Page 22 of Culture and Curiosities
That could not be right but it was at least part of it.
Humans had a variety of interesting careers.
His smile and excitement said I was correct in some way and he nearly bounced as he nodded. “I’m a wilderness expert. I take people out into the wild to teach them survival skills or take them places they wouldn’t normally be able to see on their own. This world has a lot of beautiful areas that aren’t easily accessible to humans or mages since they don’t fly.”
He made a thinking sound, slowing momentarily. “Your transportation thing would probably help the mages but I don’t know anyone who can do that here either.”
“I do not mind teaching mages the spells.” It would not be difficult as long as they were strong enough.
“Okay, this has been talked around a few times but you’ve never directly mentioned it.” Giving me what the humans would probably call a skeptical look, he continued. “If I’m asking something rude you need to explain it, but are you a dragon or a mage? I can’t tell.”
Ah.
Yes, I could see why he had come to the conclusion it was what humans called taboo.
“I am both.” When he simply nodded and waited, implying he wanted more information, I felt my own emotions ease. “My mother is a mage and my father is a dragon. There is nothing wrong with asking but the mix is not common on our world.”
It was highly uncommon.
“Some areas here mix more than others but especially now that everyone is bonding right and left lately.” Still swinging my arm, he frowned again. “Do you think the portal being open again is what’s made the magic change?”
“It has changed?” Getting distracted by my mate was going to have dangerous consequences if I continued to forget to ask important questions. “How has it changed?”
Wren shrugged but it indicated not feeling confident because he gave some information. “All I can tell you is the stories that have been passed down, but according to people like my great-grandparents, they said that their oldest relatives had stronger abilities and always found their bonded mates. Always.”
He said that like it was a surprise, but I could not understand.
Our people always found their mates.
“But over the generations that changed. When I was a kid maybe twenty percent of couples were actually mates?” My expression must’ve shown shock because he nodded and his face tightened. “Yeah. Now they’re popping up right and left, though.”
They had gone through entire lives without finding their mate?
“They paired and had families with someone other than their mate?” It was clearly a human influence and necessary based on his assertions, but to go through an entire life missing their other half? “That is something that will take some getting used to, as the diner men say.”
They used that expression often when dealing with topics of sexuality and something they calledkinks.
“You’re allowed to be sad about that or to feel shocked.” My insightful mate squeezed my hand. “There’s no right or wrong way to feel, but it’s something our people got used to. I always hoped for my mate, but I know a lot of people who have been very happy raising families without being mates.”
“I did not know we could have children without being mates.” Did anyone know that? “We…we do not touch as casually as you do here but meeting mates so late in life has probably effected that.”
Human influences were to be considered as well.
“Humans seem to be able to breed with anything.” My mate giggled mischievously. “There are whole genres of books about humans mating and breeding with aliens.”
“I do not have a good response to that.” Humans were fascinating and influenced everything. “You have made me wonder what Klynn has been reading.”
His hoarding of the book tablet was starting to make sense, however.
“Probably lots of fun stuff.” Making another happy sound, he leaned into my shoulder to nuzzle against me before straightening. “Where did you get the ereader?”
“He traded for it along with the cash money humans use as currency.” I should probably question how that exchange had gone as well. “We brought gems and he exchanged the gem for the device and its contents. Something calleda fully stocked library. He simply had to promise that he would not purchase new ones because that would cost the previous owner money.”
Wren laughed. “There is only one person in town who’d trade an ereader full of romance novels for a gem and not think to tell anyone about it. The sparkly dragon. I’ve heard about him.”
Some local dragons stood out more than others.
“I was told he was very nice and provided information on dealing with the locals.” I should have asked more questions, though. “Klynn has spent much time going through the information.”
