7
"Hello Henry" Ianto said as he surveyed the little Blue Dragon.
In response the dragon shuffled over to bow politely. At a Dragon year old, this yearling was not yet fully grown. Ianto could tell he would never be a giant but he would be taller than Theo once finished growing and he would be twice as strong. Muscles move that whisper of Lava Dragon blood somewhere in the DNA.
He looked at Kellie who has slid over to watch, so he decided to try and educate instead of scold. Beginning now …. "The reason why a rider and mount connect when the rider turns eleven is to do with growth. Both at an age where they are becoming their future selves, growing into their full body and changing to be adults. A Rider will change too, as the mount does to accommodate one another. I can ride bareback as Myfanwy prefers it, she does not like being chained. Your boy needs to get a saddle on now, he needs to learn your weight on his back, allow for it in flight. You must ride him as a horse. Then once flight is achieved he already knows your weight on his back. You also will have learnt his movements and anticipate his moves. Your body will adjust to the different saddle, wider and softer than that of a horse, so when flight occurs it is not too hard on your joints. Why this is a time of being careful. IF you two are bonding, you must take it slow, make sure he is the right one and learn to hear him. To feel him correctly. To read his …well… tickles."
"It does" Kellie said with surprise "Like something in the back of my mind, like I can't member something but it won't go away."
"IT will get stronger. It is his thoughts starting to show. In time you will hear him, as he will hear you. Once bonded you will know one another when not shielding from each other's mind" Ianto smiled "For Myfanwy is my first love. Not your Dad, or Lisa. No. The first time Myfanwy and I opened our minds to one another I was smitten. She is my first. And my last. For when I die, it will be her spark that is the last light I seen in the back of my mind. Not Jack's. The fire that burns is not easy to explain. But you must understand this Kellie. If you and Henry bond… all others will fight for space beside him. Any suitor must get by him first. Your Daddy… Myf liked him. Found him funny. Had she not liked him, I would never had made the effort to forgive him over and over again for being juvenile."
Kellie could not help but giggle.
.
.
.
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Ianto felt ill again, excusing himself from the evening meal to head quickly to the bathroom where he gave up what he had already eaten. He took a few cleansing breaths and headed to the Royal Stable where he found Rhys and Andy soothing Myfanwy.
"She's caught right?" Ianto said without preamble "I am sure of it. She is growing an egg. Why the bond is making me nauseous."
"Actually… it's worse than that. Ah… Dianna… her dragon has sparked too. As has she. Apparently, it is not unheard of. If you have a female rider and the bond is strong enough, a seeded dragon van also mean a seeded rider. Apparently it is so when one is out of commission, they both are. Easier or something" Rhys made a face as Ianto stood staring at him.
"Huh?"
"So… she is along. Maybe been seeded or a little while now. Ah… yeah. Congrats" Andy said awkwardly, and then looked at Ianto sideways "So…. Sire. How do you feel?"
Ianto took a seat and huffed heavily "Damn it all. I perhaps feel a fool for not remembering this small point of fact."
"Mmmmm. Or that of our people?" Rhys prompted gently, the real reason why he and his brother were here. It was not to check Myfanwy. No. It was to help Ianto understand the problem.
"That old witch!" Ianto muttered under his breath, then he started to laugh. How could he not. It was all too surreal and I have to admit, unbelievable. Of course. King of Dragons. Father to them all. Yes. OF course. So many dragons seeded, or on heat. Of course he is connected to ALL of them. A lot to take on.
"So... how many are grounded?"
"Eight. And three riders" Rhys said "the other five who are men are willing to take over the flight school's classroom antics while their steeds are grounded. No flying for now. Nope…. You know the rules. Luckily they were not in a same sex...er..."
Theo clacked his beak to show that he did not like that rule and Rhys laughed "Of course you can still fly little man. You can still play with your friends. Just not the ones who have precious gifts growing inside them. Gotta be careful now."
"She will need a nest" Andy said as he leaned around the huge stall "This far along, an egg will be popped out in the next week or so I reckon. Maybe sooner. She will need to nest."
Ianto rose, his hands sliding over his clothing as he agreed.
Things were about to get… interesting.
How was he going to explain this one?
And not be the wife.