I awoke to the rich, savory smells of bacon and sausage, their sizzling drifting up from downstairs. The bed cocooned us in warmth, the sheets soft against bare skin. I lay on my side with Sydney cuddled in my arms, her back pressed against my chest, fitting perfectly into the shape of my body. Her heart beat a slow, unwavering rhythm underneath my open palm. The musky fragrance of sex lingered on her skin, combining with the salt of dried sweat. Her hair was ruffled on the pillow, wild and beautiful. I buried my face in it, inhaling deeply. Beneath the fragrance of her shampoo lay her distinctive scent, earthy and intimate, permeating my being and flowing into my soul.  

A memory slipped into my mind. I recalled the fear I had felt when she first told me her secrets, unsure if our relationship could withstand the revelation. But here, wrapped around her and breathing her in, I was filled with confidence. Our link seemed unbreakable, fortified by each disclosure and each mutual breath. 

There was a subtle, unfamiliar sensation as I held Sydney in my arms. I experienced a faint flutter underneath my hand, like the light trace of a breeze stirring under her skin. It seemed like the air around us beat with a new, tender heat that flowed through her from the inside out. The energy was intangible though undeniable, gently enveloping us. My heart leaped at the understanding that dawned in me—Sydney was carrying new life. She was pregnant. Though her body showed no outward signs, something deep inside me knew it was true. This profound, magical awareness filled me with excitement and joy. A baby. Our baby. I was going to be a father. Twenty seemed young to be a father, but I was thrilled about all the things we could do and experience together. 

I felt Sydney shift against me, her body moving languidly in that space between sleep and waking. Her ass pushed against my groin, and my body responded immediately, heat pooling low in my belly. My cock stirred, swelling and lengthening, hardening until it pressed insistently against her. I shifted my hips, slipping it between her thighs instead. The warmth from her skin against my length made me shudder. She shifted again, drawing a deeper breath, her body tensing slightly. At that moment, a brief recollection of our mutual experiences from the night before crossed my mind, and it brought an unexpected smile to my lips. It was these calm, tender moments that reminded me of our bond, causing everything to feel more meaningful. Taking a breath, I calmed the surging tension just enough to enjoy the hope. I knew she was awake before she turned to me. 

“Morning, love,” she uttered softly. She moved one hand down between her legs and tenderly touched the head of my cock. I shuddered in response to her caress. Sydney laughed softly.     

“Morning, dear,” I answered. I could hear the bacon sizzling in the frying pan downstairs. I kissed Sydney on the back of her head. I secured my arms around her, pulling her against my chest. She sighed happily. “Breakfast is ready.”    

“Do we have to get up?” Sydney asked. I could hear her pout.    

I chuckled and nodded. Realizing she could not see me nod, I said, “Yes, if you want breakfast while it is still hot.”    

“Fine,” she said with another soft laugh. I lifted the covers, cool air rushing over our heated skin, and crawled off the bed. I held my hand out to her. Sydney took it, her fingers interlocking through mine, and rose to stand beside me. She wrapped her arms around me without hesitation, pressing her naked body flush against mine. Soft breasts, warm belly, the gentle curve of her hips—every inch of her molded to me. The runes across her body flared with faint light, pulsing once before dimming to their usual colors. I gently pushed her back to take a better look. Sydney frowned but stepped back, allowing my gaze to travel over her.     

I bent over and ran a finger across the rune in her groin. The skin no longer looked red and angry. The rune was purple, but the flesh looked healed and healthy. I turned her around. Sydney made a small protest but humored me. The runes across the backs of her thighs and ass were all the same color. The flesh was healing but not scarring.     

I stood. Sydney turned around and approached me, her eyes dark with lingering desire. She wrapped her arms around my waist, pressing the length of her body against mine—breast to chest, hip to hip. My cock throbbed between us, trapped and aching. Sydney chuckled, a low, knowing sound. She moved one hand down between our bodies, her fingers sliding deliberately along the length of my cock while she looked up at me through her lashes.     

“Do we have to go downstairs?”    

