The Dragon Falls for the Fairy Godmother

by Larissa Emerald

  A tentative smile pulled at her lips.

  He brought her knuckles to his mouth and kissed the backs of her knuckles. “I will protect you, Erika.”

  She nodded, meeting his eyes.

  “Why don’t you ladies get some rest. We’ll work this out in the morning.”

  “That sounds like a good plan.”

  He led them to their rooms, pausing in the hallway after the door closed. Fire rose inside him at the thought of Erika being forced into an arranged marriage. Defiance fanned the flame at the antiquated practice.

  They were meant for each other, if she would have him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  There was a noisy bird outside her window when she woke the next morning. Erika was already feeling a little guilty for imposing on Marshall, so she wasn’t in the best of moods.

  She trotted to the window and looked out. Marshall had a gorgeous home fitted with lots of large windows. The complete opposite from the underground home she’d grown up in.

  The bird chattered again, but this time, she understood the message it had evidently been trying to communicate. Kamdyn’s wizard was at the ice cream shop. She checked her watch, sucked in a breath at the time, and straightened her clothes. It was almost noon.

  She’d slept half the day.

  A little uneasy, she stuck her head into the hall and looked around. Marshall had given Kamdyn the room next door. The witchy girl stirred inside—it seemed only Erika was the late riser.

  As quickly as she could, she went downstairs to find Marshall in the kitchen. She needed to get him on board with her plan first.

  “Hi there,” he said in the deep tone she was growing to like.

  “Good morning, er… Perhaps I should say afternoon.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “It was after one when you got to sleep. You needed the rest.”

  “I don’t want to seem pushy, but can you take us to town? Now?”

  He moved into her space. “Woke in a hurry, did you?”

  Erika tilted her head back, glancing up at the tall shifter in front of her. “Sometimes, I just know things. Like the guy Kamdyn is supposed to marry is heading into the I Scream Shop right now. My job is to put them together in order for them to experience their first kiss.”

  “You’ve met him?”

  “Yes, the other day.”

  “And what happened?”

  “Nothing. She was in some sort of funk.”

  “So you’re sure this is the guy?”

  “I’m her fairy godmother. And you ask too many questions. Let’s go.”

  She caught his grin as she headed back to the staircase. Her heart did a tiny whoosh-whoosh and skipped a beat.

  “You get Kamdyn and I’ll meet you out front with the SUV.” He winked at her.

  For a split-second, her feet seemed stuck in quicksand. Oh-my-goodness. She lusted after that dragon shifter. She swallowed her desire and kicked her but in gear.

  Fifteen minutes later, they were at the doorstep of the I Scream Shop. Erika stood inside the doorway, somewhat dazed. Kamdyn’s chosen sat in the corner, watching out the window as people strolled by.

  “I’ll place our order. What would you like?” Marshall asked.

  “Chocolate sundae,” Kamdyn said.

  “Surprise me,” Erika added. She hadn’t taken her eyes off wizard guy. He swung around, fixing all of his attention on Kamdyn. His nostrils flared, and a smitten smile lit his face.

  Come kiss her, lover boy. Woo the witch. Her fingers itched to sprinkle fairy dust over them, but that wasn’t allowed. Kamdyn had to surrender of her own choice. Erika’s magic was bringing them together. In fairy godmother cases, it was the enchantment of the kiss that would bind them.

  Kamdyn’s eyes met his. She cocked her head and inhaled a deep breath, then turned and sat at another table.

  Erika followed her, baffled. If this was her true love, she should have been all over him.

  Her gaze slid to Marshall as he accepted the ice cream from the cute teenager behind the counter. She tried to smile as he brought the desserts to their table.

  Had she failed? Had she gotten her signals crossed? Was she doomed to be a horrible fairy godmother? Self-doubt made her stomach queasy.

  Not good enough whispered in her ear. Maybe she didn’t deserve to be a dynamite fairy godmother.

  She thought of Cinderella. Now there was awesomeness.

