Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
L ogan arched an eyebrow at her. “Should I be jealous?”
She chuckled. “No.”
Emily’s memories surfaced in a rush of emotion as she recalled the blue dragon stuffed animal. It was a gift from her mother. It became her steadfast companion, a silent guardian accompanying her through the myriad adventures of youth.
That azure dragon, with its soft, velvety scales and gentle gaze, held a special place in Emily’s heart. It was more than just a toy; it was a conduit to the fantastical realms of her imagination. Across restaurant tables and birthday parties, even tucked discreetly into her school bag, the dragon journeyed faithfully by her side.
In the quiet moments before sleep claimed her, Emily would find solace in the presence of her dragon friend. Its serene countenance invoked visions of grand quests and noble knights, where valiant heroes clashed with mythical beasts to safeguard the realm. And she, the young princess, enveloped in a cocoon of dreams where anything was possible.
Perhaps it was the dragon’s tranquil slumber that reminded her of the simpler times of childhood when the world was brimming with possibility. In the embrace of that azure guardian, Emily found refuge from the complexities of reality, journeying back to a time when dragons soared high, and brave hearts prevailed against all odds.
Logan approached the slumbering dragon, and she realized she had shared the memories.
“Place your hand on his tail. I will introduce you.”
She did as he asked, and Logan did the same. “How do you talk to a sleeping dragon?”
He placed his hand beside hers. Ergen, I apologize for the intrusion. My mate wanted to meet you. Emily thinks your dragon is beautiful.
There was a yawning sound as Ergen’s consciousness connected. Good day, brother. It is always nice to be admired. Welcome to my family, Emily.
How do you speak like this when you are sleeping? Emily asked.
My dragon slumbers, but our human consciousness can rise for short periods. In truth, my dragon is reconsidering his slumber. There were no druids when we returned to the caves; now, the temple whispers to us, and the druids wander by often.
Logan ran his hand over his friend’s scales . It is an exciting time. I look forward to flying with you again.
As do I. There was a loud sigh, and she knew Ergon had returned to his slumber.
Her hand slipped from Ergon’s blue scale.
“Thank you,” she said.
Logan wrapped his arm around her waist and began to lead her through the tunnels again. “I assure you the pleasure was his.”
She chuckled, but her thoughts had returned to her mother. She would have loved the dragons and their caves. How many bedtime stories had she told Emily as a child about colored dragons roaming the skies, protecting humanity ?
Logan took her hand as they walked. “Your mother was a druid. Only one generation removed from those of power. She likely sensed us when we were yet to sense her. Those descriptions are entirely accurate. They are just from a different era in time.”
“I wonder what her power would have been.”
Logan sighed. “That is difficult to say. Powers can manifest differently in children. Dragon children are all male, and our powers mature differently than those of a druid.”
“They are all male? Why?” she asked.
“We are immortal, so it’s likely Mother Nature’s way of keeping our numbers static. Few couples have more than one child, but some are blessed with two.”
“And not all druids have dragon mates.”
“That’s correct. A dragon recognizes his mate, so a druid that meets the clan and has no mate will be encouraged to seek a human husband. She will still be protected, as her bloodline is sacred. Many times, a child or grandchild of a druid that did not find a dragon husband will be one herself.”
“So the druids will come here whether they are dragon mates or not.”
“Yes. We will protect them and humans from the darks.”
Emily treaded the labyrinthine tunnels alongside Logan, with their orb above them. She couldn’t help but steal glances at the slumbering dragons nestled in their alcoves, each adorned with their own vibrant hue. Each creature seemed to exude a sense of tranquility, their majestic forms casting shadows that danced upon the rough-hewn walls.
Though tempted to pause and greet these scaled guardians of the caves, weariness weighed upon her shoulders like an invisible burden. The journey back to the main house loomed ahead, and Emily’s steps faltered with the weight of fatigue. She wanted to linger in the silent depths of the tunnels, but practicality prevailed over curiosity.
As they emerged from the subterranean depths into the embrace of the cool night air, the haunting call of an owl echoed in the distance, its melody a soothing balm to the senses. Emily’s gaze drifted toward the soft glow emanating from the vast cabin that Logan called home.
With each step drawing them closer to their destination, Emily’s thoughts swirled like leaves caught in a gentle breeze. She found herself entranced by the subtle interplay of light and shadow as they approached. It was so different from the neon lights of the city she was used to.
They entered quietly, and he stopped with her at the door as she took off her boots.
“Would you like something to eat before we head up?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m not hungry, just tired.”
He led her upstairs and to a large bedroom with a plaid bedspread. There was a computer in the room and a dresser, but the majority of the space was taken by the king-sized bed.
