The dragon's harem

Arad almost finished the whole uranium pile on his own, but he did leave some for Altair. She was far younger, but she still could use it. In fact, from now on, she might need it more than he does.

“You said you’ll give me more. How is that?”

Arad might still be a bit disoriented and would need an hour or two to fully wake up, but he didn’t miss her comment earlier. This fairy in front of him was the Earth Spirit Queen, Mother Earth herself. While he met several powerful and influential people, if there is one being he should respect a lot, it’s her.

They live on her back after all.

“It is not that hard.” Gaia replied with a smile, “It’ll just take me a bit of time to bring them all the way here. Those are mined deep underground. They’re hard to extract without causing a lot of damage to me.”

She leaned back, supported by her powerful arms. Gaia’s eyes looked at Arad once more. She could feel how powerful he was. Earlier, she could barely survive his initial attack, and he was just reacting to her. She can’t imagine how it’ll feel having him as an enemy.

Technically, she knew. She talked with Arad’s wives, and especially Gamond, who told her how Arad could destroy a whole planet. Even if Gaia was Earth itself, an adult void dragon was already a planetary threat.

“Is that so?” Arad munched on some of the ores, “By the way. If you were here, does this mean you always guard void dragons evolving to adulthood? Taking into account that the females carry worlds, like you.”

“Not really. I watched over five void dragons.” Gaia looked at Altair, “A dragon and two drakainas left centuries ago.” She looked at Arad silently for a while. “But… you smell like the one that was before those three. A wicked and disrespectful viper of a drakaina.”

“I smell like her?”

“Must’ve been your mother. I find it appalling that it runs in blood. I got injured by both of you.” She looked at him with a smile, “But my Arad… you’re at least respectful. Your mother can’t really say the same.”

“What was she like?”

Gaia thought about it for a while, “Unlike you, her evolution took about three years. She was the first one I got to watch over, and to my bad luck, the order came after she went into hibernation.” She shivered. “When she woke up, she immediately attacked me, thinking I was a threat. I tried to talk some sense to her, but I ended up with a foot shoved up my ass.”

Arad shook his head, not wanting to learn how. “Wait… I do have an older brother. Didn’t he evolve before me?”

“That pale one?” Gaia shook her, “He did, but inside a locked magical space that he created. I wasn’t able to get close. Reaching adulthood requires a lot of those ores, and I don’t know where he got enough to sustain himself.” She pointed at the ores, “I’ve fed your egg almost a hundred times more than this.”

“Brother is amazing. He is always doing his own thing.” Arad smiled, finished what remained of the ores, and stood. “Time to head back home. For one thing, Merlin should be waiting.”

“It’ll take a while for us to fly there.” Altair stood, looked at him with a shy smile, and then turned to Gaia, “Will you return with us?”

“Sure, why not? It’ll be a nice trip.”

Arad looked at them and smiled, “Who said anything about flying?” He extended his hands to them.

****

Several moments later, inside the bustling castle of Arad, something was happening. Altair made her way to the private quarter while Arad followed the closest scent of one of his wives.

The large stone stairs of the castle were illuminated by rows of magical crystals, and several maids and armed guards were running around. From the strange smell in the air, a strange guest must be here. The sun is up, but the halls smell of rain. It was somewhat familiar, but not the same.

He soon reached a massive wooden door decorated with several steel latches and gold engraving. In front of it, two armored knights stood, each of them holding a spear in hand. The two looked at Arad as he approached, and one lifted his spear, blocking the door.

Arad stopped in front of the door, and the knight growled, “Who are you? Get back. Only…” Before he could finish speaking, his friend grabbed him by the head and whispered. “Put your spear down. That’s him.”

It was then that the knight’s eyes opened wide. It took him a few seconds to recognize Arad.

Arad pushed the spear away and glanced at the two knights with a smile, “I believe I can go wherever I want in my castle. Besides, I smell one of my wives inside.”

Arad grabbed the door’s handle and pushed it open, barging into the room inside.

Around a massive round table, several people gathered. The most noted of them all were King Baltos, Princess Isdis, Strom Titan Princess Tyal, and several nobles who looked somewhat familiar.

The meeting stopped, and everyone fell silent as the door was rudely pushed open. All of them glared at the door. Baltos chuckled and Isdis smiled. It has been a long time, but he was back.

Arad looked at everyone in the room, his eyes checking everyone. The nobles took a second to recognize him, and all of them paled. “How are you doing, Isdis? I’m back.”

Isdis wanted to jump at him, but this was an important meeting. They can leave the warm union for later. “I’ve been doing well. It’s a good thing you’ve returned, this here.” She pointed at the overly large woman barely fitting into her chair. She looked to be almost twelve feet tall, her skin a pale shade of grey, and her hair white and curly.

The woman stood to greet him, but Arad spoke first. “You smell close to him. Zeus, the Storm Titan King. It is been a long while since I’ve last seen him, how is he doing?”

The woman’s face contorted. She stood from her chair and gave Arad a gentle bow, “Princess Tyal of the Strom Titans, Zeus is my grandfather. It’s an Honor to meet you.”

“Baron Arad Orion and Princess Isdis’s husband. Welcome to our land.” He approached the table and sat down, a chair magically appearing beneath him.

Princess Tyal sat down and cleared her throat, trying to resume the discussion. Arad’s arrival was unexpected, but it served in her favor. Finally, someone with real power instead of that woman, Isdis. She is sure they kept Arad away from the meeting just so he won’t know about it.

“Didn’t answer my question. How is Zeus doing?” Arad’s eyes shifted back to the Strom Princess, slowly growing impatient.

“Grandfather is doing well. Old age is catching up to him, but he is healthier than all of the other titans his age.” She quickly regained her composure, looking at Arad with a passive face.

“I’ll come visit him soon. Now that I have time.” Arad looked at the princess and then at Balos, “I was thinking of making a trip around the world. Visit the Titans, half-angel and half-devils, the halfling hills, and even Star Island of the chromatic dragons.”

“You’re welcome in our kingdom any time, Baron Arad.” The princess looked at him, lingered for a moment, then shifted her gaze to Isdis. “About my rejected request.”