“Do it.” He looked at Eve when she spoke. “Anthony, to hold our babies. To be able to hug them. Tell them to their faces how much we love them. Don’t you think it would be worth it to not be a dragon? I do. I’d give almost anything to see them, to touch them. And to read them a story at night? That would be the most wonderful gift of all.”
“Whatever you wish, my love. You know that I want whatever you do, but I cannot help but be a little fearful of this. I mean, without our dragons, what will we be?” And he did. In that moment, he really did want her to be happy. She told him that was what she wanted, for them to be happy again. “We’ll wait, as she said, and then we’ll see them.”
“Whatever you wish, child, it’s yours. I swear to you. Even should this not work at all, I am so grateful that you thought of us, of bringing us to the family. You have no idea how much we have missed them. And seeing them every day.” Storm laughed, as did Lindsey. “You only have to ask, I’ll get it for you.”
“You’ve given me life. You might not have been the one that birthed me, but you made it possible for me to have a life. A husband that I love. Children that mean the world to me. And an ability to help those, like yourself, that need me.” Storm looked at Lindsey and smiled. “And you made it possible for me to have the most amazing parents and grandparents that a woman could hope for. For that, I’d do anything that you wanted.”
Anthony watched the family when Storm left them to be with them. They followed, but at a slower pace. He wanted to be a part of it now, to be there while they waited, and he would be, soon, he hoped. As the day wore on, so did his excitement. He’d be there soon, he hoped.
~~~
Asher and the others formed a circle around the couple. He knew that they were there in form, but for now all he could see were the bodies that had been wrapped in the finest silk they could find, so lovingly, over the years.
Each year since the castle was finished, they’d come here and had a nice celebration. Just him and his brothers would circle around the couple that had saved them from certain death, and each of them would tell of their year. What children had been born to them, what kind of advancements had come about, and of the life in the town that they helped keep going. But this visit was going to be different.
Storm had come to him several weeks ago, telling him what she could do and what she wanted to try. He knew, like the rest, that she was very talented, that she could and did help with those that had passed over. But when she asked about the dragon king and queen, her grandparents too, he’d told her all he knew then given her a book. One that was written by them all on the things they’d found and heard about the night they had been killed. After that, she said she was going to bring them to the family.
“All right. Just hold hands with the person next to you, and once I start, you’ll begin to feel the drain.” Each of them nodded, and Kiaran asked if they’d be better as dragons. “Yes, that would be better. I know that he’s stronger than you are as a human.”
The shift was done quickly and they all stood together. Man to dragon, and around they went. Twelve of them, ready to begin. Asher felt the first touch of magic as Storm began to work it. He had to let out a long breath to calm his nerves.
To have them here would be perfect, he knew. They had been a big part of their lives even before today. Each of them would speak to them, call on them for strength. And even the dragons had continued to name their children for them. There was one dragon, Silco, who had one child named for each letter in Anthony’s name. Asher wondered if he had any more that he’d named for Eve. Smiling, he thought of the small dragons.
There were so many of them now, all breeding like they hadn’t in a great many years. And when they passed from this world to the next, giving themselves to the earth and air, a faerie ring would be placed in their honor, and then a marker, so that any who passed that way would know that a great magical creature had been on this earth. Asher couldn’t pass one, even if the dragon had been gone a great many years, without stopping and speaking to them, telling them they were missed.
The children of his brothers, all of them, had never left the area for very long. Going away to college was about as far as they went. Some of them bringing home brides, others just showing up, as if they’d been called here by something special. He was sure that was the way it should have been too.
Asher supposed, in a way, they all had been called here. Even himself. Long ago he’d come here with a mission in mind, and had found love. A love so deep and strong that he doubted anything would be stronger. He loved them more than he could ever explain to someone, and was just as happy as they were when they found their other halves. He thought of his own mate and how much he loved her with every beat of his heart.
Are you supposed to be paying attention? He said that he was only here for strength. Oh. Well, we’ve decided that you need us as well. We’re about to you. The others and me. I can’t believe that anyone thought they could do this without us.
Me either, love. Me either. Shall I tell Storm, or should I just wait for you to show up? She said she was nearly there and she’d tell her. He saw her seconds before he felt his strength waning. And before he knew it, he was on the ground looking up at her. “Hello, darling. I’m glad that you’re here.”
“Me too, you moron. I told you to eat before you left.” Standing up with her help, he was glad to have her extra strength. When the other mates joined them, he could feel the surge of power run over them. Even Storm looked as if she felt it. In a matter of minutes, he was feeling better than he had before the women showed up.
The shadowy figures began to appear. They were holding each other, their forms beginning to take the shape of the couple that he had heard so much about. As the magic began to drain him more, he could see the face of Anthony and that of Eve. Soon, he knew they’d be whole.
“Asher?” He nodded to Anthony and smiled. “My goodness, I think it might work. I will be able to touch you all. I hope you know that after I get hugs from you all, I want a baby to hold. It’s been far too long.”
