with scented logs.  The ceiling felt like it was turning slowly with glimmering gemstone constellations, the smoke from the fireplace wafting across it like a galactic arm.  

"Wow..." Cynder whispered, staring in awe.  "This is...incredible..."

"Your belongings are being brought up," their attendant said, Spyro nodding to the fire dragon.  

"Thank you."

"Should you need anything, ring this bell thrice," he added, nodding to one of the bells by the bedsides.  "I shall adjourn so you may settle and relax.  Feel free to explore if you wish.  We will have your visitation itinerary for you in the morning with breakfast.  Rising time will be indicated by the morning horns, if you wish to observe or join the morning worship services at the temple across the way, you may do so.  We shall be serving a late dinner within the hour downstairs."

"Thanks.  I think we'll be good for now though, it's been a long ride."

"Rest well."  With that he nodded to them and ducked out of the room, the curtain closing up behind him.  Cynder couldn't help gazing around the tall room even as her mate strode up alongside her and hugged her again with his wing and tail.

"Well.  Here we are."

"Yeah..." she breathed.  "I can't...believe this is a real space.  It's so huge!"

"Imagine bringing our whole family here.  We'd have plenty of room for them."

"All twenty or thirty of them?"

"Why such a lowball number?" he rumbled, making her shiver with gleeful lust.  His paw moved to rub over the eggs at her neck, then he carefully helped her remove the incubator.  "Alright.  Wanna get your nest set up?"

Looking over the room, she moved over to a bed by the fireplace and hopped up fluidly, testing it.  "Oooohhh wow, it's so...springy and soft..."

"Heh.  Thinking of bed-nesting?" he asked as he gingerly took the eggs out and set them by her.  Cynder nuzzled them against her huge belly and sighed softly as she got comfortable, still testing it out.

"Hmmm...needs a few more sheets, but yeah."

"Thought so."  His inventory magic flashed and several soft sheets manifested across his outstretched wings.  Taking them and rolling them up to form a semicircle of a nest around herself, she purred and wiggled against them.

"Yessss..."

"You're so cute when you do that," he whispered as he climbed up and joined her on the bed.  Trading nuzzles and licks, they cuddled together with the eggs.  "Can't wait til you lay those eggs so I can stuff you with more...and more..." he churred deeply, Cynder biting her lip with a grin.

"I can't wait either...I need at least a dozen in me next time..."

"Mmmm...and a dozen after that..."

"So many cute little babies..."

Kissing her deeply, he purred to her and she to him, rumbling back and forth.  "We did it.  We got through to this.  You ready for tomorrow?"

Nodding against him, she leaned on him.  "I...actually think so, yeah.  It's a lot less scary after going through the street like that."

"Good."  Holding her paws, he churred softly.  "I think tonight after dinner we should just rest.  No sex...not yet.  Let's wait until we see what will be expected of us."

"I was gonna say the same thing...much as I really, really want you inside me again."

"Oh I didn't say no to that, specifically, I know how much you like to fall asleep with your tight little pussy hugging my penis."

She giggled and blushed with a nod.  "Mmmmhmmm~  I expect you to be balls deep inside me every night while we're here."

"Oh, I would even if you didn't say that."

"I love you, Spyro..."

Settling into more snuggling and kissing, they whiled away the time just loving on each other until some delightful aromas caught their attention.  As they unwound from each other and Spyro slipped off the bed, a light bell outside rang twice.  "Coming," Spyro replied, Cynder giggling at the potential of puns.  

"Dinner has been prepared and we await you downstairs."

"Alright, thank you, we'll be right down.  Cynder's just finishing her nesting."

Rolling her eyes, she smirked and covered her eggs with a blanket, pausing hesitantly and gazing at them before finally pulling herself away.  "Should I...bring them with us?"

"Your call, but they can't stay cooped up in that incubator all the time."

"I know.  I'm tempted to use a scarf as a sling for a bit tomorrow."  Biting her lip with another hesitant backwards glance, she sighed to steel herself.  "I should...trust them."

Another attendant appeared, almost like Liiana but with watery scales.  "Hello!  I was informed you are nesting, Lady Cynder, would you like for me to make sure the eggs are safe?"

The black dragoness froze momentarily with indecision at that.  "I...y-yes, please."

"Do not worry, my lady.  The first generation of this new world will be guarded from harm and kept warm."  

They made their way to the stairwell, a wide, sweeping ramp lined with paintings of past rulers and various landscapes.  Their claws clicked on the polished stone surface.  "You're doing great, hun," Spyro whispered softly in her ear.

"Thanks..."

"Don't worry.  Pretty sure they know if they screw up with our eggs, they won't be able to stop either of us."

"Hehe...yeah, I suppose.  You especially."

"Day one is almost done.  Let's finish strong."

Down the ground floor hall, several attendants motioned them to the dining room to the side.  It was a very open room with several long tables, the middle of which was laid out with food, and a few of the older ladies were there already to greet them and offer a friendly face, as well as some unfamiliar faces.  The room itself was styled like an outdoor scene, with large stone tree carvings as pillars, several pools of bubbling water for ambience and some smoothed reclining stones, and the far wall was mostly open to look out over the valley between the hill and the mountain rise, with the city glimmering below.  "This place is magnificent...it must've taken ages to carve all this..." Cynder mused.

"The entire kingdom has long been a work in progress.  Our founder king loved artisanal work and wished for the entire land to be a grand piece of artwork over time.  Will you join us for a meal?"

Sitting at the table, Cynder carefully arranged herself, mindful of her pregnant belly.  "How do these meals work?" she asked.

An older lady held up her plate and one of the attendants took it for her, and moved down along the rows of plated food.  She nodded when they stopped at something she wanted, then unfurled a wing when it was sufficient.  "It's much easier this way when the hall is fuller."  

Handing their plates to the attendants behind them, the hero couple copied the method, though Cynder predictably was keen on trying everything she could.  The ladies gawked and giggled as her plate grew on itself, until finally she held up her wing.  "I guess any more than that will start falling off!" she giggled.  "Oh this smells heavenly!"

"Perhaps for breakfast and lunch we should supply you with sampler platters instead!"

Spyro laughed to himself and nibbled on the steak and potatoes he'd indicated.  "Mmmm...wow, juicy and tender.  This is really good."

"THe citizens are excited to have seen you two.  I can't say for certain but there may be gifts impending."

"Gifts?" Cynder asked.

"Yes indeed, many here have been itching with anticipation to finally see the ones who saved them.  How does it feel to be celebrities?"

Cynder blushed.  "It's embarrassing."

The ladies giggled again.  "It's surely something to get used to.  But, do not worry yourself about that for now.  You have a big day ahead."  A loud, low horn throbbed with a strange, lilting melody.  "Ah...the final temple services of the day.  Normally, we would be gathering there as well, but there are exemptions after travel for recovery."

"Indeed, I feel as if I would fall asleep mid-worship after such a long trip of sitting around."

Cynder nodded.  "It's strange how exhausting just sitting around can be.  I'm still not used to it."

"You'll get there.  It'll come with time."

"So...this worship service going on down there," Spyro mused.  "What exactly is worshipped?  Gods, like the Atllawa, or is this more traditional ancestral worship here?  I haven't heard anything about Anglapala's beliefs, only that there's a worship space here."

"We give thanks to the Ancestors and their support of the planet by giving back a portion of our gains.  The sacrifices are prepared by the priests the day after and turned into fertilizers and other products by the shrine boys and girls, but all intended to give back to the Ancestral bond of the planet's material.  We ask for our Ancestors to guide us, protect us, and deliver us from the trials and hardships of life so we may enjoy the gift of life."

"Do you practice as well?" came another question, both Spyro and Cynder hesitating, feeling a little red flag in the back of their minds.  They did not, but it might not be an answer they'd enjoy.  

"Oh come now, dear, don't corner the hero couple on their first night!  Poor Cynder looks exhausted."

"I do?" she asked.  "I mean, I do feel tired but...if I look it, it must be worse than I thought."

"Not too particularly, but I can tell.  How is that Silver Grotto Temple progressing?  I am quite curious with how quickly the project began.  Surely it can't be very far along?"

Cynder shook her head.  "Spyro helped accelerate the development.  The Temple itself is nearly complete, and the surrounding village is coming along nicely."

"Ah, to have the assistance of a Purple Dragon..."

"Would he be adding his good genes to this breeding program that was announced?"

They both hesitated again at that.  "I...y-yes."

"Oh how splendid!  Descendants of a Purple Dragon, this would be unheard of!"

If only they knew... they both thought, almost feeling each other thinking it.

"Mmm...perhaps not so splendid, dear, imagine the turmoil it might produce, the friction and drama between families!  If only this virility issue had not cropped up when it did..."

Spyro and Cynder glanced at each other warily, the Purple Dragon coughing into his paw.  "Hrm.  Am I correct in assuming that the main city here is rather isolated?  I did not see many other dwellings, even within the crater valley or upon the slopes as I'm used to with other areas."

"It is, yes.  The wider plain is left untended for the sake of defensive measures if needed.  Are you...anticipating an attack?  If so, we are remote enough here that the nearest enemy bases are several miles of bad terrain away from us, at the very least, and out lookout walls and towers have every degree scanned."

"Not anticipating, no, just curious as I haven't seen this sort of layout before."

Cynder almost went to burp on habit but caught herself last-second and feigned a cough.  "Oh.  Cold air must be getting to me.  It's been a good while since I last was in the mountains."

"The elevation and air thinness can work you out indeed.  Do you need to retire for the night?"

Looking at her mostly empty plate, she nodded slowly.  "I think that may be best right now.  With so much food, I'm feeling it hitting me fast."

"Will you be joining her, Sir Spyro?"

He nodded as well.  "I apologize, I had wanted to mingle some more, but if we are to meet the king and queen tomorrow, I feel I should get more rest and gather my thoughts."

"May the Ancestors look after you."

Nodding slowly to that, they left the hall and headed back upstairs, Cynder giving a quiet huff just outside their curtains.  "Thanks..." she whispered as he held them open for her.  "Oy...even those small pries for information felt...alarming to me."

"Yeah."

"You weren't serious about wanting to still mingle, were you?" she asked, then giggled at the withered look he gave her.  "Yeah, thought not.  But it was very good food.  Just...wish other ladies weren't so gossip-happy."

"Yeah...and we still have several more days of that to go.  Guess we'd better brush up on some excuses or topic divergences."

Curling up with her eggs, she purred when he joined her and spooned her, slipping that generous length into her depths where it belonged, his tongue and teeth gently doting on her neck and shoulders.  "Mmmm...riiiight there..." she whimpered under her breath, squirming lightly.  He kept his canines raking lightly over a particularly itchy spot, grinning around her scales when he saw her hind leg twitching.  Folding her wing over him, she laid back and churred, one paw lightly masturbating the bulge in her belly.  "I like that I can grip your penis when you're inside me...I really like feeling you throb like this."

"Careful or I might make you too round to get through the doors~"

"Threaten me with a good time," she shot back with a sly grin over her shoulder.  "Is it...weird...of me to hope that the royalty will...want to have sex with us?"

"You said earlier you weren't becoming an exhibitionist, now you want to jump straight to sexual pleasure with our sponsors?"

"More like I just want an excuse to get your penis in me regardless of our audience."

"You already have me in you," he churred, giving her a slow thrust, mashing his sheath against her dribbling netherlips.  

"Yessss~"

Giving her a few more slow thrusts, he groped her belly, the volume if his cum from earlier already beginning to diminish, letting him press the eggs lightly against his shaft.  "Mmmm...still four in there.  Too bad I didn't add more."

