Page 45 of Redeeming the Dragon

Filled with a sudden impetuosity, an uncharacteristic boldness, I barked the order. Not only did I bark the order, I leapt off the bed after him, grabbing his arm to keep him from vanishing into the shadows.

“Stop, Dragon. You go nowhere until you explain yourself. Why did you bring me here? How did looking upon you—how did kissing you—” I gulped down embarrassment at the admission. “—How did those things ruin…what you meant to accomplish? What curse do you speak of?

“And, for the sake of all the Powers of Good, could we please have some light? I am tired of this wretched gloom!”

I suppose it was a good thing he was a lenient captor and not a torturer. Anyone else in a position of power might have gotten angry at my remonstrances. Not the dragon. Instead, he chuckled, albeit there was a note of sadness beneath the humor.

“I suppose having light at this point matters not. After all, you’ve seen me, and the matter is finished.”

“What matter? What curse?” I insisted. My fingers unintentionally clutched his arm a little tighter. I would not let him go—not until he provided answers.

“I will answer that if you will tell me why you kissed me,” he replied.

Shocked, I released him.

He chuckled, and I heard his footsteps as he walked away. What action he performed, I did not know. I heard him mumble strange, soft words in a foreign tongue, then the cavern lit up with the customary glow of daylight hours.

“What did you do?” I asked softly, as he returned to me.

He shrugged his shoulders—broad shoulders, shoulders that looked capable of heavy labor, of wielding a weapon, or protecting a woman.

Merciful Light. I should not have such thoughts!

“I asked the cave to give us light,” he answered quietly, “and it responded.”

“You asked the cave—what do you mean, you asked the cave? A cave cannot hear!”

“This is a cave of magic, ancient and deep,” he answered. “I told you at the beginning that it holds the very heart of Aerisia’s magic. You’ve not been blind to its wonders?”

Of course I hadn’t. It had provided my food, my light, and seen to my every necessity.

“I assumed they were invisible servants,” I admitted, a little embarrassed. “Servants who came and went, unseen. Sent by you to care for me.”

“You were not entirely wrong,” he replied with a soft little smile. “I asked the cave to care for you; to see to your needs and keep you safe.”

“And did you also ask it to keep me prisoner?” I challenged, drawing back my shoulders and lifting my chin. “The cave would never permit me beyond certain boundaries.”

“Forgive me, Lorna. I could not allow you to leave. It was through no ill intent. I would never have harmed you. I simply hoped…”

This time, he stopped. His words were full of sadness. Longing.

“What did you hope?” I pressed softly, the resistance, the anger melting in the face of his sorrow.

Rather than reply directly, he quirked a crooked smile.

“I will tell you that when you answer why you kissed me,” he said again, choosing to press the matter.

Curse him! Of all I’d said, done, or argued, did that have to be the one thing he picked out from the rest?

Even though I’d insisted upon having light, I now longed for the cover of darkness to hide the blush rising in my cheeks.

“I—I—to be blunt, I am not certain why I kissed you,” I admitted haltingly. “I should not have. You took me from my home and imprisoned me in a cave. I should hate you. Yet, when I saw your face…”

I stopped, swallowing down the emotions that rose in my chest when I remembered the sight of his face. He should not have made me feel anything as strongly as I had, particularly desire. Warmth. Compassion.

Love.

To my astonishment, his features softened. The lines around his eyes and across his brow vanished in the gentleness of the look he bestowed upon me. Lifting his hand, he brought it to my face, gently touching my cheek with his fingertips. When I stood still, not fighting or resisting, he boldly cupped my entire cheek in his large palm, at the same time stepping closer to me.

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