Page 42 of Lahaina Noon (Modern Legends of Dragons & Shadows #1)

Chapter 42

B ridget leaned her head against the cool glass of the window and looked out at the bustling city of Rome. She hoped they could come back someday, on vacation and see more of the sights. She glanced over and saw Gabe sitting with Bunny. They were playing Cloud Warrior on his handheld. Jorrie had her hand in Liam’s they were staring into each other’s eyes. Davis and Shepard were whispering together with their new friend, Dio, about the diversion plan they had devised.

Many of the others were on the second plane that Vaughn had sent to accommodate the large group now traveling to the US.

They were getting ready for take-off, just waiting for Jack, who’d had some errand he needed to run before he got on the plane. He leapt on board, and the attendant sealed the door behind him.

He came and flopped down in the seat next to hers and looked at her. “Babe,” he said softly, “You know I love you, right?”

She looked at him startled. “Of course, I do!” she rasped .

He smiled and replied, “Good, because I mean this in the most loving way possible. But you look like shit. I got you something.” He handed her a brown paper sack.

She shook it, “What is it?"

“Medicine for your headache and your poor throat,” he told her. “Now be a good girl and buckle your seat belt; we’re leaving.”

After the plane reached cruising altitude and it was safe to move, Jack shooed Bridget to the bathroom to wash her face, take the medicine, and go to bed.

In the bathroom, she looked in the mirror and had to admit he was right. She did look pretty peaked, and her throat had ugly bruising. Great, she was going to need to wear a scarf in summer until that healed. Her head was pounding again. She opened the bag and saw it wasn’t just Tylenol in there. She stared down at the contents and thought, God bless you Jack.

After downing the pills and getting some bottled water from the attendant, she went and laid down on the bed. It was surprisingly soft and perfect for her to stretch out. She lay there, reading the book Siobhan had loaned her and eating gummy bears.

Vaughn walked in and sat down next to her. He glanced at her snack and said, “Where did those come from?”

She winked and saluted him with a red bear before she bit its head off. “Jack. He got me some Tylenol and my favorite candy to help me feel better.”

Vaughn sat silently and then kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry, my love; I should have thought of that myself. ”

She waved off his apology. “It’s okay, you’ve been so busy coordinating this rabble. It’s fine. Jack could tell I had a headache, and he knew I needed some sugar to combat the after-adrenaline crash. He’s known me for years. He just picked up on it quicker because he wasn’t trying to save the world.” She smiled to let him know he was off the hook.

“How are you now, my love?” he asked her softly.

“Much better, but you know what would really help?”

He gestured for her to go on.

“If you would lie here with me and hold me for a while?”

He laid back on the bed and pulled her over to him.

She snuggled in and sighed. They lay there for a moment, and he closed his eyes, breathing her in.

Shortly, he realized she was shaking and crying. “Bridget,” he said, knowing she had been putting on a brave face. “Shh. My sweet Bridget, it’s okay, you’re safe now. He will never touch you again.”

“You don’t know that!” she wailed.

He gripped her tightly. “You’re right, I can’t guarantee it. But I swear to you, if he does touch you, it will be because I’m dead. Because that’s the only way he would get you.”

She cried harder, and Vaughn cursed himself. Apparently, that had not been the right thing to say.

“My love! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make it worse. I just wanted you to know that I would rather die than ever let him touch you. And I have no plans of dying; dragons are very long-lived.” He kissed her temple.

Her tears slowed, and she gripped his shirt tightly. “That’s the other problem,” she said softly, her voice shaking .

He pondered a moment, “I’m so sorry, I don’t understand. What is the other problem?” She was silent for so long that he became nervous. “Bridget?” he prompted, his voice thick with emotion.

“You’re so long-lived. You’re already over two hundred years old, I’m thirty-seven, you have centuries, I have forty, fifty years at most. I’ll be an old, wrinkled mess, and you’ll still look like that,” she said, waving at his face. “Why would you shackle yourself to that? And when I die from being an old woman? Will you lose your magic? I don’t want you to die!” She was nearing hysteria.

Vaughn couldn’t help it; he burst out laughing.

Bridget was so shocked she stopped crying and stared at him incredulously.

He sat up and leaned over her, covering her lips with his, kissing her fiercely.

She responded with a desperation that scared her.

“I’m so sorry! I don’t mean to laugh. I’m not laughing at you; I’m laughing at my own stupidity. I shouldn’t have assumed you knew.” He shook his head.

“Knew what?” she sniffed, suspicious.

“Bridget, Wielders already age very slowly. They are very long-lived as well. Killian is almost a century old. When a dragon mates with a Wielder, that Wielder receives part of the dragon’s magic and longevity. That’s why there is a ritual for the mating bond. It transferred some of my life force to you. You will age at the same rate I do.”

She stared at him, not quite believing what she was hearing. “But, but,” she stammered .

He smiled gently, “I am sorry, my dear. Why else would dragons willingly tie their lives to humans if that wasn’t a perk? No dragon ever wants to outlive their mate. You and I will be together for a long time. A very , long time. I hope you don’t get tired of me.”

She sniffled a few more times, whispering, “Thank you, my love. Sorry, I flipped out like that. I guess a near-death experience left me off balance.”

He kissed her forehead and laid back down, pulling her to him again.