I nodded. Sydney turned, one hand still resting on the length of my cock while she walked away from me until, finally, her hand slipped off. She bent over, picked up her robe off the floor, draped it around herself, and walked through the open door. I closed my eyes briefly, walked over, picked up my robe, and followed her.     

As I went down the stairs, I securely tied the robe around my waist. Sydney was already seated at the table with a heaping plate full of bacon, sausage, and eggs.    

“How am I supposed to eat all of this?” I heard her ask.    

I could hear the scowl in Akasha’s voice, “You will eat it because I am telling you that you will need the protein for the baby. You aren’t just eating for one anymore.”    

As I walked past Akasha, she handed me a plate without looking. She was dressed in a similar robe, cut to match her body. Her gleaming hair swayed as she moved across the kitchen. There was grace and elegance in her movements that caused my heart to skip a beat. The air surrounding her appeared to sparkle with motes of light. I blinked once, and they were gone.     

“Akasha,” I said questioningly, “is everything okay?”    

Akasha turned to me, and her face gave off a healthy glow I had never seen. She was gorgeous. Almost unearthly in her beauty. She sauntered across the room to me. Her smile brought a shudder down my back and made my cock twitch and throb beneath the robe.     

She slipped her arms around my waist and molded her body to mine. The soft mounds of her breasts pressed against my chest, her nipples firm points even through the thin material of her robe. I inhaled sharply—the fragrance of her filled my lungs: musty sweat, yes, right beneath it the spicy, unmistakable musk of her arousal. She grinned at me, feral and playful. Then she nuzzled her face onto my chest and inhaled deeply, breathing me in as I had her. When she leaned back to look up at me, her smile was radiant, nearly blinding.    

“I feel better than I’ve felt in a thousand years.” She laughed like a schoolgirl. My heart bounced and thumped hard inside my chest. She winked at me. “I have you to thank for this.”    

Akasha took my hand and guided me to the head of the table. She pulled the chair for me and scooted it under me as I sat. Then Akasha kissed my cheek as she danced back to the stove and heaped another plate with food. Then she danced to the other end of the table and took her seat. She smiled happily at me as she sat.     

I looked at her. Gone was the distant roommate I had dealt with for the last six months. This was a changed woman. I shook my head, trying to clear the dream that this was. Surely, I was still dreaming. When I opened my eyes, Akasha was slipping a sausage into her mouth, sucking on it tenderly while staring at me. My cock throbbed so hard it hit the table with a solid thump. For a moment, I was sheepishly embarrassed. I couldn't help but half-expect a laugh track to play in the background, imagining the scene playing out like a bad sitcom. Not exactly my finest moment, but it reminded me that even magical mornings have their awkward bits. 

“What the fuck was that?” Sydney asked, pointedly.    

Akasha reached out and grabbed the hunk of sausage she had spit out. She popped it back in her mouth, licking her fingers clean, then sucking the grease off them while meeting my eyes. Another shudder trembled down my back. Akasha laughed again. Sydney looked at Akasha and laughed.     

“Are you enjoying teasing him?” Sydney asked.    

Akasha grinned and nodded.    

Sydney looked at me. “Please tell me that noise was not your cock hitting the table.”    

I met Sydney’s eyes and blushed. Sydney laughed and shook her head. I looked down at my plate and realized I was famished. I picked up my silverware and started eating. The room was filled with the sound of us eating an excellent meal. Once I finished, I stood and collected the dishes. Sydney and Akasha watched me like I was an item they were considering eating for dessert. It was not an entirely unpleasant experience.     

As I washed the dishes, Sydney and Akasha talked. I listened in.    

“Sydney,” Akasha started. “You will be living with us now.”    

“I hoped you were going to say that. I have no idea where I would go after all this. Thank you.”    

“Don’t thank me yet. You will do your part to help maintain the house. You will also spend half your day writing everything you remember from those books you read. Then you will spend the second half of your day getting exercise. You need to be fit to carry that child. If it turns out to be a dragon, you will need all the strength you can muster. Dragon pregnancies are known to be particularly tough due to the rapid fetal growth and the fetus's tremendous energy demands. This is why physical preparation is vital.” 

