Suddenly I have my hands full with greeting the other girls, hugging them, weeping with emotion and explaining everything in a way that nobody can possibly make any sense of.
The girls congratulate me, but I’m aware of the impatient dragon, and I have to make our reunion short. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” I tell them. “I just need to spend more time with my fiance.”
I climb onto his back. “Ready, my love.”
He beats his mighty wings and we’re airborne.
I like it when you’re ready.
I laugh because everything in the world makes me happy right now. “I’ll always be ready for my husband.”
Lucky husband.
I flatten myself on his back, arms spread out for maximum contact area with my love. “Lucky wife, too.”
Agreed. Anywhere in particular you want to go?
I think about it. “A safe place with no rain and no river. And no jungle, if that’s possible. Maybe an ocean? A beach? Or a lake!”
Ah. A lake with no jungle and no rain. I’ll see what I can do.
We soar higher and fly on into the night, still talking about many things.
When Vyrathion sinks down through the air and finally lands, I’m not sure where we are. But there’s grass and a fragrant air, very different from the jungle. The air is drier and crisper, less heavy.
I swing one leg over him and stand on the grass. “Where is this?”
This is outside the jungle,Vyrathion says.A place I noticed earlier, during my wanderings.
In the light from the blue moon Yrf I spot mountains in the distance, as well as a forest and vast, rolling hills. I swear I hear waves crashing calmly against a coastline.
“Is it far from the village?”
He laughs as he Changes back to human form. “Oh, very far. But we’ll be back tomorrow.”
I go in close and hug him. “The ground here is so soft!”
“Purely a coincidence,” he assures me. “I didn’t pick this place because the ground is suitable for any fun activity we might want to get up to on the ground. Not at all.”
“Vyrathion the Fun,” I tease him. “I know you really liked climbing that tree.”
“I really didn’t,” he says and kisses me tenderly. “But I liked what happened up in it.”
“Okay,” I manage, having to grab him to stay upright. “That works. I wonder if this grass is dry. Shall we check?” I sit down and rub my hands on the grass. The ground has a firm, sponge-like feel to it. “Oh, it is. You picked a perfect place for fun activities.”
I rise from the grass and brush my hands together. “You know, for somebody who claims to be an ancient and terrifying dragon, you spend an awful lot of time planning romantic scenery.”
Vyrathion places a hand against his chest. “Me? I am wounded by this accusation. I chose this location entirely for strategic reasons.”
His expression is so solemn that I almost believe him for half a second.
Almost. I step closer and slide my arms around his waist. The night air feels cool against my skin, but he feels warm. Strong. Familiar. For a moment neither of us speaks. We simply stand together beneath the blue light of Yrf while the distant hills roll away into darkness around us.
The silence isn't awkward. It feels full.
Vyrathion lowers his head and rests his forehead against mine. The bond between us hums softly, carrying contentment, affection, and something deeper that makes my pulse quicken. “My love,” he murmurs, making me shake with the bass notes and sending a pleasant shiver through me.
“And mine,” I answer.
