by Angel Black
Excitement vibrated off of Rachel as she followed Valonis up the winding sandstone steps. A dragon. She was going to see a real dragon! The steps led to a large carved out balcony that overlooked a dark blue sky and a vast deep blue ocean. It was the first and only hint that gave her a sense of what time it was in the dragon realm. Bright yellow and white stars shone brilliantly from above, along with the most gorgeous crescent moon she’d ever laid eyes on. It was then she realized the view was perfect. Too perfect.
“It’s an image,” Valonis explained, as if he knew what she was about to ask. “We don’t go above the surface very often, so we have programmed the dome around us to portray certain nature scenes like the night sky, or a sunrise.” He paused, a look of anger flashing through his eyes. “A technology your people gave us, and yet, my father thinks----” he growled, shaking his head. “Nevermind.” He sighed, and put on a false smile. “Now,” he instructed, positioning her at the balcony’s stone carved railing. “Watch right there.” He was careful not to touch her bare skin, even though everything in Rachel was begging him to do so again.
At first, Rachel didn’t see anything. Then, as she continued to peer out through the opening, she saw it. Duke’s wingspan was enormous-- it had to be at least seventy-five feet! The dragon’s scales were a shimmering black and red, covering him from his sharp talons all the way to the tip of his snout, easily as big as a tyrannosaurus rex. Despite how big he was, Duke flew silently, almost elegantly, until he was completely gone.
Tears pricked her eyes as she weighed the importance of the moment. Everything her father had been chasing was true. He wasn’t crazy. The tumor had not taken his brilliance.
She jumped when she felt Valonis’ hand on her shoulder. Even through the fabric of the robes she could feel the delicious pulses from his palm. She curbed her desire though, when she looked up into his face and saw genuine concern.
“Why are you crying?” He asked, his normally masculine voice soft. His eyes held his human amber behind his thick, black lashes.
She smiled, wiping the tears away as she cleared her throat. “Nothing. It’s just, knowing that what my father was chasing- what my father believed in, it’s all true. It’s just- well it’s incredible really.”
“Where is he by the way?” Valonis asked. “Should I go get him to help us? Would he like to see it? Perhaps he could help us try to understand what’s happening to our species.”
A fresh wave of tears threatened to rise up, but Rachel choked them down.
“Thank you so much for even thinking of that, but um…. he can’t.” She took a deep breath, wiping at her eyes again. “He died of a brain tumor. It’s been just over a year.”
Sympathy shone through Valonis’ eyes, and he nodded his head silently in understanding. A comfortable silence stretched between them as he led her back down the steps and poured her another glass of watered wine. She took it gratefully and took a long sip, hoping it would calm her nerves.
“You miss him,” he said. It wasn’t a question, but an understanding.
Rachel nodded her head. “He was the best father,” she choked, “The very best. A little girl couldn’t have asked for better.”
Valonis nodded, but it seemed to Rachel that it was a type of bond he knew little about.
“Come,” he whispered finally, leading her to a chair by the fireplace. “We have much to discuss while we wait for Duke to return.”
Chapter 9: Little did she know, she would be helping all females of her kind.
The council had been called without him being informed, and it had created a streak of anger that had begun to pound from his temples all the way to his fists. He had informed his father and the council several times that he would be attending every meeting and he did not appreciate the sudden change of schedule or lack of notification.
Pausing for just a moment outside the tall double doors, he drew in a long breath, trying to keep his temper under control. It was something new he’d been trying. Ever since he’d met Rachel, he had stopped confronting issues with the first emotion or thought that popped into his head. He took in two more solid breaths, put a smile on his face, and pushed the doors open.
“Gentlemen!” He called, straining to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
The council looked up from their discussion, utter shock on all of their faces. Some even had the decency to look embarrassed. He was clearly not supposed to be there. To Valonis’ surprise, this no longer angered him, but amused him.
His father stood up, his hands in the air as he came around the table. He had a fake smile plastered to his face, but Valonis knew better. He knew from that look alone that it was his father that had attempted to ensure that he would not be there.
“Son! What a pleasant surprise,” He greeted, patting Valonis on the back. “However, this is not an official meeting. Actually, it’s more of a personal thing. Our next official council meeting is still scheduled for two days from now, so you’re not missing anything important.”
“Really?” Valonis asked. He saw through the lies clearly, but if his father wanted to play dumb, then he was going to make sure the old man played the part correctly.
“Well then, what are we talking about?” He took the closest vacant seat and reclined in the chair as he propped his feet up on the table.
“After all,” he went on, enjoying himself, “Wasn’t it you that said I should be more interested in our politics? In you? In our people? Well, consider me interested!”
Using his quick reflexes, he grabbed for the closest piece of paper, enjoying the panic that filled the councilmen’s eyes as he did so. His father moved to grab it from him and he pulled it back again, this time jumping to his feet.
