Chapter Eighteen
Molly couldn’t pay attention.
They were seated in a space shuttle, an actual freaking space shuttle. And she was doing her level best not to gawk at everything like a tourist, but couldn’t help herself.
The controls were made of sleek, polished metal, and while she couldn’t read the monitors because they weren’t in English, the resolution was incredible. According to Blaze, Amy had the opportunity to take a ride, and Molly wondered if she’d be so lucky.
Also, it was a visceral, visual reminder of who Blaze really was. He might look human, but he wasn’t, not completely. Her space man had an honest to God ship.
Link and Blaze were exchanging pleasantries, talking about somebody named Vixen, so she wasn’t missing much. And then she noticed they were watching her with pointed stares.
“What? Sorry I was just, um—”
“Gawking?” Link suggested.
Now that she knew he was an artificial lifeform, she noted subtle differences—the way his eyes blinked a bit less often, how his smile was too wide, and how he didn’t use contractions.
“Yes, sorry.”
“It is understandable.” Link pointed to her but spoke to Blaze. “What about Mydon? When he finds out she was here, it will be unpleasant, for all of us.”
“Actually, no it won’t.” Molly had already filled Blaze in on her discussion with Mydon, so she gave Link the quick and dirty version of events.
His eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Apparently, Mydon wasn’t known for his mercy.
“Does he know what you intend to do?” Link asked.
“Nope, and I think we should keep it quiet.”
“Very well then, although I dislike lies.”
“It’s for a good cause.” Blaze patted his shoulder.
“Shall we discuss your mother’s predicament?” Link asked.
She nodded. “Please. If you have any ideas, I’d be grateful to hear them.” Her breath hitched. “I want her back.”
“Rona is using delta waves to suppress her consciousness.” Link pursed his lips, evidently thinking aloud. “Any idea what the mechanism is?”
Blaze shook his head. “No clue.”
“I see. If you knew what was generating the field, you could suppress it.”
“Wait a minute, what about her earrings?” Molly touched her own ears. “There has to be a reason she’s wearing those stupid things.”
“Tell me more.” Link leaned forward.
“They’re new, and my mother isn’t much of a jewelry person. They can’t be a fashion statement. Rona must be using them to generate brain waves.”
“Hmm, what do they look like?”
“Round, metal, ugly.”
“They could be the source.”
Molly felt almost giddy with relief. It’s the first piece of good news she’d had.
“Great. How do we get them off?”
Link frowned. “I advise caution. If you removed them before your mother was stimulated, it might cause permanent damage.”
“What kind of damage?” Molly asked.
“Mental incapacity. She might be left in a vegetative state.”
Molly clapped a hand over her mouth.
“And what do you mean by stimulated?” Blaze asked.
“She needs to be awakened. Give her a jolt, something strong enough to loosen Rona’s hold on her. It must be intense to penetrate the wave signature.”
Molly tried to think of something, anything that would do the trick, but came up blank.
“What about emotion?” Blaze offered.
“It could work, but it must be primal, a hard-wired sensation.”
And then the answer came to her.
“Like a mother’s love for her child?”
“More primal. From my understanding, there’s a basic humanoid biological imperative you could exploit—protecting one’s offspring from harm.”
“Meaning, if my life is threatened, she’d intervene?” It was a crazy plan, but Molly was willing to take the risk to save Leslie.
He nodded. “It might be a strong enough catalyst to break the alien’s hold on her.”
“No, absolutely not.” Blaze crossed his arms over his chest.
“Look, she already threatened me, so we can use it to our advantage. All we have to do is confront Rona again.”
“I won’t place you in jeopardy.”
“You aren’t. I’m doing this on my own. I have to get my mother back.” Molly stood. “End of discussion.”
Blaze got in her path. “This isn’t finished until I say it is.” He grasped her arm. “Let’s continue this conversation in private.”
***
The next thing she knew, they were in the woods, near where they’d hidden the ship. Once they left the protective bubble around it, the space around the ship shimmered, and the shuttle vanished once more.
The snow was thick, and her boots plunged deep into it, all the way down to the calf. She huffed and puffed her way back to the inn. The sun was descending in the sky, and soon it would be dark.
Molly had never been so angry in her life.
Blaze was right behind her, his strides eating up the distance between them.
“Back off. I’m pissed at you.”
“Well, I’m furious with you too.”
She whirled around to glare at him. “I’m doing this, and I don’t give a damn what you say.”
“Too bad, because I’m in charge of this mission, not you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes, you need someone to keep you in check. You have a knack for getting into trouble.”
She gritted her teeth. Molly was so livid, she couldn’t think of a retort.
“Well? I’m waiting.” He tapped a foot.
“I’m thinking. I’ll get back to you in a moment.”
And then Blaze grabbed her. Molly tried batting his hands away, but he kissed her, pressing her against a tree. When he pulled back, she slapped him.
Blaze laid a palm on his face. “Why’d you do that?”
“Because you're an ass. I have to save my mother.”
“I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t!”
“Wait. Why are we shouting at each other?”
“I don’t know.”
And they both laughed.
“I didn’t mean to yell at you, but she’s my family and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.” Molly wrapped her arms around herself.
“That’s part of what makes you so special, your bravery.” He sighed. “Look at you, you’re freezing to death out here.”
Blaze gathered her in his arms, pulling her against the length of his body, which radiated heat. Molly relaxed against him, soaking in the warmth, and the security of his embrace.
“We should go to my mom’s place tonight.”
“Will you wait until tomorrow? For me?”
“You won’t talk me out of this.”
“I know, but I need a bit more time with you, Molly.”
