Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology

by Pauline Creeden

  “Goldi?” She called out. “I’m home. You here?”

  She unlatched the cage door, and Rubrum, in his Draco lizard form, scurried out and headed directly for the pantry. When she didn’t immediately open the door for him, he looked over his shoulder and shot her the double-stink-eye.

  Open.

  “Seriously? You can’t wait two minutes?”

  Open.

  “Are you talking to the reptile again?” Goldi’s groggy voice sounded from behind her.

  “Oh. Hey. You are home.” Phlox took in the rumpled appearance of her friend. “What happened to you?”

  “Vodka. Lots and lots of vodka.”

  OPEN!

  Rubrum’s mental yell of outrage reverberated in her brain.

  “Fine,” she said, exasperated, as she opened the pantry. Rubrum promptly jumped to the second shelf, knocked a box of Twinkies to the floor and ripped into them.

  Goldi screwed up her face at the sight. “You spend way too much time alone with that thing. Maybe spend some time partying with me instead. It’ll be good for you.”

  It was Phlox’s turn to screw up her face. “From the looks of you, maybe you need to quit the partying and spend some time communing with nature.”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Ditto.”

  They laughed and watched as Rubrum ate his way through the box of Twinkies, spitting out the plastic wrappers as he went.

  “I’m no reptile expert,” Goldi said. “But, that can’t be good for him.”

  Phlox shrugged. “It’s fine. He’s…special.”

  “Special. Yeah. Anyway.” Goldi opened the fridge, grabbed an energy drink, and chugged it like it would save her life. When she stepped a little too close to Rubrum’s pile of sugary gold, he hissed at her. Goldi jumped back, her eyes wide. “Why does it hate me so much?”

  “Maybe because you call him it and thing and reptile. Try being nicer to him.” Phlox admonished her.

  “You know it can’t understand…never mind. Here,” Goldi carefully stepped around him and reached into the pantry. She grabbed an unopened Twinkie from one of the many boxes he hadn’t already devoured and timidly held it out to Rubrum. “Truce?”

  Rubrum eyed her for a second, snatched it from her hand, and scurried off. He was probably going to hide it under the pillows in Phlox’s bed like a dog would with a bone.

  “Better?” Goldi asked.

  Phlox smiled at her hungover friend. “It’s a start.”

  They made their way to the living room, and Phlox sank down into the overpriced, overstuffed, insanely-freaking-comfy couch and kicked her feet up and onto the matching ottoman. “Ahh.”

  “So, how’s your grandmother?” Goldi asked.

  Phlox cringed internally every time the subject came up. It was a lie. A lie she’d told Goldi to explain her frequent absences—an ill grandmother who needed her care. It had seemed a reasonable excuse at the time and hadn’t bothered her at first. But, the closer she and Goldi had become, the more the lies nagged at her.

  “She’s about the same.” Phlox picked at an invisible piece of lint and changed the subject. “So, uh, tell me more about your night.”

  Goldi rubbed at her temples. “Um… It was fine, fun, late.”

  “No new beau?”

  “Beau?” Goldi laughed. “No. No one I’m planning on bringing home to you, Mom.”

  “Mom?” Phlox feigned horror. “You’re like five years older than me.”

  “But, you’re the responsible prude.”

  “I’m not a prude! I’m…just busy with other things.”

  Goldi shot her a look that was part sympathy and part disbelief.

  “Oh, hey,” Goldi changed the subject. “The washing machine is on the fritz. While you’re here, you think we can get that fixed?”

  “Why didn’t you call for a repair? Or buy a new one?”

  “I’m broke.”

  “What about the emergency fund?”

  Goldi looked away, her lips twisting. “Sorry. I kind of spent it. I swear I’ll pay it back. Forgive me? Pleeease.”

  Goldi knew Phlox was rich. Well, Rubrum was rich, but Goldi didn’t know that. How could she? But, it was no excuse for her to take advantage of Phlox’s generosity. She actually paid Goldi to live there so she didn’t have to worry about her safe-haven in Humankind when she was in Otherworld.

