by Celeste Raye
Kelan grinned. "It's noon, not morning. I guess you needed some extra sleep. The office is fine. I'm giving Doug more control. As manager, he should be taking responsibility for a lot of the meetings. I've controlled too much."
Michelle had blushed with his words. They brought back memories of why she required so much sleep. But she was concerned about his lack of interest in the company. He wasn't dressed for the office and seemed in no hurry to get dressed correctly. He wore black jeans and a white button-down shirt. His feet were clad in running shoes. Though he looked delicious, it wasn't his usual attire. "Aren't you going in to work? Doug should be more active; however, the clients prefer to speak to you. Route some of the calls here and I can do some work."
"Neither of us are working today. The company will survive. It could run on its own for weeks at a time. I built it that way. Doug has to learn to handle it. You know I have to leave. It's just a matter of time before people start seeking the dragon Jackson spoke of. Some may think he's crazy, but others will hunt me like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. I left claw marks in your yard. They'll use them as valid proof of my existence. I can't be found. My planet must remain a secret."
His announcement hit Michelle like a fist to her gut. He was leaving. Last night meant nothing to him. He could walk away without hesitation. The instant pain from his words was worse than anything Jackson had ever dealt out. It was a betrayal of a different kind. She had trusted him in every way, giving herself in a manner she hadn't thought possible. Why was he doing this? Michelle collapsed to the floor.
The agony he saw in Michelle's face tore at his soul. He picked her limp body off of the floor and sat down on the sofa with her in his lap. He confessed, "I know what you're thinking. You're wrong. Last night meant everything wonderful to me. I'll never forget it or find something that comes close to it again. I don't want to go. I would prefer to stay here with you forever. It's killing me to hurt you this way. I have no choice. Our happiness has to come a distant second to the lives of an entire species. I shouldn't have allowed our relationship to go past the friendship stage. I was warned not to get involved with humans. This is all my fault. I'm so sorry. Just know that I'm leaving most of my soul here with you."
"What about the company? Why did you build it if you knew you would eventually be leaving? You said you were here to benefit both planets. I don't understand. Help me,” Michelle begged.
"I needed Earth's remedy for nuclear destruction of the atmosphere and to make a weapon that would protect my planet in a war without harming its atmosphere. The quickest way to gain access to both was building Rankin World Defense. I have the remedy, and the weapon is in production. I'm giving it to Earth as well as my planet. You'll be protected during future wars and rich beyond imagination. You can do anything you wish. I'm leaving ownership of the company to you,” Kelan declared.
"I don't want it,” Michelle replied. "Without you, it's meaningless. Give it to Doug. I'll help him until I can't stand to be here anymore, then I'll go far away to hide from the pain of losing you. What I want is to be with you, not run your company. All the money in the world won't compensate for the lack of your arms around me. There has to be a solution."
"If there is, we'll find it together. Let's enjoy the time we do have, making more memories. We can start with getting you some clothes. Want to go shopping?"
"Not really, but I guess it's necessary." She wiped her tear stained face and dressed in the scrubs one more time. This couldn't be real. Her heart was breaking, and she had to find a way to be strong enough to let Kelan go.
Their shopping spree was tainted by the sorrow they tried to hide beneath sad smiles. Neither mentioned the discussion of leaving or the passion of the previous night. They pretended it was business as usual. At the first store, Michelle bought jeans, a sweater, and under things to wear as they wandered the city. She tossed the repulsive scrubs in the trash bin. From there, they visited every store within walking distance. Michelle bought an entire wardrobe and baggage to carry it in. She purchased cosmetics, lotions, and perfumes at a boutique, then locked herself in their bathroom to cover her bruises with it.
Emerging from the bathroom, she was close to being her old self. Kelan could barely tell she was still blue and yellow underneath the magical makeup.
They paused for a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe. Kelan had stepped away to buy some flowers from a vendor when Michelle's shrill scream had him rushing back. A man with tattoos and piercings all over his body had her crushed against the side of the building. He was nose to nose with her and growling, "Give us the money he owes or we'll take it out in flesh. He promised us you would pay. You can't hide. We're everywhere."
