Three years have passed since the Handler Guild has been established. For the first year we had to train the new recruits. Not only in Dragon Handling, but also mold the Druids into walking lie detectors. I had my hands full with that one, of course. Star took care of Diet and Healing, along with Max, of course. And Crile was tasked with the Heavy-duty Maintenance with some help from Fiery, of course.

  But that was the easy part. Gathering intel and verifying it – now that was a pain the ass. It only got better once we could get out in the field ourselves. Yet still. We had some close encounters, but not enough to determine anything concrete and that – drove me insane.

  If we fail to achieve our main goal of exterminating Dragon Poachers – the Geezer Council will disband this whole charade...

  Why the Poachers and not the Wranglers? Because Wranglers don’t kill. They simply Tame. Even if for the wrong reasons. Either way – we can deal with them later. Our first priority is to stop the killings. Hopefully, if we successfully deal with the Poachers the Wranglers will back off on their own. If we succeed...

  The good news is – our Dragons are fully developed now. Max said that it’s unusual for Dragons to grow at such a rate. He speculates that the Magic of the Blood Bind had sped up the process. Usually, it takes about 5 to 6 years for a Dragon to develop naturally into its full capacity. Ours cut that time almost in half. Can’t complain, really – it's helpful. Especially when fighting in the air.

  Storm was the first one to display her ability and by now she has perfect control on command and by herself. It's true what they say about Dragons – with the right Handler or Master – they learn fast.

  Meteor was the second one to show signs of his ability. Although even that we noticed by a fluke. He’d get hot to the touch when picked up – at first, we thought he has ill, but Max noticed the change in his wings. The layer of skin, protecting the body had thickened on Meteor’s wings to protect the lining from the heat, generated by the scales. That proved to be quite convenient. Meteor was able to control the amount of power he uses to either illuminate the area around him or heat his wings up enough to almost replace a camp fire. We’re never cold now.

  Sky’s abilities took the longest. Well. The longest for us to notice. We were convinced that perhaps Sky simply had no special ability. When one day Starlight almost got seriously injured, helping out with our cabin’s construction and Sky protected her by hardening his wings to shield her. We then realized that his ability was always there – he just never had a reason to use it. That – made us realize the potential Sky’s and Star’s duo has in the air. With Star’s heals and Sky’s shields – they are the perfect defense.

  In the past nine months the Poachers have been attempting more attacks on the City. Obviously, because the Guild is here and more Tamers from the North. Which, of course, has the Council on our asses. We manage to intercept their attacks before they reach the City Grounds and the Surrounding areas, but they are getting better each time.

  Which is exactly why I am on edge. It’s like they are taunting us. Practicing. We need to end this before they can figure out how to handle us successfully instead. Another thing that’s bothering me is their choice to attack here. I figured they’d be more interested in the Base up North, considering how their forces are “divided.” Well, that’s the impression we wanted them to have, the North is fully capable to fend for themselves. Plus, we managed to beat out a “special response squad” from the Council in case of an emergency where the City Guards or the Troops – or anyone available would be dispatched to the Northern Base.

  But somehow the past few attempts got me thinking that maybe they want us to be divided. They want us to move more Tamers from the North down here. So that when they attack us here – there will be nobody left at the Base... If I am right then the next attack will be their final preparations. It’s because of their attacks on the City that the Council has been pestering us to either move the Guild outside or get more Dragons here... It’s only because we managed to fend off so far that I have purposely ignored their whines. But if we can’t... We’ll be playing into the Poachers hands...

  There is no other way left – we need to strike their Base first. Problem is – we have no clue where their Base is. Yet they – have the obvious advantage. They can reach us, but we can’t reach them.

  I hoped that by having a “Base” in the City would bait the Poachers into coming to us and we’d capture someone who would lead us to them. But whoever is in control of the Poachers – is more cunning, careful and calculated. They haven’t fallen for it in three years... Yet.

  And when they do attack us – it's always the same formation – Dragon Riders from the Air. Tracking Airborne Dragons on foot is impossible. Following them back to the Base on a Dragon or by Flight – is worse – no cover and easy target...

