Read Online Dragons Live Forever by D'Elen McClain - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: D'Elen McClain
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to take care of necessities. My breathing is heavy by the time I make it back to Tahr’s bed. I hear a noise and I look up expecting to see Tahr. I’m relieved that it’s Betty bringing food. I need thinking time to put my thoughts in order about the dragon. Betty looks over me closely and only when she’s satisfied that I’m okay does she give me a gentle smile. I’ve imagined her smile for weeks and answer it with my own.
The soup she brought is heartier than the earlier broth. My stomach growls loudly and our grins widen. Using sign language, Betty asks how I’m feeling.
We converse for a short time until she wants me to explain why I was punished. I look away, unable to meet her eyes and unwilling to share my transgressions. I had no right to touch Tahr. Even Meagan would have been upset. Thankfully Betty doesn’t push for an answer. Instead, she wraps me in her arms and pulls me close knowing exactly what I need most.
When she releases me and moves away, I sign that I want to return to my room in the other tower.
She vehemently shakes her head.
With decisive hand movements, I respond, “Yes, I must.” What is wrong with her? I can’t remain in the dragon’s rooms. I need to be as far away from him as possible.
In her normal bossy manner, Betty signs that I will stay put and await the dragon’s return. She leaves shortly after that because I’m no longer in a talkative mood and I immediately climb from the bed. My legs feel sturdier as I make my way to Meagan’s garment room, which is next to Tahr’s bedroom. Though I hate taking one of her gowns, I don’t want to return to my rooms in a robe and nightdress. I remove the plainest dress I can find. I will wash it and ask Betty to return it after I’m back in my room with my own clothes.
Slowly, I begin my journey. I travel down the stairs of this tower, which is far easier than what is ahead. Carefully placing each foot, I make it across the courtyard and manage to remain standing. I gaze up at the spiral stairs that lead to the wards. “One step at a time,” I silently tell myself. It’s a challenge. I stop often and lean into the cold stone walls to catch my breath. I have no idea how long it takes to climb the stairs to the women’s ward, but I manage. I receive reserved smiles from everyone I pass, but they shuffle about their day and no one offers help. Their behavior is so very odd, but I’m too tired to analyze it. By the time I make it to my room, I want nothing more than to sleep for a week.
Sweat covers my skin and my legs shake so badly that staying upright is nearly impossible. I enter my room and freeze. My safe haven, the space I’ve occupied since moving into the women’s ward is empty. My bed and belongings are gone. Too weary to do anything else, I collapse and curl up on the floor.
“What are you doing in here?” Tahr demands from the doorway.
I gaze up at his luscious body and burst into the tears I’ve been trying to hold back. He easily lifts me against his warm chest and carries me back the way I came. I’m so confused and too tired to fight.
“Stop your tears,” he commands. “I’ve had your bedroom items moved to my tower. You will no longer be living in this one.” He carries me past my friends and now I understand the strange looks they gave me.
He takes me to a small room beside the suite that belonged to Meagan. It contains my bed and small nightstand with a newly added standing garment cabinet. Meagan told me this room was meant for a child. A child she knew she would never have. There’s a large window with a small child-sized perch outside.
Tahr pushes back the covers and settles me on the bed. He finishes by tucking the covers around me. “You will stay in here and not return to the human tower. Do you understand?”
He seems almost angry and in complete bewilderment. I can only nod.
“Good, now sleep.”
That’s exactly what I do.
***
The dream is so real. Too real. The woman
The soup she brought is heartier than the earlier broth. My stomach growls loudly and our grins widen. Using sign language, Betty asks how I’m feeling.
We converse for a short time until she wants me to explain why I was punished. I look away, unable to meet her eyes and unwilling to share my transgressions. I had no right to touch Tahr. Even Meagan would have been upset. Thankfully Betty doesn’t push for an answer. Instead, she wraps me in her arms and pulls me close knowing exactly what I need most.
When she releases me and moves away, I sign that I want to return to my room in the other tower.
She vehemently shakes her head.
With decisive hand movements, I respond, “Yes, I must.” What is wrong with her? I can’t remain in the dragon’s rooms. I need to be as far away from him as possible.
In her normal bossy manner, Betty signs that I will stay put and await the dragon’s return. She leaves shortly after that because I’m no longer in a talkative mood and I immediately climb from the bed. My legs feel sturdier as I make my way to Meagan’s garment room, which is next to Tahr’s bedroom. Though I hate taking one of her gowns, I don’t want to return to my rooms in a robe and nightdress. I remove the plainest dress I can find. I will wash it and ask Betty to return it after I’m back in my room with my own clothes.
Slowly, I begin my journey. I travel down the stairs of this tower, which is far easier than what is ahead. Carefully placing each foot, I make it across the courtyard and manage to remain standing. I gaze up at the spiral stairs that lead to the wards. “One step at a time,” I silently tell myself. It’s a challenge. I stop often and lean into the cold stone walls to catch my breath. I have no idea how long it takes to climb the stairs to the women’s ward, but I manage. I receive reserved smiles from everyone I pass, but they shuffle about their day and no one offers help. Their behavior is so very odd, but I’m too tired to analyze it. By the time I make it to my room, I want nothing more than to sleep for a week.
Sweat covers my skin and my legs shake so badly that staying upright is nearly impossible. I enter my room and freeze. My safe haven, the space I’ve occupied since moving into the women’s ward is empty. My bed and belongings are gone. Too weary to do anything else, I collapse and curl up on the floor.
“What are you doing in here?” Tahr demands from the doorway.
I gaze up at his luscious body and burst into the tears I’ve been trying to hold back. He easily lifts me against his warm chest and carries me back the way I came. I’m so confused and too tired to fight.
“Stop your tears,” he commands. “I’ve had your bedroom items moved to my tower. You will no longer be living in this one.” He carries me past my friends and now I understand the strange looks they gave me.
He takes me to a small room beside the suite that belonged to Meagan. It contains my bed and small nightstand with a newly added standing garment cabinet. Meagan told me this room was meant for a child. A child she knew she would never have. There’s a large window with a small child-sized perch outside.
Tahr pushes back the covers and settles me on the bed. He finishes by tucking the covers around me. “You will stay in here and not return to the human tower. Do you understand?”
He seems almost angry and in complete bewilderment. I can only nod.
“Good, now sleep.”
That’s exactly what I do.
***
The dream is so real. Too real. The woman
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