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fear. He was only partially right. Dragon knows what his
father did and he knows what he would like to do. Yet he is
afraid. I can see it. If he fails and loses the galaxy he would
never be able to look at himself in a mirror again. His
father captured and ruled all the known worlds in just one
lifetime, alone. That is a big pair of shoes to fill."
Passion nodded. Her heart constricted with the pain of
knowing there was nothing she could do to ease Dragon's
heart and suffering. She would not want to be in his
position. She wanted him to have mercy on the rebels, but
she understood that as a man he needed vengeance.
Thinking of Dragon killing the rebels made her heart break
and before she thought about what she was doing, she was
running in the direction he had gone.
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Hawk did not stop her.
Dragon already had his guard lining the men up.
Passion rushed towards them screaming.
"No Dragon, please don't do this. You can never take
this back. These men deserve a trial, if nothing else!"
He turned on her with angry eyes.
"Passion leave, get out of my sight before I have you
added to the execution. This is men's business. Just leave
me and forget this. If you truly love me, let this alone."
"Kill me if you want to Dragon. I am not going to stand
back and let you make this terrible mistake. These men will
respect your mercy. They will live to tell others that the
new emperor is fair and just. They will go home to wives
and children who will be grateful to you. These men will
want to stand beside you not against you. Start fresh, today,
for me Dragon. Please, you are breaking my heart."
He looked at the rebels. Most of them showed genuine
fear. Some just showed their pride. He walked up to one of
the prideful ones and spoke. "You heard my foolish
woman. Is she right? Do you have someone to return home
to? Speak now or condemn yourself and the others to
death."
"I have a wife and son."
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 125
"If I let you walk away are you going to teach your son
to hate me? Will you be grateful for your life or will you
join those who hate my empire the next time they want to
attack me?"
"You are not your father. Will my son be a slave in
your empire or a freeman? I am of the servant class. I want
more for my son. I want my son to have a choice."
"If there is no caste, who will serve and who will lead?"
The rebel did not speak for a moment. When he did,
Passion wanted to clap.
"There will always be those who are suited to serve,
and want to serve. I am not one of those people. If I had a
choice I would have been a happy and loyal guard to your
house."
Dragon thought about his words for a moment.
Motioning for his guard, he spoke quietly to the men. They
began to unshackle the prisoners. Passion did not want to
hope, but seeing what was happening gave her hope
nonetheless. When Dragon spoke, she forced herself to stay
quiet.
"You are free. Amnesty is yours, if you swear
allegiance to my house. I want you men to have the same
passion for my empire as you did to see it fall. There will
be changes, but they will be slow. I promise you that the
caste system will be the first thing to change. You are my
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 126
witnesses to this promise. Swear your allegiance and go, or
refuse and I will see that you get a fair trial."
Of the two hundred men captured, only a dozen chose
the trial. Dragon saw them put humanely in his prison. He
also personally dictated they receive excellent meals and
treatment. Passion watched it all in joyous amazement.
When it was all been finished, he walked up to her and took
her by the arm. Dragon turned her to face him.
"Help me rebuild the world. Be my wife Passion, not
my mistress or concubine. I want you by my side and only
you."
"Yes." She breathed as his lips claimed hers.
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 127
Epilogue
Bright and colorful, the city was dripping with beautiful
ribbons.
Passion walked the streets of their city. Jubilation was
almost a tangible fragrance in the air. Looking at the happy
people warmed her heart. When the people saw her and her
children, they cheered. Dragon had rebuilt the world for
their family and yet he was still able to hold onto his
power.
Nothing is perfect, and there were still squabbles and
arguments in each individual planet's government. Yet, for
the most part, a harmony filled the galaxy that never
existed before. Dragon often found himself called upon to
help resolve disputes. His decision to give the people self-
rule left him very busy. His fair and unbiased judgments
became legendary. Passion was so proud of him. Twenty
years had passed in a blink of the eye. Dragon's birthday
was a celebrated holiday and his people genuinely loved
him. Looking at the way they had decorated the capitol for
him made her smile.
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 128
Her teenage son and husband were very close. It made
her heart ache to see Dragon teaching his son to take his
place someday, a reminder of his mortality. It was a
reminder that no matter how much they loved each other,
someday death would part them. Pulling herself away from
the morbid thoughts, she focused on the holiday again.
Everyone in the galaxy took a day off to celebrate with
them. His father, the first emperor, never had the love of
the people.
Dragon put his arm around her and ruffled their son,
Raptor's, hair. Raptor looked annoyed and went ahead of
his parents. Passion laughed. Her husband stopped and
wrapped his arms around her. He looked into her eyes and a
quiet moment passed between them. They didn t notice the
many eyes watching. Dragon put his hand in the hair
behind her ear and pulled her to him. Looking deeply into
her eyes he spoke with a quite intensity that rocked her
soul.
"You are my peace and my joy. Passion, you and you
alone have given me the strength to be a good leader and a
good man. I love you."
Touched she managed to whisper hoarsely. "Happy
birthday Dragon, I love you."
A loud cheering interrupted Passion looked up. Her
four daughters had finally finished their primping and
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 129
decided to join the family. Passion laughed as her husband
scowled. He whispered angrily. "What are they wearing?"
Patting the overprotective father on the back, she
chuckled. "It is a new style, a trend. They look beautiful."
He did not look happy. "That is the problem!"
Sighing she put her arm around his waist to distract him
from his troubles. They walked and she thought about how
her man, who had the entire galaxy to worry about, still
took the time to worry about his children. He made her love
him a little more each day. Passion was glad he had
thwarted her escape with his love. He was her home.
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 130
Ashlynn Monroe is a busy wife and mom. She
enjoys writing about anything and everything paranormal
or fantasy related while maintaining a career as a full time
customer service professional. When she is not lovingly
raising her young family, she is dreaming up her next tale
of romance. She'd love to hear from you at
ashlynn.monroe@live.com. Visit her website at
ashlynnmonroe.webs.com/. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]