"I had a dream where the Matrons came to us and said I started superovitating at Flame and Ember's party and was pregnant from all the random males as well as you.  I was...kinda disappointed when I woke up...but also...kinda really relieved.  If that started so early, can you imagine how crazy the Matrons would've driven us to retroactively chart all the sex to determine the egg count and how long they'll be in me?"

"Wow...yeah, no, I hope it takes a bit.  I know you really like being pregnant but..."  He kneaded along her wings.  "I think you'll need to work on your physique a bit more.  You're so slender.  You've built up a bit from carrying my cum around all the time...but we can't have you immobilized by eggs and cum.  You'll have to work out more so you can fly even while heavily pregnant...just in case."

"Mmm..."  She fondled his tip through herself, feeling his cock pulse in response.  "Yeah, I hadn't really considered that all that much.  The eggs were weighing me down during my sparring rounds.  Nothing I can't handle but..."

Nuzzling at her neck, he licked the underside of her jaw, making her lean her head back and almost lock his head against hers with her long horns.  "Let's get you working on that then...so you can be a super-mommy.  Strong enough to carry eggs and fight even when you're superpreggo."

She blushed and giggled at that.  "Why?"

"So that you can have your fantasy of many, many eggs without sacrificing your mobility...your sexy movement..." he growled as his paws gripped and rubbed along her body sensually, the black dragoness stretching and moaning softly.  "So you can be an idol of pregnancy..."

The mental image of that future made her blush intensely.  "You're getting me horny..."

"Mmmmm..."

"Thought we said no sex..."

"Rrrrrmmm..." he growled against her.  "I know...but you're just too much to say no to..."

"You sap..." she whispered, humping back against him with growing eager lust.  "Mmmm...maybe...fuck me...then pull out and cum in my mouth?"

"Yes ma'am," he rumbled deeply, then bit firmly on her shoulder, causing her to gasp out and go limp against him while he thrust slow and deep so as not to jostle the eggs too much.  Closing her eyes, she smiled and purred between breaths as her husband quickly drove her to her first climax of the night.  A second and a third quickly followed as Spyro reached down and firmly mashed a toepad against her engorged clit, the black-scaled dragoness squealing under her breath as she coasted on intense pleasure rocketing through her core.  That telltale rapid tensing and rock-hard sensation of his cock had them both shakily scramble for him to slide out of her tight lower grip, then he spun around and slid his shaft into her waiting maw, Cynder purring happily around him as he sheathed his cock into her throat and pressed his balls against her nose.  With a few good gulps around him, she got him off, the purple male growling and huffing with a repressed roar.  Thick surges of cream filled her stomach, Cynder lifting a paw to hold his balls to her nose while she gulped fervidly, feeling those massive jewels pumping and tensing with each ejaculation.  

"Mmmmm..." she murred around him, breathing against his scrotum, Spyro giving panting laps of his tongue against her slightly gaping slit.  Patting his thigh, she got him to back up and slide out of her throat, the black dragoness gasping softly and then kissing his tip.  "Mmm...delicious..." she churred as she swiped up some last dregs.  "It's odd.  You don't cum as much for oral.  Might be the Patriarch thing?"

"Probably.  Good thing for your stomach, you'd burst."

"Perfect after-dinner treat..." she said as she fondled his balls and just laid there admiring the slowly shrinking cock over her face.  "Remember when we started, and I spent almost a whole day just playing with and studying your penis?  Hard, soft, sheathed?"

"Yes, and my balls of course.  You had them on your nose for at least half that day."

"Heehee~ It doesn't get any less sexy.  Are we still gonna be overcharged hornballs when we're old and gray like the Matrons?"  He turned around and she caught an odd look on his face.  "What?"

"Does anyone...know how old Malefor actually was?  Cuz he was ancient and yet...not gray."

"What're you saying? she whispered, gently pulling him down onto herself.

Rubbing her belly, he sighed as he tried to process a response.  "I can't help wondering...what if...I don't actually age once I'm fully grown?  Like...what if my scales and horns just get spiky like his were...but I don't get any older?  We don't have any other references for how a Purple Dragon is different from others, beyond the elemental abilities."  THe concern in her eyes turned to horrified realization.  "I don't...wanna stay prime while you...our kids...everyone just...grows old and passes away around me..."

"Oh Spyro..." she whispered, hugging him tightly.  "I don't think you need to worry about that.  How many other Purple Dragons are there?  I'd think they aged like the rest of us."  Something tugged at the back of her mind and she felt a doubt, then a suggestion of intense depression.  "No, they likely wouldn't kill themselves either.  I'd think we'd have heard of something that dire."

"Would we?  We barely have any coherent information to begin with.  Ignitus told me Purples only occur once every ten generations.  Malefor was the one before me yet it was said he was the first.  If he was first and I'm second, that's not enough data to say 'ten generations', and so very little was known about him for us other than he went rogue and sided with the Apes.  If so little was known to our age about the one that nearly destroyed the world...and next to nothing about any others..."

"Shhhh."  Pulling him into a soft kiss, she rubbed his shoulders.  "Don't do this to yourself, not again.  You were already stressing over the Patriarch thing and all those uncertainties.  We're on vacation here.  A functional vacation, maybe, but don't wrap yourself up in what-ifs.  Not before we meet the king and queen."

Nuzzling into her, he couldn't help but relax as she lightly kneaded on him, her paws feeling his strong arms and flight muscles along his back.  Moving off her eventually, he nuzzled at the eggs, Cynder grooming his neck and purring.  "I don't know where that came from..." he finally whispered.  

"Anxiety is a bitch.  Don't let it get to you...I know, that's rich coming from me."

Rolling onto his back, he lifted a black egg and turned it slowly in the firelight, then let it rest on his nose, keeping his paws loosely around it for safety.  "Sometimes...I find myself wishing we were still in the Avalar Valley, just living our lives together with nothing else yanking us away."

"Yeah...but...I am kinda glad we got to meet others like Flame and Ember...and it's nice to see we have an entire kingdom willing to support us."

"So long we don't screw it up on this trip."

Cynder nuzzled at the other eggs, then started placing them on his belly, Spyro lifting a wing quickly to keep them from rolling off.  Six eggs perched on him, the purple male trying not to breathe too deep or quick and have them roll off.  She teasingly rearranged one to rest on his scrotum, held up between the two massive testicles that had helped make it.  "Don't focus on that right now.  Focus on these."  She reached over and turned his head to her.  "Focus on me."

He gave a halfhearted smile and laid back, closing his eyes, fighting a small flinch when his wife started to groom along his throat plates, her sharp teeth so close to doing vital damage yet so lightly stroking itchy spots between his scales.  "Spoiling me like I do to you?"

"You deserve it too.  Now shut up and relax."

The concentration of keeping the eggs balanced on his gut and balls was already quickly defusing his anxiety, grounding him with her and their brood.  Cynder grinned to herself when she felt him relaxing bit by bit under her tongue.  "'M gunna fall sleep like this..." he whispered.

"Sounds like you need it."

"But my cock isn't in you like you like it..."

"It's not difficult to coax it from its cozy little home here," she teased, reaching down and lightly fondling his sheath, feeling it already firm up at her grasp.  "We're getting through this together like you said, you took care of me on the train, now it's my turn."

"Fair 'nuff..." he breathed, feeling like talking would be too much effort.  Soon she had him lightly snoring.  Licking his cheek, she collected the eggs and arranged them against her belly, then gently turned him to face her, her tail already sensually stroking his balls.  With the eggs safely snuggled between them, she worked her husband's bits until she felt that glorious shaft start to emerge, wiggling and moaning in delight as she snuggled her labia against his sheath and let him erect into her.  There was something cozy and sensual about feeling his penis go from soft to hard as it entered her, the black dragoness doing her best not to clench too hard on him and let him naturally harden and press into her passage. 

"Mmmm...that's nice..." she churred, biting her lip as his tip pressed against her cervix.  She wiggled some more to let him get hard enough to reach full length and rigidity, then squeaked under her breath as she speared herself on it, feeling him sink through her cervix, ridges and barbs squishing pleasantly through her tight grip and pressing the eggs against the walls of her womb until she had the entire thing nestled inside again, her paw idly stroking him through herself.  "Right there..."  With him firmly inside her body, she carefully arranged herself once more with those maternal instincts nagging at her to check on the eggs, then buried her face against his neck, nuzzling into him, her mate subconsciously reaching out and lightly hugging her in his sleep.



A loud, deep thrum rising into a victorious crescendo of notes woke them with a start, Spyro and Cynder snapping up in alarm, the black dragoness moaning in surprise as the sudden motion pulled his flaccid shaft from her depths.  Looking around, it took them a second to register where they were, then they both flopped back and laughed in embarrassment.  "Oh wow...I was so fast asleep..." Spyro muttered.  "These beds are dangerous.  I would've slept in if not for that horn."

"Mmmm..."  She nuzzled into his neck again, hiding her face against his scales for a moment before a fierce yawn pulled her back, a small plume of toxic power flickering and dissipating into the air.  Nosing at her eggs, she sighed softly and rested her ear against one.  "Spyro!"

With a small jolt of excited adrenaline, he leaned in and she backed a bit to give his horns room as he listened.  Little scratches along the inside of the shell met him, then a teeny little chirping noise.  "Is it...finally time?"

"Dunno, they did this before we left too.  Maybe it's just moving around inside to try to get more comfortable."

"Mmm...can only get so comfy, little one, gotta come out here, there's a big soft bed and a warm fireplace, and a mom and dad who want to see your little face..."

She giggled and kissed his forehead.  "You big baby."  Carefully getting up, she shook herself, the horn thrumming again with a distinct count-down flare this time.  "Must be signalling the worship ceremony for the morning...we should probably go make an appearance and see what's going on at least."

"I suppose."  Following her off the bed, he nipped her tail to have her hold position, then started scrubbing her quickly with his water power.  She smirked in amusement and then churred in enjoyment, letting him dote on her and then adorning her jewelry and her fancy dress while he took care of himself.  

The bell outside rang twice.  "I hear you are awake and preparing, my lord and lady, do you desire breakfast now or are you to head to the temple?"

"We'll check out the temple and morning service, but breakfast afterwards would be delightful," Cynder responded, more easily slipping into a "dignified" choice of words compared to the night before.

"It will be arranged thusly.  Enjoy the worship ceremony."

"If I may ask quickly...if everyone here worships at the temple, what do you do as workers and providers?"

"Provisions are granted for us to take rotating worship mornings, afternoons and evenings, it is not required as a daily practice but it is encouraged for those able."

"I see.  Interesting."

"There will be sample platters available in the dining hall upon your return."

Soon enough the two were heading down the hill towards the grand worship building, the horn thrumming with a shorter note count.  Cynder had her eggs around her neck again, but this time in her scarf, safely bundled and secured against her chest.  She felt oddly out of place yet so very pretty in her dress and jewelry, Spyro sidelong eyeing how sparkly and sleek she looked.  "What?" she asked with a shy small grin when she caught him staring.

"You.  You're so gorgeous in the morning light here with all that on.  It's kinda hard to believe my wife can look even more stunning than she usually is."

Looking away and grinning to herself, she purred softly when he leaned in and nuzzled her.  "Is it...too much?"

"Nah."

