Hey everyone! Sorry for such the long wait! I left you in a bad spot too, didn’t I? I’m feeling a little bit more inclined to write so I taking advantage of the mood. Thanks for all of those still reading!

Chapter 23: A deal?

By the time we reached our destination, or at least I thought we reach it as the sunlight suddenly disappeared, I was too exhausted to keep my panicked movements up.

I was resigned to my fate. I was going to die by Holt’s hands, but I would be the victor, because I hadn’t caved.

“Get ready,” commanded Holt with a thump on the crate, “this is going to be fun.” I heard a roar and then sounds of a scuffle. I took deep, calming breaths and tried to pay attention. There were murmurs in the distance and then my crate was moving.

I was carried for what felt like hours though in reality it was probably only a few minutes

“What is it you want Holt? Your punishment is not up,” stated Kamau and I had to bite my lip to keep from screaming his name. He didn’t need to know I was in this box. He wouldn’t care, I reasoned.

I want you to step down and name me High Lord,” answered Holt and I was surprised at how confident he sounded.

“And if I don’t?” inquired Kamau, sounding annoyed, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“Then I’m going to have Deimos torch what’s in the crate,” answered Holt and I felt my crate shake again.

“And why would I give you my cave over burnt wood?” questioned Kamau, calm as ever.

“Simple,” replied Holt and I could hear the smirk in his voice, “it’s something very precious. Would you like to see it?” Kamau must have nodded, because the lid to my crate opened and Holt pulled me out by my thin layer of hair.

I heard roars of outrage and felt a blade against my chest.

“Don’t move Kamau or I swear I’ll spear him right through the heart and not even your healing abilities will be able to save him,” hissed Holt and I stared at the floor.

“What have you done?” asked Kamau, sounding breathless.

“Oh, I tried to get him to tell me where the chaosfire is, but he wouldn’t tell me even though you abandoned him,” explained Holt nonchalantly and I felt familiar tears roll down my cheeks.

“Roscoe,” whimpered Sharif and with difficulty I lifted my head to face him. He just stared at me and I shook my head before looking back at the floor.

“This cave for your human,” bargained Holt, sounding smug, but he kept his blade firmly pointed at my heart. Kamau didn’t respond and I looked up at him before shaking my head. Why wasn’t he refusing? They no longer needed.

So, I turned to Jiya, who was clenching his fists and looking pissed off.

“Don’t even consider Holt’s offer,” I croaked, my dry throat making it difficult to speak.

“You’re worth it,” assured Kamau, but I didn’t take my eyes off of Jiya.

“I’m not,” I argued, taking a deep breath, “remember that legend you told me, Jiya? The one about the emperor and his human lover? How you though I was the one the emperor spoke of?” Jiya nodded though he immediately frowned.

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe I can save your race,” I voiced, feeling very tired, “which is why I’m not giving you a choice in this one. I’m going to protect you. I love you, all of you.” With that said, I gathered what was left of my strength and impaled myself on Holt’s sword.

“Roscoe,” screamed Sharif and I saw his eye gather that teary, golden shimmer.

“I’m not worth bargaining for now,” I voiced, gasping uncontrollably, “now, take care of these dragons.” Jiya was the first to move and before I even knew what happened Holt’s detached head was flying into the air.

To say the small rebellion was easily stopped would be an understatement, but at least they only killed Holt.

“What have you done?” questioned Sharif, kneeling beside me.

“I hope I saved you,” I replied, trying to keep my eyes open.

“You shouldn’t have come,” murmured Jiya and to my surprise his eyes shone with golden tears too, “we left you with your family to protect you.”

“Better to save an entire cave of dragons than me,” I reasoned, closing my eyes for a moment.

“We’d choose you every time,” whispered Kamau, running his fingers through my hair. He was crying too.

“You lied to me,” I whispered, realizing that I hadn’t given my dragons enough credit and that they still loved me, “I’m sorry.”

“We love you, “ whispered Sharif and my heart broke as I watched them cry.

Then, they began to glow and the world faded away.

“So, you are the human who has sacrificed himself and made it possible for these three dragons to shed tears, “ voiced a dragon and I gapped. This dragon was walking gold. His golden hair was in a high ponytail and still it reached a few inches above his waist. Carmel skin covered sleek muscle and he had the most powerful golden wings. His golden eyes were sparkling with amusement and I blushed when I realized he had caught me staring.

“I am the dragon god of chaos, Kazumnala,” continued the dragon, “you have made the needed sacrifices selflessly and now you will receive your award.” Kazumnala took my hand and I felt a searing pain travel up my arm and spread through my body.

“What are you doing to me?” I questioned, trying to pull away.

“You have made the greatest sacrifice so I am healing you mortal body and gifting you with the ability to age in dragon years so the you and your samirs may be together,” explained Kazumnala, flashing a gentle smile, “you get the customary chaosfire as well.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, understanding that this dragon god was giving me more than he had to. He nodded then turned to my dragons. “You have learned a valuable lesson. You have learned to love in a way most dragons can’t and now you know to NEVER leave the protection of your samir in the hands of another. I’m granting you each a small power boost. Use your abilities wisely.”

