The Water Dragon

by Tianna Xander

  Slamming her door behind her, Summer threw herself on her bed, buried her face in her pillow and cried. How could the man she’d hoped to fall in love with turn out to be such a jerk?

  What had he been thinking when he told her to run upstairs like a good little girl? Oh, she knew that wasn’t what he said, but it was what he meant. Shock filled her at his words. Disappointment, sorrow, rage, also filled her when she found that the one man meant for her was such an ass.

  How could she ever make a life with a man like that? He obviously had no respect for women if he could treat her like that. It was…it was almost as though he were from the dark ages or some other equally as backward time.

  Did the creep actually think she would do as she was told? What a joke.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  “Go away.”

  “Summer?” April asked from the doorway. “Are you okay?”

  “No,” Summer replied, brushing her tears away as she sat up. “I was in here trying to have a crying jag so I could start to heal my broken heart.” Did that sound melodramatic? She hoped not.

  “Broken heart?” her sister asked as she sat next to her on the bed and offered her a tissue. “Who broke your heart? Let me know and I’ll see what I can do to get Drake to go rip the culprit’s heart out and give it to you as a replacement.”

  “I broke it.” Summer accepted the tissue and blew her nose. “Betcha didn’t see that one coming.” She half chuckled, then began to sob again. “Why? Why am I the only one who really wanted a dragon for a mate and the drop-dead gorgeous dragon who tries to claim me turns out to be a male chauvinist pig dragon?”

  “Uh…what?”

  “Nothing.” Summer waved her hand. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’m always fine.”

  April wrapped her arm around her. “We figured it was you when Adrian didn’t even sniff at the other girls when he got here.” She gave Summer a squeeze. “So, tell me. Why is he a pig-dragon?”

  “Because he told me to trot upstairs like a good girl so the big, strong men could handle all of the smart talk.”

  “He didn’t!”

  “Well, no, he didn’t really say it like that, but that’s what he meant. He even alluded to the fact that he intends to purchase me!”

  “Good grief! Are you serious?” April took one look at Summer and nodded. “Of course you are.” She shook her head. “I knew he’d been imprisoned for some time, but I had no idea he would come here with such antiquated ideals.” April stood and began pacing the room. “They said they would educate him first. He appeared educated. He never said anything to alienate any of the other sisters. Though, the other sisters weren’t his mate either,” April said as though she was thinking to herself, more than talking to Summer.

  “What on earth are you talking about?”

  “What? Oh! You don’t know, do you? You’ve been out visiting your friends for the last few weeks.” April took a seat on the chair next to the window. “Adrian is the dragon we all released from that horrible spell the last time you were here.”

  “And?” Summer tilted her head. How did that explain his bigoted actions? “What has that got to do with anything?”

  “Honey, that spell had him locked away, encased in a layer of rock and ice for over a thousand years. I would be surprised if he didn’t act a little like a caveman.”

  “A thousand years?” Standing, Summer moved to the window and stared out at the darkened sky. Clouds swirled over the house as lightning struck a few charred places in the garden.

  If she didn’t wrangle control of her powers soon, Drake would have little garden left. She cringed every time she saw the remains of the caretaker’s shed. Drake left the blackened shell the way it was for fear that she would only incinerate it again. Lightning was not very forgiving.

  She thought about the man who wanted to buy her. “He didn’t mean to insult me, did he?” Summer thought not. What would be the point in that? He probably wanted a mate more than she did.

  “I wouldn’t think so,” April said warily. “Though, I can’t tell you what the man was thinking.” She stepped up beside Summer and gave her a one-armed hug. “Why don’t you go downstairs and start over. I know he blew his first impression, so why don’t you go down and see if he looks better the second time around?”

  Summer shrugged. “Why not? What have I got to lose?” Squaring her shoulders, she headed for the stairs. If the jerk screwed up this time, she might have to lower her standards and agree to marry a mage. Providing she could find one willing.

  Chapter Four

  Adrian sat at the kitchen table, holding a cup of coffee. He took another sip and grinned down at the dark brew. To think, dark beans steeped in water could make such a delicious drink. He should have thought of such a thing millennia ago.

  After taking another sip, he looked up at his older brother and watched as Damek paced the room. “I fail to see what I did wrong. Is the woman not my mate? Do I not possess the right to claim her under dragon law?”

  “Did I not tell you, brother, that you cannot treat women as you once did?” Damek growled at him as he paced the room, his expression fierce. “I fear that you may have even gotten me into hot water with my own mate.” He closed his eyes and cursed. “You have no idea what an angry mate can do to your life.” He turned back to Adrian. “Always remember this above all else. A happy wife means a happy life. An unhappy wife means an unhappy life. It is one thing most males refuse to understand and it is quite simple.”

  “Are you saying that it is the male’s responsibility to see to the female’s happiness?”

  “You just don’t get it, do you?” Damek glowered at him. “I think being stuck in your own spell for so long has damaged your way of thinking. I seem to recall that you were much brighter than this.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “That’s precisely what I mean.” Damek ran his fingers through his hair. “I think your stay within your rock has addled your brain.”

