The Jade Dragon

by Rowena May O'Sullivan

  Rosa just smiled. “Your sarcasm tells me you’re back to normal. Thank the Goddess.”

  Alanna huffed. “As normal as I can be with an ancient Warlock watching my every move.” She looked about, half expecting him to be here. Was that disappointment she felt in her gut when she realized he was not? “Where is he?”

  Rosa’s eyes widened, her surprise evident. “I thought he might be back by now.”

  “He must still be hunting,” Alanna added. “I’d love to know exactly what.”

  “Me, too.”

  The door tinkled and the town’s busybody, Super Sleuth Ruth walked in.

  “Afternoon, ladies,” she said brightly, looking over the top of her glasses perched primly on her nose. “Such a lovely day, is it not?”

  They both knew her well enough to know she was either here to impart gossip or to gain information to spread elsewhere.

  “It is,” Alanna replied, looking outside for the first time to gauge if that was the correct answer. Brilliant blue sky, as well as stinking hot. There was haze in the air that would cause tar seal to melt.

  “What can we help you with?” Rosa’s mouth didn’t fully stretch into a genuine smile.

  No doubt her sister was recalling how Alanna, only weeks ago, had connived with Ruth by volunteering Rosa as first prize in the town’s charity gala raffle in an attempt to find her a husband. A powerful witch and in danger of flaming out, the Bells of Marylebone had tolled for her. She’d been furious big time at Alanna and Ruth’s interference but, in the end, it had all worked out. Alanna gave herself a mental pat on the back. Aden, Dragon of Marylebone had been sent to ensure Rosa met her fate as the bells had decreed and fallen for her himself. Who knew Rosa was Aden’s former mortal beloved from a previous life and that this time their union was pre-destined by the Fates.

  Which brought her thoughts back to Gregori. Was it possible the Fates thought she was the one for him? Her heart skipped and she didn’t know if it was fear or anticipation. He was immortal. She wasn’t. There was no likelihood of getting her magic back anytime soon. It would be impossible to bind herself to him, even if she wanted to.

  Ruth was chattering and the name ‘Gregori’ brought Alanna back to the present. “Did you say Gregori?”

  The old woman nodded. “I bumped into him walking along the embankment with Aden and Goran an hour or so ago.”

  Rosa glanced at Alanna. They both knew there was no bumping involved. Ruth had probably made a beeline into their path upon seeing Aden walking with a handsome stranger. No doubt others were also asking who the new man in town was. Some knew for sure that the three sisters were witches. Most did not. But the locals liked to imagine it was true. And the rumor of their magical prowess was good for business.

  “What a handsome chap.” Ruth was effusive. “And his accent. So romantic. So French.”

  “He’s an old friend of Aden’s,” Rosa told her. “He’s come to visit for a couple of weeks.”

  Alanna nodded. “Yes.” Her eyes narrowed conspiratorially and mischief twirled its way into her eyes. Rosa’s eyes flared with warning, but she chose to ignore it.

  “He’s single.”

  “Single, you say,” Ruth’s eyes were avid with glee.

  “Very. Are you interested?”

  Ruth blushed. “I’m a happily married woman.”

  Alanna wondered unkindly if her husband agreed with her statement. “I’m afraid Gregori won’t be here long enough to form any entanglements. He has business interests in France.”

  Rosa was as surprised as Ruth was delighted. “What kind?”

  “Vineyards, I believe.” She had always possessed a creative mind and now she put it to use. “I understand that’s his main reason for visiting New Zealand. To promote his range of wines.”

  “What’s the vintage? I’d be more than happy to let everyone know to help increase sales,” Ruth answered. Her tongue snaked out to moisten her neon poppy lips, leaving a smudge on her teeth. “I’m feeling quite parched.”

  Alanna tried to recall what was on the bottle upstairs. He’d said it was from his private collection. “You know, I can’t recall. Something unpronounceable.”

  “Oh, I speak French,” Ruth told her. “Next time you have a bottle, bring it to me and I’ll translate for you.”

