The Dragon

Well, all, it's been a long time. Almost a year, right? If I even have any remaining fans for this little piece of fiction, I'd like to thank you for holding on so terribly long. I really have no excuse for not updating other than writers block. I'll detail exactly what's going on with this story in the next chapter titled "info", so have a look if you don't mind. In the mean time, here's the latest and, for the moment, only installment I can leave for you. Love you all!


THE DRAGON

Part Six

Darque was momentarily paralyzed with terror. Surely, she had expected Silas back; just…not so soon; and not in a state fit to impede upon she and Danthor’s slightly questionable conversation. When the dragons tall, well-proportioned, humanoid form entered the clearing, he looked no less than peeved.


In fact, she would probably go as far as to say that he was quite peeved.


“Convinced you to aid her cause, has she, Danthor?”


Darque expected the moonbeast to cower; however, he stood firm. “Not at all, Silas. You see I have not let her run far.”


“No…” The reptilian creature raised his wings, stepping toward them, his tail swaying to and fro in agitation behind him. “You have not.” Reaching Darque’s trembling form, he curled a clawed hand into her shoulder, his opposite taking her chin firmly between two dexterous fingers. “But what have you done with her?”


“Oh, please, Silas, it was my fault!” Words burst from the young woman’s mouth before she had a chance to second think them. She couldn’t allow Danthor to be punished on her account when she had been a willing participant in the debauchery. She clung to the cursed noble’s arm for dear life as she pleaded. “It began with me, Silas. I went to him willingly and tempted him. Please, don’t harm him!”


Rather than being livid, however, the dragon nearly snorted, tail twitching in annoyance. “Woman, about whether or not you lied with him, I could care much less.”


Darque’s eyes widened. He didn’t….care? He didn’t care that she had been with Danthor?


“What concerns me…is how little my solitude garners respect.” With those words, he swiftly extricated his arm from her grip and turned to Danthor, expression flat. “I had believed your tongue more resilient than a casual interlude.”


Danthor displayed no visible reaction. “You know that my respect for you abounds, Silas, and it is from that respect that I divulged your history.”


“What treachery.” To Darque’s horror, the dragon lost his composure, giving nary a warning before he had struck Danthor to the ground, his eyes glowing in consternation. “I allowed you to cohabitate with me on the condition that no outsiders be allowed in; what, do you believe, exempts this girl from my request?”


Though Danthor lay on the ground, his muzzle tinged with red foam, he made no move to retaliate against Silas’blow. He merely gazed up at the enraged noble with his expression set.


“Because she has proven to be just as alone as we two.”


The dragon made a derisive sound. “There are none so alone as those whose magicks have been turned against them. You, of all, should know this Danthor.”


“I know that my years have been without sympathy, without empathy, and without compassion of any kind until her emergence.” The moonkind replied lowly. “Tell me, Silas, would any other human have helped you in your time of need? Would any other have given two wits about your unborn child when you lie writhing in pain?”


The dragon flinched visibly, as if struck. It hurt Darque to see him in such turmoil. Though she didn’t like the fact that he had struck Danthor needlessly, she knew it was only because his feelings were conflicted. That was, if he had as many feelings as Danthor professed.


“What would a human know of true isolation?” Silas hissed lowly, turning his back and folding his wings with a hiss. As soon as he had, Darque rushed to Danthor, kneeling beside him as gazed at the dragon, his expression unreadable. Gently, she touched his crimson tinged nose.


“Are you alright?”


“Worry not about me.” Danthor gave her a wry smile. “Think you not that Silas and I have not fought before?”


The young woman sighed in exasperation. Males were males, no matter what the circumstances. Once, however, she was sure that the moonbeast was fine, she rose and crossed the clearing to where Silas stood. She hesitated only a moment before placing a hand on his scaly shoulder. He made no movement to indicate that he knew she had touched him.


“Silas?” She inquired softly, tentatively. When he didn’t answer, she took a risk in wrapping her slender arms around his bare torso, pressing her cheek against his broad, cool back twixt his wings as she marveled at the way his multicolored skin caught the sunlight. “Silas, I grieve for what happened to you. You were horribly wronged.”


Still, he didn’t speak. “Humans should fight their own battles; it was wrong for magick to have been brought into this…and what the king is doing is no less than madness. He has no right.”


Soundlessness.


