Dragon Wish by Judith Leger Read Free Book Online Page B

response on venturing into the
    unknown cast a bit of light on his darkened thoughts.
    “Indeed, that would cause a problem if we traveled across
    the seas.” Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the look she
    aimed at him, a frown marring her heart-shaped face. “You
    will see soon enough.”
    Still holding her arm, he moved through the door which
    led to the inn yard. Her pulse jumped under his fingertips. It
    annoyed him that her fear and nervousness increased with
    each step. He’d give anything to calm her fear.
    Wide-eyed, she surveyed the locals scurrying throughout
    the yard. She gasped, coming to a complete stop. He glanced
    in the direction she stared. The Solrai moon floated white
    and full in the blue sky. Shadowing the pearly circle, the
    second moon appeared in crescent shape.
    He leaned closer to better hear her soft words. Her hand
    trembled as she pointed toward the moons. “There’s a design
    in the center. On the surface. How did it get there? It’s a
    moon. That’s impossible, isn’t it?”
    For a moment, he stared at the silvered disc in the sky.
    The dragon skull image covering the entire surface appeared
    normal and comforting to him.
    “Why would it not be possible?” He’d never realized how
    different her world was from his. Books told the basic facts,
    of how each planet had a moon in orbit around it. He could
    not recall if Earth had one or two moons. Still, how different
    were these when compared to her world’s moon? Her strange
    ideas intrigued him more with each second he spent in her
    company.
    She frowned at him and lowered her hand. “They’re in
    outer space. Thousands of miles away. You’d need a space
    ship to fly there along with several decades to do something
    of that magnitude. ”
    He tilted his head, enjoying the wide-eyed surprise
    mingled with amazement etched on her features. “It may be
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    impossible for your world but not ours. Great magic formed
    the dragon’s skull which marks the Solrai moon. In turn, the
    moon guides our world.”
    “How? How does it guide you?” She pulled backward.
    “In the ways of our lives.” Paladin smiled, realizing he
    had confused her more. Without knowing how to explain the
    answer she needed, he released her arm. He started to walk
    once more, drawing away from her while he spoke. “The
    moons show us the seasons, planting crops, wars, all things,
    including the times of birth.”
    Seren’s wooden clogs clopped over the cobblestones in
    the yard. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Good,
    she followed. Silence reigned between them for several
    minutes while they moved away from the inn and onto the
    path leading into the main section of the port city. Each time
    she lagged, she came to a halt, staring at what he assumed
    was something exotic to her. Paladin slowed and waited,
    giving her time to assimilate the differences of their worlds.
    Excitement raced through him like a dragonseed who’d
    just gained their wings and had taken flight for the first time.
    He couldn’t understand why, but he wanted her to be pleased
    with his ship. Perhaps it was his guilt over knowing that he
    was responsible for her presence here, but reality told him it
    was more than that. He liked her, enjoyed being with her,
    and genuinely wanted her to be happy here. He was proud of
    his vessel, and he wanted her to think it spectacular.
    A gift from his deceased father, he took great pride in the
    vessel. Sleek and swift, the air ship cut through the skies like
    his blade through the flesh of his enemies. He moved away
    from her, beginning the trek to the dock,
    When too much distance formed between them, Seren
    called to him, “Wait up.”
    “Fear not, I will never leave you. My responsibilities are a
    duty I always tend to,” he said over his shoulder.
    Once she reached his side, she spoke, icy anger lacing her
    words. “I am not your duty, nor your responsibility.”
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    Paladin chuckled. “Are