by Kira Nyte
Memories flooded her, times when Talius held her as little girl, the comforting scents of warm bourbon and forest freshness surrounding her. Scents that belonged to her father. Beneath those layers, she detected the subtle hint of another familiar scent. Bonfire smoke.
Zareh.
Only when her lifemate brushed his thumb beneath her eye did she realize a tear had trickled down her cheek. She sniffled, cleared her throat, and worked a small smile onto her lips.
“Where to, my dragon?”
“That, m’lady, is a surprise.”
Kaylae pulled the heavy coat on and allowed Zareh to fasten the strange buttons and buckles across her chest. This wasn’t the first time they’d taken to the sky since her recovery. He was adamant about teaching her how to ride his dragon in case another wave of Baroqueth came searching for them and they needed to flee. The easiest escape was up.
Heck, she didn’t mind seeing Zareh in his full coat of hard-plated armor either. He was breathtaking as a man and stunning as a dragon.
“Let me see your scales.”
Zareh laid a soft kiss on her lips before he stepped into the rain. Despite seeing him transform numerous times, the sight never got old. His human form molded and stretched, puffing up and out. Colors blurred together in a living display of artful magic. His clothing melted into the shadows cast by the larger dragon form. Crescent scales of beautiful burnt red consumed his sun-kissed skin. His enormous leathery wings budded and sprang up, stretching to their full striking width before folding down along his back. His tail stretched and snaked until it curled around the side of his body. His neck lengthened, his head reshaping to the fantastical vision of a powerful beast of lore. The crest smoothed up and back in the same burnt red, blending into the onyx tips that shimmered beneath the slick fall of rain. Similar black tips followed the length of his body from majestic crest to the tip of his tail. This spiky spine had proven to be an obstacle to navigate on her first flying lesson, but once she figured how to seat herself between the spikes, the riding position became as natural as sitting at the kitchen counter.
In dragon form, Zareh’s size easily swallowed his modest four-bedroom home only a few dozen feet away.
Zareh grunted, a sound so earthy and deep that it resonated through her bones. Smoke curled up from wide, circular nostrils as he slinked around to face her. His eyes glowed through the storm-darkened afternoon, red-orange with only a hint of his base green. The vertical slits of his pupils widened.
“Are you ready, little Doe?”
She would always be ready, as long as Zareh was with her.
Bracing for the onslaught of pelting rain, she picked up the harness Zareh had fashioned for her to use until she was comfortable riding him freestyle. Although she had learned how to fit her feet into the wedges where his wings met his body, and she knew how to hold onto the leathery patches of skin beneath the scales at the base of his neck, she wasn’t taking chances with the rain slickening his hide.
And since she had no idea where they were going, she didn’t want to tire and have nothing to hold onto.
Zareh dipped his head close to the ground. Kaylae pulled the large hood over her head and braved the storm. She worked fast to fasten the harness around the base of his neck, tightening the loops around three of the spikes. The rain hit the riding coat hard, but the leather absorbed the impact. She kept most of her hands hidden in the oversized sleeves to protect them from the stinging rain, but the tips of her fingers suffered as she secured the last straps around Zareh’s front legs.
“Ready.”
Zareh lowered his oversized form to the wet ground. Kaylae delayed mounting for a brief moment, coming to stand before his elongated head. She cradled his chin, or where she imagined his chin would be, and raised his heavy snout to press a kiss to his scaly upper lip.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are, Zareh. A mythical beast but a beautiful one. I’m so lucky to have you.”
Zareh nuzzled the tip of his snout against the crook of her neck. Despite the gentle motion, he nearly toppled her onto her side. She laughed and finally climbed into position on his back.
Zareh shot skyward, his wings lifting them at breathtaking speed. Kaylae ducked her head, finding it easier to breath when she curled into the coat. The force of the rain bore down on her. The leather harness grew slick in her hands, and she had to readjust her footing several times before, at last, Zareh leveled out.
They soared at an impossible altitude. Kaylae was surprised it wasn’t more difficult to breath. Zareh’s body radiated heat, keeping her warm despite the chilly temperature. His dragon connected with her on an unseen plane inside her body, protecting her from the elements that would have had an adverse effect on a normal human. Bleeding into the dragonstone solidified that final connection, a connection that gave her the privilege of experiencing Zareh’s dragon.
It also intensified their need for each other more than she thought possible.
