No more secrets [Private]

Despite her new higher powers, Anila still spent the majority of her spare time with the SkyWings, living there in the palace with Tion. There was no way that she would be able to leave him, even if he were a mortal dragon. Not after their battle with the mentors to keep his position and especially not after he did everything he could to protect her before she unlocked her true powers. One thing she was incredibly grateful with was that nothing relied on her abilities anymore, and she could easily call upon any element she desired to help. But with power, came responsibility, a responsibility which meant she couldn't help the SkyWings if they ever came under attack. But that wasn't her concern at the moment. She had other things on her mind.

While they both had different schedules, Anila had timed her visits to the SkyWing healers so that Tion wouldn't notice her absence. Although, she could have just stated that it was her other duties which called her... But, to her, that would be too close to lying and so she avoided it. Anila nervously paced in front of the fire pit, a rumble of fear or nerves coming from her while she walked. She was a little tense, but alas, she tried to calm her senses while she paced. There was no reason for her to be so worried! But she just couldn't help it.

With a huff, Anila carefully flopped onto a fur at the front of the fire, her thoughts drifting to what the healers had said. But if that were true, then... Shaking her head, Anila stood up again. With a simple thought, the fire flared up, warming the chilly room once again.

Anila heard the faint clicking of claws through the doors, and a faint smile ghosted onto her face. Pushing herself back off the fluffy and warm blankets, she made her way towards the door. A powerful, yet quite controlled, wind would pull the door to their room open. Warm air would rush out from the room to heat the cold halls and wash over them. Only a few moments would pass and Anila would greet him with a cheerful purr, gently nuzzling his powerful neck.

"Tion! I've missed you!" She would almost chirp in delight, her eyes shining brightly at the sight of her handsome mate. It was true, as she hadn't managed to catch him for a few days between both their duties, her new ones and his existing ones. If he would allow her, she would also give him a hug for a few moments, her paws wrapping around his neck. However, if he were to pay attention, her would notice a sign of nervousness from her, a slight shaking from the contact with him.

It was not too long ago that the matter with his mentors were settled, but it was quite the battle. They had their ways and their own ideals on how a leader should run the kingdom, and the mentors saw themselves as his advisors. Now that Tion revealed what he really was, such support had dried up and everyone went their separate ways. The first few days was hard, having to cope with the mentors gossiping behind his back about how the kingdom would never hold now that he gave in to his softer personality. It was a huge blow. Either he lose his mentors or he lose his crown. Sure enough they gave up trying to make him into whatever model they wanted, and carried on with their ordinary jobs.

Not much was different since, except Anila seemed to have a much better control of her powers. Slowly it was becoming second nature to her, and he witnessed how she opened doors using only her wind and dissipating them with ease. Perhaps she did not need training. Though without combat, she could not have gotten as strong as she was now. Tion expected it to 'rust', but it was the complete opposite. Many captains and generals went to him and requested that they go to war against the humans, but Tion ignored their requests.

Something seemed a little off.

After a day's work in the laboratory, Tion exhaustingly made his way to his study. He figured he could sit by the fire there and take a short break before taking up the pile of paperwork requiring his approval for the fortress. Though before he could come into arm's length to the handles, it swung open by itself and blasted Tion with its soothing warmth. Anila was inside, and she quickly embraced him. Tion wrapped his neck over hers as well, pulling her close in their embrace. I miss you too Anila. How have you been? He would be better off not asking that. It was clear that she was shaking, no matter how much warmth he delivered. Tion pulled from her, a frown in his snout as he expressed his concern. Is everything alright my love?

The happiness after the warm embrace was only short lived with the one word she added at the end of her response. "But". He knew something was up, and she welcomed him to what she had to say. A lot it seemed. A frown creased over his snout but he nodded and accepted her offer to come sit with her near the flames. This time, he got to see the extent of her control over her abilities as, with not even a gesture, the wind carried the doors to a gentle close.

