Chapter 27

We Stood there staring at each other for several minutes until I broke eye contact to look around trying to spot my guide. Not spotting her, I turned back to Saphira.

"Have you seen Kyra, Saph? She was supposed to wait for me."

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say.

Saphira narrowed her eyes and spun around. I clenched my eyes shut and braced as her tail came up but instead of slapping my muzzle, the end wrapped around my left horn and yanked me into moving after her, my body allowing her to do so on its own accord, and I swore I heard some of the guards snickering as we left. She led/pulled me down various corridors and the further we went, the more I felt my pride and image wither with each pair of eyes watching. We had just shifted down another hall, no doubt following Eragon's scent, when I had enough. She gave no answer as to why she felt like she had to pull me like a scolded child. I gave a loud, threatening growl and dug my talons into the floor bringing us to a sudden stop, the unexpected jolt made Saphira turn around and give her own growl.

"That is enough Saphira! Why are you acting like this?"

She stomped up to me and glared up at me, her teeth bared and her tail lashing about behind her.

"Why? WHY?!"

Her mental voice made me instinctively flinch. Looking around I could see a crowd start to form and I was starting to regret triggering her in what is appearing to be a popular corridor. Now it wouldn't be so bad if she was keeping it to a mental rant but it seems dragons are of a physical habit, her growls and snarls echoing up and down the vast hall and drawing more curious onlookers.

"Why her?! Why were you so accepting of her? Why didn't you decline to stay with us in this strange city? Do you not like me now that we are among humans? Like your old kind? Do you no longer care to be close to us, to me now that you got us here?"

I simply sighed and upon spotting Eragon, Murtagh, and Orik running towards us from behind the agitated 'ness, decided we should move this discussion elsewhere. The moment I snorted and turned away from her however, several things happened very quickly I truly wasn't prepared for. First there was a hard slam from what I assumed was Saphira rearing up then slamming her forepaws onto the ground. The second thing immediately following that and making me halt in my tracks in surprise was a small winged gecko-like golem forming in my path and standing on its hindlegs with its forelegs out as if to stop me. At the same instant, Saphira let loose a roar so full of rage and desperation while she also mentally roared into my head and, judging by all the people and dwarves holding their heads, to everyone else.

"DON"T YOU DARE TURN AWAY FROM ME, JASON MAXTON! ANSWER ME!"

A small part wanted to address the fact that Saphira just said my old name to all witnessing our quarrel but the rest of my mind couldn't get over the fact that She just used my power.. just HOW?! I snapped out of my stunned silence upon hearing the marching of soldiers. Out of the crowd came Ajihad himself at the head of a platoon of men. Our eyes met and with a quick plea to clear the masses, I turned to face the seething and trembling dragoness then Eragon and Murtagh who stood behind her and to the left with confusion on their faces. With a sigh, I addressed the little slip up first, letting my mental voice be heard by others.

"Yes Eragon, Tornac, I do have a human name. It was given to me by the humans who raised me. They thought Wrathion was a fair bit…uncivilized to be used amongst them. You humans seem to love naming things, do I look like Jason to you?" Seeing and hearing the two boys and the crowd seem to accept that lie, I turned to the now sheepish dragoness in front of me and kept speaking though my eyes never left Saphira's.

"It seems Saphira and I need to have a talk. Eragon, Tornac I want you two to run five times around the outside of the city using the main gate we first entered as the starting and ending point, and I WILL know if you're not doing it."

I let loose my own growl when they made to object, letting my power seep into it and making the entire city tremble under our feet and making dust rain down on us. With their protests stopped, I gave a snort and turned once more, giving the 'ness the simple order to follow. The crowd hurried out of our path, clinging close to each other in fear from us. The only one not phased was Ajihad. The Varden's leader gave a respectful nod then a smirk as we passed when I muttered mentally "Females.." privately into his head. I led us through the maze of hallways deeper into the city and to some cavernous rooms I had sensed that were abandoned in dead silence, the few people and even dwarves made themselves scarce from our presence as we passed. After Half of an hour, which I took to let Saphira cool off, we reached the room I wanted and after ushering her through the door I opened, followed her in.

We stood there facing each other yet avoiding eye contact for what seemed like forever but eventually I felt the need to break the silence, making her flinch from my sudden voice in her mind.

"I accepted her because Orik is but one very small dwarf and being the senior member and being responsible for you and the boys in Brom's stead meant it was a sign of respect as well as a direct line to Ajihad. I believe that covered your first three questions but please don't think I would never like you again just from us being amongst humans. I will not lie and say it doesn't feel nice to interact with my former race. That is all, a nice feeling, not a yearning to be one again."

