FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 12

Bright light started to poke at his tightly shut eyelids, it was like staring at a tightly sealed black furnace with hints of blazing fire pulsing from within. His eyes started to become warm, heated exactly like the black lid, he had no chance but to get away from the warmth.

Spyro opened his eyes, squinting with a tender groan moments later when his sight was faced directly with the nagging crescent form of the sun.

All thanks to his inability to tightly pull the curtains together and as if to mock him the sun stared at him through the slit he left behind as a sign of his failure.

His mouth curled, ready to snarl at the intruder for poking its rays where they don't belong.

And then he heard a soft feminine snore and an even tender grumble.

His eyes widened, even despite his earlier objections he had his gaze aimed directly at the sun. The sun no longer bothered him however, snarl turning into a joyful smile, opened, sensitive eyeballs basking in the rays.

He momentarily felt weight pressing against his body.

He looked down, feeling his heart making a flip.

Cynder was there, lying on top of him, in her sleep her head slid down from his chest, his paw also followed its own sleepy path. It spread to the side and she took advantage of it, burying her head into the indentation between his elbow and shoulder.

Her cheek was pressed against the side of his chest, the small claw on it sent pleasant tingles across his nerves with each of her breaths.

Her left fore joined her head, sprawled and stretched next to her other cheek, using his leg as a support for its extension. The other paw remained on his chest, relaxed toes and claws surrounding the draconic palm exactly in the spot where his heart worked below.

Seems like even in slumber she couldn't resist the lure of her drug.

Whatever notion to scold the sun evaporated like metal eaten by potent acid.

Irritation replaced by indescribable gratefulness.

She got to feed on her favorite thing he has to offer all night and sometimes even during the day, while he has the opportunity only in the morning and only when he won't oversleep.

Thank you dear sun.

He still considered it a fair bargain, mostly because he couldn't feel, even if he understood what his heart meant to her, for him it was just an organ pumping blood. This is why he considered the chance he manages to snatch every morning so much more valuable.

In all honesty, if he had to explain to someone, using coherent arguments, what is that he finds so fascinating about his sleeping friend and mate he wouldn't be able to do that.

Ancestor's sharp horns.

He can't even explain that to himself.

A sweet smile stretched his lips as his eyes scanned and scanned the feminine black body and especially the black snout continuously.

Perhaps it had something to do with her scales and her overall reputation. Dark, ominous and dangerous, it was all there in her scales, blackness is considered vile and yet there she is, sleeping and peaceful. Under all that grime people picture her to have, beautiful beyond words.

For sure he knew that it also has something to do with her eyes, the battle between conscience and passion, the craving to see the most valuable emeralds and care about someone's well being. They always glimmered, whenever she opened her eyes they always sparkled, blindingly. Trapping him in the maze of her emerald sight, a prison he never wanted to escape from.

It made no sense.

He didn't mind.

There was no reasonable explanation.

He loved her and while she sleeps he has the chance to admire her in all her alluring glory.

He moved his other leg, placing it on top of the black one on his chest, he scratched the paw in between the toes ever so gently.

He smiled when he felt her claws twitching a little.

He straightened his claws, putting them away from her scales, allowing them to be completely caressed by his draconic palm. Palm that massaged the top of her paw before tenderly stroking up her leg. He could reach only slightly below her sprawled elbow, it was enough however to drag a purr from his throat.

He couldn't stop being amazed just how impossibly soft she was.

Despite his rules of never interrupting her slumber he couldn't help himself, but to react to the tenderness of her body.

With the purr still rumbling in his throat his head dived down, eyes shutting themselves blissfully as he gently pressed his nose to the back of the soft, tender neck. Excited, hot breath puffed on her scales.

She let out a whiny, soft moan.

Ever so gently he rubbed his nose and maw against her slender neck, taking a deep whiff of her scent, with no fragrance in the way he felt her natural smell.

Her scales smelled wonderfully.

His lips reacted on their own, beginning to plant kisses as smooth as her scales. His tongue also couldn't resist the luring call of her tender body, poking at her scales shyly with each planted, delicate kiss.

He felt her forelegs quivering, claws stretching until they curled and slightly dug into his scales, followed by another divine, soft whimper.

He grunted passionately, corner of his mouth bumping against the silver choker. This time however it didn't irritate him that much, it was kinda exciting in fact. It was like a border of sorts for his gentle caressing, he already knew that if he would peel it off unimaginable bliss awaited him behind.

Another skirmish between desire and morality raged inside his heart. The struggle making his blood boil. He was disappointed though that he had no reach in this position, his paws were unable to get a hold of the bracelet.

However he still had his teeth.

After another brush of lips and tongue against black scales he bit on the choker, flashing out his teeth to the fullest, tips of his fangs gently pressing against the silver band.

He tugged at it, applying as much pressure as a feather on a body and exhaling a hot, excited breath.

She quivered, even if she was asleep a weak spot is a weak spot and even during slumber it has an affect on her.

