Naiya soared through the air, wind hissing past her wings, her black scales gleaming in the sunlight. She let out a joyous roar. This is what she adored, being in the air. Becoming one with the wind, the clouds, the sun, and the sky, where she always had belonged. The dragoness dove into a flurry of fantastic twists and spins, breaking the clouds apart. Water began to collect on her scales, and as she left the clouds and her performance behind, it dripped off of her. Emerald eyes shone with hunger as they caught the sight of a herd of deer grazing.
Naiya folded her wings against her body and sped down toward them. The air whistled loudly, rattling against her ear drums. Just before she just hit the ground, she made a quick change of direction, sweeping up a doe in her talons as she did so. The deer squealed and kicked in protest against her claws. After losing momentum, she landed near the lake. The dragoness sunk her teeth into the doe's windpipe, then slammed her against the ground to break her spine and paralyze her. She gave herself a moment to catch her breath before she devoured the carcass.
Her belly full of food, Naiya sauntered over to the lake and took several long draughts of water. She lifted her head, droplets falling from her lips and hitting the surface, leaving cascading waves. I won't be able to do this much longer, she thought somberly, glancing over to her den nearby. Inside was a clutch of eggs she had laid a few weeks ago, and they were bound to hatch any day now. The dragoness was excited for her children, but she would miss being young and free...being part of the sky. She shook her head, clearing it of such thoughts. I will show my young the greatness of the sky. Settling down, Naiya began to groom herself.
She was interrupted by a roar. Looking up, Naiya saw that the roar announced the arrival of her mate, Tashrin. A brawny, proud red dragon, Tashrin contrasted well against Naiya's reserved personality. He was an adept hunter and warrior, who never failed to make a scene if it meant he got attention. The two had meant in battle, when their clans were at war. Tashrin had a broken wing, and Naiya had been scouting for dragons to heal. Though he wasn't of her clan, upon meeting him, Naiya healed and fed him. They met in secret for several months, but when light was shone on their affairs, the pair ran away from the territories and eloped.
Now their brood lay hidden in the den, a black egg and a red egg. They were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the hatchlings, but being on edge had sparked an argument. In an effort to save their relationship, they spent a few days apart, and now Tashrin returned to Naiya. He tried to hide his excitement to see her, but failed miserably. Naiya didn't mind. The two dragons embraced each other, which was difficult to do as dragons, but they managed by brushing their cheeks together and holding their chests against each other for a period of time.
"I missed you," Naiya said breathlessly, stepping back. "It was nice to be alone and shake off my nerves, but I missed you so."
Tashrin nodded. "I missed you as well, my love," he replied with a dry smile. "How are the eggs?" The red dragon folded his wings against his body and strode to the den, poking his head inside. As a male, he wasn't permitted to enter except in case of emergency. He sniffed the eggs, checking to make sure they hadn't rotted anywhere. They seemed healthy.
"They are doing well. I have been turning them often, but the shells are thinning and the little ones should arrive any moment," Naiya said softly, sitting down beside him. Tashrin turned to face her, a genuine look of content. His mate chuffed affectionately at him, and he lay beside her, wrapping her in a wing. She brushed his cheek with her own, locking her claws into his. "These are our children, above all," the dragoness whispered. "But know that they are also symbols of our love. For I would not allow any dragon to father my children."
Tashrin chortled, blowing a small puff of smoke at her. "I would not father any hatchlings but the hatchlings of Naiya MacCeilen of the Rain Clan." Naiya smiled, nestling her head into the crook where his head and shoulders met. She had left behind family and prosperity for this dragon, and it was still worth it. It would always be worth it.
As if on cue, one of the two eggs rolled over in the den. The red egg emitted a soft squeak, and both parents lifted their heads to watch. After a great deal of wiggling, a tiny hole appeared on the side of the egg, and the squeaks grew louder. A few minutes later, and the whole had widened into a large crack. With one last thrust, the hatchling broke through its shell. Naiya got to her feet and hurried into the den, careful about the black egg. She licked the newborn clean, then regurgitated some of her food for its first meal.
The little hatchling sniffed the half-digested meat, then took a tiny bit in its mouth. Realizing that it didn't taste all that bad, it ate a little more, and a little more, until eventually it was taking huge gulps of the food. The little red devoured the rest of its meal, then with a yawn, curled up against its mother's bosom.
"Is it a son or a daughter?" Tashrin inquired. Once again he tried to hide his excitement and concern about the new arrival, but he failed to do so. His voice was shaking.
Naiya chortled softly. "He is our new son," she announced, nuzzling the little one. "I had the urge to name him after you, but I have higher expectations than that." Tashrin appeared offended, but Naiya gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm only fooling around. He will be called Ares, dragon of the fight."
Tashrin nodded approvingly. "Seems rather fitting for the son of myself." He spread his wings and poked his head into the den, puffing a ring of smoke at his new son. The hatchling coughed and pawed playfully at his father's snout, squealing when Tashrin pushed him onto his back and nuzzled his belly. Naiya smiled at the two. She was a mother now...a mother. I can't believe it. Suddenly all of her doubts about parenthood had vanished. From this moment on, the dragoness knew she would defend this little one to the death if need be.
The sun dipped below the horizon, putting an end to a brilliant day. Both Naiya and Tashrin were reminded that love could come from even the darkest of circumstances. And that they were glad for.
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