Draconis
Title: Draconis chapter 1
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jared's a prince who always does what's expected of him, even as he dreams of following his heart. When his father signs an allegiance with a dragon clan and he meets Jensen, everything changes.
Disclaimer: Neither of these beautiful men are mine. I just play with them sometimes.
Author's Notes: This is officially my last verse until I can finish some of them. Seriously it's getting out of hand xD
(Awesome header made for me by the talented Inanna-Maat)
A hundred candles decorated the room from their places hanging on the walls and from atop of gleaming candelabra on every table. The flickering flames caste an ethereal glow, creating shadows against the enormous arched ceiling.
Food consisting of fresh fruit and thick cuts of meat were heaped onto the longest table by the front of the room, along with countless goblets of sweet punch and wine.
The ballroom was the very center of the castle, and Queen Sharon made sure that it was always sparkling and constantly decorated to perfection so that it would be ready for nights such as this.
Jared tugged uncomfortably at the collar of his shirt, looking around the crowded ballroom with an expression of boredom on his face. His parents were the center of both the room and the guests’ attentions as always, his mother’s gown flowing around her feet as they moved across the floor in perfect sync with each other.
Dancing just as elegantly to their right was Jared’s older brother Jeff and his wife Sandra. She was Jared’s closest childhood friend, and although at times it still felt odd that Sandy was his sister-in-law now and next in line to be the queen of their kingdom, Jared couldn’t be happier for her and his brother. They had fallen so much in love, and admittedly a part of him was a little jealous. Not of Jeff, but of the fact that they had found such intense and true feelings with someone.
That thought drew Jared’s attention to the man some feet away from himself who was busy entertaining a group of women. They giggled and blushed with every word that came out of his mouth in time with the fluttering of their fans and the bat of their eyelashes.
Penn had officially been Jared’s betrothed for almost a year but he could not find it in himself to be jealous of his behavior. There weren’t really any feelings between them despite Penn’s claims to the contrary and honestly Jared was only consenting to make his family happy.
The impending marriage was an arrangement between their parents; the Badgley family had been advisers to the Padalecki family for generations and because of that trust and closeness they were always their dearest friends as well. With Jeff the next in line to be king, who Jared married did not matter quite as much royalty wise and so logically it was a perfect arrangement.
Looking around at all the happy faces it was also apparent that he was the only member of his family and the kingdom that didn’t enjoy these parties. Even Jared’s younger sister Megan was happily twirling around with a young man, her brown hair loose and swaying around her shoulders as she laughed at something he said.
Jared’s mother said his feelings about the gatherings were because he was at the age of fickleness, where nothing held his attention for more than a few seconds.
He supposed that might be true, ignoring the two young women that were huddled together giggling and whispering to each other. They’d been trying to catch his eye for a little while but Jared had no intention of indulging them.
Casting one last glance at his parents to make sure they were still distracted, he quickly made his escape. Jared weaved through a few people who were talking and laughing together near the door and sighed in relief as he slipped out of the castle.
The backyard was alight with a silver glow from the full moon, the night comfortably warm and clear. The stars twinkled against the dark sky in time with the blink of the fireflies.
Jared closed his eyes and breathed deeply, taking in the intoxicating scent of the lilies on the clear water of the fountain and the honeysuckle vines that were entangled in the bushes next to them.
He walked over and plucked one of the little yellow flowers, pulling off the green bottom and sucking the sweet-tasting honey from inside of it. There was only a tiny drop in each one but Jared had loved tasting them anyway. It had been a tradition for him and Sandy since they were little.
In a matter of moments there was a pile of yellow at Jared’s feet, the color almost completely hiding his shoes.
“You’re going to run out of flowers soon,” a bemused voice said from behind him. “Why are you out here alone?”
Jared hastily spat a honeysuckle from his lips and turned, facing a man he’d never seen before. Even in the semi-darkness, Jared could make out the newcomer's short, dark hair and broad shoulders. His deep, husky voice held nothing but innocent curiosity and Jared relaxed when he realized he was not about to get scolded for ditching the party.
“I hate these gatherings,” Jared replied. “Are you here for them?”
“You could say that. I’m Jensen, by the way.”
Jared took the man’s offered hand, the fingers warm and strong as they gripped his own. “Jared.”
Jensen tensed and started to back away. “I’m sorry, Highness. I didn’t realize--”
“No,” Jared stepped forward to compensate for the lost distance between them, “please, you don’t have to go. And I don’t need any formalities.”