He knew that due to her shaking, her claws digging deeper into his scales and blissful, muffled whines.

Sweet Ancestors how he loved that sound.

He let go of the choker, removed the lips from her scales and nuzzled her with nearly aggressive affection, cuddling to her neck and rubbing his snout against her scales.

Purring all the way.

She smacked her lips at some point.

He jerked his head sharply away, eyes widening in shock.

She began to groan, paws slowly coming back to life.

She is waking up!

He immediately picked up the black paw on his chest, kissing the upper part of it along its whole length.

"Spyro?" Cynder muttered, moving her still not entirely awake head a little

He turned her paw around, kissing fervently her palm and underside of her leg before swiftly moving to her snout where he licked her draconic face affectionately.

She giggled.

"What are you doing?"

Even if her sleepy voice was surprised she still craned her neck as to open herself more to his ministrations.

"Good morning" he said in between licks, his breath left the mist of every letter he said on her snout scales

With the neck exposed he made sure that it received also the attention of his grateful tongue just as her draconic face.

"Mmmm" she moaned softly, eyes squinting as her nerves tuned to the tone of full enjoyment of his tongue caress

"Good morning to you too"

He moved his licks up from the bottom of her neck towards her snout, licking across the side of her snout where her lips stretched into a smile. He began kissing her across the line of her smile, moving towards the front of her snout.

She instinctively turned her head, joining her lips with his, purple maw bestowing her with a deep, loving kiss that was practically breathtaking.

"Thank you for spending the night with me" he whispered the moment he pushed away from her mouth, just to nuzzle her with great care a second later

She returned the affectionate move with the same loving intensity.

"Don't be silly" she whispered back "If anything, I should be the one thanking you" she pulled away from the nuzzling hug ever so gently, enough to bestow her mate with a comfortable, loving lick

"Still, if you prefer to greet me like this every morning, I have no objections"

He smiled, pressing his forehead against her own. It was nice to feel her breath on his chest.

"I'll remember this"

She smiled, tongue rolled out a little from her mouth as she enjoyed the warmth of his body.

"Ready for the big day today?"

"I would prefer to spend the rest of my day here with you in all honesty"

"Who knows, maybe your wish came true" Cynder turned her attention towards the balcony door and the slit of the outside world peeking through the slit

"How long have we slept anyway?"

Spyro followed her gaze, grinning to himself. The sun moved away, it did its job and disappeared, giving them the privacy they need.

He wrapped his paws around the back of her neck and pulled her into a tight hug, forcing a surprised gasp from her.

"Not long enough"

She chuckled into his neck, both her forelegs grabbed the top of his shoulders.

"You're such a girl"

He rubbed her back fondly.

"I'm a simple dragon. I see my mate I hug her"

She giggled, lifting herself up.

"My sweet fool" she kissed him passionately

Unexpectedly sound of knocking filled the room.

With their lips still pressed against each other their eyes opened sharply, uncertain, concentrated frowns wrinkled their snouts as they stared at each other, unsure if the thing they heard was exactly the same thing they thought it was.

Another several knocks followed soon after.

"Sweetheart? Are you awake?"

She pulled out from the purple mouth, her eyes huge, exactly the same size as of her partner below her.

"Ame-"

Spyro's blurt of surprise was immediately silenced by two black paws slamming against his mouth.

"Shhh" Cynder hissed through clenched teeth, nearly pressing her lips to her paws that silenced the purple maw below them

"Sweetheart?" no knock was heard this time, only a sad muffled voice

Cynder felt as part of her heart cracked.

"I'm coming!" she screamed, jumping up, in her fever forgetting a chest was underneath her, she landed on top of it with all her weight

"Ugh!" Spyro grunted, throwing his paws up and bouncing up as if someone would drop a rock right onto his underbelly

"Be quiet and hide!" she hissed through clenched teeth, leaping off the gold chest, landing on the ground with an ungraceful thud

He bit on his lip fiercely to quench another grunt

"Cynder? Is everything all right? I've heard some rumbling noise" a concerned, familiar voice came from behind the door

"I've hit my paw against the bed! Nothing's broken, don't worry, I'm coming!" she yelled cheerfully before turning towards her partner with a determined, commanding look "Hide!" she hissed

"Hide? Where?" he mumbled startled "Maybe it would be better if I left through the balcony" he rolled from the bed

Cynder started stomping with all her paws alternately, creating a distracting noise.

"And risk that someone might see you?" she approached the door "Get under the bed"

His pupils traveled to the spot she mentioned, he looked at the space under the bed as if it would be some kind of magical entrance to a nightmare world and he stands here, not . that he was ordered to go there

"You can't be serious"

Cynder released the lock, paw pressing on the handle.

"Now"

The door clicked, opening.

Spyro gasped, throwing his head back in shock before diving down, nearly sliding under the bed. It was rather comfortable here, he only had to tilt his head to avoid his horns pointing at the mattress, he pitied everyone that would sit on the bed with his horns pointing up.

