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Hearts of the Sky Intertwine Ch. 01

By: horsechick91



A note from the author: this story starts a little slow, it will pick up. there is no sex in this first chapter, as i am still flushing out all the characters. I suggest that you read Silver Hearts Join as One so that you know how our hero came to be. 

*

The door slammed open suddenly, causing his mother to jump, and his father to growl. His mother glanced at the doorway, calmed her heart rate, and returned to her work. "What is it Leihiel? I'm busy." Elana said.

A strapping young Elvin lad strutted into the office. His silver hair hung just past his broad shoulders, and was tied back to show off his pointed ears. His violet eyes shown with apology. "Sorry about slamming the door, mother. Sometimes I forget my own strength. I just came to let you know I was going out to stretch my wings."

"No, Leihiel. You know the rules. You can't go out on your own." Neheil said, resting his chin back onto it's space on Elana's desk.

"But...."

"You heard your father. You can't go out without one of us with you."

"But the rebellion has been gone for years. All the rebels have been flushed out and dealt with. It is safe for me to go out on my own."

"I said no."

"Why do you still treat me like a child."

"Cause you are one."

"I am 75 years old, father. I can take care of my self. I am going out for a flight, and you can't stop me." he shouted, stalking towards the balcony. He changed forms and took off without a backwards glance at either of his parents. He flew hard for about ten minutes, then gently pulled his speed up to a gentle glide.

Leihiel circled lazily over the woods that he called home. His anger was still seething, which caused smoke to billow out of his nostrils. How can they still treat me like a child? he thought to himself. By the flames, I am over 75 years old. I have aged enough to make my own decisions.

Suddenly, off to the west, Leihiel caught a flash of sunlight from the tree line. Worried that the rebellion that his mother and father had quelled over three hundred years ago had reformed, he tilted his wings and angled in that direction. He circled over the glade but saw nothing because the tree tops blocked his view, so he glided to a clearing fifty yards away and landed quietly. Careful not to make a sound as he changed, he shifted to his Elvin form and stalked back towards the glade on quiet feet.

He reached the edge of the glade that he had spotted from above, and felt his jaw drop. In the center of the glade, curled up in the noon day sun, was a beautiful blue dragoness. The scales on her back and sides shown like sapphires in the sunlight, and she stared at him with eyes that were the color of the ocean.

"I wondered if you were going to come investigate me. Where is your dragon?"

"I do not have a dragon, beautiful one."

"Then how did you know I was here? Or did you stumble upon me by accident."

"In truth, I did stumble upon you by accident, but what I saw from the sky brought me in this direction."

"I thought you said that you didn't have a dragon."

"I don't. But I have an ability that can make me fly. I will show you if you promise not to be scared of me."

"A mighty dragoness like me, scared of a Elvin youth like you? I highly doubt it, but you may show me."

"May I have a little room please?"

"Of course." She replied, backing up to the outer edge of glade, giving Leihiel room. He accessed his magic, and shifted into his dragon form. He was smaller then his father by five feet, but he was still of an impressive size. His silver hide glittered in the sun, and he stretched his wings as far as he could in the glade.

"I hope this changes your opinion of me" He said to her, shifting back into his other form to give her the room that she needed.

I Thought that I would never find another like me. The dragoness replied, astounded. Her form shimmered, and she changed into her Elvin form. She stood just two inches shorter then Leihiel, and had a slender body. Her hair, which hung down to the middle of her thighs, was a lustrous blue that would of matched her scales if she was in her dragon form. She had delicate Elvin features, and her dragon heritage made her look exotic where it made Leihiel look more fierce then he really was. She stood dressed in a low cut dress of origins unknown to him. "My name is Azurina"

"You are breathtaking, Azurina." Leihiel said, staring into her ocean blue eyes "But our kind is not all that uncommon. There are others like me in my village. They are all male though."

"Really? I thought that it was only my mother that got raped by a dragon."

"Raped?" he asked confused. Then something occurred to him. "Oh, your mother must be one of the Drache Reiter that did not want to take her dragon as a mate after their first coupling and released him from his bonds."

Azurina gave him a sharp look. "How do you know of the Drache Reiter, and how are you not scared of them?"

"I know about them because my mother is their leader. And most Drache Reiter are not fierce. Most are, In fact, very peaceful."

The blue haired girl shrank back "Your mother is the leader of the Reiter?"

"Yes. If you want, I will take you to my mother and father. They are both nice, and will treat you with compassion." he offered, extending his hand

"Are you sure?" She inquired, staring at his extended hand like it would bite her.

"Aside from the rebellion that my mother single handedly put an end to, she has never hurt a soul. And my father, her dragon, respects all and will not cause any harm." 

"Ok..... If you promise that your parents will not hurt me."

"I promise. Do you want to fly yourself, or would you like to ride?"

" I'll ride, if that is ok with you. I do not know these woods, and I fear that I would get lost even more."

***

Leihiel glanced down at the female who clung tightly to his side, wrapped one arm around her shoulders, and knocked on the door to his mother's office.

"Come in." his mother's familiar voice said, so he turned the handle and pushed it open just enough so that his mother could only see him. 

"Mother, I have someone with me, and she is really timid around Drache Reiter." He explained. 

"I will be gentle. Bring her in" He pushed the door open completely, and gently led Azurina in. "And who is this beautiful elf? I have never seen her before." his mother asked soothingly.

"Her name is Azurina, and she is not just an elf. She is like me."

"She is???? I have only ever heard of riders ever having a son." Elana turned her attention to Azurina, who stared at Neheil in fear. "It's ok, sweetheart. He will not hurt you."

"I'm sorry. My mother always taught me to be cautious of all Dragons, no matter if they are male or female, that all could hurt me if I was not careful."

"Your mother was wise. Why don't you tell me what happened to her." Elana suggested.

Azurina took a deep breath, but never let go of Leihiel. "Well" she began "My mother use to be a Drache Reiter, like you are. Only her dragon was blue-green. In time the urge to mate came over him, and he convinced my mother to couple with him, that it was part of the natural course of things. But then her long time friend walked in while they were coupling, yelled rape, and proceeded to slay my mother's dragon. My mother was so shaken up by it that she fled, never to return to her home village, knowing that they would just kill her for 'being tainted by the dragon's devil's stick'. She gave birth to me all alone, and named me after my father, Azurian, who she had loved with her whole heart. When I was about 30 years old, I changed for the first time, and my mother knew what I was. She taught me all I needed to know to survive, and then just left me. I have been on my own ever since, with very little contact with anyone else."

"how old are you, Azurina?"

"I am entering my 74th summer."

Elana turned to her son. "And how is it that you found her, Lei?"

"I had been flying over our woods when I saw the sun flash off her scales. Fearing that the resistance had sprouted again, I flew in that direction, soaring overhead. When I couldn't see anything from the sky, I landed far away from where she was, changing into this form before creeping closer. When I saw her, I forgot all about stealth cause she was a beautiful dragon at the time. We talked for a while, I told and showed her what I was, and then she shifted into her current form. When she said that her mother had been raped by a dragon, I knew that I had to bring her here so she could get the truth of it all." He glanced down at the little elf, who still clung to him and looked up at him with fear in her eyes. Then he returned his gaze to his mother. "I just don't want her to be in fear of us when there is no need to be."

His mother gave him a knowing smile "I think there is more then that, but I agree. Bring her over here and I'll give her a mug of mint tea to calm her nerves a bit." Elana bustled over and began working on the tea while Leihiel gently led Azurina over to the couch in his mothers office. he thought of all the things that he could do to her on that couch. He thought about laying Azurina down, of kissing his way to her snatch, of taking her with the gentleness only a male dragon can provide. By the flames, this elf makes me think of things that I wouldn't normally think, things that I had only heard of, never done. He pushed the images to the corner of his mind for the moment. Time for that later he thought to himself, shielding the images from his parents. His mother brought two mugs of tea over, and gave one mug to Azurina, keeping the other mug for herself. "Azurina, your mother's partner of the sky was right. Most dragons who are partnered with elves end up taking their rider as a mate. It is only the rare riders that do not. You are not a product of a misbegotten coupling. You are one of the rare few who all Reiter cherish above all else. You, just like my son, are the answer to a prophecy, and we have long awaited your arrival.

Hearts of the Sky Intertwine Ch. 02



A note from the author: thank you to all the people who have patiently waited for this chapter. i promise that the next one will be posted sooner. again, there is no sex in this chapter.

Horsechick

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Leihiel gave his mother a sharp look. "What do you mean, the answer to a prophecy?"

"We never told you because we never thought that there would ever be a female offspring of a dragon and his rider."

It is an ancient prophecy stating, in simple terms, that when the son of the Drache Reiter's leader accepts a Daughter of the Sky as his mate, it is the sign that war will reign for ten years. None know who the war will include, or who will come out victorious. Many have not wanted the war, and have killed any females that have been produced throughout the centuries. Neheil explained, and turned his head to face Azurina. That is the true reason that your mother hid you. She wanted to keep you safe, keep you alive so that the prophecy can be fulfilled. She was not afraid for her life. I know cause she came to me once she left you.

"Neheil!" Elana exclaimed, turning on her mate. "Why didn't you tell me this? I could of helped protect this young dragoness."

There is another portion of the prophecy that is only known to the dragons  he explained as he turned his head to look at Elana. The Daughter of the Sky must have knowledge of the land, and be able to survive without anyone's help. She must know how to protect herself, or all will fail. Her mother's dragon passed this knowledge on to her mother, knowing that he would not live to see his daughter grow, for the blue dragons are skilled at Knowing. Neheil look at Azurina again. Your father knew that you were meant to survive.

Elana stared at her partner of the sky with a look of disbelief on her face. "I can't believe that you hid the fact that our Queen has been in hiding all these years."

"Wait, what?" Azurina chimed in. "Did you just say queen?"

"Oops. I didn't mean to say that out loud. You weren't supposed to know that for a while." Elana said sheepishly.