Jensen tilted his head slightly to the side, studying Jared for a moment before he smiled. “You’re not what I expected.”
Before Jared could even decide whether or not to be insulted by that, Jensen had grabbed his wrist and was pulling him towards the fountain.
“Here, watch this.”
They stopped at the edge and Jensen dipped his hands into the cold water, scooping up a small and weak water lily that had only been half above the surface. The poor thing didn’t even look as if it had enough strength to bloom.
Jared watched in shock as the tiny bud grew a couple sizes right before his eyes, the petals spreading open and the purple color darkening with life.
Jared sputtered. “How.. How did--?”
“Jared, you get away from him!” Jeff’s sudden appearance startled Jared as his hand snagged the younger man’s arm. He dragged Jared to his side, lips twisted into a sneer as he glared hatefully at Jensen. “Keep your distance from my brother, you monster!”
Jared attempted to yank away, but Jeff just tightened his hold. “What is the matter with you? We were just talking!”
“Things like him don’t just talk.”
“I wasn’t going to hurt him,” Jensen said, water dripping from his fingers as he still cradled the lily. “I meant no harm.”
Jeff caste a look at him that could melt ice. “You just be sure you keep it that way,” he snarled then turned sharply on his heel.
Jared stumbled a little as he looked over his shoulder while Jeff dragged him back towards the castle. He watched as Jensen gently placed the healthy flower back into the water.
<>***<>***<>***<>***<>
Back in the ballroom Jared was surprised to see that everyone had stopped dancing and were standing in a large circle. Jeff pulled him to their parents and sister in the center of the commotion, and Megan immediately attached herself to his side.
King Gerald was shaking hands with a black-haired, bearded man. He was robust and handsome, with kind features and eyes dark with years of knowledge. Beside him was a man a few years his junior, his body stiff and expression wary. The tension in his body dissipated a little when Jensen weaved through to stand at his side.
Jared looked around at the guests, noting the mixture of surprise and distrust on their faces. “Father?” he ventured, moving towards the King. Megan stuck with him like glue, shuffling her feet a little as she stared with wide eyes. “What’s going on?”
Gerald beckoned him closer. “Son, you’re just in time. I’d like to introduce you to Jeffery Dean and two of his clan members. They’ve come to assist in the writing of the treaty that will align our kingdom with the dragons.”
“Dragons?”
As a child he’d spent hours enraptured by minstrel’s fancies and reading books that were all about dragons and the idea that they could take human form and he’d desperately hoped for them to be true. Jared found himself positively delighted to know that they were.
“How extraordinary,” he breathed in awe, and a warm feeling took up residence in his belly as Jensen flashed him a grin.
“Your Majesty,” Penn’s deep voice cut in, his arm slipping around Jared’s waist as he took space beside him. “Do you think this is wise? These creatures have been known to be temperamental and dangerous. To allow them into our kingdom--”
“That’s enough, Penn,” Sharon cut him off. “I will not listen to you speak in such a manner about our guests. It’s unbecoming!”
Penn bowed, and Jared fought the urge to move away as his arm pressed more firmly against his back. “Forgive me, my Queen. I did not mean to upset you or your.. company.”
“Please everyone, continue with the festivities,” Gerald announced to their audience. “We will move these deliberations to somewhere private.”
He and Sharon walked from the room with the three dragons and a couple guards in tow. Jared started to follow but one stern look from his brother stopped him in his tracks.
“Do you think it was wise for Mother and Father to leave with the dragons like that?” Megan asked, her voice muffled a little by her fingers so that only her siblings, Penn and Sandy could hear her. “It might have been better to deliberate here in front of everyone, just in case.”
“I don’t think anything bad will happen,” Jared said. “The dragons are kind, fascinating, and noble. Just think of all the stories they could tell us.”
“How do you know what they are like?” Sandy asked curiously, her thin arms wrapped around one of Jeff’s slightly muscled ones. “Minstrel stories aren’t always made of truth.”
“He was conversing with one of them outside,” Jeff retorted disapprovingly before Jared could even open his mouth. “The thing was showing him a parlor trick.”
“You shouldn’t call them things, darling. It’s not nice.”
“But that’s what they are,” Jeff insisted, his voice twisted in disgust. “Nothing but animals that get their jollies pretending to be human. It’s all to lure us into a false sense of security, and that is when they will strike.”
“I didn’t get that impression,” Megan ventured thoughtfully. “Besides Father would never allow that to happen.”
