“She’s not. Hannah saw her. I feel it in my gut.” Soren finally piped up. “The woman is pure evil, bent on revenge. I want to be free of this curse, Dracosarra, but as you spoke, I’ve been thinking. In my eagerness to be done with my captivity, I didn’t consider the consequences for Hannah. I won’t put her in danger. I threw my life away being selfish and unthinking. I won’t commit the same offense again. Especially not with someone else’s life in the balance.”
“Ligeia can’t still be alive, Soren. Not after eight hundred years.” Hannah’s voice was matter-of-fact before she turned to Aggie. “How can I help?”
“You have to face Ligeia.”
“Face her, how? Even with a drop of dragon blood in my veins, I’m still human. She’s a shifter. Do I at least get a head start or brownie points?” Hannah’s attempt at humor was brave, but the sound was fearful as it left her mouth.
“Ligeia isn’t a shifter. She’s a siren. Deadly and far-reaching.” Soren frowned. “And what if Ligeia is dead, as you both suppose. What then? Why put Hannah through this? She and I can stay together like this until she grows old and—”
Hannah’s jaw tightened. “And what? Dies?”
“Hannah, please—”
She shook her head. “No, Soren. Do you think I’m going to play house with you when I’m ninety years old and you still look like a sculpted Greek god? Not a chance, fire-breath.”
“I will not allow you to risk your life. As you said, we just met,” he shot back.
Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “Wow. Using my own insecurities against me.” She glanced at Aggie. “Was he always such an asshole control freak?”
“Yes, and arrogant, too,” Aggie chuckled, “but he has a good heart.”
Hannah watched the emotions spar on Soren’s face. Anger, embarrassment, worry, hope, affection, they were all there in a confusing swirl.
“He does have a good heart.” Hannah nodded in agreement. “When his caveman dragon-shifter side doesn’t stomp around overshadowing it.”
Soren exhaled. “I’m outnumbered. It’s as bad as home, surrounded by my mother and sisters.”
Hannah’s heart squeezed. Soren had family and friends and Ligeia took him from them. Why? Because the bitch signed up for the whole romantic enchilada when it was just a hook-up.
Anger bubbled in Hannah’s chest. “Where do we find her? Ligeia, I mean. It’s time for her teenage tantrum to end. Life isn’t fair and we don’t always get what we want, but that doesn’t give us license to go magically postal on people. This whole thing is overkill in the extreme.”
Soren chuckled, and his eyes warmed. “I understood about half of what you said, but your tone is about right. Still, I can’t allow you to do this, Hannah.”
Hannah crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Use that word again, and I swear I’ll punch you in the dragon bits between your legs.”
Taken aback, he gaped. “What?”
She leaned forward, spelling it out loud. “A.L.L.O.W. The word is not part of my vocabulary, Soren. If this is going anywhere between us, you need to learn that, now.”
Aggie laughed at the exchange. “Oh, boy. You’ve seriously met your match with this one. All I can say is thank God she’s your true mate or you might find yourself back in that book before you could blink.”
Hannah snorted. “It still might happen.” She turned her eyes to Aggie. “So, where do we find this petulant underwater bitch?”
With a grin, Aggie nodded. “On Oloris. In the caves outside the Theradian Woods.”
“Theradian. As in the Thera volcano?” Hannah asked.
Aggie nodded. “The caves were formed during consecutive eruptions a millennia ago. It became home to the sirens. A vast forest eventually formed in the fertile volcanic ash, and that forest exists along with the caves lining the beaches. The ones you saw in your vision.” She gestured to Soren. “They are the ancestral lands of the Draakki. Soren’s people.”
Hannah angled her head. “I know you said you traveled back, but how? I’ve read Jules Vern’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, so my imagination in firing. I’ve also read about underwater beaches and lakes in Scientific American. The article said water becomes so mineral heavy, it actually pools on the ocean floor, and mollusk shells form a pseudo shoreline. When the underwater phenomenon was discovered, scientists had to dive in specialized craft in order to survive the extreme pressure. Is it similar to that?”
