It All Goes Wrong

We returned to the Academy after our extended two weeks at the spa. I had asked Hestia and Vulcana about the stranger at the waterfalls, but they said they saw no one but me, and that no one had gone down the trail we had gone to discover the hidden falls. I asked the hostess about her guest with the long silvery hair down to her ankles, and she said they had no guest matching that description. She said there was legend about the ghost of the Lost Sage who sometimes appeared as a young woman and sometimes as an old hag. She was said to wander spa on rare occasions. Her coming always foretold some great doom.

Was I asleep? I am sure I was not. Bah! Legends, and myths. Doom and gloom. I had no time for such distractions. I told everyone about my encounter. On our return, Celestine appeared as a student in my Royal Etiquette class. The only class Fergus and I shared. I told her of the mysterious stranger.

“So, you have been given a new quest? For yet another legendary artifact?” Celestine said.

“The Divine Spear? The Gáe Bulga of the Great Hero Setanna, The Hound of Cullen? That's just a myth of the First Age. Why would you go hunt for that which doesn't exist?” Fergus asked.

“I have sought and found other so-called mythical artifacts. In even the oldest myths and legends, there is usually at least a seed of truth. You should not be so ready to dismiss our ancient wisdom,” I said.

“Oh, you have? Like what?” Fergus said.

“That's a state secret,” Celestine answered before I could.

“What are you, just one great big folder of state secrets?” Fergus asked.

“Yes. Yes, she is. It's a real headache for all us poor servants of the Realm. He he he,” Celestine said.

“Seriously, Celes?” I said.

“Oh, allow me at least a little fun,” Celestine said.

The Sentinel alarms went off, and the whole class ran to the windows. We saw a pair of Red dragons as large as me above the gates of the City.

We bring Salutations from the Red Queen. We seek an audience with Queen Matilde and the Virgin Red Princess.

“Seriously! Is everyone calling me that now? Does it really need to be emphasized and announced I am still a virgin?” I said to no one in particular.

“Oh should we give you and Fergus some alone time so you can fix that?” Celestine teased.

The entire class laughed.

“Ha, ha,” I said.

“But seriously, it has barely been a week since classes started up. Can't I have just one quiet week?” I said.

“You just had two, don't be greedy,” Celestine said.

“They weren't exactly quiet, either,” I said.

“Point taken,” Celestine said.

“I guess we'd better get you to the Palace. That was pretty weird for them to broadcast that to the whole damn city,” Celestine said.

“Dragons,” Fergus said.

“True,” Celestine said and they both looked at me.

“What?” I said.

“Nothing,” Fergus said.

We got to the palace and were escorted to the parade grounds beneath the palace balcony. We were just in time to join the Queen on the grounds and witness the pair of dragons descend. About three meters above the ground they transformed and fell to grounds to a position kneeling on one knee with one hand on the ground. A dragon pose of respect, put also one of defensiveness.

“Greetings and Salutations, Noble and Illustrious representatives of the Red Queen. To what do we owe the honor of your presence and wise words?” Matilde greeted properly.

“The Red Queen wished to inform your majesty that the young Virgin Red Princess has been summoned by the Ancient Mother,” the lead dragon said.

There was a collective gasp at the mention of the Ancient Mother. After a long moment, the lead dragon let out a huff of hot air. Which caught all our attention back to what was before us.

“Yes. Yes of course, forgive my shock. Well dear Princess Deirdre, it appears your ancestral grandmother wishes to speak with you. Off you go then. Be respectful, and do not shame us or your family,” Matilde said.

“I hear, and I obey, Queen Matilde,” I said bowing low.

I hear, and I obey, Noble and Illustrious representatives of the Red Queen, I said bowing low. I walked forward, and Hestia and Vulcana followed.

There is no need for your guards, little princess. We shall protect you, in their stead, the lead guard said.

I leapt up with a push of air and transformed to my full form. The guards looked at me and seeing my size gave a nod of approval. They turned and leapt up and transformed and began to fly away. I followed. And I was off to see the Ancient Mother. A former queen over two thousand years old. This was a terrifying turn of events. I was being summoned by the oldest living dragon in the known world. It was a long flight. We flew far to the Northwest. Then we came to the Far Sea. The vast ocean that separated the domain of the Dragons from the rest of the world. Across the forbidden ocean we flew. Then far beneath us, I saw the Dragon Lands. A maze of vast volcanic islands, and still onward we flew. I now saw dragons of all sorts hanging on the wind, or flying to someplace I knew not, and some were hunting great fish in the sea.

