Page 24 of Fire in Cabin 27
“Why is that?”
“Not supposed to pour concrete during the winter. It needs proper time to cure and using dragon fire to help it along is frowned upon in the human world. Something about humans freaking out and all that. Some may even pass out the first time they see it,” I winked at him. “But on our land we can pretty much do whatever we want.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“I’ll probably do more with them once we move.”
“Well, if I can help in any way I will. What I can do is limited to websites and social media though. Maybe they need a website or have one in need of updating?”
“I’ll mention that to my dad. None of us are technologically savvy, so whatever you can do to help with that will be appreciated.” Juni’s smile was so different from any I’d seen from him, and that’s when it hit me—Juni desired to be needed. I’d remember that and ensure he was always included.
Timed perfectly, we watched the sun set just before our dinners were served. The array of prismatic colors took my breath away, as did my gorgeous date. Though I’d witnessed many a sunset over the years, I’d never taken the time to appreciate them as I did tonight. Or maybe that was because Juni was by my side.
“Next time we sit on the beach and do a selfie with it setting behind us,” Juni said.
“It’s a date!” I’d do my best to set up more dates before we moved. After that I’d have to get creative, though I already had a couple of ideas in mind.
Hand in hand we strolled along the pier. Thankfully Juni brought a jacket with him because even I felt a chill given the breeze coming off the water. Personally, I enjoyed brisk weather. My dragon was a natural heater, so as we neared the end of the pathway, I drew Juni into my arms to warm him up.
“Thank you,” he stood on tip toes and kissed me. “Tonight was perfect.”
“Only because of you, Juni. You make everything better.” A single tear rolled down his cheek, and I kissed it . “What’s wrong, my love?”
“Nothing is wrong, everything is right.”
“Then why the tears?”
“For so long I was lost and no one cared to find me. Then along came a grumpy dragon who made everything right and showed me that I mattered.”
“We found each other when we were meant to. And Juni, you will always matter.”
Chapter Eight
Juni
“What if they don’t like me?”
“Juni, you’ve already been talking to mom on the phone. You know that’s not gonna happen.”
Doesn’t mean it won’t, though I kept that to myself.
Kyson had poo-poo’d every outfit I’d tried on, though it led to a couple of steamy bedroom bonding sessions when he peeled them off me. In the end I ordered what he deemed asrugged enough for the Cinders groupoutfits online. They weren’t the old Juni, that’s for certain, but the new Juni just shook his head, washed them, and dolled them up a bit. Juni style. A little flourish and glimmer never hurt anyone.
After an hour or so on the highway, we turned onto a well-maintained mix of gravel and dirt and drove down it for a couple of miles. Then there they were. All five thousand bodies withinwho knows what distance poised as the biggest roadblock I’ve ever seen.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Kyson exclaimed, slamming the truck into park. “Asking my mother not to do something is like directly ordering it to happen.”
“Is this all of your family?” Holy shit, this was complete insanity.
“I’m afraid so. Plus, the whole damn Canadian side too. Fuck, Juni, I’m sorry.” Kyson turned to face me. “If you want to leave, we can, but they’ll likely follow us.”
“Well, best to get it over with then. Trial by fire and all that, I guess.” My words conveyed a certainty I nowhere near felt.
“Just remember no matter what, I love you.”
“Let’s hope I still feel the same way when this is all over,” I teased but the shocked look on Kyson’s face as I hopped out of the vehicle and into what I hoped was his mother’s arms was more than worth it.
“Juni, welcome to the family!” Someone shouted. Cheers and warm wishes rang out, shaking the earth beneath me. Either that or we were in the midst of an earthquake that no one cared about. Guess when you can take to the skies as a means to escape you didn’t harbor the same fears as others.
