“But I have nowhere else to go.”
“There’s hotels in Mallaig.”
“I’m aware.I have a room rented with my things, but how would you suggest I reach them?Like I said, the ferry is broken.”
“Feel up for a flight?”
It took me a second to grasp what he meant, and when I did, I clapped and bounced, yelling, “Yes!”
As if I’d say no to flying with a dragon.
ChapterEight
What the fuckpossessed me to offer Davina a ride to the mainland?Probably the same ailment that had me shadowing her all day.Literally stalking the woman, giving myself lame excuses to make it acceptable, such as ensuring she didn’t stay behind to search the castle against my wishes.Didn’t steal anything, even as I knew she was no thief.
Valid reasons, but in truth, I spied on her because I couldn’t help myself.Something about her had piqued my interest.
The cloudy skies, along with my mirroring scales, had offered me some cover to coast above Davina as she’d left my home.I should have been happy she departed, and yet, I’d found myself angrier than usual, hence why I’d not bothered to say good-bye.I wanted her to leave, and yet, the moment she set off on foot—by herself—I’d been plagued with a nagging worry.What if she were attacked again on the way to the ferry?
I shouldn’t have cared.Davina wanted to see Nessie, so if a Red Cap, or other minion of Nessie’s, kidnapped, whatever.Only, I couldn’t help but wonder at Nessie’s interest in the history professor.You see, before cats became well known for their curiosity, that title belonged to dragons.Me, even more so than others.Having lived for eons, I needed interesting things to keep me from going mad—or becoming despondent.
As Davina sauntered down to the port—with me gliding well above—I began thinking perhaps I should tag along on her journey.Or maybe not with her.After all, why travel like a human crammed into a tin can rocking on the waves when I could fly?It also occurred to me, I didn’t technically even need Davina by my side.I could simply fly myself to the loch and ask Nessie what the fuck?
A decision made and then changed—again—when the professor ended up back at my door, stranded on the isle because of a faulty ferry, her expression hopeful despite the setbacks.Tempting me with her stupidly bubbly personality.Rousing needs that I wanted to ignore.
In the end, I couldn’t deny her—because I was obviously weak!—and it led to me offering the unthinkable.A way off Rum Isle.
The moment she clapped and gushed, I regretted my rash words.
“This is so exciting.I mean, I’ve seen movies where people ride dragons, but to actually do it myself…” The squeal and smile almost made me eat her.Davina obviously didn’t realize how dragasculating being ridden was, so I set her straight.
“First off, I didn’t say you’d be riding, nor would you want to, as you’d likely fall soon as we took off.”
“I guess you don’t have a saddle,” she mused aloud.
“No, I do not,” I huffed.“I am not a beast of burden.”
“Are you going to carry me in a basket?”
I crossed my arms.“I am also not a balloon.”
She sighed, “You’re going to bring me over gripped in your paw, aren’t you?”
“It is the most efficient method.”
“I think you mean terrifying.”
“As if I’d drop you,” I stated with indignation.
“I’m more worried you’ll crush me to death if you squeeze too hard.”
So much for my benevolent offer.“If you don’t like the method, then you can wait for the ferry.”
“No, no.It’s fine.When do we leave?”
“Soon.I need to ensure the castle is properly closed up so no sneaky tourists get inside.While I’m doing that, you should grab a few blankets from my bedroom to wrap yourself in.The flight over to the mainland will be chilly.”
In short order, we stood in my unkempt garden, almost ready to go.Davina had swaddled her frame in two thick comforters and continued to smile and vibrate with excitement.
