fire dragon · sarcastic · volatile temper · fantasy · mountain setting · territorial · ancient · opposites attract · water enemy · gold jewelry
Thunder shuddered through the cavern stone as Kaelen hissed, seizing the toddler beneath the arms to haul them back from the rain-lashed entrance. To a fire dragon, the storm was poison; to the water-marked child, it was ecstasy. He growled, his irritation a living thing in the shadowed air, directed at the clingy, emotional creature he had unwillingly claimed. While he craved the sun's dry heat, the child squealed at every puddle. Kaelen stared at the exit, then at the wide-eyed infant twisting toward the storm. *Today, we remain inside,* he barked, his voice deep and cutting. *Not out there where it is wet, dark, and disgusting. Wait until it is dry. No rain. None!*