“For something that would not be of interest me or the realm you’re quite worried about what I’m about to read,” he pointed out, holding the paper up so he could peruse its content. What he found made his heart stop. The paper was an auction outline--for human females. He felt his stomach twist into knots as he continued to read through the price ranges, and what each amount could get you in terms of what the human female would weigh, look, and how obedient she could be. The very idea made him want to vomit on the spot.
“Father,” he rasped, his tone low, “Please don’t do this. These are people! They are intelligent, capable beings, not livestock for breeding and sale. For the sake of the Source, you employ them for their scientific intelligence. Look around you. Look how much they’ve given us!”
“And they can give us that much more,” his father replied sternly. “I’m warning you son. Do not look at these things as if they are equal to us. They are not. Their lifespan is short, their intelligence is limited, and when left to their own devices they destroy each other. The only positive thing humans can possibly do for is carry our children.”
Valonis shook his head, thinking of how frightened and alone Rachel would feel in such a situation. He couldn’t let that happen. Not for his father’s sake. Not for anyone.
“This is rape,” he countered, crumpling the paper in his hand. “And kidnapping, and torture. It’s murder, father. They might not die immediately but when they do each and every one of their deaths will be on your hands. And what will you do with the children? How will you tell them their birth mother was purchased and raped as a slave?”
The last part made his father wince, and he didn’t reply for several moments. From their chairs, the council looked back and forth between the two with nervous eyes.
“Our people are dying, son,” he replied at last. “I’ve told you this, and for some reason you can’t understand this. Our females aren’t producing children, which means that our race will come to an end unless we’ve found a loophole with these human women.”
“Then we send our men to the human world,” Valonis shot back. “We let them mingle with women, fall in love, and then they can show them what they really are.
“Fall in love?” His father laughed. “Listen to you, speaking of things you don
’t understand. What do you know of the emotion? You sleep with anything that moves in order to avoid it all costs. You wouldn’t know how love felt even if it came up and kicked you in the teeth. For someone who uses women so regularly, I’m surprised you aren’t the first in line to purchase your very own dozen or so.
The cold harshness of his father drew Valonis up short. His vision went red with rage, but he continued to appear calm, refusing to let his father see that he had hurt him. Needing to get away from him, he decided he had nothing further to say. He had to stop this that much he knew. But he wasn’t going to be able to stop it that day.
“This is not sane, father,” Valonis warned. “Nor is it over.” He tossed the crumbled ball of paper towards the table, hitting a council member in the head. As petty as it was, it gave him a small sense of satisfaction. Having nothing else to say, he marched out of the room, letting the doors slam shut behind him.
Fury vibrated through him as he strode down the vast hallways, his entire body seething with rage. A slave trade could lead to a war that would cause the deaths of thousands, both human and dragons alike. True, dragons had the ability to heal faster, but even their tough skin wouldn’t be able to withstand some of the nuclear weapons humans were developing.
He had been so lost in his brooding, that he hadn’t realized that someone had entered the hallway with him. Suddenly feeling a hand on his shoulder, he moved with shifter-like speed to pin the person to the wall. To his surprise, it was one of the dragon shifters he had slept with a few months ago.
“Sorry,” he apologized gruffly, immediately letting go.
“That’s okay!” The female said, stopping him from walking away. She gave him a coy smile, and tossed her long blue hair over her one shoulder. Her eyes shone the same brilliant blue as they turned dragon.
“I always like it when you’re rough with me,” she added, winking.
Valonis raised an eyebrow, totally taken by surprise by her blatant flirting. At one point in his life, he would have found it a blessing to have a female so random and willing. Now it was simply annoying, and a just a bit off-putting.
“Sorry again,” he said curtly, not remembering her name. He went to walk away once more, but this time the female wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing herself close to him.
“You don’t have to be sorry,” she all but purred. “You could make it up to me by fucking me.” She rose up to her toes and licked up the side of his ear. It made him shudder, but not with pleasure.
“We haven’t gotten to play in so long,” she pouted. “But I’ll forgive you if you make up for it right now.”
Valonis opened his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it. All that had wanted to come out in that moment was anger and disgust. Some of it had to do with her sloppy offer, but he also knew that most of it had to do with what he had just learned from the council. Taking a steady breath, he gently grabbed the female’s shoulders and put her at arm’s length.
“Look, I’m flattered. Really. You’re beautiful, and I’m sure we had fun. But this, you and I, it’s not going to happen. Ever again.”
The female drew her lips into a pout, thinking it cute. Valonis merely found it childish. “But,” she countered, “What’s the big deal? Everyone knows you’re not taking a bride.”
Anger flared in him, so hot and bright that for a moment he only saw red.
“Again,” he said through gritted teeth. “Not interested. I do not want you. If you come near me or my chambers again, I will have you physically removed from the palace.”
This time he didn’t wait for a response. He let her go suddenly, making sure not to push her backwards as he did so, and walked away from her. She yelled a curse at him in their ancient language, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to get away from her.
