Page 68 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
Why are these halls so fucking long?
Keep moving. Our queen awaits.
“No, you thick skulled idiot.” Lucan sighed. “I’m saying that She’s killing you.”
“And that’s the natural order of things.” I steadied myself as I kept moving. The bedroom door was a beacon of hope. My prize for the end of this night. “Everything dies eventually.”
“And who will protect Willow when you’re gone? The wolves are only held at bay by this last-ditch effort of power you’re presenting. In their fury, they’ll destroy everything you leave behind if—and when—you fail.”
My fangs descended as I whirled on my brother, ready to show him exactly what I thought of his threats.
But the hall was empty except for my shadows pulsing around the darkness. Quiet, except for my own delusions. Had I imagined him being there? Possibly. To be guardian, one had to be half-mad.
No one sane would give so much day after day and still come back for more.
The door to the bedroom creaked open and then I was falling, crashing onto my bed.
And it was only her that stopped the nightmare.
Willow’s soft kisses. Her sweet whimpers. The feel of our bodies as they molded to each other. Her tight heat that drew me in and the loving arms that wrapped around my neck.
“I missed you,” whispered in my ear.
The silent screams as she wracked her nails down my back.
It all brought me from the abyss, filling my soul with strength again.
∞
“You don’t have to clean me up each time.” Willow’s playful smile was genuine, but there was a tightness between her eyes.
She still wanted to talk.
“I enjoy caring for you,” I stressed each word so she heard the truth. “It’s the highlight of my day.”
“Way to flatter a girl.” Her laugh made me happy, even if it was a sarcastic one. “So, what was the worst part of your day?”
There it was. That need to know more.
I should’ve known she wasn’t like other humans, easily distracted and quick to forget. Willow had a depth in her that I’d only begun to explore. But she wouldn’t show more without me doing the same.
I didn’t know how much longer I could keep her safe from the worst parts of myself.
“Probably getting torn apart by magma and licked by volcanic flame,” I tried to match the lightness of her tone and failed horribly.
To her credit, Willow didn’t flinch. “Why does She hurt you so badly?”
The note of protective anger in her voice made me smile. “It wasn’t always like this. Absorbing Earth’s excess energy was never pleasant, but it also gave me a rush of power. It was symbolic in a way. She gives us our strength and flame as dragons. The fire that burns within the core of the planet is Her heart, where all life begins. When She chose me as guardian, I felt limitless and strong as I helped balance Her tumultuous nature. But the past hundred years or so have felt more like a punishment than an exchange.”
“And what is she punishing you for?” Willow asked.
Your weakness. Your shortcomings.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged as I tossed the spent cloth into the hamper. Even my dragon’s usual rationale held less power these days. “No guardian in history has served as long as I have. Maybe She just doesn’t want me anymore.”
“Well, then She’s crazy.” Willow smiled. Tears shimmered in her eyes. And for the first time in my life, I didn’t rush to defend Earth.
We were all a little crazy anyway.
