Unquiet Slumber

by Paulette Miller

After all of the laughing died down, Marcus announced that it was time for them to continue their journey and they would be leaving in a few days. Tianna was very quiet after his announcement. She knew that she would have to leave sooner or later but she loved Willow and it was going to be very difficult for her to leave.

  Knowing she was leaving, Tianna spent her last few days with Hollee, even staying in her hut at night. She wanted to give the Draaks a needed break. She knew none of them slept well when she was around because they were too busy watching over her. What she didn’t know was that they found her absence unnerving and everyone had restless nights, especially Nathaniel. Although he didn’t always sleep next to her, he found it difficult to sleep without smelling her scent.

  At sunset on the evening before they were scheduled to leave, Nathaniel went looking for Tianna. He had seen her for only a few minutes over the last few days and he decided to find her so that he could escort her to evening meal. While he searched, he caught the sounds of her laughter and followed it to the waterfall. When he arrived, his body froze as he observed the scene in front of him. Tianna, Hollee, and several others Tianna had become friends with were all bathing under an open section of the waterfall.

  Knowing he was gawking, Nathaniel quickly hid behind a cluster of branches before anyone saw him. Although there were several naked females present, his eyes saw only one. His dragon growled with interest as he watched Tianna bathe, mesmerized by the sight of the water streaming down her curves. Her skin glistened from the light of the setting sun. He heard only the sound of her laughter as they shared stories of the day. He had never seen anything remotely as beautiful and he longed to join her to see if her wet skin was as soft as it looked.

  As if hearing his dragon’s low, quiet moan, Tianna turned and looked in Nathaniel’s direction. He quickly quieted his dragon and hid further back into the branches, remaining motionless until he watched Tianna re-engage with her friends.

  When he moved forward to find a better perch to watch from, he was tapped on his shoulder. He jumped to find Gabriel staring down at him. “May I ask what you are doing hiding behind these branches?”

  Trying to appear innocent, Nathaniel replied, “I wasn’t hiding. I heard something scurrying in the leaves and was trying to find out what it was. I thought Tianna might want to make some awful dessert out of it.”

  Although Gabriel knew he was being lied to, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t give her any ideas. That girl is fearless when it comes to food.”

  “She told me that the Inari felt like family to her and she wanted to fully immerse herself into their culture, including their interesting choices in what they think constitutes food.” As Nathaniel continued to ramble, Gabriel caught a voice he recognized and pushed back a branch.

  Staring down at the scene at the waterfall, Gabriel announced, “So, that’s the bug you’ve been trying to catch.”

  Nathaniel acted like he had no idea what Gabriel was talking about and looked in the direction he was pointing. Words were suddenly unnecessary as they both gazed unblinking at Tianna.

  Gabriel broke the silence saying, “That bug has really nice legs, especially when wet.”

  As Tianna turned to wash out the soap from her hair, Nathaniel replied, “Without a doubt brother, but don’t you think its antennas are quite breathtaking?”

  “Can’t argue, brother.”

  When Tianna turned further in their direction, both Nathaniel and Gabriel ducked low behind the branches. While hiding, they debated over what part of the bug was the best. Their argument stopped abruptly, when Tianna appeared beside them asking, “So what are you two up to?”

  They both scrambled back to their feet, looking exceptionally guilty.

  Gabriel quickly replied, “Nothing important. Nathaniel has been chasing a bug he spotted and has been unable to catch.”

  Nathaniel snapped back with, “I would have caught it already if big Red here would stop getting in my way and distracting my prey.”

  “Your prey? Just sit back Blue and watch how a real Draak can catch that bug of yours from right under your nose.”

  Tianna was not following their conversation and said, “Okay, I think I’ll let the two of you argue over your insect. I’m hungry and heading to evening meal. I hear they’re serving some new bug dishes tonight and I’m anxious to give them a try.” Without hesitating, she turned and raced to catch-up with Hollee.

  Nathaniel punched Gabriel in the shoulder saying, “Do you see what you did? You made me lose my bug yet again.”

  As they watched her walk away, Gabriel whispered, “And to think, I’ve kissed that bug.” He turned and smirked at Nathaniel. “Oh, I forgot. The fearless insect hunter hasn’t had that honor.” Hollee escorted Tianna to the meal as the Draak continuing their argument like two adolescent boys.

  Once they arrived, Hollee walked over to a waiting Seth, gave him a kiss on his cheek, and sat down making sure that she was pressed up tight against him.

  Tianna was about to sit down between Nathaniel and Gabriel but, seeing them both gazing back at her with very intense looks in their eyes, she gave them both a crooked smile and sat down next to Marcus. She asked, “So, did you catch your bug?”

  Gabriel replied. “Not yet, but we aren’t giving up that easy.”

  Nathaniel added, “We kept getting in each other’s way and scared the bug away. Looks like only one of us can hunt it at a time for either of us to have a chance to catch it. Since I saw the bug first, I think Red should back off.”

  Gabriel growled. “Me? I’m a whole lot closer to catching that bug than you are. I think you should step aside and watch a real hunter when he stalks his prey.”

