The Promise She Made

By Sonny Dae

© 2025 Sonny Dae, All Rights Reserved

“Hey, Aubrey, have you ever thought about starting a family?” Bran asked.

Aubrey blinked as she turned to the human. The way the sun lit up his smooth face caused a pang of joy, but it didn’t distract from the strange question asked out of the blue. “I don’t understand,” she said. “I have a family as distant as they are. And I would like to consider the Patel family my own after all of our time together.”

Bran chuckled, his body rocking as he leaned against hers. His dark hair blended well with her red scales, making him look like a human-shaped growth extending from her side. “That’s not what I meant. I mean settling down, getting married, having kids, that kind of thing.”

Aubrey tilted her head. Usually, she understood Bran’s seemingly random thought process. It was the thing she enjoyed most about his company, the way he could pull inspiration or arrive at a solution from nowhere. But this time she drew a blank. “You know dragons do not get married. As for children, I have bigger things to focus my attention on, you know this. I want to end domestication in Rubellum. I cannot do that if I’m watching over hatchlings. As for settling down, I’ve already settled on staying here.”

Bran sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You really are clueless sometimes.” With a smile, he craned his neck to look at her and added, “But that is what I love about you.”

“I’m truly confused now. Are you saying you want to get married?”

“I know that marriage is a foreign concept to you, and honestly, we know my family would never allow it.”

“You do not need their approval. And you didn’t answer my question.”

“Fair enough. No, I don’t want to get married. We don’t need it. On the other topic, I don’t need my family’s approval, but I also know better than to push my luck.” He sighed again and sank further onto the grass. “Sometimes I wish we could just run away. Go someplace where no one can bother us.”

“Then why don’t we?”

He was silent for a moment as he stared at the sky. Aubrey turned her gaze back to the meadow. She was missing something, and it was bothering her that she couldn’t figure it out. Usually, it was easy to keep up with his thoughts and ramblings.

She was struck stiff as something dawned on her. “Hold on, you asked if I wanted a clutch. You do understand what that requires?”

Bran laughed and patted her extended leg. “I’m surprised it took you that long to figure it out. Yes, I asked if you wanted children.”

She narrowed her eyes. “There is only one way that can work.”

“Yes, I’m aware of the unique biological requirements. Look, Aubrey, if there’s something you want that I can’t give you, I don’t want you to have to compromise.”

Aubrey frowned. “And did it not occur to you that I am well aware of what I’m giving up and decided that I am comfortable with such a sacrifice or that it was never something I sought in the first place?”

Bran’s face fell, and his gaze became distant. “I…No, you’re right. I hadn’t considered that.”

“It’s all right. Just know that you needn’t worry about me. I’m fully aware of the consequences of my actions.”

“But I don’t want you to give something up for me.”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

“But—”

“I don’t like that you’re at odds with your family over us, yet we both know you won’t change your mind. I understand that you worry about me, but I don’t require saving.”

He didn’t answer. Aubrey turned back to the trees in the distance. It wouldn’t be the first time they had fought over this.

“Do you think about having children?” Aubrey asked.

“I have. And I realized that it would never work. I enjoy traveling too much, which would require me to miss out on my child’s life. Ancient ruins and hostile territory are no place for a child.”

“But you asked if I wanted children.”

“I…Oh. Dammit. I was so focused on not denying you, I never realized how selfish I was being.”

“We’re all selfish. Some more than others, but it is something we must contend with. Regardless, do not hold it against yourself. I know your heart was in the right place.”

It was a question they kept returning to, but the response was always the same. What worried her was that they should know each other well enough to know that the question didn’t need to be asked.

So if neither of them wanted it, why did it keep coming up?

“I’m sorry I’m such a coward,” Bran said.

Aubrey turned back to him. His face showed obvious signs of aging. His hair had grown thinner, so he made a point of keeping it short. She missed when it was long. It was to be expected as he grew older, but she couldn’t help but feel sadness knowing where it would lead.

“You’re not a coward,” she said.

“Then why can’t I do what you did? Why can’t I stand up to my family? We argue, sure, but in the end, I always feel like I lost.”

“They’re all you have. When I left home, it was the hardest thing I had ever done. There are times when I regret my decision.”

“But you didn’t go back.”

“Because I know going back means giving up the reasons I left.”

Bran rolled over onto his side and rubbed her side. “That is what I mean. I say I love you, but I hide you away like a mistress. A guilty pleasure I keep around to indulge myself but will never admit to.”

“Pleasure has nothing to do with our relationship.”

“Try telling them that. I know that if word got out, it would ruin the family name. I guess that is what I’m most afraid of. I don’t want to be the one who destroyed the Patel Family’s legacy. I say I don’t care what others think, but I’m terrified of the ridicule and hatred that will come our way.”

“And I gladly share that burden with you. My family would never approve of you. And you know how dragons would react.”

Bran swore and punched the grass. “Why does our happiness have to depend on someone else’s opinion? Those same people who would make it their life’s mission to tear us apart don’t even know us! Our relationship has no bearing on their lives!”

“It’s about control. The world must reflect their views, or else their sense of self collapses because they’ll be forced to confront how little they truly understand the world around them. Those are the real cowards. The ones who hide from the truth because they cannot face it.”

Bran scoffed and flagged off the response. “I wouldn’t call arguing with my extended family members facing reality. They’re just cheapskates who think that expeditions to uncover past relics are a ‘waste of time and effort to play in the dirt.’ Their opinions hardly matter at all.”