  That’s why I wanted to cast a wide network on the ground – it would have made it easier to track the Riders from the Ground, but that requires a Council Approved Budget, which obviously they haven’t given us. We managed to build a few stations here and there, but they are nowhere near enough and what’s worse – it seems we were wrong about the direction of the Poachers Base.

  Infiltrating them seems to be impossible as well. Perhaps Crile could do it, but I don’t want to send him in alone... With Meteor bound to him – he wouldn’t have been able to stay away for long either. Till now... But. Doing it now – would mean rushing it and that spells suicide...

  “We’re out of options...” I stretch out on the table.

  “I’ll say.” Crile’s voice reaches me, startling me.

  “How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough for you not to notice.” He points to my chest. My fully exposed chest...

  “When did you?” I tuck them back in, but leave the shirt open.

  “What’s got you so preoccupied?” He takes a few pages, leaning back into the edge of the table. “Don’t tell me.”

  “What else.” I yawn. “How long have I been here?”

  “Long enough for Star to worry about you that she asked me to drop in. Long enough not to notice the Dragons getting back from their hunt.” He puts the papers down. “Long enough that I thought I was going to ask Emerald to step in. Breeze.” He looks at me concerned.

  “I’m sorry. I was too naive to think we can manage...”

  “True. But this;” Crile sweeps his hand in the air over the table; “has the Poachers focused on us and not the Dragons. The killings have dropped ever since they started observing us. We made them put their guards up.”

  “Dropped – not stopped.” I give him a blank stare and put my hand up as I see Crile take in air. “I appreciate you trying to cheer me up, but this is not doing me any good. I started this nonsense and I have to finish it... Stopping now would mean...”

  “Would mean double trouble. Not only for You and Us, but for the Tamers as well. Their credibility would take severe damage and that – is not something you can allow to happen.”

  “Sadly...” I sigh, cracking my sore neck. Crile crouches down next to my chair and takes my hand into his.

  “Ok, well, nothing will change with you moping here, come on, let’s go to bed and we’ll try to find a way out of this mess tomorrow, together?” He brushes the hair away from my eyes. I follow his fingertips, like a cat getting pet.

  “I’d rather get some fresh air...” I whisper and Crile smiles.

  “We can do that. It’s still light out. Wanna take the Dragons for a spin?”

  “Sure.” I button up and we leave.

  “Finally! I thought you’d never come out of there!” Starlight meets us at the end of the stairs. Can’t believe that we’ve already lived here, in this Cabin for about a year. We got so busy with the Guild that we had to postpone our construction a few times...

  “We’re going for some fresh air, if you don’t mind?” Crile winks at Star and she gets the hint. Her pouting gives her away.

  “Fine, fine! I have plenty of work to do by myself! You two would just get in the way!”

  “We’re taking Storm and Meteor.”

  “Not Emerald and Zeke?” Zeke’s Crile’s Celodian. As much as we’re having a blast flying on Dragons – they are too easy to spot and chasing criminals through the woods and mountains requires different maneuvering. This way Star stays with me on Emerald and Crile carries anyone we catch. If there’s more than one – Crile and I travel on foot. A decent Celodian can carry up to three Noxian-sized riders.

  “Nah, it’ll be easier to get back once the sun sets.” Crile answers.

  “Whatever you say.” Star rolls her eyes and goes into the kitchen.

  “Go wait outside, I’ll be out in a minute.” Crile nods to me, backing into the kitchen too. I nod and go wait in the Stables. I hear the Dragons chirping.

  “Hey there.”

  “Oh?” Emerald raises her head and Storm comes over to greet me.

  “Sorry to have worried you.” I nuzzle Storm and walk over to Emerald.

  “I don’t remember doing anything of the sort.” She puts her head in my lap.

  “You could at least pretend.” I pout.

  “You have the two of them for that.” Emerald lets out a deep, low growl. I smile and not say anything more.

  “Should we cancel our flight?” Crile comes over too.

  I shake my head.

  “Go. It’ll do you good.” Emerald nudges me.

  “Come on, boy! Let’s fly!” Crile teases Meteor and the Dragon immediately lights up with joy.

  “I’ll see ya.” I pet Emerald one last time and wave to Storm to come over. She lets out a high-pitched short shriek and waddles over to me. She does that when she’s happy. We get on our Dragons.

