by Silver Milan
“I’m not sure if that’s cool as hell or just plain freaky,” Ariel said. “Would he be able to choose between the two?”
“No, it would be one or the other,” Jett said. “Every time.”
“Well, I know I’d love our kid either way,” Ariel said.
“As would I,” Jett said.
“There we go, getting ahead of ourselves again.” Ariel smiled sadly. “I’ve tried not to think too hard about the future. Considering that we don’t know how much longer we’ll have together. I’m just happy for every moment spent with you, because each of those moments is precious to me.”
“They are precious to me as well.” Jett brought her hand up to his face and kissed her open palm. “I treasure those moments more than any hoard of gold, gems, and slaves I’ve ever acquired in my pillaging days.”
She chuckled, snatching her hand away. “I don’t know if that’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard or the tackiest. You and your pillaging days. Whenever you talk like that, you remind me of a sexy pirate. ‘Oh ho me hearties! Lass, you’re a treasure shining brighter than any of the gems I’ve got stored in me holds, looted from the treasuries of kings! None of the wenches can even come close to matching the golden rays thrown by your smile!’”
Jett grinned, though it was forced. He set her hand aside. “You laugh now, but in my youth I was a far different man. Cruel. Merciless. Selfish. You wouldn’t have liked me. Hell, I didn’t like myself. But being forced to run a kingdom… well, it made me grow up fast. Though I hated it at the time, that was probably one of the better decisions my father ever made regarding my upbringing. I wanted to do a good job, and not fail my people. I strove always to do what was best for them, placing their well-being above my own. I learned the true meaning of selflessness. These days, the only time I’m cruel and merciless is to my enemies, while I’m extremely generous to those I care about.”
“I wish all twenty-five year olds could have the wisdom and sheer sagacity that you do,” Ariel said.
“Sagacity?” Jett said. “That’s not a word I hear every day. Where are you learning these big words?” He said it jokingly.
“Obviously I’ve been hanging around you too much!” She punched his shoulder playfully.
“And you forget, I only look twenty-five,” Jett said.
“Fine, I wish everyone who looked twenty-five could be as smart and mature as you,” Ariel told him.
He gazed contemplatively at the ceiling. “Two hundred years. I’ve been awake for two hundred years in total. You definitely wouldn’t have liked me at twenty-five. It’s safe to say that maturity has given me a perspective I never had in my youth, and changed me for the better.”
“As it does most people,” Ariel said. “I’d like to think.”
“Not all,” Jett said. “Some people simply grow bitter with age.”
“Not like you.” Ariel ran a seductive hand down his bare chest. “A fine wine…”
He smiled. “I like to think of myself as a liqueur.”
“Oooh,” Ariel said. She was caressing his hard abs. “Sweet and intoxicating?”
“Exactly.” He nibbled at her ear, and showered kisses down her jawline until he reached her lips. He firmly planted his mouth on hers as he slid one arm underneath her waist, drawing her to him.
Her hand drifted down until it found his hard manhood. It had only been a few minutes, and already he was good to go. He trembled at the way she touched him.
She pulled back from his lips long enough to say: “Where have you been all my life?”
“Are you talking to me, or my dragon?” he asked lightheartedly.
“Both,” she replied, kissing him.
“Well then I’ll answer for both,” he said between the mouth-to-mouth action. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
The days turned into weeks, and Jett knew the blissful life he had come to know with Ariel would soon come to an end. He felt proud of her for mastering her beast so quickly, and yet also disheartened, because it meant Cliff would soon ask him to leave the camp.
During that time, the lion scouts dispatched into the woods never discovered any sign of the Orions, nor the two members of the White Swords Jett had hiding in the forest. Jett hadn’t told Cliff about the vampire, as he hadn’t seen the need for it.
Cliff was convinced that the Orions had gone and soon dismissed Finn and his pride. Tensions had been growing between the two prides, with the Alphas constantly rubbing shoulders, and Cliff apparently felt it was time for Starry Oak to return to its own territory, especially if there was no threat from the hunters.
