The Knight of Her Dreams (Dragons and Dreamphasers)

by Jen Robyn

  Dominick shook his head. “No, Zan, it’s definitely nothing like that,” he said seriously. “My feelings for Julianna and hers for me are very real, all dreams aside. The dreams just enable us to have dates that go beyond the ordinary. Besides, we do regular things too, like going skating, and going to a carnival on another occasion. She especially liked it when I brought her to a Renaissance Faire, Chavernos style. Not to mention, she’s a fairly good card player. And from our conversations, I’ve probably learned more about her in these weeks than those who’ve known her for a lifetime. We just wish we could be together in reality, instead of just dreams.”

  Zantarl smiled. “Well then, I stand corrected. When you put it that way, it does sound like you really love her. She sounds like quite an enchantress.”

  Dominick’s features softened. “Chavernos knows she does enchant me,” he murmured, conjuring up her smiling image in his mind’s eyes. “But in reality, she’s still an innocent of her world. I could sense that from the beginning. She was hurt emotionally by a former boyfriend called Roger Collins. After he betrayed her with another woman, she was left alone and lonely.”

  “Until you came along to rescue her,” declared Buddy.

  Inferno shouldered him so sharply, he was nearly knocked from his chair.

  “Don’t make it sound like that,” warned Dominick. “I love Julianna very much, and I won’t tolerate any insults about her or us. She has a good heart, which is as loving, loyal, and giving as any man could hope for in a woman. Circumstance just left her an unhappy soul craving to feel loved by someone, and to give her love freely without fear of rejection. It’s by the luck of the stars that we found one another.”

  “Just like a fairy tale,” chuckled Riff, causing all to turn towards his table, unaware he’d been listening in. Fortunately, he was on his own tonight.

  Dominick’s expression darkened slightly with apprehension. Over the past weeks, his brother had traveled to the other side of Chavernos, and obviously returned without notice. Knowing how dubious Riff’s reputation had been in the past regarding women in the dream-state—including some of Dominick’s own liaisons—the others could fully understand his wariness.

  “Leave it alone, Riff,” he replied, turning away.

  His brother shrugged indifferently, gesturing for Zantarl to get him a drink. “You ought to stop wasting all your time on dream women, and try the ones of reality for a change. There’s a world of difference when you’re not worried your companion’s going to disappear by waking up.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Dominick replied dryly.

  Unfortunately, his determined silence only piqued Riff’s curiosity over Julianna. Knowing how close-mouthed his brother could be prompted him to rub his chin thoughtfully. There were of course... other ways to find things out.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to your important chats,” Riff told the group, picking up his prepared drink. “As for me, I’d best go talk to Kiri, lest she brain me for not greeting her properly upon returning. See you guys later, I hope.”

  “‘Bye, Riff,” Inferno spoke for the rest.

  Dominick looked after his brother worriedly. “I don’t trust him,” he whispered. “Riff never leaves so amiably without a reason.”

  “Don’t be paranoid,” laughed Buddy. “After all, he is still your brother, remember?”

  “Not to mention, the son of Discord, remember?” Dominick mocked. “Don’t get me wrong, my father has his good points too, but there are times when I think I’m not related to them at all.”

  Zantarl and the others silently agreed on this point.

  *****

  Thank heaven she could leave Almira and work behind after five!

  To curb Julianna’s daydreaming thoughts, Almira had dumped a heap of correspondence on her desk to be typed up. Add that to making ten copies of each, followed by mailing them to every address from here to Osh Kosh, while juggling the nonstop phone calls and clients who walked in...

  It added up to one tired worker, thankful to be home.

  One who was even more grateful that night had finally arrived.

  Julianna stretched languorously in bed as the stars came out to shine through her window, wondering what whirlwind encounter Dominick would show her this night.

  The memories of the past weeks always made her smile.

  Life with Dominick had certainly been anything but dull. Thanks to him, she’d gained both happiness and confidence in how she viewed life and love now. She believed in love again, and wasn’t afraid of it this time, and the mixture of romance and companionship was wonderful. Something only he inspired in her.

