LUCKY

Today is the day. We're doing the ceremony and trying the unthinkable. I have never seen Drakkon this uneasy. It's as if he's a defenseless human living underground and the dragons are coming for him.

He prepared an elaborate breakfast. I didn't even notice when he stepped out to hunt, but by the time I woke up, everything was cooked.

Even Jexis is unnerved. He ate with us, but instead of staring off into the distance in a wise, meaningful manner, his eyes keep flickering over to me. Even this elder who has seen so much of life doesn't know what will happen today. Death is a probable outcome, but there is only one way to tell.

I have a recurring thought that if things go wrong, Daisy will never hear of what happened to me. She's probably living her best life, the memories of me distant.

My stomach is in knots, my mind paranoid, my heart quaking, but I'm ready to get this over with.

Drakkon found an empty lot where we will perform the ceremony. This is the only thing he told me about today's plan, only because I asked. We haven't decided on a time yet. I'm hesitant to ask because I fear he'll crack.

That afternoon, I take my time bathing. Maybe I'm hoping the warm water will calm my nerves, or perhaps wash away my flaws to make me worthy of the flames that are coming for me.

When the water gets cold, I unplug the tub, dry off, and change into fresh clothes.

Drakkon is right where I left him. Pacing by the stairs. His feet must be covered in blisters.

"Ready?" I ask.

He flinches, like I've insulted him. Then, he opens his mouth to reply, but can't work anything out. The big guy sighs, his shoulders falling.

I walk closer, and he pulls me into an embrace. "Damn this world," he says. "Let's just be happy. You and me. Let's forget this cursed mission."

"And keep running forever without a home to go to? Keep looking over our shoulder, losing sleep and health? That's not a future, Drakkon. That's an impending death."

"Why do you have to be so brave?" His hold tightens.

"This isn't bravery."

He stops replying, maybe hoping that if the conversation ends, then so does the mission. If only it were that easy.

Jexis walks down the steps to meet us. He easily reads the tension in the room. "Lucky," he calls for me, extending a hand out.

This surprises me, because he is not big on physical touch. He has always kept a respectful distance.

I accept his hand, and he squeezes it. "It has been a blessing knowing you. You have proved that there is immense strength in your peoples, and I thank our goddess that Drakkon met you. Both of you will change the universe."

"Jexis," I breathe, trying to calm my nerves. My eyes are burning, but I don't want to cry in front of Drakkon.

"The goddess will smile down on us. I can feel it," he encourages. With a final squeeze, he releases my hand.

I don't look at Drakkon, because I don't want to risk him setting his foot down and refusing to continue with the ceremony. I have to keep it together for the next hour.

Jexis steps into the cold and leads the way. I follow him, and Drakkon, the most hesitant of us all, strays behind.

As we walk, I remind myself of my past. The suffering and fear I endured for so many years, and the unyielding feeling of hopelessness. There was no certainty of tomorrow. If we succeed, humans won't have to live underground anymore. This is a risk that needs to be taken or humanity will slowly cease to exist.

We arrive at the empty lot. There is only one car here, rusting away in the corner. The supermarket has been long looted and lies in pieces. The location is encased by tall trees, so we have good coverage.

We walk to the center of the parking lot, and I finally look at Drakkon. He's angry, his muscles bunched and his gaze sharp.

"Let's get this over with," I say, my trembling voice betraying me.

Fuck, I can't believe I'm doing this.

"Lucky..."

"No, Drakkon. You won't talk me out of this. I'm sorry, but the time has come."

He trembles with a sharp growl, and I suspect a fight is coming.

"Drakkon..." Jexis intervenes.

"Stay out of this, Jexis. You have nothing to lose if this fails. But I would lose her!"

The older dragon stands expressionless. He expected this would happen and perhaps had the same short fuse in his younger years.

"This will work," I say. "It will because I love you."

He shouts to the sky, lost in his anger. After a while, he returns his gaze to mine. "Very well, but if I kill you, I will die next."

