Page 61 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
It’s hard to explain, but my whole life had felt like preparation for something more. I could never have said what that morewas, only that it existed, hovering just out of reach.
To an outsider, the last ten years of my life mightnot have looked like preparation for anything—but to me, it had been a long, hard training ground.
I’d learned strength by walking through weakness.
I’d learned my worth because I’d had to fight for it—again and again, in a thousand quiet ways.
I’d learned that while the world often chose anger or power, I could choose peace. And that peace mattered—deeply—to my health and my soul.
I’d found wisdom in despair, and patience in stillness. I’d learned how to wait in the in-between, in the holding patterns of my life.
And somewhere along the way, I’d realized that true joy couldn’t exist without suffering. You had to know one to understand the other.
Alaric wasn’t a dream I’d ever dared to have.
I couldn’t have known mates existed, or that the supernatural world was real—but if I had known, I would have dreamed of him.
He treated me with respect. He listened. He valued me, cherished me, and adored me. In his presence, I felt precious.
And as the water rinsed over me, warm and steady, I realized…
I had been waiting for that all along.
For him.
I might not have known he existed, but I had hoped.
And sometimes, hope was all you had.
After my shower, I dressed in soft, comfortableclothes—sweats, a downy sweatshirt, and thick warm socks—then curled up on the couch.
Alaric found me there half an hour later, arms full of takeout bags.
I weakly chuckled. “Did you buy out every restaurant in Moonhaven?”
He looked sheepish. “Maybe?” He shrugged. “Elandor said your stomach’s feeling tender, so we weren’t sure what would sound good, even though you said chile verde.” He began unpacking the bags on the table. “I’ve got subs, potato salad, chips, and cookies in this one; Indian food here; gentle egg drop soup and crackers in this one; and chile verde bowls in that one.” He looked back at me. “Does anything sound appetizing?”
I blinked rapidly, my throat tight. Would it ever stop surprising me when he did things like this? I vowed right then and there never to take him for granted.
“Everything sounds really good,” I said with a wobbly smile. “Maybe… a little of each?”
He nodded. “Let me get that for you.”
If he didn’t stop being so thoughtful, I was going to lose the war with my tears.
Sometimes I wish I could comfort you, outside of Alaric,Elandor murmured softly.
I smiled faintly.Like a pocket-sized Elandor?
Perish the thought! Just… maybe not full-sized. I’d destroy the lodge.
I giggled, but the thought stuck with me. Sometimes the dreamscape bled into this world—maybe Icouldbring him out, just as a shadowy version.
Do you think I could bring you out in a sort of shadow form?
Hmm. Possibly. But the real question is whether you can put me back in quickly. I don’t want to leave Alaric defenseless.
I glanced at my mate, who was carefully making me a plate with soup on the side. The man was six and a half feet of solid muscle and quiet power. I’d seen his dangerous side more than once—terrifyingly calm, his voice flat when angered, never raised. I didn’t think he evenhadto raise it.
