She blinked rapidly. I ran my fingers gently through her hair, brushing it back. “So don’t underestimate yourself, Ember,” I murmured. “If you can convince a soldier of St. George to completely abandon the Order and start fighting for dragons instead, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
Rising to her knees, she laced her arms behind my neck, leaned forward and kissed me. I sighed and slid my palms up her back, pulling her close. Her lips were gentle but insistent, and I parted my own slightly, feeling my blood heat as her tongue teased mine. A fire seemed to ignite in the pit of my stomach, crawling up toward my heart, which thumped faster in response.
Ember drew back and sighed, resting her forehead against mine. “Thank you,” she said as I drew in a cooling breath. “You have no idea how glad I am...that you’re here.” Her fingers traced my neck as she sat up, making me shiver. “Sometimes, I think you’re the only thing keeping me sane.”
“I doubt it, dragon girl,” I replied, offering a wry smile as she cocked her head. “I doubt you need me for anything, but...” Reaching up, I stroked her cheek. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”
She gazed down at me, eyes shining emerald, her fingertips brushing the side of my face. “I love you, Garret,” she said softly, making my heart turn over. I hoped... I thought I’d heard those words before, on the salt flats of Utah right before I’d slipped into darkness. But that had been a hazy dream; this was real. “You know that, right? I was afraid I’d never get the chance to say it, and I should have told you a long time ago.”
“I love you, too,” I whispered back. “For the rest of my life. However long that is.” It was amazing sometimes, how quickly she could make me forget. Forget the war, and the Order, Talon, everything. Outside this room, Riley and Wes plotted how we were going to sneak into another Talon facility; the organization was up to something big, and I had no idea what was going on in my own body. If I should be worried about the constant sensation of molten fire in my veins. But, much like in Crescent Beach, nothing seemed quite as urgent when Ember was this close. I could let go of the perfect soldier’s discipline and be myself, the Garret I’d had no idea existed before I met her. And I could say things I never would have considered a year ago.
I met those emerald eyes and gave a rueful smile. “We might not have a lot of time,” I said quietly, and ran my hands up her arms. “But however long we have, I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours, dragon girl. I always have been.”
Her eyes went a little glassy, and she kissed me again. I leaned back against the headboard and closed my eyes, feeling the inferno flare between us once more. It flickered and pulsed, like my blood was boiling on the inside, and Ember was the fire that ignited it. But rather than wanting it to stop, it pushed me to continue, to drag the girl closer until nothing separated us. Until the flames rippling under my skin burst free and surrounded us, burning but not consuming. Ember’s fingers dug into my shirt, the echo of a growl rumbling in her chest, and I felt something inside me respond.
A crash from the living room made us freeze. Both our hearts were pounding wildly, and the tiny space between us almost shimmered with heat as we listened to the muffled voices through the wall, ready to rush out if there was trouble. But after a moment, it appeared that nothing was wrong; someone had just dropped a mug on the hard wooden floor. Wes was applauding someone—probably Riley—who growled at him to shut up. Ember gave a small smile and drew back.
“I wish we could stay here,” she said, her voice a little breathless. “But I guess we should head out and see what the others are planning, huh? Before Riley comes banging on the door.” She winced. “Or...through it.”
I echoed her wince. I wanted to stay here, too, but angry dragons in log cabins seemed like a bad idea. “You ready for this?” I asked, and she nodded.
“Yeah,” she sighed, sliding off the bed. “Back into Talon. Back into heavily-armed facilities crawling with security guards and people shooting at us if we’re caught. With no real idea of what we’re actually looking for. What’s one more crazy suicide mission, right?” She grinned at me and held out a hand to pull me to my feet. “We lead an exciting life, huh?”
“Yes, we do,” I agreed, lacing our fingers together as we headed for the door. Riley might see us and be angry, but I wasn’t going to hide what I felt any longer. “And I have a feeling it’s going to get more exciting from here on out.”
When we reentered the living room, a man stood just inside the front door. He was bald, wearing orange robes, and he was talking to Jade in low, furtive Mandarin, while Riley and Wes hovered close by and watched warily.
“What’s going on?” Ember asked as we swept inside.
“No clue,” Riley muttered. “This person showed up a few minutes ago, banging on the door with an ‘urgent message’ for Jade.” He shrugged. “I’m guessing a temple is in danger or a group of monks need her help with St. George.”
“No.” Jade turned to us, her eyes grave. “Worse, I’m afraid. I am needed elsewhere. I will depart tonight.”
“Again?” Riley frowned. “Can’t these monks do anything themselves?”
“It is not the monks,” Jade said. “I have been called home, to China. A summons has been issued, the first one in over two thousand years.” She looked away, her eyes distant and troubled. “The shen-lung are gathering. I must go.”
“You’re not coming back this time, are you?” I said. It was a heavy blow. Jade was not only a powerful, dependable ally; I had come to see her as a friend, as well. The Eastern dragon paused as she glanced at me, her eyes troubled.
“I do not know,” she replied. “Perhaps. I know that our work here, against Talon, is of utmost importance. But this cannot be ignored. My people are a solitary race. A gathering is called only in the most dire circumstances, when the fate of our very existence hangs in the balance. I suspect that the upheaval within the Order and Talon’s move to destroy my kin are at the heart of it. If they have called a summoning, then I must be there.”
Riley shook his head. “Well, if you have to go, we can’t stop you,” he said. “Lousy timing, though. We could’ve really used your help inside Talon. But if this summoning thing is that important...”
“It is. And I am sorry I cannot go with you to Talon. But my duty to my people comes first.”
“Keep in touch,” I told her as Riley crossed his arms. “At least give us a call when you know what’s going on.”
“I will.” Jade took a step back, toward the door. “If I can, I will return as soon as I am able. That is a promise from a shen-lung.” She turned to the monk and said something in Mandarin; he bowed deeply and walked out the door. “Good fortune to you all,” the Eastern dragon said, and gave me a slight bow before turning to follow the human out the door. “Hopefully we will meet again.”
EMBER