The Knight of Her Dreams (Dragons and Dreamphasers)

by Jen Robyn

  “Great,” sighed Marybeth. “Now the she-beast can see through walls. How does she do that?”

  Julianna shrugged with a smile, finally escaping to the water fountain.

  *****

  Wheeling the shopping cart forward, Julianna rubbed her eyes tiredly. Why was it that the workdays seemed to keep getting longer? Stopping to lean against the cart, she wondered how long her back would take to feel normal again, after eight hours of sitting at the computer all day.

  As if complying with her thoughts, a pair of strong hands began to skillfully massage her shoulders, startling her, even as she recognized their familiarity.

  Roger’s deep masculine voice murmured against her cheek, “Give me half a minute, and I’ll take care of that pain for you.” Nodding tiredly, she allowed him to help. “You really should get away from that desk now and then. The human body isn’t meant to be a machine.”

  “Don’t have much choice with my boss.”

  Smiling, he asked, “Feel up to moving now?”

  “Keep that up, and I won’t feel like moving for a week.”

  “A tempting idea, if we weren’t in grocery central.” Kissing her neck in spite of this, Julianna arched towards him instinctively, earning a pleased smile from him. “We could continue this back at my place.”

  Rational thought returned slowly, delayed by those kisses. She turned, sighing heavily since nothing had been settled in her mind. “Roger…” she began, distracted again as he slid his arms around her waist. The latent passion in his eyes and languorous smile mesmerized her. As he brushed his hand against her cheek, her words nearly came out as a whisper, “Roger, I heard what happened.”

  “Then you know Marilyn’s not living with me anymore.” When she pulled away slightly, at first he looked about to protest, but the conflicted look in her eyes stopped him. “I’m sorry, Julie,” he said quietly, stroking her hair with one hand. “There’s no rush.”

  Feeling her apprehension melt at his unexpected reassurance, Julianna felt like kicking herself, since part of her wanted to go with him now and simply forget the past few months ever happened.

  “If you have time tonight, could we talk later?” he asked, reaching forward to take her hand.

  Her fingers slowly returned the gesture, as she stared upon their clasped hands. “I don’t know. I suppose it’d be...”

  “Okay, Roger, I’ve got everything,” a voice called out behind them. “Should I just meet you at the car?”

  “Dammit, Marilyn, will you hold on for five minutes?”

  Just seeing the other woman, Julianna’s eyes shut with anger. “I am such a damn fool,” she hissed, pulling away from Roger, and leaving her cart to storm away from the pair.

  “Julie, wait. It’s not what you think.”

  She evaded his grasping hand and fairly ran to the exit, jumping in her car and speeding home without looking back.

  *****

  How much pain can one heart stand?

  Alone in her room that night, Julianna’s thoughts went back to the evening where everything had turned upside-down with Roger.

  Much as she hated to admit it, deep down she began to wonder what was wrong with her. There was no questioning the attraction she’d felt for Roger, and he’d made it quite clear he wanted her. So why then had she been so hesitant about their relationship?

  If she hadn’t been, then Marilyn wouldn’t have had the opportunity to steal his attention.

  Even after their separation, he still held sway over her. Unfortunately, she’d been having trouble sleeping lately because of the situation, allowing her no peace even at night.

  Which was why her mind played back her dream of Dominick.

  Having dreamed of him after the breakup, it was the only comfort she had, so she hoped she could somehow trick her mind into dreaming of him again.

  Folly, of course, to think this way, yet she did.

  Julianna walked to the window of her room and drew back the curtains, sitting beside the sill. Somehow seeing the stars always made her feel better.

  She glanced upward into endless darkness, but as her eyes adjusted, the stars winked into her vision one by one, twinkling and bright as their silent welcome shone upon her. They always seemed like friends that understood her when no one else did, and they always gave her comfort. She smiled up at them fondly.

  Just before one suddenly shot straight down from the sky.

  She gasped slightly, even as she realized it must be a falling star.