“It’s not true anyway.” Jared matched the glare his brother sent his way with one of his own. Jeff’s close-mindedness was always setting them at odds with each other. “I’m telling you, they’re not bad.”
Penn moved his hold to around Jared’s shoulders, pulling him into a hug as one hand stroked over his chestnut hair. “Hush, sweetheart. You just don’t understand these matters,” he cooed.
Jared growled and pulled away, shoving Penn backwards in the process. “Do not condescend to tell me what I do and do not understand, first of all. Secondly don’t call me that! I will marry you per our parents’ orders, Penn. But there will never be affections between us and you’d do best to remember that.”
As he left the room the last thing he heard before the doors closed behind him was Penn apologizing to his siblings for his behavior.
Pretentious bastard.
Jared moved quickly down the hallway towards the throne room, casting friendly smiles to the servants that greeted him on the way by.
He held a finger to his lips when he reached the two guards on either side of the large wooden door, signaling them to keep silent. Michael looked amused while Thomas raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Jared grinned at them then grabbed the old handle; the door creaked as he pushed and Jared cringed, immediately stilling and holding his breath for a moment until he was sure the noise had gone unnoticed. He pushed a little harder.
The door opened a sliver, the sound of voices emerging from the room and Jared pressed himself close so that he could see inside. Jensen and the other young dragon were standing on either side of Jeffrey Dean, the older man looking over a long piece of parchment as the Royal Notary scribbled on it with a feather pen. On the other side of the elderly man, Gerald and Sharon watched the document just as intently.
Eager to get closer, although logically Jared would have no way of knowing what was on that piece of paper this far away, he leaned harder on the door.
A decidedly undignified yelp tumbled from his lips as the door gave way and he hit the floor of the room with a thud.
“Ow..”
The guards were instantly at his side, assisting him to his feet by his arms as everyone else in the room stared at him in surprise.
“Forgive us, Highness,” Thomas said as Michael brushed Jared off and put the crown back on his head. “We tried to catch you.”
“Unfortunately my youngest son’s antics can never be fully anticipated,” Gerald laughed while Sharon rushed over and checked Jared for injuries.
“Are you hurt, sweetheart?” she asked worriedly, prodding him for bruises and internal bleeding.
“I’m fine, Mother,” Jared mumbled, blushing as red as an apple. He was not one to be embarrassed easily but found himself to be so under the dragons’ attentions. “I sincerely apologize for interrupting.”
Jeffrey Dean chuckled, bowing slightly to him as Sharon dragged her son over. “There’s no need, Highness. It’s an honor to officially meet you.”
“The same to you, Sir,” Jared replied. He glanced at Jensen, who was watching him with something akin to captivation in his green eyes and immediately Jared flushed again.
The other dragon whose name was not mentioned yet looked back and forth between Jared and Jensen with a bewildered expression on his face.
Jensen turned his head to meet his gaze, their expressions changing every couple seconds like they were communicating without words and the man’s frown deepened.
The look cleared into a stoic mask as looked at Jared and bowed like Jeffrey Dean had. “Good evening, Highness. My name is Christian.”
“It’s a pleasure, Christian,” Jared replied with a kind smile. He wanted very badly to give them permission to call him by his first name, but he had learned quickly at a young age that it was not always appropriate to do so while in the company of others.
“Majesty,” the Notary broke into the reverie, his voice small and tentative. “I’ve finished.”
“Excellent!” Gerald took the parchment, looking it over before handing it to Jeffrey Dean to do the same. “It looks to me like all is in order, wouldn’t you say?”
Jeffrey Dean nodded his approval. “Seems so. Shall we sign and make it official?”
Jared leaned up on his toes, trying to see what the document said but he was not standing in the right spot. He pouted slightly as it passed hands between the dragon and his father, each of them scrawling their names at the bottom.
“So be it, then,” Gerald said happily when the act was done. “From here on our lives and community shall be joined.”
“And as a measure of good faith,” Jeffrey Dean replied, “I shall assign one of my clan members to be a guardian to the second born prince.”
“Me?” Jared squeaked. Just the very idea of being able to spend time around a real dragon had excitement bubbling in his gut, and he fought the urge to jump up and down like a kid. “I’d be honored!”
Jeffrey Dean grinned at him then turned his head to look at Jensen. “You are the perfect candidate, Jensen. From here on out you will protect his Highness.”
Jensen nodded his assent. “As you wish.”
