Chosen by the Beasts, Claimed by the Dragon-Chapter 28: Progressive

— ZORYN —

We experienced one case of the disease in our Clan during my lifetime, and it’s an awful thing to witness. Although it starts with their organs, eventually, they turn entirely into crystal, from the inside out. It’s excruciating for the person.

"There is no cure," Sylas says after a moment of pause. Being the mischievous asshole he is, he waits until Ashen’s face falls in disappointment before he speaks again. He adds wistfully, "However, there are three different concoctions I can think of that, when used together, ease the patient’s pain and give them energy despite the organ failure."

Ashen’s ears perk up immediately, "Seriously?"

Sylas nods once, the movement slow and graceful. "Indeed."

Roan raises a brow at the serpent, "So, like... are you going to tell him what the meds are or what?"

"Most of the reagents are either rare or extinct—but we might be able to recreate them," Sylas answers, slowly turning his gaze back to me. "Your father or your mate might know about them."

Oh, shit. Right, yeah, I guess he’s my mate, and it’s super obvious now. Guess there’s no reason to be weird about it, right? I ask, "Could you write it down or something, then? I’ll ask them about it."

Sylas regards me for a moment, "Sure, I’ll wr—"

"MATE? Zor... you... you got married without telling me?" Roan laments loudly, cutting Sylas off. "I thought we were best friends..."

"Of course, we’re best friends, Roan," I pat him on the back. "I didn’t get married—only mates. It kinda just happened last night, so I didn’t have time to tell you first."

Roan’s brown eyes soften slightly, but there’s an unmistakable sadness in them, "Close call, I was about to get mad at you for real."

"Already?" Ashen is taken aback as well, but he sighs and shakes his head—"Well, whatever. If you’re able to help, that would be amazing."

Sylas, irritated by their outburst, rolls his eyes. "Yes. I’ll get it to you as soon as possible." He looks at me, "Next time you summon me, can it at least be something fun?"

"Like what?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. "We’re going home in a few days. I don’t think you’ll want me to summon you all the way to the bear territory."

"Dancing, stargazing, shopping, napping... kissing, perhaps." The serpent speaks in a low, smooth tone. "It matters not where," Sylas adds, staring into my eyes with that hypnotic emerald gaze. "I have a rune written at home and can return anytime—well, once a day. So just don’t do it twice," he chuckles.

"Dude, you just pointed out she has a mate, but you’re immediately flirting again?" Ashen balks. "What’s wrong with you, man?"

Sylas sighs again—he does it a lot—and looks at Ashen with a pitying expression. "Having a mate doesn’t mean she can’t have lovers," he says to the wolf.

"...Lovers? Plural?" Ashen is completely aghast.

"Obviously." Sylas clicks his tongue, "Why should the only awakened beastwoman in the world be bound to one person? It seems awfully unfair to all of us, and to her, if you ask me."

Roan brings his hand to his chin thoughtfully and nods, "I think that makes sense. She should do what she wants."

"There’s no way Zarenien would be okay with that," Ashen says, then he looks at me, a somewhat hopeful look in his stormy eyes. "...Would he?"

I think back to last night and remember my mate’s words.

"You cannot let anyone inside you. I don’t care about others; you can be a little intimate with them, but I’m the only one who can penetrate you, and the one who holds your heart. That is my one rule."

Ren actually addressed this exact situation already—he’s got pretty impressive foresight, huh? Speaking of Ren, though... I can sense him somewhere nearby. I wonder what he’s doing?

"He’s cool with it," I say with a shrug. "Sort of."

Sylas perks up a little, intrigued, "You discussed it already? Also... what does ’sort of’ entail?"

I begin to explain, "He said—"

"That I do not care if she is intimate with others as long as they do not penetrate her," comes a familiar voice from behind me. He doesn’t mention the part where he said he wants to be the only one who holds my heart.

Everyone turns to look as Ren approaches, no one having sensed him coming besides me. He’s dressed in traditional dragon garb—shirtless, with leather pants embroidered with dragonscale thread, adorned with jewels of every kind. His long hair is tied into a thick braid that swings over his shoulder, falling to his waist and tickling the skin of his stomach as he walks.

"That is the only rule I have for you parasites—be sure not to break it, or I’ll castrate you and feed it to you," Ren adds with a smile.

