by Rinelle Grey
She was taking a far bigger risk than he ever had. All he had to do was to give it a go. The worst that could happen was that he’d be wrong, and discover they didn’t love each other. Yes, that might hurt, but she was right, the pain of not knowing would be greater.
Far greater.
As soon as he opened his heart to that possibility, he realised how strongly he did feel about her. A feeling so strong and sure filled him up, until he felt like he could never fall. “I…” the words stuck in his throat. He swallowed, then said quietly, “I think I love you too, Wayrian.”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened but no sound came out.
Chase smiled gently at her, then kissed her.
She clung to him as though she’d never let him go.
Chase never wanted to let her go either. If he hung onto her, then she would be his forever. She could never leave him.
He pulled back a little, and took a deep breath. He could never do that. That’s what her grandfather did. He needed to be stronger, for both of them.
He needed to accept that he couldn’t guarantee anything, and take the risk anyway.
Because loving someone meant trusting them, even when it was hard.
“Let’s fix this water,” he said.
Wayrian nodded.
Before they could do that, his father came across and said, “So do you mind filling me in on what’s going on?”
Chase was pretty sure he wasn’t talking about the water. But he didn’t mind. It was time to tell his father. To tell everyone. “Wayrian and I are getting mated,” he announced.
She twisted around in his arms to stare at him, her eyes wide. “Really?”
He nodded, and couldn’t help the smile that split his face. “Really.” He kissed her again for good measure.
His father beamed. “Congratulations to both of you.”
Wayrian was blushing and smiling at the same time. “Thank you.”
Right now, Chase didn’t even really care about the water, but he was pretty sure the cattle would in a couple of hours, once the water ran out. “Okay, so you can obviously help with the water issue, Wayrian, but what is the most effective way to do that?”
Wayrian frowned, and slipped out of his arms, staring around the area as though she could see something they couldn’t. Which maybe she could.
“The water here is very faint,” she said slowly. “It will return, but not until it rains.” She turned towards the creek and stared. “There’s still more water at the creek. It’s not as deep as this water. Something has brought it to the surface. A natural spring of some sort. You could easily dig for water there.”
Chase’s dad was nodding. “I’ve always said there’s water under the surface there. We even sunk a couple of exploratory holes, but we couldn’t find it.”
Wayrian nodded. “It’s only a very small area, but I should be able to help you pinpoint the correct point to dig.”
“Well, let’s go take a look,” his dad said.
It was only a short drive to the creek, so not really enough time to talk. Chase settled for holding Wayrian’s hand as they drove.
When they arrived, they looked around, and Chase found it hard to be hopeful. Yes, everything was more green here near the creek, and possibly there was an underground spring, but even if they could find it, sinking another bore would cost a whole lot more than carting water would.
But Wayrian looked so happy to be helping, he didn’t have the heart to voice his doubts.
She walked around the area, staring at the ground, while Chase and his father watched silently.
“Here,” she said finally. “The spring is here, and not far down. A couple of metres maybe.”
A couple of metres? That could just be achievable.
Chase tried not to get his hopes up too much. The area she pointed to didn’t look any different to any other part of the dry creek bed. Except maybe that the rocks were bigger there.
It was going to take a lot to move them.
His dad though, wasn’t deterred. “I’ll go get the bobcat.”
While he was gone, Chase and Wayrian worked together to move some of the smaller rocks. The work was hard, but somehow pleasant. Chase could easily imagine himself working here with Wayrian, on the station, for the next ten, twenty, fifty years.
He’d never felt this sort of calm before. This sort of certainty. Funny really, that the certainty had come after taking what he’d thought was the biggest risk of his life. Maybe it hadn’t been so risky after all.
When his dad arrived back, they started moving the bigger rocks. The first two were only half a metre in diameter or so, but the last one was bigger, nearly a metre. The bobcat struggled to move it at all, its wheels spinning in the dirt.
Chase stepped forwards and put his shoulder to the rock, even though his tiny weight couldn’t really contribute anything.
He half expected Wayrian to step in as well, but she didn’t.
Not that he blamed her, this was kind of pointless, really. The rock was too big. What were their chances of finding a spring under here anyway?
The bobcat’s engines slowed, and Chase looked up to see what was going on. Had his dad given up?
But his dad was twisted around in the bobcat, staring at something behind them.
Chase turned too, almost feeling the chill sweep over his skin as he did so.
A light blue dragon stood on the bank of the creek bed, her scales sparkling in the dappled sunlight.
Chase’s breath caught in his throat. She was the most beautiful dragon he’d ever seen.
And considering he’d seen quite a few of them in the last few weeks, that thought wasn’t as strange as it might have seemed a month ago.
She was taking even more of a risk than she should. Walking away from her clan was bad enough, but if a reporter, or worse, Ultrima, found her, then she was in grave danger.
Chase stared around, and gave a laugh.
No one was going to find them here. There were in the middle of his father’s property, and they hadn’t seen either the reporters, or Ultrima, for several days.
