Choosing the Dragon

by Rinelle Grey

How far would he have to fly? For all he knew his clan could have gone miles away. This was a big country. It would take him years to search all of it. Decades. Perhaps longer.

  What if he never found them?

  What if they had left this country for another one?

  What if…?

  His mind was full of what ifs as he turned his tired body back towards Rylee’s house. Home. Soon he would be home. And it wasn’t the house he thought of. It was Rylee’s warm body. Her welcoming smile. Her soft lips.

  How long would he have to search before he could give up? Before he could accept that they were gone and he would never find them?

  Before he could make another life for himself?

  Would he ever be able to release that responsibility? Could he ever forgive himself if he did? What if they were over the next rise or past the next horizon and he’d given up?

  Was he doomed to keep searching forever?

  Chapter 12

  “I was just ringing to ask if you had any new house listings?” Rylee asked, trying to keep her voice cool and calm and absent of both desperation and hopelessness.

  “Nothing new today.” The estate agent’s voice was falsely cheerful.

  Rylee bit back a sigh. “Can I ask about the progress of the applications I submitted over the weekend?”

  She had hoped to hear before now. It was Wednesday. Meaning she only had a couple of days left to find a house, pack, and move. Even if they had an answer for her, she knew the task would be next to impossible. She just didn’t know what else to do.

  But every day she called, they had no news. It was getting worrying.

  “What’s the name?” The sound of papers being shuffled came down the phone line.

  Rylee gave her name, then waited, holding her breath.

  “I… ah… I’m sorry. The applications were rejected.” The woman actually sounded apologetic. “We get a lot of applicants for each house, you know. I’m sure there will be some new houses on the weekend.”

  Rylee’s throat closed up, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure if she could get an answer out without bursting into tears. She took a deep breath and forced out the word, “Thanks,” before hanging up.

  The weekend would be too late. Even if her father was generous and gave her until Saturday, new listings weren’t going to help her.

  Her father was going to throw her out, and she had nowhere to go, no home to take Rowan to and no way to find one. Not in the time she had. Her only hope was to go to her father and beg him to give her extra time.

  The thought left a sour taste in her mouth.

  But not as bad as the one the thought of going back to Eric left. Maybe if she talked to her father, explained how Eric had threatened her, how he’d bullied her…

  Even as she thought it, she knew it wasn’t going to help. Her father just didn’t get it. He could never get it.

  All he’d see was that she was causing the problem herself by not asking Calrian to move out.

  He couldn’t possibly understand that she couldn’t even imagine doing that. She couldn’t even understand it herself.

  No matter which way she turned, she had to make a choice. But they all seemed impossible— beg her father for more time, go back to Eric, ask Calrian to leave, homelessness. They were all terrible choices.

  Why wasn’t there another one? One that didn’t involve her giving up something that was important to her?

  Rylee sighed and leaned up against the wall, sliding down it to sit on the floor. Had Eric been right? Was this all a result of her failure?

  “Are you okay?” Calrian’s concerned voice pulled her out of her depressing musings. He crouched down next to her, put his hand on her knee, and stared into her eyes, searching her face.

  Rylee felt tears blurring her vision. “I didn’t get any of the houses. We have nowhere to go…” Her voice broke on the last sentence, and a lump blocked her throat. She was going to cry. She tried to fight it. She hated crying. It was weak.

  But this wasn’t Eric or her father. This was Calrian. He wouldn’t berate her or tease her. He’d comfort her.

  That was the final straw. She burst into tears.

  “Oh, Rylee. Sweetheart. Don’t cry.” Calrian gathered her onto his lap and put his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. “We’ll figure something out, I promise.”

  His kindness made Rylee’s heart constrict. His endearment made her heart ache, especially given the only choice she could see. It wasn’t the choice she wanted, but begging her father wasn’t going to help, and there was no way she could go back to Eric. She wasn’t sure what else she could do, no matter how much Calrian promised.