The horn counted down again just as they reached the wide courtyard before the temple entrance.  Two large dragon statues were touching wingtips over the entrance, spheres with elemental sigils surrounding them and gleaming with different colorful metals in the rising sunlight.  The strong coppery scent of blood met their nostrils - off to the left of the entrance were priests in long, dark robes, with black bands wrapped back and forth around their horns almost like a large hood, and as other Dragons and Furs approached with sacrificial animals (mostly game), they were spilling the blood but in a very controlled and prayerful manner, gathering every drop they could into ornate clay vessels.  Off to the right were harvest offerings, being sorted and loaded into composting carts or charcoaling ovens.  Further in, to the left were fish offerings, with scales being scrubbed off and neatly loaded into drying racks, likely to be ground down for fertilizer.  On the right was the final offering altar, where small crates of ores and earthen gatherings were being sorted and tagged.  
Everything ran fairly smoothly, as groups of ten would present their offerings, then all together as the priests performed their actions, everyone would recite something in a tongue foreign to the two heroes.  When the offerings were accepted and the prayers finished, the groups would head down the central aisle to the worship space further in.  Grand sheer drapes of all elemental colors and symbols partially obscured the surprisingly plain and undecorated grand statue in the back, a genderless dragon design with black eye settings and white marble form, a representation of the deceased that had joined the planet's Aether blood.  Rather than horns or claws, there were floating crystals of the elemental colors within the vague shape of the missing features.

"Welcome," came a deep, age-rasped voice nearby, the two turning to find a priest who may as well have been a brother to the Matrons by how gray and saggy his hide was, and the ridiculously thick glasses perched upon his muzzle.  His horn wraps bore a singular clear crystal in the center, framed in thin silver wires.  "It is a blessing to finally welcome our two saviors to our Temple of the Ancestors."

Dipping their heads low and slow to him in respect, they waited for his return gesture before saying anything.  "Thank you for welcoming us," Spyro grunted, a bit lower in tone than he intended, not wanting to interrupt anyone.  They were getting some looks of excitement, but everyone mostly kept to their routines.

"You have not brought offerings, so I can only assume you are unfamiliar with our practices and beliefs, but do not fret.  Visitors are welcome to observe and learn if they wish.  Please, join us in the main chamber."  The horn outside cast a single low note.  "It is almost time for the main ceremony to begin."

They quietly followed him down the central aisle, many others parting for them in awe with hushed whispers.  Cynder wanted to shrink away, especially with her eggs in view in the neck sling, but with Spyro by her side she managed to steel herself, hoping she didn't come across as too distant or offish.  Once they passed between the hanging banners and curtains, they beheld more of the worship space, gazing at the vaulted ceiling and stained glass above with orbiting panels causing the sunlight to sparkle everywhere in many colors.  They were given an area near the middle to sit, apparently a designated spot for visiting dignitaries, and given a parchment of the various prayers and translations.  

The wait for the ceremony was somewhat long and awkward, Spyro and Cynder trying not to stare back too much when others caught their gaze, but eventually everyone stood up and the two were indicated to stand and turn as well.  In strode a fiery Dragon of such vibrant scale color he almost looked to be covered in actual fire, where his scales could be seen between the regal drapes of robes and the abstract skull crown of silver perched between his horns.  He went around the left of the central dignitary seating.  Behind him strode a watery Dragoness of almost unparalleled shiny scales and slinky movement grace, her body shape like nothing either of them had seen before, and she was nearly naked save for the silvery jewelry chains and draping beads and gem cuts strung from them, the incredibly broad and translucent fin on her tailtip pierced and studded with very tiny glimmering diamonds.  She moved along the right.  "Lord Igneocrax and Lady Merlstrom, please guide our day ahead with your blessings," the head priest called out as the two met before the tall white statue.  Flaring his wings and unfurling his cloak, the powerful-looking fire drake stood up on his hinds, Cynder having to fight not to gaze at his exposed bits and remain stately for appearance.  The watery lady at his side also rose up and held his paw, their wings tucking together.

"May the Ancestors look after you."

"May they look after us all," came the unified reply.

He began to give a low, solo song in their language, Spyro and Cynder awkwardly following along with the parchment, though a few times he lost them when the expected syllables of words blended together or the song made him give one syllable several notes.  It was a prayer for guidance, as expected, but one of reflection, of being mindful of the promptings of the mind and heart, especially in difficult moments.  He asked especially for awareness guidance from several names of important figures long before, a few of which Spyro and Cynder recognized from their training studies in elemental powers at the Dragon Temple with Ignitus.  

When he finished, his wife began a much more lilting recital of the same phrase several times, but the congregation would have a different response per phrase.  Hers was much less pronounced, but it was a recitation of admitting faults and a promise to be more aware of the hardships of the day and the moment by moment decision processes.  As hers came to a close, the other priests began to bring in the various vessels the offering remnants had been stored in.  Standing up and spreading his wings, the old priest rumbled something in prayer.  

"Ancestors, who by their presence within the lifeblood of our planet, sustain us by that presence and grant power to the lives fed, watered, and nurtured by the earth, sea, and sky, we ask that you grant us your blessings for our offerings, for while we have need of these resources, more so do we need your presence within our hearts, minds, and lives, to avoid the temptations of darkness and evil, to correctly choose when faced with a challenge, and to continue to protect and defend our world from the harms of the influence of evil and chaos.  We beseech you, o predecessors, may your wisdom guide us, may your experiences give us clarity, and may these offerings sustain our future.  Carry through these ashes, soils, and earthen feeds, your blessings and powers and wisdom, that through the natural upcycle through plant and prey into our lives, we may be that one step closer to true unity and peace.  May the Ancestors look after all of you, who have brought us these gifts, and may they look after us all, through these materials as they once again return to the world to begin anew the cycles of life and death, from which we are not immune.  Remember their servitude to our upbringing, the lessons and lives they led, the hardships they endured, and the lives they laid down that we may be here today...and let us, through their guidance, strive to lay down our lives such that our future may be brighter."

The response was a very emphatic foreign phrase, but the translation was a heartfelt "thank you to those who begat us and brought us to this moment".  Cynder felt her heart skip a beat with unexpected excitement at the crowd energy with that phrase.  With that, the king and queen parted and left the worship space along their routes, Spyro and Cynder only now realizing that there were guards at the curtains for their security, hemming the two off and making sure there was ample space before anyone else could leave.  The congregation spent that time muttering more prayers privately, then when the final guards left and the way was cleared, they left on their own terms, filing out randomly, but with a sense of reverence that Spyro and Cynder were not prepared for.  Bowing their heads to the statue because they didn't know anything else to do, they then left as well, meeting the old priest out at the entrance again.

"Thank you for joining us, and for your respect."

Spyro resisted the urge to make a confused face at that.  "I would hate to ask then if anyone has been disrespectful before...honestly it was...quite peaceful, even if a tad awkward trying to follow along."

"Some prior visitors were...less than impressed, I shall leave it at that.  It is relieving to see young ones as yourselves respecting our traditions.  I hope you at least enjoyed the discovery then?"

Cynder nodded shyly.  "I think it put our mentors into perspective.  We...did not have any semblance of a 'normal' upbringing.  This is perhaps the first we've truly indulged in Draconic culture, now that we have the time to do so."

"You are welcome in our halls any time, even if it is not for a ceremony.  Many come at all hours of the day or night seeking quietude and reflection.  May the Ancestors look after you this day of your royal visitations."

"May they look after you and us all," they replied in slightly staggered unison with another dip of their heads, Cynder lifting a paw to stabilize her eggs when she felt the scarf shift a little.  

Heading up the hill again, she gave a small sigh as she took a breath of the cool morning winter air.  "That was...actually kinda invigorating."

"Yeah.  Maybe we should make an effort to visit each morning.  It was...kinda nice to get to see the lord and lady before meeting them."

"'See' them?" she asked with that naughty grin he knew all too well.

"Cynder..."

"I'm joking, you doofus...though I do have to admit, the king is packing.  But...what is Lady Merlstrom?"

"What is she?  Like, you mean element?"  She nodded and reached up to lightly rearrange a slipping chain on her cheek horns.  "She's a Water type, but one of the aquatic ones.  There's the terrestrial type more built like us, like Lapis and Lazuli, but there are also the aquatic ones that live most, if not all, of their lives in the water."

"Huh...that's neat...have you met any of them in your travels?"

"A few, but more just in passing than actually 'meeting' them.  The males are even stranger in build, like someone long ago crossed them with a sleek fish and added those glowy bits the deeper ocean fish have.  Their horns are less keratin like ours and more...cartilage, I suppose?  Firm enough to attack with, but flexible enough to not get stuck in tight reefs and other spaces."

"That's...actually really neat.  Wonder if we'd end up having little swimming kids like those..."

"Probably not unless you keep some eggs from an aquatic male."

"I'm betting they need to stay around water though.  Wonder if the queen has a pool or...like...a portable tank or something, hehe."

"Guess we'll see soon," he responded as they approached the representative manor.  The dining hall was laid out with various small plates of foods for them to try out and pick at.  

"Oh these smell amazing!" she churred.  Crispy fatty meat strips served with poached poultry egg between slices of fresh-baked bread, with a sweet-salty glaze spread.  Skewers of fruits and hard-boiled smaller bird eggs.  Vegetable-stick trays loaded with honey and raisins with a sugar sprinkle on top.  Small sips of coffee blends mixed with milks and sweeteners or fruit slurries.  Tubers finely diced and fried crispy in butter and spices, and loaded on top with shredded steamed vegetables and more egg styles.  Soft and yeasty yet flat breads for snacking or dipping, wonderfully chewy and springy on the tongue.  Blended fruit and vegetable smoothies, with lots of citrus for a morning kick.  Pastry breads of various styles, shapes, colors, and toppings and fillings.  

"Getting ideas?" he asked with a grin, Cynder nodding rapidly as she sampled a puffy pastry with a sweet buttercreme filling.

"I have to learn how they make this creme!!  It's light, and not too overly sweet, but still filling and- mmmmm~"

Resisting the urge to make a crude joke at her choices of words, he turned to a platter of various grilled, thin slices of meats.  Not much by way of seasoning, but nonetheless expertly grilled to get the most of the flavor they could manage, a nice light char on the edges.  "Mmm...wow.  It's surprising how good something can be just by itself if you know what you're doing with it."

As they wound down, Emeralda and her eldest daughters strode in, now kitted out in thick warm robes and fancy sparkly jewelry of their own.  "Good morning, Spyro and Cynder," she said with a dip of her head and a slightly more stately tone than what she'd used on the train.  "I trust your rest was plentiful?"

"Oh yes, these beds are incredibly comfortable.  Almost want to spend the day just nesting with the eggs on them."  Cynder nosed at the shells in her scarf sling.

"Alas, such comforts are not ideal for now."  Laying a parchment on the table, she moved it for them to see.  "Within the hour, after they prepare themselves for the day, the lord and lady of the realm wish to meet you."  Indicating the different bullet points on the paper, she added "After your greetings with them, they wish to take you for a tour of this citadel realm.  It is customary for the visiting delegates to sample the various foods and see the quality of the products we are trading."

"Guess that makes sense..." Spyro muttered, though he didn't seem too eager for a tour.

"It should go until a late dinner, whereupon they wish to entertain you with local music by way of a short and humorous play.  Depending on how the day goes, they may offer you rooms there at the palace for an early day tomorrow, or allow you to retire to this manor."

Rooms at the palace?  That had Cynder wondering if that was meant for something a bit more carnal.  