Kelan grabbed the man by the neck of his shirt and threw him to the ground. Anger and heat emanated from him. He desperately tried to hang on to his human form. Far too many people would be witness to a transformation if he wasn't successful. Michelle's small hand landed on his shoulder, giving him the peace he required to hold back. The man scrambled to his feet and yelled, "You can't protect her every second. We'll find a way to reach her when you’re not paying attention. She'll pay Jackson's debts."
Kelan had a revelation. Michelle couldn't stay here unguarded. There was no one to protect her. She could live in his penthouse, but she couldn't remain a recluse. These men wouldn't give up, especially if she became owner of a multibillion-dollar company. Payback for Jackson's debts would turn into a constant threat against her for more money. She would never be safe on Earth. Michelle had to go with him to Talonia. She could be his mate. They would have their happily ever after. He just had to convince her to go, get her aboard the spaceship without arousing suspicion as to where she had disappeared, and face the fury of those on Talonia for exposing their planet to a human. All of it seemed impossible. He vowed to find a way.
In the safe haven of the penthouse, Kelan asked Michelle to sit down and listen to his idea. He made her promise to have an open mind. His suggestion was guaranteed to shock her. "The incident at the cafe made me aware of a complication. We have no way to know how many of Jackson's associates are out there. They will keep coming after you. If you pay them off, they will push you for more. It will be a never-ending cycle of terror. I would hunt them down one by one if I had more time, but even I might miss one or two. So, I've made a decision. I want you to come to Talonia with me. Be my mate. We can be happy together."
Michelle was stunned. She wanted nothing more than to be with Kelan forever. She loved him, of that she was sure. She was slowly coming to accept that he was a weredragon, though at times it still scared her. Like today, at the cafe, she had known he was close to losing control. Living on a planet full of weredragons was a freakishly terrifying idea. She would be the only human with no one who could share her feelings of loneliness. Leaving Earth would mean losing friends, the city she loved, oceans, mountains, the blue sky, and all the other things that she held dear in this world. Would her love for Kelan be enough to take the place of Earth? Could she even breathe on Talonia?
"I don't know if I can do that,” she answered. "It's incomprehensible to me. Earth is my home. I didn't know Talonia existed. I didn't know weredragons existed. This is crazy. Would it be allowed? Is this a dream or a nightmare? I'm confused and scared, Kelan. I don't know what to say."
"Don't answer tonight. Let it sink in first. When I was sent to Earth, I was nervous too. It helped that we knew a little about it. Earth hasn't been hiding from the rest of us. We've seen it change over many hundreds of years. Let me tell you about Talonia. It's larger than Earth. We are the second planet from a red sun. Our atmosphere is very similar to yours. That's why we knew your remedy for nuclear destruction could work for us. We have gravity, water, and oxygen. We've built cities. My home is much like this one, high in the sky. We like to dwell in the clouds. It's the dragon side of us. We have mountains, some volcanoes, and an ocean or two. There is fresh water in the thousands of waterfalls on our world. There's one right outside my
windows. Its water is such a deep blue that at times it appears purple. Our soil is rich in nutrients and red in color. We have two seasons: spring and winter. You'll like our food, though you'll miss some of what you have here. I'll miss coffee, donuts, and pizza. I'll bring as much of your favorites as I can. Talonia is beautiful, just different,” Kelan explained.
"There aren't any other humans, are there? I'd be all alone among dragons. They would hate me for disturbing their world. They would fear I would find a way to expose them. Would I be safe?” she asked.
"We're not always in dragon form. Eighty percent of the time, I'll look exactly like I do now. They can't blame you for disturbing the planet. If anyone is to be blamed, it's me. I choose to bring the one I love to Talonia. I choose not to rip my soul apart by leaving you behind. I'll make them understand that you won't expose us. They will grow to care for you the same way I do. You're kind, intelligent, honest, and caring. How could they resist?” he replied.
