Dragon Nest

Chapter 3

Susan listened quietly. They'd talked about some of this over the years, yet still she felt a pang of sorrow knowing that he was stuck in such an awkward situation.

Chris watched the road and continued confessing his frustration and ultimate resignation. "I think I love Annabel; but it's not fair to stay with her without revealing what's going to happen to me." He glanced at Susan and then back at the road. "From what you told me, I can't protect her as my familiar unless I'm a dragon. But she isn't allowed to know about Beings unless she's a familiar. It's a Catch-22. She probably won't even want to be with me afterwards, anyway. I don't want her memory altered, so ...." He sighed and swallowed. "Perhaps it's best if we go our separate ways when she goes to Denver."

"I'm sorry Chris," Susan said. This was the first time she had heard Chris say he loved Annabel, though she'd known he'd cared for her. "I wish there was an easier way. But yes," she gestured as she spoke, as if sorting the different points, "when you turn into a dragon, your life will be thrown upside-down. We'll have to move, get new jobs, and you'll start getting your magical training. There are also probably going to be people trying to use or capture you, unless the revelation of a newly-emerged male dragon miraculously stays a secret. It's not going to be safe for you ... let alone Annabel."

"I know, Mom. There isn't really any way around it," Chris agreed dejectedly. He kept his eyes on the road ahead; currently it was straight and flat, no traffic in sight.

"I'm also sorry I couldn't do more. I mean, I taught you the basics about the different races and our laws but I can't teach you about magic when you can't use it." They'd gone over all of this before, but it didn't make it any easier. Unconsciously she rubbed a palm along the tops of her thighs. "I can't even teach you about dragons; your parents hired me to teach you about beinghuman."

"Susan." He paused, waiting to continue until he could see peripherally that she had turned to look at him. "You've done just fine. Thank you for raising me all these years, for being my mother. I know it was probably dangerous and you weren't obliged to do it so thanks. I love you."

She turned away from him as he glanced over. Tears sparkled in her reflection in the window. He pulled off to the side of the road, undid his seatbelt and hugged her close across the divider, stroking her long hair hanging loose down her back.

She sniffled a bit before pulling away. "Christopher, don't you dare talk about us like you are a burden to me. I did it because I love you. Watching you grow up has made me so proud, even if I'm not your mother." She tried to sound steady but her voice wavered. Pulling herself together and wiping the tears away, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek before hugging him tightly for a few more seconds. "Okay let's get going, I don't want to be late. I've got to set up two undergrad labs before lunch."

***

They drove the rest of the way to Laramie, chatting amiably. Susan described her discovery that morning of the Night Heart in bloom. Chris then asked her to tell him more about the mid-Western magical territory under Lady Narlakis. Susan quizzed him about the various races of Beings: Elves, Weres, Wizards, Elementals, Fairies, Vampires ... the list went on. Chris knew the basics such as inherent characteristics, abilities, and predilections. His experience with Beings was extremely limited; aside from Weres, so far he hadn't met any. He'd had to interrupt his recitations of memorized facts upon their arrival at the university. Chris drove up the wide, curved driveway and dropped Susan off with a quick hug goodbye.

There were still about 40 minutes before school started at 9 am, so he and Annabel would have time to just hang around together for a bit. He parked in the lot a few spaces down from her car. Getting out and locking it up, Chris noted the unaccustomed lightness of his backpack without his books. He debated leaving it in the car, but decided to bring it for his hoodie; it was actually still a little crisp this early. There were celebratory banners everywhere, wishing success to the Class of 2013. He walked around the edge of the nearest building and spied his target amongst the few students milling around out front.

