A Dragon Revealed by Dahlia Rose

found no solution. Was he too stubborn or did he still crave his past life? That was an unequivocal no, because while he denied it, he began dreaming of Michelle, and his dragon clung to her and mentally voiced its contentment at the choice. There would always be a special place in his heart for Larissa. Their love had grown from childhood. But a new, poignant love grew for Michelle, it was undeniable and yet he still couldn’t say the words. What the hell is the matter with me? he groused to himself. The delicious smell of something frying in the kitchen propelled him forward. For the first time in a long time he was hungry as a bear.
    “I hope you made a lot. I’m starving,” Mursi said as he walked into the kitchen.
    “You’ll eat what you get, just because you had a night in the arms of a woman doesn’t mean I’m now your cook,” Bior said.
    “I’m not making that suggestion at all,” Mursi said. “My apologies if it came across that way.”
    Bior looked at Mursi with his mouth agape. “I know, I was teasing. I’m not quite accustomed to your being nice again, I wonder if you’re going to go back into bastard mode at any second.”
    “I’m done with that. I couldn’t stand myself, let alone the anger eating away at me.” Mursi stood and went around to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. It wouldn’t keep him awake because the dragon inside burned fuel quickly. “Trying to be angry all the time and not smiling is hard work.”
    “It seems some ‘good lovin’ as Kalv would say has improved your demeanor,” Bior commented as he slid a plate in front of him.
    Mursi looked at the breakfast foods and his mouth watered. A veggie omelet, sausage, bacon, and hash-browns. Bior played up on the fact that everyone knew his love of breakfast foods and meats, and Mursi was grateful. He felt more like his old self.
    He took the first few bites of his food eagerly before speaking. “It’s Michelle, and I mean...” He took a moment to center his thoughts. “The kids in Paladin came running up to me a few days ago. I sat there for hours, playing with them, watching them chase each other in those games they played, and it’s like something lifted off me. I still hurt, but it’s not the same as when she first died.”
    “It’s called healing,” Bior said. ‘We’ve all felt lost and your dragon has found the balm to soothe that missing place we all feel. Yours is Michelle and your whole heart knows your mind is still playing catch-up.”
    Mursi pointed his fork at Bior. “That is a good way of putting it, thanks.”
    “I’m a man of sage wisdom,” Bior pointed out.
    “Uh-huh, let’s not go that far,” Mursi muttered.
    There was the sound of the front door opening and then a loud slam. Mursi shared a wary look with Bior. They were the only dragons staying in the house and they weren’t expecting any guests. It certainly wasn’t the Shen. They didn’t walk through the front door, they were more inclined to break things to get in. They both moved through the kitchen to the foyer. Michelle stood there, dripping wet and looking none too happy.
    “Where are you sleeping?” she asked Mursi.
    “I hadn’t decided on a room yet,” Mursi said slowly. “You weren’t too pleased with me when I left, can I ask why you came?”
    “Because apparently my dragon won’t rest unless she is resting beside her mate, she’s been growling at me and literally keening in my damn head.” She walked toward him and poked him hard in the chest. He winced as she punctuated each of her words with the painful action. “I followed some dumb invisible connection we have right to you. Don’t think I’m not still upset at you. I’m going upstairs and getting a hot shower and picking a room. You’ll be following me soon and we’re going to sleep together. Oh, bring me some of whatever you guys were eating, I’m starving. And some fruit.”
    “Okay, I can do that.” Mursi nodded.
    He felt like grinning like a