  Just like she translated everyone’s business into her own brand of gossip. “Ah. Thanks.”

  Ruth swung to Rosa. “So he must be staying with you if he’s a friend of Aden’s?”

  Rosa was like a deer caught in headlights. “He’s lodging elsewhere.” She waved a hand nonchalantly towards the courtyard to Gregori’s replacement sitting on the lily pad in the pond.

  Ruth followed Alanna’s direction and her eyes settled on the dragon. Her eyes didn’t flicker. It was an amazing replica. No one would guess. Only those with true potential or magic would be able to tell it wasn’t the same one.

  “How peculiar,” Ruth observed. “He has the same name as that dragon of yours.”

  “Yes,” Alanna replied. “We were just saying the same thing.”

  “It’s funny how things happen,” Ruth nodded her head like a woodpecker.

  Well, she could peck as much as she wanted. All she was getting today was general information. “I’ll find out the name of the vineyard for you,” Alanna smiled. “I understand it’s an exclusive brand.”

  Ruth’s mouth drooped and it seemed the light in her eyes dimmed. “Really. How unfortunate. It would be just the thing to have a bottle in the cupboard for a special occasion. Don’t you think?”

  The door tinkled and in walked Gregori and Aden.

  Super Sleuth Ruth’s eyes lit up like Christmas lights. “Aden!” She charged forward, holding out her hand. “And Gregori. Twice in one day.” Her hand fluttered against her breast bone. “I’m all aflutter.”

  Rosa and Alanna passed an amused glance. Here we go, thought Alanna.

  Gregori lifted Ruth’s hand, bent over and kissed the back of it. “No, madam. We are the lucky ones.”

  Goddess, give me strength.

  Alanna spoke first. “Gregori. What’s the name of your vineyard? Ruth says she likes a good wine and can speak French.”

  Rosa swatted her arm. Alanna shrugged. She wanted to see if the old bat was telling the truth. To her surprise, Ruth broke out into a flurry of expressive words no one understood except Gregori, and perhaps Aden. He appeared to be completely enchanted.

  Once again, Rosa and Alanna exchanged glances. “My goodness,” Rosa exclaimed. “You really are fluent.”

  Ruth paused mid-conversation with Gregori, to toss a brief explanation in English over one shoulder. “My father was French. My brothers and I grew up bilingual. It’s been years since I’ve had the opportunity to speak the language with anyone other than them.”

  Alanna immediately felt guilty for teasing the old woman. “All these years we’ve known you and you’ve never said anything.”

  “All these years you’ve known me, you’ve never asked.” Ruth’s response was sharper than Alanna had ever heard it and she suspected by the sudden flare of surprise in Rosa’s eyes that she too was equally surprised. None of them had ever attempted to really get to know Ruth. All they’d done was try to evade her and her gossip.

  Alanna wondered what had reduced Ruth to being such a busybody over the years. Boredom? An unhappy marriage? Lack of any real friends? In that instant, Alanna decided she would try to learn more before passing another judgment on the woman she’d known all her life, but didn’t really know at all.

  “I’m impressed,” Alanna admitted. “I only know hello and goodbye. That’s pretty much it.”

  “Before I leave Raven’s Creek,” Gregori entered the conversation, “you will know more. I will teach you.”

  “And I could, too,�
� Ruth offered.

  Aden moved to Rosa’s side and kissed her cheek. Alanna looked to Gregori and Ruth. She witnessed hope in Ruth’s eyes. Alanna found her mouth moving long before her brain computed she was going to speak. “I’d love that.” The astonishing thing was, she meant it.

  Rosa glanced up in surprise, as did Aden. “You’ve never wanted to learn another language before.”

  “Well, now I do.” She figured if Gregori was the one for her, she’d better learn more about him. “Is French your native tongue? I thought perhaps you were Russian or something.”

