by Amelia Jade
Torran stumbled to a halt, twisting his other ankle this time. Cursing silently, he made a mental note to stop having revelatory conversations with the dragons while walking around on the uneven grounds of the mega-ranch. It was bad for his joints.
“I know, crazy isn’t it?” Rowe said in response to his obvious shock.
“A little, yes. I thought we were in agreement on the ridiculousness of it all.”
“We are. Were. I don’t know!” he said, slamming a meaty fist into his palm. “I’m confused.”
“Well, you’ve already started this awkward talk. You may as well continue it. It’s not like my night’s going to get any better.”
“Ah, the words of a real friend.”
Torran snorted. The two of them had been rivals since a young age back in the enclave where they had been raised among other dragons. A mutual respect had eventually arisen as they’d aged out of puberty and into adulthood, even if they were both still young where dragons were concerned.
“Exactly.” Rowe fell silent as they walked along a path through the fields, toward an area of the land Torran hadn’t yet explored.
“Well, out with it then. Stop being a tease.”
Rowe smiled. “We came out here confident that the humans were overstating the situation. That things weren’t nearly as bad as they made it out to be, and that they just wanted us to do the work for them.”
“Yeah…” Torran was already getting an uneasy feeling about where Rowe was going with this. So far he’d managed to stay out of the whole debate regarding the supposed alien creatures called Outsiders, and whether the dragons from the enclave should offer their support if war ever broke out. It had been nice not to have to think about it. Somehow Torran knew that his peaceful days were over now.
“I think we were wrong.”
“How did I just know you were going to say that?” he grumbled unhappily.
“Because it’s not like I flew here in the middle of the night for a booty call?”
“I don’t think you can’t handle this,” Torran muttered, giving his hips a shake.
Rowe ignored his antics. “I’m serious here.”
“So am I. I don’t think you’re ready, for this jel—”
“If you say one more word…” Rowe threatened with a closed fist.
“Yah yah. Get on with it.”
“I think they’re telling the truth about it all.”
“About everything?”
“Yes. The Outsiders. Their strength. The way that being mated somehow protects us from the Outsiders’ ability to steal our lifeforce, and supercharges our power against them.”
Torran nodded. He’d heard all about that last bit the first time they’d gone to the base to talk to General Mara and the others. It was the main reason why the military was so desperate to find and awaken more dragons, and why the enclave had suddenly become such a high priority for them.
It made sense. They could awaken a handful of dragons at a time at most. Then they had to bring them up to speed with the changes, and convince them to fight. It was a tall order, and from what he understood, in several cases it almost hadn’t worked.
With the enclave on board though, the military would have access to hundreds of mated dragons, enough to potentially tip the scales in any fight. Torran knew that some of the elders were truly powerful, able to weave their powers in ways he could never even begin to imagine.
“So you’re saying we should recommend that the enclave support the war effort?”
“I think so.” Rowe sounded torn. “I have a hard time believing it, or humans, or even the other dragons. Yet I can’t figure out why they would lie to me about it.”
Torran mulled that over. “I think I understand. It’s because it’s humans that are telling you this. Humans that we’ve grown up being told are liars. I…I am going through something similar,” he admitted, all pretense of humor fading out.
“What do you mean?”
“With my mate. I know she is my mate—my dragon is telling me so—but the rest of me is having a hard time accepting that. She is also pregnant with a human’s child. A despicable bastard of a person who I wish I could just…” he trailed off, but his outstretched hands curling into fists got the point across just fine.
“It’s kind of silly,” Rowe said at last. “If you think about it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, by your own words your dragon knows that she is your mate. Which means that it is your human half rejecting the fact that she’s human. Can’t you see the irony?”
Torran had never looked at it that way before. “Wow. I’m an asshole.”
“Pretty much. Not that it comes as a surprise to me.”
“What about the child?”
“Torran, you’re so focused on the other half of what this child is. But you’re forgetting that the child is half Lilly’s. It will be just as much her blood within it as someone else’s. You’re focused on what the child isn’t, and not on what it is. You need to reverse your priorities.”
He was right, of course. It seemed like everyone but Torran could see it clearly. “Thanks for doing that without beating me over the head,” he muttered.
“I still could if you’d like,” Rowe offered.
“No thanks, once is enough.”
The other dragon laughed. “Palin already tore you a new one, did he?”
“Close enough. I don’t understand why it’s so hard to accept this. It’s not like all dragons are perfect, so why should we expect all humans to be? Some will be liars, thieves, assholes, and just plain evil. There will be good ones though. Lovers, fighters, and protectors. Caretakers and good friends. I should be able to believe that.”
Rowe looked at him, but didn’t say anything. They walked through the fields, neither saying a word. The ground crunched underfoot and a soft breeze caressed his face. Despite its chill, it felt good against his skin. It was refreshing.
Eventually they came to a line of trees and bushes that acted as the property marker. Curious about what lay beyond them, Torran pushed through. He found himself standing on the top of a large gully that ran between the property edge and the road that divided the farms.
