Greetings Readers
I am so glad that I have finished the writing of Fell Dragon, as I am so busy with work, that I have had to stop working on a few of my projects because I just don't have the time.
I have, however, started thinking of a story beyond Fell Dragon, and the first paragraph has been written. As to where it goes, I guess we'll see. For now though, please enjoy this update.
Saita had stayed out of the mess that was unfolding in the palace. She had no interest in dealing with the heartbreak of the old Captain of the Royal Guard returning. Yet, as she was preparing for her own celebrations, news was filtering from the castle. Saasha had locked herself in her room and had refused to speak to anyone.
Even Silens and Baks had enough sense to leave their daughter to her own musings. They were the first to arrive at Saita’s home, hours before the start of the gathering. Saita had been shocked from her cooking to see Silens march into her home, dragging a large Saith behind her. Saita recognized the facial scar from the stories Bolx told. This was his father, Baks Royal Guard.
“Saita Karesh, this is my mate Baks Royal Guard. He will be helping you to cook for later.”
The older woman had then released the Saith’s hand, turned to stand on the tips of her toes to kiss him, and then made her way to the sunning room.
“It’s just Saita.” Called the human after her.
“And I am your husband.” Echoed Baks.
“We never wed according to your customs.” Shouted the woman from the next room.
Dumbfounded, the human and the Saith exchanged some pleasantries and introductions before Baks rolled up his sleeves and started helping out with some of the dishes that were partially prepared.
The next guest to arrive was Bolx, who could only stare in bewilderment at his father helping in the kitchen. Baks fixed him with a half-glare and said, “I prepared most of your meals as a child, don’t give me that strange look, boy.”
“Need any help?”
“Get the vegetables cleaned and ready to go into the oven.” Baks turned to Saita and asked, “I noticed an odd piece of meat…”
“That’s for Saseric. He mentioned this was something he doesn’t get to enjoy often. It’s mature mutton.”
“Mutton?” Baks seemed confused.
“It’s from an animal known as a sheep that humans keep for meat. I find it too fatty for my taste, but it sounds as if the King of the Lizards enjoys it.” Said Bolx.
“And he’d prefer it raw and at room temperature.” Commented Saita with a shudder, “Coated in plain yogurt.”
“How did you even get mutton?” asked Bolx.
“I asked my mother to send me some supplies. Everything arrived early this morning.”
“I smell that vile brown thing your sister is so fond of.” Baks wrinkled his nose as he covered the meat.
“You mean chocolate?” asked Saita.
“That.”
“Don’t be rude, Father.” Snapped Bolx.
“Vegetables. Now.”
The old General of the Royal Guard didn’t raise his voice, but Bolx jumped at the command. While the kitchen wasn’t significantly large, it became very small with two large Saith and a human working in it. It became even more crowded when Aidan decided to come in from playing outside. Without a second thought of guests, he ran up to Bolx and hugged his leg. He then looked up at the scarred Saith who stopped what he was doing to look at the interaction.
“Go on, don’t be rude.” Said Saita as she continued to add a tray of prepared vegetables to the oven.
Aidan shyly stepped aside and said, “Hello, I’m Aidan.”
Baks raised a hand and said, “Well met, I am Baks.”
Saita cleared her throat and Bolx elbowed his father.
“What?” demanded the older Saith.
“Human children aren’t permitted to call adults by their first names.”
Saita rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder at her son, “Call him uncle unless he instructs you to call him by another title.”
“I’m old enough to be his grandfather!” snapped Baks.
“Well, there you have it, Aidan.”
“Grandpa Baks then.” Grinned Aidan.
The older Saith, realising his mistake blushed and turned back to the counter he was working on.
“Get washed up and ask the lady in the next room if she would like something to drink.”
“Okay!” said the boy as he ran upstairs to clean up.
Bolx chuckled and said, “Did the outdoor table arrive?”
“Yes, thank you. There was no way I would be able to seat everyone in the house.”
“Seating is one thing. Have you thought of sleeping places?” Said Baks.
“There are five bedrooms, and the sunning room, plenty of space.”
The old man turned and grinned at Bolx, “How many people did you say are coming tonight?”
“Gatex, you and Mom, Siar and Seana, Saseric, and Doran. After yesterday, I doubt Saasha will make a turn.”
Baks looked to the lounge and his grin grew wider, “I don’t think there are enough couches.”
“Dad…” warned the younger Saith.
“What?” Baks wiped his hands, “Your mother and I only knew each other for a few days before we started trying to conceive your older sister. You two have known each other considerably longer.”
Saita, who had been sipping at something from a pot, suddenly snorted, resulting in hot liquid flooding her sinuses. Bolx sighed heavily before saying, “Hardly the place, Father. Is this why you and Mother wanted to plan this little get-together?”
Baks snorted a laugh and continued, “Well now, guess we’ll see how this plays out tonight. I am telling you now, we aren’t going back to the castle, so we’ll be taking one of those rooms for ourselves.”
Baks then turned to Saita and the human dreaded what he was about to say next.
“Too much pepper, not enough salt. Silens is right, your sense of taste isn’t quite right yet. Let me taste everything before you add anything else to any of the meals.”
Saita nodded her head and did as instructed. Aidan eventually came downstairs, after looking like he had taken a shower. He dashed into the sunning room to have a brief conversation with Silens before he returned with her.
“Auntie Silens says she would like whatever fruit juice we have available.”
Baks grimaced and demanded, “How come am I grandpa and you are auntie?”
“He asked and I told him. You decided to be rude.” Silens seated herself on a stool and watched the three adults working in the kitchen.
