Page 77 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
“Mate,” I said sweetly.
“Yes...”
“You heard all that, I assume.”
He nodded reluctantly.
“Excellent. Then you know I’m staying right here on his porch until he agrees. I’ll wear him down with sheer stubbornness.”
Alaric ran a hand through his hair, looking pained, then sighed in defeat. “I’ll alert the guards so they know what’s happening,” he said. “And I’ll stay nearby for protection—but not on the porch. I don’t want to antagonize the unicorn any more than we already have.”
“Great!” I said cheerfully, ticking items off on my fingers. “I’ll need to know where the nearest bathroom is, plus water, food, a sleeping bag, pillows, blankets, and a few books.”
Hours later,I was happily ensconced on Shiloh’s large porch. I’d claimed the prime spot right in front of his door, close enough to be impossible to ignore whenever he stepped outside.
If he everdidstep outside.
I’d been here for hours, and not a single sound had come from inside. I sipped my water, turned another page, and settled in. I wasn’t going anywhere.
I was saving what might be the last full-blooded dragon on the planet. I’d do whatever it took.
That evening,it started pouring.
I was mostly dry, but I’d had to move my sleeping bag to the side of the door because of a small hole in the porch roof that was letting water through. After a few minutes of listening to the steady drip, I’d begged my mate to bring me a bucket… but the bucket waswayworse.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Every time the water hit the water in the bucket, my eyebrow twitched. It had only been a few hours, but I was already sore and exhausted. My illnesses, though improving since I’d become a shifter, still had a way of sneaking up on me. I got tired quickly, and the pain could make everything feel heavier. Nausea was a constant companion some days, which was why I’d packed snacks and drinks like my life depended on it.
I opened a bag of chips and dipped one into the homemade sour cream and onion dip I’d begged the kitchen for earlier. They’d agreed readily enough, though I’d made a quick exit when another shouting match broke out between the head chef and the baker. One of these days, Alaric and I really needed to address that situation, for everyone’s sanity.
Before leaving, I’d also reminded Alaric to contact Alpha Riggs and Draven to explain why we’d had to leave so suddenly. I didn’t want them worrying or sending a search party through to the dreamscape.
As I munched on my chips, I found myself wondering about Piper and Alpha Riggs. Were theydoing all right? Had she softened toward him at all? I hoped so, for both their sakes.
Mating didn’t guarantee perfection, I knew. People still had free will, and sometimes they made terrible choices, but I had a feeling those two would make it work.
And sweet little Alanna... the thought of her made my heart squeeze. The lonely bear shifter alpha deserved that kind of warmth and family. I just hoped he was as ready as he thought he was. Sometimes, what we imagine life will be like and what itactuallybecomes are very different things. Not worse... just different.
When I finished my chips, I snuggled into my blankets and tried to ignore the rhythmic plink of the bucket. Every once in a while, I had to empty it, which didn’t help with sleep. Around two a.m., I shifted into my puppy form. The change helped instantly. I was warmer, and though every sound and scent grew sharper, it didn’t bother me nearly as much. The rain’s patter became almost soothing, and before long, I drifted off.
My last thought was about my poor mate, likely stationed somewhere nearby without even a porch for cover. Which meant he was probably soaked.
Poor dragon.
Four days passed,and from the news Shay brought me each day, the dragon was getting worse. I wanted to cry, but instead I curled into my nest of blankets and howled my frustration to the night sky.
It was one in the morning. Lights flicked on all up and down the street, and I could feel Elandor’s amusement buzzing through our link. Not because of my misery, but because of everyone else’s reaction to my misery.
Doors opened. Shifters in pajamas, coats, and boots stepped outside, blinking blearily, murmuring to one another. No one dared complain. Everyone in Dragonspire knew by now what I was doing and why. Over the past few days, people had stopped by to bring food when I was human and treats when I was shifted, each offering quiet encouragement before moving along.
Shiloh, however, was not amused.
If he’d been angry before about me camping on his porch, he was downright furious now. My constant presence was bad enough, but the steady stream of visitors offering support? Yeah, he wasn’t a fan.
Yesterday, he’d even tried to call the guards on me. Benz—the Captain himself—had shown up with a few of his soldiers. But instead of removing me, Benz had crouched down, petted my puppy head, and, when I wagged my tail, he’d smiled. Which, for Benz, was both terrifying and oddly endearing. Then he’d filled my water bowl, made sure I had food, and gone on his way.
Victory:Everly.
