The Rebellious Mate

12(ii) The Rejected Dragon

A concerned Calek stared at him.

Drach shrugged. "I noticed flashes of this brusqueness when she spoke her mind, which wasn't often. When I pushed, she retaliated by humoring me, by promising me a second meeting. But when she defended her friend or the counselor threatened her..."

"Who is this Duma?"

"He's homosexual." If he wasn't, Drach wouldn't tolerate her closeness with an unrelated male. "It is interesting how different she is with him."

He replayed a disturbing snippet for Calek's benefit.

"You love Duma too!" shrieked the youngling.

"What's love got to do with anything?" Disdain tainted Asena's muffled reply.

He paused the audio file. "What's your take for that morsel?"

"His affectionate declaration irritated yet distressed her. It's as if she's nursing a broken heart."

So Calek arrived at the same conclusion as him.

Drach yearned to gather her in his arms until the underlying pain that evoked such misery disappeared.

"It's adorable how she stood up for him, but... he's unsuitable."

A week ago, he'd have agreed with Calek. "Aren't you bisexual?" His brother's hypocrisy baffled him.

"But that won't prevent me from fathering as many clutches as possible."

"Hush your regressive opinions. They're close—" he nudged the touch screen.

"Who upset you? Tell Duma. Duma remove his head from neck." The yip in the male's voice indicated canine descent, and the report clarified further. Duma was a hyenoid.

A wistful Asena replied, 'He invited me to a beautiful venue, fed me delicious food, and showered me with amazing gifts but is very much a spider. It was a 'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the Spider to the Fly. 'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair. And I have many curious things to shew when you are there.' scenario.' Her tone hardened with certainty. 'Moggie is too smart to fall for that trap.'

"So she's a modern female. Pity," Calek bellyached.

"And well read, too. How? Some of her beliefs are radical... Now for the shocker."

'But here is some unsolicited advice. If you have fine tastes, reach a position to afford them. You should learn a skill or a few; study so you find employment. Earn and save every month. Don't be blinded by the glamor of all a mate can provide. Remember, when his generosity dries out, you'll have to stand on your own two feet.' Asena's gentle concern was a warm breeze on a sunny afternoon.

"So she hankers for a career. As what? As if you'd object to that concession. Heck, you'd compromise, yes? Not that it'd matter, she'd never want for anything."

"It's worse than that," Drach said.

'What if they get bored of you? Or you of them? Or they discard you for another? What if they're nasty to you? Can you leave and manage on your own? Prepare for the worst-case scenarios. For now, pick up a hobby and a high school diploma,' Asena said with utmost seriousness.

Calek pinched the bridge of his long, pointed nose. "Did it occur to you that she might not hail from the Savanna's tribes?"

"No, because of this."

'Asena has hobby?' asked the hyena, Duma.

'Doesn't she!' Again her speech morphed; she drawled certain consonants, mimicking her feline beast. Her mirth reminded him of the songs of gurgling brooks and spring.