Kinship and Kingship

[Demeter]

Tavi fought down a chuckle. This had to be the most befuddling couple of days the younger Custos had ever experienced. First it turns out that he's the son of a Custos lord and now a rather persistant kit wanted him as her care taker. "She has a name, she just won't know what it is till she's four years old. I named Wizard with, well, Wizard because I didn't want to keep calling him Kronos' kit, or Idiot Dragon, and he's a wizard at getting in and out of trouble"

Wizard, finally stuffed, toddled away to find a sunny spot to sleep his meal off. Tavi washed his hands off in the pool of water and shook them dry. "The name doesn't have to be anything special or fancy, Akos. It's just something to refer to while the kit is growing. Kronos' caretaker told me that he's name used to Blackie. He finds it as something on an insult that a great, magnificent and awesomely terrifying beast such as himself was once refered to as Blackie. His words, not mine."

Tavi leaned against Kronos' side and watched as the little red gulped down her food. "I probably should have seen this coming but taking care of a dragon will probably be good for you. For the next few weeks, you'll be a slave to her needs and wants. You won't have time to think about anything else, Akos."

[Maira]

Akos latched onto the words that actually went unsaid, and while he continued to stuff the kit's mouth full of meat he asked, "So you weren't Kronos's caretaker? But you're his rider? Does that mean that not all caretakers actually wind up as dragonriders?" Akos wasn't sure what he hoped the answer was, but it was a questionhe desperately wanted the answer to.

When the bucket was empty, the little red headbutted Akos's torso and nearly knocked him flat again. "Easy missy, if you knock me over you don't get any more to eat." The little red tilted her head curiously at his words, maybe interested in the sound of his voice, or maybe she understood the nature of the scolding. Either way, the look on her draconic face made Akos laugh outright. "Okay, okay! I'll get you more you silly girl." Akos looked around and saw a man waiting with another bucket and he handed off the empty one in exchange for the full one.

Once the little red was happily stuffing herself again, Akos asked curiously, "Why should you have seen this coming? Certainly there aren't many servants who wind up getting flattened by a very persistant dragon kit. Right?"

As he waited for Tavi to answer him, Akos looked over at the little red female and studied her carefully. As dragons went she really was kind of pretty, nice delicate bones and only a bit gangly and awkward at the moment. He still had no idea what to call her though. It was something he was going to have to think about and figure out after he got to know her personality, aside from demanding, a little better.

[Demeter]

I've had messengers dropping by to deliver something that have gotten flattened by very persistant dragon kits. No one knows why dragons pick out certain people to raise them or why they decided that their riders shouldn't be their caretakers. Almost all caretakers are riders of some sort, Akos, and it happens just like how that little red picked you. I didn't get a say in being Kronos' rider. Even though it happened hundreds of years ago, it seems like I was just a very nervous trainee that had been flattened by a very large, four year old black dragon. Next thing I knew, I was up on the beast's back and learning to fly."

Once the little red was stuffed full and snoozing along side Wizard, Tavi finished giving Akos the grand tour before leading him towards the cave they used as storage. There, he loaded the young Custos down with everything he could possibly need to care for a growing dragon. "Don't hesitate to ask me if you have questions, Akos. I know this must be a confusing amount of changes within a couple of days but we'll take care of you."

[Maira]

Tavi's answers to Akos's questions weren't terribly reassuring. If just plain messengers, another type of servant essentially, could be picked as caretakers by dragon kits and most caretakers became riders (even if not to the dragon they were caretakers for) then Akos was suddenly looking at a very complicated future. Just how was he supposed to adjust to all of this so quickly? The most complicated things he'd ever had to deal with were laundry mishaps and unexpected visits from various nobility coming to visit his Lord's home. Now it turned out his Lord had been his younger twin brother and he was actually supposed to have been the heir to their father's seat as Custos Lord, oh and lets not forget he'd been claimed by an adorable red dragon kit as her caretaker.

Akos's head was still reeling with all of those thoughts when his little red dropped off to sleep, snuggled up to Wizard and Tavi started showing him around the compound. They ended their tour with a stop at the cave that they used as storage. Tavi kept shoving things at Akos that he would need to raise a young dragon and when he finally stopped Akos just stared at the older Custos completely bewildered.

At Tavi's offer to answer any questions he had, Akos laughed nervously and asked, "Well for starters can I have a manual or something because I am totally lost?" He really had no idea just what to do, how to act, or even what to think about this whole new situation.

[Demeter]

Tavi laughed as he watched Akos chase the little red around the compound. She had his boots and wasn’t interested in giving it up. Akos must have been giving the kit a bath, a chore best done in as little clothing as possible, in order for her to grab the boots. It had been a week since Akos’ parentage had been discovered and he’d kept Akos too busy to think about it. In between caring for the little dragon, Akos had been kept occupied by tutors in elocution, history, tailors, fashion, and deportment. And today he had his first lesson in dancing.

Tavi knew why Darius had shoved Akos on him. He would not only be able to teach and help Akos understand his new role but he would be able to safe guard the new member of the family. Only the really brave, the really desperate or the really stupid would venture into a dragon compound. Not that he’d be very much help at the moment. The day before he’d been tripped up by Wizard and ended up with a broken leg. The bone had set and healed up but the healer assigned the compound had ordered him to remain in his chair.

And he remain he did, with his big black lounging behind him and young Wizard crouched next to his chair. He glanced at the kit, which had his head down and was drawling circles in the dirt with his claws. Tavi motioned to his leg. “Yeah, this is your entire fault.”

And he noticed the commotion at the front gates of the compound. Lord Darius, trailed by Rune and Carmine and others, was riding into the compound on their hell horse mounts. It seemed that their lord and master had planned a surprised inspection for the day. With a little struggling, Tavi gained his feet. He remained where it was, with little of his weight on his bad leg. With a small motion, he signaled Kronos. The big black rocked to his feet and roared. And all motion in the compound stopped. And then Tavi ordered those in the compound to attention.

[Maira]

He was in nothing but his shorts, chasing Rosie around the compound trying to get his boots back from her, when there was an eardrum shattering roar that shook the compound. Both Rosie and Akos stopped dead in their tracks and looked around for the source of the roar. Akos wasn't that surprised to see that it was Kronos calling everybody to attention. What he was surprised to see was why. His father, brother, and Carmine were making their way through the front gates of the compound. With a muttered curse, Akos snuck up on the still distracted red dragon kit, snagged his boots, and ran off to put the rest of his clothes back on. Just as Lord Darius and the other two men reached Tavi, Akos followed by Rosie, slipped up behind and to the side of the healing man.

Akos wasn't sure if this was the proper thing to do in such a situation, but he figured it was better safe than sorry. If he wasn't supposed to be here they'd ask him to leave, but if he was supposed to be here and wasn't they'd have to go find him which would be more trouble than just telling him to go. For all he knew, his father wasn't even here to see him but to check on the compound itself.

[Demeter]

Tavi glanced over his shoulder and smiled reassuredly at Akos. He doubted that the young Custos had anything to worry about. He watched as the three lords dismounted, Carmine more slowly than the others and with Rune assisting him down. It seemed he was still not fully healed. As Darius approached him, Tavi bowed. As a Custos Lord himself, weilder of Saturn's scythe of time, Tavi would not go on his knees before another of his rank. The bowing was a mark of respect as Darius was his overlord. "My lord," he said, "how may your riders be of service to you."

