A Dragon's Heart

11.

There were moments I’d spend hours staring at the sky, wondering how it ever came to be. I looked at the clouds, the expanse of blue across the universe and wondered how the world had been in the past, and if the sky had always looked like this.

Being up here, however, was an entirely different experience. I mean, I knew that we can’t reach the limit of the sky, but there were a few occasions where I really imagined what was behind that expanse of blue. Which was why, as crazy as this sounded, I lifted my hands up, hoping I would touch the sky. Or even the clouds.

A chuckle rumbled behind me, its vibrations shooting through from my back.

“You can’t touch the sky, Noorie,” Bilal teased, a hint of smile in voice.

“I know,” I grumbled, dropping my hands as a flush of embarrassment washed over me. “Just a silly childhood obsession put into action.” I added, the wind hitting my face unapologetically.

Jay was still sulking after yelping and smashing her head around, as though that was going to stop Sameer from leaping into the sky. It also took me a few minutes for my stomach to finally adjust to the queasy feeling of riding a dragon and being up in the sky.

“Feeling good? Enjoying the ride?”

I nodded. If anything, I loved being pressed flush against him as he held me with his scales-covered hands tightly. I loved the feel of his heart thudding against my back. Loved the feel of his muscles bunching as he held the edge of the saddle. I loved the lush feeling of the saddle I straddled, even if it felt a bit uncomfortable. Even better, was that it was almost sunset, and the glow from the dipping sun was everything.

“It is nothing like I have imagined,” I replied, looking down below for a moment before quickly glancing away. Everything was too tiny down below.

“I will show you the caliphate soon as we get back. It looks beautiful from up here, with all the glowing from the oil lamps.”

“Where are we going now?”

“You’ll see,” came his reply.

I wanted to ask more, but I decided to trust him and wait.

‘I will never forgive you for this,’ Jay grumbled, rolling onto her back with her paws raised up.

‘Why? It is a fun experience,’ I answered, grinning.

‘Riding him differently would have been fun. And when I did say to ride him, I didn’t mean this ride. Duh!’

I feigned a gasp. ‘Oh my! You didn’t? I thought this was what you meant. I didn’t think there were supposed to be any other rides besides this.’

Jay sat up, eyes blazing with anger as she stared at me. ‘Are you playing games with me right now, Tiffy?’

‘Me? Games? Why should I play games with you? I just meant that there was no…’

‘You know the type of riding I meant! The type where it’ll take you days to walk properly. One that would have you scream, in a good way, of course. You know, that type where Bilal lies on his back and…’

‘Shut up! Shut up, Jay. You and that no filter mouth of yours were my punishment.’ I snapped, as Jay howled happily.

‘Got you!’ mischief lit her eyes. ‘It’s not a bad ride though. I am sure you’d love it as much as I would. Besides, I…’

‘Can you pretty please just let me be?’ I snapped again. Why I thought antagonizing Jay was a good idea was beyond me. ‘I swear…’

“Are you talking to your wolf?” Bilal asked, cutting into my thoughts.

“Yes,” I replied. “She's inside my head all the time. Anyway, how is it that I can hear Sameer when he talks to me? I mean, isn't that supposed to happen when we mate?”

“Being my wife, even though we are yet to mate, sets a connection between us. For now, you have a connection with Sameer in a unique way. You can hear him talk to you, and you can talk to him as well. But I guess to get a full connection between us, where we fully feel your emotions and thoughts, and also be able to connect to your wolf, it would probably be after we mate.” Bilal explained.

“I wish Jay and Sameer could talk to each other. I have a feeling they’d both be a comedic relief.”

“Is she snarky like this big guy?”

“No. But she is sassy and foulmouthed.”

Bilal laughed. “Then I agree. I have a feeling they will be perfect together. I wish I could talk to her too. That aside, when can I see her?”

“I can only shift on a full moon. So maybe not until then?”

“Why? Why can you only shift on a full moon?”

“Because I am an omega. Omegas are the lowest in the wolf hierarchy. Besides, only the lycans can shift at will whenever they want to. A few of the wolves have the ability to do so, like the Alphas, Betas, and Deltas. The rest of us can only shift under the full moon, except, of course, when the situation is dire.”

“Interesting,” he mused.

“I thought every person with an animal side shifts. But you don't lose your human form for Sameer to take over. Is every dragon that way?”

“No,” Bilal answered. “We have six dragon clans, and each has a unique identity. I belong to the Gorians. We are born with our dragons and shapeshift up until age sixteen when we finally separate. Just like you see Sameer and I now. Sameer can also camouflage to look like things around, or fully disappear from normal eyes despite still being there. All I need to do is click my fingers and he’d appear. I have learned to control the scales from showing when he is in camouflage especially during wars so no one would know he was close by.”

Fascinated, I asked. “You mean you once shapeshifted?”

He laughed. “Yes. Not anymore though. But the Santorians do shapeshift. Just like you and your wolf do. We also have the Malajans, who are the sand dragons. They are considered the deadliest from all dragon clans. They can shapeshift into reptiles, and can also glide under the sand. The most fascinating thing about them, however, is the ability of the human form to fly as well.”

