Dragon's Heart by LaVerne Thompson Page B

was
the only one strong enough to do that, and as the leader, I had to go with
them. When we arrived on Akgon, we found it to be a magicks rich realm but wild
magicks, in need of balance. I had to stay to provide that balance for the
power there, so the brethren could survive.”
          But you had no right to sacrifice me. You
could have come back. Once the magicks were tamed and a balance achieved you
should have returned to Terra. Just as you are back now, but it’s too late. I
will not forgive that. You did not return for me after you knew my first cycle
had come. I existed, but you were nowhere to be found. You condemned me. I know
what you want. Now it is my turn. I condemn you now.
         She looked away from him.
         What of the brethren? You have a duty….
          I hold duty to no one.
          Maya
       She turned
to face him again and her eyes had stopped glowing. “I’m sorry, Draakar,” she
answered sadly. “It’s a lot to take in right now.   I need…I think I need time to process it all.”
          “I understand.”
          “I know there’s
more, but can we continue this later. I think I need to be alone for a few
minutes.”
          He had more to
say, much more but wisely didn’t. She definitely wasn’t ready to hear about
Talon’s mother and he needed to find the words to tell her. “Of course,” he
said instead. “Take your time. Why don’t you rest a little? You’ve been through
a lot in a short period of time, and there’s still more to take in. I’ll go and
tend to my guests. Come down in a couple of hours. We’ll have an early dinner.”
          “Fine. Ah, this
place is enormous. How do I find the dining room?”
           “We will
await you in the library. You can find your way to any room in this castle. All
you have to do is think about where you want to go. If you need me, it is the
same. Just think of me and you will always be able to find me. I cannot hide
from you, Maya. I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.” He didn’t tack on, not without you, but the message lay in
the silence between them.
          He let the heat
he held within for her rise to the surface and knew she wasn’t immune to him
when he observed the faint flush on her cheeks. “I will wait for you, Maya.
It’s my turn now.”   He bowed and
closed the sitting room door behind him.

          She lay on the
bed for a long time, no longer hungry or tired, just staring at the high
ceiling. A work of art, in and of itself. In vivid colors, it depicted a golden
dragon kneeling before a woman dressed in a green and gold gown with long
flowing black hair. The artist painted the woman turned toward the dragon so
you couldn’t see her face. One hand rose so she touched the spiked ridge atop
the dragon’s bowed head. If this picture had sound, the dragon would have been
purring. This damsel had tamed the mighty beast. But the art represented a work
of fantasy. Right? She wasn’t so sure anymore.
          Incredible
couldn’t even begin to describe the last twenty-four hours. She didn’t know
what to believe. Could all of it be true? She had also guessed at what Draakar
didn’t say. Talon had a mother and Draakar was the father. At the thought, a
sharp emotional pain stabbed at her heart, forcing a cry of despair past her
lips.
           Maya? Maya, answer me. Are you all right? I
feel your distress. His thoughts came again in her head. Thoughts she did
not want.
            No, Draakar. I’m not all
right. Not at all. But I will be. Please, just leave me alone. I will be down
shortly.
          Maya abruptly
shut down the mental connection between them. Though she sensed it there still,
like a living thing hovering around her subconscious, ready to return as soon
as she dropped her guard. She wouldn’t—couldn’t—communicate with
him that way: dragon-to-dragon and mind-to-mind. Too intimate. He had no right
to lay a claim on