Leihiel looked at Azurina, who had turned deathly pale under her lustrous blue hair. "Mother, father, do you mind if I take Azurina to lie down for a bit, away from the arguing. She isn't looking too good."

"I'm fine, Leihiel, truly." she assured him, staring at him with her ocean blue eyes that showed all her emotions. Leihiel saw that despite her reassuring words, she was terrified.

I don't think that she is ok mom. I can see the terror in her eyes. He sent the thought to his mother. 

"Go ahead sweetie. Show Azurina to the guest, I mean her room. The one across from yours." Elana turned a gentle set of eyes on the dragoness in elf form who was clinging to Leihiel for dear life. "You are more then welcome to stay here as long as you want. You can consider this your home. We will not hold you to the prophecy."

The prophecy has waited this long, it can wait again. Neheil agreed. Nothing is more important then the health and well being of our brothers and sisters of the sky.

"Thank you for your hospitality." Azurina said shyly. "But I will not impose on it for long. As soon as I have recovered from my long flight here, I shall be off again. I have never lived in one place long enough to call it home, and I have a feeling I never will."

"Like I said, you are welcome to stay as long as you want." Elana shot a knowing glance at Leihiel. "I have a feeling that you will soon fall in love with this....place."

"That will do mother." Leihiel said, catching his mother's slight innuendo. "Come on Azurina. I'm sure you want to clean up." He gently pulled her to her feet and led her out of the room. As he closed the door behind him, he heard his parents start to argue, or at least he heard his mothers side of the argument. Leihiel shook his head, and strode purposefully to the stairs. 

"Leihiel, wait." Azurina said, stopping.

"Is something wrong?"

I just wanted to say thank you. You were right.

How was I right? He asked in surprise

When you said your parents were compassionate, and would treat me well. I haven't been treated like this since my mother left me.

You are more then welcome. But you could of said that while we walked.

But I couldn't of done this. Azurina reached up and locked her arms around Leihiel's neck, gently pulling him down. When his lips met hers, fireworks went off in his head. He became enthralled in the kiss, wrapping his arms around the soft elf in front of him. She pressed her body tight against his, meshing perfectly with him, almost as if they were two pieces of a puzzle that clicked together. He felt her tongue probe his lips, and opened them to admit it entrance to his mouth. The kiss turned into a passionate, intimate moment, with their tongues dancing and their lips melding together. 

They had been kissing for a few minutes, tongues sparing for supremacy, when Azurina broke the kiss to come up for air. "Wow." she whispered, leaning her forehead against his chest.

"Did you..." Leihiel began, resting his chin on top of her silky hair, breathing hard.

"Feel the fireworks? Yes."

"Do you think...."

"That we were meant to be together. I'm not really sure. Do you think it is...."

"Weird that we are finishing each others sentences? A little. It is like..."

"We are reading each others minds."

"Weird. Maybe we should go talk to my mother. She might know more about this."

"I'm not so sure. Your mother was arguing with your father when we left, and they might not be done." Azurina replied, pulling away and staring up into Leihiel's violet eyes.

"We need to know, beautiful one." he said, releasing his hold around her body, only to move his hand to hers. He noticed that their hands fit perfectly together, just like their bodies did. "More then just about the sentence thing. We need to know what would happen if I were to take you as my mate, what the war would entail. Would you be willing to help fight this war, to make the world a safer place?"

"If it meant being with you, then yes. I don't know why, but I suddenly know everything about you, and I think you know what I mean."

"I understand what your saying. For instance, I know that you love the feel of water flowing over your wings from the rain..."

"That you revel in a sharp dive from high in the sky..."

"And that you miss you mother terribly, and you wish you could of met your father." He felt her pull away slightly, and realized that he should of kept his mouth shut. "I'm so sorry, Azurina. I shouldn't of said that."

"It's fine, Leihiel. It is just that seeing your mother and father together makes me long for the family that I could have had." 

"What can I do to make you feel better?"

"You can kiss me again."

"If I remember correctly, you were the one that started that kiss." Leihiel said in a half tease, half serious way.

"I do believe your right." With that, she stretched up onto her toes and brought her lips up to meet his again. This time when they met, it was like lightning sparking and a storm raging between the two of them, with no end in sight. 

***

Elana sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose as she walked out of her office. I swear, Love. If you ever do anything like that again, our partnership is through.

I never thought you would get this mad. Neheil replied through his connection with his Rider and mate.

You should of told me! You have no clue how embarrassing that was? Elana snapped at him. Putting me on the spot like that was not acceptable. I'm the leader of the Drache Reiter, goodness sakes! It makes me look like a fool!

I'm sorry, sweetheart. How many times do I have to say that?

No matter how may times you say it, it doesn't change the fact... Elana came to a halt as she rounded the corner and was faced with the most touching scene. Azurina was reaching up and wrapping her arms around Leihiel's neck.

Neheil, you have to see this. Elana said, accessing her magic and whispering the spell that allowed her partner to see through her eyes. As her eyes focused for him, Neheil saw his son kissing Azurina the way that he wished that he could kiss his partner, with a passion that only true mates could ever know. He watched, and noticed that there were sparks flying between the two. 

You should go separate them. While I am happy that Leihiel found love, they will set the house on fire like that.

What do you mean darling?

Look at the two of them closely. There are sparks flying between them, coming off of Leihiel.

Elana watched for a couple of seconds, then she started to see it too. I'll stop them for the moment, and I will cast a spell tomorrow that will protect the house from those sparks. It seems that Leihiel's true magic has finally emerged.

***

Leihiel didn't know how long that kiss lasted. All he knew was that he was in love with this beautiful dragoness in front of him. He had to take it slow though, as she was a timid thing and would probably become terrified if he told her. He would just take what he was given for the time being, and slowly work his way into her heart.

He practically jumped out of his skin when his mother cleared her throat behind them. "I know that I shouldn't interrupt, but there are sparks flying off of you Leihiel, and I don't want you to burn the house down." his mother smiled. "It is, after all, a tree." she laughed.

"What? How do I have sparks flying off me?"

"Your true magic has emerged. Come to my office please, both of you."

Azurina looked confused. "Why both of us?"

"Firstly, I don't think I could even keep you apart for more them ten minutes, and secondly, you need to hear this too." Elana said, turning on her heel and walking back to her office.



Hearts of the Sky Intertwine Ch. 03



 a note from the author: here is the next chapter of  Hearts of the sky Intertwine there is sex in this chapter, so if you are easily offended..... what are you doing reading sex stories? i wish to thank my friend Ibtc, who helped me. enjoy!!!!

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Leihiel and Azurina looked at each other with confusion. What do you think she wants? he asked.

I have no clue Azurina replied. I just hope that your mother isn't mad at me for kissing you.

She won't be, beautiful one. I looked in her eyes, and I think that she is happy that I have found someone that I care for deeply.He commented, pulling her against his side. 

They followed Elana to her office, where Neheil dozed on his pillows in the corner. The silver haired rider crossed the room, her knee-length braid swishing with her movements. She poked Neheil gently on his nose, then leaned against her desk. "Please, sit you two." she said with a smile. Elana watched as they crossed the room and sat on the couch. They stared up at her warily, looking like two pups that were about to be reprimanded by their mother. "Oh relax. You guys are not in trouble. I just want to give you some information." Elana turned her head to Azurina. "How much do you know about the dragons?"

"Not much. My mother only taught me about survival and some minor combat training."

"Tell me what you do know."

"Well, I know there are at least six different color dragons. Red, blue, brown, green, white, and silver. That is about it."

"Ok. You know the basic fact. We can build from that. Now, each color is linked to an element."

"Linked to an element? How does that work?"

"Hmm, maybe I should rephrase that. Lets say it this way. Each dragons magic is linked to an element, and it's based off their color. Blue dragons can control water, and Red manipulates fire. Green has dominion over plant life and nature, while Brown can shift the earth and rocks. White is the master of air, and are the most graceful while flying, next to the silver dragon of course. All dragons can work by themselves or together."

"But I thought that no one can control the elements."

We don't control the elements. In a sense, we manipulate them to our desired outcome. A water dragon would team up with a fire dragon to put our a forest fire. The earth and nature dragons always work in close proximity to each other to repair any damage that happens during a natural disaster. We also draw our powers off of the elements. When we use any magic that does not affect the environment, nature gives us strength to cast it.

"You didn't mention the silver dragons powers. What is their magic?"

"There is only one silver dragon alive at a time, which makes him the leader of the dragons. The natural 'alpha', so to speak. He is always partnered with the leader of the Drache Reiter. That is how I became what I am, despite me coming from a simple farming village. Their power changes from dragon to dragon, as they have no set place most of the time. Their power falls within the sets we just mentioned. But there have been times, such as when war wages across the land, when the dragon has the power to call down the most dangerous element in the world, lightning. Up until now, there has only ever been one silver dragon alive at once. Now there are two alive, the first sired the second." Elana then turned to face her son. "This is where you come in. Your true magic has finally emerged, and your father and I couldn't be happier."

"What exactly is a true power, and why is it suddenly emerging now, after 75 years of life?" Leihiel demanded, rage and fear pulsed through him, causing his limbs to shake. Sparks of electricity jumped off his skin, causing Azurina to inch away from him slightly.

"First off, calm down. If not, you'll set the whole place on fire." Elana waited while her son got his temper under control before she continued. "A true power is the magic that defines who you are as a dragon. All dragons start out the same color, white. When their power emerges, their scales take on the color of their element, or stay white if it is an air dragon. In your case, since you were born silver and your scales will never change, it tells us that you are a dragon of lightning, just like your father. You must learn to control it, else you will burn our home to the ground. I will put up the wards that I had in place when your father's power emerged, to protect our home. As for why it is emerging now, we have no clue. Most dragons find their's within a year of two of hatching. We think it has something to do with the fact that your a silver dragon. From what i've read, a silver dragon's power only emerges when they find their heart partner, or there is an upcoming war." 