Darius nodded to Tavi and glanced up and down the ordered lines of riders. Beyond them were the mature dragons, each anxious to see what was going on. Darius paced to the front of the group and climbed up on a low wall. "Gentlemen, there are to be some war games with the rest of the Europe," he stood at the wall, listening to the cheers. "The games are an exercise for those who have the training but not any experince. Anyone here with a mature dragon and less than two years of actual fighting experience will be allowed to take part as air support for the french contingent. Please submit your names to your commander and, if you are selected, you will be notified. Good day, Gentlemen."

Darius jumped down from the wall and walked over to Tavi. He glanced at the man's foot and then at the young dragon. "Again, Tavi? Why do you always end up breaking some bone when that mutt drops a kit on you?"

Tavi leveled a glare at Darius and stroked Wizard's eye ridges when the kit leaned against his leg. "What can I say? Dragons just love me."

Darius rolled his eyes and turned to take in his recently discovered son. He raised an eyebrow at the little red leaning against him. Akos had been busy. "Akos, how have you been? Settling in just fine? I don't mean to worry you, but there are a few tests we have to do before you are established as a member of this family. And you'll have to formally renounce any claim you have on being my heir due to being the elder between you and Rune."

[Maira]

Akos watched curiously the exchange between Tavi and Darius, and then as Darius spoke to the assembled dragon riders. He also noticed how attentive his twin was with Carmine and he couldn't help but smile. That sight was something he never would have seen in his past life because he had always been looking at the floor while in their presence. He still found it strange most of the time looking -at- people instead of just their feet but he was coming to like it too because it gave him better insights into who they really were.

When Darius finally noticed him and spoke to him, Akos had to fight not to fall into old habits and avoid eye contact. At least not completely. When he finally spoke he was looking at Darius's nose rather than in the eyes and he hoped the older Custos wasn't able to tell. "Rosie here decided I was her caretaker on my first morning here, so I've been really busy. And like I said before I will happily renounce my claim as heir. I don't want the position and I really don't want Rune to lose his place." Then a little more nervous, he added, "As for the tests, if you say they are necessary then I will go along with them." He had no idea what those tests might include and just the thought of unknown tests freaked him out a bit.

[Demeter]

Darius slapped Akos on the back, not seeming to notice when the younger man stumbled forward. "Ha, knew you'd be up for this. Nothing to worry about, just a prick of a needle from your sadist-healer-sister, Belladonna, sign a couple of papers and you can just sit back and explore your new life. You can meet the rest of the family. Tavi, bring him to the main house within the mortal world next Friday."

Tavi eyed hi sboss. "Yes, Sir, and I'll have the names for the war game troops to you in a few days."

Darius slapped Tavi on the back, not noticing that he swayed forward under the blow. "Good man! I knew I was right to put you in charge here," he swing around and strode back to Hell Bringer. "Rune, get Carma back up on that monster of his. We still have a few more stops to make before we call it a day."

Darius, since Hell Bringer only submitted to saddle and bridle during battle, used the mounting block to swing onto the stallion's back. He watched as Rune helped Carma into Kublai's saddle. He leaned forward and grinned at his friend. "Regret coming along?"

Carma shot a glare at Darius, "Not one bit, old man. I'm having the time of my life. What about you? Missing your rocker yet?"

Tavi watched as the group rode out, Carma and Darius still sniping at each other. He turned to Akos and smiled at him. "Nothing to worry about. It's just a DNA test. You'll have more trouble learning to waltz today then that. It's only a formality at this point."

Tavi picked up the can he'd been ignoring. He eyed Wizard until the little dragon when scurrying back to his father's side. "That's right, you little devil. Kronos, watch these two for a little while. And keep them out of the fish pond! Akos, time for lessons."

As they walked towards the housing complex, Tavi looked at Akos. "The deLorme family has standing not only in this world but the mortal world as well. We'll get into navigating the mortal world later but dancing will happen in both so you should be prepared."

Tavi led Akos into his own quarters and nodded to the young woman sitting on his couch. "I had planned on teaching this myself but, thanks to Wizard, that lesson will have to be rescheduled. My younger sister, Arianna, has agreed to teach you a basic waltz," he said while lowering himself into a chair. He waved a hand at the two. "Teach and learn."

Arianna giggled and bobbed a curtsy to Akos. "My Lord, if you please, this way and we will learn the box step."

***

"Get everyone out of the courtyard, Rune, and help me down," Carma said while he sat like a sack of potatoes in Kublai's saddle. He'd never admit it to Darius but his side ached and he wasn't all together sure that he could support his own weight after riding all day.

Once the men that had accompanied them were gone, Carma let Rune lift him down. Once his feet were on the ground, he just leaned against Rune, letting the other man prop him uo. "Breath a word of this to your father and I will deny everything. Now, get me inside, please?"

A half-assed hand signel sent Kublai on his way while Rune helped Carma into the house. "Sweet Jupiter; if that bitch wasn't already dead, I'd kill her for this."

Zhara had been watching from the front window and, if it hadn't been for the gray color of Carma's face, she would have assumed that they'd reached an agreement. However, given that Carma looked like he was ready to pass out, she knew that they been out, behavng like idiot males. When they came in, she ducked around and supported Carma's other side. "I could say I told you so but I'll just help you upstairs instead."

"Gee, thanks, Zhara," Carma muttered as the three climbed stairs and staggered down the hallway. Zhara opened the doors to Carma's room and they got him to the bed.

"Help him, Rune, to get undressed. I'll go see if the cook can make up a tray."

Carma just leaned against Rune, greatful for the solid strength of the man. "I think I could sleep for several weeks."

[Maira]

Akos wasn't sure he was ever going to get used to Darius. The man was completely overwhelming even when he was just trying to be friendly and personable. At the mention of a needle, Akos's eyes grew wide for a moment, and even wider at the mention of his "sadist-healer" sister. That just sounded frightening.

Once Darius, Carma, and Rune were all back on their horses and riding away Akos felt the tension melt from him into the ground. That is, until Tavi mentioned waltzing lessons. He wasn't going to be the heir anymore, why did he need to learn things like the waltz?

*****

The rest of the day's ride and appointments, Rune had watched Carma worriedly. The man was still recovering from the wound that Ellen had inflicted on him and yet he insisted on going out on horseback because he "always had before". Rune wanted to smack him. Instead, he just watched and waited and when Carma needed help Rune gave it. He was still in shock to have Carma back in his life and even though he and Zhara had agreed to pursue a Triad with the man, Carma was being resistant. Now that Rune knew what being able to hold Carma's god-sword meant (thanks to Darius telling him), and since Zhara could hold it too, it only made sense to the pair of them to include Carma in their marriage. They were both meant for him even if he was too stubborn to accept it.

As they arrived back at the deLorme house, Darius went on his way and Rune was left to help Carma get off his horse and into the house. He resisted the urge to carry the man inside only because he knew Carma would never forgive him. As soon as they entered Rune saw Zhara waiting for them and he couldn't help but smile. She was pushing hard for the Triad, and if needling Carma about overdoing it was any indication, she really did care about the man as much as Rune did.

Once they got him to his room, now just down the hall from Rune and Zhara's instead of his old room across the house, Zhara instructed Rune to get Carma undressed so she could go fetch him some food. Rune gawked at his wife for only a moment until she smiled at him knowingly and left the two men alone. With all the permission he needed in that fleeting smile of Zhara's, Rune did as he was told and helped his old lover out of all but his boxers and then into bed.

