by Blue Saffire
KT Alder
Now where are my chips?
About the Author
K.T. Adler hails from the beautiful Island of Trinidad and Tobago but because of love; she moved from her home to Florida. She is an entrepreneur, social media addict, romance novel connoisseur—even though she is dyslexic—anime/ comic fangirl.
She loves spending time with friends, her husband, and her book boyfriends. She is also fond of her future readers and is looking forward to chatting and exchanging ideas with them.
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Dragon Wishes
Tiya Rayne
Dragon Wishes
Wicked Prince Charmings
Tiya Rayne
Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
Bay Shore, New York
Copyright © 2019 by Tiya Rayne.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Tiya Rayne/Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
PO BOX 5253
Bay Shore, New York 11706
www.TiyaRayne.com
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Ordering Information:
Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the “Special Sales Department” at the address above.
Dragon Wishes/ Tiya Rayne. -- 1st ed.
Dragon Wishes
Retelling of Aladdin
Brianna
What would you give to have your wishes come true? For me, Brianna Chambers, I’d do anything. I have a checklist. Two things I need in order to gain custody of my brothers.
A job and my own place. Those are my greatest wishes. I’m halfway to my goal when I take a job as the home caretaker for a mysterious billionaire and his very handsome nephew, Longwei. From the moment we meet I feel connected to him.
Wei
I’ve been trapped in that statue for 200 hundred years this time. Another mate has failed me, sending me back to its confines. Until now, I’m free and my mate stands before me. This time feels like it will be different. She’s different. Maybe this time she will break the curse, or will the chance to make her wishes come true cause her to forsake the bond between us?
Chapter 1
The Interview
Bri
I bounce my leg anxiously against the smoky stone flooring. When I first got the call about the home healthcare position, I was ecstatic. The money is amazing and it’s exactly what I need to get out of the rut I’m currently in. However, when I pulled up to the large mansion—and yes, it’s definitely a mansion—my nerves started to get the best of me.
This is my first job with Unified Health. I had just finished the four-week training when the call came in. I’m eager to start and a little intimidated. That intimidation grew when my run down, pre-owned Camry pulled into the circular driveway of this Gothic style mansion.
I tug on the sleeves of my thermal, covering the ugly bruises. Thank goodness for long sleeves and makeup.
Off in the distance a clock chimes three times. The exact time this interview is supposed to start. However, being the desperate person that I am, I arrived twenty minutes early.
“Ms. Chambers.” A deep voice from my left startles me and I nearly jump out of my skin.
A tall Asian man stands at the door of the parlor I’ve been sitting in for the last fifteen minutes, after the maid let me in. He’s clean-cut. Dark hair parted on the side in a low style. His perfectly fitted black suit looks expensive along with his shiny black shoes. His dark eyes seem to watch me expectantly. They rake over my body in slow observation.
My scrubs are plain, pink, and a bit ill fitting, but it was all the Goodwill had. My long sleeve thermal is a little too warm for the weather today, but I couldn’t leave it at home. My long dreads are pulled back into a low ponytail and I have a little concealer under my eye to hide the fading bruise. I think I look presentable, but after his inspection and scowl, I guess not.
“My name is Zhong. Follow me,” he demands before turning on his heels and walking out of the room. Already this interview is going downhill.
I quickly rise to my feet and follow. He leads me on a winding journey through the house. The dark wood, stained glass windows, and heavy woodwork are the continuing theme of the home. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out this house is haunted.
Zhong stops abruptly in front of a large wooden door and opens it. He steps back, allowing me to enter first. I walk into the room and right away I’m caught off guard. This place is gorgeous.
Much like most of the house I’ve seen, it continues with the Victorian/Gothic theme. So large it could fit an entire apartment inside of it. On the left side as I enter, two large picturesque stained glass windows let in soft light. The design on the stained glass looks like something from a movie. Some kind of serpent or dragon symbol.
On the floor is a deep burgundy Oriental rug. A sitting area is on one side of the room, closest to the door. On the other side, separated by two detailed pillars, is a large desk strategically placed in front of an even bigger fireplace. The rest of the walls in this office are built-in bookcases. This is the grandest office I’ve ever seen.
A chill runs up my left side. I use my hand to rub some warmth back into that arm. I get an odd sensation, almost like someone is standing right beside me. Yet, when I turn to look, no one is there.
