“I’d love to meet your dragon,” I replied.
Ember held her finger to her lips before taking my hand and guiding me away from the stage, and deeper into the main tent, which was much larger than I’d thought.
“Wait here,” she said, before disappearing through a doorway. She returned and gestured for me to follow.
The sight before me stopped me dead in my tracks. Filling most of the room, chained to a giant metal spike, was a midnight black dragon. She rustled her wings and huffed air from her nose as we entered, her deep purple eyes meeting mine.
Ember ran over to her and it took all of my strength not to yell for her to stop, that this thing could crush her and eat her in a moment. But as she approached, she wrapped her arms as far around the dragon’s neck as she could and it nuzzled into her.
“This is my friend I was telling you about,” Ember told it. “Can she come say hello?”
The dragon huffed again and looked at me.
Ember waved her hand and I released a breath, managing to take a slow step forward.
“She won’t hurt you unless you hurt me,” she said.
Shuffling closer, I stopped when the dragon moved toward me.
“It’s okay, she won’t hurt you.” Ember offered me a reassuring smile.
“Can I touch her?” I asked.
Ember smiled and gave me a nod.
Taking a few more steps I lifted my arm, reaching out towards her muzzle until my fingers brushed cool rough scales and the dragon’s hot breath heated the back of my hand. Warmth coursed through my body, relaxing my sore muscles from the day’s work.
“She’s incredible,” I told Ember.
“She likes you.” She gave Ebony a hug.
Ebony huffed out a breath, moving her nose from my hand.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked.
“You have to go.” Ember tensed, worry in her eyes.
I took a cautious step back from Ebony, who shook her body and lifted her wings.
“Someone’s coming.” Ember took my hand and led me into a dark corner, pushing me through the door. “Turn left at the end of the hall and you’ll be backstage.”
“Ember? Where are you?” called Lukah’s voice.
I peered through the darkness to where he’d entered the room, Ebony now on her feet, as though shielding Ember from him.
“I’m here.” Ember joined her dragon, placing a hand on its neck. “It’s okay girl.”
“Can I trust you two to behave tonight?” asked Lukah. “I don’t want another case of what happened at our last show.”
“I promise we’ll be on our best behaviour,” said Ember.
“Keep your beast under control or I’ll sell her to the highest bidder,” he said.
“Yes, Master.” She hung her head.
Ebony growled.
Lukah huffed before leaving the room.
Every inch of my being wanted to go in and make sure Ember was okay, but something told me being caught with her would get her into trouble. So, I left Ember and Ebony alone and made my way back to side of stage. There was something about Lukah that scared but also intrigued me. Every time I was with him, I turned into the giddy teenage girl who’d fallen in love with William Archer. As much as I enjoyed the way Lukah made me feel, I knew I couldn’t trust him. I didn’t know him well enough to even start. I’d let my guard down too easy and needed to keep my wits about me. As fantastical as the circus was, my goal was to find my hot air balloon and find my way back to Edith.
My mind raced as I watched the rest of the show and my head began to ache. Telling myself I needed some fresh air, I made my way out of the tent and found a spot on the grass to sit and take some deep breaths, pulling the robe tighter around me. The cold was creeping in and I was sure Adrena’s elixir was wearing off.
“What did you think of the show?” I jumped with fright as Blaze appeared in the darkness.
“It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen,” I said. “I think today’s activities are just getting to me. And the cold.”
“Why don’t you come celebrate with us back at the tents?” he suggested. “We’re all going to have a few drinks. Apollo’s home brew will warm you up.”
“Will Adrena be there?” I asked.
“I’d assume so. Care to walk with me?” He held out his elbow and I stood, taking it and letting him guide me to the tents.
A loud roar reverberated through the air and I huddled close to Blaze who laughed.
“You missed the finale,” he said.
The roar had belonged to Ebony.
“I hope Ember isn’t upset I missed her performance,” I said.
“She of all people understands needing space and time on your own,” he replied. “She told me you got to meet Ebony. She must trust you to let you near her beloved dragon.”
“She’s a good kid,” I said. “Are there any other kids on the ship she can play with?”
Sadness filled his gilded eyes. “No. She’s the youngest by at least ten years. This isn’t the life I wanted for her, not really. But, it’s the life we have.”
“Do you ever think about leaving the circus?” I asked him.
His eyes darted around as though someone might hear us and he changed the subject. “Are you going to join us for drinks?”
Behind us, crowds of people filed out of the circus chattering with excitement. He guided me through the tents until the sound of cheering and music filtered through the air between them. Ahead of us, I spotted an open area surrounded by coloured lights.
“Olivia.” Adrena saw us and ran over. “What did you think?”
“You were amazing,” I said.
“What about me?” Calix joined us.
“Incredible,” I replied.
“That’s it, she’s staying.” Calix took a swig from his mug.
“Want some ale?” asked Adrena.
“Yes, please,” I said.
She fetched me a mug and we joined Apollo, Keaton, and Loretta at a table.
“Does the new pet have to sit with us?” Loretta didn’t bother to look my way.
“If you stopped pining over Lukah and took the time to get to know Olivia, you’d like her,” said Calix. He whispered loud enough for us all to hear, “she said I was incredible.”
