Chereads / Art of The Dragon / Chapter 16 - If Only

Chapter 16 - If Only

About an hour later, Tyler switched places with me so I could rest. Our destination was Conroe and we had at least seven hour journey ahead of us. Normally, it would take two hours to reach Conroe. Maybe a little traffic, but not too long. Yet we didn't live under normal circumstances, hell even Dallas would be a longer drive. About two to three days away. Hopefully, we could avoid any encounters monsters, and the military.

It wasn't easy for us to be together. After almost four years apart we both had different priorities and beliefs. Tyler had a duty to the military and I had been fated to rule. He had to take care of people, I had to train dragon riders. Then there was the sudden romance between us. That alone made everything awkward, but with the tension between Tyler and The Knights. That was the cherry on top.

Three hours later, we stopped to see if we could siphon gasoline out of the pump. Tyler managed to do it, but got soaked from the waist up in the process. Even then, once the tank was full, he climbed into the driver's seat and we headed down the road. He was adamant about driving, so I let him be knowing it was that feel of needing to be in control taking over his mind. He was so tense and seemed to be running on auto pilot. There were times he would glance at me, as if fearing I would disappear, like an illusion. I did the same thing, feeling like I would look and he wasn't really there, like a dream. We both feared this was to good to be true, but damn it was real and almost as terrifying.

Once we got in Conroe, it was pitch black. I told Tyler to park the truck, knowing that monsters would be up by now. He agreed and pulled into an open garage that was attached to some autoshop. I could barely keep my eyes open, but thankfully Tyler took care of me. After he put me on the backseats, Tyler made sure to block out all of the windows so monsters couldn't peak inside. He also set up a small lamp to illuminate the inside of the truck before grabbing a blanket and sliding next to me. With his arms around me, sleep was coming closer and closer. Eventually I succumbed to my need and found myself in a dream.

Tyler was there and we were together, my head on his shoulder and his arm clutching my waist. I was wearing a long, navy blue taffeta dress. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was tight and encrusted with diamonds. The skirt hit just above my ankles and there was a slit from the thigh downward. My hair was in a long french braid that reached my waist with a blue ribbon tied on the end. There was a white rose pinned to the left side of my head, just above my ear. Tyler was clad in a navy blue tuxedo with silver accents and paired with a navy blue tie. His feather like hair was trimmed and slick back with gel. There was a white rose with a small blue ribbon tied to it in his pocket.

We were dancing together in a garden, just behind a white chapel. Swaying slowly to the music, I couldn't help but smile. I remember this day very well. It was our friends, Bryan and Alice's wedding day. It was a small wedding, no less then eighty guest. Just close friends and family. I was the maid of honor and Tyler was the best man. God, how long has it been since I've looked back on this day. Atleast five years, maybe less. Even now I still remember it, how beautiful Alice looked in her lace dress, how happy Bryan was when they were pronounced husband and wife. Their first dance, the cake cutting, bouquet toss, and of course the limo ride to the airport.

But it was this moment in time I remember the most. The way Tyler held me close in his arms. The bliss of swaying to the music that was playing. His vibrant green eyes and devilish smile. Most importantly was the words he whispered in my ear. Ones I never actually believed in, though always hoped for.

"I hope we dance like this again, for our own wedding." Tyler said.

I laughed then, trying not to let him see the hope in my eyes. He just smiled, but with a fire in his eyes. One that would burn just the right way for you only. Oh how I wanted to be lost in that fire, to burn in it forever. Still I pushed those emotions away, laughed like it was the funniest joke in the world and continued to act as if I was nothing more than a childhood friend to him.

Now, I want to make it real. To have that special day with him and feel that burning he inflicts on me. To be lost in his arms alone and never have anyone find me, but most importantly to hope with him. If only it were that easy.