Sionnach (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Sam fought to last a little longer, not wanting the moment to end. His fingers tightened around her thigh and one hand rose to rest against the back of her neck, drawing her in for another kiss before his head tilted back and he let loose with a deep, powerful growl. His hips pressed up against hers, a few final thrusts accompanied by his release. "Love," he groaned softly as the tension began to ease, still wanting to love her but too exhausted from their time away. He felt practically boneless, pressing his face to her throat in return.

"You wear me out, darlin'," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona’s heart was racing as Sam found his own release, holding her there with his hands as he twisted in desire beneath her. She was panting as he nuzzled against her neck. She turned her head and kissed his forehead, nuzzling against him as she often did.

“Good. It means that you’re mine to torment and torture whenever I like.” She whispered, chuckling as his fingers tightened against her skin.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Always." Sam let his head rest back against the ground and he looked up at her for a long moment before murmuring, "I love you." Even if it had become easier to say out loud over time, Sam never said those words lightly. They were rarely said in passing, forgettable as any other phrase. When he told his wife he loved her, it was its own moment, to let her know it was a truth he didn't take for granted.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I should hope that you do because I don’t do what I just did for anyone that doesn’t love me.” Fiona said with a soft smile. “And I love you too, Sam. More than anything else in my life.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam sat up, Fiona still in his lap as he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face against her shoulder and neck, content to sit like that for a long while. Eventually he spoke again, "... D'you still want t'have another baby?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“I do.” Fiona said softly as she combed her fingers through Sam’s hair. “But I know we have a lot against us in the near future. If it happens, I’d be happy. If it doesn’t, I’m happy with what we have.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd like another... After we get home, not before," Sam muttered. "Don' need a repeat of last time."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I would tease you mercilessly for being a coward and a softy, but I think it’s for the best. You’re twenty years older than you were when I was pregnant with Riley. You’re likely to die from the stress of keeping up with me at your age.” Fiona teased, kissing her husband’s cheek.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm seven bloody years older than you," he grumbled, but he was too content simply holding her to do anything else.


As everyone took the week to rest from their journey north, things grew quiet once more. Eventually Rory came to guide the wild dragons to the haven with their newly-hatched twin fledglings. But Dzana remained where she was with Sveri, allowing Schaller to help as needed. They seemed to be slowly growing more comfortable with one another again, but if either felt any affection or missed their time as mates, neither showed it. And little Sveri didn't know that Schaller wasn't her father, nor did she care as she loved him. And she was beginning to love Rikke as well, who often offered to babysit so Dzana could have time to herself.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona, Riley, and Soma had gone to check on Dzana early one morning, bringing with them some of the gifts that the Voya were giving to her for Sveri. As they approached on their drakes, they could see Rikke already there. Sveri was playing, legs and arms kicking into the arm as Rikke continuously rolled the little dragon onto her back to encourage a fighting instinct. The little dragon growled and purred, content to play with the elder dragon.

"Good morning." Fiona called as she saw Dzana looking out of the cavern. "How have you settled in so far?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Dzana was perched on the ledge just outside the cavern, calmly surveying the mountains and valleys as Sveri tumbled and tried to overcome the dragon who was quickly becoming like a sister.

As Fiona approached, Dzana glanced over and withdrew her long tail to allow them up onto the flat ledge from the trail they'd taken up. "Well enough," she answered quietly. While she'd grown more comfortable with the people who'd helped her, her comfort meant her anger melted away to the depression underneath. She was still authoritative and independent, but she didn't talk much. And beyond hunting and caring for her daughter, she didn't do much more than sleep or stare into the distance.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona slipped of Roman's back and pulled out her saddlebag. "The Voya have sent you both some gifts. Mostly for Sveri, but a few in welcome."

Riley stayed on Kennah's back knowing that she wasn't welcome. She could feel Dzana slightly standoffish. Instead of talking to Dzana, she moved towards Rikke and Sveri. She'd stay out of the way this time, sticking close to dragons that she knew.

Fiona laid out the items that she had brought for Dzana to look at. The tribe had sent what little they could, but it was still an art that was beautifully done. There was a strand of colorful glass for Sveri to wear if she ever wished, sparkling in various colors in the light. There was also a finely woven bracelet in Sveri's size that reflected the tribe's own personality and patterns.

