A Heart’s Trust

Crystal found Jay furiously pacing back and forth across his secret garden. She slowly approached him holding out her paw. "I found your glasses," she said. He halted, daring not meet her gaze. "Your eyes are beautiful," she said softly, "almost...otherworldly." There was a long pause and then he slowly turned his icy blue gaze attention on her, affectionate but terrified. "You wanted to know who I was, but it is what I am that should concern you." Looking down at his feet and taking a deep breath, he again met her gaze again, patient but confused. "The dragon that killed my mother put a curse on my father, brother and I. They were, to very simply put it, made invulnerable, but I was made to suffer for all eternity in a very different manner. I was condemned to be a vampire, a monster. Every full moon I must drink the blood of other poor creatures, feel their agony. I wouldn't blame you if you hate or fear me now, most people do." Gently smiling after a moment, Crystal said, "That's what you've been hiding all this time?! It's not that bad. You're the most gentlest person I have ever met." He looked at her like she was crazy and then let out a tiny laugh of relief. He continued solemnly, "It gets worse though. The dragon's second son evidently suffered the worst. I'm not entirely sure why, but the dragon gave me the heinous ability to transform into a dragon. It's an absolutely horrid experience, not being yourself anymore. And so… so are these." He took off his leather trench coat, unfurling a dazzling set of metallic wings, each five feet long. "I'm a monster," he said softly, turning away from her in shame. "They're stunning!" she gasped. "...And you're only a monster if you behave like one, and as far as I can see you only do what you need to for your survival and that of your family's. You are beautiful."

Tearing up he choked out the words "why ever you would trifle with me madam, I do not know. But I care for you more than you could quite possibly imagine, or what I even thought possible. I can no longer contain my purest emotion." She couldn't hardly speak. "O-Out of everyone, y-you chose me? I just can't believe…" Both crying now, she rushed up and kissed him with a passion as endless as the sky itself.

Back at camp Brian had just finished his patchwork on every patient in the pride, old and new. Half of the pride looked like mummies. Dusk was setting and he, full of exhaustion, suddenly remembered the herbs they had left lying out on the savanna. Borrowing Spears, they set off to gather them.

On the way back to camp with the Thyme, Brian heard yelling in the distance. He turned the corner on a bush and found Slade scolding Diamond. "You're the reason this family is shamed. You're the reason we're here!" Brian hurried over and stepped up face to face with Slade, giving the old man a stone cold glare. "No one is keeping you trapped here." Looking over at Diamond. "And I absolutely feel no shame in calling any of you part of my family." Slade growled and then turned and stalked off. "I'm not even going to ask what that was about. It's really none of my business," said Brian turning to face her. "Thank you." Diamond replied. "He really has gotten crankier with age. It's killing his pride to accept assistance."

The sun had long set, but neither Jay nor Crystal wanted to go back home. They were finally being 100% open with each other, accepting not only who they were but what they were; a dark prince and a lowly leopard half breed, unbeknownst to the world. They spent the entire night side by side stargazing and talking without end about dreams, emotions, and life experiences.

It was midday, Logan, Brian, and Diamond all stood over Jay's den laughing mildly. Jay groggily lifted his head to find Crystal curled up next to him. He looked up and caught his Dad's amused gaze. "Nothing happened," he yawned out. "But she now knows everything about us, especially me." Jay grunted, pulling himself out of his nest. "Good! Now my sister and I can finally talk without me hiding anything," Diamond said smiling at Brian. "Well, we're glad you're awake sleeping beauty. You've got chores to do and rounds to make still," Logan said. "Uuuugggghhh. Hey Crystal, (prodding her in the shoulder) it's time to get up. Your sister wants to harass you," Jay said smiling. She hazily looked up at him with a half awake grin.

Jay left with Brian on a "hunting trip," though Brian just wanted to tease his little brother. Jay knew this and started with "I know why you pulled me out on this charade. You're afraid I might have children first brother? Well, mock all you want, there's no where a need to worry about that." "Oh, I'm not worried about that," he said with half a smirk. "Oh yeah? Well thanks for that information I absolutely didn't need or want to know. Good for you I guess?" Brian paused and stared at his brother lovingly, glad they were talking again. "Uh… Anyway Jay, you ready for the concert tonight?!" "Absolutely! I'm so excited! I think Crystal thinks I'm an introvert who doesn't know how to have fun. I was hoping we could do our twin dance routine." "Sure. Anything for my little bro," Brian said, giving him a noogie.

Everyone spent the night singing and dancing together like they had known each other for years. The two brothers charmed everyone in the family with their country singing and party trick dancing in complete symmetry. They and their Father lit up the night with 80's rock classics and musical escapades. Jay had never expressed such passion as he did this night. Little did he know it was all about to end, the fun of freedom and pure love. He spent half the night singing and dancing with his love, and the other half they spent, for the first time ever, tangled in a fit of joyous passion.