Midnight Dawn: Guiding Light

Chapter 20

Ayri kneeled on the floor beside the couch on which Jasper lay with his eyes closed. He brushed Jasper's hair back with gentle fingers, glad to find Jasper didn't have a fever at least.

"How's the pain?"

Jasper opened his eyes and gave Ayri a small smile.

"I'll live. Have I told you how much I love your demi form?"

"Stop trying to distract me," Ayri narrowed his eyes but couldn't help smiling.

Jasper huffed a gentle laugh through his nose and leaned slightly in Ayri's touch, enjoying the gentle warmth it brought. Their quiet moment, however, seemed to be short lived as a rumble of footsteps quickly approached from the guest room. Ayri spun around, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

"So this is Ayri, huh? He looks cool, but is he actually cool?" Aldora sassed as she entered the room first.

"It depends on what your definition of cool is, Aldora," Celeste answered her daughter.

"Isn't he supposed to be a legendary Red?" Aldora poked at one of Ayri's wings. "Do something interesting."

Ayri blinked in disbelief, both at how big the twins had grown since he had last seen them as babies, and at the literal poking and prodding from a 12 year old.

"Maybe you're scaring him," Rey ventured, joining his sister at her side. Aldora flapped her wings as she huffed, nearly smacking her brother in the process.

"Now kids, be polite," Griffin chuckled, entering behind his family. "Why don't you at least introduce yourself to Ayri's companion before insulting Ayri further?"

Rey leaned around Ayri to take a look at Jasper. The black hair and slightly glowing eyes were fascinating, but Rey had to remind himself of his parents' instructions; he could not say anything about the man being a Blue, no matter how excited he was to meet one.

Jasper pushed himself up into a sitting position with some effort. Ayri kept his hands on Jasper's arms as if to steady him. Jasper gave the little boy staring at him a smile.

"Hi there. You must be Rey. And that would make you—" Jasper leaned a bit further to look at the young dragon standing behind Ayri. "—Aldora. I'm Jasper. It's great to meet you both."

Both children looked to be around Ryker's age, and the realization made Jasper's heart swell. Being in their presence was suddenly softening the pain he felt earlier that morning. The image of his little brother came to the forefront of his mind as Rey gave Jasper a little wave. But it was Aldora who piped up with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Aren't you scared to be in a house full of dragons? We could eat you for breakfast."

Jasper chuckled and shook his head, glancing over at Ayri before responding. Ayri's lips had turned upside down into a pout, shooting daggers at Celeste, who was clearly enjoying every moment of this interaction.

"I think I'm pretty safe. Although, to be fair, my little brother did give me a lucky coin before I left home that's supposed to keep me from being eaten by dragons."

"Where is it?" Aldora demanded with a little shake of her wings.

"Umm, I actually don't have it on me anymore," Jasper said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Well then, what's protecting you from being eaten by dragons without your lucky coin?"

"Me," Ayri said with a nod.

"You haven't done a single cool thing so I doubt you could stop me and Mom and Dad from shifting and eating your boyfriend."

"Aldora!" Rey half gasped, half giggled.