Aurora's Angel

by Emily Noon

“I’m not winded, I’m just breathing with enthusiasm. We’ve been walking for what feels like forever and mostly in silence.

People hunt what they fear, Evie and even ancient powerful dragons can be killed. It is better to pretend to be a sheep and graze peacefully among the flock than to proclaim to be a lion and have every trophy hunter in existence on your trail night and day.”

I think family only counts as family if they treat you as such. Otherwise, they are just blood-related strangers.”

“Don’t be afraid. If someone dares to bare a fang at you I will rip it out and give it to you as a souvenir.”

She let her eyes roam over Aurora’s body in open appreciation and gave her a sly smile that said in her mind they’d just fucked each other’s brains out and she was ready for round two.

these,” he flexed his massive arms so muscles bulged under the skin, “are useful for swatting unruly wolves who need to be reminded we treat our guests and pretty girls in particular with respect.”

they made their cracker creations.

“I will be very careful with you.” “I know you will because you always are.”

I can feel by how carefully you hold my hands you’re going to take good care of me.”

Sun your wings, Evie. You’re no bother.”

if along the way things got risqué it would just be a bit of fun between friends.

I’m busting!”

She could hardly tell Evie she thought she was falling in love with her

If you were trying to kill the mood you’ve managed it quite nicely.”

life has a way of putting us under pressure so the unthinkable seems to become the inevitable

“I already have everything I need.” Aurora held up a hand and wiggled her fingers for Evie to see. “I can do things with these you wouldn’t believe.”

you need to do while I laze in the sun by this beautiful pond gorging on fruit like a decadent princess.”

You are one of the strongest people I know. How typical of you to have the most god-awful nightmares; you’re such an over achiever.

there’s nothing owed between us, there is only that which is freely given. We are friends.”

It was as Aurora tasted the salty drops on her lover’s back that she admitted to herself that she was in love with Evie. She did not want it to be so but she knew it was true. Evie felt like home to her. Being with her made her feel happy, safe and content.

That didn’t mean she was willing to give up her own dreams and risk her life to wait at the back of a queue for the crumbs of Evie’s time and affection.

She’d had a lifetime of that from her mother and she would not settle for it with a lover.

the way she kissed should be illegal it was that good.

She knew exactly what she would do next. She would scoop Evie up and kiss her passionately. Then she would stomp the ground until the earth shook and roar her intent to claim the beautiful woman as a mate so anyone bold and foolish enough to fight her for the right could come forward. She would kill all the challengers and lay their corpses at the feet of her queen as proof of her devotion. As the night descended over the crimson sky she would carry Evie away to her lair. There she would make love to her all night long while she told her over and over how much she loved her.

Being older had not made her heart more shatterproof

You’ve got the goods, girl. It’s a mystery that some woman hasn’t snaffled you up yet. You’re a keeper.”

She just got excited.” “And bit you all over your ass?”

What’s said between us stays between us. That’s our thing. My ears are your vault.

we are the equivalent of honored enemies. We have been at peace a long time but we do the best we can to avoid one another. It’s a courtesy and a precaution.

Evie’s last despairing thought before darkness claimed her was that she was going to die and Aurora would never know she loved her.

Tell me, does Evangeline feel about you the way you do about her?” “I don’t think so but that doesn’t matter. I would tear this world apart for her.

she planned to squeeze through one of the tiny windows. A child would have difficulty getting through but she was fined boned, slender and highly motivated. She would get through even if she had to scrape her boobs raw.

Staring into her eyes she said, “I love you. I wanted to wait for a romantic moment to tell you but this can’t wait. I love you and I want us to be together. I want to be your mate.”

Do you love me? I think you do but I need to hear you say it.” Aurora gently touched Evie’s cheek and said, “Evie, I love you more than life itself.”

I’m starving for a taste of you.”

You’ve got that tall, dark and smoldering look going.

“Breathe, Aurora. You look as if you’re about to faint.” Aurora sucked in a breath of air and on the exhale she gasped, “She’s so beautiful.”

she fervently hoped that she would have many opportunities to hone her dance skills with Evie and maybe someday she’d get to show off her gleaming dragon wings among the feathered hoard without causing pandemonium.