Chapter 51: Matebond with a Snow Leopard
"Dginnie, please hurry," Kael groaned. "I can't control it. It's never been this strong before."
"Then you need to let me go. I can't - can't breathe properly," Dginnie bit out through gritted teeth. "You're holding me too tight."
"I can't control myself. I can't let you go."
"Yes, you can," Dginnie told him. "You definitely can."
He began to nuzzle and lick her, stroking and massaging her body with his big hands, kissing her repeatedly until she began to respond to him.
What was she doing?
She smacked him hard.
"Barley!"
"Huh? What?" Kael seemed to wake up, moving sluggishly, trying to make sense of what was happening, but Dginnie could see the colour in his pale blue eyes changing to become more and more feline once more.
His arms loosened and whole he was in a daze, Dginnie tried to escape from his arms, only to sink into the pool with a blubber for help when her muscles refused to respond to her the way she wanted. Every movement made the ache between her legs sting and lance through her, robbing her of any strength. Her arms and legs feel like limp noodles, barely able to stir or generate any strength.
Kael hurriedly fished her out of the water and helped her her to the edge of the pool, allowing her partially lie down on the steps at the pool entrance.
"Alright, alright," she splashed some water in his face. "I'm out. I can breathe. You can let - mmf!"
Heavy lips crashed down and the passionate kiss deepened, making her feel like she was really melting under the heat of his intensity. A firm hand pressed down on her rounded abdomen and she felt a gushing as excess dragon semen was being expressed out of her.
She fought to break free of his lips that were locked with hers,
Damn it. She was getting aroused again.
She wanted to say 'barley' but couldn't break free or draw the breath needed to speak even that one word in the brief breaks he did give her.
"Mate, help me," Karl's voice was a growl as he begged between heavy breaths. "Let me. Take you. Matebond. Mate. My mate. Please."
There was no way either of them could reach the suppressants, tangled together as they were at the entrance to the pool by his neediness. And who knew how many times he had needed to take the suppressants while she had been mating with Halven. Too many suppressants were surely not good for him either.
Dginnie couldn't stop her heart from melting as she saw just how hard he was trying and losing to the heat of his rut.
She groaned beneath his fervent touch and knew from the sprouting fur and whiskers that he was about to lose control again.
Capturing his cheeks between both hands, she shook him a little.
"Barley, Kael. Barley. Listen to me."
"Dginnie, I can't. I can't stop it. I can't control myself anymore. Forgive me," he wept, trying to bury his face in the side of her neck, but her grip on his cheeks tightened and she held him still, knowing she was probably going to regret this decision.
"Kael," she gasped and said in as gentle a voice as she could, "it's alright. There's nothing to forgive. I'm giving you permission. Alright? Mate with me. Matebond with me. You don't have to hold back now. You can make me," suddenly the world spun as she was flipped over. Furry paws held and positioned her hips, while her hands scrabbled on the tiles just outside the pool steps. She was impaled without warning, screaming, "yours," in a warbled, long and drawn out manner.
Mating with the snow leopard was quite a different journey from the one she had experienced with her dragon. From the pool, they went and travelled around the bathroom, trying new places, new positions and non stop thrills.
Every time he came, Kael managed to regain a few moments of clarity while they both rested and tried to catch his breath, but then the rut would slowly come over him and she would once more be left at the mercy of his grip.
He was a completely different shape and size. The feel of him and the way he moved was different too. Kael used all sorts of positions and methods to stimulate and excite her, making her want him as intensely as he wanted her until she ran out of stamina once more and could only allow him to dominate her. She was indeed enjoying the ride.
The matebond didn't happen suddenly with Kael. It happened bit by bit, with each mating round deepening the bond a little more. He only bit the back of her neck the first few times, but then started licking her wounds there instead.
Dginnie lost track of time but she felt she had gotten to know the bathroom and its layout and contents more intimately than she had planned to. As intimately as she had gotten to know Kael and his horrible yowling that was apparently meant to be singing.
The door in her mind to Kael's matebond opened wider and wider until she felt the full force of it and Kael's emotions surging through it to overwhelm her. Through the matebond, she could understand what his cringeworthy yowling song was actually meant to be.
"Fur of the leopard and blood of the heart. Snow on the mountains makes the crocus start. My mate, my den, my kits, my home. My mate is my beloved. Mine. All mine. All mine."
Well. The start of the song wasn't too bad. The latter part seemed to be just the rut talking.
She'd try not to look down on her snow leopard for his poor musical talent when compared to someone as superior in talent and ability as the dragon was.
Dginnie had no strength to resist him as she felt his emotions surging like waves on the beach shore, lapping at her through the matebond link. Kael was so caught up in his rut that he often couldn't hear a single thing she said, although shouting 'barley' every now and then was enough to make him pause just long enough for her to try and get her breath back. But soon her already hoarse voice disappeared and her breath rasped as if the back of her throat had been scraped raw. Her vision flickered black on the edges.
It was with immense relief when Halven entered the bathroom armed with a tranquiliser gun and put Kael to sleep. Kael was carried away by the robots to his own room where he would be isolated for some time, preventing him from smelling Dginnie's scent until his rut calmed down and she had time to recover.
