She sat watching several small, pink birds with long beaks digging and pecking in the sand at the water’s edge. Once she was back on Earth, she would make sure she took a vacation by the sea before summer was over. This beach reminded her of how much, as a child, she loved the sea. Esther’s foster parents, at one of her temporary homes, had taken her there on more than one occasion. She’d gathered shells and kept them until she was moved to another foster home. They had not been packed with her belongings.
Thinking of those shells, she looked around on the sand and saw what might be one close by. Esther leaned over and pulled it free. This action revealed another shell and she claimed that one from the sand, as well. They looked like clam shells, only bigger, and were deep blue with cream spots. Neither shell was broken. She would like to take them home, but wondered if, like anything Dreydon manifested, they’d disappear. Esther reasoned if that should happen, she’d give them to Dreydon to keep as little ornaments in his cabin, although she hadn’t noticed any type of bric-a-brac there. But really, do demons or angels collect knick-knacks? She giggled out loud just as Dreydon alighted in front of her.
“Are you having amusing thoughts?”
“Yes, I guess you could say that.” She held up the two shells and continued, “These are lovely. If I took them home would they disappear or stay as they are?”
“They were not manifested by anyone so you could keep them in your home on Earth.”
“Great.” Esther stood up and noticed Dreydon was holding in his hand two good-sized, dead fish held together by twine.
She asked, “Did they just catch those fish? If they did, I wouldn’t have thought they’d be dead yet.”
“They were alive when they gave them to me, but I used my angelic power to send them on their way from a physical existence.”
“Oh, I suppose angels can do that.”
“Yes, I can.”
He stood quietly, apparently waiting for more questions, but Esther could only say, “I’m guessing they gave you the fish in exchange for repairing the mast.”
Dreydon nodded and suggested, “Let’s go back to my home and I’ll cook the fish, but first I’ll dry your jeans and my pants.” He touched both pieces of clothing and all trace of water was gone from them. He was about to take hold of her, but she reached down and picked up the drawstring bag.
Esther asked, “Should we put on our footwear before we go?”
“No, we don’t need them when we’re flying. We can put them on when we’re in my home. I’ll carry the bag.” He reached for it, but she pulled it away.
“Unless you can magic an extra hand onto your body, you can’t hold me, the fish, and the bag. I’ll hold it.”
“You are always ready to fight with me either physically or with words. If you do that when I make love to you, my demon will be twice as fierce.” Dreydon put his free arm around Esther, lifted her up, and drew her to his upper chest. He took flight with her staring at his thick shirt.
Esther felt certain he was deliberately holding her in the opposite manner to what she’d previously requested. He was obviously spoiling for a fight.
Chapter Fifteen
Dreydon baked the fish and served them with peas and boiled potatoes. Esther thoroughly enjoyed this simple meal and ate more than she normally would when at home. It was a delicious white fish and he’d flavored it with what tasted like basil. He offered to go and pick some berries for dessert, but she was too full to even think about eating anything more. She was definitely going to miss his cooking and having someone prepare her meals. Esther also knew she wouldn’t be at a loss over just his cooking skills. What had begun as a dreadful experience of being abducted had changed into an interesting adventure with someone who could have easily stepped out of one of her novels. Her heroes were always a trifle wicked, yet they ultimately behaved in a forthright and gallant manner, protecting the heroine and falling madly in love with her. She could imagine Dreydon fighting against a mejin in order to rescue a female demgel from the warlord’s clutches. Or maybe even a human female? He would curl her toes with his fierce and erotic love-making. She was beginning to form in her mind a tale about a handsome demgel for her next book. The love scenes might be more explicit than those in her previous stories and that would please Anna.
After the dishes had been cleared away, they sat in front of the inglenook as they had done the previous night. Dreydon lit the fire with his eyes and sent an orb of glowing golden light up to the ceiling. For a while, there was silence between them. He resumed his staring while she thought about the lycans.
Esther needed to find out more about them. She wanted to know any extra tidbits that could be included in a future story of a shape-shifting hero. She asked, “Do the lycans stay in human form until the full moon?”
“That is a myth created by humans. Lycans can shift whenever it suits them. Usually, it’s when they feel aggressive or defensive. They have told me they also shift when they make love. As I explained, the young ones do it frequently and especially in front of strangers so that it becomes second nature to them.”
“And they live in caves and catch and eat fish.”
“The lycans we visited today do those things. They eat fish and also hunt. Other lycans live in different places and eat whatever they have brought down and killed.”
“What about the bracelets?” Esther touched the one on her left wrist.
“Long ago, many of the lycans were forced to work in the crystal mines. They extracted crystals for the mejins who used them to enhance their magic. Then, some of the lycans rose up against the mejins and claimed the mines where they worked. Since then they bring out crystals when they have need of them. Sometimes it’s to make jewelry, such as the bracelets. They exchange them with centaurs and the faery folk for what they need. Or they make use of the crystals within their own magical activities.”
“Oh, so lycans practice magic, too?”
“Magic is readily available on Kurbridor and many use it.”
“You certainly do.”
