Burn With Me (Legend of the Sun Whisperers) (18 page)

****

“You need to speak with her, Draco. She deserves to know what happened.” CAIT’s velvety voice floated through the air of the control room, making more sense to Draco than he liked.

Truth was, he had no idea what had happened to bring Maddelyn back to life. With a sigh, he shook his head.
“And tell her what, exactly? I don’t even
know
what happened, so how can I explain it to her?” The living flame that had appeared to save Maddelyn’s life remained a mystery to Draco. So much so he had negated to share any part of the experience with her, making their relationship somewhat strained.

CAIT answered his sigh with a metallic one of her own.
“You should at least tell her the details, even if you don’t understand them. She knows you’re hiding something. I can tell by the way she looks at you.”

Draco had noticed the pointed stares, when Maddelyn thought he wasn
’t looking, silent pleas for an explanation that he failed to provide. He shook his head, at a loss for what to do. “I can’t, CAIT. Not yet. There are things I need to do and people I need to talk to before I go down this road with her. She’s just gotten her life back. Give her some room to breathe.”

“Give yourself some room to breathe, you mean.”

He hated to admit it, but CAIT had a point. There weren’t many things in this universe he hadn’t seen or experienced, so being faced with the unexplainable stoked a fear inside him he’d like to ignore. At least long enough until he had more information.

“I just want to gather more facts before I talk to her. I wish to have answers for the questions she’
ll undoubtedly have.”

The sounds of the ship
’s inner workings were all that was heard for a few moments while Draco tinkered with buttons and levers on the console in front of him. It was CAIT who broke the silence. “How do you think this fits in with the prophecies? And the fate of the house of Sol-Zhaduun?”

Draco thumped his fist on the counter in front of him at the mention of that name. It dredged up countless memories for him, most of them unpleasant.
“You know how I feel about prophecies, CAIT! We are fate’s masters! Not some fiction carved into ancient tablets so long ago no one remembers when!” Eons of old arguments and frustrations bubbled to the surface, waiting to break free.

“But you can’
t deny the merit of my questions, Draco. Only a fool would fail to recognize the implications of what possibly happened. Even her appearance has changed.”

Draco inhaled deeply, trying desperately to keep his composure.
“Then call me a fool, for I see no reason to equate this with any of that drivel. Consider the subject closed.” He hoped the finality in his voice was clearly conveyed.

“Your refusal to comply will not stop her desire for answers.”

“I will gladly give them to her, CAIT. Just as soon as I get some of my own.”

And hopefully, that time would come sooner than later. For if any part of what CAIT implied came to be true, then the history of the Sun Whisperers would be forever changed, altering the universe itself for decades to come. Draco had a difficult time at best, giving any credit to prophecy, but what he had experienced made him wish to explore every avenue. Even if that fact was not what he divulged to CAIT. Right now, his main concern was to get Maddelyn off this planet so that the answers they sought might become known. Answers to the plight of his home and race, as well as her life. There were many things that had yet to be determined, and this was just the beginning of their journey together. Right now, all he could think about was how grateful he was to have this second chance at anything with her, especially since she agreed to travel with him.

“Let’s just take things one step at a time, shall we? Patience must be our friend right now, CAIT.”

“As you wish.”

Though the ship expressed agreement with him, Draco was sure the conflict was far from over. He glanced at one of the monitors, catching a glimpse of Maddelyn as she strode purposefully toward them, her blond-streaked hair whirling about her face in the wind.

“Now let’
s see if we can on be our way,” Draco busied himself at the control panel again as he heard Maddelyn’s steps on the stairs.

****

Ascending the stairs, the cool interior of the ship was a stark contrast to the dry, hot air outside, and a welcome relief. Draco was concentrating on some screen in front of him, but he glanced up as Maddelyn dropped her bag on the floor at her feet, and leaned against one of the consoles.

“Doesn’
t look like you brought much,” he declared with an arch of his eyebrow.

Maddelyn shrugged.
“Not much to bring.”

His gaze moved back to the controls in front of him.
“Well, we can get you some new things, if you want.”

She shrugged again.
“Whatever.”

Well, after that conversation, I guess you could say things were a little strained between us.

“I, for one, am very glad you’ll be joining us on our journey, Maddelyn.” The cool tone of CAIT’s voice brought some comfort, though Maddelyn was unsure if she’d ever get used to the ship being
alive
.

“Thanks, CAIT. Though I’
ve not been told exactly where I signed up to go.”

Draco pressed a few buttons and turned a few knobs.
“Still working that out, actually.”

Maddelyn sighed.

Any place is better than here, I guess.

“I absolutely concur.”

Maddelyn shot Draco the nastiest look she could muster for his mental trespass just as the ship’s engine roared to life, taking them up and away from the only home she’d ever known.

And one thing was crystal clear. Wherever she ended up, Maddelyn was certain her
real
adventure with this man was just about to begin.

The End

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