Halven gently bathed and dabbed Dginnie dry, medicating her sore and swollen parts and massaging a medicated oil into her aching muscles.
"No need to force yourself to try and stay awake," Halven told her in a soft voice. "Dragoness, you can go to sleep. You've earned your rest. Sleep my mate. The watch is mine."
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Chapter 52: Two Days of Sleep
Dginnie slept.
For a while, Halven thought she was merely exhausted.
After everything that had happened, exhaustion seemed a perfectly reasonable explanation. She had endured two consecutive mating bonds, each with its own unfamiliar demands, and the first had lasted long enough to leave her barely able to keep her eyes open. The second had been complicated by Kael's suppressant wearing off unexpectedly, his rut taking hold, and the bond forming while he was scarcely capable of communicating anything beyond his feelings.
There had been a great deal of cleaning, comforting, moving people between rooms, and arranging for help.
Halven had done what he could.
Now Dginnie lay in the big bed in her private wing, buried beneath soft blankets, her face turned towards the pillow. She had barely stirred since he had settled her there.
He sat beside her and watched her breathe.
"She's sleeping deeply," Kael said through the private communication channel Halven had established between them via their matebond connection with Dginnie. The snow leopard was confined to his own bedroom, where the suppressants were being administered under supervision. "But is she all right?"
"You've asked me that six times."
"Then perhaps you'll finally give me an answer that I will be satisfied with."
"She is breathing normally. Her temperature is stable. Her pulse is strong. The initial assessment indicates that she is exhausted rather than in immediate distress."
"That isn't the same as saying she's all right."
"No. It isn't."
Halven looked down at Dginnie again.
He had seen people recover from demanding mating bonds before. He had also read accounts of human mates who required longer periods of rest, particularly when their bodies were unfamiliar with the biological changes that accompanied bonding.
Dginnie's case was more complicated. Two bonds had formed in rapid succession, and one of them involved a an unexpectedly strong dragon bond.
There were reasons to be cautious.
Halven felt apologetic to Dginnie when he had reassured him that he had strong self-control but had failed her at the critical moment and caused her so much distress and fatigue. But there as no reason to frighten Kael unnecessarily while he was isolated and struggling with a rut that had not properly run its course.
"She needs rest," Halven said. "We will have a medical team assess her as soon as she is sufficiently awake to tolerate it. In the meantime, she must drink, eat, and use the bathroom at reasonable intervals."
"You're going to wake her up? She's going to hate that."
"Perhaps."
"She'll tell you she's fine, then try to get up and do three assignments."
"That is why I intend to keep her study materials out of reach until she has recovered enough to use them."
Kael gave a low, displeased rumble through the link.
"You can't keep her books from her."
"I can place them on the other side of the room."
"That is a terrible abuse of your wealth and authority."
"Then you may come here and retrieve them for her."
The silence that followed was deeply satisfying.
Halven allowed himself a small smile before returning his attention to Dginnie.
She stirred sometime later, making a faint sound of protest as he helped her sit up. Her eyes opened only halfway.
"Water," she whispered.
He brought the cup to her lips and supported it while she drank. She managed several swallows before leaning back against the pillows.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"A while. You can rest more if you need."
She frowned at him.
"That isn't an answer."
"Several hours."
"Several?"
"Yes."
She considered this, apparently deciding that the matter was too complicated to pursue. Her eyes drifted shut again.
"Food?" he asked.
"No."
"Something light, then."
"Halven."
"Dginnie."
She opened one eye and regarded him with a tired, deeply unimpressed expression.
He offered her a small bowl of soft food that the household's cooking system had prepared according to the medical team's initial recommendations. She ate a few spoonfuls while he sat beside her, patient and unhurried. When she began to lose the battle against sleep again, he put the bowl aside.
"Bathroom?" he asked.
She nodded faintly.
He helped her out of bed, supporting her without making her feel as though she were being carried about like an invalid. She was grateful for the assistance, although she did not have the energy to say so. Afterward, he helped her return to bed and settled the blankets around her.
She was asleep again before he had finished adjusting the pillows.
Halven remained beside her for several minutes.
Then he sent word to the medical team that she had woken briefly, taken fluids and food, and returned to sleep without difficulty.
The pattern repeated itself.
Dginnie woke long enough to drink, eat a little, and use the bathroom. Sometimes she managed a few words. Once, she asked after Kael and frowned when Halven explained that he was still isolated.
"Is he angry with me?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"I am certain."
She looked relieved, then troubled.
"Is he angry with himself?"
Halven paused.
"That is a more difficult question to answer."
"Tell him I'm not angry."
"I will."
"And tell him I want to see him."
"I will tell him that too, but he's not safe to see or smell you at the moment while he is still in his rut period and you need to recover."
She nodded, satisfied for the moment, and promptly fell asleep again.
By the end of the first day, Halven had stopped trying to persuade himself that she would wake properly after a few hours.
By the second, he had arranged for someone to remain available at all times, even when he needed to attend to household matters or consult the medical team. He took his meals in her room whenever possible. When he had to leave, he checked on her through the bond, though he was careful not to flood her with his presence.
The new mental connection was unlike anything he had experienced before. He had heard other matebond couples and especially dragons talk about it before and he had always wondered what it would be like when it was his turn.
