by Rinelle Grey
“Don’t look at me like that, youngling. It’s for your own good. For the good of the entire Rian clan. You’ll thank me some day.”
Fat chance of that.
She didn’t say it out loud. She was already in hot enough water.
Her grandfather nodded slight approval at her obedience. “Prince Taurian will be here tomorrow morning, and we shall remain with him until the rest of this mess has been sorted out,” he said firmly. “Until then, you will remain in this room—under no circumstances are you to talk to the human.”
Wayrian’s heart sank. “But can’t I at least have the chance to say goodbye?” Her voice broke, and it took all her willpower not to burst into tears again.
“You have nothing to say to that boy. He violated my trust in him by mating with you when he knew you were as good as promised to another. He doesn’t deserve your consideration.”
Wayrian wanted to scream at him. To tell him that she did not want to mate with anyone but Chase, and she wouldn’t.
But she knew from experience it would do no good. Her grandfather was used to getting his way because he always did. Even most of the other elders wouldn’t go against him. Not without a really good reason.
She shouldn’t feel so guilty. Even Taurian hadn’t objected when her grandfather had insisted he mate with her for the good of the clan, and he’d clearly loved Karla as much as she loved Chase.
Her heart froze.
She loved Chase.
She loved Chase as much as Taurian loved Karla.
The realisation took her breath away. How had she not realised it until this moment? Why not when they were making love in the little bark cabin, when she could have revelled in the realisation and the bright future it could have represented? Why did it have to come now, when she’d lost him?
A sharp pain pierced her heart. Chase was her fated mate, she knew it deep in her soul. And he would never be hers.
It was a strange feeling, for her heart to be soaring and splitting in half at the same time.
She was glad though, that she’d at least realised this before her grandfather had destroyed it all. It would have been even better if she’d had a chance to tell Chase, but at least she knew. It didn’t matter what her grandfather said, or how hard he pushed her to mate with another, she would always know that Chase was the one who was her true love.
Wayrian wished all the other dragons could see her grandfather for what he was. But they never did. He had a way of talking that convinced everyone that he was right, and that his solution was the best one. He called it a gift.
They believed him because he truly believed that everything he did was for the good of Rian clan.
Wayrian just disagreed with him over what would be good for them.
And she no longer felt bad about that. If this experience had done nothing other than open her eyes to the fact that older did not necessarily mean wiser, then she herself would at least be a little wiser.
And a lot sadder. She bit back a sigh. That would just get her another scolding from her grandfather. Right now, he was quiet, but who knew how long that would last?
Wayrian was used to being bored. Dragons spent a lot of time in the lair, with little to do. She’d always been a bit of a loner, so she’d never been one to spend that time conversing with the other dragons. She’d spent a lot of time daydreaming and quietly thinking.
Trouble was, right now she struggled to think of anything other than Chase.
And none of her thoughts were ones she wanted to consider while her grandfather was in the room.
The afternoon passed uncomfortably, and Wayrian was actually glad when it grew dark, and she could sleep. At least it was better than the constant battle with her thoughts.
She was woken by a sharp knocking at the door that caused an even sharper pain in her heart.
“That must be Taurian,” her grandfather said with pleasure. “I’m glad he listened to me and arrived early.”
Wayrian kept her mouth shut. If she didn’t, then who knew what would come out?
“Hurry up, child. It’s time to go,” her grandfather ordered.
But Wayrian couldn’t help dragging her feet as she followed him out towards the front door.
Chase had beaten them to the door, and Wayrian let herself stare at him. His broad shoulders filled the doorframe, and his outline was silhouetted against the rising sun outside. His ever present, broad brimmed hat was instantly recognisable, but it wasn’t that that Wayrian soaked in.
Yes, she wanted to remember the cut of his jaw and the slope of his nose. She definitely wanted to remember the shape of his lips. But even more than that, she wanted to remember what they felt like when they touched hers. What his voice sounded like when he said her name.
Every memory stung with bittersweet tears, but she didn’t want to shy away from them. She wanted to remember them. Every one of them.
“Morning, son,” she heard Chase’s father say. “I’m sorry to bother you, I know you’re busy with other things, but we have a problem.”
“What is it?” Chase asked tersely. He didn’t turn around, but Wayrian was sure it wasn’t because he didn’t know she was there. He had to be as achingly aware of her presence as she was of his, didn’t he?
As soon as he realised that the knocking wasn’t Taurian, her grandfather grasped her arm and tried to pull her back towards the bedroom.
But Wayrian resisted, just a little, trying to hear what was going on. What was the problem his father mentioned?
“The bore’s run dry.”
Chase’s father’s words were quiet and flat. And they sent a chill down Wayrian’s spine.
“Are you sure?” Chase asked sharply. “You can’t run the pump for more than half an hour at a time, I told you that.”
“I only just started it up, nothing’s coming out.”
Wayrian’s heart skipped a beat. This was what Chase had been afraid of. His cows would suffer, and it would cost him and his father much to keep them alive. Her heart ached for them.