Azurina scooted closer to Leihiel once he stopped throwing sparks off him, placed her hand on his knee to calm him down, then turned to face Elana. "How do the dragons become paired with their riders? Why do they choose to be bound when they can fly the sky with freedom unhindered? And why is it only male dragons choose riders while the females stay free?" she asked, smoothly changing the subject.

We may be able to have that freedom, but we can not access our magic on our own. We must have the help of our rider. That is why we bind ourselves to them. They give us access to our magic, and we share with them our longevity. Through our partners, we can work wonders all the time, not when it is needed.

"Elvin girls are presented to dragon eggs at the age of seven. They are brought into the hatchery, and told close their eyes, open their mind, and walk to the egg that calls to them. When they touch that specific egg, the dragonet inside hatches for the child almost istantly, knowing that this is their partner. From there they go into training. Girls who do not have an egg call to them will return to their former lives."

"Is that how you found Neheil?"

"No, actually it's not. Silver dragon eggs are never put in the hatchery. They have a spell cast over them that sends it to their proper rider, as the Rider and silver dragon are always reincarnations of the first ever rider/dragon team, and their spirits are bound to each other for all eternity." Elana turned her head to stare at her partner and mate. "We have always been together, and nothing will change." she said with love in her voice. 

Leihiel saw where this was going, and decided that he should get Azurina out of there before she saw something that she might regret seeing later.

Maybe we should leave my parents alone. Leihiel thought to Azurina. It looks like they might go at it right here, and I don't feel like watching.

What are you talking about? They didn't answer my last question.

Trust me, you don't want to know. And they probably won't while their in this state. Leihiel said, barely able to keep the groan out of his thoughts as he took Azurina by the hand and pulled her out of the office. 

***

Elana faintly herd the door click shut, but she could care less at the moment. She stared at her mate with love and passion in her eyes.Here or our room? She asked, 

I can't wait for our room came her partner's answer.

Here it is then. She replied, reaching out with her magic to lock the door and close the take off balcony's entrance-way. She began to unlace the front of her dress when Neheil reached out, and with a sharp claw, cut her dress down the front, easily slicing the laces. The dress slithered to the floor to lay in a pile around her feet. Neheil! I hate it when you do that. This was my favorite dress. She reprimanded him, crossing over to her desk and stood at the end.

Relax my love. I was careful only to catch the laces. It is still wearable. All you have to do is get fresh laces. He soothed, darting his tongue out and flicking a pierced nipple. Elana closed her eyes and groaned, arching her back to bring her tits closer to his tongue. 

Lean back Neheil ordered, and she obeyed, not knowing what he had planned as he had blocked all but communication from his mind. He used his claw to cut away the thin strings that held her thong in place, and used his tongue to pull it off and throw it to some unknown corner of the room. His tongue then licked a path around her tits and down her stomach. It swirled around her navel, and dipped lower. As he flicked his tongue against her clit, she shivered. No matter how many times that they have sex, she never gets use to the feel of his leathery tongue caressing her clit and pussy. The first touch always sends her over the edge, and she whimpered as she came, but Neheil didn't relent. He continued to eat her pussy, gently using his razor-sharp teeth to capture her clit. He rolled it gently, careful not to puncture it.

Neheil, will you quit torturing me!

Relax, my love. I'm in control here. he said, releasing her clit and shoving his tongue into her, corkscrewing it so that it filled her pussy. He used the fork in his tongue to massage both her g-spot and her cervix at the same time. Glad that she had cast a sound-proofing spell on her office when Leihiel was born, she let lose a scream that would of woken the dead as she came, clamping her pussy muscles down on his tongue. 

Pleased with himself, he waited until she stopped spasming around his tongue then withdrew it, giving her clit one final flick. He moved his head out from between her legs so that she could sit up.

Elana stared at Neheil when he was done eating her out. She decided then and there that he would pay for teasing her like that. My turn she said with a sly, wicked smile. On your back.

Neheil nervously shifted positions, exposing his half-erect cock to her appraising eye. She let her eyes roam over his muscular thighs and groin, deciding how to best torture him. At two and a half feet long, his cock started off as thick as her fist at the base and gently tapered as it got closer to the tip, which was about the thickness of a broomstick and shaped like a humans.

Finally deciding on her plan of attack, she stood and walk over to where he lay, swinging her hips back and forth. His storm gray eyes followed her as she approached. She gently rubbed his cock with one hand, lightly tracing swirling designs up and down it's entire length making him shutter and close his eyes with pleasure. Taking the tip in her other hand, she ran her thumb along the ridge just under the tip feeling the soft, warm flesh against her palm and the pads of her fingers. Wanting a taste, she leaned forward and gently licked him. His scent reminded her of nutmeg and lavender, and his taste had what she thought was a hint of cinnamon mixed in. Wanting more, she swirled her tongue around his helmet and over the slit, drawing different patterns with the tip of her tongue, eliciting a pleased moan from Neheil as he threw his head back.

She kissed her way down the length of his cock to his knot, which stood out against the rest. Almost the size of a large Clementine, it was slightly harder, and a lot more tender. She kissed it tenderly at first, then started to lip her way around it. She knew that her teeth were too sharp for this delicate skin, and was careful to not let them touch him. Her lips kissed circles all the way around his knot, then she stuck her tongue out and traced light patterns on it. She ran her free hand to the base of his dick, then using the pad of her index finger, traced up the underside of it with just enough pressure that it tickled him. Neheil chuckled deep in his chest, them moaned when he realized how good it felt. He started flexing his hips, trying to thrust his cock into her mouth. Elana placed a hand on his stomach, stilling him. Relax, my love. I'm in control here. She said, throwing his words back at him, smugness tinting her mental voice. She then scratched the tender spot on his stomach to relax him.

Dam it, Elana! Do you know how good that feels? He growled, trying to twist out of her grip.

Just as good as you licking my pussy. Now hold still! Elana scolded as she took the tip of his cock into her mouth, continually swirling her tongue around it as she started to suck. She curled her tongue, just a little, so that the tip traced along the outline of his helmet as she circled. Her tongue began to hurt, so she stopped moving her tongue and she let run along the underside of his dick, teasing the delicate skin. This move earned her a growl of pleasure. Elana relaxed her throat, taking in as much of Neheil's cock as she could comfortably fit. She alternated between short, fast bobs of her head and long, sensual pulls. She sucked harder at some points, softer at others, but always swallowing around his dick, using her throat to milk it. Some of her saliva dripped out of the edge of her mouth and down his cock, so she caught it with her hand and massaged it into his knot, teasing him with light touches instead of the hard ones that he so loved.

By the flame, Elana! If you don't stop, I'm going to cum! Neheil growled, clenching his hips and thrusting into Elana's mouth. She let him thrust into her for a few seconds, carefully relaxing her throat so that he did not choke her. When she felt him stiffen, she quickly reached down and gripped him around the base of his cock, stalling the load that he was about to blow. Neheil released a growl-groan, giving voice to his displeasure at not being allowed to cum. Why did you stop me from shooting?

Cause you know that I like you to cum in my pussy.

Does that mean what I think it means?

Yes, it does. I want you to fuck me, and hard.

As you wish, my love. On the desk.Neheil instructed as he rolled to his stomach to get up. She leaned back as he walked over and stood above her, lining himself up. He slowly ran the tip of his cock along her slit, teasing her. Elana moaned with pleasure, and gasped as he suddenly entered her. He inserted the tip at first, knowing that his love could not accommodate his entire length. He pushed forward slowly, pushing in one inch at a time and withdrawing. He stroked in and out until his knot met her clit. He held still for a second, waiting for Elana to adjust to his girth, then started to move, drawing out torturously slow until just his tip was still in, then ramming home with a sharp thrust. Elana let out a grunt, then a moan as he adopted a slow rhythm. He gradually picked up speed to the point that he was hammering her pussy at a blinding pace.

Come on, you irritating Dragon. I know that you are holding out on me. Push in your knot and fuck me until I pass out from pleasure.

We both know that it will hurt, and I hate to hurt you. Neheil said, pausing his pace and looking into his mate's violet eyes.

Do I look like I care of it will hurt or not? You give me more pleasure then anyone else ever can, human or elf. So insert that fucking knot in and fuck the brains out of me.

As you wish, my love Neheil replied. With a single sharp thrust of his hips, he pushed his knot past the opening of her pussy. Elana let lose a scream that was a mixture of pleasure and pain. Neheil held still until he felt her relax again, then began to move again with short jabs. She felt the tip of his cock bang against the opening of her womb, and moaned in pleasure as it tapped against it again and again.

Neheil lowered his head so that his mouth close to her chest, and began to lick and play with her tits. He used his strong flexible tongue to twist each nipple, and pulled at the golden rings that pierced each one. Elana writhed under his attention, her head thrashing back and fourth as she moaned and screamed in delight.

I am close, my love. Neheil thought to her.

Cum in me. Send me over the edge! Fill me with your semen! She thought incoherently. Neheil let out one last grunt, thrust hard into her, and let loose a roar that made Elana's ears ring. She felt his cock undulate in her as his cock pumped his sperm directly into her womb. That sent her over the edge, and her pussy convulsed and clamped down on her mate's cock, milking it for all he was worth. 

They stayed like that while the both came down from their orgasms, panting. When Neheil finally went flaccid and his knot disappeared, he slid out of Elana, laid down and started to eat out her pussy, cleaning her of the cum that spilled out. 

Elana sat up as her body stopped shaking. I love you, you know that, right? she told him.

I love you too, my love. Have for over 600 years. 

She stood slowly, her hand on her desk in case her knees decided to give out on her. When she was sure that she would stay upright, she walked to where she kept the spare laces for her dresses. She took one out and crossed back over to where her dress landed when she un dressed and picked it up to re-lace it. She was just about to slide it over her head when she heard the one sound she always dreaded. That one sound was the screech of an eagle, deep and scary.

