Page 89 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

I set down the last of my coffee and stood. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around as much as I should’ve and that you were left here alone.”

Willow smiled. “It makes me happy that you both found your special dragon men and you’re in love. Please don’t worry about me.”

“Well, we do.” Ember drained the rest of her cup. “And I’m sorry too. Bros before hoes. Magic dragon dick made me forget that for a minute.”

Willow stepped outside, closing the door softly behind her. “Shh. I think Harper is waking up.”

Ember cringed. “My bad. But seriously, we’re here for you.”

“Yeah,” I echoed. “Whatever you need. I know everyone always says that, but we mean it. You aren’t living this life alone. We’re all together on this ride.”

“Apparently we’re soul sisters or whatever according to some ancient witches,” Ember pointed out.

Did I ever think a sentence like that would sound perfectly rational describing my life? No.

But it explained a lot.

“I believe them,” I said.

Ember nodded. “Me too.”

“Me three.” Willow’s smile was genuine this time.

“What did Morgana say to you, anyway?” I asked the question that’d been burning me up since last night.

“She said my story isn’t written yet and history doesn’t have to repeat itself.” Willow shrugged. “That I can change the ending.”

“Cryptic.” I shivered.

“It’s cliché if you ask me,” Ember said. “Why did they have to be so mysterious?”

“Because it’s fun?” Willow stilled, looking to the closed door and hearing something beyond our standard hearing. “Harper is definitely up.”

“I’ll get her.” Ember gathered our mugs. “We’ve got to head out soon anyway. Big day today. Are you ready?”

Willow pulled the sleeves of her sweater over her hands. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“That’s the spirit.” Ember laughed as she went into the cabin.

Willow stepped beside me and we stood there watching the sunrise over the mountains in the distance, casting a golden glow over the valley and drying dew on the browned grass.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.

Willow blew out a heavy breath. “It’s just… I envy you two. We didn’t know about all this dragon and prophecy and fated mate stuff when you met your guys. Now it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. What if this doesn’t work out and I’m not what they expect? Or… What if it does? I can’t bring a man into my life right now with Harper and everything.”

“Hey. It’s okay.” I wrapped my arms around her, trying to silence the thought spiral in her head. “If there is a chance you can find what Ember and I have, then I hope like hell this happens for you. The details will work themselves out. But if it doesn’t happen, then it won’t matter. We’ll still be here with you anyway.”

“It’s the three of us against the world.” Ember pushed the door open with a sleepy Harper rubbing her eyes and holding onto Ember’s hand.

The girl looked up, blinking. “There’s four of us.”

“Look at that, she can count,” Ember gushed.

“That’s right, baby.” Willow laughed. “Four of us. Always. Girls stick together.”

A roar came from the sky.

Green and blue scales shimmered in the rising sun as a majestic dragon flew over the valley.

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