Page 96 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
I sighed as I kept up with Willow’s hurried pace, knowing my dragon was right.
35
Willow
This Might Work
Some rational, distant part of my brain told me this was batshit crazy. I should’ve been running for my life in the other direction. Amanda had basically confirmed I was nuts. But the only way I could sneak away was to leave Harper playing with her new bear friends.
Leaving her at home was one of the most terrifying things I’d ever done, but—and despite Malachy’s intense worry—I did know in my heart that I was doing the right thing.
I wasn’t stupid. I wouldn’t take risks unless I was at least ninety-seven-percent sure I wouldn’t be leaving my daughter an orphan.
But there was a hundred-percent certainty that she’d be living through a fiery apocalypse if I didn’t take this chance.
No pressure or anything.
We’re screwed if this doesn’t work.
I didn’t say it, but I hoped Malachy knew how much his presence steadied me. Maybe it was toxic, but I’d come to appreciate the safety I felt when he was around.
“Tell me again how you absorbed Her energy,” I made idle, nervous chatter as we hiked down the bowl of the next valley.Malachy had mentioned this spot before, but I was operating on instinct, drawn here by the subtle nudge in my gut.
Malachy sighed as his large hand tightened over mine. “I braced for it. Then I opened myself up to whatever She needed to give. Every time, it was an explosion of turbulence that would pull you under if you weren’t strong enough to keep your head above it. My father taught me to stand strong in the face of a hurricane. Because Earth will destroy anything not steady enough to accept Her wrath. Which is why you won’t engage if She needs an outlet today.”
He was so cute when he growled.
I patted his hand as we walked.
“She’s not going to go through all this trouble to kill me,” I said. “Plus, we’re doing it now when Earth isn’t even calling to test out if it’s what She needs. Let me test my theory.”
“Willow, you don’t have to do this,” Malachy gave it another try.
I smiled, wishing I could take his pain and worry away. “You and I both know I do. It’s funny. I always thought it was strange that sixteen-year-olds were the chosen ones to save the world in most fantasy movies. True, a kid hasn’t lived long enough to know better and can be manipulated into sacrificing themselves for the greater good, but there’s just so much back and forth drama before they take the leap. If authors really wanted to be lazy, they’d pick a mom to save the world. We don’t have another choice.”
“I wanted you to have a choice,” Malachy whispered.
“And I love you for it.”
My gloved hand slipped from his. I stepped into the clearing. Ice cracked as snow melted and steam hissed from the geyser below. A warm patch of winter that vibrated and pulsed with the final notes of the song the forest had been singing all along.
“I made my choice,” I said as I unhooked my snowshoes, drawn by the oasis up ahead. The prism of water spray caught the glinting sun. A rainbow of colors that glittered, begging me to reach out and touch them.
“Mine. I made you. Come back to me.”
“I’m here,” I breathed out the words as a burst of warm sunlight filled my chest and the air around me came alive with magic.
36
Riley
This is NOT Supposed to Happen
“What do you mean that you can’t get in?” I pulled at my hair as Lucan and Kieran beat against the invisible forcefield that separated us from Willow.
Everything had moved so quickly.
One second she was here with us. The next she’d moved a step ahead and the forcefield slammed up, pushing Malachy back.
