Zonaton Read Online Free

came to her, as clearly as if she was watching it on a vid. Without hesitation, she straddled the creature where the glittering scales overlapped the skin at the back of its neck.
                Hold on.
                She clutched a fold of loose skin with both hands, and the geron leaped into the sky.
                Emmala never heard her parents shouting her name as Zonaton angled for the mountain range lying in the distance.
     
    * * *
     
                He stared at the youngling, the human child named Emmala. She was sleeping, but it was a poor rest. The little girl often cried out, but it didn't sound like fear. It sounded like pain.
                "I'm sorry, Mommy. I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to. Don't, Mommy! Don't!"
                Shaking his head, Zonaton tenderly bent over the child and covered her with his warmth. The shivering soon ceased, but the nightmares didn't.
                Throughout the night, he tried to calm her, sending wave after wave of comfort to her. It helped some, but her mental agony would not go away with one night of safety. It would take years. Years he had no problem giving to the youngling who was now his. His to raise. His to teach. His to protect.
                His to love.
     

Eimiss
     
     
                What are you doing?
                I don't know, but it felt right.
                How can you possibly Pair with that creature?
                I told you, I don't know.
                You are not a youngling. You are past your prime. You are too old to Pair!
                And I told you it felt right. As though it was meant to be. I felt her pain. I saw her agony. I had to take her, and I do not regret it.
                What are you going to do with it?
                Its name is Emmala. It is a female. At least try to show respect for my decision.
                Regardless, what are you going to do with it?
                I have Paired with her. It will be thus, and we will be together until the rest of her days.
                Why?
                Because it was meant to be. Because I believe I need her as much as she needs me.
                You are leaving the Nest for one of their younglings? You are shirking your responsibilities?
                My responsibility is her now. My future is with her.
                This is unheard of. An older geron Pairing! What if you depart this life before she does?
                Regardless, it feels right. I cannot explain any further.
                But when your life span ends before hers, you know you cannot bring her with you.
                That is a matter that does not concern me at this moment. What I must do now is protect her.
                Where will you go? What will you do?
                We will go where the others gather. We will do what we must.
                You are a fool, Zonaton.
                Call me what you will, Eimiss. Even that feels right.
     
    * * *
     
                He dropped the clothing next to the cave pool where Emmala was waiting. She had promised not to enter the water until his return, and she had kept her word. With his return, she quickly shed her too-small, bloodstained clothes and literally jumped into the cold water.
                She screeched from the chill. "That's coooooold!" Then laughed. It was such an innocent sound of joy, he smiled inwardly.
                "Where is the soap?"
                No soap. I am sorry. Do your best to scrub yourself clean with your hands.
                He watched as she grabbed her old tunic top and dipped it in the water, then used it to wipe the grime and dried blood off herself. He mentally nodded with approval. She was intelligent and