His parents had told him that he had been very lucky with Dginnie. For the matebond to form so deeply and strongly despite her not being completely certain about him, it meant she was very compatible with him. She might even have dragon blood in her ancestry despite being a pure blooded human. One could never be certain about these kinds of things, no matter what the medical and compatibility tests said. They said it sounded like she had formed a true dragon matebond with him, delighting them and making them eagerly look forward to meeting their grand-hatchling.
Listening to Dginnie through the matebond was a peculiar and miraculous feeling. And while asleep, what he heard was not a voice. Not exactly.
Sometimes he sensed only a vague impression of Dginnie's condition, a quiet awareness that she was resting. At other times, when he deliberately reached towards her, he could feel the faintest brush of her emotional state. Her exhaustion was unmistakable. So was the comfort she seemed to take in knowing that someone was nearby.
He did not know whether she could feel him in return.
He would have to ask her when she was awake enough to answer.
On the afternoon of the second day, she finally opened her eyes and kept them open.
For several minutes, she lay still, looking at the ceiling.
Then she turned her head towards him.
"Why does my body feel like I've been used as a training dummy?"
Halven shut the book he had been reading.
"Because your body has undergone considerable strain."
"That sounds like a very polite way of saying I'm a wreck."
"You are not a wreck. You are recovering."
She considered this distinction.
"Where's Kael?"
"In his room."
"Still?"
"Yes."
"Is he eating?"
"Yes."
"Sleeping?"
"Somewhat."
"Taking his suppressants?"
"Under supervision."
She sighed.
"You're very good at answering questions without actually telling me anything useful."
"I have had considerable practice."
That earned him a small, tired smile.
He reached for her hand, stopping just short of taking it.
"May I?"
She turned her palm upwards.
His fingers closed gently around hers.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Dginnie frowned.
"There's something strange."
"Pain?"
"No. Not pain." She searched for words. "You feel closer than you should. You're sitting right beside me, but I can also feel you somewhere behind my thoughts. It's like knowing someone is in the next room without hearing them."
Halven's expression became attentive.
"The matebond."
"I suppose so." She rubbed her forehead with her free hand. "Is it supposed to feel like this?"
"I don't know what it feels like for you. We will need to learn together."
"Wonderful. Another thing I get to be the experimental subject for."
"I will endeavour to make the experience less unpleasant than your previous experiments."
She gave a weak snort.
"That sounds suspiciously like a promise you intend to keep."
"I do."
Her expression softened.
"Can I see Kael when I'm feeling better?"
"Yes."
"Not just through a message?"
"Yes, Dginnie. You may see him."
She squeezed his hand.
"Good."
Then, after a pause, she added, "I'm hungry."
Halven's eyebrows rose.
"That is the most encouraging thing you have said all afternoon."
"I want something proper. Not another bowl of soft food."
"I shall inform the kitchen."
"And something sweet."
"I shall inform the cooking robot of that as well."
She smiled, and for the first time since the mating bonds had formed, Halven felt some of the tension in his chest ease.
She was awake. She was hungry. She was asking for things she wanted.
It was not the end of her recovery, but it was a beginning.
Before leaving to arrange her meal, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Rest a little longer," he said. "Then we shall discuss what happens next."
Dginnie caught his hand before he could withdraw.
"Together?"
He looked at her.
"Together."
She let him go and settled back against the pillows.
This time, when sleep claimed her, she did not look quite so lost in it.
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Chapter 53: Medical Assessment
Dginnie had expected the medical assessment to be unpleasant.
She had not expected it to involve so many people, so many instruments, and so many discussions conducted in voices that became quieter whenever she asked what they were talking about.
By the time the examination was halfway through, she was beginning to suspect that everyone else had received a handbook she had somehow missed.
Again.
She sat on an examination couch in one of the private medical suites, dressed in a soft robe provided by the clinic. Halven occupied a chair beside her, close enough for her to reach him if she wanted. He had made a point of asking whether she preferred him to remain before the examination began.
She had said yes.
Kael was still confined to his room. His condition had improved enough for him to communicate, but the medical team had advised against bringing him into the clinic until they could be certain that his rut was adequately controlled.
Dginnie had not been pleased.
She had, however, understood that the advice was intended to protect both of them.
The first part of the assessment had been straightforward. Blood samples, measurements, scans, and questions about her appetite, sleep, pain, and general wellbeing.
The second part had involved the mating bonds.
A specialist placed a small instrument against Dginnie's temple and asked her to describe what she experienced when she thought of Halven.
"He's right there," Dginnie said, glancing at him. "I can see him."
"Beyond what you can see."
Dginnie concentrated.
There was Halven, sitting beside her. His silver hair caught the overhead light, and his expression was composed in that careful way of his. His elegant horns made her want to touch and stroke them.
And then there was the other awareness.
A sense of presence that seemed to extend beyond the room, although she could not tell whether that impression was real or simply the result of knowing they were connected.
"I can feel that he's there," she said slowly. "But I don't hear thoughts."
"Can you distinguish his emotions?"
"Sometimes. I think."
"Could you try?"
Dginnie looked at Halven.
He was watching her with a quiet attentiveness that made her feel both reassured and self-conscious.
