Marigold

Chapter 12 - Desmond

Desmond felt Meira's exhaustion and had to fight against his beast to not go seek out and protect his mate. As much as it pained him to do so, he knew she liked her independence. 

He paced up and down the yard of the bed and breakfast hands balled into fist and teeth gritted so hard he was surprised some of them didn't crack. He wanted to be ready if anything changed. If she was that tired, she wouldn't be ready to defend herself. She wouldn't be as safe as she could be.

He started to feel the change wash over him as he felt her emotions change to panic. If something was scaring her that badly, he had to get to her now. As the change stopped, he felt the pain rush over her and then nothing. If he couldn't tell she was alive, the whole town would probably burn. It was their luck day that the bond made sure he knew she was still breathing and her heart was still pumping. 

He roared his fury into the sky and took off. He wasn't sure he had ever flown so fast in his life, but only a few minutes later he was landing in the park. The change was painful to become a man again because he was pushing it faster than it wanted to go, but he couldn't help it. He didn't trust the dragon to be able to treat her as well as his human form would be able to. 

He ran toward where Meira lay in the grass with Ashton holding Meira's head in her lap. "What the hell happened?" he roared still sounding a bit like a dragon. 

"I don't know!" Ashton whispered looking up with eyes lined with tears, "She was working on the trails and I was pruning bushes. She saw me, yelled 'no', and then while she was running this way, she collapsed. I can't get her to wake up!" Ashton's tears were running down her cheeks at this point. 

"Give her to me," Desmond commanded. 

"What are you going to do with her?" sniffled Ashton. 

"Take her to her house and let her rest. When I know she's okay, I'm going to figure out who is responsible and make them pay," Desmond reached toward Meira but Ashton shifted away. 

"She still isn't sure she trust you. I can't just let you take her," She wrapped an arm around Meira's shoulders. 

"Fine, you can come too," huffed Desmond, "but I'm carrying her."

"That will work," said Ashton lifting Meira's shoulders to make her easier to pick up.

Desmond lifted her without any strain, turned, and started away at a brisk walk. "Well, are you coming?" he called over his shoulder. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

When they reached Meira's house, Desmond looked over at Ashton, "Do you have a key to unlock the door?" 

"No," said Ashton, "Meira was protective of her privacy, but I have another way..." She let the sentence trail off. 

"Well?" asked Desmond still holding an unconscious Meira against his chest.

Ashton didn't respond but shifted her form to smoke and directed herself toward the opening at  the bottom of the door. Desmond heard the lock click over and the door swung in. Ashton stood on the other side with a few dirt of grease on her face and clothes. 

"Ugh, I hate having to do that. People were not made to squeeze through a door." Ashton brushed her clothes off and stepped back, "Well come in." 

Desmond stepped forward and looked around. The house was fairly bare, just furniture and a small television. No pictures on the wall or anything that wouldn't have come with a fully furnished apartment, "Where is her favorite spot?" he asked Ashton. 

"The coffeemaker," said Ashton pointing to the kitchen counter, "but I don't think that's helpful at this moment. Just put her on the couch. I'll go get a blanket from her bedroom." Ashton turned and walked deeper into the house.