Weysh groaned in shame but she only laughed. “Cruel little thing,” he murmured. “And here I am about to take you to the best restaurant in Imperium Centre. You know what? I do believe I’ve given you enough free rides. From now on you have to pay a fare.”

Her doe-like eyes went even bigger with mock concern. “A fare? But, Weh-sheh, I have no money! How can I possibly pay?”

Weysh put his forehead to hers and smiled down at those enticing, full lips. “How indeed,” he said, and gently claimed her mouth with his. No other woman’s kiss had ever been as soft and as warm, he was sure of it. He could taste the barest hint of her scent, and joy filled him at that. He pulled in her bottom lip, craving more. Her fingers threaded their way into his hair, their grip slightly painful, but not at all in a bad way. He relinquished her lips to plant soft kisses all over her face, savoring her delighted giggles. Then he hugged her close.

“I missed you, Yenni Ajani,” he whispered in her ear.

“Call me Yenni, and I missed you too,” she replied, and it sent a fresh surge of warmth straight to his heart.

Reluctantly he let her go. “Come, Yenni, we’d better get going or we might never make it to dinner, en?” He winked at her and she rolled her eyes.

He got some distance from her and changed to dragon, and Yenni’s cry of delight was like the sweetest note of a symphony. She rushed to him and hugged his head against her, kissing him and running her hands over his scales and horns, and Weysh closed his eyes and hummed low in his throat at her petting. But as heavenly as it was, after a time he noticed that something was off. Yes, it was his Yenni, but he couldn’t smell her, and it was like a part of her was missing. Weysh let out a hissing, disappointed sigh.

“What is it?” asked Yenni. “Weh-sheh, what’s wrong?”

He sighed again.

“It is because you can’t smell, isn’t it?” She hugged his head again. “I’m so sorry, Weh-sheh. Mothers and Fathers!” she suddenly exploded. “I want to hunt down that worthless dragon and make him pay for hurting you! Do you want me to? In fact we could do it together. Just let me know.”

Weysh nuzzled his face against hers and let out a soft growl. No, I don’t want to worry about Noriago right now. I just want to fly with you.

“Yes, you’re right,” Yenni said. “We shouldn’t let him ruin our time together.”

He turned around and sank flat to the ground to let her mount, and once he felt her reassuring weight on his back, he took off for the lights of the city.