The young human poured her drink and brought it to her with a grin.
“Many thanks, Little Flame.”
Once the food preparation had been done, most of the guests arrived. Drinks and snacks were set out and small food tokens were handed out while much enjoyment was had. Now and again, Saita and Baks would go to the kitchen to start cooking the food that needed cooking.
Saseric had had to sneak away from many duties to come to this gathering, but he could hardly ignore the request when it came from Saita. He knew that they would need to strengthen their relationship now that it was known that she would be stepping in for Pura. The Lizard Lord was only too happy to make a small sacrifice to his time to deepen the friendship with the girl.
He cast his eyes on the young boy who had taken on the responsibility of handing out drinks and snacks. Aidan seemed to have an eye for detail and only offered specific snacks to people who he had seen take them earlier. Saseric knew this boy was far smarter than even his mother realised. By the time Saita was ready to place an heir on the throne, Saseric knew Aidan would be more than ready to take the responsibility. With his long life, he knew that he would see the crown on this boy’s brow.
“Excuse me?” Aidan stopped before him.
“Yes?”
“I haven’t seen you eat or drink anything. Can I get you some of your main course?”
Saseric couldn’t help himself as he reached for the wild hair on top of the child’s head to ruffle it.
“It’s quite cold where I am from at the moment, so I don’t digest well. I will only have one meal later when everyone else eats.”
The child nodded his head and then scampered to the next person. Saseric couldn’t help the thin smile that creeped up at the side of his mouth. Perhaps he should be looking to form ties with this child.
“I think your son has attracted the attention of the king.” Whispered Baks.
“I am a political pawn; it would make sense that my son would eventually attract the attention of others in power. Saseric is hardly the worst of people that could be keeping an eye on him.” Saita started pulling out plates and cutlery.
Saita turned to ask Aidan to help set the table outside with Bolx and Siar, but Baks interjected by saying, “I have everything under control here. Why don’t you go set the rest of the table?”
Saita placed the cutlery on the plates and made her way through the lounge, dodging people, and out the sunning room toward the large garden table that had been placed outside. It was a lovely day and serving a late lunch in the garden had been Bolx’s idea.
Once outside, she noticed the two siblings spreading a green tablecloth over the table. They had already set out the chairs and pillows.
“From which dining hall did you steal this?” asked Saita as she set the plates down.
“One Saasha hardly ever uses. She’ll never know it’s missing.” Said Siar with a grin.
She then looked up at the room where she had put Seana down for a nap earlier. She frowned, “She shouldn’t be up yet. She’s going to be grouchy the rest of the day if she is.”
The female Saith then made her way back to the house saying, “I’ll be back after I check up on her.”
“The two of us will be fine.” Called Bolx. “I know how to set a table!”
After a quick laugh, Siar disappeared into the house. Saita admired how quick she was on her feet and wished that she too could move like that.
“Did you also get chased from the kitchen?” asked Bolx.
“I think I did.” She chuckled. “Let’s get this sorted before I chase people out of my house.”
The two of them set out to complete their task in relative silence, until Saita said softly, “I’m not averse to it.”
“Adverse to what?” asked Bolx as he started to place plates around the table.
“Being more physical. I know you are hanging back because you are scared of chasing me off with emotions linked to Kaiden. So, I’m telling you. I’m not averse to pushing boundaries, as long as you are happy and comfortable too.”
“Don’t let my father talk nonsense into your head.”
“It wasn’t your father who put those thoughts in my head.”
Bolx immediately felt the need to argue, but he stopped himself and viewed the human who was looking at him. He had expected some colour to her face, but there was none. Clearly, she had been thinking of this for some time and had been waiting for a chance to bring it up privately with him.
“You’ve always known what you’ve wanted.” He said with a slight grin as he continued to place the plates.
“That wasn’t a yes.”
“And it wasn’t a no.”
“Look, my time on Saith has allowed me to experience things I never got to in my earlier years. I even got to be a mom, but I have never really had the opportunity to be…”
Bolx looked up and said, “A woman?”
Now colour bled into her face, and she nodded her head, “I enjoy being with you. I enjoy our late-night talks and you running your hand up and down my back, but I’d like to go out of our comfort zone.”
Bolx set the last place and looked up at her from across the table, “I told you from the start; I will allow you to direct where we go. I have told you snippets of my time with Kaiden and what we had. I will not force that on you.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m asking…”
“She was awake and was starting to moan but Aidan immediately went to calm her. Saita, if the boy is looking for a job when school comes out, I would happily pay for him to babysit when I am sitting…what have I interrupted?” said Siar as she stepped back into the garden.
Bolx was about to get a response ready when Saita turned around and said, “I am asking your brother to spend the night, and seeing as we are limited on bed space, we’ll have to double up.”
Siar grinned and said, “Good for you two.”
I have been enjoying the slow-burning affection between Saita and Bolx. They will have their moment, but it'll likely only be next week. See you all then!
For those of you who have never heard of Fell Dragon you can find Book 1 here, Book 2 here, Book 3 here, and Book 4 here, Book 5 here, and Book 6 here
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I love discussing my books!
As the series continues, it will combine with another book series I wrote. To avoid confusion about what is happening, introductory chapters will be introduced separately so that you don't have to be lost. However, these chapters will contain spoilers. You can find these chapters here:
Races Explained
Banishment
Royal Guard
Saasha’s Direct Family
Saith Characters Recap
Human Characters Recap
Alternate Timeline Brucel
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Part 7>>You are Here>>Part 9
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