Page 17 of Fire Dragon
His wife had preferred everything smooth, including their marriage. She’d been a good fit for him in many ways and had eased his warrior’s life. God, he’d loved her. He pressed a hand to the rose over his heart.
He shook his head. Why was he thinking about his wife?
He forced himself to get on with things. He needed food and the smells coming from the grill had his mouth watering again.
Emma had directed him to the guest bathroom. He got the shower running, stepped in and soaped up quickly. Leaving the shower, he checked his wound, which was closing up nicely, so he left off the bandage. Dragons healed fast, thank God.
He shrugged himself into a tank and a pair of jeans that Anthony had brought. He didn’t want to wear shoes and hoped Emma wouldn’t think it rude. He wanted the cool stone floors under his feet.
He ran hot, as most dragons did. As a fire dragon, doubly hot.
Heading back into the hall, he asked himself yet again why the hell he was in Emma’s home? He should have been at his own cave dwelling at Dragonslip Gorge. He’d pieced together the battle and the trip to the hangar, but not much after that.
By the time he reached the living room, Batya and her massive table were gone.
Emma had chosen her cavern well. It had a magnificent view of the lake and the distant mountains. Blue Lake South was surrounded by hills pitted with caves, just right for a dragon population and coveted by other dragon cities.
The view from her home faced north and the overall layout was similar to his own. “This must be beautiful in the morning.”
Emma spoke to him from the adjoining kitchen along the west wall. “This time of year, when the sun rises well before I take my run, I sit here and savor the beauty.”
“I would too.”
She offered him a choice as she held up a glass of red in one hand and beer in the other. “Whatever you want.”
He drew close and took the beer, wondering if he should.
She smiled. “Afraid you’ll fall asleep over your porterhouse?”
His stomach rumbled. “Yes. I don’t deny it.” He put the cold bottle to his lips and drank. “That’s good.”
“Imported from Earth.”
“Always the best. This wine is excellent as well.” She took a sip then smiled. “Wish we could grow decent vines here.” With the amount of perpetual wind on Dusane, there wasn’t a lot of geography suitable for vineyards. Evolution had provided a great number of similar earth-crops, but much sturdier varieties than those found on the home planet. Scientists were constantly trying to blend favorite earth produce with the steel-like stock of Dusane plants. Results were mixed.
She waved him to the table on the opposite side of the space. “The meat has rested and will be full of all kinds of good stuff. I grilled onions and mushrooms if you like them.”
“Both, thank you.” She set about piling up the plates.
The table was outdoors on a sheltered part of her landing, but with a clear view of the lake below, still bustling post-battle. The wind had passed and the rescue and clean-up activity was going strong which meant he’d probably slept about an hour.
The loud churners were still running and would for at least another hour to make sure plenty of oxygen was in the water.
He sat down and started to eat. When he realized he was wolfing it, he forced himself to slow down.
Emma kept her gaze fixed on the panorama of the northeastern mountains. The lake was several hundred miles long with varied terrain the entire distance. “I chose this place so I could be close to the training grounds. What I didn’t expect, but which I appreciate so much, is how quiet it is up here.”
He glanced at her. “And I appreciate this steak. My internal dragon is doing backflips.”
She chuckled.
He narrowed his gaze. “So, what was with your uniform? I know you. That really wasn’t your style.”
She rolled her eyes. “Logan.”
“Bastard.” But he laughed.
She joined him. “He’s become a good friend, one of the best I’ve ever had. So, it’s hard for me to be mad at him or at any of you, no matter how far afield you drift.”