She didn’t even know if he heard a word she said. The young woman surprised even herself when her eyes welled with tears. After all that this creature had done to her-stolen her innocence, held her captive and forced her to be a slave-he had also given her life. She had been dead in that village-living every day as an outcast-shunned and hated by all that had known her. It was only after she had been taken that any sort of real life had begun for her. “Silas…” Her whisper feathered across his back, so soft that she was sure only he could hear. “I will stay with you. Forever.”


In a motion to quick too be seen, the creature turned upon her. Her neck was wrenched painfully to the side and in an instant, razor sharp teeth sank into her flesh-much like the first time Silas had taken her. The searing pain brought a scream to her lips, but she bit them fiercely, biting back the urge as the dragon held her in his iron grip, his fangs clamped firmly in her shoulder.


Danthor leapt to his feet, muscles coiled to make a move, but after a terse moment, he remained motionless, watching with bated breath the wordless exchange before him.


Darque hung limp in Silas’ embrace, tears dripping down her cheeks as the pain of his bite ebbed to a dull ache before her eyes closed and she raised her arms to wrap around the dragon’s neck.


A growl sounded in her mind, low and possessive.


You are mine, woman, do you hear? Mine and none else’s. That is what you have pledged.


“I understand.” The dark haired woman answered softly, clinging to him. This was what she had chosen-this was what she wanted.


Silas kept his fangs within her for a moment more before suddenly, his grip tightened on her-to the point where it was hard to breathe. Slowly…almost imperceptibly slowly, his head rose from her neck, leaving the bite to throb anew upon the wound’s contact with the fresh air. Darque, however, remained motionless.


Silas’ eyes were wide, his expression awed.


What….


“Danthor, come.” The curt command was all the warning Darque got before she was swung up into the dragons arms and he took flight, immediately soaring high above the trees and darting back towards the cave. The young woman’s stomach lurched and he breath whooshed from her at the fear of being so high up. The trees were miniscule, a carpeting of green over a vast landscape. She could see far off valleys and mountains and the cool air at this altitude made her more alert than she’d ever been. She clung to Silas, her grip steel like, even as the sun was warm on her face and the sky clear.


The first time she had flown…it had not been like this. It had been terrifying-she had thought she wouldn’t survive the trip.


But this…this was…exhilarating. Though Silas’ plight was sore, she suddenly envied him, that he could reach such blue, blue heights and see so far.


The ground fairly raced by below them and the young woman’s eyes widened. She had no idea she’d come so far from the mountain in the distance that she assumed to be the dragon’s lair.


When they passed over another valley, the young woman caught sight of Danthor far below-a veritable brown speck among the green. He must be even faster than she’d thought, to keep up with Silas this high.


As quickly as they had ascended, they descended. Darque’s stomach was in her throat as they plummeted what had to be 100 feet to the clearing at the mouth of the cave. With a rapid twist of his body that drew a small shriek from her, Silas dove into the cave, hurtling past the stone walls while still keeping his strong grip upon her, and she on him. Within moments, they were back to the cavern in which they resided. Silas set her gently on the floor in passing, but continued his flight pattern; and it was then that Darque saw what all the commotion was about.


In the corner, there was a miniscule crack in the surface of Silas’ egg.


Before her eyes, the dragon metamorphosed into the gargantuan creature that had first come for her and slunk his huge bulk across the cave to curl around the trembling, glowing orb. The sounds that emitted from Silas were unlike any she had veer heard from him before- soft and lilting, they were like a cross between purrs and clicks as the dragon nudged his nose against the pulsing shell of his young one.


Darque watched, awed, as another crack appeared in the shell, and then another. A high, loud whine ensued and a soft tapping.


All at once, Danthor loped across the room, straightening as he came to come to a stop beside her, his eyes wide. “The babe…”


“Shhh.” Darque shushed him with a hand as the tapping sound increased, a spray of cracks moving across the egg shell until numerous pieces pressed out, revealing a smaller version of Silas purple-red snout. The larger dragon purred loudly, the entire cave vibrating as he nudged his node against the emerging one.


A series of high pitched barks ensued and the egg jumped before unexpectedly bursting apart, small pieces flying about. Danthor quickly moved to shield Darque from the flying debris as the young woman exclaimed softly in surprise.


