Danna

She walked over to the barn, once she was sure that Cole was not coming home that night. She didn’t care, she realized, it didn’t even hurt that he hadn’t told her. Maybe he’d taken off. That would solve her problems.

Seshi was sitting stretched out beneath the stars and four other dragons were with him. She exhaled. She hadn’t been counting on the whole wing, but here they were.

“Danna!” Jersa flew over to her and snuggled he nose against her outstretched palm. “I have been better behaved today, I did not make any glass.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Danna smiled. A white dragon, who’s scales shimmered in the night sky followed after her. He looked nipped at Jersa affectionately.

“Little Sister, leave her be,” he said. “Lady Danna,” he bowed in the odd way dragons do, while Jersa made a huffing noise.

“Danna’s not a lady, Appan,” she squeaked, “she’s a rider.” Danna laughed.

“I’m neither actually,” I said. The two of them just stared at me, their golden eyes glowing.

“Children, leave them alone,” a third dragon, bronze, with hints of black in the flecks of her eyes. Bel, the lady of dragons, Seshi’s mate. “Rider.”

“Lady Bel,” Danna curtsied. Bel didn’t like her, or really any humans. Seshi landed next to her. “Do you two need privacy?” She teased and Seshi nipped her.

“Do we?” Seshi looked at her.

“I’m actually glad you’re all here,” I said. Appan plopped onto his bottom and Jersa snuggled closer to him. Seshi regarded her. “I would like to introduce you to someone.”

“Your ranger?” He teased. Danna glared at him. The other three dragons laughed.

“He isn’t mine,” she said. “But yes, I think you should meet him.”

“For what reason?” Bel tossed her head. “We have no need for alliance with The Dovetail Queen.” Danna exhaled.

“He also mentioned there’s a witch in the area,” she explained. “And he seems a good man.”

“The Daughters of Mariah fought with us in the past,” Appan pointed out. Seshi nodded at that.

“I would like to meet him,” Seshi said. Bel huffed. “Just me, though.” Danna nodded. “If only to see if he is worthy of my rider.” He nudged her. Danna sighed.

“I have a man, My Lord,” she reminded him. He growled.

“That one is barely worthy of being called a man, let alone being yours,” he said. “And you are attracted to the ranger, do not lie to me, Danna Finn.” She thought of Commander Chastain, with his dark hair and blue eyes and kind smiles.

Yes, she was attracted to him, for all the good it would do her.

Jersa had her head turned and she walked over on her four feet and nuzzled her.

“It would be good for us to ally with Danna’s mate,” Jersa said.

“He’s not my mate,” Danna grumbled.

“You are behaving as if he is,” Jersa frowned. “You are just like Appan when he met,” Appan bit down on her tale. “OW!” She exclaimed. Danna raised an eyebrow. She didn’t know Appan was mated, the dragons were secretive.

“When would you like me to meet him, Danna?” Seshi asked.

“Tomorrow, at moonrise,” Danna said. Seshi nodded. “Thank you.” Seshi nodded and yipped something and the others flew off.

“Are you prepared for what this means, my little one?” He asked. “If we choose to ally with her I cannot remain here.” Danna nodded.

“I know,” she said with a swallow. “I’m ready.” He nudged her affectionately. “I’m sorry for making you wait.”

“I knew you would choose soon,” he said. “Bring me your ranger, and I will reign the children in.” She laughed.

“Bel will fight you,” she said. He exhaled.

“Bel recalls our binding and fears any restraint,” he admitted, “I also do not want us to be chained again, but we cannot hide forever.” Danna nodded. “You trust him?” She inhaled.

“I do,” she said. “He’s a good man.” Seshi nodded and took off. Danna exhaled and mounted her horse again to ride back to the house. She walked quietly in and noticed Cole passed out in his office, an empty bottle next to him.

He’d decided to drink about it. Productive. She crawled into bed an tried to sleep.

Seshi

He landed on a rock and Bel glared at him.

“She is young,” he said to her. She sighed.

“Yes, she is,” Bel murmured. He pressed his nose against hers. “I know this queen is not the one who betrayed us, love, but she is of that line.”

“I will judge the ranger first,” he said. “Then we can consider his queen. She did free us.”

“Incidentally,” Bel huffed. Seshi laughed. “I do not like it.” He nudged her again. “I will follow you though, into any world.”

“I know this,” he said and they watched the moon.