Jett wanted to contest the decision, because he knew it meant Cliff would soon dismiss him as well, but decided against it. He was afraid to stoke further tension between himself and the Alpha, which might be grounds for Cliff to send him away earlier. Jett almost revealed what he knew about the Orions and the vampire they potentially hunted, but once again chose to keep the knowledge to himself. Even if Cliff knew, Jett doubted it would’ve changed the Alpha’s decision. Cliff would have believed his pride completely capable of dealing with such a vampire.
Cliff had lifted the order for radio silence so that Finn could get in touch if Starry Oak encountered the Orions. However, the Alpha otherwise maintained the lockdown, so no members of Blue Hurricane could leave: the pride was restricted to the camp and the immediate vicinity, including the hunting grounds.
A few days later, Jett was having a picnic with Ariel. The two were laughing about a particularly clumsy lion named Fever who had almost messed up the hunt that morning by scaring away a deer, when Jett received a fateful text from Cliff. It read simply:
Come see me.
“I’ll be right back,” Jett told Ariel.
“Where are you going?” she asked, half standing with him.
“Cliff wants to talk to me,” Jett replied. He wasn’t able to keep the dread from his voice.
Ariel bit her lip. “You want me to come with you?”
“No,” Jett said. “I think it’s better if I go alone.” He tried to comfort her by making a joke. “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
“Don’t quote Shakespeare on me,” she said.
“Actually, I gave Shakespeare that line,” Jett said.
She looked at him in shock. But she must have realized he was joking because she crossed her arms and said: “You did not.”
“No.” As he walked away, his smiled faded. Hopefully he’d brightened her mood, at least slightly, because his own had only become darker.
A few minutes later he was seated before Cliff inside the Alpha’s cabin. He had never been invited inside before. Cliff sat on a suede couch beside a large fireplace. There was a lion mural on top of the mantlepiece.
Jett set himself down on a smaller couch across from Cliff.
“You know why I’ve summoned you?” Cliff said.
“You want me to go,” Jett said.
Cliff nodded slowly.
“It’s too soon,” Jett told him.
Cliff raised an eyebrow. “I think you’ll agree, she’s made remarkable progress.”
“But that’s only because I’m here,” Jett insisted.
“You want to take credit for her mastery of her animal?” Cliff said.
“No, but I obviously had a calming influence on her,” Jett said. “Otherwise you wouldn’t have summoned me here those weeks ago.”
Cliff pursed his lips. “Yes, you’re right about that.”
“What happens if she reverts when I go?” Jett said. “And her lioness starts running off to find me, like before?”
“It won’t happen,” Cliff said. “Once a lion reaches Ariel’s level of self-control, there’s no regression. Once you’re gone, the only reason she’ll run off to search for you is if she wills it. She is in control, now. And if she’s not, and continues to transform against her will, then I’ll have to call this little experiment of ours a failure. If she can’t control it when you’re gone, then I’ll be forced to concl
ude that she’ll never be able to control it without you. I may have to put her down.”
Jett felt as if the ground was sliding out from under him, and he was thankful he was seated, or he might have collapsed. Anger also welled within him, rage that this man would dare suggest such an evil thing about the woman Jett cared about so much.
“I’ll take her away before I allow that,” Jett said softly.
“That’s certainly an option,” Cliff said.
Jett studied the man. He seemed opened to compromise. “She likes it here… maybe we can work out a deal allowing me to stay permanently?”
“You know that’s not possible,” Cliff said. “A dragon has no place in a lion pride. I’ve tolerated you because I want to save her, but you always knew this agreement was temporary. Besides, you’re a king. What possible life could you expect to have among us?”
“The only life I’ve ever wanted all these years,” Jett said. “A life I never knew existed. You have a mate. You know what I’m talking about.”
