As I’m finishing up, my nerves start to act up. I’m alone with Lucas in his home. Am I to sleep here? If so, where? I look around the space and see a comfortable living area, the kitchen and stairs to an upper level. Maybe there’s more than one bedroom. I wouldn’t mind sharing a bed with him. Maybe we could do more than sleep. Damn, I need to get ahold of myself. I haven’t been with anyone since my ex. I don’t know if rushing into something with Lucas would be smart. Hell, I don’t know if he even wants me that way.
I stand when he’s finished and bring our dishes to the sink, much to his dismay. He insists I sit down, and he’ll take care of everything, but I refuse. I tell him I’m feeling much better. I offer to wash the dishes and he stands beside me to dry.
“Do you want to go somewhere with me?” he asks shyly.
I look over to him and see his head is down, concentrating on making sure the plate he’s holding doesn’t have a drop of water left on it.
“Depends. It’s not back into the dungeon, is it?”
His head snaps up and his eyes go wide. “What? No!”
I gently bump my shoulder into him. “I’m only kidding. I’d love to go somewhere with you.” Now that I’ve eaten, I have some of my energy back.
He nods, nudges me back, and goes back to work drying.
Tali
Lucas puts the dishes away and hesitantly takes my hand in his. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he really is shy. He’s a completely different person when we’re alone than he is in front of others, especially his father.
We walk outside, all the while he keeps a steady hold of my hand. I don’t see anyone until we walk for a bit. There are four guards standing outside of a massive structure. I have to tip my head back to see the top of it. The men bow to Lucas, but don’t speak. One opens the door for us and we step through.
There are huge bays on the inside. It almost reminds me of a massive barn for horses, only I doubt that’s what is in here. They would have to be enormous steeds. A low rumble has the floor vibrating and I jump, pushing myself closer to Lucas.
He chuckles beside me. “Don’t worry. Nothing in here will harm you. Come.” He wraps his arm over my shoulders and we go further into the area. Every door on the stalls is a deep blue, deeper than the flowers in the field. About halfway through, we stop in front of a door that is much brighter than the others. It’s the vibrant azure color I’ve seen throughout the castle. The name Talethla is painted across the front in a bright white. Then I feel the rumble again, but this time it’s coming from behind the door in front of me. I try to back away, but Lucas isn’t letting me.
“Alison, I want you to meet Tali. My dragon.” That explains everything I’ve seen and heard. This is where the dragons are kept. How many are in here? I didn’t bother counting the stalls. I’ve only seen the dragons in the sky and that was from a distance. The spaces in here are as big as houses. Some are larger than others.
Lucas unlatches the door and swings it wide. “Does that really hold them in there?” I ask.
“No. Some of the dragons prefer being alone, while most like to sleep with others. We tailor each area to the dragon. Tali likes being on her own, and the door being shut gives her the quiet she likes. The dragons are a large clan. They like to be together, some more than others,” he chuckles.
“I’ve always pictured dragons living deep in a cave or on a mountain top.”
“They do. We have dragon families that live throughout the lands, but these dragons…” He inclines his chin toward the huge stall. “…we hand raised them. They prefer to be with us, since we’ve been with them since birth. Tali, for instance, is only five years younger than me.”
“Interesting.”
My attention is drawn into the stall. It’s dark and there’s a rustle in the back. I can’t see anything, but can feel a slight breeze on my cheeks. It comes in a burst. I assume it’s Tali breathing.
I’m looking into the pitch-black darkness waiting for her to emerge. The first thing I see is her white face, horns pointing out from all angles. Her amethyst eyes are trained right on us, me more specifically. I try to move back, but Lucas isn’t letting me. His arm is around my waist, holding me to him.
“Stay still,” he whispers.
She inches closer, lifting her head to sniff he air. I’ve never been more afraid. Even the king throwing me in the dungeon didn’t scare me as much as I am right now. Her strong legs come into view. Long claws tip each toe. Her wings are folded down by her side. Multiple shades of white and grey make up her scales. She’s massive. Taller than the ranch houses back home, and now she’s only feet from us. Her head lowers as she approaches. I want to run, flee, and get away from this powerful beast.
A few more steps and she’s in my face, her large, horned nose in front of mine. She inhales, taking in my scent. When she lets her breath out, she blows my hair back. I still don’t move. I’m frozen. Lucas is still as well. Is he afraid? I don’t know what kind of relationship he has with his dragon.
Tali prods me with her nose, but her nudge pushes me backward. Luckily, Lucas is there to hold me up. She doesn’t retreat. Her nose is pressed to me and I start to shake. The horns on her face scare me to no end. She has two on her chin that I’m waiting to see if they impale me. The one on her nose is at least pointed away from me.
She finally backs away, then turns slightly to Lucas. In one swift movement she’s on her side with her foot pawing at him. She just barely misses nicking him with her claw. He releases me and walks forward to rub her neck. Her long tail swishes in contentment. She reminds me of a dog being petted by its master. Who knew a dragon could behave this way?
“Ali, come here,” he beckons with one hand stretched out to me.
“Are you insane? I think I’ll stay right here.”
He chuckles. “She isn’t going to harm you. If she was, she would have done it already.”
Well, that’s comforting. “Thanks for the warning. I could be dead right now.”
“I wouldn’t have let her harm you. Now come over here. The friendlier you become with her, the easier this will be.”
“The easier what will be?” I ask. Although I’m not sure I really want to know.
“When we fly with her.”
My mouth drops open. “When we what?”
“Fly. I want to show you my kingdom.”
I start mumbling under my breath. “Crazy ass prince in this screwed up land wants to take me on the back of a dragon to fly through the clouds. Sure, why not? Not like I couldn’t plummet to my death or anything.”
“What?”
I plaster on a smile as not to show my nervousness. “Great idea.”
Now I have to pet the dragon. I need to embrace the insanity of the moment and just do it. Taking hesitant steps, I walk to Tali and bend to rub her neck. Her head lifts, and she looks at me with those beautiful purple eyes. I wonder what she thinks of me.
She lies her head back down and I take that as an invitation to move forward. My hand cautiously touches her scales. They’re warm and smooth. My fingers easily glide over her.
Lucas’ leg brushes against mine. He whispers, “There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Speak for yourself. At least I still have all of my limbs.”