“What kind of exercises?”    

“For starters, you will join Ed and me on our hikes through Yosemite.”    

“I’ve always wanted to see these mountains. They are so breathtaking.”    

“Oh, you will see every inch of this park. Places everyone gets to see, and some places no human has ever seen.”    

After the dishes were done, I walked back to the table and took my seat. Akasha met my eyes and smiled again. Her face radiated incredible happiness. It was a look I did not remember seeing, but she wore it easily. I could not help but smile back at her.    

“Last night, you asked me to be your Dragon Lord.”    

“I did.”    

“What does that mean?”    

“It means you are the king to my queen. You are my mate. My lover.”    

“It means more than that.”    

“It does.”    

“Care to explain?”    

Akasha sighed. Her eyes grew distant. "A dragon’s power, strength, and vitality are tied to the land they live in. And the people they care for. When you become a Lord or Lady, you commit to the welfare of all who live in your domain. Your very presence brings peace, tranquility, and harmony to the area. There is a story from the old days, about a Lord’s influence bringing a barren village to life, making the crops bountiful and the rivers flow clearer. Even now, folks recite tales of the soil becoming fertile overnight and the wildlife flourishing in the Lord's presence," Akasha added, her voice laden with reverence for the strong connection a dragon has with their domain. 

“A mated couple, who are Lord and Lady, bring twice as much power to the area. The weather is more favorable. The crops are more bountiful. Animals are more docile. In the old days, the monsters would avoid the domain of a mated couple. Only entering when they had no choice.     

“A Lord and Lady will feel the lives of all creatures in their domain. They will know when an illness comes and when danger is present. They will know when children are born. When  residents become ill or die.”    

Akasha blinked, and her eyes refocused on mine. She smiled happily. I opened my mouth, then closed it again, sensing a surge of feelings swirling inside me. There was awe regarding her words, the history they carried, and the seriousness of the task she described. Beneath that, a stab of fear knotted within my stomach, murmuring doubts and uncertainties. Can I really fulfill this role? The idea of becoming someone so crucial, with such responsibilities, sent a shudder down my spine. My throat was dry, but I tried to speak again, pushing past the uncertainty.  

"That is a lot to take in."  

Akasha smiled. "It will come gradually. I'll walk you through it. It has been a while, but I can teach you." 

Sydney looked from me to Akasha. “How do I fit in?”    

Akasha blinked and looked at Sydney. She smiled sweetly. "You are our third. Our surrogate. Though I think you deserve a new title—our Rune-Mother. There has never been a surrogate who gave birth to a Dragon and lived to tell the tale. I do not know how you will fit in. You will be cared for and loved by all until the baby is born."  

Sydney's eyes twitched, a fleeting shadow passing over her face. She grabbed the edges of the table, knuckles white, before releasing the tension and smoothing a lone strand of hair. Her forced smile, though bright, did little to hide the quiet worry that endured. 

Akasha smiled sweetly at us both, “As much as I enjoy the smell of your sweat on my skin, I think a shower is appropriate before we go and meet the people of this domain.”    

I blushed but held her eyes steadily. There was heat there. Heat and desire. “I would ask if you wanted to join me, but I fear we would use all the hot water before Sydney can shower. I’ll be quick. Promise”    

Akasha turned and left the room. Her steps were light and dance-like. I felt the heat on my cheeks while she moved out of the room. My cock throbbed. The thought of taking her in the shower, with the water pounding on our naked bodies, was almost overpowering. I started to rise to follow when I heard Sydney’s soft chuckle. I met her eyes and took my seat again.     

“I don’t know if I should be jealous or simply amused,” Sydney said, her tone hushed. There was no edge in it. “I’ll go with amusement. Besides, I’m the one carrying the baby.”    

Sydney ran her hand down over her belly. “Little Jacob. I feel you in there. You are going to be a big, strong Dragon. Impress everyone with your strength and grace.”    

“Jacob?” I asked.     

Sydney turned to me and blushed. “I don’t know why I said that.”     

“It’s okay. I think it’s a good name.”    

