6
Raja
For the second time now, I left the village without permission - except this time it was during broad daylight, so we wouldn’t have to worry about poachers.
And also, I had a dragon at my side.
Still, my skin prickled with something resembling guilt. I wasn’treallysupposed to be leaving the village, since Lorenzo and I weren’t married yet. But I’m sure my parents would make an exception.
Lorenzo looked terribly pale among the rainforest foliage. Not only did he stick out like a sore thumb, but he was bound to get a sunburn if he didn’t cover up his skin. He was dressed in a light short-sleeved button up shirt and shorts, but he would have to strip to wash himself at the waterfall, and if he showed up red and burnt to the wedding, I knew my mother would have a fit.
I scanned the canopy, then saw what I was looking for. Quickly I shifted into my panther and leapt up the tree trunk. The strangely shaped green-and-pink fruit hung tantalizingly close. With one swipe of my claws, I snatched the fruit and joined Lorenzo’s side again.
“What is that?” he asked, looking at the fruit curiously.
I shifted back and replied, “You’ll see later.”
After a few minutes of walking, Lorenzo asked, “So, if you’re not allowed to leave the village, how do you know where we’re going?”
I laughed. “I have anose, you know. I know what fresh water smells like. Besides, I can always piece together information from the stories my cousin and friends always tell me.”
“Clever,” Lorenzo said with a smile. “So, we’re going to a waterfall?”
“Yep.” I raised a finger. “Listen.”
We stopped walking and from just beyond came the sound of rushing water. We were close.
“I hear it,” Lorenzo said.
I winked at him. “Good. Your ears are working.”
When we arrived, I was awed at the size and force of the water. I had only heard about it in stories, and I never imagined it could be this big. At the base of the fall was a cluster of boulders that broke the crashing water’s flow before it became a gentle pool. A small river fed off the pool and snaked through the rest of the rainforest. There was no canopy of trees here to block the sun’s rays, so the surface of the water glittered like silver.
Like Lorenzo’s dragon scales.
“It’s beautiful,” Lorenzo said as he took in the sight. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Hey, don’t thank me,” I said, waving a hand. “My mom was the one who wanted you to bathe here.”
His eyes widened. “Bathe?”
“Well, duh. What else did you think you’d be doing at a waterfall?” I pointed to his clothes. “Take those off.”
Pink suddenly tinged his cheeks. It was so cute that I almost laughed at him.
“What are you waiting for? Come on,” I urged.
“I can wash myself, thank you,” he mumbled, but he took off his shirt at the same time. I couldn’t help looking him over. His arms and chest were muscular, and he had visible abs and toned pecs.
Not bad,I thought.
“Do you like what you see?” Lorenzo asked with a wry smile.
Cheeky bastard.
“Maybe,” I teased. “Now come here and turn around so I can put this stuff on you.”
Lorenzo agreed, coming closer. He watched curiously as I pulled out the fruit I picked up earlier and sliced into it with a single shifted claw. The green-and-pink skin broke open to reveal white flesh dotted with oval black seeds inside.
