Page 69 of Emerald Waves
Because you fear making mistakes and causing us to look bad in front of Ionus. I’ve warned you before that chasing his approval, while also trying to imitate him, was only going to cause you to lose yourself.
I’m right here.
The dust was growing lighter now and drifted west as the wind began to carry the lighter bits away from the site while the heavier particles continued to settle.
Physically, perhaps, but when we were here last, your thoughts started spiraling to every potential what-if, the harm that could have come to Emerson, the history that could have been lost, you went so far in so many different directions that I began to get whiplash. Do you know how difficult it is to fightwhen a part of you is doomscrolling through his imagination? Most difficult, I assure you.
That bastard…
I know what he wanted to do. Do you remember the thought that went through your mind in the moments before you took that dragon’s life?
Not specifically.
You’d just pictured the attack taking place while Emerson was inside with our dragonet, getting ready to lay them down for bed. Here. Where Emerson no longer lives and hasn’t in weeks. Your fears created an alternate reality in that moment that filled us with such fury that there was no way to keep you from killing that dragon, not when you’d gotten my bloodlust to kick in. You must be more cautious to stay in the moment in future skirmishes, or we might not return to our mate in one piece and that will not be acceptable.
Agreed and I am sorry, it won’t happen again. We will not miss out on seeing our dragonets birth or holding them for the first time.
Thank you.
Through the dust I could see I was not alone, but the form was human, so I shifted and strode forward, unsurprised when Larkin tossed a pair of basketball shorts my way.
“They’re clean. I was about to head to the gym when I saw the disturbance from the window in my office and hurried over just in case we had more visitors,” Larkin pointed out his window, in direct line of sight to where the building had previously stood. “I’ve always had one eye on Emerson, even while you were clinging to the side of the building peeking through his window. I almost wrote you up on peeping-dragon charges, just so you know. I suppose that would be kind of awkward now that you’ve turned out to be mates.”
“You saw,” I muttered, sighing when he nodded.
“I have to hand it to you, he never mentioned any disturbances or feeling like he was being watched,” Larkin said. “You get an A+ for being stealthy, but it never should have been necessary.”
“He was always so determined. That’s what stood out the most. I’d watch him line up a chain of books and maps on the table, moving things so he could slot in another book, or scroll, always looking at the information from every angle, putting together the puzzle pieces until he’d solved the mystery or unlocked the next clue. On the mornings after he danced following a discovery, Ionus would always receive a call to head down here so Emerson could show him the newest chain of lore he’d pulled together. I’ve never seen him give up when he sets his mind to something.”
“And you’d better never be the cause of that happening or you’ll see a side of me that I doubt you’d ever want to see,” Larkin declared. “He might not be of my blood, but he is my son in every way that counts and making him happy should always be at the top of your priority list after the way you left him twisting in the wind.”
His eyes narrowed as he stared across the empty lot at me. He was muttering beneath his breath, but with my hearing, I could make out every word like he was standing right beside me. “Clinging to the brick with claws like some comic-book character, peeping into windows, almost started calling you Dragon Wing, or Super Dragon with the way you were hovering outside of places or dangling upside down off drain spouts.”
“In all fairness, I wasn’t wearing a costume,” I pointed out and recoiled a little at the furious look he shot me.
“Thank the Goddess for that,” he muttered, rolling his eyes skyward and muttering what almost sounded like a prayer.
“Have the prisoners offered any more information as to what the full scope of their mission was and if they had beeninstructed to target any specific bits of information in addition to seeking out Emerson?”
“Not yet. They barely flinched when I described the dragon that didn’t survive the encounter and refused to identify the black dragon spotted on the video footage, or the dragon who slipped away in the middle of the fighting. That he left our lands is clear, but where he went after he left them is anyone’s guess. We searched the range in each direction and there wasn’t any sign of any of them being holed up there.”
“Ionus sent us out to scout as well, and nothing, not even another tunnel. I’d expected to find one more, at least, but I’ve sensed nothing, nor have I spotted an unfamiliar crevice anywhere near our lands.”
“That’s something at least.”
“The ground seems to have settled just fine,” I remarked after growing uncomfortable with his continued scrutiny. “My work is done here. I’d better get back to the house.”
Larkin the sheriff I’d had many dealings with, Larkin the father figure in my mate’s life, not so much. It was another new dynamic.
Was the no end to the changes in my life?
Considering I had a dragonet on the way, the answer to that was probably no.
“I’ll be in touch if the prisoners start speaking,” Larkin promised.
“Maybe give some thought to anything you think the town is lacking,” I said. “We shouldn’t let the lot sit empty for too long. It looks strange this way.”
“Aye, it does.”