Kaylae was a Keeper. Riding dragons was natural for her kind. Their bodies were created to withstand the forces of nature to soar the open skies, their DNA embedded with the magical life blocks to allow them become one with the dragons they protected.
All of this she learned as Zareh educated her on who she truly was.
Riding was a timeless matter, and time was seldom kept. Kaylae enjoyed the freedom of the sky and the magic of the beast carrying her along.
They approached the tall, snow-covered peaks of a dense mountain range. Zareh never slowed, maneuvering through the deadly maze of jagged rock at a thrilling speed.
“Hold tight, sweetness, and do not fear.”
That was hard not to do when the wall of mountain rushed toward her and Zareh continued his suicidal speed. Her fingers gripped the harness until her nails bit into her palms.
“Uhh, that no fear thing? Yeah, not happening.”
“It’s a portal, love. Speed or magic are the only ways to gain entry.”
She saw the dark opening of a cave before squeezing her eyes shut and pressing herself against Zareh’s body. A strange echo rushed through her ears and the musty smell of cold, damp dirt filled her nose. Zareh’s wings cocooned over her for what seemed like a lifetime.
Suddenly, he slowed. His wings shot out, forcing Kaylae to open her eyes.
The sight before her instantly washed away all the fear that had settled in her gut.
The world shimmered with beauty. It was a land untouched by the technology and industry of her world. The lush green landscape was splattered with colors from flowers to trees to rivers and waterfalls. There were no castles. No mansions. No signs of housing.
Despite the beauty, there was an eerie silence. The whisper of abandonment.
Zareh glided over a breathtaking patch of forest. Sunlight glittered through the treetops, reflecting on a crystal blue lake at the base of a waterfall. Colorful blooms draped down the rocky mountainside.
He landed on an open patch of knee-high grass that swayed in the warm breeze. Kaylae dismounted, made quick work of unfastening the harness, and waited for her dragon to transform back into a man.
Zareh held out a hand. She placed her hand in his, her awe causing her movements to be sluggish at best.
“Where are we?”
“The Hollow.”
Kaylae spun her attention to him. He smiled, his eyes glowing green. “Your home.”
He nodded. “Yes.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and led her toward a natural staircase created from the roots of the oversized trees and jutting rock. Ivy and wisteria—at least, that’s what it resembled, but she was certain it wasn’t human-world wisteria—arched over the staircase, and she found herself entranced by the serenity and majestic atmosphere.
“There’s nothing modern here. It’s…beautiful.”
Zareh paused at the top of the stairs and turned to her. He brushed the back of his knuckles over her cheek. “The Hollow is an ancient realm. We strive to preserve the natural be
auty of it. This land has protected the Firestorm tatsu for thousands of years. We don’t look to change what it has provided us, simply cherish it.”
He pressed his hand against a smooth patch in the rocky wall. Kaylae caught the extension of his talons before they disappeared into the rock. A soft click, followed by the sound of stone grinding, preceded the opening of an unmarked door.
“Magic? You can do magic?” Kaylae’s jaw dropped. Zareh chuckled. “When were you going to tell me that little secret?”
“Now. And no, I can’t always perform magic. The human realm restrains our full powers. Here, it’s fair game.”
The moment he pulled her through the door, fire lit the previously dark space. Candles lined stone walls. A fireplace erupted in full flames. Kaylae drank in the enormous space. It was far from the blueprint of their new home, but it was perfect in every way. Zareh flicked his hand. Shafts of light from previously covered holes in the rock poured into the room. Although it appeared untouched for years, a thin layer of dust kicking up as they moved across the room, it was apparent this was a grand living space.
“This is my home. As you can see, I haven’t been here to keep up with it.”
“It’s huge.”
“I like space.”
Kaylae snorted. “I would never have guessed.”
Zareh chuckled. “That space doesn’t apply to you and me, though. I don’t like space between us.”
He pulled her close. Kaylae nestled into the side of his body.
“Neither do I.”
Zareh gave her the tour. By the end of it, she was left in a state of disbelief by how huge his mountain home was. Far more than the cave façade, Zareh had created a warm, homey place furnished and decorated with bits and pieces of his hoard.
“One more thing.” Zareh brought her down a narrow flight of stone stairs, through several magical doors, and into a stunning dream.
There, stacked before her in a room deeper than she could measure, taller than she could fathom, and wider than this home and their new home combined, she beheld the magnitude of his hoard. The orange flames from torches mounted on stone pillars reflected off the surface of gold and jewels of any and every kind. Goblets, jewelry, crowns, furniture, everything a person’s imagination could conceive, it had to have been in this room.
