Ember of Hope

She found out from one of the maids that Adriel was in the back garden tending to his wife’s favorite flowers. As Raegan made her way outside, she found herself smiling at the thought of a big brute of a man like Adriel doing something like potting flowers.

“I heard you coming” he said without turning his head. She’d been standing silently a few paces back, watching him work.

Damn dragon senses. Well she had them now too. She just needed to learn how to use them to her advantage.

“I heard your mate’s coming back. I’m excited to meet her”. She smiled.

“I’m sure she’d be happier to meet you all. She’s already met with your mate once and the damn woman hasn’t stopped singing praises to his name since”.

Raegan grinned, “Yeah, he has that effect on people. Back home everyone in town worships him. He’s always helping people with their chores and stuff whenever he can”.

“I know. I always admired him”, he finally took off his gardening gloves and turned around to face her, “Come sit” and she did.

“So it’s time for you to go back home, huh” he said with a smile.

“It is. I’ll miss you though. I don’t let people in my inner circle very easily but you’ve become my friend very fast. And I will always cherish our friendship”.

“I’ll miss you too kiddo. I hope you keep visiting”. He bumped her shoulder with his.

“You bet. I wanted to talk to you about a few things though” she started, “Whenever we hold our mating ceremony, I want you and your mate to be there. You have to promise me”.

“Oh I won’t miss it for the world”.

“So…” Raegan hesitated before continuing, “What’s your stance on this whole thing? Where do you stand?”

He looked in her eyes like he was reading her thoughts, “Personally I’d like to pay him back tenfold”.

“I’ll be straight forward Adriel” she looked back at him with the same penetrating gaze. “What if it comes to war between Evreux and Velar? Where will Videen stand?”

“Isn’t it a little premature to be thinking about war, little one?” she couldn’t get a reading on his thoughts and it frustrated her.

“Titan made it clear that he wants war. I just want to be prepared and then some. If he wants war, we’ll give it to him. I don’t believe in waiting around twiddling thumbs. We’ll be taking his beloved war to his gates” Raegan said, standing up “Come on let’s take a walk. It’s a beautiful day”.

“As I said Raegan; I’d be onboard with it. But whether the council of Videen agrees with me is another thing altogether. I’d be your advocate in front of the council, be sure of that. But I cannot promise”. He said with sincerity and Raegan believed every word he’d said without a shred of doubt.

“That’s all I’m asking Adriel” she smiled and took his proffered arm. “Oh I totally forgot. The others sent me to see whether you’d be free to join us for a look around. Sarah wants to see as much of Astoria as she can before going back home. And I’m totally on board with her”.

“I’d love to be your tour guide” he smiled down upon her like one smiles at a cute child, “Let me show you the beauty of River Astor. I hope it won’t be too much too soon?” Adriel inquired.

“Oh don’t worry about that. A little tumble from the sky can’t frighten me” she grinned.

………………………………

“Sarah will you be alright flying with Damien again? I can totally ask Adriel to arrange a carriage for us”. Raegan had pulled Sarah to a side amidst their preparations for the tour of Astoria.

“Pfft. I’m not a total wimp Raegan, you know that. Besides, I want to have a normal flying experience for once” she grinned and hugged her over protective friend close, “Stop worrying about me. I’ll be alright mama hen. Now come on let’s go already” she clapped her hands to garner everyone’s attention.

“I hope all of you like seafood. Because you’re going to enjoy the best ever fish of your whole life” Adriel grinned at all of them readying to fly off.

“If it’s food, we like it” Sarah replied and Raegan agreed wholeheartedly.

“Well then let’s be off my friends”. Adriel shifted into his beautiful aqua dragon. Raegan had seen his dragon form before but this was the first time Sarah had seen him shift. And every time any of the dragons shifted to their beast forms, she found herself mesmerized by the sheer magnificence and beauty of their forms.

“How are you feeling?” next to her Damien asked in a quiet murmur, “Will you be alright?”

“Yes Damien, for the hundredth time sweetheart, I’ll be fine. Stop worrying. It’s like I have two mothers pampering me. I just had to fend Ray off”. Sarah rolled her eyes at her mate. Her mate. It felt surreal to even think of Damien in that way.

Sarah climbed on Damien’s back and they took off behind Valiance and Adriel. Damien kept a little distance behind the others and he was quiet… like he was in deep thought. So she took that time to admire his beauty. It was a beautiful day with a clear sky. The sun shone on Damien’s golden scales and made them look like molten gold. He was a majestic being in both forms. The gold of his eyes was nothing like she’d ever seen in anyone on earth. They were; to say the least, magical.

With his powerful wings gliding through the air seamlessly and his warmth beneath her; she felt oddly fearless and safe. The wind on her face was cool up here and she felt almost weightless as they glided through the air. There was a funny feeling in her stomach but that was probably because of being in the open air. Raegan was right. This experience was like nothing she’d ever experienced. This was truly exhilarating.

“Why are you so quiet today?” she asked Damien when the silence became too much for her. He was clearly bothered about something and she wasn’t very good at keeping the doubts creeping their way in her heart at bay.

“I was thinking something, but honestly? I’m not sure if I should say it or not” he replied in a contemplative tone.

“Oh God Damien, you do know you have to tell me now, right?” her grip on him tightened as a sudden wave of anxiety hit her.

He was quiet for a moment and then decided to go for it, “I want to complete our mating as soon as we land home, if you’d be okay with that” he sounded uncertain and afraid of her answer.

She patted his neck to gain his attention, "can you tell the others we’ll join them in a while? I need you to land somewhere”.

They were flying over a vast meadow filled with lazily grazing horses and cows. After letting the others know of their change in plan, they landed in lush green grass and Damien shifted back.

“Talk to me” she urged gently, taking his hand in hers and started walking.

Something was clearly bothering him, “Sarah, I… I can’t lose you. Not you. Not again”.

His voice was so low she had to get closer in order to understand him. She stopped walking and turned him to face her, “Damien look at me” she took both his hands in hers, “why do you think you’re going to lose me? I’m here with you and I’m not going anywhere”. Her tone was soft but firm because she believed what she’d said. She didn’t want to leave him… ever.

“You were taken from me and I couldn’t find you. I was going out of my mind Sarah. I never had anything to lose in my life before; except Valiance, and he is a tough motherfucker. But now I have you and I’m scared”. He pulled her in his arms and placed a soft, lingering kiss in her hair. “I’m scared to lose you again. I’m scared to mess up with you. I’m scared to not be enough for you… not be what you need. I just…” she pulled her head back to look up at him and shushed him with a finger on his lips. “One day at a time. I’m scared too Damien. I’m so damn scared of all these thing. But I don’t want to let this fear rule over my life and ruin my happiness”. She kissed his cheek, “being scared is fine. It encourages us to be a better version of ourselves as long as we keep the reigns in our hands. Don’t let the fear rob you of your peace”.

He nodded in understanding, “but you didn’t answer me about what I said… about getting mated”.

“Raegan and I talked about it. We want to do it together. What do you say?”

“Sure. Let’s do it. As long as I get to have you all to myself afterwards, I don’t care who else is there”. He grinned cheekily in pure Damien fashion.

Sarah rolled her eyes at him, but inside she was all warm. Slapping a quick kiss on his grinning mouth she dodged out of the range of his arms, “Let’s go Romeo before the others send a search party after us”.