“Yes, sir, I hope so, too.” Anthony faded then, his body becoming just a shadow. To say he was disappointed would have been a gross understatement. And when he came back to them, not as solid looking but nearly so, he held his breath and didn’t speak again, fearing that’s what might have done it.
It was nearly an hour before Storm stepped back. He loved this kid, and had been there for her birth. And she could banter with him as well as her grandmother could. When she staggered away, he picked her up in his arms and held her until she said she was all right. Then he held her a little while longer until he was sure. Setting her on her feet, he smiled when she asked him what had happened.
He looked back at the couple. They hadn’t made it over, as far as he could tell. They were formed and he could see them, but they weren’t solid. The disappointment was heavy to him as he told Storm.
“I’m so sorry.” He was as well, and told her that it wasn’t her fault, that he was proud that she’d tried. “I thought I could bring them. I honestly did.”
“You tried, and even now we can see them.” She nodded and stood up. As she made her way to the former king and queen, he held onto Essie. “She’s so disappointed. I can only imagine what they’re feeling.”
“I know. I had such high hopes.”
No one said a bad thing toward Storm. She had tried, and that was what was important. Even Anthony, his sadness almost palatable, told her that he couldn’t have had a better person trying to do this for him. All in all, it was a failure, but no one was placing blame.
“I think we’ll stay here tonight. I’d like to see the castle, but in the morning, when there is more light.” Asher didn’t point out to Anthony that it was as bright in there as it was during the day with electricity, but only nodded. “Eve is taking this very hard. As am I. So I don’t think we’ll be much company. We’ll see everyone tomorrow.”
“All right, sir. If you need anything, j
ust give me a call. I’ll come to you.”
Anthony thanked him and they left. Asher felt as if he’d had a nice big gift and was told that it wasn’t really his in the first place. To have them so close and then be taken away hurt him in ways he’d not expected.
Conversation was quiet, each of them dealing with their disappointment. He held Essie’s hand, and Kiaran held her other one. She was crying, saying how much she had wanted it to work, but not loud enough for anyone to hear. He knew that she’d be a mess when they got home, where she could let it all go.
Asher sat in his office after they all left or had gone to bed. He was tired, but he had some things to do before he laid his head down. As he began searching for someone to touch up some old photos, Howard, the butler, came into the room with him. It was just after midnight.
“Sir there is.... I opened the door thinking it was the young man who stocks up the wood, but it wasn’t. I stood there like a fool until.... Perhaps you should come with me.” He stood and asked if he needed his sword. Howard burst out laughing and said no. “I don’t think it would work anyway. It’s not like that. No one is storming the castle, so to speak.”
He picked up his gun and called out to Kiaran to meet him in the kitchen. Even as he came down the stairs as his dragon, Asher wasn’t sure if that would help. Something had spooked Howard, and he wasn’t one that was easily alarmed.
The kitchen lights were all on. He didn’t see anything amiss until he turned to Howard. And there they stood. Anthony and Eve.
“They came to the back door because they saw the light on.” Howard sat down on the seat and continued. “I was startled, as you can imagine. I’ve never met them before, but their paintings hang in the big room. So I knew who they were. They were just standing there, as lost as I was about how to proceed. Then the lady, she suggested that I go and get you, since she knew you to be awake. So I did.”
Howard was babbling. Not that Asher blamed him…he was in a deep sort of shock as well. Handing the gun that was useless to Howard, the man stood up and said that he’d put it away now. Then he was gone.
“Hello, Asher. My goodness, it’s lovely here.” Kiaran shifted, his body taking his human form as he made his way to his parents. His mom smiled at him as he put out his hands to touch her. “Oh son, it’s so wonderful to see you.”
They hugged for ten minutes. First with all three of them, then Asher was invited. When Essie joined them, she told them how she’d told the others who was there, and they were on their way. Soon they had to move their reunion from the kitchen to the big room, or living room, to accommodate them all.
They were a family, extended back for more generations than he could ever imagine. And they were all here in the castle that had brought them all together. Asher held his children to him as they got to know grandparents, grandparents so far back that he didn’t bother with the greats. They were grandparents, same as his parents. Children were brought out, all of them connected to these people. Asher had never been as proud as he was at this moment, and knew as the years went on he’d be prouder still.
Breakfast was a huge affair. No one slept that night as they visited and ate. Asher sent out for food, drinks, and wines. Even pizza, something that Eve had wanted for so long, was brought to them. It was a day that none of them would ever forget, nor would likely want to. They were together. Forever.
Anthony and Eve
Anthony had gotten in the habit of coming outside daily with his cup of tea and watching the morning doings. Today was a school day, so most of the older children were dressed and waiting to be taken to the new school.
He sat under the big oak that had been in this yard for many years, sipping the brew and smiling as they made their way around. As he sat there, one of his grandchildren, one-year-old Paige, backed her little bottom up and sat down on him. Then she leaned back and laid her small red curly head on his chest. It was like this every morning that the weather permitted it.
