She opened her eyes and peeked up. I gave a half smile. “It’s because of you that I’m here,” I told her. “That I’m fighting Talon and St. George, and trying to save the rogues. I want to make up for my past, but it’s more than that.” I took her hand, holding her gaze. “Ember, because of you, I have to believe that I can get through to Tristan. And Martin, and the entire Order of St. George. To convince them that we’ve been mistaken this whole time, that some dragons aren’t soulless killers that deserve death. I think we have a chance to someday end this war, and to stop the fighting for good. To finally have peace.” I pressed a palm to her cheek. “I believe that...because I met you.”

She blinked rapidly. I ran my fingers gently through her hair, brushing it back. “So don’t underestimate yourself, Ember,” I murmured. “If you can convince a soldier of St. George to completely abandon the Order and start fighting for dragons instead, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Rising to her knees, she laced her arms behind my neck, leaned forward and kissed me. I sighed and slid my palms up her back, pulling her close. Her lips were gentle but insistent, and I parted my own slightly, feeling my blood heat as her tongue teased mine. A fire seemed to ignite in the pit of my stomach, crawling up toward my heart, which thumped faster in response.

Ember drew back and sighed, resting her forehead against mine. “Thank you,” she said as I drew in a cooling breath. “You have no idea how glad I am...that you’re here.” Her fingers traced my neck as she sat up, making me shiver. “Sometimes, I think you’re the only thing keeping me sane.”

“I doubt it, dragon girl,” I replied, offering a wry smile as she cocked her head. “I doubt you need me for anything, but...” Reaching up, I stroked her cheek. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

She gazed down at me, eyes shining emerald, her fingertips brushing the side of my face. “I love you, Garret,” she said softly, making my heart turn over. I hoped... I thought I’d heard those words before, on the salt flats of Utah right before I’d slipped into darkness. But that had been a hazy dream; this was real. “You know that, right? I was afraid I’d never get the chance to say it, and I should have told you a long time ago.”