16

She looked surprised by my statement. I'd hit the nail on the head.

*"Probably not reproducing as fast as the other females as well," I flicked my tail with a bit of irritation.

This made her draw her head in, and down. A clear sign of shame.

*"Stop that," I snarled as my headache pounded away at the inside of my head, "Reproducing slower is actually better for your races survivability. It'll take you longer to run out of prey on whatever planet you go to."

The look on her face as she drew her eyes up was complicated. My muscles tensed as I rose from the ground somewhat unsteadily. I wouldn't be able to move quickly on the ground with an arm missing. My normal stride required all four limbs. There was no point in getting used to a three legged stride.

My arm would grow back as soon as my core had healed.

"Give me a day to recover," I nudged Jax out of his focused trance, "Then I'll move you to the world I promised."

{I'm going to be here for a little while,} I spoke only to Savannah.

Both of the wyverns tensed when I sent out the communication.

"I'm just talking to one of my most trusted," I let my eyes rest on them, "I didn't think you would notice."

*"The alpha speaks to us that way as well," the female glanced at the male.

"It's the only way for us to communicate over long distances," I huffed, "If I'd known that you were uncomfortable with this method of communication then I wouldn't have used it."

{I'm glad we can communicate over distance too, but I would prefer for you to come back soon,} Savannah answered.

Making the wyverns tense again.

"She's just answering me," I was a little irritated that I had to comfort them like this.

They acted like scared little children. Afraid of their parents abuse. I was actually weaker then them both at the moment. If they chose to attack me together then I wouldn't stand much of a chance. I flinched when my stomach growled.

I'd expended a lot of mana, and burned a large amount of my mass. I was thin, and frail at the moment. Forcing the fusion to the spatial element had burned every ounce of fat off my body. Without some good nutrition I wouldn't be able to move soon. I guess I was lucky this was all the damage I'd taken.

The wyverns responded to my hunger nervously.

"Would you like to hunt for me?" I sighed, "If not then I'll have to go out myself."

Both wyverns looked concerned about me going out. The male stood up slowly. Leaving the cavern to fly out into the blizzard. The female looked more then a little concerned that he decided to leave the cavern. I laid back down slowly.

Wincing as I did. I was in no shape to move. I would take help if he was willing to offer it. I had the mana required to make a portal if it was needed. It would hurt, but I could do it.

My wings twitched as I slowly adjusted to the changes that had happened to my spatial awareness. My wings twitched as I tried to remain still. The wyvern across the cavern from me also appeared to be nervous about this arrangement.

*"What's the matter?" I laid my head down slowly.

*"You could betray us at any time," she responded.

*"I don't think trash is a suitable name for you," I tapped my tail on the wall, "Would you like another one? One more suitable to yourself."

If you took away the damage the slightly red hue to her bronze colored scales, and general shape was attractive for a wyvern.

*"I talk of betrayal, and you offer me a name," she hissed, "What is it that you want?"

*"I simply want the future queen of wyverns to favor me," I smirked, "And remain my ally throughout her long life."

*"Queen," her head jerked back in surprise, "Wyverns don't have queens."

*"I think I can change that," I smiled fully.

*"It's not possible," she shook her head nervously.

"Wanna bet?" I stood again.

Leaning toward her so my nose was close to her own. I waited for her to come to me. My eyes were half lidded. My posture was relaxed. The only tense limb I had was my single arm.

She stared at me tensely. She leaned in after a long uncomfortable silence. Touching my nose gently. A shock went through both of our bodies as my mana rushed into her. I could feel the alterations within her body right away so I allowed more mana to flow.

It hurt so my body wanted to pull away, but she responded by pushing her nose in closer. Her scars faded, and her scales took on multiple more obvious hues of bronze, and red. Budding horns formed a nice crown. Although she only had six horns, and they showed no signs of elements. I dropped to the ground when I ran out of mana, and strength.

The thud woke Ethan, and had him on his feet in seconds. Jax had seen what had happened, and was thoroughly transfixed on the entire scene. The changes I'd made to the wyvern before me were obvious. She'd actually slimmed down a great deal, and become more graceful. Her mana had also bloomed a great deal.

I figured she had about half as much mana as I did with a full reserve. Her scales shined in the low light. I imagined she'd be quite beautiful in the sunlight.

"You shouldn't have done that," Ethan put himself between me, and the wyvern with a growl on his voice.

The way he walked told me his leg was still tender, but he was clearly walking on it.

"You've set your recovery back at least six hours," he continued.

"I think she should be called Vermillion," I ignored his lecture, "We should give the male a better name as well."