Serial Saturday: Tea With a Dragon
Episode 4
Previously,
I sighed, running a finger gently along the ridge of Tarragon’s head. She leaned into the touch, a pleased hum vibrating through her tiny frame. “If we do this, we’ll need a plan. And some supplies. And I’m going to need to call in a few favors.”
‘Find Dam?’
I exhaled, my decision made.
“We’ll try.”
And now, the continuation…
The morning mist still clung to the edges of the trees as I threaded a line through my fishing rod, my fingers steady despite the ache in my knee. Tarragon sat beside me at the water’s edge, watching the ripples with those swirling white-and-blue eyes, her tail flicking every so often in curiosity.
‘Fish?’ The word was more of an impression than a clear thought, her growing telepathy weaving softly into my mind.
I smiled. “That’s the idea.”
I needed to make sure Tarragon had the protein she required. Smoke-cured fish wouldn’t last forever, and I didn’t want to find out what happened when a dragon went hungry for too long.
I cast the line into the still lake, then settled myself onto a flat stone. Tarragon padded closer, sniffing at the water’s surface. Then, before I could stop her, she leaped.
I yelped as she plunged straight in, sending a wave of cold lake water over my boots.
“Tarragon!” I lurched forward, ready to haul her out, but she surfaced almost immediately, a proud chirrup in my head.
‘Wet!’
I sighed, wiping the water from my face. “Yes, I can see that.”
She paddled in a small circle before shaking herself off mid-swim, sending another spray of water my way. Then, without warning, she darted forward, snapping at a fish that had come too close. A spark of magic pulsed in the air—an instinctive surge of energy. The fish twitched once, stunned, and Tarragon snatched it right out of the water.
I gawked. “Well. That’s one way to fish.”
She swam back to shore, shaking herself again, and dropped the fish triumphantly at my feet. Her chest puffed up, wings giving a single proud flutter.
I bent down, inspecting her catch. “Not bad,” I admitted. “But let’s not make a habit of electrocution, yeah?”
She chirped, entirely ignoring me as she licked her scales dry.
I fished until I landed eight more, the normal way, and returned to the cottage, Tarragon beside me. There was a confidence to her now, a certainty that hadn’t been there when she first huddled in my herb garden.
I had barely set the fish down on the workbench outside when I heard the crunch of boots on the path.
Adair Glass stood tall and smirking, arms folded, a long, indigo coat brushing the tops of her black leather boots. Beneath her crossed arms, I could see a black waistcoat, and the pommel of her sword hanging at her side
“Well, well,” she drawled, eyes flicking between me and the small dragon trying to hide behind my heels. “You’ve got yourself a little fire hazard.”
“It’s been a long time, Adair. What brings you by?”
She stepped closer. “Thought I’d come see how your new life was treating you. Make sure you haven’t forgotten me.”
I busied myself cleaning the fish, ignoring the way Adair leaned against the side of my cottage, watching me with that knowing glint in her eye. I tried to ignore the relief that washed over me seeing her again.
“So,” she said after a moment. “You want to tell me why you’ve got a dragon lurking around your feet like a stray pup?”
I sighed, wiping my hands. I glanced down at Tarragon, who was peeking out from behind my leg. She had stopped trying to hide, at least. I leaned down and ran my fingers along her spine.
“She’s lost,” I said simply. “Her family got separated in a storm. Her dam never came back for her.”
Adair’s smirk faded slightly. “And you’re what? Planning to raise it as a pet?”
Tarragon let out a soft trill, nudging my hand.
I met Adair’s gaze, firm. “No, I was thinking of returning her to her mother.”
“And how do you know that they got separated? The little fire-pup tell you that?”
There was an edge to my old friend’s voice that I didn’t like.
“As a matter of fact, yes. She communicates telepathically.”
I could tell she thought I was being foolish.
“Let’s say you do find where she came from,” Adair said. “You think a dragon’s just going to thank you for babysitting and let you walk away?”
I didn’t have an answer for that.
To be continued!