Page 49 of Redeeming the Dragon

“It could,” he agreed. “Were I able to give you further instructions, I would. I cannot. I’ve not been there. However, since this attempt failed, once I leave the protection of the cave, the Scraggen’s curse will whisk me away.”

“Then don’t go.” Forcefully, I marched forward, grabbing his shirt and turning my face up to his. Demanding. Beseeching. “Stay here with me. Don’t go. Don’t leave the cave, Kidron. The cave provides all we need, does it not? I will stay here with you forever.”

Even as I spoke, he was shaking his head. His hands came up to entrap me. Gently, he drew me into his arms, holding me as I hadn’t even known I wished to be held. He pulled me against his body, into the strength of his broad chest and powerful arms. I laid my head on his shoulder and felt a tear slide from beneath my closed eyelids, even as I felt his arms tremble with the force of his emotions.

“Sweet Lorna,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “You are the bravest being, human or dragon, I have ever known. If there was a battle to be fought, a world to be won, or a conquest to be made, I would wish for none other than you by my side.”

Before I could reply, he pushed me from him and stepped back, regarding me with true sorrow.

“More than losing myself to the Scraggen’s spell, I regret that I cannot be with you as a fate intended. But I cannot stay. Already, I feel the pull of the witch-woman’s curse. Farewell, Lorna. Use themirror to return to your island, and may you never know anything save happiness.”

“Kidron—”

He turned his back on me, ignoring my cries as well as my outstretched hand.

“Kidron!” I shouted as he marched away, his manner determined, like a man facing his death with bravery and acceptance.

“Kidron!”

I ran after him. His legs were longer than mine, meaning his stride was quicker. By the time I’d gathered my wits enough to give chase, he’d already made it past the doorway and into the shadows beyond. The darkness of the cave swallowed him whole. I could not see him.

“Kidron!” I cried desperately, but heard nothing in return, save the echoes of my own voice, bouncing back at me.

“Kidron! Kidron!”

Nothing. Too late. He was gone.

My once fondest wish—to be free of the dragon and no longer a prisoner—had been fulfilled.

And yet…it was the exact opposite of what I now wanted. I sank to my knees, hopeless and overwhelmed, covered my face with my hands, and wept.

Chapter 29

Idid not weep long. What was the use? I was free of the spell, but the dragon-man, with whom I was falling in love, was not. Moreover, he was bound to the curse because of my perfidy.

If only I had listened to him,I mourned, still on my knees, dabbing at my tears with the hem of my nightgown.If only I did not break his confidence. A year in this cave? I could have done it, especially with the magic mirror he provided and with visits home. If I had waited a year, he might have been free, as would I.

Now, we were both imprisoned. He, by the curse cast over him because of his father’s mistakes. I, by the connection I felt to this man I barely knew, and yet…I did know him.

“This will not do, Lorna.” My hands on my knees, I pressed myself upright, climbing to my feet. “This will not do,” I repeated, firming my resolve. “If you would not wither when you thought yourself a dragon’s captive, why should you wither now?”

Kidron’s words, the words of a Dragonkind prince, rang in my ears:

You are the bravest being, human or dragon, I have ever known. If there was a battle to be fought, a world to be won, or a conquest to be made, I would wish for none other than you by my side.

“Perhaps I cannot fight a battle, win a world, or force a conquest,” I said to myself, clenching my fists in resolve, “but I can rescue a dragon and save a prince!”

Encouraged, I stalked back into my stone bedchamber. I gazed upon it for the final time, for I would not return. The notion filled me with no sadness, save for the fact I had met Kidron here, and it was here I’d had my first taste of love. Already, my heart yearned for the peaceful blue waters and golden sands of the Jeweled Isles. It yearned even more for the mysterious dragon prince who had been compelled to bring me here, hoping to shatter a spell.

No. I will not sit about yearning. Not when it is time to act.

How to act, I was unsure. My sole clue was the mirror, which I glanced towards. The daylight gloom of the cave held up, and the mirror was awake, showing me the peaceful bend in the seashore near our cottage. Gulls dipped and squawked. The waves rolled restlessly against the shoreline. The beauty, the familiarity of it tugged at my heartstrings, but the old Lorna who had never craved anything except familiarity now craved something more—to free her prince.

“What if I use the mirror?” I mused aloud, rubbing my chin in thought. “What if I use the mirror to take me to Kidron? Or to the Scraggen’s keep? Could this mirror take me east of the sun and west of the moon?”

I could not jump just yet. Before I asked the mirror to take me anywhere, there were things to do. First, I got dressed, pulling on sturdy trousers, a tunic, a coat, and boots. What the weather would be like at Moonswept, the Scraggen’s keep, I’d no idea. I decided itwas better to have warm items with me, in case of cold. If the weather turned out to be warm, I could shed the winter wear.

I packed the cloth bag that I’d brought from home with food, and requested the cave’s magic to fetch me waterskins. Last of all, I stole longing looks at the half-finished gown lying on the side table. Moving closer to it, I stroked my hand over the fabric, thinking,

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