by Blue Saffire
Good Morning
Blaise
I stumble into the dining room. I’ve been fighting with myself all morning. I hadn’t planned to show my face after that dream.
It was so real. I had to convince myself that Argon wouldn’t know that I dreamt about him in such vivid color and in such a way. I felt every kiss, every touch. I wanted that kiss from his lips so badly.
“Stop it,” I chide myself as my thoughts travel back to the dream.
“Good morning.”
I lift my head to find Argon standing behind the chair he has pulled for me. He has an odd look on his face. I stare at him for a moment trying to figure out what he’s thinking.
Does he know?
His eyes fall to my breasts, then roll further down my body. His nostrils flare and he licks his lips. I bounce nervously from hoof to hoof and furrow my brows.
I don’t know his powers, but I’ve felt them. I wonder if he can see my thoughts. He looks down at my hooves and his brows crease and he cheeks turn red.
“Good morning, Blaise,” he says.
His voice comes out husky and deep. I clench my thighs, remembering how he commanded me to lie back in the dream. I’ve never experience the touch of a man. At least, it’s not something I can recall.
“Good morning,” I reply, ducking my head away from his penetrating gaze.
I move to take the seat he pulled for me. My cheeks are burning as I keep my eyes on the table before me. I’m relieved when Bach and Dinesh fly in with breakfast.
I tear into my oatmeal as soon as it’s placed in front of me. I’m famished as if I used real energy in that dream. Gods know, I woke soaked between the legs, my body still convulsing from the pleasure Dream Argon inflicted on me.
“Did you sleep well?”
I jump at the sound of his voice. I place a hand over my chest to still my heart. Looking out the corner of my eye, I question if he knows.
I lick my lips. “Yes and no.”
He lifts a brow in question. I start to fidget in my seat. Remembering what it was like to be a lady. I reach for my napkin and place it in my lap.
Smoothing my hands across the fabric, I buy myself time to answer. When I look at him I nearly whimper. His gaze is heated and fixed on me.
“I had a dream,” I breathe. “It was very real and unsettling.”
He licks is full lips. “Must be something in the food,” he mutters.
It’s almost too low for me to hear. Actually, if not for my enhanced hearing, I don’t think I would’ve. I look at my bowl of oatmeal and wonder if Dinesh could be playing with the food again.
“Excuse me.”
“Nothing,” he says shaking his head. “Those hallucinations. Were they limited to the night you healed me?”
“No,” I say cautiously. “My venom is still in your system. It will be some time before it leaves. You can have them as long as it’s in your blood.”
“Hm.” He purses his lips and nods.
“Have—have you had one?”
He pulls a hand down his face. “I may have had more than one. Would you like to take a walk with me again today?”
I turn back to my food. I had an excellent time with him yesterday. Argon is funny and wise. I believe he’s a great warrior in his world.
My heart aches. His people probably miss him. Losing him has most likely changed his world.
“Yes, I’d like that.”
Argon
I stand before the mirror in my bedchamber with a towel around my waist after a shower. I thought it would help me to clear my mind. It has only left me with more thoughts swirling in my brain.
I shouldn’t be so nervous to go on a walk with this creature. Nothing can become of us. Even if I think that my spirit link has opened to her.
“Think, Argon,” I growl at myself.
I need to know what all of this means. Once my link is open to my mate, it will not accept another. I have to figure out what has opened it and how I can close it back.
“You know. You should stop fighting what you feel and go with it.”
I turn to find Dinesh and Bach watching me. Dinesh is the one that spoke. He watches me closely with his light brown eyes.
“What do you know of what I feel?” I fold my arms over my chest.
“It’s in your eyes. You look at Blaise with great interest,” Bach says as if proud of something.
“I’m to wed someone else,” I say with little conviction. “Besides, Blaise and I are from two different worlds.”
“If you say so.”
“What Dinesh is trying to say is that Blaise may be more like the women you are used to than you think,” Bach says as he glares at Dinesh.
“I doubt that. None of the women where I’m from are half woman, half— what is she exactly?”
Bach frowns and shakes his head. “You continue to look at things with your eyes and not your heart. Things around here aren’t to be seen but felt.”
I mull over his words. Frustration grasps me as the spirit link pulses for its other half. I clench my jaw against the ache.
“Is it safe to say something is going on between you and Blaise. I mean, beyond your curiosity about her. These pains she’s complaining about when you’re not around.”
“They’re more severe for her than they are for you. You know what they are don’t you?”
I look into Bach’s eyes and note the concern there. My own concern wins out. I’m in motion before I answer him.
I use my powers to dress as I walk. I will not allow her to be in pain because of me. I move faster as the link pulses.
“Well, I guess that means he does know,” Dinesh says behind me.
“Yes, I do.”
Chapter 9
Snow
Blaise
“Is that… snow?” he says and looks out of the window.
“Have you never seen snow before?”
“I’ve only seen it through holograms in my world. I’ve never experienced it firsthand. I heard it used to snow all the time, but something happened many years ago,” he says, still staring out of the window with awe.