Eve, the love of his life, came to sit with them, her long legs spread out before her, and he smiled. Whoever had invented shorts needed to be memorialized. He thought them the sexiest thing ever invented, and loved seeing his lady wife in them. Before he could comment, she spoke quietly.
“Have you told them?” He knew what she was asking, but he played dumb, just to see her riled up. “You know very well what I’m speaking about. We leave tomorrow, and you have not let anyone know that, have you?”
“Nay. If I were to tell them we were leaving tomorrow, then they’d want to know why. I’ve not gotten to that point yet in wanting to share.” She glared at him and he nearly laughed. But the look in her eyes warned him he might be better if he didn’t. “You’d not hurt this old man with a child in his lap, would you, love?”
“Grandpa, you are vexing Grandma. Again.” He looked up at little Asher when he spoke. “I come for a hug. I have to be at school all day today, and I want to be with you.”
“I know, but when you return home, we’ll have a great adventure.” Asher smiled at him and took off for the bus, but returned quickly to hug both him and Eve. “He is going to be a good man, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I do, but you didn’t answer my question. Are you going to tell them that we leave on the morrow?” He didn’t want to. It broke his heart to leave here. And all of this. “Anthony, they’re going to find out, and when they do, it will hurt their feelings that you didn’t share.”
“Do you think I don’t know that? I just.... This is so personal, my love. I don’t want them to make jest of me.” She said that they’d never do that. “But they might. And I’m not sure I could go through with the rest should they do that.”
“They’re in the castle right now, having a nice breakfast. They are waiting on us.” He asked her if she’d set him up. “Of course I did. Had I waited on you, we’d be leaving in the morning and no one would be the wiser. Come now. Paige is going to her nanny, and you and I are going to the castle.”
She handed him several books, and he didn’t bother looking. He knew what they were as surely as he knew that the children loved his dragon. Smiling a little, he thought of the fun he had with them, the children and his dragon. But this had to be done, today.
The dining room was filled with his family. Sally and Jacob were seated at the long table, while his sons were on either side of their mates. It was a glorious sight, to see them all there, and know that they were as much a part of him as was the castle. They made him welcome, and he realized that Eve was leaving this to him.
“We depart tomorrow, for New York.” He should have worded it better, but was too afraid of their reactions. “I’ve been busy, you see. And I did something that I wanted. I’ve not been able to do that for a long while, and I wanted to do this. It was fun. And scary. You’ve no idea how hard it’s been just to get it finished in a timely matter. Well, it wasn’t so bad—”
“Dad? What are you trying very hard not to say?” He looked at his oldest son and smiled. “Come on, have a sit with us and explain. We’re here for you no matter what you had fun at.”
“Yes, of course you would be.” He handed around the books that Eve had given him. “I did that. The story is mine, but the drawings, your mother did those. She has a fine hand, don’t you think? And she’s captured the children so well. Look, there is little Asher and Tinsel.”
They were so quiet that he was nervous. Each of them looked at the books he’d given them, trading them around until Asher sat his down in front of him and regarded him. Anthony felt the stare all the way to his toes. He asked him what he thought.
“You are leaving tomorrow for New York. Would you mind telling me why? I mean, these books are wonderful, and you’re right, the drawings are amazing. Why are you leaving here?” He nodded and picked up the first book in the series. “Anthony?”
“They’ve made the best seller list. All of them have.” Asher asked him how long he’d been doing this. “Several years, I guess. I’ve a total of ten out now. Each of
them a different adventure with the dragons and children. They meet all kinds of things along their ways. Fish and faeries. One there is a story about how nature makes the faeries that work for her.”
“And you never thought to tell us?” He looked at Essie and heard the hurt in her voice. “These are the stories that you read to the children, aren’t they? You bring out your own books and read them to them all.”
“Yes, well, they’re in them. They like to hear about themselves.” He felt his face heat up when he realized that the grandchildren knew more than his own children did. “It started out as something to keep me busy. I sit with them every day, and when they are put down for their naps or go off to school, I was just sitting around waiting for them to return. One day, I started writing them down. Eve found them and drew small drawings in the margins, and we had fun with them. Then she sent them to a publishing house, without my knowledge. They not only loved them, but paid me for them.”
Pulling out his wallet, a new thing for him even after all these years, he showed it to them. Asher laughed and Jacob asked him why he’d not cashed it. He didn’t need the money, and the check itself meant more to him than the money would anyway.
“They wanted them all. I mean, Eve is still drawing some of the stories for me, so they’ll need to wait on those. And the faeries, they’ve been helping with the colors that we used. Not that they use those in the big house, but it’s been fun.” Asher still hadn’t said anything, and he was getting worried. None of the boys had said anything, as a matter of fact. “Are you vexed at me?”
“A little, yes.” He felt his heart shatter at the words from his son. Casdon shook his head as he continued. “Did you think we’d not want to be proud of you? Or was there something else? I’m sorry if we’ve made it so that you felt like you couldn’t come to us about it. This wondrous and amazing thing that you’ve done.”
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