“You’ve changed for me. I’ll take responsibility for that, so don’t worry, Cecilia.”
“Wha… Th-that’s not what I meant!”
“Oh? I love how sensitive you are. It makes me so happy.”
It’s true. I have changed. Not just physically, but in other ways, too.
There was no denying that I’d changed quite a bit, but he definitely had a motive for saying it at this specific moment. He was only teasing me to show that he was feeling better. Honestly, it was a sweet sort of spitefulness.
I smacked his shoulder lightly in protest, and he whispered, “I like it when you show that side, too.”
My victory pose that I’d struck in my mind came apart. And I gave in to him, body, heart, and soul.
He held my breast with one hand, the other slipping under my nightgown like magic, tracing a line across my panties.
I twitched at the touch, and the next thing I knew, his tongue had slid into my mouth. It curled around mine like he was checking my temperature, and my strength melted away.
“Ahh, mm…”
“I love you, Cece,” he whispered tenderly. He slipped his warm hand into my panties, his finger gently slipping inside the folds that were already growing slick for him. I moaned in bliss.
“Ohh, Lukie…!”
But just as quickly, he pulled away. I reached for his neck in protest, only to catch him staring in disbelief at his finger, which was coated in my juices.
I grabbed the pillow in frustration.
“Wow. You’re way hotter than usual inside. I really wanna do it, but it might be dangerous.”
Oh, so that was just a temperature check? How thoughtful of you, my dear husband!
But seriously, that’s not how you check someone’s temperature, you absolute pervert!
“Lukie, you stupid, horny jerk!”
“What? Why?”
Why?! Oh, he looks confused… How adorable… And irritating! That’s supposed to be my line!
So I whacked him over and over with the pillow.
“Stupid! Idiot! Why would you check my fever that way?! You twisted, perverted demon!”
“Oww! Okay, okay. I’m sorry, Cecilia! Pfft…”
I swung the pillow back and brought it down hard on his perfectly handsome face, and Lucas collapsed into my lap with a defeated chuckle.
“I think that pillow’s gotten stronger, too.”
“I’ve still got a fever, so that wasn’t even my full strength!” I boasted when in truth I had, in fact, used all of my full strength. I narrowed my eyes to look a bit more threatening.
But he just laughed to himself like this was a game, and the most fun he’d had with one, and wrapped his arms around my waist. And all of a sudden, it was all too much again.
“Really?” he said. “Well, I’m looking forward to it, then. I hope you get better soon.”
“There you go again. Just get some rest tonight, too, okay?” I said, running my fingers through his messy hair as he rested his head in my lap. He closed his eyes like a cat being petted. The sight of him so completely at ease filled my chest with something close to pain, and the words spilled from me without even thinking.
“Welcome home, my love. I’ve been waiting so long for you to come back safely.”
“Yeah… I’m home, Cece. I’m sorry for worrying you.” He opened his eyes slightly, giving me that familiar pained look, his brow unknotting over his softened gaze.
But even though his last murmur was so quiet, it carried a kind of conviction, and I bit down hard to choke back the tears before I finally spoke.
“Where did you go today?” I swept his bangs aside, looking at his quiet golden eyes in the dim room.
There was no emotion in his eyes besides love, and unlike usual, he seemed a little troubled as he spoke. “I went out near Barlefeldt. There’s that cliff right on the edge between the border forest and Barlefeldt, you know? Anyway, I’d heard there was a place there called the Dragon’s Ravine.”
Before I could even wonder why he went there, the unfamiliar name triggered a strange sense of unease inside me, and I blurted out the question before I could stop myself.
“The Dragon’s Ravine? Then it’s a place related to the dragon’s blessing, right?”
Please let that be the case…
But the answer wasn’t what I’d hoped for.
“No. According to Barnabash, it’s a place where dragons go to express their love to their mates. Anyone can enter, but the terrain’s only reachable by flight. Cece?”
His words made my fingers tremble slightly as I brushed through his bangs. Still, I forced myself to confirm it.
“Was there a rainbow there the whole time?”
“Yes, there was. How did you know that?” Lucas sat up and looked at me in surprise.
I swallowed down my fear with a small nod.
I still didn’t know if my past life had been that of a college girl or a dragon. I had no proof or any real way to explain anything. But if I told him I’d seen it in a dream, would he believe me? What if I’d been that sinful dragon who failed to choose their true love?
What if I’m dragging Lucas into my karmic mess? What if Marshal Webber’s disappearance is somehow connected to that? What if I tell him all that and I catch a flicker of disgust in his eyes? What if he turns cold and tells me to never come near him again?!
“I-I don’t know. I guess someone just told me about it, that’s all.” The lie slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. I pressed my hand against my chest, where my heart pounded painfully.