Chapter 16-Bonds of Purest Emotion

With news having spread of Arxa's killing of Rados from the future, the dragons of the Compound seemed to withdraw into themselves. Few would greet any of the original Atlantean dragons anymore, instead lingering in the dark with uncertain eyes as the proud beasts passed them by. Tamli was one dragon in particular that no one else spoke to. They had heard of what had happened to Kesar and had made a promise to each other not to speak to the insane returned human-turned-dragon as much as they could. It bothered Finca and Makiar slightly but they didn't let it show, or rather they tried not to show their disappointment at the actions of the other dragons in the underground tunnels.

Verdra was well on her way to recovering, growing stronger each day. Although the pregnancy made it hard on her to regain her endurance, she made the best of it. Ryta would often come down to check on the condition of her friend and talk with Finca. Tamli made sure not to be in the room when the brown dragoness came, for fear that she would see him as a threat and stop coming to speak with his mate. Both dragons greatly enjoyed their daily time together and as the months passed, their friendship grew ever stronger.

Tamli tried his hardest to subdue his rage but he found that he could not change the appearance of his scales or the color of his eyes back to their normal pigmentations. He knew Finca disproved of the colors that reminded them both of his darkest days as a new dragon. He saw in her eyes the fear that he would snap and attack her as he had done in the past after Nira had turned him like that. The temptation was great day after day to just rip a dragon to shreds but somehow he controlled himself and used the bond he had with his mate to calm his irritated mind. That only helped so much and, as time passed, he found he needed a new way of restraining himself. In merely explaining his condition to Uria, figuring he had no one else better to turn to then perhaps his mate, Tamli was surprised at the suggestion of simply letting himself be ruled by his very nature.

I have done it in the past, Uria informed him as they lay across from each other on the main entry chamber of the Compound about two months later. It takes getting used to but I've found that it calms down a dragon faster than even fighting.

It works that well? Tamli questioned as his red eyes glanced at Uria for reassurance. I have a mate and a child who is pregnant, Uria! I cannot afford to be led astray by some theory that you only "claim" works. Answers are what I need before things get out of hand.

Can I ask a personal question?

Anything, my friend, Tamli replied as Uria snorted in content.

How . . . No, why did you kill Kesar? I know you were the one, every dragon here knows it. I want to know why though, Uria growled.

Tamli sighed. Everyone wants to know that, he admitted. But I cannot just tell them, it's not that simple. He sighed once more. You remember that I was bitten by Nira twenty-two years ago, before the eclipse? Uria nodded in agreement. Good. Now he injected poison into me from that bite. That poison somehow brought out my true nature and I nearly killed Finca-

You never told me that, Uria interjected, utterly confused as to why Tamli would withhold information from him. But continue. Please.

I nearly killed her. After that I thought I had my rage under control until I happened to pass by the room where Verdra was being kept. I had already taken Finca back to our chamber as she was asleep by this point out of exhaustion, and overheard Kesar threatening my daughter. Something . . . I don't know . . . snapped for me then, Uria, Tamli confessed as he lowered his gaze to the dirt under his blackened claws. I lost it and went after him, killing him despite her pleas for me to stop. What kind of a dragon am I? He asked as he succumbed to sobs. To disobey even the wishes of my own flesh and blood? I don't know what's wrong with me, Uria. I just want it to stop.

Uria growled soothingly, or as soothing as he could make his fierce growl. That's exactly my point. You've held your emotions in such a tight grasp for so long that they're bound to release in a fury you cannot control. Believe me, it's happened to almost all the dragons down here. You can rise above it though.

You say that when your very father was Nira, one of the spawners of the Great Leviathan. I doubt your words, Tamli growled as he regained control over himself and looked the older dragon in the eyes.

I value your point, Tamli. Your father was Mirage, the one whose death spawned Arxa to come from Narssia, Uria snapped back as the once-white dragon hissed in anger.

There was no reason to bring Arxa into this. She is a spineless fool who invaded the wrong mind. Plenty stronger dragons are there for her to take over besides Narssia. I see not her viewpoint in choosing the black whelping as her bodily host.

The red dragon sighed. Peace Tamli. Your anger is getting the better of-

I know that! The black male roared, baring his teeth in full display of his rage. I cannot control it. It just happens. I have no willpower over it. His gaze dropped once more to the ground as he lowered his gums back over his razor-sharp teeth.

Uria snorted as Tamli once again raised his eyes back up to view the reddened beast. What did he find funny about this? The darkened male wondered as his eyes narrowed to slits. He was fighting a losing battle over his very emotional state! What part of that could not be understood?

Tamli, Uria began after a moment of tense silence between them, as a friend and as a more long-lived dragon, I think that you should indeed follow my suggestion. The choice is your however, but I would not dwell on the matter very long.

Why not? Tamli questioned, his voice lowered slightly and his tone far less deep then now normal for him.

These conditions often come with unpleasant side-effects, you know this for a fact. The black male growled inquiringly, confused almost. I am referring to the Dragonic Copulate, the same thing that took your very-

Do NOT bring that up, ever! Have I not made it clear that nothing is to be an irritation for me now? If so then allow me to demonstrate what my wrath is capable of following the doubling of my rage.

With that he turned his head and let loose a rippling stream of black molten fire. The flames tore into the dirt, devouring all they could until they exhausted themselves and sizzled into nothingness. Uria was impressed, startled perhaps, but delighted to see such a majestic display of raw strength.

I understand, he admitted as Tamli returned his reddened gaze back to the lantern behind Uria. There is still much work to be done to prevent that from happening to another dragon. I will see that the correct Compound leaders are notified immediately.

It may already be too late, the dark dragon muttered as his eyes seemed out of focus for Uria, the darkness might already be claiming lives of those yet to see the light of day.

The red male blinked, unsure of what he had heard. Could Tamli be speaking of the return of the Orichalcos? Certainly it dwelt within Narssia now, there was no denying that fact, but would it soon seek a larger audience?

Tamli, could you be . . . more specific? I need to know all that you know for the protection of the dragons down here.

Tamli blinked, his eyes coming back into focus. He breathed heavily and Uria wondered if the male had developed new abilities since his bodily death. His eyes flickered about before steadying on the red dragon before him.

She's killed him.

Killed who Tamli?

My son, my future son. Rados is dead. She now can travel through the very fabric of time itself. I feared for this, I knew it was bound to happen but to . . . I cannot believe it.

Uria was downright stunned. If Tamli had new abilities then had he not just shown the use of an advanced version of telepathy? He could locate those that he knew and keep a check on them. How useful that skill could be to one who knew various dragons over the years! But did it come with a drawback though?

I'm sorry for your loss, but I need to know if this new skill of yours come with a drawback. Please, Tamli, tell me and I will leave you alone for the remainder of the day to grieve your son's death.

We were never close. I died in body without knowing him, Tamli confessed. I would rather keep my knowledge of the advanced telepathy to just myself, if that is fine.

Uria snorted. But it could be used to locate dragons who are in harm's way! You could save lives!

I am not interested in revealing how it works or if it has any drawbacks, he snarled. Now leave me at peace! Keep your promise, fire dragon, and I will consider doing what you have said works. That is only if your promise is kept for the rest of the day.

Growling, Tamli stood, turned, and walked away. Uria watched in utter annoyance. To not want to use an ability for the sake of good? The once white dragon was completely nuts. He would, though, find an answer to the question he sought. Once nightfall hit then the inquiries would be asked of the returned-from-the-dead dragon. Tamli would answer, regardless of whether he wanted those questions asked or not.