Chapter 68: A Dragon’s Choice
Ka’Lula crashes onto the misty mountaintop with a thunderous whump, her wings flapping wildly before folding neatly against her back. Dust and clouds swirl around her as she lands with Pip clinging to her neck, eyes wide and systems whirring in panicked glee.
With a gentle hop, she shifts back into her human form, dropping to her knees and catching her breath. Her bronze skin glistening with sweat, and steam curling from her horns and shoulders like breath off molten stone. Pip rolled onto the ground beside her, landing with a thud, dazed but intact.
They lay in silence for a few long seconds, the wind whistling around them, carrying the scent of pine, stone, and fire.
Then, Ka’Lula giggles.
"Sorry about that," she breathlessly, her voice tinged with embarrassment and wonder. "I... I turned into a dragon again." She looks at Pip, her amber eyes wide and shimmering. "But this time felt... different."
She grins, flushed and glowing. "I didn’t lose control. I didn’t feel ashamed. I... I felt amazing. Like... like my body just exploded with bliss and wanted to be a dragon." She laughs again, covering her face with both hands. "You made me feel that good, Pip."
Pip lets out a long, affectionate beep and beams a warm pulse of pride and contentment directly into her thoughts. Ka’Lula melts under the emotion, eyes fluttering. "You’re proud of me?" she whispers.
He nods, his metallic hand gently brushing her cheek. She smiles sweetly, then leans in.
Moments later, their bodies tangle under the moonlight, she takes him to the sky again, this time not as a dragon, but as a woman filled with newfound strength, confidence, and clarity. She soars to euphoric heights, over and over, until the mountain echoes with her cries of release.
Hours pass.
Eventually, Ka’Lula lay sprawled across the cool stone, arms splayed, chest rising and falling in soft, satisfied heaves. A stupid grin stretched across her face.