“Come, you have to go outside,” I say and grab his hand to tug him out of the castle with me.
I’ve been waiting for him to meet me in the foyer after breakfast. He wanted to freshen up. I needed time to collect my thoughts so it was a win for me.
“This is more beautiful than in a hologram,” he murmurs as we stand out in the little storm.
I look at his face as he looks up at the sky. Snowflakes fly onto his high cheekbones and against his full lips. I want to reach out and touch them, even as they melt against his skin.
He lowers his gaze to mine and I quickly look away. He pinches my chin and brings my face back to his. His finger brushes my scar beneath my lip and his eyes fall to where his skin meets mine.
“I thought it would feel different, hard or liquid like. It’s soft like the rest of your skin,” he says in awe. I drop my eyes to the ground. “Blaise, look at me.”
I look into his blue eyes and they seem to sparkle out here in the open light. I can see his breath as the cool air chills it. He moves closer to me.
“Your eyes are the color of the sky. Not only blue, but blue and gray. They look like clouds,” I say, not able to stop the words.
“Your eyes are expressive. I can see your thoughts through them.”
This moment has become too intense. I pull away and move quickly to grab a hand full of snow to throw at him. The look of surprise on his face causes me to laugh.
A slow smile comes to his lips. “I like it when you laugh. However, I’m going to make you pay for that one.”
I yelp and run away as fast as my hooves will take me. Argon his faster. A snowball hits me in my shoulder and I stumble forward a little and trip over my own feet.
“Blaise,” he calls in concern, rushing to catch me.
His arms are around my waist tugging me into his chest before I know it. I look up into his ey
es and blink. He’s truly fast.
“I’m okay,” I whisper.
“I shouldn’t have thrown it so hard. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m fine. I tend to trip over myself sometimes.”
He searches my eyes. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until he reaches to brush a snowflake from my hair. I bite my lip.
“Come on, let’s go back inside. It’s cold out.”
I shake my head. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
Argon
Blaise takes my hand, her eyes full of excitement. She leads me to the rose garden, where the fire roses are. I don’t know how my father found his way to them.
They’re encased within a maze. The walls shift, closing off passages we’ve moved through as we go. Blaise maneuvers the path easily as if knowing the way by heart. However, I get the feeling anyone else would be lost in these mazes forever.
Their magic alone threatens to suffocate. The leaves ripple with power as we pass by. They whisper warnings with every step.
“Go back.” “Enter at your own risk.” “Do not touch what isn’t yours. A price will be required.”
I narrow my eyes. How could my father have been so foolish? Was that rose really worth it?
“Argon, beware.”
Blaise squeezes my hand gently. “They will not harm you as long as I am here.”
“How does one make it through without you?” I question.
“You mean, how did your father make it into the garden?”
“Yes.”
“I was curious. I allowed it. He seemed to know where he was going.”
Her words imply I shouldn’t pry further. I tighten my jaw and hold in all of my inquiries. There’s no need to frustrate us both over something we cannot change.
The snow continues to fall overhead. As we approach the opening to the garden, I grow worried about her beloved roses. This snow will surely put out their fire.
However, once we’re closer I can feel the heat of the roses. It’s warmer than the last time she brought me here. When we step into the garden I understand why.
As the snowflakes fall on the petals the flames consume them. It’s as if the snowflakes are fuel to the roses. The cold from when we were in front of the castle is no longer a concern.
“You’re warm,” I say as I note the beads of sweat on her upper lip. “Shouldn’t you remove your cloak? I will hold it for you.”
She chews on her lips for a few seconds. I reach for the button that closes the cloak at her throat. Releasing it, I push the fabric from her shoulders. I go to place it across my forearm, but it vanishes.
I grin at her as I cause my own coat that I summoned when we stepped out of the castle to vanish. Her lips twitch and her eyes sparkle. I note the end of her tail swaying behind her as the length is wrapped around her. It’s heart shaped tip, rocks from side to side like a pendulum behind her.
“Do you know why your father wanted one of these roses?”
I tilt my head and think over her question. Stories of fire roses tickle my memory, but I can’t for the life of me remember them in this moment.
“No.”
“They are roses of eternal life. At least, that’s one of their powers. When you give one to someone you truly care for they will live forever. No weapon will be strong enough to take them from you,” she says.
I watch as she reaches for one of the roses and hands it to me. I smile down at her as I hold the rose. Its flames dance as the snow falls onto it.
I run my finger over the flames and watch as they caress my skin without burning me. My smile broadens. Lifting my gaze to Blaise’s amber eyes, I have an idea.
I reach to brush my fingertips along her temple, tracing the hairline of her thick hair. I push her hair behind her ear as I search her expressive eyes. With my other hand, I gently place the rose in the side of her full locks.
It settles into place and the flames calm. It’s as if it belongs right where I placed it. Blaise places a hand over her chest and I know she has felt the tug on our link.
I slip my hand into hers. “Come. Let’s see what we can get into for the rest of the day.”