That eagle was the mount of Arina, the leader of the eagle riders.

***

Leihiel gently led Azurina to her room, making sure to show her every hallway so that she did not get lost in the huge tree that he called home. "Well, here is your room, Azurina. If you need anything, my room is right across the hall. Your room has a take off/landing balcony so that you can go flying strait from your room. You can add anything you want so you can spot it from the air easily." He said gently, then leaned in for a kiss. Just as his lips were about to touch Azurina's, a screech of an eagle sounded outside. Leihiel froze, realizing that both he and Azurina were in grave danger.



Hearts of the Sky Intertwine Ch. 04



 A note from the author: just to clear some questions that you might have. First off, The house is not made out of the tree. instead it is built into the branches of the tree

Second, there are a couple of phrases that might not make any sence to you. I have included a translation for everyone at the end of the chapter. Hope you enjoy the chapter. 

******

Leihiel froze. That screech could only mean one thing, that Ariana was conning to try and take him as a mate, again. Well, she's out of luck he thought to himself. 

"Shit!" he muttered, stepping away from Azurina.

"What's wrong, Leihiel. And what was that noise?"

"That noise, beautiful one, was the screech of Blood-talon, the mount of the eagle riders leader."

"If she is a rider, like your mother, why are you cursing her arrival?"

"There is no time to explain. I need to go to my mother's study." Leihiel said, turning to sprint down the hallway.

Azurina caught his arm before he could step out of her reach. "What is going on." she asked, getting scared

"I'll explain later. Please, my love, stay here. This is something I need to deal with."

"No. I will not stay behind while you face something that has you so scared. We're future mates. We face these things together...."

"That's just it, that rider out there has tried to take me her mate for the past six years. When she finds out that I have found you, my true mate, she will go into a rage! Who knows what she will do at that point."

Azurina's face went pale. "You mean that I almost lost you before I even met you?" she asked in a weak voice.

Leihiel took her in his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace. He felt her arms circle around his waist, trying to hold him to her. "You would of never lost me, my love. The first time I met her, I knew that she wasn't the one for me, there was no spark, not like us." He loosened his hold on her, and stepped back. 

"I've got to go. I need to be at my mother's study before she lands. I beg you, stay here." Leihiel turned away again, only to have his arm caught once more. He turned back to face Azurina.

"You will never have to face this alone. Rider or not, she does not scare me." she said, a small smile on her face. "After all, who is big enough to ever scare a Dragoness? I will stand by your side for the rest of my life." Azurina told him calmly, placing her free hand on his face.

"Is there any way I can talk you out of this?" Leihiel asked, looking deep into his loves eyes. He reached up and placed his hand on top of hers, pulling it to his lips and kissing it.

"Not even Wild Horses can drag me away."

"Then lets go." He said, taking her hand and pulling her into a run. Maybe with my mother and father there to protect Azurina, Ariana won't try anything. I can only hope.

***

Elana had just finished re-lacing her dress and putting it on when her office door slammed open, Leihiel and Azurina barreling in.

"You heard it too? Elana asked, pulling a bone handled come out of thin air and began running it through her silver mane, removing all the knots.

"Yes, mother, We did."

Elana turned to look at Azurina. "Let me guess. He said that he needed to deal with this himself?" she asked, throwing the comb into the air, making it disappear.

"Yes, revered one."

"Oh stop that. You're my son's mate. You can call me Elana or mother, whichever is more comfortable for you."

"Yes, rav..... I mean mother. He asked me to stay in my room. And I proceeded to tell him that he will never have to face this woman along ever again."

"That's sweet of you, but you should of stayed behind. This rider has a temper."

"I don't care. I love Leihiel, and I will stand by his side through thick and thin." Tears welled up in Azurina's eyes, and she wiped them away quickly. "I will not lose him, especially since I just found him."

"But..."

Let her stay Neheil said. She deserves to be here too. Their love is strong, and they need to be near each other until their mating is finalized.

"What do you mean?" Azurina asked, slightly lost.

Before Neheil could say anything, Leihiel crossed the room to stand in front of his love. "I want to give you something," he said to her "Incase anything goes wrong."

"What?"

Leihiel held up a pendant on a silver chain. "Every male dragon who can shift his form has a betrothal pendant. Each one is different, the shape of it fitting the dragons personality, and matches the color of both his scales and his eyes. They are not given to a female lightly, as it is a promise of the future. But through it, every betrothed can feel where their mate is." He paused, and took a deep breath. "I want you to have mine." He said, laying it down in Azurina's open hand.

Azurina studied the pendant for a second. It was a front view of a silver dragon, it's wings meeting at a point by one front claw. The other claw was at the top of a stone that matched Leihiel's eyes. Set in the eye sockets of the dragon head was two smaller stones the same color as the larger stone. The way it was shaped, it looked like the wings cradled the large stone with the head and claw keeping it in place, and the silver was carved so that the dragon looked like it had scales. Azurina looked up from the pendant, tears re-emerging in her eyes. 

"Leihiel, I don't know what to say..."

"Do you accept it?" He asked, worry clearly apparent in both his voice and his face.

"Of course I do." she said, closing her fingers around the pendant. "Did you honestly think that I would say no?"

"Let me put it on you then." He said, taking hold of the chain and lifting out of Azurina's hand. Stepping behind her, he moved her hair to the side and secured the chain around her throat, letting his fingers caress the back of her neck. The pendant settled into the hollow of her throat. She expected it to be cold, but instead it was almost the same temperature as her own skin. She stroked it with her fingertips, feeling the silver of the pendant, thinking that she could make out the scales in the silver.

Azurina jumped slightly when she heard talons scraping on the landing balcony. Leihiel shifted how he was standing so that he stood in front of her. Just as he stopped moving, the cover on the balcony opening snapped open, and there stood the most beautiful Female Azurina had ever seen. She was short, standing about 5'2" to Azurina's 5'11". Her white blond hair, bound in a tight braid, hung past her waist, and her eyes were a beautiful golden color. On her arm sat an eagle, apparently her mount in his smaller size. Azurina honestly didn't know how such a delicate creature could be scary.

"Ah, Lady Elana. So good to see a sister rider." The female said, her voice a sweet soprano that flowed like silk. She rushed across the room and gave Elana a hug. Her eagle flapped away to land on one of Neheil's spikes.

"Lady Ariana. What a surprise. We weren't expecting you for another week." Elana replied, barely returning the hug.

"Oh, I just had to come early, to see my darling Leihiel and his family." Azurina felt her anger flash, and she had to take a deep breath to calm it. "Speaking of Leihiel, where is he?"

"I am over here, Lady Ariana." he said, the anger in his voice barely controlled.

"Ah, Leihiel!" she said, turning and walking towards him. She paused mid-stride when she saw Azurina peaking around Leihiel's shoulder. "Oh, how rude of me!" Ariana said. "I see you have a guest, and a timid one at that. It's ok sweetie, I won't hurt you. I'm Ariana"

 Timid my ass! Azurina thought to Leihiel  The only thing that is keeping her in one piece is you standing in front of me. How dare she think that you are hers! Azurina fumed, her anger flaring.

Just be careful. I don't want to lose you.

She couldn't hurt me if she wanted to. Scales are stronger then eagle talons. Azurina reassured him as she stepped around Leihiel. "Greetings Lady Ariana." she said through gritted teeth with a curtsey.

"Oh, how sweet! A servant that knows a lady when she sees one. Why don't you go fetch us some refreshments while Lady Elana and I talk....." Ariana pause as her eyes fell on the pendant that Leihiel had just placed around Azurina's neck. "And if you would please return my Pendant, I will not be forced to kill you. Good help is always so hard to find."

Azurina stiffened, wanting so much to snap at the female for jumping to conclusions about her. Instead she took another deep breath, calming her anger before she began talking. "I'm sorry, but this pendant does not belong to you, Lady Ariana. It was Leihiel's to give."

"Yes, but once he comes to his senses, he will be my mate, and that is a betrothal pendant. He would never mate to a lowly servant."

"And what makes you assume that I am a servant, Lady Ariana."

"Well obviously, you're a female. And I didn't see any other dragons around here, so you are not a rider. So you must be a servant, as there are no female offspring of any riders and their dragons."

Elana, Leihiel, you might want to step back. And Neheil, is there any way you can move to the side a little so I can transform?

Of course, Azurina. All three said, and moved as she asked. They did it subtly and slowly as she talked, so that Ariana didn't notice. 

"Lady Ariana, you are sorely mistaking if you think that I am a servant. If fact, I outrank you, as I am a dragoness."

"Impossible! No female offspring exist!" Ariana yelled, a little wild eyed.

"If you don't believe me, watch for yourself." Azurina said, stretching out her arms as she accessed her magic. The air around her took on a blue shimmer as she shifted forms. When the shimmering disappeared, a beautiful blue Dragoness stood where Azurina had stood. The late afternoon sunlight shimmered off the scales of her arched neck, giving her a blue aura.

"I thought that I ki... I mean that every female dragonet was killed at birth."

You were mistaken on that count then, Lady Ariana. As you can see, I am a dragoness, and I am Leihiel's true mate.  Azurina's form began to shimmer again as she returned to her Elvin form. 

"How dare You! It must be some trickery! The prophecy clearly said that.....

The prophecy says, Neheil's baritone voice boomed through the room. That Our son, The son of the Drache Reiter's leader, shall take a Daughter of the Sky as his mate. That applies to a dragoness who can change forms, not to an eagle rider.

"It is time that you leave, Ariana." Elana said, all the pleasantries that she faked now gone from her face and voice. "Leihiel has a mate now, so you have no reason to stay."

"I will not give up Leihiel without a fight. Schicken dieser hexe von Klaus und flamme zu mein verlies, verflucht mit schmerz." Ariana chanted, a gold globe appearing in between her hands. She then lobbed the globe the dragoness.

"NO!" Leihiel shouted. He pushed Azurina out of the way just before the globe hit her, making it hit him instead. He fell to the floor, twisting and writhing in pain, and disappeared.