Chapter 2
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jared's a prince who always does what's expected of him, even as he dreams of following his heart. When his father signs an allegiance with a dragon clan and he meets Jensen, everything changes.
Disclaimer: Neither of these beautiful men are mine. I just play with them sometimes.
Author's Notes: This is officially my last verse until I can finish some of them. Seriously it's getting out of hand xD
(Awesome header made for me by the talented Inanna-Maat)
A hundred candles decorated the room from their places hanging on the walls and from atop of gleaming candelabra on every table. The flickering flames caste an ethereal glow, creating shadows against the enormous arched ceiling.
Food consisting of fresh fruit and thick cuts of meat were heaped onto the longest table by the front of the room, along with countless goblets of sweet punch and wine.
The ballroom was the very center of the castle, and Queen Sharon made sure that it was always sparkling and constantly decorated to perfection so that it would be ready for nights such as this.
Jared tugged uncomfortably at the collar of his shirt, looking around the crowded ballroom with an expression of boredom on his face. His parents were the center of both the room and the guests’ attentions as always, his mother’s gown flowing around her feet as they moved across the floor in perfect sync with each other.
Dancing just as elegantly to their right was Jared’s older brother Jeff and his wife Sandra. She was Jared’s closest childhood friend, and although at times it still felt odd that Sandy was his sister-in-law now and next in line to be the queen of their kingdom, Jared couldn’t be happier for her and his brother. They had fallen so much in love, and admittedly a part of him was a little jealous. Not of Jeff, but of the fact that they had found such intense and true feelings with someone.
That thought drew Jared’s attention to the man some feet away from himself who was busy entertaining a group of women. They giggled and blushed with every word that came out of his mouth in time with the fluttering of their fans and the bat of their eyelashes.
Penn had officially been Jared’s betrothed for almost a year but he could not find it in himself to be jealous of his behavior. There weren’t really any feelings between them despite Penn’s claims to the contrary and honestly Jared was only consenting to make his family happy.
The impending marriage was an arrangement between their parents; the Badgley family had been advisers to the Padalecki family for generations and because of that trust and closeness they were always their dearest friends as well. With Jeff the next in line to be king, who Jared married did not matter quite as much royalty wise and so logically it was a perfect arrangement.
Looking around at all the happy faces it was also apparent that he was the only member of his family and the kingdom that didn’t enjoy these parties. Even Jared’s younger sister Megan was happily twirling around with a young man, her brown hair loose and swaying around her shoulders as she laughed at something he said.
Jared’s mother said his feelings about the gatherings were because he was at the age of fickleness, where nothing held his attention for more than a few seconds.
He supposed that might be true, ignoring the two young women that were huddled together giggling and whispering to each other. They’d been trying to catch his eye for a little while but Jared had no intention of indulging them.
Casting one last glance at his parents to make sure they were still distracted, he quickly made his escape. Jared weaved through a few people who were talking and laughing together near the door and sighed in relief as he slipped out of the castle.
The backyard was alight with a silver glow from the full moon, the night comfortably warm and clear. The stars twinkled against the dark sky in time with the blink of the fireflies.
Jared closed his eyes and breathed deeply, taking in the intoxicating scent of the lilies on the clear water of the fountain and the honeysuckle vines that were entangled in the bushes next to them.
He walked over and plucked one of the little yellow flowers, pulling off the green bottom and sucking the sweet-tasting honey from inside of it. There was only a tiny drop in each one but Jared had loved tasting them anyway. It had been a tradition for him and Sandy since they were little.
In a matter of moments there was a pile of yellow at Jared’s feet, the color almost completely hiding his shoes.
“You’re going to run out of flowers soon,” a bemused voice said from behind him. “Why are you out here alone?”
Jared hastily spat a honeysuckle from his lips and turned, facing a man he’d never seen before. Even in the semi-darkness, Jared could make out the newcomer's short, dark hair and broad shoulders. His deep, husky voice held nothing but innocent curiosity and Jared relaxed when he realized he was not about to get scolded for ditching the party.
“I hate these gatherings,” Jared replied. “Are you here for them?”
“You could say that. I’m Jensen, by the way.”
Jared took the man’s offered hand, the fingers warm and strong as they gripped his own. “Jared.”
Jensen tensed and started to back away. “I’m sorry, Highness. I didn’t realize--”
“No,” Jared stepped forward to compensate for the lost distance between them, “please, you don’t have to go. And I don’t need any formalities.”