I sighed, watching her hang her head in shame as she started to sniffle. I had only myself to blame, looking back. I was so focused on our survival after the loss of Brom that I realized I distanced myself from everyone and it seemed to hit the dragoness before me the most. Making up my mind, I moved close and wrapped my forelegs and wings around her then pulled her close, not long after I felt her tears on my chest. Sometimes I forget she's not even a year old yet.

"Look Saphy, I'm sorry I've kept at a distance but now we have a chance to calm down and spend time like friends, maybe even-"

"I love you Wrathion!"

I froze at her sudden confession, my paws that were rubbing along her back stopping. The only thought in my mind at that moment was if she was serious or not. Thankfully for my sanity it was as if those words were the only thing holding her back.

"A-at first when we first met I only liked you because you were a male."

I grit my teeth as she confirmed my suspicions.

"B-but as I got to know you, A-and you saved me during that storm… T-that was when I started to change! You.. You helped me, comforted and even sang me to sleep… not even calling me weak for it. You..you are so kind and gentle with me. Y-you put up with all I did with no anger.. E-even let me get away with hitting you at that one human village. Any other dragon would had me pinned and their jaws around my neck b-but you acted like it didn't even happen! I… started to feel warm inside whenever you looked at me, sang, or even spoke. W-when you let me ride on your back, let me know who you really were, then you showed me the beach and shared your knowledge of the creatures. The stars and the world before that, I… I was happy, the happiest I've ever been since I bonded to Eragon. I feel excited and safe with you near and you made me happier than flying ever did."

I took a deep breath, held it, then slowly let it out as I tightened my hold on her. I could feel every tremor wracking her body. I didn't doubt her words, being this close physically and mentally, I could feel the nervousness, the sincerity, the fear. She wasn't alone in it either, My mind recalling each instance and what I felt during them. Even if I felt the same, there was just one problem and with yet another sigh, I mentioned it.

"Saph.. look, I understand your feelings, I do, but-"

"I know!" My mind stalled once more at her interruption.

"I… know why you are hesitant to accept me. It's because you think dragons don't make permanent bonds.."

I just numbly nodded my head which by now was resting on hers. I honestly shouldn't be surprised, her and Eragon share everything and I couldn't be mad because it was me who suggested the idea to them in passing after Daret. I was pulled out of my musings by her continuing.

"It's true our kind don't, but.. that doesn't mean we can't… and If there was any dragon I'd want to form an eternal bond with.."

I felt her pull slightly away and I moved instinctively to look down and for the first time since the confrontation in the corridor, our eyes met and something finally clicked within me.

"I'd like it to be with you.."

That admission seemed to be all that was needed as I searched her gaze and mind for any doubt, but only finding a steely resolve and determination. My gaze softened, my body relaxed, and I did something I've never done before.

I licked her muzzle then nuzzled her neck, my tail moving on its own to coil around hers, my mental voice gentle when my dragon instincts decided to help for once.

"Then… I will accept.. My Sapphire."

When we exited the room, we kept close. Her leaning against my side with the side of her head constantly rubbing on my neck with my wing draped over and our tails intertwined. I could feel the sheer happiness radiating from her while myself was still coming to terms that I gave in. A part of me that I kept hidden from her was scared. I knew nothing about girls or relationships but I was determined to make her happy and became even more determined to keep her and Eragon as safe as I could.

"So, what happened to Kyra? It really was her job to wait for me and to escort me around the city."

I felt her pull away and with a "harrumph" from her I looked down to see her muzzle upraised and eyes closed.

"I dismissed her since I was there."

"Saphira… I was hoping she'd take me to meet her fiance before meeting up with you and the others. It'd be handy to know a decent blacksmith for the boys."

Was a partial truth, I just wanted to see if he accepted my request or not. Saphira just huffed, but dropped her head and looked away.

"I still don't like her."

"…"

"What's a 'fiance' and what do they do anyway?"

I chuckled. A jealous Saphy was adorable.

"A fiance is part of a human custom called Engagement or Betrothment.. It's a sort of commitment two people who love each other enter before they officially become husband and with or mates if you will. Some consider it a test of sorts to see if they do well together."

"Oh.."

I smiled at her simple response to the explanation and let silence fall over us. Content to let her think, at least I did.

"Does that mean we are 'fiances' now?"

That question came out of nowhere and the jolt I made to look at her caused me to misstep and for the first time since I first came here, I tripped on my feet and face-planted.

She couldn't be serious!