Also he coiled his tail around, grabbing it just in case, that pesky little thing would probably betray his position easily if he would let it roam free, especially when he is anxious like now.

Cynder hid her snout behind the opening door to clear her throat and put up a wide, happy, innocent smile.

With the last part she had the most troubles with.

"Hi Amela!" she exclaimed, her happy shout reach the tone of a roar combined with a whiny cry

The cheetah flinched, ears, old, but nevertheless sensitive, dropped on her skull, covering from the shrill sound.

Green eyes hectically scanned the cheetah over, hardly noticing any detail, all they could see was that the body in front of her was of feline origins, wore clothes and held quite a broad tray in both hands.

"H-Hello Sweetheart" Amela gulped, ear that was pierced by an earring twitched several times, giving its best to quench the nudge to scratch it with no free hands

"I hope I didn't wake you up"

"Absolutely not!" the dragoness exclaimed cheerfully, stepping into the doorstep "I was just in the middle of my morning stretches!" as to force her point across she spread her wings, covering more of the doorframe

It seemed like a cramp had to get into her wings since they didn't fold back again.

She didn't however look as if she was in pain.

Amela frowned, eyeing the dragoness with surprise clearly visible in every wrinkle on her face.

"I suppose you need to stay active. A big day is ahead of you"

"My thoughts exactly! Sorry for keeping you waiting, the next hours are everything I think about. It really explains the thud you heard, right?"

To say that the cheetah was taken aback by the dragonesses lively behavior wouldn't give the right credit to her feelings.

"Careful with excitement, it can be sometimes as unhealthy as lack of any physical activity" the healer smiled kindly "This is good coincidence however since I brought you breakfast, you're going to need your strength!"

"Breakfast?"

This was the moment when her nose started reacting, sniffing at the air fervently.

Amela couldn't help herself, but to smile in amusement, something she would cover behind her hands if they were free, it was impolite to smile from someone's behavior in her book, even if it was innocent and had nothing to do with any kind of sickness.

The huffs the black nose was making reminded her of a wolf catching a scent it couldn't resist but to follow.

Cynder's nose located the source of this pretty smell, it was coming from the tray, something she didn't even pay any attention to earlier, now took most of her focus. Green eyes landing on that tray only confirmed that.

She wasn't the type that liked to eat whenever the opportunity arose, nor she really paid much attention to food stalls she passed when traveling the city. As a dragon, if she would be forced to do that, she is capable of going without food for weeks.

Not that she would skip a daily meal, her predatory instinct wouldn't allow it.

It was that very instinct that made her focus on the food and rather crudely lick her lips.

And what food it was!

Still warm meat letting out a scent that was practically mind numbing, all because there wasn't a single piece there, but several!

Mixed with all other additions that could make the dish even better, from cooked vegetables to fruits.

The tray was full, a breakfast capable of feeding at least three dragons her age.

"Is that all for me?" Cynder asked, putting as much bashful and clueless tone into her voice as she could to sound modest and surprised

Her tail however had a mind of its own, wagging excitedly behind her it betrayed her true feelings and suspicions.

The already kind smile on the cheetah's face grew only wider, it was fascinating to see that even despite that they are all sentient, intelligent beings, the natural, animalistic instinct is still there, impossible to erase entirely.

"Naturally"

Tongue made another instinctive swipe along the black maw.

"I don't want to sound rude, but could you let me inside Sweety?" she gently shook the tray to draw attention to it "My hands aren't as strong as they used to be"

Cynder blushed fiercely, in a second she felt like a complete moron and an abrasive, ungrateful bitch. Even the wings that served as a scaly, membranic curtain folded swiftly on the back in shame.

"S-Sure! Just let me-" she moved forward, parting her mouth, ready to take the tray

"Thank you for the offer Sweetheart" Amela replied cheerfully, jerking her body to the side to move the tray away from the draconic maw "But the only thing I will be putting in your mouth will be medicine, or food if you ever desire me to feed you. I'm not about though put such weight on your pretty teeth, we won't ruin that beautiful smile"

Cynder's mouth clamped shut with a sad, guilty whine. The blush on her cheeks adopted a more intense red hue.

"B-But I want to help"

The healer leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on the black, yet red, hot nose.

"You can help me by showing me where can I put this" she said softly

Cynder squirmed, with the blush reaching its limit of intensity she felt as if she was about to implode. She retreated into her room, giggling like a running away little hatchling that kissed her favorite boy in the cheek. With a swift spin, she tapped the nightstand with her paw several times, just to sit next to it moments later.

Her tail was making joyful wags along the floor.

She was oblivious to the fact that her tail tip slid under the bed.

Wide eyed Spyro who was there bit on his lip fiercely to quench the shocked yelp. His upper body lifted in the air slightly, paws clutching the boards underneath the bed. Huge purple eyes observing the swinging blade of his mate just a few centimeters from his body.

He was already beginning to sweat from exertion.

