Page 19 of Drakhana's Treasure
“Kirra.” I allow myself to use the pet name I’ve heard her friends use. “You are a fire dragon, but you are also a young woman. You have every right to your feelings. I lost control. Whatever is between us, whatever fate has decided, it is up to you when you invite me into your body.”
She smiles, like a flare in the night. She takes my hand and presses it to her cheek. The all-powerful flame goddess has fled, replaced by little Kirra, the innocent girl.
“We should get back.” I stand up and look around, very glad we didn’t get interrupted out here. I’m not completely sure of where we are but once I’m in the air, my dragon will know.
Kirralee stands up and shifts, her scales flashing over her skin as she shakes out her wings. My dragon comes forth a bit slower, but with raging fire. A day ago, I could barely even feel it and now my dragon burns through my every cell.
We take off together, flying hard for Vegas. Her bright lights are impossible to miss. I lead Kirra through the sky, high enough that we won’t be seen but low enough to find the building.
We land on the roof at almost the exact same time. We both shift and notice the remnants of our discarded clothes. I hurry over to the doorway where we have a stack of robes and coats for exactly this situation.
“Thanks.” She smiles at me as she wraps a robe around herself.
“Thank you, Kirralee.” I hold her hand tightly, looking into her eyes. “You’ve done a great thing for me. I won’t forget it.”
She blushes, ducking her head.
“Okay.” Her voice is high and sweet.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I say softly. I don’t trust myself to say any more.
“Goodnight!” she calls, waving as she heads through the door. I wave back, feeling the breeze from the desert stirring against me. My dragon rumbles inside but it doesn’t seem unhappy.
In fact, for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful. As if the future might hold something for me, after all.
Thirteen
Kirralee
As morning breaks, the sun seems to call me from my bed. I rise to see the rich glow on the horizon and gently touch the cold glass.
I watch the sun creep up into the sky, wishing I could greet it with my wings. Last night was incredible in so many ways, but above all it taught me that I need my dragon and she needs me.
I get ready slowly, taking care with my appearance. The others have all developed a personal style and I still look like a tourist on washing day. I go over the garments in my wardrobe, deciding what colors and fabrics I like. I pick out a dark red dress of a soft, flowing fabric that wraps around me. When I look in the mirror, my hair against the dress looks like fire over blood.
I find a pair of black sandals to wear and I don’t bother with a purse or my phone—I have nothing to put in a purse and I’ve lost my phone again.
I hurry downstairs to the main dining area and I find the others all sitting over breakfast. Haywin moves aside for me straight away, pulling up a chair. I nod and wave, grabbing a plate and some pancakes before hurrying over to him.
“You look great!” he says appreciatively, digging through piles of bacon and eggs.
“You like it? I don’t know, I still don’t understand the whole clothes thing.”
He laughs. “I’m not sure anyone does. Humans seem pretty confused about what they like versus what’s acceptable.”
I nod in agreement, eagerly tucking into the pancakes and syrup. I thought I would never get used to the rich, processed food. Up on the mountain we have fresh salad, nuts, meat and milk from the animals in the farm below, but nothing is processed. Sometimes dragons would bring things from the city, but I never tried it. I was always content with whatever mother earth could give me.
Tasting fluffy pancakes with warm butter and thick syrup gives me a sudden insight into why humans adapt their environment. I’ve always seen them as clumsy children, stupidly destroying the natural world for their own convenience. Now I’m just worried if the eco system collapses we won’t be able to make any more pancakes.
“What are you up to today?” I ask Haywin.
“Oh, I’m into the control room. I’ve got a knack for tech apparently. First, I’m going to perform maintenance on the hardware, then I’m going to start creating apps for the casino.”
“Wow! That sounds complicated.”
“It can be. I just love it though.” His big grin makes him look younger, almost innocent.
“Where are you working now, Kirra?”
