“It never crossed my mind that mating with a mortal woman during the phase would cause her to change.” Worry lines creased his face. He grimaced and kneaded his temples. “God, Cora, I am so sorry.”
Her stomach knotted and her worst fear took hold. “Am I going to die?”
Her voice was barely a whisper but it got Stig’s attention. “No!” He rushed to haul her close again. “You’re not going to die but you’re going to change. It’s happened to clavigers throughout the ages. They start to show dragon signs during a mating watch and eventually make the transformation.” He grew quiet for a moment. “It never occurred to me they made the change because of love.”
Soon she’d sprout wings, a tail, and talons to go with the scales. What would happen to her old life? Would she live forever? What if something happened to Stig? She’d seen the scars on his body. The work he did with the Brotherhood was dangerous. What if he was killed by one of those Knights? The idea of facing an eternity as a dragon without Stig at her side sent her into a panic.
Her mind raced with questions. She loved Stig, of that she was absolutely sure, but the thought of becoming a dragon terrified her. What else would happen to her body? If she became immortal, would she lose the ability to have children? Her heart sank at the thought. She’d always wanted to have lots and lots of chubby little babies.
And no doubt she’d be forced to leave behind her friends. She’d seen Stig’s mementos. All those different places and different faces. He never stayed anyplace very long. She supposed people became suspicious when he failed to age. The same would happen to her.
Panic took an even stronger hold. She fought to breathe. Her throat tightened. Sweat poured from her skin. She couldn’t see straight.
“Cora!” Stig took hold of her shoulders and gave her a firm shake.
Through teary eyes, she met his pained gaze. She gulped and shook her head. “I don’t think I can do this.”
His expression crumpled into one of agony and sadness. Her heart broke at the sight. She wanted to say everything was going to be okay, that becoming a dragon was just fabulous, but she couldn’t lie to Stig, especially about something this important.
“I’m not ready for eternity, Stig.” She spoke so softly the words barely registered in her own ears. By the way Stig’s jaw clenched, Cora knew he’d heard her very clearly.
“Then you need to go. Now.” There was no anger or hostility in his voice. It was even and almost void of emotion. “I’ll make the change soon and you can’t be here. My dragon will never let you leave. Go to the hotel in town. I’ll send someone for you, someone who can help you with this.”
Cora’s stomach lurched. This was it. It was all over.
She swallowed hard and nodded. “All right.”
There was no time to pack. The sun already dipped along the horizon. Cora threw some things into her backpack and grabbed her purse. She couldn’t meet Stig’s wounded gaze as she passed him in the hallway. His familiar scent ignited something so primal in her core. She fought the urge to throw down her things and launch herself at him.
Walking out of the house was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, almost as hard as burying her brother and grandmother within weeks of one another. She tossed her things into the backseat of her car and then lingered behind her open driver’s side door. Her gaze moved to Stig, who stood on the porch, arms crossed, face hard as stone. She desperately wanted to feel the warmth of his embrace one last time but she couldn’t tempt fate. If he held her again, she might never leave his side.
With a gut-wrenching sob, Cora slid into the driver’s seat and slammed her door. She turned the ignition and buckled her seat belt. By the time she looked up, Stig had already disappeared into his house. He was probably running down the basement stairs as she backed out of the driveway and headed for the main road. The thought of Stig spending yet another night alone in the cold, dank cell made her positively sick.
Cora stomped the gas. She had to put as much distance between Stig and herself as quickly as possible. The knowledge she’d hurt Stig soured her belly. The guilt and shame were almost too much to bear. That she’d allowed fear to rule her actions was disheartening.
The longer Cora drove, the more she regretted her decision. She desperately loved Stig, loved him so much it hurt. Yet what was she doing? She was racing at breakneck speed away from the man who had given her the security for which she’d yearned for so long.
She spotted a highway sign. She was halfway to town. The prospect of spending a night alone in a hotel made her feel so empty. She wanted to be with Stig. She needed to be with him.