Saphira simply sat with her head tilted sideways with an expectant expression. She was serious! She also was waiting on an actual answer. I scrambled back onto my paws while ignoring the laughter of the Dwarves and humans who witnessed my graceful fall.

"W-well, I mean.." I mentally stammered, trying to think of something that she wouldn't think of as an insult, but she seemed to take my trouble with words as confusion for she explained why she asked.

"After all we just agreed to be mates but its too soon to make it official so from your explanation that would make us..engaged? Oh! I must tell eragon."

I gave up then, upon feeling her reach out to her partner and told him the 'news' with an excitement I'd expect from a newborn hatchling. I just groaned and shook my head as I resumed walking with a now very happy and literally bouncing dragoness tucked under my wing. The boys have since finished the exercise I gave them and I encouraged them to explore the city at a calm walking pace to ease their legs and to prevent cramps. I weathered their congratulations and the smug feelings while I took Saphira back to the dragon hold. To my surprise, Kyra was there, climbing out of Saphira's hold. The instant we stepped into the Dragonhold, Both her and my mentor noticed us. Kyra had a look of nervousness on her face while Fiori projected an image of herself in my head with a grin that quite frankly scared me but I also felt her happiness and approval of my decision. After bumping my side into saphira with a simple request to please give the girl a chance, I left her near the human and went to retrieve my teacher before moving to my hold and laying down to watch Saph and Kyra talk without the 'ness's jealousy present. As soon as I got comfortable, I felt fiori's mental touch to deepen and the ruby dragoness's voice in my head.

"I am very proud you decided to accept her feelings, little one. She's grown very attached to you and by watching and learning from you, she became an amazing dragoness. I know you have your worries, but as I learned from your memories, your old people believed in talking about those worries with those you love… like you did with your mother."

I let her words sink in and tried not to let myself fall into the sadness that resurfaced as I watched Saphira lower her head and Kyra hesitantly reached out a hand and touched Saph's sapphire snout, A smile gradually growing on the girl's fair features.

"There's not many in this world that I trust like that teach… Ajihad and Hrogthar are great people and I respect them, but I'll never trust them to that point. Eragon is too young and naive to know much about such things and while Saphira and I now took the next step, she is the same as her rider. Only you and Brom felt like someone I could. Brom was the grumpy wizened grandfather while you… heh you were meant to be my teacher and guide in this world but you acted more like a mother… Jarnunvösk was lucky to call you her's."

Fiori fell silent at that and I let myself relish the sounds of Kyra and Saphira's laughter only to be drawn back to Fiori by the immense surge of chaotic emotions, her mental voice soft and slightly cracking.

"You…think I act more like a mother than a teacher? Truly consider my daughter lucky even if I ultimately failed her? I… you…Would you like for me to be?"

I mentally shrugged and looked down at the stone floor and idly began picking at it with a talon as I thought on it before choosing my words.

"Yea.. I mean.. I'd be lost without you.. You've been there to teach me basic things with amazing patience. You were never harsh, you soothed me when my nightmares happened, supported my decisions then consoled me when they either failed or I felt guilty over them, supported me when things looked bleak and helped me keep me calm…and sane. I don't even feel comfortable without having you with me anymore. I… I know I could never replace her and I know you enough to understand you don't want to replace my birth mother but I feel safe knowing you will be here to help me when I need it. I'd… I'd love to be your youngling."

The red dragoness fell silent, but when I started to begin to think I said something wrong, I felt a large presence drape itself over my entire body and seemed to hug me tightly. So intense was it, that I thought I could physically see a red haze in the shape of a dragon holding me and as I felt my eyes tear up, I heard Fiori's no.. mother's voice crooning softly in my head.

"My little one.. My sweet Wrathion.."

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A/N: SOO yup! Another chapter! I am sorry this one is a bit shorter Because 1: I wanted to get these few scenes out of the way and 2: No Saphira POV and that is because I felt Saphira's thoughts and emotions were covered pretty well in the main part already.

Now then, I apologize for the poor handling of these scenes. Now I had originally had it written down already so it wouldn't matter if I forgot, BUUUT! Seems google docs didn't like my cheaty method..and at them, along with a few scenes I had made for the second ARC (book). SO! Had to scramble and attempt scenes I vaguely recall. It's mostly how the original ones were (I think..) so I hoped you at least enjoyed it.

A HUGE Thank you in advance to all my readers. I am happy you enjoy my nonsense and poor storytelling skills.

AND A MASSIVE THANK YOU FOR THE AWESOME BETAS JORDAN AND UNDEAD! MY stuff is readable thanks to you.