by Ripley, Meg
“I don’t think that could be.” Kaylee wanted to cry at seeing the sadness in the old man’s face. “It’s all been very strange, but knowing there are more dragons in the universe has completely changed my life. So has Archard. I don’t quite understand how yet, but I know I’ll never be the same again.” She wouldn’t dare go so far as to say she loved him or that they were going to have the romance of a lifetime. She’d seen enough of life on Earth to understand that what Julian and Naomi had together wasn’t normal for most people. But she knew she’d changed.
“Kaylee, listen to me very carefully.” Varhan took both of her hands in his and held them tightly as he looked up at her. “I love you as though you were my own daughter, and I’m begging you not to pursue this. It isn’t safe, and you could wind up as stardust. I promise you that I’ll work on it, and I’m sure your father will as well. But this is bigger than any of us, and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”
“So be it, then,” she said softly, but she knew it was a promise she’d have to break.
10
Archard knocked softly on the door.
“Come in,” Lucia said pleasantly.
As he’d suspected, all of them had already gathered in her room. Lucia sat in a chair in front of a dressing table, while Callan and Kieran lounged on a small sofa beneath a large window. The Turners had given Lucia a rather grand room with a sitting area, and the delicate styling of the furniture seemed to suit her taste. Sitting there in front of the mirror, she looked as though she belonged. The thought gave Archard pause in regard to what he’d gone there to talk to them about.
“Well, well, well. I’m surprised you’re not out on the town with your little Earth girl,” Callan remarked. He held one of the devices that so many of the people here seemed to think necessary—a cell phone, Archard thought it was called—and he barely looked up at his cousin.
“You missed quite the meal with Holden and Leah,” Kieran said, elbowing Callan. “Put that thing down. You’ve been starting at it for a full day.”
“Hey, if Archard gets to learn about this world in his way, then let me learn in mine. You wouldn’t believe everything they have on here. These shows are like stories that people act out, but you can watch them whenever you want to. You can even skip through the boring parts. And you can contact people on here or play games. It’s amazing.”
“I think it’s addicting,” Lucia admonished gently. “Have a seat, Archard. We’ve barely seen you since you arrived.”
“That’s because he’s following Julian’s daughter around like a hungry beast,” Callan said without looking up. “Why should he want to be around us?”
Kieran stroked his beard. “You’re just jealous that some woman didn’t want to show you around.”
“Really, boys. You can be such children sometimes.” Lucia stood and once again motioned for Archard to sit in a large armchair next to the sofa. “I can tell there’s something on your mind. What is it?”
Archard studied his aunt’s face. She was many years older than him, yet her skin had remained as smooth and tight as ever. It was only the wisdom in her eyes that truly revealed her years. Archard felt as though he’d aged quite a bit in the last few days. His body was heavy and cumbersome, and his mind was constantly flooded with ideas and worries. He’d always been restless, but this was different. “I’m glad you’re all here together, because this is relevant to all of us. I came to see if any of you are interested in going home.”
“That’s an interesting way to put it,” Lucia said with a small smile. “Perhaps you should tell us what you want.”
“To go back, obviously.”
“What about your woman?” Kieran’s question didn’t have the mischief behind it that Callan’s words always did. Archard could tell it was an honest question.
Archard sighed. “I don’t think I can say she’s my woman. And while I can’t deny that I enjoy spending time with her, I know that I have duties back on Charok.” He’d been thinking about it a lot, and he’d had time to considering that he’d been avoiding Kaylee since their day out together. It wasn’t because of Jake, but because he wasn’t sure he could control himself. The kiss they’d shared had left him in a state of inner turmoil. If he’d been back on Charok, he could’ve gotten some release from a long flight, some hunting, or even some meditation and reflection in the caves. It just wasn’t like that here.
There was pity in Lucia’s eyes. “Archard, I’m not sure you’re thinking straight.”
He let out a deep breath and stood, feeling too antsy to sit any longer. “I’ve been wondering that myself. Maybe it’s the air here; I don’t know. But I know I can’t stay.”
His aunt glanced at the others, and Callan actually set the phone down. “Right after we arrived, the wizard explained that he probably couldn’t send us back. Even if he can, it’s clearly not something that’s going to happen right away.”
“That doesn’t really answer my question.”
She glanced at the other two once again. “I can only speak for myself. Personally, although there are a few certain things I miss about Charok, this world is fascinating. I’ve spent quite a bit of time with Naomi, learning about how they cook. I love the clothing, especially that sweater that you and Kaylee got for me.”
“I have to agree,” Kieran said with a nod. “It’s comfortable here, like we’ve suddenly landed in the lap of luxury. I know you feel that you should be on Charok guarding the caves, but I think it’s time we all admit that our old jobs there aren’t relevant anymore. What little is left of our society isn’t the same as it was years ago. I’m not sure there’s a point in holding onto the past.
Callan glanced at the phone again, but he put it on a side table when his mother cleared her throat. “You couldn’t get me to go back to Charok for anything. I’ve only seen a fraction of this place, and I like it. I can do whatever I want here, and there are so many people.”