When he knew Carma was comfortable and his eyes had closed from the exhaustion, Rune started stripping off his own armor and riding leathers. Only when he crawled into the bed with Carma did the man's eyes open. The look in them was wary and defiant but Rune didn't care. Stopping the objection he saw brewing in the other man's eyes, Rune softly growled at Carma, "Oh knock it off, let me comfort you for once." Then he leaned in and kissed the man chastely on the lips and then gently slipped his arms around the other man. The embrace was anything but sexual and within moments, Rune could feel both Carma and himself relaxing as they lay together for the first time in over three years.

[Demeter]

Zhara, tray balanced on one hand, peered into Carma's room and smirked. Both men were cuddled together on the bed and asleep. Quietly, she entered the room and crossed to the small kitchenette the space boasted. After putting the cold meal she'd slapped together in the mini-fridge, Zhara turned to study the two men.

If Carma wasn't being such a stubborn ass, Zhara thought as she picked up discarded clothing, she'd be right there with them. She had to pause for a minute, face flushing, as she thought about what the three of them could get up to in bed together. She fanned her face with Rune's shirt and sighed a little at the images she conjured up in her head.

And just what the hell was Carma's problem anyway? She gave the man a sideways glance. She knew how old he was and highly doubted that he'd never been involved in a threesome. He defiantely wasn't a prude. It had to be something about Rune and marriage vows and fidelity. Well, she was just going to have to smack him upside of his head with his own sword.

Actuallly, that wasn't a bad idea. She'd let the stubbirn ass heal up a little more and then smack him with Talos a few times.

***

Belladonna, tourniquet in hand, blinked at her newly discovered brother. "He called me a sadist? Me? Oh, I'll kill him for sure this time," she muttered while prepping Akos' arm for the blood draw. She'd already gotten the cheek swab but it never hurt to check blood as well. While drawing the sample, she glanced up at the man. He seemed to be getting a shade paler for every second he was on her table. "You're not going to faint, are you?"She peered under arm at Tavi. "He isn't going to faint, is he?" she asked the other man.

Tavi, from where he leaned against a wall, shook his head. "Nah, I think he's just a little overwhelmed right now. All this has been quiet a leap, within two weeks, for someone who'd spent all of his life as a laundry worker."

Belladonna, as she sealing the sample, muttered under her breath. "Neocromancer. I need to find a Neocromancer. That would be an excellent Christmas present for father."

Tavi shook his head and ushered Akos out of Belladonna's room. "Bella doesn't mean much harm. No one here is going to mean you any harm, Akos. Now, I've been instructed to introduce you to your step mother; Genesis.

***

Carma sat at his reclaimed desk in his reclaimed office and ran his hands through his hair. In three years, how could things become this much of a mess. It was obvious that Rune had tried to keep on top of things but controlling Darius in how he controlled his holdings wasn't an easy job. He'd spent most of the morning sorting through the piles of documents, grumbling when he found piles of unsigned papers in Darius' office. He'd sent underlyings running to the various libraries to pull various texts. All the while, he plotted on how he would hunt down Darius, glue a pen to his hand and force him, under penalty of no more smut books, sign all these documents.

He was hunched over his desk, staring at the papers, when Zhara, followed by Rune, stalked into the room. He jumped when she slapped a sword on the desk. And he could only stare, dumbly, when he realized that Zhara was holding Talos and she could still function. "Well, fuck me..." he murmered.

Rune, standing beside his wife, looked down at Carma. "Carma, after you were injured, Father saw me pick up Talos. He told me what it means that I, and now Zhara, can handle that sword. Why the hell didn't you tell me in the first place?"

Carma just groaned and rested his forehead against the papers covering his desk. "Well, gee, Rune, the first day we met, you were able to hold my sword and then you revealed all the shit that Ellen and Shadis had put you through, controlling your life. I didn't think you'd exactly be receptive to the idea that you were destined to be with me."

Zhara, still holding Talos, leaned across the desk. "What's past is past. The question is, are you going to be in a Traid with us? Talos tells me that you need the both of us if you want to stay sane. The sword apparently doesn't want to break in a new weilder. That this was all destined to be."

Carma groaned and thumped his head against the desk. "Fuck me," he murmered again before raising his head to stare at the two people across from him. "Fine. I'll join the two of us. Do what you will with me."

[Maira]

It took all of Rune's self-control not to laugh outright at Carma's muttered, "fuck me". Instead, he waited until the man finished talking, declaring that he and Zhara could do with him what they willed. Giving his wife a quick kiss on the lips, a silently mouthed "thank you" for understanding that his heart needed this, and then he turned and walked around Carma's desk. He turned the man in his chair so that he was facing him, then Rune bent down, fisted his hand's in Carma's hair and kissed his one-time lover with every ounce of passion he'd had to suppress over the years. So absorbed was Rune in the kiss, that he didn't even notice the tears of joy, relief, and past grief slipping down his cheeks.

When he finally pulled away for air, Rune breathed out raggedly, "Don't you ever dare to leave me again, and don't ever hide things from me that involve me." Sure, he was being a bit bossy, but Rune wanted to make his stance crystal clear to the older Custos. He was a big boy and could make his own decisions, but only if he was given all the pertinent information.

Feeling Zhara's eyes on them, Rune leaned back up and away from Carma. He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the day just basking in the presence of the man he was once again allowed to love but he knew that all three of them had work to do. So, instead of giving into that particular whim he asked Carma, "So we'll see you tonight for dinner in our family room?" The children and Zhara would be there, and if Carma came Rune's heart would finally all be in one room instead of divided. And once the kids went to bed, if Carma stayed long enough, the three of them would have a chance to talk things over. They had a lot of catching up to do.

*****

His sister Belladonna scared him. Akos truly had no idea what to make of the woman. The only reason he hadn't bolted off of her table was because Tavi had assured him, after he tried to bolt out of the room, that she wouldn't do any real bodily harm to him while he was at her mercy. So, quite against all of his instincts screaming at him to run far far away from her, Akos let Belladonna poke him with a needle and swab his cheek and chatter on about getting a Necromancer for Darius for his birthday.

When he was finally free of his frightening sister, Akos did his best not to run from the room and out of the compound completely. Tavi had said something about him being required to meet his step-mother, a Curantis named Genesis. Nerves still rattled from meeting Belladonna, Akos just looked at Tavi and pleaded with his eyes to just take him back to the dragon compound. Either the other man didn't recognize the look, or he ignored it because he just led Akos to another level of Darius's house into a soothing solarium.

The Dahl house too had a solarium and since Rune had inherited, on their time off, the House servants were allowed to visit the public parts of it if they so chose. Akos had been one of the first to take advantage of the new rules and had managed to find a nice hidden corner in the public area that it seemed nobody else ever used. It was his favorite place to relax and he had lost count of the hours he had spent in there doing just that.

So, almost against his will, Akos felt himself begin to relax upon being surrounded by the familiar sounds and smells of growing plants, bubbling water fountains and flitting birds. The woman that Tavi finally found, and introduced him to, looked at him with the most gentle gaze that he couldn't help the shy smile that turned up the corners of his mouth. Unprompted he introduced himself, "Good afternoon m'lady, my name is Akos and I'm twin to Rune. May I presume you to be the Lady Genesis DeLorme?"

[Demeter]

Genesis smiled at the young man who'd come into her conservatory. "I am she put please, just call me Genesis. Perhaps, in time, you might be comfortable calling me Mom. Everyone else does. I understand you were just with Belladonna. Please, sir down and relax for a few minutes. Bella is...unique."