  A sharp clacking sound came from the hallway and Damek turned to face the door, a smile splitting his face as his beautiful mate, May, hurried into the room. “Hello, Adrian,” she said with a smile as she breezed by, leaving the scent of flowers in her wake.

  “Damek, you won’t believe the cutest little crib I found while out scouring the yard sales.”

  “Yard sales? Do I not give you a large enough allowance?” He scowled down at her. “My mate should not be scouring yard sales. I am not a poor man.” He paused for a minute, then tilted his head. “You bought a crib at a yard sale?”

  Adrian looked on with interest. He had no idea what a crib was, but he could tell by the expression on his brother’s face, the word held some import with Damek.

  May nodded, her expression more animated than Adrian could remember seeing the past few months that he had stayed in his brother’s home.

  “It’s hand-carved oak and just beautiful. I think it was a steal for fifty dollars. I almost feel bad for not offering to pay more.”

  “You bought a crib.” The stunned expression on Damek’s face was almost enough to make Adrian want to shake them both. What in the land of Hades was going on?

  “Did I hear Damek say that you bought a crib?” Summer asked as she entered the room. Her attention was on May and Damek. Not once did she even look in Adrian’s direction.

  Adrian cleared his throat, then shuffled his feet. He wanted her attention, but he didn’t want to look like a child seeking his mother’s approval. As much as he wanted her attention, he decided to just stand still and wait for her to glance his way. What was it about her that had him standing here with bated breath hoping that she would just glance his way?

  May turned to her sister and smiled. “Yes. I bought the most beautiful crib today.”

  “Oh, my gods! Why didn’t you say anything?” Summer pulled May into her arms. “Congratulations!”

  “Thanks.” May’s cheeks turned red and she spun ar
ound to face her husband. “Are you okay, Damek?” She waved her hand in front of his face with a giggle before she turned back to her sister. “I think he’s in shock.” She moved to wrap her arms around Damek’s neck. “I’m sorry I sprung it on you like this. I hope you aren’t upset.”

  “Upset?” Damek finally came around and grinned down at his mate. “How could I be upset?” He placed one hand on her shoulder, and stepped back to rest the other on her middle. “Why would I be upset?” Kneeling, he pressed a kiss to her stomach and Adrian finally realized what was going on.

  Gods, he was a simpleton. It was possible that Damek was correct and he had spent too many years bound in magic. He glanced at Summer and caught her looking at him before she turned away.

  Smiling inwardly, he moved slowly forward. She was not as unaffected by him as she would have him believe, thank the gods! Maybe he could convince her to kiss him. Just one kiss might help her understand why he didn’t understand their ways. It could bring him a step closer to forgiveness.

  “Forgive me,” he whispered in her ear before he snaked his arms about her waist. “Please, my mate, forgive me for being a dolt.”

  “Don’t touch me!” Summer pulled from his arms and turned to face him, with the lightning outside the windows mirrored in her eyes. “I can’t be your mate. I’m not the least submissive and I’m sure I’m smarter than you’d like.”

  “I asked your forgiveness.” He lowered himself to one knee. It seemed to work out well for his brother. “Please forgive my astonishment to find that things had changed so much while I was…indisposed.”

  “A leopard never changes its spots.”

  “What on earth are you about, woman? What has that got to do with us?”

  “It means that you’re a pig, Adrian, and you will remain a pig.”

  “Come on, Summer. Give the man a chance. He was imprisoned for over a thousand years. You can’t hold his antiquated behavior against him,” May said, obviously trying to help.

  “The hell I can’t.” Summer turned to her sister, rested her hands on her hips and snarled. “Butt out, May. When I want your help, I’ll ask for it.”

  With a sigh, Adrian glanced over to Damek and bowed. “I thank you, brother, for your assistance, but I fear that I cannot repair the damage I have done this day. I shall adjourn to the home you provided in an effort to console myself that if one mate is available to me, there must be others.”

  “Won’t you reconsider?” May asked, gripping his arm. “She’ll come around. She just needs some time.”

  He looked down into her large brown eyes, so filled with compassion and smiled. “I do not think it possible, sister.” He glanced toward Summer. “Perhaps we both need time to think about our positions. For years, I dreamt of hearing the dulcet sound of my mate’s voice. Instead, I am buffeted with the shrill shriek of a shrew. I was not prepared for such. I shall retire to my new home where I will await another.”

  He gave one last, longing glance at Summer and turned to leave. She would not be happy with him. She would never be happy with him and he knew he must be strong enough to let her go.

  Chapter Five

  Summer’s heart broke yet again when Adrian called her a shrew. Did he really mean to leave and not even try to make things work? She cast her gaze around the room. Did she really want him to do such a thing?

  Her throat burned and tightened. It was difficult to speak, which was probably a good thing. It seemed that her speaking was what made him decide to leave in the first place.

  Okay, if she were honest with herself, she would admit that it wasn’t that she’d spoken, but what she had said. When he moved to brush past her on his way out, Summer reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to hers.

  He looked startled, but said nothing as she stared into his sea-blue eyes. Whatever happened after this, she had no illusions that she had no one to blame but herself. She had always been as impulsive as the weather.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, before his arms tightened around her and he lowered his head to press his lips against hers.

