Marigold

Chapter 5 - Desmond

"Must find home." I wander the streets following my nose. "Closer" Nothing can stop me. I keep sniffing and moving closer. 

The smell is the strongest it has been yet. I shoots flames into the air to try and draw whatever is leaving this delectable scent to me. I hear screaming, but no one comes any closer. 

"Must keep going!" I crest a hill and see her. Standing at the bottom of the hill is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Her golden hair shines in the light. Her plan skin almost is translucent. I can make marks covering her arms and shoulders. With one more whiff I know this is my mate and nothing will stop me from getting to her. I charge down the hill as quick as I can. 

Meira 

I stare at the dragon cresting the hill. It had to be at least sixteen feet tall and covered with golden scales. The head is pointed at the ground like a hunting dog tracking an animal through the woods. Without warning, the head, which I'd guess was as big as my torso, lifted into the air and flames started to shoot out. Most people started running and screaming but for some reason I was frozen in place fascinated by this creature in front of me.  

It lowered its head and started straight for the library. I looked over to see Violet's reaction only to realize she wasn't there anymore. I hope she'd been able to shuffle back inside while I was staring like an idiot. I turned to look back at the street intending to back away and get into the library without loosing sight to the dragon only to find he was directly in front me. 

I screamed. I couldn't help it, anyone would scream when there is a giant dragon lowering its head to be level with you. I also noticed I'd been wrong about the size of its head earlier, it was bigger than my torso and more like the size of the entire upper half of my body. Its neck was was as big around as my waist, and I realized I'd probably just be a snack if it decided to eat me. 

As I was debating the chances of me making it back inside the library without this beast following me, I saw his mouth open. The teeth were the size of my hand and were really going to hurt when it chomped me in half. Really not wanting to be a dragon's lunch, I gave up on the idea of keeping it in sight and turned toward the library. Maybe running in a zig zag would slow it down like I had heard you could do with alligators and crocodiles. 

When my body was almost all the way around, I felt something warm and slimy go all the way up my arm and face and to my hair line. 

"What the hell?" I screeched, "Did you just lick me?" I looked at the beast before remembering dragons don't talk. As I started at it, the tail started to thump up and down and the ground shook as if there was a little Earthquake happening. I backed up a step. Its mouth opened again it licked me from chin to hair straight up the middle of my face leaving a me dripping in dragon spit. 

"Bad dragon!" I scolded bopping it on the nose like I'd seen people do to their dogs, "Don't lick people! It's gross!" 

The dragon sat down on its back haunches and cocked its head to the side like it was listening for more. I started to back back toward the library now that it seemed to be still for a minute. As my foot connected to the ground a low rumble started up. I took another step back and the growling got louder. I froze wondering if it was mad that I was moving or mad that I was moving away. I stepped closer to test the theory and stepped forward. A sound closer to a purr started to come from the beast. I took a few quick steps back and the growls started up again. 

I stepped forward and held my hand out. The dragon made the contented sounds again and put his nose against my hand. I slowly rubbed against his nose wondering how my life had gotten so crazy that I had inherited a dragon as a pet. 

"I never wanted a pet, but I guess since you won't let me go anywhere you are mine now." I tried to sound soothing as I talked to the giant lizard, "Hmmm... I guess I should give you a name... How about Goldie?"

The dragon grumbled then started to shake all over. I took the distraction and sprinted to library door.