Genesis let the young man relax for a while. When she though that his frazzled nerves had calmed down, she put down her clippers, pulled off her gloves and sat next to him. She didn't say anything. She just let the boy relax. No doubt he'd been out through a whirlwind of things and was worn out. Sure enough, the next time she glanced over at him, Akos was asleep so she covered him with a beach towel and quietly left the room.

Once dinner rolled around, she sent Tavi to go get him. She would have sent Rune but he'd sent down a note that he, his wife and Carma would be having a private meal that night. Tavi, pleased that things were working out for his sister, happily went about his errand. 

He found Akos right where Genesis had left him. Asleep on a garden chaise and pondered how to wake him. He knew that one had to be careful when waking Rune; he had a tendency to strike first and ask questions later. Would Akos react the same way?

No one had yet to question Akos about his past. As a servant he could have been treated cruelly and even worse. Even in sleep, he seemed so much more delicate then Rune and the man had no idea how to defend himself. He'd hears the rumors if what Rune had been through under Shadis's rule. Akos would have fared far worse if Shadis had turned him over to those cruel monsters he'd called soldiers. 

The sudden image if those men bruising Akos's fair skin angered him. If anyone had dared to harm him, Tavi would hunt them down and kill them. He'd let his dragon use their bones as toothpicks. 

Tavi reined in the feelings of anger before waking the sleeping man. He stood behind the chair and with the handle of Genesis's garden trowel, poked Akos until he woke. "Hey, its dinner time. The rest of the family awaits."
***

Carma honestly meant to attend dinner but he'd gotten so caught up in work and then his brother-in-law had come down to see him. Ransom was still recovering from what he'd gone through and still faced daily healing sessions to right what had been done but Carma was pleased to see him up and starting to smile again. 

It all conspired against him and before long, with a massive headache right behind his eyes and his side throbbing (why was it taking so long to heal? What had that bitch put on the blade?), he dimmed the lights and stretched out on the floor. It wasn't the most comfortable place to take a nap but he just needed to rest his eyes for a moment. He'd set the alarm on his cell, not knowing that he'd sleep right through it. 

Dinner was cold and Zhara was worried. Where was Carmine? She sent Rune off to find him. Now that she'd acknowledged the sword, Talos told her that Carma was fine but he'd pushed his body to far. But the bloody sword hadn't told her where he was. 

[Maira]

Genesis, as she preferred to be called, was a rather unassuming woman. She just let him sit and relax for a while as she continued to tinker with her plants. When she finally sat down with him, he was already dozing but he didn't realize it. It wasn't until something was poking him that Akos realized just what had happened and he woke up in a panic. He sat bolt upright, looked around for Genesis so he could apologize and then realized that it was nearly dark the in the conservatory. Great, he'd fallen asleep and slept all afternoon!

Having already forgotten the poking, when Akos stood up and spun around looking for the exit he jumped back and yelped loudly in surprise when he saw Tavi. Then when his calves connected with the garden chaise, he grunted, toppled, and landed flat on his back. As he landed, Akos felt something crack and pain shot from his shoulder blade down his arm and up his spine. A moan of pain that he couldn't stop slipped out of Akos. He tried rolling onto his side but that made the pain worse and quite out of the ordinary for him, Akos heard a curse slip out under his breath as he tried not to cry out in pain again.

Horribly embarrassed, and hurting more than he'd care to admit, Akos asked Tavi stiffly, "Can I get help up please?"

*****

Dinner came and went and Carma never showed. Zhara wasn't the only one who was worried and when she asked Rune to go find Carma, he did so eagerly. He figured the easiest place to start was Carma's office and when he got there, he wasn't disappointed. There, in the dark, sprawled on the floor was Carma. Clearly the position wasn't the best for sleeping as a soft snore was coming from the man.

Not sure if he should wake Carma, or just take him to his bed, Rune stood there staring at him for a moment trying to decide. He knew Zhara was worried and she'd want to look in on the other man (who would object if awake), so instead of waking him, he just bent down and slid his arms under his lover and lifted him until he was upright and Carma was resting soundly against his chest. He was honestly surprised that Carma hadn't stirred at all but at the same time he was grateful for it. He made his way slowly and carefully through the halls until he finally reached the suite he and Zhara shared where he gently tapped the door with his foot to get her attention.

From outside in the hallway, Rune could hear Zhara come running to the door and the look on her face was quite telling. She was growing quite attached to Carma too. The worried look in her eyes, directed at Carma, warmed Rune's heart and he asked her softly, "Our bed or his?"

[Demeter]

He'd heard the crack of bone against the hard floor and he'd winced and cringed along with Akos. When the man had asked to get up, Tavi shook his head. "Probably not a good idea. You stay there and I'll call for Genesis."

After using the house's intercom system to ask Genesis to come down to the conservatory and to bring her kit with her, Tavi returned to Akos. "Why don't why get you comfortable," he said while lifting Akos' legs to shove the chaise to the side. He used one towel to pillow his head and another to cover him. While they waited for Genesis, Tavi sat down next to Akos and patted his uninjured shoulder. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to startle you," he said while straightening a corner of the towel. 

When Genesis arrived on the scene, she observed the two men for a moment. When they were side by side, they looked quite good together. She wondered what would happen if Akos stayed at the main dragon compound. She knew Darius well but she wondered what the man was up to, having young Akos stay at Tavi's compound when he'd be just as secured at the house.

She shut the door she'd been holding open in order to announce her presence. She blinked when both men jumped. "What happened," she asked. 

Tavi jumped to his feet. "It's my fault, Lady Genesis. I startled him awake and he tripped over the chaise."

Genesis made a non-committal noise and sent Tavi to sit somewhere else or his hovering would annoy her. She sat down on the floor and asked Akos where he hurt. When he said his right shoulder, Genesis leaned over him and prodded at the swelling appendage. After a few minutes, she sighed. "Shattered. I can stitch the bones back together but you'll have to stay here for a day or two while the bones heal. How attached are you to this shirt?" 

She ended up cutting the material apart because getting it off without further injury would have been impossible. She placed an hand on Akos' uninjured shoulder and looked at him. "Have you ever been healed by an Alati healer before?"

When he shook his head, Genesis explained that she would merely be assisting his natural abilities, accelerating the process to have him up in a few days instead of the weeks it would have taken. "I'll knit the bones back together but it will take up your reserves of resources," she said, "I'll do all the hard work, Akos, but you have to relax and let me do that."

It was hard to keep the boy relaxed while she worked. He was in pain and this was a new, fairly invasive experience. It took almost thirty minutes before the bones were set and starting to knit back together. When she was done, Genesis sat back against large potted palm and wiped the swear from her brow. Akos was pale and sweating and trembling. "Tavi, get him up and take him to the blue guest room. Get him into bed," she said. 

Instead of helping Akos up, Tavi simply picked him up off the ground. "Is there anything I can get you, My Lady?" He asked. 

Genesis shook her head. "Darius is on his way. He knows what I need."

Tavi bowed as well as he could while holding Akos. He headed for the door which popped open to admit Darius. The Alati Lord held the door open long enough for Tavi to get passed it before going to his wife. Tavi glanced over his shoulder to see Darius lifting Genesis into his arms. He glanced down at his own burden. Akos was asleep. 

