She trailed off, but Heath didn’t speak, clearly waiting for her to continue. She stood, suddenly unable to sit still.
“I’ve had enough, Heath,” she said, looking toward the ocean, which was obscured by trees, rather than at him. “I wasn’t made to sit quietly and keep my opinions to myself. I’m not going to pass third year. Not at the rate I’m going. I can’t get near any of the information I need to pass, and I’m not even sure I want to anymore. I think some of the educators mean well, but that almost makes it worse that everything they do is a sham, designed to prop up the Center’s illusions.” She closed her eyes. “I thought the Center was worth saving, but I don’t think I can survive inside it for long enough to do that. Not without exploding first. Which only leaves one option I can see. And that’s to bring the Center down by exposing its lies to everyone outside.”
Heath was silent for so long, curiosity drove her to turn so she could see his reaction.
“There’s another option,” he said quietly.
Merletta suddenly knew where he was going, and she turned quickly away again, unable to bear the hope in his eyes when she knew she was going to refuse him.
She heard him stand, and felt his nearness as he approached her. But still she didn’t turn.
“You could come back to Valoria with me right now,” he whispered, his words warm on the skin at the back of her neck.
She felt him lay a tentative hand on her shoulder, and suddenly found herself leaning back against him, without realizing she’d decided to do it. Heath’s arm slipped around her waist, heat exploding along her stomach at every inch of contact as he pulled her more tightly against him.
“We could be together all the time, Merletta,” he said. “Not just in snatches. You could join my world, and never have to face the dangers of the triple kingdoms again.”
The picture he painted was more tempting than Merletta cared to admit. She closed her eyes, trying to commit every detail of this moment to memory. If this was the last time she saw Heath, she wanted to remember the hesitant way he touched her, as if he could hardly believe his own daring. She wanted to be able to recall precisely how it felt when he said her name.
Because these glimpses of impossible beauty were all she’d get.
She turned, stepping back from him. He released her at once, but the look in his eyes was like physical pain to her.
“I can’t just swim away,” she said quietly. “Not without at least trying.” She reached up to fleetingly touch his cheek. “You know I can’t. No matter how much I want to be with you.”
Heath shifted back toward her, determination in his eyes. But the rushing that suddenly filled the air around them told them both that their time was up.
“But what are you going to do?” Heath asked desperately.
Merletta stepped back again, all thought of sentiment gone as she quickly outlined her plan.
“I don’t like it,” Heath said, just as Reka poked his snout through the trees. “It’s not much of a plan.”
“I know you don’t,” Merletta said, with the hint of a smile. “And I know it isn’t. But it’s all I’ve got.”
Reka was pushing his way between the trunks now, and Merletta knew he wouldn’t wait around. Not giving herself time to think, she darted forward, pressing a kiss to Heath’s cheek before he knew what she was doing.
“Would you really have taken me back to your kingdom with you?” she asked, a little wistfully.
Heath’s arm was suddenly back around her waist, holding her securely in place. “Without a moment’s hesitation,” he breathed, his eyes eager. “You have a sanctuary with me as long as I live. It’s not too late to change your mind.”
Merletta smiled sadly, even as she shook her head.
“Heath.” The dragon rumbled his displeasure.
“Keep an eye out for me, won’t you?” Merletta said lightly, attempting to step back from Heath’s hold.
His eyes searched hers for an endless moment, then his grip slackened. Before Merletta could move back, however, he suddenly pulled her against him once more, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that was brief and chaste, but fierce with emotion.
“Heath!” Reka’s agitation was growing, and Heath released Merletta at last.
“Always,” he promised, in belated response to her words.
Then, with a flash of talons and a rush of wings, they were gone.
Chapter Eighteen
Merletta swam back to the triple kingdoms in a daze, her thoughts as scattered as a school of minnows darting in panic from a predator. The only clear idea in her mind was her desperate hope that the moment she and Heath had just shared wouldn’t be their last together.