Aiden smiles at Risa and puts a hand on her shoulder, trying to clear the air from her previous question. "I followed your trail," he says simply, gesturing towards the snow-covered ground. "You left a pretty clear path for me to follow."Risa nods, wiping away a stray tear. "I tried to cover my tracks, but I guess I wasn't as successful as I thought. Good thing the dragon didn't have any better luck." Aiden chuckles at her joke, and he says, "I am sure that there are many more adventures ahead of us."Risa smiles at him, and says, "I hope so.""It's alright," Aiden reassures her, standing up and offering his hand to help her up. "Let's get out of here. We have a long journey ahead of us."Aiden smiles at her, then looks around the cave. "Did you find anything interesting while you were here?" he asks.Risa shakes her head. "No, just some scared shitless, rocks and snow. And some strange noises, but I didn't investigate."Aiden nods, then turns to leave the cave, with Risa following
Risa looks at him, and says, "I'm sorry, but it's the only way I can keep up with you."Aiden looks at Risa, and he nods, acknowledging her concern and effort to lighten the tense mood. He knows the danger of taming a dragon, but he also knows that it's their only chance of defeating the Unseen Assembly."Risa, I have to do this. It's the only way," he says, his voice firm.Risa hesitates for a moment, then nods. "Okay, but be careful," she says, her eyes still filled with worry."Alright, let's do this," Aiden says, taking a deep breath.He then closes his eyes and focuses on the dragon. He can feel the dragon's presence in his mind, and he can feel its power. He can feel the dragon's anger and frustration, and he can feel the dragon's desire to be free.Aiden opens his eyes, and he approaches the dragon slowly, his eyes never leaving its gaze.As he gets closer, the dragon growls, and it opens its mouth, letting out another bolt of lightning. Aiden is prepared, and he jumps out of t
Once he reaches the base, Aiden dismounts from Draed, and walks inside the base where everyone has gathered around one of the many tables in the common room.The guards stare at him in surprise at seeing him and they take careful steps back when Draed snapped at them."Don't worry, he doesn't bite," Aiden says with a chuckle. "Just don't get too close to him."He then looks at the other members who are all staring at him with shock and concern on their faces. He can tell that there is something wrong but it seems like no one wants to come out and say what's bothering them. He then notices Brad standing near an empty table looking uncomfortable and embarrassed. "I knew that you could do it! Brad over here is a spoilsport." Gregg says excitedly with a huge smile spread across his face.Brad rolled his eyes at him and said sarcastically, "yeah, I'm sure you'd have no problem with me trying to tame a dragon if I was ever able to get close enough to do so!"Gregg throws his hands up at hi
Draed sniffs loudly through his nose and continues watching Gregg closely."Oh no, don't say that," Gregg laughs nervously at seeing Draed's body language change. "It's just that if we're going to work together, we need to trust each other right? And we can't really start by arguing."A small grin appears on Draed's lips before he lies back down on the floor again. The dragon seems to be relaxing now that he realizes this is a human and nothing more than a harmless beast of burden.Aiden looks over at the guards, who appear to be extremely relieved by the fact that the dragon isn't attacking them. [This should be fun.] Lyris whispers in Aiden's mind. [You might end up being accused of murder.] She teases him playfully in her mind.Roooar!Draed roars loudly out of his mouth causing everyone to jump in surprise.The sound echoes throughout the cavern, making everyone cringe from its deafening volume.Everyone takes a step away from the young man who is still kneeling on the ground wit
[R-18]Boom!Aiden cringes at the thought of Draed making so much noise while landing on the other side. But it doesn't take long for him to realize that Draed must have landed that way due to being unsure of where he could land safely without destroying anything in the tiny space of Risa's home compared to its size.Risa opens her door and peers out of it, she smiles at the sight of Aiden standing on top of the dragon and then closes it behind her right away. She runs over to him with her arms spread out for a hug.She body slams him while laughing loudly at seeing how surprised he was by this sudden greeting. Then she looks up at him with an embarrassed expression as he tries to catch his breath. "What were you thinking?" She teases him in an angry tone. "You could have fallen off there... or worse!" She says as she rubs her hands against his chest, giving him a small shake in her excitement."I'm fine," Aiden tells Risa before looking past her and then turning back to her and sayin
"That was... wow..." Risa says quietly as she opens her eyes to look at Aiden who's lying next to her still in his naked glory. "I think I'm going to need some rest after all of that..."Aiden laughs slightly as he stretches and yawns widely, "me too," he replies as he sits up straight and turns on the TV. "It might be a good idea if we get a little sleep before heading over to Collow." He then glances over at Risa.Risa looks down at him with a small smile before nodding her head slowly. She reaches over and places her hand on his shoulder with a gentle touch before she stands.They both stand together and walk upstairs to their bedrooms to prepare for bed. They take turns in the bathroom first since they have so much fun in the shower whenever they're alone like this.When they finally crawl into bed, Aiden pulls the covers up around himself as he leans against the wall.He has been feeling restless ever since he left Collow, he had felt something calling him back there even now, but