  “What?” she asked, desperately hoping he had some other option she hadn’t thought of. But she knew he couldn’t possibly have one. Calrian wasn’t even human. He knew so little about how society worked, and he had no money and no ID to even get a job. “There’s no way I can find a house in time. And I can’t go back to Eric. I just can’t. The only option…”

  Her voice choked on the words. She couldn’t say them, even if it was the only real option and the only responsible choice she could make.

  But she didn’t want to.

  She’d rather be homeless with Calrian than anywhere else.

  But she wasn’t alone. She had Rowan to consider. And no matter how much she might be prepared to accept that, she couldn’t do that to him. Oh, he’d be willing. He’d probably see it as an adventure. But it wouldn’t be right.

  Calrian was still, his arms tightening around her. “The only option is for me to go.” His voice was hollow. Empty.

  Just like Rylee’s heart.

  She cried even harder. “I don’t want you to go!”

  He was silent for a long moment. Then he heaved a sigh. “I don’t want to go either.”

  Rylee felt like her heart was breaking. It was crazy for her to feel like this. She’d only known Calrian for a week, if that. How had she become so attached to him in that short time? It had to be a result of the bond they’d shared mixed with the fact that she was in such a mess of a situation. He was the only calm in the storm.

  That had to be it.

  And yet, somehow, Rylee knew it was more than that. She didn’t understand how or why, but what she felt for Calrian defied explanation. Defied common sense.

  And she didn’t care.

  She had to find a way to make this work. And tears and recriminations weren’t going to help her. She needed solutions.

  “It’s only for a while,” she said, pushing back the tears with only a few sniffles. “I will find a house eventually. Then you can come. If… if you want to?”

  Calrian shifted her away from him so he could stare down at her. “Rylee…” His voice broke, and if he hadn’t always been so big and strong, Rylee would have suspected he was near tears himself. “Of course I want to. But… I’ve brought you nothing but trouble. You’d be better off without me.”

  “Never,” Rylee said quickly. “My life has been better than it’s ever been since you came into it. You make it better.”

  Calrian stared at her doubtfully. “Not having a home is better?”

  He didn’t get it. Rylee shook her head. “A home is just a material possession. Like you said earlier, about success, that it’s not about money or possessions. It’s about what you feel inside. You’ve helped me feel like I am someone important. No one ever has before.”

  This time, she couldn’t miss it. His eyes were misty. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Neither of them said a word. What was there to say?

  When Calrian pulled back, both of them were more composed.

  “Where will you go?” Rylee asked, half afraid that if she let him out of her sight, he’d disappear back into the dragon world and she’d never see him again.

  Calrian shrugged. “Back to my lair, I suppose. It’s dry and safe there.”

  “But what will you do for food?” Rylee couldn’t help being concerned. “And you shou
ld take some blankets and a pillow.” She’d seen that lair. There was nothing but sand and rock. How could he possibly live there?

  “I will hunt for food as dragons have done for millennia.” He gave her a smile. “A blanket and pillow would be nice though.”

  Rylee could do better than that. She started making a mental list of all the things that would help make his lair more comfortable. That was the least she could do.

  Even if her heart was hurting.

  Chapter 13

  As Rylee handed him yet another bag full of books, newspapers, and packaged food, it was difficult to keep his heart hard. To keep his distance. He knew he was going to miss her terribly, and from the sadness in her eyes, that she felt the same.

  If he didn’t stay dispassionate, he was going to change his mind.

  But this was the best option for Rylee and for Rowan too. And even more than he wanted to be with them, Calrian wanted what was right for them.

  No matter how small the pieces of his heart were torn into.

  Rylee had said she would find a house, and he could come to her when she did. He needed to remember that. This wasn’t goodbye forever. It was just temporary.

  And it wasn’t like he didn’t have plenty to keep him busy. He needed to continue the search for his clan. He needed to find out what had happened to them. Being home in his lair would help him focus on that.

