by Sher Dillard
Thad shook his head. Rachel wondered if it was always like this for him. The last of the line? Always having to wait his turn? The family dynamics were fascinating. To her, Thad would always be this big, powerful presence. A force to be feared and admired. To Flint, Thad would always be his little brother. The proverbial pest.
Different perspectives, different outcomes, she told herself. But, she was fairly confident that she was right, and Flint was going to have to make some adjustments in his thinking.
“If the Gray is back,” Flint said suddenly with a serious look, “does that mean ...”
Rachel felt him study her, as if he were trying to understand something important.
“Yes,” Thad said with a heavy sigh. “I will explain at home.”
Flint smiled. “Mother will be pleased. Good job, little brother.”
Thad shook his head, he didn’t look happy, Rachel thought, as she tried to understand the coded words passing between brothers.
“We’ll see,” Thad said simply.
Flint nodded as if he knew exactly what his brother meant. Rachel’s frustration was beginning to build. Why couldn’t they speak in simple sentences? Why did everything have to be hidden behind veiled references and obscure meanings?
Flint studied them for a moment, then turned towards the horses. “You should be going,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “You have a long walk in front of you.”
Thad nodded and started for the wagon to retrieve their packs.
“Unless you’re going to give her a ride home,” Flint said. “Laila loves that. When I take her for a ride.”
Thad stiffened and shook his head. “It’s not like that,” he said. “It’s not like you and Laila.”
Flint stopped for a moment and looked back at them, his eyes probing hers. He shook his head slowly. “That’s a shame,” he said with a frown. “A real shame.”
“Who is Laila?” Rachel asked Thad, as he returned with their packs.
He smiled sadly. “His wife.”
“Oh,” Rachel replied as she fought to understand. Why was it a shame? she wondered. And, what did Flint mean by a ride? Did he mean that his wife rode on his back or was she a dragon also? Did the two of them go for morning flights? Soaring through the air, side by side like birds on the wing. The thought broke her heart. She would never be able to do that with Thad. She would never be able to give him what he had grown up to expect in a mate.
Was that what Flint meant by it being a shame? The fact that she wasn’t a dragon? Once again, Rachel knew what it felt like to be a true outsider. To be thought of as less than normal. Would she always be like this? she wondered. An outsider looking in on others?
She smiled to herself. Here she was being judgmental about Thad being a dragon, but in his world, she was the outsider.
.o0o.
Thad stepped into the forest and sighed with contentment. He was home. The air smelled of green. It was that unique smell of the forest. Wet leaves, old wood, and life. He stopped for a moment, closed his eyes, and let his soul drink it in.
Rachel stood quietly waiting. She hadn’t said a word since they’d left the wagons. The woman had to have a thousand questions bouncing around in her head, But, she’d kept quiet. As if afraid if she started she’d never stop.
His shoulders relaxed as he opened his eyes.
“You like it here,” she said. “I thought you’d regret coming back. But, you like it, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do,” he said. “It is home.”
“I thought you would regret it because I thought you left voluntarily. I didn’t know you were banished.”
There it was, he thought. The first of a dozen questions.
He smiled at her. “I wasn’t really banished,” he said. “More sent on a mission. I was told not to come home until I had succeeded.”
“A mission to find the coin?” Rachel said, as her hand reached up to caress the medallion around her neck.
He nodded, then pointed towards the trail and motioned her to go first.
Rachel glanced at the small trail that led off between the trees. He caught the nervous frown in her eyes and smiled to her.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Nothing in this forest will hurt you. Not as long as you are with me.”
She looked back at him with serious, appraising eyes. As if she didn’t fully believe him. Who could blame her? he thought. The lies and mistruths had surely made it so that she would never believe him again. The thought sent a sad shiver through him. So much lost. So much thrown away.
It’s almost over, he told himself. But, what then? His mother would make Rachel feel safe and secure. She would become part of Perralt. A nice home, friends, a purpose.
She would have her wishes answered. But, what of him?
He couldn’t stay. Not knowing Rachel was in the valley, but unavailable to him. There, But, away from him. Hating him, despising him.
She would always look at him as a monster. It could never be otherwise.
Rachel set her jaw and started up the trail. The trail to home. The way to the end.
Chapter Eighteen
The forest fascinated Rachel. The dim gloom underneath the trees. The strange plants and unfamiliar birds trapped her attention. She knew perfectly well that she was using the forest to take her mind off the man walking behind her. But, it was that, or face the fact that she didn’t really know this man, didn’t know this dragon.
Sighing to herself, she continued through the forest. Thad let her set the pace, pointing out when she should turn, or which fork in the trail to take. But, otherwise, he was quiet.
I wonder what he is thinking about, she thought. Is he anxious to get home? What then? What happens tomorrow, or the day after that?
The lack of information and that hateful awkward feeling between them ate at her. Nibbling away at her confidence and teasing her with what ifs. She could take it no more.
“So,” she said over her shoulder, “both your brother and mother live here?”
The pregnant pause was as loud as a thunderclap.