  Seeing that this argument could go on throughout the whole meal, she suggested, “Since the two of you seem to enjoy challenges, why don’t you have a friendly competition.”

  Gabriel thought this was an excellent idea. He looked at Nathaniel and said, “I’m game. I’ll even let you pick the challenge, Blue. It won’t matter what it is, I’ll beat you.”

  “Only in your dreams, Red.”

  Marcus had a very good idea what was going on and who the bug was. He suggested, “How about you let Tianna decide what the challenge is? I think she could come up with something that’s equally challenging for both of you.”

  The challengers nodded at each other and Nathaniel replied, “I think that’s a wonderful idea.” He turned to Tianna and said sweetly, “What challenge would my lady like to see the two of us compete in to win the right to pursue our prey?”

  Knowing these two were up to something and that somehow she was connected, she decided to make them do something that she knew would be very difficult for both of them. “Since you both seem to be obsessed with bugs tonight…” She picked up a bowl. “The one that eats the most of these during our meal wins.” She placed a bowl full of sun-baked, whole Whistling Gibbi in front of them.

  They both looked into the bowl. Gabriel’s shoulders drooped as he said, “They still have their legs attached.” Nathaniel shivered.

  Refusing to show weakness, they each picked up a bug and held it in front of their mouths, daring the other to take the first bite. They remained motionless for several minutes but then Nathaniel heard Tianna’s laugh as Hollee whispered something into her ear. The sound gave Nathaniel strength. He would do anything to have Tianna as his prize. He smiled broadly at his opponent and popped the bug into his mouth, biting down with a loud crunch.

  Gabriel accepted his challenge by eating his bug, but with far less enthusiasm. When one of its little legs got stuck between his teeth, Gabriel found a kink in his otherwise impervious armor. He became instantly less confident in his ability to beat his opponent who had already popped in his second bug.

  The challenge continued throughout the meal with Nathaniel declared the winner by a large margin. Gabriel just couldn’t get past the legs getting caught between his teeth. He called out, “Best 2 out of 3?”

  They spent their l
ast night in Willow celebrating with the Inari people. They danced and sang well into the night. Gabriel, true to his word, let Nathaniel hunt his prey without interference, but whenever Nathaniel tried to pull Tianna to the side, she was pulled back into the celebration by many of the children. Nathaniel was helpless and was forced to sit on the side watching her play.

  When it was finally time to call it a night, Nathaniel approached Gabriel. “Brother, I know that we’re competitors for the same prize, but you’re also my brother and friend. I need your advice.”

  Seeing the look of frustration in Nathaniel’s eyes, he asked, “Advice about what?”

  Nathaniel hated to show weakness but, to win Tianna over, he was willing to do whatever it took. “To be honest, I’m out of my element with Tianna and I’m always saying and doing the wrong things. I need ideas on how best to approach her. How did you get her to kiss you?”

  Although Gabriel was interested in Tianna, he could see Nathaniel’s desperation. He decided to try to help Nathaniel, at least for tonight. They sat down and talked for a long time about how to best attract Tianna. When Nathaniel felt he was ready, they headed to bed. By the time Nathaniel and Gabriel joined their fellow travelers in their sleeping quarters, they found Tianna already sound asleep lying next to Marcus.

  Nathaniel sighed in defeat. “I lost my bug yet again.”

  Gabriel, who was secretly pleased, patted Nathaniel on the shoulder and said, “Tomorrow is another day… and another challenge, brother.” Gabriel was back in the game.

  They both laid down directly in front of Tianna and fell asleep listening to their bug purr.

  The next morning, they packed up their things and headed to the gate. Nathaniel was distressed by the fact that he, yet again, missed an opportunity with Tianna. His distraction caused him to lose his footing and fall. Vines quickly grabbed him, stopping his decent. When his movement stopped, he found himself hanging upside down, trapped.

  Tianna saw the commotion from below and let out a loud laugh.

  Nathaniel growled. He was convinced Tianna had set this up and yelled down to her while his body swayed back and forth like a swing, “This isn’t funny. Come help me get down. I’m getting dizzy.”

  Tianna, still chuckling, used her powers to have a vine gracefully lift her so she was next to him. On the way up, she whispered to the vine she held, “Nicely done. Thanks.”

  She thought he was so cute and hanging helplessly upside down. She found seeing the vulnerable side of Nathaniel very attractive. She couldn’t help herself. Instead of untangling him, she crawled around and taunted him. She knew she shouldn’t but it was too much fun. She found he was ticklish in several spots, something she eagerly took advantage of. When he would swat at her, it just made his vines swing harder. He never even got close to touching her. She would ask a vine to release a part of his body so he would untangle himself a little, and a different vine would lock him in a new position. Tianna giggled the entire time.

  Marcus’ voice called from below, “Tianna, it’s time to put your toys away. Let Nathaniel go so we can get on our way.”

  Tianna didn’t want to let this toy go yet and she put her hands on her hips like the little ones did when they didn’t want to listen to their parents. After a moment’s pause, she realized that Marcus was right. She willed a vine to lower her down. Both Tianna and Nathaniel were now suspended upside down staring face-to-face. Nathaniel, being wrapped up tight by vines, was at her mercy. She chuckled at the power she possessed over her protector.

