Chapter 13

Gen's Quarters, The Castle, The Gullington, Scotland, United Kingdom

Gen thought that she'd really enjoy living in the Castle at the Gullington. Maybe it was her newfound peace after conquering the meditation exercise in Falconer Cave, hearing the voice of the angels. Or maybe it was because Quiet appeared to like her, although if he said so, she didn't hear him. But it was probably because the Castle, quite literally, felt like home. It was cold and damp, with drafts whistling through the corridors.

It was so different from the condo where she'd stayed with Liv and Clark. That place in West Hollywood was nice, but strangely enough, it was too nice. The running water and shiny surfaces were a bit like overload for Gen who was used to a much different way of living.

She knew that she should be happy for the modern conveniences, but so much change at once was messing with her mind in ways she'd never experienced before. The Castle seemed to instinctively know how much of the old world that Gen wanted mixed with the modern conveniences that made life better and made her room and quarters to those specs perfectly.

The room that the Castle made for Gen was rustic with stone walls and minimal furniture done in the style of medieval design. There was a high bed covered in thick covers and tons of pillows. It looked like a giant cloud that she could fall into and after the first day at the Gullington that she'd had, that's all she wanted to do. The artwork was like the kind that Gen was used to, depicting landscapes and people of her day.

But Gen scolded herself at that thought, remembering that her time was now—it didn't matter that she grew up in the 1400s. She was a woman and soon to be dragonrider of the twenty-first century. The whole notion felt weird and wild, but also wonderful, if she were honest with herself.

How's it going?A familiar voice said in her head as Gen looked out the window onto the darkened grounds of the Expanse.

"Well, according to the angels, I'm supposed to be a rebel and therefore demand that you hatch tonight rather than in two more," Gen said, feeling strange talking out loud to her dragon, but also liking the sound of her own voice in the still and quiet of her lonely room.

That's not what the angels said to you,her dragon replied. I heard every word. They told you to use your old-world elegance to fix the modern world, which I like very much.

"Do you know what I'd like?" Gen challenged, looking at the bathroom that the Castle had appointed for her.

A lesson in electricity and plumbing,he offered.

"Yes, I could use that." Gen said, longing to get clean. "How do you make the magic rain thing warmer?"

It's a shower and turn it to the right,the dragon answered in her head.

"How again do you know this when you've been locked in an egg for all of your life?"

I'm plugged in, much like how you did in Falconer Cave,he replied.

"What I'd like to know is what you are and why everyone is so hush-hush about it," Gen said, reaching out and turning the knob on the so-called shower.

You've been told that it's a surprise,the dragon said, a coyness in his voice.

"Fine," she said with a sigh, enjoying the steam as it started to rise up from the water. "How are you?"

I'm in an egg,he replied. It's cramped.

"Hatch," she offered.

I'm not ready,he answered.

"But you will be soon?"

I will,the dragon stated. They put me in the Nest with the other dragons. I'm growing now. Much more than I was when buried for centuries. I'll be ready as they predicted in three days.

"Good, because the curiosity is overwhelming," Gen joked. "I want to see what strange anomaly you have. Are you a backwards dragon?"

What does that even mean?

"It means your tail is on your front and your nose is on your?—"

I'm not a backwards dragon,he interrupted before she could finish her joke.

Gen laughed. "Fine. Well, I'll see you in a bit. Until then, well, I don't know what. I guess you grow and I'll train."

And by train you mean break things,he teased.

"Exactly," Gen said, disrobing and stepping into the shower. "Good night, Mr. Mystery Dragon."

Good night, Weapon Slayer.