Chapter 19
Beck
Life is fantastic and wonderful and exciting. All because of Nori. My beautiful, perfect Nori.
Until now I thought I understood what love was, but never did I imagine how all-encompassing it would feel to beinlove. Every waking hour I think of Nori, in my sleep I dream of her. Each moment she’s not with me I long to be together again, to wrap her in my arms, to kiss her smiles, to lay her in my bed and make love to her all day and all night.
Never have I felt this happy before.
My blood simmers with my desire for Nori and my need to claim her the dragon way becomes strongereach day. How soon is too soon to ask her to marry me? I might need to ask Bodin how long he waited to ask Tilly. Or maybe Arran can advise me on proper courtship-to-marriage protocol.
Excited about my future, I tell my dragon,Let’s go for a swim. I want to play in the water.
My dragon perks up, his tail swinging from side to side as we head out just after dawn. He’s been sulking a little after we had to say goodbye to Nori on Sunday night, but he knows she’ll be back on Friday again. It’s been hard to leave the house this week because we both want to be around her lingering scent, but I still have duties to fulfill for Starry Hill.
I check my phone one more time to make sure there aren’t any new notifications from Nori, then head toward the dock.
So far I’ve filled up pages and pages in my notebook, sending snippets of my inspired thoughts to my muse as messages, and reading passages to her each night when she calls me from her place.
Some of the most fun we’ve had is me listening to Nori touch herself while I read to her, and her telling me how she’d satisfy me if we were together. After we both find our release, we count down the days until we can see each other again, then we exchange “I love yous” and fall asleep blissfully.
On the dock, I strip off my clothes and admire the scales that have been ever present since Saturday. Maybe they would’ve bothered me before, but Nori seems to like them well enough, so now I’ve simply accepted them as part of who I am.
I take a deep breath and shift midair as I dive into the crystalline water.
Staying under far longer than usual, I propel my serpentine body forward as the ocean washes over my heated skin. From above, sunlight dapples down onto the sandy floor and fish scatter away from me as I enter their underwater world. Ahead of me is nothing but boundless space, the ocean inviting me to explore and be refreshed as she embraces me like an old friend.
My dragon and I luxuriate in the freedom of the open water, diving down deep before bursting into the air again. Over and over again, we go under then break the surface with our horns, enjoying the way our long body feels as it undulates through the rhythmic waves.
Here, all my worries melt away and I simply exist. This is such a liberating feeling I want to share with Nori. Especially this week considering how stressed she’s been with her job, much more than usual it seems. I only hope that one day she’ll feel comfortable enough to join me out in the open water like this. I’ll take such good care of her, teach her about the ocean, and prove to her there’s nothing to fear.
Properly sated, physically tired yet feeling invigorated, I shift into my human form and set off for the town while my dragon drifts off to sleep.
All week I’ve been working on Nori’s reading corner next to the window in the living room. I’ve gotten her a plush chair and book cart and other items recommended by Lucille. Now I only need to pick up the handmade blanket from Peregrine at The Crowned Boot before it’ll all be ready.
I can’t wait to surprise Nori tonight. I hope she likes it.
“Morning,” a deep voice greets, jolting me out of my daydream.
I take a step back as I spot Arran leaning against a tree. I must be so lost in thought, I didn’t sense the vampire. Not even my dragon bats an eye at him as he rolls over and goes back to sleep.
“You’re out during the day,” I observe.
“Aye,” Arran answers. “I’m wearing sunscreen.”
“I’m sure you are, or else you’d be burning,” I say, walking closer. I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen Arran out before sunset, so this seems like more than a spontaneous walk around the island.
“True,” Arran replies with a small nod. “So where are you off to on such a fine morning?”
My chest puffs out as I say proudly, “I’m picking up something for Nori. I made her a reading corner.”
“Courting going well then, I assume.” Arran smiles one of his rare smiles, and I wonder what it would take for him to fully feel joy the way I do today.
Would falling in love with someone unlock that part of him? What kind of creature could make him want to venture beyond the walls of his castle that he hides behind?
Putting away those questions for the time being, I answer, “Courting has been very successful. Do you think it’s too soon to ask Nori to marry me?” That’s the real truth I need to know today.
“Aye.” The word is short, definitive, and doesn’t invite further argument.