Thad sighed and said, “Yes. And, yes. Perralt is my home.”
Rachel continued on for a moment, refusing to let him know how much his words hurt. The fact that he had kept it secret, along with so much more tore at her heart.
“Interesting,” she said, “why keep it a secret?” That was the real problem, she realized. It wasn’t just that he had kept it a secret. It was that she couldn’t understand why.
She suddenly felt Thad take her wrist in his hand and gently pull her to a stop. A warm tingle traveled up her arm from where his fingers touched her skin. Rachel gritted her teeth to stop herself from reacting. She could not let him see the impact he had on her. Could not let him see that a simple touch could make her a quivering mess.
“Sit here,” he said, pointing to a fallen log. “This is going to take a bit.”
Rachel sat on the log and watched Thad pace back and forth as he gathered his thoughts. She bit her lip to stop herself from asking questions. Give him time, she thought.
“A long time ago,” Thad began, “in the valley on the other side of those mountains. A dragon ruled. An evil beast that terrorized the people of the valley. He killed and stole without remorse. The monster had one fast and firm rule. No strangers were allowed in the valley, or all would suffer.
“Not knowing this, a young man came to the valley. Wounded, barely alive, he was discovered by a young maid. She nursed him to health. She knew the dragon’s rule, but she ignored it. The man needed care.
“For some reason, the maid was drawn to help him.”
Rachel hid a smile, I can well imagine, she thought to herself. If she had been drawn to this man, as she was drawn to Thad, nothing in the world would have stopped her.
Thad smiled as he continued, “She was assisted by four men. A farmer, a hunter, a woodsman, and the mayor of the small village. Each of them helped her nurse the man. Keeping her secret from the dragon. Bring
ing food, wood for the fire, keeping nosy neighbors away.
“At last, the stranger regained his health. The men advised him to leave before he was discovered. The maid, of course, wished he would stay. But, one night, he left. Disappearing.
“She thought for sure she had lost the one man who she would ever love.”
Rachel held her breath. Where was this going? And, what did it have to do with Thad and his family?
“The monstrous Gray Dragon heard rumors of this man’s presence and stormed into the valley to exact revenge,” Thad continued, “he was met however by a new, large Green Dragon. They fought for hours. The villagers were terrified. If the Gray Dragon won, he would exact terrific vengeance on the people.
“But, of course, the Green Dragon won. Killing the Gray. Only after he had won did the people realize that they may very well have changed one evil for another, worse evil.
“The Green swooped in over the village and landed not far from the maid and the four men who had helped her. He had advanced only a short distance when he burst into flame and turned back into the man she had grown to love.
“The Green Dragon, my ancestor, was so thankful to the people of the valley that he promised to rule fairly. He would never steal from them. Never take maidens nor beasts of the field. He would protect them from all other dragons so that they could live in peace.”
Rachel’s brow narrowed in confusion. “Your ancestor?” she asked.
Thad nodded his head. “There is more.”
“I assumed so,” Rachel responded.
Thad ran his hand through his hair as he continued to walk back and forth
“The dragon, this Green Dragon, was so thankful for the help he had received that he gave each of the four men and the maiden a golden coin. Each one stamped with a Two-Headed dragon. His only remaining treasure.”
Rachel gasped.
Thad nodded again, confirming her conclusion.
“Yes, the very same medallion that hangs around your neck. He told them that his ancestors would honor their wish. That the possessor of the coin need simply present it and his ancestors would grant their desire.”
Rachel's mouth dropped open. Her father’s stories had been true. Every word.
“You mean... My coin ...”
“Yes,” Thad said with a thin smile. “Your family helped my family. We owe you whatever you may ask.”
Rachel stared off into space as she wondered which of the people of the valley had been her ancestor.
Taking a deep breath, Thad continued.
“The young maiden married the Green Dragon. Her coin came down through my family from mother to daughter. Two other coins have been retrieved. One by Drake and one by Flint.”
“That was why you were searching. Each son has been sent out to search for a coin.”
Thad nodded. “We must find the remaining two coins. That is why the Gray attacked us. It wants one of the coins. Drake believes the Gray is a decedent of the original dragon and he wants his valley back.”
Rachel stared at Thad with disbelief. “The valley back?” she asked.
“If the Gray has one of the coins he could demand that we return control of the valley to him.”
The words were dragged out of Thad like a fish hook being ripped from his guts. He so didn’t want to tell her the truth. His family’s fear, his family’s secret.
This was why he had not told her. The knowledge of what could be demanded and given was too valuable. Too dangerous to be shared with just anyone.
Rachel fought to understand all of the ramifications. If ... then...
“Your family?” she asked. “That means your family is descended from the Green Dragon.
Thad’s chin sank to his chest, and his shoulders slumped. “Yes,” he said.
“Your mother...”
Thad sighed, “My mother is the Queen of Perralt.”
Rachel’s stomach clenched up into a ball. A prince. Thad was a prince of the mountains. She felt her insides freeze as a cold chill ran down her spine.
Of all his secrets. Of all his lies. This was the worse. To not have told her. To let her think he was simply a traveling warrior. A sell-sword, available to the highest bidder.
