12

The Day Our Earth Stood Still

Our time has come. What did she mean?

You know of that which I speak, Oromis.

Are you sure, Elena? It would pull you out of the field.

I'm not much good now, anyways, with Glaedr and Sunny mating almost every year.

Elena—

It is our time. Can you not feel it, my love?

Of course I can. I just—

Just what, Oromis?

Nothing. You are right, as always, aren't you? It is our time.

Of course I am. Her hand squeezed mine firmly, pulling me along.

We reached a small, almost perfectly circular clearing. A stalk of lilies grew in the very centre, and around them were multitudes of other wildflowers—wild roses, bluebells, tulips, violets, freesias, and even a few brilliantly coloured pansies.

"Isn't it amazing?" Her voice was no more than a whisper. Still, it rang in my ears—but not unpleasantly so.

She was on me before I could even respond, pushing me down onto what I noticed to be the only clear patch of grass in the entire clearing.

Her entire body seemed to melt right into me—as if she was made for me, and me alone.

And I am. Nothing will ever take you away from me.

That's a good thought.

She laughed in my head, and I pulled her tunic over her head. She kissed me as soon as her head was free. Her soft, succulent lips took my breath away. When we pulled away, both of us were panting.

Elena ripped at my tunic with a fury that I didn't know she possessed. I let her at it. I had no special attraction to the garment—it was ruined anyway, from the battle. She moved onto my sword belt, taking more care, but using the same amount of speed. I drew away her rose-pink novice's blade and my own golden novice's blade and threw them to the other end of the clearing. We were due to receive our Rider's swords any time now. In fact, the smith (whose name escaped me at the moment) was in the process of making them.

I fumbled with unlacing Elena's corset—she didn't usually wear one, but the one she had was made like chainmail. Sensing my dilemma, Elena took hold of one string and the entire mechanism came undone. I threw it out of our way.

My flesh seared as she pressed herself even closer to me. How could this beauty really be mine? Yet here she was, in my arms.

Where else would I be? She asked as she caressed my cheek. I ran a hand over her breasts and down all the way to her leggings. She freed herself of the cumbersome garment and then set about releasing me from mine.

I had never been completely naked around a woman before. But this felt more natural than almost anything—except maybe my bond with Glaedr.

Our next moves were purely instinctual—for beast, human, and elf alike. And so the last official night of my bachelorhood passed. All that existed was Elena.

#####

Elves do not take intercourse lightly. Children are revered in our society, and the ultimate taboo was to not be able to provide for them.

Elena and I, being two of many hundreds of Dragon Riders, could afford a family.

What am I talking about to the casual human observer?

One thing only elves and Riders know. Elf females didn't have monthly cycles of fertility. No, much like animals, our females came into heat once a year, come spring.

Early that next morning, I looked out to a beautiful morning, finally shaking off the winter's chill.

Elena had come into heat a week ago. And a single mating had never once failed to produce a child.

I was panicking just a little, lying beside Elena. I fear I had a small panic attack, but it really wasn't anything on the ones I had had before. There was no doubt in my mind that Elena was pregnant. And I was the father, obviously.

Elena stirred beside me, her eyes fluttering open. I ran a hand through her dark hair.

You're beautiful, she told me.

Not as beautiful as you. Kiss me sweet, Elena, and then we shall go home.

She captured my mouth in hers. Instead of pulling away, though, she rolled onto me and connected us once more.

Elena…

Mmmhmm?

We should be leaving…

But I'm not ready to go…

Varel and Sorrel deserve to know. Not to mention your sister, though she may kill me—and besides, we have to talk to Avery's wife and daughter.

Oh, I'm not looking forward to that…

Neither am I. But it must be done.

I know. Sarah will be distraught. And Karah is so young—

It's always the innocent first. So it has been, so it will always be.

I stood and went to retrieve my clothes and our swords.

I cursed, "Really? Elena, take a look at this," I called to her. She had her leggings back on, and was lacing the steel corset—though somewhat looser than usual.

"What is it?"

I showed her the swords, "I'd say we had a magical night," the two blades were cleaved in the exact same way, along the straight seam in the centre. They were both quite useless.

"Well, we are due for new swords." I dropped the metal in my arms in favour of her taking their place.

Did you two have fun? A towering shadow blocked out the sun for a moment. Glaedr laughed so hard one could see truly see it without being in his mind.

Well, it was our turn. We had to put up with you and Sunny for the last quarter century…

Elena laughed, the sound bounding off the trees like a squirrel.

True. Varel went in person with the twins and Katella to deliver the news of Avery's death to Sarah and Karah. He seemed to know that you two would be otherwise occupied.

I think he knows us too well.

Of course he does. He knows everyone too well, I muttered in my head. Elena laughed again as she and I scampered up Glaedr's left flank. He took off sharply.

Elena pressed her back against mine, wrapping her arms around my waist. And for a moment there, I swore I could feel not only mine and her own heartbeat, but a third one as well.