“Yasqu’s tail hit a vase, and Noba used his magic to catch it and put it back. Babies know not how to watch their tails.”
“Good work, Noba.” She patted his flank, and he puffed his chest high. After grabbing up a book, she headed back out.
Cullen accepted the volume from her and said his goodbyes to the other two women. He made conversation with Lyra about the book’s plot as they walked onto the front porch. “Any problem upstairs?” he asked.
“Nope. Just as you said, Noba had it under control. I should learn to trust you.” In his gray-blue eyes there seemed much she didn’t know, but maybe all those unknowns would only bring her happiness. Like Jean had reminded her, life was short. Lyra needed to talk openly about these feelings with him. If only there was time.
“Yes. But, trust more than my magic, Lyra. Call me if you need anything. I’ll give you some time to get your writing done, although I’ll miss you.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, then squeezed her tightly against him.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as their tongues met. She loved how he made her feel.
He released her and brushed his lips against the palm of her hand. “Have a good evening.”
She sat on the porch swing and watched him walk down the street. Today was Tuesday. Monday seemed too long to wait to see him again.
***
Once Nancy left, Lyra made her room more comfortable for dragon-keeping. She rooted around and pulled an old blanket from the cedar chest at the end of the hall. This became her new bedspread or play place for her guests. A couple old bath towels made fine dragon beds.
Jean used to have a cat. Last weekend when Lyra found the planters, a bag of kitty litter sat behind them. If she could find the old litter box, would dragons use it? Definitely worth a try. Out in the garage, she moved the old lawnmower to reach a set of shelves. There she found the litter box and filled it with pellets. Underneath, by good luck, was a box of old toys. She took both upstairs.
“Noba, you and Yasqu can use this to go to the restroom.” She motioned to the box as she set it in the corner.
“Restroom? What does Lady Lyra mean?” He crouched low and stared up at her with wide eyes.
She wrung her hands. How to convey her meaning to a dragon. No idea. Try every synonym and maybe one will strike understanding. “Urinate, defecate, eliminate, waste…”
The pseudodragon turned his head from side-to-side, eyes squinting, as he tried his best to concentrate.
“Dump, poop, pee…”
“Yes! Pee, poo.” He jumped up on the bed and sailed into the air. “Noba knows!”
Lyra clapped her hands and then caught herself. Was she really cheering for a house dragon to grasp her idea of peeing in a litter box? Yep, she was, and mighty pleased to contain whatever awful smell it might be. “Pee and poo in box.” She pointed for clarification.
“Yes, and will teach baby.”
One big hurdle down, she saw to dinner. First, she fixed food for the two dragons. Her goal—fill their bellies and get them to sleep while she cooked a meal. Luckily, she had thought to stock up on supplies when she arrived in town. She headed to her room with a tray of sandwich meats, a couple hard-boiled eggs, a loaf of bread, lettuce, carrot strips, and two dishes of water.
Cracking the door to spy inside, she saw a happy scene. Noba and Yasqu rolled on her bed. She chuckled as she stepped inside. The minute she did, the two quieted and watched her every move.
Once she placed the tray on the floor beside her desk, they jumped down and made a beeline for the food. Noba no longer acted as teacher and took the lead in a first come, first served battle.
Lyra sat on the floor and hand fed the baby, to be certain he got his fair share.
After they fed, she showed them to their towel beds. She waited until they settled with heads down.
On her way to the kitchen, she poked her head into the master bedroom. Her aunt slept quietly. Tired from the day’s adventures herself, she heated up some canned soup. She scooped a bowl and placed it, along with a cup of gelatin, on a tray for her aunt.
“Time for dinner,” she called as she entered Jean’s bedroom.
The elderly lady murmured and turned her head.
Lyra urged once more and slowly raised the head of the bed up. Groggy and weak, Jean trembled. Lyra sat beside the bed, carefully spooning soup for her aunt. Thoroughly cleaning any spills with a damp cloth, she ran a hand along her aunt’s warm cheek, wishing she could bring her more comfort.