Jensen tilted his head slightly to the side, studying Jared for a moment before he smiled. “You’re not what I expected.”
Before Jared could even decide whether or not to be insulted by that, Jensen had grabbed his wrist and was pulling him towards the fountain.
“Here, watch this.”
They stopped at the edge and Jensen dipped his hands into the cold water, scooping up a small and weak water lily that had only been half above the surface. The poor thing didn’t even look as if it had enough strength to bloom.
Jared watched in shock as the tiny bud grew a couple sizes right before his eyes, the petals spreading open and the purple color darkening with life.
Jared sputtered. “How.. How did--?”
“Jared, you get away from him!” Jeff’s sudden appearance startled Jared as his hand snagged the younger man’s arm. He dragged Jared to his side, lips twisted into a sneer as he glared hatefully at Jensen. “Keep your distance from my brother, you monster!”
Jared attempted to yank away, but Jeff just tightened his hold. “What is the matter with you? We were just talking!”
“Things like him don’t just talk.”
“I wasn’t going to hurt him,” Jensen said, water dripping from his fingers as he still cradled the lily. “I meant no harm.”
Jeff caste a look at him that could melt ice. “You just be sure you keep it that way,” he snarled then turned sharply on his heel.
Jared stumbled a little as he looked over his shoulder while Jeff dragged him back towards the castle. He watched as Jensen gently placed the healthy flower back into the water.
<>***<>***<>***<>***<>
Back in the ballroom Jared was surprised to see that everyone had stopped dancing and were standing in a large circle. Jeff pulled him to their parents and sister in the center of the commotion, and Megan immediately attached herself to his side.
King Gerald was shaking hands with a black-haired, bearded man. He was robust and handsome, with kind features and eyes dark with years of knowledge. Beside him was a man a few years his junior, his body stiff and expression wary. The tension in his body dissipated a little when Jensen weaved through to stand at his side.
Jared looked around at the guests, noting the mixture of surprise and distrust on their faces. “Father?” he ventured, moving towards the King. Megan stuck with him like glue, shuffling her feet a little as she stared with wide eyes. “What’s going on?”
Gerald beckoned him closer. “Son, you’re just in time. I’d like to introduce you to Jeffery Dean and two of his clan members. They’ve come to assist in the writing of the treaty that will align our kingdom with the dragons.”
“Dragons?”
As a child he’d spent hours enraptured by minstrel’s fancies and reading books that were all about dragons and the idea that they could take human form and he’d desperately hoped for them to be true. Jared found himself positively delighted to know that they were.
“How extraordinary,” he breathed in awe, and a warm feeling took up residence in his belly as Jensen flashed him a grin.
“Your Majesty,” Penn’s deep voice cut in, his arm slipping around Jared’s waist as he took space beside him. “Do you think this is wise? These creatures have been known to be temperamental and dangerous. To allow them into our kingdom--”
“That’s enough, Penn,” Sharon cut him off. “I will not listen to you speak in such a manner about our guests. It’s unbecoming!”
Penn bowed, and Jared fought the urge to move away as his arm pressed more firmly against his back. “Forgive me, my Queen. I did not mean to upset you or your.. company.”
“Please everyone, continue with the festivities,” Gerald announced to their audience. “We will move these deliberations to somewhere private.”
He and Sharon walked from the room with the three dragons and a couple guards in tow. Jared started to follow but one stern look from his brother stopped him in his tracks.
“Do you think it was wise for Mother and Father to leave with the dragons like that?” Megan asked, her voice muffled a little by her fingers so that only her siblings, Penn and Sandy could hear her. “It might have been better to deliberate here in front of everyone, just in case.”
“I don’t think anything bad will happen,” Jared said. “The dragons are kind, fascinating, and noble. Just think of all the stories they could tell us.”
“How do you know what they are like?” Sandy asked curiously, her thin arms wrapped around one of Jeff’s slightly muscled ones. “Minstrel stories aren’t always made of truth.”
“He was conversing with one of them outside,” Jeff retorted disapprovingly before Jared could even open his mouth. “The thing was showing him a parlor trick.”
“You shouldn’t call them things, darling. It’s not nice.”
“But that’s what they are,” Jeff insisted, his voice twisted in disgust. “Nothing but animals that get their jollies pretending to be human. It’s all to lure us into a false sense of security, and that is when they will strike.”
“I didn’t get that impression,” Megan ventured thoughtfully. “Besides Father would never allow that to happen.”
