Part 18 (1/2)

”Leave.” He snarled again. Smoke blew from his mouth as he spoke. The lessers scuttled from the room and his temperature went down to bearable levels.

”Was that really necessary?” She raised her brows.

”Yes.” He couldn't help but to growl. His blood temperature was still elevated. ”They were looking at you. We are going out.”

”Out where?”

This female. He looked down at her and took in her flushed cheeks and wide eyes. He followed her tongue as it slipped over her bottom lip.

She choked out a laugh. ”You're thinking about s.e.x. Again.”

”It cannot be helped. You are a beautiful female. You should not wear such clothing.” His eyes drifted lower. ”I can see your b.r.e.a.s.t.s.”

She hit him again. Her hand made a slapping noise as it connected with the side of his arm. ”No you cannot. I'm completely covered. I even put a tank top under my s.h.i.+rt so my... b.o.o.bs would be properly covered. What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you? You're acting all jealous.”

Jealous.

No.

Never.

Maybe. Just a little bit. Fine. He was very jealous. Just the thought of those others looking at his female made him angry. ”You are mine to protect. It is instinctual, not emotional.” Was it? Of course it was. ”It would be easier to do so if you were more covered. Maybe naked in my bed would be the best.” He moved towards her.

”No.” She put a flat hand on his chest and kept him at arms length. ”You said we could go out. I feel like it. Are we going to fly?” Her eyes widened.

Coal felt pride surge. ”Yes. I like going to... come, I'll show you.”

Her expression turned serious. ”No more of this jealous s.h.i.+t.”

”I will do my best.”

”Fine,” she huffed. ”We are also going to discuss your brother, more to the point, what your brother said. What the two of you discussed.”

His heart raced. He didn't want to tell her about his task or the ultimatum put forward by Blaze today. She would be mad and it would hamper any chance they might have. No. He would tell her as much as he could and no more.

Her heart leapt wildly in her chest as they swooped down. The view was amazing from up there. The descent was faster than she would've liked, yet at the same time, it was exhilarating. After watching him fly the other day, she knew it was a d.a.m.n sight slower than it would've been if Coal were alone.

She screamed as the ground drew nearer. It was a small strip of rock. Not more than seven feet wide. A natural bridge that spanned between two peeks. It looked to be about a hundred feet long. It was breathtaking. He continued to descend towards the middle section of the strip. Surely he didn't mean to set her down there.

”I don't think this is a good idea.” Her voice had a quivery edge.

At the last moment, Coal stopped descending. The ground was no more than a foot or two away. Julie exhaled. He wasn't going to put her down after all. Thank G.o.d because that small slab of rock was not safe. It was long and narrow. There were no railings or handholds. There was nothing but a narrow walkway in the middle of nowhere. It seemed man-made but she knew otherwise. There was no way a human could've made it up here.

His wings flapped slowly. Too slow to carry his enormous bulk yet they continued to hover. Why weren't they leaving? He drifted down an inch, two. What?

Her foot touched the ground. Again he waited until she was standing securely before releasing her. Julie wanted to hold onto his ma.s.sive talon but she was afraid of toppling over the edge. There was sheer cliff on either side of her.

”Oh G.o.d,” she murmured. Too afraid to talk too loudly. Too afraid to breathe. She moved to her haunches. There was at least two feet on either side of her. Happy days! It felt like the earth was pulling her in both directions and all at once. That if she looked left or right or even up for that matter, that she would be pulled off by the sheer force of gravity. Surely there wasn't enough s.p.a.ce for Coal to land and to s.h.i.+ft.

”Are you okay?” Coal's deep voice washed over her. It made her hold on to some sort of sanity. Do not panic. Do not lose it.

Julie shook her head. Her eyes were focused on the ground at her feet. She breathed in deeply and breathed out again. Don't lose it.

Coal touched her arm and she yelped.

”Why didn't you tell me that you were afraid of heights?” he asked. He was directly in front of her. She could see his feet in front of her much smaller ones. His huge feet. If she wasn't so petrified, she would laugh. Big feet... big... you know what. She couldn't believe she was picturing him naked at a time like this. It didn't calm her down at all, not even a tiny bit.

Then she realized that he'd asked her a question. ”I didn't know that I was afraid of heights before. Then again, I've never been this high up or this close to the edge before. To two edges.” There was panic etched into every word. She chewed on her lower lip. Every muscle was tensed and ready but she had nowhere to go. Adrenaline coursed through her, but there was nothing she could do.

”Look at me,” he said. He sounded so calm.

She shook her head. ”If I move, I'll fall.”

”You won't fall.”

”Oh yes I will. I can't move. I need to stop talking now. I might fall.” Her voice quivered.

Coal chuckled softly.

”Don't you dare,” she whispered. ”This isn't funny.” She swallowed thickly. ”I can't believe you brought me up here. We're going to die... scratch that, I'm going to die. Now change back into a dragon and get me h.e.l.l off this thing.” Definite panic but it wasn't to be helped. A breeze ruffled her hair. It was probably cold up here but she couldn't feel anything. She was too d.a.m.ned scared.

His hand cupped her jaw. ”Neither of us is dying. Not today at least. I've got you, Julie. I would never let you fall.” His voice was deep and soothing.

Her heart slowed down just a smidgen. ”Okay. Fine. Can we go?”

”No.” Coal tilted her chin and she felt her eyes widen. ”Please no. Please.” Her eyes met his. Dark and stunningly beautiful. Those gold flecks held her captive. Like a few golden stars in the night sky.

”That's it.” He smiled. ”I would not allow you to fall but if you did, know that I would catch you.”

”You would.” She huffed out a breath.

His gaze warmed her, as did his words.

She felt herself tense back up. They were just words. Using every ounce of willpower she had, she lifted her hands and clutched his wrists. ”I hate it up here. I'm so afraid.” Her eyes stung with the need to cry but she held back the tears. Don't show weakness!

”Hate is a strong word. It is beautiful up here.” He turned his head to the left and seemed to scan the horizon.

Julie couldn't move. Not even one muscle. ”It's too scary.” Her voice was high pitched. She held onto Coal with all she was worth.

”Sometimes we need to face our fears in order to see the beauty, to experience it.” He loosened her grip from his arms.

She whimpered as he pried her hands from around his. ”Please,” she begged. Panic welled.

”Don't fight me, female.” Coal said, his voice a deep timber. He gripped her hips and whipped her around.

Julie screamed long and hard. It felt like the floor disappeared. She was freefalling, he'd let her go and she was...

”Julie.” Coal wrapped his arms around her. The hard ground was still beneath her. Oh thank G.o.d. She was breathing heavily.