Sleeping beauty

You walk into the bedroom to find Maya still curled up in sleep. With a smile, you walk around and sit on the edge of the bed beside her. She stirs slightly, but doesn’t awaken. You watch her for a while, and gently brush her short red hair away from her face.

You think back, amazed at how far you’ve come in so short a time. Less than two years ago, you met a bubbly, beautiful half-dragon. Now, you’re in an entirely different world, as an emperor no less, and Maya is not only engaged to you, and pregnant with twins, but you have a whole family surrounding you.

For all that you love everyone in your family though, this feisty dragon girl is first in your heart. And despite her affection towards others in the family as well, Maya has made it clear that you’re first in hers as well. Despite everything going on, despite the war, your goals, the empire…if Maya were to ask you to give it all up, you would. Without hesitation.

As you watch her, gently brushing her hair, you see her eyelids flutter, and her red eyes open. A smile spreads across her face as she sees you. “Good morning, my Josh…I get a personal wake up from the emperor himself? What a lucky girl I am!”

You smile, and she sits up, wrapping her arms around you. “Something has happened, hasn’t it? You wouldn’t be waking me unless something was up.”

You hug her tighter. “Ruka is here. She’s ready to get started.”

Maya lets go of you, nodding. “Which means you’re leaving.”

You nod. “Tomorrow morning. So today I’m spending with you.”

Maya smiles, but you can see trepidation in her eyes. “I’m glad. I’m worried about this. I don’t know what to do, it feels so wrong to let you go on your own.”

You shake your head. “I won’t be alone. After all, Uzume is the best bodyguard we could imagine.”

She shakes her head. “Normally I would agree, but we all know that you’re not going to let anyone but yourself take on the demon lord.”

You nod. “It has to be me. No one else could nullify his magic. I’m the only one with a chance.”

Maya sighs. “I know. Yura told us. I just…I’m scared, my Josh. I can’t lose you.”

You hug her again. “You won’t. I’m the golden magus, remember? The chosen one!”

She chuckles, snuggling against you. “Just…be careful?”

You nod. “I will. I AM coming back to you, Maya. I swear I am.”

Maya looks up at you and smiles. “Now you’ve made a promise, so you can’t fail.”

You chuckle. “Exactly. Now, enough of this sad chat! Let’s go get something to eat, my little dragon girl.”