"They wanted to welcome her." Fiona said with a grin as she glanced over at Soma and held her hands out for the last piece. "And my uncle Yul made this for you."

The dragon scale that she had kept safe on the journey had been set into a beautiful piece of polished wood. It sparkled in the light as Yul had spent many nights making sure that everything was displayed to absolute perfection.

 

[KieranSoares]

Dzana stared down at all the gifts, taken off-guard but trying to preserve her standoffish and impartial appearance. But as Fiona showed each gift for Sveri, Dzana's brows furrowed as if confused by the kindness. And when Fiona brought out the scale, Dzana's jaw clenched to stop any emotion from rising to the surface.

"... These are very kind and generous... I don't understand, though. They don't know me. They've never seen Sveri up close. Why?" Dzana asked quietly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It doesn't matter to them." Fiona said as Dzana looked over everything in front of her. "She's a baby in their tribal lands. They want to celebrate."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Community... Is not something I've been a part of for a very long time." Dzana shook her head then. "It would be rude to refuse gifts like these, but they should not come to think of me as a neighbor. I may be able to speak, but that does not mean I'm tame and gentle and agreeable..." She reached out a claw slowly to pick up the little bracelet. "... But they are very kind..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't have to be a part of their community. As long as you live in the area, however, they are going to keep trying. They're like that." Fiona said with a small chuckle.

 

[KieranSoares]

Dzana sighed quietly, scooping up the gifts and carrying them inside. Sveri toddled over and Dzana showed her each item, gently keeping her from chewing anything as babies were wont to do, and putting the bracelet on her right back leg like an anklet so she could wear it without being tempted to mess with it too much. "Give the village my thanks," Dzana murmured, placing the mounted scale up on a ledge within the cave that was protected from any moisture or weather, but still visible.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I will." Fiona said quietly as she let Dzana do as she wished. "Soma was wondering if he might stay up here with you for a while. He's interested in elder dragons, especially fledglings. Being that you're a rare creature, I think it might be good for him to learn. With your permission, of course."

 

[KieranSoares]

Dzana's tail curled at the tip, suspicious as she turned to regard the people in her cavern. "We are not subjects to be studied. We are living creatures."

"You're people," Soma agreed, trying to soothe Dzana's lifelong distrust of humans. "I don't want to spy on you like some scientist stalking wild animals. I wanted to learn about you, your history. If your kind has different cultures and maybe communities outside of human influence."

"Of course we do," Dzana huffed. "... Well, we used to."

"I'd love to know about it," Soma said more softly. "And write about it, with your permission. Lost things stay alive in books. And some even come back in time."

Dzana glanced to Sveri, as if considering how the decision might one day effect her. "... You may stay... But let me take my time. There are many memories, many now bittersweet."

"We'll go at your pace." Soma turned to get his saddle bags, having brought up gear in case she said yes.

 

[heartofcourage]

"When you're tired of him, just send him home. Sam and I will be taking a trip soon, but he's old enough to take care of himself." Fiona said as she glanced towards Soma, not treating him like a child since he had confessed his intense frustrations to her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Soma caught her glance and gave her a nod, letting her know his quiet appreciation. Dzana looked back to Fiona and gave her own nod. "I will keep an eye out for your children as you have for my daughter."

Settling beside the nest, Dzana glanced to Riley who'd been staying out of the way and keeping near Rikke. "You are welcome here as well, little Fox. Assuming you continue to ask before simply walking in." Dry as it was, it was her attempt at humor to show she'd given a little ground.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know I'm not welcome. You don't have to pretend." Riley said softly as she glanced over at Dzana. "But thank you for the offer."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I am not pretending. I have seen more of who you are now," Dzana insisted. "You remind me of my young self, in my first century."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I'm still young. Enough time to grow old and boring with wisdom." Riley said with a shrug of her shoulders as Dzana insisted that she didn't hate her completely. "I'm a caller, but nothing like my mother. You don't need me lurking around."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My invitation remains," Dzana said, waving her stubbornness away. As Sveri toddled toward the edge of the nest and her mother, Dzana scooped her out and let the fledgling curl up against her chest.