The Centenary Dragon Hunt

GodMother

The following day Rayne was getting her daughter ready to go to work with her. Mouse had managed to find a bassinet for her so she would have someplace to lay her while she worked, and she still had the sling so she could wear her when she wanted to be held. Luckily, she had her diaper bag with all her clothes in it, but Rayne knew that babies grew fast, and she would need more soon. Hopefully, she will have made enough to buy her some at the end of the four weeks. Mouse brought Rayne some dresses to work in while she was here.

“Sorry, I tried to get nicer ones for you, but the Queen Mother wasn’t having it.” Mouse said with disappointment.

They were ugly but comfortable, and the straps made it easy to feed her daughter.

“It’s OK Mouse, they are comfortable and clean. Thank you.” Rayne knew Kerryn didn’t like her and didn’t want Mouse to feel bad about the clothes.

She had a few minutes to spare, so she sat down to think of a name. Her daughter was happy and, contrary to what everyone said, she was a gift, and she needed to think of a name that fitted that. Happy, Gift, Bliss, love; no, they weren't right either.

Just then, Embers walked in looking like someone killed her puppy. "What's wrong?" Rayne asked, concerned. She had wanted to ask her a question, and although this didn't seem like the right time, she had to ask before Embers left today. She had been up half the night thinking about it and decided it was the right decision. Embers was a good person, and she trusted her.

"He said no. That he had to have a baby of his own and that we wouldn't ever be mates." Embers said with a sob.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Embers, that's terrible. But if having a child with someone he doesn't love means more to him than you, maybe he just isn't right for you." Rayne said, trying to comfort her friend.

"It's more than that. If it wasn't for Thunder being second in line, it wouldn't matter, but he has a duty. But I don't think I can see him anymore. It hurts too much to know he'll be with someone else soon." Embers said, still crying silently.

"I understand. I wouldn't want to watch someone I love to be with someone else either," Rayne said with sympathy.

"I knew you would understand. I feel like I’ve known you for years even though it’s only been a few days. Anyway, I just wanted to say goodbye before I leave.” Embers said while giving Rayne a crushing hug before picking up the baby to say goodbye.

"Um... Embers... I know this is probably bad timing and all. But I was up half the night thinking about it, and I believe you are the perfect person."

"Perfect person for what," Embers asked while smiling at the baby.

"Perfect person to be my daughter's godmother," Rayne asked, a little on edge. She didn't know how things were done here, but she wanted to know there would be someone to take care of her daughter if something terrible was to ever happen to her.

"What’s a godmother?" Embers asked with interest.

"Well, if something were to ever happen to me. You know, like if I died," Rayne hated saying it out loud as if it was bad luck, "You would be her mom and until then, you would be more like an aunt or second mom-type figure. Anyway, I was hoping you would be my daughters.. godmother? It would mean so much to me."

Embers walked over to Rayne and gave her another hug, this one more gently due to the baby she was holding. "I would be honored to be her godmother." Embers said, holding the baby up and kissing her on the cheek.

"Do you mind if I stay and watch her for a few days? I know you're going to be busy; I've seen his office, and I would love to get to know my goddaughter more." Embers asked with hope.

"That sounds great. Thank you. You'll need to bring her by every few hours so I can feed her though", Rayne said as she walked to the door to leave, feeling grateful about having Embers in her life. With any luck, she’ll end up at the fire castle so they could see each other often.

Rayne stopped before stepping out the door and turned back to Embers. "Oh and Embers.. You don't have to have a mate to adopt. You'd make a great mother all by yourself."

"Thank you, Rayne that means a lot to me." Before Rayne could get out the door, Embers called out, "Oh, and Rayne, if you don't pick a name out for my goddaughter by the next hunt, I'll pick one out for you." She said with a smile.

Embers was so happy and thankful for Rayne and her daughter coming into her life. She knows she will be fine without Thunder, but it still hurt to think of him with someone else. Perhaps she would pursue a baby on her own. Maybe Rayne was right, and she didn't need a male.

Rayne got to the office before Lightning and started to work right away. She was halfway through, organizing the papers on his desk when Lightning walked in with a frown on his face. Did the male ever smile?

