Fire In Their Hearts

by Lilly Wilder

  I swallowed back my fears and continued forward. After a few steps, I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my keys. I held them between my fingers like I intended to use them as brass knuckles. Having them at my disposal calmed me a bit and I was able to return to a relatively normal pace.

  Click. Click. Click.

  My heels echoed against the silence. It was almost like I wasn’t meant to be there.

  Crash!

  I jumped out of my skin, my heart skipping a beat.

  Overhead, the clouds darkened. Strange shadows passed through them. I had never seen anything like it before. Must be one heck of a storm on the horizon. I was about to take a step forward when another thunderclap boomed through the land. It was so loud, I feared I had become partially deaf.

  Then, something fell out of the sky. It looked like some sort of meteor rocketing towards the tree line.

  The ground shook underneath my feet when it made a crash landing.

  “What the fuck?” Was all I could say before I started running. For some strange reason, I was running straight towards it. I tried to tell my body to turn around but it would not listen to me. There was some sort of invisible force dragging me towards the scene. I couldn’t resist it.

  Even as I tripped over logs and foliage, I continued forward. I was desperate to see what had fallen from the sky.

  Thorns snagged against my clothes, tearing them to shreds. Well, there goes one of the only outfits I could use to work.

  The thought vanished from my head when I walked into a wall of darkness. Suddenly, it was hard to breathe. It felt like a two-ton elephant had settled onto my shoulders.

  My mind screamed for me to get away – to leave this evil place – and yet my heart urged me forward.

  I had managed to retrieve my phone from my pocket. The flashlight did little to illuminate my path. Still, it was better than stumbling around in the dark. I held onto nearby tree trunks for support as the forest grew thicker and thicker.

  Was I even going in the right direction?

  I turned ever so slowly and saw that everything looked exactly the same. I blinked as if that would highlight the path I had taken. Great. I was lost. This was exactly what I needed.

  Unsure of where to go next, I hesitated. What would happen if I failed to find my way out? It was well-known that wolves hunted on this land. To a pack of carnivores, I probably looked like a pretty good snack.

  Then, I heard something. It was a whimper of sorts that had my heart in a state of agony. I clutched at my heart, my knees knocking together with a lack of strength.

  There it was again, louder this time.

  What was that?

  There was only one way to find out.

  Clearly, I had lost my mind. What I was doing was completely insane and yet, I couldn’t even think of turning back. It was as if some sort of primal instinct had come alive inside of me. Something was hurt and I needed to find out what.

  Up ahead, I came across a river. It was pretty wide and the current was strong. I didn’t know if it was shallow enough for me to cross and frankly, I didn’t want to risk it. I turned to my left, looking for some way to cross when I encountered a fallen tree, laid along the width of the river.

  Perfect.

  All I needed to do was keep my balance but considering how much of a klutz I was, that was easier said than done. Still, I clambered on top of it and held out my arms like a trapeze artist.

  Why are you doing this? Came that voice in my head. This is crazy.

  “I know,” I spoke aloud. “But I can’t explain it. I have to do this.”

  A flash of red caught my attention. For a second there, it looked like a plume of fire.

  It happened again. The explosion of light much bigger this time around. Through it, I caught a glimpse of two oversized creatures.

  What were those things?

  Instead of being afraid, I was intrigued, especially by the larger of the two. It turned its head in my direction.

  Crash!

  I flinched as it took a hit. Doing so, I lost my footing. I would have fallen into the water but at that exact moment, something snatched me up. I kept my eyes closed as we soared higher and higher. If there was one thing I didn’t like, it was heights.

  “Ari.”

  My heart stuttered at the sound of that familiar voice.

  “Vern?” I spat in disbelief.

  “None other.” He grinned.

  “Wait! You have wings!” I exclaimed. “Dragon wings.”

  “You catch on pretty quick. Most people guess I’m part bat and then speculate I’m a vampire or something but that’s just ridiculous. They’ve been extinct for over a hundred years.”

  I had no idea what he was talking about but it didn’t matter because there was a full-fledged dragon coming our way. “Look out!” I screamed, pointing at our threat.

  He tightened his hold around my body as he dashed forward, weaving through the sea of trees. I felt the lick of a couple of branches but I was sure that Vern was taking the brunt of it.

  The dragon opened its maw, revealing a neat row of dagger-like teeth. He leaned forward, snapping at Vern.

  He jerked suddenly as our assailant ripped through the leathery fold of his wings.

  I could see the pain on his face. Despite the fact that I hadn’t sustained any injuries, I felt that pain too. It ached like a dull sword through my heart.

  “Hold on!” He shouted as he curled his body onto mine. We headed straight for the ground.

  I could hear myself screaming.

  Crash!

  I was ejected out of his grasp and into a large oak tree. My body vibrated like a sounding rod. The bones in my neck felt like they had been shattered into a million pieces. I gasped and fell forward, gasping for air that never came. The edge of my vision started to blur. I tried to blink away the brightness but it persisted.

  And then, it took over completely and my body went slack with unconsciousness.

