10. Varyx
VARYX
T ake a break? The idea was almost laughable. Had anyone else suggested it, I would not have even considered it. From Lena, though? The human lay in my arms, snuggled against me, awakening a longing I hadn’t felt in centuries.
Not merely a physical need. That I’d sated, at least for the moment. But I had so rarely shared my life with anyone. The few friends I had, I only spent time with when they visited me. I had so little time to spare.
Thunder shook the lair, emphasizing the importance of my work. The Voidstorm still raged above our heads, exactly what I was supposed to stop.
“I cannot take time away from my duties,” I told her, squeezing. “Your life is on another world. I would leap at the chance to see it, but the void gate must remain closed. No one else can make that happen.”
Lena lifted her head, frowning. “No offense, Varyx, but that’s bullshit.”
A sad smile tugged at my lips, but she hadn’t finished talking. Before I could say anything, she placed a finger on my lips and shushed me. “Hear me out, okay? I don’t understand the work you do, but I know you’ll burn out if you refuse to rest.”
“Perhaps that is true of humans, but I am a dragon. A creature of stars, fire, and the Void. Your needs are not mine. I am fine on my own.” Even as I spoke, doubt crept into my thoughts. And Lena’s lopsided smile didn’t look convinced either.
“Sure,” she said, picking up one of my cushions and swinging it lightly into my face.
On the black material was a picture of a white kitten wearing a witch’s hat.
A gift from Sebastian, a sorcerer I’d last seen a decade ago.
“That’s why you hoard all this sentimental shit.
I bet you remember who gave you everything in this pile. ”
I glowered at that, but had to acknowledge her point.
“What difference does it make? The Void Gate needs to be guarded, and my feelings change nothing.”
“Relaxing will make you work more effectively,” she said in a damnably reasonable tone. “Why not give it a try? Come on, I’m not talking about leaving your island. Just enjoying what you have here, and I know you’ll enjoy it.”
“You make a powerful argument,” I said as her body shifted against mine, her touch waking my need again. “Too powerful, alas. I cannot risk entangling my heart with you.”
Her face clouded for a moment, her brilliant jade-green eyes flashing. “What, you’re saying I’m too good a match for you?”
“Yes.” Sighing, I looked away. “I cannot. I will not. Risk your heart and mine, when we cannot be together.”
“Oh, fuck off. You think you’re such a good lay, I’ll pine for you forever?”
“Yes.” I couldn’t help laughing at the outrage on her face. “I believe fate chose us for each other, binding our hearts. And if I allow myself a moment’s weakness, I lose myself in my feelings for you.
“And then you will leave.”
She blinked at that, opened her mouth to speak, and closed it again.
I continued before she found her words. “Either I abandon my task and leave this world to the Void, or you leave without me and my heart takes a wound I cannot bear. Neither is acceptable, so as soon as the storm passes, I will return you to the resort and your life. In the meantime, we can talk. You can have your interview if you wish.”
Still Lena stared at me, eyes blazing, mouth set. Her hands flexed as though she were wringing the life from someone, and I knew whose throat she had in mind.
I deserve it, I told myself. My weakness has led her to pain she did not choose. The notion of a tragic death at her hands seemed fitting, a romantic epic.
After a few deep breaths, she closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, stilling them. When she looked up at me again, iron-hard determination eclipsed her rage, and she spoke in a level voice.
“Of all the things I thought you might be, Varyx, I didn’t expect a coward.”
The word hit me like a slap, and I reared back. “How dare you, human? I dedicate my life to fighting for others, and you call me a coward?”
My voice echoed from the stone walls, but Lena showed no sign of fear.
“Yep. If you won’t take a chance on love, what the hell does that nonsense about fate even mean? You’re hiding from your life, Varyx, and I won’t let you.”
She stood naked and brilliant, shining with conviction. My heart pounded against my ribs, and her passion was impossible to resist. That didn’t stop me trying a futile defense.
“I cannot leave?—”
“No. You’re not dodging this. You want to take me back to the resort? Fine. Once we’re there, you’re taking me on a date. Something fun, something we’ll both enjoy. And something you won’t chicken out of. Then we see where it goes.”
“What about?—”
“You’ll be across the bay, not on a different planet. You can monitor your precious gate from there, right? In an emergency, you fly back and do… whatever it is you do.” She encompassed my vital, world-preserving work with a vague wave of her hand.
How could I refuse this beautiful, passionate woman? This was a battle I would not win—my best option was to surrender with dignity.
“If you will risk your heart on this, I can only do likewise. Very well, but if we do this, we shall do it right.” I gave her no chance to reply.
Before she could form an answer, I swept her into my arms and carried us both down to the soft embrace of my nest. Words turned to squeals and then giggles as my lips found her neck.
“If we’re to have a holiday romance, I intend to make the best of it.”
Lena squirmed, her fingers in my hair and her breathing fast. I took her reaction as a full-throated acceptance of my change to her plan.
It was fate, I told myself. Foolish to try fighting it. But then, why did it feel like I’d invited disaster into both of our lives?