Loretta groaned. “It’s not pining. We’ve played this game for years now, he loves me, he pretends he doesn’t, then he loves me again.”
“Don’t you tire of it?” asked Adrena.
“We can’t all have what you and Apollo have together,” she said. “Loves different for some people.”
Blaze raised his eyebrows at me.
“Well, if it helps, I’m not interested in Lukah in that way.” I took a sip of my drink. I was shocked to find it tasted much sweeter than the ales I’d tasted in Yarington. Instead of bitter, it had a vanilla frosting flavour. I hadn’t been lying to Loretta about Lukah either. I didn’t trust the guy as far as I could throw him. But each time I was in his presence it was like an enchantment fell over me and I couldn’t help but divulge whatever information he wanted and be attracted to him.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re interested or not,” said Calix. “Lukah always gets what he wants.”
“Do we have to keep talking about him?” asked Apollo. “Let’s talk about how amazing our acrobats were tonight.”
Lifting my mug to my lips, I found it was already empty.
“Another?” offered Blaze.
“That would be great, thank you.”
He took my mug and left to refill it. When he returned, he placed it in front of me and slid onto the bench beside me so close our legs touched. Taking a sip of my drink, I thanked him, my stomach fluttering when he smiled at me.
Someone started playing a device that looked much like a guitar, which was accompanied by a drum and a flute. People started dancing. The mixture of ale, dancing, laughing and chatting was intoxicating and I found myself grinning wider than I had since I’d left m
y friends and Edith behind.
“You do this after every show?” I asked Blaze.
“Not every show, usually just the first,” he said.
“We have too much work to do the day after the last show,” said Apollo. “Lukah wouldn’t be happy if we were all too sick to pack this all away.”
“Is Lukah ever happy?” asked Loretta.
It was nice to see her loosening up a little and she had stopped shooting me daggers each time I talked.
Calix leaned in closer to me. “See the guy over there?”
My gaze drifted to where he was pointing into the group of dancers to spot a young man with dusty blonde hair, his bare chest peeking through an unbuttoned red and black vest. “Yes?”
“He will be my next lover,” he declared. “Just watch.”
I opened to ask how he knew, but before I could put the words together Calix rose from the chair and sauntered over to the boy.
“Here we go,” said Adrena. “Another broken heart.”
“Why does he do it to himself?” I asked.
“Not his heart,” she said. “The poor boys. Calix breaks hearts all over the sky continent.”
Calix took the boy’s hand and they joined the dancers.
Loretta groaned as though reminding us she was there. “I’m going to dance.”
“Want to join her?” Adrena asked me.
“Sure,” I said.
“How about you Blaze?” Loretta asked. “You going to dance with Olivia?”
Adrena shot her a glare and Loretta shrugged her shoulders, mouthing, ‘what?’
Blaze rose from the bench and bent down, hand out towards me, eyebrows raised. “Care to dance?”
I laughed as he wiggled his eyebrows. “I would love to.”
Loretta smirked at Adrena, who squared her jaw as I took Blazes hand and let him lead me to where Calix was dancing with his new friend.
Swaying to the beat, my hands twisted in the air, mimicking the movements of Adrena. Loretta had disappeared into the crowd and I let myself get lost in the moment with the help of the ale coursing through my body, making it light and tingly all over.
“I got you another drink.” Loretta returned with two mugs. “A peace offering.”
Adrena gave her a look but Loretta ignored it as I took the mug from her.
“Thank you,” I said. “Peace offering accepted.”
The look she gave me made me feel like she had more to say, but she said nothing as she clinked her mug against mine before taking a swig. I followed suite. After taking a few more mouthfuls my head grew light. After deciding I’d had enough ale for the night, I placed it down on a nearby table and returned to my new friends.
Hands rested on my hips and I looked back to find Blaze smiling down at me. Offering him one in return, I leaned further into his warmth as we moved to the music. Time blurred and the music seemed to have no end as I found myself turning to face Blaze, his hands wrapped around my waist and our bodies moving together. There was so much warmth in his golden eyes, and safety in his embrace… without thinking I rose to my tip toes, closed my eyes, and pressed my lips to his. He stilled for a split second before relaxing into the kiss. There was a cheer behind me that made me smile, and when we pulled apart his grin mimicked my own.
“That was a surprise,” he said.
“It was a surprise for me too,” I confessed.
He kissed me on the forehead and I leaned into his chest. My head swam and the music warbled as my knees gave out, Blaze keeping me upright with his strong arms.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I feel weird.”
“Let’s get you out of here.” Blaze swept me into his arms with ease, carrying me like a child, my mind blurring in and out as though I was in some sort of dream or nightmare.
“What’s wrong? Is she okay?” Adrena’s voice.
“Maybe she’s not used to the ale?” asked Blaze. “Can I take her back to your tent?”
“Yes, come on. Number forty-four,” she said.
“Do you want a hand?” offered Apollo.
My stomach tensed, and I hoped I wouldn’t be sick as my body rocked back and forth. Looking up, I watched the stars and moon blur making me squeeze my eyes shut to hold back the nausea it created.