Back in the kitchen, Lyra ate her own soup with a sandwich, alone at the breakfast table. A houseful of people or beings to care for and she still felt lonely. She wished Cullen were there. She wanted to share a love and a happy life with him…if only his magic didn’t alienate her. Time would tell her whether it would work, but she was impatient.
***
Before Lyra opened her eyes the next morning, she felt the weight of two tiny bodies pressed against her back. Forgetting her roommates, she jumped. When her memory clicked, she looked over and grinned at the two smiling faces eager to play with her. They somersaulted and catapulted across her legs while she rubbed sleep from her eyes. She’d stayed up late writing since the house sat quiet.
After a quick shower, she started a pot of coffee and served the dragons breakfast upstairs. When they finished, she presented them with the box of toys and went downstairs with her laptop. She stuck her head in Jean’s doorway, carrying a breakfast tray. Her aunt’s rosier complexion showed improved strength, and she fed herself some toast.
“Shall I work on my story with you this morning?” She handed Aunt Jean a mug and supported the bottom.
“Oh, yes, Lyra. Please do.”
She spread the character and setting cards over the foot of the bed. One by one she arranged them in sequence and told the story aloud. “Aunt Jean, I want to tell you more about this tale. The truth behind it.”
The elderly woman sat upright, best she could, and a smile crossed her lips. “This sounds like it’ll be good, knowing you. No need for me to read a novel today.”
She cleared her throat. “I’m really the heroine. And Cullen, the owner of the bookstore you met, he’s the wizard. I’m on a quest to write all this and other adventures of the fantasy world into a book before the rising of the red moon in August. If I can, it will prevent the Black Dragon from gaining more power and overtaking the good Alliance.” Lyra continued to recount details as Jean listened intently.
“My! That’s a tall tale, Lyra, and a right good one.” She leaned back on the pillows, her eyes shining bright. “Do you have any proof to convince an old lady?”
“This is from a book, my favorite when I was a child. Somehow I lost it. Cullen located my copy and returned it to me. When I opened it, I could enter the world again, like I used to. Maybe I can get it from him to show you.”
“Why not have him bring it along to dinner on Monday?”
“Do you think I’m crazy for believing in magic?” Lyra held her breath.
“No, dear. Believe in whatever brings you happiness. You’ve seen enough of the hardships of life. Keep a clear head, but follow your heart.”
Lyra smiled and hugged her.
“You’re squeezing the tar out of me, but at least I know you love me,” Jean laughed.
Lyra grinned ear-to-ear as she gathered the index cards, seated herself at the computer, and began to type.
After half an hour, her aunt dozed with a book open on her stomach.
Nancy would arrive in an hour, so it was time for Lyra to take her charges into the backyard for a bit of fresh air.
Upstairs, she stuffed a tennis ball into her shorts pocket. With Yasqu in her arm and Noba running after her heels, she headed out the back door. After she checked for neighbors, the little group moved next to a flower bed and sat in the grass.
The baby chewed on leaves while Noba explored the flowers.
“Is it okay that he eats leaves?” she asked.
&nbs
p; “Very fine. Dragons can eat almost anything. These yellow flowers taste good.” He leaned out with a mouthful of a black-eyed Susan.
“Don’t eat my aunt’s flowers.” Suddenly, a large black butterfly with purple eyespots on both its forewings and hindwings emerged from the flowerbed and landed on Elisabeth’s necklace.
“Why not? Taste good. Try one.” He handed her a flower. “Butterfly likes the one on your neck.”
Lyra tried to shoo it off, but it persisted and returned at least a dozen times before it gave up and sailed off to the grape vines. “Yes, it sure does. Please, don’t tear the flowers off. They are there to look pretty. Not to eat.” She wondered if the magic in her necklace attracted that butterfly.
She remembered the ball and rolled it to Yasqu. Was that butterfly in some way watching Yasqu? To safeguard or do harm? He was to grow into an honored High Council position, certainly powerful enough to attract attention…but not quite yet. He gurgled a few puffs of smoke and landed belly first on top of the ball in an awkward tackle.