“Humans,” Archard reminded him. “They’re not like us.”
“Who says they have to be?” his cousin argued. “It’s not like we’ve grown up in a big community full of dragons. We’ve only had each other. There’s a lot to explore here. Oh, and have you had some of their beer? It’s amazing.” He grinned and ran a hand through his hair.
“There might be a time when we’re ready to go back, but I don’t think this is it,” Lucia said. “This is our chance to find new lives for ourselves. That’s not something I ever thought I’d say, but it’s true. Please don’t be offended if we don’t agree with you.”
“No, of course not.” Archard knew he could be difficult, but he’d never demand that they agree with his every whim. “Just understand that I can’t be happy here.”
“Not even with that pretty little thing on your arm?” Callan challenged.
Even Kieran watched him carefully for his answer.
“Kaylee is a nice distraction, but I can’t just leave behind everything I’ve ever known.” She’d affected him in ways he hadn’t even known were possible, but even the most gorgeous woman in the universe shouldn’t let him forget his sacred duties. “I just thought I’d check with you first.”
Before they had a chance to argue with him any longer, Archard headed downstairs to the library. He didn’t have to live very long in this house to know he’d find Julian and Varhan there, and as soon as he opened the door, he found he was right. The two of them sat at a long table with their heads bent. Books and papers were scattered all around them, and they looked up in surprise when they heard the door open.
“Archard, come in,” Julian said with his usual friendly smile. “How are you today?”
“I’m not well, but I’m hoping you can fix that.” Archard shut the door behind him and studied the two men. They didn’t look particularly powerful.
“Are you sick? Or injured?” Varhan asked with genuine concern.
“Nothing like that. I need to go back to Charok. Now.”
The two men shared
a long look, and then Varhan sat back with a heavy sigh. “May I ask why?”
This riled Archard even more than his obstinate cousin had. “Does that matter?”
“It might,” he hedged. “What you’re asking isn’t very simple.”
Archard clenched his fists at his sides. Now that he’d made up his mind, he was ready to get this underway. “I never expected it to be. But I have things I need to do at home, things I doubt either of you would understand. I didn’t ask to be brought here, and I’m ready to leave.”
Julian looked like he wanted to say something, and Archard had a feeling it had to do with Kaylee. The time they’d spent together hadn’t escaped anyone’s notice. But he cleared his throat and set down the pen he’d been holding. “To be honest with you, Varhan and I have been talking about this a lot. You made it clear the very beginning that you wanted to leave. We knew it would only be a matter of time before you’d come to us.”
“And?” Archard didn’t have the time or the patience for this.
“It’s possible to go to Charok, and we believe we know how to do it.” Julian paused, waiting for an encouraging nod from his friend. “I had the basics of it down, and then Varhan helped me improve upon it. The problem is that it’s a very complicated spell, more than either of us are comfortable with. It’s also quite likely to kill you.”
Archard stared at them for a long moment. This wasn’t the answer he’d been hoping for. “I’m willing to take the risk.”
Varhan braced his hands on the table as he stood. He crossed the room to one of the numerous bookshelves that lined the wall, removed several volumes from it, and slid aside a secret panel. “You must understand the only reason I’m about to show you this is because I know you aren’t capable of performing the spell yourself. That’s not an insult, but simply the truth. I do, however, want you to understand this isn’t as simple as waving a wand and sending you away.”
From the compartment behind the shelf, he retrieved a tattered, leather-bound book. Archard was fairly certain he’d seen it before, perhaps right when they’d arrived. The wizard immediately turned to a page near the back and handed it over.
Archard studied the scribbling on the page. He understood most of the words, since they were written in the traditional language used on Charok, but he had to admit he didn’t quite know what it all meant or how it worked. “I guess you’re right. I don’t understand. But can’t you just send me there, the same way you sent Julian and yourself to Earth?”
Varhan tapped the page with a thick finger. “Magic is like a completely different animal here on Earth than it is on Charok. The person performing the spell will also be sent through the portal it creates.”
Archard’s jawline tightened. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Why couldn’t he have just lived his life out on Charok without ever knowing about these other dragons or the possibility of other worlds? He’d never have met Kaylee, but maybe that would’ve made things easier. He knew he’d have to leave her behind. “Can you teach me?” he ground out hoarsely, feeling like a fool for asking a wizard for help.
Varhan tucked the book back into its hiding spot. “I can do my best, but I’m afraid there are no guarantees with any of this. And if you truly want to do this, you’ll have to make two promises.”
Asking for help was bad enough, but now he had to make oaths? It was humiliating, but the tug that Charok exerted on him even from somewhere else in the universe was a strong one. “Very well.”
“First, you can’t tell anyone about this. And by that, I mean that you can’t say you’re learning the spell, what your plans are, or even that you know where my spell book is hidden. I can see you’re a particularly obdurate man, and I knew you’d never just accept my word. But this type of knowledge is very dangerous, and I don’t want anyone else in this household to get their hands on it.” There was a certain fire in Varhan’s eyes that Archard hadn’t expected out of the otherwise calm man.
