Page 11 of Dragon Valley
I looked pointedly at Azel. “I agree. The knowledge is going to come out sooner or later. The other clans are already whispering about it.”
“Forgive me for asking, but how does Chiefdom work with your people?” Caden asked. “You’re his son, correct? Does that mean you’re next in line?”
“Yes, but that alone does not mean I will earn the title,” Azel said. “I have to go through a trial to prove myself to the Dragon God and my people that I’m worthy of leading.” He draped a heavy arm across my shoulders. “And I have to find my first wife, which I’ve already done. Nadi just has to agree.”
“Hah, don’t make me laugh!” I jabbed him hard in the ribs, which made him plant his palm over my face and we ensued in a mock battle to push each other into the fire.
Even though we engaged in this horseplay since we were toddlers, I couldn’t shake that his hands on me felt new and strange.
Caden however, seemed distracted by Azel’s choice of words.
“First wife?”
“Yes,” Azel replied casually, his arm around my neck in a headlock. “Most men in the valley have at least three wives, some up to five or six. It’s often thought to be the best situation for raising children.”
“Just because that’s what the elders thought doesn’t make it true.” I jabbed a few playful punches to Azel’s kidney, causing him to yelp and finally let go of me.
“What’s your solution then, Miss Nadiyah?” Caden asked. His blue eyes took a yellowish-orange flicker from the reflection of the fire.
I thought for a moment, helping myself to a swig of mead from the jug.
“It should be reversed. Women should have multiple husbands,” I smirked, feeling the pleasant effects of the drink. “Children need nurturing yes, but also strong protectors when they’re young. It would work in your world too, Caden! The legitimacy of the children would never be questioned because they would always be born from the same woman.”
“You have a point,” he agreed, chuckling. “But it would never happen. Men are too possessive in both of our worlds, I think.”
“You can’t possess what never belonged to you in the first place,” I remarked.
Those blue eyes remained fixated on me, his shyness dissipating and replaced with pure curiosity. Who knew if it was because of the drink or if he was just that eager to learn about our ways of life.
“So you’re not taken by anyone, Nadiyah? What’s your story?”
“I belong to no one but the sky,” I answered proudly. “My story’s a simple one. I was born to see the world from the back of a dragon, so I became a Rider. That automatically makes me less desirable for marriage because men like their women weak and submissive. I’m neither of those things.”
“Not all men are like that,” Azel growled softly, his hazel eyes lingering on me. “Some of us value strong women. They’ll give birth to strong children. Not all of us are interested in multiple wives either.”
I shot him an exasperated look. Why drop these little hintsnow? Would he ever just be straight with me about what he wanted?
Caden’s eyes darted between us, clearly putting pieces together in his brain.
“I take it there aren’t many female Riders?” he asked.
“Azaria and I are the only two in our clan, currently,” I answered. “Other clans only have one or two. Our histories are full of warrior queens and the most powerful woman Riders. But my mother was the first female to Ride in centuries.”
“Was?”
“She was killed,” I said, returning his gaze squarely. “By an outsider who tried to trespass into the valley and take home a dragon trophy. Her dragon died as well weeks later, because the bond to his Rider was severed. That spineless bastard outsider thankfully went home empty-handed. If he made it home at all.”
Caden’s mouth pressed into a thin line and he turned to look at the fire.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said stiffly.
I shrugged. “I had just been born when it happened so I have no memory of her. Just stories about her and a few of her belongings.” I helped myself to another drink, just then realizing I hadn’t asked Caden any questions about himself. “What about you? What’s your story?”
I passed the mead jug over to him, which he accepted and drank deeply.
“There isn’t much of one before the war began,” he said softly. “I came from a family of farmers. Mainly fruit. Apples, berries, citrus, that sort of thing. That raspberry wine was the last from our fields.”
“Really?” my eyes widened, genuinely impressed. “That was delicious! I would love to get more of that in the valley. Maybe even that tea you brought, too.” I turned to Azel, slapping his leg. “You see?Thisis why we should trade with outsiders!”