Noba laughed, “Much to learn about attacking.”
The two wrestled for a while and passed the ball between them. No doubt Noba could overpower the baby, but he played gently with his charge. He patiently taught Yasqu how to grab a hold with a firm grasp.
Nancy was due to arrive, so Lyra herded them to her room. The play had tired them, and naptime gave her some peace. As she settled down to write, her phone rang.
“The critters must be doing well since you haven’t called,” Cullen said in a cheerful voice.
“They’re fine. Noba is a tremendous help. You were right. You sound happy today.”
“Just that you made it through the night without a problem is good.”
“So not hearing from me makes you happy? Hmm.” She laughed.
“Not at all. In fact, I’m hoping to come by Saturday night for a short while to see you and check on the dragons. Will that work? I need to practice more tandem magic with Kenzo tonight and Sunday evening.”
“Yes, by then I’ll need a break from writing. I’m getting lots done since dragons like to sleep.”
“Great! I’ll come by around nine. If you need anything before then, call.”
Lyra said goodbye and closed the phone, warmed by the fact he thought to call and wanted to see her. She formed daily writing goals, so she could be relaxed come Monday evening for the dinner.
The rest of the day and Saturday fell into routine and she used the dragons’ quiet play times and naps to spend with Jean and work on the chores of writing, laundry, cleaning, and cooking. Babies did well with a schedule, including baby dragons. Intent on serving, Noba appeared proud to anticipate how to be useful. Lyra welcomed a few days of ordinary life—if living with two dragons could be considered ordinary. Would Cullen’s magic and world ever seem typical and comfortable? She hoped so.
***
After dinner on Saturday, she took a second shower for the day. The break in routine threw Noba into a spin of confusion. That agitated Yasqu and by the time she dried off, they both jumped on her bed like a trampoline, the pseudodragon showing the young one how to fly a foot or so between leaps.
In the midst of chaos, she managed to find a summer skirt and sleeveless top. Putting on make-up and fixing her hair never seemed more difficult. She gave up on jewelry. Motherhood was hard. The doorbell rang too soon for her to feel together, but at least Cullen would take charge of the dragons and restore some order.
She greeted him at the door with, “Come in. You’re needed upstairs to discipline.”
“I was expecting a kiss.” He raised an eyebrow, but followed as she turned away. The dragons bounded through the air and tackled the wizard as he entered. “Glad to see you too, Noba,” he laughed. He looked at Lyra. “What happened? You were doing so well.”
“Getting ready for your visit threw their routine off. I’m not ready to be a mother.” She stepped to the dresser mirror to finish arranging herself and give him space to handle the animated pair.
The dragons flew in circles around Cullen until he stooped to their level. He listened patiently as they told about their adventures in the garden. One by one, Yasqu proudly presented his favorite toys, several sandbox trucks and a baby doll that cooed when he pressed on her stomach. Noba rivaled for time. Between boasting how he helped care for Yasqu, he also showed off his new possessions—a large button children’s calculator and a battery-powered race car.
Once Lyra was collected, she eased into the upholstered chair and enjoyed watching them for several minutes.
Cullen nodded to her. “You just need more powers, which will come. Watch.” He sat on the bed and pulled each one to a knee. “Quiesco abnocto.” In a moment, their primary eyelids drooped, then the second set. One by one he scooped them up and placed them on the towel beds as Lyra pointed them out. Their outer eyelids closed and they snored softly. “There. Motherhood’s a snap with some magic. They’ll sleep until daybreak.”
“I’m impressed.” Lyra smiled at the slumbering pair.
Cullen pulled her to him. “You impress me.” He leaned his face down, and his lips parted hers. Their embrace tightened and he walked them a step to the edge of the bed. Holding together, they dropped onto it.
“You feel wonderful,” she breathed. “Is this magic too?”
“No, it’s you.” He caressed the bare skin of her shoulder and then covered it with kisses.