When the commotion was over and Danthor finally let her have a look, the young woman inhaled sharply in wonder. A smaller, perfectly proportioned version of its father, the baby dragon nestled against the larger’s midsection, whining softly as Silas licked it clean of the sticky casing it had grown in within the egg.


The babe was beautiful-it had the Silas’ coloring, save for the undersides of its wings, which were a dark grey; an attribute, Darque gathered, it had probably taken from its mother.


Once the child was clean, it raised tiny claws and Silas scooped it up in his wing, cradling it close to his warmth. Darque and Danthor just looked on in wonder until the moonkind finally spoke.


“Tis quite a sizeable pup you’ve there, Silas."


The dragon’s laughter rumbled through the chamber until his voice was finally heard.


Darque, come here.


Surprised, the young woman cast a wide eyed glance at Danthor, who merely motioned her forward, before stepping toward Silas and his young offspring. She crossed the cave until she reached Silas’ massive bulk. The dragon fixed her with a crimson eye. On my shoulder, woman.


After only a moment’s hesitation, Darque found a foothold and climbed up onto Silas’ huge shoulder, making her hesitant way down to the crook of his neck. Finally, she placed a hand on his snout for balance and met one smoldering eye. Silas chuckled lowly before shifting slightly so that the young woman could see the babe in all its glory tucked up against its father’s side.


It was barely her size, for its egg to have been so large, and the young one’s eyes were wide and bright as it clamored about within the safety of its father’s embrace.


“It’s beautiful…” The young woman breathed in awe.


She, Silas corrected softly. She is…perfect.


Darque remembered the day she had put her hands on the egg-had heard the faint female voice. She lay flat on Silas shoulder, staring at the child until, with a heave of his muscles, the dragon sent her sliding down his wing to join the babe in her safe haven.


The baby dragon squeaked at she and Darque’s gentle collision and, for a moment, cowered against her father’s bulk before curiosity finally got the better of her and she ventured back to nudge Darque’s outstretched hand with her snout. The young woman smiled, inching closer. “It’s alright little one, I won’t hurt you.”


The little dragon bumped her hand once more before whining and opening her jaws wide, revealing a set of teeth that were just as sharp, albeit smaller, than her fathers. Darque blanched. “Silas…”


She is not for eating, Aneka.


He jostled them both in his wing so the babe landed o her side with an indignant sound. Believe me when I say she would give you horrible indigestion. Horrible, tough and disagreeable, she is.


Shaking her head to clear it in a comical fashion that made Darque laugh, the little one once more advanced to press her snout against the young woman’s hand, this time bumping it up and onto her head as she nestled hear. Sighing, Darque wrapped her arms around the small one’s neck. She was very warm-almost hot, as her egg had been, and still slightly moist from her hatching. “Aneka…it’s a lovely name.”


It belonged to her mother and shall so belong to her.


The thought of Aneka’s poor mother bought tears to Darque’s eyes-at least until the frisky baby dragon started licking at the open wound Silas had made on her shoulder. The young woman’s eyes shot open at the stinging pain and she leapt back from Aneka with a muttered oath.


Frightened, the little dragon backed once more into her father’s side, quivering. Silas grunted.


What on earth was that about, woman?


“It hurts!” Darque exclaimed, clutching her still bleeding shoulder. “You ripped my flesh.”


Of course I did. It is our way of bringing you into my clan. The tone of Silas’ voice suggested that he found her highly ungrateful for thinking otherwise. Do not scare Aneka so. She is only trying to help.


“But…it hurts...” The young woman protested again as Aneka eyed her warily.


Dragon saliva helps prevent infection. It will only hurt you more if you do not let it be cleaned, woman.


Scowling at her captor, Darque sighed, finally holding out her arm to the meek child of her tormentor once more. “I’m sorry Aneka. Come back. You can help.”


After only a few moment’s hesitation, the babe ambled forward to resume lapping at Darque’s wound with her large, sticky tongue. The young woman grit her teeth and bore the stinging sensation until it passed, upon which point Silas lifted his wing, letting both she and Aneka tumble into the warm cave air at the feet of Silas.


The moonbeast chuckled at the picture they made. “Two of a kind, you are.”


Darque shot him a look. “Not funny, Danthor.” She rubbed her behind as she rose, turning to shake a fist at Silas’ huge form. “I don’t have scales, Silas. You could be more gentle!”