"LEIHIEL!!!" Azurina cried out from where she lay sprawled on the floor. Tears streamed openly down her face. Neheil roared in anger, and Elana clung to her dragons neck for support.

"You have not seen the last of me" Ariana threatened. "I now have part of what I came here for. By the end of this war, I shall have all of it. And mark my words, bitch, you have started a war that you can not win."

Azurina got to her feet, glaring at the rider in front of her. "You may have Leihiel your prisoner, but I will do everything in my power to get him back. He will never accept you as his mate!"

"We shall see, little girl. We shall see." with that she leapt onto her eagle, who at some time during the chaos had returned to the flight balcony and resumed his normal size. Together they took off through the sky, heading towards home and towards their prisoner.

As she watched the eagle fly away, Azurina sank to her knees. Leihiel, the dragon that she had met only a little while ago, the dragon that she had fallen in love with, was now in the clutches of the one person that he most feared, and she was not sure if she could save him.

***

Leihiel woke up in a dark cell. Every breath he took seared his lungs, every movement had him writhing in pain. He fought hard to stay conscious, but it was a loosing battle. Drifting in and out of awareness, he alternated between moments of wracking pain and soul-soothing relief.

In one of his moments of pain, he heard the door slam open and felt himself be lifted off the ground with great care. Clenching his jaw, he endured the pain as he was moved. After what seemed like an eternity, he was settled onto a soft surface, and he heard soft chanting over him, though at first he could not make out the words or the voice that chanted them. As the pain eased, he could faintly make out the words "Leichtigkeit die schmerz, Heilin die verletzt. Leichtigkeit die schmerz, Heilin die varletzt. Leichtigkeit die schmerz, Heilin die verletzt. Letichtigkeit die schmerz, heilin die varletzt. Leichtigkeit die schmerz, Heilin die verletzt." He gritted his teeth as the last of the pain left his body, then took a deep, pain-free breath. He opened his eyes, expecting to see the face of his blue haired beloved standing over him.

The face he saw instead struck fear in his heart. White blonde hair hung around a tiny face, gold eyes filled with worry looked down at him.

"Leihiel, love, are you okay?" Ariana asked, her soprano voice going up two octaves.

"You are not my love." Leihiel said, trying to sit up, only to have his shoulder pressed down into the mattress again.

"The witch just has you under a spell. It's a good thing that you took that spell instead of her. This way I can figure out what the spell is so I can break it."

"I am not under any enchantments. Just let me go."

"I can't do that, my love. You have to stay safe while I fight this war. I can't risk losing you."

"for the last time, I am not your love. My mate is back with my parents, where I belong." Leihiel struggled under Ariana's hand, trying to get up.

Ariana sighed, and shook her head. "I see that the enchantment is stronger than I thought. I'm gonna have to chain you up until I can figure out what spell she used so I can break it." she snapped her fingers, and a servant came running. "Bring the chain and ankle manacle. Make sure they are strong enough to hold a full grown dragon."

"Yes, m-m-ma'am" the servant stuttered, then took off.

"So you just intend to ignore me that I am not under any sort of spell or enchantment and lock me up here?"

"I am not locking you up, I am keeping you here for your own protection. That witch has some sort of plan, I know it, and it somehow involves you. I have to keep her from sinking her claws into you." She paused as the servant came back carrying the chain and manacle. "Hold him down while I put this on."

Leihiel fought with all the strength he could summon at that moment, and it took the servant and three guards to hold him down in order for Ariana to put the chain around his ankle. "It's no use, he is too distressed. We need to sedate him." Ariana chirped. Leihiel clamped his mouth shut, but felt his jaw get wrenched open anyway to have a bitter potion poured down his throat. 

Suddenly, his body relaxed and ignored his demands for it to fight, and his mind became clouded and fuzzy. He felt himself drifting into a unwanted peaceful sleep. The last thing he saw in his mind's eye was Azurina, his mate, his heart of the sky, sitting where he pushed her, crying and calling his name. His heart stuttered a beat, and felt like it was breaking as he blacked out.

**********

Another note from the author: as I said in the beginning, there were some phrases that you didn't recognized. Here is a translation of all the spells mentioned in this section of the story.

-Schicken dieser hexe von klaus und flamme zu mein verkies, verfluct mit schmerz.: Send this witch of talon and flame to my dungeon, cursed with pain

-Leichtigkeit die schmerz, Heilin die verletzt.: Ease the pain, Heal the hurt (chanted five times)



Hearts of the Sky Intertwine Ch. 05



Elana sat on the floor of her office, leaning her back against Neheil's front shoulder. Neheil had his head in her lap, and she stroked the scales above his eye. A low rumble, almost a catlike purr, emanated from Neheil's chest, giving off a comforting vibration that radiated through his shoulder for Elana. They both watched Azurina, who had fallen to her knees in front of the flight balcony, with concern. Her head was bowed, and it was clear from the set of her shoulders that she fought very hard not to cry.

I'm worried about her, Neheil. She hasn't moved since Ariana left.

She's hurting, my love. It will take a long while for the pain to dull.

Why is she hurting?

Think of it this way, my love. Neheil explained. You know how close we are.

Yes. We are two hearts that beat with one rhythm, two minds that share almost every thought, two halves of one soul.

Now imagine suddenly finding that one person that completes you, just to have them ripped away. Elana stared at him with a blank look on her face, so Neheil tried a different tactic. Okay. Say I was the one that was whisked away by that spell. How would you feel?

I would be crushed. Like part of me was suddenly missing. I wouldn't be able to function until you were able to return to me.       

Precisely. And that is with over 750 years of being together, first as partners in battle, then as mates. Neheil paused, considering how to word his next thought. Now put yourself in Azurina's place. Imagine being alone for over fifty years, thinking you're a monster, only to find out that there are more of your kind. Imagine finding the one thing you never knew was missing, and feeling the beginnings of the bond that we share...

Just to have it ripped out of her hands. Elana gasped, realization finally coming to her.

Exactly. 

I have to go comfort her. It's the least I can do. Elana said, giving Neheil's head one final stroke before he lifted it. She braced her hand against his shoulder, using him as a leaning post to stand

You need to do more than just console her. You need to bring her out of her catatonic state, and bring her down to the practice field

Why?

She has much to learn before she is ready to lead our troops into battle. Neheil answered, standing up. Even though we never intended to, we started the war. Azurina must take her place as queen of the dragons. Only she will be able to end it.

Will she be ready?

With us as her advisors, and with a desire to save her true mate, she will be. But she needs training first. In blade, in claw, and in magic. Now, BRING BACK OUR QUEEN! With that, Neheil carefully walked around Azurina and took flight, angling his flight towards the practice field, where he would search out the trainer of the blade and prepare him for a new student.

***

For the longest time, all Azurina heard was a deep rumbling coming from Neheil. At first it made her nervous, as she thought that it was caused by his anger. But when it did not abate, but continued on steadily, it began to have a soothing effect on her. 

She just sat there, listening to that soothing sound and stroking the pendant around her neck, trying to figure out how she was going to save Leihiel. She considered just flying after Ariana, but she threw that thought away immediately, knowing that Ariana would just capture her also. She thought of trying to summon Leihiel back with magic, but she then realized that she did not know enough to even try. And through all her thinking, she felt a little tickle at the back of her mind, almost as if she could feel a small connection to her love. But knowing that it was impossible, she ignored it as just a wish.

She was so absorbed in her thinking and planning, she didn't notice that the rumbling behind her had stopped until Neheil carefully edged his way past her and took off. She watched him go, wondering where he could possibly be going, and jumped when she felt Elana place a hand on Azurina's shoulder.

"Are you all right?"

"I miss him, Elana." Azurina said in a weak voice, wiping away a tear. "I've only known him a few hours, but...." she trailed away, not sure how to finish her sentence.

"It feels like you aren't complete, like you're missing half of yourself?" Elana asked, sinking down to kneel next to Azurina. She rubbed small circles on the young dragoness' back, hoping to sooth her frazzled nerves. 

"Yes." she said, her voice trembling and tears coming to her eyes as she looked at Elana... "How did you know?"

"I feel the same thing when Neheil is miles away from me."

"What is it? Why do I feel this way?" Azurina cried, burying her face into Elana's shoulder and letting go.

"It's the bond of true mates." Elana soothed, stroking Azurina's back and hair.

"T-t-true mates?" Azurina stuttered, sniffing. "What's a true mate?"

"A true mate," Elana explained, beginning to rock back and forth. "Is essentially the other half of a person's soul. You see, all creatures have a true mate. Most animals find their mates easily, as they are more often than not close to each other. Some beings though, like dragons, elves, humans, and the rest, have to search for their true mate. Often times, it takes years to find a true mate. Sure, we have relationships before we find them, it's normal. But once we find the other half of our soul, all other possibilities disappear. We still notice the beauty of other creatures, but they do nothing for us."

"And what about the pain?" Azurina asked, lifting her head from Elana's shoulder after she stopped rocking.

"That is part of the bond. It connects the two souls together. Most true mates tend to stay close to each other, as being apart tends to be emotionally, and sometimes even physically, painful."

"Did you ever find your true mate, Elana?"

"Of course I did, sweetie. Where do you think Leihiel came from?"

"Oh. Where is he then? I've seen no other male elves around the house besides Leihiel."

"Let me explain something to you, sweetie. Think back to earlier, about how a girl finds her dragon."

Azurina thought for a minute, wiping her face. "You said that girls are brought to the hatchery, and told to open their minds to the eggs."

"And do you know why that is?" Elana asked. Azurina replied with a shake of her head. "It is because when a girl opens her mind, she is also opening her soul, allowing the dragonets to touch her soul. Most of the time a dragon rider's true mate IS her dragon, and her dragon recognizes it. That is why they form such a strong bond. The rider will not realize the truth until she is ready for it. Some riders never realize it, take mates from amongst their race, and release their dragons."