  But no matter how much he tried to convince himself that this was a good thing, his heart refused to believe it.

  “Oh, one last thing.” Rylee whirled away and reached for a plastic container on the bench. “I baked you some biscuits.”

  That was almost enough to break his resolve. “You didn’t have to do that,” he protested. “You and Rowan should have them.”

  “Rowan helped me bake them,” Rylee’s voice wavered a little on that. “We wanted you to have them.”

  Rowan had said his goodbye’s that morning, before he left for school. Calrian planned to be gone before he arrived home. He wasn’t sure he could handle any more goodbye’s today. Saying goodbye to Rowan this morning had been no less emotional than saying goodbye to Rylee now.

  Rylee’s son was a good kid, and Calrian was going to miss him too.

  “I’m glad to see you came to your senses.” Rylee’s father’s voice was an unpleasant addition to this moment. This moment should have been for him and Rylee alone.

  Calrian didn’t even bother to keep the glare from his face as he turned towards the man, standing in the open doorway.

  The feeling was obviously mutual, because the look her father gave him was no more appreciative. His nod did hold a grudging respect though. “I knew you’d both see this was for the best in the end.”

  Rylee put her hands on her hips and glared at her father. “You’ve got what you wanted, now can you please go away and leave us to say goodbye in peace?”

  “I did it for you, Rylee. This is what you need to do. You’ll see that in time.” Her father’s voice was placating, as though soothing an angry child. He couldn’t even see that Rylee was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions.

  Calrian’s hands clenched into fists, and it took all his self-control not to deck the man. Usually Calrian believed in non-violent solutions to his problems, but for some reason, Rylee’s father brought out the worst in him.

  “No. I won’t,” Rylee said firmly. “You’ve left me with no other choice right now, but Calrian leaving isn’t me agreeing with you. I’m not staying. I’ll find another house soon, and then Rowan and I are out of here. This is just temporary.”

  Her voice was strong. Sure.

  Calrian was proud of her. He knew how hard it was for her to stand up to her father. But she didn’t even waver. She stared defiantly at her father, as though she didn’t even care about his opinion anymore.

  Her father was not so calm. “Well… I… I suspect you’re not going to find that as easy as you thought. There aren’t that many houses available in a small town like Mungaloo.”

  His words sounded smug and certain. How could he be, unless…?

  Rylee was staring at him, a look of horror and disbelief on her face. “Just what do you mean by that?” she demanded.

  A slow smile spread over her father’s face. “Come on, Rylee, you didn’t think this was really about throwing you out of the house, did you? As if I would do that to my own daughter and grandson. I just needed to make you face the truth—that this fantasy you’re dreaming of is impossible.” He glanced at Calrian, disgust on his face. “Did you really think I was going to let you go off and live in sin somewhere else with that bastard? He’s using you, Rylee. Can’t you see that?”

  Rylee blanched. She was still staring at her father in horror. “Calrian is not using me,” she said flatly. “He’s far more honourable and kind than you will ever be.” She stared at her father, hesitating for a moment. “Did you talk to the real estate agency and tell them not to accept my applications?” she demanded.

  For the first time, her father looked slightly flustered. “I had to. You obviously aren’t thinking clearly. I know you’ll thank me later.”

  Calrian couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe that this man had stooped so low. He should have seen it coming though, since he’d already threatened to throw her out of the house.

  Rylee took a step towards her father, right up into his face, her glare murderous. “No, I will never thank you. Nor will I accept this. I’m not staying after all. I’m going with Calrian.”

  She looked over at him, her lower lip trembling a little, her expression hopeful.

  There was no doubt in his mind as to his answer. “I’d love to have you.” He gave her a warm smile. “I’ll help you pack.”

  “You… You can’t do that.” Her father looked startled. Confused even. He looked from one to the other.