Finally, we approached an island larger than all the rest. Towering in the seas, and reaching beyond clouds. Snow covered its incredible height. Thus, we descended.

Not far below the snowline, was a vast cave entrance. This was no mere cave, though. It had been carved by the hands of dragons into a vast Palace in the Sky. The workmanship was beyond compare. It was magnificent. Four large dragons hung in the air surrounding the entrance. They held position as we made an approach, and landed. The guards led me into the Ancient Mother's Palace to her nest, and took a position at the entrance to the nest.

I tried to keep my head down and not look at her. But she was so vast and magnificent I was drawn to look at her.

You would dare to look at us?

I immediately dropped my head, and looked only at the floor.

Forgive me Ancient Mother, I meant no disrespect. However, I could not contain my awe, and wonder, at your magnificence and grandeur.

Come closer halfdragon child.

I stepped closer and resumed kneeling.

Closer.

Closer still.

When I got very close to her, she smelled me, and then huffed. Then she opened her eyes and looked at me. Then she blasted me with blue dragon fire. It was hot. Incredibly hot. It got hotter, and hotter, and hotter still. After suffering under it long enough, I protested,

Enough!

“Ancient Mother,” I said, catching myself.

She stopped. Then she snorted, and chuckled.

You have your mother's spirit. Good.

You have grown well. You are strong. You will need that strength. You are grown now, but have yet to mate with the Red Queen's chosen mate. Why?

I haven't even met the one the Red Queen wants me to mate with. So I don't even know if I will accept him. Besides, I am not ready to mate. I have not even had my first Cycle yet.

That is not possible. Is there something wrong with your body that you do not cycle?

No, I was never near any potential mates until recently. Now I am suppressing my cycle with magik and medicine.

Your human tricks and toys will only work so long, and you risk having a dangerous first cycle doing that. You should just mate, now, and it will all be easier.

I will not mate yet. I am not ready.

Very well, foolish child. You have awakened the Spirit affinity. That has not happened, in a very long time.

How do you know this, Ancient Mother? That I have activated the Spirit affinity?

I felt your presence, the Ancient Mother said.

You have it. You have the Spirit affinity. How do I use it? How do I train it? I asked.

You already know how. You are asleep. You must awaken. You have been visited by one who has passed Beyond the Veil. What did she say to you? What quest has she given you?

Beyond the Veil? Then she is a ghost! Is that whom you speak of? I asked.

A ghost? In a manner of speaking, that would not be wrong. Answer my question child.

She told me I was asleep. That I needed to awaken. That great doom awaited me and I must seek the Divine Spear, I said.

Yes, you should seek the Divine Spear. Yes, that is my task for you, child of the Red. You are to find and claim the Gáe Bulga. Something unseen has been pulled from the Loom. A great Doom is laid upon you. You would have made a fine Queen of the Red. But you are destined for something else. The Fates weave in a mysterious way. Guards return the Virgin Red Princess to her Academy, We recognize this child as a Dragon Friend, the Ancient Mother said.

May the goddess preserve and protect you, Ancient Mother, I said.

The author posts this chapter on www., while this page reproduces it without their approval.

The ancient Mother chuckled at that and began laughing really hard.

With that my brief audience with the Ancient Mother ended. Then we flew the whole long way back. It was past curfew when I returned, and the guards waited with me at the gate until my personal guard arrived to escort me to my dorm.

Farewell, Virgin Red Princess. Dragon Friend. Little no more, said the guards as they left.

Farewell Noble and Illustrious Dragons, I said.

Naturally, The Queen summoned me, the next day.

“Well, my Red Knight, what did the Ancient Mother think of you?” Matilde said.

“Oh, well you know, the usual. She said hello, tried to burn me to crisp. Called me a halfdragon. Confirmed I had the Spirit Affinity. Told me I was asleep. Told to awaken. Told me I had a great Doom. Then she ordered my to find and claim the Divine Spear. Answered basically none of my questions. Made few obvious observations. Recognized me as a Dragon Friend, and laughed at me after kicking me out,” I said.

Matilde took all that in and then laughed at me too.

“Well, then, I suppose you need to start researching the Great Hero and the Divine Spear. We will see if we can find you a scholar to assist,” she said.