The walk to the palace felt a tad more crisp with the stronger breeze bearing down from the peak above, Spyro covering his mate's back with a wing.  The palace was another circular, sweeping design with abstract shapes evocative of the various elements, with gold pillars supporting most of the space.  The massive doors were opened for them, Electric dragons operating some machinery to maneuver the heavy wood and metal barriers.  A long, lush carpeted hall met them, the rugs almost as purple as Spyro's scales.  Various paintings of past leaders peered at them from between decorative pillars bearing colorful stained glass lamps.  Guards were posted at even paces along the hall, nodding to the two heroes in respect.  Doors opened along the sides as the occupants couldn't restrain their excitement regarding their guests, Cynder spotting some regally dressed young children, bright eyes shining in curiosity, shyness, wonder, and perhaps a bit of fear.  At the far end of the hall was a small pool and basin, both of them instructed to step in and cleanse their paws, then wash their faces, the attendants uttering some sort of prayer as they assisted.  On either side of the pool were doorways looping around the corner to the great hall beyond.  The two were led between two long silver and gold trimmed onyx tables set with Dragon-sized lounge cushions, towards the far end of the chamber where the King sat upon his surprisingly simple dais while his Queen lounged in a modified space next to him, a recessed pool in the floor with various beverage jugs and drinking bowls around, and a small low-slung writing desk on a swivel contraption, shelves of towels along the wall off to the side.  The guards led Spyro and Cynder to a spot several paces from the royal couple, the two bowing low as they could, Cynder a bit less due to the heft of her belly.

"Rise," came Igneocrax's deep voice.  "Be welcome, friends, to our kingdom of Anglapala, and well met at last."

"May the Ancestors look after you and your line, and thank you for receiving us so graciously," Spyro replied.  

With a small flick of his wing, he summoned a servant and leaned over to whisper something to her, then turned his gaze to Cynder.  "It is nearing time for tea, will you join us?  I would like to introduce you to some other blends besides Drachalla to ease your nerves."

"Oh, uh- y-yes, sir, I would enjoy that very much."

Rising from his throne, his assistant quickly joined Merlstrom, fetching a towel as she rose from her basin and helping dab her dry while she followed.  They sat at the head of the nearest table, the guards arranging the cushions where Spyro and Cynder were to lay.  Within minutes, a healthy arrangement of tea kettles were set on the table with some plates of mildly sweet cookies, and some cups of various tea additives including various sugars and some honey variants.  The watery lady cleared her throat and smiled softly at them.  "May I suggest this blueflower blend?  It is my favorite, but I find it calms my nerves and clears my mind the best."

Cynder nodded silently and their servant poured her a cup.  Sipping at it a little, she squinted a bit at the flavor.  "Mmmm...It's floral and fruity?"

"Yes indeed, one of my custom blends.  I hear you enjoy the culinary arts, Lady Cynder?"

"Yes I do, my queen, it is one hobby I find myself falling back on quite often."

"And you hunt for her, I presume?" Igneocrax asked as he turned his eyes to Spyro.  The purple dragon nodded, struggling not to stare too long at the slight cloudiness in one of the king's eyes.  

"I do hunt here and there, though my wife is quite the huntress herself."

"I have heard of the golem snake she slew.  I am very impressed with your aptitude in combat, Lady Cynder."  The two royals shared a look that seemed somewhat...weary? to the two younger dragons.  "If you'll pardon us...but I somewhat tire of the pretenses, and you are not quite comfortable picking your words."

"Pretenses?" Spyro asked uncertainly, the watery lady giggling.

"He means to say we're sick of the royal act."

"Apologies, yes, but...in this space I feel we can drop the act and speak a bit more frankly.  More...real."

Cynder sighed and nodded.  "Honestly it...is a chore trying to mince words and act more than we are."

"Then let us act as we are and forget the pretenses for a while," Igneocrax rumbled.  "Thank you for humoring me, but I understand you two have no formal training and I would not wish to strain you so much on this visit...though once we leave this room the masks shall have to return."

Spyro nodded with a weary grin.  "Thank you for accepting us.  The stuffiness is difficult.  I was so nervous we'd say something or move wrong and start a war."

The lord and lady laughed at that.  "Oh, some of the snottier ones here would love nothing more than to jump at such a chance to view an accident as malignancy, I won't hide that.  It is an unfortunate necessity to maintain appearances, but one rule of the kingdom is that what takes place within these halls remains there.  So...with that out of the way, I did want to ask many things of you, but I also do not wish to overwhelm you, as I've said.  I shall keep my questions as brief as I am able."

Merlstrom leaned on the table towards them almost like an excited child.  "Is it true you were raised by dragonflies??"

He blinked in surprise at that and Cynder laughed.  "That's where we start??  Oh this is gonna be a great time then."

Rubbing his neck, Spyro chuckled nervously.  "Er...yes.  Ignitus took my egg from the Temple on the night of the raid and snuck me down to the Silver River, and I ended up in the Swamp.  My parents found me there and...I don't honestly know how they pulled it off but they raised me for twelve years until the Ape forces encroached on the Swamp during their search for Ignitus."

"So it wasn't just hearsay or wild rumors...that's so fascinating!  We've heard so many things about you two down the grapevine!"

"Though the most factual would have been the Patriarch and Matriarch status.  That only arose recently, I presume?"

Spyro blushed and his wife nodded.  "Yes, within the year.  These were the proof of it," she said as she dipped her head to nuzzle at her eggs still held against her chest by the scarf sling.  "Poor Spyro was so overwhelmed with the news ahead of me..."

"I can't even imagine..." Igneocrax rumbled with a shake of his head.  "In a way I can sympathize, feeling that burden of responsibility to so many futures on your shoulders...but to have our literal species as a responsibility is unheard of."

Sharing a look, the hero couple sighed together and nodded.  "It's been very stressful in considerations, yes...but it's also been...shocking, honestly, the outreach of support we've found.  I was afraid it would devolve into wars and infighting...and that I'd have to evacuate Cynder to safety somewhere."

The king nodded gravely.  "It is still a very real threat...one that hangs far closer than any of us want to realize.  There are proud, haughty individuals who take bloodline purity far too seriously...many of whom are within the bounds of my lands, even with our progressive evolution in beliefs and unity.  We've made significant progress...yet it's the traditional bloodline purists that hold us back.  They shall not have a choice...but I fear they will make the wrong choices even then.  However, I do not say that to alarm you, of course.  It is this grim reality that has spurred us to support your hardship as best we may.  Even now we are solidifying expansions of our domain, and with it, protective forces ready to move out at a moment's notice.  The quiet after the war has bred issues, but also a careful watch, and we desire to turn that sentiment to more productive means than to let it stagnate."

Merlstrom sipped at her tea and turned her gaze to Cynder again.  "Tell me...what is it like to be pregnant?  It has long been one of my fondest dreams, yet..."

Blushing, Cynder looked down at her belly, Spyro reaching over to gently fondle and rub that gravid swell.  "I don't know if I can speak for all females but...for me it's been the best thing to ever happen to me, and...I love it, honestly.  It gets heavy, and achey, and very awkward, it makes sleep and movement and comfort much more difficult, but...I love the...glow? that I feel with it, being pregnant has brought me a sense of contentment I never thought possible after everything I've been through."  Nosing at her eggs again, she sighed softly.  "I just hope these little ones don't leave us hanging for fifty years waiting..."

"How long has it been since they were laid?  A few months now, if I recall."

"Yes, it's been...hrm.  Lemme think real quick..."

"About four months maybe?" Spyro offered.

"Has it really been that long?"

"I'm starting to lose track with all the chaos."

"I can't wait to finally conceive..." the aquatic femme replied sadly.  Her husband reached over and held her paw and they shared a sad smile.  "We had only just met before the Destroyer War and had next to no time as the rabble descended upon our peak...and we finally consummated our union after the world's fracture."

"Four years with no heir has been devastating to think about as the remaining eggs hatch yet no more are borne into our kingdom...I am eager to see the results of the breeding program.  I can...only hope that a cure may be found soon.  A definitive cure.  Our communications with the Matrons have let us know that you, Lady Cynder, are capable of...at least temporarily reversing the curse on us males, but I do hope a permanent cure can be discovered post-haste."

"Well...barring propriety, I wouldn't be opposed to helping you get an heir or two..." she replied with a blush.  "I just...wish I knew when this superovitation stuff is supposed to more fully kick in, right now all I have is the superior egg count and the umbilical cords on them, but the old ladies say the umbilical cords means I will at some later point definitely be able to 'stack' pregnancies.  I had somewhat hoped that ability would come into play for this trip so I could more directly help, but...unfortunately it has not."

Spyro cringed as he expected to be volunteered.  "It will happen when it happens, as all nature does," Merlstrom replied, shaking her head.  "No use fretting over it.  There are some half-heirs within the palace from my mate's younger siblings before the wars, but he wished to remain pure for me, and I for him."

"Kinda like we were for each other I guess," Cynder added, leaning her head against Spyro's shoulder.  

"You two were dedicated mates too?"

Spyro nodded with a small frown.  "Until the breeding thing cropped up, yes.  And...part of me hopes that someday it'll smooth out enough that we can retreat and return to that.  Not sure if my wife feels the same though," he added with a teasing glare down at her, getting a playfully indignant blep in return.  

"Maybe, maybe not, I won't deny I love sex."

"Well, we can discuss heirs at another point, but I did have another question.  Do you only know the cardinal elements, or have you practiced with unconventional powers as well?"

"I've tried some of the more unconventional ones, but haven't had much luck with them.  A few times I've tried to copy Cynder's Fear and Poison abilities, but her manifestation stability has me beat on that front."

Sipping some more tea, she smirked proudly.  "Gotta be good at what I have."

"A sentiment I wish more would realize and adhere to.  I'm glad to see your practice of your abilities even after the wars.  I...hope the mention of those darker times is not a trigger?"

Swirling her teacup, Cynder gave a nasal huff of consideration.  "I do try not to let it get to me...and Spyro has been a massive blessing of help in that regard.  He keeps me grounded...and sane.  It is easier to talk about such matters now compared to last year.  Not comfortable...but not as hard."

"I can only imagine, my lady.  There are many here within my borders who see you as an icon to aspire to, for your resolve in sticking to the light side despite your stay in the dark."

She blushed at that, Spyro rubbing her back.  "I'm still not used to that..."

"She's been getting a lot of positive attention lately when before she used to get nothing but negative or veiled negativity, so...it's been quite a transition to get her through."

With a slow nod, the black dragoness sipped at her tea again.  "Seeing others who are actually, truly eager to see me is...awkward.  It feels like they're hiding something...even when I know they're not.  The anxiety never really stops that incessant pull..."

"Words can be ladled thick and sweet as honey yet equally run as thin as sheer.  It is in action that we must lay the path of recovery, and I can only hope that your stay here will help with affirmative action.  May the actions reflect the words when we say 'thank you' for everything you went through in saving this planet.  It is one of many reasons we have backed the project, not just for the eggs but to make sure you two are not overwhelmed with this insane remnant of that horrid darkness.  I pray we will be able to use this to turn things around for good."

"Yes indeed...and then someday have children of our own."

"What do you do in your free time, if I may ask?  Or rather, what did you two do before this breeding program invaded your lives?"

Spyro huffed softly.  "We mostly just lived to ourselves...after the final fight we somehow ended up in Avalar Valley."

"And he proposed to me right there when we'd gotten over the excitement of surviving the Core."  Cynder pecked his cheek and he nuzzled her neck.

"We stayed there for a year or so, then the Guardians found us and I'd been running odd missions for them, usually rescues, so I haven't had a whole lot of time for hobbies.  Cynder was my main hobby."