The door clicks behind me, startling me. Zhong steps in front of me leading me to the other side of the office where the desk sits. He takes a seat behind the desk and holds out his hand for me to take the one across from him. The odd feeling fades and warmth surrounds me. As soon as I’m seated Zhong starts.
“How old are you?”
“Umm, twenty-three, but I’ll be twenty-four in a few months.” Unnecessary information, but I overshare when I’m nervous.
No movement or acknowledgement of my answer from him.
“Are you married? Have any children?” the questions are fired off back to back.
I squirm in my seat, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
“No kids, and I’m not married.”
“Are you seeing anyone?”
Okay, that was a bit personal, but my supervisor did say that the people we work for like to know who they’re letting into their homes. Plus, the job said this is an overnight position and I’m sure that means they’ll be very skeptical about who they hire. I try not to take offense to it.
“Ummm, no.”
His dark eyes gaze at me as if he doesn’t believe me.
“You sound unsure. D
o you need time to think over that answer?” This interview has just hit cosmic levels of awkwardness.
I sit up a little straighter in my chair as I reply a lot more assuredly. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Never actually had one really.” There I go again, oversharing.
Just answer the questions, Bri.
Another one of those silent stares that further increases the uncomfortable atmosphere. I get this feeling that I’m interviewing for something a lot more serious than an in-home aid for an elderly recluse.
I once again get that sense, as if someone is standing near me. This time it’s so strong I think I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. Of course, when I turn toward it nothing is there. That doesn’t stop the cold feeling from running up my left side.
“Is there a window open?” I ask for no other reason than to break the awkward silence.
I rub my arms vigorously trying to get the warmth to spread back out. I unintentionally move my sleeves up a little and now one of my ugly bruises is on full display. I quickly snatch the sleeve back down.
Turning my attention back to Zhong, I find dark brown eyes staring at my arm. Right where the handprint size bruise circles my wrist. Something falls off the mantle behind Zhong’s head. I find myself once again jumping at the unexpected sound. Zhong, however, never moves a muscle.
“There are no windows open,” he replies deadpan. “What happened to your wrist?”
Jeez this guy holds no punches. I look down at the scuffed toes of my tennis shoes as I search for an excuse for the bruises.
“I, uh, fell.” The worst lie ever.
It’s the lie every battered woman or child learns to tell. But in my defense, I wasn’t prepared for the question and couldn’t tell him the truth. I didn’t want him to know the mess I’ve gotten myself into again.
I don’t want anyone to know. Thankfully, I’ve learned my lesson this time. There’s just no such thing as love.
“Will it be a problem that you will be required to stay here overnight?” Another one of those emotionless questions.
“No, it won’t.” Not after the other night.
The room is silent again. The only sound is the ticking of a clock nearby. I squirm in my seat.
I need this job. I have a checklist and having a stable job with a good income is one of the things on it. So, this is a big deal for me.
“Mr. Zhong. I know I’m young,” I start. “And there are probably hundreds of better qualified people for this role.”
I hope he doesn’t hear the desperation in my voice. I don’t want to come off too needy. I heard that could be a turnoff in situations like this.
I continue with my plea, hoping he will cave. “I can do the job. I just wish you would give me a chance.”
The moment the words are out of my mouth, Zhong flinches and a heavy wind picks up in the room, blowing the papers on his desk. Even my dreads lift from my shoulders to toss in the wind.
Okay, there’s definitely a window open.
The wind dies down and Zhong frowns at me. “I want to speak with my employer for a moment. You will stay in this room, and Ms. Chambers, be very careful with what you so carelessly wish for,” he states before pushing the chair back and standing to his feet. He leaves me with that very random statement and the feeling of being oddly chastised.
As soon as the door closes behind him, I think to myself. I wish this interview would be over with. Then giggle.
The sound of creaking draws my attention to the right side of the room. No one is there and nothing seems to be out of place. However, something catches my eye.
In the middle of the bookshelf sits a dragon figurine. It’s about a foot and a half in length, with a reddish brown and black lacquer finish. On top of its head are two long horns.
Its body is serpent-like and coiled in three loops with spikes lining its back. It’s not like the dragons I see on popular TV shows and in movies. This is clearly an Asian depiction of a dragon. It’s crouching on four legs with its mouth wide-open and large wings spread. It’s beautiful.
Like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to it. I notice the closer I draw to the statue, the colder the room seems to get. I don’t even realize I’m moving toward it until I’m standing in front of it.