Tavi made the trek to the guest rooms quietly, stopping occasionally to renew his hold on Akos. At one point he came face to face with his brother in law carrying Carmine in a similar manner. They looked at each other, then at their burdens before nodding and going on their separate ways. A maid was standing at the open doors of the blue guest room and with her help, Tavi got Akos into bed. 
***

Zhara nodded her head towards the bedroom. "Put him in there. It's closer," she said. She went ahead of Rune to open the door and pull the sheets back. After Rune had placed Carma on the bed, Zhara pulled his shirt up to look at the scar Ellen had left behind. The line was red and puffy. She ran a finger across the scar, remembering that it had taken a God to stop the bleeding. She could still remember the feeling of horror when, just a few weeks ago, she'd seen him stumble from the nursery with blood gushing from the wound. Had he not seen Ellen and gone to stop her, the children, including her eldest, would have bled out before anyone knew what had happened. She would have returned from her training exercises hours later and come home to the lifeless bodies of her babies. Zhara knew for certain that Ellen had meant to kill the children. 

She glanced over at Rune. He'd come in through the back on that fateful day, entering the nursery through what had once been a servants entrance. He'd been the one to find Ellen's body, her toxic sword and, finally, Talos. He'd told her that the sword, quiet till then, had screamed at him the moment he's closed his hand over the hilt. She remembered the sight of her husband, bursting through the doors, screaming for Carma. He'd gone pale and fallen to his knees when he saw the man flat on the floor, sprawled in a growing puddle of blood. It had been Belladonna who'd cried out that she couldn't stop the bleeding. As skilled as her stepmother in Alati healing, she couldn't cause the blood to clot and that they were going to lose him. 

That's when Mars, in all his holy glory had appeared and gone straight to Carma. She still didn't know what the god had done but the bleeding had been stopped and Carma's life spared. That night, Darius had spoken to her and Rune about what it meant that Rune could hold Talos. He'd been the one to encourage her to try and handle the blade. 
In the first weeks after being wounded, they hadn't told Carma. And given his response when she'd slapped the sword on his desk earlier today, perhaps they should have; it would have saved all of them a lot of fuss. She's never meant to fall in love with Rune; their marriage had been to protect Luc, her son from a previous relationship, from her mother. She had fallen for him because of his love for a child that wasn't even his. 

The sword had assured her that she would grow to love Carmine, as friend or lover. He certainly wasn't hard to look at but only time would tell what sort if relationship they would have, she thought. One thing was for sure, though, she had him to thank for her children's lives. She, the one who had taken Rune from him, had Him to thank for rescuing her children from their insane grandmother. His disregard for his own life in order to save the children his soulmate had had with another had floored her. There could be no way of ever expressing just how grateful she was except to force the man into a triad, thus not only giving Rune back to him but completing his support system. 

***
In the morning, Carma cracked one eye open. When he saw the underside of a canopied bed. He knew that he was no longer in his office. He also wasn't in his own room. The rather spartan room he used didn't feature a canopy - only the family apartments did that. And, even though Darius considered him to be a brother, Carma used a spartan guest room since he didn't do much else then sleep there. 

This was the first time he'd woken in this room. Which was saying something since he'd woken in a variety of rooms over the past few weeks. Carma pushed himself up on his elbows and looked around. To the left, curled up on a couch was Zhara. On his right, Rune shared a bed with him. Well, this just wouldn't do. If he and Rune were to be involved again, and it seemed they had Zhara's enthusiastic permission, they were going to need a bigger bed. Two grown men and a queen size was slightly uncomfortable. 

Carma lowered himself back down to the mattress and, while the other two were sleeping, thought about things. The first was, he thought, that those two had stripped him off all but his boxers again. They were getting to good at that if they could do it without waking him. Or he'd just been that tired. 

Next he thought of Zhara slapping Talos down on his desk. That move had cleared up a lot of problems. He'd balked at joining them because he hadn't known who his third was. What if he'd gone through with it and then she, or he (there had been recorded cases of a God Tool Triad being all male or all female) had shown up? How would things have turned out if Zhara hadn't been the third?

And oh, how he'd yelled at Talos for not telling him. The sword had simply laughed and told him that he had to discover it on his own. After all, the sword had told him, he'd practically grown legs and danced a jig when Rune had shown up but did Carma stand up claim his mate? No!
And when Zhara and the betrothal show up, did Carma claim his mate then? No! 

So what good did it do to point Zhara out if Carma wouldn't do anything about it? 

He had to agree that the blade had a point. He likely wouldn't have done anything about but the matter was out of his hands now. Zhara had done something about it.
Carma's thoughts were interrupted by a sound on his right. He looked over and saw that Rune was just waking up. "Good morning," he said while tossing some of his unruly morning hair over his shoulder. "I seem to have missed dinner, he said before leaning down to kiss Rune awake like he used to.

Disturbed by the noises in the room, Zhara uncurled from the couch. She blinked at the two men and smiled. Everything was going to be all right, she thought as she crossed to the bed. Without mercy, she shoved the two apart before climbing onto the bed. "You should at least give a girl breakfast before giving her a show," she said.

Carma consented to breakfast in bed while Rune muttered about busybody wives. 


***

"You have to be quiet, Luc," Tavi said to his nephew as the eased open the bedroom door. He peered around the door to see that Akos was still soundly asleep. In fact, it looked as if the man hadn't moved at all. He looked up at the kid perched on his shoulders. "We are just gonna make sure he's doing okay and then we can go watch cartoons, okay?"

Luc had decided to hunt down Tavi after waking. Babies, as he'd told the new nannies, the old ones having been sacked after being bribed by the bad lady, were no fun and he couldn't go play with mom and dad 'cause their door was still closed and he wasn't supposed to go in there when the door was closed.

The nannies, hands full with fussy twins, had a good idea why that door was closed and had sent Luc to find his uncle. They just had to check on his other uncle first before they could play. While Uncle Tavi prodded at the man's shoulder, Luc studied his supposed uncle. He'd never seen this one before but he sure looked like Dad.

Luc wiggled around to get a good look at him and accidentally lost his grip. He went tumbling down onto the sleeping man's belly.

[Maira]

After undressing Carma and putting him in their bed, Rune and Zhara had spent the rest of the evening sitting on the couch in the bedroom, whispering quietly so as not to wake their sleeping reluctant third. It was quite late when Zhara and Rune finally decided to head to bed, but when they looked at their bed it was quite apparent that there wouldn't be room for both of them with Carma already sprawled over half of it. When Zhara kissed him then shoved him at the bed as she settled in on the couch, Rune couldn't help smiling like a fool. Gods he'd missed sharing a bed with that man!

Runes dreams that night were an odd mix of old nightmares and hopes for the future. He'd currently been reliving the absolutely desolation he'd felt on the day that Carma had left him when suddenly he was woken by a still familiar sensation. The feel of Carma's body over his, his lips pressed firmly to his own, roused Rune from the nightmare so completely that he forgot he'd even been having one. Instinctively his arms went around the older Custos, his hands caressing the warm bare skin of Carma's back and shoulders.

His hands had just started to slip south along Carma's back to grasp his ass when suddenly the two men were being separated and Zhara's voice was saying something about breakfast before a show as she plopped in between them on the bed. Scooting his hips away from his wife, so as not to reveal just how annoyed he was at being interrupted, Rune brushed his hands over his face and muttered under his breath about her being a busybody wife.

When Carma left to get the three of them breakfast, Rune took his hands off his face and glared up at Zhara grumbling at her, "In the names of all the Gods woman, if you're gonna let me share his bed the least you could do is let me grab his ass when he wakes me up like that." When she looked tellingly at his blanket covered waist region, Rune felt his cheeks flame. Her laugh was musical and she teased him mercilessly until Carma returned.