Chapter 10
Music Notes
Argon
It’s been another long day. They seem to be longer here. I’ve lost track of how many days it has been.
I believe a few weeks, maybe even months have passed. I’ve grown more restless with each night. My mind wars with my feelings and my spirit link.
I’ve avoided reading before bed since my last encounter, but tonight my mind has too much going on to sleep. I decided to try reading again. However, I steered clear of the romance novels.
I don’t know how the humans used to read those. The vivid imagery and drawing of emotions can be taxing. I shake my head as I think of the draw it had on me.
I decided on a book about mystical musical theories. It should be safe enough to help me fall asleep. Although, I have thought about a certain cellist a few times as I turn the pages.
Blaise has something about her that draws you in. I’m more intrigued with her the more time I spend with her. It’s something beyond the blushing flames of her cheeks and her watchful glances.
She has a playful personality. I’ve found her heart to be kind, which has surprised me. Her magical laugh is something I enjoy pulling from her.
“Argh,” I groan as I start to think about her again. I force myself to focus on the pages before me.
The passage I’m reading talks about music rooms and how artists can draw from their surroundings to perform. Everything from the acoustics to the vibe of the room affects the artist.
Suddenly, my vision blurs. “Oh no,” I breathe.
It happens so quickly this time. I stand in the middle of Blaise’s bedroom, where she plays her cello. I have no clothes on, it’s the way I’d gone to bed tonight.
Blaise sits in the chair in a black silky robe. Her hair is pulled up on top of her head exposing her neck. I focus on her and note a few things.
Her form is that of a woman again. Her small feet are planted on the floor encased in red heels as she plays. Her long black nails are not as long or sharp looking.
Candles are lit around the room, providing a romantic ambience. The music she’s playing isn’t the sorrowful song she played before. It’s majestic and romantic, much like the setting around her.
She’s playing with such passion. Each note caresses my skin and ears. I’ve never heard a musician play the way she does. She breathes life into the song.
Moving closer, I want to see her face. I have to see if it’s covered from me again. This time I want to be able to kiss her lips.
I stop behind the chair she sits in and place a hand on her shoulder once she stops playing. Cupping beneath her chin with my other hand, I tip her head back. A smile comes to my lips when the face I’ve become accustomed to comes into view.
Wordlessly, I slide my hand from her shoulder, down into the opening of her robe to cup her breast. Her lips part and a moan leaves them as I pinch her tightened peak.
“Argon.” My name falls from her lips.
I think of her essence on my tongue in the other hallucination. I want to taste her again. As I have the thought, she stands and turns to me.
I push the chair out of the way and place a hand on her waist and bring her closer to me. Reaching for the tie of her robe, I tug it free. Slipping my hands into the silky fabric, I watch her eyes for a sign of protest.
She looks back at me shyly, but offers a nod. I push the fabric from her shoulders and it floats to the floor. Her gorgeous skin is revealed to me, causing me to salivate for a taste.
Blaise reaches to touch my chest. “You’re a beautiful man.”
I place my fingers under her chin and tip her head back. I brush her lower lip with my thumb. My gaze drops to the scar beneath her lip. I draw my finger across it and her lips part.
“You’re a beautiful creature, Blaise.” I lift my eyes to h
ers. “Inside and out. You’re very beautiful.”
Her cheeks heat and the flames under her skin show. I lean in and kiss one cheek, feeling its warmth on my lips. I smile. So many things about her intrigue me.
I place more gentle kisses across her skin until I reach her lips. Taking the plush pillows in a passionate kiss, I savor the flavor of her mouth. Blaise wraps her arms around my neck and I bring her into my body.
Her full breasts mold against my chest. She fits me perfectly. She releases a cross between a sigh and a moan. I groan in return and deepen the connection.
I allow my palms to glide down her smooth skin and grasp the globes of her round ass. Blaise whimpers. The sound drives me wild for her.
“Tell me you’re mine. Mine to take,” I breathe against her lips.
I want her so badly, but it’s my realm’s custom to have consent before claiming a woman. She has to offer herself to me. I search her eyes, waiting and needing her to give herself over as my cock throbs in pain.
“I am yours.”
Her words are spoken forth softly, but they carry a power that blows around us like a force of wind. My spirit link bursts open completely. My eyes widen as my spirit reflection reveals itself.
Blaise turns to see what I’m staring at and she yelps and jumps into my arms. I chuckle and hold her close. Dipping my head into the crook of her neck, I nuzzle her soft skin.
“Have you never seen a dragon before?”
Granted, my spirit dragon is huge. Half of his body is outside on the balcony as the rest of his massive body spans the space that it can in the room. His black iridescent scales reflect the blue glow that surrounds him.
She turns back to me slowly. Her eyes are widen and her lips part. I give another chuckle.
“Where’d that come from? What… we don’t have dragon’s here.”
“It is my spirit reflection. You have unlocked it.” I look deeply into her eyes. Her reflection should have come forward as well.
I shake the thought away. This is just a hallucination. However, I see my match in her eyes. Perhaps it’s the illusion that prevents her reflection from joining mine.