by Jen Robyn
“Well, it would seem you’ve gotten the brawling out of your system for one day,” Zantarl said finally, placing the newly concocted drink on the counter, before leaning on one arm. “Care to let me in on the secret behind this?”
“No secret, Zan,” he replied lightly.
To the careful observer, his words sounded more like ‘No secret, Dad’, but Dominick took this in stride since it seemed true most of the time. Stirring his drink absently, he gave Zantarl his usual enigmatic look, yet for once it seemed a bit more serious.
“Right,” the clever bartender murmured, not masking his disbelief. “And you’re a guardian angel with a shining gold halo to match. The truth now, son.” Dominick gave a short laugh, explaining the past three days he’d spent with Julianna, not to mention their first meeting two months ago. Zantarl listened quietly, mixed emotions flashing across his face, until he finished. “Ah, I see now. Your latest love for the time being. No, hear me out. Now Chaos knows there’s no stopping you when you’ve set your sights on a pretty female, but don’t you think it’s about time you let this one go, for her sake if not your own?”
The younger man’s face sobered somewhat, but he shook his head. “You don’t understand, Zan. I can’t just let her go. Maybe at the very start I could have, but not now.”
“Dominick, for once try to see reason.”
“Reason?” he sneered, staring up at the ceiling with a weak smile. “No, I’m afraid reason doesn’t stand a chance anymore. And you have no idea what Julianna’s like.”
“I can guess. Flawlessly beautiful and passionate like the rest.”
“No,” Dominick protested. “I mean... yes, she’s beautiful, and surely passionate too, but she is not like the rest. She’s beautiful on the inside too, Zan. As sweet as honey, with a fiery spirit to match.”
“Really now?” laughed Zantarl. “How could that be favorable?”
“Maybe for someone who’d like a woman with a little fire within, rather than some of your guardian angel types who are so sweet you’re afraid of their dissolving into fairy dust in your hands. I’d prefer my spirited Julianna to them any day of the millennium. Because even with those moments, she’s also very loving and considerate, and most of all, understanding.”
“It would seem so after your rushed-to conclusions last night,” Zantarl agreed sternly. “You know you should have asked her who those people were, before you assumed the worst.”
“Believe me, I won’t make that mistake again.”
Zantarl nodded, his expression softening. “It’s nice that you took her out to dance afterwards to make up for it.” He leaned closer. “I would assume, in spite of omitting further details, more may have happened at this dream castle you created for her?” The younger man remained silent. “I see.”
“No, you don’t see,” Dominick protested, earning a curious stare from Zantarl. “There’s nothing wrong with what we choose to do together, and that is not my sole reason for wanting to see her again. Zan, if it was purely physical, I could have searched for someone else before. And I’m not going to deny that I didn’t enjoy our time together last night. But there is more to it than that. She has caring, intelligence, a good sense of humor, and a strong-willed spirit despite her underlying innocence. In a way, I feel like she’s what’s been missing from my life all these years.”
Zantarl’s curiosity became surprise. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you speak so of any of your nocturnal liaisons before, let alone women here. Truthfully, what are your feelings towards this Julianna if it’s not a temporary attraction?”
A question Dominick still wasn’t completely certain about himself. Having never been in love before, his feelings for Julianna were stronger than any he’d ever known. But he needed to be sure that it was really love, the kind that Julianna would be happy with. Desire might burn itself out in time, but if it was love... time would reveal it.
After some deliberation, he replied quietly, “I’d rather not answer that just now, Zantarl. I can only say that my feelings for Julianna run deeper than any I’ve ever felt towards other women, and that I’ll do my damnedest to make sure she isn’t hurt, one way or the other. If that means staying with her until she says otherwise, then I’m willing to do just that. Fair enough?”
“I suppose it’ll have to be,” sighed Zantarl, patting his arm quickly. “You’d best see to your friends at their table now. We can talk more on this later.”