"You're concerned," she said.
"Yes."
"You're also trying not to worry me."
His mouth twitched.
"That is a reasonable deduction."
"No, I mean I can feel it. It's not just your face."
The specialist made a note.
"Now, please try to close the connection."
Dginnie blinked.
"How?"
"Imagine a door between you and your mate. You may close it gently, without severing the bond itself."
She pictured a door.
It was an ordinary wooden door, the sort one might find in a house, and she imagined swinging it shut.
Nothing happened.
She tried again, concentrating harder.
Still nothing.
"Perhaps I'm doing it wrong."
"Do not force it," the specialist advised. "Try thinking of something else. A book, perhaps. Something that occupies your attention."
Dginnie thought of a book she had been meaning to read.
Then she thought of the library in her wing, the shelves still waiting to be filled, and the pleasure of choosing books to put on them.
The awareness of Halven faded.
Not completely, but enough that she could concentrate on her own thoughts without feeling that someone was standing just behind them.
"That's better," she said.
"Excellent. Now, let the connection return naturally."
It did.
The sensation was so subtle that she almost missed it.
She frowned.
"Does it get easier?"
"Usually," the specialist replied. "Bonded pairs learn to regulate their connections with practice. The strength and character of the link vary considerably between individuals."
"Both of my bonds are different."
"That is expected. You have two distinct relationships, and the bonds reflect that."
Dginnie glanced at Halven again.
"Can I accidentally hear something private?"
"Not ordinarily," the specialist said. "Thoughts are not transmitted as though they were spoken aloud. Emotional impressions and deliberate communication are more common. There are exceptions, particularly during the early adjustment period, but you should not assume that every thought you have is accessible to your mates."
"That is reassuring."
"It should be. You will also learn to establish boundaries. You may decide how much emotional information you wish to share, and you can practise opening and closing the channels."
Dginnie sat a little straighter.
"So I can tell them I don't want them feeling every little thing I feel?"
"Yes. The bond does not remove your right to privacy."
Halven's expression eased at that.
"I would not want unrestricted access to your thoughts," he said. "Nor would I expect you to surrender your privacy simply because we are bonded."
Dginnie looked at him, then smiled faintly.
"Good. Because sometimes I think about things that are nobody else's business."
"I am sure you do."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"That sounded suspiciously amused."
"I would never presume to know what you are thinking."
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Being insufferably polite."
The specialist coughed into one hand. Dginnie suspected it was to conceal a smile.
The assessment continued.
The next tests were less comfortable.
Dginnie discovered that her hearing had become much more acute. She could distinguish the quiet movement of equipment in the adjoining room, the faint vibration of a ventilation system, and the soft rustle of fabric when the specialist moved.
Her sense of smell had changed too.
The clinic's cleaning products, which she had barely noticed before, seemed overpowering. The specialist's scented lotion was distracting. Halven's familiar scent was comforting, but so distinct that she struggled to concentrate on anything else when he moved closer.
Her vision was sharper in some respects, but the abundance of details made bright lights uncomfortable. Even the texture of the examination couch beneath her hands seemed unusually pronounced.
"Is this permanent?" she asked when the specialist dimmed the lights.
"Not necessarily at this intensity. Some of the changes may settle as your body adjusts. Others may remain. The extent varies between individuals."
"How long does adjustment take?"
"Days, weeks, or months. Occasionally longer."
Dginnie stared at her hands.
"So I might have to relearn how to exist in my own body."
The specialist's expression softened.
"That is one way to describe the adjustment. It is also why we recommend support rather than expecting you to manage it alone."
"What sort of support?"
"Medical monitoring, practical adaptations, and counselling if you find the changes distressing. You may need to alter your study environment, your sleeping arrangements, or the way you manage crowded places. You should not force yourself to tolerate sensory input simply because you could tolerate it before."
Dginnie absorbed that in silence.
She had worked hard to build a life in which she could study, earn money, and make decisions for herself. The thought of having to reorganise even the smallest parts of that life was daunting.
Then she remembered how she had once struggled to afford basic necessities, how she had learned to make do with whatever she possessed, and how often she had been expected to solve problems without help.
This time, she did not have to do everything alone.
"Will you help me work out what needs changing?" she asked Halven.
"Of course."
"And not just decide everything for me?"
"That would defeat the purpose of helping you."
She smiled.
The specialist finished reviewing the results, then paused over the final report.
"There is another matter we need to discuss."
Dginnie recognised the tone immediately.
It was the tone people used when they were about to tell her something important and hoped she would not object to the manner in which they told her.
"What is it?"
"Your first comprehensive post-bond medical assessment includes tests that were not appropriate to perform before the mating bonds were established. The results are consistent with pure-blooded human biology."
The room seemed to become very quiet.
Dginnie looked at the specialist.
"Consistent with?"
"We need to confirm the findings and complete the full assessment, but yes. The evidence is strong."
She glanced at Halven.
He did not look surprised. Well, they had guessed she was a pure blooded human before the registration and they had brought Halven in to be part of it because of it. It didn't mean that now that the secret was out in the open that she wasn't scared of what was going to come next though.
Dginnie looked back at the specialist.
"What does this mean?"
The answer came gently, but it did not make the implications any less serious.