Lightning was surprised to see her there before him. And going through the papers on his desk, "What are you doing?"

"I'm... organizing your desk. It’s a mess. I thought I would go through it. I'm about halfway done. But if you need your desk, I can go work on the shelves," Rayne said. "When I get done organizing, I'll need someplace to work. Is there a room nearby that has a desk and is not being used?"

"No," he said.

"O... I guess.." she started to say.

"I'll have a desk delivered within the hour." Lightning said, before leaving his office to find her a desk.

Lightning was impressed with her, so far; she got there before him and started to work without being told. He also liked the idea of having her in the same room as him; if only she didn't have a baby, she would be perfect.

A half-hour later, Lightning was almost back to his office when he heard a scream. Rayne's, he thought to himself. She's in danger. Seeing red, he knocked the door off its hinges. He was surprised at what he saw.

"Stay out of my business, you w***e. I'll have you locked up in the dungeon till the next Hunt!" He was stunned by what he saw. His calm and always nice brother; Thunder, was yelling while he was holding Rayne up by the throat. She looked ready to pass out.

Lightning was across the room in a second. He grabbed Thunder and threw him across the room furiously, knocking a hole in the wall. Rayne crawled into a far corner, trying to get away from the two angry dragons.

"What are you doing, Thunder? This isn't like you," Lightning asked, shocked to see his younger brother act in such a way.

"Get out!" he yelled at Thunder. He didn't want to hurt his normally kind brother. This was not something he would normally do.

Lightning followed him into the hallway "what was that about?"

Thunder looked at him furiously and he pointed into the room "Mother was right about her." was all he said and just walked away.

Lightning was confused by his brother and confused about his own reaction. He had never wanted to hurt his brother so bad before.

Mother said she was a w***e. Has Rayne already been with someone in the two days she had been here? He thought to himself and the more he thought of her with someone else the angrier he got. Still, Thunders's reaction made no sense to him.

Lightning stomped back into the room ready to yell and lock her in her room for the rest of the stay. But when he saw her huddled in the corner crying, he couldn't do it either.

He picked up a still frightened Rayne and carefully placed her on the desk. As he did he smelled her and to his relief, he didn't smell any other males on her except for his brother.

"I've never seen my brother like that. What did you do?" he growled as he gently inspected the bruises that were forming on her neck. Rayne was confused by his harsh tone and his gentle touch.

"I'm... I'm not sure. Maybe it was something I said to Embers." Rayne told Lighting everything that happened. "I'm not sure what I did wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong. Except maybe make Embers your child's godmother. She won't ever leave now, and it was pointless; nothing is going to happen to you." Lightning said. He didn't realize what was going on between his brother and Embers; he had been too busy working. His father left things a mess when he was ambushed and killed by the Horde less than a year ago.

"How can you say that? I haven't been here for three days and I've almost been killed twice. First I fell down a horde hole, with no one having yet to tell me who or what they are. Second, your brother almost killed me not five minutes ago. I'll be lucky to make it another three days and I haven't named my daughter yet." Rayne was crying even more now.

"I've saved you both times. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you," he said giving her shoulder a squeeze before taking a few steps back. His feelings towards her were confusing. On one hand, he wanted to hold her and comfort her and, on the other, wanted to run away.

"You can take the rest of the day off," he said as he turned away. "Do you mind if I wait for Embers I don't really feel safe right now."

"What happens when she leaves later today? Are you going to become my shadow?" he growled.

"No, of course not" she was looking down now, playing with that ugly dress that he was sure his mother had something to do with, not even the servants wear something that ugly and old.

"I just feel safe with you and her and she said she wasn't going to leave for a few days. I'm sure I’ll feel better in a few days," she said, now rubbing the bruise on her neck.

Lightning was angry with Thunder but mostly at himself. He should have seen the relationship between Thunder and Embers and he should have protected Rayne better. He needed to go flying to get his head straight.

"You're going to your room and I'm sending Embers back to her brother today."

Rayne looked as if she was about to argue but thought better about