  Chapter 16: Vern

  Ari looked particularly vulnerable lying in one of the clan’s sleeping mats. There was little color in her face and she was burning up. With a frown, I took a washcloth and dipped it into a little bucket of cold water. I rinsed out the access before folding it up and placing it on her forehead. Hopefully, that would help with the fever.

  When she failed to stir, I mashed up a salve of berries and medicinal herbs. I knew from experience that they had a rather bitter taste. The berries would help make it taste a little better.

  Using my middle finger, I applied it to her lips, dying them a dark shade of crimson. It reminded me of the lipstick she wore during the gala. She had looked so kissable that night. It was a miracle I had kept myself from jumping all over her.

  Quickly, I pushed these thoughts from my mind. It was hardly the time.

  “Wake up soon,” I whispered as I brushed back a strand of her hair. I ran my fingertips along her cheeks and frowned. Perhaps she would be better off living a normal life but it was too late for that now. If we didn’t claim her as our own, the Aetos would take her.

  Just thinking about it sent the taste of bile into my mouth. I tightened my hand into a fist. I did it with such firmness that my nails scored deep red lines into the skin of my palm.

  Her condition was my fault. I should have done a better job of protecting her. Instead, I had lost my hold of her and when I was finally able to find her again, she had already been poisoned by Aetos venom.

  It was still up in the air whether she would survive or not.

  I got up and released some pent-up energy by walking around the small hut. I paused by the window and watched the pink smoke rise from the prayer circle. What good did praying do? She had been unconscious for three days now.

  “Ari…” I spoke her name but my voice was weak. I hadn’t left her side in three days and as a result, I had eaten little, not that I had much of an appetite.

  I returned to her
bed and took her hand in mine. She was so cold. So, I gathered up a few more blankets and layered them on top of her.

  As I tucked her in, Lyle walked in.

  He was heavily bandaged but he held himself with the same sort of poise he usually posed – confident, cool, and collected. Even after fending off the Aetos assault team, he looked like he was ready to rule the world. Seeing him made me thankful that we were partners. I would hate to have him as an enemy.

  “How is she?”

  “She isn’t fairing any better. I fear the poison was already too involved in her system when we finally got around to treating her.”

  Lyle placed a hand on my shoulder. “Do not lose faith. I did not fight tooth and nail just to watch her go.”

  He sat down. The discomfort was plain on his face but he didn’t make a single sound of protest.

  “How can you be so sure? Aetos poison is some of the strongest in the world. I’m surprised that she has lasted this long.”

  Lyle turned and looked me straight in the eye. “You have told me that you feel that she is our one true mate, correct?”

  I nodded.

  “Then it is no wonder that she is as strong as she is. She will one day carry our children. This is but a trial and I know she will get through it.”

  “You’re sounding like one of the elders,” I said before sitting down on the edge of the bed. “I suppose I am just worried.”

  “As am I.”

  “What are we to do if she never wakes up?”

  Lyle shook his head. “Do not think that way. She will wake up, I am sure of it.” He ran his finger along the exposed part of her neck. “She still breathes. Blood still runs through her veins and therefore, she will survive.”

  “If we were to mark her –”

  “No.” Lyle was quick to reject my idea. “She has not consented to mate with us. We will not take her while she is unconscious.”

  “But it will give her the strength she needs.” I protested.

  “If we mate with her then it will be a result of her own free will.” His voice was unrelenting and I knew there was no point in trying to argue with the man.

  “So, you’re suggesting what? That we wait for her to awaken of her own accord?”

  “That is exactly what I am suggesting.”

  I wanted to scream. Any more waiting and I was sure to lose my mind.

  “How are you feeling, by the way?” Lyle asked. “Has your wing healed?”

  “It’s fine,” I mumbled. “My injuries were nothing compared to yours.”

  “But an alpha heals at a much faster rate than a beta. I will be back to normal by the end of the week.”

  “I still do not believe that you fended off their attack. You were outnumbered six to one.”

  “You helped.”

  “Barely.”

  “Still, I wouldn’t be here without your aid. This is why dragons work in pairs. It’s more likely that we survive that way.”

  I bit my lip. There was so much I wanted to say but then I felt Ari starting to stir.

  Could it be that she was finally waking up?

  Chapter 17: Ari

  The darkness was so thick, it felt like I was swimming through a sea of sludge. I tried to wade my way through it but I wasn’t going anywhere. It consumed me, covering every inch of my body.

  Where was I supposed to go? What was I supposed to do?

  In my hopelessness, I prayed for both Lyle and Vern. I wanted them by my side because they were the only people who could truly make me feel safe.

  Then, I saw Vern with his big, beautiful dragon wings. Surely, that had been nothing but a figment of my imagination. Vern couldn’t possibly be a dragon. Dragons did not exist.

  And yet, that strange creature in the distance, it seemed oddly familiar. I recalled some of my fondest memories as a child, curled up by the fire, reading about heroes riding on the backs of giant lizards. Oh, what glory if they were actually real.