"Pure-blooded humans are exceptionally rare. Your biological characteristics may make you subject to additional medical protocols and, unfortunately, unwanted attention from people who regard human reproductive capacity as a resource. That is one reason your results must be handled carefully. The authorities may wish to keep a closer eye on you and express higher expectations of you. You do not have to be pressured into complying with all their demands. Our medical facility will back you up and help you maintain your autonomy as much as is within our power, although I can't promise that some of your samples may not be taken away to be used in experiments and tests without your consent."
Dginnie felt cold.
"A resource."
"Some institutions and individuals have historically used that sort of language. It does not define your status, and it does not legally give anyone ownership over you."
"Can they make me do anything?"
"That depends on the law, the circumstances, and the protections available to you. We will need to review the relevant safeguards and ensure your records are handled appropriately. We will do our best to protect you and your medical data."
Dginnie stared at the blanket over her knees.
She had come to the clinic expecting to learn whether her new senses were normal. And she had known that her being a pure blooded human would likely be discovered, but knowing it and hearing it were two different things. Having the warning that her body might make her valuable to people who did not care what she wanted reiterated made her scared. Really scared.
Her hands felt icy cold.
Halven reached towards her, then waited.
She took his hand.
Warm. His warmth infused into her hand. The moment their fingers touched, she felt the concern he had been trying to keep contained. It was not a flood of thoughts, nor a command to be afraid. It was a deep, steady awareness of his determination to protect her.
She was grateful for it.
She was also determined not to let fear make her decisions for her.
"Who needs to know?" she asked.
The specialist answered carefully. "The medical professionals directly involved in your care, and any authorities whose notification is legally required. Beyond that, disclosure must be reviewed. We should not circulate this information casually."
"And my mates?"
"They are already aware of the findings under discussion."
Dginnie squeezed Halven's hand.
"Then I want to know what happens next before anyone makes decisions on my behalf."
"That is entirely reasonable," the specialist said.
Halven's voice was quiet but firm.
"She will be included in every decision that concerns her."
Dginnie looked at him.
For once, she did not feel that she needed to check whether he meant what he said.
The bond carried enough of his sincerity to reassure her.
It could not solve the problem.
But it made her feel less alone.
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Chapter 54: A Dragon's Appetite
The first indication that something unusual was happening with Dginnie's appetite was the breakfast tray.
It arrived with a bowl of porridge, a plate of eggs, several unfamiliar foods, and a glass of something creamy that looked as though it might have been intended for a particularly ambitious dessert.
Dginnie stared at it.
"Is this all for me?"
Halven, who had been reading the medical recommendations on his tablet, glanced up.
"Yes."
"Are you expecting me to eat for an entire classroom?"
"No. The portions have been calculated for your current nutritional requirements."
She picked up the glass and sniffed it cautiously.
"What is this?"
"A nutrient-rich dairy preparation."
"That sounds like something a laboratory would invent to punish students."
"It contains calcium, protein, and several other nutrients your body requires."
"That doesn't make it sound more appetising."
"Would you prefer to know the ingredients?"
Dginnie hesitated.
"Probably not."
Halven set his tablet aside and took the seat opposite her.
"Your body is undergoing several changes simultaneously. The medical team believes the dragon bond has initiated the development of an egg. The process requires substantial resources, and your nutritional needs will be different from those of an ordinary pregnancy."
Dginnie lowered the glass.
"The egg is developing already?"
"Yes."
She stared at him for a moment, then looked down at her abdomen.
There was nothing to see. She felt no different there, at least not in any way she could confidently identify. Her body still felt tired and unfamiliar, but she had assumed most of that was the aftermath of the mating bonds and the sensory changes.
"Is it healthy?"
"The preliminary findings are encouraging. The doctors will continue monitoring both you and the egg."
"And if I don't eat enough?"
"Your body may struggle to meet its own needs as well as those of the developing egg. That is why the nutritional plan matters."
Dginnie looked at the tray again.
"How much do I have to eat?"
"Enough to meet the recommended intake. We will adjust the plan according to your appetite, symptoms, and the results of your assessments. You are not expected to force down food that makes you ill. If you cannot manage a meal, we will find another way to meet your needs."
That was a relief.
She picked up a spoon and tried the porridge.
It was good.
Annoyingly good, in fact. It had a rich, nutty flavour and a creamy texture that made her want another mouthful before she had quite finished the first.
The eggs were excellent too.
The unfamiliar dairy preparation turned out to be pleasantly sweet, with a mild flavour she could not quite identify.
Dginnie took another sip.
"This is actually nice."
"I am relieved."
"Don't look so smug. You didn't cook it."
"I arranged for it to be prepared."
"An achievement worthy of a commemorative plaque."
"I shall consider commissioning one."
She laughed, then reached for another portion of the porridge.
The medical recommendations included a list of foods rich in calcium, along with other nutrients required for the egg's development. Some were familiar. Others were entirely new to her, including several varieties of fortified dairy products and mineral-rich foods she had never seen in the academy dining hall.
She found herself craving them with startling intensity.
One afternoon, she had been reading when a sudden desire for a particular chilled dairy dish became so distracting that she could no longer follow the paragraph in front of her.
She stared at the page.
