Page 51 of Fire Dragon
The five miles to his property was an easy flight for him. He didn’t have to ask Emma if she was fatigued. The woman had stamina probably developed with her ten-mile run every day.
As he directed her toward the gorge and began to descend, she tracked with him beautifully. He would have expected nothing less. She’d quickly become a battle-worthy dragon-rider and used her abilities even now to sense his moves.
Maybe Santos had been right to pair them exclusively. After several weeks of working together, she could read him like a book.
When he cleared the edge of the massive gorge, he heard Emma sigh.This is one of the most beautiful places in Arranfar.
He smiled as he began to slow then ease his way toward the waterfall. He owned an entire half-mile stretch of the gorge. Most of the gorge’s length, even as far back as fifty miles, was owned by the wealthy of their continent. The homes and estates were second properties for most, but for Liam, this was home.
A dragon security service patrolled the developed region. He took a moment to telepathically contact the service center to let them know he and a guest were on his property.
He let Emma know what was going on as well.
A moment later, a security detail flew by and lifted a hand in welcome.
Liam acknowledged them with a dip of his head then descended toward the narrow river that millions of years ago had begun the process of carving out the gorge. The water ran clear and cold, exactly what he wanted after a work-out like today.
Trees, shrubs and ferns lined the steep canyon walls.
This is incredible.Emma’s voice once more slid into his mind easy as Pi. He had to admit he loved that about her. It occurred to him, and not for the first time, that damn if she wasn’t his equal.
I’m privileged to have a home here.
Flying up the gorge to the waterfall didn’t take long. He landed on the banks of the pond and didn’t apologize for stripping off his flight suit and diving in.
The cold water was a balm on his hot, fire-dragon skin and his tailbone was intact, thank God. He made long strokes to the falls then back.
Having returned to his starting point, he found Emma standing on the rocky bank, her back to him as she looked out over the gorge. He’d had a contractor expand the natural pool at least two decades ago, which had created a shorter second fall into the river below where she was standing.
Emma still wore her flight suit. At first, he wondered if she was more modest than he supposed. But he quickly realized she was doing what he often did: She was taking in the beauty of the steep cliff walls, the exposed dark rock face, and the winding river below.
He chose not to disturb her. He eased onto his back and stroked toward the main waterfall.
As he swam, his gaze counted the stars that had just started to appear. The view of the Milky Way that Earth enjoyed would soon arrive in Dusane’s night sky. Dusane and Earth were companion planets, similar in size, structure, the amount of ocean-water-versus-landmass and connected by a wormhole. But it was the unusual creatures, like dragons and vampires, who had discovered the wormhole and had begun settling Dusane thousands of years ago. Werewolves lived mainly on the northern continents which had even more forested areas than southern Arranfar.
When he heard the water splash and felt a wave reach him, he knew Emma had joined him. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her swimming naked in his pond.
She said nothing as she approached then passed him.
When he stood up in the chest deep water a few yards from the waterfall, she was beneath the strong flow of water and laughing.This is an incredible treat. Thank you, Liam.
You’re welcome. And…you’ve earned it. I’ve been meaning to tell you how impressed I am with your performance.
She moved out from beneath the water and sank to swim toward him. She didn’t respond until she was next to him, then said, “Even though I failed to figure out the move today?”
“Yes. Beyond today’s struggles. You’re amazing, Emma.” He felt sobered suddenly. The smile that had curved his lips disappeared. “You said there was a reason you weren’t able to focus.” His heart began thudding. He really didn’t want to have this talk, but the moment seemed right to open the door.
But what she started with surprised him. “I was sixteen when my parents died.” She closed her eyes for a few seconds then continued. “They perished in ’68.”
He got it right away. “The Great Caravan Disaster.”
She nodded slowly.
“That was a bad one. We lost over forty security dragons and of course the caravan driver. We felt it in the ranks for a long time afterward. The winds that day had exceeded three-hundred-miles-an-hour. That was long before satellite imaging. But I had no idea your folks were on that train.”
“I rarely talk about it and I don’t want it known generally. It tends to dominate everyone’s thoughts.” She sighed. “I loved my parents so much. They were going on their first vacation in years. I was so happy for them and happier for me that I finally had the house to myself for the first time ever. I remember loving how much they trusted me.”
Liam’s parents were both still alive. He’d never been without their supportive presence for the two hundred years he’d been on Dusane. His heart ached for her. “So, you’ve been orphaned most of your life.”