“Thanks, Zan. I’m glad I can trust you.”
As Dominick walked away, Zantarl smiled after him with new understanding. So the lad might finally have found love after all, and apparently someone who might very well feel the same about him. If that was true, Zantarl would certainly be happy for him, and yet he was forced to wonder...
What kind of love could exist between two people from such distant worlds, who could only see each other for a few hours a night in their dreams?
Thinking of his own dear wife, Zantarl could see how love might make those brief moments bearable, but he was infinitely glad that Dreeana wasn’t separated from him in the same way. It was too bad really. He might have liked to have been introduced to this young lady of Dominick’s. If his words were to be believed, she was special indeed.
“Zantarl, what’s the hold up on our drinks!” came a shout from one table.
“Hold onto your shorts, Izzy, or you’ll be dealing with a much longer dry spell!”
With that, the further details to the saga of Dominick and Julianna would have to wait until later.
In the meantime, Dominick sat with his friends while they amiably chatted, not noticing the attentive looks Kiri gave him. In fact, he seemed somewhat oblivious to the conversations altogether, although he smiled now and then. Kiri’s eyes were seeking during his distraction, although with her mind-reading ability it wasn’t hard to read the very clear images in his mind.
One other watching at a table nearby looked equally interested in his distraction, listening in secretly.
Dominick smiled as he continued to toy with his drink, never actually drinking it, but staring ahead blankly while thinking of Julianna. Tonight perhaps she’d tell him more of her nephew that she adored so. With her liking for children, he supposed she might like one of her own someday.
If it was possible, he would have gladly obliged her there, but alas, the dream-state only provided so much reality. A matter of no consequence right now, he decided finally, turning his thoughts to brighter things.
Maybe this evening, they could have a romantic dinner beside the silvery ocean. The dream’s night sky could be filled with bright rainbows—reminding him of her blissful words comparing them to their time together last night—and likewise, accompanying soft music could be made to fill the air. After dining, he had the perfect place to show her afterwards... but that would have to wait for now.
Glancing up at the clock on Lost Limbo’s wall, a frown replaced his brightness. There were still many hours to go before he could see her. Damn, but time could go so slow when one anticipated a rendezvous with a loved companion.
He stopped himself abruptly. There it was again. Love?
But was it really love or just something that resembled it to the point of maddening illusion? Maybe tonight he could ascertain the truth once and for all, and perhaps also find out her feelings on the matter. He was a bit afraid that she’d proclaim last night to have been wonderful, but that a continued relationship could never be between them—and surely she was justified in believing so—although he planned on taking steps to investigate the real truth to that. For he certainly didn’t want to lose her now, since he so valued their time together.
“Dom!” yelled Buddy, snapping his attention back again. “It’d be nice if you paid attention to us for a few minutes. Where is your mind anyway? Off daydreaming with that ability of yours?”
A smile of consideration crossed Dominick’s face in silent response. Daydreaming, he mused... a possibility he hadn’t considered. It would certa
inly be nice to see Julianna right now, and although he didn’t make a habit of it, he knew it was possible.
But not an option he’d use, since to be honest, he didn’t want to interfere with her daytime life. After all, he couldn’t keep her mind suspended in a perpetual dream, now could he? A person had to eat, and while one could do so in the dream-state, it wouldn’t be of any use to the person’s physical body which would remain unnourished. Besides that, she’d briefly mentioned having a job too, which he wasn’t about to risk jeopardizing.
No, he’d see her in a few hours, and that was that.
A sudden searing pain in his arm jolted him back to reality again. “Ow!” he exclaimed, glaring at Inferno. “What was that for?”
“Ah, the dreamer boy returns,” sneered Buddy. “How honored we are.”
Ignoring his remarks, Inferno shook his head apologetically. “I didn’t use enough heat to burn you, Dominick,” he said quietly. “It’s just that when you’re off in dreamland, it’s very hard to pull you back.”