  She’d equally enjoyed his teachings of things such as dancing, skating, card playing, horseback riding, sailing, and even a bit of fencing. He was all she’d ever wanted in a friend, a companion, a lover... and whatever else might be stronger.

  Leaning back against the pillows, Julianna shut her eyes, content with the knowledge that Dominick would soon be with her. He might even be here now in his astral form, awaiting her secretly. Sighing with a blissful smile, she had no idea that the presence in her room now wasn’t Dominick, but his curious and grinning brother instead.

  How fortunate that Dominick had mentioned the city where she lived to the others, which he’d managed to overhear when he returned to his table, seemingly distracted by other people. To find the precise location of her home; however, he’d had to wait until his brother dreamphased. Once he did, Riff simply followed him secretly in his astral form to learn how to get there. From that point, he’d arranged in advance for a suitable distraction to prompt Dominick’s return to Chavernos, in order to delay his brother’s arrival tonight. After all, how else could he learn more of Julianna?

  Was she thinking of meeting her familiar lover? he wondered, gazing at her peaceful smile. No, more likely, she was just looking forward to a night of romance in general. But no matter, by the end of this night, he’d find out just what had attracted his brother to this innocently slumbering woman.

  And then, he’d find out just how ‘innocent’ and ‘in love’ this Julianna really was.

  Chapter Ten

  Julianna surveyed the scene about her with curiosity and confusion. Admittedly, Dominick had taken them to some unusual places before, but this one really puzzled her. She seemed to be in an office building, dressed in a gray business suit, in the middle of a hallway where several people quickly brushed past her.

  He must be here somewhere, she decided, walking down the corridor to glance at each door’s nameplate, searching for his own. She found one plaque that read ‘Mr. Westbrooke’. A wry smile curled across her mouth, as she hoped he wasn’t going to demand she call him that tonight after all their time together.

  Mr. Westbrooke indeed!

  Knocking on the closed door, she wasn’t too surprised when it opened of its own accord, revealing someone’s arm resting on a large chair that had its back turned to her. So Dominick was going to play the corporate executive type tonight, she thought in amusement. Well, maybe she could erase any thoughts of business he might have.

  Using a quick concentration technique that Dominick had shown her one night, she altered her outfit to transform it into a sexy dress of a pretty, shimmering scarlet. Her shoes were now a matching red with reasonable heels.

  Walking quietly towards the desk before her, she sat upon it, leaning forward provocatively with a smile. “Your secretarial ‘lady in red’ is here to assist you, sir,” she said seductively.

  The chair swiveled around, revealing not Dominick, but a man who resembled him, except for being a bit older and having green eyes. The man gave her a lazy smile, steepling his hands as he appraised her, lingering on the added view the scoop-necked dress allowed.

  Only a glimpse, since she blushed more crimson than her attire and stood instantly. “You’re not Dominick!” she protested, backing up.

  “Really?” chuckled Riff, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Hmmm, I wonder what gave me away thi
s time.”

  “Where is Mr. Westbrooke?” Julianna persisted.

  Riff gestured with open arms, never once losing his expression of amusement. “Right here, darlin’,” he told her smiling. “I’m Mr. Westbrooke.”

  “Liar,” she spat, turning to leave. The door shut unceremoniously in her face, causing her to whip about. “How dare you!” she exclaimed. “You have no right to keep me here, when I’m expecting someone else!”

  “All you asked for was Mr. Westbrooke,” he retorted, walking over to her. As he advanced, she retreated, until her back was to the door and his arms were on either side of her against the wall. “You’ve found me,” he said in a low voice. “And may I say, I most certainly approve of my new secretary and her present state of attire.”

  Ducking down as he leaned forward, Julianna deftly stepped away from him again, wondering what had happened to Dominick, but more conscious of the need to stay away from this stranger. Turning about to face him so he couldn’t surprise her, she eyed him shakily.

