Page 54 of Sapphire Seas

Caspian laughed and shook his head at me. “That was three minutes ago.”

We were in our special place in the horde, enjoying snacks and a movie. No lockdown this time, we’d simply come up here because we’d fallen in love with the space. Whenever Mattias was required to be away from home, which happened a great deal, now that they had expanded their training to include comingling their powers. Between the extra training and patrols we saw less and less of our mate. Having been warriors ourselves, we understood completely and chose to come to the heart of our home, where we felt closest to him. He knew to look for us here first now.

He constantly stocked it with extra snacks too, including bread and peanut butter and fluff so we could have our fluffernutters whenever we wanted them.

“Sorry, I spaced off. What were you saying?”

“I’m more curious about what you were thinking about.”

“Just another memory,” I admitted. “They’ve been happening more frequently but there’s nothing helpful in them yet.”

“Soon, I’m sure.”

“I think so too. Last night, as I was falling sleep, I remembered hearing heartbeats beneath the earth and being drawn to a spot that overlooked the ocean. It was near an old watchtower on a cliff by the sea. I’ve dreamed about it ever since we built Hurley’s lighthouse.”

“He lived on land, once, a very long time ago,” Caspian said. “Way before I was born. He said his home was by the edge of the sea and he was a lighthouse keeper. It wasn’t until I was older that he told the full story. He wasn’t there to watch out for and warn human ships. He lived there to keep watch for other dragons, so that he could warn us if a foe was lurking above the surface, waiting for one of us to appear. It was a long-standing tradition among our people that a few hand selected guardians would live on land and act as lookouts in times when there was a threat to us. Unfortunately, the threat grew too grave, and all were forced to hide deeper beneath the waves, or so the story goes. I wonder if some chose to burrow beneath the earth instead.”

“If I ever remember where I was, Baird and his warriors would be able to investigate further, the way they are doing with the shadow dragons,” I said. “Once again, Emerson’s maps came to the rescue.”

“I love that Mattias still shared all the details they uncover at their meetings,” Caspian said. “Wanna know what I love more?”

“That we don’t have to go too?” I replied, “’cause I do. I’d be so afraid of falling asleep in the middle of one and waking up to Ionus scowling at me. As soon as the urge to take a nap hits, I’m done. I was never a napper before.”

“I loved taking long naps wrapped in a bed of kelp,” Caspian replied dreamily. “Do you think Mattias could grow a kelp bed somewhere close to our beach?”

“You know he’ll do his best as long as conditions are favorable for it,” I said. “I know absolutely nothing about growing things though.”

“I think the waters here would be favorable,” Caspian said, “but Kaika would know for certain.”

“Do you think it’s possible to weave the kelp into a hammock?” I asked, already picturing myself rocking beneath the sea.

“Why don’t you try and then we can figure it out together,” Caspian offered.

“I love that.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said, tugging him closer so I could hold him now that we’d killed off our latest bowl of snacks. “Remember when Mattias asked if there was anything else we’d like to have added or changed while Donovan was doing the renovation.”

“I never understood why,” Caspian said. “The house is perfect.”

“That it is, but there is something that caught my eye when I was scrolling through streaming services the other day. I got so distracted I forgot which cartoon I’d been looking for.”

“Is that when I came in and found you watching that renovation show?”

“I wish you’d come in sooner. The part they were working on was utterly adorable and would be perfect for us, especially once the dragonets come.”

“Quit keeping me in suspense and tell me what it is!” Caspian shrieked, shaking me, though not as hard as he probably would have if I hadn’t been carrying an egg.

“A wide, enclosed, wrap around porch, with rocking chairs and shelves in a corner where Mattias can keep his paints and an easel.”

“Ohhh, I caught a glimpse of what you were talking about when the show did it’s flashback scene at the end. That would be amazing. Imagine rocking the babies and watching the sunset.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking about. We could have rocking chairs made. And double cradles so we could rock the babies while they’re sleeping too.”

“When it rains, we can sit outside and watch it fall. Does it snow here?” Caspian asked.

“Sometimes, but I can always make it snow.”