Even the discussion an hour or so earlier had knocked against the freedoms she had while she remained on Stonefire’s lands. As long as she lived in the Lake District she would never be free to make her own choices without someone hovering over her.
Finn’s words from a few months ago popped into her head. “I don’t know about you, but living day in and day out with everyone walking on eggshells must be exhausting. Yes, you’ve gone through something terrible. But isn’t it time for you to face the world and live your life?”
Pushing her hair back from her neck and face, Arabella stood up tall and straightened her shoulders. As much as she hated to admit it, the Scottish leader was right. If it took a few minutes of humiliation to earn freedom for at least six months, she would take it. Once she was on Lochguard’s land, she could make a go at starting over.
Since she lived a mile from Bram’s cottage, she headed out early to ensure she would arrive on time.
Outside, the jagged peaks and flat, green stretches looked just as they had for her entire life. Yet if she fostered with Lochguard, she wouldn’t be able to see the comforting sights anymore. Surely, since Lochguard was situated deep in the Highlands, she’d have new sights to memorize.
Before she could recall any of the pictures she’d researched online, two dragons flew overhead. Watching the green and black beasts alternate between beating their wings and gliding, a longing Arabella hadn’t felt in over a decade bubbled up. She wanted to fly again.
Her usually silent dragon said, We can do it anytime you’re ready.
Ara stopped in her tracks. She could do as she normally did and ignore her inner beast, or she could reply.
The thought of talking to her dragon brought back memories of the last time they’d had an actual conversation. She’d been screaming in pain and her dragon had tried to calm her.
Closing her eyes, Ara clenched her fist and willed the memories away. Her racing heart told her that if she didn’t act quickly, she would slip into a panic attack.
Bram would never allow her to foster at Lochguard if he saw her lose control. Breathing in and out, she focused on the rustling of the wind through the trees and the warm July breeze against her skin. After a minute or two, her memories faded.
Anxious, her dragon hovered on the edges of her mind. The beast wanted to comfort, but was afraid her words would make Arabella’s attack worse.
Arabella teetered on the edge of talking with her dragon when her brother’s voice boomed, “Arabella, why are you standing with your eyes closed?”
Her eyes snapped open. Sure enough, Tristan was walking toward her with his brows drawn together. Frowning, she barked, “Trying to forget I have a brother.”
He stopped in front of her, studying her intensely. “I think you’re lying, but somehow, I don’t think you’re going to tell me the truth.”
“It’s none of your business. Why are you here, anyway?”
“Mel wanted me to check on you.”
Normally, she’d just ignore the comment and change the subject. For some reason, she couldn’t do that and blurted, “And you wonder why I want to go to Lochguard. I’m not a child, Tristan.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you able to talk to your dragon yet?”
“I—” She didn’t want to lie to her brother. “Almost.”
“Right, then how about when you can talk to your dragon like a proper dragon-shifter, I’ll loosen the reins.”
“Or, I could just wait it out. Once I’m in Scotland, I won’t have to put up with your judgmental bullshit.”
Her brother growled. “Watch it, Arabella. Going to Scotland isn’t set in stone.”
Rather than have a pointless argument with her brother, Arabella walked ahead. Her brother took a few strides to catch up before he said, “Forget Scotland for now. Are you going to be able to do this?”
She glanced over. “It’s not like I have a choice. Bram and Mel pretty much decided it.”
Her brother’s eyes softened. “If there were anyone else, Ara, I would ask them. But this is the best chance at a decent future for my children. They, and all dragon-shifter children, need you to be strong.”
She blinked. “Tristan MacLeod is giving talks of encouragement? Who are you and what did you do with my growly, verbally stunted brother?”
When he growled, she laughed. Tristan smiled. “It’s nice to hear you laugh again, Arabella.”
Being sentimental with her brother wasn’t Ara’s specialty, so she changed the subject. “I’m ready, Tristan. Let’s get this over with.”
He nodded and as they walked in companionable silence, her tension eased and her worries faded. She even dared to hum inside her head for her dragon. Her inner beast hummed back and Arabella smiled. She would be honest during the interview and let the humans know about some of the horrors practiced on dragon-shifters. It was time for the human world to stop pretending the dragon hunters weren’t real.