The dragon’s mirth shook the room. I shall remember that the next time we couple.


In the time that it took Darque’s blush to reach its brightest and then fade, her embarrassment intense, Silas had given Danthor explicit directions to guard both she and Aneka as he retrieved food for the child. Only after Danthor pledged his life to the task did the dragon take his leave once more, leaving a whining Aneka in his wake as she hobbled along and tried to follow her father. The little one however, only stumbled and flapped still wet wings.


Danthor snorted. “Cease, child. You cannot fly yet.”


Aneka merely lay on the cave floor with a miserable whine that had Darque chuckling. The young woman went to kneel next to her charge, laying her cheek against the baby dragon’s broad back as she rubbed her side reassuringly. “He’ll be back, don’t worry.”


Darque looked up in surprise at the warm weight of a cloak about her bare shoulders as Danthor covered her nakedness. She blushed. In all the excitement, she’d nearly forgotten. The moonbeast, however, merely smiled-something that Darque was only just beginning to get used to.


“You both need baths.”


* * * * * * * * * *


It was very warm and peaceful, thought Darque, to sleep between two dragons. Her back was nestled against Silas’ gargantuan form and Aneka’s back against her front in Silas emmense nest. As frightened as she’d first been of dragons, the young woman found it odd that she didn’t fear them now; No...not when she knew that had once been human like herself. In fact, when she thought about it, she found that, while there was a part of Silas- a very large part of him, that was all animal, there were facets of him that were very, very human.


Like the way he cared for Aneka.


He was extremely protective of the child. Danthor was not allowed to even leave the chamber when he was away-and for his child’s sake, he would not revert to his more human form until she could as well; and that, the dragon had revealed to Darque, was a while off. Baby dragons, she had learned, were born with only the most rudimentary of magicks and instincts. Aneka would not be able to breath fire until her heart heat grew hot enough-at least 6 weeks, Silas professed with some regret. Everything she ate had to be chewed before hand-a messy ordeal. Darque had not been present for that particular part of the daily regime; additionally, the young female would not be able to change into her human form until she could breath fire. Her heart heat also provided the magick that fueled the transformation. Lastly, and as a subject of the most curiosity for Darque, the babe’s speech: Silas could understand every grunt and whine it seemed; but very much like humans, it would be a while until Aneka could speak-both in the minds of others and with her own mouth.


Even so, the small creature was a wonder. Just as intrepid, curious and loud as a human child and even more dangerous to the unwary. Twice Danthor had had to save her from getting her hand bitten off by the little one, who knew no better and was simply playing. She had, of course, been immensely thankful for the warnings.


Now, at night, when all was silent, the young woman could ponder to herself other things-things beyond the present.


Did Silas really plan on keeping her about for as long as she existed? And if so…was there any way she could help lift the curse on he and his family? Even more important-did Silas want to be changed back into a human? To Darque, he seemed perfectly content to go about roaring and fire breathing in the name of his masculinity. Still…there had to be a way….


All at once, the huge form at her back shifted. Darque had to keep herself from falling as Silas rose, surprisingly quiet for one so large, and shook himself before trekking from the nest and out from the cavern. Sitting up, the young woman pushed hair back from her brow. Where was he going to late?


Checking to make sure Aneka still slept, she tiptoed past Danthor and, this time slightly more clad in a shift than when she’d come in, took off after Silas down the tunnel. The dark haired girl did, however, remain silent, Silas’ larger footsteps masking her own.


The two eventually emerged into the moonlight night-the stars bright against an inky black sky. Darque’s heart leapt into her throat when Silas spoke.


Stalking me, Darque?


Whenever he said her name, an involuntary shiver lanced through her. It was no different now.


“No…I…” The dragon turned to face her, crimson eyes smoldering so she couldn’t look away. “I…just wanted to be sure you were alright.”


For a moment, Silas’ stare merely continued to penetrate her before his mass heaved in a heated exhalation that singed her eyelashes. We must leave this place. His tone rumbled with resolute finality. The King knows I dwell here.


Darque merely blinked, confused. Why should it bother Silas so that the king knew where he dwelt. Hadn’t he before?


Aneka. I do not wish him to know of her birth.


