Page 51 of Red Fury (The Dragon Tributes #8)

S hadow

It feels like Groundhog Day.

Here I am again, walking through the airport terminal with my bag slung over my shoulder, boarding pass clutched in my hand. The same fluorescent lights buzz overhead, the same announcements echo through the speakers.

Except this time feels different. It feels final. It feels harder, somehow.

Fury walks beside me. Every step we take toward my gate feels like a countdown. I want to stop walking, to grab his hand and run in the opposite direction, but I can’t.

“Here we are,” Fury says quietly, checking the departure board.

I nod. There’s a lump in my throat that won’t shift, no matter how many times I swallow. I’m working hard at staying cool, calm, and collected. It’s what I do. It’s who I am. But right now, that control feels like it’s hanging by the thinnest of threads.

We approach the security checkpoint, and I force myself to go through the motions. I show them my ID and boarding pass. Then I put my bag on the conveyor belt and walk through the metal detector, collecting my things on the other side.

Fury meets me beyond security. We walk in silence toward my gate, the distance between us carefully maintained.

Part of me wants to beg him to…to what? To save me? He’s already done that. Twice. Maybe I want… I…it… I can’t.

The truth is, I don’t want to go back to Draig Island. But I can’t stay here either.

More than anything, I don’t want to lose him. He’s come to mean so much to me. I fought it and I failed.

All too soon, we arrive at my gate. The lady behind the counter looks up as we approach, her professional smile in place.

“Are you on flight 847?” she asks.

“Yes,” I manage to say.

“Wonderful! Boarding will commence in just a few minutes. We should have you in the air right on schedule.”

Fury turns to face me, and I see him swallow thickly.

There’s something raw in his expression that he’s trying to hide, but I know him well enough now to see through his mask.

He looks as affected by this as I feel. Maybe it’s just that he’s overwhelmed; it was only a few short hours ago that we left Kozlov’s place, that we heard the news about Secretary Harrison. I’m sure he’s just overwhelmed.

“This is it,” Fury says.

“Yep.”

The gate agent’s voice cuts through our moment. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re now ready to begin boarding for flight 847.” She looks pointedly at me before looking at the other two people who are making their way to her.

“You need to take care of yourself,” he tells me, his voice deep.

“You, too. I’m sure you’ll get Steel to believe you now. He has to.”

A ghost of a smile crosses his lips. “I’m sure I will too. I can be quite convincing when I need to be.”

He steps forward then, and I meet him halfway.

His arms come around me, pulling me against his chest in a tight hug.

His heart beats against mine. I push my face into his chest. Even though I don’t want to let go – even though every fiber of my being is screaming at me to hold on – I force myself to step back.

Shit! Shit!

I blink hard, trying desperately to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill over.

“Look after yourself, Draiger,” Fury says softly.

I’m too afraid that my voice will break if I try to speak, so I just nod instead.

Then I turn and start walking toward the gate. My vision blurs, tears I can’t hold back making everything swim. I bite the inside of my cheek, using the sting to keep the sob locked in my chest.

I show the gate agent my boarding pass and keep walking down the hallway. Just before I reach the end, I stop.

I shouldn’t do this. I know I shouldn’t. I don’t want to be disappointed, but I turn around anyway, holding my breath.

I make the tiniest little noise.

He’s still there, standing exactly where I left him, watching me with an expression that makes my heart clench.

I smile at him, a real smile despite the tears.

He smiles back. God, but he’s beautiful. He’s everything I never knew I wanted and everything I can never have.

Before I can stop myself, I take a step toward him.

He takes a step toward me.

And then we’re both running.

“Sir! Sir, you can’t go through there!” the gate agent calls out as Fury barrels past her, but he ignores her completely.

“Don’t go,” he says as he reaches me, his hands cupping my face.

“I don’t want to go,” I say at exactly the same time.

We both laugh, but it’s filled with hurt, raw and desperate and real.

He grabs me in a tight hug, lifting me off the ground. When my feet touch the floor again, his lips crash against mine in a kiss that’s frantic and hungry and perfect. I kiss him back with everything I have, pouring all my love and fear and hope into this moment.

“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.

“You had better be about to board your flight.” Steel’s voice is clearly audible.

“I am.”

“Why are you calling me, then?”

“There’s been a development. Kozlov pulled out of the arms deal. And Secretary Harrison was in a fatal car accident not so long ago.” Fury trails off.

“Kozlov moves quickly.”

“He does,” he says, pulling in a fortifying breath.

“We can talk about it when you land? You’ll be here in a few short hours. I—”

“I need you to do a huge favor for me, Steel.”

Steel’s sigh is so loud it’s audible. “I’m not liking the sound of this.”

“I need you to get Shadow on my flight back. I want her to return to Mistveil with me.”

There’s a long pause. “The Draiger? Why?” Another pause, then Steel’s voice changes, becoming knowing. “Let me guess. You’re in love with her.” He still sounds flat.

I’m sure he disapproves. I guess I can’t blame him. Fury and I have pushed past the bias, but others haven’t.

I’m a Draiger to them.

“Yes,” Fury says, his eyes locked with mine.

He takes my hand, running his thumb over my palm.

“I’m completely and totally in love with her.

She can’t go back to Draig Island. She’s overdue on her vaccination,” he says more quietly.

“She’s in control. It’s proof that everything Kozlov said is true.

I can prove it. I just need her to do it.

I need her to come with me, and she can show you for herself. ”

“So, this is about proving your point, then? Not love?”

Fury’s eyes never leave mine. “For me, it’s about love. But if you need a reason that you can sell to Arctic, use that one.”

I smile at him, my heart full of affection and hope despite everything.

“There’s no way I can get this approved before your flight takes off,” Steel says. “It’s just not possible.”

“You’re the General. Surely you can make decisions for yourself? You don’t need approval.”

“If I’m making this decision as the General, it’s a straight no. Forget about it.”

My heart sinks.

“I’m asking you as a friend, then. As someone who’s in love himself. You fell in love with your human charge. You broke every rule in the book for her. Surely you, of all people, understand—?”

“Stop!” Steel says, but I can hear the smile in his voice even though I don’t have the phone to my ear. “You’re sure she’s in control?”

Fury glances at me.

I bite my lip and nod. “I am,” I mouth.

“I’m very sure,” Fury says, grinning at me.

“She’s your responsibility.”

“I know she is. She’s mine.”

There’s another long pause. “Fine. I’ll have it sorted in five minutes. You can bring your female back with you.”

Fury’s whole face lights up. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I owe you one, Steel. I—”

“This doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You have a ton of explaining to do when you get back here. I’m sure Octane will be thrilled to have another Draiger in his corner.”

“I think so, too,” Fury tells him. “They actually know each other.”

“There we go. Look out for the boarding pass; it’ll hit your inbox in the next five minutes.”

They end the call, and I jump into Fury’s arms, laughing and crying at the same time.

“Ma’am,” the poor lady says, “I really need you to board now. The flight is about to leave without you.”

I turn to her with the biggest smile I’ve ever worn. “That’s okay. Let it leave. I’m not going anymore.”

She blinks in surprise. “Are you sure? Once those doors close—”

“I’m sure,” I say, still grinning. “I’m exactly where I need to be.”

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