Page 1 of The Dragon’s Stone Hearted Mate (Mori’s Mementos #1)
Rho
Camp Air
In this moment I am made of stone. I am as solid as any boulder you have ever met and probably a fair bit heavier.
With each passing year my insides carry more weight.
Even after the building I once guarded was demolished the workmen could not move me.
They could not destroy me no matter what demolition equipment was brought in.
I am the son of the ground brought to life by wind and water spirits, solidified, making this form of mine one to bear all changes.
I was carved from the heart of a planet older than those ones the creatures who constantly move around me come from.
The planet no longer exists but whatever magic this strange place called the Other World possesses brought me here with the dirt under my feet.
This isn’t the first spot molded together with pieces of broken worlds.
This isn’t the first big bang or big squeeze or whatever the hidden creators might call it.
This is only the first one I remember. This place absorbs broken worlds into its realm.
This truly is the place the dead come. Even dead worlds dwell here for the rest of what might be eternity.
My name is Rho. Short for Rhodonite the stone I am made from.
In this form, I wait for my mate. I have curved horns, a long tail, that would be fluffy if I was not made of stone, and look to be carved from my namesake because I am.
Once upon a time, I had a softer form. One where my hooves turned to feet and some of my features mimicked the creatures scurrying around me currently.
That was when my dragon was around. How long ago was that?
I’m not sure. That’s why I’m asking you.
Whoever you are? Are you even real or am I still talking to myself?
Someone is close by. I can see them out of the corner of my eye.
Probably someone who can’t hear me. Your sort can never hear me. There is definitely someone there.
“Hello, little rabbit, do you hear me?” I call out but the rabbit hops away to nibble grass in another spot.
It doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t have a great lot to say even if the creatures scurrying around me could make out my words.
There is much I don’t remember about my home world and exactly how I came to be here, but I know one thing.
I will be forever stone until my dragon finds me again and when he does, I will rip asunder anyone who tries to keep us apart.
Come home soon, dragon of mine, before we’re all just the sands of time.