“Why not make use of it? Unlike mejins, I don’t apply it in a harmful way.”
“Well, you did glue my feet to the ground a couple of times.”
“That was for your protection. If you had escaped, by now you would either be dead or taken to a mejin.” Dreydon leaned close and added, “Are you trying to argue with me again?”
Esther looked for a quick retort and answered, “I think male demgels are very chauvinistic. They want to be dominant during sex, they don’t like to be argued with, and they do the opposite of what has been requested of them. Zortek’s remark about females existing to give males pleasure was definitely what a chauvinist would say. Of course you probably don’t know the meaning of that word.”
“I do understand its meaning. I’ve visited your world for more than thirty years so I know of human women wanting to break free from what they consider patriarchy.” Dreydon sat back in the chair and unbuttoned his thick shirt. He asked, “And what was done the opposite of what you had requested?”
“You carried me back from the beach facing you, even though you knew I wanted to see where we were going. That was a typical example of either male dominance, or you were spoiling for a fight in which you could show me how strong you are.”
“Ah, I thought you had missed that opportunity to spar with me. How shall we settle it, with words or actions?”
“I’m sure you would prefer we do it with actions so you can flex your muscles. Or maybe I should say so you can use your fangs and bite me? However, I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of doing that. I’ve made my point. You now know I don’t like you ignoring what I ask of you.”
“I would never ignore what you’ve asked of me except when I prefer to do so. When I hold you facing me, I feel as though you belong to me. That pleases me and my demon.”
“That is a typical chauvinistic remark. I belong to myself and not anyone else, especially not you.”
“Little E
sther, you have brightened my life these past two days. When you are gone with whom shall I argue or who will I bite?”
“I could suggest Perali. And don’t say my name like that.”
Dreydon looked amused but said nothing. He continued staring in his usual annoying manner. Esther felt sure he was waiting for her to reprimand him for the intent gazing, but she was determined not to do what he wanted. She closed her eyes and pretended to be relaxing. After a while, he got up, went over to the cupboard, and took out a stone bottle and two narrow containers. He came back to his chair, sat down, and placed the two containers on the hearth. Dreydon also removed the top from the bottle.
“I think you should have some grespat juice. It will make you feel less aggravated with me and I will be less unhappy about having to take you home. Grespat juice promotes the positive aspects of all things.” He poured some of the bottle’s contents into both containers and handed one to Esther.
She took it and looked at the liquid. It was blue. Esther thought that was most unappealing. “Yuck, it’s blue. What kind of juice has that color?” She tried giving it back to Dreydon, but he wouldn’t take it.
“Try it; I’m sure you will like this juice. The centaurs make it from the grespat grass that grows in this area. Zortek was leading you across a field of the grass when I first saw you.”
Esther remembered the long, blue blades of grass that gave off a mixed aroma of mint and lavender. Inhaling that scent had made her feel more positive about escaping from Zortek. And she actually had, but not without Dreydon’s help.
She lifted the container up to her nose and sniffed. It was the same aroma. Reluctantly, she took a tiny sip. There was definitely a mint flavor with a very subtle undertone of something else, but having no idea what lavender tasted like, she had to presume that was it. Esther sipped the juice again. It really was quite pleasant tasting and she could drink it as long as she didn’t look at its off-putting blueness.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s minty, but swallowing anything that color seems weird.” Esther shrugged. “I suppose it tastes okay.”
She continued drinking the juice and realized it was making her feel less combative with Dreydon. He’d given her food and shelter and told her about Kurbridor and some of its inhabitants. She was gaining lots of ideas for future fantasy storylines. He did keep making innuendos about having sex with her, but that was probably just to boost his male ego. Do demgels have egos, like humans? They must, because he definitely thought his love-making was something special. Perhaps it is? It apparently involved plenty of biting. For a moment, Esther contemplated gaining some first-hand experience with regard to the dynamics of demgel sex. That would prove useful if she was going to write a story in which the hero was a demgel. Oh no, that isn’t a good idea. She presumed the juice was making her have such a crazy notion. Esther placed the container down on the hearth.
“You look so thoughtful. Can I ask what you’re thinking about?”
“Why? Haven’t you snooped?”
“You asked me not to, so I’m trying to comply. I’m hoping you were thinking about me.”
“No, I was reminding myself of what I need to do when I get home.” Esther lied. “The first thing will be to call Anna and tell her I’m not at her store because I’m sick.”
“Even though I’m drinking the grespat juice, knowing you’ll be gone tomorrow makes me sad. I will miss you.”
“Yes, you’ll miss my arguing.”
“I will miss seeing your lovely face.” Dreydon leaned forward and touched her cheek. “Whenever I’ve been to Earth, my demon wants most of the women I see, but what he feels for you surpasses them all.”
Esther moved back from his hand. She knew she was going to miss seeing Dreydon, but she didn’t want to tell him that. Not knowing what to say she could only answer, “My face isn’t lovely, in fact, it’s quite plain.”
“To me and my demon it’s very lovely.” He got up and moved toward her, but stopped when Toldo’s scratching could be heard. Dreydon walked to the front door, opened it, and let the wolf inside. He padded over to Esther and licked her hand. She patted his head and then he lay down at her feet.
