Targon

 

 

 

The moons ride low in the clear night sky and I circle again around the mountaintop, making sure that my treasured one is safe. Over the past few days I’ve done what I can to make her comfortable and to show her that I care. After seeing her thoughts and hearing her words I know the uncertainty she is faced with. I know that she is far from home, scared for herself and her friends, afraid she may be trapped on this dangerous planet forever.

She has faced so much hardship already with hardly a complaint. Her will is so strong, and I am proud to call her my mate, even if doubt still hangs in her mind. No matter what happens, I will not abandon her, and if she must leave me, then I will stick by her side until she is either safely returned home, or until my heart no longer beats in my chest.

I yearn to go back to her and comfort her, to hold her in my arms and help her come to grips with the cruel realities of this planet. I know together we can change all of that, make this world a place worthy of calling our home. But I made a promise and I will never break my vows to her. I cannot return—not yet. She needs her space, and she needs time.

I come only in the early morning hours to ensure she is kept well. I will bring her food and check on her safety, but beyond that I must stay away.

And so I take to the skies, circling night and day just out of sight.

Until dawn one morning. As I come around the mountain peak I see smoke rising from outside my lair. I’m some distance off but my eyes are sharp and immediately I head for Rin. As soon as I’m close enough to hear her again I shout to her with my thoughts.

Rin, my treasured one. Are you alright?

My heart is pounding while I wait for her reply. Every moment that passes feels like an eternity, and I chide myself for having left her. My head spins with the worst possible scenarios: the Vikon have come and taken her; there was an accident in the cave and she’s been rendered unconscious; wild animals or the Other-Worlders… Below me the mountains zip past as I desperately fight the air for more speed. I let out a fierce roar and tuck back my wings, diving straight for the landing.

Rin, I yell out. I’d give everything to know she’s alright.

But then I hear her voice. I’m here, Targon. With those words all my troubles are carried away.

I sweep back my wings and touch down on the landing. Rin is standing there over a fire she’s lit on the precipice. Immediately I take her form and rush to her side. We embrace and a warmth sweeps through me, as if pure joy was flooding my veins.

I was worried for you. I tell her. I’ve missed you more than words can say.

“I’ve missed you too,” she replies. “I wasn’t sure how to get your attention. I hope this fire was okay.”

I want you to be happy, my treasured one. I run my fingers through her hair, inhaling the scent I’ve missed so dearly. She has changed even more in the short time we’ve spent apart, my claiming mark transforming her and making her stronger. I can see my essence burning in her eyes. There is determination there, and openness to new experiences I hadn’t seen before.

Tell me what I can do to fix the wrongs I’ve created in your life.

She smiles at me, but there is still trepidation in her body language. I take her by the hand, my eyes asking her to follow me. Her tiny fingers wrap around mine and we go inside the lair.

“I know that you haven’t meant to hurt me,” she says. She has trouble holding eye contact as she says the words, but I sense her sincerity. She is troubled by the things she’s seen inside me, and has many questions.

She squeezes my hand. “It’s been hard to trust anything here. But I know I can trust you.” She pauses, a cool breeze blows through the cavern, and then she looks into my eyes.

“This hasn’t been easy for me Targon, you know that. But I was wrong to take it out on you. You’ve really taken care of me since I’ve met you, and I hope you aren’t upset with me for asking you to leave for a while.”

Pain roils up from my heart. Upset with you? I could never hold onto any ill will toward you, my mate. If anyone should be apologizing, it is me. I thought you wanted me to claim you, thought you gave me the sign, but I realize now I acted rashly and without consideration for your needs. I bow my head, pressing me forehead to her breast. If you just give me the chance to be by your side, I will never take you for granted again.

Her fingers run through my hair, grazing my horns and sending waves of relaxation throughout my body “There’s nothing to forgive, my sweet dragon. Let’s start over.”

I raise my eyes to her and move in for a kiss. She moans softly as our lips touch.

“It’s so good to have you back,” she says. “But I can’t stay here anymore. I need to go find my friends. They crash landed here with me and I fear for their safety. I wouldn’t have made it without you watching over me, and I hope that you will help me find them now.”

It is dangerous out there, my treasure. There are forces you don’t understand, evil things beyond your comprehension. I’m reluctant to take you out into the world.

“This is important to me,” she says. I can feel it in her thoughts, and see it in her pained expression. “I’ve thought about it a lot over the past few days, and I‘m able to accept the fact that I’m probably stuck on this planet—at least for some time to come, and maybe forever. It’s a lot to deal with, and I can’t do it alone. I need you, Targon. And I need the girls. They are all I have left of my old life, and they are my friends. I could never abandon them and live with myself.” Her eyes well with tears, but she is strong and holds them back.

Her words are true—there is no arguing with that. I understand the pain it causes her to know her friends are in danger. To be apart from them, uncertain of their fate. My mind conjures images of my kindred, taken from me and locked away by the Other-Worlders. They are out there suffering this very minute. I know that pain all too well. I stroke her cheek with my hand and look into her eyes. She moves my heart.

Of course I will help you, Rin. But we must be careful. You will have to listen to me.

She smiles brightly and hugs me with all her strength. “Thank you,” she says, pecking my cheek with rapid-fire kisses. “I’ll do whatever it takes. It’ll make me feel so much better once we’ve found them.”

We spend the rest of the night talking over dinner and discussing our plans for the days ahead. Rin tells me about her friends and about their experience in the “helicopter,” the human flying machine they arrived in. She talks about her family and her life back home, speaking of strange things like “cars” and “chocolate.” I try to imagine myself in her world, but the images in her mind are so foreign I have trouble wrapping my head around them.

She talks excitedly all night, and it fills me with joy to see her smile as she remembers her life before. I don’t speak a word, just sit and listen, happy to again be by her side. When it gets late, Rin curls up on the furs and opens her arms to me, drawing me against her soft and supple skin. We lay together, two bodies entwined into one, and soon drift off to sleep with thoughts of our coming adventures on our minds.