  Wish for something! her thoughts reminded her. As the plummeting dot of light continued to drop, Julianna clasped her hands and spoke the quickest wish she could think of, watching as the star disappeared completely from view.

  “Please help me find the Dominick of my dreams.” Moments after she finished her plea, feelings of foolishness washed over her. I can’t believe I’m wishing for a person I’ve only dreamed of! her mind mocked her. As if a star can really create someone out of thin air.

  A bright flash of light illuminated the window, startling her. Lightning! she thought instinctively, hurriedly drawing the curtains closed. Soon afterwards, she did a doubletake. That can’t be lightning, she mused. No thunder followed, nor had any storm been mentioned in the evening’s weather forecast. Obviously, her imagination had simply hallucinated.

  Yet even so, she felt oddly disturbed, cautiously moving the curtain aside to glance once more at the now quiet and serene stars above—all present and normal as ever—and wondered if someone up there was playing tricks on her.

  A lot of people seemed to down here, so why not from heaven above too!

  Her fear receding, Julianna saw an unfamiliar star, which seemed like it was right outside her window. The ever-twinkling star soon intrigued her to the point that she couldn’t take her eyes from it, pressing her hand against the window. And since she’d made it a habit of naming bright stars that stood out, she smiled, with a whispered name to remember it by...

  “Dominick.”

  As if hearing her, the star seemed to twinkle brighter with acknowledgment, but Julianna was too tired to take notice. Half-shutting the curtain, she climbed into bed, picking up her latest romance novel.

  After reading about ten pages, the novel began to remind her of what she was missing in her life. Something always made worse during cold nights like this one. Finally, she dropped the book and turned over on her side, tears of loneliness filling her eyes.

  “I suppose the only Dominick I’ll ever find is one I dream of,” she said with a sigh. Brushing a hand against her eyes to clear them, Julianna slowly felt sleep tugging at her. Sniffing one last time as her breathing became more even, she whispered semiconsciously, “Oh, Dominick, if only you were real and you could take this pain away.”

  One hand slid down the pillow as her features relaxed completely in slumber.

  For a few minutes, all was quiet in the darkness. Then abruptly, a bright light shone as the newly named star appeared beside Julianna’s sleeping form.

  While asleep, she had absolutely no awareness of its presence, as it now blinked chaotically beside her. Nor had she noticed when it dimmed its light earlier to float through the glass window of her room.

  Dimming its light again, as if not to wake her, the star now hovered over where the book had fallen—cover side up—and then slowly floated back to Julianna.

  Blinking brightly again, she still remained lost in slumber. As if satisfied, the star blinked thrice more in rapid succession.

  Just before it abruptly winked out of view.

  Chapter Two

  Where the hell am I? wondered Julianna.

  It appeared to be a ballroom.

  An odd ballroom with walls of mirrors.

  All the people surrounding her were attired in clothes and gowns out of the early nineteenth century. Glancing down at her own attire, she found herself similarly dressed in a long gown of creamy white with lace frills, which complemented her reddish-brown hair that fell loosely about her shou
lders. It almost looked like something out of a romance novel, leaving her perplexed at how she’d gotten here.

  Not wanting to appear unsociable, she nodded to several unfamiliar people, wishing that she wasn’t quite so alone and friendless in this strange place. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone laughing while casting his eye in her direction. The man in question was laughing with two gentlemen beside him.

  Turning to a well-dressed gentleman beside her, she tapped his shoulder and asked, “Who is that?”

  The man gave her a casual glance, and then looked ahead to where she pointed. “Are you referring to the man in black, my dear?”

  She was about to nod, but before she could get a closer look, the stranger suddenly darted away, whisking around a corner.

  Not that it should matter, of course, unless... an unsettling thought crossed her mind abruptly. Could it be? she wondered. As the forgotten bewildered man looked after her, she began running in the same direction the so-called ‘man in black’ had disappeared. Instinctively, she called after the stranger.

  “Dominick, wait!”

