Mason paced back and forth through their little cave home. Since Ilona had come back, they had barely spoken. She had cried in his arms until the overwhelming emotions of coming so close to death had passed. It wasn't the same as Mason and the men marching off to battle, knowing they might die. She had been out for a walk on the beach thinking she was safe and had come upon the dragon unexpectedly.
"I've sailed through storms and fought with my swords," Ilona had said quietly to him, "I've never felt myself in danger as I did on the beach. At least when I'm fighting or sailing, I have some kind of control. There's no control with the dragons."
He had nodded in agreement, kissing her forehead and brushing her hair back from her face. Mason had felt his own wash of emotions. He could've lost the woman he loved.
