Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Weeks passed. Blissful days where I tapped madly on my laptop while Alistair chipped away at whatever part of the castle he’d chosen to tackle.
It had been a time of discovery, not just of his past and the lore he knew of firsthand, but of finally understanding what it meant to be in love. To be in tune with someone to the point that, even before Alistair entered the room, I was turning with a smile to greet him.
I should add, it was more than the lovemaking—which remained utterly glorious. With him, I found the perfect companion. Someone I could discuss my passions with, and even when he corrected certain points of history that the texts had wrong, I’d never had my mind more engaged.
Only one thing marred the happiness: the fact that every so often Alistair sank into a gloom that led to him taking off and flying for a few hours. I mentioned it to Astaria when she came to visit.
“I think he’s really bothered by the fact the hatchlings are his children,” I stated. It was the one subject he wouldn’t entertain. The first time I mentioned the whole daddy aspect, he’d quickly shut me down. Dragons don’t do the parenting thing.
“While I’m sure he’s given them some thought, his true worry centers around you. More specifically, your death. Humans don’t have the same lifespan as dragons, obviously.”
I bit my lip. “Oh dear. I guess that never occurred to me. I mean, when we’re together, he just seems so human. Poor Alistair.”
“He’ll be fine once he stops moping and puts his mind to solving the problem.”
“Solving it how?” I asked with a frown.
“You’ll soon see,” was her mysterious reply.
It turned out that Oliver actually knew the answer to the dilemma, and when he came for a surprise visit, he brought a wooden case with him. He handed it to Alistair.
“I found something I think you’ll find interesting.”
“A good thing I know where Tiamat’s stone heart is hidden, or I’d be worried.”
Oliver snorted. “As if I’d kill my golden dragon. This is actually a gift from Nessie. Since she couldn’t bring it, she asked if I would.”
“For a fee, I imagine?”
The wolfish grin almost had me laughing. “My services aren’t free.”
Alistair snorted before he flipped open the lid. His lips pursed at the sight of the scroll nestled within. “What is this?”
“Something Nessie had in her hoard that should have been in the U?um-gal Abarakkum archives. I think you’ll find it very interesting.”
The cryptic reply led to Alistair carefully unfurling the scroll. I leaned over his shoulder but couldn’t decipher the language. Apparently he could because suddenly he let out a bark of laughter. “Oliver, you genius. Whatever I’m paying you isn’t enough. Double it.”
“Delighted to.”
“What is it?” I asked, only to squeal as Alistair put the box down on the table and dragged me into his lap.
“A way to keep you around for a very, very long time, assuming you want to.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, looping my arms around his neck.
Alistair smiled, a bright and beautiful thing that almost stopped my heart. But his next words? Melted it. “There is a rite that can be performed where a dragon can share their well-being and longevity with a servant. A human. Or, in this case, a lover.”
“Seriously?”
“It would mean tying our lives together and isn’t something that should be done lightly, as it’s not a bond that can be broken. But should you agree, and we perform the ritual, you won’t age and we’ll be linked on a physical and spiritual level.”
The idea terrified and delighted all at once. Immortality with the man I loved? “I would like nothing more than to be your partner for life.”
And it turned out to be simpler to accomplish than expected, if gross.
We needed to exchange blood, not by pressing simple cuts together but by imbibing it at the same time while touching.
The cut across my palm stung, probably a lot more than the pinprick in the dragon’s paw.
It took a full cup of blood each, imbibed while staring at each other, my hand on his snout as he literally swallowed a golden chalice whole.
Me, I chugged my portion quickly before I could gag and spew.
The blood didn’t burn going down and actually tasted more pleasant than expected. Once we’d both finished, I didn’t feel any different, but I said nothing to Alister, for I wanted him to believe it worked. He finally seemed happy and at peace. We made love in celebration.
The next day, I woke but didn’t move, not wanting to wake him. I loved the feel of him spooned around me. Cradling. Protecting.
“You forgot loving.”
He spoke in my head, something he did from time to time.
But then the strangest thing happened. I felt his love for me on a metaphysical level. Suddenly I saw myself through his eyes. I could feel his affection for me, his desire, his need to make me happy.
I stiffened. “What was that? Why am I suddenly inside your head?”
“It’s the bond. The ritual worked.”
“You really do love me.” Said almost in wonder.
“Did you really doubt?”
“No, but it’s one thing to believe it, another to feel it.” I turned in his arms so I could see his eyes. “I am your world.”
And he was mine.
The intimate realization led to us making love, a frantic sweaty coming-together of bodies that lacked finesse but was all the more powerful because of how we shared the sensation.
When we orgasmed, it was so intense I almost lost consciousness. I definitely needed some time after before my boneless body could move.
As we lay entwined, the dawning sun’s rays bathing our limbs, some of his thoughts leaked, and being me, I had to address them.
“You can’t keep putting it off.” No need to elucidate what I meant.
He sighed. “I know I need to reach out to the hatchlings. It’s just I don’t know what to say.”
“You could start with hello.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
“Well, you did ask. You don’t necessarily have to mention the fatherhood thing. After all, how often have you told me dragons don’t care about family bonds?”
“True. However, I will have to talk about Tiamat.” He grimaced.
“Unpleasant, but necessary if you’re going to make them understand some of what they believe is delusional fantasy and not true dragon lore.
” I’d had a chance to read the dossiers on the baby dragons, which included their belief their kind were meant to rule the world.
“Even if they don’t listen, at least you’ll know you tried. ”
“If I weren’t worried about Nessie’s safety, I’d invite them to visit the loch so she could be there to ease the awkwardness. Other than her stint while being possessed, she’s always been nicer and more approachable than me.”
“Pity she can’t travel.”
“Says who? I could technically carry her in a sling,” Alistair suggested.
It led to me snorting. “Can you imagine the posts on social media if you were caught hoisting her on video? Not to mention, we Scots might just revolt if you try and steal our beloved Nessie.”
The comment made him laugh. “Maybe bringing her isn’t feasible, but perhaps once I meet the dragonlings and discern whether or not they pose a danger, they can be convinced to visit. After all, she is their aunt.”
“I know she would dearly love that. So are you going to do it then?”
“I can’t exactly ignore them forever.”
“No, you can’t. So when do we leave?”
“We?”
“As if I’d let you go alone.”
“I will not put you in danger. We don’t know how they’ll react to my presence or those accompanying me.”
“How about a compromise then? We head out together, but you leave me in a nice hotel while you visit the babies.” Left unsaid, I’d be nearby and ready with a hug in case things didn’t go well.
“Deal.”
“You agreed to that too easily,” I replied with suspicion.
“Who knows what trouble you’d get into if left alone in the castle? You’d probably find some other ancient secret or curse. Not to mention, the thought of you, waiting for me naked in a hotel bed…”
“Who says I’ll be naked?” was my coy riposte.
“Leave your garments on. I do love peeling them from your body,” he said with a naughty smile.
Not long after that discussion, we set off on an adventure.
Me ensconced in a cozy aerial gondola that Oliver managed to source at great expense.
Alistair held the cozy cabin that usually transported skiers up steep and snow mountains by the loop specially welded to its top.
Inside, I had snacks, blankets, a portable heater with extra batteries, and with my charged laptop, I spent the flight over the ocean working on my resignation letter for the university.
Would I miss the university? Yes, but given my change in circumstances, I had no choice.
I’d be forging a new path that involved researching important events and figures of the past while enjoying the present with my very own hero.
I couldn’t wait for the story of the Scottish damsel and her dragon lord.