Page 2 of Beaux and Dragons

“I was going to ask you to take care of Carbón’s baby for me while I’m gone.” Federico turned his attention to the stable doorway.

“No, you can’t do that.” Ana’s eyes pricked with tears. “You can’t die.”

“Don’t you have any confidence in me?” He tossed back his head to reorganize his hair from his face. “I’m the best rider in all Montenegro.”

“This is a small isle. That’s not such a feat. You’ll be facing the sea demons and pirates and who knows what other creatures out there.” Ana choked on unbidden tears.

Gently, Federico grabbed her wrist. “Come on. You need to spend more time with the baby before I go. She needs to imprint on you, or else you’ll have a hard time riding her when she’s older.” He tugged the crying Ana deeper into the stable.

The tiny dragon popped her head up and released the smallest puff of smoke from her throat. In recognition, the baby pushed up onto her hind legs and pawed her claws as if asking to be carried.

Federico swooped in to lift the newborn. “What are we going to name her?”

“Carbón is your and your papá’s dragon. You name her.”

Ana patted at her cheeks to remove the crumbling mud. “You can’t go into the Air Guard.”

“What about Isfera?” Federico nuzzled the baby’s neck.

“Why can’t you keep training me and wait two years?”

He shifted the baby dragon onto his hip, pointing her snout at Ana. “You’re right, that name won’t do.”

“Federico?” Ana reprimanded him with the slight dip in her voice.

“No, we can’t give her my name. How confusing would that be.” He petted the babe beneath her chin, causing the little beast to waggle her head in pure delight.

“Stop playing, Federico. I’m serious. I’m only fifteen, but I know I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

Federico’s face sobered from the playful one only seconds before. “In a year, I will be back for you. Promise me you’ll take care of her.” He lifted the baby ever so slightly.

Ana petted the leathery skin on top of the snout and sniffed the effects of the tears back in place. In that moment, she couldn’t think of a way to stop such a dangerous mission and halt the pounding in her chest. Federico was serious about wanting to marry her. Her knees turned to butter under his careful perusal, and her insides warmed. She and her sisters were expected to wed someone fromtheir station, so this idea of Federico being more than a friend had never crossed her wildest dreams.

The hopeful spark burning in Federico’s brown eyes glimmered with anticipation, and so did the little beast’s. The way her black scales shifted made her color twinkle with hidden purples, blues, and yellows like the night sky.

“Celestia.” Ana caressed the scaly cheek, and the tiny creature pressed back as if to signal her approval of the name.

“I like the name.” His lips expanded into a warm smile. “So, about, you know?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. But you’d better not die on me.”

He chuckled. “You can count on that.” His mouth opened and snapped shut.

“Is there anything else?” Ana reached for Celestia, and Federico placed the fifteen-pound dragon in her arms. Celestia licked dangling mud from her chin.

“Will you write to me?” Federico asked in earnest as if the answer would be anything but yes. “I hear the post arrives every week.”

Ana made faces at Celestia, who wagged her tail in return. “And what would you like me to write about?” Sheheld her breath, unsure what he’d like her to talk about with him after such a declaration.

Federico patted the dragon’s back with an intensity uncommon for him. “The same things we always talk about.”

She exhaled in relief, having feared she’d have to be something other than his friend. “So, dragons, the races, and my family’s oddities. Oh, and I’ll keep you updated on Celestia’s training. You must promise to tell me if you meet a pirate.”

All ease took over his posture once more. “Then it’s settled.”

“Do you think we imprinted and now we have the bond?” Ana gazed directly into Celestia’s wide eyes to make sure the deed had been done.

“Celestia licked your chin. I’m sure that’s a sign she’s accepted you.”