“So then our next quest is the Divine Spear of the Great Hero,” Fergus said.

“Our? Are you now joining our guild party?” Kanae asked.

“If you'll have us,” Fergus said.

“I have no objections. You are all sufficiently strong to be considered as A Ranked Adventurers,” I said.

“Fine with me,” Kiera said.

“They have my vote,” Darby said.

“The more, the merrier,” Rosie said.

“As long as he can keep it in his pants long enough to finish a mission, I'm ok with it,” Aoi said, and laughed.

“Congratulation Fergus and friends, and welcome to our party. We'll have to have a welcome dinner, at our favorite pub,” I said.

“You and Fergus at opposite sides of the table at all times!” Kanae said.

“What!? Why?” Fergus said.

“You haven't told him, Dee?” Kiera asked.

“Told me what?” Fergus said.

“It's nothing. Don't worry about it,” I said. I glared at the girls daring them to say something.

“It doesn't look like nothing to me,” Fergus said.

“It's girl stuff. Just leave it at that,” I said.

“Ooo-kayy,” Fergus said.

On Friday we left the Academy and hit the pub. Fergus and I stayed a respectable distance apart. We didn't need a repeat of our last outing, even though I was now using protection. Classes and the semester were breezing by. The Queen had found a researcher of the Great Hero and his weapons.

Fergus had been very active in romancing me.

“You have been going on a lot of dates with Fergus. Getting very serious?” Kanae said.

“The more I get to know him, the more I'm attracted to him,” I said.

“So you plan to make him your mate then?” Kiera asked.

“As I told Ancient Mother, I'm not ready to mate yet,” I said.

“So the bracelet and medicine is working?” Aoi asked.

“Absolutely. I can do that with him, and it has hardly any effect now,” I said.

“Oh, and have you tried other things? How are doing that with him? Have you been sneaking off to inns, or still doing it in pubs?” Kanae asked.

“No, and none of you business, and no, and Hell no,” I said.

“Come on, spill. We are all living vicariously through your love life, we need details,” Rosie said.

“Not happening. Find yourselves some guys. There are loads of free guys all over the campus,” I said.

This same trope played out on a regular basis. As if I had time for all this. The important thing now was locating places where we might find the Divine Spear. It was another legendary artifact that people had been searching for since forever. There were all sorts of reputed treasure maps and ruins said to be the resting place of the Divine Spear. These were invariably scams and tourist traps. With the aid of the Queen's researcher friend we had actually come across some strong candidates. One of which we found in one of the ancient scrolls we had copied from the Darkling ruins. Another from texts in the library of the Celestial Veil Onsen's library.

“Over the Summer break we need to work hard to secure the Divine Spear,” I said.

“I think we should start with the Arconnian Ruins. It clicks all the right buttons from the truest copies we can find about the Great Hero,” Kiera said.

“I agree. It really seems to click,” Fergus said.

“It's a long trip. It will mean camping out, also. There won't always be a village with an Inn within range,” Selene said.

“Maybe we should build another fast moving carriage so we can avoid camping?” Darby said.

“What's a fast moving carriage?” Fergus asked.

“Dee designed and Kiera and Dee built a flying carriage that can make trips ridiculously fast. An extra bonus, we can outrun assassins and bandits that way” Kanae said.

“Wow. We should definitely do that,” Cathar said.

“I think we should plan ahead and build two,” I said.

“Do we have the funds?” Kiera asked.

“We have plenty of funds,” Aoi said.

“Let's do it then. Aoi and Kiera can you work on getting the necessary items?”

“You can count on us, Dee” Aoi said.

“That wraps up this planning session. Let's call it a night,” I said.

“Good night, Dee. I'm really excited by the idea of adventuring with you in just a few short weeks,” Fergus said, and pulled me in for a kiss.

“Me, too,” I said, feeling much warmer than usual.

Fergus and his group headed out. I popped one of my pills in my mouth, and took a swig of my tea.

“You've been taking a lot more of your Unheat pills lately, Dee. Is everything ok?” Kanae asked.

“I'm fine. I guess, I'm more excited than I thought about having Fergus adventuring with us,” I said.

“Yeah, I can understand that. Even if I have no one to feel that with yet,” Kanae said.