"What happens then?"

"Well, the released dragons live with their wild sisters, helping to keep the dragons alive. The riders, on the other hand, suffer emotionally from being away from their true mates. Most s......"

"Stop!" Azurina whimpered. "I don't want to know any more." she started to cry again, and she buried her face back into Elana's shoulder.

"Shhh. It's all right." Elana soothed, and started rocking back and forth again, stroking Azurina's hair. She continued the motion until Azurina calmed down again. "Feel better?

"Yes, thank you. What do we do now?"

"Now," Elana said, standing up. "You begin your training."

"Training?"

"Yes, you have very little knowledge of aerial battle, and no experience with the blade. We need a strong leader."

"But you are already a strong leader, Elana. Why would the troops not follow you."

"The Riders will follow me into battle, but none of the other races will. Do you not remember the prophecy?

"Not really."

"We'll go over it later then. Let's get you to the practice field. Your teachers will be waiting for you."

"Teachers?"

"Yes, one elf to teach you ground combat, like swordsmanship and archery. Another elf to teach you the use of magic, and a dragon to teach you aerial combat." Elana held her hand out to Azurina. "Come, it will take your mind off Leihiel."

"Ummm....." Azurina hesitated, glancing down at her floor length dress. "I am not dressed for battle training." 

Elana looked Azurina up and down, guessing her size. She then closed her eyes and focused, willing a complete set of clothes, including boots, into her right hand that were appropriate for battle training. "Here, try these. They should fit."

"How did you do that?" Azurina asked, staring wide-eyed at Elana.

"You'll learn how from your magic teacher. For now, though," Elana explained, snapping her fingers and making a screen appear in the corner of the room. "Let's get you ready."

Taking the clothes from Elana, Azurina stepped behind the screen and stripped off her dress. She pulled on the light blue leggings, feeling the soft cotton sliding up her legs and hugging the curve of her hips. She picked up the dress portion and slipped it on over her head, letting it settle into place. It fell to her lower thigh, just the right length for running and jumping. She grabbed the boots and stepped out from behind the screen.

"How do they fit?" Elana asked.

"It's a little loose around the waist, but I am use to that. It is hard to find dresses that fit in the shoulders, chest, and waist all at the same time with the size of my boobs." Azurina answered, sitting down on the couch and pulling on the soft, black, flat bottomed leather boots that laced up the front.

"Do you prefer gold or silver?"

"Silver. Why?" She replied, glancing up from tying her boots.

Elana pulled a silver belt and circlet set from the closet and handed it to Azurina. "This should keep the dress in place, and the smaller band goes around your head."

"Why?" She inquired, standing up.

"To show that you are someone of importance. I wear a circlet because I am the leader of the Drache Reiter."

"Then why do I need a circlet?" Azurina asked, clipping the belt around her waist.

"Cause you're the only female offspring of a dragon and a rider. That, combined with the fact that you're betrothed to Leihiel, makes you the most important person right now." Elana paused, placing the circlet upon Azurina's head. "You should really wear gold."

"If I wear gold, it would clash with Leihiel's pendant."

"It's your pendant now. Leihiel offered it of his own free will, and you accepted it the same way. That, combined with you being true mates, created the beginnings of a bond that cannot be broken. And that bond is all that will keep you sane in the next couple of months until we can get Leihiel home."

"Sane?" Azurina squeaked in a small voice.

"Oops. Maybe I should have stayed quiet about that. Look at it this way. Once you can control your magic, you'll be able to grab hold of that bond and follow it to where Ariana is keeping Leihiel."

"Wait a second. Are you telling me that there is a real connection between me and Leihiel, that I wasn't just imagining it?"

"Nope. There really is a bond between the two of you."

"Then what are we waiting for? We need to get down to the practice field so that I can begin my training." Azurina said, taking three strides towards the door before stopping and turning to Elana. "Uh, how do we get down from here, and which way to the practice field?"

Elana suppressed a giggle behind her hand. "I was waiting for you to ask that. Follow me, please." she said, leading her out of the office and towards the elevator to take them down to the ground.

***

They reached the training field about ten minutes later. Azurina looked wide-eyed around at all the elves training, knowing that she would never have that same grace that others had with the blade. The one time that she had held one, when she was a tiny girl, it was so big that when her mother had let go of it, the tip fell right to the earth and she was unable to lift it on her own. She grew nervous as they approached the silver dragon sitting along the back edge of the field. Another dragon and two elves lounged nearby, chatting. 

Azurina studied the dragon as she walked. It appeared to be much smaller in length then Neheil, only about ten feet long, and about the height of a large draft horse. It's scales were an interesting color, being a shade of deep purple with a hint of blue along the edges fading to a light bluish purple on it's stomach. The head had a definitive feminine quality to it, with eyes that glimmered like aquamarines. It flexed a forefoot, showing off sharp claws that had webbing between the fingers. Azurina quickly realized that it might be a water dragon, although she couldn't be sure because of it's coloring. She looked around that little group for it's rider, but did not spot her. She did see two male elves, one with hair the color of flames, and one with hair so dark blue that it was almost black.

Elana strode purposefully up to her mate, who nuzzled her shoulder in greeting, and stroked his cheek. She surveyed the group quickly before turning back to Azurina. "I would like you to meet your trainers and bodyguard. Lady Azurina, may I present Gormlaith, the most powerful water dragon in the riders. Her rider, Ayden, is the blue- haired lad over by the tree. And the young male with the red hair sitting next to Ayden is Rhohedran. He is the son of one of my Lieutenants and her dragon. He is one of the most powerful shifters here, next to Leihiel."

Azurina looked at Ayden, slightly confused. His face was smooth, without wrinkles, but his eyes shown with the wisdom beyond his years. His pointed ears stuck out of hair pulled back in a tight braid. "Lady Elana, I thought you said that only females could be riders."

"All I said was that girls were presented to the dragon eggs."

"Now, I don't mean to be offensive, but how is it that a gentlemen became a Drache Reiter."

"Elana didn't tell you that I prefer males, did she?" Ayden said, tucking a loose strand of his glossy dark blue hair behind his ear.

"No, she didn't." Azurina said, slightly ashamed.

"There are always young lads who discover that they prefer males over females." Elana explained. "When his parents discover that information, they go to the leader of the riders, and the young lad is led into the hatchery."

"I was one of those lads." Ayden said. "I was much older when I was finally led into the hatchery." 

"How old were you?"

"I was Twenty-two. When I was dragged in, there were dozens of eggs lined up in multiple rooms. I was drawn to one particular egg, stored in the backmost room and covered in dust. When I touched it, my dragon hatched right away and looked at me like 'well, it took you long enough'. We have been partners ever since."

"So, how old are you Ayden?"

"I just passed my 70th birthday. Yes, I know that I am young, but I have studied with many riders. I will teach you everything that I know so you will become a master, one that is even stronger than I am."

Azurina turned to look at Rhohedran. "And what will you be teaching me, Master Rhohedran."

"First off, Lady Azurina, please call me Rho. All my friends do. Secondly, I am not here to train, but to guard. I was hand picked... well, claw picked if you want to get technical... for this mission by Neheil himself. I am purely a body guard, and when needed a sparring partner."

Azurina looked at Neheil with astonishment. "Oh, come on! Granted, I may not be as well trained as some of the elves here, but my teachers don't need a guard from me. I am not dangerous."

The protection is not for thine masters, My Lady, but for thou. Thou art our only hope if we are to survive this upcoming war. Gormlaith said in a warm, velvet soft alto voice that wrapped comfortingly around her. Thine protection is of the utmost importance.

"I still don't understand why I am so important. I am just a female who can shift forms. There must be many like me around."

There are not, My Lady. Thine kind almost never came to term within their mother's womb, and those that did passed shortly after. Thou art the only one that survived the curse.

"Curse?" Azurina asked, shocked "What do you mean, curse? Are you saying that I was never supposed to live?"

No, little one. Just know that thou are treasured beyond any gem within thine mother's treasury.

"You know my mother? Is she all right?"

Calm, My Lady. I meant thine mother-to-be, Lady Elana.

"Oh, knock it off, Gormlaith. I know, as well as everyone else, that you do not speak like that. Will you stop with the Thee's and Thou's, and just speak normally. Your confusing the poor girl." Ayden scolded.

But...

"No buts, Gormlaith. Enough."

All right, Ayden. I will stop with the arcane speech. It is just so much fun. Gormlaith said. Her shoulders rose and fell in a deep, chest rumbling chuckle.

"I know it's fun, but we need to focus. We have a lot to teach Lady Azurina, and not a lot of time." Ayden turned his head to look at Azurina. "We will first need to test you, to determine how your training will flow. Now, do you know your element?"

"You know, I have no clue. I've lived alone since I was 30. I do know that my scales are a sapphire blue to match my eyes."

"You are most likely a water dragon then. It is unheard of for a dragon to have magical abilities that do not match their scale color. Twist for me."

"Excuse me?" she demanded, crossing her arms across her chest and glared down at Ayden.

"I need to see your flexibility. How far you can bend and twist, in both human and dragon form. Now, twist." he said coolly, clearly unafraid of Azurina 

"Oh, is that all you want?" Azurina asked. She turned her body almost clear around and bent, grabbing her ankles from the back, practically bending herself in half.

Ayden winced as he watched her. "All right, Azurina. Please stop. Just seeing that is making me hurt." He instructed, cringing as she unfolded herself. "Now, could you do a flip or two for me?" 

Thankful that she had the short dress and leggings on, Azurina started off with a cartwheel, turning it into a series of five back hand springs. She landed nimbly on her feet and strode over to where her masters sat in the shade. "Is that all, Master Ayden?" she asked sweetly, loving the shocked look on his face.

"Uh..." Ayden said, shaking his head to clear it. "Oh, yes. That is fine, Azurina. More than fine, actually. That was amazing. Where did you learn to do that?"