The tray landed on the pointed place, Amela put a hand on her back as she straightened up, caringly stroking the dragonesses head.

"You don't have to be nervous around me Cynder, you do look adorable when you're embarrassed though"

Her tail slowed down its swinging tempo.

Both females were oblivious to the muffled huff of extreme relief from underneath the bed.

"I don't want to mess this up" the dragoness said, rubbing her leg nervously

"Oh Sweetheart" Amela huffed, cocking her head, smiling and lovingly massaging the stiff, black, feminine shoulder "I know this is all new to you and you are confused about notions that could be considered standard, normal behavior. You don't have to be afraid of things not going the way you imagined"

She gently stroked the draconic cheek with her thumb.

"Always remember that a mother's love for her child never withers"

Black tail began another wild dance.

"Not again" Spyro hissed through clenched teeth, grabbing onto the boards again.

Keeping only the upper body aloft wasn't a comfortable position for a creature that uses four legs to walk. His spine felt as if it was about to snap, not to mention that his muscles, already weakened by the previous dodge started to shake momentarily and losing connection with the nerves as they became tired from the rough exercise.

He couldn't concentrate much on what they were saying, all he knew is that he heard giggles, Cynder's too. It was a little hurtful and annoying, while she is having the time of her life, forgetting about him in the process, he fights to maintain their delicate secret.

A secret that is threatened to be revealed by the very same tail that agreed to maintain it.

He loved her with all his heart, swore to never hurt her and protect her. Those obligations led him to this situation, while she laughs he grunts, clenching his teeth so strongly to minimize every tiny bit of sound that it feels like his teeth feel as they are about to shatter against one another.

She had obligations as well, he is keeping his end of the bargain and it was only fair for her to do the same. However he couldn't find any other way of reminding her of that without sacrificing a part of his oath.

There was way too much to lose if his last ounces of strength fade away.

"This is delicious!" Cynder exclaimed, licking her lips vigorously when a piece of the well spiced meal slid down her throat

Amela smiled, making herself comfortable on the only chair in the room.

"Glad you like it. I haven't cooked in a while, so I was a little nervous I might have lost my touch"

"You know how to cook?" without thinking she enriched the taste that still caressed her palate with a pawful of fruits

"My former profession required that I earn the necessary abilities to prepare an enriching meal. Making it delicious was just a perk I pursued on my own"

Cynder swallowed, the food she absorbed turned into a moving bulge down her throat.

"Your former profession? I thought you were always a healer"

Amela scratched her earring, putting leg on leg.

"Enough about me Sweetheart. Eat"

She didn't need more encouragement, she absorbed another piece of the best breakfast she ever had with great appetite. Happiness radiated by her swiftly swinging tail.

"You know that I brought the same tray to Spyro, but couldn't find him. You know where he can be?"

"I have no id-AAAHH!" Cynder yelped, jumping forward as if somebody would poke her with a spear

And somebody did poke her, but not with a piercing weapon, but teeth, sharp teeth that sunk into her tail.

"What happened?!" Amela exclaimed, springing on her legs, ignoring the painful snaps in her knees

The dragoness threw a glance at her tail, noticing clear bite marks on her tail tip, right above where her blade tip ended. For a second she didn't understand what happened, she stared at the bed and the floor beneath it wondering what the hell happened, how a bed could bite her.

Then there was a thud, a quiet one since the noise of the commotion she stirred didn't exactly died yet. She spotted a shadow appearing below the bed and caught a glimpse of a purple scale.

Her green eyes widened.

"Cynder!"

She balked at the sound of the worried, yet scolding shout. Never before she had anyone shouting at her like that, with all that commanding concern.

She turned around, meeting the cheetah's narrowed gaze, even if there was irritation glowing in the feline eyes, she noticed real worry under that layer. Eyes entirely focused on her, anger and concern, both fighting with the same vigor for her well being.

With last shreds of her will she prevented herself from spilling the whole truth.

Never before she had to fight against two separate directions of incoming love.

"I overreacted, sorry!" she scratched her choker "My tail had to accidentally slip under the boards and I tugged a little too much. The pain isn't strong, I just got surprised that's all"

Amela's expression softened.

"Are you certain everything is alright? Maybe we should take a look at that bed"

"No!" Cynder exclaimed, making the cheetah's head jerk back and ears flinch at the sound.

"I mean..." she cleared her throat, rubbing the side of her neck "We're interested only in the top right? That is comfortable as it can get, if there is something wrong under it, it doesn't matter. I will rarely sleep here anyway, don't want to anger people by telling them I have a problem with their toys. I already ruined this room once"

Amela folded her arms.

"Listen here Sweetheart, don't sell yourself short. You have the same rights like everyone else, if something isn't as it should be you have all the reason to voice your displeasure. If someone will have a problem with that, come to me. I mean it Darling. You will always find support in me"

Black mouth stretched into a grateful smile, tail started to wag again, but this time the owner made sure it was kept away from the bottom of the bed.