The demgel came back to his chair, sat down, and began stroking Toldo. The wolf rolled over, exposing his belly, which Dreydon rubbed. He said several words to Toldo, who then settled himself in front of the fire.
Esther was grateful for the distraction and, hoping to continue it she commented, “When an animal shows you its underside it means he trusts you completely.”
“Toldo is my friend. He knows I’ll always protect him and he’ll do the same for me.”
“Tell me how he became your friend.”
“About two years ago I was walking back from a visit to my centaur friends when I came upon a destroyed wolf’s den. The female’s body had been torn apart and was mostly eaten. There were three cubs, two dead and one badly bitten. I presumed there were probably more cubs that had already been dragged away to feed the young of whatever had attacked them. I also knew the predators would be back to harvest the three cubs, so I brought the injured one home with me. I helped him recover from his wounds and today he is my good friend.”
“That was a wonderful thing to do. Perhaps we should call you Dreydon the Rescuer? You rescued Toldo and me from harm.”
“Does that mean, like Toldo, you will stay here and keep me company?”
“You know I can’t do that. I have to go home and continue my life as it was before, but I won’t forget you.”
“That answer doesn’t satisfy my demon or me. I want to make you mine. Narrak said you could be my true mate if you put aside your aversion to me being a non-human. Does it really trouble you?”
“Yes and no. I could certainly be your friend, but nothing more. I’m sure there’s a female demgel somewhere on Kurbridor who can be your mate.”
“I don’t want a female demgel, I want you.”
“That’s ridiculous, Dreydon. We’ve known each other for less than two days. Please don’t talk about this anymore.” Esther searched desperately in her mind for something else to occupy their conversation. Nothing became apparent, so she looked around the large room and hoped something would catch her attention. Her gaze came to rest on the bookshelves. She could ask him about the books.
“Most of your books are written in what look like symbols and glyphs. Is it a language?”
“It’s the demgel language, a mixture of angelic script and the demon tongue. Does it interest you? I could teach it to you if you stayed here.”
“No, I was just wondering when you learned how to read it. Did your parents teach you or do demgels go to school when they’re children?”
Dreydon gave a bitter laugh. “The only thing demgel children are taught is how to serve their mejin. When I escaped, I spoke my language, but I could neither read nor write it. I eventually found a group of demgels who at different times had escaped from their mejins. They had formed a community and had managed to either steal or otherwise acquire some books that were written in the demgel language. They taught me to read and write. When I was ready to leave, one of the elder demgels gave me three books to take with me. It was his hope that I would eventually set up another community of escaped demgels. I never did, but over the years I’ve made contact with a number of other such communities. Across Kurbridor, there are quite a large number of demgels who, like me, don’t serve a mejin.”
“I suppose they’re the ones whose dominant side is angelic?”
“Yes.”
“So how did you get more demgel books?”
Dreydon grinned. “I’ve used my magic to get inside several mejins’ fortified homes and have taken some books from them. When the mejins first came here, all demgel literature was in the keeping of the original demgels. Once the mejins took charge of them, they removed all of the books so that future generations would not know about the times when demgels didn’t serve mejins. I know of them because I have these books t
hat were written long ago.”
“The books have given you back your heritage. You must treasure them?”
“I do.”
“What about the other books? How did you get them and who taught you to read English?”
Another grin became evident. “When I’ve been to your world, I’ve sometimes gone to libraries or bookstores disguised as a human. I’ve chosen a book here and there and brought them back with me. I taught myself how to read your language.”
“In other words you’ve stolen them. I guess your demon side must have encouraged you to do that?”
“Maybe, but does it matter? Is it my demon side that you dislike?”
“I didn’t say I don’t like you. That would be unfair. You’ve shown me kindness and made me aware of things I didn’t know existed. What I don’t like is when you imply that you’re going to have sex with me and that I should be your mate.”
“But I believe that will happen. Doesn’t your psychic ability tell you it is so?”
“No, it doesn’t.” That wasn’t a lie, yet she knew she was attracted to him and it was alarming. Even though parts of him looked human, he was a mixture of creatures that until very recently she hadn’t believed existed. She’d always imagined herself settling down with a man, not a being who had wings and scales. Esther reminded herself she mustn’t forget he wasn’t human no matter how attractive he was becoming to her.
“What can I do to make you accept my non-human origin?”
“There’s nothing. Let’s just say I’m friends with an unusual creature.”
“I am not a creature.” Dreydon sat back in his chair, watching Esther with half-closed eyes. Even though his eyelids covered much of his eyes’ darkness, the intensity of his stare was boring right into her. After several minutes of this partially veiled scrutiny, he said,
“Drink your juice and then we will go to bed.”
Great! What he’d just said meant they were about to have another argument. She had no intention of spending a second night in bed with a nude demgel. Esther leaned over the arm of the chair and picked up her container. She began swallowing the remainder of the blue juice and hoped it would make her feel more positive about convincing Dreydon she should sleep in the armchair.
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