His fears set to rest, Chase was free to admire her.
“Here, let me.” Wayrian’s voice filled his head, rich and strong. It was so different to her human voice, which was usually hesitant and quiet. Yet also completely her.
“Wayrian’s going to have a go,” he said to his dad, releasing the boulder. “We need to give her some room.”
His father frowned. “I don’t think she can move it herself,” he argued. “It would be better if we work together.”
Chase looked over at Wayrian, not sure if she understood. He certainly couldn’t speak into her mind the way she’d spoken into his. Did she know what they were saying? He should have asked more about this dragon voices thing.
“That is a good plan,” Wayrian said smoothly.
Chase stepped back out of the way as Wayrian moved up next to the bobcat.
“Ready when you are,” his dad said, looking at Wayrian.
She inclined her head, then lifted her front feet and placed them against the boulder.
The bobcat’s engine roared.
Slowly, inch by inch, the giant rock lifted and tipped.
As it did, water began to bubble around Wayrian’s feet, and the bobcat’s wheels.
One last, great heave, and it flipped over.
Chase’s father gave a yell, and began to retreat as the water rose quickly around the machine. He made it to the bank safely, before cutting the engine.
There was no sound in the creek bed other than the swish of the water.
Wayrian though, didn’t retreat. She bent her head towards the water, then lay down in it, submerging her whole body.
“I’ve never seen so much water in my entire life,” she said into his mind, joy bubbling up in her voice as enthusiastically as water was in the creek.
There was a lot of water. More than enough to fill the creek, and if it kept flowing like this, mo
re than enough water for the cattle.
And more than enough for swimming too.
Chase turned to his dad. “Looks like you’d better go pack up the pump and bring it over,” he suggested.
His dad nodded. “Will do. It won’t take long.”
“There’s no hurry,” Chase said quickly.
His father stared at him, his eyebrow raised.
Chase felt a blush steal across his cheeks. “Well, you might not want to be around when Wayrian turns human again.” He pointed to her neat pile of clothes on the creek bed.
It was his father’s turn to blush. “Ahh, right,” he stammered. He glanced over at Wayrian, still wallowing in the rapidly expanding pool, then looked away again quickly. “Well, ah, how about you come and give me a hand when you’re done here?”
Chase nodded. “Will do.”
He was already turning back to watch Wayrian, waiting impatiently until he heard the sound of his father’s bike starting up, then fading into the distance. He turned around quickly, to be sure he was gone, then began stripping his own clothes off.
A swim was just what he needed after all that hot work.
Chapter 16
Wayrian knew she should return to her human form. With the risk of being seen, she should never have switched in the first place. But Chase and his father would never have moved that rock without her help.
The water it had produced was beautiful. Amazing. Wonderful.
There was plenty of water for all the cattle now.
And for her to enjoy.
The sweetness of it running over her scales when she threw back her head was indescribable. The mud squelching between her claws felt cool and refreshing. She’d spent her whole life being careful of water, so to wallow in it like this felt like one of the greatest luxuries in the world.
But none of that compared to the joy that bubbled in her heart when she remembered Chase’s earlier words.
They were going to be mated!
That hadn’t been her intention when she’d defied her grandfather. She’d only been thinking about the cows, and the cost to Chase and his father, when she’d insisted she was coming to help. She’d been motivated to do what she felt right, not what someone else told her was right.
It couldn’t have turned out better.
She turned her head around, searching him out, and as soon as she saw him stripping his clothes off on the bank, her heart skipped a beat. A quick survey of the area revealed his father’s absence.
There were just the two of them.
It didn’t get more perfect than this.
Her body supported by the buoyant water, Wayrian transformed back into her human form, her heart thudding in anticipation.
Chase swam out to her with long, even strokes, his eyes meeting hers, his face crinkling in a smile. “I was hoping to get a chance to feel your scales,” he said, slightly disappointed.
Immediately she imagined him stroking her dragon body, and wished she’d waited. “There will be plenty of time for that,” she promised. “As soon as Taurian tells us it’s safe, I can take you for a fly.”
“If he does,” Chase pointed out. “Will he let you know if you’re banished from the clan?”
Wayrian winced. She’d almost forgotten that. Living without her clan would take some getting used to.
For a second, the fear of being alone reared its ugly head.
But really, was there any point in being with Rian clan if they didn’t care about her needs and wants? She was much better off alone.
Except she wasn’t alone. She was with Chase. She reached out and took his hand.
“Well, if he doesn’t, then I guess he can’t be upset about anything I do,” she said defiantly. “I’m not going to live my life for someone else. We do what is right for us.”
As soon as she said the words, she felt nervous. She was being too bold.
But Chase smiled. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, and kissing her, before saying, “That sounds perfect.”
Wayrian relaxed against him. Perfect. That’s exactly what it was.