Dominick was silent for a moment before smiling. “Okay, I’ll buy that,” he laughed. “Just make sure you don’t try the same stunt at night, or I won’t be responsible for my less tolerant reaction.”
Inferno’s eyebrows quirked up curiously. “Question. Are you still seeing that girl you were chasing?”
“Yes, I’m definitely still seeing her,” he replied happily. “Although last night I’d say the chasing most certainly ended.”
Buddy gaped at the implication. “Dom, you didn’t...” Silence. “Oh, Chaos, you did,” he sighed. “Well, maybe it’s for the best. Now you can leave that poor girl alone, and...”
Dominick’s expression was stern. “You know, it would be wonderful if my closest friends would start remembering for the umpteenth time that I’m not my brother. When I said the chasing ended last night, I meant as in we’ve found that we’re mutually happy together.”
“You’re not going back to see her again, are you?”
“Yes, I am,” he said evenly. “I promised her I would.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised! Far be it from you to... you did what?”
“She asked me to meet her again tonight, and I promised I would.” He couldn’t help giving a wearied sigh to his gaping friend. “You’re reading something negative into something that is completely the opposite. The entire time I spent with Julianna last night brought me more happiness since I can’t remember when.”
The piercing sound of breaking glass abruptly jarred him into turning, along with the other occupants of Lost Limbo, to face an angry Sionne who now stood. “Well, well, well... so your new harlot has a name,” she hissed softly. “Julianna, is it? From which corner did you dredge this one up, Dominick?”
He smiled darkly. “Sionne, if you were a man, you’d be missing several teeth right now for your insults. As it is, it’s none of your business.” He tried to turn away again, but she grabbed his arm.
“Your grandfather will no doubt see differently, since he’s already decided we’re to be betrothed.”
“Really?” he chuckled, becoming serious. “Then I’m happy to hear it, and I accept completely.” Sionne began to smile triumphantly, while his friends could only gasp. “Though you’re a bit younger than I’d have expected for a new step-grandmother, I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”
Moments later, the whole place erupted into laughter, including Buddy and Inferno, with the exception of Jarissa. Dominick maintained his composure with an icy smile, while Sionne’s hands curled into fists, her face red.
“I’m sure your grandfather won’t be quite so pleased by your amused mockery!” she yelled above the laughter, storming out angrily.
“Good one, Dom,” chuckled Buddy, slapping his shoulder good-naturedly. “She certainly had that coming.”
“Oh, really?” snapped Jarissa, her devil horns blazing red as he abruptly quieted. Turning to Dominick, she met his nonchalant look with ire. “You have a hell of a nerve, treating poor Sionne like that. She’s done nothing but strive for a bit of kindness from you, yet all you can do is flaunt your illicit liaisons in her face and humiliate her.”
“Poor Sionne brought it on herself,” he replied evenly. “Although leave it to a guardian devil to defend those with questionable motives.” Even as Jarissa silently fumed, he continued, “Sionne knows we’ve never been a couple, I never agreed to a betrothal with her, and certainly have no ties to keep me from seeking out someone else if I choose.”
“We all know that,” Inferno said meaningfully. Even Psych nodded.
“Maybe. But speaking of liaisons, Kiri overheard that you managed to seduce that innocent girl in her dreams.”
Dominick’s expression darkened again as he turned to Kiri, who now stood beside her friend. “Next time, you’d best eavesdrop a bit more carefully,” he hissed. “I didn’t seduce Julianna. What we shared last night was completely mutual.”
“For one night,” she sneered. This time it was Dominick’s gaze—not Inferno’s—which seemed to shoot real fire at her.
“As I just told Buddy, we happen to be meeting again tonight,” he retorted.
“Yes, and perhaps for a few days more, if she’s intrigued you that much.” Her eyes became accusing. “But beyond that, we all know it’s a matter of time before you tire of her. The only difference is, when your days of meaningless loveplay with her are over, you’ll leave without consequence, while she’s left alone with yet another rejection.”