  “Thank you,” she said as Marshall distributed the ice creams.

  He bent and brushed his lips over hers. “You’re welcome.”

  “What flavor is it?”

  “Voodoo velvet.”

  It tasted heavenly, a mixture of blackberry and chocolate.

  When there ice cream was gone, she glanced to Marshall and shrugged. Nothing had happened. No spark. Nothing.

  When they were about to leave and free up the table, wizard guy strolled over and pulled up a chair beside Kamdyn. “Do I know you?” she asked, without seeming to acknowledge that they’d met yesterday.

  Boy, her charge’s lack of interest held firm. Erika wondered if most cases were this unmoved in the beginning.

  “Not really,” he said. “But I know you. You’re the witch who’s destined to be my wife. I’ve seen you in my dreams, heart of my heart.”

  Kamdyn laughed. “Then we better start getting to know each other.”

  Erika held her breath, waiting to see what would happen next. At least Kamdyn hadn’t rebuked him flat-out this time. That was promising.

  Cedric leaned in, placing his hand on her cheek, and touched his lips to Kamdyn’s in a sweet, soft kiss.

  Marshall whispered in her ear, “Were we in time? Was that it?”

  She savored his closeness for a second before she answered. “Yes, I think so.”

  Kamdyn and wizard guy were staring into each other’s eyes. “What’s your name?” she asked.

  He grinned. “Cedric Hawthorne.”

  “Now what?” Marshall asked.

  “We let love take its course.”

  “I mean, do we go back to the D&B?”

  Cedric stood, holding Kamdyn’s hand and drawing her up. “I’ll watch over Kamdyn from here.”

  “Not unless I say so,” Kamdyn said.

  “Right, what she said,” Cedric added.

  They all laughed. “Will you be all right dealing with your parent’s now,” Erika asked.

  “Yes. I think so. We’ll see.” Her gaze slid to Cedric. “Depending on how things go, I may have additional support to fight them.” She interlocked arms with Cedric.

  Erika nodded, feeling as if her job was done. “Good.”

  Kamdyn and Cedric exited. Marshall held Erika back a moment. “Let them go.”

  She looked after the couple. “It’s kind of hard, isn’t it? Maybe a tiny bit like being a parent.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Warmth radiated in her heart. There is no greater love than two brought together by a fairy godmother’s magic.

  She sighed with satisfaction. Maybe she was worthy after all.

  Marshall held the door for her without releasing her hand. They walked slowly to his vehicle. “Where to now, Miss Fairy Godmother?”

  She opened her eyes wide. “On the drive down, we passed a cute little house sporting a FOR SALE sign. Upon arriving, I hadn’t considered purchasing a place, but now, well, it might not be too far-fetched. Can we go back for a look? The place was tucked among enormous oak trees, the perfect home for a fairy.”

  Before she climbed in the seat, he kissed both sides of her freckled cheeks. “As you wish.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Marshal pulled into the long dirt drive and cut the engine. The house Erika had spoken of sat back off the road. No wonder he hadn’t noticed it before—someone had recently cut away the brush, so now it was more visible. His attention would have been occupied with driving, not craning his neck to see a storybook dwelling the likes of Brothers Grimm or Hansel’s cottage.

  “I love it
,” Erika said as she clasped her hands and drew them to her chest, her voice light with excitement.

  “It’s small.”

  “I don’t need much space.”

  He snorted. A dragon appreciated large open areas. He may even have issues with claustrophobia. The entrance comprised of a pint-size, arched, split-door. He’d probably have to duck his head to get inside.

  “That handmade stone fireplace is adorable.” She stepped from the SUV. “I want to look in the windows.”

  “Okay.” He followed her around the cottage as she pressed her nose to the glass panes.

  She peered in every window on the ground floor. The floorplan seemed to be one large room downstairs, a combined kitchen and living area, with the bedroom upstairs. He couldn’t tell about the bath.

  “I… I want to buy it.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I need to talk to Pandora Williams.”