  The very earth moved beneath her feet as his mouth opened over hers, his tongue begging entrance to her mouth. Once she opened for him and his tongue stoked against hers, she saw him, she felt him and she knew complete and utter loneliness.

  Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched Adrian fighting for his life and the lives of all mankind. Seven hooded figures surrounded him, all of them falling one by one until there was only one left. By then, Adrian was exhausted and vulnerable, his strength used up as he attempted to save what he thought was mankind’s last hope—a plant.

  Throwing his head back, Adrian turned into his dragon. He chanted a spell just as the cloaked figure encased him first in a layer of stone. Around the stone, the figure set a layer of ice that would torture the water dragon who knew the water, his source of power, was so close, yet so far.

  Again, the loneliness assailed her. Such complete isolation was enough to drive anyone mad if left for too long. This man, this dragon, had endured centuries of complete isolation from everything, including the thing that could comfort him most.

  Adrian ended their kiss and lifted his head. He stared down at her, using his thumbs tenderly to brush away her tears. “Do not cry for me, Summer Flowers. I am, as you say, a pig who cannot find his way in your world.”

  Gently, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I apologize for saying that your voice is like the shrill shriek of a shrew.” The corners of his mouth quirked up, just a bit. “In fact, I find your voice melodious and soothing to my very soul.” His eyes filled with sorrow. “You are, and forever shall be, my mate. I will seek no other.”

  “Wait!” she cried when he turned to leave. “You can’t leave me here.” Her heart broke again at the thought of losing him before they had a chance to get to know each other.

  He was about to say something else when her sister, Tansy and her husband Tony rushed into the room. “You have to go, Summer. Now. There’s a car waiting to take you to the hospital.”

  “What—why?” Her heart pounded and her knees grew weak when she looked at her sister and somehow knew. “Emily?”

  Tansy merely nodded, her expression filled with compassion. “They said she’s been asking for you.”

  Summer’s throat closed off and she couldn’t speak. Following her sister from the room, she left Adrian to follow or to leave as he would. While she knew in her heart that the water dragon was her match in every way, she could never force him to love her, just as she couldn’t force Emily to stay here on this earth no matter how hard she tried.

  The door to the limo loomed large as she approached it. The darkened interior almost felt like a tomb as it closed around her. She slid over to the other side of the car to peer out through the tinted glass, needing to watch the rain that poured down in place of her tears.

  Emily could always bring a smile to her face. She always knew what to say to give Summer a feeling of coming home. She couldn’t have loved Emily more if she had been her own mother.

  Strong arms drew her close and she didn’t fight. She was too tired to fight. Her brothers-in-law were too strong to resist at any rate.

  The car jerked to a start, speeding up the rain-soaked driveway headed for the local hospital. Summer could only hope they would get there in time.

  Finally, giving in to her tears, she rested her head against the offered shoulder and cried. She cried for her parents, she cried for her friend, but most of all, she cried for the lost opportunity to love the person who needed her the most.

  “Don’t cry, love.”

  Summer cried harder at the familiar endearment. How could he have known that was what Emily called her all of the time?

  The arms tightened around her, drawing her closer and Summer stiffened. This was one of her sisters’ husbands. She had no business letting him hold her so tight, no matter how right it felt.

  “Please do not cry, mate. My h
eart breaks at the sound of your sobs and the sight of your tears. I do not know what to do with a crying female other than hold her.” Fumbling for the switch on the door, Summer turned on the light and pulled from his embrace.

  She didn’t give a damn if she looked like hell. After what he put her through, he could take it.

  “What are you doing here?” She looked across the seat and behind him, only to realize that, other than the driver, they were alone. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked at him. The concern in his expression nearly made her cry again. Summer wanted nothing more than to curl up in his lap with his strong arms wrapped around her and let him tell her everything would be okay.

  “I am your mate, Summer Flowers. I know you cannot stand the sight of my face, but my place is by your side in your time of need. Wherever you go, whatever you do, my place is with you just as your place is with me.” He smiled softly, again tucking that stubborn lock of hair behind her ear. “It works both ways, you know.” He glanced through the window at the passing lights. “Though I sought to acquire my mate in the old ways, I did not do so out of disrespect. In fact, I hold you in the utmost regard.”

  The pain in Summer’s chest eased a bit at his words. He sure did have a way about him. Maybe he wasn’t such an ass after all. With a small sigh, Summer leaned into him. She needed his comfort.

  The limo stopped outside of the hospital’s emergency entrance. “We will continue this at a later date. Now, you must go to your friend. I shall await you here.”

  “No!” Stopping, she made a face. “No. You need to come with me. She’ll want to meet you no matter how horrible she feels.” There was no way she would let Emily pass over to the other side without thinking that Summer had finally found her man. Even if he didn’t want her, she had to give Emily this.

  Taking his hand, Summer pulled him into the hospital and to the information desk. “I’m here to see Emily Appleton, please. She’s in Emergency and has been requesting me—us. She’s been requesting us.” She mentally crossed her fingers, hoping the security guard didn’t know that Emily had only been asking for her.