Aggie took Hannah’s hand. “You’ll see. Leave everything to me. With Draic Gorgóna as ruler of Oloris, we have nothing to fear.”
The old woman spared a glance for Soren knowing the reality of that statement hurt, but it was what it was. “The mark on your arm shows you to be Soren’s true mate, but human or not, you are the one to undo the mistakes of the past and allow him to live his life as it was meant to be lived. I wouldn’t worry about Ligeia or her skills. My guess is by the time this all comes to pass, you’ll have developed a few new skills of your own.”
“Is Draic Gorgóna a dragon like Soren?”
Soren made a face. “He wishes. Filthy fish.”
“Soren! Enough!” Aggie snapped. “Perhaps Ligeia isn’t the only petulant teenager we’re dealing with in this. Your own actions caused your fate. I know you feel responsible for your family losing the crown, but Draic is a good man and a good king. Oloris is at peace, and even the dragons are flourishing again.
“Rylan Draakki is alpha of the dragons. He is your ancestor, Soren, so your line endures. In fact, he and his mate are doing well, as are others of your kind, so it’s time for you to take your head out of your ass and face facts.
“If our plans to confront Ligeia are successful, you will have to take whatever place is granted to you in both the Draakki court and that of the Gorgóna, but I can tell you this. If you act like an asshole, then you will be treated like an asshole, but if you approach this like the man I know you to be, you will help your kind prosper even more.”
Hannah had to bite the inside of her cheek. Aggie was a badass old lady, and she loved it. “The Gorgóna? You mean like Medusa? Does this Draic dude have snakes for hair?”
“No, dear. Gorgóna is an ancient Greek word for mermaid…merfolk, to be politically correct. When your world survives in a fathomless sea, there are bound to be, well, adaptations. Draic Gorgóna is a merman. Merfolk are beautiful creatures. Hybrids born to the sea that possess both the dragon traits and siren traits.”
“Siren traits?” Hannah asked. “What about Draic Gorgóna? Will he stand in the way of my square-off with Ligeia?”
“Not at all.”
“So, when do we do this?”
Aggie’s eyes were still on Soren. “I need a day or so to make arrangements with Draic. As leader, he needs to know our plans. He may insist on bringing Rylan in on this, but I don’t know that for sure. I’m not worried, though. Draic has Oloris’s best interests at heart. It was he who allowed me to take the book from Aelantedes so I could give it to you.”
At that, Soren’s mouth dropped, and Aggie nodded. “That’s right, smarty pants. The filthy fish wanted you set free.”
Soren exhaled. “My apologies, Dracosarra. I guess I still have a lot to learn.”
Aggie leaned over to rest her palm on his cheek. “You have already.” She let her hand drop to his shoulder, and then looked between him and Hannah.
“Spend the day together tomorrow. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you two need to know if more than just your private parts fit together.”
Hannah laughed, angling her head toward Soren. “So, caveman dragon, what’s the one thing you miss most since being locked in that book?”
He smiled. “The ocean.”
Chapter Twelve
Light clouds floated in a crystal blue sky, and the surf rolled over the sand with a calming rhythm. Soren inhaled, letting the soft wind wash over his skin. Every sense alive and alert at the amazing feel.
A sigh escaped his lips at the kiss of salt mixed w
ith Hannah’s perfume, and a subtle hint of arousal. Together they tickled his senses.
She looked lovely with the sun on her hair. Carrying her sneakers, she walked by his side with an easy stride. Her leggings were cuffed in the surf, and the sea breeze molded her long-sleeved tunic to her curves.
The sun was strong, but the beach was deserted because of a slight chill. He watched Hannah kick at the cold surf foaming around their feet, and the scene took on an air of romance in the solitude. If ever there was a moment ripe with possibilities, it was now.
He took her hand. “How much longer do you plan for us to walk?”
She slid her eyes sideways to him. “Why? The big bad dragon getting tired already?”
“No, but my stomach is growling for whatever you packed in this two-ton hamper.”