  He nodded, angled his head, and kissed her, tasting her honeyed lips. He drew her up against him until their hips fit just right and her breasts pressed against his chest. She felt so incredibly good in his arms. Putting distance between them before he crossed the line and introduced her to all the fine accessories his SUV offered—like reclining seats—he said thickly, “She should be able to help you.”

  Erika snapped a few pictures with her cell phone. “Can we see her now?”

  “Anxious, eh?”

  Her eyes sparkled. “Yes.” Then she sobered. “I’ll need to go back to The Black Rose after that and deal with my parents.”

  Man, today hadn’t gone anything as he’d anticipated…except he had planned on helping her find a place to live. Hopefully, they’d accomplished that. It turned out to be an added benefit that the place was a mere stroll from his home.

  After a short drive, they were in Pandora’s office.

  “Aren’t you a fortunate fairy?” Pandora said. “That place hasn’t been on the market two days. I had a team clean it up and hang a sign.”

  “I’ll give the elf your offer. He’s moving back to the North Pole. Had enough of the heat, he says.”

  “Thank you.” She slid her hand into Marshall’s. “This is my lucky day.”

  * * *

  Erika hadn’t forgotten about her parents. She’d made a conscious decision not to worry about them until she got back to the D&B. Had they remained in her room, waiting? No matter what they thought of her disappearance, she had to convince them moving to Nocturne Falls was the right thing for her.

  She nibbled on the corner of her fingernail. When they reached The Black Rose, Marshall was sweet and accompanied her to her room. “I protect my woman,” he said.

  “Your woman?” She lifted a teasing brow.

  “Well, if you’ll have me?”

  “Give me a little while and I’ll let you know.” But her racing heart had already fallen for the dragon.

  “I’m okay with taking it slow.”

  “You don’t really need to shelter me from my parents. They may be hardheaded, but they would never hurt me.”

  He stopped, placed his index finger under her chin, and lifted it. “If they make you sad, that upsets me. Trust me, they don’t want to mess with a cranky dragon.”

  “Now there’s a romantic thought.”

  His mouth brushed hers, and she felt his smile on his lips.

  At her room, she dug for her key in her purse and tugged it free. Marshall cradled her head in his hand, threading his fingers deep into her hair, and kissed her, a long sultry dance of their tongues. When it ended, she leaned her cheek against his chest and took comfort in his rapid heartbeat. Did it make him feel alive and tingly, too?

  With a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped into the suite. Marshall’s hand rested around her shoulders.

  Silence greeted them. Air whooshed out of her as she relaxed. The room was empty. After a few seconds, she noticed a folded half-sheet of paper on the bed. A note.

  She picked it up, opened it, straightening the crease. Taking in her mother’s lovely round handwriting, she read…

  My darling Erika,

  Please know we want the finest life has to offer for you. And we miss not having you home in Rhoswynn. However, our trip to Nocturne Falls has shone a spotlight on our error in judgement. We chose a mate we thought was the very best for you, but in doing so we overlooked the importance of love.

  As we were talking to Kamdyn’s parents, we were horrified to realize we were equally as oblivious to your wishes as they are to hers. Their plans for her are barbaric and I feel bad for her. It made me see the importance of a match forged in love, devotion, and adoration.

  I wish you all of these and more. I am so proud of you!

  Please accept my sincerest apologies.

  You’re loving mother,

  Natasha

  Erika closed the letter and set it on the nightstand. She sniffed and blinked back tears.

  “Is everything all right?” Marshall asked.

  “Oh yes. Better than I could have hoped for.” She turned and snuggled into his waiting arms.

  “You mean I won’t have to beat them up?”

  A soggy laugh rumbled through her chest. “No. They’ve returned to Rhoswynn. I guess we’ll have to go visit sometime. They basically said I can marry anyone I’d like.”

  She glanced up to gage his reaction to her words.

  He peered down at her face, a mischievous smile lighting his eyes. “Good. Keep that in mind. Dragons make very good husbands.”

  “I didn’t realize that.”

