There were gasps, discussions, and arguments all around, but my eyes were fixed on Nick.
Nick circled around me and the baby dragon several times before transforming back into a human. He took the baby from me, held my hand, and said tenderly, “Let’s go home.”
“You’d better explain everything to me, honey,” I said.
We looked at each other and smiled.
4/4
Write your comment
Gifts
I gave birth to the supreme golden drag…
Chapter 11
+2 Bonus
Back at the Butt Manor, Nick started sharing his story with me as the little one in his arms slumbered peacefully. “A malevolent immortal trapped me in the Golden Dragon Pool for over a century. Using me as the formation’s core, he constantly siphoned the mountain’s spiritual energy. Over the years, I’d drift in and out of consciousness. I’ve lost count of how much time has passed outside.”
“So, that’s why Elysian Peak is out of spiritual energy?” I queried.
“Precisely. Your arrival fully roused me and shattered the formation’s core,” Nick responded.
A pang of guilt hit me. After all, I’d had ulterior motives when I first approached Nick and resorted to some sneaky tactics.
“I thought you wouldn’t remember,” I muttered.
“This little dose of incense didn’t do much to me,” Nick said, looking down at me with a playful smile.
He reached out and booped my nose. “I hadn’t seen another dragon in over a hundred years. You looked so tempting back then, Mrs. Butt. And I’m still in my prime. You showed up at the perfect time.”
I blushed furiously and couldn’t meet his amorous gaze. “Hey,
1/6
+2 Bonus
Chapter 11
watch it! The baby’s right here,” I stammered.
As if sensing my words, the little one in my arms smacked its lips and drifted back into a deep sleep.
Nick continued, “When I woke up, you were long gone. I realized the curse on me had been broken. I followed your scent and, by pure chance, overheard your chat with Ryan.”
“Why did you pretend to be a Black Dragon?” I asked, a bit peeved at feeling like I’d been duped.
“For one, my powers hadn’t fully returned, and that evil immortal might come looking for me. For another…”
“For another what?” I prompted.
Nick
gently tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and whispered, “To mess with you.”
I bit my lip hard. Nick was such a smooth–talker. Every little gesture of his made my heart flutter.
“Even so, you should’ve told me after we got hitched,” I grumbled.
“Guess I slipped up. Punish me however you want, my Mrs. Butt,” Nick said, throwing his arms wide.
“Didn’t think just that one time would get you pregnant. You’re
2/6
Chapter 11
+2 Bonus
a natural at having dragon babies. I’ve been holding back since. our wedding,” Nick added.
“Um… that’s because…” I stammered.
Just then, Carol popped in out of the blue.
“It was me,” she said, puffing her chest out.
“Fertility herb?” Nick yelped.
“You know about it?” Carol looked taken aback.
Nick let out a soft laugh. “I’ve been around the block and seen a thing or two.”
Carol paraded around, eyeing Nick up and then winking at me. She then asked Nick, “You owe me big for getting you Megan. How’re you gonna thank me?”
Nick just ignored her and kept his eyes on me.
“You’ve got some nerve! How’d you watch the baby?” I pretended to be mad.
Carol looked sheepish, her eyes starting to get misty.
“I just took a little catnap. Who knew the egg,
vanish when
I woke up? It wasn’t my fault. The defenses here are so lousy. Wait! Is this cute little one the black egg?”
3/6
Chapter 11
+2 Bonus
I nodded. Carol took a long look at the baby in my arms, her face a picture of disbelief.
“Nick’s the Golden Dragon from Elysian Peak!” I blurted out.
“What!” Carol was completely stunned.
“Honey, one kid’s too lonely. How about we have a few more? Can’t waste our good genes,” Nick said.
My face burned red. “Honey, you mean…”
It was obvious we were eyeing more of that fertility herb from Carol. We both turned to her with mischievous grins.
“Uh… I just remembered my sister’s husband’s mother’s aunt’s son’s getting married the day after tomorrow. Gotta go,” Carol said, and then she hightailed it out of there.
“When will you be back?” I shouted after her.
“Not coming back! You two will bleed me dry if I stay. See you if fate’s on our side!” Carol’s voice floated back.
Carol had been on the verge of withering away when I saved her, and we had grown up together ever since. She’d often told me that she dreamed of traveling the world.
Once Carol left, Nick proposed, “Let’s head back to Elysian
4/6
+2 Bonus
Chapter 11
Peak.”
I looked at him, puzzled. “What for?”
Nick explained, “Elysian Peak has regained its spiritual energy. It’s the perfect place for the little one to grow up.”
I was still worried. “What about that evil immortal?”
Nick reassured me, “I’m almost back to my full strength. I got trapped before because I was young and reckless. Now that I have someone to protect, I’m even more powerful. Once we’re at Elysian Peak, I’ll set up a barrier to keep everyone out.”
I nodded. As we were about to leave, I cast a glance in the direction of my former family home.
Nick asked, “Do you wanna go say goodbye?”
I shook my head. “Nah, no need.”
Then I bowed three times in that direction.
“Let’s go.”
Over the two lifetimes, I’d long since let go of the concept of family.
The End.
B
Write your comment
