That starts the water works all over again, but thankfully their mates are nearby this time. With last minute hugs and a vow to myself once again to never get pregnant, I head outside to my waiting dragon.You ready to do this?I ask.
I thought you’d never ask.
I climb onto her back and settle in place before looking down at the people who mean so much to me. “Thank you.” I don’t say anything else; I don’t know what else to say.
“I expect to be invited to the wedding,” Lox calls out loudly. I shake my head with a grin.
I give one last wave, and Redara gets a running start before launching into the air. I fly high with the sounds of my friends’ goodbyes following me. Seconds later, they’re only specks on the ground. I lean into the wind with a smile on my face.Let’s fly,I send to Redara.
The ride seems to both take forever and go too quickly. Before I know it, we’re flying over the walls of the city. I’m full-on shivering now, have been for the last few hours. And yet, I can’t keep the grin off my face. Anticipation builds inside as we fly over the land. I take in the beauty of this place and let it soothe that anxious part inside me. I can’t believe how much I’ve missed this place. I take in the snow-covered paths, and the trees sparklingwith ice.I've missed this place,I send to Redara.
Me too.
Did you tell Nox we were coming?I ask.
Nope.
I grin, thinking of the reunion between the two of them. I’m shocked to see several people wave at us from the ground. I find myself waving back. When we land on the landing area, daylight is just starting to fade. There’s a gorgeous view as the last of the light fades away. I take it all in, feeling it fill me up in the best way. I walk to the front of my dragon. “Thank you. Now, go find Noxlyn.” She doesn’t have to be told twice. I watch as she flies away, and then I walk over to the double doors and open them. They’re unlocked, and I step inside. For just a moment, I close my eyes and let the feel, sound, and smell of this place wrap itself around me. With a grin on my face, I make my way down the hallway past the closed bedroom doors. I’ll drop my bag in my room later. Right now, I want to see Elowen and Auri. I know Elowen’s in the kitchen long before I step inside. I push the door open and sniff appreciatively, nearly groaning. “I have missed those smells.”
Elowen drops a bread pan on the counter and whirls around in shock. “Harper!” And then she’s moving towards me. She wraps her arms around me, pulling me close. I close my eyes as her scent wraps around me.
“I missed you,” I tell her quietly.
Her arms tighten around me. “Oh, Child. I missed you so much.” She pulls back. “Are you here to stay this time?”
I decide to answer her truthfully. “I guess we’ll see.”
The door to the kitchen is thrown open suddenly, startling both of us. “Harper!” Then there’s a chair headed straight for me.
I turn from Elowen and nearly fall on top of Auri when she runs right into me. She grabs hold of my thighs, and my hands drop to her back. “I missed you too,” I tell her with a laugh. She doesn’t laugh, nor does she loosen her hold. “Hey, are you going to release me or am I going to be stuck like this?” She finally pulls back, and I’m dismayed to see tears on her cheeks. “Auri, what is it?”
“You left me.”
Those three quiet words are nearly my undoing. I crouch down so that we’re at the same level. “I’m sorry.” I don’t fill in the silence with any other fillers.
She takes a breath, trying to get ahold of her emotions. “Are you going to stay now?”
“Yes, Harper. Are you going to stay now?”
I startle at those low, gritty words and slowly stand to my feet, facing the man who just entered the kitchen.
Chapter 53
Thankfully, Auri saves me. “Harper, you have to see my room!”
I turn to her. “Okay.” I start to follow her, but a hand on my wrist stops me. My breath catches in my throat when I look up at him.
“Are you supposed to be walking on that?” he asks, nodding at my leg.
“It’s fine.”
His dark eyes meet mine. “Does it hurt?”
I answer him honestly. “It’s a little sore after today but manageable.”
“Harper, come on!” Auri shouts from beyond the door.
I smile. “I think I need to go.” He continues to stare down at me, and I think for a moment he’s not going to let go, but then he does.