“Picnics on the beach have to have specific foods or it’s not a proper picnic. Fried chicken, potato salad, watermelon, pinwheel sandwiches, deviled eggs and of course, lemonade.” She swung their linked hands. “I even put in chocolate cupcakes because you said you missed sweets, but because you’re being impatient, you’ll have to earn those now.”
“Earn? Now that sounds promising.”
She flashed a small grin. “Sorry to disappoint you, shifter-boy, but this doesn’t involve your man parts. It’s a question and answer session, and I want you to be honest with me.”
He all but groaned. “Didn’t we talk enough last night? My brain still hurts from Aggie and her revelations. I know Aggie says no, but part of me still believes meeting you was happenstance, and not her finding you for me.”
Hannah shook her head. “Draic Gorgóna wouldn’t have given Aggie access to the book if there was any question. You are of the Draakki, Soren. They know your story.”
“That’s what worries me.”
“So then tell me everything I need to know so I can help argue the point.” She squeezed his hand. “You’re not alone, but—”
“Oh, boy. I knew there would be some kind of strings attached.”
She chuckled. “No strings. Just questions. Ones I want YOU to answer, not Aggie.”
He rolled his eyes, exhaling. “At least promise you’ll feed me before you start the inquisition.”
“This isn’t an inquisition, Soren. There are certain things I want to know before we embark on this journey through to the bottom of the ocean. Especially since you’re not the only one who doesn’t know what’s waiting for us once we get there.”
There was no metallic tang of deceit in the air around her. Just curiosity. “Okay, shoot,” he complied. “I’ll do my best to answer whatever you want to know.”
“Not until we get to the dunes. I want you to give me your full attention.”
“Okay, then tell me about you,” he said, flipping the conversation.
She shoved her long hair from her face from the wind. “There’s not much to tell. Compared to you, I’m pretty boring.”
“Tell me about your hopes and dreams. What you love—” His lips pushed into a side smirk. “Besides my man parts.”
Hannah cringed, laughing out loud. “It’s corny enough when I say man parts, but you? Nope. Just nope.”
“Life isn’t boring, Hannah. Regardless of what we think of our particular story.” He lifted her hand to his lips. We only get one life and being trapped in hell for so long has taught me to appreciate that.”
She shrugged. “There’s not much of a story to tell. My parents died when I was a teenager, and my brother and I had to live with our grandparents. They were nice enough, but really too old to deal with two teenagers trying to navigate the stages of grief. I buried myself in books, history and romance. My brother buried himself in whatever numbed the pain best.
“We were so close once, but he got involved in things he shouldn’t have. Bad things.” She glanced at the water’s wide expanse. “I suppose it’s why I’ve kept his clothes. I hang onto hope he’ll show up at my front door one day, the brother I once knew. I went away to college and fostered my passion for words. Built a career. It’s dull and not very lucrative, but it makes me happy, though I’m alone.”
Soren watched the shadows cross her pretty face. “You’re not alone, Hannah.”
She exhaled. “I suppose not. There’s Valerie Ross.” Hannah glanced sideways at him. “She’s my best friend.”
A small smile touched her lips. “She’s the one who told me to get off the phone that first night and give you a chance, so I guess she’s the reason we are where we are right now. Too bad I can’t tell her about all this.”
“Who says you can’t? Once my situation is settled, Aggie can bring her to Aelantedes for a visit.”
She looked at him and blinked. “Visit? You’re not coming back to the surface?”
He stopped, and the wind whipped at their clothes, the breeze blowing Hannah’s hair around her face like a dark hurricane. “I don’t know, Hannah. I have no place here, and I may have no place on Oloris.”
Hannah didn’t answer.
“Tell me more about your life,” he said, changing the subject.
As Hannah talked, he listened to the nostalgia in her voice, and the animated way she spoke held him captivated, almost as much as the scent of her skin against the tang of the salty air. The breeze blew her long hair off her face, the sun highlighting the copper streaks in the dark mass. She was beautiful.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Soren nodded, bending to pick a seashell from the wet sand to hand to her. “I’ve never been better.”
