Page 83 of Lahaina Noon

Bridget threw her armsout to embrace the night air. It was glorious as the heat of the day had burned off, and the cooling effect from a rain shower earlier made the sky feel like silk on her skin. She leaned over Drake’s neck as they flew north, patting the scales and enjoying the strong feeling of them. She didn’t know if she’d ever get tired of flying with him this way. For a brief moment, she thought of telling him to keep flying and not to stop until they were far away from it all. But she knew she couldn’t do that. She had her son and her family to think about. Quite a few things to think about, really. She sat up and watched the world pass by below them, the traffic and homes thinning out as they left the bigger cities behind and closed in on the lake.

Soon, Drake’s wings flared up to slow them as they descended to his island.

As they settled into the sand, she spread the blankets out while he changed. She was bent over, looking for his clothes, when his arms went around her waist. She straightened and spun around into his arms. He kissed her with desperate passion, and she knew dinner would be delayed. They laid down on the blankets and made love asif they never would again. When they were both spent, he lit a small fire to keep her warm.

They sat by the fire, eating and talking about anything and everything except the coming battle. He was almost able to forget it was looming. After dinner, they lay wrapped up in each other, staring up at the stars, just enjoying the quiet and being together. He was right; the whipped cream was worth it.

As the morning sun filtered through the gaps between Drake’s wing and body, Bridget woke, more rested than she’d been in a long time. This was exactly what she’d needed. No other people, no planning, no discussions of prophecy or magic, just being with the man she loved. She looked up at the giant scaly head next to her. Dragon, she loved, she smiled. Drake was still sleeping so she settled back into his body and dozed. She knew he hadn’t been sleeping well lately, although he tried to hide it. He deserved the extra rest.

She was not going to admit it to Vaughn, but she was terrified. The risk was enormous, but the reward was too. She wrapped her arms around herself and listened to his breathing, warm and safe. She felt his side twitch slightly and knew he was rousing. She got to her knees and blew gently on one of his ears. It wiggled, and she gave a soft laugh. She started scratching the soft spot behind it, and a rumble came from him, as he tilted his head and leaned into it more. She giggled, and one eye opened, then winked at her.

As they were flying back, Bridget leaned forward and kissed Drake on top of his head. He chuffed to let her know he was aware.Thank you for bringing me a brush and a bandana for my hair. Now, when we land, I won’t look like I just lived through a tornado!

A rumble sounded, and she knew that was all she was getting from him. He’d been strangely silent for most of the morning. She knew he was anxious about the days to come. She decided to just enjoy the flight and the gorgeous morning.

As they got closer to home, she glanced down at the traffic backing up for miles; it was rush hour.Ha! So glad I’m not stuck in that. This is the only way to commute. You’re like the DART, Dragon Area Rapid Transit!

Drake turned his head back to look at her best he could and rolled his eyes.

She laughed so hard she had to tighten her grip so she didn’t fall off.

After they landed back on the roof, Bridget sat in one of the chairs and studied the buildings around her while Vaughn changed to his human form and dressed.

He quietly sat beside her and took her hand. They sat together for a while before he sighed and stood, indicating it was time to go in. He held the door open for her, such a gentleman. SMACK! He whacked her on her butt.

She whirled, her mouth hanging open in surprise.

He was grinning.

“What was that for?” she demanded.

“That last joke, I’m not a metro transit service,” he replied with a wink.

She stared at him in mock fury until she couldn’t hold it together and laughed. She turned around and started down the stairs. She was almost to the bottom when she heard him laugh under his breath.

“DART.”

They walked in the front door, and as expected, there were people everywhere. Bridget made a beeline for the kitchen; she smelled bacon, and she was suddenly starving.

Liam was cooking breakfast for an army, literally.

“Hey, Bridget!” he called and waved her over. He handed her a plate full of eggs, bacon, and some tortillas with salsa.

She tried to tell him she could wait; others were already in line, but he told her the Wielder of Prophecy didn’t wait for breakfast in her own home. She blinked at him. She hadn’t thought about it much, but she guessed this was her home now. She felt a wave of sadness wash over her at the thought of her house and the memories that had been reduced to ashes. Her shoulders drooped a little, but she reminded herself the most important thing was she, Gabe, and the cats were safe. She chewed a piece of bacon as she walked to the table to sit.

Jack and Jorrie came over with plates as well and sat with her. Jack pointed at his plate and said, “Brother of Wielder of Prophecy privileges.”

Jorrie rolled her eyes and kicked him. “I helped cook so I grabbed us both plates,” she confided. She studied Bridget’s face. “I’m glad you two were able to escape last night; you look positively radiant today. You’re glowing!”

Bridget thought about it, “Ifeelradiant today. I just have a really good feeling about this. We are going to pull this off, get rid of the Shadow threat, and then you two have a very important task.”

They looked at each other and back at her.

“You have to help me plan my wedding!”

Jack leaned forward, “Okay, but which one of us is going to be your maid of honor?”

Jorrie kicked him again.

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