Page 37 of Logan

How do you speak like this when you are sleeping?Emily asked.

My dragon slumbers, but our human consciousness can rise for short periods. In truth, my dragon is reconsidering his slumber. There were no druids when we returned to the caves; now, the temple whispers to us, and the druids wander by often.

Logan ran his hand over his friend’s scales. It is an exciting time. I look forward to flying with you again.

As do I.There was a loud sigh, and she knew Ergon had returned to his slumber.

Her hand slipped from Ergon’s blue scale.

“Thank you,” she said.

Logan wrapped his arm around her waist and began to lead her through the tunnels again. “I assure you the pleasure was his.”

She chuckled, but her thoughts had returned to her mother. She would have loved the dragons and their caves. How many bedtime stories had she told Emily as a child about colored dragons roaming the skies, protecting humanity?

Logan took her hand as they walked. “Your mother was a druid. Only one generation removed from those of power. She likely sensed us when we were yet to sense her. Those descriptions are entirely accurate. They are just from a different era in time.”

“I wonder what her power would have been.”

Logan sighed. “That is difficult to say. Powers can manifest differently in children. Dragon children are all male, and our powers mature differently than those of a druid.”

“They are all male? Why?” she asked.

“We are immortal, so it’s likely Mother Nature’s way of keeping our numbers static. Few couples have more than one child, but some are blessed with two.”

“And not all druids have dragon mates.”

“That’s correct. A dragon recognizes his mate, so a druid that meets the clan and has no mate will be encouraged to seek a human husband. She will still be protected, as her bloodline is sacred. Many times, a child or grandchild of a druid that did not find a dragon husband will be one herself.”

“So the druids will come here whether they are dragon mates or not.”

“Yes. We will protect them and humans from the darks.”

Emily treaded the labyrinthine tunnels alongside Logan, with their orb above them. She couldn’t help but steal glances at the slumbering dragons nestled in their alcoves, each adorned with their own vibrant hue. Each creature seemed to exude a sense of tranquility, their majestic forms casting shadows that danced upon the rough-hewn walls.

Though tempted to pause and greet these scaled guardians of the caves, weariness weighed upon her shoulders like an invisible burden. The journey back to the main house loomed ahead, and Emily’s steps faltered with the weight of fatigue. She wanted tolinger in the silent depths of the tunnels, but practicality prevailed over curiosity.

As they emerged from the subterranean depths into the embrace of the cool night air, the haunting call of an owl echoed in the distance, its melody a soothing balm to the senses. Emily’s gaze drifted toward the soft glow emanating from the vast cabin that Logan called home.

With each step drawing them closer to their destination, Emily’s thoughts swirled like leaves caught in a gentle breeze. She found herself entranced by the subtle interplay of light and shadow as they approached. It was so different from the neon lights of the city she was used to.

They entered quietly, and he stopped with her at the door as she took off her boots.

“Would you like something to eat before we head up?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m not hungry, just tired.”

He led her upstairs and to a large bedroom with a plaid bedspread. There was a computer in the room and a dresser, but the majority of the space was taken by the king-sized bed.

“This is nice,” she said awkwardly. She had never slept in the same bed with anyone as an adult, and she was sure he wasn’t going to sit in a chair this time.

He pointed to the clothes folded on the base of the bed. “Mara left these for you. They may be a bit big, but we can get some more clothes from Natalie or Alana tomorrow. They are closer to your size.”

Emily picked up a long T-shirt that she could wear to bed. There were also some yoga pants and a hoodie. “This is really kind of her. They are perfect.”

“We will get you new clothing and collect anything you want from your apartment after your uncle has been paid out.

“He agreed?” she asked quietly.

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