  She sighed knowing her fun was over. She felt a little guilty for teasing him and decided to try to make it up to him. She took his face in her hands and smiled a playful smile. She leaned in so her lips hovered a breath away from his, hesitating and giggling.

  Feeling her breath and the heat from her body, Nathaniel’s pulse started to race and his dragon stirred. He prayed that she would move in just a little closer.

  As if she sensed his desire, she closed the distance and kissed him gently on his lips. She intended on it being a quick ‘I’m sorry’ kiss but, when their lips touched, both of their bodies reacted. He desperately wanted out of his vines so that he could wrap his arms around that beautiful body of hers, making the kiss stronger and last longer. To his and his dragon’s joyous surprise, Tianna didn’t break away. Instead, the kiss went from a gentle touch to hard pressure. He kissed her back, which was awkward at best since whenever he moved his body at all they started to swing.

  He longed to taste her mouth but needed his arms free so that he could take charge of the kiss. No sooner did this thought enter his mind, when he felt Tianna’s tongue caress his lips. Before he could even think, his dragon answered her movement by opening his mouth. When his tongue touched hers, the tingling sensation in his body turned into a burning flame. Her scent, her taste, and the feel of her mouth on his… his dragon loved it all and started to growl, desperately needing more.

  He caressed her tongue with his, coercing hers to explore further. She took the hint. As she plunged her tongue deep within his mouth, she wrapped her arms around his chest and pressed as much of her body as she could against him.

  His dragon growled, “Mine,” in his mind. In over 150 years of his adult life, he had kissed hundreds of females. Those were all just youthful gestures. To him, this was his first real kiss and he never wanted it to end. He longed for this to be a private, romantic moment. Instead, they were still suspended upside down with all of Willow and their friends watching.

  As the kiss continued and grew more passionate, Nathaniel wondered if those watching could possibly understand how profound this moment was for him. To him, his look was over. He wanted no other.

  Tianna reluctantly broke away from the kiss but remained very close. She was taking panting breaths and her eyes were glassy and unfocused. She gave him a devilish smile and was about to head in for a second round when she heard voices from the ground below.

  Marcus yelled, “Break it up you two. It’s time to come down.”

  Tianna’s body jumped as she realized where she was and what she was doing. She gasped and stared at Nathaniel with unsure, confused eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again without saying a word. So many thoughts were racing through her mind, and she had no idea what to say. She disappeared as her vine pulled her back up and out of his sight. Having her removed from his side caused his dragon to roar his disappointment in his mind.

  While Tianna tried to regain her sanity, she decided she needed to release Nathaniel. With the grace of a feather falling, Tianna willed the vines to untangle Nathaniel and placed him gently on the ground. The vines complied and soon she followed after him.

  Once their feet were safely on the ground, Tianna curtsied and everyone clapped. She glanced over at Nathaniel. He desperately wanted to take her into his arms but the situation wouldn’t allow it. He needed to tell her so many things. The best he could do was assist her in getting up into her saddle and linger with his hands on her waist longer than was necessary for the task. He kissed her bare leg and walked back toward his horse.

  Gabriel’s shoulders drooped as he whispered to himself, “He caught the bug.” Given the look in Tianna’s eyes, he knew that Nathaniel had won the prize. It hadn’t taken any special words or overly done romantic scenes. It just took Nathaniel keeping his mouth shut and showing vulnerability.

  As Nathaniel tried to calm his dragon, a vine swatted him on his butt. He spun around to glare at the tree and growled. Everyone watching snickered.

  All of the travelers began to prepare their horses for a long ride. Before Seth mounted his horse, he pulled Hollee into a warm embrace and kissed her. They all noticed her hair was done up in Seth’s style of braiding which made Tianna smile. They also noticed that Seth had received a piercing. His ear was now the proud owner of a beautiful emerald. Although he was not Inari, they had given him one as a gift for his mastery of Inari braiding.

  When they separated, Hollee’s eyes spark
led. She had eyes only for Seth. She handed him a beautifully crafted necklace that held an emerald stone cut into the shape of a leaf.

  He beamed, put it on, and kissed her again. He reluctantly released her from his arms and mounted his horse.

  Hollee walked over to Tianna’s horse and said, “Be safe sister.”

  Tianna took her hand and said, “And you too. I’ll see you again. I promise.” Tianna knew she would come back to this village again someday.

  Although Marcus was disappointed that he didn’t yet find his prophesized warrior, he was thrilled by their newly established alliance. Gabriel said good bye to the leader of their warriors and told him that he would be in touch to plan a warrior exchange. They thanked the villagers over and over and waved as they headed out of Willow. When they were one step outside of the boundary the village, the village disappeared and returned to a dense forest.

  Tianna wouldn’t look back and rode straight ahead without making a sound. She needed to talk to Nathaniel about their kiss, however, she was so distraught over leaving Willow, she didn’t even stop to change out of her Inari clothes into her riding attire.