Leah's Hero - Miranda Martin Page 0,56

savoring the scents of the meat. It’s finished. The aroma signals its perfection. My smile is so wide it hurts my cheeks, but I know she’s going to love this. I snatch the meat from the fire and toss it in my hands until it’s the right temperature. When I offer it to her, she takes it without hesitation.

My scales tingle in anticipation. She raises the meat to her mouth slowly, deliberately, her delicate, soft lips closing around the strip as her mouth closes. Her jaw tenses as her teeth tear through and her eyes widen in surprise.

“OH!” she exclaims then she shoves the rest of the piece of meat into her mouth.

She groans, closes her eyes, and makes pleasure noises that aren’t dissimilar to the ones she made during our lovemaking. She waves her hands towards her mouth, smiling and chewing at the same time.

“Wow!” she exclaims.

My heart leaps as electric chills race across my scales. I nod with great enthusiasm. Happiness is a bubble in my chest swelling until it must burst. She swallows the meat, and I offer her more. She takes one piece and this one she chews slower. It’s obvious she’s savoring and enjoying it. She says a lot of words but none of them make sense. I smile and nod as if I understand.

She finishes the meat and turns down more when I offer it. Warmth suffuses my limbs. The pleasure of seeing her enjoyment is all the sustenance I need to live on forever. I know I will do anything to experience that again and again.

Now, though, we need to travel. Getting her out of the storm, which is thankfully holding in a lull, and to safety is all that matters. Also when we’re home, I can cook for her with proper tools and equipment. I will make feasts for her every day.

A vigor for life fills me. I haven’t felt it in so long, it’s unrecognizable at first. As it comes clear and I know it for what it is, all the scars of my past, the pain of betrayals, no longer matter. The future is so bright, it has become a sun of its own. Burning away the losses in the promise it offers.

Tomorrows without number, all spent with her. Brighter than any sun, more radiant than the brightest star, my shining beacon. What could I not endure for one hint of her smile?

Nothing. I will get her to safety

Then I will create a home for her from the gifts of Tajss. No matter the betrayal of the Order, the balance of Tajss has been set to rights, and she will give to us who held her faith.

I gather the few possessions that we’ve managed to keep and point the direction we need to go. We’re not far. If the storm will hold off a day, we should make it, barring further incident. She holds her hand out, and I take it.

I can’t help but marvel at the feel of it in my hand. Small, delicate, with what I know to be surprising strength. Her hand in mine is a joy and pleasure I never expected in my life. Even the world around us seems brighter. The colors more vivid, the depths are deeper.

My hearts pump faster even as I look around us making sure of my bearings. The leaves glisten with drops of rain, sparking rainbows from the stray rays of sunshine that have escaped the overbearing clouds above. Even the smells of the jungle are vibrant, filling my nostrils with the scents of fresh dirt and life.

A bird sings above, and it’s as if the bird is expressing his joy at my own. A beautiful song that complements the music of my soul. She looks up towards the sound with her smile brightening the world.

“Its singing is inspired by you,” I say.

Her cheeks blush a rosy pink color. She probably doesn’t know exactly what I said, but it’s okay. Soon we will have time, and I will learn her language, and if she wants, I will teach her mine. Our future is going to be glorious.

The wind picks up, rustling the trees. Leaves drop down around us as it increases then the rain resumes. Obviously, our luck isn’t going to hold as long as I’d hoped. I put my arm around her shoulders and then open my one wing, using it to shield her from the worst of it.

We move faster, slower than I’d like, but her legs aren’t