“See anything interesting?” Rowe asked, having stayed on the other side.
Torran was about to say no when he lifted his eyes to scan the property line of their neighbor. A billboard sign was planted there, and his gaze was drawn to the big writing scrawled across an image.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “Yeah, I think there is.”
“What do you see?”
“I see an idea.”
Rowe pushed through the bushes to stand next to him. He surveyed the land, quickly figuring out what Torran was looking at. “What are you talking about?”
“This is how I’m going to set things right with her. Well, the start of it at least.” He smiled, eager to get back to the ranch and sleep so that morning could come sooner.
Rowe stared at him. “Just like that? You’re good to go? Just a minute ago you were telling me that you couldn’t accept that she was human.”
“Yeah, but we’ve been taught that humans are liars, not trustworthy. My dragon has no doubts about her. It’s only my human half that does. Which means it’s lying to me. She is right for me. I can accept her. I just have to listen to the part of me that knows what the fuck it’s talking about. I suggest you do the same!”
He reached up to ruffle Rowe’s hair and then without warning pushed the other dragon down the incline with a laugh. He didn’t bother to watch the result, taking off back through the fields, ignoring the irritated shout from behind him. Served him right for trying to scare him earlier.
As he ran he whispered under his breath. “Morning is coming, Lilly, and you’re going to see that we’re meant to be together. I promise you that.”
Torran ran faster now. Not because he needed to, or because it would make morning come faster.
No, he ran faster because he heard Rowe
chasing him.
Chapter Twelve
Lilly
The page crinkled as she turned it, the old paper fragile and ready to tear if she pulled on it wrong. She knew several of the earlier pages in the book already bore tears from her over-eager pulling. The book had to be forty or fifty years old, and it hadn’t been well kept before she’d found it in the back of one of the nightstands in a random room.
She chuckled at the use of words that no longer came up in the same situation. Member? Really? Who called it that anymore? Lilly was a firm believer in keeping up with the times. Yet for some reason she’d kept reading, and was now over halfway through the book.
“What are you reading?”
Startled, she slammed the cover closed so quickly that another page in the well-worn paperback tore. “Great. Look at what you made me do.”
“You’re the one jumpy over an old trashy romance book.”
Lilly stared at Torran in horror. “You know what it is?”
“There’s a man with no shirt and a kilt on the front cover. It’s titled—”
“Okay!” she cried. “Fine, yes, I’m reading it. So what?”
“Nothing.”
She groaned. “All that and you don’t care?”
“Nope, not one bit. Though, if you want to be done reading about cheesy romance and experience something a little more real, come with me.”
“Is this one of those come with me if you want to live situations?”
“I don’t think so. But close. More like, come with me if you want to have a really fun time.”
“Do I have to go far?” she asked, climbing to her feet.
“Can you make it to the truck? Or would you prefer I carry you?” he teased.
Lilly wasn’t sure what was spurring on the sudden banter between them. It was the first since his breakdown over her pregnancy. She smiled, glad that things were getting back to…well, not normal. Things between them had never been normal. At least they weren’t frosty anymore. That was something she supposed.
“I’m good to walk.” Putting action to word she stood and headed to the door, grabbing jacket and boots. “Is it a long drive?”
“No. Not long at all.” He was being very mysterious and cryptic.
“Where are you taking me then?”
“The whole point of a surprise is to not give it away.”
“So you’re not telling me.”
“No, I’m not telling you. Now get in the truck and enjoy the suspense.”
“I hate suspense.” But she got in the truck as requested. Ordered? Whatever, he was in a good mood, so whatever it was he had planned would hopefully be fun.
Torran got in and went to turn the key.
“Something wrong?” she asked when he paused, his face turning thoughtful.
“Um, I don’t know. Maybe. I hope not.”
“What is it?”
“Pregnancy.”
“I’m pregnant. Yes. We’ve been over this. Are you still having issues with it?” Her mood soured.
“What? No. Not that at all.” He seemed irritated by her bringing it up. “I just…are you able to do things?” Torran held up a hand. “Like. Physical activities? Nothing strenuous. Um. Bouncing. Oh crap. Like. If you went up and down. But not like…not like that.”
“Enough!” she cried, putting him out of his misery. “I get it, you don’t mean sex.”
“Thank you.” He sagged. “Exactly.”
“I’m fine with that, yes. Extreme sports, no. A bit of bouncing? Yes. Though I’m not sure I want to go off-roading, if that’s what you’re referring to.”
“No. Not that at all. Gentler.” He grinned and the truck rumbled down the lane toward the road.
“Did you thank Palin for giving us a truck to use?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, good.” She sat back in the seat and let Torran drive her around. Not long after getting on the road they made a left, and then a right into a driveway. “You weren’t kidding when you said we weren’t going far.”
“I know.” He pulled the truck into a parking spot and hopped out. “Come on. Let’s go! It’s all ready.”