Her grandfather pulled her arm more firmly. “Return with me,” he ordered inside her head. “We will wait for Taurian’s arrival.”
“I’ll come and look,” Chase said immediately. He turned back into the room, reaching for his keys, but as soon as he saw Wayrian, he froze.
Just for a second, pain flittered across his face. He was hurting as much as she was. Wayrian felt awful for his pain, even as she took comfort in the connection between them that caused it.
Then it was gone. He clamped his hat onto his head, then turned back to follow his father.
“I’ll come with you,” Wayrian blurted out, before he moved out the door.
Chase turned to stare at her, his eyes wide.
“You most certainly will not,” her grandfather said immediately. His fingers dug into her arm, but Wayrian ignored him.
“Are you sure?” Chase asked softly. “There’s not much you can do anyway. There’s not much any of us can do if the bore’s run dry.” His eyes said what his words didn’t. That he didn’t want to cause her any more pain, or any more arguments with her grandfather.
But Wayrian didn’t care. She was a water dragon. If it involved water, no one was more qualified to solve the problem than she was. She knew better than anyone where they could find water, and if all else failed, she could draw it out of the air. She could do this.
She turned and glared at her grandfather. “Let. Me. Go.”
He didn’t move.
Of course he didn’t. “If you disobey an order from an elder, you will be banished from the clan,” he threatened.
That threat had scared her so much before. If she was honest, it still did. But not as much as walking away from Chase in his hour of need did. He'd given her so much, changed her life in ways she never thought possible. Maybe this nebulous connection between them would come to something, maybe it wouldn’t, she couldn’t say for sure. Her decision right now wasn’t about that.
It
was about her, and about taking charge of her own life. If she didn’t do what she believed was right, how could she ever be someone she was proud of.
She wanted to give something back to Chase. It could never be equal to what he had given her, but it was a start.
Chase’s dad looked startled. “Wait a sec, there’s no need to get that serious.”
Chase held up a hand. “Let it go, Dad.”
“I don’t care,” Wayrian said defiantly. Her legs started shaking, and her voice did too, but she didn’t let that stop her. “I’m not going to refuse to help Chase, and his father, and his cows, because you think you know what’s best for everyone.” Her throat tried to close up, to choke the words out of her, and she had to pause to take a couple of deep breaths.
Her grandfather sucked in his chest and drew himself up to his full height. “I have eighty years knowledge and experience on you. I do know better. That’s why I’m an elder.”
“Go and tell someone who cares.” Wayrian glared at him, and reached out to pry lose his fingers.
He was so surprised he let her.
Wayrian took advantage of his moment of stunned silence to move towards Chase and his father. “Let’s go,” she said quietly.
But Chase didn’t move. He was too busy staring down at her. “You don’t have to do this,” he said softly. “I understand.”
“No, you don’t understand,” Wayrian said firmly. “I want to do this. I want to help you. And your cows.”
His face lit up. “Are you sure?”
Nothing in her life had ever felt as right as this moment did. There was no hesitation in her mind as she nodded. “Completely.”
She waited for him to nod and move out of the doorway so she could go outside. Hopefully before her grandfather recovered enough to set up a second protest.
Instead of moving out of her way, he took a step towards her, and kissed her.
Right there in front of her grandfather. In front of his own father.
Wayrian’s blood sung in her veins. Was this a sign? Did it mean he wanted to mate with her? Surely he wouldn’t have kissed her so publicly if he wasn’t at least considering it. Did she dare hope?
It was then that she realised that, while she wanted to mate with him more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life before, she didn’t need it. For the first time in her life, she had confidence in her own beliefs. In being able to do things for herself.
She’d never felt so wonderful. So powerful.
So free.
As Chase took her hand and they walked through the door together, her grandfather’s screech followed her. “I hope you’re happy with this human cowboy, because you’ll never be welcome in Rian clan again. Either of you. I’ll see to it.”
For the first time, his words had no effect on her. She truly didn’t care.
She loved her clan, but if they couldn’t accept her mating with Chase, then she didn’t belong there.
She belonged with people who respected her, and her right to live her life as she wished. Right now, that was right here with Chase.
She heard Chase’s father’s voice behind her. “It can be a shock to find out they’ve grown up,” he said to her grandfather. “When it happens, you just have to accept it. The alternative is to lose them.” Then he closed the door quietly behind them.
Chapter 15
Chase drove over the rough ground towards the bore, still not quite able to believe what he had just seen.
He glanced across at Wayrian, who had been silent since they’d left the house. He still found it hard to believe she had just told her grandfather to go tell someone who cared. She’d walked out on the old dragon, despite his threats of banishment from her clan.
All for him.
As soon as he’d needed help, she’d dropped everything she had to help him.
Even though he’d never said he’d mate with her. Said just the opposite in fact.
That thought made him thrilled, awed, overwhelmed, and a little scared.