Isn’t it a little weird to talk about, like, having sex with people when we’re in public?

...Meh, whatever. Roan and the guys used to talk about their sex lives all the time, so it’s probably not a big deal. What’s there to be embarrassed about, anyway?

Ashen is staring at Ren like he had grown another head, "Seriously? You’ll just share your mate like that?"

Ren narrows his eyes, "I’m not sharing anything. She is mine, but she is allowed to do as she pleases. I’m her mate, not a jailor."

"I’ll take it," Sylas says instantly, which earns him a glare.

"Except you," Ren growls. "Don’t be near her."

"You don’t have a say, my lord," the serpent snickers. "But, if the lady ever tells me she doesn’t like my advances, I will oblige her. Fret not, I’ll never please her without consent."

Ren’s jaw ticks, but he glances at me and sighs, falling silent, only for Roan to break the quiet instantly.

"Zor, you could make a harem, and then they can all keep each other company," he says, as if it’s a big revelation.

Sylas raises a curious brow, but his smile is suggestive, "Keep each other company? Are you suggesting that there would be some kind of... polycule?"

Roan nods, "I don’t know what a polycule is, but if you mean a marriage between like ten people, then yeah."

He’s kind of making a point right now, honestly... wouldn’t it be nice if I could just keep all of my favorite people in one spot and they all be friends... or lovers, when I’m busy?

...Why am I even thinking like that? What am I, a human king with a bunch of concubines? How dumb is that?

But that dream I had... all of the connecting threads...

...Ugh, there’s a lot more going on here than just me being a girl. I have this creeping sense of unease whenever I think beyond my immediate future.

"My harem organization will have to be postponed again until after Moonfall. Right now, I wanna wash up—my wounds are full of dirt," I say, stretching my arms a bit, wincing when I feel the sting of my cuts moving.

"...Right," Ashen says, nodding respectfully. "Thanks again, and well done today. See you later."

Sylas casually takes my hand and presses a brief kiss to my knuckles, the pressure light and ticklish. "Later, love. Your victory was incredibly sexy, by the way." He doesn’t give me time to respond, turning and leaving without ceremony.

I turn to Roan, "Let’s go." Then I glance at Ren, "Are you coming along?"

"I have to prepare a few things for you tonight. I just came to tell you that you’re the greatest champion I’ve seen. Congratulations on your much-predicted victory," Ren answers. He adds, quieter, "And that you look really hot when you’re in battle. I think I could watch you beat the shit out of people all day."

"Thanks," I smirk, "Don’t forget what I said I’d do after I won. I’ll do it later."

Ren chuckles, the sound sending heat into my belly. He whispers, "I couldn’t forget. My tongue is awfully lonely, Zoryn. I’m looking forward to you fixing that."

"Good," I say confidently, "Then I’ll see you later."

"Mn. Rest up," he nods, then disappears again in a cloud of reddish smoke.

...That man is going to get in trouble with the elders, for sure. He’s a repeat offender at this point! At least I only broke a rule one time, not, like, five.

Roan and I start walking again, but he’s a little quieter than usual. He and I are similar in that we don’t overthink things, and that we always take the simpler routes in life... so it’s rare to see him so deep in thought.

I elbow him in the side, "Hey, what’s wrong with you?"

He laughs a little, but he doesn’t try to lie. I appreciate that about him. He admits, "I’m feeling like... You suddenly don’t need me anymore. It makes me a little sad."

"Hey..." I frown, "You’re my partner in crime. You grew up with me, and no one knows me like you. I’d starve to death without you!"

Roan’s spirits seem lifted a little, "I know it’s silly. It’s just, ever since yesterday, I have this unsettling feeling that you’re going to have to leave home soon, and you’ll leave me behind."

I gasp, "What the hell? If I’m leaving home, you have to come with me!" I sigh, though, and tell him the truth, "I’ve been having a similar feeling... but never once did I think I’d abandon you."

"Really?" he asks, his eyes turning into happy half moons as he smiles.

"Obviously, dumbass," I click my tongue at him. "Never slander me like that again! I would never leave my bear sidekick alone."

"Alright, alright," Roan laughs. "Sorry."

Okay, now I think I’ve averted, like, 5 separate crises on the way to our tent, I’m finally ready to actually get washed up.