I’ve always maintained that Gleep is quite bright, despite the one-word vocabulary that gave him his name. According to my partner and mentor, Aahz, my pet’s limited vocal range was merely a sign of his immaturity, and it would expand as he edged toward adulthood. Of course, realizing dragons live several centuries, the odds of my ever having a two-way conversation with Gleep were slim. At times like this, however, I actually appreciated having someone to talk to who could only listen . . . without helpful asides regarding my inability to walk across the street without landing myself and the crew in some kind of trouble.
“The trouble is,” I continued, “what with all the problems and disasters I’ve had to cope with over the years, not to mention trying to be president of M.Y.T.H. Inc., I haven’t had much time for a love life, like, none at all … and I sure haven’t given any thought to getting married! I mean, I haven’t ever really reached a decision on whether or not I want to get married at all, much less when or to who.”
Gleep cocked his head to one side, to all appearances hanging on my every word.
“Of course, I do know I’m not wild about the alternative. I had a chance to play king once . . . and that was twice too often, thank you. It was bad enough when I was just being a stand-in for Roderick, but the idea of trying to run the kingdom by myself, as myself, and forever, not just for a few days, well, that’s flat out terrifying. The question is, is it more or less terrifying than the idea of being married to Queen Hemlock?”