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Home, sweet home
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I wake the following day in Taran’s arms. His grip is tight around my waist like he’s worried that I will run away if he lets go. I roll towards him and lightly trace his strong jaw with my fingers. Taran looks peaceful when he sleeps.
It isn’t long before Taran’s blue eyes open to meet mine. A smile spreads across his face, and in a groggy voice, he says, “Good morning, dove. How are you feeling this morning?”
I smile back at him, “I’m good. What happened last night?” I ask, a little confused.
Taran strokes my cheek, “What is the last thing you remember?”
“You were getting my bag with the first aid kit, and then you yelled something. I couldn’t hear you. I was about to ask you if you would repeat it. Suddenly my skin felt like it was burning to be touched. All I could think about was feeling your hands on me.”
Taran nods, “The hydra here sing a song similar t
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The Dragon's Stone   Special dinner
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The Dragon's Stone   Coping
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The Dragon's Stone   Morning confusion
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The Dragon's Stone   His confession
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The Dragon's Stone   Happy Birthday Dad
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The Dragon's Stone   Picking locks
TaranLast night is the first night I’ve slept with anything covering me. I don’t find it comfortable, but my options were limited. It was either sleep with the sheet or allow Tru to wear clothes. Since feeling Tru’s naked body against mine was more important, I opted for the sheet. I didn’t tell Tru why we were using the sheet. Deep down, I’m sure she realizes someone is watching us, but she doesn’t know who or why. I know who, but I don’t know why.Yesterday morning Cindy tried to come into the room Tru and I are sleeping in without knocking. She made multiple attempts to open the door but wasn’t successful. Then after Tru and I finished the dishes, I heard her sneaking down the hall towards us. It’s why I pulled back from Tru. Cindy is fishing for something, but I’m not sure why. With the way she baits Tru and talks to her, I don’t want to give her any possible ammunition.With the timing of Ci
The Dragon's Stone   Hidden agendas
Taran holds my hand as we sit at the table across from Dave and Cindy. My parents sit at the ends of the table. In a soft voice, my mother says, “We all need to keep calm and discuss things like adults. Tru, I expect you to speak with respect. Dave, I expect you to listen to your sister and consider her feelings. We all need to come to an understanding. This tension cannot continue.”Dave and I are silent. Neither of us want to say anything. Cindy is the first to say anything, “I don’t understand why you’re so cruel to me, Tru. I have done nothing but try to be your friend.” I suppress the need to scoff and roll my eyes. Keeping my face neutral, I try to imagine this is practice when I’m Taran’s queen, and we hold court. Cindy continues, “It’s hard being an outsider.” She looks over at Taran, “I’m sure it’s different for you since you’re dating the golden child.”“Gold
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The Dragon's Stone   Heartache
Bryanâs mother gives the tailor a disapproving look, âCanât you make her look a little more regal?âThe tailor looks at her, âWe can elongate the coat to make her seem taller and use a skirt instead of slacks, or we could try a dress?ââNo, the straight dresses make her loose her shape. Her body is just so awkward. Iâm not sure how to dress it. We need her to be seen as a wise and regal leader. No one will think that is she continues dressing like a broke college student.âThe tailor nods and goes into the back to find more clothes. Looking at me, Bryanâs mother says, âNext, we need to work on your hair. It clearly doesnât matter how often we go to the salon; you canât style it yourself.ââCharlotte, I will never live by your standards. It doesnât matter how many outfits you have, the pack makes me, or how many times you do my hair. I will always be this way.â I tell Bryanâs mom.She lets out a sigh, âIâm only trying to help how you are viewed.ââYouâre trying to turn me into you,â I
The Dragon's Stone   Worse than death
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The Dragon's Stone   Welcome home
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The Dragon's Stone   Truth or Lies
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The Dragon's Stone   Somewhere new
