“I know change is hard for some, but I believe in the end, allowing the Phantom Fire to evolve to better care for those who have performed their duties will serve us all. Remaining the same only for the sake of tradition has often proved to be a clan’s downfall.”
“There is a reason our brotherhood did not want to lose you as our leader.”
“Nor do they wish to lose you. If there’s a fight coming, Warrick, we will need your skills more than ever.”
“Then I will return to the outside world with my mate to see what else we can find and to prepare her to return and take her place at my side.”
“She will insist on fighting with you. I might be able to convince Kessily to remain behind, but I cannot see your Dani being kept from the fight.”
“Nor can I. I would remind you that at the greatest height of the Age of Dragons, many drakaina served as warriors, and as I recall, the original twelve of the Phantom Fire claimed a drakaina as his dam.”
“Something to consider,” said Falkor. “Will you go back to the mill?”
“Perhaps. We weren’t there long enough for them to have tracked us, and its central location and easy access to Seattle make it a good place to consider. Dani had a place she liked to go outside the city, but they found us pretty quickly, which leads me to believe they had a tracking device on her vehicle.”
“If they know she is important to you…”
Warrick nodded. “That will increase her value as a target, but there are records and information that Dani can get to more easily than we can.”
“She is your mate, and you are the one with the most hands-on information, but I can also send others. If you are not sufficiently healed…”
“I am fully restored. We will leave after the evening meal.”
After they had bid their farewells to those who were at Dragonwyk, Warrick shifted back to his dragon and Dani climbed aboard, rubbing his neck before he took to the skies. It was the first time she had flown among the stars, and he could feel the peace and contentment that flowed down the link from her. For Warrick it wasn’t a matter of if Dani would become drakaina; it was only a matter of when.
As there was less chance of being seen, Warrick felt the freedom he usually did under the cover of darkness to fly a more leisurely route and to dance among the stars. Dani had become a skillful dragon rider and showed no fear of either heights or aerobatics. Warrick was sure she would make a dazzling drakaina and a ferocious warrior. He would be proud to fly at her side and even prouder to claim her as his eternal flame.
Flying low over the mill, Warrick made several passes and waited until enough of the sun had claimed the sky that they could ensure no one had found the safe house. Finally, Warrick glided down to the meadow before having Dani dismount so he could shift back. Once again, she threw him just a pair of Levi’s.
“Why is it you never seem to toss me a shirt?” he asked, teasingly.
“You’re not the only one who likes a good visual,” she quipped.
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” he observed as they walked back toward the mill.
“It’s kind of difficult to hold a conversation when the wind is whipping past you as we fly through the air.”
“But you seemed unwilling to talk while we were at Dragonwyk.”
She nodded slowly. “There’s just a lot to think about and to consider before I even know which questions to ask. Everyone seems to think it’s a foregone conclusion that I will consent to be your eternal flame and give up my humanity. But I’m not sure it’s as easy as that. I understand things are changing and Kessily seems convinced that Falkor can and will drag the Phantom Fire out of the dark ages, but still, you have to admit that drakaina often do not have the autonomy that their male counterparts enjoy.”
“True, but I don’t believe I have ever given you cause to think that you would be subjected to any unreasonable demands.”
Dani laughed. “Yes, but by whose definition of ‘unreasonable?’ I think you and I may have very different ideas about what constitutes ‘unreasonable.’ I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Any chance there’s more of that beef bourguignon in the freezer?”
He had discovered Dani liked leftovers for breakfast, although she had been very fond of his shakshuka.
“Doubtful, but there should be a frozen Quiche Lorraine in there. We can put it in the oven, light up the firepit and have a cup of coffee while it cooks.”
“Don’t you worry about a fire being spotted?”
“At night?” he said nodding, “most definitely, but I think the risk is minimal during the day and the morning is chilly.”
They worked together to get the coffee ready, and the quiche set to reheat in the oven. They walked to the firepit, and Warrick lit the fire before sitting down next to Dani on the bench.
“I know you think I’ve been ignoring the elephant in the room, so to speak…”
“Haven’t you?” he asked, trying to keep his voice casual and non-accusatory.