Finally Free

Two days of awful medicine and being stuck in bed sucked. Orpheus came every day but was always turned away by Vince. I expected him to push his way through but when Vince reminded him who the doctor was he huffed and left.

Ranald came by but only to ask how I was doing. Vince told him I was fine and he didn't need the pestering of my mates interrupting his work. What work he spoke of I had no clue because he gave me a glass of medicine in the morning and then left me in the darkroom alone. What he did outside it I couldn't see threw the fur curtain.

I think I would have gone crazy with boredom I don't have my dragon to talk to. She was quite talkative and had the basic knowledge my mom's dragon had passed down. Things like how spirit energy worked, mating, laws, shifting, and hunting. Only things needed for everyday life in this world but nothing more.

When I asked about the shift she had told me "When it's time we will need to find a large open area. You will be growing quite big and we wouldn't want things in the way. Fair warning the first time will be incredibly painful but after the third or fourth it will start feeling more like cool water rushing over you." I have never been much of a pain person. It's kinda why I chose to get good at fighting so I could prevent myself from getting hurt. I am kinda prone to fight before flight which got me my fair share of bumps and bruises. Never stopped me from standing up for myself though.

I also learned that dragons are wanted so badly because of their mating cycle. Turns out while other females can only get pregnant once a year, dragons can twelve times a year. Oh and pregnancies only last 2 weeks here. Oh and let's not get started on how many babies a female normally pops out. Turns out the only reason I am an only child is because my mom's body couldn't get enough spirit energy to sustain all her offspring. I am just glad to be the lucky one. I would have loved having siblings though. I guess it's another reason to hate those dragon hungry men.

Day three came and 'Doctor' Vince finally said I could get out of bed. It took me less than two seconds to jump up and run out that door. I didn't stop till I was at Ayame's door. I ran right into Orpheus who caught me in a hug. He nuzzled into my neck as I giggled. "Nice to see you too."

He didn't let me go as he whispered "I can't wait to get you home." The way he said it sent shivers down my spine remembering what could happen once we got there.

At that moment Ranald popped his head out the door smiling. "I think Orpheus speaks for us both." He stumbled out the door as Ayame walked out poking her with her cane. "Hey watch where you poke that thing. My sides are going to get holes in them!" Ranald rubbed his side while he whined.

"I swear all the men in this village are just a bunch of whiny cubs." She turned to me pushing Orpheus aside to give me a hug of her own. "It's good to see you up and about again dear. I don't know how much longer I could have stood there mopping around the house. Even Jack's been coming by every hour to see if you were up yet." She shook her head with a small smile. "I will be glad to have my peace and quiet in my home again."

I laughed "You heard her boys, let's get out of her hair." I winked at Ayame "Sorry you had to deal with these two for so long. I will make sure to scold them later."

"Hey, It was not all sunshine and rainbows for us either. Don't let her leave out the part where she put us to work cutting wood and hunting for her. She basically turned me into her errand boy." Ranald whined as Orpheus just shrugged.

"It's the least we could do after she let us stay. She could have just set us all the way back home." Orpheus pointed out.

"Whatever you say man." Ranald threw his hands in the air as we all laughed. I was glad to see his first impression was not the real him. Turns out he wasn't such a bad guy.

Orpheus tried to scoop me up as we said goodbye to Ayame but I twisted away. "Now I've been stuck in bed for days. No way are you carrying me home. This girl needs to stretch her legs and no one is stopping her." I pointed my thumb at my chest before turning away from a pouting Orpheus and laughing Ranald. They both fell in next to me as we headed home.

Ranald tried to hold my right hand but Orpheus grabbed my left and pulled me away. I rolled my eyes at his possessiveness. Ranald just brushed it off and continued to talk about everything that went down while I was imprisoned in bed. "This guy over here would not sit still for a second. I think Ayame was about to knock him out just to get him to stop wearing down her floors." He reached around me and poked Orpheus in the shoulder. "I almost knocked him out myself every time he whined about Vince when the guy was doing more for you than us. Kept telling us he had no right to keep him as your mate away. I think he forgets I am going to be yours soon too" He grabbed my hand and pointed his chin as if to say 'and nothing you can do about it'. With Orpheus's personality, I am surprised a fight had not broken out between them in the last few days. At least they were no longer looking at each other like mortal enemies. They bickered with Ranald doing most of the talking all the way home.