Page 34 of Redeeming the Dragon

This time, I didn’t hesitate. I ran to the dragon. As I stepped onto his knee to clamber onto his back, I couldn’t help recalling the first time I’d had to unwillingly mount this beast, when he’d flown me from my island and into the unknown. How full of fear I’d been then, of both the dragon and the future. Now, I settled myself onto his spine without a twinge of fear towards the beast, and only relief and happiness for the future.

The immediate future.

In the back of my mind was a piercing sadness as the dragon flapped his wings to catch the wind. I turned my head, glancing over my shoulder at the looming darkness of the snow-covered cave from which I’demerged. I’d have to come back. I knew I couldn’t rely on the dragon’s generosity to free me.

Not yet.

Nevertheless, even if I were compelled to come back, it wouldn’t be permanent.

I made this vow as the dragon rose into the air, climbing higher and higher on invisible updrafts, heading into the boundless night pierced by limitless stars.

I am Lorna of the Jeweled Isles,I told myself, as I clutched the dragon’s neck to dispel any fears of falling,and I will not live forever a prisoner to a dragon or a mysterious man. I will forge my own destiny.

Chapter 21

The dragon let me off in the shallow water just off the shoreline. He probably would have flown me to the cottage, but the allure of the sea was too much. As soon as I judged the water’s depth to be safe, I begged,

“Here. Leave me here.”

He did, dipping so low that his wings skimmed the waves, casting up a warm spray that sprinkled my face. Laughing joyfully, I slid off his back and into the ocean I’d missed like a member of my family. Giddy, I adjusted the pack at my hip and dashed through the knee-deep water towards the shore. The hour was dark, before dawn, but I needed no light to guide me. I was home.

Lorna.

The voice spoke in my mind, commanding, stopping me in my tracks. I spun, swiping strands of hair out of my face that had been teased free during the flight.

“Yes, Dragon?”

Heed my warnings,the beast demanded.Do not be alone with your mother.

“I will remember,” I promised. Without another word, he pointed himself steeply towards the sky and I splashed eagerly through the water and onto the sand. Sinking to my knees, I grabbed two fistfuls of the golden grains, cooled by the night air, and allowed tears to fill my eyes.

I was home. I’d done it!

I didn’t wait long, however. Eagerness to see my family propelled me to my feet. Dashing across the beach, I ran for our cottage, lifting my voice to announce the good news. “Mama! Father! I’m home!”

The joy of our reunion was tempered by the dragon’s warnings. They rang in my mind like the wind chimes that hung from the eaves, tinkling in the wind, even as I knocked on the new wooden door. My family, awakened from sleep, initially acted as though I were a dream. My father, who opened the door to my shouts, stood there blinking at me, dazed.

“Lorna?” he asked.

“Father, I’m home!” I cried, throwing myself against him.

Even then, his arms were slow to come up around me, and his voice hesitated as he repeated, “Lorna?”

“Yes, Father, it’s me! It’s really me!” I insisted, pressing my face into his nightshirt, inhaling his familiar scent.

“The dragon—”

“Took me away and didn’t harm me,” I explained, lifting my face to his. “He brought me back, though only for a little while. I am unharmed, Father. I’m home.”

“Lorna, is that—Monreth, what is going on? Lorna?”

“Mama!”

Tearing free from my father’s arms, I ran to my mother, who also appeared stunned but quickly gathered me close.

“You’re here, you’re alive!” she wept. “We supposed the dragon had devoured you.”

“No, Mama,” I answered, my voice slightly muffled by her shoulder. “He hasn’t harmed me at all. I’m fine.”

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