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“Do you think she's big enough to ride?”

“I could ride her, but she doesn't have any kind of harness or saddle. When I left the Shadow Realm, she couldn't fly with me on her back, but could carry me on the ground. Her wings are growing larger each day, though.” Already her wingspan had doubled in size since Renya last rode her.

Beauty's eye finally closed, and the soft sounds of a snoring dragon sounded through the barn. Renya walked towards the barn door, Grayden following. She latched it securely and then bolted it with an extra lock that was installed just to try and contain the troublemaker of a dragon.

“Are you excited to be going back to the Snow Lands?” Renya asked, wiping her hands on her borrowed dress. This one was a pale blue silk, with tulle sleeves that went down to her wrists.

“I'm more eager to get you home,” he said, stopping her on her path back to the Acropolis. He stood in front of her, trailing his fingers up her arm, and then tenderly cupping her cheek. Renya looked into his eyes, and saw love and affection pouring out.

“I love you,” she said, snuggling down into his hard chest.

“Oh, Little Fawn. There are no words to describe what you mean to me. I'm completely and utterly yours, for all time. The moment you came for me, I ceased being just me. It's now us, forever.”

Grayden kissed the top of her head as Esmeralda walked by, with Phillippe following behind. Renya noticed that Esmeralda was holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, and she had no doubt that Phillippe picked them from the meadow.

“Did you finally get that rabid beast back in her stall?” Phillippe asked, catching up to Esmeralda as she made her way over to Renya and Grayden.

Renya untangled herself from Grayden and lightly pushed Phillippe on the shoulder. “She's not rabid, and she's not a beast.” She put her hands on her hips and stared him down. “She's my friend.”

“A friend that could eat us all,” Phillippe mumbled.

“She won't hurt anyone as long as I tell her not to.”

Grayden glanced at the barn and then back at Renya. “Do you mean that? Can you control her?”

“I don't control her. We're just...friends.”

Phillippe snorted. “Right...friends with a deadly dragon. Grayden, your mate is crazy.”

“No crazier than you are, thinking you have a chance with Esmeralda,” he retorted, and Renya watched as Esmeralda blushed again.

“What are you doing over here, Phillippe?” Renya asked, wanting to get back inside with Grayden as soon as she could.

“Thesand invited us to inspect his army with him,” Phillippe said.

“Then let us go,” Grayden said, motioning to Renya.

“Actually,” Esmeralda said, “I was wondering if I could speak with Renya. You are leaving tomorrow, and I don't know when we'll have a chance to catch up.”

Renya was torn, glancing between Grayden and her friend.

You should go, Little Fawn. Go enjoy some time with your friend.

She nodded, but remembered that only she could hear what Grayden said. “I'll stay with you, Esmeralda.”

Esmeralda looked thrilled. “Great! I packed some lunch for us if you'd like to relax by the lake.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Renya gave Grayden a quick peck on the cheek, but he turned her back towards him for a heated kiss.

Phillippe made gagging noises, and Grayden pulled away. “You're just jealous,” he said to his brother.

Phillippe looked at Esmeralda wistfully, and Renya realized that Grayden was right. Phillippe was incredibly jealous that Grayden had someone.

Grayden patted Phillippe on the back, as if he understood his feelings, and then they headed off in the direction of the Acropolis.

“Come,” Esmeralda said, leading them away from the barn to a stone pathway lined with roses. They walked for a little while, the sun shining down on them. Renya felt peaceful, but she knew that the feeling wouldn't last.

They stopped under a cherry tree right next to the lake. Esmeralda spread out a teal-colored blanket and they both sat down.