My eyes widened as I whirled around quickly to take a quick look at him, as though that would take away the shock of what he had just told me.

“Careful,” he murmured, tightening his hold around me as the movement caused me to lose a bit of my balance.

“You mean, they fly? Just like the dragons do?”

“Yes. Fascinating, right?”

“I wish to see them!” I clapped my hands, excited at the prospect.

“We’ll have to visit their caliphate then. Although there are a few residing here. All clans are scattered all over the empire, across all eight caliphates. But if you want a full taste of each clan, you visit where they dominate the most.”

I smiled. “It seems my life will be adventurous from now on. I can't wait!”

“I love your enthusiasm,” he leaned and kissed my cheeks. “Anyways, as I was saying, we have the water dragons as well, known as Ma’allans. They don't have wings, and look more like lizards. Instead of flying, they glide in the air. They breathe fire and ice. Then the Kinans. Also lizard-like and gliding in the air. However, instead of fire, they spew raw acid.”

I shuddered. “They sound dangerous. I do not want to see them. Do they also shape shift?”

“Yes. The only ones who can't shapeshift after turning sixteen are us. The Gorians. The last of the clans is the Kiyans. Known as the Saharan ice dragons.”

“How can there be ice in the Sahara?” I asked.

“There isn't. But they can produce it, so long as they can consume water. They live in the coldest part of the empire, where oases are plentiful just so they can have access to a lot of water. They share the water attribute with the water dragons.”

“Everything sounds so interesting! Now I am more excited for the tour in town. What is it called? I heard you call it a caliphate. Is that the name of the state?”

“No. They are called caliphates instead of towns, villages, or states. Each caliphate is named after the dragons dominating the environment. Dar Al Goria. Dar Al Santoria. Dar Al Malaja. Dar Al Ma'al. Dar Al Kinan. Dar Al Kiyan.”

“And the king, or wait, the emperor resides where?”

"You mean the sultan," Bilal chuckled. "He resides in the capital, which is just a two hours journey from here. I will be taking you to him in three days to introduce you. The capital sits in the middle of all the caliphates. That way, no clan would try to manipulate the political power. Although, even without that, it is hard maintaining peace between the clans when it comes to power."

“I will need to set aside my romance books and read more about the empire and the clans. Sounds interesting enough to pique my interest.”

“Indeed,” Bilal replied, then suddenly became quiet, he leaned down and sniffed my neck. “I love your scent. And whatever perfume it was you used is driving me insane.”

I grinned, a flutter raking my chest. Mission accomplished.

“That was the goal,” I whispered, leaning my head against his chest. “I heard you love flowers,” I murmured. “And that you also have a bird.”

“Mmmmn,” he made a sound at the back of his throat. “I do,” he mumbled. “Not everyone knows I do though. Which means Mina was the one who told you.”

“Is she wrong for telling me? Also, when can I see the bird? Already seen your flowers, but I wouldn’t mind an introduction by the owner.”

He chuckled. “No. I’d have told you even if she didn’t. You are my mate. My wife. You get to know everything about me. I’ll show you the bird in the morning.”

“Thank you.” Knowing that we were building something so strong was everything for me. Which meant that I had to tell him things about me too. Things I did not wish to discuss yet. Besides Natasha, I’d never discussed my past with anyone. After all, it was not a story worth telling. But Bilal was my husband, and he’d trusted me with everything about him, so I needed to do the same as well.

Darkness was already creeping in, the sun fully dipping beyond the horizon. Maybe now wasn’t the right time to tell him about my past. At least, not on a dragon right?

‘I agree,’ Jay said. ‘Maybe in a better surrounding than this.’

“So you went to Zambele and got me more books. Clothes. And what else?’

“Who said I bought you more?”

“Just a girl wishing.”

“Well, we’ll find out if I have more surprises for you. Right now, we have arrived at our destination.”

Sameer lowered, and I shut my eyes to help with the queasiness. I didn’t open my eyes until I felt him land on the ground.

Bilal jumped down first, before he stretched his hands and lifted me off Sameer. I winced as my feet touched the gravel below. Damn! My thighs hurt.

“Nothing a massage won’t fix. Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” Bilal whispered into my ears, nuzzling my cheeks before he pulled away. “Welcome to the dragon tower. We are going to meet the Golden Dragon Queen now, and if she accepts you, you will be getting a hatchling of your own.”

I swallowed as I stared at the large sandstone building before me and swallowed. It was pyramid-like, with a large dragonhead structure built at the front.

What if the dragon queen didn’t accept me, was the first thought that floated through as Bilal squeezed my hand in his, leading us towards the entrance of the tower. Two guards stood with long spears on either side of the iron door, light flickering from the torches burning side by side.

‘I have a feeling I will not like this dragon queen.’ Jay mumbled, and I agreed.

As though hearing my thoughts, the moment we stepped our feet into the dark tower, it shook, a loud growl coming from deep within it.

Bilal steadied me quickly from behind as he wrapped his arms securely around my waist, pulling me to his chest. He hissed, a shuddering breath raking through his body, and a less feral growl from Sameer behind us.

“She's not happy,” Bilal grumbled, stepping to my side. “Let’s hope we do nothing to piss her off even more. I’m not exactly her favorite dragon right now.”