When he reached his room, he was in a foul mood. He needed to be more careful with himself, with Rachel. Not only did he not want anyone to find out about her, but he also didn’t want any of the dragon females he’d slept with to think that they could just barge in to his room at any time.
Turning to the guard, he realized that the shifter had no loyalty to him whatsoever, and that it had been a mistake to let anyone other than Duke know about Rachel’s presence. He was angry with his father, the woman, and his own mistake. For a moment he stood in the hall, overcome with seething rage. His shift was starting to take over his body, popping and contorting muscles and joints as scales erupted over his skin. It wasn’t until he saw the blatant fear in the guard’s eyes that he realized he needed to calm down.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said, after taking several long, steadying breaths. “It’s been a rough day.” Feeling a little more under control, he reached into the pocket of his robe, and pulled out a trade coin. He held it up to his face, and looked at the guard directly in the eyes.
“See this? This is worth a thousand gold coins at our treasury. If you can promise me that you’ll keep your mouth shut, and that you’ll forget ever standing guard for me or the person inside my room, it’s yours. Plus four more that I’ll make sure to get to you within the next day.”
The guard’s eyes glittered with excitement and greed, and he quickly nodded his head.
“Yes my lord, whatever you say.”
Valonis held out the coin, but when the guard went to take it he grabbed his wrist and pulled him close.
“If you go back on your word, I will kill you,” he whispered, his voice a promise of the threat. “Even if I have to pour the liquid silver down your throat myself. Am I clear?”
The guard had begun to tremble, but he nodded his head all the same. Valonis let him go, and put the coin in his hand.
“That’s good, that’s very good.” He clapped the shifter on the back.
“So what have you been doing?” Valonis asked.
“I-um- I have been working in the holding cells, refortifying the bars with dragon’s fire.”
Valonis smiled. “Very good! Drop the stutter and everything will be fine. Now go.”
Not needing to be told twice, the guard took off at a sprint down the hallway, disappearing around the closest turn.
Rachel looked up at him from her book as he walked in, and he felt his heart wrench. She didn’t look like a captive at all. Choosing one of the giant chairs by the hearth, she had curled up and began to read. A blanket from his bed was wrapped around her waist, and beneath it he could see she was wearing the red dress from the first night he’d brought her to the realm. She looked happy, relaxed even.
“You seem upset,” she said, closing her book. “Is something the matter?”
Valonis, realizing that he still had a look of promising death on his face, immediately worked to fix his body language.
“I’m fine,” he promised, forcing a smile. He walked over to her, wanting nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. Instead, he rested his hands on the back of the chair.
“I need you to do something for me,” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “I need you to stay in this room.”
Rachel gave him a look of annoyance, and he felt that now familiar sense of amusement rise up in him.
“Isn’t that what I’ve been doing?” she asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Valonis smiled genuinely this time, and nodded his head. “Yes I suppose so.”
Rachel studied him, and he felt as if he were no more than a thin pane of glass that she could see right through.
“Something is bothering you,” she pushed.
He thought for a moment, trying to find the proper thing to say that wouldn’t scare her but would appease her curiosity.
“I think that I may be on to something that could avoid a lot of suffering,” he said at last, “But I don’t have enough proof yet.”
Rachel nodded her head as if she understood. “My father’s research, it will help you gather this proof?” She asked.
Valonis nodded his head, his breath tight in his chest. He was afraid to speak, thin
king she would know the danger. He watched her as she put the book on the floor and climbed out of the chair so she could stand in front of him. He felt his body stir with arousal as he got a full view of her body in the red dress. She came close enough to put a hand on his clothed shoulder, careful not to touch his bare skin.
“Whatever it is you’re working on, I want to help,” she told him, her brown eyes staring into his soul.
Little did she know, she would be helping all females of her kind.
Chapter 10: A Certain Nakedness of Vulnerability Called Love
Valonis choked on his wine as he laughed heartily at Rachel’s story. They had been buried in Rachel and her father’s research all day. Both of them had been fascinated with what they had found, and neither had realized that the day had come and gone without any food or drink. It wasn’t until he heard Rachel’s stomach growling that he decided to go down to the kitchens to get them their something. Fetching his own food was not something he was used to, but if it meant keeping Rachel safe, he was happy to do it.
“I can’t believe I just told you that,” Rachel giggled, nibbling on a grape. “I’ve never told another person that story before.”
“I can see why,” Valonis teased, “I wouldn’t share that story with anyone either.”
Rachel feigned offense, and he found himself laughing even harder. For as smart and beautiful as he found Rachel, she was just as funny and adorable as well. He enjoyed her sense of humor and her ability to laugh at her mistakes.
For the last two days they had been spending practically every minute of their days together going over research. Rachel had digitally saved everything her father shared with her in his career, and what they were finding was way beyond what they had thought they would find. Though they couldn’t figure out how or why, but it became apparent to them that ancient dragon knowledge had somehow been passed between the portals, and then rewritten in the caves that Rachel’s father had found.