by Martha Woods
Not really thinking things through, I flung my legs over the side of the bed, and threw the full force of my weight into getting up off of the mattress.
And then I just kept going.
I yelped as my legs gave out completely from under me– though there had been no pain, they appeared wholly incapable of supporting me. Like they were somehow both broken and not broken at the same time.
I hit the ground with a loud thump, once more in pain as I writhed on the floor, trying and failing to pull myself back up again.
I felt like crying.
A sudden terror washed over me, that I would be stuck here forever. That no one would come to help me up. And that if I didn't somehow manage to drag myself out of here on my hands and knees, I would be left to die a cold, miserable death.
But then I heard the sound of running footsteps, and knew that all hope was not yet lost. The door to the room opened, and I saw the sideways visage of the man who'd saved me back in the forest– Nol, I thought I remembered that other man calling him. With his jet-black hair, and those golden eyes staring down at me. Unfortunately, I didn't get the same beefy display of manhood as I'd gotten before– Nol was fully clothed this time, dressed up in plaid, looking like a proper woodsman as he came racing over in my direction.
“You tried to stand up, didn't you?” he asked, and I gave a little gasp of pain, and nodded. “Damn it, I'm sorry. I was hoping I would be in here when you woke up to warn you about that. Here, take my hand. Let's get you back into bed.”
I was hence delivered the very humiliation I'd been trying to avoid, only now it was in greater quantities than I'd previously been anticipating. Nol tried a couple of times to pull me up by the hands, and when this prove fruitless, He reached down and wrapped his arms around me, cradling my naked body in his chest, and easing me back into the bed.
I'd hated it for a moment at first, until I'd started loving it. And by the time he'd gotten me tucked back in beneath the covers, I found myself wanting to be right back in his arms again, though my cheeks felt pink at the idea of even suggesting such a thing to him. To his credit, he'd been entirely professional throughout the entire ordeal, though at the look I was giving him, his own face was glowing a scarlet red, like we both had the same thing on our mind. I looked away from him, trying to diffuse the tension.
“Um... Thanks,” I said awkwardly, hoping I didn't sound too ungrateful.
“It's only been a couple of days,” he said, catching his breath. “Since you've been here, I mean. I've been giving you some potent medicine. Ancient herbs, passed down from my people. It has this effect of healing breaks really fast, and largely taking away any pain you might be experiencing. But on the other hand, it leaves your bones quite weak until they've gotten to about that they would heal on their own naturally. They'll strengthen in time, of course. I hope you don't mind me making the decision for you to use it. You were broken up pretty bad in some places, and I'm hardly a doctor– I thought under the circumstances, that might be the best way to go.”
I looked at him, feeling less shy now, and nodded. “Thank you,” I said again, this time more sincerely. “Both for that, and for saving me.”
Nol laughed dryly, and shook his head.
“You shouldn't be thanking me for that. It's my own damn fault that you're in this mess.”
I stared at him, confused.
“Your fault? I was the one who was spying on you in those woods. Taking pictures...”
He sighed. “Any human being in your situation would have done the same. You were curious. And it's my fault that you were in said situation, as I said. I wasn't supposed to be out that night. My kind aren't supposed to transform. Humans aren't supposed to know that dragon shifters exist among them.”
“And that's why he wanted to kill me?” I asked, thinking of those red eyes racing toward me, back in the forest. “That other dragon, I mean? Yrsur, I think his name was...”
I wanted to seem knowledgeable, but Nol smiled at me, raising an eyebrow.
“How much did you hear, anyway?”
“Pretty much the whole conversation,” I said, blushing, but grinning at him. “Sorry...”
He laughed. “Don't be sorry,” he said. “I guess that saves me a little bit of explaining, anyway. I'm Nol, by the way. In case you didn't already know that.”
“I did, actually,” I said. “I think the other guy said it at some point... And I'm Alicia, by the way.”
“That,” he said proudly, “is one of the few things I actually did know already.”
I gave him a funny look. “How?”
“Well, Alicia Lehmann, green eyes, brown hair, five foot three inches. I rummaged through your wallet while I was out and found your driver's license. I hope you don't mind. Under the circumstances...”
I gave him a nod. It was beginning to feel that there was very little either of us could do under these very peculiar circumstances that might constitute crossing any sorts of lines with one another.
A silence filled the room for a moment, interrupted by little more than the crackling of the fireplace in the corner.
“Not all of us are like him, you know...” Nol said suddenly, as though it had to be said.
I gave him a surprised look, like this should be obvious. “I know,” I said. “I mean. That much is pretty clear to me. You did save me...”
“No, I mean– I guess I don't know what I mean...”
He looked down at his feet, trying to think. “I guess– not just that we aren't all homicidal lunatics. What I mean is, not all of us feel that way about humans. Begrudge them, I mean. Want to hide from them. I don't feel that way. My family never did. None of my people do. Or, at least, they didn't used to...”
“Your people?” I asked, thinking at first that he meant dragon people in general. But somehow, I got the impression that there was something more to it than that, and I waited for him to elaborate.
