624 Winter Whimsy Part 2 (1/2)

”215.” Raina replied and Kyera shook her head.

”Not possible. There are 218. You are not counting Ember, Ivory, or Tempest.” Kyera pointed out with a gentle smile. She could see the wheels working in Raina's head.

”Why couldn't there be 215?” Raina asked and Kyera glowed with appreciation for her young daughter.

”You are very bright young one.” A dragon spoke as it stepped out of a large nest at the center of the room. All the baby dragons ran to her and nuzzled and chirped in excitement at the elder. She was pale lavender, as if her scales were weathered, and her wings sagged slightly as if too tired to hold high above her back. She was beautiful but everything about her was Old. ”You see, Dragons can never be in odd numbers. We are born as pairs, and die as pairs.”

”Elder Winter Wyn, I am honored to see you again.” Kyera bowed to the elder dragon, and the Storm Twins followed suit.

”And I you, Queen of the Storm. Is this our Storm King and his Princess?” Winter Wyn asked as she glanced at the pair with her faded blue eyes.

”Yes, Your Ladyship.” Raina offered with a curtsey.

”No, dear child, I am no lady. Dragons do not use such silly titles. I am simply Grandma or Elder.” Winter Wyn replied soothingly. Her old voice loving even with its rougher texture.

”Grandmother Winter Wyn, I have heard the heart song of Raina… I have accepted her as my charge.” Tempest Explained and the Elder cracked what could only be called a smile.

”Beautiful. Welcome to the family, Raina. I assume you are here for the dragon secrets?” The Elder addressed Raina directly. Kyera smiled and Raina nodded.

”I suppose so, Mother?” Raina looked at Kyera as did the Elder.

”Yes Elder, I wish for Raina to know the truth before she meets Tempest's Pair.” Kyera agreed and Winter Wyn nodded.

”Then I shall tell you.” Winter Wyn replied thoughtfully. ”You see, Raina, Dragons are not simple flesh and blood creatures. We are beings of powerful magic. That magic is too dangerous to be contained by one mind. Take the storm twins. Ivory of clouds and Ember of Wind. The pair together become storms that can destroy worlds, just imagine what they can do to cities? However, I dare say, no one around here has to imagine.” A sharp glance was spared for the storm twins who avoided Winter Wyn's eyes by playing with a group of dragonlings.