Ch 27- Covenant

Casey sat up straight and kept his eyes focused on the door leading out of the study. His excitement couldn't be masked as he anticipated the arrival of his first tutor. Aki and Sitka decided the first thing he should learn is the history of their dragon race. As the door slowly creaked open Casey watched as an elegant-looking middle-aged man lightly walked in. Casey stood up ready to get him, however, the other reacted even faster than him though.

Sern kneeled down on one knee and grasped Casey's outstretched hand. "Your highness it is truly an honor that I get to be your teacher". The man looked up and gave Casey a gentle smile "my name is Sern and I'll be guiding you in the future".

Casey nodded and hurriedly helped the other to stand up "nice to meet you Sern, you can just call me Casey. I look forward to learning from you".

Sern clenched his fists and tears almost appeared in his eyes "how could I call the great future monarch by name. How insolent would I be?".

Casey stared at the other dumbly and scratched the back of his head "I don't feel comfortable with such formal addresses, they don't suit me". Sern's expression turned firm and he spoke harshly "you must not say that, highness. You will be at the top of our race, the respect and prestige are a matter of course. You shouldn't reject me, take this as training for the day you fully inherit your royal powers and position". Casey really didn't want to fight with his instructor so he just gave a hesitant nod and avoided the topic. Seeing his concession Sern clapped his hands "Great! Now then let us get your lessons started".

Aside from a lunch break in between Casey and Sern sat studying for eight straight hours. Casey felt dizzy from all the words and pictures that had flashed before him in one day. Sern saw his confused face and smirked: "now your highness our lesson ends here. Here is your homework assignment for today, only two pages worth, I'm quite generous, aren't I?".

Casey who just managed to breathe a sigh of relief heard Sern's words and his eyes widened as big as saucers. "Homework?".

"Of course! It'll help you memorize everything we've gone over". Although Sern was very respectful to Casey and seemed gentlemanly, Casey realized he was actually a deviant tyrant when it came to learning.

Casey's expression slowly crumbled to one of despair, Sern gave him a blinding smile and stood up. Sern bowed respectfully "I can't wait to check your homework tomorrow. Have a good rest tonight your highness". Casey helplessly watched as Sern basically skipped away with floating steps.

Casey was starting to not look forward to his future lessons anymore, so one deflated silver dragon stayed at his desk and started going through his perverted amount of homework. Casey's tortuous days of classes and homework continued like this for two weeks. Thankfully Alec joined in his lessons to help keep Casey's morale up (or rather to get closer to him).

As the days passed with Sern and Alec; Casey's memorization and ability to grasp important points soared. Along with that, the homework that was originally extremely troublesome became easy for Casey and took him no time at all. Even Sern marveled at Casey's constant improvement and couldn't help but admire his future monarch even more.

Casey also grew more used to Alec and the two could be considered good friends now. Alec was very pleased with their relationship growth and today he decided to pay a visit to Aki and Sitka. Alec stood outside the office door and took in a slight breath before knocking lightly.

"Come in".

Alec slowly pushed the door open and Aki looked a bit surprised seeing him at the entrance. "What can I do for you Alec?".

"Uncle…. Isn't it about time we told Casey about the marriage covenant? We've gotten a lot closer, however seeing how he interacts and treats Mac I can't help but feel worried about the future".

Aki stared at Alec and considered his words for a moment and sighed, he felt the same way as Alec. He deliberated over the matter and finally asked Alec to send Casey in.

Alec basically skipped out of the room in excitement, and Aki helplessly watched him leave. He then opened his communicator and called Sitka "I'm going to tell Casey about the marriage covenant".

Sitka was stunned by the suddenness of the matter "are you sure? Do you think he's ready?".

Aki pinched the bridge of his nose "not entirely no, however the relationship between the two is getting better and better. Casey has also adapted well but he's still acting too closely with that Shera. So I think it's better to come out and tell him his situation sooner rather than later".

"Well if that's how you feel then I completely standby your choice and support your decision". Aki nodded and smiled lightly at his partner and was only about to cut off their call when he heard a soft knock on the door. "Don't hang up! Let me listen in on the conversation". Aki nodded and muted his partner's ability to speak on the call.

Aki inhaled a deep breath and said in a low voice "come in".

Casey's head poked out from behind the door "Alec said you called for me?".

Aki nodded and stood up, he pointed at the chair opposite of him "sit down".

Casey obediently walked over and sat in front of his dad. "Do you know what a marriage covenant is?".

Casey thought deeply for a moment before shaking his head. Aki sighed and began to explain.

"A marriage covenant is a holy arrangement approved by the Gods. For our dragon race, it is a covenant that is exchanged between two dragons normally at hatching or while still in the egg. Sometimes when eggs are born they resonate with another dragon egg. The whole process is very mystical and no one knows quite how it happens as it's ordained by our Gods. When the gods bestow the covenant both eggs will glow and a special matching mark will be left of the dragons involved".

