Chapter 10

While Argenis occupied himself with protection duty, Ciel pored over the thick tome that her grandmother had safeguarded during her lifetime. She wished she'd had a clue about the dragons. Who knew they lived in the mountains surrounding Wyvern? It definitely wasn't anything she remembered people talking about. The large stone sculpture in the square should have made her think, but she'd just loved climbing on it as a child.

Now as an adult, she read the history of Wyvern and was mind-boggled. The meeting between the settlers and the dragons must have terrified the town folk. Those brave men and women had kept everyone safe.

She wondered if they'd believed that the dragons would care for their mates as they'd signed it. Were they just protecting the majority at the cost of a few? Ciel found a few statements in the pact that showed they were not sacrificing their offspring. They believed the dragons' promise to take only those who were mates. Those they swore to protect with their life's blood.

Reading the story of the first mate fascinated her. Zinnia had received the first mark as the Black Dragon, Keres, had exited that meeting. Her hat blew off as he walked by. When he returned it, their hands touched, resulting in the searing dragon pattern. Her life as a treasured mate was briefly detailed, as well as her death at one hundred and thirty-seven.

Ciel couldn't imagine living that long. Then she thought of Argenis. Suddenly, all those years were very desirable. Even with the hardships of no technology, life with Argenis was a delight.

"Trying to find the skeletons in my closet?" a deep voice asked from behind her.

Jumping automatically from the surprise, Ciel whirled around to see Argenis leaning against the wall. "Daddy!"

Argenis caught her when she dashed to him and jumped into his arms. "Whoa, Little Sky. What if I'd dropped you?"

"That would never happen," she answered confidently.

"I'm glad you trust me, Ciel."

She nodded before tilting her head to look at him quizzically. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm heading out to do a survey of the path to the ocean. Want to go?"

"That's hundreds of miles away. How long will it take to get there?"

"Dragon," he answered simply, and tapped himself on the chest.

"How could I forget that?" she answered, laughing.

"Go get your swimsuit and let's go."

In a flash, she abandoned her study of the old tome and dashed down the hall to their bedroom. Returning in a flash, Ciel had her bikini in her hand. A strap swung free as she hurried.

"Do we need a towel?" Ciel asked, trying to think where a beach towel would be in the house.

"Dragon," Argenis reminded her and then blew a draft of warm air over her body.

"Ooh! I like have my own personal towel boy?" she said with a grin.

"It's a long way down when we're up in the air, Little Sky," he glowered at her.

"You won't drop me."

"You sound pretty confident about that."

"I am."

"Come on, Miss Confident."

He ushered her out of the house, muttering towel boy under his breath. In the clearing out front, Argenis changed into dragon form and lowered his head for her to climb up on his neck.

Instead of moving into position quickly, Ciel took time to kiss his snout. "Thank you."

He blew a puff of smoke that made her rock back on her heel. As she watched, the white haze formed into a perfect heart and floated away.

"Do it again," she begged.

Your swim time is getting shorter and shorter.

"Okay. I'll get on, but only if you'll puff a heart for me later," she requested as she stuffed her bathing suit down the back of her tucked-in shirt to free her hands.

Deal.

In a short time, they were soaring through the clouds. So high that Ciel couldn't see what was happening down below with any real clarity. The air was gusty, so she put her face down to press against him. The slow, rhythmic beat of his wings flexed the muscles under her body, almost rocking her. She jerked herself awake a few times when she caught herself drowsing.

Sleep, Little Sky. I'll keep you safe.

And wake me up if anything exciting happens?

Of course.

Ciel awoke as the hard surface below her changed its angle to descend. Are we there yet? She laughed

Almost, Little Sky. Can you see the dolphins playing in the water?

Oh! There's the ocean.

Her family had visited the seaside one summer. She'd enjoyed it tremendously. Probably more than anyone else in her family. Ciel watched the waves crash on the beach. Other than a small cluster of fishermen, the strip of sand was uninhabited.

No one has time for a vacation.

The world has changed, Little one. We will take time to enjoy the beach and then we'll accomplish our task.

What's that?

Something for your Daddy to take care of, Ciel.

Ciel scrunched her mouth up at that response. She liked to know what was going on. Daddy could tell me and then I wouldn't have to worry about it while I'm enjoying the beach.

Be good.

Shutting her mouth with a snap, Ciel stopped asking questions. It must be something important. She still wondered why she couldn't know what it was, but her bottom knew it was wise not to argue with Argenis. She'd never win.

When he slowed, she tightened her grip on his scales. That was totally unnecessary as he landed with an easy thump. Ciel scrambled off his back and gave him some space to change.

Her jaw dropped in surprise when he lumbered past her in dragon form to wade into the water. Ciel ran after him, hesitating at the edge. "Daddy? Do dragons swim?"

Of course, Little Ciel. I like water a lot. Not as much as the Green Dragon. He's closely aligned with nature and loves to wallow in rivers and lakes.

She continued to talk to him aloud. It seemed more normal to her when he could hear her. "Do you float or sink?"

He moved a bit further out into the water and disappeared. Ciel watched the surface and saw him show up a few feet away. She waded in a bit more, wanting to get in and play with him. Turning, she looked for a sheltered place to change.

When she shifted back to look toward the ocean, she jumped in surprise to see his dragon head a foot from her. "You scared me. How can you move that quietly?"

Dragon.

"Of course. That explains everything," she said, lifting her hands out in an exasperated motion.

His chuckle resounded in her head as he moved. Curving his body into a U-shape, Argenis provided a guarded area around her. She could only see the ocean in front of them. Quickly, she stripped off her clothes and slipped into her bikini while under the watchful silver eye of her mate.

"I'm ready."

Argenis scanned her outfit. That's almost like wearing nothing.

"I don't think anyone will come flirt with me while I have a dragon guardian."

Daddy.

"Yes, Daddy." She accepted his correction without hesitation. "Can we go swimming now?"

When he nodded toward the water, she knew he was waiting for her to lead the way. Turning, she darted toward the ocean and raced forward. "It's freezing!" she yelled over her shoulder, refusing to stop until she reached a point where the water covered her beaded nipples. She knew she'd never adjust to the temperature of the water until her sensitive peaks were under the surface. "Damn, that's cold."

No cussing.

"You don't think it's cold."

Come stand by me.

As she moved closer, Ciel felt the water becoming warmer. He was like a water heater. She sidled up next to him to enjoy the heat radiation from him. "Mmm!"

With a flick of his tail, Argenis flicked water on her, soaking her completely.

Grateful she wore her hair in a braid, Ciel flipped the soaked plait over her shoulder and wiped the straggling hairs from her face. When she could see, she calmly swam away from him, kicking water to pay him back. Sure that she had doused him, Ciel peeked over her shoulder and found him enjoying the shower like it was a multi-head shower massager.

Shaking her head at her failed attempt to pay him back, Ciel let her feet sink back to the sand. Eep! She disappeared under the surface of the water. She'd reached the sudden drop off of the land and was way over her head.

Argenis was there immediately to lift her up to the surface with a supporting tail. Little Sky.

"I wasn't expecting that," she sputtered.

Indeed.

"Are you laughing at me?"

No. Never.

She could hear the suppressed laughter bouncing around in his mind. It was impossible to resist his amusement. She had to laugh at herself.

Want to do some exploration?

"Like snorkeling?"

You'll have to hold your breath.

"I'm good at that," Ciel assured him.

Climb onto my back and let's go.