Apparently, the audacious heir to the Iltherans who happened to be Kael Dravaryn’s other half was not kidding.

No.

He meant it when he said he was going to inscribe selected runes on his body to bypass the rune preparation that usually got dragons, and well, everyone else, opting for magic that came naturally to them.

In the case of ancient dragons, that would be elemental magic.

Fire was second nature to dragons. Actually, it might even be first, and so there was no need for any sort of runes to activate such magic when simply breathing could result in fire.

For those (unfortunately) closer to the likeness of the primordial dragon, it was also no issue to use elements that seemed rather opposing, like water, for example.

And normally, just those would be enough to enjoy life as well as to protect oneself from the dangers of the beings on the food chain. Especially since dragons would generally have great control as well as a bigger mana pool to do far more things.

So what more could anyone ask for?

However, that also meant it was something so many other dragons could wield.

There was nothing wrong with being a basic dragon.

Okay, well, now that sounded weird when said like that...

But the point was that it would have been fine, and most would have been happy with that.

However, Riley was not like most people, correction—dragons. And even if he wanted to be an average Joe, that was not really possible at the moment.

The last Iltheran would like to believe that his ancestors didn’t suffer and sacrifice like that just so he could end up with the same weapons they had thousands of years ago.

Because how exactly was he supposed to face them in the future after they’ve done everything they could do just for Riley to repeat exactly what they had done?

He needed to show progress. And as a being who had been a student for most of his life, it was really a compulsion that was difficult to get rid of.

And with all the knowledge they had passed down to him, as well as the information available to him now, how could he resist the allure of non-elemental magic?

Chemical reactions.

Physics.

And outright seals.

Riley looked extremely dramatic as he pitched his plan to Kael, pouring every inch of passion he had into it, only for the golden dragon to respond with a raised brow.

"How certain are you that the runes would even work as intended?"

Now, Kael wasn’t saying that because he was doubting his twig. But he was saying that because everyone could write and prepare runes, it was just a squiggle on a squiggle thing. But getting it to work had always been another thing entirely. And was one of the many reasons why they tended to preserve and reuse working runic circles.

"Well, about that..." Riley scratched his cheek lightly before glancing at him.

He figured there was only one way for the golden lizard to believe him, so he said, "My love, can you do me a favor and brace yourself?"

Kael’s forehead creased, once again looking like a battlefield as he tried to understand what his twig was saying.

Then Riley muttered something softly.

And suddenly—

Kael felt it.

"!"

Like the weight of an entire continent had been dropped—no, slammed, onto his shoulders.

His body tensed instinctively as the pressure bore down on him, heavy and absolute, forcing his breath to hitch as his feet grounded themselves against the floor that was surprisingly holding up against the weight.

Then just as suddenly—

It was gone.

Riley stepped back slightly, looking almost sheepish.

"Sorry," he said quickly. "I had to catch you off guard for that to work."

Kael stared at him incredulously.

"You—" He pressed a hand to his head, as if trying to process the sudden shift. "You actually did it already?!"

"I swear!" Riley raised both hands defensively. "Not only did I choose the simplest one, but I also picked something that wouldn’t be disastrous if anything went wrong!"

Wouldn’t be disastrous?!

Kael scoffed, disbelief written all over his face.

It had only been a few days since they’d been at this.

A few days.

And Riley hadn’t even tested it properly like anyone with common sense would.

No.

He went straight to inscribing it on his own arm.

His actual arm.

Now, said guy who was the walking personification of "common sense was not always common," would actually beg to differ, as he did test the rune before putting it on his arm.

Sure, he hadn’t tested it as extensively and as long as the others did, but he really did test it.

He wasn’t THAT crazy, after all.

"...How did Thyrran allow this?" Kael demanded, his tone edged with disbelief.

Riley pressed his lips together.

Because, well—

The ex-guardian had actually been very interested.

Supportive, even.

Encouraging in a way that Riley probably shouldn’t admit out loud for the sake of everyone’s peace and safety.

"...He didn’t exactly get the chance to stop me," Riley muttered because he did have to say something in the end.

Kael went silent.

Completely.

Speechless.

And then even more so when Riley stepped closer, closing the distance between them until he rested his forehead lightly against Kael’s chest.

There was no hesitation in that movement.

No teasing.

Just something quiet.

Something honest.

"Kael..." He said his name quietly, and the golden dragon stiffened despite the rollercoaster of emotions he had been feeling.

"I need a way to protect myself so I can protect you—us," Riley said softly. "I know that it’s very hard to accept, and it’s happening too fast for your liking, but just like how you protect us in your own way, this... this is how I can have my peace."

Kael stilled.

Because what exactly was he supposed to say to that?

Nothing.

And even after they managed to locate the entrance of the crypt they’ve been meaning to visit, the golden dragon could only keep on watching his mate from the side.

Because with each passing day, he couldn’t help but see the level of resolve Riley had about surviving all this.