  “I’m not your secretary, and you’re not Dominick Westbrooke,” she said flatly. “So just who the hell are you?”

  “Someone who’s heard some interesting stories about you,” replied Riff, backing her against the desk. As she remained frozen, his hand lightly brushed her arm. “Very interesting in fact.” She shied away from his touch, but his arms surrounded her on both sides of the desk, leaning forward so she couldn’t move away. “Since we’re to be working so closely together, why don’t you show me a sample of your... skills?”

  As he smiled seductively, Julianna slapped him soundly in the face. “I don’t know who you are,” she hissed, “but I’m not that kind of woman, and certainly not with you!”

  “But you are for Dominick?” he asked, clasping her wrist to pull her closer. At her surprised gasp, his gaze softened slightly. “Romancing on rainbows, flying in starlit bubbles, and no doubt much more.” He stopped upon seeing her face drain of color. “Oh, come now, we’re both adults here. And I have to say, as a fellow dreamphaser, I admire both of your creativity. But even Dominick’s imagination has limits, whereas I could show you things he’s never even thought of before.”

  He tried to lean closer, but she held him back at arm’s length. “Where is Dominick?” she demanded, disturbed by this stranger’s knowledge of their time together. Receiving only silence, she continued, “Look, Mr. Imposter Westbrooke, either you tell me where the real Dominick Westbrooke is, or I’ll search for him myself.”

  At her words, Riff’s eyes hardened with contempt. Never before had a female spurned him so backhandedly.

  “You’re an infuriating woman,” he said in a low voice. “And if this venom is common for your attitude, it only makes me wonder why Dominick keeps coming back to you. Are you so good in the damned bedroom?”

  Blushing furiously, Julianna slapped him again, sliding away from him while he was distracted to run towards the door. As she turned the handle to open it, Riff reached out to slam it shut again, grabbing her by the arm and spinning her about to embrace her.

  “I’m warning you, if you don’t let me go right now, Dominick will make you suffer for it,” she hissed, choking down her fear to let anger rise to the surface, struggling futilely against the tight hold of his arms. “Get your hands off of me!” she yelled finally.

  Riff appeared to consider this for a brief moment, but then shook his head. “No, I don’t think I want to just yet,” he replied, backing her against the door again. “After all, in spite of your attitude, you are most fetching.”

  “Not for you, I’m not,” she replied.

  “So you say now,” he said, kissing her hand. “But I believe I could convince you otherwise.” At her gasp, a devious smile crept across his face. “You know, I’m beginning to see how beautiful you are when you’re speechless.” His green eyes quickly glanced over her, as his free hand ran along her arm. “And most desirable.” She opened her mouth to scream, but his hand prevented this. “No, don’t waste your sweet voice. I’ve already taken the liberty of sending away the others in this building. I assure you, we’re all alone.”

  Her head shook his hand away angrily, glaring at him coldly. “Why are you doing this?” she asked. “I’ve never even met you before.”

  “Ah, but that didn’t stop you from throwing yourself at Dominick when you first met. Why should I consider now to be any different?”

  “Because Dominick and I are in love with each other!”

  “Love!” he sneered in disgust. “The only so-called love between you two is your shared fire in the heat of passion. “Take it from me, I’ve seen enough to know that love itself is a myth. The bards just like to pretty up the reality of things.”

  “That’s not true. Love may not always be easy, but it is real. Until I met Dominick, I had my doubts about love too. But the right person makes all the difference.”

  The sincerity in her voice and her eyes softened his heart, causing his irritation to fade, and making him regret his initial impressions of her.

  “And if there isn’t such a person?”

  “Then either you haven’t met them yet, or you aren’t seeing someone that’s already there. Either way, chiding love as a myth won’t help you to find it. And only someone who’s been hurt reaching for love would have reason to shun it, wouldn’t they?”

  Have I been wrong? he thought privately.

