The Dragon’s Mage

at her good fortune.  He was entirely too beautiful to be hers.

Ladon pushed off from the wall with a sudden broad smile.  'Never mind.'

Morgan continued to gawk as he came closer and lifted her chin pulling her eyes off his amazing chest and closing her mouth.  'If you keep looking at me like that we'll never make the council meeting.'

That was bad right?

'Now I believe I am jealous.'  Eben said darkly, making Ladon laugh.  Eben grabbed Morgan around the waist until her back met his front.  She couldn't hide her all over body shiver when he bit the arch of her neck in warning.

'Come Shameaa.  We must make ourselves as presentable as the young princeling.'  Morgan couldn't help a disbelieving sniff.  Maybe Eben would look that good but her?

Ladon stepped forward until they were nose to chest with Eben at her back.  She looked up into his suddenly serious face her head falling back to hit Ebens chest.  'You will look stunning dressed in my fire, little falcon.  Never doubt it.  There will not be a dragon who sees you that will not wish to steal such a treasure.'

She felt Ebens growls resonate everywhere they touched.  'And there is not another dragon alive who could handle you.'  Ladon said smiling wickedly.

Morgan rolled her eyes.  'Very funny.'

He leaned forward and rubbed noses with her playfully.  'Who jokes?'  He said then, stealing a kiss, his lips soft on hers.  'Clearly the great father knew you couldn't be tamed by one measly dragon mate.'

'Tamed?'  She grumbled tilting her head in clear invitation for another kiss.  'You are taking that falcon nickname too much to heart.  I'm not a bird to be trussed and hooded.'

He kissed her again this time he did such a thorough job of it she had completely lost track of what he was saying.  Or that the council still had to be faced.  Or her name.  'I would have you always flying free and at my side.'

'Come.'  Eben said kissing the top of her head before stepping back and pulling Morgan along by her arm.  'Time grows near and there is much to do.'

'Wait till you see what I made for you to wear.'  Ladon laughed again at her chagrined face and grabbed her hand to follow, or keep her from escaping.  One or the other.

Why does that statement make me want to run away?  Very fast?

'You just haven't seen it yet.  My family is known throughout the dragon reaches for their impeccable style.  Just wait, you’ll see.'

She looked at Eben for help.

'The house of fire is known for its flair with artifice.'  He said.

'Hey, just because you never wear anything but black, black, and more black doesn't mean all dragons are so inclined.'  Ladon harrumphed, rather snootily too.  'Some of us have an imagination.'

That statement wasn't at all reassuring.  She was going to look ridiculous she just knew it.

It was worse than she thought.  The dress was beautiful, full to the floor in burnished gold nearly identical to Ladons hair; it came off the shoulders and hinted at her cleavage.  The sleeves were long and narrow, the waist cinched in to the top of the hips.  Her hair had been magically twirled up in a deceptively simple upsweep and shimmered.  The problem was in no way that it was an ugly dress.  The problem was the sparkling lady looking back at her was not one she recognized.

She felt like she was playing dress up.  Every dragon there was going to know she was an imposter.  Even her brown hair seemed to have an added shimmer, almost like dragon scales.

The shoes were high healed and butter soft, the same color as the dress with tiny gems embedded so that they shimmered a rainbow when the light hit them.  She kept catching herself watching them when she moved her foot.  She was forced to admit she liked the shoes.

Of course you do.  And you look amazing in them, Ladon said, the exasperation with her thoughts clear.  'But now we have to be off.  The council is convening as we speak.'

'Fine, but when I trip and fall on my face I'm going to tell you 'I told you so'.'

As if either Eben or I would allow you to fall.

Morgan laughed at the dragon arrogance that assumed he could stop her from tripping on her own gown.

'Come, your other mate grows restless.  We must be off.'

Why do I feel like a herd beast being led to slaughter?

'Because you're a teeny tiny little human and you are going into a room with a dozen of the oldest and most dangerous dragons in existence?'

'Right.  That's probably it.'

'Don't worry puny human,” Ladon said, exaggerating his deep voice and patting her on the head.  'I'll have the healer revive you if you faint from fear.'

She slapped his hand away, the spark returning to her eyes.  'And pigs will fly.'  She thrust out her chin and threw back her shoulders bringing majesty to the outfit that would rival any dragons.  'Let's just get this farce done so we can get back to the children.'

Ladon waited until she swept out of the room before he smiled.

Well done.  Eben said via mind speech.  Now who is going to protect the dragon council from our fiery tempered mage?

I will leave that to the council’s executioner.

Sigh.  Somehow, I do not doubt that.

Chapter 10

If Morgan had not already seen Ebens home in the Forsaken Mountain, the council chambers might have been overwhelming.  But she had seen it so she knew to expect the priceless gems embedded in the walls and the magic that swirled through the air, coloring everything in shimmering waves.  At least that's what it looked like to her.  Maybe a normal human would just see the raw gems in stonewalls.  Even if that were all they could see, not having magic in their blood, they would have still wanted to gawk here.  But they would have forgotten about all the rest the second they saw the dragons.

They glowed with beauty.  Seeing so many and all together like this was almost overwhelming.  That was the only word for it.  They glowed, shimmered, and sparkled as if the jewels themselves had come alive.

There were four council members, one for each house, competing for the most ostentatious display.  The rest of the dragons were warriors, obviously there as security, or possibly just tradition because the council members breathed magic.  Morgan couldn’t imagine anyone challenging them.  Besides Eben and one or two of the warriors, they were the oldest dragons, not in physical appearance but definitely in the press of their power.

Suddenly I don't feel so overdone.

Told you.  Ladon laughed in her thoughts.

I believe they are becoming more ostentatious with age.  Eben said blandly from close behind Morgan.

Ladon laughed again and then pulled Morgans hand up to kiss the inside of her wrist.  Used to be dragons slept on their treasure, now they just wear it.

Eben sniffed his agreement and then pulled Morgans other hand to his lips to kiss the back of it.  Come Shameaa, let’s show them what true treasure looks like.

He kept hold of her hand as he led her inside the main chamber.  Ladon followed close behind them.  As soon as they cleared the door, every eye in the place rested on them.

Why do they all look familiar to me?

You have seen our memories.  I’m not sure how much of them you will retain but many things may seem familiar.

The council chamber itself was cavernous, especially considering how few dragons occupied it.  They were not always going to be in human form.  Morgan thought.  She recognized