Chapter 21

Daniel

Daniel leaned over and took a clean fork from beside the fruit bowl. He stabbed a couple of pineapple chunks and handed the fork to Stormy. She accepted it and started munching happily as she leaned back against David’s chest. He noticed that David had finally relaxed, and turned his focus back to his breakfast. When the pineapple was gone, Daniel took the fork from Stormy’s hand, again loaded it with fruit chunks, and handed it back to her.

Stormy snorted and rolled her eyes. She pointed to herself and then looked like she was putting something in her mouth. She shook her head and the held her arms like she was rocking a baby. She chewed her lip as she watched and waited for Daniel to catch on.

Daniel froze and lifted an eyebrow while David and Argus both started to laugh. “I don’t get it.” Daniel said.

Argus shook his head. “She says she can feed herself, she is not a baby.” The old dragon winked at Stormy playfully. “How do you know what she said, Argus?” Daniel grumped as he crossed his arms over his chest like a child. He stuck his lip out in a fake pout. This guessing game she was playing really seemed to be getting out of hand and Daniel was feeling more and more left out.

“It’s pretty obvious. You are busy complaining that she doesn’t talk to you, but I think the problem is that you don’t listen.” Argus scolded. “I think the queen is brilliant.”

Stormy made the sign for thank you and smiled at Argus. She drew a question mark in the air and pointed to Argus.

“You have piqued the interest of the queen. She wants to know more about you, friend.” David told Argus.

“I’m just an old soldier these days, your highness. I came to the castle as a young stud under the service of the great Golden dragon queen, Divina. She was an incredible lady and after her, I offered my sword to her children.” Argus explained.

Stormy turned to David and made an open hand motion in which she pointed her thumb against her chin. Next, she pointed to David and Daniel.

“Yes, Sweetness, Divina was my mother.” David said as Daniel watched him make a mental note about the new sign he just deciphered.

Stormy pointed to Argus and than made the bite hand to her neck and shook her fist with her index finger extended back and forth.

Argus studied her. “You are asking about my mate,” he said as he gestured to the obscured mark on his neck. “She died long ago. I miss her more than life itself. But I have found a way to still make myself useful.”

Stormy looked at Argus with compassion. She made the motion for sorry. She reached up and drew tears on her face. She reached across the table and squeezed Argus hand. She glanced towards David with big eyes, which made Daniel feel like the chasm between him and Stormy was getting wider.

“Today I serve the king by training his warriors and sitting on the dragon council. Since David has taken the throne, the entire land of Heart Stone has been at peace. With no more wars to fight or damsels to rescue, I have become old and decrepit. I am no longer of any interest to pretty young queens with two royal dragons courting her.” He said with a flirty smile that made Stormy giggle silently.

She turned to look at David and made the jester of flapping her fingers near her shoulders. Then she placed one hand vertical and jumped it with the second hand. She bit her lip and hid a shy smile.

David studied her a moment. He copied the motion a time or two, “Next, that means next!” He said as realization hit him. Stormy clapped her hands and bounced happily in his lap.

“Do you want to ride my dragon after breakfast, Sweetheart?” David said with a huge smile.

Stormy clapped her hands happily and nodded emphatically. She crossed her wrists over her chest like she was hugging herself and made the motion for dragon again.

Argus chuckled. “I think she said she loves your dragon form.”

David grinned at his friend. “She actually seems to. I was nervous at first that she would be afraid, but sometimes I think she likes the dragon better.” He said with a chuckle.

Argus rolled his eyes with a smile that made Daniel feel like he was missing something. “Of course she does. There's a lot less talking!”

“You would let her ride you like a common beast for fun? It was bad enough you asked her to do it the first time when it was a necessity.” Daniel said horrified. He looked between Stormy and David with revulsion. David saw Stormy visibly flinch at Daniel’s words.

She looked around the room like she was making sure no one else was around. Her face was absolutely crest fallen like he had just canceled her birthday. She looked distressed. And put her hand to David’s face with big eyes. She pointed to him, and made the sign for no. She clapped her hands. Finally she acted like she was holding the reigns of a horse and made the sign for dragon. Her eyebrows were furrowed into a question and she was chewing on her lip.

“I love when we fly together.” He nuzzled her. “I’m looking forward to going out today. I have a special place I want to show you.”

“Argus, you are with me on this, it’s just not dignified for dragons, especially royalty to be behaving like common horses.” Daniel whined.

Argus stood up and shook his head. “David is right, you really are an idiot.” He began to collect the empty plates from the table. He put his hand on David’s shoulder.

“Ignore the boy, your highness,” He winked at the royal couple. “He has no idea what he is missing. These young dragons think they know the ways of the world, but they actually know nothing.” He flashed Stormy a knowing smile and the tips of her ears turned pink.

Argus let out a long sigh and absently rubbed the faded mark at his neck. “I’d give anything for one for flight with my mate.”

“Gross,” the king groaned but rubbed his friend’s shoulders in understanding. “Thank you for everything.” David said as Argus gave a little bow and disappeared with the soiled dishes.