  Leaning his forehead against hers, he sighed heavily. “Oh, lady…”

  Still not knowing who he was, Julianna was frozen in place, silently praying Dominick would show up to rescue her from this situation, before this man might suddenly become unstable once more.

  *****

  “You just woke me up from a sound sleep, and I still don’t see why this can’t wait until tomorrow,” said Dominick, nearly hissing the words. Having just reached Julianna’s home in astral form, the last thing he expected was for someone to jar him back to Chavernos by pounding his door off its hinges until he awoke. Being wrenched back abruptly was never pleasant to a dreamphaser, and certainly added to his foul mood when he discovered it was someone he didn’t even know. The time he’d spent listening to the stranger’s reason for being here didn’t help. “Riff might not be back until much later, and I don’t have time to entertain you while he’s gone.”

  The stocky man before him shook his head. “Your brother owes me a considerable sum of money, and I’m not leaving until he shows up or you help me locate him.”

  Damn Riff! Dominick thought. He was used to hearing of his brother’s spending binges, which usually resulted in bringing the people that he owed money to here. But never had they shown up at night like this, demanding payment immediately, while Riff was heaven only knew where!

  His eyes turned to the clock and he growled quietly. No doubt Julianna was waiting for him, and this trivial matter was bound to detain him until he could either find Riff or calm this person into waiting until the morrow.

  “Look,” he said, forcing his voice to stay controlled, “just what’s so urgent that you need this money tonight?”

  The man looked flustered for a minute, but then said a bit uneasily, “That’s none of your business. I deal with your brother alone.”

  So much for attempts at control, Dominick’s thoughts mocked.

  “Well, I’m not my brother, so you may as well face facts. He’s not here tonight! Now I have other things to see to, so if you’ll just be on your way...”

  “No!” the man said emphatically.

  Dominick growled in frustration.

  “Did Riff give you any indication of where he was going tonight?” he asked finally. The man’s long pause before shaking his head, led new suspicion into Dominick’s eyes. “You’re sure now.” The man shook his head again, just before he nodded frantically.

  “I was supposed to find out from you where he was.”

  “I see... who sent you?”

  The man fumbled for a moment before answering, “Just someone I know.
He doesn’t concern you either.”

  Something was definitely amiss here. An instinct Dominick had developed after years of his brother’s deceitful pranks. For some reason—call it a resemblance to Kiri’s psychic instincts—he had the uncanny notion that he was being set up.

  “You’re lying,” he said quietly, hoping the man would give something away.

  “What?” the man stammered.

  “Don’t give me that. It’s obvious by your actions that you’re hiding something, and I’d bet Riff’s behind this. Now why don’t you save us both a headache and come clean. What’s this all about?”

  “I told you, I don’t have to tell you.”

  Dominick’s banked anger flared up instantly. Grabbing the man’s shoulders, he slammed him back against the wall. “I’ve had just about enough of this game of yours, and now you’re going to give me some answers! Unless you want to find out what painful tortures an angry dreamphaser can conjure up when you’re next asleep.”

  The look of worry on the man’s face was almost laughable. Dominick had never used his abilities in that way, although he knew others who had—and of course he was bluffing here—but it was a threat that most who knew dreamphasers’ abilities wouldn’t ignore. Having control over the dream-state could be a powerful weapon to wield, when necessary.

  “I don’t have to...” the man began shakily.

  “Don’t push me,” warned Dominick. “Do you know what I’ll do to you in your sleep if you still refuse to answer me?” The man froze, shaking his head slightly in negation. “Well, let me paint you a for instance. How would you like to have every limb torn from your body—slowly and most excruciatingly—and then to see those same appendages tossed to a pack of hungry wolves?”

  That sounded convincing, he thought with amusement.

  It was apparently working.

  As the man visibly cringed, Dominick continued deviously, “Or how would you like having a dark dragon skin you alive, until there’s nothing left of you but the skeleton beneath, and to have an army of ogres and trolls sent in to break what bones are left of you? Not a pretty sight, and also very painful. I’d say you’ll be screaming for about a week afterwards, even while awake...”