"It's something that my mother taught me before she left. She told me that flexibility and agility are the two most important keys to wielding my true power. I had no clue what that meant, but I have faithfully done all the exercises that my mother taught me every morning before I leave any camp I am at. That is, until this morning. I can already feel the tightening of the muscles." she answered, bending forward to grab her ankles again to stretch the muscles in her upper legs. She then unfolded herself and stood calmly.

"I am certainly impressed"

Indeed. You have the makings of being a truly powerful dragoness. Gormlaith said, standing up and stretching. Now it is my turn to test you, My Lady. Come, shift forms and fly with me. 

Azurina shifted into her dragon, enjoying the sun on her scales. She stretched out her wings, taking up all the room available to her. Elana raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glare that shone off of Azurina's scales. "Wow, Azurina. Do you polish your scales or something? Even Neheil doesn't shine like that." she joked.

I love to swim in my dragon form. The water just seems to call to me.

Large wing span. Gormlaith commented drawing Azurina's attention back to why they were at the training fields. Excellent for long distance flying. She mused, pacing around her. Lean in muscle, built for speed. How long can you fly, My Lady?




Hearts of the Sky Intertwine Ch. 05



I have flown for a day and half a night before I had to stop.

You have stamina, good. Come, take off. Let me see you fly. She said, crouching down to leap in the air. Before she could take off, however, Azurina was fifty feet in the air with a single flap of her wings.

"Wow. I think you got your work cut out for you, Gormlaith. She will out fly you at every turn." Ayden laughed, earning a dirty look from his dragon. She took off, flapping her wings quickly to catch up. 

Will you slow down, My Lady? I am not nearly as fast as you.

Sorry, Master. Azurina apologized, tilting her wings and slowing down.

Good control of your wings. Figure eight, nose dive, and pull out just before you get to the ground.

Tight or loose?

As tight as you can possibly get it without tying yourself in a knot.

Azurina tilted her wings and swung around, essentially flying through the loop that she just created with her tail. She flew two consecutive loops like that, then nose dived towards the ground at a break neck speed.

"Oh, good lord! What did she tell her to do!" Azurina heard Elana shout, distracting her.

Relax, my love. Neheil projected. If you distract her, she will get hurt. Just let her do her thing. And Azurina, FOCUS! Azurina blinked, and realizing how close she was to crashing into the ground, she pulled up and soared skyward, adding a slight twist.

Beautiful save, little one. Gormlaith commented from her position. I haven't seen any dragon more graceful in all my years.

Uh, Master, I hate to tell you this, but I'm older than you. Azurina chuckled, pulling up in front of her.

Do not play games with me, Little One. I am being honest when I tell you that there has never been a more graceful dragon. You could even ask one of the older dragons. Do you know how to breath fire?

Yes, Master.

Then I want you to start out with a wide jet, and bring it down to a little stream of fire.

At once, Master. Azurina replied, opening her mouth wide and tapping into the liquid fire that sat in her chest. She directed the flame with her tongue, splitting it in half and making it twist around itself. From there, she slowly closed her jaws, constricting the flame so that it was just a tiny, little stick of a flame.

Nicely done. You have finer control of your flame than I do. You may turn off your flame. Gormlaith instructed, and waited for Azurina to shut her breath down. Now, let's land and finish your testing so we can start your training. 

Of course, Master. Azurina replied, diving down ahead of Gormlaith. She wanted to impress her teachers, so about five feet above the ground, she shifted back into her elvin form. She rolled once after hitting the ground, coming to a stop in a crouching position in front of the group. Her hair blew around her face, creating a curtain of blue that she glared through.

"Oh, wow." Ayden breathed, shaking his head. "That end move was breathtaking. If I was into girls, Azurina. I might have been tempted to try and woo you." he laughed

And you should be glad that Leihiel was not here to hear you say that, Ayden. Gormlaith growled. I have spent many hours sparring with Leihiel in the air, and I know how protective he is of his family. From the looks of the pendant that hangs around Our Lady's neck, she is betrothed to him.

Ayden's face went deathly pale, and he started to shake. "Are you telling me that I have been talking to the queen of the dragons, and I didn't even know it? Gormlaith, you could have warned me!"

I thought that you knew. Gormlaith sniffed. Hello, you blockhead, I have been calling her, My Lady. You know as well as I do that with our rank, I never have to call anyone except Elana that. That, in and of itself, should of given it away. 

"Guys, please. I am not the queen of the dragons, so please don't call me Your Highness, My Lady, or anything on those lines." 

"You may think that you are not the queen, but you are." Elana told her.

"No, I am not!" she said, standing up straight and glaring at them all. "I am just a simple Elvin female that can shift her form into that of a dragon. I've lived off the land for longer than I could care to admit. I don't need, or want, any titles."

"Azurina." Ayden said calmly, pushing himself up off the ground and approaching her. She saw that he was taller than her by half a head, and she could easily look him in the eye without having to tilt her head too far. "Arguing is not conducive to learning. Come, let's start our first lesson." he wrapped his arm around her, and gently led her to a secluded corner of the training grounds, his dragon following closely. As Elana and Neheil started to follow, Gormlaith growled. Just Rho. Azurina needs time to cool down. Ayden slowed their steps so that he did not get too far ahead of his dragon, and to keep an ear on what was getting said.

"Azurina and I need to talk. There is too much that has to happen before we can do anything to sav...."

That can wait until tomorrow. Gormlaith snapped. If you push a dragoness too far, she will bite you in half. The same applies for female dragon shifters. Ayden and I will show her back to your house when her lesson is finished.

"But..."

Elana, my love. I trust Gormlaith and Ayden. If I hadn't, do you honestly think I would allow them to train our queen? Let them do what they think is best for our little dragoness. If that means giving her space to cool off, then leave her the needed space.

"Oh, all right. I will back off. But mark my words, Azurina." Azurina paused and turned around to face Elana, barely able to control her anger. "You and I will have a talk before the day is done. I will start calling the Protectors to order so that we may meet at the end of the week." She turned to Gormlaith. "Take care of her, and teach her well."

I will, Lady Elana. The fate of the world may rest on her shoulders, but she will not have to carry that weight alone. She will have many to support her. 

Ayden started walking again, and Azurina quickly fell into step right behind him. He led her to a grove of elm trees that was located on the very edge of the practice field, its entrance around the back side of the grove through a maze of bushes. 

Once she was inside, Azurina looked around, amazed at how quiet it was within the grove. The trees were planted in a circle, with what looked to be about ten feet between each trunk. They easily stood fifty feet tall with their branches woven together to form a roof against the natural elements, but let enough light through their leaves that the lanterns that were mounted onto the trunks were not needed during the day. In between each tree was a perfectly manicured box bush about twelve feet in height. They dampened all the clangs and grunts that floated in from the mock battles raging outside the walls of the grove. The grove was completely empty except for her and Ayden

"What a beautiful place" Azurina whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" Ayden inquired his voice completely normal.

"I don't know." she replied. "It just seemed right."

"Anyways," Ayden chuckled, shaking his head. "This is the meditation clearing. All of our students are required to spend at least one hour in here a day during the first eight months of training."

"Why so many months?"

"At first, the girls can only sit for ten minutes before they become distracted, so it takes the eight months for them to learn how to focus enough to tap into their dragon's magic." he paused considering something. "Now I'm hoping that it won't take you the eight months to access yours, with you being a dragon and all. But meditation also helps to calm the nerves and lets you sort all the things that you have learned. So I want you to come here at the end of every day and relax."

"Will I be disturbed at all when I come to unwind?"

"No. There is an enchantment at the entrance of the grove that will cause the lamps that are impeded in the brush there to change to red. That will keep most of the elves from bothering you. So if you find that you need some alone time, away from the others, this is the place to come. Now, how about we perform the elements test, and then you can unwind the knot that I see forming between your shoulder blades."

"What's the element test?"

"I'll show you. Why don't you grab a seat while I go and collect the necessary items?"

"Sounds good to me." Azurina replied, and started glancing around the grove for a soft patch of grass or moss to sit on, earning a chuckle from Ayden.

"Why is it that all new students do that?" he muttered so low that Azurina wasn't entirely sure she heard it. Then, in a louder voice, he started talking to her again. "The bush straight across from the entrance is actually a cleverly concealed cabinet. It contains cushions for the students to sit on while they are here. We designed it to look like the bush because we believe that nature should influence all that we create. I will be back shortly." Ayden said, before leaving the grove.

"Thank you, Master." She called after him. She crossed the clearing to the indicated bush, and began to look amongst the leaves, trying to find some way to open it. She then spotted two intricately carved wooden leaves hidden among the actual leaves attached to the cabinet. She gently grabbed the knobs, afraid to put any pressure on such delicate things, and opened the cabinet. Inside she discovered stacks of cushions, thickly stuffed for comfort, in piles that were organized by color.

Grabbing a dark blue velvet cushion, she walked over to one of the elm trees and placed the cushion at its base. She then sat on the cushion, amazed at how soft it was for being kept in a cabinet, leaned her back against the trunk and stretched her legs out in front of her. Breathing a sigh of relief, she began to relax all of her muscles like her mother had taught her. Starting at her feet, she slowly fed a tendril of a healing spell into every sore or tight muscle, until all that was left was soothing comfort. She was just drifting off to sleep when she heard light footsteps crossing the clearing. Groaning, she sat up and opened her eyes, expecting to see her master trying to surprise her.

Instead, a little girl stood in front of her, wide-eyed and nervous. Her light brown hair blew across her face. She had a white hatchling dragon nestled in her arms, his tail wrapped around her one arm, and his head resting on her shoulder.

"What can I do for you, little one?" Azurina asked, being careful to keep her voice soft and gentle. 

"Master Riana said that Master Ayden has taken a new student. Is that true, miss?"

"That is true, little one. Ayden and Gormlaith have agreed to teach me what I need to know so that I can save Lord Leihiel. Why do you ask?"