Annabel was leaning against the low brick retaining wall along the front lawn, talking with Steph Lawlill, an attractive classmate who was apparently also going to Denver in the Fall. Chris only had eyes for Annabel, though ... and her dress: light blue with white floral patterns and a few small red blossoms. It left the snowy skin of her arms and shoulders bare, hugged her slim waist and then followed the flare of her hips, before finishing just above her knees. His gaze took in her form, detouring to follow the waterfall of silky, curly brown hair hanging down to the middle of her back, then back en route down her form to her shapely legs and feet, drinking her in. She wore a pair of strappy sandals that exposed more pale skin, covered throughout the cold Winter and Spring. Chris marvelled, spending a final few quiet moments gazing in appreciation at her amazing ass.How did I get this lucky?

He'd approached from behind with quiet steps bordering on stealth, but when he got close she spun around with a wide smile on her face. Steph had seen him coming and had given her a signal. "Gotcha," Annabel said. "You can't sneak up on me." She'd missed him at school yesterday and was delighted when he'd texted her that morning with the request about the dress; it was perfect, in fact, for what she had planned. She took a step closer, looking up at him admiringly. He always looked so damned handsome with his strong jaw, blue eyes, and messy blond hair. His body called to Annabel too: broad, solid, all of that exquisitely dense muscle under his skin ... so heavy when he lay on top of her. She loved that he wasn't entirely skinny either; he had some healthy padding over the firm muscle. Once, Annabel had overheard the coach talking to one of his teachers; apparently it was a 'crime' Chris wouldn't play football, but she'd felt she understood his disinclination. After all, he was a bit reclusive. And anyway, he was usually busy on the farm after school, or hanging out with her. Occasionally she received envious and even raunchy comments about him from other girls. He washersthough. Her big, sweet, caring boyfriend, and she planned to keep it that way.

"Wasn't really trying to sneak," Chris denied, frowning, initially embarrassed at being caught; but then couldn't help but return her beautiful, infectious smile. "Hi Steph."

"Hey Chris, see you guys in the auditorium," Steph replied. She walked off to leave Chris and Annabel in their own little world.

"Do you like the dress I wore for you?" Annabel asked coyly, giving her hips a side to side twist to raise the hem slightly, knowing full well that he did like it. The hungry look in his eyes when she teased him, made her feel powerful. Truth be told she was chilly in the dress; but it was worth it to see the transparent, stupid adoration spreading across his face right then.

"You're so beautiful, Dee," Chris said quietly, stepping forward to envelop her in a firm hug. He loved using his pet name for her, it fit perfectly. She'd once called him 'Snake Eyes', teasing his bad luck. He'd retaliated with 'Doe-EyEs' and thus Dee was born. In his arms, she was the perfect height to bury his nose in her hair, inhaling her scent mixed with notes of vanilla from her perfume. Speaking of which, he caught a waft of her excitement on the air. He'd recognise it anywhere. Chris squeezed her tighter, slowly rubbing a hand along her lower back. "You're a little bit wet aren't you?" he whispered conspiratorially into her ear.

How does he always know?she wondered, his deep-voiced whisper sending a frisson of excitement through her. She would have been happy to stay in his embrace all day, bound up in his big arms while his gentle stroking sent tingles up her spine and heat to her core that was starting to feel definitively ... steamy. Annabel had reached a decision last night ... one that she'd realised was long overdue. Therefore, she could hardly be blamed for feeling a little anticipation, could she? In response to his whisper she gave a little wiggle, pushing her small breasts into his chest and nuzzling his neck slightly. In that moment, Annabel wished she was more well-endowed up front, with something more to mash into her man so to speak; but such is life. He didn't seem to mind.

She pulled away from him slightly, and moved up on tiptoe to whisper what she had decided yesterday. "Today," she breathed, giggling when she felt him tense once he understood her meaning.

"Really?" Chris asked, heart pounding at the idea. He guided her away slightly, holding her shoulders so he could see her face. Her expression mirrored his excitement, without a hint of hesitation.

"Yep," she said with a smile. "It's high time. I'll drive us back to your place after school."

"f**k," Chris cursed quietly as he fantasised for a few seconds, staring at her. "f**k," he repeated when he realised his d**k was rapidly expanding against his jeans.