"Patriarch!" A loud voice cut through the hall.
Everyone turned sharply, eyes narrowing at the interruption.
"I thought I made myself clear—no interruptions," the Patriarch growled, irritation flaring.
The guard stumbled forward, bowing quickly. "But Patriarch, you said to inform you immediately when that arrived."
"That? What that?" Darian asked, brows knitting in confusion.
The Patriarch rubbed his forehead with a long sigh. "Honestly... you could have said that calmly, not like a panicked rooster. Are you a new recruit?"
The guard flushed and nodded.
"Tch. I'll have words with the General about training new blood to mold their tones," he muttered to himself. Then, louder: "Fine. Go bring it in carefully, and serve it to everyone. After that—you will run fifty rounds of the grounds."
"Yes, Patriarch!" The guard bowed and scurried out.
"What has come, Father?" Darian asked impatiently.
"You'll see..." The Patriarch's eyes twinkled with a spark of boyish excitement. "I had it specially acquired from the Bear Tribe—and not a little of it, mind you. A feast of its own."
Rayna leaned forward, curiosity piqued.
The guards entered, carrying large earthen jars that looked heavy enough to require both arms. They set them down with a thud, then began pouring the contents into wooden goblets.
Rayna leaned closer, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "Oh, it's a drink? It would suit more in a transparent glass... but okay," she muttered with a small smile.
As the guard filled her goblet, she noticed the liquid glisten—a silvery, translucent drink with golden flecks swirling inside like tiny stars caught in a current.
The Patriarch beamed, his voice booming. "Rayna, I suppose it's your first time tasting the Moonclaw Nectar?"
Rayna nodded.
"Well, well..." He lifted his goblet high. "This is a treasure of the Bear Tribe. Brewed under the full moon, infused with rare crystals said to stir the blood and sharpen the spirit. One glass, and you'll find yourself craving another!"
Without hesitation, he downed his drink in a single chug, then exhaled in satisfaction.
"Ahhh... nothing compares to this. The bears rarely sell it, stubborn folk that they are—but this time, I convinced that old bear to part with his stock. And now, on the joyous occasion of my son and his mate returning to Beast City, let's enjoy it together!"
Everyone raised their goblets and drank.
Rayna took a tentative sip. "Mmm..." Her eyes widened. The nectar was sweet yet tangy, with a fizz that tickled her tongue like soda. But it carried a strength that made her nose burn and her chest warm all at once.
The Patriarch chuckled at her expression. "Good, isn't it? Drink your fill, child. Tonight is for celebration. Tomorrow, we'll discuss the serious matters."
Rayna smiled back, relieved that the Patriarch's warmth toward her hadn't dimmed even after learning she was a dragon.
Around the table, Yunxi was giggling, Ezra already looked flushed, and Darian was practically gulping his drink down with reckless delight.
Everyone drank. Everyone— except Soren.
Instead, he busied himself peeling the smaller shrimp and laying them neatly on Rayna's plate. When a drop of nectar slipped from the corner of her lips, he leaned in without hesitation and wiped it away.
"Soren, why aren't you drinking?" Rayna asked, puzzled. The nectar was delicious, too delicious. Why hadn't he taken even a sip?
"I'm taking care of you," he replied simply.
Rayna huffed softly. "You don't need to. I can take care of myself."
Soren's lips curved into a rare, gentle smile.
"I know you can. But taking care of you brings me joy. So let me." He popped a shrimp between her lips before she could argue further.
The warmth of the nectar had begun to rise to Rayna's head, leaving her a little light-headed. She blinked, giggling faintly. "Hey, Soren... does this drink make you dizzy?"
Soren's gaze softened. "Yeah. I've never liked it. Father loves it, but I've seen how it makes people lose reason, even while it lifts their spirits. So don't drink too much, my love—I don't want you feeling unwell."
Rayna nodded, deciding to pace herself. Across the table, however, Darian and Ezra were already slumped half over the wood, while Yunxi continued to laugh at absolutely nothing at all.
The Patriarch was still drinking deeply, his goblet never staying empty for long.
Outside, the sky had turned dark, nightfall settling gently over Beast City.
Soren rose to his feet, bowing slightly. "We shall take our leave now."
The Patriarch waved a hand, though his smile lingered. "Go on. I'll enjoy a little more and then retire to my chambers."
