Page 78 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
I didn’t blame them. My puppy form was ridiculously persuasive. Even my raven form was tolerated, though humans tended to find it unsettling. For shifters, though? It seemed they just saw another creature in need of snacks and affection.
Alaric came by often to check on me. He’d make sure I had food, water, and breaks when I needed them. He never once tried to make me leave, though I could feel his worry humming under the surface every time he looked at me. His quiet support meant more than I could say.
But that morning, Shay had brought me the worst news yet. The dragon’s inner fire was cooling.
He didn’t have much time left.
So, I howled my puppy heart out. I poured all of my sorrow and helplessness into the sound, and the whole street gathered outside, murmuring softly:
“She must have gotten bad news about the dragon.”
“I wish we could do something.”
“If it matters to our queen, it should matter to all of us.”
“What can we do? None of us are healers.”
“Maybe we can send for another unicorn?”
“The nearest one’s in Hawaii!”
“Hawaii? That’s over two thousand miles away!”
“You’re forgetting we have planes again, William.”
“Oh. Right.”
Elandor, can we call another unicorn?
We’ve already tried, of course.His reply was heavy.Of the few left, all are already dealing with emergencies.
Of course they were.
So I kept howling.
And then, suddenly, the front door flew open.
Before I could blink, my mate appeared beside me, towering and silent. Shiloh stood in the doorway, looking like he hadn’t slept a wink in days, rumpled, furious, and utterly defeated.
“Fine!” he snarled, glaring at me. “Anything to get you off my porch and let me have my quiet life back. Take me to the dragon.”
I yipped and spun in delighted circles, tail wagging furiously. Alaric and Elandor chuckled, but Shiloh only sighed like he was regretting all of his life choices.
We set off toward the stables. By the time we arrived, it seemed like half the town knew what was happening. Benz and several guards were already there, along with Shay, who looked about ready to fall over.
I barked at him in frustration, and he laughed weakly, scooping me up to his chest. His warmth felt good, even though Alaric’s narrowed eyes made it clear he wasthis closeto snatching me back. But for now, we had bigger problems.
Inside the stall, heaters radiated warmth through the fresh hay, and the air smelled faintly of grass and ozone. Shiloh stepped up to the dragon’s massive form. As he did, his body began to glow, light shimmering through his skin like sunlight through opal.
He didn’t burn like fire; he shimmered like moonlight.
The radiance spread until the whole stall glowed with it. Shiloh moved methodically, running his luminous hands over the dragon’s scales, growing grimmer with each pass. Then, without another word, he set his palms to the dragon’s side and closed his eyes.
Hours passed. None of us spoke. We just watched as Shiloh poured everything he had into the healing. His glow dimmed gradually, until it was barely visible, and his breathing grew shallow with fatigue. Alaric moved a stool under him, steadying him when he swayed, but Shiloh didn’t even open his eyes—he just sagged, focused entirely on his work.
At last, he lifted his head. His face was pale, his light nearly gone. “I’ve done all I can,” he said hoarsely. “Normally, I’d heal in stages, but he was too far gone for that. I pushed everything I had into him, every last spark of healing I could summon. I hope it will be enough.”
His gaze met mine, and words seemed to fail him. He only nodded once before leaving, soldiers falling into step to escort him home.
