The guardian laid motionless on her pedestal. The woman approached with caution holding her breath. Was this truly the same person she danced with all that time ago. As a dragon her life was eternal. She mistook the guardian for a human and so quit searching for her. ‘I regret not finding you sooner my love.’ She took the pale green hand of the guardian into hers, god it was so much smaller than her large calloused hand that was darkened by the sun in her desert homeland. She pressed her lips to the small knuckles and then leaned forward to leave a kiss on her forehead. She pulled back not knowing what would happen next, if anything. Liza swallowed her tears but wouldn’t take her eyes off of her love.

Suddenly a burst of energy emanated from the guardian. It pushed Liza back slightly. Then the guardians eyes flashed open. She looks around only to find Liza standing there staring at her with her mouth hanging open.

The guardian smiles, ‘I’m glad it’s you.’ She tries to sit up but fails to sit up on her own. ‘Goodness how long have I been asleep? A thousand years? I feel so stiff.’