She blushed and batted at him, the lord and lady laughing lightly.  "Well, while he was out, I hid myself away from everyone...social anxiety and all that...and I really just dabbled in food to keep my mind busy.  Food and training at the Temple after we had to move closer to be on call for the Guardians so much.  I'm not sure what else I'm interested in...food and sex have been my hobbies of late."

"Not a bad set of activities to enjoy," Merlstrom churred playfully.  "But Sir Spyro, do you not know of anything else you might enjoy?"

"Mmm...mostly reading, I guess.  Haven't really found any particular like versus dislike, except for math topics, I hate those.  I do enjoy crystals too, crystals and gems."

"Is it also true then that you became a god for the Atllawa?"

Cynder laughed and Spyro facepawed.  "Yes...it's so weird how that works.  They had a god at their shrine, a massive stone and vine golem, and when I killed it, Sparx and I became their new gods apparently."

"Who is this Sparx?"

"He's my brother.  A dragonfly.  He hatched a day before I did."

"Is your family still out there with all this chaos?"

Nodding, he smiled a little.  "They relocated recently to Tall Plains with Sparx's help, along with some of the other Swamp dragonflies.  My family, and my new little sister with them, are now safely living at the shrine and Sparx gets to live out his godhood fantasies...for better and for worse."

"Oh, so he actually has to work for the title?" Cynder asked, shaking her head.  "Oh the horror.  How will he ever manage."

"You have a little sister?  Is she a Dragon too, or a dragonfly?"

"Dragonfly.  She was born right after the war if I remember right.  It feels so strange to be an older brother to her, especially with how incredibly tiny she is."

"Full of energy though, to say the least, little spitfire there," Cynder added.  "Almost literally, hehe.  She tried to imitate us by breathing fire."

"That's so cute!!  Awww...Perhaps someday we shall visit these Tall Plains, I would enjoy seeing the geography of one of our bigger grain sources.  I do wish I were not bound by my biology as such..."

"How did you even get here, if I may ask...or even meet in the first place?" Cynder asked.

"I presume you have met our chief conductor, Lady Ashtalon?"  They both nodded.  "She was instrumental to both meeting and transport.  During the...well...when you were capturing the Guardians...the Apes had stolen her technology and were creating their own pirated versions of the steam engines.  The greater success was at the volcano where Spyro fought it, but there was another incident to the east where I hail, and Igneocrax decided to join the investigation himself.  The train had been hybridized to run on land with some modicum of steering potential, and was being run amok along our shoreline home.  The Apes thought it to be hilarious.  Igneocrax slew their general, then when he came to our village to offer apologies for Anglapala's unwitting involvement in the destruction...well."

"She was their delegate sent to guide me through their vast floating fishery village," he said, rubbing her paw gently.  "Love at first sight for me...though she was slower on the uptake."

"Oh stop, you."

"Perhaps it was the separation of royal powers.  But either way.  Her being the eldest daughter of the clan's leader, I could not help but ask for her paw in courting.  I was denied at first, of course, but...I stayed to oversee the assistance efforts in recovering the destruction, and with time, before the Eternal Night occurred, we started to officially court each other.  I was unable to stay long enough though, and had to return to Anglapala, but I commissioned Lady Ashtalon to devise a water tank car so that my prospective mate could have a comfortable journey across the land to us eventually.  There were Ape tracks for the trains from the coast almost to our kingdom, and we re-appropriated those for her trek.  It took some doing though with the interruption of the Eternal Night and the subsequent return of Malefor and corruption of his forces, but most of his attention was drawn to Warfang and the surrounding areas, so we managed to get her shipped by boat and then by train.  And we married up here just before the Ape and Grublin forces encroached."

"Why did you wait so long to find someone?" Spyro asked.  "Or...was it not really a wait that could be helped?"

"Mmm...I had grown tired of courting before I found her.  Many dignitaries, nobles, and others seeking royal connection had come to me as prospective partners, but I did not wish to be married for convenience or connection.  I wished to marry for love, as it should be, and I could not find it within my borders or among those arriving seeking me.  I had...almost given up on the idea of finding a mate, especially as my younger siblings found their matches and had children.  I had contented myself with the notion that I would leave the throne to one of them.  But...well.  When I saw Merl...and as I got to know her...I knew, somehow, she was the one.  And I've not had a single regret of that since."

His queen giggled shyly and pecked his cheek, purring softly, her broad-finned tail swaying behind her lithe body.  "It's been a significant change for me, of course, not to mention culture shock to the extreme, but I enjoy it here.  It feels more natural to me than my job of guiding the clan on the sea.  Though I do miss the ocean spray...the shipments of ocean water just aren't the same.  I am eager to get the steam engine network spread farther so we may travel more and I may see the sea again for a while."

Spyro rumbled in thought.  "To that end, Lady Ash asked me if I might be able to assist in those endeavors, with elemental research here at the kingdom or by helping lay down the tracks and plan out the gap navigation.  I've offered to help as best I can, though the breeding program and golem hunts do take precedence."

"Of course, and we thank you sincerely for any assistance you can render.  It will be repaid as well, I will see to it."

"Oh I don't need the repayment..."

"Be that as it may, I cannot in good faith not remunerate your efforts for the kingdom like that.  We can discuss repayment styles such as food trades if you do not wish for money or valuables."

Cynder grinned deviously.  "Perhaps some sharing of your more secret cultural recipes?"

"Mmmm...that might not be so easy," Igneocrax chuckled.  "But perhaps.  We shall have to discuss and consider.  But do tell me, is the Silver Grotto Temple coming along nicely?  I someday wish to see it, but I hope everything will be complete before the worst of the winter sets in."

"It's very nice there.  Most of the homes are done, the main Temple building is complete and they're still furnishing the rooms and facilities, there's an underground heated spa room, and we've been told there are entertainers and artists coming to reside as well and help instruct in their practices."

"Good!  Good.  When we first communicated on the ideas, we were afraid the breeding program would have to be a clandestine approach, so I am glad to hear the more public front and settling is coming along smoothly."

"Mmmm...this tea, what is this blend in this kettle?"

"That one is...Merl, the red teapot with the gold filigree and white lid?"

"Zaalzberry steam-dripped into a lymm leaf tea."

"It's got a fiery bite to it but it's also minty?  It's such a weird contrast?"

"I find it helps perk me up some mornings.  The steaming helps reduce the bitterness, and the drip helps control the intensity, as zaalzberry is...quite astringent."

Igneocrax swirled his own teacup and downed it.  "Normally, we host a tour of the kingdom, and to be honest the citizens are quite anxious for it, compared to the last several tours.  Would you two be interested?  If it would be too much, I can postpone it."

Glancing at each other, Spyro laid his paw over hers.  "Your call, hun.  I'm fine with it if you are."

"I...think I might be able to do it.  I am kinda curious about things after all."

Standing up from the table, he then dipped his head lightly to them, and to Cynder's surprise, touched his wingthumbs together.  "Then I shall prepare and we shall head out."

"Have fun out there," Merlstrom replied, kissing his cheek and giving Spyro a matching dip and touch of her wings together.  He nodded with his wings at his sides, but Cynder hesitantly bowed and touched her wings together.  "Oh...well.  I see there is some...mutual desire?"

Cynder blushed and smiled shyly.  "I wouldn't mind..."

Igneocrax chuckled.  "Then I suppose the question would be whether to have some...more intimate discussions now, or after our tour."

"Perhaps after," Spyro said, rubbing his neck nervously.  "To me it feels a tad...awkward to just...y'know...do it right after having some tea."

"There are other things I wish to discuss before such things as well, but...it is interesting and uplifting to see you are at least open to the idea.  I shall conduct the tour and we shall get that out of the way, then we shall reconvene here for dinner...and perhaps more after, moods still willing."

Merlstrom blushed too, her face turning an odd purple color with her shimmery pale blue scales.  "Yes...things to discuss."

"Are you not joining?" Cynder asked as the aquatic female made her way back up to her basin.  

"Alas, I cannot.  I am already reaching my limit now for being out of my element, quite literally.  It is a shame but...I have been on parts of the tour myself many a time before now as well."

Nodding softly, her husband turned to their guests.  "Lady Ashtalon should be conducting the regular rounds as well.  I believe if we leave now, we should meet with her smaller track vehicle as she makes the material deliveries around the town."

Spyro and Cynder followed the king and his guards back out the long hallway and then down the ruling hill to a station where they discovered tracks inlaid into the brick and stone of the walkways.  There was a smaller steam engine and a line of other cars, most of them carrying crates and lumber beams.  Ash was there, bundled up in a black cloak secured by several scarves around herself, her belly still a tad round from her earlier fun with the purple dragon.  "My liege and honored guests," she greeted them with a low bow, "am I to have the honor of...conducting the tour?"

Cynder giggled and Spyro rolled his eyes at the pun, Ash giving them a smirk.  "Indeed, Lady Crusche.  May I ask about the smaller water car by the way?"

"You may not, my lord, the answer remains the same today."

"A shame."  Motioning the purple and black dragons to the foremost car, they found some pleasant cushion seating beneath a canopy, the sides open for passengers to step on or off.  It was a small engine, perhaps the same size as the ones Spyro had fought before with their larger body size compared to back then, three Dragons taking up most of the space per car.  Once they were settled and Ash had offloaded the appropriate cargo and ticked her paperwork, she hopped into the engine control cab and off they went with a musical steam chime.

"There's not all that much to the tour," Igneocrax admitted.  "But it does help improve morale.  I'm positive the snacks at the vendors will grant you some more culinary experimentation ideas, and we do have samples of spices you may choose from as well."

"Oh, do not tempt me so, my lord," Cynder replied with an eager shiver, licking her lips.  "The samples I have tasted so far have been a tease to my tongue."

Spyro wasn't as interested in the tour as she was, though he couldn't help but watch as the fanciful, abstract, curvy architecture rolled by.  It made him wonder if they could perhaps come up with a signature look for expansions to the Temple Grotto, if such was ever needed.  His mind was back home, wishing it was just him and Cynder again in their little house.

The small steam engine bore them along to the outer perimeter, the king explaining some historical facts here and there or indicating particular sculptures and their significance.  Their first stop was the lumbering mill, a large underground complex where mountain pines were being cut and prepared for long-range shipping.  Around that hub there were artisan stations where the unwanted knots and other misshapen or unworthy bits for lumbering were deposited and worked on to create sculptures or custom requests like replacement parts.  There was also a young girl working on what looked to be toys for children, including teething rings and bone-shapes.  Further down the line, they stopped at one of the hunting outposts, where several large carcasses were being worked on, creatures Spyro and Cynder had never seen before.  Igneocrax explained how there was ongoing materials research being conducted for their hunting squads, in attempts to find more efficient weapon materials and ways to better use or recycle undesired animal parts.  The granary was next, Moles and Furs working diligently on very fine mechanical parts for the machines churning the grains produced in the outer reaches.  The underground area also had an expansive backup farming area, with ceiling-bound watering pipes, a dense collection of lightstones for the plants in lieu of the sun's absence, and fertilizer routes coming in from the next station.  Grains, vegetables, some low-lying fruit bushes, and even mushrooms were being cultivated here.  The fertilizer station was perhaps the most complex one yet, with massive piles of different soils and sands outside beneath sheltering domes carved to look like giant mushrooms, and a great many chemical stations where various mixes were being very meticulously produced and measured.  

"I knew certain plants grew in different types of soil, but...seeing this is...wow..." Spyro remarked.  