“If this is causing friction with your family—”

“Don’t,” Bran interjected flatly. “Aubrey, we’ve enjoyed each other’s company for nearly 20 years now. Arguing with my family over your presence has never been anything new. Even if we didn’t have feelings for each other, they despise your presence.” He scoffed and added under his breath, “All that talk of being dragon allies, yet they can’t stomach the idea of living with one.”

More silence. Aubrey noticed the sky had changed from a crisp blue to orange and red. It would be time to go back to the estate soon.

“Speaking of presence, I named you my heir,” Bran said. “When I inevitably pass, you shall inherit my fortune and become head of the Patel house.”

Aubrey stiffened. She must have heard wrong.

“You heard me.” He rolled over and looked into her eyes. The setting sun painted his pale hair in a color almost similar to his youth. It contradicted the deep shadows created by the wrinkles covering his face. “I know I could never marry you and adopting you into the family just doesn’t feel like enough. Also, I know that my cousin is just chomping at the bit for an opportunity to get rid of you. Naming you head of house is the only way I can protect you. And stick it to him at the same time.”

“But—”

“Aubrey, you are as much of a member of this family as anyone. By law, we’re practically husband and wife anyway, which means you stand to inherit everything when I’m gone, will or no will.”

“But that would require admitting our relationship to everyone.”

“Admit what? That we’re two scholars who enjoy each other’s company? That I have considered you a close friend and confidant for over 40 years? That I don’t trust anyone more than I trust you? I’ll gladly admit to all of that in front of the whole damn world.”

Aubrey burst into laughter. It felt different from all the other times. Bran never had difficulty making her laugh. But this brought her a new kind of joy.

“What’s so funny?”

“That’s a pretty big leap for a coward.”

Now it was Bran’s turn to laugh. “Yes, I was quite afraid in my youth. When I had so much to look forward to, it felt like I had everything to lose.”

“And now?”

“Now, I no longer give a damn. I should’ve learned this lesson years ago, but I will no longer let others take away the things that make me happy. Especially not a bunch of perverts who can only envision sexual relationships. For all their talk of ‘purity’ and ‘righteousness’, they seem quite obsessed with what other people are doing with their genitals.”

“I wish I had learned that lesson. I still fear what it would do to you.”

“To quote a certain dragon: I’m fully aware of the consequences of my actions.”

Aubrey burst into laughter again.

“Okay, now I know you’re laughing at me.”

It took a moment for her to calm down enough to speak clearly. “No, I’m just relieved to finally hear you speak your mind. This has weighed on you for years, and I hated that I could never do anything to help you.”

“You do plenty already. Which reminds me. I have a selfish favor to ask.” He grabbed her hind foot. She always hated it when he did that. Supposedly, it was easier to reach when they lay like this. But she knew it was because he was comfortable and didn’t feel like moving. Also, because it irritated her to no end.

“When I eventually pass, I want a dragon’s burial.”

Aubrey pulled her head back. “You want me to incinerate your body?”

“Yes. That is also in my will. There’s going to be a lot of pushback for it, I’m sure, but I want a funeral as is customary for your culture. I’ve spent my entire adulthood researching dragon culture. Just once, I want to experience it firsthand.” He patted her leg at her continued shocked expression. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m getting on in age, unlike you who still looks the same as she did the day we met.” With a smile, he added. “I would kill for your beauty secrets.”

It was meant to lighten the mood, but she could only stare.

“Come now, Aubrey, you knew this day was coming. Your species is long-lived, unlike mine. If anything, I’m glad it’s me who’s going first.”

“You? Why?”

“Because that means that we got to spend the most time together.”

She had nothing to say to that. His logic was sound even as it made her throat constrict.

“You are free to say no,” Bran said.

“No, I mean, yes. I’ll do it. I owe you that much after all you’ve done for me.”

“I did it for us.”

Aubrey nodded and turned back to the horizon. Dragons didn’t cry, but it felt as if she could burst into tears at any moment. She had always known, but it still stung knowing the day was coming. This was always the risk. They had discussed it multiple times. But then why did she still refuse to accept it? After all that talk of being strong, was she truly a coward as well?

“Can I make one last selfish request?”

Aubrey nodded, knowing he would see her response. Her throat felt too tight to speak, and her body too stiff to turn and face him. She couldn’t face the reality that he was fading and there was nothing she could do about it.

“Promise you won’t let your memory of me hold you back,” Bran said, his voice slow and tired. “I know you. You’ll feel some sense of loyalty or even pride in never loving anyone else. But, please, for me, open your heart again. Live the life you’ve always wanted. Take it from this old fool. Life’s far too short to hide from it. Even for someone as long-lived as you.”

“I’m older than you,” Aubrey wanted to say with a smile; something to diffuse the tenseness of the current situation. But the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she replied, “I promise.”

The sun had vanished completely, leaving only an inky black sky overhead. The lack of clouds made it easy to see the multitude of stars.

Aubrey sighed as she stood up. This was the part of their time together that she hated most, but it wouldn’t do to have Bran out all night. He was too old for that now, and his body simply couldn’t handle lying on the ground all night.

“Bran, it’s time to—” She stopped upon turning and seeing no one there. With a soft whine, she sank back onto the grass. Three years had passed, and she still kept forgetting that he was gone. “Thank you, Bran, for everything.”