Only the thought of Spyro being under the bed, watching their feet and listening to their conversation prevented her from leaping at the cheetah and hugging her. She didn't want him to reveal his position by some yelp of surprise.

In that hug she would tell the healer that she loves her, tell her that she has a mate now, tell her about everything that came to her mind.

And she knew that she would listen to every word and wouldn't blame her for anything.

She rubbed her chest, heart started to ache gently, as if a long time ago acquired scar would remind her of her existence. Blurry images of a dream flashed before her eyes, images she couldn't recognize anymore dreams have the ability to fade from memory very quickly.

She heard singing.

Melody was as alien to her as the images.

The only thing that she remembered well were two words.

Dear daughter...

"Cynder? Sweetheart?" even before the soft reached her hearing senses she felt a warm, furry hand delicately stroking her leg

Green eyes blinked, a loving, dreamy smile stretched black lips.

"What am I doing mother?"

Amela gasped faintly, hand instinctively landing on her womb.

"You know" the dragoness sprang up, throwing her front legs behind the cheetah's back and pulling her into a tight hug

"I love you mom, please don't freak out" she whispered, planting a soft kiss on the furry cheek

"Hush Sweety" the cheetah returned the hug "Breakfast with taste of tears isn't a good combination"

"Spyro is under the bed"

Feline ears twitched, despite the touching moment, her lips still stretched into an amused, small smile.

"Why? You don't have to hide from me. I know about your feelings for each other"

"There's a little bit more to us that you might not be aware of"

She hugged the cheetah harder, she heard a scared whine from under the bed.

"We are mates now"

Amela's eyes widened, she hooked onto the dragoness' shoulders and pulled away, looking straight in her shy eyes, yet beautifully shining with unspeakable joy.

A bit of jealousy stirred somewhere deep inside her, a craving and sadness for youth and lost years. That sensation however was quenched effectively by the immense feeling of pride and happiness for her draconic daughter.

"Cynder, darling, that's..." her words wavered, voice wrecked by a sudden sob

The dragoness blinked, eyes shimmering with tears, it was like staring into an ocean illuminated by rays of a green moon.

"I know"

Feline eyes began to blink rapidly, pushing out more and more tears towards the wavering with emotion lips.

"Y-You're going to be the end of me Sweetheart"

She pulled the young dragoness into a loving hug, warmth and support of honest care enough to turn both females into a giggling, sobbing mess.

Spyro scratched his neck, completely confused and utterly unsure on how to proceed from here. This spot he was in felt even more cramped and uncomfortable than usual.

"I'm so happy for you two" Amela mumbled through crying eyes, shaking with sobs lips having difficulties to form normal, properly accented words

Cynder squeezed the cheetah harder in thankful response.

"Spyro get out of there and come here!" Amela cried out with ringing emotion in her voice

A thud followed soon after, the whole bed jumped when the purple drake slammed his head into the boards, jerking it up in forgetful surprise.

He swallowed, unsure what to do, thinking that it might be a test, or a trap, even the words he heard didn't erase all his doubts. He decided to play it safe, not reveal himself completely, simply stick out a bit of his head to evaluate the situation.

He followed up with his plan, swallowing hard he craned his neck forward, enough to see the spot where both females stood.

Panic crept in immediately.

There was something wrong.

He could see only four black paws there.

Impulsively, he began to retreat, but before he could make a move two legs appeared in front of his eyes, bending down, knees snapping audibly.

Hands grabbed his horns strongly and tugged with the same amount of force, making him slide along the ground.

He yelped.

Or at least he tried to, the moment his head popped out from underneath the bed the hands that were holding his horns moved to his neck, wrapped around it and squeezed it tightly.

The strength they used forced a choking gasp from his throat, tongue from his mouth and nearly made his eyes pop out from their respective eyeballs.

"Congratulations darling!" wet, furry cheek pressed itself against his forehead

"T-thanks?" he rasped, having troubles articulating words due to shock and arms squeezing his throat

Amela kissed him on the nose, loving yet stern eyes looking straight into his eyes.

"Take good care of her you understand? A real treasure offered her heart to you"

"Amela..." Cynder interjected bashfully, trapped in between respect for the cheetah and guilt triggered by her mate's fate, mate who had to go through her stern look

Spyro swallowed, he finally understood why he felt so nervous around the cheetah. The intimidation was hidden in her eyes, Cynder's and Amela's words, the bond they shared.

Foster mother and daughter.

He didn't find that shocking, merely surprising since Cynder never mentioned her true feelings towards the healer. He found it quite natural actually however, even if they both were different species.

After all he treats dragonflies as his true family, beings thrice smaller than him, and the dragon he found that treated him as son was ironically a foster father to him.

Specie didn't matter.

What mattered is the glimmer of protective, honest love in the cheetah's eyes. Scary, but he had to face it and he could do it almost with the same amount of confidence. His feelings for Cynder were as true as are the rays of the sun in broad daylight.

