“Thank you, Pam.” He reached for the juice, not wanting to impair his judgement with spirits. The cold liquid soothed his throat as he drank the entire glass. “That was most refreshing.”
Pam folded her hands on top of the counter and leaned forward. “Now, I think it’s time we revise your strategy,” she said, her tone authoritative. “It’s obvious what you’ve been doing isn’t working, and we need to examine why.”
“It’s obvious why,” he replied. “Zara was not raised in Vale Crossing or knowing about the ways of the Drakkon.”
It was a conclusion he reached on the drive back. A miscalculation on his part that he should have accounted for.
“I knew you were a smart one.” The way the corner of Pam’s mouth curled up reminded him of Zara. “So, use that brain of yours and think hard.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask, but what’s the third task,” Roberto piped in.
“The final task involves climbing to the top of the sacred Salriat Mountain. For a Drakkon, the trek takes about three days non-stop. Then when we reach the summit, we perform a ritual dance.”
“Sounds dangerous,” Roberto said. “I don’t know if we have any sacred mountains but we are at the southern end of the Rockies. There’s a peak called Sangre de Cristo.”
“How do I get there?”
“I don’t think we need to go that far,” Pam interrupted. “Tell me, Hektor, what does this symbolize?”
“That there is nothing we will not do for our mate and children,” he stated. “Not even a mountain peak can stop us.”
“Alright, that’s a start. What about this dance you’re supposed to perform.”
“It’s the mating dance. This can be the toughest part of all.”
Roberto chuckled. “If you have two left feet, I imagine it can be. But we can find you a dance teacher, if you want.”
“My feet are fine, but that’s not the problem.” He paused, thinking of how to explain it. “It is actually the final step in a very long process. There are no prescribed steps nor can they be taught. Rather, throughout the courtship process, the Drakkon must learn his potential mate’s likes and preferences. This dance must reflect that and it is a test of not just a Drakkon’s physical prowess, but also his emotional intelligence.”
Pam put a hand on her heart. “Wow. That’s actually very romantic. And progressive, if you don’t mind my saying.”
“It is the way things have always been. Drakkons mate for life, and do not get a second chance.”
“Perhaps you can still perform a dance for her,” Roberto suggested. “You don’t have to make it so over the top, with the climbing of the mountain and stuff, but you should make it personal. Something that tells her you pay attention to her wants and needs.”
“I have an idea,” Pam chimed in. “But only if you want to do it.”
“Yes, please, tell me.” Zara’s parents knew her best, so he was willing to try anything. And Hektor was desperate. “Tell me your idea.”
“How about we….”
Chapter 16
Zara
Zara needed to get away.
Again.
Home was supposed to be her escape, but then Hektor followed her here. Not only that, he somehow managed to convince her parents to help him.
It was infuriating
But a tiny, very tiny part of her was thrilled.
I can’t get hurt again.
Whenever her heart sparked with any bit of warmth toward him, she forced herself to remember that cold emptiness from him.