  “Where to?” Crile asks me.

  “Lead the way.” I tell him, taking the reins.

  “Right. FLY!” He gives the command and both Dragons take off. I close my eyes and listen to the rushing wind in my ears and the sound of the beating wings... I let it drown my thoughts out and simply enjoy the breeze, as my Dragon cuts through the sky...

  “Looks like there’s a storm coming our way! Should we turn back?” Crile snaps me back. I look around.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “We could take shelter by the mountains there!” I point.

  “Got nothing to lose!” Crile nudges Meteor and we speed up. Not fast enough though. We get caught in the downpour, but get lucky and spot a cave. Our Dragons take a dive and clear the last of the distance.

  “And it was such a nice evening, too...” Crile jumps off Meteor, shaking the rain off himself. I slide down too and pet Storm.

  “Doesn’t look like anyone’s home.” Crile says looking around the cave.

  “No claw marks. No bones. Seems clear to me.”

  “Sadly, it’s not deep enough. The wind manages to blow inside still.”

  “Still better than getting soaked.” I smile.

  “Alright you two. Huddle up!” Crile claps his hands and the Dragons block the entrance. Well, almost. There’s enough of a gap to leave the airflow going, so we don’t suffocate, right above their backs. Meteor takes Storm under his wing and lights up the cave with the other one.

  “I see he’s picked up a few tricks from his Master.” I tease Crile.

  “Can’t help it if my boy has great taste in women, just like his Master.” He winks at me. I roll my eyes and sit down on the cold stone.

  “That won’t do.” Crile gets two bags off Meteor.

  “Were you expecting this?”

  “Nah. Just figured you’ll be hungry, so I packed a light picnic.”

  “Now that you mention it...” Suddenly it hits me. Not only am I starving, but I’m dead tired too... Somehow that makes me angry.

  “I wasted an entire day off and have nothing to show for it.” I pout.

  “We’ll see about that.” Crile hands me s flask and a sandwich. “A snack, so I have time to set up.” I take it and bite into it. Mmm...

  “Stawr madwe it.” I mutter with a mouth full.

  “How’d you know?”

  “Yours has more of a punch to it. This is careful and selective.”

  “Yeah, I swiped a few walking out.”

  “You mean you stole her dinner?” I give Crile a look.

  “No way! I traded! I promised to make breakfast tomorrow.” He sticks the tip of his tongue out to me. I guzzle down the wine from the flask. We chat lightly about nothing as Crile heats a meal up for me, and takes a few bites for himself only. Once I finish clearing my steak, we cuddle up on the fur that Crile so conveniently packed by “pure” coincidence. I lean back into Crile, and stare into the burning sunset painted sky, out the opening of the cave’s entrance. The quiet breathing of the Dragons’ and Crile’s heartbeat slowly swoop me away and I pass out in his arms.

  When I come to again, I’m on my side, covered with a blanket, it’s dark and the Dragons are gone.

  “How long was I out?” I ask Crile next to me.

  “Not as long as you think. The weather cleared right after you fell asleep and the Dragons have gone off just a few moments ago.”

  I rub my eye, pushing myself up. “You mean you told them to take a hike.”

  Crile smiles, leans in and kisses me. He carefully rolls over me and I let him. His hand moves around my body, loosening the straps and hooks, sliding me out of my clothes, a piece at a time. My body shivers from the cold, the fur beneath me tickles me lightly and Crile’s warmth and passion fires me up. I help him strip his gear off too and give into his rhythm.

  Slow and steady, yet passionate and possessive. My favorite... The only thing that beats it – is when I can bite into him with my hunger and desire in full. Wild and untamed.

  Not tonight though. Tonight, I’m enjoying tasting him in gulps, instead of wolfing him down. Tonight, I indulge in his brush-like gentle teasing with bites of mad hard lust. Tonight, I follow. His rhythm picks up, as does his hunger. Tonight – I’m his prey and he’s – my hunter.

  I feel his hunger take over. His moves become harder, rougher. His kisses more possessive. His grind faster, tenser. And I engage every bit of it.

