Drakonis

New Family

We all gathered around a grand table, the room alive with the chatter of the king's clan. The meal was an elaborate spread, with a variety of dishes that smelled and looked incredible. The atmosphere was lively, with the clinking of cutlery and bursts of laughter filling the air.

"Best meal of my life!" Eli exclaimed, his enthusiasm evident as he dug into his food with glee.

"I agree, brother!" Uhroh laughed, his own eating style just as enthusiastic. They were enjoying the feast like two very hungry animals.

"Thank you for inviting us tonight," my mother said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. The queen smiled warmly at her.

"You are our guests. We welcome you," the queen replied graciously. She then turned to my mother with a concerned look. "How have you been feeling lately?"

My mother's smile softened as she answered, "Much better after the medicine you gave me." I looked at her, puzzled, as I hadn't known she had been unwell.

Nymara sat across from me, next to her brother, while I was flanked by Uhroh and Elia. Despite the chaos around us, I found myself unable to take my eyes off Nymara. She ate with such grace and poise, every movement deliberate and elegant. The contrast between her composed demeanor and the boisterous atmosphere was striking.

"If you stare any longer, I think I'll puke," Uhroh whispered in my ear, startling me. I snapped my head to him, my face flushing with embarrassment.

"Shut up," I muttered, trying to hide my flustered expression. "You're making it worse."

Uhroh grinned mischievously, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Just saying, you've been practically hypnotized by her all night. It's kinda funny."

I rolled my eyes, trying to focus on my meal while stealing occasional glances at Nymara. She caught my eye a few times and offered a gentle smile, which made my heart skip a beat.

"So your boys, Vorian, are they warriors like yourself?" the king asked, his eyes twinkling with interest.

Uhroh and I exchanged smirks, knowing how to answer that. "Semi... Uhroh is top of his class back home, and Loran is following behind his brother well. Eli is top of his class as well, and my niece Ashley is very skilled herself," my father said proudly, and we all smiled at the compliment.

"Nestor is the top of his class," Nymara added, her voice filled with pride. Her brother smirked, clearly enjoying the recognition.

"Well, when your father is king, many tend to be scared," the king chuckled, and we all laughed along with him.

"What about you, Nymara?" my mother asked, turning her attention to the young girl. Nymara's face lit up with a bright smile.

"Well, our Nymara isn't a fighter exactly," her mother began, her tone gentle but firm. "She has duties here in the kingdom," she added, a hint of pride in her voice.

"So you don't ride like the warriors?" Uhroh asked, puzzled by the idea.

"I—" Nymara started to explain, but her father interrupted with a chuckle.

"Nymara is a princess; it's considered unladylike for her to ride so aggressively," he said with a warm laugh.

"She stays on the ground where it is safe," Kairos added, his tone light but carrying a hint of mockery. His eyes flickered toward Nymara, as if teasing her for not participating in the more rugged aspects of their culture.

Nymara's cheeks flushed slightly, but she managed to maintain her composure. "I'm more involved in the administrative and diplomatic duties of the kingdom," she said, her voice steady. "There's much to be done in maintaining our relations and ensuring the smooth running of things here."

Her family's protectiveness was evident in their words and actions. They seemed to shelter her from the more dangerous or demanding aspects of their world, choosing to emphasize her role in the kingdom's governance rather than physical prowess.

As we continued to chat and enjoy the meal, I couldn't help but notice how Nymara's family hovered around her with a sense of care and guardianship. It was clear they valued her safety and well-being above all, even if it meant she was somewhat sheltered from the more physical demands of their culture.

Despite their protectiveness, Nymara's grace and poise shone through, and I admired her all the more for it. The way she handled herself, even amidst teasing and the expectations placed upon her, only deepened my interest. And although her family's sheltering was clear, it only made me more determined to understand her and the world she lived in.

Dinner ended soon, and we all headed back to our quarters. Nestor approached Uhroh and me with a smirk that promised adventure. "A few of us are heading out for a ride. You two should come along," he said, his excitement barely contained.

I looked at Uhroh, who seemed almost too eager. "Are you sure about this? We don't even know how to ride a dragon," I said, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach.

Uhroh, however, was brimming with confidence. "I'd love to," he replied with a grin. "It's a chance to learn and experience something new. We can figure it out tonight."

Before I could voice my doubts further, Uhroh was already following Nestor, leaving me no choice but to scramble after them. My nerves were on edge as we reached the dragon pens. The massive dragons were being prepared, and I felt my apprehension grow with each passing moment.

The dragons seemed to sense our anxiety, shifting restlessly as we approached. Nestor and his friends were already mounted and ready to go. With a final deep breath, I climbed onto one of the dragons, my legs trembling.

As we took off, the initial rush of flying was exhilarating, but it quickly became overwhelming. The dragon's movements were unpredictable, and I struggled to keep my balance. My grip on the reins was tenuous at best, and the wind whipped past my face, making it hard to think.

Suddenly, I felt myself losing my grip. The dragon banked sharply, and I began to slip. Just as I was about to lose my balance completely, I heard a shout.

"Hold on!" Nymara's voice cut through the chaos. She had managed to maneuver her dragon next to mine and reached out, grabbing my arm with surprising strength. Her presence was a beacon of calm amidst the tumult.

With her help, I managed to regain my balance. "Thanks! I didn't think I'd be this bad at it!" I shouted over the wind.

Nymara offered a reassuring smile. "You're doing better than you think. Just stay with me, and you'll be fine."

We continued to fly, with Nymara guiding me through the maneuvering. Her confidence and skill helped me feel more secure, and I slowly started to enjoy the ride. The view from the dragon's back was breathtaking, and the adrenaline rush was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

Eventually, we approached a small island that was bustling with activity. As we landed, I saw that it was a popular hangout spot for the teenage members of the Drakonis clan. The island was vibrant with music, laughter, and the glow of bonfires. It was a place where they gathered to relax and party.

"Welcome to our favorite spot!" Nestor announced with a grin. "This is where we come to unwind and have fun."

The energy of the island was infectious. The teenagers were dancing, playing games, and enjoying the evening. The atmosphere was relaxed and carefree, a stark contrast to the rigorous training and formalities of the Drakonis stronghold.

Nymara dismounted her dragon with ease and walked over to me. "We have to practice your riding more" she joked, her eyes sparkling.

"Yeah," I admitted, still catching my breath. Looking around I was in awe with the shore line beach. "This place is amazing" I spoke watching fireflies dance around.

Nymara smiled warmly. "I'm glad you like it. It's one of the few times we get to let loose and just be ourselves."

As we mingled with the crowd, I noticed Nymara's ease and comfort in the setting. She moved through the crowd with grace, chatting and laughing with friends. Her presence was magnetic, and I found myself drawn to her more than ever.