“It’s not true anyway.” Jared matched the glare his brother sent his way with one of his own. Jeff’s close-mindedness was always setting them at odds with each other. “I’m telling you, they’re not bad.”
Penn moved his hold to around Jared’s shoulders, pulling him into a hug as one hand stroked over his chestnut hair. “Hush, sweetheart. You just don’t understand these matters,” he cooed.
Jared growled and pulled away, shoving Penn backwards in the process. “Do not condescend to tell me what I do and do not understand, first of all. Secondly don’t call me that! I will marry you per our parents’ orders, Penn. But there will never be affections between us and you’d do best to remember that.”
As he left the room the last thing he heard before the doors closed behind him was Penn apologizing to his siblings for his behavior.
Pretentious bastard.
Jared moved quickly down the hallway towards the throne room, casting friendly smiles to the servants that greeted him on the way by.
He held a finger to his lips when he reached the two guards on either side of the large wooden door, signaling them to keep silent. Michael looked amused while Thomas raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Jared grinned at them then grabbed the old handle; the door creaked as he pushed and Jared cringed, immediately stilling and holding his breath for a moment until he was sure the noise had gone unnoticed. He pushed a little harder.
The door opened a sliver, the sound of voices emerging from the room and Jared pressed himself close so that he could see inside. Jensen and the other young dragon were standing on either side of Jeffrey Dean, the older man looking over a long piece of parchment as the Royal Notary scribbled on it with a feather pen. On the other side of the elderly man, Gerald and Sharon watched the document just as intently.
Eager to get closer, although logically Jared would have no way of knowing what was on that piece of paper this far away, he leaned harder on the door.
A decidedly undignified yelp tumbled from his lips as the door gave way and he hit the floor of the room with a thud.
“Ow..”
The guards were instantly at his side, assisting him to his feet by his arms as everyone else in the room stared at him in surprise.
“Forgive us, Highness,” Thomas said as Michael brushed Jared off and put the crown back on his head. “We tried to catch you.”
“Unfortunately my youngest son’s antics can never be fully anticipated,” Gerald laughed while Sharon rushed over and checked Jared for injuries.
“Are you hurt, sweetheart?” she asked worriedly, prodding him for bruises and internal bleeding.
“I’m fine, Mother,” Jared mumbled, blushing as red as an apple. He was not one to be embarrassed easily but found himself to be so under the dragons’ attentions. “I sincerely apologize for interrupting.”
Jeffrey Dean chuckled, bowing slightly to him as Sharon dragged her son over. “There’s no need, Highness. It’s an honor to officially meet you.”
“The same to you, Sir,” Jared replied. He glanced at Jensen, who was watching him with something akin to captivation in his green eyes and immediately Jared flushed again.
The other dragon whose name was not mentioned yet looked back and forth between Jared and Jensen with a bewildered expression on his face.
Jensen turned his head to meet his gaze, their expressions changing every couple seconds like they were communicating without words and the man’s frown deepened.
The look cleared into a stoic mask as looked at Jared and bowed like Jeffrey Dean had. “Good evening, Highness. My name is Christian.”
“It’s a pleasure, Christian,” Jared replied with a kind smile. He wanted very badly to give them permission to call him by his first name, but he had learned quickly at a young age that it was not always appropriate to do so while in the company of others.
“Majesty,” the Notary broke into the reverie, his voice small and tentative. “I’ve finished.”
“Excellent!” Gerald took the parchment, looking it over before handing it to Jeffrey Dean to do the same. “It looks to me like all is in order, wouldn’t you say?”
Jeffrey Dean nodded his approval. “Seems so. Shall we sign and make it official?”
Jared leaned up on his toes, trying to see what the document said but he was not standing in the right spot. He pouted slightly as it passed hands between the dragon and his father, each of them scrawling their names at the bottom.
“So be it, then,” Gerald said happily when the act was done. “From here on our lives and community shall be joined.”
“And as a measure of good faith,” Jeffrey Dean replied, “I shall assign one of my clan members to be a guardian to the second born prince.”
“Me?” Jared squeaked. Just the very idea of being able to spend time around a real dragon had excitement bubbling in his gut, and he fought the urge to jump up and down like a kid. “I’d be honored!”
Jeffrey Dean grinned at him then turned his head to look at Jensen. “You are the perfect candidate, Jensen. From here on out you will protect his Highness.”
Jensen nodded his assent. “As you wish.”
Chapter 2