  Gregori snorted his amusement. “I was born in a small village called Le Lavendou in the south of France. My mother was a romantic and she loved the name despite its origins. I understand it means watchful, alert.”

  Alanna wanted to cross her eyes. He was certainly living up to his name by watching her. But she was learning things; bless Super Sleuth Ruth’s little heart for asking questions none of them had. “Ruth is interested in your wine?”

  Gregori still had hold of Ruth’s hand. He gave it a squeeze and his eyes filled with a warmth that would melt butter. “You appreciate wine?”

  Ruth, it seemed, was completely under his spell. “I do. My father taught us to appreciate the good things in life.”

  Then Gregori totally surprised them all. “We must have a tasting. I have a selection of Vin Rousseau wines with me. We will set a date while I’m here so you can give me your invaluable opinion.” He lifted his head and caught Alanna’s eye. “Do you know of a venue we could use?”

  “I’ll ask Beth if we can use her place,” Alanna said. “She’s the social animal in the family. If it’s a hot day we can spill out onto her deck and yard. Raven’s Creek runs along the back of it.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Rosa added. “I’ll check with her if you like and get back to you tonight.”

  Ruth had gone quiet. The color in her cheeks matched what remained of the lipstick on her teeth. Gregori was concerned. “Is that all right with you, Ruth?”

  There appeared to be a film in Ruth’s eyes. Witches’ Warts! Ruth was about to cry.

  “Could I possibly bring my husband, Joseph?” She appeared uncomfortable; awkward, even. She looked to Rosa and Alanna for approval, her voice hesitant. “If that’s all right with you?”

  “Of course it is,” Alanna said, and realized she didn’t mind at all. “Maybe we can start those French lessons then, too!”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The Gallery was closed. Rosa left to see Beth about setting a date for the wine tasting and Ruth rushed home to impart the exciting news about their invitation to her husband, Joseph.

  Once more, she was alone with Gregori.

  Alanna felt different; as if she’d tried on a new summer coat and couldn’t determine whether it fit or not. The moment she’d decided to give Ruth a chance, she’d felt as if a burden had dropped away, a smudge from her aura gone.

  She looked to Gregori for answers. “Can you see it?”

  “See what?” All his personal furniture was back. Her studio was once again filled with items from his villa and he was inspecting bottles in crates that had appeared an hour or so ago. He stood at the dining table and lifted a bottle up to the light, turning it this way and that.

  “The change in my aura?”

  He paused, studying her for a few seconds. “What is it you think I should see?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she replied, remembering she had yet to give him a piece of her mind about placing her under a sleep enchantment. But right now, she didn’t feel particularly antsy. She was more interested in the changes occurring in her world. She was sculpting again. That was a biggie. But it was the revelation that she’d been very unkind to a woman she knew nothing about other than she was the town gossip. That and the fact she’d suddenly developed a conscience. A conscience she’d suppressed long ago with memories she wished to remain buried. “I was hoping you could tell me.”

  “I can see things, but not what I want to see.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Your acceptance that I’m the warlock destined to be with you. That you are my destiny also.”

  “You can’t expect to turn up one day and announce I’m your intended without having formed any kind of friendship with me beforehand.”

  “Really?” He put down his wine and advanced towards her. “Friendship can come later. First there’s attraction. I can see swirls of it for me in your aura. I can see the link we have. It’s increasing in strength from hour to hour. I can see you’ve begun sculpting again. I see you’ve begun to view the world differently.”

  “That’s it.” Was his aura swirling with the same attraction for her or was he just interested in saving himself by binding with her? “The world does seem different to me. I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve never considered Super Sleuth Ruth’s feelings before and yet now I find myself doing so. It’s not like me.”

  “Super Sleuth Ruth?” Gregori frowned. “Explain.” He advanced closer and anticipation trilled its way up her spine. Her womb spasmed. Sweet Goddess. It was possible she would climax with the sheer anticipation of his touch. She backed up a step. “She’s the town busybody.”

  Gregori paused. “Ahh. I see.”