Then she stared at Halven.
"I need something."
He looked up immediately.
"What do you need?"
"I don't know what it's called. It's cold, creamy, slightly salty, and has a smooth texture. I had some at lunch yesterday."
He was already reaching for his tablet.
"Was it the cultured calcium custard?"
"Possibly."
"Did it have a faint mineral taste?"
"Yes."
"Then I believe I know what you mean."
"Can I have some?"
"Of course."
She watched him place the order.
"You don't have to arrange everything the instant I mention it."
"I am aware."
"You do realise that if you keep doing this, I'll start expecting it."
"I would rather you expected your needs to be taken seriously than hesitated to mention them."
She fell quiet.
Then she looked down at her book.
"Thank you."
Halven returned to his own reading, leaving her to her studies. The quiet companionship soon became one of the most comforting parts of her recovery.
He worked in the adjoining sitting area while she occupied her study. Sometimes they read separate materials in companionable silence. At other times, she asked him questions about economic forecasting, resource distribution, or the way accounting could be changed if a certain account type was used. Or how investment into certain resources could change the entire economic flow of a city.
Those conversations often began with a practical question and developed into discussions neither had expected to enjoy so much.
One afternoon, Dginnie had been trying to understand a particularly complicated model used to predict resource shortages across several beastman territories.
She had spent nearly an hour working through the assumptions and had become convinced that one of them was wrong.
"Halven?"
"Yes?"
"I think the model is double-counting demand."
He put down his reading.
"Show me."
She turned her tablet towards him and explained her reasoning. He listened without interrupting, occasionally asking a question to clarify what she meant.
When she finished, he studied the figures.
Then he leaned back.
"You may be right."
Dginnie blinked.
"Really?"
"Your argument is sound. I would want to test it against the original data before reaching a final conclusion, but you have identified a possible flaw."
She looked delighted.
"That means the entire model could be wrong."
"Not necessarily. It means one of its assumptions may require revision."
"Which could change the forecast."
"Yes."
"And the way resources are distributed."
"Potentially."
She grinned.
Halven found himself smiling in return.
There was something deeply satisfying about talking to someone who wanted to understand the machinery behind a conclusion rather than simply accept it. Dginnie was willing to question an established model, but she was equally willing to change her mind when the evidence did not support her position.
He found her reasoning engaging.
He also found that he looked forward to their conversations more than he had anticipated.
The quiet routine was not entirely uninterrupted.
Kael, having returned to the academy dormitory room once his immediate condition permitted it, remained in contact with them. His messages were frequent, his questions about Dginnie's wellbeing persistent, and his patience with the restrictions imposed on him increasingly thin.
Halven understood why.
He simply did not enjoy being reminded of it every time he settled down to work.
One evening, he was in the middle of discussing a particularly interesting financial projection with Dginnie when his communication device signalled again.
He glanced at the message.
Then he closed his eyes.
Dginnie looked up from her notes.
"Kael?"
"Yes."
"Is he all right?"
"He is asking whether the medical team has reconsidered his restrictions."
"Again?"
"Again."
"Poor Kael."
Halven gave her a look.
She tried not to smile.
"You're allowed to feel sympathy for him," he said. "You are also allowed to enjoy an uninterrupted conversation with me."
"I can do both."
"An impressive talent."
She leaned over and touched his hand.
"I like talking with you."
His irritation faded so quickly that he almost resented her for it.
"As do I."
And they did.
For the next hour, the discussion wandered from resource allocation to the economics of public education, then to the way different territories accounted for the costs of raising and educating cubs. Dginnie asked questions he had not considered in quite that way before, and he found himself explaining ideas he usually kept confined to professional discussions.
It was easy to forget the world outside the room.
It was easy to forget that Kael was waiting.
Then the communication device signalled again.
Halven looked at it.
Dginnie rested her chin in her hand.
"You could answer him."
"I could."
"He is your family now."
Halven gave her a level look.
"He has been my family for a very short time."
"Still family."
"An observation I am beginning to regret."
She laughed.
He could not quite maintain his stern expression.
At last, he answered Kael.
The snow leopard's message was brief.
[How is she?]
Halven looked at Dginnie, who was still smiling over her notes.
[Well enough to argue with me about economics,] he replied. [She has eaten properly, her symptoms are manageable, and she is studying.]
Kael's response came almost immediately.
[Good. Tell her I miss her.]
Halven's fingers hovered over the screen.
He could have made a dry remark. He could have complained about the interruption, or reminded Kael that he was not the only one who missed her. He could also suggest that Kael contact her himself to find out how she was doing, but he didn't want her to be interrupted as frequently as he was being.
Instead, he glanced at Dginnie.
She had returned to her work, one hand resting near the notes she had been discussing with him.
Halven sent the message.
[I will.]
Then he returned to the conversation.
The dragon in him remained reluctant to share the quiet companionship he had found with his mate.
But he was learning that loving Dginnie meant making room for the other person she loved, even when that person was a particularly irritating snow leopard.
----------------------------------------
Chapter 55: A Snow Leopard's Problem
Kael was not having a good time.
He had never particularly enjoyed being confined to a room, even when that room was comfortable, well equipped, and stocked with everything he needed. The academy dormitory had been his home for long enough that he knew every corner of it. Usually, he appreciated the space.