  A bit miffed at the long gown that threatened to trip her up with every step, she picked up handfuls of the heavy dress, shocking several ladies who gasped as she ran on. “Dominick!” she yelled louder. When she rounded the corner, running alongside more mirrored walls, and after weaving through countless people, she realized she was completely lost in the bizarre mirror maze.

  Gasping for breath, she finally gave up the chase. Whoever the stranger was had probably left, if there was a way out of here. Besides, she’d made enough of a fool of herself, running after someone she didn’t know, who probably wondered just who the devil ‘Dominick’ was.

  Several of the well‑bred people who had glanced her way now resumed their interrupted conversations, even as Julianna realized she’d become the subject of them. How embarrassing!

  “Are you quite all right, my lady?” a deep voice asked behind her.

  “Not really,” she sighed. “However, I should be so in a moment. Thank you for your concern, sir.” As her breathing became less labored, the person handed her a glass of dark purple liquid. She took it gratefully, sipping it slowly.

  “Now then, my lady. I believe I heard you calling after me. Pray tell what for?”

  Julianna nearly choked as she turned.

  It was him!

  And he looked exactly as she remembered the charming rogue she’d met before.

  Not quite six feet, the man provided a contrast to her shorter height. His ebony hair was thick and wavy, framing his strong features perfectly. But most bewitching were his eyes... that similar deep shade of blue, perfectly complementing his warm smile which could seem serious or boyish at whim.

  In fact, the only real difference between them was that Dominick had been mostly hidden by the cloak he’d worn. This man wasn’t similarly hindered. He wore a velvet black jacket in the style worn by other men here. Added to this, he wore a white shirt, and black pants, which emphasized his well-muscled body quite nicely.

  Down to his hair, he was indeed the man in black.

  There was little doubt in her mind that this was the same Dominick, yet of course that was ridiculous. What would he be doing here now?

  For that matter, what was she doing here?

  If this had been Dominick, she mused, in his new well-fitting attire, she would have sworn he looked even more handsome than the last time she’d seen him; even more than Roger, as a matter of fact. Still, it looked as if this man didn’t know her, so she considered it best to be careful.

  “Forgive me, sir,” she said nonchalantly. “It’s just that for a moment you reminded me of a former acquaintance of mine, and I’ve been having difficulty finding anyone else that I know here.”

  The blue of his eyes seemed to deepen even more with amusement. “And who might this acquaintance be that I remind you of?”

  Julianna laughed, trying to convey some manner of etiquette. “Sir, I am quite certain you wouldn’t know him.”

  He smiled warmly. “Perhaps I do. His name?”

  “Dominick.”

  “Ah, then my ears did not deceive me. You have found me out, my lady,” he replied, proffering a bow. “Dominick Westbrooke, at your service.”

  Dear heaven above, it couldn’t be true!

  Julianna’s face blanched, and now she really wished she could find an immediate exit before she died of embarrassment.

  “You must excuse me, sir,” she faltered, her eyes glancing about furtively. “I didn’t mean to mislead you. Forgive me for bothering you, Mr. Westbrooke.” Now where was that elusive exit?

  Before she could make a hasty retreat, he reached out to take her hand, gently pulling her back. “Please don’t rush off, my lady. I must admit to finding these affairs a bit tedious myself, especially when I can’t find my companions so easily.

  “You seemed to know a few whom you were speaking with earlier.”

  He warded this off with a hand wave. “Merely an appearance, my lady. They’re total strangers. And in truth, if not for your timely intervention, their conversation was about to put to the test whether a person can fall asleep while standing up.”

  “Really, sir, such subtlety!” she said, with a smirk. “Even though after seeing the stuffy, strait-laced atmosphere here, I think I can heartily agree with you.” They both laughed, not totally oblivious to the added stares this earned from the onlookers. “But seriously, Mr. Westbrooke,” Julianna added, “if you ever have need of further rescuing from such people, I’ll be happy to oblige you if I’m in the vicinity.”