“You agreed you would respect our autonomy,” Cliff said.
Jett sighed. “And so I did. If you want me to go, I will go.” His honor would prevent him from doing otherwise. But still, the negotiator in him honed from years of statecraft refused to back down. “But if you keep me, I promise I’ll become your man completely. I’ll swear my utmost fealty to you, do whatever it takes.” When Cliff didn’t answer, Jett added: “What if I offered compensation you can’t refuse? You know my kingdom is one of the richest in the world. I could offer money. Troops. Even vampire slaves.”
Cliff’s expression darkened, and Jett heard a low, guttural growl emanating from the man’s throat. Jett realized instantly he had taken the wrong approach: Cliff was too proud to be bribed in such a manner.
“At least let me stay until we can confirm the Orions are gone,” Jett pleaded. “I’m begging of you. Not as a king, not as a dragon, but a fellow man.”
Cliff’s features softened. “I’m sorry. I’ve made up my mind. I agreed to let you stay long enough for Ariel to learn to control her beast. That’s been done. Now you must go. If she wishes to depart with you, that’s her choice. But be wary about ripping her away from the only true family she has right now.”
“And yet you would rip her away from me, the most important member of that family?” Jett said.
“Years from now you’ll thank me for this,” Cliff said. “I’m doing you a favor. Preventing you from making one of the worst mistakes of your life. Throwing away your life, your throne. For what? A mere women.”
“She’s not just any woman,” Jett said quietly.
Cliff didn’t answer.
“I didn’t want to tell you before, but the witches have detected a vampire in these woods,” Jett said. “It’s possible the Orions were hunting it.”
Cliff sniffed. “We can handle a lone vampire.”
“A vampire with strong affinity to the Dark?” Jett asked. “And Death?”
Cliff paused. There was a flicker of fear in those eyes. Only a flicker, then it passed. “You’ve been withholding information from us. Why am I not surprised?”
“There was no need for you to know,” Jett said. “Not while I was here to protect you.”
“Well, we don’t need your protection.” Cliff’s lips curled in disgust as he spoke the latter word. “We’re not a bunch of helpless humans. We’re lions. Warriors.”
Jett shook his head. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you. I knew you’d be arrogant enough to believe yourselves capable of handling a vampire witch.”
Cliff growled. “Be careful of who you call arrogant, dragon king. Because it’s you who is the most arrogant of us all.”
“Maybe,” Jett said. “But at least I’m not suicidal.”
“We’ve faced worse,” Cliff said.
“Really?”
“Yes.” Cliff lifted his chin and squared his shoulders. “You have until noon. If you aren’t gone by then, I’ll have my lions forcefully remove you.”
21
Ariel walked Jett, hand-in-hand, to the periphery of the Blue Hurricane camp.
“I almost can’t believe you’re leaving,” Ariel said. “I’m going to watch you march away into these woods, and my mind won’t be able to comprehend that you’re gone. I won’t cry until tonight, or tomorrow.”
“It’s better that way,” Jett said, squeezing her hand tightly. “I couldn’t bear to watch you cry.”
They reached the perimeter and halted to face one another. The pride watched some distance away from within the camp.
“This time, the goodbye is going to be so much harder,” Ariel said. She lowered her voice. She was familiar with the range of lion hearing by now, and knew there were a few who would hear even at that distance if she spoke at full volume. “Cliff seems confident in my ability to control my animal, but I know I’ll regress. Maybe I’ll do it on purpose, so he calls you back. Make it seem like I can’t control it.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Jett said, also lowering his voice. “He’ll know you’re faking it.” Jett’s fiery eyes momentarily flashed with anger. “He’s threatened to put you down if you continue to lose control. So be on your best behavior.”
She pressed her lips together, and suppressed a slight quiver she felt in her chin. “All right.” My dragon. My lovely dragon. I can’t bear to let you go.