At present, he would have happily traded it for a broom cupboard, provided the broom cupboard was within walking distance of Dginnie.
Instead, he was confined to his room with a medical schedule, a supply of suppressants, regular check-ins, and instructions to avoid anything that might aggravate his condition.
He was also being informed, repeatedly, that he was making progress.
He did not feel as though he was making progress. Dginnie's scent seemed to have been ingrained into their shared dormitory space and her dorm room, making him feel even more agitated. Their few days of absence had done little to allow her scent to fade.
Maybe he shouldn't have moved out of his room in their family house to come back here. Smelling her without being able to see or touch and hold her was torture. But then, he reassured himself, it was better than the torture he had experienced in the shared home when he couldn't even get a single whiff of her scent.
He felt as though his body had been left halfway through an argument and refused to acknowledge that the discussion had ended.
The rut had begun. The mating bond had formed. His instincts had recognised Dginnie as his mate, and the connection between them had settled into place.
But the biological process had not completed itself.
His body continued to demand what it had been preparing for, while the suppressants interfered with the natural course of the cycle. The medical team had warned him that simply waiting for the rut to subside might not be enough. If the condition continued too long, it could cause lasting harm.
Kael hated that part most.
He could endure discomfort.
He could endure frustration.
He could even endure being lectured by Halven, although he preferred to regard that as a temporary necessity rather than a habit he intended to develop.
But he did not want to become ill because he had failed to manage his own body.
And he certainly did not want Dginnie to suffer because of it.
When Halven visited him, Kael was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking at the latest medical report with an expression of deep suspicion.
"If I throw this device against the wall," he asked, "will it count as a symptom?"
"No."
"Will it count as a reasonable response to an unreasonable situation?"
"Also no."
Kael sighed and dropped the device onto the bed.
Halven took the chair beside the desk.
"The medical team has reviewed your condition. They believe there is a way to help you complete the rut without exposing Dginnie to unnecessary risk."
Kael's ears lifted.
"What way?"
"Before I explain, I want you to understand that this is a medical recommendation, not permission to ignore her wishes."
Kael's expression changed.
"I know that."
"I am aware that you know it in principle. I want to make certain you remember it when your instincts become difficult to manage."
Kael's tail moved sharply.
"I would never deliberately hurt her."
"I know."
Halven's voice was quieter now.
"But good intentions are not the same as control. You were frightened by what happened last time. So was she, even though she eventually chose to proceed with you. We must not repeat the circumstances that led to it."
Kael lowered his gaze.
For a while, neither spoke.
"I should have been more careful with the suppressants," Kael said at last. "I should have double checked the timing for when I needed to next take a suppressant and had the medical team check sooner. I should have realised something was wrong before it became impossible to manage. But I was also trying to rescue and save her from a dragon who had lost control of his senses due to an unexpected and unusually deep dragon matebond before he started another 8 hour session that she might not survive."
"You're right. I was also at fault. It truly was an unexpected development. I apologize for the distress I caused everyone during that time. But blaming yourself for every failure in the process will not improve it."
"That sounds like something you tell people when you don't want them to blame themselves."
"It is something I tell people when their self-recrimination has become unproductive."
Kael gave him a humourless smile.
"Is that what you say to yourself? You're very good at making guilt sound like an accounting error."
"Both can be corrected by examining the underlying causes."
Despite himself, Kael laughed.
It was brief, but it eased some of the tension in the room.
Halven continued.
"The doctors have proposed an alternative approach. It involves carefully managed contact with Dginnie, under medical guidance, rather than leaving you to endure an unfinished rut indefinitely. The exact arrangements will depend on your condition and her recovery."
Kael stared at him.
"You mean..."
"I mean that there are ways for a mate to help another mate through a difficult biological cycle without simply allowing instinct to dictate what happens."
Kael's ears angled forward.
"Does Dginnie know?"
"Not yet. The doctors will explain the recommendation to her in terms she can understand. They will also explain the risks and alternatives."
"She'll be frightened."
"Possibly. That is why she must be allowed to ask questions and decide whether she is comfortable with the proposal."
Kael rubbed a hand over his face.
"I don't want her to feel that she has to do this for me."
"Then you must not ask her to."
The answer was so direct that Kael looked up sharply.
Halven held his gaze.
"She has already been through enough. If she agrees to help, it must be because she understands the situation and wishes to do so, not because she thinks she owes you something."
Kael was silent for a long moment.
"All right."
Halven nodded.
"Good."
Kael looked towards the door, as though Dginnie might somehow appear on the other side of it.
"How is she?"
"Recovering. Her appetite has improved. Her senses remain unusually sensitive, but the medical team is helping her adapt. She is studying again."
"Of course she is."
"She has also been discussing economic forecasting with me in depth."
Kael turned back slowly.
"How long?"
"Several hours yesterday."
"Several hours?"
"She is an intelligent and engaging conversationalist."
"She's my mate."
"She is also a person with interests beyond you."
Kael's tail lashed once.
"I know that."
"Then you will understand why I am reluctant to interrupt our discussions every time you become impatient."
Kael stared at him.
Then he laughed, the sound rough and incredulous.