  “Don’t tell her anything you want to keep a secret, is all I’m saying.”

  “Have you ever considered that she’s lonely?”

  “Lonely? She’s married. Happily, I might add, according to her.”

  “Have you ever looked deeply enough to understand why she acts as she does or have you only made judgments on what you’ve heard from others?”

  “From both.” She frowned. Hadn’t she? “You’re right. I’ve never really bothered to find out.” The knowledge didn’t sit well with her. Had she really been so insensitive? Probably. Insensitive was her middle name.

  Gregori looked far too smug. “So you’re agreeing with me.”

  “Don’t get used to it,” Alanna ducked under his arm that had her trapped against the wall by her bedroom door. She flounced over to the enormous couch filled with plush, soft cushions and threw herself onto it. She pulled one of the over-sized stuffed cushions into her arms and hugged it against her chest.

  Gregori leaned back against the wall. He stared at her for several long seconds. She squirmed. “What?”

  Gregori shrugged. “I’m wondering if you’re ready to be enlightened further.” His playful tone had disappeared within one heartbeat and the next.

  She frowned, fear kicking in. Don’t start asking me about the accident. Please don’t. “I don’t know why you think I need enlightening.”

  He pushed away from the wall. He seemed so tall, so impressive. He’d found clothes that fit properly, and oh my, she enjoyed looking at his perfect body. She hugged the cushion tighter and leaned back into the couch.

  “There is something I must tell you,” he said, his voice serious. “I was hoping for more time to develop a deeper link with you, but it has been pointed out there is a danger you’ll hear it from elsewhere and the details might be skewed to their point of view.”

  She’d been hoping to find out why he insisted on staying with her, but now that he’d gone all serious she wasn’t so sure she wanted to know. “Is this better discussed with a glass of wine?” She could do with something to knock the edges off this insane desire to throw herself into his arms.

  Gregori prowled to the table and lifted a bottle from one of the crates. “That can be arranged. You know,” he added, as he opened the bottle, “you could make this easier if you’d just open your mind to me.”

  Alanna bolted upright on the couch. “No. Not going to happen.”

  Gregori’s lips thinned. He waved to the wine. “It needs time to breathe.”

  As do I. “Why don’t you just fini
sh hunting whatever it is you’re looking for and then leave?”

  His smile was grim. “Not possible. It’s time for me to tell you something and I’m unsure how you are going to react to the news. If I could connect with your mind and show you, it would be far, far easier.”

  “No.”

  “Why? Have you something to hide?”

  He was pushing and her fingers protested as she gripped the cushion tighter. Yes! “Would you let someone into your mind after knowing them for less than forty-eight hours?”

  Gregori poured wine into the glasses. “You have a point. But I have something to show you and the best way is through images.”

  He prowled to the couch, sat next to her and handed her drink to her. “Merlot. Another one from my private collection. Sniff with your nose first. Roll the liquid around your tongue, savor the notes and tell me what you think.”

  She wasn’t about to be diverted. Not yet. She rested the glass on her knees, her hand gripping the stem. She partially turned to face him. “Why images when words will do just fine?”

  He took his time responding. She found herself wanting to snuggle up to him. She shifted slightly, putting a smidgen of distance between them, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

  “I won’t bite,” he growled.

  So her move wasn’t so subtle. “Pity,” she said. “I was hoping you would.”

  Gregori choked on his wine and she nearly did as well at her wayward tongue. Keep your mouth closed Alanna!

  His eyes glinted with promise. His hand reached out and cupped her cheek. He stared intently into her eyes. “Let me in.”

  Why did he have to be so single-minded? She pretended she didn’t know what he meant. His hand dropped away and she lifted her glass to her lips and sipped the warm, smooth merlot. It was exquisite. She rolled the liquid around her tongue as he’d suggested and swallowed.

  “I’ll strike a deal with you,” she said.

  “I don’t do deals.” He frowned, his eyes watchful, remembering the one he’d made with Anton only the other day.