"I know" he replied, his voice didn't even falter for a bit "She is more valuable than me"

"Guys...please" Cynder whined, embarrassed, rubbing her leg fervently "I'm right over here"

Amela's ears perked up, standing at attention as nipples of an excited woman, a broad grin stretched her lips. She straightened up, scratching playfully the purple nose on the way up.

"Evaluation completed successfully"

She stepped back, taking into her sight both young dragons, youthful eyes of both were looking at her. Hand immediately landed on the heart, she squeezed the material of her clothes so strongly that even her ancient, blunt claws managed to make holes in them.

She absorbed the image of both young drakes with immense pleasure. They looked absolutely wonderful together, and the way they were exchanging brief glances between each other was enough that they communed on soul level. Bond so strong that she wouldn't have many objections if Death would extend its claws for her. She would gladly die with this image imprinted in her brain.

Another hand landed on her mouth, covering the emotion of her wavering lips.

"You look adorable together" Amela mumbled through her fingers

She blinked, tears flashed in her eyes.

Spyro pulled himself up, licking his lips as he craned his neck towards his mate.

"This was supposed to be a secret, remember?" he whispered

Cynder smiled, looking at Amela with full of adoration eyes.

"I hate having secrets from people close to me"

Loving and grateful smile stretched the feline's lips.

"I'm not going to tell anyone, your secret is safe with me. Don't worry Spyro"

"It's not that!" he protested automatically, making a bad impression on the healer that Cynder considers a mother wasn't his biggest dream "I trust you!"

Cynder giggled.

"Don't panic, you're going to be fine, nobody is going to scratch your eyes out"

"Says the one that almost shred me under that bed"

"Hey! You bit me!"

"Yeah, because you nearly made sausages out of me!"

"Children!" Amela exclaimed an amused scold "There will be plenty of time to argue, believe me. Love has all shades, through all you will have to tread. For now, please let this old cat enjoy the most beautiful color of young love. Eat and tell me about everything"

Spyro scratched the back of his head, at hearing the suggestion he looked at the tray, a single, alone tray.

"I've left your breakfast with Sparx, it's in your former room" Amela explained, seeing the modest confusion being painted on the young drake's snout

"With Sparx?" the drake gulped

Feline ears flattened on the furry head they were attached to.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"You couldn't have known, maybe if I go now I will still manage to lick off the scraps"

"He couldn't possibly eat all of that"

Spyro smiled sadly, heading towards the door, all hopes for a delicious meal gone and forgotten.

"You don't know Sparx"

"Stop being so dramatic" Cynder swallowed a piece of meat, paw heading for another treat automatically "Get your tail back here, I'm going to share"

"I'm fine, eat and don't worry about me. You're going to need your strength"

She frowned, dropping the meat she was about to consume.

"What, you don't?"

Spyro patted his shoulder with a wink.

"Purple scales. Besides you're the treasure here. I'll be right back"

Amela smiled, watching the purple tail until it disappeared behind the door.

"He really cares about you"

Cynder felt a warm sting on her heart, being reminded that someone loves her is as precious as the sole knowledge about the feeling.

"Too bad for him that I care about him too. If he won't eat anything and play the good guy I'm going to stuff into him whatever is left on my tray"

The cheetah giggled.

"You two make wonderful mates. What a sweet pair. Speaking of mates now that we're alone " she pulled a chair, turned it backwards, sat on it, resting her arms on top of the support, chin right on them and aimed her full of concern eyes on the dragoness

"How are you feeling?"

Cynder balked, eyebrow raising up in surprise.

"Happy? I thought you noticed"

Brown eyes remained locked on her, drilling and examining as if she would be transparent and nothing could be hidden from this gaze. Instinctively her forelegs pushed closer together and squeezed against each other, to obscure as much of her body as possible.

"How are you feeling physically?"

She swallowed, sensing the feeling of embarrassment slowly creeping onto her cheeks.

"I...I'm not sure what you mean"

Amela smiled kindly, her expression was somewhat relaxing.

"Don't be nervous Sweetheart. I just want to make sure you are doing fine, both in body and soul. The latter is confirmed already"

"I still don't understand...or at least I'm trying not to figure out where are you heading with this questions"

"This was your first intercourse?"

The embarrassment blossomed, she instinctively patted at her cheeks to somehow scratch it away.

"E-Excuse me?"

"I'm asking if you ever before had a sexual interaction with a boy"

"I-I understood the q-question, b-but..." she shuffled her leg along the ground, following its movement with her eyes, her cheeks were burning fiery red "It's p-private"

"Oh, darling, there is nothing to be ashamed of" Amela said kindly "Mating is a natural act, but an unimportant one. Only fools judge those by the period of life when they first shared a bed with someone"

"I-It's not that, you are my m-m...I can't t-talk about this with you"

"I'm not asking you Sweety as a mother, but as a healer. Especially concerned for your well-being healer, but nevertheless I seek only medical perspective"

Cynder licked her immensely dry lips.