I headed to bed. I really have been going through these pills a lot more. Every time he kisses me lately, I get really excited. Goddess, I ruined another pair of panties tonight. I couldn't stop think about taking Fergus all night. Ugh, taking Fergus all night. That would be delicious. Great goddess! Keep it together.

Even my dreams began to betray me.

'Your human tricks and toys will only work so long'.

'You should just mate, now.'

'Mate now.'

'Mate now.'

Monday just before Royal Etiquette Class, Fergus came up behind me and pulled me into a hug. I could feel his arms brushing up against my breasts. I felt so good. Oh, my Goddess! I can feel his flesh on my flesh! I forgot to wear a bra? How could I forget that?

“Mmm,” I said. What am I doing! I'm so horny. Stop!

Fergus brushed my ear with a kiss, from his hot, wet lips. It feels so good.

“Hello, lover,” I said.

“Hello, my love,” Fergus said pulling away.

I'm so horny. I need a pill.

“Excuse me a moment,” I said as I walked for the door.

The professor walked in before I could leave,

“Seats everyone,” she said,

I rushed out the door,

“Hey, I'm about to start.”

I popped in a couple of pills and swallowed hard. Then came back into the room,

“Sorry, I forgot something, but I guess it can wait,” I said and sat down.

“You look really flushed, Dee,” Fergus said.

“I'm fine, it'll pass soon,” I said, trying to keep my distance.

After class, Hestia said, What's going on, my Princess. You are unwell. You are taking a lot more medicine these days, and you just had an episode in class.

Think I'm falling for Fergus, I said.

“You want to marry Fergus, my Princess?” Vulcana asked.

“No! Yes!” I said.

“No, you don't to marry him? Or yes, you want to marry him?” Hestia asked.

“Yes.” I said.

Hestia and Vulcana looked at each other, and then back to me.

“So yes, you want to marry him,” Hestia said.

“I want to mate him. I want to devour him. But I don't want to mate, or marry,” I said.

“Oh, she's got it bad now. The medicine isn't working is it my Princess?” Vulcana said.

“Partially,” I said.

“This is an emergency. We need to fix the medicine to make it stronger,” Hestia said.

“No, it's ok. It's not an emergency yet. But I would like you to contact other biracial dragonkin like me, and ask about other solutions to the estrus,” I said.

That was a lie. It was going to be an emergency soon. I survived until the end of the week. Monday came, and this time kept my back to the windows so he couldn't sneak up on me. Instead, he came right at me and planted a big wet kiss. It was as bad as when he hugged me, last week. I melted like a bowl of jelly.

I popped a couple of pills in my mouth and tog a swig of tea from a bottle I was carrying.

“Candies?” Fergus asked?

“Dragon vitamins,” I said.

“Are you ill?” Fergus asked concerned.

“No just part of a new routine to manage my growth,” I said.

“Oh, ok. Any ideas for human supplements for that?” Fergus said.

“I'll research it,” I said.

“Lit,” Fergus said.

After classes ended for the day I went to the palace and asked to see the Queen.

“Salutation, Deirdre. To what do I owe the honor of this meeting?” Matilde asked

“Greetings and Salutations, My Queen. I am seeking permission to marry and mate Fergus Mac Finnegan, provided he consents. I have not yet asked him, and am not sure when I will.”

“Are you planning on asking him if I give you permission?”

“No. Yes! Maybe.” I said.

“I see. So you are in love with him, and want to mate with him, but yet you don't want to commit yet, so you also don't want to mate with him. But you're afraid you're going to lose control, and mate him, anyway,” Matilde said.

“Um, in a nutshell, my Queen,” I said, fidgeting.

The Queen chuckled.

“Got it pretty bad, do you? Medicine no longer working like it should.”

“Medicine is working fine. It's, uh, my brain, and my body are at war,” I said.

Matilde laughed again.

“We are willing to allow you this husband. But, in exchange, you will also accept one husband, and mate, that we choose, who is willing to be a good husband for a dragonkin. We promise to properly vet them for you, so they will be at least acceptable as mates for you,” Matilde said.

“Deal, the one you had sent me details on, seemed to be mostly acceptable. We must of course verify, they will be compliant with Dragonkin mating customs,” I said.

“Excellent, we have already prepared a contract.” Matilde said placing a contract on the table in front of me.

“You knew?” I said.

“We have been expecting you for some time,” Matilde said with a chuckle. This woman was too devious.