Lilly smiled at his eagerness. It was cute, and more than a little contagious. “I’m coming!” she said, following.
He waited for her, then reached for her hand and pulled her along hurriedly.
“Are we in a rush?”
“No no. We’re fine. But we’re almost there. It’s right up here.”
Conscious of the fact that he still hadn’t dropped her hand—and she hadn’t pulled it away from him—Lilly allowed herself to be shown around the back of a ranch house toward a large barn.
“We have barns on our property, you know. Three of them in fact. Why did you drag me out here to another one?”
Torran laughed. “Those barns don’t contain what this one does!”
Did he just chortle? He just chortled. What the hell was going on here? She had never seen Torran this excited before. Excited and maybe a little nervous.
Aww, he thinks I won’t be happy with whatever he has planned.
That was cute, in an unexplainable way. But it was.
He pushed open a door and used his free hand to indicate what awaited. “Ta-da.”
Lilly stared. “Horses. You brought me here to see horses?” That was fun…but certainly didn’t warrant the excitement he seemed to be exuding.
The barn was a horse barn. Stalls stretched out in front of them on either side, some of which had horse heads sticking out from them, eyeing the pair curiously.
“To see them? No, of course not, my—” He cut himself off. “No, we’re going riding! The owner has a large lot of land, much of which is still wild. Apparently it connects to a nearby forest. Perfect for an afternoon of exploration.”
“We’re going horseback riding?” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm rising exponentially. “Are you frickin’ serious right now? I’ve never been horseback riding!”
“So this is a good thing? You’re excited?” She could feel his need for reassurance.
“I’m beyond excited!” She flung her arms around him without thinking and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Torran! I’ve always wanted to do this.”
Footsteps inside the barn drew her attention away. A middle-aged man in decent shape came toward them.
“Afternoon, Lyle,” Torran said politely, stepping forward and shaking the other man’s hand. He looked back at her. “This is Lyle, he owns the farm and is going to be our tour guide today.”
“Thank you, Lyle,” she said, coming forward and also shaking his hand. “I’m really excited.”
“Well I’m glad. Let’s get going then. Time’s a-wastin’!”
She grinned at his twangy voice. “You bet!”
Together they picked out their horses, a huge coal-black type called a Percheron for Torran. When Lilly saw the size of it she nearly bugged out. “You sure you can handle that?” she asked him.
Torran grinned. “I’ll be fine. It’s not my first rodeo. What about you, what one do you want?”
“I have no idea. Pick one for me? I don’t know horses very well. I could pick the prettiest one, but that might not matter, really.”
“I think we should put her on Nelly,” Lyle said, pointing at a medium-sized horse.
At least she thought it was medium-sized. It was smaller than the huge beast Torran was currently saddling up. She eyed the way his fingers moved over the tack. He knew what he was doing. The sly jerk had set this up so he could show off to her as well!
“What kind is Nelly?” she asked, walking up to the chestnut horse. She hoped it was a female.
“She’s a Tennessee Walking Horse, fourteen and a half hands. It’s a good fit for you. She’s not got a temper at all, will follow myself and Torran here without problem, and hopefully give you a smooth ride.”
“Hopefully?”
“Well,” Lyle said, a twinkle in his eye. “Part of that is on you as well.”
&n
bsp; After Lyle and an assistant of his got them ready, the trio headed out.
“I am not a natural at this,” she muttered more to herself than anyone in particular as she tried to move with the horse. “Ow.” With the horse. Not opposite it.
Torran meanwhile handled his ride like a practiced master.
“How are you doing that?” she complained. “You look like you know exactly what you’re doing.”
“Could it be because I do know exactly what I’m doing?” he quipped.
“That wasn’t funny.”
Torran meanwhile was chuckling happily to himself. “I think it was. You’re just not feeling the flow of things right now.”
She glared at him darkly. “Also not funny.”
He fell silent while she figured things out. Eventually, and hopefully before her tailbone was bruised, she figured it out and the ride started to go much smoother. They meandered out through some farmed land, and then across a gently undulating meadow before entering a forest.
The trees were mostly evergreens, giving it color and life even this late in the season. Lilly let her horse take the lead for the time being and just enjoyed being out amongst nature.
“This was a really great idea,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
Torran turned back in his saddle and flashed a grin. Thankfully she was already seated, because with her current happiness that look would probably have flattened her. She felt it in her heart and between her legs.
Wait, no, that was just the saddle.
He winked at her and turned back.
Okay, that time she felt it between her legs. Dammit, she was supposed to be keeping him at a distance, not falling for him even harder!
Why did everything have to be so dang complicated?
The pathway they were on widened, and Lyle rode ahead, allowing the pair of them to ride side by side. She stole glances at him frequently, despite everything she’d told herself. She was breaking literally every rule she’d tried to establish.
At one point Torran caught her staring, grabbing her gaze and meeting it for a second. Then he gave her one of the cockiest, most surefooted winks she’d ever seen.