Dragon Boyfriend: Deiphobos 2 (special preview)

Deiphobos’ keep wasn’t just made for him, it was made for the island to share. While his chambers were at the very peak of it all, the lower levels were made to serve as an epicenter to the activities of what had formerly been the gem Malachite. It was a place for gathering, learning, sharing, as well as housing the dragons that once lived there.

All your life you had assumed it was a mountain or volcano, no one ever went near it anymore, so the paths that once led inside had become overgrown and impassible. They had been marked off as dangerous so they were left alone for ages.

Just below Deiphobos’ chamber there was an archive filled with books, scrolls, and maps. Below it a room filled with chairs and seats with a stage at the front. It went on like that, layer after layer, until there was a kitchen. There were several stoves there lined up along the walls. They were old and needed desperate cleaning, but the stoves and equipment were still in working order, and were entirely cast iron.

“I remember when there were people coming through here at all times,” Deiphobos waxes on nostalgically.

The knives on the wall were rusted, which was such a shame as they looked like they had been very beautiful pieces. “I had always assumed dragons were inhospitable.”

“There are some who were, who wanted more power and more of the gem isles to add to their collection, but there were more dragons who simply wanted a place to roost considering how we grew on Grattertock.” Deiphobos comes up behind you, blowing onto the stoves to warm them and blow away the dirt and debris.

“Rough place?”

“From what I remember.” He steps back as you start to clean. “It has been so long and I have slept since then.”

You smooth oil over the cast iron to clean it, rubbing away the rust that has built up over the surface. You take the ash inside, dumping it out  and then stocking it full of fresh new coals. Once you get the stove clean, you start setting up your work station with all the spices brought from home, as well as the cookware your family sent along with you.

“I have to get used to this new stove, so I’m going to start off by making some bread.” You turn to look back at Deiphobos. “Once I understand it, I’ll be able to better cook my family’s recipes.”

He tilts his head to the side. “This is much more in depth than I expected.”

“My family have all been chefs since you were awake,” you say proudly. “Considering how my cooking was so familiar to you, I am almost certain it was the same recipes. Although, I have never had to make enough to feed a dragon.”

Deiphobos chuckles. “You do not need to worry about feeding me, as long as there is heat, I do not not need to eat like you would assume. I eat simply because I enjoy it.”

“How lucky.” You take out the ingredients you were able to bring. At most, you have worked in very few kitchens, all of them you know intimately. You had gotten used to that feeling, of being able to work without thought, knowing the ins and outs of where you were. This was different, wholly new. You half expected some trial and error getting used to this new kitchen. Instead, it almost felt like home. The layout felt almost second nature.

Eventually you had the bread rising, covered with a cloth solely meant for that purpose and dusting flour. As you step back from the counter to allow it to rise you look back at Deiphobos watching.

“It’ll be some time now. I like it let it rest as long as possible so the bread won’t be so dense when it is baked.”

Deiphobos lifts his head. “You’re free to do as you please here. I just ask you don’t go below the ground level.”

“Why? Some dark secret I should be seeing?”

“No, it is cavernous and dangerous. Not to mention you could be trapped by the current of the water and get trapped underground.” He says this all so seriously it actually makes you nervous.

“That would be trouble,” you murmur.

Deiphobos rises. “My home is your home, use it as you see fit. Find your own comfort here.”