  She’d met Goldi at the animal shelter and, despite their personality differences, they’d hit it off. Goldi had become the sister Phlox had left behind years ago. Actually, she’d left two behind. As her heart began to ache, she redirected her thoughts. No sense living in the past when she had a bright present and future in front of her.

  “When is the last time you volunteered? Or the last time you did anything besides partying?” Phlox wasn’t one to tell someone else what to do with their life, but she wasn’t a sucker either. If this had become a one-sided user-type of relationship, she’d have to rethink everything. Plus, she didn’t want to be responsible for Goldi’s downfall.

  “A couple days ago.”

  At Phlox’s narrowed gaze, Goldi said, “I swear. You can ask. I, uh… I might have done something you’re not going to be happy about.”

  Oh, crap. What else? Phlox was beginning to wish she’d stayed in Otherworld. But she just loved bringing magic to a world that had so little.

  As if on cue, a high-pitched, ear-piercing screech echoed through the room. Rubrum spit and hissed as he chased an adorable but terrified little black and white puppy across the tiled floor.

  Phlox jumped to action and snatched up Rubrum, and Goldi grabbed the puppy.

  “Sorry! I must not have closed my door all the way,” Goldi said.

  Phlox struggled to hold her dragon friend with all his wiggling and hissing and spitting. “Rubrum, stop!” Phlox said in exasperation.

  The puppy, now safely on Goldi’s lap, barked and growled as menacingly as it could with its cute, little puppy voice. Phlox recognized the puppy from the shelter. She had been dropped off two weeks ago if Phlox remembered correctly.

  “What have you done?” she asked Goldi.

  “Look, I know I’m not supposed to have a pet, but it’s only temporary. I’m fostering her. She wasn’t doing well at the shelter.”

  “So, you brought her here and then went out partying all night?” Phlox was pretty easy-going, but she was beginning to get more than a little pissed-off at her friend.

  “No. She,” Goldi held the squirming pup in one hand and pointed to her with the other. “She’s the reason I look like hell. I didn’t get any sleep. She is a hellion!”

  Phlox couldn’t help laughing at her friend’s horrified look. She knew Goldi loved animals but had never had any of her own—until now.

  “What’s with all of your lies today?” Phlox asked through her choking laughter. Shame instantly plagued her as she thought of her own lies.

  “I’m so sorry. That’s where most of the money went.”

  Phlox narrowed her eyes at that. There was no way the emergency fund was spent on one, tiny puppy.

  “I swear,” Goldi said. “Go look in my room.”

  Phlox raised her eyebrows, rose from the couch, and carried the still grouchy Rubrum with her to Goldi’s room. “Oh my God!” she said as she peered inside. The entire floor was littered with dog toys of every kind imaginable, at least ten different doggy beds, and…so much other stuff. There was a new bookcase filled floor-to-ceiling with different types of snacks, bling collars, and fancy dog bowls too.

  Goldi was giving the puppy kisses when Phlox reentered the room.

  “What were you thinking? It looks like a pet store threw-up in your room. It’s one puppy. Not twenty!”

  Rubrum wiggled free of Phlox’s grip and perched on her shoulder.

  “I got carried away,” Goldi said. “I didn’t know what she’d like, so I bought everything. I swear I’ll pay it back. I mean, just take it out of my pay for however long it takes unless you’re firing me
and kicking me out.”

  Phlox situated herself back on the couch and took a very long, deep breath.

  “I’m not kicking you out. We just need to get these two better acquainted.” She pointed to the puppy and then to Rubrum. “And for heaven’s sake, never let the puppy get close to Rubrum’s Twinkies. Ever.” Phlox was fairly certain Rubrum wouldn’t really hurt the puppy in general, but when it came to his Twinkies, she wasn’t sure of anything.

  “Come on, Rub. We need to get ready to go to the shelter. “

  “Have fun,” Goldi said.

  She smiled at her friend. “Always do.”

  Back in her room, she dug through her closet looking for something appropriate to wear.

  Not go.

  She spun around to face Rubrum. “What? You don’t want to go?”

  No.

  She stripped out of her sundress and donned a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “Why? You’re a big hit there.”