Sydney smiled happily. Then she frowned. “Is she serious about all those things she said? Lord and Lady? Like some feudal knight shit?”    

I shrugged. “Yes. I do. And she can probably hear you.”    

Sydney blinked wide eyes. “Really?” She whispered.    

I shrugged. “I could hear the bacon sizzling in the pan when I woke up from upstairs.”    

“That is crazy. What else do you hear?”    

I closed my eyes and listened. “I can hear your heart beating and the creek outside. And birds. Lots of birds. More coming.”    

“Birds?”    

I opened my eyes and met Sydney’s gaze. “Yeah, I have no idea what that is about. Akasha just got out of the shower. My turn.”    

I walked over and gave Sydney a light kiss on the forehead. She smiled brilliantly. My heart fluttered within my chest, a tingle running along my back. I turned and went upstairs. I heard Sydney moving around the kitchen. She wiped down the table and counters, then cleaned the stove.     

As I entered the bedroom, I saw Akasha walking into the closet, her steps graceful and enchanting. Her appearance seemed even more captivating than before. Her hair, almost platinum in its brilliant shine, twinkled in the light. It floated elegantly across her back, drawing attention to her natural beauty. I paused in the doorway, drawn in by her allure, before starting to follow her. 

Akasha spun on her heels, her hair whipping about her like a cloak of liquid silver. I stopped in place, transfixed, my breath getting caught in my throat. Her skin was luminous, smooth, and flawless as polished marble. Her eyes radiated soft amber light—no pupils, no iris, just that mesmerizing golden radiance that appeared to see straight through my heart. Her breasts swayed with the movement, full and heavy, nipples drawn tight and dusky pink. Her stomach was flat and toned, subtle muscles flexing beneath the skin as she shifted her weight. Between her thighs, she was bare and smooth, her sex a delicate cleft. Her thighs were rounded and powerful, the lean muscle evident with every small movement.     

She planted her left hand on her hip and held up her right, waggling a finger at me. “Just where do you think you’re going?”    

My jaw dropped. Akasha's musical voice glided along my skin, causing goosebumps. I wanted to wrap it around me as a cloak. She smiled, and I wanted to hug her and feel her flesh pressed against mine.     

“I... Uh.” I stuttered, not sure what to say. She smiled again and laughed.     

“No time for that now, darling. Take your shower. I’ll set out some appropriate clothes for you. We have a busy day ahead of us.”    

I pouted. Akasha made a shooing gesture at me. I turned and walked into the bathroom. I undid the robe and hung it on the hook inside the door. I could feel Akasha’s gaze on my back. I wanted to run into her arms, but knew she would not have me. When she had her mind set on something, there was no turning her from that.     

I pulled the curtain back on the walk-in shower and stepped in. The water was still hot from Akasha’s shower. I was quick and efficient. I dried myself off and then stepped to the vanity. I combed my hair, then ran the razor over the stubble that had grown overnight. I heard Sydney in the other room. She entered the bathroom and slapped my ass playfully. I grinned at her in the mirror. She smiled back, then paused.    

“Was your hair always that color?”    

“Huh?” I looked in the mirror. The roots of the hair were going platinum. I peered closer, spreading my hair with my fingers to take a closer look. There was no mistaking it; the roots were now silver. My hair had always been a rich brown.     

“What the crap?”    

Akasha came walking into the bathroom. She was wearing a flowing green-and-gold gown. The sleeves were mesh, showing her dark, tanned skin. The pattern with green and gold played across her chest, with a deep cut down between her breasts, showing off her ample cleavage. The stomach had a cutout of mesh showing off her flat lower body. Thicker material played around her waist and thighs. It became mesh again just past the midline of her thighs, showing her incredible legs to great effect. Both Sydney and I looked at her, our jaws hanging open.    

“What’s the problem?” Akasha looked from Sydney to me. She grinned at me. “Your hair is changing color already?”    

“What do you mean already?” I asked.    

Akasha chuckled. “Your hair color reflects your station. If you ever take on a full dragon shape, the color of your scales will also match your hair.” 

“My scales?” 

“You are a Dragon, love. What did you expect?” 