The young woman’s insides suddenly twisted. That was right. King Mysil still held baby Aneka’s life in his hands, ready to be crushed at any moment. What would he do if he found that she was out of her egg? “Oh, Silas…I’m so sorry…” She stepped forward to lay her hands on the dragon’s snout, pressing her cheek to the scales. “It’s not fair…” She whispered softly. “I wish I could help you…I wish I could break the curse.”


The words were out before she could stop them. Almost immediately, the young woman tensed. She had not even discussed with Silas what he thought of being a dragon! She could have insulted him! Closing her eyes tightly, Darque fisted her hands against the dragon’s scales, ready for an onslaught of his anger-but none came.


After a moment of terse silence, the dragon spoke in a tone Darque had never heard him use.


Every moment I have been breathing, I have been a monster. Every moment that I exist I live knowing someone shares my breath-and that someone is as vulnerable as I am invulnerable. I….do not want that for my child.


His words were haunted with regret.


“Oh…Silas…” Darque hugged his snout fiercely until, in a bright flash of light, the dragon’s more humanoid form was in her arms. Still, she didn’t let go, holding him fiercely. She decided then-in that moment. She would find a way to free him. With his daughter’s life, as well as his own hanging in the balance, the longer he stayed a dragon, the less the chances of his brood’s survival.


She would save him.


“You…” The dragon tipped up her chin to meet her gaze once more. “Are quite an interesting human.”


“Well…you’re the most interesting thing to ever happen in my life time.” The young woman returned with a small smile. “I might at least return the favor.”


Silas’ mouth quirked in a half smile. “There is a ‘favor’ you might pay me now.”


“Which is that?”


Darque let out a surprised yelp as Silas swept her from her feet and laid her back against the soft grass, his own longer form pressing against hers. Her cheeks colored.


Oh. That.


Even as embarrassed as she was, even after coupling with the dragon on numerous occasions, her blood still ran hot at his nearness.


This time, however, was different. Instead of immediately disposing of her clothing or tossing her onto her stomach to rut, Silas drew one long, clawed finger gently down the side of her face. “Tell me…do you find me repulsive?” His wings rustled above them, spreading slightly to shield from a passing breeze.


The question stunned Darque.


Repulsive?


She looked at Silas-really looked at him. A conglomeration of pale skin and brightly colored scales-strongly muscled limbs and wicked looking claws and wings-perhaps some might think him unseemly.


But…she thought he was beautiful.


Reaching up, she took his face in her hands and drew his mouth down to hers to touch their lips very gently-very briefly. Silas stiffened in her grip and she let go, drawing back guiltily.


“I’m sorry...”


The cursed noble only stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before his hands encircled her face, much like hers had to his, the coolness of his scales soothing. When he pressed his lips to hers for a second time, she sighed against his mouth. Silas had never bothered with tender things like this before-and for one who never had, he was quite good at it.


His mouth was warm and soft, insistent against hers. For a moment, he seemed content merely to explore the contours of her lips. However, that time was fleeting. His fangs soon caught her lower lip and tugged, opening her mouth for his invasive tongue.


Darque made a soft sound of surprise. During she and Danthor’s loveplay, the moonbeast had kissed her but not once had he attempted to put his tongue in her mouth! The sensation caused a sort of delicious mortification to run down her spine as Silas explored the roof of her mouth and her own tongue, as if coaxing it into action. Her hands drifting down to his shoulders, the young woman complied, catching the dragon by surprise when she captured his tongue to suck on softly.


Silas growled, low in his throat, at the gesture, leading her to believe that he enjoyed it.


I would rather you suck on something else, little woman.


At the thought, the dark haired girl blushed crimson, pulling back and pressing her face against his shoulder until he chuckled, which only caused her further embarrassment. She’d heard….she didn’t know if it was true that women put their mouths….


But obviously…


“Calm down, little one.” Silas murmured lowly, stroking her hair before forcing her face up so her eyes met his. “I’ll ask for no such thing from you tonight. “ That was all she was given before he was kissing her again-more deeply this time, his tongue plying her mouth in a lovely parody of what would later come. Darque moaned softly against his mouth, clutching him to her so his strength was flush against her softness, from shoulder to hip, and she could feel his need for her. He pressed his erection between her legs firmly, making her gasp and tear her mouth from his to catch her breath at the sudden motion.


