Today, Taran is flying me home. I’m nervous to fly on his back that long. We have everything packed and plan to leave late in the night.
I have showed Taran on maps where I live. Thanks to the internet we found a flight plan from the hotel to my apartment. Taran assures me that everything is under control and he will have me home before the sunrise.
“Tru, are you ready?” He asks.
I nod and walk out of the cave onto the beach. We went back to the cave last night since we needed to check out of the hotel. I was happy because it gave me time to read more about the past. Taran wasn’t as thrilled because he hasn’t found any leads for us to begin looking. On the drive here, I brought up seeing Willow again and Taran immediately refused. Since then, he has barely spoken to me.
Taran shifts and stretches out his wings. I’m not sure what it is, but Taran as a dragon fascinates me. The deep red color of his scales has small fleck
The next day I show Taran around Fort Collins. We stop by the university so I can pick up my books. First, we go to the library so I can print off the list of materials I need. But when I log in to view my class it shows there is a hold on my account and I can’t access my classes. Taran follows close behind as we make our way to the bursar's office.My heart is racing, everything is paid, what could possibly be the problem? I finally get someone behind the counter. The woman appears to be in her mid-forties and her expression shows she would rather do anything but help me. It takes about ten minutes before she finally finds the problem. In a monotone voice, the woman tells me, “You have a balance on your summer courses. In order to start classes this month, you need to pay your balance of $5,550.”My face pales. I don’t have that much money. “No, there must be a mistake. The balance for summer was paid in full before I went to Europe. I wo
TaranI am not sure where I am. There is an elevator that I rode to the top floor. I find a small walkway before a large door. Breaking down the door, I begin searching for Tru. Looking around the apartment, I find her clothes and the clothes of another mans everywhere. Sounds are coming from down a hall, so I follow them.I slowly open a door where the noises are coming from. There is Tru riding the wolf. His back is against the headboard while she’s on his lap. I feel rage watching them together. Jealousy cuts through me.Suddenly, the wolf looks up at me, a smirk on his face, “She’s beautiful, don’t you think? There is only one thing Tru needs to look perfect.”I watch in horror as his eyes turn black and his teeth elongate. Angrily I yell, “Don’t you dare mark her!”The wolf smiles, “Tru will always be mine.” Then, he bites into Tru’s neck, causing her to scream in agony.
I feel flustered going in to work this morning. Taran kissed me. There were many times I thought about kissing him and him kissing me. Saying I’m not happy it happened is a lie, but I hate how I reacted.The kiss was so sudden and surprising. I wish that I reacted better. I should’ve kissed back, but instead, I tensed. Then I felt embarrassed and quickly tried to hide my feelings by leaving the room.Tonight Taran and I need to talk about the kiss. I left things awkward between us. It was stupid of me to walk away as I did.At least work is busy, so it’s a distraction from my thoughts about how I could’ve handled things better. Finally, at the end of the day, I pack up and lock the clinic. Since I am the last to leave, it’s my job to make sure the alarm is activated, and all doors are locked.I walk outside and find Bryan standing by my car. I inwardly sigh. Lately, our conversations haven’t gone great. He’s tryin
I can hear the frustration in Taran’s voice, “Tru, where is this coming from all of a sudden? What did the hound say or do to scare you? Whatever it is, I won’t let him touch you….”“He pointed out that I’m just your whore, then he offered me money for… my services. Bryan explained that he did it to show how you thought of me.”Taran was quiet for a moment. I could feel the tension roll off him. Finally, he spoke, “Tru, look at me.” I continue facing out. I don’t want to look him in the eyes. Taran moves so he’s hovering over me. The stance isn’t intimidating but protective and sweet. Putting his hand on my cheek, Taran coaxes me to look at him. When I finally do, he asks, “Have I ever offered you money in exchange for sexual acts?”“You pay my bills so you can sleep with me and take my energy,” I tell him in a defeated voice.Taran's voice is soo
I stare at Taran. My thoughts seem to stop, and the numbness has completely taken hold. “I don’t know. My mind was racing, but all my thoughts have now stopped.”Taran’s suggestion of a temporary claim stuns me. His willingness to risk outsiders knowing he’s a dragon is surprising. Especially since he is risking it to save me from a possible life of misery.In a soothing voice, Taran says, “It’s overwhelming.” He is still hovering over me with a look I’ve never noticed from him before. I’m not sure what it means. Taran normally looks stoic and emotionless. This look isn’t. There is emotion—a tenderness in his eyes that conveys his sincerity of protecting me at all cost.I still can’t manage to say anything. My mind is numb. The questions I should ask aren’t pushing through. Even if they did, I don’t think my voice would ask them.“I’ll make you some tea a
WARNING! The scene described in this chapter contains a power exchange that could be triggering for some readers.TaranI don’t find Tru’s human friend, Brittany, threatening so I tell her my real name. If she’s around a lot I don’t want Tru to slip up and call me by my name instead of the alias. It will raise more questions than just allowing her to think she remembered the wrong name now.The three of us sit on the couch to watch movies after making “snacks” which is odd to me. Tru pours everyone a glass of wine and Brittany brings bowls of food. One has popcorn, the other is pretzels.As the first movie drags on, I find myself watching Tru. I’m a little annoyed with her. We have a lot to talk about and instead we are watching something mindless with her friend. I know Tru was overwhelmed and need time to process the information I gave her, but I still feel we should talk more. Okay, maybe not talk, I want to co
This morning I woke to find Taran’s head on me and one of his arms around me. I lightly run my fingers through his hair. There are not many men in this world that can pull off the “Prince Charming” look, but Taran does. His hair is curly and silky but not at all frizzy. His strong jaw and broad shoulders make him seem powerful. And his blue eyes make me feel safe.I continue stroking his hair until he begins to stir. As I pull my arm away, he says, “Don’t stop. I found your petting soothing.” Taran sounds groggy.Taran begins to shift, and I think he’s about to move off me. Soon, I realize he was only adjusting. Taran’s arm adjusts, so it’s now under my body before snuggling back on my chest. He moves his head and makes a sound of satisfaction. I let out a sigh, “Taran, I thought you were going to let me get up, not pin me down more.”I can feel his smile against me as he responds, “But this
TaranI’ve spent two days going through archives, scrolls, and other text, trying to explain what I saw. It felt like a memory, but it couldn’t possibly be a memory.The vision was of me claiming Tru, but she was a couple of years younger, and we were in my cove. It can’t be a memory. Tru and I met only a few weeks ago, and I’ve never taken anyone to my cove. There must be an explanation, but what is it.It couldn’t be a vision of the future because it was happening in the present. I was actively claiming Tru, so why did my mind take me somewhere else? Why didn’t I stay focused like normal?Running my fingers through my hair, I sigh. My eyes hurt, and I don’t feel any closer to answers. It’s already a day past when I told Tru that I would return. I’m sure she’s worried and angry. She felt rejected when I left. I don’t blame her, and I would feel the same way. I can’t believe I left wi