  Crile pushes himself up, wraps my legs around his waist and pounds me hard. Just as I’m about to lose it, grasping at nothing above my head, he pulls out. Picks me up and stands up, placing me against the wall, positioning us both. I put my arms against the cold stone and arch my back. Crile picks up my leg, rams himself back inside of me and hammers in with all he’s got. Over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. I feel his grip on my breast tighten to the point of agony with his nails sinking deeper into the skin, leaving red marks. I feel like a rag doll in his arms, unable to move or think, just gasp for air...

  Crile hooks my leg with his arm, wrapping it around my leg, pressing it to his side and moves his hand over me, pleasing me into insanity. I feel the explosion and scream out. Crile keeps on thrusting without losing a second's pace. Stroking the whole of my pussy. That – sends me over the edge completely and nothing but sheer rapture flows over me in a crashing wave of pure intoxication.

  Crile leans over me, pressing his chest to my back the next second, pulls out and finishes pounding himself into my breasts, with a beastly growl, biting down on my shoulder. I pull his face to mine and lock lips with him, drawing the air out of his panting breath.

  “Thought you’ll split me in half...” I whisper.

  “I’m so proud of my ability to hold back.” He says smiling.

  “This you holding back?” I tease him, stroking his slippery shaft.

  “Mhm.” He gives me a quick kiss and takes my arm, turning it to me. “Could have grinded the meat right off, if I went any longer and harder...” I notice the cuts and bruises on my forearms. I didn’t feel a damn thing...

  Crile slides off me, without missing the chance to fondle me along the way down, grabs the blanket and covers me from the front. I sit back down on the fur and Crile embraces me again, kissing my shoulders and neck. I close my eyes and let the delight seep into every fiber of my being...

  “I got something for you.” Crile whispers softly.

  “More?” I lean back with a smile.

  “That too, but I meant something else.” He kisses me and reaches for his bag. He takes out an elongated wooden box and hands it to me.

  “What is this?” I take it, curious.

  “Open it”. He says, nibbling on my ear. I open the box, set the lid down and unfold the four corners of the black cloth. The sight inside the box takes my breath away.

  “It's beautiful...” I take the gem incrusted dagger out.

  “It’s my love for you.” Crile says and I look at him confused. He puts his hands on mine and pulls on the sheath. The dagger opens, showing a gorgeous, sharp blade...

  “I don’t follow.”

  Crile smiles and I feel him tremble. He lets out a sigh and lets out a short, clumsy laugh.

  “Can’t believe this is so difficult to say out loud...” He says and I look at him again.

  “Here goes. I’m proposing to you, Breeze.”

  “With a dagger?” My eyes widen.

  “Yes, with a dagger.” He smiles.

  “Don’t people normally do it with a ring, or flowers? Or whatever? I don’t know.”

  “When was the last time we did anything remotely normal?” Crile answers chuckling. I look away and smile.

  “Why a dagger?”

  Crile closes the sheath again.

  “Because that's the kind of a hold you have on me. I don’t want to live a day without you in my life. See these?” Crile takes the index finger on my left hand and traces it over the four blue gems in the middle of the sheath. One on top, two in the middle and one more below.

  “These are you... These...” He traces the next formation out of red gems below the blue stones; “– are me...”

  “The deep purple ones are us?” I catch on. He nods. “Why?”

  “Because that’s how my passion and devotion burns for you and because how calm and serene I feel when I’m with you...” Crile moves my fingers over the gems. I flip it over – the other side is exactly the same and the hilt has the same three gems on each side as well: blue below, red in the middle and purple on top.

  “I want to see how much we can grow together... How much we can color our lives with each other and how much life we can radiate if we stay together...”

  “Crile, I don’t know what to say...”

  “Say yes. Or end me right now.”

  “Huh?” I stare.

  “I mean it. I don’t want to be without you. I can’t imagine walking away from you. I can’t imagine having someone else next to me, besides you. It's either you or this.” Crile takes the dagger out of the sheath and points the tip under his jaw. I pull it down out of reflex.

  “If I can’t be with you – I'd rather not be at all.” He tells me. “I know I sound like a lunatic.”

  “I’ll say!”