Silas purred-a sound she’d only ever heard him make with Aneka, and moved his assault elsewhere in the absence of her lips. His fangs nipped over the exposed flesh of her throat, his mouth soothing the stinging pains so she squirmed; when his tongue found the point of her pulse, sliding over it leisurely, back and forth, she inhaled sharply, clinging to his biceps for dear life.


The dragon chuckled softly, smoothing his mouth over the dark bruise of his bite on her shoulder before gathering the hem of her shift in a hand, tugging it upwards and over her head. Darque let him with little protest, so entranced was she by his actions, and soon thereafter, she was naked in the cool night air.


She shivered slightly, her body tensing as Silas took precious moments to look over her, making her entire body flush. She was perhaps more bruised and scarred than she had ever been from her recent play with Aneka, and knew she must be a sight.


With an uncharacteristic gentleness, Silas slid two claws down the side of her stomach to her hip and she quivered as he stroked the sensitive skin there fondly. “You are beautiful, my little one.”


The young woman swallowed thickly. She wasn’t used to being paid compliments-especially not from the lips of her would-be captor. Only…what was he to her now? Captor, lover….perhaps even friend? Reaching out, she extended her arms to him, spreading her legs. “Touch me, Silas. Please…”


He came more than willingly, with a low growl of lust, pressing his nude form to hers. Silently reveling in the beauty of his appearance, Darque ran her hands over the expanse of his muscled shoulders, the joints of his wings, and his well formed arms to his fabulous behind. This creature…this man…she would never be without him again; the thought comforted her more than any she’d ever had.


Lowering his head, the dragon suckled her erect nipple copiously and she arched against his mouth with a soft cry, her hands tunneling through the mass of his dark, shimmering locks as he feasted. A muscled thigh pressed against her intimacy and she moved against him in turn, needing more, needing everything he possessed. As the dragons splayed hand moved down her stomach, his mouth followed, his strength stilling her hips as he laved her bellybutton with moisture. Darque moaned. She had never known the small, formerly meaningless crater to have any significance until now.


Her hands were everywhere, smoothing over his biceps and shoulders, his shoulder blades and the nape of his neck. She gasped as his hands grasped her hips and his mouth trekked even further southward. The young woman’s cheeks flushed in remembrance of Danthor’s heated attentions to her woman parts merely a week earlier- and then Silas had found something-the small, errant nub of flesh she’d only tentatively explored herself-and he latched onto it, sucking firmly. Darque shrieked; her hips would have bucked against his mouth had he not been holding her down-and restrain her he did as he nibbled and licked at the point of her pleasure, making her writhe in ecstasy. She begged him to stop even as he slid two long, slender fingers within her, curling the pads upward to find a spot within her that left her without the capacity for coherent thought. That spot-exploited ruthlessly, along with the attention he lavished on her clitoris made her thrash as an intense pressure built between her legs, unlike any she’d ever felt before.


The pace of her lovers fingers increased, and with a final thrust of the agile digits within her, Darque’s world exploded as her body convulsed and she dimly felt a gush of warm liquid from herself, warming her thighs.


It was all she could to breathe as Silas kissed her thighs reverently, then her taut stomach, all the way back up to her slightly parted lips. When he kissed her, she tasted the slightly salty, tangy flavor of her womanhood. Weakly, she held him to her as he parted her thighs once more to slide his thickness and girth into the slick haven of her femininity. With a low moan, the young woman trembled anew as fresh endorphins assaulted her.


Silas purred lowly, his body stationary as he calmed her. Gently, her coaxed her onto her side, a hand flat against her stomach to hold her to him as he began a slow rhythm of thrusting and receding within her. When she regained her senses, Darque clutched his bicep and pulled him closer, moaning at the depth of his penetration. Never had he been so slow or luxurious….never had coupling felt this…intimate for her.


“Silas…” She moaned thickly, clutching at him desperately, as if she would die without his touch. “Dear Gods, Silas…”


The dragon purred against her shoulder, clutching her closer to him. “My woman…mine….”


“More…Silas….” She begged on a cry, her hips undulating with his to take him deeper inside. Her lover groaned, increasing his pace within her until her nails scraped down his back and she moaned his name, shuddering as she felt him spray her womb with his warmth. Darque sobbed softly at the sensation as Silas pressed his damp jaw against her own with a low, indiscernible sound.


This man meant more to her than her very life…and the realization was frightening.