Cage spun around just in time to see the sparkles of magic fade as the dragon shifted into a man. An unkempt warrior with a prosthetic arm sauntered across the grass toward him.
The man looked awfully familiar. Where had he seen him before?
“That sword was forged in a fire hotter than any on Earth. You’re going to need more than some sunshine to break that diamond off for your girl.”
“It’s not just the diamond. She needs a ring. If the White Witch won’t give Azy one, I will. She is my true mate and I won’t let an old tradition stand between us.”
These secrets spilled out of Cage’s mouth. He wasn’t supposed to talk of Wyvern business with anyone but the other leaders of the dragon Wyrs and their fathers and sons. There were some things only first sons of first sons were supposed to know.
The fact that there was a test for Wyvern’s betrothed to prove her worthiness to be the mate of the Wyr leader was one of those close-held secrets.
The old warrior folded his arms and nodded. “Ahh. You’re after the Wyvern mate’s ring then.”
“Yes, sir.” Damn it. He could not control his mouth.
“You think you can make her one instead of waiting for Inanna to leave it for her to find?”
That was exactly his plan. He couldn't wait on anyone else to keep his mate safe, warm, happy, and healthy. She was his responsibility. “I have to.”
The warrior tilted his head to the side and studied Cage for a moment. Cage felt like he was being weighed and measured. He must have passed the test because the man nodded. “We'd better get to work then and make your lady something worthy.”
Cage hadn't realized how worried he was about being able to create the ring on his own until the dragon warrior offered his help. He could have asked the other Wyvern’s for help, but they had all sacrificed for him time and again. It was as if he'd been flying against the wind and now, he didn't have to fight anymore. He had no doubt they could craft a ring worthy of being gifted from a goddess.
“You worry too much, my boy.” The warrior outstretched his hand asking Cage to hand over the sword. “You need to get back out of your head and start living with your heart again. Your heart is what connects you to your people.”
What was that supposed to mean? “I've had a lot on my mind.”
“I know you have.” He turned the sword over in his hands and studied the hilt. He tapped on a particular spot just below the yellow diamond and blew a white-hot stream of fire at it. The diamond didn't budge. “You were raised to be a man of action. Nobody said you had to bear the weight of the world on your own.”
Shock at this dragon warrior's abilities struck Cage directly in the chest like a big ole bomb of surprise. Gold dragons had domain over sun and sky, not fire. He didn't even know what to think about the man standing here on the mountain helping him, much less come up with a question to ask about why the hell he could control two elements.
He chose to concentrate on that rather than being called out on being a worry wart of a dragon. He and he alone needed to shoulder his responsibilities. That’s what a Wyvern did.
The warrior blew another hot stream of dragon fire at the sword and this time a small gilded piece directly under the diamond melted enough for the stone to slide out of its place. Cage thrust his hands forward to catch it and had to toss the jewel from hand to hand like a hot potato. “Ow, that is really fucking hot.”
He blew on it, calling on a little cool breeze to help him reduce the temperature to a manageable level. When he could hold it without third degree burns, he held the diamond up in the sunlight. So many facets reflected the sun into a million sparkles in the sky. Each of them reminded him of the sheen of Azy’s scales when they shimmered in the water. “It's like this jewel was created especially for her.”
“Maybe it was.”
Cage gripped the stone in his fist, turning it over and over in his hand.” How could that possibly be? The sword was created by the First Dragon hundreds of years ago.”
The other man laughed. “I know. It has fulfilled many prophecies since its creation. Sometimes I regret putting it into the hands of your brethren over the years.”
There was so much more to this dragon warrior than Cage had guessed. “You're the one who gave it to me, aren't you?”
The warrior laughed and rolled his eyes. “Duh.”
Holy sun in the sky. Cage swallowed. The First Dragon, here, on a mountain top, as alive as can be. Okay. Be cool. There had to be a reason Cage was being blessed by a visit from his creator.
Why didn't he remember meeting the First Dragon before? The memory of receiving the sword was all a bit fuzzy in his mind. Dragons weren't known for wielding magic. Perhaps he was working with a witch. “The White Witch is the midwife.”
It was too coincidental to have two beings interfering in his life for them not be connected.
“Figured it out, did ya? You always were smarter than you looked.”
“I have the feeling I won't remember any of this conversation.” Cage continued to turn the jewel over and over in his hand, using it to anchor him in reality.
The First Dragon slapped Cage on the back jovially. “Nope. Not a word of it.”
