Finding The Red Dragon

You Win

Ella carried her sweater as she walked to the garden in full thought. She was nervous and a little scared, but excited at the same time. After a lengthy discussion with Liv, she had agreed to give Olin a fair chance. And with a promise to Ragnar and Liv, she had to make good on it, not that it would be hard, because there was something about him that just made her want more.

Liv had insisted on letting her borrow a dress, which was a tad bit tighter than she liked, but it did look good. So, Ella added large soft curls to her hair and a touch of makeup, and then felt a little more presentable than last night in her jeans.

As she sat in the garden waiting, she closed her eyes and let the smell of the flowers wash over her. This really was her favorite place. Her mind wondered what his home looked like, and if it was close to the river or the field of lilies. Sal had said they owned all this land, so Olin must live the opposite direction of town, where she had not been yet.

As her mind drifted over the million questions she still had, a smile stretched across her face. He was here. "You may disappear into the shadows without a sound, but I can feel your presence before you get here." Ella smiled.

"I am not as stealthy as I once was then." His voice was deep and low, and the shiver immediately ran down her body. "Has nothing to do with stealth, I just feel you before I see you." Ella stood, and when she turned, her breath caught in her chest.

Like last night, he was in jeans, but now he had on a t-shirt that was stretched across his chiseled chest and showed off his muscular arms. But it was not the clothes that made her heart race. No, tonight the moon was full, and he was standing where it illuminated most of his gorgeous face.

"You look beautiful." He whispered, sounding just like she felt. "I was about to say the same thing to you." She stepped forward and raised her hand. "May I?" Her hand hovered at his cheek. "Yes." He whispered and he closed his eyes as her hand laid on his cheek.

"Your touch is so light, like a feather. I will never tire of it." He moved his hand over hers, as he tilted his head into her touch. "As soft as your skin is, I will never tire of touching it." She giggled. "I hope not." He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"I missed you." He whispered again. "It has barely been half a day." Ella bit her lip. "Yes, but I had to spend it without you, and to a captivated dragon's heart, that is too long." Her cheeks warmed at his admission. "I missed you a bit then too." She teased. "A bit?" "I was preoccupied by another dragon." She looked him right in the face and smiled, hoping he knew she was playing with him.

"Oh, so do I have to worry about this other dragon?" Olin's finger's intertwined with hers at her side. "Always. He was my first dragon love." She giggled. "Then I guess I need to occupy all of your time and make you love me more." "Impossible to do." "Never underestimate the will of a dragon my dear." He stepped closer to her, pulling her to him.

"I will fight said dragon to a duel for the love of the lady." Her heart leapt into her chest. Was he serious? He could not hurt Ragnar, could he? Or was she worried that Ragnar would hurt him? This was all too confusing!

"I was teasing. Please do not worry, I would never hurt your dragon." His fingers brushed over her cheek, automatically making her lean into his touch this time.

"Who says I am not worried about the dragon hurting you? He is a mighty red dragon you know." She nuzzled into his touch without thinking.

"Who says I am not mighty?" His fingers found their way to her ear, then her neck, where she was practically melting into his light touch. "I cannot say, I have never seen your dragon. I just know that my dragon is strong, and brave, and was going to take on an entire pack of wolves alone to save me." She smiled again, but it was not about the teasing, it was the look on his face. It was the look of pride and determination. She could barely see him, but that look she knew all too well because she saw it often in the mirror.