*****

The experience of being healed by Genesis had been painful, physically draining, and just a bit violating. He'd never received a Healing from another Alati before, being only a servant for most of his life he didn't warrant that treatment, and he hadn't expected to be able to feel Genesis's presence inside his mind and body. The last thing he knew was that Tavi was picking him up and talking to Genesis and after that there was oblivion as he fell asleep in Tavi's strong arms.

There was oblivion, that is, until something heavy landed like a rock on his abdomen. The sudden movement of his body caused by the impact, not to mention the pain from the weight of whatever it was that had landed on him, caused Akos to yell out in pain. It was only as he lay there curled in the fetal position, clasping his belly and ribs that Akos realized just what it must have been that fell on him because he felt a little body suddenly crawling off the bed and heard a little voice crying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Curious, Akos opened his eyes and saw a sheepish looking Tavi staring down at him, and a small boy-child hiding behind Tavi's legs. Taking a steadying breath, Akos reached out a hand to the young boy and told him gently, "I know it was an accident, its okay." Then, his curiosity getting the better of him he asked, "And what is your name, my heavy little alarm clock?"

[Demeter]

Zhara laughed at Rune's obvious frustration. She even gave the blanket a pat while kissing his cheek. She giggled when he growled at her. "Let me stuff my face with breakfast and then I think I'll take the kids and go visit my dad for a little while," she said, "to give the two of you a little space to be reacquainted."

She leaned against Rune's shoulder. "And to give me a little me-time before I'm mobbed by the two of you. You're both so...male that I just might explode," she said while wiggling her eyebrows at her husband. "You should consider yourself to be very lucky, husband, because not every wife would take herself off to relaxation while letting men be on their own."

She blinked at what she said and giggled again. And she kept giggling randomly throughout breakfast. She couldn't explain it in any other way then being super happy. 

After breakfast, she packed up herself and the kids, kissed both men and then scooted out the door. Once the door was firmly shut, Carma walked over and flicked the lock. He turned, leaning against the door and when he crooked a finger at Rune, he found himself pressed up against that door by a very aroused man. 

He knew that eventually he and Zhara would have to work out what sort of relationship they would have. And he had other problems, like a daughter pregnant with a demigod or the mountain of work that was still on his desk but the only thing he cared about at this moment was Rune. They had three very long years to catch up on. 

He didn't care where Rune took him. It could be against the door or wall. On the floor or couch or chair. It could be the bed or in the shower. All that mattered was renewing his connection to Rune. 

***
Luc peered at his new uncle from behind his old uncle's legs. He hadn't meant to fall on him. He'd just leaned over to far and slipped. When the uncle talked to him, Luc scooted behind Tavi's legs. When the uncle held out his hand, Luc shyly took it because Momma had explained that it was the polite thing to do. 

"My name's Luc. I was named for Grandpapa. What's your name?" Luc asked as he overcame his shyness and crawled onto the bed. 

Tavi watched the interaction between the two. Akos would be good with kids, he decided. He took the time to look the man over. His shoulder would be black and blue from the healing. And he looked as though he'd slept like a board. No doubt he was stiff.

"Hey, Luc, why don't you go find Grandma Genesis and ask if she has a heating pad for Uncle Akos. When you come back, we can all watch cartoons together," Tavi said. He watched as Luc bounced out of the room. With a sigh, he shook his head. "Grandma Genesis is way cooler then any uncle. She always has candy," he said to Akos. 

"That was Luc; my sister's oldest. He's not your brother's kid, biologically, but Rune adopted him when he was six months old. Rune has always been Dad to that boy," he said while helping Akos to sit up. "How are you feeling you look pretty stiff?"

[Maira]

When Zhara left and Carma went and locked the door behind her, Rune only waited until Carma beckoned him before he went to him and captured his mouth roughly with his own, his body pressing Carma's firmly against the door. When he'd gone to get breakfast for the three of them, Carma had put clothes on. After a few brief moments of kissing him and touching him through his clothes, Rune had to rid the older Custos of them. "I can't feel you with these blasted things on," he growled as be shoved himself away from the door and tugged Carma's shirt up his torso and over his head. The rest of Carma's clothes quickly followed giving Rune a magnificent view of the other man. The only thing changed from before was the awful scar his mother had given him but not even that could dampen Rune's desire for his lover.

Suddenly, unable to keep himself from Carma any longer, Rune pulled the naked man to him and swept him up into his arms and carried him to the bed they'd been sharing not that long ago. Tossing Carma onto the bed, Rune quickly slipped out of his sleep pants and joined him. Laying his body over Carma's, nearly they whole lengths pressed into each other, Rune buried his face in Carma's neck kissing and biting his way up to Carma's jaw and then lips. After sharing another very passionate kiss, each man's hands roaming over the other's body, Rune pulled back for a breath and growled out, "Gods I've missed you!" before losing himself completely in getting reacquainted with his lover.

*****

When Luc got over his shyness and came to him, Akos couldn't help but smile and ruffle the boy's hair. They talked for just a few moments before Tavi suggested that Luc go find Grandma Genesis and get a heating pad from her. Akos smirked when the boy's face lit up with glee and he scampered out of the room light racehorse out of the gate. When Tavi mentioned that Genesis would always outrank them simply because she had candy Akos laughed, then groaned, and nodded his head in agreement.

When Tavi explained that Luc wasn't biologically Runes, that he was Zhara's but Rune had adopted him, Akos nodded and smiled softly. His big scary warrior brother had a big soft heart it seemed. It was nice to know a little something new about his brother.

Then Tavi asked how he was feeling and Akos flinched before answering, "The rock to the stomach didn't help things at all, that kid is solid! I've definitely got a lot of kinks to work out."

[Demeter]

Tavi could only grin at the man now sitting up in the bed. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about those kinks, Akos. I'll get them all worked out of you," he said, laughing when Akos paled. 

Over the course of the next year, he worked those kinks out of Akos' mind and body by putting him to work. Not only did the former servant have to keep up with the demands of a growing baby dragon but Tavi had him busy with the education of a Alati Lordling. Sure, Rune may have been the heir but, after his son, Akos was the next in line. Akos had to be ready if the unthinkable happened. Tavi, a heir himself, was the best teacher for the man. 

Akos had lessons of all kinds. Cultural, educational, self defense, dancing (Tavi's favorite to teach him) and the all important flying. Akos was currently sitting with the flight master, learning about riding harnesses and straps. His first flight would be in a few days. 

As much as Tavi wanted to stay and watch the event, he had his own duties. He was overseeing the construction of a sort-of dragon sanctuary deep within the Alps. As the world changed, so did the methods of war. More and more, Dragons and their riders were becoming unneeded on the field of battle. Not only did they have to find a new occupation, and there were several options available, but they needed to slow the breeding of the dragons. Even the dragons recognized the need for this. 

There's recently been a summit meeting at Haven to discuss not only the dragon problem but others as well. He, the other head dragon keepers and the lords and ladies had argued the situation until the Oracle had shouted for quiet. She told them that the Elder Dragon wanted them to see something. So they'd trooped out into the Antarctic night and watched, awestruck, as the oldest known spirit dragon uncurled from its home on the highest mountain peak. The mountain itself shrank considerably as the massive dragon slithered down the rocky face. The elder dragon was twice as long as Hellfire and twice as big. That dragon told the lords to build sanctuaries in the remote places in the world and to feed the dragons a specific mineral that would inhibit breeding but not mating. He told them to do this because the dragons would keep growing not only in size but in number and this would prevent notice by humans. 