“This is nice,” she said awkwardly. She had never slept in the same bed with anyone as an adult, and she was sure he wasn’t going to sit in a chair this time.
He pointed to the clothes folded on the base of the bed. “Mara left these for you. They may be a bit big, but we can get some more clothes from Natalie or Alana tomorrow. They are closer to your size.”
Emily picked up a long T-shirt that she could wear to bed. There were also some yoga pants and a hoodie. “This is really kind of her. They are perfect.”
“We will get you new clothing and collect anything you want from your apartment after your uncle has been paid out.
“He agreed?” she asked quietly.
“He demanded compensation for the money he lost, so we are paying him a considerable sum, but the deal has been struck, and we will transfer the funds to him in a few hours. Our banker is working on it now.”
“I am not surprised. Do you mind if I change into the T-shirt?”
Logan turned around, and she quickly pulled off her clothes except for her underwear and slipped the soft cotton shirt over her head.
“I’m decent,” she said when she was done.
Logan looked her over slowly when he turned around. “Are you comfortable with me lying on the bed with you?”
She nodded, but her nipples peaked beneath her shirt, and without her bra, there was no hiding the reaction.
Logan pulled off his shirt and undid his pants, but he had black boxers underneath that she was sure he had provided for her comfort, not his.
He led her to the bed and allowed her to slip under the covers before he joined her. She snuggled up to him instinctively, enjoying the warmth he radiated. The perks of lying next to a dragon.
As Emily lay beside Logan with the bedspread draped over his lower half, she found solace in the warmth of his shoulder against hers. Nestled in the cocoon of his presence, she surrendered to the comfort of their shared intimacy, her breath falling into sync with him in the hushed rhythm of the night.
Yet, as her fingers traced the contours of his defined abs, a palpable tension crackled in the air, igniting a primal longing within her. Logan’s physique was honed to perfection, due to the rigors of flight and the indomitable strength required to navigate the skies as a dragon.
Though he attributed his chiseled form to the demands of his draconic nature, Emily couldn’t help but marvel at the exquisite result. Each sinewy muscle seemed to ripple beneath her touch, a symphony of power and grace that stirred a primal fire within her soul.
In the quiet intimacy of the bedroom, she found herself drawn to his raw magnetism, an allure that transcended mere attraction.
There was no way to ignore his arousal. But he seemed content to hold her and let her become accustomed to his presence in bed with her.
Her fingertips played over his skin like a fine instrument, and he finally grabbed them and brought them to his mouth, kissing them softly as her heart stuttered in her chest.
When his gaze moved to meet her. The raw hunger in his eyes made her hold her breath for a second. Was this what a deer in headlights felt like? “I’m not ready to have sex.” She blurted out the words before she could censor them.
Logan smiled. “I know, sweetheart.”
She nibbled her lip. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I’ve just never... I couldn’t trust anyone that much.”
Logan kissed her forehead. “I am aware, and I appreciate you trusting me. But I made a vow not to take my mate until her twenty-third birthday, and I will stick to that promise.”
“That doesn’t make sense, though. Why twenty-three? A human is considered an adult no later than twenty-one.”
“This is not a government requirement, Emily. It is a magical one. A druid doesn’t fully mature until her twenty-third birthday. We won’t bond until a druid has reached magical maturity.”
“I think it should be a woman’s choice,” she said.
“A druid wouldn’t know what she is giving up. Binding too early could hinder her development. But either way, we made that pact and we stick to it. Since you are officially twenty-three in a few hours, it is hardly an inconvenience.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “So, at the stroke of midnight, you are going to pounce on me?” The idea was somewhat appealing, but she didn’t tell him that .
Logan chuckled. “Dragons don’t pounce. But I would never do anything without your permission.”
“I have never met anyone like you,” she admitted.
Logan was quiet for a while. “It is selfish, but I am glad you did not experiment with other males. Though it would not have mattered if you had. That being said, I am truly sorry you had no female friends or people you could trust after your mother died. She seemed to be the glue that held your family together.”
She lay her head on his shoulder. “My mom wasn’t just the glue. She was my father’s compass. He lost direction in his life after her death and never really recovered. He left his criminal life behind to be with her, but he couldn’t stay away from it without her.”
“I have nothing but respect for your mother, Emily, but your father is lucky he is dead. Putting your own daughter in such a life is reprehensible. Children are to be protected and loved. Not used to better their parents’ circumstances.”
Her eyes began to droop as her heartbeat matched his. “You will make an excellent father someday.”
“I look forward to navigating the intricacies of parenting with you.”
She heard the words, and part of her wanted to slap his chest and tell him he was nuts. But another part dreamed of little dragons flying in the skies. One of them was purple with her eyes, and she sighed before the night took her.