He shakes his head slightly as he looks back out onto the road again. He then focuses his attention on his conversation with Lyris, 'I'm listening, I can take it.' [You have 1 week to convince Zin before this opportunity expires, host!]He sighs and takes a deep breath, 'it's going to take a hell of a lot of convincing but I'll manage somehow...'Aiden slows down once he arrives at the place where he needs to meet up with Zin. As he pulls into the parking lot he sees the building he needs to go inside. It was a prestigious hotel where many wealthy businessmen stayed when coming to the city. The entire structure was built in the middle of a large lake, giving it an extremely relaxing atmosphere for anyone staying there. The pool area alone made it seem like paradise even without the fact that it also had several fine dining establishments nearby that served some of the best food in all of Collow, if not the world itself."This place looks nice," Risa comments as they walk towards the
Risa looks back as though the question directed at Aiden wasn't referring to her instead.He takes a deep breath and glances down briefly before looking back up, "yes... I'd love that actually. This is Risa, she's a close personal friend of mine who I've traveled with for many years now..." he explains carefully, watching for any signs of disapproval or even anger on Zin's face but didn't see anything out of place other than her arms crossed tightly over her chest again."Nice to meet you," Zin states calmly before turning towards Aiden again, "I see you're very good friends."'We're more than friends actually.' Risa had wanted to say it right then but decided against saying so since they were still technically strangers themselves. 'I think I'll keep my mouth shut until this situation gets settled one way or the other...'Zin continues speaking after a short pause, "I must admit this was quite a shock when I received word that the High Council was seeking my assistance." She chuckles
Raymond didn't miss the nervous look in Aiden's eyes, and he gestured to the waitress, indicating for two more coffees. "Don't look so worried, Aiden," he began, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not here to stir up trouble, quite the opposite, in fact."Aiden gave a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You have a knack for popping up unexpectedly, Raymond," he said, meeting the older man's gaze. Raymond chuckled, a sound that reminded Aiden of crunching autumn leaves. "Guilty as charged," he admitted. "But it's the only way to catch you off guard, isn't it?"The two men shared a smile, the ice of formality finally beginning to thaw. When their coffees arrived, Aiden took a moment to appreciate the smell, the warmth of the cup soothing his nerves.Raymond's knowing smile widened as he caught sight of the green card. "I see you've been putting that to good use," he said, pouring a cup of coffee for Aiden. "Now tell me, how have you been?"Aiden hesitated for a moment, not sure wh
Four months had passed since their wedding, and it had been nothing short of bliss. Aiden recalled, a month after his marriage, he had the privilege of being the best man at Gregg's wedding to Zin. It was another day of joy and friendship, another day of unforgettable memories. As he watched his friend recite his vows, he couldn't help but feel a sense of profound happiness. It was as if life had come full circle, their shared dreams finally coming true.Now, Aiden found himself in the grandeur of his living room, the plush furnishings reflecting his luxurious lifestyle. His gaze lingered on a group photo from his own wedding that hung on the wall, the silver frame capturing the raw, unfiltered happiness of that day. James, the ever-loyal butler, had snapped the photo, capturing a moment of pure joy, their faces alive with laughter and love.A smile tugged at his lips as his eyes scanned the faces in the frame-his radiant wife, Risa, Gregg, Zin, and Mr. Smith. It was a precious mement
From the beautiful ceremony that echoed the purity of their love to the lively reception that followed, everything was truly enchanting. The laughter, the joy, the well-wishes, everything contributed to creating an ambiance of happiness and love.As the guests filled the beautifully decorated hall, the after-party began in earnest. The buffet tables were laden with an array of delicious food, while the bar was stocked with all sorts of drinks, catering to everyone's preference.Zin, in her elegant emerald green gown, was fluttering around Risa like a protective mother hen. She was diligently making sure that Risa was comfortable, frequently asking if she needed anything. Her worry was transparent, her gaze constantly darting to Risa's small belly. Risa, although touched by her friend's concern, found it amusing and gently assured her that she was fine.Amidst the laughter and conversations, Gregg detached himself from the crowd and moved towards Aiden, who was seated at a table with M
