An attraction grows

The next few days had passed peacefully and Dravyn had gently wooed Wren as they spent their days reading and walking in the gardens and Wren had continued to familiarize himself with the castle. Wren had confided about his solitary life and that his family had been hunted down and killed for their bones and scales. Dravyn had confided that his family had died many years ago and he'd lived alone for quite some time, focusing on his work and businesses all over the world helping people of all races and species save money and funding many ventures to protect the people he worked with. Drayvn had also showed Wren about his businesses and Wren had begun looking for gemstones and jewels on the property, wanting to get back to work himself. He'd had some luck and was crafting rings that were beautiful and excellent quality.

One day, Drayvn came into the workshop that they'd set up for Wren with a smile. "Wren... I want to try something... I know we're both looking for our mates and I would like to test and see if we are mates. I know you are as fond of me as I am of you. Would you test this with me?"

Wren smiled up at him as he put down the jewel he was currently shaping and cleaning. "I'm not opposed to the idea. How would we test this?"

Drayvn's smile grew. "It's actually simple these days. We would take a dish and I would put a bit of my blood on it, then you would add some of yours. If it turns blue, it means our blood is compatible and this means that in the eyes of my people we would be mates. Then a simple blood exchange would seal this bond. How do you verify that in your people's traditions?"

Wren chuckled. "You would simply touch me in my dragon form. I think that the old dungeon area would be large enough for me to transform safely and allow that. If your tradition shows that we are mates, I would not doubt that the touch would spark the bond in my traditions."

Drayvn nodded. "When would you like to test this?"

Wren thought for a moment. "Why not now? I have a small bowl we could use and one of my tools would be sharp enough to make the cuts."

Drayvn smiled. "Then let's not waste time. I don't mind a bit of haste to satisfy our curiosity and take the chance that what we feel now is growing deep and true out of a need we've both admitted that we have. I've never been bothered at the idea that my mate could be a man. Have you?"

Wren smiled at him as he grabbed the small smelting bowl and a small blade and sat them on the table between the two men. "No. I actually prefer the company of men. I've never said I was gay but honestly, I've never been drawn to women that way."

Drayvn rolled up his shirt sleeve to expose his wrist. "I'm happy to know that you are drawn to me, sweetie. I'm certainly drawn to you, otherwise I wouldn't suggest this."

He took the blade and made a small cut on his wrist and let the blood drop into the bowl, filling the bottom nicely before he healed the cut. Then he handed the blade to Wren. Wren made a small cut in the palm of his hand and let the blood drip into the bowl before healing his cut with his healing powers. They both looked into the bowl and saw the blood mingling and bubbling gently before it began to slowly turn colors. Streaks of black appeared first, then gold and emerald shifted in. As the bubbling ceased it slowly turned a deep sapphire blue. Drayvn laughed softly, a deep rumble of dark rich sound and Wren smiled brightly. Dravyn was the first to speak. "So we have our result... it seems we are mates..."

When he reached over and took Wren's hand, a gentle warmth spread through both men and they both became aware of the other in a truly intimate way as if they were one in spirit living in two bodies. Drayvn gasped softly, feeling Wren's emotions as if they were his own and sensing himself balance, the hunger and innate darkness of his carefully controlled vampiric beast blanketed in a warm light. Wren closed his eyes, savoring the warmth settling over him. He could feel a sense of having a protector and safety, like coming home.

Wren spoke, his voice full of awe and trembling just a little. "I want to seal the bond tonight, Drayvn... I don't want to waste time. This is incredible and I want it permanent."

Drayvn smiled at him, gently lacing his fingers with Wren's. "You don't know how much that means to me. I want to bond with you, then give you the touch of your people to honor that bonding as well."

Wren opened his eyes and smiled. "You know this will mean something very significant for us... it will allow magic to bring me into mating season and possibly bear a clutch of eggs to be our children."

Drayvn looked a little shocked. "You would bear a clutch? I didn't know males could do this."

Wren chuckled, a soft almost melodious sound. "Any mate can bear the clutch if the magic rises. There are many gay and lesbian dragon mates who bear children thanks to the ancient magic gifted from the gods at our creation at the dawn of history. It would be an honor and a pleasure if we were blessed in such a way."

Dravyn smiled. "I never thought about being a father. I don't think I would mind it if it happened. A family of our own would bring me joy. I don't want to rush into intimacy but feeling this bloom is amazing. Already I have a sense of peace that I have never known."

Wren squeezed his hand gently. "As do I. When the time comes, we will make love and see if the gods bless us. It may take time for me to go into heat but I know that when I do, you will take care of me and we will see what happens."

Drayvn nodded. "I will happily wait for the right time. I want it to be perfect. And I want you comfortable and happy."

Wren chuckled softly. "I'm already happy, Drayvn. Don't worry... things will be perfect and we will know when the time is right."

They stood there holding hands for a while, talking about the possibilities of the future and the wonder of finding mates at last. When the stars and moon lit the night sky, they would finish the rituals and be bonded fully. For now, they reveled in the wonder of hope and light finding them at last in an unexpected way.