Kaylae pressed her hands to her mouth. “Oh. My.”
“Our hoard, my love.”
Kaylae blinked. It was all she could do as she stared upon the impossible. Her mind couldn’t wrap around the enormity of wealth only a few feet away. She was thankful when Zareh wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. His strength kept her from falling to her knees. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“This isn’t the surprise,” he murmured.
“I’m not sure I want a surprise anymore. I don’t think anything can beat what I’ve seen so far.”
“Oh, I think something can.” He slowly turned her away from the glitter of jewels and brought her back to the main floor. Her legs were weak, her head floating in a dream. “I came here while you napped earlier. Alazar watched over you so I could set up something special.”
Zareh pulled out a chair at a dining table and motioned for her to sit. She did, grateful to get off her feet before they refused to hold her up any longer.
“Don’t move.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Zareh disappeared. When he returned, he carried a tray with several plates of food and dessert.
Vampire Bites.
Kaylae laughed as he sat down and handed her a plate.
“You are the epitome of a romantic,” Kaylae said, happily digging into her food.
“Chivalry at its finest.”
Zareh shared stories about The Hollow as they ate, painting the world she had glimpsed in all of its greatness. She couldn’t wait to explore, a promise Zareh made as they cleared the last of their meals.
“We’ll spend the night here, if you’d like. I’ll bring you to the orchards tomorrow and introduce you to some of the native fruits,” Zareh said, placing a small, gold-lined plate with a Vampire Bite in front of her. “First, dessert.”
“Aren’t you going to have one?” Kaylae tore the donut round in half. A loud clang cut through the room. She glanced down at the plate.
Her eyes widened.
“I want to make it official.” Zareh reached over and lifted the ring from the plate. He twisted it around, brushing a few lingering crumbs from the band. The candlelight caught the cuts of the huge diamond in a show of fire. The diamond chips that encrusted the solitaire and the gold band shimmered. “Willa made the ring for me. The diamond was the first diamond I collected. It was the start of my hoard.”
Kaylae’s eyes stung as Zareh removed the donut from her left hand. Gosh, who wanted donuts anyhow?
“It’s only right that it rests on your finger. You signify the start of a new beginning. You are promise, but most of all, you are love. You are everything I want, everything I need, and I never want to be without you. Kaylae Drayce, will you do me the greatest honor and be my wife and lifemate?”
Kaylae nodded, unable to find her voice as her throat swelled. She nodded and nodded, blinking tears away only to have them fall down her cheeks. Zareh smiled and slipped the ring on her finger. He leaned over the table, cupped her face in his hands, and drew her in for a slow, tender kiss. She sobbed into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and stumbling to get free of her chair. Zareh guided her onto his lap, pulling her close, holding her hard, and kissing her like he was starved.
When his mouth trailed down her neck, she gasped for the breath he had stolen with his powerful kiss.
“Remember I told you I’d tell you when my wish came true?” Kaylae asked. Zareh paused and looked up at her.
“Has it finally come true?”
“Yes.” She brushed aside the lock of hair that fell over his eye.
“Will you tell me what you wished?”
She smiled. “That the impossible could be possible, and that I would find happiness in the impossible.” She trailed her finger over his lips. “You. My wish was for you, I just didn’t know it.”
Zareh’s grin melted into a smile. “Me.” He sank a hand into her hair and hugged her. “Sweetness, you own my heart. You will always have me. We defied the impossible.”
“That we did.” She leaned back and tapped the tip of his nose. “I remember you saying something about my favorite donut rounds tasting better on me? Want to put that to the test?”
Zareh chuckled. “Little Doe, everything tastes better on you. And yes. I most certainly want to put that to the test.”
The End
About Kira Nyte
Born and raised a Jersey girl with easy access to NYC, I was never short on ideas for stories. I started writing when I was 11, and my passion for creating worlds exploded from that point on. Romance writing came later, since kissing gave you cooties at 11, but when it did, I embraced it. Since then, all of my heroes and heroines find their happily ever after, even if it takes a good fight, or ten, to get there.
I currently live in Central Florida with my husband, our four children, and two parakeets. I work part-time as a PCU nurse when I’m not writing or traveling between sports and other activities.
I love to hear from readers! Contact me at [email protected]