  Heal. He scurried beneath a pillow and quickly reemerged with a small gold coin between his teeth. He spit it into the air and shot a burst of fire into it as it fell to the floor with a small clink-clink. Take. Heal.

  When she didn’t pick it up immediately, he flicked it at her. She caught it just before it hit the floor. Magic pulsed through her hand at first touch.

  “This will help me heal the sick animals?” she asked, making sure she understood correctly.

  He nodded.

  She crossed her arms over her chest and stared him down. “You want to stay here with the puppy, don’t you?”

  He rolled his eyes, but that was the only logical reason for his refusal to go. She decided not to tease him about it. Not yet, anyway.

  “Fine. But, be nice. Behave. Be good. All that stuff.”

  Chapter 4

  Arden followed Phlox even though he’d lost all but a tiny sense of dragon magic when she’d left her house. There was no way she’d be able to store away a dragon in that house, but he couldn’t discount the powerful, ancient, and magical undertones emanating from it.

  He was certain there was some sort of connection between the girl and the one thing he needed most. But why was it strong one moment, nonexistent another moment, or faint as it was now?

  He was out of practice with females of any species, but he’d have to pull it together, get closer to her, and attempt to figure out how she could help him on his quest. First, a glamor-spell to cloak his hideous appearance was in order. Even in his weakened state, he should be able to hold it, to keep the simple facade from slipping.

  He had no idea how long she’d be wherever she was, but he needed a prop. He supposed his clothing was acceptable for the realm—dark pants, light button-down shirt, and black boots. Possibly he wasn’t Humankind-trendy, but he also wasn’t over-the-top Otherworld. It would do.

  He walked to the convenience store a few buildings down, grabbed a bunch of random items, and dropped them onto the counter. The store clerk raised his eyebrows at the random items but didn’t say anything as he scanned them.

  Unfortunately, Arden hadn’t thought the plan through. He had no Humankind currency. No matter. He reached into his pocket, whispered a spell under his breath, and then presented his hand to the cashier. His hand was empty, but the cashier saw a fifty dollar bill. He wouldn’t notice the trick until well after Arden was gone.

  “Keep the change,” he said as he grabbed his bag of junk and exited the store.

  He didn’t know how long he stood there on the street corner waiting and watching like a stalker in the shadows of night. But, that’s basically what he was at that moment, so he squared his shoulders and owned it. Time was running out, and he’d do whatever he had to do.

  His gut clenched when she finally made her way toward him. He started walking, cast his gaze downward, and planned his turn just right so that they crashed into each other. His bag of junk spilled to the ground. He’d been confident that someone who worked at a place like that would help and not just walk on by.

  And he was right.

  “Oh crap!” she said. “I mean, I’m sorry. Here, let me help.”

  She immediately squatted down and helped him gather his wayward items. When she grabbed the box of sweet, yellow junk food, she laughed heartily. It was a delightful sound that plucked a chord inside him.

  “Twinkies,” she said. “My…friend loves these things.”

  He steeled his facial expression to keep from frowning at that. Who actually ate that junk? He’d seriously thought those items were some sort of joke or vintage decoration. “Never ate one before. This’ll be my first,” he said and shot her his best smile. At least, he hoped it was his best.

  Her brows rose high on her smooth forehead. “You’re kidding me. I mean, I’m not a big fan of them, but I thought everyone had at least tried one before.”

  They finished tossing the items back into the bag and stood. “Not me, but I’m sure it’ll be interesting.” He was trying for a light and charming tone but felt as though his words were stilted.

  “Well, enjoy your sugar-rush, and watch out for any more clumsy strangers.”

  He panicked as she began walking away. “Hey, uh, we’re going the same way. Why don’t you let me walk you home? My name’s…Aaron.” He wasn’t sure why he’d given her a false name, but it had seemed the thing to do.

  She turned back and scrutinized him for several silent seconds. He figured she was trying to decide if he had ulterior motives.

  “I’m Phlox. And, I appreciate the offer, but I’m not far from home.” She treated him to a breathtaking smile. “It was nice to meet you.”

  Dammit. Why did he have to be so socially awkward? He didn’t want to push the issue and make her run from him, but he didn’t want her to get away either. He’d orchestrated a decent plan to interact with her but had failed miserably on the follow-through.