“I can do that.”
“The other thing I’d like you to do is spend some time here on Earth. You’ve got plenty of it, considering you can’t just snap your fingers and leave. But I want you to make sure this is what you want. It’s not a decision to be made quickly or lightly.”
Archard nodded slowly. He’d already made the choice, and knowing more about the spell wasn’t going to make him change his mind. He understood Varhan’s reasons, and he would play along if he had to. His life was nothing if he wasn’t the royal guard he was born to be, even if no one else in this house seemed to understand that. Archard would do what he had to in order to get Varhan’s help.
“Fair enough. Thank you.” He left the library, but as soon as he stepped into the hall, he felt the distinct sensation that someone had just been there. He paused for a long moment, listening for footsteps or shallow breath in case someone was still hiding nearby.
Instead, he heard the two older men in the library continuing their conversation. “I’m worried about him,” Julian said. “The others seem much more relaxed, and I think with some time, they could come to think of Earth as their home. I’m not sure the same is true for him.”
“That’s not the only thing you should be worried about.” There was a warning tone in Varhan’s voice. “He’s been spending time with Kaylee.”
“They had a day out while she showed him around. It’s not like they’re getting married.”
The wizard’s reply was merely a snort.
“What?”
“Archard is a very determined young man. There’s something about him I can’t quite put my finger on, but he strikes me as the sort of person who can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.”
The sound of a chair scraping the floor leaked through the door, and Archard envisioned Julian rising to pace the room. The soft creaking of the floorboards enhanced that image. “Isn’t that a good thing? Kaylee’s not very different, really.”
“That’s just the problem,” Varhan replied. “Julian, you have no idea just how powerful your daughter has the potential to be if she sets her mind to it. Her gift for languages could very well translate to a gift for spells. They’re all about using the right words and the intent behind them, after all. It makes me wish I hadn’t shown Archard that spell.”
A long pause made Archard move closer to the door in case he missed something.
“And then there’s the other thing.”
“Which you should’ve told her about a long time ago,” Varhan insisted. “You can’t keep her in the dark forever.”
“You think Kaylee could perform the spell?”
“She could,” Varhan admitted, “and I know she’d jump at the chance. She came to me and asked me specifically, saying she wanted to go herself. I don’t know if Archard was influencing that, but we can’t let her go. No matter how capable she is, the force of being thrown back to Charok could still kill her.”
“Damn. Then we just have to hope we really can trust Archard not to tell her, no matter what’s going on between the two of them.”
Archard ground his teeth together in frustration. They didn’t trust him enough to explain Kaylee’s powers to him, yet they hoped he would keep his promise. He wanted to burst back through the door and tell them what fools they were, that he would do absolutely anything—even die himself—if it meant keeping her safe.
Instead, he turned and moved quietly down the hall. He resolved to bide his time, learn the spell, and leave.
11
Kaylee dove into her bedroom and turned the knob as she closed the door, hoping to avoid any telltale signs that she hadn’t been in there all afternoon. She felt as though she could finally breathe again, and she threw herself on her bed, gasping.
She hadn’t meant to spy on the three men in the library. Her intention had simply been to retrieve an old file from one of her digs the previous year so she could use it as a reference in a paper she was working on. But when she’d heard Archard’s voice resonating through the wooden door, she’d
stopped in her tracks.
Staring up at the ceiling, she tried to reconcile her heart with her head. It made perfect sense that Archard should want to go back to his home world. But couldn’t he also want to stay with her? The time they’d shared and the kiss that had practically made her heart explode meant something to her. Did it mean anything to him?
And then there was Varhan’s betrayal. He’d only admitted to Kaylee that there was a way back to Charok after she’d practically dragged it out of him, but he’d also been quite clear that she wasn’t to attempt it. Why should Archard be any different? Why should he be allowed not only to see the spell, but to learn it? Why should her father and Varhan put his needs above hers?
Exasperated, Kaylee launched off her bed and crossed the room to the window. She slid the glass and then the screen aside, letting in the cool October air. It was almost time for Zimryr once again, and there was no doubt in her mind the holiday would be a much different one than all those she’d experienced before. Her life was already changing faster than she was able to keep track of.
She needed time and space to think, and her room wasn’t going to do it for her. Kaylee lifted first one foot and then the other until she perched on the windowsill, hoping her body still remembered how to do this. With a shake of her head, she felt the vertebrae in her neck grow and multiply as her spine stretched. Her legs grew thicker and heavier, and a tingling sensation crept along her arms as her skin split into pale green scales. Her hair hardened and shortened until the back of her head bore only spikes. She was forced to go ahead and jump out the window as her wings sprang from her back, and she spread them to catch herself as she soared into the night.
Kaylee turned and headed out toward the back of the property, where the area only grew more rural and she was less likely to be seen. It was a black, moonless night, but as her eyes adjusted, she began to see the trees and farms below her. She tossed her head in the wind, feeling the fall air cool the heat that naturally radiated from within. This was exactly what she needed. How long had it been since she’d let herself go?