"Even the smallest of changes in the world can move down the line of cause and effect to create massive changes, largely detrimental.  The most miniscule of acidity or base changes from limestone exposure, for example, can destroy an entire field as erosion exposes an unknown bed beneath the field, or a volcanic eruption in foreign lands can render the rain acidic and disrupt essential chemical balances for years to come.  Sulfur compounds in the soil determine how fragrant or intense an onion becomes.  Farming research was our kingdom's main claim to its rise in power, and trade branched off that as we came to understand more and more of the balances between life and death, material and spiritual."

"And you balance out fertilizers here so you can grow exotic goods not otherwise available outside of other nations?"

"Correct, but at least ninety percent of that is for medicinal purposes, as we seek to make some of the more potent foreign herbs more readily available for better medical response, and conduct research on how soil and other conditions affect said plants.  Being up in the mountains does have some significant advantages and disadvantages in this field.  The research is taken with samples to other control branches as well at various elevations."

"Wow..." Cynder whispered.  "The complexity is...staggering."

After being shown how the materials were prepared, they were taken to a bakery, where Anglapalan pastries and breads and hardtacks were being made.  Spyro had to admit, a steaming oven-fresh yeasty bread with butter churned just that morning had quite the effect on increasing his mood, Cynder having seconds while he thoughtfully chewed on his sample slice.  Their visit to the butcher wasn't as in-depth, but they did get to try some delicious smoked and slow-roasted cuts.  The textiles warehouse was bustling with activity, the tannery in the back making the whole place smell strange while threads and plant fibers were worked on looms both small and gigantic.  Cynder received several soft but durable blankets for nesting.  A jeweling shop came up after that, Spyro reluctantly accepting a gift of beautiful gemstone cuts and a small bullion ingot of a strange silvery-gold alloy, the material used for trade tokens within the kingdom.  Their final stop for the day was the spice mill, where Cynder eagerly sampled some small but potent bits of pastries, meats, vegetables, breads, butters, and oils made with both local and foreign cultivars, and she also received several sample bags containing smaller bags of powders and grinding seeds.  

Their return to the palace was rather welcome, the three exhausted.  Dinner was provided along both tables, sample style once again, but some of these dishes were so strange and complex that the two dragons could barely register what they were looking at for some of them.  Noodles in broths, stews so thick they were more like gravies yet loaded with flavor, fluffy tuber mashes drowning in butter and honey, poultry roasts completely stuffed with vegetables and breading...some of these combinations were almost overwhelming to think about, but as expected, Cynder had to try as much of it as she could stand, the black dragoness purring in delight.  

"This trip is going to completely spoil my palate..." she mused as she sipped on a spiced wine.  "Mmm.  Wow.  It's amazing how different flavors complement and contrast so strongly."

"Indeed.  Before the war, we had several highly renowned chefs who loved to experiment with flavors and research the chemical reasons for such strong differences.  Sadly, they fled for their safety and have not returned.  I wish the best for them and that they remain safe...and that perhaps one day they or their apprentices shall grace our kingdom once more.  It is heartening to see you enjoy our presentation so thoroughly though."

"Mmmm...if I wasn't wrapped up in this breeding program problem...I think I would want to stay here for a while and train more professionally in the arts of food and drink.  These dishes are...amazing."

"I shall pass your compliments to our cooks."

Merlstrom giggled as she slurped up a noodle rather ungracefully, Igneocrax reaching over to wipe a line of sauce from her jawline.  "These spicy noodles are perhaps my favorite.  It's a truly simple recipe, really, but oh so enjoyable."

"I think I like this one better," Spyro added, indicating a pastry with spiced meat and pear jelly.  "I wasn't expecting fruit and meat to work like this with a pastry but...the tartness and the sweet-salty combination are really good."

"If you desire particular dishes, you may make such requests of course.  I believe the nice part of such visits is trying these sample runs and finding what your favorites are."

"Do not fill your belly all too much just yet," Merlstrom added as she licked her bowl clean.  "There are desserts after, as well."

"After dinner, or after...some post-meal activities?" Cynder asked with a blush, their hosts laughing softly.

"Perhaps.  I had wanted to...well.  We do need to discuss the possibilities of our own family now, with the breeding program underway so swiftly.  But...I did want to perhaps probe your sensitivity to direct versus indirect involvement.  As much as we would love to have children of our own...I am very aware of your reservations regarding the sexual nature of the program, Sir Spyro, and I would not wish to put undue pressure upon you more than the program has necessitated.  Would you be more apt to provide the essentials and we take such matters between us...or would you prefer to handle it more personally?"

The wordy dancing was hurting his head, but Spyro sighed in consideration.  "Thanks for asking...it does mean a lot that our sponsors aren't demanding my involvement.  I...do not think I would be averse to personal handling.  But...am I correct to assume that your relationship exclusivity has remained?"

Looking at each other, the king and queen nodded.  "If you do handle it personally...you would be the only other dragon to enter me.  And Cynder would be the second female to accept my husband.  I...am a little at odds with the prospect myself, I do understand your initial struggle with the concept, hence our unwillingness to pressure you.  But...I cannot deny I am...also curious about the Patriarchy mating I have heard of...and Crax is rather curious as well about Cynder's potential healing ability."

"There would normally be the topic of sullying our image by having such base relations with guests, but...this being the situation it is, one must forego such sociopolitical worries.  While we have preparations made for inheritance...I...cannot deny I too crave fatherhood as my mate desires motherhood, now that we have known such love together and wish to take it that extra step forward.  Would you be willing to help us?"

"It is, of course, not for the topic of the inheritance of the throne.  Our only desire is to be parents, in this regard.  Inheritance be damned, honestly."

"Merl!"

"What?  We're all thinking it at some point or another."

Spyro nodded slowly.  "Sure.  It's not something I can just...y'know...up and do, but...I wouldn't mind helping your situation."

Cynder blushed and nuzzled at him.  "Perhaps some...mutual exploration would help get things going?" 

"Perhaps, indeed."  Arising from the table they led their guests to a room off to the side of the throne hall, where many pillows, sheets, and several comfortable reclining couches were ready for their use, as well as some ice-cooled jugs of water and some drinking bowls.  The pleasant scent of floral incense helped set the mood as the door was closed to give them privacy.  With a little shiver from each of them, their clothes disappeared into their inventory magic, the four dragons having nothing between them now.  Merlstrom nuzzled at Cynder's belly, the black dragoness squeaking in surprise at her unusually chilly scales.  

"Ancestors...how I long to be this large with new life..."

"It's been amazing..." she replied.  "And...I love how sexy I feel too..."

"Very sexy..." Spyro murred as he kissed her cheek.

"Indeed..." Igneocrax whispered, his eyes drawn to the black dragoness now that she was not hidden between so many warm clothes.  "Ancestors...if that is how my wife could look while bearing our children..."  He was already quite hard at that idea, the watery female moving over to kiss his cheek with a playful giggle.

"Perhaps...closer than we expected now..."

Spyro rubbed his neck nervously again.  "I uh...just hope there won't be any...jealousy or such..."

"Mmmm..." Merl churred, slinking over to the purple male while Cynder shuffled over with a sway of her hips to greet the king.  "We are actually quite thankful to you two for allowing us to be so...well, comparatively normal, for today at least.  The stuffy nobility act does weigh upon the soul...but it has been nice to acquaint with heroes so down to earth.  I think you need not fear of jealousy...I've read the reports on what to expect of our generation's prime Patriarch."  

"May I?" Crax muttered as he reached in question for Cynder's belly.  She lifted her wing and nodded, his paw moving along her stretched hide, feeling the light resistance of an eggshell within her.  "How many do you bear again?"

"Four, they're Flame's eggs after our experiment to test my virility recovery."

"The new Grotto Temple Guardian?"

"...Somewhat a Guardian I suppose, yes."

"Oh my..." Merl exclaimed as Spyro rolled onto his back and exposed himself, her eyes drawn to that imposing half-gilded length throbbing powerfully against his chest.  "That is...honestly quite intimidating..."

"May I see what she gets to work with?" Cynder asked, Crax nodding with a smirk and carefully rolling onto his back on a couch, Cynder licking her lips as those nicely hefty balls and rather generous shaft were exposed to her.  His penis was the same plasma blue as his wing membranes, a rather shocking color considering his fiery element, but no less enticing as she leaned in to nuzzle and lap gently along his sack and sheath, Merlstrom imitating the gesture as she tended to Spyro.  

"I feel...heavy and hot..." she whispered.  "Am I truly going into heat again already??"

Spyro nodded.  "Yep.  And if I fill you, you're definitely gonna get pregnant."

"It...will all fit like in the reports...yes?" she asked as she nosed along his urethral barbs.  The edge of fear in her voice softened his anxiety.

"Need me to help you get ready for it?"

Blushing heavily, she nodded and rolled onto her back next to him, holding his cock with her paws while he turned and reached down to gently but firmly feel up her mound, growing puffy and wet with her rapid estrus effects.  "My heat cycle ended just before your visit and I had...feared I might not get to partake of impregnation efforts for another while..."

A soft moan from the other side of the room had them glance over, Cynder taking the king's shaft balls-deep in her mouth and suckling eagerly.  "Getting to it already," Spyro remarked with a smirk, shaking his head.  "Well.  Because you're getting exposed to me like this you're gonna go into heat, and it might get pretty intense...but are you sure you want to start a family now?"

She nodded, still blushing.  "More than anything else..." She gasped as he carefully slid his claw into her tight nethers, her juices rather copious yet a bit thicker than Cynder's, probably necessary with the potential of mating underwater for her kind.  "I've always dreamed about being a mother..."

"Then I'll fill you good and full of more eggs than you had in your dreams," he rumbled as he stood over her, lightly rubbing his shaft between her labial folds.

"Yes...please do!" she gasped, her lithe frame curling back and forth in anticipation under him.  He backed up and she shivered in lustful need as she felt his heavy nuts drag along her tail until his tip slipped into position, the taper gently prying her tunnel open.  Merl bit her lip and gripped the sheets and pillows under herself as that barb-crowned head slipped into her tight lower embrace, then gasped as those pleasurable ridges began to pop past her tight grip.  "Oh Ancestors...make me a mother..."

"Let's prove the reports right and get the entire thing in you first."  Giving short thrusts just like he had with the other ladies earlier, he inched himself deeper and deeper into the monarch's body, her breath fluttery with pleasure and anticipation and growing estrus lust.  She already felt warmer than she had a few minutes ago, that half-drunk look glazing her eyes.  Finally his tip prodded against her entrance to her womb and she gasped and squirmed at the unusual sensation.  Reaching under her and hold her hip firmly, he pressed in and they both gasped out as he slid through that ring of muscle and up into her innermost chamber.  "Now the fun begins..." he growled softly, lifting her hips up so her back arched a bit and pressed her slim belly out.  Merl watched wide-eyed and panting heavily as he pressed ever deeper and bulged her belly out, further and further until his sheath kissed her folds.  

"That...this cannot be..."

"It very much is.  That's my entire penis inside you...and about to make you a mother."  With that he started to slowly thrust, grinning as she squirmed and mewled under him in intense pleasure as those ridges and barbs raked back and forth through her tunnel and her cervix, touching and rubbing places she'd never felt before.  

Behind them, Cynder purred around Igneocrax's cock, swirling her tongue expertly around every intimate detail, her paw fondly groping and massaging those heavy orbs under his sheath.  He was gritting his teeth and arched back, trying to hold off from finishing too early, but the scent of his wife's heat was getting to him already.  Feeling him just about to finish, the black dragoness slowly pulled off and kissed his tip.  "Much as I want to taste your cream..." she whispered as she dragged her belly sensually up over his bits, letting him feel those silky scales, "I think my pussy would rather have that drink..."