  It wasn’t a proposal, but then, she wasn’t ready for that…yet. She needed to live a little first. But when that time came, Marshall Chadwick had better step up.

  That thought sent a warmth spreading through her tummy.

  He squeezed her tighter, brushed his lips across hers, then let her go.

  She eased back, appraising the room. “I wonder what happened to Kamdyn’s parents?”

  He shrugged. “Probably went back—”

  She gasped. “Wait a minute! Whitwell’s things are gone.” A knot formed in her throat. She searched beneath the bed and scanned the corners of the room. “Whitwell?”

  Not a whine or squeal came from anywhere. The acrid taste of fear pooled in the back of her throat. She swallowed. “Where is he?”

  “Perhaps your parents took him?”

  “No. They wouldn’t do that. My mom is not a pet person. That would mean she would have to care for him. Even the thought would give her hives.”

  He looked concerned. “There was another couple in this room.”

  Her knees almost buckled. “Kamdyn’s father.” She scanned where she’d left the hedgehogs hut and food. “There’s nothing. At least they took the things to provide for him. But poor Whitwell. He’s going to need therapy or something after this. I’m going to…” She bit her lip to hold herself together. It wouldn’t help Whitwell if she crumpled in a fit of sorrow.

  She straightened, then paced. “I have to think. Would they have taken him to their room?”

  “That’s easy enough to search.”

  A text chimed on her phone. She stared at it and read it aloud, her voice shaking. “You have something of mine, and I have something of yours. Let’s trade.”

  Marshall looked over her shoulder, allowing her to lean into his strong arms.

  “What?” She pushed her hair out of her eyes. “Wait. They think Kamdyn is with me.”

  “And that you have the power to give her back.”

  Erika held her stomach, fighting the bile that rose. Hold it in. “Poor Whitwell.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I know where their rooms are,” Erika said, hopeful. “Maybe Whitwell is in there.”

  “I don’t think that’s wise. Let him come to you,” Marshall said. He’d investigated Kamdyn’s father, and the wizard had numerous deals going on the underweb. He hadn’t even tried to disguise himself.

  “I can’t just sit here,” Erika grumbled as
she took off with a burst of energy.

  Marshall followed her out the door, down the hall, and upstairs to the second floor. Erika paused at the red door with the number 206 on it, listening.

  An elfin housekeeper traipsed past. “They’re not in their room,” she advised. “I just replaced the towels.”

  “Oh. Did you happen to notice a small hedgehog anywhere in there?” Erika asked.

  The housekeeper squinted and then wrinkled her nose. “Your animal is on the loose?” Her voice rose with alarm.

  Marshall added, “No. Not exactly. Someone seems to have taken him.”

  “I didn’t see nor hear anything in these rooms.” She turned and shuffled away.

  Erika crossed her arms, hugging herself.

  “Can you poof inside?” he asked.

  “I can only go where I’ve been before. I have to imagine it in my head.”

  “Oh. Yeah.”

  “But I can try something else.” She let her arms fall and stared at the door. “Okay. Wish that the door was opened.”

  “What?”

  “Just do it. I can’t wish it myself.”

  Marshall pulled his lips to the side. This sounded silly. “I wish for the door to open.”

  Erika flung a handful of fairy dust at the door. It opened on its own accord.

  “Impressive.”

  They entered and shut the door behind them. He glanced at Erika. She thrust her hands into her pockets.

  “Okay, this gives me the creeps, sneaking in here and all. But that wizard shouldn’t have taken Whitwell.”

  “I’ll look in the bedroom and bath while you check out the living room,” he said. In his secret line of work, he was used to snooping.

  He explored the closet and bathroom first. They both had closed doors that could contain the critter. Then he checked beneath the bed and couch. Nothing.

  “Whitwell,” Erika was softly calling when he returned to the room.

  “He’s not here,” he announced.

  “We’ll keep looking.” The sadness in her voice broke his heart. He drew her into a hug.

  “Let’s check next door in Kamdyn’s unit,” she said into his shirt.