Uh-oh. Bliss’s voice is loud enough to alert the media—in New York.
Drake rose and checked the area behind the arguing family. There stood the director and cameramen—with their little red lights indicating they were still filming.
Shit. Now what?
He strolled slowly toward the family. A noise like “pssst” from the corner of the house caught his attention. When he glanced over, he saw Vulcan in his white robe, waving him over.
Oh, great. He looks like Father Time, and of all the imperfect timing… Drake altered his route, planning to ask Vulcan to change back into his street clothes. Then they’d need to come up with a reason for his presence so the family didn’t suspect Vulcan of being an accomplice. They had to figure out some way to fix this so Bliss didn’t have to defend them.
Unfortunately, as soon as Drake rounded the corner, he disappeared into the brightest white light he’d ever seen, and a moment later he found himself standing under a clear bubble.
“Oh, crap. Not again.”
Gaia strolled over to him. “I took care of your problem, and this is the thanks I get?”
Drake stared at the all-powerful woman who looked like an aging beauty queen. “You took care of… what problem?”
“Your dragon, Zina. She won’t be bothering you or this city anymore.”
Drake glanced at Vulcan. “Is this true?”
Vulcan nodded. “I wish you could have been here to see it.”
“Seriously, Vulcan?” Mother Nature cocked her head like she was talking to a foolish child. “If you want him to see what happened, just show him.”
“If you don’t mind…” Vulcan seemed reluctant. “You don’t usually like us to show anyone your reactions.”
“I’ll make an exception.”
Vulcan gave a slight bow, and then with extended arm and index finger, he drew a circle in the air. Appearing in the circle were tiny exact replicas of himself, Mother Nature, and Zina. He snapped his fingers, and the picture came to life.
Drake watched the whole interaction with alarming clarity. The whole thing really was my fault. If only I had told Zina up front I wasn’t interested, maybe I’d still have had a couple broken ribs, but none of this would have happened to Bliss.
He brought his attention back to the movie playing in front of him. Mother Nature had punished the dragon for her crimes, and it sounded as if Zina wouldn’t be bothering him or Bliss again.
The picture stopped with only Gaia and Vulcan in the frame. Then the vision and circle dissipated as if it had never been there.
“You sent her to Siberia? And made her infertile?”
Gaia crossed her arms. “Yes, and I took away her fire and flight. Why? Do you disapprove?”
Drake let out a sigh of relief. “No. I approve wholeheartedly.”
“Good. I like you, Drake. You’re not like some dragons who think they’re above the laws of nature. I’m giving you back your immortality.”
He placed a hand over his heart. “Thank you. I couldn’t be more grateful, but…”
Mother Nature raised her eyebrows. “But? There’s a but?”
“I–I have a mortal girlfriend. Actually, I plan to make her my wife, and I can’t see going through eternity without her.”
Gaia smiled. “Good to know. Because I actually have a favor to ask of you.”
Uh-oh. It’s never good when a deity wants a favor. “What is it?”
“Your girlfriend…” Mother Nature began.
“Bliss? You want Bliss?”
Gaia rolled her eyes. “Everyone wants bliss, stupid. I just want to know more about your girlfriend.”
“Well, for starters, her name is Bliss.”
Mother Nature burst out laughing. “Oops. Who’d have thought… well, never mind. What kind of person is she?”
“Honest, loyal, she’s one of the bravest women I know. She’s been under incredible pressure and didn’t crumble once. She even saw my alternate form and didn’t faint or run.”
“She saw you as a dragon?”
“Yes. She didn’t believe me and I really needed her to. I wouldn’t have been able to warn her about Zina if she didn’t take me seriously. If something happened to her because I hadn’t warned her properly, I’d never forgive myself.”
Mother Nature clasped her hands behind her back and started to pace again. “So, she doesn’t believe in things she hasn’t seen with her own eyes?”
“I don’t know about that,” Vulcan interjected. “She seemed to accept my help without protesting my nonexistence.”
Gaia narrowed her eyes at him. “Cute.” She pointed to a spot on the floor until a small sofa and armchair appeared.