“Chin up.” Jett placed his thumb and forefinger underneath her chin, and tilted her head back. “I’ve made up my mind.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, not daring to feel a shred of hope, lest she be utterly disappointed.
“I’m abdicating my throne,” Jett said. “I’ll tell my brother and sister I’ve lain with you. I’ll tell everyone. And then I’ll be banished.”
Those words tore at something inside of Ariel, and she felt aghast.
“No!” Ariel said. “Don’t do this. You can’t give up your people on my account.”
“It’s what I want,” Jett said. “I realize I can’t live without you. I’d give up everything for you. I’ve ruled Midnight City long enough. It’s time for another to take my place. I’m sure my brother will be glad to be king. And if he refuses the burden, Gwendoline will readily assume the throne, I’m sure.”
“You can’t…” Ariel said. “It’s too much of a sacrifice.”
“I can and I will,” Jett said. “Haven’t you realized by now? I’d give up my kingdom, and my very dragon, if it meant staying with you. And that’s what I’ll be doing, in essence.” He fingered the collar at his neck.
Ariel’s lower lip quivered and she hugged him tightly. “You mean more to me than the world. I know I’d be lost without you. But I can’t do this to you. I can’t. It’s not right. I’d rather go with you to your kingdom, and force myself to live among your people, than make you live here.”
He pulled back to look into her eyes. “No, Ariel. I thought about what you told me earlier. And I’ve realized you’re right. My people won’t accept you, not really. Sure, they’ll put on a fine act of it, but inside they’ll be full of resentment and contempt. It will undermine my rule. Make me appear weak in their eyes. They’ll talk behind my back. I’ll be the dragon with the human mate. The dragon king who flaunts the very law he helped enact and enforce. I’m better off simply abdicating and accepting banishment.”
“Why does life have to be this way?” Ariel asked. “Always giving us the tough choices. Having to pick between the places we live in, or the lovers we want?”
“It’s not a tough choice,” Jett said. “Not at all. Choosing between having you in my life or out of it? It’s an easy choice. I’ll take you every time.”
“You’re too good to me,” Ariel said.
“And you’re good to me,” Jett said. “As well as good for me. More than you know. You make me feel alive. Free. Now listen: I’ll be back in four days. If the lion pride doesn’t accept me, then we’ll leave them and find somewhere else to live. Now that your animal is un
der control, we can stay in the city if we want to. Or maybe we’ll start a camp of our own somewhere, and it’ll be just the two of us.”
“Oooh, I like the sound of that,” Ariel said. “Just me and my dragon, getting all smelly and fending for ourselves, alone together in the woods.”
“You like it when I’m smelly.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and stared into her eyes.
“Oh, I do,” she said, planting her own hands on his hips.
They swayed from side to side, holding each other like that, staring into each other’s eyes. The camp, and the pride members that had come to see them off, faded away, and only she and Jett existed in that instant.
Jett leaned forward and planted his lips against hers. The kiss was slow, deliberate, as if he wanted to prolong the moment for as long as possible. She returned the kiss with equal slowness, but hers had an edge of desperation. She couldn’t help but feel that it was the last time she would see him. She wanted to believe his sweet words. She really did. But he was a king. Once he was back in his kingdom he’d probably fall into his royal routine and forget all about her. She’d been living in a fantasy world all this time, imagining that she could have a dragon king all to herself. This beautiful man, who was gorgeous both inside and out, would probably be walking out of her life forever in only a few seconds.
She increased her tempo, kissing him fervently now, more passionately, and Jett returned her touch with equal heat. He, too, must have realized this could very well be their last kiss, hard as the thought was to bear.
Ariel heard someone’s throat clear a ways behind her, reminding her that the pride was watching.
But she didn’t care. And neither did Jett, apparently. They continued their prolonged kiss.
The throat cleared again.
Finally, the two broke apart.
“If you don’t return, at least I’ll have something to remember you by,” she said, trying to make her voice sound playful as she echoed the words he’d used after their last parting kiss.