Michelle went warm all over as he declared his love. This morning she had thought she was just a one-night stand. Now, Kelan was professing his love and risking his species by asking her to come to his world. Michelle didn't have a clue how to react. She couldn't imagine watching Earth disappear from view or living on a planet that had a red sun. No matter how beautiful Talonia was, it wouldn't be home. There wasn't a Starbucks on every corner, a shopping center down the street, or a personal assistant's job waiting for her to apply. She would need to dig deep for the courage to make a decision. If she stayed, she would have to live with the loss of Kelan, but she would have the company to keep her busy. If she left, she would have Kelan's love, but leave behind her job, her friends, and the only world she had ever known.
"Will you be patient with me?” she asked. "I can't make a decision yet. Please understand. I love you. I want you to remember that, no matter what I decide."
Kelan argued, "You're not safe here. I won't be here to protect you. Don't forget what it felt like when that man held you against the wall." He sighed and continued, "I'm sorry. That was an awful thing to say. Come with me. I'll show you this building's best-kept secret. My spaceship is here." He held out his hand, and she trustingly put hers in it.
Chapter 10
Michelle
The days went by quickly. Business filled the hours until way past sundown. Kelan was a fair-minded man and wanted to give all of his clients the best ending to their projects possible. He was determined to finish all those he had started. New clients were referred to Doug and were exclusively his responsibility. Michelle helped both men in their endeavors, making her workload double. She didn't dwell on the decision she had to make. Her heart would eventually choose. She would accept whatever choice it made.
At night, she was immersed in Kelan. They confided their fears and hopes, told stories from their pasts, and made love into the wee hours. They soaked up each precious memory to keep them sane if they had to be parted.
The weapon was manufactured, and quantities were boxed and on their way to every country. The original plans and multiple boxes of the weapon were placed aboard the spaceship by Kelan's own hands. In hopes that Michelle would choose him, Kelan also crammed the ship full to overflowing with her favorite things. Drinks, food, books, and even Christmas lights would make the trip to Talonia. He was amazing and persuasive.
Michelle's work mail produced threatening letters from Jackson's associates. She never left the confines of the building, trusting in the security there to keep out the bad guys. A part of her expected them to give up and go away. Instead, the threats increased. The police were given all of the letters, but there was no way to trace where they had come from. After two weeks, all her mail was rerouted to the police station. It was simpler and less anxiety-inducing.
Jackson was found incompetent to stand trial. He was considered delusional, still ranting about dragons and spending every waking moment drawing pictures of one in particular. The therapist at the facility he now resided in sent some of his drawings to the police and the reporters. He was curious to see if anyone could explain why all the dragons were emerald green with hints of midnight blue. He wondered if there was an enemy Jackson equated with the dragon. The pictures were shown on the news channels, raising Kelan's panic and speeding up his plans. Curiosity seekers were discovered in Michelle's old backyard searching for clues just as Kelan had predicted. The good news was that they trampled the ground repeatedly, wiping away all the evidence of claw marks.
Kelan's final day at Rankin's World Defense was marked by a party to say goodbye and good luck. He had given the reason for leaving as a world tour to speak about new weapon designs for Earth security and to schools about domestic abuse. He had left the door open for Michelle to join him if she wished. Her coworkers were supportive. They would hold her job for as long as she desired.
Over champagne toasts, Kelan's loyal employees, including everyone from the janitor to Doug, said farewell. Michelle raised her glass, took a deep breath, and said, "Kelan, may your journey be safe and your future a happy one. I'm sure everyone here will agree that you would be welcomed back with open arms. I hope they feel the same about me. I've packed my bags, and I'm going too!" Her announcement was met with whistles and cheers. Kelan stared at her in disbelief. He had given up hope. She had either kept her choice a secret or not chosen until this second. From her own stunned expression, he would guess it to be the second of those. Adding to everyone's shock, Kelan lifted her into his arms and planted a deep kiss on her mouth, claiming her as his.