This close up, the details are much more prominent. I can even see the gold filigree outlining the scales. It also seems to be glowing, not like a glow stick, but it’s letting off a warm light. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Before I can think about what I’m doing, I reach my hand out to touch the dragon.
A burning hot sensation shoots through my fingers, to my wrist and up my arm. I snatch my hand back and shake it. Hoping the pain will subside.
“Freak, that hurts,” I say out loud to the lonely room.
“Let me look at it.”
The sudden voice causes me to squeal and spin around. I bump into something hard. I look up, and up, into a face that can only be described as heavenly.
Chapter 2
Mate
Wei
I can’t believe she is here. After all this time, another mate is standing before me. I have never known such beauty in all my life. Round shaped eyes the color of Black Tea, with long wispy eyelashes. A button nose that turns up slightly on the end and lips so full and succulent, I want to kiss them.
However, I think the most beautiful thing about her is her skin. A deep brown that reminds me of rich soil. The soil from my homeland, China, a place I haven’t stepped foot in 200 years. All because of Renshu. Just the thought of him makes me want to take my new mate and hide her away from the world. Unfortunately, the curse does not allow that.
“May I see your hand?”
She nods her head, but has yet to say a word.
I lower my eyes as the heat creeps up my face. She finds me attractive. That is good to know.
I lift her hand up to look at the time mark. Her fingers are small and delicate compared to mine. Flipping it over, palm up, I push back the sleeve of her shirt.
It requires a lot of self-control to not shift at the sight of the nasty bruises around her wrist. I noticed them earlier when I was standing near her, still in my spirit form. Then I had gotten so angry, I lost control and knocked a paperweight off the mantle. Thank goodness Zhong knew not to react.
I make myself ignore the markings on her wrist and go further up her arm where I know the time mark will be. I find it. The dark outline of a dragon has set into her forearm. And so, it begins.
“Wait, how’d that get there?” She rubs at the spot, but it does not go away.
“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “In time it will fade. It’s one of the effects of touching the statue.”
She turns away, glancing back at my prison for 200 years this time, and then turns back to me.
“Sorry about that. I usually don’t go around touching other people’s things.”
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize. It’s all right. My name is Longwei.” I give her a slight bow. “But you may call me, Wei.”
I hold out my hand desperate to touch her again, to feel that rush I get from contact with her. She smiles. My gods it is a magnificent smile.
“Brianna, or Bri.”
Our hands touch and I am reluctant to let her go this time. I know I’m behaving oddly, but I cannot stop watching her. She is lovely.
She blushes and pulls at her hand. I let it go, dropping my arms behind my back. Hopefully it will keep me from reaching out and pulling her into me. Just as I sensed he would, Zhong walks into the room. His eyes fall to me and I can see the surprise and joy before he tampers it down.
“Master Longwei, I see you are… home.”
I smile at my loyal longtime friend. “I am. I pray for good this time.” We take a minute to silently express all that we have not been able to say over the last 200 years. Not since the last time my mate sent me back to my statue.
Zhong turns back to Brianna. “It seems my employer would like to hire you for the job.”
The smile that lights her face causes the air to rush out of my lungs. Something as simple as a job has brought her great joy. My new mate doesn’t seem hard to please. She is unlike my mates from before. Maybe this time it will be different, despite her already using up one of her three wishes on something she would have already received.
“Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Zhong. I promise I will do the best job ever.”
Zhong nods his head at her. “I will see you back here tomorrow night. No later than 7:00 pm. I will run down the rules then.”
“Yes. Absolutely,” she agrees easily.
“All right. I will have Mrs. Chen see you out.”
“I will walk her out,” I find myself saying.
I am in no rush for her to leave my sight. I want her to stay with me where I know she will be safe. If I have found my new mate, it means so has Renshu.
“I don’t think that would be a wise idea, Master Longwei. You have just returned from your trip, you may not be up for the journey,” Zhong states lifting a brow.
I forgot about all the restrictions of this curse. Yes, my new mate has awakened me, and set me free after all these years, but I am still very much chained to the damned statue. I can move about only within distance of the statue, unless my new mate calls for me.
I glance down at the gold cuffs around my wrist, the shackles that bind me to my statue, and nod my head in disappointment.
“Well, it was nice meeting you, Wei.” She smiles so prettily toward me.
“You as well, Brianna.”
I watch as the new maid escorts Brianna out of the office. I feel the tug of our mating bond stretch with every step she takes away from me. She must feel it too, because she turns back to look at me at least twice before disappearing out of the room.