  Dominick flashed her a warm smile, just before leaning closer to whisper, “Don’t look now, my lady, but I do believe the tongue-waggers are about to sharpen their knives on us.”

  Glancing around, Julianna could agree. Several of the well-dressed people were gossiping quietly while giving less-than-discreet stares to the chatting pair. While this might have once made her uncomfortable, for some reason, right now she was simply amused.

  “They do look a bit like vultures ready to pounce, don’t they?” she laughed.

  “Ready to destroy is more like it,” he murmured through a grin, glancing up as the sound of lilting ballroom music filled the air. “However, if I may offer an easy solution and a means to repay your kindness, would you care to dance?”

  “I’d love to, but I don’t know these dances.” Just walking in this attire alone was proving difficult.

  “Believe me, my lady, ‘twill be far more embarrassing if the town decides to print our names in tomorrow’s gossip columns. Besides, I’m afraid I have my own selfish reasons for wanting to dance with you.”

  Several indeed, he thought, silently remembering how she’d mocked him at their last meeting.

  He gave a slight bow, taking her hand to bestow a gentle kiss. Only the briefest contact, yet Julianna felt her heart leap, wondering if she was blushing as his eyes met hers again. Tightening his grip on her hand, he began to lead her onto the dance floor. Sensing more than one pair of eyes upon them, Julianna shook her head quickly.

  “Mr. Westbrooke,” she faltered, “I really don’t think this is such a good idea.”

  Smiling reassuringly, he remained silent as he led them amidst the other dancing pairs. Several of whom gave knowing smiles to the new couple. Now she knew she was blushing! Amused, Dominick said nothing, merely squeezing her hand once as he led her through the steps of a waltz.

  “Not so difficult, is it?” he asked, earning a smile from his companion.

  “No, it’s quite pleasant really,” she agreed brightly, a moment before curiosity surfaced. “Now then, sir, just what did you mean earlier when you said you had selfish motives for this dance?”

  It was a good thing she couldn’t read his mind at the moment, Dominick thought privately. For right now, it kept playing back their last meeting, and how she’d quite cleverly wounded his pride. Especially over that damned kiss. He still remembered how she’d slamme
d her heel on his foot when he hadn’t expected it. After that incident, he’d been adamant in not wanting to see this particular female again in this lifetime.

  Yet in spite of his best intentions, he had not been able to forget her. When he’d come here tonight, he hadn’t expected her to remember his name, much less chase after him.

  It was only when he caught her staring that he remembered her earlier question. So she wanted his motives for this dance, did she? What would she say if he simply kissed her again? he wondered. He doubted she’d stomp on his foot this time, as that surely wouldn’t be the proper etiquette here in the middle of a dance floor! No, not likely. But then again, maybe she would toss etiquette out the window and repeat the incident. In any case, he doubted she’d be so smug with him after tonight. If it was motive she wanted, best not keep her waiting.

  “Well, my lady, for one thing, I happen to find you pleasant company to talk to,” he replied casually, spinning her about. “For another, I don’t wish to relinquish you to someone else.” He smiled at her look of surprise, a bit surprised himself at the truth in his words. Pulling her closer against his chest with a quick tug, ignoring her gasp and what any onlookers might think, he leaned his mouth closer to hers, adding softly, “And third of all...”

  “Excuse me, sir!” came a voice from behind.

  “What the devil?” hissed Dominick, ignoring the confusion on Julianna’s face as he turned his head quickly to confront the interruption. Another gentleman stood there, several years younger than him and somewhat shorter.

  “Despite your ignorance when I patted your back, may I cut in?”

  Dominick gave him a brief look of contemplation, not masking his annoyance. “No, you may not,” he said curtly, turning away from him.

  “Sir! I do believe that this concerns the lady more than you.”

  “The lady, you say? All right then, Lord Whoever-you-are, hold onto your dinner jacket for just a moment.” Turning to Julianna, he began, “This gentleman here...”