Page 117 of Horn in My Side
“Me too.”She pressed her cheek against his chest, and they stood there, arms around each other, just enjoying the moment.It was hard to believe that she’d almost missed out on this.
The last year had been a dream.Sure, there had been some downs, but the ups more than compensated for them.They’d had a few tiffs, but that was understandable considering they spent nearly every moment of the day together.However, they always made up after, specifically with lots and lots of makeup sex.
Jasmine had also officially moved in with Mal a few months ago, though she already spent all her time at his house anyway, so it was more of a formality when he asked her.She loved coming home to a place that was theirs, falling asleep in his arms at night after a vigorous lovemaking session and waking up with his hands all over her, coaxing her in a round of lazy morning sex.
An annoyed chirp interrupted their repose, and impatience snapped at Jasmine.
“Oops.Sorry, Clawdia.”She and Mal disentangled themselves from each other.“We’re in the middle of a training session,” she explained.“Harry said we have to stick to a schedule and routine, or else it’ll throw her off.”
Once the one-year nesting period was up and she could gooutside, Jasmine had started bringing Clawdia to the Housen Hatchery’s dragon-training ranch where Harry himself gave her lessons on further caring for Clawdia.They also worked on controlling her fire, so she wasn’t a danger to anyone or anything.Most recently, once she grew to her full size, they’d begun teaching her how to fly.She was a natural at it, of course, though she’d only flown around an enclosed area.One of the reasons Jasmine agreed to come with Mal to the orc homelands was because, out here, Clawdia could fly through the skies freely.
Mal rubbed at Clawdia’s chin affectionately.“All right.Sorry for taking away your mommy.Why don’t you show me what you’ve learned?”
Jasmine shook the bag of treats strapped to her hip.“Clawdia,” she called.“Heel.”
The dragon sat at her left side, eyes sharp and focused.They went through all her tricks, including a few new ones she had learned to do while flying, like catching a ball Jasmine threw in the air and hovering just above their heads.
“She’s really good at this,” Mal said.“Was that last trick new?”
“Yeah, your relatives taught her that one.”
Since they were in Ghalad-Dur, they spent some time with Morlak’s horde, who lived on their farm not too far from the house the Orc Historical Society had provided for Jasmine and Mal.Just like his mother, Mal’s distant cousins had been warm and welcoming, and she had gone to visit them a couple of times with Clawdia.The fledgling loved spending time there because she got to socialize with other dragons.
“I hope she won’t be too sad when we leave here.”
“We can’t prevent that, but she’ll be fine.”Clawdia was growing into a strong and intelligent dragon, and every day Jasmine could feel their bond strengthen.
“Speaking of home,” Mal began.“How are things at the shop?”
“I spoke to Sophie this morning.She said everything was great.”
Now that Fantastic Tails was actually turning a profit, they could afford to hire one full-time employee and a few extra part-timers when needed.Sophie Martinez was a gem of an assistant manager, and the only reason Jasmine even agreed to leave for a month was because she trusted her so much.“But she did say one of our regulars got a bit snippy when they came by today.Apparently, their pet lindworm was depressed and they wanted me to examine him.”
Oftentimes, previous customers would come to Jasmine, asking her to check why their pet wasn’t eating or sleeping too much or acting out of sorts.While her magic could not heal sick creatures, she could feel if an animal was truly in distress.It made trips to the vet easier, and she loved being able to help the creatures and their owners.
“Clawdia.Come,” Jasmine commanded.“I think we should head back inside.”She sent Mal a small smile.“It’s time.”
They walked hand in hand, Clawdia happily trotting behind them, sniffing at bushes and rocks as they strolled back to the house.Jasmine went to their bedroom, washed off and changed into a long white dress and re-did her braid.When she emerged, Mal was already suited up in a gray tunic shirt and matching long pants.He held a white urn in his hands—Vrig’s ashes.
“Ready?”she asked.
He replied with a grunt and a nod.
The drive to the Victory Fields was short and somberly silent.Once they reached their destination, Mal parked the car in a small, unpaved lot at the bottom of a hill.From there, they hiked up a dirt path worn away by all the orcs who came here to lay their loved ones to rest.Today, there was no one else around, and only the occasional sounds of Clawdia tittering and chirping as she trailed behind them disturbed the tranquility.
When they got to the top, Jasmine looked out and gasped.“It’s beautiful.”
The Victory Fields of Ghalad-Dur spread out before them, like an emerald sea dotted with yellow wildflowers.A strong breeze blew by, sending the blades of grass rippling and shimmering and dancing.The greenery seemed to stretch on forever and ever, disappearing into the distance.
“This is where our ancestors celebrated all their conquests and triumphs, back when the world was young,” Mal began.“As we transformed and evolved as a species, this place became a place to commemorate and honor those who have gone before us, not just the ones who fought and conquered, but also those who drove us toward a path of peace and prosperity.”
“I think Vrig will be very happy to rest here,” Jasmine whispered, her throat tight with tears.The grief of losing her friend hadn’t gone away, and it never would, but that was what happened when someone you loved passed.
“He’ll be joining his ancestors, his parents, and my father.”Mal opened the urn and poured its contents out, the fine gray ash raining down on the verdant carpet.The dust scattered, carried away by a passing breeze over the field, before drifting down to become one with the earth.
They stood there in silence, watching the sun slowly dip behind the hills, washing the clouds overhead with the pink and orange hues of sunset.Jasmine could stay here forever, except Clawdia’s excited chitters told her it was time to go.
“Someone’s impatient for dinner.”She frowned.“Hmm ...that’s weird.”