"Drakkon!"

"I will not negotiate on this."

Damn it. Why does this have to be so complicated?

After a long stretch of silence, Jexis steps up. "Once the portal opens, I will cross it. I will recruit fathers of fire from my home and return immediately. Perhaps tomorrow."

Jexis is brave for walking through to the unknown. Everyone is playing their part.

"I'm ready," I repeat and walk away from the men until I'm fifteen feet from them. "Do it."

Drakkon remains frozen for a long minute, before shifting to his greater form. My worst nightmare stands before me: a dragon that intends on breathing fire upon me.

Jexis stands beside Drakkon, His fingers entwined and his lips muttering what I assume is a prayer.

Drakkon opens his mouth, revealing fearsome fangs. I close my eyes and flinch. Fear eats at me, but I try to focus on the beautiful memories with Drakkon. The things he makes me feel, and the noble reasons why we're messing with the universe's balance.

I don't feel anything for a long time. Only the bitter wind brushing my face.

Slowly, I open my eyes. Drakkon is still there. Although I can't read this face, I know what he's feeling inside.

I smile at him. "Go. I trust you."

After another minute of examining me, he opens his mouth, and out comes hellish flames. Orange consumes me, and I wait for my skin to melt off my bones. I'm hot all over, like the sun frowns upon me, but there's no pain.

I'm defying science.

The orange becomes blue, and I feel something pull me. Stumbling back, I fall on my ass and look behind me. There's a valley a step away. It's like I'm standing in front of an open door and looking out.

The portal opened. We did it.

The fire disappears, and we're left staring at the gaping hole disrupting space and time. I can't breathe.

I hear footsteps. Jexis jumps across, and Drakkon pulls me into his arms, dragging me away from the portal.

"-return!" Jexis yells from across. His voice is garbled, like he's underwater. "I will return!" he yells again. He's on his knees, yelling off the top of his lungs.

The portal is glitching. It's fading in and out. Drakkon has taken me far away from it, but I can't take my eyes away.

We actually did it. This wasn't some nightmare. There's another world out there, and Jexis is going to bring them onto Earth.

"Lucky. Lucky!"

I regain focus. Drakkon has been calling my name for some time now, but I was too gob smacked to process his words.

"I'm okay," I whisper.

Other than my hair being wild around my head and my heart threatening a heart attack, I'm uninjured.

Drakkon holds me tight. My back is to his front, and my hands touch his, which are gathered by my belly. We stare at the distance, where the portal had just been. It's gone, and so is Jexis.

Now, all we have to do is wait for backup. After today, nothing will be the same.

ALSO IN THE SERIES↓

Jasmin/The Alien's Liar

Jasmin was a part of a Dragon Match program that hoped to offer opportunities to a post-apocalyptic Earth. She was teleported to planet Le'vris and was paired with a dragon, but he was cold toward her. Feeling unwanted, she gave up on the program and returned to Earth. This story is about how she's dragged back to Le'vris and meets another dragon that clearly wants her.

Book 3 is available on www.patreon.com/ancientt

ALSO IN THE SERIES↓

The Alien's Match

This dragon says he will make me shine brighter than his treasure, and he succeeds every time he touches me.

Threatened by a dwindling population, the dragons create a matching program where their fittest warriors seduce and conquer humans, providing comforts and pleasures fit for a queen.

It has been decades since they attacked Earth and destroyed our cities, but I haven't forgotten. After years of resentment and fighting to survive, I have no interest in their matching program. But when my rebellious sister enlists, I go on a wild chase that lands me in the brawny arms of an unyielding dragon who sets me on fire without breathing a single flame.

I'm stuck on an alien planet with this relentless man. He has so much wealth, status, and muscle that little can be denied, but the greedy dragon wants more:me. I resist his advances, but with every touch and whisper, every time he flies me into the sky to do wicked things no one else can see, I fall deeper into his lure.

Available on Amazon.com/author/elainewaters