Casey was initially puzzled by the abrupt topic and conversation however after listening he found it very interesting. "Sounds pretty amazing and romantic" Casey gave a small grin as he listened to Aki's explanation.

Aki however didn't smile as he continued his explanation "because marriage covenants are gifted by the Gods they are the only ones who can rescind and break the covenant. If the parties in a covenant betray their destined partner the Gods will punish them accordingly".

"Mm retribution from the Gods? That sounds a bit scary".

"Casey can you change to your small dragon form?".

Aki had naturally seen Alec's covenant mark, it was located on the back of his neck in dragon form. Casey looked at his dad with a puzzled expression but did as he was told. A small silver dragon sat obediently on the chair and Aki walked over and glanced lightly. Sure enough, a small rune sat on the back of Casey's neck. Aki raised his terminal and took a picture then showed it to Casey.

"This rune is the symbol of your marriage covenant".

Casey froze as he stared at the small symbol on his neck in the picture. "I have a marriage covenant?". Aki gave him a light nod, Casey's whole dragon felt like it had fallen into ice he processed the situation and asked lightly. "With who?".

Aki gave him a knowing look "can't you tell and feel it for yourself already?".

Casey mulled over Aki's words and suddenly had an epiphany; he whipped his head over.

"Alec?". Aki nodded again.

"But.... he's a man?", Casey said hesitantly. Aki stared blankly at his silly cub and for a moment had no words to describe his mood.

"And? Aren't your father and I both males?".

Casey looked up "mmm, that seems to be the case?". Aki held his head in frustration, go to Sern and tell him to teach you about dragon's reproductive means and habits. After you've learned come back and we'll talk more about the covenant.

Casey felt very wronged and lost he sullenly walked back to Sern. Alec had been watching Casey since he entered the study, seeing his sullen face Alec didn't feel too good.

"Sern dad says you need to teach me about dragon's reproductive tendencies".

Both Sern and Alec froze and looked at Casey incredulously "you don't know?". Casey shook his head, Sern glanced at Alec and started explaining seriously.

"While dragons have both male and female there isn't much distinction between the two as both male and female can lay eggs. The dominant and submissive party in the relationship is decided by the couple. Either willingly or if neither one wants to be submissive then it's decided by dueling. Although not very common if a dragon picks a mate from another race they tend to be the submissive party and take on the childbearing responsibility in the couple, the birth rate between interracial couples, however, is extremely low. Because of the ability of both sexes to reproduce, dragons have no qualms about making their mate whoever pleases them. Dragons normally only have one mate for life, we are a loyal species. Dragons have a special method of bonding or imprinting with our selected mate. Bonding is a spiritual ritual held between the two parties allowing them to be completely and deeply connected. Those who are bonded can feel the other party's emotions and even can vaguely tell how far away the other is. When their bonded mate passes they would know immediately and many such partners pass away shortly after due to heartache. Bonding is the ultimate form of love our race has and almost all dragon couples decide to go through with it, we can only bond once in our lives and it is impossible to erase the bond unless the other dies. If a bonded dragon tried to have any relations with another party both will experience intense pain in their spiritual realm. As I said almost all dragons bond with their selected mate, typically the only exception is dragons who select a mate who is a different race. As not all races can handle such a heavy love and connection. That should be all the basics you need to know".

Casey finally spoke after mulling over everything "dragons are a very romantic race". Both Alec and Sern smiled at his words "that's right".

Casey glanced at Alec and blushed a little, he then hesitantly opened his mouth. "Alec can you change to your small dragon form?". Alec nodded enthusiastically and *poof* a small golden dragon trotted over to Casey. Casey reached his hands out and picked up Alec, he turned him around and spotted the same small rune on Alec's neck. Casey's face felt hot, he turned bright red and put Alec down.

"I'll be back!" He shouted these words and ran back to Aki.

"Do you understand now?". Aki asked with a rather flat tone.

"Yes… does that mean I have to be Alec's mate?".

Aki nodded his head "unless you want to receive divine punishment yes. There are records of the Gods rescinding their covenants before, but no one knows how or why they took them back. If you're really against the covenant maybe you can go to the temple and try to pray to the Gods. The odds of it being taken back though are incredibly slim".

Casey nodded " I think I need to be alone and digest everything". Aki stood up and went to hug Casey and rub his head. "If you have any questions or concerns you can always come to your father and me". Aki awkwardly kissed his cub's hair and sent him back to his room.

Casey walked slowly he was dazed pondering over the matter 'basically I'm engaged already'. Casey's face burned red. Casey decided he'd just see how he and Alec get along and if things develop well he'd just leave the covenant be. However, if he can't find the right feeling then he'd go to the temple, Casey felt this was the best course of action for now. He slowly went back to his room and laid on the bed lazily trying to swallow everything he'd learned.