"You really are enjoying this."
"I am enjoying her company."
"That is not what I meant."
"I know."
They regarded each other for a moment.
Then Kael's expression softened.
"Thank you."
Halven's brows rose slightly.
"For what?"
"For taking care of her. For staying with her while I couldn't. For making sure she had someone she could rely on."
Halven was quiet.
He had not expected gratitude from Kael to be difficult to receive, but it was. Not because he resented it, but because he knew how much it cost the snow leopard to admit that another male had been able to provide something he could not.
"She is my mate," Halven said. "Taking care of her is not a favour."
"I know. I'm still grateful."
Halven inclined his head.
"Then I accept your gratitude."
Kael smiled faintly.
"Very gracious of you."
"I have my moments."
---
The medical consultation took place the following day.
Dginnie attended with Halven beside her, though she insisted on sitting in the examination room rather than being settled on a couch like a fragile ornament. She had recovered enough strength to move about independently, and she was determined to make the most of it.
The doctor explained that Kael's condition was not an emergency at that moment, but neither could it be allowed to continue indefinitely. His body needed to complete the process safely, and the suppressants could not simply be increased without considering the consequences.
Dginnie listened carefully.
Then the doctor began explaining the proposed alternative.
The terminology became increasingly complicated.
There were references to hormonal regulation, biological feedback, the interaction between a developing pregnancy and an incomplete rut, and ways of managing the process through carefully controlled contact between bonded partners.
Dginnie frowned.
"Could you explain that in ordinary language?"
The doctor paused.
Halven looked down at his hands.
Dginnie turned towards him.
"You're doing that thing again."
"What thing?"
"The thing where you understand something and decide not to tell me because you think the explanation will be difficult."
"I was waiting for the doctor to simplify it."
"How considerate."
The doctor cleared their throat.
"In simple terms, Kael's body is struggling to finish a process that began before the suppressants took effect. Keeping him separated from you has been necessary while you recover, but it does not resolve the underlying problem. There are ways to help him complete the process with your participation, provided your medical condition allows it, you freely agree and are willing to perform certain activities with him."
Dginnie looked from the doctor to Halven.
"And what would I have to do?"
The doctor explained the practical implications, the safeguards, and the circumstances under which the process would have to stop. The discussion remained clinical, but Dginnie understood enough to recognise why the doctor had been careful with the terminology.
She also understood why Halven had insisted on discussing it with her rather than making arrangements privately.
"Does this put the egg at risk?"
"That is one of the factors we would need to monitor. Your pregnancy is early, and the dragon egg's development imposes additional demands on your body. We would not recommend proceeding until we are satisfied that the risks are acceptable."
"And if I say no?"
"Then we continue exploring other medical options. Your consent is necessary. We will not treat your refusal as a failure to cooperate."
Dginnie let out a slow breath.
"Good."
She looked at Halven.
"What do you think?"
He considered his answer carefully.
"I think Kael needs help. I also think you have already given a great deal, and no one should assume that your willingness to help him before means you must agree again. We need to know what the doctors can safely offer, what the alternatives are, and what you want."
Dginnie nodded.
"I want to help him. But I don't want to be rushed into something because everyone is worried about what might happen if we wait."
"Nor should you be."
"Then I want to discuss it again after I've had time to think."
The doctor agreed to arrange another consultation.
When they returned to the residence, Dginnie was quiet for a while.
Halven did not press her to speak.
Eventually, she looked at him.
"Are you jealous?"
He glanced at her.
"Of Kael?"
"Of having to help him with something so personal."
Halven considered the question.
"Yes, a little."
She blinked.
He continued before she could misunderstand.
"I enjoy having you to myself. I enjoy our conversations, and I enjoy the time we spend together. I would prefer not to share every quiet moment with an urgent medical concern involving your other mate."
Dginnie tried not to smile.
"That sounds very selfish."
"It is. I have never claimed to be entirely free of selfish impulses."
"But you're going to help him anyway."
"Yes."
"Why?"
He looked at her.
"Because you love him and he is your mate. Because he is my family now. And because I would rather be inconvenienced than see either of you harmed."
Dginnie's expression softened.
She reached for his hand.
"Thank you."
He turned his palm upwards, letting her lace their fingers together.
"Do not thank me for every decent thing I do," he said. "I would prefer that you expect decent treatment."
"That sounds suspiciously like something you expect me to remember. Thanking you is not just out of politeness or abligation, you know. It's is an expression of my gratefulness and appreciation for all the efforts you make whether seen or unseen. I don't want to ever end up taking you for granted."
"In that case, I accept. Thank you for your consideration."
She leaned against his shoulder.
For a while, they sat quietly together.
Then she asked, "Do you think Kael is lonely?"
"Yes."
"Would you mind if I message him right now?"
"Of course."
She took out her device and began typing.
Halven did not ask what she wrote.
He had no need to.
The emotional impression through their bond was enough to tell him that she was concerned, affectionate, and thinking carefully about what she wanted to do next.
He rested his head lightly against hers.
The future would require compromises. Some would be easy. Others would test his patience, his generosity, and his ability to share what he valued.
But he had chosen this household with open eyes.
And Dginnie had chosen him.
He considered the effort worthwhile.