He took a deep breath, as though he wasn't entirely sure how to even begin explaining this.
“I'm a Prince,” he said abruptly, as if deciding he simply had to start somewhere. Or, anyway, I used to be a Prince. One of three brothers. I don't know if you noticed, but that dragon I fought back in the forest was a different breed than me.”
“I did notice that,” I confirmed with a nod. “His skin was darker, and his eyes were red. And he was a lot– spikier, too...”
“And meaner,” Nol said dryly. “All those other things, they're just surface level. It's their temperament that really sets the Dark Ones apart. Me and my family, meanwhile, we're from a group known as The Protectors. And the difference between us, well– it's almost like night and day.”
“The Protectors?” I asked, curious as to what, exactly, his people protected.
Nol nodded. “You see, things for our kind were very different way back in our heyday. The world was a bigger place, more spread out. Things were– simpler, really, when you got right down to it. It was a time before telecommunications. Before big urban centers of population. Dragon shifters, of every breed, managed to coexist peacefully among humans, the entire world over. And it wasn't always just coexistence even, but cooperation. The world was better with both groups living side by side, working together, overcoming obstacles as one.
“My ancestors were fierce warriors, for example, and that was how they got that nickname. The Protectors. Any time there was any sort of conflict, if the humans they lived among were ever attacked, or anything like that, the Protectors would intervene. They would defend their friends and neighbors, and they would pursue justice, as swiftly and as mercifully as possible. They were revered as heroes, as guardians, by the townspeople they served. And for the longest time, everything went along beautifully between our two societies.”
I listened in awe at this. I thought of all the legends of dragons that had once been spoken of all over the world, throughout the annals of antiquity. There suddenly seemed to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for why so many diverse and s
eparate cultures would imagine such similarly outlandish creatures to one another– because in truth, it turned out that those very creatures weren't outlandish at all, but as real as they came.
“But of course, times change...” Nol continued darkly, a shadow seeming to fall across his face at the words. “The world became a smaller place. And a more complicated place, as a result. The Protectors lost their special status, along with all dragon shifters. Humanity began to fear us. View us as a threat, instead of an ally. Even as they themselves developed the tools for their own extinction, and made use of them on countless occasions. It was only a matter of time, perhaps. But gradually, it grew harder and harder for us to live side by side. We forced into further and further isolation, our populations dwindling, and getting more and more spread out all the while.
“Still, though. We held on. My ancestors remained in a prominent position of power for some time, sustaining their dominion as best they could. The Protectors, they didn't want to give up the goal of restoring harmony with the human world, no matter how hopeless it began to seem. They didn't wish to hide, and thought that openness and honesty, compassion and love would save us in the end. And that was the goal they aspired to, generation after generation, all the way down to my father, the great King Alza.
“But that was when the Dark Ones came along... Led by a powerful dragon named Ryl, they believed that my father was weak. That his pacifism was going to get us all killed in the end, and that his insistence on revealing ourselves to the humans, trying to educate them in order to cull their fears, was doing far more harm than it was good.
“Isolation, to the Dark Ones, was the key. They believed, and still believe, that retreat from the human world is the key. That we must keep to the shadows, remain in hiding until the moment is right. Regrow our numbers in secret, rekindle the population of dragon shifters worldwide. Only once our forces had been renewed, then, could we emerge once again. Though not so peaceably this time around. Oh, no. This time around, the Dark Ones intend to do things differently. No more peace. No more pacifism. As soon as their numbers are strong enough, it is their sincere wish to spearhead a revolution against humankind. To fight, and to murder. To subjugate the human world into bondage, as they believe the human world has done to them. Not caring about the meek, the innocent, the undeserving of such pain. Not giving a thought to how much pain they might cause. How much blood will have to spill before they manage to reach their horrific goal.”
I put a hand to my mouth, alarmed, staring wide eyed at him. “That's horrible,” I said, trying to imagine an army's worth of the monstrous beast I'd seen back in the forest, and the harrowing damage such a force might cause if given the chance. “But what about your father? He wants to stop it, right? And the rest of you– “
“My father,” he said grimly, “is no more... And there no longer is any rest of us. Years ago, when I was just a boy, the Dark One known as Ryl challenged my father in combat. And as fierce a warrior as my father was, he was no match for Ryl's powers, or his sheer ferocity. He was killed, and his powers taken away from him. Those loyal to my father became intimidated. Afraid for the future, and therefore susceptible to Ryl's lying. His conniving. His ability to convince them that his way was the only way. That war was the only thing that could save them. The Dark Ones took everything from us, and now me and my two brothers are the only three Protectors that remain. Fri and Ynder, though Fri and I haven't been on speaking terms with Ynder for quite some time now.”
“I– I'm sorry to hear that,” I said, nervous about what this might mean with regard to humanity's prospects for survival. It all seemed to incredible to believe, too horrifying. But what choice did I have but to believe it? After all, nothing else that had been happening to me so far seemed any more believable on its surface. Yet here I was, and here Nol was, as real as anything...