  I concentrated on this thought and it propelled me forward. The darkness became thinner and thinner until I was finally able to make my way towards a warm, inviting light.

  It wrapped me in its comfort and eased me out of the darkness.

  That’s when I heard their voices. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying but their presence was enough to soothe my nerves.

  My body melted into something soft and I became aware of something resting on my forehead. I wanted to remove it but my arms would not budge. They seemed pinned underneath some enormous weight.

  “I love her.”

  It was Lyle.

  “I’ve loved Ari since the first day I saw her but back then I could not have her. I was not strong enough to defend my claim. Now, things have changed. If they want her, they’ll have to pry her away from my cold dead body.”

  “She really is the one, isn’t she?” Vern whispered.

  “She is.”

  It was then that the pressure lifted from my head and I was able to open my eyes. The light blinded me. It felt like I was staring into the sun. I whimpered as a throbbing headache pounded through my temples.

  “Easy.” Vern was by my side in an instant. His body was enough to block out that pesky light.

  I dared to open my eyes.

  Our faces were incredibly close. His eyes wavered with concern. “Ari…” He whispered, his voice full of relief. “Oh, thank the Heavens you’re awake.”

  Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around me.

  I grasped. He was definitely crushing my ribs.

  Lyle pulled him away.

  “She’s still injured. Do not hurt her.”

  My eyes widened the second I saw the damage done to his body. “What happened?”

  “I got in a little… tussle.” I could tell that he was lying to make me feel better.

  “A little tussle?” I tried to sit up with Vern’s help, barely managed to incline my body. “You look like you’ve been through one of the world wars.” I reached for his hand. It was calloused and full of cuts.

  He squeezed my fingers ever so gently. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  I looked at the two men. “What happened? And I don’t want some bullshit answer. I want the truth. All of it.”

  They exchanged a glance.

  “I mean it. If I even get a hint of bullshit, I’ll pummel you both to the ground.”

  Lyle laughed, “Hell! Hath no wrath like a woman scorned.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Where to start?” Vern spoke aloud. “There’s so much we need to tell her.”

  “The beginning,” I suggested. “First of all, I want to know where I am.”

  “Technically, wouldn’t that be the end of our story?”

  Lyle held up his hand and we both fell into silence. “We’re dragons.”

  His words slammed into me like a battering ram. So that crazy dream wasn’t a dream after all. These men were living, breathing dragons. “I thought dragons were just myths…”

  “All myths stem from reality. Humans have a way of avoiding the truth, so they weave stories to make them feel better about the things they refuse to face.” As he spoke, he held out his arms.

  Two giant wings sprouted from his shoulder blades. They stretched, reaching either side of the hut and still they weren’t to their true wingspan. They glittered like they were covered with a coating of black diamonds.

  I held my breath as they folded behind his back. They made him look even taller than he was.

  “Now, my question to you is whether you will accept us for who we are or if you will forsake us like some of the other humans.”

  My head was spinning.

  This was real.

  “Are you a dragon too?” I asked, looking at Vern.

  “Yes.”

  “Can I see –”

  He interrupted me with a nod of his head. Unlike Lyle, his face twisted with pain. I wanted to tell him to stop bu
t I was mesmerized by the transformation. His wings were much smaller but they were impressive all the same.

  “May I touch them?” I asked.

  He turned so his wings were within reach. A few scars lined the leathery skin. I ran my fingers along them, causing him to shiver.

  “I’m sorry, did I do something wrong?” I recoiled my hand and studied his face for answers.

  “The wings of a dragon are very sensitive and to have them touched by a –”

  Lyle jabbed his elbow into Vern’s side, silencing him.

  “By what?” I demanded.

  “You should get some rest,” Lyle said, trying to get me to drop the subject but that wasn’t going to happen.

  “Tell me.”

  He sighed. “It is complicated.”

  “This whole thing is complicated. You just told me that you’re both dragons. Then you sprouted wings. I’m sure there’s nothing that can make this much weirder.”

  “We should tell her,” Vern spoke up. “She has a right to know.”

  “Very well.” Lyle sat down and rested his hands on his knees. “Dragons are a bit peculiar in the way they mate.”

  “Mate? You mean like?”

  “Discovery Channel,” Vern said for clarification.

  “Um… okay then.” Blush crept up my face and settled into my cheeks when I thought about the implications. My thoughts were running at a mile a minute.

  “Anyway, as I was saying, dragons are a bit peculiar in the way they mate. Every alpha has a beta.” Vern complimented his words by pointing at Lyle and then himself. “In order for a child to be conceived, both must be present.”

  “So, like…”

  Vern nodded, “A threesome.”

  “This ensures that the child is more likely to survive since it has three parents protecting it,” Lyle spoke as if this were all perfectly normal but I was having a hard time keeping up. “But, in addition, the woman must be willing. If she is, a mark will appear on her body, binding her to the dragons who mated her. This became a problem when humans depicted dragons as monsters. Women no longer wanted to mate us. So, some clans decided they would take other measures. They started kidnapping women and giving them drugs so they’d be more… willing.”