The brush of canvas against my body and I opened my eyes again to find we were inside the tent. My body relaxing a little at the thought of sleep and stillness.
“What are you doing?” Lukah’s voice boomed, making my head throb.
“She’s unwell, we’re putting her to bed,” said Adrena.
“She couldn’t walk,” added Blaze.
“I’ll take care of her from here,” said Lukah.
I looked up and Blazes golden stare met mine with concern and disappointment. Rocking my head back and forth in his arms, I tried to speak, ‘no, I don’t want to go with him,’ but no sound came out.
Blaze held my gaze for a little longer as though torn, before lying me on a bed and stepping away, the absence of his warmth making me shiver.
“She’s mine, not yours,” barked Lukah. “You’re to stay away from her unless I say otherwise. Is that understood?”
“I was just trying to look after her,” said Blaze.
“Lukah, she’ll be fine here in the tent.” Loretta’s whiny voice made my body tense. “Adrena will look after her.”
She’d fetched Lukah. I just knew it.
“I don’t want or need your input,” Lukah told her.
A blur of purple filled my vision and I tried to call out Adrena and Blazes name, to tell them I wanted to stay in the tent with them, before I fell into a deep sleep.
Head throbbing and stomach aching, I forced my eyes open to find I was tucked into a king sized bed with crisp white sheets and a deep red duvet. Groaning, I attempted to sit up but my head spun and I lay back down trying to focus on the room around me. A large wooden wardrobe filled the wall at the foot of the bed and hearing the creek of timber, I knew I was on the ship.
Flashes of dancing and drinking near the tents came to my mind along with Blaze’s kind golden eyes and warm hands, his lips on mine... How had I ended up here?
“Morning,” a soft voice sounded from my right and I turned to find Lukah, dressed in a pair of comfy black slacks his smooth chest bare.
“What happened?” I asked, too disorientated to take in his muscular physique.
“My guess is someone put something in your drink.”
“Who? What did they give me?” I slid up to sit and pull the blankets over my chest. That’s when I noticed I was wearing a nightdress. “Who changed me?”
His grin made my cheeks warm. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”
“Who was it?” I asked, not wanting to think about the fact he’d seen me naked. Every insecurity I’d ever had came pouring back into my mind.
“I have a pretty good idea but of course I can’t prove anything. I’ve had a stern talk with her this morning and she isn’t to come anywhere near you for the foreseeable future.”
Loretta. My jaw clenched. How dare she put something in my drink? Was she that threatened by me that she would risk my life? Or was she looking to make a fool out of me?
“Did I do anything stupid?” I asked.
“I arrived late, but as far as I’ve heard you did a lot of dancing… oh, and you kissed Blaze…” a flash of annoyance crossed his face before it softened again.
“Poor Blaze,” I groaned. Had he wanted me to kiss him?
“He said it was quite awkward,” said Lukah.
I cringed at the thought.
There was a knock at the door.
“Ah, your bath is ready. I thought you might like a soak to refresh and get ready for the day,” he said.
The mention of a bath made me notice the stickiness of my skin and the sweet but sickening odour of alcohol seeping from my pores. “A bath would be great.”
Folding back the blankets I tried
to ignore the fact I was in my nightdress and let him guide me into the bathroom.
“I’ll leave you to undress,” he said leaving me in the small room.
The room had a shelf along one wall of clothing, towels and vials of all shapes and sizes, and in its centre a large clawed bath was filled with warm water, the steam rising off it smelling of peppermint and black tea mixed with lavender. It smelled like Lukah.
After undressing I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to be marked with Lukah’s scent. But I was naked, and with a quick whiff of my under arms I couldn’t deny I was in desperate need of a clean. So, I climbed into the bath, the warmth and mix of oils seeping into my skin and I let out a groan as I lay my head back.
The door opened and I sprang up, hugging my knees to my chest, water splashing over the sides of the bath as Lukah stepped in with a plate of food and a mug.
“I brought you some breakfast and juice,” he said.
He moved a stool beside the bath and placed the plate on it before holding the mug towards me. I was motionless eyes wide.
“I assumed it was okay seeing as I already saw you naked last night?” he said.
“I don’t remember you seeing me naked,” I replied. “So, I’m not exactly used to it.”
“I promise not to look. I’d just like to talk if that’s okay. I can sit with my back to you.”
No, it was not okay. But even as I thought it my muscles relaxed and I found myself softening.
“Okay, turn around.”
He found another stool and sat on it facing away from me.
“What did you think of the show?” he asked.
Comfortable he couldn’t see me I released my knees and took a sip of juice before placing it back on the stool letting it settle in my stomach before contemplating food. I sank beneath the warm water. “It was incredible. Your magic was… I don’t know how to describe it. Have you always had it?”
“I acquired my magic at a young age,” he said. “I’m happy you enjoyed it. Maritia said you did a wonderful job, she’s hoping you’ll join her again tonight.”
Pride swelled in my chest. “I was so nervous but it was fun. I’ll help again tonight but I’m not sure if I’ll be travelling with you any further.”
Circus in the Clouds (The Balloonist Chronicles Book 3) Page 12