Tion shuddered a bit as the soft coils of Anila's tail held his, like a gentle stroke that would send tingling waves up his spine. He held her tail in his as well as they took a short walk to the warm fire, and there they knelt on the soft pelt that was the mat on the floor. Tion laid opposite to the fire, raising his wing to welcome her in his embrace. No matter how soft he was to her, he could not turn the concern that was clouding her expression. She was staring at her claws as they fiddled with the fur, the orange flicker reflecting off the turquoise of her eyes like a rare sapphire with a living fire inside it. Her courage to look back up to him was only brief, and then her eyes glistened as a tear streaked across her cheek.

Anila? Tion said, holding her a little closer. He wanted to reassure her that whatever she had to say, they will go through it together. But his voice was caught in his throat when she rested upon his shoulder. He blushed a little at the closeness. They were together for a while, yet he still could not get over her touch. It was like a new experience.

She spoke again, though her voice was also caught as well. Tion was patient. He knew it was perhaps a difficult topic, and it was not until a few moments later that she finally said what she had to say. Tion's eyes widened a little.

He was going to be a father. Not just to Yalaruh, but a young kin of his own blood. He was lost for words. But he was able to smile. Tion nuzzled her neck, then he moved down to nuzzle her belly, where their children grow. Anila that... he trailed off a bit, trying to absorb what he heard, ...that is wonderful news! We... Tion held himself back before he started to ramble on. But it was hard to contain himself. Although the prospect of looking after more children was perhaps a lot for him to take in at first. After all, he did struggle to look after just Yalaruh. But with Anila beside him, maybe they could pull this through to look after a full clutch. Yalaruh would become a big sister and perhaps she would love to meet them as well.

Tion just held his tongue and nuzzle Anila close.

Still he had yet to control himself from rambling. For a long time he thought it was a major flaw in his being that held him back from being a powerful ruler. But now, to even be acknowledged and encouraged to continue, that was still odd for him. He took a deep breath, shifting a little more closer to Anila. I was just going to speak of the future awaiting our children. He shivered when she licked his neck, and he returned the contact back to her.

But if this was the only problem he had to deal with, he was quickly mistaken. Before anything, she was in tears once more. Not that of joy, but the same sort of concern that he saw not long ago. She leaned on him, very much so that there is barely any gap in between them. Tion knew something else was up, and it must have been very tough on her that she had to deal with both at the same time and express them to him. But whatever this next issue was, it drew a saddened expression more painful than previous. She gave a cheerful comment about him being a good father, and Tion nuzzled her with a thrum. And you a good mother. He would have added more, but then he was curious as to what more Anila had to add. Yes, I remember it well. He said, returning her nuzzle. Anila was swarming of all sorts of emotions. He could read that after seeing it before. She was a strong dragon. No matter how heavy her emotions, or how painful her experiences, she was still able to emerge from the mist.

Tion listened carefully. Kayin? He never saw the gods before. The true gods. Most of Sky Fortress believed it to be a myth. But she met Kayin? What she said next did not make sense to him, until she said that she was not the semi-goddess of the Skywings? He did not understand. Tion was sure she demonstrated abilities beyond their capabilities. But putting the two together, his eyes widened. Anila confirmed his thoughts. She was one of the true gods?

He did not notice the fireplace flickering out until he shivered at the sudden cool draft. She put it out it seemed. But not with wind. The goddess of creation? It was a lot for him to absorb. Tion stared blankly at the charred blackened wood, curls of smoke coming out. A goddess. If the myths were true, then it meant she need to be in her own realm. Away from Pyrrhia. Away from Tion. He quietly bit the bottom of his maw, his heart sinking. This meant they could not always be together, that their children may have to live most of their lives looked after by Tion. But his worry was not towards the children, but to miss the laughter, the warmth and comfort of his mate beside him.

For quite a while, the study was silent. Tion was still coming to terms with it, occasionally opening his maw as if to speak, but not a word escaped his tongue.