They’re massive, even folded—elegant and sleek.Thethin membranes stretched between long, arched bones catch the light filtering through the small window of the hut, glowing faintly as though lit from within.
His face is the last to change.
His jaw lengthens—teeth sharpening and his features becoming something both more and less than human all at once.Hishorns lengthen and curve back from his head—long and elegant, framing his skull like a crown of living bone
To my surprise, his eyes aren’t silver like the rest of him—they’re gold—bright and molten, like fire given form.
And then the transformation—whatTheroncalls “Shifting” is done.
I should be afraid—IknowIshould.He’shuge, after all—even reduced in size, his long, sleek body is coiling and shifting to fit inside the small hut.Hemoves with a grace that doesn’t match his size—every motion fluid and controlled, like a creature that knows exactly how powerful it is.
But instead of fear, allIfeel is awe.
“Goddess…”Ibreathe, looking up at him.
He’s the most beautiful thingIhave ever seen—beautiful in the way a storm is beautiful, or fire, or the endless sky at night.
TheDraketurns his head toward me, one golden eye fixing on mine, and something passes between us in that moment—something quiet and undeniable.
Then he moves.
Slowly…carefully, he lowers himself, his long body curling inward, folding down so that he can bring his head level with whereIsit on the edge of the bed.Themovement is deliberate—almost cautious—as though he is trying not to startle me.
I don’t pull back—Ican feel it—whathewants and that’s just to be close to me.
I feel something else coming from him too—a quiet, insistent invitation.Hewants me to touch him.
My hand lifts beforeIcan stop it.
“Hi there,”Iwhisper, my voice soft with wonder.“Goddess, aren’t you gorgeous?”
The words feel inadequate, but they’re allIhave.Ihesitate for just a moment, my fingers hovering inches from him.
“Can…canItouch you?”Iask.“Really?”
He doesn’t speak, of course, but he answers anyway.Henudges his head forward, pressing gently into my outstretched hand.
My breath catches as my fingers make contact—Iexpected hardness—roughness.
Instead, his scales are smooth as silk.Sleekand soft in a way that surprises me.Theyshift slightly beneath my touch—overlapping and alive—andIcan feel the heat of him radiating through them.It’sa deep, steady warmth that speaks of fire held carefully beneath the surface.
“Oh…”Imurmur softly, hearing the awe in my own voice.
I let my hand move, tracing along the curve of his face…following the line of his jaw…the ridge above his eye.Hisskin—his scales—feel almostresponsive, as though he’s aware of every placeItouch.
He leans into my hand, obviously asking for more andIsmile despite myself.Hemakes me think of a big cat, wanting to be stroked.
Carefully,Ireach higher, scratching lightly behind the ridge of one large golden eye.
The response is immediate—a low, rumbling sound vibrates through him, deep and steady, almost like a purr.Ifeel it through my hand, through the air, through my own body whereIsit so close to him.
“Oh, you’re so beautiful,”Ibreathe.Everythingabout him draws me to him andIdon’t try to fight my reaction.Withoutthinking,Ilean forward and wrap my arms around his long neck.
TheDrakestills for a moment, then settles into my embrace.Hisenormous head is heavy on my shoulder, butIfind thatIlike the sensation.Theweight of it should be overwhelming, but he holds himself carefully, as though he knows exactly how muchIcan bear.
His wings shift, unfolding carefully in the cramped space.Andthen they come forward, wrapping around me in a slow, deliberate motion untilIam enclosed within them.
I feel a rush of emotions—enclosed like thisIfeel protected…sheltered…held.Theworld seems to narrow to just this small, warm space between us.Thescent of him surrounds me—smoke and heat and something deeper, something that feels ancient and wild and utterlyhim.
