Page 146 of Red Fury

“Excuse me,” the gate agent says, much closer now. Her voice is firm. “I’m sorry, but you really can’t be here, sir. And, ma’am, if you’re going to make this flight, you need to board now.”

We break apart reluctantly. The woman’s expression is understanding rather than annoyed, and she gives us a sympathetic smile.

“I can give you a few minutes to talk, but it has to be back in the seating area. And then Miss Douglas really does need to board her flight if she’s still going.”

We nod and walk back out, my hand clasped in Fury’s much larger one. He pulls me over to a quiet corner and takes both my hands in his, looking deep into my eyes.

I can hardly breathe.

“I’m just going to say it, I’m in love with you, Shadow.” His voice is raw with emotion. “Totally and desperately in love with you. I can’t say exactly when it happened, only that it did.”

The tears start up again, and I can’t stop them this time.

“Hey, hey,” he says softly, wiping them away with his thumbs. “Please don’t cry. I can’t take it.”

“I can’t help it.” I smile for a moment. “Hearing you say that makes me so happy because I love you too,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “But it makes me sad too because it doesn’t change anything. I’m still a Draiger and you’re still a Red. I wouldn’t be accepted on Mistveil, and you’d be killed if you set foot on Draig Island. We can’t stay on the Mainland. It doesn’t matter how we feel about each other – we can’t be together, Fury. I wish we could be. I wish it so hard it hurts.”

He’s quiet for a moment, studying my face. “Would you consider leaving Draig Island? For good?”

“To go where?”

“Answer the question,” he urges.

“I would,” I say quietly. “If it meant being with you, I would. I mean, everything has changed. All of my ideals, everything I was taught, everything I believed about duty and loyalty and tradition. Once word gets out about what we’ve discovered – and it will, sooner or later it will – I won’t even have a job anymore.” I laugh, but it holds no humor. “They won’t need to train dragon riders when we stop the vaccinations. What I want now is to help fix the mess the Mainland has caused. I want to be part of the solution.”

“So, you would leave then?” He lifts his brows. “Is that what you just said?”

I giggle. “Yes.” Then I get serious. “As long as we’re together.”

He grows serious, taking my hands back in his. “You might not want me anymore if I get fired and don’t have a job.”

“Are you kidding me right now?” I stare at him. “That’s the least of my worries. Besides, you’re going to talk with Steel and sort it out.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Would you come to Mistveil with me? It won’t be easy; there will be people who won’t accept you at first. But we’ll tackle it together, as a team. We’ll be together. And my king, Arctic…he’s all for the islands being on friendly terms again. If anyone can make this work, it’s him. Octane and his mate live there. I think you said you knew him.”

I nod. “I know him well.”

“Well, then?”

“How?” I whisper. “They won’t just let me in.”

“Answer the question first. Will you come?”

I look into his eyes and see my future there. It’s uncertain and terrifying and probably impossible. But it’s with him.

“I would,” I say.

He brushes his lips against mine in the softest kiss.

“Excuse me,” the gate agent says, approaching us again. “Miss Douglas, I really am sorry, but you have to board now. We’re about to close the doors.”

Fury holds up one finger. “One more minute. Please.”

She looks disapproving but nods. “One minute, but that’s all I can give you.”

Fury pulls out his phone and dials. “I’m calling Steel,” he tells me.

It rings twice before someone picks up. Fury and I huddle together so that I can listen in.