I read the contract carefully.

“This will be acceptable. If and when Fergus and I take the next step I will come and execute this agreement,” I said.

“Wonderful. I guess that's all you needed for now?” Matilde said.

“Yes, my Queen. Thank you for your understanding and generosity. May the Goddess shine on you and bless you,” I said.

“And also with you,” Matilde said.

I returned to the Academy, more at ease. Fergus and friends came to our dorm to study for the final exams. When they left Fergus grabbed both of my cheeks and gave me a passionate kiss, and left. I popped a handful of pills in my mouth and downed them with a deluge of tea. In the morning, I visited the Headmistress.

“Salutations Virgin Red Princess. How may I help you today,” she said.

“Greetings and Salutations, Headmistress. I am seeking your consent to mate and marry Fergus Mac Finnegan, should he be of the same mind,” I said.

“Oh, so your solution is no longer working, because...?” she said.

“I've fallen in love with him.”

“I see, and is he of like mind?”

“I don't know,” I said.

The headmistress chuckled.

“Well, then I hope he isn't of a like mind, but I wish you good luck anyway. You have permission, because I know you'd take it anyway.”

“Thank you, Headmistress! May the Goddess shine upon you and bless you,” I said.

“May the Goddess grant you wisdom, and restraint,” she said.

I left her office and found Fergus.

“Well met, Lover,” I said.

“Well met my Love. This is unusual,” Fergus said.

“Yes, I know. Will you come to my dorm after classes are over? I have some things I'd like to discuss with you,” I said.

“Oh, um, sure. No problem,” Fergus said.

“Until then,” I said and gave him a quick peck and practically ran away.

“That was unusual,” Eoghan said.

“Hmm, yeah, I have a bad feeling about this,” Fergus said.

“As you should, those were the eyes of a predator, She looked as if she wanted to devour you,” Cathar said.

“For sure. Might want to bring a healer with you,” Selene said with an evil grin.

“Not on a bet,” Fergus said.

I couldn't focus on anything all day, from that point on. I consumed my entire supply of pills, that I had in my school bag. Then I went to my dorm and waited. Once Fergus showed up, I took him to one of the private study rooms, and said,

“I want to mate with you.”

Fergus had been drinking tea at the time, and it all came out in an explosive spray. Mostly on my blouse and face.

“I'm sorry! So sorry. That was a really big surprise,” Fergus said, after he stopped coughing.

“I want to mate with you right now, but I also don't. I want to marry you, but not for a while,” I said.

“Can you see yourself eventually marrying me? If so, will you marry me?” I said.

“I don't know. Yes, I can see myself marrying you. But I don't know if I am ready for marriage, or mating. I'm pretty sure I'm not ready to be a father,”

“Nor I a mother. Mating doesn't mean children necessarily to dragonkin,” I said.

“Oh, ok. Well, then you mean you want to get engaged and have sex?”

“Yes, but I have to do something to prepare for, sex, first. Or I'll definitely get pregnant,” I said.

“How can you know that?” Fergus said.

“Dragonkind is different from humans. Very different. Remember that time in the pub,” I said.

“Yes, what of it?” Fergus said.

“Well, what you didn't know, and what I didn't tell you, is that. It made me really, super horny. It would have thrown me into heat, and I'd have hunted you down and mated with you then and there, because you triggered my estrus. But with the aid of some medicine we suppressed it. It would have been my first estrus, and I've been suppressing it ever since. With this bracelet, and these pills. But I've fallen in love with you. Totally and completely and these pills are useless now. This bracelet is all that is stopping me from taking you right now. So, basically I still haven't had my first cycle,”

“Wow! That's a lot,” Fergus said.

“There's more. In order to marry you, I have made an agreement with the Queen to take another husband, of her choice. I get some say in it, but not much. I have permission from the queen and the headmistress. I want to mate with you after the last final,”

“Are you sure about this, Dee?” Fergus asked.

“I am. I want you to be my first. Are you really prepared to commit to be mine for life?” I asked.

“It's all, I've wanted from the first day we met, Dee. I would even be happy to marry you first,” Fergus said.

“We can make it an after finals party, and spring it on everyone. He he he” I said.

“That would be totally evil. Let's do it!” Fergus said.

“Alright, you're on,” I said.

“This is all so wrong!” Fergus said.

“That's what makes it so right!” I said.