This time, Inferno and Psych both stood up.
“Kiri, that’s out of line,” he protested. “Aren’t you judging a bit prematurely?”
“Yes,” agreed Psych, “Dominick would never treat a woman that callously.”
“I know what I saw!” Kiri exclaimed.
Dominick had been silent for long moments, all too conscious of Buddy’s questioning eyes upon him, but before Kiri could retort further, he broke in, silencing all.
“Your words twist things,” he said finally, barely controlling his anger, “so allow me to clear up what you think you saw. As to our meaningless loveplay as you call it, I can assure you that you’re completely wrong on that count, and you have no right to insult us like that. I already said it was mutual, and it has more meaning to us than you’ll ever understand.”
Pushing his chair in angrily, he stood to face her, continuing, “And before you proclaim yourself judge and jury over us, Kiri, I think we both know where your venom is really coming from. It’s not me who would do something like that, but your on-and-off paramour Riff. Instead of railing at me, maybe you should aim your anger where it really belongs!”
Turning to Buddy and Jarissa directly, he added, “If the rest of you choose to think the worst of me, I can’t stop you. Until this point, I’d credited you as being more understanding of me than that, so that really saddens me. But if all this means you’re forcing me to choose between you and Julianna… then I’m afraid we have nothing more to say to each other.”
He bit out the last as he slammed his chair against the table and stormed from Lost Limbo, leaving behind the gaping guardian pair, while Inferno and Psych unsuccessfully entreated him not to leave. Even Kiri looked apologetic at his departure. Zantarl shook his head and sighed upon witnessing this. He could only hope that this Julianna was worth as much as he claimed. If not, he feared that Dominick would lose a lot more than just his heart.
*****
Thank heaven for helpful siblings to solve a dilemma!
Julianna heard the door shut downstairs, following Roger’s fairly loud disagreement over Crystal’s explanation that her sister had suddenly developed a migraine that she needed to rest out. He protested that she was fine earlier when he’d spoken with her, but Crystal was soon backed up by her concerned husband. Jerry wasn’t a fond admirer of Roger’s either, and he wasn’t about to let his younger sister-in-law see the man when she said she didn’t want to.
Quietly peering out the corner of her window, Juli
anna saw Roger slam his car door and speed off. Sighing in relief that he was gone, she reclined on her bed and shut her eyes against the darkness. After completing her aforementioned work early in the day, and later receiving some helpful advice from Marybeth over the phone, she decided to put off meeting with Roger until she had more time to think things through.
That is, if I decide to see him again, her mind amended.
A knock on her door stirred a glance from her. “Come in,” she said tiredly. As Crystal and Jerry’s smiling faces appeared, Julianna echoed the gesture.
“It took a bit of convincing,” sighed Crystal, “but he’s gone.”
“So I heard,” Julianna agreed nodding. “Thank you both for being so helpful and understanding.”
“Hey, it’s the least a couple of old folks can do,” laughed Jerry, earning a rap on the shoulder from his wife.
“Speak for yourself, mister,” she admonished. “Just because you think you’re over the hill, doesn’t mean that I have to take part in that title.”
Her husband kissed her cheek lovingly. “You never seemed to mind the title of being Mrs. Old Timer before,” he whispered. Before she could reply, he slipped his arms about her waist to hug her close. “Maybe I can remind you of that later,” he added suggestively.
At Crystal’s quiet protests about discussing such things now, Julianna’s bright laughter eased any tension. “Neither one of you are over the hill, and you’re certainly younger than any old timers I’ve ever seen,” she commented. “Now why don’t you go work this out amongst yourselves, while I prepare to get some sleep?”
Jerry flashed his sister-in-law a quick smile, but aimed his words at Crystal. “I’m glad we kept this tactful sibling of yours with us,” he chuckled. “Now all that needs to be settled is our earlier discussion on a sibling for Sammy...”