  “And you,” he said lamely as he watched her walk away and considered his next course of action.

  Chapter 5

  Phlox’s head spun from her interaction with Aaron. She’d gotten the strangest feeling from him. Almost…magical? He’d seemed human enough, but she could rarely be certain with her limited abilities. Too bad Rubrum hadn’t been with her.

  The man was incredibly handsome with his wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and impressive build. She couldn’t get the interaction with him out of her mind on the short walk home, and she absently wondered if he’d enjoy the Twinkie when he decided to try it.

  She unlocked the front door and stepped inside. No one—not Goldi, not puppy, not dragon—greeted her, so she went directly to her bedroom.

  Her eyes bugged at the sight that greeted her. “Son-of-a-frog-faced-fairy-fart! What have you done?” she asked of her dragon friend.

  Rubrum, in full form, sat on her bed, his head resting in the hole it’d poked in the ceiling. Busted chunks of sheetrock decorated the entire room. She closed and locked the door behind her in case Goldi came by.

  Many Twinkies. Chase puppy.

  “How am I supposed to explain this? And, how did Goldi not hear you? Is she even here?” Phlox’s stomach clenched. “She didn’t see you like this did she?”

  He shrugged and shook his big scaly head. Sleep.

  It took her a moment to realize how quiet it was. It shouldn’t be that quiet with a rambunctious puppy in the house. Her stomach lurched this time as she took in her dragon’s bloated belly and the wreckage in her room. “Rubrum. Where is the puppy? Did you—”

  Chase. Tired. Sleep.

  “Wait. Are you saying you chased the puppy and tired her out? And is Goldi sleeping too?”

  He nodded and rolled his eyes. Annoying.

  She sighed a large breath of relief and laughed at that. “I bet you had fun. For a dragon, you’re really just a softy.”

  He snorted and spit sparks at her. She batted them away.

  Otherworld.

  “We just got here, and I have to volunteer tomorrow anyway.”

  No have.


  “Well, I want to. You know I like having a connection to this world.”

  He flicked his tail and blew out a smoky huff of breath.

  She laughed at his gesture, but a twinge of sadness hit her. “Outside of you, it’s all I have.”

  His chin dropped to his scaly chest. In an instant, he shrunk back to Draco lizard size, crawled up her body, and wrapped himself around her neck. They enjoyed a sweet moment until a piece of sheetrock crashed to the floor at her feet. After the shock wore off, she burst out laughing. What else could she do? Stuff happened when your best friend was a dragon.

  Rubrum’s nails dug into her shoulder when a loud knock sounded at the door.

  “Ouch. Ease up. Are you expecting someone?” she asked jokingly.

  Instead of answering her silly question, Rubrum spread his Draco lizard wings, jumped off her shoulder, and glided onto the bed.

  “Yeah. Me either.”

  Maybe Goldi was expecting someone. But no, that wasn’t it. Aaron stood outside the door, and that stupid-handsome smile on his face almost made her not think about the possibility that he was stalking her.

  She smacked herself mentally and pulled her brain together before opening the door. “What are you doing here? My boyfriend is in the other room,” she lied. “I’ll scream. I will.”

  “I-uh. I just came to return your bracelet.”

  “Bracelet?” she repeated dumbly.

  He held out a bracelet.

  It was pretty. A dainty silver chain with a single purple gem dangling from it.

  “See?” Aaron asked. “I thought you might want it back. I didn’t want to yell and run after you, so I followed quietly. Didn’t mean to be creepy.”

  “Oh, how nice, but it isn’t mine.”

  “Really? Ah, well, that’s embarrassing,” he said awkwardly as he stuffed the bracelet into his pocket. He peered around her as if looking for something. “Boyfriend? I was hoping you’d reward me for my gentlemanliness and grant me your company for a coffee?”

  “Coffee?” If Goldi had been standing there, she’d be pushing Phlox out the door or inviting the guy in. Phlox wasn’t totally opposed to the idea of a male companion, but with her situation, it was definitely complicated. She wasn’t human, her best friend was a dragon, and she didn’t spend a lot of time in the world of Humankind.