The cool water around her contrasted with his warm body pressed up against hers. His lips felt even warmer in comparison as he kissed her long and slow. Wayrian revelled in the feeling for a few moments, before something occurred to her. She pulled back a little and looked around again before asking. “Where did your father go?”
“He’s gone to get the pump.” Chase kissed her. “I said I’d go help him in a minute.”
So they weren’t going to get interrupted then.
A shiver ran through her. Two more times. They needed to mate two more times to be mated forever. The Blood Moon was still weeks away. There was no reason to hurry, really. They could take their time.
Her mind might agree with the logic of that, but her body was objecting.
Her body was demanding satisfaction. Now.
Chase’s mind must have been going along the same line as hers, because he asked, “So all we have to do to be mated, to fulfil this challenge the goddess set for you, is to mate twice more?”
Her face heated, but not half as much as her body did. She bit her lip, and nodded.
Chase grinned. “Sounds like a fun challenge. I’ll have to thank that goddess someday. Without her prompting, I might never have realised what I was missing out on.”
“You really want to?” Wayrian asked. She didn’t know why she kept asking. He’d already said he did. But she found it so hard to believe. “You’re not just doing this because…” She trailed off. What other possible reason was there for mating other than because you wanted to?
Chase shook his head. “I’m not doing it because of your dream. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but even if it is, that’s not my reason. Nor am I doing it because you defied your grandfather for me, though I certainly appreciate it. I’m doing it because when I’m with you, my heart beats a little faster. When I’m with you, I’m no longer nervous about the future. When I’m with you, everything just feels right.”
Tears started in Wayrian’s eyes. Chase had pretty much just described her own reasons. “I love you,” she sniffled.
“I love you, too,” Chase said gently.
He kissed her, slowly, then with growing passion.
The water lapped around them, and the whole world might have disappeared for all the attention Wayrian paid to it. All she cared about was Chase’s body close to hers, his lips on hers, and how amazing and right it felt when he buried himself inside of her.
She clung to him, calling out his name, as he thrust into her. He murmured hers back with increasing urgency. They climaxed together, this time even more perfect than the last. This time, neither of them was holding back. This time, there was no doubt.
Chase brushed her wet hair out of her eyes, and stared at her. “We keep being in a rush,” he complained. “But hopefully your grandfather will be gone by the time we get back to the house, and the next time, our proper mating, can be slow and amazing.”
“It’s already amazing,” Wayrian said, her voice breathless.
“Our mating will be even better,” Chase promised.
Wayrian couldn’t wait.
Of course, there were things to be done before they could have that time together. Wayrian didn’t begrudge the time it took to help Chase’s father move the pump and piping over to the creek bed and set them up. She felt a thrill of satisfaction as she watched the clean, clear water pump into the cattle troughs.
When they were finally driving back to the house, she felt an attack of nerves. Her grandfather would be gone by now, wouldn’t he? Taurian had said he was coming in the morning, and it was nearly lunch time now.
But what if he hadn’t? She’d managed to defy her grandfather once. Could she do it again?
She and Chase should have completed the third mating before they returned, just in case. Then there would have been nothing her grandfather could have done to stop them.
All looked quiet as they
pulled up in front of Chase’s house. He looked over at her, and reached to give her hand a squeeze. “We’ll make it work. I’m sure of it.”
Wayrian wished she felt as sure, but she nodded around the lump in her throat.
They walked into the house together, hand in hand.
Her grandfather sat on the couch, his shoulders slumped, dejection in every line of his body.
Wayrian couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. He’d focused all his efforts on her and her future. What would he do now?
He looked up as they came in though, and his face twisted in a scowl. “Don’t think I’m going to change my mind,” he threatened. “As soon as Prince Taurian arrives, I’m leaving. And you will not be welcome to come.”
Any sympathy she might have felt for him faded at his angry words. She didn’t feel the least bit disappointed at being free from his threats. She was just sad that his prejudices meant she would be exiled from her clan, and unable to help them.
She supposed that extended to Chase as well. Rian clan was going to have an issue without his help. But that was no longer her problem. She wasn’t going to give up her life for someone else. “I don’t want to,” she said simply. She turned and smiled at Chase. “My place is right here.”
Chase smiled back.
As if on cue, she heard a car outside. “That sounds like Prince Taurian and Princess Karla now.”
“Good.” Her grandfather rose and stalked towards the door, his back ramrod straight.
“Do you want to go out and see them?” Chase asked.
Wayrian shook her head. She couldn’t face it. It was bad enough that her grandfather had thrown her out of the clan. She didn’t want to face the others’ condemnation as well.
It only helped so much though. Her grandfather had left the door open, and the conversation carried inside quite clearly.
“Where’s Wayrian?” Prince Taurian asked.
“She’s not coming,” her grandfather said shortly. “Let’s go.”
“Wait a sec,” Karla’s voice said. “You insisted we come because you claimed Chase was harassing her, and now you want us to turn around and leave without her? You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not going anywhere until I’ve heard what happened directly from her.”