Chapter 101: Pepper
The dragons speak of me as if I'm not present. Just because I cannot use my voice doesn't mean I can't hear them or understand what they're saying. I have no way to convince Tahr that the woman on the Pegasus is no dream. She came to me while I was awake. For some reason I don't think she wishes me harm. I feel more alive beneath the light she casts.
The young, red dragon mentioned a Goddess. Is that what she is? I agree with him-what makes me so special? A yearning for scales and wings is not enough.
Tahr's arms comfort me. He says he wants me in his life; so what exactly does that mean? I'm here and fully healed. It's time to begin my duty and serve him.
What if he hadn't caught me? As I fell, a painful burn erupted across my back along with the pressure under my skin. When Tahr grabbed me, his energy burst between us and soothed the pain. And I was devastated. Something waited and it was so very close. How stupid is that? I'm nothing to a Goddess.
"You will begin teaching me your hand language immediately so we can communicate. You will not allow me to stop even if I become frustrated. If humans can learn this language, so can a dragon."
He carries me up the high flight of stairs while speaking the entire time. What has changed? I can feel the strength of his arms, the power of his thighs as they lift with each step. A vibration travels through my skin. He's also naked. I've seen him thus so many times, but now, it's affecting me more. I enjoy the feel of his skin against mine. My dress is hiked up and caught between me and his arms. His skin is in direct contact with my upper thigh. I shouldn't have these thoughts. The older dragon was correct. Earth humans are not meant for dragons. We have our place and that is serving the dragon's needs while putting our own needs second.
The human wing of the castle is fine-tuned so the dragon and his bride are kept happy. Pride is rampant when the dragon casts a smile our way-hard earned and greatly cherished. We worship him and I am but a blink in his never-ending universe.
We reach Tahr's private rooms and I don't see Betty. I instantly become worried about what the dragon will do to her for falling asleep. He has a temper and Betty doesn't deserve his scorn. He releases my legs and I slide against him until my feet touch the floor. I wipe my tears and then place my palm flat to his chest and push back slightly. My fingers tingle. He's immovable.
Dropping my hand, I walk to the table and take the pen and paper. My fingers shake as I write.
I was awake. The woman on the Pegasus caused Betty to sleep. It was not Betty's fault.
He reads the note before looking up at me again. "I will not punish Betty for her lapse of duty. We need to talk about this woman who keeps appearing before you. This is not a good thing, Pepper. If you jump, you will die. Is that what you want?"
I can only shake my head no. There are so many things I want to say to him. I turn when I hear Betty's footsteps. Her eyes are huge and glued on Tahr.
He speaks before I can explain what's happened and put her at ease. "I'm aware this is not your fault, Betty." Her eyes shift to mine and back again when he continues speaking, "Pepper will no longer be serving me. You will go to the human tower and choose someone to help you up here. I don't care who it is as long as it isn't Henry."
My stomach tightens at his words. He's casting me aside and breaking my heart. Betty quickly shuffles from the room after a quick, sad glance in my direction. She warned me but she knows how this must hurt. My dreams come crashing in around me as I realize this is a greater punishment than being locked in the cellar. I love my dragon and I will pay for these feelings until the day I die.
I turn and walk to the door with my head down. I don't want Tahr to see me cry again.
"Where are you going?" he asks as his large hand circles my upper arm. He's still holding the pen and paper. I place my trembling hand out without looking up at him. I must get through this and allow my heart to completely crumble in privacy. He hands the writing utensils to me and tries to see what I'm scribbling so I cup my hand slightly and block him. Then I hand the note over and gulp in a breath of air to hold back sobs. My lower lip quivers so I bite it between my teeth and wonder how I will survive.
I'm returning to the human tower. I will find a proper job and serve you from there.
His hand tightens fractionally and his voice lowers. "You will no longer be serving me, Pepper. I wish for you to be my..." He looks around the room before returning his gaze to mine. A brief flash of silver alights within his eyes. "Your job is to be my friend."
His friend. My heart rate increases until it's a steady pound within my chest.
He speaks again while his word swirls through my mind. "I want you to teach me your language. I don't wish for you to serve me in any other way. I won't ask anything more of you, I promise." Now the silver in his eyes shines brightly and doesn't dispel. "No, I demand that you stay away from high ledges. I cannot bear for you to leave me."
He pulls me closer and I want so badly for him to kiss me. The blaze of his silver eyes intensifies the longer I take to answer. I place my hand out and he slowly rests the pen and paper on my palm. I write fast and wonder if he will even understand my scribble.
I wish to be your friend.