“Blaze…”
“Is she going anywhere this evening?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Molly couldn’t resist the pleading look in his eyes.
“Take it from me, there’s always a battle on the horizon, a foe to be vanquished, but every single day is precious. Tomorrow, we face the enemy, but tonight we celebrate being alive.”
“Because we might not get another chance?”
“Exactly.”
It was a sobering thought. Molly had no idea what other powers Rona possessed. She might very well die.
“What did you have in mind?”
“You’ll see. Come, I shall carry you.” And then he slung her over his shoulder. She twisted in his grasp, trying to free herself, but his arm was like a steel band around her thighs. Blaze swatted her ass for good measure.
“I can walk!” Molly had no hope of breaking his hold, so she just hung there, limp like a ragdoll.
“No, I might lose you in a snow drift.”
“You’re such an ass.”
“You like me anyway.”
She sighed. “Come on. Where are you taking me?”
“When my brothers, and I were mining, we found a hot springs. It’s high on top of the mountain, and well secluded, perfect for our needs.”
“It’s 15 below outside. Unlike you, I’m not part dragon, and I get cold easily.”
“Worry not, I shall keep you warm, and speaking of drakes, there’s something I must show you.”
Molly didn’t know how long they traveled, but eventually they wandered deep into the forest, until they came into a clearing. The sun had set, and they were alone in the dark. Molly didn’t know how he could see well enough to keep moving.
Finally, Blaze stopped. “I promised I’d show you my other form. Are you ready to see it?” He set her down once more.
Her breath caught. She got the impression this was a big deal for him, and it was for her as well. It was one thing to look at his DNA, it was another to visually see his other side.
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.
There was a bright, blinding flash of light, and she closed her eyes. When she opened them, a dragon towered over her, like something out of a fairy tale.
Her mouth hung open and Molly simply stared, nearly unable to believe her own eyes. Her instincts told Molly to run, but she braced herself, taking him all in. Thank God, they were miles away from civilization, because he was enormous.
Blaze was gorgeous and petrifying all at the same time.
The dragon had deep blue scales with matching eyes. The wings were gigantic, and the scales were shimmery. The edges were jagged, like a bat, and leathery. Its teeth were massive and razor sharp, and the creature had giant claws, which could easily rip someone to shreds.
She was reminded of all those trips she’d taken to the natural history museum as a child and how she’d spent hours gazing up at the dinosaurs, mesmerized by their size and majesty.
And now I’ve got a dinosaur of my very own.
“What do you think?” He cocked his head to one side, waiting.
Molly couldn’t even find the words. And had he spoken in her mind?
She swallowed. “You’re beautiful.”
Blaze bowed his head. “Then you aren’t frightened?”
“More like confused. What was the flashy thing? And how are you able to project your thoughts?”
“Drakes don’t possess vocal cords, so in this form, I simply think and the words appear. It’s magic.”
“Magic isn’t real.”
“Of course it is. Here I stand before you, the living embodiment of the concept.” The beast winked at her. “And the flash of lightning was an enchantment, fashioned by the alchemists. Think of it as a gateway between forms.”
“Magic and science all in one.” Molly yearned to see his world.
“Exactly. I think you’d like Iradia.”
“I think so too.”
“Why are you blue? I thought a dragon would be green.”
Molly walked around Blaze, examining him. She wanted to touch him, but wasn’t sure if she should. His spines looked sharp and what if it was considered rude? Although, Blaze didn’t seem to mind. He preened under the scrutiny, lifting his chin and shoulders.
“On Iradia, drakes are blue. I suspect it might have something to do with camouflage. It’s an icy world covered in glaciers.”
“Dark blue ice?”
“Yes.”
Something else bothered her. “Both Mydon, and Amy asked me if I was your mate. What does it mean?”
“If we were mates, we’d be forever joined. I’ve only observed what happened between Amy and Faro, because a Drakeborne Knight has never been mated before, but they are connected on every level.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“I’ll give you a practical example, if you were to get hurt, I’d bleed.”
“And the same applies to me?”
He nodded.
“Am I your mate?”
He bowed his head. “I fear you are.”
She blinked tears away. “And you don’t want me?”
“You already know my concerns, but never doubt my need for you, Molly.”
Molly wanted to discuss their relationship, but knew this was neither the time nor place.
She cleared her throat. “So it isn’t like a marriage? We don’t have to say I do?” Molly didn’t understand.
“There is a ceremony performed when drakes mate, but the instinct recognizes no cultural or legal sanctions.”
“What happens if you don’t acknowledge it?”
“I don’t know because it’s never happened before. I might go mad, or die, or have to be put down, but I’d take any of those options rather than harm you.”
This time tears poured down her cheeks.
“Hush now, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. Touch me.” And then Blaze crouched, going down on all fours.
Hesitantly, she reached out to stroke the beast’s muzzle. The skin was shiny and smooth, with rough spines every few inches.
A low rumble issued from his chest and his eyes closed in abject pleasure. He snorted and smoke plumed into the air.
No wonder he’s so hot. Blaze literally had fire in his belly.
Molly kept stroking him while he nuzzled closer, his enormous head lolling against her, utterly content to be stroked. Blaze rubbed his snout against her abdomen. She was humbled to have such a ferocious, striking beast gentled by her caress.
“I’ve never felt anything like it. You’re touch is…”
“Good?”
“A vast understatement.”
She chuckled.
“I love the sound of your laughter.” He watched her through slitted eyes.
“Well, you make me happy.”
Blaze nodded. “Likewise. Climb on, our springs await, dove.”