To let her think that she and he might be more than passing strangers in the night. To let her dream and hope of a future. Her insides turned over with a feeling of loss at what might have been.
A prince? A dragon? A warrior? A scholar? Who was the real Thad?
“What else?” she said through tight lips.
“That’s it,” he said. “I wanted you to know the truth ...”
“Finally,” Rachel interjected.
He sighed. “Yes, finally, to know the truth before you met my mother and presented the coin. You can ask for so much more than simply protection and a place to live.”
“I don’t want more,” she said. “I never have.”
He sighed again. “I know Rachel. Believe me, I know. But, I couldn’t risk telling you before now. The coin is too valuable, too dangerous.”
An anger began to build inside of her as she thought about everything that had happened since this man walked through the door of her father’s library.
The fire, the destruction of everything she held dear. Her father’s books. Being chased by a fire breathing dragon. Being wounded by criminals. Losing her virtue to this man. Everything that had happened. All because of a silly coin and an ancient promise.
She stood up and started walking towards the mountains. Her arms swinging by her side as she climbed the trail.
“Where are you going?” Thad asked, as he rushed to catch up with her.
“To give your mother the damn coin so I can get out of your life and on with mine.”
The words had no sooner left her mouth that she wished she could take them back. The painful look in Thad’s eyes told her that she’d hurt him. A small part of her soul was pleased. It wasn’t right of her, and she had always thought of herself as never being vindictive. But, now, just then, she wanted to hurt him as much as he had hurt her.
Rachel’s jaw ached from grinding her teeth so hard. Why hadn’t he told her the truth from the very beginning? Why the big mystery? Granted, he had been worried for his family. For his heritage. Just as she had been in keeping the secret of the coin from him.
But, still. A prince? He could have told her that much.
She thought back to their nights together. The times she had rested in his arms after making love. Then would have been the right time to tell her. That special moment when they shared their souls.
But, no. He had kept his secrets. He hadn’t given himself to her. Not really.
The thought saddened her. So much had not been real.
Sighing, she squared her shoulders and tried to put it behind her. It was over. She would give them the coin and ask for enough to start a new life somewhere. Away from Thad. Away from secrets.
The pair continued through the woods. Rachel marching in front. Thad quietly following.
They walked for quite a while when Rachel burst through the trees and into an opening.
A solid white cliff confronted her. Where before there had been tall green trees and darkness. Now there was open sunshine and this monstrous rock wall in front of her.
“Thad,” a pretty, young girl screamed, as she jumped up from sitting on stone steps and raced across the clearing and into Thad’s arms.
A beautiful redhead dressed in a gorgeous green velvet gown. The young woman ran as if she belonged in this world.
Thad smiled and picked her up. Swooping her into a long turn as the girl squealed.
“You’re home,” she said. “Oh, how I’ve missed you.”
Thad smiled down at her. The obvious love in his eyes breaking Rachel’s heart once again.
Would the pain and disappointment in him ever stop? she wondered, as she stared at the young lovers?
Chapter Nineteen
Standing and watching the young couple hug each other h
ad to be one of the hardest things Rachel had ever done in her life. To see the adoration in the woman’s face as she looked up at the man holding her.
Rachel didn’t know whether to scratch the woman’s eyes out or melt into a puddle and disappear.
Thad caught her eye as he looked over the woman’s head. His eyebrow rose in questioning wonder. As if he didn’t have any idea why she might be upset.
Rachel straightened her spine and folded her hands in front of her while she waited.
“Gwyn,” Thad said to the young woman. “This is Rachel, from Carster.”
The young woman turned and smiled at Rachel. As if she didn’t have a care in the world now that her Thad was home and in her arms.
“Rachel,” Thad continued the introductions, “this is Gwynievere, my sister.”
Rachel blanched. His sister!
Thad smiled at her obvious mistake. She thought back to Juliet and Joseph. Had she done it again? Jumped to the wrong conclusion. How could she not. The man was so secretive it was impossible to know what was true and what was false.
She returned the young woman’s smile. Fighting to make it reach her eyes.
The young woman looked at her for a long moment then stepped away from Thad to take Rachel’s hand in greeting.
“Welcome, Rachel. Flint told us you were coming.”
The young woman was a bubble of happiness. Smiling, resting her hand on her brother’s shoulder as if afraid he might disappear into thin air like a wisp of wind.
Rachel thanked her, then looked at Thad with sad eyes. It was coming to an end, she realized. The adventure of a lifetime, the love of her life. It was all coming to an end.
Pushing the sadness away, she followed Gwyn up the long stone staircase. Thad following behind. The climb up the stairs passed in a fog as Rachel tried to come to grips with this new reality.
Finally, they reached the top.
“Come,” Gwyn said, taking her hand and leading her to a tunnel cut into the mountain. “I told them to prepare a room for you. You can wash up before meeting my mother.
A look passed between Gwyn and Thad as if meeting his mother might be of some consequence. Rachel wondered if the woman was as imposing as her son.