The fresh air bids his nose to scab, but still it pours blood out of the gash and sends spasms of pain through his face. To compound his shame, Nymeria shifts to protect the black bundle, making clear in no uncertain terms that Volterra is not to harm him. He wouldn't have, not really. It was but a momentary stab of temptation, not something he would actually carry out. To kill a dragon would be akin to blasphemy, and to crush a part of his sister's soul...it would be wrong. But that doesn't make him any happier about what he sees as Nymeria choosing the dragon over him, and his ears lace further into the fledgling tufts of his mane as his crimson eyes flash with wounded displeasure. It is just a momentary lapse, though, his ears flicking back upwards and his face untwisting back into its usual serenity, not wanting to tar this day with his foul mood. Today is Nymeria's, the day she gains a mind-partner, and he knows he has to respect that.

Inside he still aches, though.

This close, the young warmonger can see that his twin, too, bears the mark of Lilómiel's infantile fangs. The damage he can cause at just a few minutes old - think of the glory he will bring his bonded when he is fully-grown! Again, a powerful stab of envy renders the colt momentarily still and silent, before a small sigh leaves him. "It is up to you to teach him to know better, Nym. You are his mother now - he needs to know his boundaries. Like how Mother taught us not to pull too hard on her teat, or pester her as she grazed." Like any child the dragon will need educating, will need teaching the difference between right and wrong, learn etiquette, lest he surely become unmanageable.

He watches as Nymeria lifts the hatchling, placing him on her shoulders. Shoulders her brother will no longer be able to groom without risking a snap to the lip, shoulders he will not be able to rest his chin on as he stands huddled close beside her against the elements. Her shoulders are his, but no longer. Yet another thing young Lilómiel has taken from him. Sister explains the bond, and the vampire's son again has to fight a tide of jealousy, craving a similar sensation to the one his wombmate cannot put into words. The journey Nymeria is about to embark on is exciting, is new, and Volterra prays to all the spirits that he will one day be blessed with the same. As his twin vows to help him get his wish, the jealousy is replaced by self-loathing, hating his own emotions, hating that his sister can be so selfless whilst he is so selfish. In her place would he vow the same, or take pride in the fact he has a dragon whilst she only has him? It just shows that she is too good for him, that she deserves better than a beast of a brother like him.

Muzzle extends, hoping to softly snort against her own, placing dragon-wound against dragon-wound. "You are too kind, sister," he says, and he has never appreciated her more.