"Ancestors, yes," he huffed, his paws feeling up her body, rubbing her hips, groping her ass, squishing her belly while she positioned herself.  She giggled at his explorations and churred as he pleasured her, then they both groaned out as she slowly, teasingly sank her tight passage onto his rock-hard shaft.  Leaning back to show off her pregnant form to him, she started to eagerly bounce upon his lap.  

"Cum all you want inside me~" she churred, clenching on him, feeling him throb hard in response.  "I love feeling a male's penis throbbing in me as he finishes..."  Cynder squealed under her breath as that affirmation made him throb even harder within her.

Gritting his teeth, Spyro forced himself to keep an even pace, wanting so badly to give up his resistance and fuck Merlstrom into the cushions.  Her paws were already kneading and gripping the sheets and pillows while she struggled for breath, her tight nethers like a vice around his shaft, quivering and rippling as his ridges and barbs popped in and out of her cervix and stroked all over her inner walls.  It wasn't long before she succumbed to the pleasure wracking her core, the watery dragoness locking up with a high-pitched squeal and arching up under him, her entire body shaking with the ripples of climax crashing through her.  "Yesss..." he growled softly in her ear, "get your body ready, get those eggs ready..."

"Ghhhuuuuuh..." she moaned out, her eyes glassy and unfocused in her afterglow.  "Eggssss...please..."

Holding her with a forepaw he carefully maneuvered them so she was now sitting up on his lap, pleasured gasps and squeals escaping her as the motions stirred his cock within her body in new ways.  Once she was situated she began to eagerly bounce atop him, her lithe little paws on his chest for stability.  She gazed open-mouthed in awe and excitement as that prominent bulge of his penis in her belly moved up and down with the motions, a direct correlation to the surges of pleasure coursing through her.  "Enjoying yourself so far?" he asked, holding her slender hips.

"Yes...yes, so much...I can feel my heat...please, I want children...so very much!"

Her excitement was tangible, Spyro bucking up off the bed and making her moan to the ceiling.  It didn't take her much longer with her rapid estrus, the watery female quivering and quaking in the throes of orgasm atop him, her slick juices lubing him even more while her body milked his length desperately for that heat-quenching pearly goodness.  Holding her steady, Spyro purred deeply as he watched her enjoy the deep pleasures his cock was providing her.  Her tail wiggled back and forth, brushing over his generous jewels.  Rolling his hips slowly, he kept pleasuring her through her afterglow, the queen purring in appreciation as she recovered from the unexpected intensity.  "Hope you're ready for a big belly..." he teased, rubbing her gut, making her shiver in anticipation.

"Yes...please!"

With a few quick, sharp thrusts up into her, he not only made her climax again swiftly, but also went over his own edge, growling out as he finally unloaded.  Her paws groped his tip through herself and she watched in bleary amazement as her womb began to fill up with each powerful jet of his seed.  Throb after lovely throb in her core made her huff in bliss each time, that trim slender middle of hers becoming rounder and rounder, until finally he finished ejaculating and she looked ready to drop quadruplets same as Cynder.  Panting heavily, she squished her belly with her small paws, feeling his load shifting around inside her.  "Feels nice?" he asked, watching her stunned expression.

"It's...this is incredible..." she whispered shakily, unable to help feeling all over her swollen middle.  "How is this possible..."

Cynder smirked as she watched Igneocrax watching with wide eyes as his wife's belly became so distended with seed.  "It's rather sexy to see isn't it?" she whispered.

"Is...is that how large her pregnancy shall be?" he asked with a not insignificant amount of hope in his tone.

"Dunno yet...but hopefully."  She wiggled her hips on his lap and clenched tightly, making him hiss through his teeth as he tried so hard not to pop already, but it was a losing battle.  "May I feel you finish in me?" she asked, though rhetorically, smirking at the obvious answer gleaming in his eyes.  A loud groan escaped him and he tensed up, Cynder churring happily at that lovely flexing of his shaft inside her, then the repeated twitching and pulsing as hot warmth seeped into her passage.  She quivered and arched back over him with her own orgasm wracking her, gushing all over his lap and nearly drowning the pillows under them.  

Collectively relaxing, the four dragons laid there panting and recovering, Spyro and Merl stroking over her belly slowly.  "Mmmm...I should return to my basin..." she whispered, "but this is...amazing..."

"I think I can help with that," the purple dragon muttered, then exhaled slowly.  Water began to materialize around them, Merlstrom gasping in wonder as they were lifted up into a bowl of water free-floating in the air.  

"Oh!"

"Will this work?"

Rolling her hips on him, she purred and blushed.  "Yes, it shall~"  Those thicker juices of hers worked wonders at lubricating his cock against the water as she rode him further.  "We still have some time before the evening entertainment..."

"Better use it wisely then," he remarked with a smirk, watching her enjoy herself on his dick.  

Cynder purred to herself as Igneocrax continued to roll his hips as well, keeping himself hard within her depths.  "That feels really nice..." she whispered.

"You say I may ejaculate in you as much as I desire?"

She nodded with a blushing grin.  "Yep~"

Bucking up harder into her, he gritted his teeth and gave a low rumble of pleasure as he once again unloaded into her, the black dragoness churring happily at the sensation of his cock flexing in her with each gout of hot cream.  Panting from the exertion, he laid back on the cushions.  "You'll have to forgive me for my lack of stamina..." he rumbled.  "Our duties as royalty leave us little time, usually, for sexual antics...much as the casual nature of sex in this kingdom would lead otherwise."

"Too busy to get busy?"

"Unfortunately."

Wiggling on his lap, she purred softly, feeling his softening shaft gradually retreating from her lower lips.  "Well.  Maybe this trip can get you some more exercise in that regard?"

"I...cannot deny the allure of such a temptation..."

"If Spyro gets called away for golems or to go over that train situation..."

"I would like to discuss his potential assistance in our operations, but...perhaps that could be made a more casual situation itself as well."

Merl's cry of pleasure caught their attention and they both glanced back to see her quaking and gasping in throes of bliss as she climaxed, then Spyro gritted his teeth and her belly started getting even more round.  Crax stared in growing lust, his shaft hardening once again inside Cynder's tight tunnel, the black dragoness giggling.  "My king, do you have a thing for the pregnant female form?" she teased, the plasma fiery drake gulping against his dry throat.

"I...cannot deny such allure..."

"Imagining your mate huge and heavy with eggs?"  He didn't reply verbally, but the surge of stiffness in his cock was all the answer she needed.  Bouncing on his lap again, she moaned softly as his tip continuously jabbed at her depths, some of his ridges pressing at her g-spot.  

"Ancestors...Cynder...may I mount you more traditionally?"

"Oh~?" she churred with a seductive grin.  Slowly pulling herself off his lap, she shivered as his penis left her depths with a lewd wet noise and then plapped wetly against his belly.  Turning around slowly, she curled her tail and lifted her rear, showing off her eager slit, her spread legs giving him a view of her heavy belly underneath.  "Like this, perhaps?"

He grinned a bit shyly and stood up to hold her hips, the black dragoness churring softly when his tip kissed her folds firmly.  Slowly pressing in, Igneocrax moaned deeply, then huffed through gritted teeth at the sensitivity in his cock after cumming twice in rapid succession already, his dangling orbs brushing up against her cleft and rubbing against her clit.  He quickly settled into a fast, hard rutting pace, Cynder mewling out and pawing at the floor.  "Already so close..." he grunted, trying to slow his pace, having to fight his instincts begging him to breed this willing female under him.  

"Do you and your wife have to have quick sessions?" she asked as she clenched on his thrusts.

"Oftentimes, yes..."

"I think something more casual and slow would be a good change of pace...mmmph yes right therrr-" she broke off with a yelp as she suddenly climaxed on a particularly hard thrust making his nuts slap against her clit, her body quaking as she gushed all over his balls, legs, and tail.  The sheer force of her fountain of nectar against his body made him seize up with increased arousal tipping him clean over his edge, Cynder feeling his spurts of seed tangibly jetting against her inner walls.  

The two pairs relaxed again after their climaxes, Merl stroking and pushing on her huge belly heavy and round with Spyro's seed, and Crax similarly rubbing and kneading Cynder's gravid swell.  "That...was amazing..." the watery femme finally broke the silence with a pleasured grin.  "I can't wait to see how many eggs I shall bear..."

"How many are you wanting?" Cynder asked.

"Realistically for logistics?  Perhaps three or four at first...but from my own dreams?  I would wish for eight or even ten..."

"Merl..." her husband rumbled, "I've just ejaculated three times in a shorter span than ever, please do not utter such attractive arousing things so soon..."

The girls giggled at that, Cynder reaching down to rub at his balls again.  "I think these deserve a rest then."

"Yes, let those gorgeous testicles recover," Merl replied with a wink.

Rolling his eyes, Spyro huffed.  "Everywhere, every girl is obsessed with balls."

"Well, for ages it was often the penis getting all the attention.  Paintings, carvings, literature, all so focused on prowess with the phallus, so little attention given to the sexy round testicles that source the life-giving seed the penis supplies!"

"I cannot fathom the attraction either," Crax replied.  "But, who are we males to judge when our ladies find it attractive?"

"I guess."

Cynder giggled.  "Perhaps tomorrow you boys should have that discussion on trains while we girls tend to your balls?"

"I think I'd like that," Merlstrom answered.

"I shall see what I can align..." her husband said with a defeated tone, but a small bit of a smirk.  "For now though, I am spent, and we are approaching the appointed time for the entertainment.  We should adjourn and bathe."

"I think Spyro's got that covered..." Cynder mused, but the two royal dragons shook their heads in unison.

"it is a traditional evening cleansing, not just mere water washing."

Merl maneuvered herself to slip out of Spyro's floating watery bed, then squeaked and stumbled with the drastic change in her balance with so much of his cream weighing her down.  "Oh my..."

"It's a bit to get used to, yeah," Cynder said as she slowly pulled herself off the king's cock, moaning softly when his tip finally popped free.  Getting up slowly and stretching, the king moved over to his mate and nuzzled at her, the two sharing neck-hugs before he nuzzled at her belly as well.  

"You look even more radiant when you're pregnant, my love..." he rumbled, Merl giggling and blushing.  

"I think this will draw quite a bit of gossip at the morning reverence."

"Let them chatter..."  His paws roamed over her stretched middle, Merl gasping softly at the pleasant sensation.  

Spyro and Cynder were escorted to a bath chamber, where servants helped scrub them down with some muttered prayers and then rubbed and buffed their scales with an incense-infused oil.  Cynder squirmed a little, not used to the extra attention and the odd sensation of the oil film across her scales, but as it worked into her flesh beneath it lent a nice warm and relaxing sensation she couldn't argue against.  Meeting back up with the royal couple, they had a light dessert round of shaved ices, ice cream cookie nibbles, and some syruped fruit, nothing too extravagant or fancy this time, or heavy on the stomach after their dinner.  Merlstrom lifted her wing and produced a furry cloak which she slung over herself loosely, Igneocrax donning his crown and robes again.  "You should dress warmly as well," his wife instructed them while she reached up to help straghten her husband's crown.  "The theatre chamber does get a tad nippy in winter."

Spyro and Cynder produced their own getups and helped each other straighten up, then followed their hosts down the marble halls.  Several other groups were already filing out of their areas to head to the theatre as well, though there were quite a few gazes and side-eyes over shoulders and no small amount of whispering about the hero couple and Merlstrom's suddenly larger belly.  