While I paused there, pondering Akasha's revelations about our draconic transformation, I sensed an intense alteration in me. The roots of my hair, turning platinum, seemed to symbolize the pressure of responsibilities I was about to assume. A flood of awe overcame me, mixed with the fear of meeting these expectations. My thoughts tumbled over one another. Would I be able to bear such a burden? The idea of becoming a warden, a custodian of life, both delighted and scared me. I saw the potential strength thrumming beneath my skin, ready to unfurl, but also the dangers of using it. What if I faltered? This new path promised glory and influence, yet it also demanded unfaltering dedication. Amid these swirling emotions, a single certainty stabilized me: the transformation wasn't just about scales and titles; it marked the dawn of a new life. 

“Why platinum?” 

“I’ll explain while you get dressed. Sydney, hop your gorgeous little ass in that shower.”    

Sydney blinked, opened her robe, and set it on the last available hook in the bathroom. The runes on her ass shone softly while she stepped into the shower. I watched her hungrily as she closed the curtain. Akasha took my hand and led me into the bedroom.    

“Dragons are typically born with bronze scales. As they take on their roles as protectors and lords, their scales shift to the appropriate color. Silver for the protector. Gold for knights. Platinum for Lords/Ladies. On very rare occasions when a domain grows large enough, a Dragon’s scales may become a metallic sheen of rainbow colors. Bismuth ore is what humans call it. Those are extremely rare.    

“If a dragon forsakes his domain or duties, the colors dull and become solid. Greens, blues, blacks, and reds are common for this. Expressing the strongest emotions of that dragon. Green for avarice. Blue for melancholy. Black for depression. Red for anger and hatred. Beware a red dragon. They are a dangerous creature to cross.”    

“My hair is going to turn platinum then?” I asked, unable to hide the surprise from my voice. Akasha nodded. She hugged me. Her smile was radiant. The material of her dress felt like silk on my skin. Her bosom pressed against me. I could feel my arousal growing. Akasha laughed. She ran a finger down the length of my cock, making it throb painfully. She beamed up at me.    

“No time for that now. Get dressed.”    

“What are you wearing?”     

“Oh, this old thing?” Akasha laughed and spun. The fabric held the light, twinkling as it did. As it flared, I was given a spectacular view of her underwear. A black sparkling thong that matched the material of her dress. My cock throbbed to its full size, quivering in response. Akasha came closer to me, her fingers drifting down its length.    

“Oh dear, you seem in such a state,” she cooed softly. She dropped to her knees before me, the dress spreading around her. “Perhaps someone needs to do something about this.”    

My body beat with raw, desperate need from her words. Her eyes were drowning pools of molten amber as she looked up at me, holding my gaze with predatory intensity. She leaned forward, her breath was hot on my skin, as she slowly dragged her tongue up the entire length of my cock, from base to tip.     

"Fuck," I gasped as she sealed her lips around the head, her mouth hot and wet. Before I could react, she leaned forward, taking me deep, her throat working around my length in waves. I had to surrender, letting her take what she wanted, her strength inhuman and implacable. Time escaped from my grasp as I found myself caught in a haze of sensation, my surroundings fading into the background.  

The sensory overload left my mind spinning when I finally came back to myself. Her hands were still caressing and holding me. I was aware of the tender throb of my heart, the slow return to reality wrapping me in warmth.  

The air flickered as my view cleared, the deep release shared in a moment more felt than seen. Within the quiet that followed, Akasha drew back, leaving my body shaking at the edge, suspended in the lingering remnants of ecstasy. She offered me a playful smile, the trace of our connection still pulsing silently between us. 

Akasha looked at me with a playful smile as she licked her lips. “That was delicious. Thank you.”    

She released her hold on me, and I reeled over to the bed before my legs gave out. I dropped down onto it and lay on my back, breathing heavily. Akasha crawled over to me, placing herself between my legs. She rested her arms on my thighs as she ran her tongue along the soft length of my cock. Akasha slipped the head of my cock into her mouth and sucked on it tenderly. Then she let it go and stood gracefully. I closed my eyes and tried to relearn how to breathe.