“The Dark Ones allowed us to survive. Not because of any goodwill, but because they do not believe in taking the life of one of their own unless absolutely necessary. Building up the forces of shifterdom, and all that. I think Ryl also wanted us to wallow in our family's humiliation, as a lesson to other's. To anyone else who might be fool enough to try and challenge his dominion. Over the years he's taken more and more of my family's territory. He's stolen from us. He's taxed us so heavily that we could barely survive. He's made our lives absolutely miserable. And now that I've gone and killed one of his men? Well... Let's just say I've fucked up big time. You have no idea the lengths the Dark Ones will go to in order to avenge one of their own.”
Here I experienced my most immediate wave of panic. I leaned forward in bed, so abruptly that the covers began to spill down my chest. I recalled the instinct toward modesty just the time, and jerked the covers back up over my breasts, then continued with the thought that had arisen the moment before.
“But doesn't that make us sitting ducks here?” I said seriously. “Me lying around, not even able to move? I mean, don't get me wrong... I am endlessly grateful for you rescuing me from danger, and bringing me here. But won't it be like the easiest thing in the world for them to find us?”
“The Dark Ones don't know about this place,” he said calmly. “It's beyond the range of their territory. Think of it as a safe house. The last property of the Protectors that hasn't been colonized by their forces. Only me and my brothers even know that exists, and we agreed that we would never come here unless it was an absolute emergency. Which, maybe I'm crazy, I would say this definitely qualifies as...”
I breathed a sigh of relief. I still didn't feel entirely secure, but it at least sounded as though he knew what he was doing.
“That's good to know,” I said softly. “I really don't want to have to face anyone like that again, any sooner than I can help it.”
To my surprise, he gave me a very soft smile. “You don't need to worry about that,” he said, his tone more reassuring to me than I might have guessed. “I told you, Alicia. I'm looking after you. I'm going to make this right. And as long as I'm here, I have absolutely no intention of letting a single Dark One get to you, or anyone for that matter.”
Gradually a warmth spread over me. My heart started beating faster. My cheeks reddened. I suddenly felt awash in that same hazy sort of glow I had felt back upon first seeing Nol in the forest. The same inexplicable desire for him, with the same radiant intensity.
I pressed my legs together beneath the covers, trying not to give away my longing for him, or the profundity with which his words fell upon my ears. Yet at the same time I did want him to know. As embarrassed as I was, I wanted him to understand how protected I felt in his care. How unlike any other man I'd met he seemed to me, and how great an impact his presence was having on me.
I could see in his glowing amber eyes that none of these things were completely lost on him. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, like he wanted desperately to smile at me, but something was holding him back, very much in spite of himself. A tangible heat seemed to rise between the two of us, one that had nothing whatsoever to do with the fire crackling in the corner of the room. Things became almost sweltering, sweat beading along the back of my neck, dripping along the contours of my naked body beneath the covers. Causing my wounds to sting slightly, in a way that was more arousing than painful...
And then at once, before things could intensify any worse than they already had, Nol cleared his throat. He looked away from me, eyes cast to the floor, and I couldn't help but notice a swelling that seemed to have developed in the crotch of his jeans...
“For now, let's just focus on getting you all healed up and back on your feet,” he said, clearly longing to steer the conversation back into manageable territory.
“Yeah,” I said nodding, wiping beads of sweat from my eyes. “Good idea...”
“You must be starving,” he added, backing slowly toward the door. “I've been able to feed you some water and milk while you were out, but that's about it. Do you think you could handle some chicken soup?”
At just that moment, my stomach made a tell-tale gurgling sound, and I put my hand to my abdomen as though to silence it.
“Oh, God, that honestly sounds wonderful,” I said, grateful for the diversion from other, more uncomfortable subjects of conversation.
At last he smiled warmly at me again, and I was grateful for the look on his face. Reassuring, after that moment of unexpected longing between the two of us had left us both so clearly shaken, and so at a loss for how to act around one another.
“Perfect,” he said. “I'll go and put some on then. In the meantime, just yell if you need anything. I should be able to hear you from just about anywhere in the cabin.”
I smiled, and gave him a nod, then watched him shuffle from the room and back out into the hall– intensely missing him the moment he was out of sight.
–––––
Nol was nothing if not an expert caregiver. He was in my room night and day, like clockwork. Administering medicine, checking on my wounds, feeding me. His hands were solid, so masculine, and yet so gentle. I had never before felt safer than I did in his embrace, my skin always heating up at his touch, and the urge to positively melt into him frequently overpowering me, causing me to shake and to tremble just trying to resist it.
I wasn't sure how much longer I could resist it– or how much longer I would need to.
It was abundantly clear, any time the two of us stared into one another's eyes for too long, or lingered too long in silence, that there was a very real connection between us. Unspoken, but permeating every quiet moment, every subtle exchange.
The two of us would sit and talk, and share meals together. And I quickly found that the two of us shared a lot in common together. A love of nature. A feeling that we didn't really belong in the worlds in which we'd been born. That something had always been missing from our lives, no matter how many different ways we had tried to find fulfillment.