What if he didn’t live up to it? They’d only known each other for two days. Yes, the sex had been amazing. Unforgettable. But could you base a relationship on that?
He shook his head. What was he saying? What had given him the idea that the way he felt about her had anything to do with sex?
That had been such a small part, it might as well be insignificant.
Wayrian had given him so much more than a brief roll in the hay. She’d shown that she had no hesitation in hard work, that she could face up to an angry dragon if necessary, she had pretty much charmed every animal on the farm, and even his father, which was no mean feat.
And him.
He admitted it with an internal sigh. She’d won him over in every way.
From her undaunted belief in a dream of fated mates, and her determination to do what was right for her clan, even if it scared her, to her determination to help him no matter what the personal cost, he could find no faults in her.
He was the one with all the faults.
He’d slept with her knowing how she felt about him, and knowing that he wasn’t ready to make a commitment. He’d been upset about her inability to stand up to her grandfather, when he was the one who was too afraid to put any trust in a relationship at all. He kept blaming all his trust issues on the fact that his mother left when he was a child, when in reality, it was simply because he was afraid.
He was so afraid of being unhappy, he’d nearly given up the one thing that had the potential to make him happy.
Anything worthwhile in life involved taking a risk. If there was no risk, then usually whatever you had was worthless.
It was time to take a chance on happiness.
Just as soon as he sorted out this bore.
Chase pulled up in front of the pump at the top of the bore just as his father’s motorcycle pulled up beside them.
His father looked at them both curiously for a moment, but Chase wasn’t quite ready to talk. Not about any of it.
“Let’s see what the deal is,” he said, bending over the pump and pulling the cord.
It started first time, like it always did. He kept his pumps in good condition, but though Chase held his breath for what seemed like ages, no water came out.
He let it out in a sigh.
This was bad. Very bad.
After a few minutes with no water, the run dry protection cut in, and it slowly wound down until there was nothing but silence.
He and his dad just looked at each other.
“I guess I’d better go get some quotes on water hauling,” his dad said quietly.
“You know that’s not sustainable,” Chase said, equally quietly.
“What do you suggest I do?” his father demanded, his voice rising. “Let the cattle die of thirst? We can’t wring water out of thin air you know.”
“I can,” Wayrian said quietly.
Chase’s heart started thumping. When Wayrian had insisted on coming with him, he’d thought she was simply showing her moral support. It hadn’t occurred to him that she could actually do something to help.
Even though it should have, after her display in the hut.
“What do you mean?” his dad demanded. He looked at Chase, then back at Wayrian. “How?”
Rather than trying to explain, Wayrian held out her cupped hands. She concentrated for a few moments, biting her lip. She looked so adorable, Chase couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
Beads of water began to build up on her skin, before sliding down into the curve of her hands, slowly at first, then building in speed until it was almost pouring in. When her hands were full of pure, clean water, she looked up at Chase’s dad.
Chase looked too, not at all surprised by the stunned look on his father’s face.
“How do you do that?” he demanded again.
Chase was pretty sure the question was rhetorical, but he answered anyway, “Dragon magic.”
His father gave a low whistle. “Well, that is a pretty amazing skill
to have out here.” He paused, then looked from Chase to Wayrian. “But I can’t ask you to help us, lass. That must take a lot of energy to do, and on top of that, you have issues of your own.”
It was clear what he was referring to. Something Chase couldn’t stop thinking about. “Can you give us a moment to talk?” he asked his dad.
He nodded immediately, and stepped back, then headed over into the shade of a nearby tree, giving them plenty of privacy.
Wayrian bent and deposited the water at the base of a sapling, then stood up, her back straight. “I am happy to help you and your father,” she said immediately. “I don’t care what grandfather said.”
Chase nodded. She’d said as much earlier. He didn’t doubt her. “Why?” he asked. “I mean, I know… well… both of us feel something, I can’t deny that. But… walking away from your clan like that, when I haven’t even said I’d mate with you… that’s taking a big risk.”
“It’s worth it,” Wayrian said simply. “I would do it to help, even if there was nothing between us. Letting your cows die of thirst, or you borrow money to pay for water, when I can help freely, would be wrong. And its only grandfather’s obsession with me marrying a prince, and keeping humans and dragons separate, that stops him from seeing that. It’s not like any of the things he was doing was actually going to help us in a battle against Ultrima. It’s all about him, and what he believes is ‘right’.”
“Even if it’s right, he still has the power to banish you from your clan,” Chase said softly. “Doesn’t that scare you?”
Wayrian stared at him, and he realised how stupid the question was.
Of course it scared her, he could see it in her eyes. He could also see something else.
Trust.
She trusted him. Even when he didn’t trust himself.
“I love you,” she said softly. “I don’t know if you love me or not, or if you ever will. But the thought of never finding out, of having to walk away from this and never know, that scares me far more than the thought of being alone does.”
Chase’s heart constricted, then hammered in his chest.
