Well i'm back again... as you guys know I lost all my writing a while back. What you didn't know is that after that my entire laptop died, so I was unable to write for multiple months after that. But now i'm here with a new laptop, and i've put all my other stories except one on hiatus, so maybe I will finally be able to update normally. At least that's my goal. I had been fishing for ideas on this chapter for awhile now, and it was when I was reading moon rising for the second time that I finally figured it out. So, without further adue...

Chapter 4: HEAT of the moment

~Peril~

I shouldn't even be doing this, I thought to myself for what seemed like the hundredth time. I had looked everywhere for queen scarlet, and yet no matter where I had looked, I couldn't hear even a mention of her. This had led me to the conclusion that she didn't want to be found, but even so, why did she have to hide from me. She knew I was going to come find her, I was sure of that, and yet she still kept herself hidden. Because of that I had slowed down my search, and had just recently given up looking, she must have a reason to keep hidden; it is part of a plan she doesn't want me to be a part of, for my safety. At least... that's what I tell myself.

But it still didn't seem right to just give up, not like this, she was my queen, and the closest I had ever come to having a mother, and, to tell the truth, I loved her like one. But there was another side to the story as well; I could hear clays voice in my head right now, explaining it all. "She wasn't your mother, and she never loved you. She kept you as a prisoner, as entertainment, so she could indulge her sick love of seeing death." Clay, the other side of the story, was, to the entire world, one of the dragonets of destiny, and a hero. But to me he was something else, it had taken awhile, but now I can finally admit it.

He is the one I love, and has been since the day I first met him. Not just because he is the only one who can touch me, as many think. It's because of who he is. That first day we had talked in scarlet's prisons, a day that was permanently imprinted in my mind. I could always tell there was something different about him. He had seen what I could do, and yet he still talked to me, he even treated me like a normal dragon, not an abomination, which was a kindness I had only ever seen from scarlet. And after that, that night, when he had used the string I had accidently cut to play the song...

I sighed with sudden pleasure at remembering that, even in captivity, he was able to get every prisoner to be happy, at least for awhile, as they sang about the dragonets of destiny. That's what had drawn me to him, his kindness and spirit that you could never seem to dampen, no matter what you did. So much has happened since that day; I even saved his life, giving him a permanent limp in the process. But through all that, all the ups and downs, I knew that he loved me to, even if he didn't admit it yet, I knew that I would always have a place with him. And that's what brought me here, flying through the desert to reach the only school for all clans. Jade mountain academy, the dragonet's main project since the end of the war.

I could see the mountain in the distance, with dragons flying around the entrance to the school. I had never actually seen it, only heard different rumors. So I was excited to finally be able to experience it, but also kind of scared. What if they didn't have a place, or what if the other dragonets didn't like me? But never mind that, it was to late now. I had already made up my mind, and I wanted to stick with that, to see it through, to see... To see clay. No matter what I thought about, my mind always went back to him. So I finally just gave in, and let him take over my mind for the short remainder of the flight.

My reception wasn't exactly what I had thought it would be. As soon as I had landed, dragons started running everywhere. Some looked like they were going to try and fight me, others like they wanted to run and hide, but they all had the same fear in their eyes. I managed to catch a glimpse of starflight in the background, with a smaller nightwing standing next to him. She whispered something into his ear, and he actually seemed relieved. I didn't get much time to think about why, however, because right after I saw that I heard a voice behind me, filling me with both guilt... and love.

"Peril, you came!" I looked at him, and immediately all my other thoughts went away. It was clay! He was running, despite his limp, and he was running towards me. Thinking about his limp, and how he had gotten it, made me feel extremely guilty and nervous, thinking he might be mad at me, so instinctively I backed away. But to my relief he didn't seem to notice as he simply came foreword and placed my talons between his. This simple action was able to erase all my guilt and calm me down, if only temporarily.

"When we didn't hear from you, we had to assume you weren't coming," And of course, all my guilt came back then, but for a different reason. "I thought I could find her, but she was nowhere... I'm sorry." Clay spoke with a soothing tone, one I had been told he only ever used with me, "`don't be, we are glad you're here." I smiled at that, but as I looked around I could see that it wasn't true for everyone. Out of what I think was fear, or maybe I had just been wanting to do this since I got here, I pressed my side against his, for comfort. And thankfully didn't seem to mind.

Tsunami spoke then, "We don't have a group for you, there is a skywing in each winglet already." My response first thing that came to my mind, probably fueled by my nervousness, "I don't have to stay..." I instantly regretted my words when I saw the look on clays face. He was almost desperate when he spoke, "But I want you to." And, looking in his eyes, I could tell that I needed to stay, for him, and for myself. Finally after a pause that seemed like forever, tsunami had an answer. "Lets go talk to sunny, maybe she'll have some ideas where to put you peril. But until then... Welcome to our school."