She smiled. “Sorry about the chill. I didn’t expect it to be so cool out here, but that happens in May.”
Carrying the beach blanket Hannah took from the trunk of the car, he pointed to a set of dunes ahead.
“How about there? The dunes will shelter us from the wind, and it’s private enough to turn up the heat.”
Soren held his hand out to help Hannah up the incline between the two rises. He put the picnic basket to one corner before spreading the woven throw over the uneven sand.
Hannah settled on the blanket, patting the large plaid print for him to sit, as well.
“Now that you know what makes me tick, it’s my turn,” she said as she reached into the picnic basket to set out the food.
Soren leaned on one elbow, taking a chicken leg from the plate. “Go ahead. I’ll answer whatever you want to know.”
“How did you meet Ligeia?”
He froze with the chicken leg halfway to his mouth. “Right to the heart of the matter.” He nodded, putting the piece of chicken on a paper plate. “You weren’t kidding when you said you wanted details.”
“I want to know how you met, and what it was about her that made you take such a calculated risk.” She scooted on the blanket to sit crisscross style. “The thing is you don’t strike me as a rash man. You’re proud and thoughtful. Determined, yet you listen and weigh things.”
“Just because I’m not impulsive or irresponsible now, doesn’t mean I wasn’t at the time I was cursed.” He paused, sparing a glance for the swaying dune grass. “I wasn’t always the man you see now. Enduring captivity has taught a long lesson in humility.”
“Too long,” Hannah said. “And one I can’t wait to put an end to. I hate bullies, Soren. And the woman who did this is most definitely a bully. I get the whole hell hath no fury thing, but eight hundred years? That is more than just scorn. That’s full-on retribution with a side order of psycho.
“I want to free you, Soren,” she continued. “It’s the right thing to do, regardless of what does or doesn’t happen between us. This Ligeia abused her God-given abilities for selfish reasons. Her actions gave her satisfaction because she held power over you, but it’s too much, for way too long. She needs a taste of her own medicine.”
Hannah’s zeal was infectious, and her ability to trust what others would doubt and scorn showed true strength. Soren marveled at her, and his chest swelled.
“You are an amazing woman. I know it’s only been
three days, but—”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to tell me how nuts this feels. I dismiss my own emotions every other second. Trust me. I’ve already argued all sides. Infatuation. Desperation. All of the above and everything in between. Let’s just focus on the here and now, okay?”
He leaned up to brushed her lips with his but didn’t comment. Instead, he pushed his paper plate away and pulled her down to the blanket, tucking her under his arm.
“If you really want to know about Ligeia, I’ll tell you. It’s better to know your enemy before battle.”
“I’m not planning on battling her, just giving her a good bitch slap for carrying things way too far with you. Bitter witch.”
“Ligeia isn’t a witch. I told you, she’s a siren.”
Hannah turned in his arms so she could see his face. “When you say siren, are you talking beautiful maidens whose songs lured sailors to shipwreck their boats and then drown?”
He shrugged. “That’s the mythology, yes. The sirens of Oloris are different, though. They don’t inhabit the ocean. They were water creatures at one time, but the Gorgóna ran them off. Fortunately, the sirens’ screech doesn’t affect them the way it does other creatures, although the sirens do have some skill with sorcery. They live in the caves we spoke of last night. Off the Theradian Woods.”
“Sounds medieval, like something out of Robin Hood.”
“Oloris is a complex mix of the old and the new. We dwell in castles and villages, yet we possess the technological ability to exist at a depth that would crush most creatures.” His eyes saddened. “Well, at least that was the way it was before I was cursed. Anyway, the myth carries a few similarities. The siren’s song lures men to their death. They are enthralled to the point of forgetting all else. The siren’s song entraps them. As sex slaves.”
“What about women? Are they lured as well?”
He shook his head. “No. The sound a woman hears when facing a siren is the same shriek that bloodied your ears.”
Her Captive Dragon: Howls Romance Page 9