Instead of answering calmly, the little girls hazel eyes welled up with tears, and she began to cry. "I was hoping th...tha...that when my dragon and I di...di...discovered our true power, Ma...Ma...Master Ayden would take us as students. I gu... gu...guess that is impossible now." she cried, trying hard to control her sobbing. Her dragon craned his neck around and nuzzled her cheek, giving a tiny purring sound, trying to calm her down. After taking a deep breath, the little girl continued talking. "You see, Master Ayden is my big brother. When Leo here hatched for me last week, I was so proud to be fo...fo...fo..." she stopped talking at that point, as her tears finally caught up with her and closed her throat.

Azurina shifted to her knees, and after watching Leo scurry to the ground with a birdlike chirp, took the little girl in her arms. She stroked the girl's hair until she calmed down to only hiccups, then Azurina pulled away. "What's your name, little one?" Azurina asked, wiping away the girl's tears with one of her thumbs, then sat back on the cushion.

"My name *hic* is Korralee, miss..." Korralee paused, not knowing how to address Azurina.

"It's nice to meet you, Korralee. My name is Azurina." She said, drawing Korralee down to sit on her crossed legs. Azurina then leaned against the tree and placed her hands on the grass.

"It's good to meet you, Miss Azurina. Where is your dragon, if you don't mind me asking. Is he off training with Varhune?" Korralee asked as she patted her own lap, letting Leo jump up and settle into her lap.

"I do not have a dragon, little one."

"How did you convince my brother to train you in the ways of dragon magic?"

"I'm teaching her because she has an ability that makes her far more important than any dragon and his rider, and also more powerful." a voice sounded from the entrance of the grove, causing both females to look up. There, at the break in the bushes, stood Ayden, a small chest of light wood in his hands. "I'm sorry that took so long, but Riana forgot to return the chest back to the supply shed. I had to track her down to find it."

Before Azurina could say anything, Korralee was already on the move. "AYDEN!!!" she squealed with delight as she scrambled to her feet, dumping Leo unceremoniously on the ground. The hatchling shot Korralee a dirty look as she raced across the clearing to her brother, then scurried under a bush. Azurina smiled as Ayden levitated the box in time to catch the flying girl in his arms.

"Hey, Lee-lee!" He said, picking her up and using her momentum to swing her in a circle. "You haven't been pestering Lady Azurina, have you?" he asked as he settled her on his hip.

"No." Both Azurina and Korralee said together, causing everyone in the clearing to laugh.

"She's been fine. She was wondering if the rumors about you having a new student were true." Azurina said, standing up and crossing the clearing herself at a slower pace. "She was upset that it was, but I calmed her down."

"Is that true, Lee-lee?"

"Yes." Korralee answered in a small voice.

"Why don't you tell him why, little one?" Azurina suggested, taking the little chest into her hands before it plummeted to the ground.

"I wanted you to train me once I discovered my true power." she told him sadly, tears coming to her eyes again, but she quickly wiped them away. "I know that you can't now, so I will train with Master Illiana."

"Oh Lee-lee." Ayden said, hugging her tightly. "Just because Gormlaith is a water dragon, doesn't mean that Leonardo will be. He could end up an earth dragon, or even a fire dragon. You won't know until you access your magic and cast the correct spell for it. You've only just bonded."

"But how do I do that? How do I find out our true power?"

"By the Elements Test" he answered simply.

"Speaking of which, I still need to do mine. How would you like to watch?" Azurina asked, and watched a confused look appear on the little girl's face.

"I still don't understand. How is it that you can control dragon magic if you are not a rider?"

"You know of Lord Leihiel, Lady Elana's son and the leader of the dragon shifters?" Azurina asked, earning an enthusiastic giggle from the girl.

"Oh yes. There is one rider who is really good at drawing. She earns a decent amount of gold by drawing the most handsome shifters as posters and selling them. Most of the young girls have posters of Lord Leihiel on their walls. Almost all of them dream of getting his Betrothal pendant."

Azurina smiled, and touched her necklace. "Well, I am like Lord Leihiel."

"You mean you're a female dragon shifter?" Korralee asked in wide-eyed astonishment. "I heard that they are extremely rare. Can I see your dragon form?"

"Korralee." Ayden chided her, using her real name for the first time since he entered the grove. "That is rude. You apologize to Lady Azurina right now."

"I'm sorry, Miss Azurina. Sometimes my excitement can get away from me."

"It's quite all right. Of course you can see my dragon form, after the test." Azurina then turned her attention to Ayden. "It's not going to hurt, is it?"

"Not at all." He looked at Korralee. "I have to put you down now. Why don't you go find where Leo wandered off to. We just got the house fixed from the hiccup fit yesterday. We don't need him setting fire to the meditation grove."

"Okay, Ayden." Korralee said. Once her feet were on the ground, she was running to the cushion, searching for the disgruntled hatchling.

"Thank you, Azurina, for being so nice to Lee-lee." Ayden said once Korralee was out of earshot. "Our mother died giving birth to her, and our good-for-nothing father left us a week later. Gormlaith and I have been raising her since. She hasn't made a lot of friends as she is a very quiet, drawn in little girl." He watched her as she tried to lure Leo from under the bush, and he drew in a ragged breath. "You don't know how happy I was when Leonardo hatched for her. I knew right then that she would always have a friend, someone to be by her side always." he choked, tears coming to his eyes. Azurina rested her hand on his shoulder as he wiped away the tears.

"Where do most of the children play?"

"There is a small field not too far from here where the children can run around and have fun. Why?"

"I have a sure fire way to give her friends. But first, let's get the test done." She said, quickly changing subjects, as Korralee was walking their way with a writhing hatchling in her arms.

"Right. Now, where did that chest go?" Ayden asked, looking up towards the canopy. Azurina chuckled quietly before taking one of his hands and pressing the box into it. "Oh, thank you Azurina. Now, let's sit in the center of the grove."

They all moved to the center, and Ayden used his summoning spell to summon cushions for them. Once they were all sitting, with Korralee having a tight hold on Leo, Ayden started talking. "Now, the test is fairly simple. You just have to close your eyes and focus your magic on the items that I place in front of you, ALL of them. Whichever item levitates off the ground represents the element your magic will affect."

"That's it? Sounds easy enough." she paused, then smiled. "At least this way no one will get zapped." 

"What?"

"Just musing to myself. Sorry. What is it that I will be focusing my magic on?"

"These" Ayden said, opening the chest and reaching in. He withdrew a handful of gemstones, each a different color. "Now, most gemstones are used for storing energy, but these are enchanted to react to the student's magic." He explained as he set the gemstones in a small circle. "Each stone represents a different element. The sapphire represents water, the diamond is air. Ruby is fire, emerald is nature, and finally, the amber is earth. Every rider and shifter wears the appropriate gemstones for power storage."

"Where's your's, Ayden." Korralee asked, then clamped the hand that was not holding Leo over her mouth. 

Ayden chuckled. "I have a few, Lee-lee. One is in the pin that I hold my tie with." he answered, touching the gleaming sapphire at his chest. "One is in my earring, and the last is set into my staff. Now shush. Don't distract Azurina."

Taking that as the signal to begin, Azurina closed her eyes and focused on the stones in front of her. She reached into her magic and withdrew a small tendril, thinner than a nightshade vine, and wove it around the gemstones. She let her magic do its thing, and felt a weird sensation. Instead of her magic only going into one stone, it felt like it went into each stone simultaneously.

"This is amazing." Korralee said, and Azurina heard awe in her voice.

"This is unheard of." Ayden responded.

Do you think you can do something so that I can see what's going on? Azurina managed to project while still keeping her magic focused on the stones. She felt sweat beading up on her forehead.

"Of course." She heard Ayden say, and then felt the pressure on her magic ease. She released the breath that she had been holding, and opened her eyes. Azurina then went to relax her back from the rigid position, but found herself frozen in that uncomfortable position.




Hearts of the Sky Intertwine Ch. 05



What, in the name of flame and fang, did you do to me? She projected angrily, finding herself unable to even move her jaw to speak. 

"Sorry!" Ayden said quickly, snapping his fingers and releasing Azurina's body from it's frozen state, sending her sprawling backwards on the grass. "I froze your magic so that you can see what's going on. But apparently you envelope yourself in a layer of magic when you work a spell. Did you know that?"

"No." She answered, pushing herself back up to a sitting position. "I don't really work magic all to often." She paused, then looked at Ayden with concern. "Is that a good thing?"

"No, as a matter of fact, it isn't."

"Why?"

"Oh!" Korralee said, her hand shooting up into the air. "I just learned the answer today. May I say it?"

"Go ahead Lee-lee."

"Thanks, big bro," the little girl said, then got a serious look on her face. "You see, when you envelope yourself in a layer of magic, you're essentially giving your opponent the tool they need to win the battle." Korralee was beaming from ear to pointed ear by the time the sentence was finished.

"You want to translate that for me please. I don't speak lesson yet." Azurina asked Ayden, a look of confusion on her face.

"In short, what I did to you anyone can do. It's the simplest spell. We'll get into that during your first magic lesson. Lee-lee, go tell Gormlaith to go get Lady Elana. She needs to see this."

"Yes, sir." Korralee said, scrambling to her feet and running out of the grove, Leo perched on her shoulder.

"Why does Elana need to come?"

"Look at the gems." Ayden told her, waving his hand overtop of them.

She looked down the gemstones, and raised her eyebrow as she studied them. They had arranged themselves in a pattern with the help of her magic. In the center sat the sapphire, with the amber, diamond, emerald and ruby sitting at the four compass points. While all were suspended in the air, the sapphire was floating higher than the others.

"I don't see what's so off. From what I see, I can clearly control water."

"That is not all."

"What do you mean? You said that whichever stone that lifted the highest off the ground represents the element that I can control."

"No, Azurina. I said whichever stone levitates off the ground represents the element you can control." He said, passing his hand through the air underneath the stones. "And you, my dear student, are able to control them all."