"Not really helping"

"All of us are different, however there are some biological rules that all of us should follow and rules that some of us react differently to. Hence the diversity. Proper diagnosis is crucial make sure that what is to follow is followed and what differs is made tolerable"

The dragoness giggled shyly.

"Does this medical jargon have any other use besides confusing the patient about the fact that his privacy isn't invaded?"

Amela shook her head, gentle smile never leaving her lips.

"No Sweetheart. Unfortunately for us sickness and disease don't care about our privacy"

"I'm a dragoness Amela"

"That you are, however remember that your draconic heritage makes you resilient not immune"

"There is nothing that can get past you, is there?"

"When it comes to medicine?" the cheetah shrugged with a soft giggle "I don't think so"

Cynder sighed deeply, even if she wasn't entirely thrilled by the situation and the incoming interrogation, she trusted her mother. Deep in her heart knowing, being certain of, that she truly has her well being in mind and not the urge to satisfy perverse curiosity.

Trust was the reason she decided to agree to this awkward questioning.

That and she knew Amela wouldn't back off if she wouldn't fulfil her concerned, medical duties.

There was a touch of familiar atmosphere in all of this.

Only Ancestors knew how much she craved for that black hole of her life to gain on colors.

"Go on then, better to do it with you than some other healer"

Amela rearranged herself in her chair, scraping the floor with the wooden legs.

"Have you experienced vertigo, nausea, or burdening fatigue lately?"

Cynder looked at the cheetah, expression blank, brow raised in surprise.

"I had sex Amela, not got clubbed in the head"

The cheetah grinned.

"One doesn't exclude the other"

The breathless, nearly stone like expression didn't leave Cynder's snout as she drilled her gaze into the cheetah brown eyes.

The healer snickered softly and then after a second later exploded with laughter, unable to control herself under the scrutinizing stare.

The combination of awkwardness, embarrassment, shyness and who knows what other ugly emotion left the black snout frozen in one, cold, startled expression.

"This is what you call a medical expertise?"

With another laugh Amela leaned forward, making the chair tilt back as she reached behind it, just enough to squeeze lovingly the black, scaly cheek.

"I apologize Sweetheart, your embarrassment was simply too precious to ignore" she kissed her fingers, tapping them against the same very cheek she just squeezed

"The question was serious however" she leaned back, this time straightening in the chair, putting her hands on the support of the chair

"Did you experience any of those things? I want to roll out even the improbable"

"I'm fine"

"Mood swings?"

"No more than usual" Cynder cocked her head "We're starting from psychological tests or something?"

"I'm determining if perhaps you are suffering from pseudocyesis"

"What is that?"

"False pregnancy"

Green eyes widened, they became so big in an instant that for a moment it looked like they were to obscure the black snout with their size.

Black paw momentarily landed on the magenta belly, a fear so strong gripped her heart that Cynder thought she would choke on it and die.

"Y-you think I'm pregnant?"

Amela shook her head fiercely.

"No, no darling. False pregnancy in your case has nothing to do with real gravid state. Your body is simply too young to be able to adapt to the situation that arises in the organism when it comes to sustaining life in eggs. Your body is constantly growing, the warmth that is necessary to keep life alive in your womb is being spread around all other muscles and tissues. There is no place for another life when one is still being nourished. However this world is filled with magic, if there was something unexpected to happen, there are only two dragons that could be capable of handling it that I know. One I have the pleasure to call my daughter"

Amela smiled warmly, Cynder smiled beautifully in return, her sweet expression tasted like honey on her old heart.

"The reason I asked about false pregnancy is that when it comes to females of your specie the tendency of it happening is very high and very common. I examined girls younger than you. The reason why this occurrence is so popular is that dragons begin their sexual life very quickly, way before a female's body is ready to be a host for eggs. Mating in such a young age is perfectly natural, but unfortunately leads to the false belief that the girl is in the blessed state. Even if everyone knows that biologically it is impossible, there is still that magic element. This is why dragonesses visit us frequently"

Cynder let out a breath of extreme relief, the paw on her magenta chest scales relaxed, massaging that part of her body fondly.

"You scared me there for a moment"

Amela cocked her head.

"You don't want a child?"

"I do! With Spyro I can have a whole colony, but...not now. Not when I have this reputation, my children would...I don't want to bring them into this mess"

The usual kind and warm smile stretched the feline's lips.

"I understand that, this is very reasonable of you honey. Just remember that you can always come to me. When passion boils it transits to our beastly nature, such things are especially prominent in draconic society. Mating is as frequent and passion driven as the feeling for your mate, especially at the beginning. Visit me often Sweetheart, ok?"

Cynder swallowed, claw sliding under the choker and yanking it away from the throat, otherwise she felt that like thing would choke her to death. Her mother's words about passion and frequent visits stirred images of sweet memories in her mind.