Kelan and Michelle retreated to a quiet corner. "What made you decide to go with me?” Kelan asked. "You haven't said a word that would make me think you wanted to go."
Michelle was visibly upset. Her big brown eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "It was going to hurt either way. I intended to stick with what was familiar: Earth. But, every time you said goodbye to someone tonight, another little piece of me died. I can't be whole without you. Besides, the police called today. They wanted me to know that the threats are becoming more volatile. It's not just me they're threatening now. It's Jackson, this building, and everyone that works here. I can't justify staying for selfish reasons. If I'm gone, the threats disappear, and I get you."
"You're not ready for this. It shows in your face and the trembling of your body. You can change your mind. I would hate it, but I would understand. I'll find a way to provide protection for everyone. This decision has to be for you, not everyone else. It's a huge one. You're not moving across the globe; it's across a universe,” Kelan soothed.
"It is for me. What we have can't be replaced. You're right. I'm not ready. I will be. I just need to say goodbye to the familiar sky and all that it contains. Will you spend the rest of our time here walking every inch of the city, driving to the country, and stuffing yourself with the food we can't bring? It's asking a lot, I know. You won't be getting any sleep for the trip, but it's the only way I can think of to say farewell to an entire planet. I ache inside so badly. Is it wrong to hold on to the dream that someday I might see it again?” Michelle sobbed.
"I'll hold onto the dream with you. It's possible. I would like to see it again too. I've made friends here. They've become family to me. Let's go visit all the places we love. There's a special one I want to show you,” Kelan replied.
Michelle and Kelan roamed the city streets, taking in all the sights. The city lights guided them to bistros, clubs, the park, and the lake filled with sailboats. They dined on tacos, steaks, ice cream, and gooey caramel. Kelan drove them to the countryside where there were open fields of green. Horses and cows roamed freely. The air was cool and fresh. Kelan made a sharp turn into a wooded area. His Jeep bounced over the uneven, unmarked ground. Michelle hung on to the roll bar and yelled, "What are you doing? There's no road here, not even a trail."
"Remember? I said there was a special place I wanted you to see. It's in these woods, and there is no road or trail in. That's why it's private and why I drove the Jeep." Kelan wound hi
s way through the trees, guided by instinct. Suddenly, light shone ahead, and the thick, dense forest thinned, and a meadow appeared. Flowers of red and yellow covered the ground. It was lovely. "This is my secret meadow,” Kelan announced. "It's where I come to be myself. I transform and fly among the trees, hidden from prying eyes. Welcome to my sanctuary."
The Jeep stopped at the edge of the trees. Kelan climbed out and breathed in the fragrance of the flowers. The air smelled of freedom and happiness. Michelle saw the longing in his expression. She gathered her courage and said, "Go ahead and transform. Fly for a while. You have something to say goodbye to as well. I won't freak."
Kelan took the offer. He stripped off his clothes and walked to the center of the meadow in all his glorious nakedness. Turning his face to the sky, he closed his eyes and spread his arms out to his sides. His skin shimmered, becoming emerald green and scaly. As wings tipped with midnight blue sprouted, he grew larger. The dragon's mouth opened with a roar, shooting fire toward the clouds. The field shook, and the trees swayed when he lifted his mighty wings and rose from the ground.
Michelle lost her fear and stood mesmerized by the graceful flight of the incredible beast. Kelan soared over the meadow, practically floating on the air currents. He dove down to a pond, skimming its surface, then flew straight up to the clouds. Michelle could feel his happiness, and her heart beat in time with his. This moment sealed their relationship. He was giving everything of himself to Michelle, and she was accepting it without limitations.
Kelan landed and bowed to Michelle. The great dragon kept his head close to the ground as she walked toward it. With her heart banging against her chest, she placed a hand on its snout. A sound that was close to a cat's purr came out of Kelan. It made laughter bubble from Michelle. She kissed the scales beside her hand, forever letting go of her fears of at least this weredragon.
