Taran
Tru drops me off with the suitcases, and I quickly put away the extra clothes. After a quick shower and a shave, I decided to do a few things to set the mood for us. Going into the kitchen, I pull the ingredient to make Tru’s favorite dinner. Since Tru said you shouldn’t cook naked, I throw on a t-shirt and pair of shorts that I can easily pull off later. Next, I start cooking by roasting potatoes first. I season them with oil, rosemary, and salt. Then I mix breadcrumbs and spices for the chicken breast. Once that is done, I coat the chicken in an egg mixture before covering it with the breadcrumbs. Finally, I put the chicken in the oven and began prepping the asparagus.
After everything is in the oven, I go to Tru’s room. I have the lighting crystals glow dimly, almost like the room is lit by candles. Next, I set the table. Looking around, I try to think of something else I can do to impress Tru.
The timer for the oven goes off as Tru en
I wake with a parched mouth. Taran is holding me close to him, and I debate whether getting water is worth leaving his arms. The feeling of my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth has me slide out of bed.Since Taran and I plan to spend most of our time in bed, I get us a pitcher of water and two glasses. I take a big drink, then refill my cup before walking back into my room. After placing the water down on the night tables, I cuddle back in bed with Taran.I feel a rush through my body as my skin comes into contact with his. Taran must feel something too, because he groans. Reddish-orange reptilian eyes open, and before I can blink, Taran is on top of me. We spend the morning tangled in each other. By the end, my body feels both heavy and light. I am not sure my arms or legs will move any time soon. Taran’s arms wrapped around me when I finally catch my breath; I tell him, “I brought us some water.”Taran lightly runs his fingers down my b
Taran and I land outside the cave in Scotland. It’s dark and cold, so he quickly pulls me inside. Taran has me wait in the council room as he gathers things from different parts of the ruins and the cave. Sitting on one of the benches, I begin reading a book that I packed. The lighting crystals flicker oddly. Looking around, I try to find something out of place, but I notice nothing.“Is everything okay? Why are you all flickering?” I ask.They stop flickering and glow brighter. Smiling, I say, “I’m happy to see all of you again also. I always love coming here.”I go back to reading my book and soon fall asleep.My eyes slowly open as soft music plays. I look around the empty room and notice how dark the crystals are. I call for Taran, but there is no answer. Standing, I begin walking towards the sound of the music. Walking out of the room, I follow the sound to the door to the dragon temple. The entry is activated, but
TaranTru looks around with a smile, then it fades, and she pulls on her ear. “What’s that humming noise?” She asks.I look at her, confused. Listening closely, I hear nothing but her heartbeat, “What humming noise? I hear nothing.”Tru messes with her ears again, “I must have water in my ears or something.”Not knowing what to say, I take her hand, “Come, I know you are tired. We can lay in bed, and I will hold you.”She smiles, and I begin leading her to the bed when she stops. Looking around, Tru moves towards the lighting crystals. “What’s wrong?” I ask.“It’s getting louder,” Tru says as if in a trance.“The humming?”Tru shakes her head, “It’s different than a normal hum. It is like vocalize, or singing sounds not words.”Her hand touches the rock that hides the necklace. I suddenly panic and try
We approach the altar for Arraya when a strong gust of wind blows. I hold Tru to me tightly, but it feels like something is pulling Tru from me. Using my magic, I create a barrier with the ground. In her, sleep Tru waves her glowing hand. The wind suddenly stops, and the wall I created collapses.“My darling girl is back,” a voice booms from the alter. Clutching Tru tighter to me, I slowly approach. “I’ve waited for so long to see her again. Bring her to me, young dragon.”I kneel in front of the alter with Tru in my arms. “Arraya, I need answers on what happened. Please tell me the names of those who betrayed me.”“Place Gesina on the alter. When she was a young girl, she would sit here, and we would talk. Little Gesi, her eyes were full of life, then they took her from us.” In an impatient voice, Arraya says again, “Lay her down so I may get a good look at her again.”Holdin
I wake up in the middle of a field. Looking around, I don’t see Taran anywhere. In the distance, I see what I believe is Tantallon Castle. It looks restored. Looking around, I notice there is no road; everything is quiet. The landmarks I saw last time are gone.Taking a step, I notice my clothes are different. The dress I’m wearing is a teal blue with a metallic thread design woven into the bodice. As I begin making my way towards the castle, I wonder what happened. Did I go back in time? Is this all a dream?Walking through the village, everyone stops to look at me. Seeing everyone stare makes me wonder if there is something in my hair. What is so special about me that the villagers are all watching me?When I make it to the castle doors, I tell the guard that I’m there to see Prince Taran. The guards laugh, “He isn’t looking for another companion. I’m not sure how far you’ve traveled, but you wasted your time. The prin
As Taran escorts me to his palace area, he points out little things on the way. Once we arrive at a large door, Taran squeezes my hand, “I hope you like everything. If something isn’t to your standards, please tell me, and we will replace it. Everything I picked was things I believed you would like. I wanted our wing completed before you arrived, so all that is needed is you.” I can see in Taran’s eyes how much he wants approval. It is destroying me that he loves Gesina and not me. Taran prepared for her for years and worked hard to prepare a place for them. Taking a hard swallow, I pull away, “Taran, before we go any further, I need to tell you something.” Taran looks around and nods, “Of course, dove. Let’s go to the study, and I will give you a tour of our hall later.” Taran opens the door and leads me to an office. He gestures for me to sit then asks if I would like something to drink. I tell him no and wait for him to sit down, then I say cautiou
Taran looks at me with sadness. In a soft voice, he says, “I cannot save Gesina.” “What? Why? Don’t you love her?” I ask in surprise. “More than anything in this world. But I cannot save Gesina.” “Why can’t you save her?” I ask, slightly annoyed. In a gentle tone, Taran replies, “Because I’m looking at her. You are Gesina, Tru. That is why you came here. Everything about you is almost identical to her. Ges had longer hair when I met her in my dreams, but it is the same color. And your eyes, no one has eyes as you do. I felt hypnotized by them even in dreams.” “Taran, I don’t hold any magic or anything like she does,” I say in defeat. Taran shakes his head, “No, it is because you do not know how to use it. Tru, the magic is sleeping inside you, waiting for you to awaken it.” I stare at him, confused, “How do I awaken it?” Taran places his hand on my chest, “Just relax.” A warmth begins to spread through me. In flashes, I see Gesina’s childhood. Her parents look like my parents,
Taran and I haven’t spoken much since leaving the isle. He refuses to talk about waking the other dragons. In fact, reclaiming his kingdom seems to fall at the end of his priorities. “I want to help you find your mother,” I tell him when we land back at the cave. Taran in his dragon form shakes his head. Crossing my arms I give him an annoyed look, “Why not?” A deep growl rumbles at the back of Taran’s throat and he refuses to look at me. In frustration I ask, “Is there something you are hiding from me?” The look in Taran’s eyes tells me there is more than just something he doesn’t want me to know. Pausing for a moment I ask, “There is something you want to hide from me?” Taran lowers his head. “Please tell me. Shift back and let me help you,” I plea. With a sigh of defeat, Taran shifts. He stares out at the water for a few minutes before finally speaking, “Did you see your death?” I nod, “I killed myself, so I could be born. Two of me couldn’t exist. All I did was step into- ” “N