âSheâs waking up, someone go get the doctor! Tru, baby, are you there?â My eyes slowly open to a hospital room, and Bryan stands over me. âTru, youâre finally awake,â he says with a smile.A doctor rushes in and asks me, âLuna, how are you feeling?â he shines a light in my eyes as he continues to speak, âDo you have any pain?âI blink a few times, then ask, âWhere am I?âBryan smiles at me, âYou are at the pack hospital.ââIâm where?â I ask, confused.The doctor interrupts, âWhat is the last thing you remember?âI pause momentarily, âThe last thing I remember is being on the fairy to Scotland.âBryan looks at the doctor, âWill she get her memory back?âThe doctor shakes his head, âI am not sure. We will run some tests.â With that, the doctor leaves.Bryan sits next to me, taking my hand. I notice a ring on my finger. Confused, I ask, âWhat happened?âLooking at me with concern, Bryan says, âYou were in an accident. We werenât sure if you were going to wake.ââWas anyone else hurt?â I
The Dragon's Stone   Finding the Stone
Taran and I pull up to my fatherâs house. As we enter the house, I hear a voice, âTru, come here. We can bring everything back the way it was!âI give Taran an odd look, âDo you recognize that voice?âTaran shakes his head, âNo, but I hear its call.ââWhose call?â I ask, confused.Taran looks worried, âThe stone. It is awake.âI feel a lump in my throat, âIt wants us to bring everything back.ââDonât Tru. We can convince it to keep things the way they are now,â Taran says in a plea.I shake my head, âIt is too late. I brought everything back when my magic awoke. There is nothing we can do.ââI wonât lose you, Tru. Youâre mine.âThe same voice whispers, âI have a plan. We need all the dragons to restore the kingdom. I know how to keep them away from you.âCurious, I leave my room and get the stone out of its box. It is no longer black but glowing orange. Softly, I ask, âWhat is your plan?ââWe hide you. I will block your memories of Taran. Then you can relearn your magic, then we out t
The Dragon's Stone   Funeral
Taran squeezes my hand as we listen to the officiant speak. The room is full, and people are standing in the back. Some drove across the country to say their goodbyes. Looking at my mother in the casket gives me an odd feeling. It almost feels like Iâve gone numb. The woman lying there doesnât even look like my mother.My brothers and I all decided to let Mike speak. We agreed on a story for him to tell while he gives her eulogy. I feel like it was the right decision for Mike to speak. I donât think I can get words out now.As the officiant finishes, he asks if anyone would like to share stories about my mother. At least eight people share stories. Some of them were friends, some cousins, former co-workers, and the rest were from her support group. Cindy then stands and walks up to the stand. âAlice always gave the best advice. She felt more like my mother than my mother-in-law. Any time I had an issue, we would sit and talk. Alice gave me advice on everything from how to handle thing
The Dragon's Stone   Farwell Mom
I sit on the edge of my motherâs hospital bed. They called her time of death two hours ago. My mother went on bypass yesterday afternoon. When the hospital asked us to leave because visiting hours had ended, my mother squeezed my hand when I told her goodbye. Then when we arrived this morning, I knew she was gone. I no longer felt her presence in the room.âDove,â Taranâs gentle voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look at him and see another man standing behind him, âThey need to take Alice downstairs.âI nod and stand. Taran quickly pulls me to him. We leave the room and join my dad and brothers in a lobby area. âAre you okay, Tru?â Dave asks when we sit down.I nod, âWe knew this day was coming. I will miss her, but at least she isnât sick anymore.ââWe barely left her side the past two weeks,â Dave says lightly. âIâm not sure how to go back to day-to-day life.ââThe house felt empty last night without mom there,â Mike says with tears, âIâm not sure how I will step foot in there agai
The Dragon's Stone   Finally listening
I sit next to my mom, holding her hand. She fell asleep talking, and I hadnât wanted to leave yet. Her fingers feel cold, and her skin feels thin.Taran stands in the doorway, âI made you some food. Please come eat. Your mother needs to rest.âI shake my head, âWe were in the middle of a conversation. She was telling me about her childhood. I want to be here when she wakes up. Besides, Iâm not hungry.âI can hear the desperation in Taranâs voice, âTru, you havenât eaten or slept in the past three days. Please, come eat. Your father wonât let me bring it here.ââWhat if she wakes up while Iâm gone?â I tell him through tears.âYour mother will call if she wakes. Her phone is right next to her.â Seeing that Iâm not moving, Taran offers, âI will stay with her if you want. Please go eat something.â Taran walks over and kneels beside me, âTru, Iâm worried about you. I donât believe you are thinking clearly. Your mom is tired. Sheâs pushing herself while she is awake to speak with you. Look