After waking up the next day, right after they consumed with Spyro their bond, she went to the lake to clean herself in the afterglow of their union. He joined her and in the end it turned out that this particular bath had nothing to do with proper cleaning.

Frequency and passion.

She could swear she felt Spyro's touch on her neck.

"I will" Cynder rasped, oblivious to the fact that Amela giggled softly

"Besides that Sweetheart, are you comfortable?"

Emerald eyes blinked, wiping away the dreamy blur and putting confusion on the stage.

"Comfortable?"

"With your partner I mean"

She felt the blush that slightly retracted through this time gaining on intensity once more, all because of her ignorance. She didn't understand what her mother was saying, she couldn't decide if it's because of nervousness or because she is simply an idiot. She just was unable to read in between the lines.

"I...don't understand you Amela" she whimpered, head dropping down

"It's ok Sweetheart" she rearranged herself on the chair once more, leaning forward gently, to offer any bit of support while also maintaining the professional approach of a healer

"Do you feel any pain, burning, itching in your intimate place?"

"Wha-"

Amela raised her hand, silencing the young girl.

"It is a serious question. That bestial passion I was talking about is very prominent during dragon mating, especially in males. Lust and hormones cloud their minds, the females are also intoxicated to some degree which makes them numb to certain stimuli, especially pain. Females tend to accept it, a case very often occurring in the first mating and even in several next ones. There is unfortunately little care involved when lust takes hold, the most unintentional harm is done during the first minutes of the act, where the female body can be forced to accept too much girth and speed than it is ready to accommodate comfortably"

"No..." Cynder mumbled, air stirred by her breath nearly hissing on her hot cheeks

"This is perfectly natural darling, even if the moment is bliss worthy Spyro might have accidentally hurt you and there is nothing to be ashamed of. This is the case of most draconic sexual interactions"

"No Amela" she swallowed "I feel nothing of the sort. Spyro was very..." she licked her lips, but the tongue instead of rolling back into the same, embarrassed mouth, touched the surface of lips stretched into a sweet, dreamy, small smile

"...gentle" she basically moaned out

The cheetah averted her gaze with an awkward smile, a weak flush filling her cheeks, with no difficulty noticing the daydreaming expression on the girl's snout. There weren't many things that could embarrass her, in her life, especially in the period where she dedicated herself to helping people and became a healer, she had seen many things, listened to many confessions.

She had seen every part of a body, both male and female for millions of times, seen more breasts and penises of every specie than a concubine does through all of her career. Touched more thighs, genitals and cleavage than a brothel owner, possibly knew more erogenous zones than a specialist in erotic massage. Body is a body, wounds require attention and a gentle touch of a healer can be as exciting as the touch of a lover when pain fades away. Not to mention that wounds, like sickness, don't care for privacy.

Flesh is flesh.

In her life she heard more confessions than a priest, intimate, ugly, happy, didn't matter. From all those things she heard she could spin more tales than a war veteran, create more songs about life than a talented bard. Create erotic scenarios that would put to shame even the most lewd of minds, render false the most sensual fantasy.

She had never before however indulge in the private affairs of her children.

Specifically one for that matter.

When she believed there were no barriers anymore when it came to body and mind, a thick wall erected itself in front of her that had the dreamy smile on Cynder's snout. She immediately knew that breaking through it, Ancestors, merely knocking at it is a crime most vile and unacceptable.

A crime no mother can commit.

Mother.

The word struck her like a massive fist, never before something held her back from her duties.

Amela got up from her chair, ripping a hole in her clothes right in the place where her claws made tiny holes before. She clenched the fur just above her breast so tightly that her tail stood up at attention.

She felt no pain however.

She moved to the balcony door, pulling away the curtains to reveal the bright morning behind. She stood under the light of the day, sun illuminating the warm, broad smile on her face, making a tear that appeared in the corner of her eye glisten.

"Amela...?" Cynder whispered her name shyly, worry ringing in the soft tone of voice

"Yes darling?" she closed her eyes, more tears streamed down her happy cheeks, claws intensified their grip on the fur, feeling the beat of her suddenly young heart in every strand

"Is...everything alright?"

The smile on her face broadened, she found the question both amusing and immensely crucial, he had no idea why really. All she knew was that both of her hands landed on her womb, running up and down the belly, feeling the scar underneath the cloth.

An overwhelming sense of completeness washed over her, delightful and sweet as fruits.

Life had a sense once again, it made a full circle.

She bit her wavering lips.

"My child" a whisper came out from her crushed lips

Cynder leaned closer, frowning, unable to hear what she said.

"Amela?"

She opened up her eyes, brown eyes were shimmering like gems from all those tears.

"Will you promise to remember something for me Sweetheart?"

"Of course" the dragoness replied unhesitatingly

She turned around, tears that got stuck to her eyebrows flicked away, splattering on the curtains. She leaned down, putting both hands on the black cheeks, her back sent no pulses of pain, like it would be young again.

She kissed the top of the black head.

"Dreams come true"