  For a moment Calrian felt pity for the man. He had no idea what he’d done, no idea why his plan had failed. “It’s about time you realise that your daughter is an adult, capable of making her own decisions,” he told the man. There was little hope of him listening, but Calrian had to try to at least make the effort.

  He was right. The old man, and he did suddenly look old, shook his head. He turned to Rylee and gave it one last try. “You’ll regret this nonsense when he dumps you, when he’s had his fill. Mark my words, Rylee.”

  Rylee didn’t even flinch. She just glared at her father defiantly. “Are you done?”

  Her father waited one last moment, but when it was clear Rylee wasn’t going to relent, he turned and walked away, his head down and his shoulders slumped.

  Chapter 14

  Once her father was out of sight, Rylee started to shake all over. What had she done? Her father had made her so angry. That he would go so far to manipulate her turned her stomach.

  But not as much as the fact that she and Rowan were now homeless.

  Rowan. He’d be home from school in a few hours. What was she going to do?

  Calrian’s hand on her arm steadied her a little. “Are you okay?”

  Rylee nodded, still not quite sure she could find the words to speak, unsure what she’d even say. Calrian had said she was an adult, capable of making her own decisions, but she certainly didn’t feel like one. She wanted to sit in a corner and howl for someone to fix this for her.

  But that was what had gotten her into this mess. She’d spent far too long waiting for someone else to fix things. She could hardly complain about their fixes when she’d never attempted to produce her own, no matter how much she disagreed with them.

  It was time to start making her own choices now. Rylee squared her shoulders and looked up at Calrian. “Are you really okay with us coming with you?”

  Calrian searched her own eyes in turn. “Are you okay with it? The lair isn’t exactly the kind of home you’re used to. There’s no running hot water, no fridge to keep food cool, and no oven to cook it.”

  Rylee swallowed. It certainly would be different. But anywhere was
better than here. “It’ll be just like camping,” she said, hoping to convince herself.

  Calrian smiled. “Then I would love to have you, Rylee. What can I do to help?”

  That question threatened to overwhelm Rylee’s mind again. There was so much to do. What would they need to take? How much could they take? What would be useful in a dragon lair?

  She gave a slightly shaky laugh at the thought. If anyone had told her a week ago that she’d be leaving a perfectly normal house to go live with a dragon in his lair, she would have thought they were mad. Yet it now seemed the most sensible option she had.

  “I’ll need some clothes and some for Rowan. More food. Blankets.” How cold would it be in the lair? “Water. Um…” There had to be more things she needed, but her mind was swirling around in circles and refused to offer anything constructive.

  “Let’s start with that,” Calrian said firmly. “It’s going to take up enough room, and I’m sure Rowan will have things to add when he gets home. We can do more than one trip.”

  Rylee nodded. “Right.” Her mind settled a little, enough to focus on the task at hand at least. She began to collect together her clothes, dumping them all in the middle of a sheet and gathering up the corners. Calrian carried them out to the car, and she followed with an armful of blankets.

  By the time Rowan’s bus pulled up in front of the house, Rylee was beginning to wonder if he’d fit in the car, much less anything he wanted to pack.

  As he jumped out and hurried up the drive, her son’s eyes grew wide. “Did you find a house? Where are we going? Is Calrian coming too?” His expression and tone were hopeful.

  Rylee couldn’t help answering with a smile. “Not exactly a house. Calrian said we could come and stay at the lair with him until we found something.”

  As she’d predicted, Rowan’s eyes lit up. “At the dragon lair?” He glanced at Calrian, looking for confirmation.

  Calrian smiled. “The one and the same. Grab anything you want to bring, we need to get going. I’m hoping to get a couple of trips in before dark.”

  Rowan didn’t need to be told twice. He ran inside, dumping his school bag in the middle of the hallway. For once, Rylee didn’t reprimand him. She was glad he was excited. They were going to need that to get through the next few weeks.