Tavi had returned to the compound with a supply of the mineral and orders to scout out and construct a new home for the dragons. He'd found the place, a deep ravine with cliffs to carve dens and flat places on either side to build the residences and business that were needed to support the riders and their families. Construction was well underway but he needed to be at the sight because of the ten thousand daily questions about what to do about this or that. Just back from vacation and he was already repacked to go into the backside of beyond again. 

The two week vacation to a tropical island had done both him and Akos some good. The festivities had included the triad bonding ceremony for his sister, Rune and Carma. Things were obviously going well there, not only because of the commitment ceremony but because of the barely there baby bump Zhara had been showing off. She'd confessed to him that the baby was Carma's. Now, the three of them were enjoying an extended vacation. 

He'd enjoyed his break from the hassle of construction. He'd gotten a kick out of watching Aeven chase after her demi-god twins. Even when they stood still, they caused trouble. And he'd nearly bust a gut laughing at the look on Ako's face when the young Alati caught sight of his father, the most fearsome Alati lord in the known world, sipping umbrella drinks from cocunut cups and reading trashy smut novels. Tavi's own father had been there, rising herd on his grandchild, and looking so relaxed ever since he'd banished his loathsome wife to a remote island. 

Yes, the break had been good for everyone but now it was time to get back to work. Shouldering his bag, Tavi left the officers complex to where Akos was examining a harness for wear. "Well, I'm back off to the ravine. I'll be back in a few weeks. We can practice the waltz then."

The days he got to practice dancing with Akos were his favorite. He enjoyed holding Akos close though he'd never said that aloud. There were some lines he couldn't cross and acting on his attraction to his charge, his boss' son, was one if those. He'd only ever admitted that he was crushing on the young man to himself. To Tavi, being with someone like Akos meant being in a long term committed relationship and he didn't think Akos would handle it well if the other two thirds of his eventual triad were to show up while they were together. The Scythe had been stubbornly quiet about the manner.

So for now he would be content to be near Akos and guide him in his new life. He clapped a hand on Akos' shoulder and squeezed. "If you get the hang of this flying thing and can convince someone to bring you out, come visit me at the ravine," he said with a grin. "Oh, and thank you for taking care of Wizard again."

With that, he strode to where a harnessed Kronos was waiting. He secured his pack to the rigging around the black dragon's shoulders before climbing up into the saddle and clipping into the harness. He waved at Akos before giving the dragon the signal to lift off. 

***
Carma lounged in the nude, burrowed down in the sugar white sands of Darius' tropical island. Beyond the shore, Zhara and Rune, also in the all together, splashed in the blue waters. Syryn, Zhara's dragon companion, had found a nice sun heated ledge to sleep on and watch over them. 

They were celebrating their one year anniversary as a triad by making formal vows to each other and by having a honeymoon like vacation. Since they were the only ones on this island, they'd decided to ditch clothing and they were all getting gorgeously tanned as a result. The only bit of anything he wore was the ring on his left hand. 

Carma lifted that hand and stared at the three gold bands braided together. One for Rune, one for Zhara and one for him. His mates had exchanged their wedding bands for rings matching his. Blessed by all three of their gods, the rings were a symbol of their union. 

Zhara charged out of the water to flop down beside him. Rune, she told him was going for a swim while she was for a snack. Grinning, Carma turned on his side and caressed Zhara's bare belly. Just barely noticeable, her baby bump, his child, was the reason for her snacking. A year ago, they'd made a decision to try to be friends for Rune's sake. And they'd become the best of friends and had, at some point, morphed into a sort of best friends with benefits. Whenever Rune had to be elsewhere at night, they'd turn to each other. It was on such a night, after they'd started planning this ceremony, that she'd become pregnant. Genesis was usually pretty good at pinpointing conception dates and she'd estimated a frame of time when Rune had been away on a training exercise. 

Carma knew that he loved Zhara as a friend and that he was obviously sexually attracted to her but she was a growing presence in his heart. The sword hadn't been wrong. He knew that she was meant for him just as Rune was. 

He kissed the naked woman, running a hand over her warm, damp skin. He used the distraction to try and tug the candy bar she'd grabbed and take her hand in his. Turning, he bore his new wife into the ground. With both hands now free, he sent one south to tease Zhara and used the other to finally pry her chocolately prize free. Still teasing her, he tossed the bar behind him. Then he pinned her hands into the sand. "You heard what Genesis said. Less sugar and more healthy foods. If your feeling snacky, eat some fruit. 

Zhara pouted at him. She'd really wanted that candy bar. Chocolate was the best thing in the world. Well, next to pedicure chairs and two doting, handsome husbands, chocolate was the best. "All right, fruit it is, Mr. Bossy Pants," she said while trying to wiggle away. 

Her wiggling brought her into contact with a very hard bit of Carma's anatomy. Suddenly fruit and chocolate weren't on the menu. They'd all opted to go clothing free because they couldn't keep any on. In fact, their ceremony had been last week and this was the first time they'd made it outside and now seemed like a good time to explore adult playtime outdoors. She smirked up at Carma and rolled her hips. She laughed when he groaned and answered her with a return thrust. 

Damn but his new wife was a minx, Carma thought. An sexy little minx who had a body that didn't stop and a drive to match him and Rune. Carma nibbled on her jaw, hands running down her sides. "Why don't you go and fetch Rune, Darling, and we can make our own fruit salad."

Zhara flipped him and straddled his legs. "That was bad, Carma. Though, I suppose I could take it as a compliment that you can't think around him. Carma Jr. certainly likes me," she said looking down at the organ in question. She kissed the tip and then leaned forward to kiss him. 

"I'm gonna go get Rune and tell him what you said. We'll laugh and make fun of you and then come to ravish that sweet, sweet body of yours. Prepare yourself, darling husband to be taken to new highs," she said before flouncing off, calling for Rune. 

Carma watched her go, shaking his head. He gave Carma Jr a quick glare but shrugged. They were honeymooning; who cared if they spent all their time on the island wallowing in sex. 

Zhara stood on the shore, scanning the water for Rune. She couldn't see him but he'd taken to diving down to explore the reefs and their residents. She was about to wade into the surf when he broke the surface. She started to wave and call out to him but instead of treading the water, her skilled husband thrashed around a bit before disappearing again. Zhara splashed into the water. When she was up to her thighs, he surfaced, farther out now, he trashed up. Deciding that something was wrong, Zhara screamed for Carma. 

He'd been dozing, daydreaming of being twined together with his mates, when he heard Zhara's screams. He was jolted back into reality and was up and speeding down the path towards the water. Zhara was up to her waist when he crashed into the calm water. "What is it? What's wrong? Where's Rune?"

Zhar pointed to where the protected cove opened up to the sea. "Something's got him. Something is dragging him towards the sea," she cried as she clung to Carma. 
As he looked towards the open sea, Rune surfaced and this time, so did many tentacles. The rose from the water to wrap around Rune's belly, arms and neck to pull him under. Carma cried out his mate's name and dove into the water while Zhara screamed for Syryn. 

All seemed too quiet save for the bear of the red dragon's wings. Within seconds, she reached the mouth of the cove and dove, claws extended and jaws snapping into the water. Fangs and claws found purchase in slick flesh and she ripped at whatever held Rune. The dragon shrieked when the tentacles reached up to twist around her, the sharp hooks dragging against her scales. 