Soren inclined his head, then turned to the others.
Rayna stood carefully, her cheeks flushed pink. The nectar had made her light-headed, but not enough to leave her stumbling. Ezra and Darian, however, were completely out slumped against each other like rag dolls.
With a sharp gesture, Soren summoned the guards. "Take them to their chambers," he ordered.
The guards nodded and moved to lift the two drunkards away.
Rayna took a step forward, steady enough but before she could take another, Soren swept her effortlessly into his arms.
Her eyes widened. "I can walk on my own," she protested, though her voice carried a laugh.
"Mm, I know," Soren murmured, pressing her closer.
His tone was low, tinged with a faint possessiveness.
"But you should give me some chances to hold you too, my love. These days Ezra's been interfering far too much." His jaw tightened slightly at the name, but the glint in his eyes softened as he looked at her.
Rayna sighed, half-amused, half-exasperated. "You purposefully sent him to a separate room, didn't you?"
He only smiled, carrying her as though she weighed nothing.
Behind them, Yunxi stumbled up, his steps unsteady but his grin wide.
"Wait for meee!" he called, running after them with all the enthusiasm of a child despite his own tipsy sway.
Soren carried Rayna carefully through the corridors, Yunxi trailing behind with uneven steps. When they reached the chambers, Soren set her gently on the bed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
"I'll fetch something to clean you up a little," he murmured.
His gaze shifted to Yunxi. "Stay with her until I return."
Yunxi nodded obediently and plopped himself down on the edge of the bed. His movements were clumsy from the drink, but his grin was boyish.
"It was sooo good, no? Today's feast," he giggled.
"Yeah... the food was unlike what I've eaten before." Rayna let out a soft laugh, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Yunxi straightened himself, so that he could support Rayna better.
He slipped closer, wrapping an arm around her waist with surprising boldness. Rayna, leaned into his warmth.
A quiet moment passed. Then Yunxi bent his head and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. The gesture was tender, innocent—his shyness softened by the nectar's haze.
"Rayna... I'm really happy," he whispered, his voice carrying both nerves and sincerity.
Rayna tilted her face up toward him, smiling warmly. "I'm happy too."
Yunxi's arm tightened ever so slightly around her waist, as though he feared she might pull away. But Rayna didn't. She leaned into him, her head resting lightly against his chest.
Gathering a courage that seemed to surprise even himself, Yunxi tilted his head and whispered, "Rayna..."
She looked up at him, eyes hazy but warm, waiting.
Slowly—hesitantly—he leaned in. His lips brushed hers in the gentlest kiss, tentative as if asking for permission more than claiming it.
Rayna's eyes fluttered shut for a moment before she responded softly, letting the kiss linger.
When they pulled back, Yunxi's cheeks were flushed pinker than the nectar could ever make them.
"I... I've wanted to do that for a long time," he admitted shyly.
Rayna smiled, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek with quiet affection.
"I even told you before silly. Don't hesitate from now on," she teased gently. "We're mates—you don't always need permission from me."
"Hehe. I'll kiss you more then, from now on." Yunxi leaned in to kiss her once more. His arms wrapped around her waist.
Yunxi whimpered slightly when Rayna deepened the kiss slightly more than what he expected.
After a while, Yunxi pulled back slightly to catch his breath.
His face flushed a deep red, warmth blooming in his chest.
His eyes softened, still hazy from the sweetness of the kiss. For a moment, he couldn't find the right words—only the quiet, lingering happiness of being so close to her.
He buried his face in her neck, murmuring her name, "Mhm... Rayna..."
Rayna chuckled softly and hugged him closer.
A little while later, Soren returned with a wet cloth. He paused at the sight of Yunxi nestled against her neck, fast asleep, and raised an eyebrow. Rayna only pressed a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay quiet.
The heady mix of the kiss and the drink had left Yunxi overstimulated, and soon enough he had blacked out. With gentle care, Soren helped Rayna ease him onto the bed. Then he knelt by her side and dabbed her face with the cool cloth.
"Thank you," Rayna whispered.
Soren kept the cloth aside and kissed her forehead.
The room fell into a calm hush as he settled in beside Rayna pulling her in his arms before sleeping.
Rayna's eyelids fluttered shut, sinking into comfort. Before long, they all drifted away, the lively chatter of the feast fading into the gentle hush of sleep.