She ran a playful finger along the whiskers of his goatee. “Other than with the vanilla bluet, have you ever used magic to…umm…”
“I should never have done that. Now you question me. No. That was the only time.” He pushed her hair aside and trailed his tongue over the outer rim of her ear. “This is better than magic can create.”
“I can’t compare, but it’s better than any other I know.” She smiled and turned her lips to meet his.
He thrust his tongue deep, hungrily probing her mouth.
Passage of time was lost to Lyra as she gave way to the tingles coursing over her skin, the heat rising in her face. His muscles were firm under her touch.
His hand moved along her skirt to knead her hips.
His touch made her delirious, but a voice in the back of her mind made her pull away, still unsure if a wizard could really feel true love. “You said you wanted to wait for a special place?”
“Umm, yes. I did.” He sat up. “We’ll wait,” he said reluctantly. “What time shall I come for dinner on Monday?” He seemed more relaxed with their intimacy. Why did she now have concerns?
“Around four, and can you bring my Book of Dragonspeir? Aunt Jean asked to see it when I told her a bit about the story I was writing.”
“Sure.” He gave her a quick kiss and stood.
She walked him down to the front door, wishing she hadn’t been the one to stop things, but she needed to know something. What was missing that she needed to understand? Impatient with herself, she sighed, then kissed him goodnight on the porch.
***
Lyra scurried between kitchen and her laptop, which was on the breakfast table. Between marinating the walleye fillets and peeling potatoes, she formed bits of story in her mind and darted over to type.
The doorbell rang and Nancy interrupted her chatter and end-of-the-day record keeping to answer—a welcome few minutes for Lyra.
Male voices sounded in the foyer. Cullen? No, another voice. Two men talked to the nurse.
A moment later, the clinic aide popped into the doorway to the kitchen. “Hey! Remember me? Revelin?”
She glanced his way and then hurried off to get the fish from the refrigerator. “Yes. Hello.”
“Thought I’d stop and see how you’re doing.”
“I’m kind of busy now.” She blew a strand of hair from her face as she lifted a pot of potatoes off the stove.
He walked across the kitchen. “Well then, I won’t bother you. Nice view you have out this window.” The man bent down at her laptop and studied the screen. “I se
e you’ve been writing. Mind if I have a read?”
“She does mind and so do I,” Cullen stated in a firm, deep voice from the kitchen entryway.
Revelin coughed and stood upright, his face drained of color. “No problem. I’ll be going now. See you, Lyra.” In a flash, the man took off out of the house.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
The wizard twisted his dragon ring and replied, “I knew things were going too smoothly. Let me explain…”
“Hello, Cullen. Good of you to come have dinner with us gals. Lyra’s prepared one of my favorite meals.” Jean rolled her walker around the corner.
“Aunt Jean, you’re up!” Lyra exclaimed, smiling inside and out.
“Of course I am. We’ve got company.” Her aunt looked chipper, wearing a flowered head scarf and a red housedress.
“Cullen, did you bring the book? She’s been enjoying the story so much while I’ve been writing.”
He pulled the volume from his pack and held it for the elderly lady.
She placed a thin, shaky hand over its surface, and a smile lit her whole face. She leaned forward and studied the book. “Lyra, I remember this book because I’m the one who gave it to you on your tenth birthday. There should be a note I wrote inside the back cover.”
Cullen started and his eyes flew wide open.
Lyra grabbed hold of the counter to support her weight as Cullen opened the back of the book.
Chapter Sixteen: To Our Little Butterfly
From inside the back cover, Cullen read aloud:
To the sweetest young lady we know:
This book is especially for you. We hope our Little Butterfly feels better soon.
Hugs & kisses,
Big Bear & Sam.
He moved a finger to the upper corner of the page. “Here at the very top is a line drawing of a butterfly with “Lyra” written on a wing, and below that it says, ‘To my daughter, Rowena: Keep this safe and pass it to your children and theirs.’”
Enchanted Bookstore Legends (5-book complete epic fantasy romance box set) Page 11