  Crile giggles again. “I just don’t want not to love you... In this life, or the next, or the one after that... Every life...” Crile locks his gaze into my eyes. I see it. I see his determination. He can’t lie. Not to me. He hasn’t lost it. He’s simply bluntly honest... I hesitate... I don’t think I can hold that much power over him...

  “So, when and if the day ever comes that you no longer wish to be with me, I beg you, please – put me out of my misery.”

  “No.” I answer. “I could never... I’d rather kill myself than end you...” I put the dagger down and kiss him. “I want you with me. Not dead.” I whisper into his lips.

  “Breeze, you realize you just answered “no” to my proposal. I’m not sure...” He pauses and I kiss him again.

  “Yes. My answer is yes. If you want to be bound to me for the rest of the eternity – then yes.” I kiss him again and smile.

  “My heart almost stopped.” Crile grabs my face with both of his hands and kisses me rough. “Don’t this to me again.” He smiles.

  “Look who’s talking.” I smile too.

  “I can’t believe it...” He whispers.

  “Neither can I... Wait till Home finds out...”

  “There will be a weeks' worth of festivities – I guarantee you. Ira won’t miss the chance. Well, only after he’ll kick my ass into submission, obviously.” Crile says slightly scared and a loud laugh escapes me.

  “That reminds me!” He says, stuffing his hand into the bag again. “There’s more.”

  “Oh?”

  “Here.” Crile takes my palm into his and holds a tiny pouch over it. Two round gems fall out.

  “Lector Stones. Our Lector Stones. Took me awhile to find the perfect ones...”

  “Are these order made?” I take one and feel it between my fingertips.

  “Sure are. I had them infused with our Mana. Just to play it safe...”

  “That must have cost a fortune!”

  “Nothing is too expensive for you.” Crile smiles at me again.

  “How did you get my Mana?” I glare at him. He gives me a cheeky smile this time and plucks a single hair from a strand on my shoulder.

  “It was either this or a drop of blood. But the blood needs to be fresh – it would have spoiled my surprise if you knew.”

  “You’re unbelievable.” I place my hand on the side of his face and gently brush my thumb just below his eye...

  “So are you. Shall we?” He nods to the Stones.

  “How shall you have me?” I tease him.

  “How do you want it?” He fires back. I gather up my hair and turn my left shoulder to him.

  “This will sting.” He tells me, sliding the blade across the skin.

  “I don’t care.” I close my eyes and let Crile make an incision deep enough to lock the Stone inside the muscle. I hear him rustle for a vial and stop him.

  “Leave the scar.” He seems surprised by that, but not opposed. I take the dagger from him and straddle him.

  “My turn.” I hunch over his left shoulder and cut an x, stabbing the tip in just a bit to make an opening for the Stone. I place it and Crile hands me a piece of clean gauze to press on the wound with just a drop of the potion to stop the bleeding, but not close up the wound completely.

  “Star will be soooo pissed with me once she sees this...” Crile whispers, patching me up the old-fashioned way. I do the same for him and smile.

  “She’ll live with it. It's my body.” I tell him, wrapping myself around him, resting my head on his shoulder. “Say, wasn’t the hair dye in the way for the casting?”

  “Nope. It has no effect.” Crile cuddles up with me and strokes my back. I reach for the dagger again and look around for the sheath. Crile hands it to me over my shoulder. I take it and close the dagger inside it. It dawns on me.

  “Say, this dagger... It wouldn’t have another meaning to it, would it?”

  “What are you talking about?” Crile leans back, to face me.

  “That I am your sheath and you are my dagger?” I bite my lower lip.

  “OOOOHHHH well, that’s a nice bonus point.” Crile’s eyes light up. “But no, I admit – it did not cross my mind when making it.”

  “Speaking of – when did you find the time?”

  “Any chance I could ever since we got here...”

  I put the dagger down and hug Crile again.

  “You know, now that you mentioned it...” I feel Crile’s fingers travel across my thigh...

  “Let me guess, suddenly you want to sheath your dagger?”

  “If the blade fits?” Crile brushes against my inside... I lean back and arch my back. Crile slips in within seconds and we drown in passion again.

  Multiple times.

  All... Till... Dawn...