The world began to reappear, but Kazumnala turned back to us. “You are samirs. There is no doubt of that. Perform the binding ceremony and I will make sure that Zekenee is there to bless you himself.”

The world came back into focus and I took a deep breath.

“You’re well again,” murmured Sharif, holding me in his and hugging me tightly, “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“Glad you’re back,” voiced Jiya, flashing me a rare smile, “I was going insane without having a little human to molest.”

“You’ll never leave our sides again,” assured Kamau, giving me an adoring smile. I laughed with pure relief and gave them each a passionate kiss.

"Life wasn't the same without you. You didn't write like you said you would. I had finally convinced myself you didn't love me," I murmured, moving out of Sharif's arms and looking away from them. I knew that it shouldn't matter now that I know the truth, but the memories still hurt.

"I apologize," voiced Kamau, running his fingers through his sky blue and blonde hair, "a couple days after you left we started to get attacked. I've kept Sharif and Jiya busy and I couldn't spare anyone. We though you were safe with your family and that you would be okay until we figured everything out and could contact you safely. The time never seemed to come though. We've done nothing but fight, sleep, eat, and analyze. It's a pathetic excuse, but I truly though you would be safe and happy."

"I'm sorry too," apologized Sharif, bowing his head in shame, "I was forgetful and I never should have been too busy to write you. I guess I just thought it was too dangerous to send a messenger. I thought we were the only dragons to know your location. I didn't want you at risk."

"I guess I should've wrote too," grumbled Jiya, but I could see the sincerity in his golden eye.

"It's okay now," I mumbled, pulling them close enough so that I could easily touch them at the same time, "I'm so glad to know it wasn't all a lie." As weird as it seemed my dragons' word was all I needed to forget all my doubts about their seven-month absence. Even though the memories would always be painful I could handle it if it always kept me with my dragons. Their presence soothed me and then I remembered my problem.

"I'm not supposed to be here. I was banished," I whispered, praying my dragons would let me stay anyway.

"You're not going anywhere," hissed Kamau, fully extending his wings and wrapping them around us protectively.

"With the fighting going on I doubt that anyone will worry about it,” reasoned Sharif, snuggling close to me. I nodded my agreement and looked at the chaosfire in my hand, "What am I going to do with this?

"Chaosfires are very tricky jewels. The few that have possessed them seem to know no more about their power than everyone else. The chaosfire seems to have a mind of it's own and will only lend its power when it wishes. All you can really do is keep it safe and with you incase you should need it," explained Jiya, sounding uncharacteristically professional. I nodded and stuffed the jewel in my pocket.

"What do we don now?" I asked, looking at my dragons, still enjoying the fact that we were back together.

"I believe we were mostly fighting against Holt's rebels. Now that we've captured most of them we'll wait to make sure everything is going to run smoothly and if we're not attacked them we'll go to the emperor. He needs to do something about this," answered Kamau, switching into High Lord mode.

"And to tell him about your harem," added Sharif, his golden eyes sparkling.

"A harem is unnecessary now," stated Kamau, smiling triumphantly, "we are samirs and will bind in the emperor's city."

"Binding ceremony," mused Jiya with a pleased look on his face and he pulled me into his lap, "you're not leaving our bed for a very long time." I hummed into pleasure and moved to straddle Jiya's hips and kiss him deeply.

"I love the idea, but before we bind I want you to meet my family," I announced, knowing it wasn't the brightest idea, "I'm not just leaving my family again. They know a little bit about you. I have Jiya's statue at home anyway."

"What happened to our gifts?" inquired Sharif, looking at my bare fingers and wrist.

"When Deimos tried to get me to tell him where the chaosfire was he took them away," I replied, suddenly feeling bare without my dragons' jewelry.

"Do not worry. We will share new treasures at the binding ceremony," assured Kamau, running his fingers through my short red hair, "your hair is growing back nicely." I nodded, but quickly got back to my question: "Will you meet my family?"

"Humans aren't suppose to know about us," replied Jiya, his navy wings flapping nervously.

"My family use to know about you. We had a treaty togther. I have a goo family. They'll keep your secret and its a goody way to set up a new treaty," I reasoned, getting ready to beg if necessay. I din't want two different worlds, one for my family and one for my lover, I wanted just one.

"We'll do it," assured Kamau, taking my hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze, "it's the least we could do for not keep our promise."

"I've always wondered about the human world," stated Sharif, his wings giving an excited flap. When Jiya didn't add his opinion I looked up and realized how closed off hi looked.

"Stop worrying. Just because you were trying to be the voice of reason doesn't make you the bad guy. I know what I'm asking you to risk, but I'm also asking you to trust me," I replied, staring into his golden eyes to let him know I was serious. Jiya nodded and so it was settled. My dragons were going to meet my family.

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So! Long time no see all my faithful readers! The chapter was probably a little bit too dramatic, but I couldn't help myself. I hope you enjoyed the long awaited chapter and please review. I need my muse back and he seems to be on vacation. Thanks for reading!