Page 104 of Dragon’s Rebel

Chapter 45

Rebel looked around the cavern. It was deep in shadow, so she saw mostly the gleam of eyes and dark shapes. She felt small and alone, and she didn’t know what to say.

But something told her that honesty was the only thing she had here. So maybe lies and deflection were the first thing she had to sacrifice.

“I don’t know,” she said. “All I know is that there is a very brave dragon waiting for me, and a very brave man. They’re two halves of the same whole—a shifter who’s been separated from himself.”

And you would heal him? Make him whole?

“If I can.”

Do you love him?

“I care about him.”

Do you love him?

Honesty. She bit her lips, then blurted, “Yes. I love him.”

What are you willing to do for him?

“Whatever I can.”

What you can do may differ from what you are willing to do.

There was a long silence, filled only with the rustle of wings.

We ask again, what are you willing to do for him?

Voices came from all over the cavern.

Will you stay with him forever?Will you love him and cherish him? Will you give him your heart? Will you surrender your soul?

For what?she asked silently.

For love.

For love.

For love.

Only love will save them.

Only love will heal them.

Rebel felt like the voices were beating her into the ground. Taking pieces of her, more and more and more. She just wanted to run, leave behind their expectations and their judgements, because she could never give enough.

Everyone would always leave.

The first voice spoke again.

Rebel Wilder. You have been running all your life.

“Do you blame me?” she shouted. “Do you know what I’ve been through? No one was ever there for me. I did the best I could.”

This is not about what you have done. You have done well. This is about what you will promise to do.

The voices started again.