The royal couple had a central balcony overseeing the rest of the room, with four seats, two for themselves and two for guests of honor.  Cynder carefully maneuvered herself to lounge partly on the edge seat as it wasn't made for her level of encumberance.  There was a tub at the other side, one which Merlstrom slid into and filled with her water breath while her husband lit some coals beneath it.  Merl was quite giggly now after that romp, and Crax seemed to be more open as well, the two sharing nuzzles and kisses while they got situated.  Cynder nuzzled at her mate and winked up at him when he laid his wing over her, rubbing her belly gently.  "Seems you've helped them in more ways than one," she whispered as Crax admired his wife's engorged belly again, the watery femme holding his paws to her body.

"Yeah.  It's stuff like that that helps me get over all this...craziness of the situation."

"Hopefully soon they can crack that curse and we can just do our own thing again.  I love all the sex, but...after everything gets patched up, I'd like to go back to just being us and our family."

Spyro nuzzled his mate and smiled softly.  "Thank you for saying that...that's what I want as well.  I was...starting to fear our sex drives would get the better of us."

"Nah.  Like I said, I love the exploration and the bonding of all this shared pleasure...but hopefully soon it can just be me and you again.  Maybe Flame and Ember on occasion.  Just you, me, and our forty or so children."

"Mmm...I might fill you with that many right here and now if you keep that up..." he rumbled, Cynder matching him with bedroom eyes and a playful smirk, almost daring him to rut her right there on the balcony before the play started.  Some shuffling caught their attention and they glanced down to see two others casually humping in the audience while whispering.  An older couple were also having some casual fun, the old lady stroking her mate's shaft slowly while his paw rubbed her mound.

"It's kinda odd to see nobility being so casually sexual too.  If Cyril was anything to go by, I would've thought they'd be more prudish."

Igneocrax nodded slightly.  "In our realm, it is more casual, yes.  There are other territories where sexual nature is hidden or even belittled."

"Glad we're not there then."

A rapid drum pattering caught their attention, followed by string instruments, servants shrouding the lights and plunging the theatre into darkness.  Cynder felt a sudden flare of protective urges, hugging her eggs close to her chest.  Spyro defused her by laying his wing over her back, the music rising with more and more instruments joining the slow but powerful beat.  

What followed was arguably one of the most confusing spectacles the hero couple had ever witnessed.  Energetic frenetic pipes accompanied puppet costumes prancing around, the Moles manipulating them shrouded in black cloth.  Props of trees, rocks, buildings, and various other scenery items slid in and out of view between walls and doors, the characters spinning a tale of a lost prince finding his way to a remote countryside full of fantastical and horrific creatures.  One of them was a Dragon actor with a skull-like puppet head mounted on some sort of brace on his shoulders, so every time he lowered his head the skull would snap forward ahead of him, a sudden gesture full of the character's malice, especially when directed at the audience.  There were a lot of smart lines obviously referencing something from Anglapalan culture that went straight over Spyro and Cynder's heads, but got some laughter from the rest of the audience.  The music, though, kept the two engaged.  Lilting tunes would slow into melancholic self-reflection, then erupt into frenetic yet measured chaos for the high-tension encounters, the drummers going all-out at those scenes.

By the time everything wrapped up, both Spyro and Cynder felt a little hazy from the rush of stimulation.  "Well, he got the girl in the end," Cynder mused.  "Not sure what happened for most of it, honestly, but it had a good ending."

"Yes, it can be a bit much to follow without Anglapalan exposure," Merlstrom agreed as she clambered out of her tub and a servant helped pat her dry.  "Oof...even with the water bouyancy this is an impressive amount to navigate..." she muttered, side-glancing at her distended belly.

"Very impressive...you look amazing, my dear..." Crax rumbled, nuzzling her neck.  "I cannot wait to see how many it shall be..."

"Mhm..."  She nudged him with a pointed glance to Spyro and Cynder, the king snapping out of his lustful fantasy.  

"How fare you, my honored guests?  I believe this should be all for the day."

"A pillow does call to me, this has been quite the invigorating view of the kingdom's culture," Cynder responded.

"Let us adjourn to the throne once more."

Drinking bowls had been laid out for their return, the king and queen settling at the table, Spyro and Cynder joining them again.  "What a day..." Spyro muttered, Crax nodding with a weary grin.

"I must thank you again for indulging us and weathering it...I know the tour was a lot to take in.  Alas, some of the nobles here would not take it well if you did not commit to the expected roundabouts.  With all that out of the way though, the schedule should be much easier and less tiresome."

"How many visitors do you usually receive and take on the tour though?  Or...well, I guess a better phrase would be to ask how often this occurs."

"It was much more common before the Destroyer War.  We would sometimes have entire multinational gatherings of nobles and merchants, and the tour could last for days depending on wherther or not the visitors desired to mingle with the production facilities and barter or haggle trade options.  Today though, since it is just you two, it was much smoother."

"I don't think I could have weathered days of that tour," Spyro remarked.  "No offense of course.  Just...not really into trade stuff myself so it's all over my head."

"Honestly? I feel the same many times.  But, weather it I must.  It does give me a chance to interact more casually with the facilities and market feeds rather than the stuffy inspections and tougher decision sessions."

"What do you usually do here then?  I can't imagine you just sit at the throne all day every day."

Merl sipped a bowl of green juice and nodded.  "There are no shortages of papers to work on, though around this time is an opportune visitation period as the winter months bring many things to a temporary halt.  Crax also spends several days each week away from the palace in meeting rooms around the kingdom as he gathers reports and intel from the watches, the supervisors, and the trade and merchant guild leaders."

"So...how do you manage that morning observation and prayer stuff?  You're not up there daily are you?"

"I am, at the least," she replied.  "It's one of the few things I can manage without splashing everywhere.  But I do enjoy the meditative prayer sessions in the mornings.  We had a similar process in my clan, and as the heiress it was expected of me...though here it's less expectation and more of desire to do it.  I like leading my kingdom in prayer and reflection.  Crax joins when he can, but there are some days where he is pulling several all-nighter sessions consecutively for deliberations or discussions."

Cynder blinked.  "Well...wow.  Not to be crude, but I can see why you two didn't last long with us."

"Cynder!" Spyro barked with a blush, but the two royals laughed.  

"Better to be blunt I suppose, but yes.  We have not much time for intimacy except at the deepest hours of night after the daily routines and chores.  As much as we desire more of the casual intimacy our kingdom enjoys, the responsibilities of leading it and protecting it take a grand amount of time and energy.  As has been done before me, I have had to delegate many tasks to my siblings and their families, as part of the nobility, and their handling does ease up the responsibility a great amount, but...many final decisions rest upon me.  Upon us."

Spyro sipped at his bowl in thought.  "We were told Anglapala tradition is for children to be raised communally.  Does that apply to the nobility and royalty too?"

"Yes.  My siblings and I were raised by appointed maids and teachers, and even while it is slow now, Merl and I would not have the time to raise a family just by ourselves.  We will have to make time for the children of course, we're not ones to just pop eggs and saddle someone else with the responsibility, but...traditional family rearing is not in the cards for royalty, here or elsewhere.  Nations are a huge hassle to keep running.  But...I do hope to soon hear little pattering paws within the halls again.  My nieces and nephews are growing out of the hyperactivity...and the innocence."

"I may have to appoint someone as a replacement while I am gravid," Merl added as she rubbed her belly some more.  "I am honestly not sure if I will be able to endure tomorrow's prayer session, but I shall have to see."

"You may rest, you know," her husband replied with a kiss to her cheek.  "You need not stand the entire time."

"I know.  But it feels strange to sit rather than stand."

Refilling her drinking bowl with a pitcher of blue beverage, Cynder glanced at the two of them.  "What shall be after this?"

Crax shrugged his wings.  "That is up to you, as our guests.  I can tell you are tired from the day.  Do you wish to retire?  Discuss?"  He and Merl shared a naughty look, to which he added "Make sure we have heirs?"

The two younger dragons glanced at each other and Spyro smirked at that.  "Well...perhaps I should take responsibility and make sure the request is fulfilled properly."

Blushing softly, the watery dragoness giggled to herself.  "I would not mind another attempt...or three..."

"I suspect we shan't get much sleep."

Cynder gave a wicked little sultry grin.  "Perhaps...or we could tire you both out so you get the rest you need."

"Speaking of...how do you sleep?" Spyro asked the queen.  

"Like most of my seating areas, I have a modified solution for that.  Shall we adjourn to the bedroom for the night?"

They were led up a tall spiraling stairwell to the third floor, and down another long hall of paintings and busts, to a very lavish room with several enormous beds, many large pillows and blankets for lounging, and what looked to be a room of crystal and gilded frames with a brass pipe leading up over one of the walls.  "A shower bed?" Cynder asked.  "Never thought of that..."

"Indeed," Crax replied as he shed his robes.  "The sound of the trickling water is extremely relaxing."

"What is this material?" Cynder asked as she peeked in and saw a grassy green beanbag of sorts.

"Waxweed," Merl answered as she slipped in and laid atop it.  "Naturally water-repellant, and puncture resistant.  At least, for a good while, but regular use does tend to worry the threads apart over time."

Cynder sighed softly.  "So many accomodations.  I'd feel like a hassle with all this, if it were me."

The queen nodded and sighed as well.  "Some days, such thoughts do enter my head, yes.  I love my big stupid mate, and I'm glad he's willing to go so far for me, but...rough days wear one's resistances and I cannot help questioning whether or not it's all worth it.  Being so far from my home, any semblance of my natural habitat even..."  The plasmaic fiery king padded up to her and kissed her cheek.

"But you are, my love...you are worth even more than all this."

She blushed and hid her face in her wing.  Cynder leaned against Spyro's side and he hugged her with his wing.  "So...may I ask how many visitors get this portion of the tour?" Spyro asked with a teasing smirk.

"Oh, so very few I could count on a single paw."  He grinned when Merl lifted her paw and raised two toes with a blushing grin of her own.  "That is, if you would be comfortable with it for the night.  I know some females get...protective of their eggs when it comes time to rest for the night."

Cynder bent her neck down to nuzzle at the eggs still cradled in the scarf.  "I...think I should be okay for the night."

Igneocrax moved away from his wife to gesture to one of the large beds by a side wall, with finely patterned curtains around its frame.  "You may rest in this one.  Everything here is waxweed fabric so...don't feel too bad about making a mess."

Merl giggled and fanned herself lightly with her wings.  "Oh my, the memories..."

"Well now I've gotta know..." Cynder said.

"Nothing too damning, but...Crax and I...we uh...nearly dehydrated ourselves our first night."

"We ah...couldn't bring ourselves to stop until we passed out from exhaustion well into the next night."

"Oh, a first-time marathon.  I can't say we were too different."  She cocked a sidelong grin at Spyro, the purple male blushing but not moving to deny it either.

"Yes, the excitement of sharing that first discovery ran our blood quite hot, I will admit."  The king did nothing to hide his growing erection.  "However...perhaps less of a marathon tonight?"

Cynder purred in anticipation, giggling to herself.  "Perhaps we should see just how long you can last this time."

Spyro rolled his eyes, then gave an apologetic grin to Merl as she shyly approached him.  "Sorry.  I'm not as quick to get used to all this...overt sexuality as my mate is."

"Yes, perhaps we should take it slow as well?"  She tilted her head to the shower chamber, inviting him in and getting comfortable on her waterproofed cushion, Spyro laying next to her, the watery femme stroking his heavy nads with her tail.  "Maybe just some exploration for a bit instead of getting right to it?"

"That would be great," he churred as his paw moved down her belly.

It was going to be quite the long night indeed.