Chapter 91: Pepper
I'm warm... and it feels so good. The heat at my back reminds me of one of the large stoves used in the kitchens. I take a deep breath and my chest aches slightly, but not as bad as it had. If I were dead, I don't think it would continue to ache at all. My head feels fuzzy and I'm very tired. It doesn't stop me from remembering the nightmare of the dungeon cell. Whatever nice dream I'm having needs to continue. This is so much better than the dark and cold.
"Meagan," someone whispers in my ear as a large, warm hand covers my breast.
My eyes pop open and I notice three things at once. I'm in the dragon's bedroom, his hand is covering my breast, and something hard is poking into my back. I'm lying beneath soft linen and it's Tahr who's causing the heat.
"Meagan?" It's a question this time.
I have no way to answer and I'm very frightened of what he will do when he discovers I'm here in his room and that I'm not Meagan. I don't have long to wait because he jumps from the bed which shifts my body so I half roll toward him. He stares down at me with a look of horror on his face.
"Fucking Goddess, oh my fucking hell," he shouts into the room.
He's going to kill me and I don't even know how I got here. His eyes meet mine and red creeps up his neck and into his cheeks. This is it. He will incinerate me where I lay.
He does the last thing I expect. In a much calmer voice he speaks. "I'm sorry. You were ill. I... I'm sorry." He runs his fingers through his hair and looks away.
I slowly drop my eyes and let them trail over his rippling stomach muscles until I stop at his um... thing. It's a magnet for my attention. I've seen him naked many times, but never seen him this close or this large. As if it has a life of its own, it jumps just a bit and Tahr quickly moves his hands down and cups his thing with both hands completely missing the top half.
"Hell, don't look at that." His voice rises again.
My eyes jerk to his and heat travels into my face. I'm at a loss when he turns suddenly and leaves the room. I glance around having no idea what I'm to do. In self-preservation, I pull the covers up high and peek out from beneath them as I try to find the nerve to run. Before I can put a plan into action, he returns with trousers covering his lower half. He holds out a dressing robe and I'm forced to release part of the cover to take it from his hand. He turns his back and I bring the robe to my nose and inhale the scent I remember so well.
Meagan, oh Goddess it smells just like her. Tears form in my eyes at the remembrance of her beautiful scent. I need her desperately. She was such a loving soul and when I was in her company, I was never nervous or terrified like I am now. I glance up and the dragon is peering over his shoulder watching me with a look of understanding on his face. It helps alleviate my fear. I wipe the tears from my cheeks without removing my gaze from his.
His voice is gruff when he speaks. "It was Meagan's. She would want you to use it."
I nod and bury my face within the soft cloth to calm my nerves even more. When I look up, Tahr is no longer watching me and I swiftly pull the robe around my shoulders. I can't adjust it lower because I don't want to completely remove the blanket. The gown I'm wearing is hiked up around my hips and I feel very exposed even with the cover.
"Are you decent?" he asks.
Of course I can't answer so I clap twice. We humans are very resourceful in our inability to speak. Clapping is one of the ways we communicate.
"I don't know if that's a yes or no. I'm turning," he replies softly.
I smile shyly when our eyes meet again. He hasn't killed me and he's given me the gift of reliving Meagan's scent. My pleasure dissipates the longer he assesses me and makes me uncomfortable for so many reasons. I'm in his bed, I'm wearing Meagan's nightwear, and he's so beautiful. His chest muscles ripple, his arms bulge, and a steady pulse beats at his thick throat. He's just so... amazing. I have no idea what I should do now and it's not like I can ask him to explain how I got here.
There's a knock on the door in the other room and the dragon thankfully strides away, which gives me a chance to breathe deeply. A minute later, he returns with Betty, who's carrying a tray of food. I've wanted to see her for so long and without thinking, I jump from the bed. My legs wobble and melt beneath me as the room spins. The next thing I know, I'm in the dragon's arms and he's laying me back on the bed. I'm embarrassed when he adjusts my gown and robe so my legs are covered.
I think I fainted. With his proximity and the whisper touches of his hand against my skin, it might happen again. He's entirely too overwhelming, the electric feel of his touch too powerful. I glance beyond his shoulder and notice Betty covering her mouth and crying. I shakily place my hand out toward the dearest person in my life. The dragon moves slightly to give Betty room. Her arms circle me and she rocks me back and forth. I've needed Betty so badly for so long. I absorb her warmth as she holds and comforts me. I bask in her love and try to forget the weeks I've suffered. When I finally manage to gain a bit of control, the neckline of my gown is wet and I really need to wipe my nose. The dragon's hand remains supportive and tingly against my back. With this new awareness I also realize my head is bare. I reach up and try to cover my head. When I glance at the dragon, I see pity in his eyes. My hands fall loosely to my sides as I fight more tears. No one sees me without the headpiece and now shame rolls through me.