A week had passed since that day, the culmination of which was their big day, the day of their wedding. It was a day that echoed the magnificence of their love for one another. The wedding venue was the most eccentric hall in all of Collow. It was an architectural marvel, a symphony of nature and architecture that combined grandeur and simplicity in a harmonious blend. Tall, impressive stone columns held up the lofty, wooden ceiling, creating an ambiance of grandeur. The hall was filled with the beautiful scent of fresh pine, lavender, and honeysuckle, creating an earthy, calming aura that reflected their shared love for nature. The vast windows draped in flowing sheer curtains allowed the sunlight to filter in, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the space.The wedding was filled with countless guests, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bride. The air buzzed with anticipation as soft music filled the room. The melodious notes of the violin and piano created a magical, enchantin
The news of their forthcoming child was still fresh in their minds as they sat down to discuss their imminent wedding. The room was filled with a sense of exhilaration, excitement, and anticipation. The huge dining table was strewn with various wedding catalogs, color palettes, floral arrangements, and tentative guest lists. Risa, brimming with an ethereal glow from her pregnancy, was a picture of excited expectancy. Her green eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and anxiety, her fingers fluttering across the catalog pages as she attempted to decide on the most fitting color code for their nuptials."Aiden, what do you think of this one?" She pointed towards a palette that was an array of earthy colors, inspired by nature.Aiden leaned over to see what she was indicating, his gaze falling on the hues of deep forest green, soft brown, and a touch of gold. He studied it for a moment, his blue eyes reflecting the colors she chose."It's perfect, Risa. It truly reflects who we are, connected
[R-18]'When am I never ready?' Gregg replied in his thoughts, but instead of going along that line of thought, he gave her a tender smile as he brushed her hair away from her face and planted soft kisses on her cheeks and along her jawline."You're my dream girl." He whispered softly into her sensitive ears.Zin's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Gregg with a surprised smile. He had said that to her countless times before in different ways and situations, but it felt different coming from him now. He wasn't saying it because it was something he wanted her to do. It was simply how he saw her.With an easy grace, Zin disrobed, letting her clothes fall to the floor until she was wearing nothing but a sheer white slip of lingerie that accentuated her curves and accentuated her light pink nipples that were already hardening beneath the thin fabric. "Must have been the flour and grease on them," Zin teased with a playful smirk, stripping off the remaining clothing as quickly a
"Is everything alright, Risa?" she asked, her tone hinting at her worry. "You've never declined wine before. Is there a reason you're saying no tonight?"Risa glanced at Aiden, an unspoken question flickering in her gaze. Aiden gave her a reassuring smile, a silent signal for her to share their secret. "I'm not feeling unwell or anything," Risa began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that...I... we... are expecting."The room fell silent, as if the words had sucked the air right out of it. Zin blinked, looking between Risa and Aiden, trying to comprehend the gravity of the news. Meanwhile, Gregg stared at Aiden, his eyes wide with shock."Expecting?" Zin repeated, her mind racing to decode Risa's words. But then it clicked, and she let out a startled gasp. "You mean...you're pregnant?"Risa nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Three weeks along."Aiden reached for Risa's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He looked at her with such warmth, his eyes sparkling with
The shadows began to stretch across the rooms of the quaint duplex that Zin and Gregg called home as the golden tendrils of the afternoon sun began to retreat for the day. In the heart of their dwelling, Zin's culinary skills were on full display in their small but well-equipped kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In contrast, Gregg's domain was the dining area, where he was meticulously attending to every detail. He nervously adjusted the tablecloth, smoothed out non-existent creases, and repositioned the silverware for what felt like the hundredth time."Gregg," Zin's voice carried from the kitchen, filled with a lighthearted teasing note, "You're going to wear holes into the tablecloth if you continue fussing over it like that."A sheepish grin spread across Gregg's face at Zin's playful comment. "I just want to ensure everything is perfect, Zin," he replied, his voice shaky. "Aiden's accustomed to high-end,
A smile, brimming with mischief, gradually began to play across the features of Aiden. The playful glint in his eyes danced as he declared in a voice imbued with teasing suspense, "I'm not going to share that with you." Without any further ado, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box with intricate detailing, and handed it over to Gregg, who was visibly caught in the throes of anticipation.Gregg accepted the box with a sense of curiosity bordering on fascination. He gingerly opened the lid, and his pupils dilated in astonishment as they beheld the singular object nestled within the folds of velvet that lined the box. Inside lay a shimmering golden card that reflected the soft ambient light in a playful dance of colors, emphasizing the meticulous engraving of a stylized dragon that marked its surface. The card was encased in a pristine white border, upon which bold, black words stood out in striking contrast: 'What you seek is within.'Aiden, struggling to contain his amus