She snuggled right back like a puzzle piece locking in.

“Don’t ever apologize for having normal feelings. You went through an awful situation. Quite frankly it surprises me you didn’t fall apart before now. You’re one tough lady.” He closed his eyes.

“Vaughn?” she said softly.

He opened his eyes and saw a green bear dancing in his face.

“Gummy bear?”

“Bridget,” Vaughn whispered sometime later.

“Mmm,” she mumbled back.

“Bridget,” he said a little louder and shook her gently.

“Five more minutes,” she grumbled into the pillow. She heard a deep, rumbly laugh.

“My darling, you know I would give you all of the time in the world, but we are landing soon, so you have to go back to the main cabin.”

Bridget opened one eye and saw Vaughn smiling at her. “It’s a good thing you’re cute,” she grumped. The medicine had helped her headache, but she was still out of sorts. Almost being kidnapped and strangled by a shadow creature, dangling from a dragon’s claws, and having an emotional breakdown could do that, she supposed. She stretched, her arms up over her head, arching her back and pointing her toes. She looked at Vaughn and saw him staring at her with hunger in his eyes as her shirt rode up, exposing her stomach.

Caught staring, he smiled at her wolfishly, reaching for her.

She laughed, smacked his hand, and rolled away. She got out of bed and straightened her clothing. She let out an “oomph” as Vaughn wrapped her in his arms.

“Are you feeling better now?” he inquired softly.

“Mmm, much better,” she replied, laying her head on his chest. They stayed that way for a few minutes until a knock sounded on the door, followed by the attendant’s voice reminding them they needed to return to their seats.

“Be right there!” Vaughn called out. He was sure they had time enough for one more kiss.

Safely buckled in her seat, feeling much more alert, she caught Jack’s eye and nodded. She mouthed thanks to him for his thoughtfulness earlier. He smiled in return. He really was everything she would have wanted in a brother of her own. She glanced around and saw the rest of the group was engaged in various activities, a slight tension in the air.

Jorrie was still sitting with Liam, holding hands, their heads bent low over what looked like some sort of diagram. As if sensing she was being observed, she glanced up at Bridget and gave her a wink. Seemed things were going well in that department .

She looked for Gabe and finally located him at the far end of the cabin. He appeared to be asleep in his seat, Bunny next to him, asleep as well, with her head on his shoulder. Bridget pursed her lips. She was not looking forward to the moodiness she would have to endure when Bunny eventually went back to Italy and Gabriel stayed in Dallas for school.

Vaughn appeared next to her, bringing her a ginger ale and sitting down. She thanked him and took a few sips, appreciating the cold bubbles on her throat.

“Figured you needed to settle your stomach; you were a little green earlier,” he told her.

The plane made its descent into Dallas and touched down smoothly at the private airport. She wasn’t sure how he managed all of this, the money, the international rules they were probably breaking, but she figured there must be some magic involved to grease those wheels.

She glanced at Vaughn, but he was busy organizing the squads and arranging transport to the various hotels, so she decided not to bother him. She realized everyone was busy talking to someone or doing something useful. Feeling a bit out of sorts, she found a folding chair and plopped down in it. She propped her chin in her hands and observed the scurrying back and forth.

Siobhan walked over and gestured at her throat. “I could maybe help with that,” the girl said shyly. “Sorry, I should have thought of it earlier, but I was on the other plane.”

Bridget smiled; it seemed their talk earlier had broken down some more walls. “That would be lovely if you think you can. I was thinking I’d have to wear a scarf for a while, and it’s too hot for that. ”

Siobhan nodded emphatically, understanding exactly what she meant. She held her hands near Bridget’s throat and sent gentle green waves over it.

“Oh wow!” Bridget said, stretching her neck. “That feels amazing! I’m so impressed with how you’ve managed to tweak your talents into something more. You should be proud of yourself too; I hope you’ll be willing to teach me more about my own powers. I could learn a lot from you!”

Siobhan straightened and beamed. She was like a flower blossoming in the warm sunshine.

Bridget figured it must have been hard growing up in a dragon family, in Liam’s shadow, knowing she would never have wings of her own. She smiled, “I’m so appreciative of all you’ve done. Thank you so much.”

“It was most impressive, Wielder. I am never seeing someone master skills outside of their own spectrum before.” A rich male voice came from behind the girl.

Siobhan whirled to face the man who had spoken. It was one of the very handsome red dragons from Italy. Lorenzo or Tomi, Bridget couldn’t remember which.

She spoke up, “Our Siobhan is very talented, isn’t she? She’s got an impressive amount of control over her magic. She taught me how to perform basic things without frying my brain in one day!” She saw Siobhan blush and try to deny it.

He nodded. “That is fascinating. I desire to learn more about you, Wielder. Would you walk with me?” He held out his arm for Siobhan.

She looked at Bridget, who nodded and made shooing motions .

“I’ll be damned!” she heard from behind her. Vaughn was standing there watching Siobhan walk off arm in arm with the red dragon. She was smiling, a faint blush on her cheeks. He shook his head. “You really have a way with people, you know?”

She grinned at him. “Nothing a little positivity couldn’t have handled.”

“In that case, how about some positive thoughts for a safe trip home?” he grinned.

“Way ahead of you babe!”