~Clay~

After meeting with the other dragonets, and a little convincing to get tsunami to let peril stay, we learned that there were no spots left in any of the winglets. After a bit of discussion, it was agreed to let her stay in my room, since all of the instructors got their own rooms, and I was the only one that would take her, well and sunny, but she had chosen me. Actually, now that I think about it, I was happy that she did. I knew I had feelings for her, which had become clear after seeing glory and Deathbringer, how they were together... It was hard to admit, but I wanted to be like that with peril.

While she was getting settled in my room, I went hunting for us. I found a few plump deer off the side of the mountain, and was already almost finished with mine by the time I was able to get them back to the room. When I finally did, she was sitting in the middle, almost like she was waiting for me. I got in and threw the deer to her; however I threw it a little too hard, causing her to jump for it and accidently hit one of my bookshelves, setting it on fire. Thankfully I was able to put it out without alarming anyone, but peril was still a bit shaken up.

I could tell she was about to apologize, and I knew exactly what she was going to say, because she had done this rant of self pity enough times, so I stopped her before she could. "Its ok peril, really. It was an accident, one that I will have to get used to if your sharing a room with me. Besides, that power saved my life, so it's worth a few bookshelves." I could see the relief in her eyes as I said this, happiness at being accepted. But that was soon replaced by a sad look, again, which made me feel sorry for her. So after we were done eating, I knew I had to ask her about it. I was about to, when she answered it for me.

She started explaining about scarlet, her difficulties finding her, and even the thought process that came to her coming here. Surprisingly, the description of that thought process included all her thoughts about me, including the ones where her feelings were mentioned. Then again you could tell there was a type of tension between us, just by being in the room with her I could tell our feelings for each other, at least I think so. After she had finished I then went on to talk about what had happened here. A lot less eventful then her story, but she seemed interested none the less.

After my story ended there was silence for a time, but it was interrupted by tsunami at my door. She poked her head in, "just letting you lovebirds know its getting dark, and clay, you have a class to teach tomorrow." I was blushing, just the word lovebirds made me to that, good thing my scales were to dark to see it. But I was also surprised that we had been talking for that long. She was right though, I had class in the morning, so I talked with peril for a bit longer before going over to curl up on my side of the room. It was silent after that, and I was almost asleep, when perils voice came across the room.

"Clay... there's, there's something that's been bugging me since before I got here and I want to get it off my chest, ok?" She seemed extremely nervous, and I wondered what she was talking about, but of course I agreed, despite my body's want for sleep. The thing she said, it started out as only a question, but then went deeper. And it did something to my emotions I had never felt before. It went like this, "You know that I love you, right clay?" After this she paused, but I was too in shock to say anything, so she continued.

"It took me awhile to admit it to myself, but now that I finally have it makes things easier. I've known since the flight here, it's what kept me going through it. You mean so much to me, and I know that you feel the same way, at least a little bit. I mean, you do... right?" My emotions then were a combination of tiredness, shock, and happiness. And I still say that it is the only reason I did what I did next. "There is something I have always wanted to try, let me do that before I answer you." I could tell she didn't want to postpone the answer, but she agreed anyway.

So I slowly got up and crossed the room. I was standing above her, and she didn't even notice because of how nervous she was. She spoke again, right below me at this point. "So what do you want to t-" I cut her off... by pressing my maw against hers. There was a sizzling noise, and it was very warm, but it was undeniable. I had kissed her, and I loved it. Unfortunately we had to separate quickly, because of the heat, but as I lifted my head away, I whispered in her ear, "Does that give you your answer?" She only nodded, probably because she was so happy she couldn't actually speak.

But it was all it took for me to say "one more thing" and press our mouths together again, this time using my tongue to invade her mouth as well. It was the most amazing feeling ever, so warm, but at the same time it was still loving. That action continued for about an hour, because we had to keep separating so I didn't get permanent damage. But after that I didn't go back to my bed, instead I laid next to her, not touching, but almost, to the point that I could feel the heat from her scales. But before I could go to sleep, she asked me one more thing. "Clay, will you be my mate."

My answer was simple, but it felt as if it took all my will to get it out, through all my emotions. We listened to it echo, until it faded into the night.

"Yes, My love..."

Well, that was it. I hope you like it, I had planed to add in a scene where they actually mate, but I decided to save that for later. And before I get hated for it, the scene in the middle is from moon rising. So I will do the whole spiel, the books and all characters belong to Tui T. Sutherland, not me. Anyway, like always, read review and last but not least, stay tuned...