Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn

about what had happened to him on his adventure. And no one said anything about him encountering a girl riding a dragon. Maybe he would keep silent about them.
    â€œHey, you okay?” Jon asked.
    They were sitting on the sofa, plates with pizza crusts and empty soda cans to the side. She held the blanket draped over their laps in a death grip. Consciously trying to relax, she smoothed the blanket and rubbed her hands together. “Yeah. I guess this is stressing me out more than I thought.”
    â€œIf they thought there was going to be trouble, they’d evacuate, wouldn’t they? If they knew something—”
    â€œNo, I think it’s okay. I think everything’s going to be okay.”
    He took her hands in his and squeezed. She gave hima tight-lipped smile. His hands were warm; she hadn’t noticed that hers weren’t until he touched her. It had gotten dark outside, and they hadn’t turned on any lights. They just had the glow from the TV.
    She felt suddenly nervous, her skin prickling all over, and it had nothing to do with the uncertain situation outside.
    Jon leaned forward, very slowly, and kissed her. She didn’t move away. If she was really that nervous, she would have turned her head, stopped him. She wasn’t scared of Jon, because she trusted that he would always listen when she said no. Of course, if she kept saying no, he may not stick around. At least that was what Tam kept saying. But her heart was racing, and her hands were trembling a little. She didn’t want Jon to think she was scared. She squeezed his hands back, and he kissed her again, longer this time, his mouth opening, hers opening with his.
    Her hands weren’t cold anymore.
    She broke away to take a breath and smiled. “It almost looks like you set up this whole thing.”
    He looked around at the dark room, at them lounging together on the sofa. Even in the near dark she could tell he was blushing. She was close enough to feel the warmth. He shook his head.
    â€œNo, not like that. I mean, it wasn’t on purpose, it just happened—”
    â€œI’m teasing you.” She gave his arm a light punch.
    â€œIf you’re uncomfortable—”
    â€œNo. No, I’m not.” She wasn’t, she realized. Not uncomfortable, even if it was strange. If I wanted to , she thought. If we wanted to go all the way, we could, right now . But this was good, just the way it was. So she leaned against him, nestled her head on his shoulder, as he put his arm around her. They rested, just like that, and she finally relaxed. She settled into his embrace, tipping her head back to look at him. “But you’ll probably want to get home before my dad gets back,” she said.
    Jon tensed at that, looking nervous. Kay reflected that it took some bravery to date the sheriff’s daughter. Grinning, she said, “I’m teasing again.”
    â€œYou sure about that? Your dad’s scary.”
    â€œNot that scary.” Although when he’d pulled her over this afternoon, he’d been pretty scary. He didn’t look all that terrifying, but he projected attitude without ever saying a word. She’d love to learn how to do that.
    A cell phone rang—Jon’s, by the ringtone. His mother this time, calling to find out where he was. Kay could hear the strain in her voice over the phone. Everyone in town was probably worried.
    â€œI have to go,” he said, folding his phone shut and putting it back in his pocket.
    â€œYeah, she sounded worried.”
    â€œYou’d think if something was going to happen, it would have happened by now,” he said.
    â€œNobody knows what to expect. That’s the problem.”
    He pulled his coat on, and she saw him to the door and lingered. “Thanks for coming over,” she said. “It was good to see you.” She took his hand, and he kissed her. That warm flush ran through her again. She could get used to