***
There were others marking one year anniversaries. Her's wasn't as joyful as others for she was marking the occasion of Ellen's death. Carma had taken Ellen from her so she would take what he loved from her. And Rune, he'd taken so much as well. It was time for retribution. 

Juno waited in the scrub outside the dragon compound, waiting for her sniveling son to leave. Dragon sanctuary; how remarkable stupid. What did the dumb creatures need a sanctuary for? Their usefulness was over; the lot of them should be killed and skinned for handbags. 

Once Tavi was gone, Juno edged closer to the entrance. She was fairly sure that Akos had never seen her before. She knew all about the truth of his and Rune's birth. Darius and Carma could perpetuate all the lies they wanted but she knew that the Delorme boys had been raised by another man. Shadis had told her what he'd done with the eldest and Ellen had told her how she'd allowed Shadis to raise the younger boy. She'd been lover to both deceased Alati. It had been planned all along to let Rune know who his true father was. Just has the false betrothal had been concocted between Zhara and Rune. It had all been a way to try and take back the power Ellen had had as Lady Delorme. 

But there'd been several costly mistakes. First, Ellen's treatment of her pregnant step-daughter had cost her the trust of Delorme. He wouldn't have believed her if she'd shown up declaring that the twins were hers. Then, they'd underestimated the strength Rune would grow to have. He'd killed Shadis. The man may have been an idiot but he'd been useful in getting them things. Then the false promised marriage. That had been a stoke of genius but it had worked to well. Zhara was committed to Rune and ignored her. 

And now Ellen was dead because of Carmine Valerio. She'd been the kidnap the mewling twins her daughter had birthed. They'd planned on using those precious brats to control Delorme. The man's sickening habit of doing anything for his family would be his downfall. 

She couldn't get to him through Rune. He was too strong and she didn't doubt her daughter's devotion. She'd inherited her father's disgusting trait of loyalty. But Akos...
Akos had no defenses. She waited until he was left alone, tangled in a pile of leather harness rigging, to creep up on him. Quietly, she unsheathed a small but sharp dagger and placed it at his throat. "Come with me," she hissed, "and don't say a word. Do exactly what I tell you or I'll kill your brother," she said. 

She didn't say how she'd dispatched one of Shadis' relatives who had a Giant Squid to rid the world of Rune. And perhaps Carma and Zhara as well, if they were stupid enough to interfere. 

She also didn't take notice of the two three year old dragons, now the size of draft horses, quietly hissing at her from the shadows. 

[Maira]

Vacation was amazing. The fact that he'd been naked and in bed with his wife and husband for most of it made it even better. He'd married Zhara years ago, had joined with Carma and Zhara in a Triad a year ago, and to celebrate their one year Triad anniversary the three of them had formalized their bond in what was essentially a wedding ceremony involving all three of them. That was why they were honeymooning. That was why they were all naked and constantly ravishing each other. That the trio had finally ventured outside to enjoy the tropical island was actually somewhat of a miracle.

He and Zhara had been swimming for a while, Carma opting out to lounge in the sun on the beach, and the swimming wasn't exactly chaste. There was a lot of groping, kissing, and caressing of sensitive areas going on when Zhara announced that she needed a snack to feed "number 4". It was her nickname for the baby, Carma's baby, who was just starting to grow inside of her. Rune grabbed her around the waist, his hand rubbing gently on her slightly bulging belly as he kissed her soundly. "Hurry back my love," he whispered to her before she shoved off from him and paddled for land.

Watching her to make sure she got to shore safely, Rune then turned his attention to the water and the nearest edge of the cove. He had always loved swimming and it had been a while since he'd had a chance to do any laps in a pool. This was no pool, and the cove was much larger than a pool, but he was confident that he would still have no trouble at all swimming the distance a few times.

Rune had managed to swim across to the edge and was back near the center of the cove where he and Zhara had been when he felt something brush his thigh. Thinking it was one of the fishy residents of the cove Rune just carried on with his swim. The next time he felt something brush against him he realized it was much larger than any of the fish he'd seen so far and stopped to look into the clear blue waters. What he saw waiting in the depths below him caused Rune to freeze and in that moment the giant squid wrapped its tentacles around one of his ankles and yanked him below the surface. Rune didn't even have a chance to breathe, let alone scream, as he went under.

Once the squid had a hold of him it started swimming toward open waters. He managed to break free from the tentacles just twice, somehow managing to get to the surface and get a breath each time before being dragged back under. After Rune's second escape, the squid got a better hold on him with at least three tentacles and it swam even deeper. He could tell when they'd reached the open ocean because the water surrounding him got colder. He also knew that unless he could break free again he was going to drown. Rune may have been a good swimmer and a good diver but even he could only hold his breath for so long. Add in giant squid tentacles squeezing him around the midsection and that increased the difficulty of keeping his breath in even harder.

He was near panicking, the urge to breathe getting too strong to ignore, when suddenly something dove into the water above him and the squid. The impact of whatever it was hitting the squid caused the squid to squeeze him even tighter and Rune lost his struggle not to inhale, seawater flooding into his lungs. The sensation of choking on water and not being able to spit it out was terrifying but it didn't take long before Rune lost consciousness, completely unaware of the battle raging between his wife's dragon and the giant squid.

*****

Despite the mental distractions of wishing he could go with Tavi to the new dragon sanctuary, Akos had nearly gotten the leather riding straps figured out. He may have been tangled in them, yes, but he was pretty sure he at least knew where each one went on a full grown dragon. Once they were clean and he'd made mental notes of the places that were showing wear, Akos began the process of untangling himself from the straps. He'd just about gotten himself out when there was something quite sharp pricking against the soft skin of his throat and he was being ordered to keep quiet and go with the woman wielding the knife.

Akos knew that Wizard and Rose were close by, they were a pair and since Tavi's times away the two were rarely apart and Rose tended to stick pretty closely to him. Not wanting the young dragons to risk getting injured, he sent to Rose, **Don't try to help me, lovey. Stay with Wizard unless I call.** The message was a combination of words and images and he hoped that she would obey. If the woman would threaten to kill his twin Rune if he said anything, he didn't want to think about what she'd do to the young dragons if they interfered.

With his message sent to Rose, Akos let himself be dragged away. The woman was clearly heading toward the exit of the dragon compound and Akos couldn't help but wonder just where the hell everybody was. This part of the compound was almost always busy with foot traffic going in and out on errands. Not today, not right now.

Rose had listened to Akos and she knew he wanted her to stay safe with Wizard instead of attacking the woman herself. She may have been a young dragon, one barely able to communicate with her caretaker and unable to carry him on her back, but she was not a stupid dragon. Sending to Wizard she told him, <*We can't hurt the lady, but Grandsire could!*> She knew Wizard agreed with her plan when he let her "overhear" his plea to Hellbringer, <*The hatchling of your rider is being stolen! Help him!*>

As Wizard had tried to rouse Hellbringer to save Akos, the pair had stalked after the woman and her hostage. At one point Wizard stopped, clearly listening to something. When he started moving again he told Rose that Hellbringer had answered, asking where the thief was taking his rider's hatchling. Wizard had told him where they were headed and Hellbringer had not answered back. Rose hoped that meant that the big dragon was on his way. She rather liked her caretaker and fancied keeping him as her rider and she couldn't do that if he wasn't at the compound anymore.