by Jen Robyn
He took a deep breath. “And regardless of what I think, if you still mean to announce your engagement to this Julianna Sherborne in the dream-state—foolish as it stands—then of course I wish to be there when you do.”
A smile tugged across Dominick’s expression as the pair hugged one another. “I’m glad, Grandfather. I wouldn’t have been completely happy without your blessing.”
“Yes, you’ll have that,” sighed Chaos, patting his back once. Almost immediately, his expression changed. Stepping away, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Dominick stared at him curiously, just before his grandfather glanced up to the ceiling with a growing smile. “And maybe... if you and your future bride can be patient, I might be able to give you more than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lendric,” replied Chaos. At his grandson’s look of confusion, he snapped his fingers in a prompting manner. “Think, boy, you remember who Lendric is. The dragon sorcerer in outer Chavernos that visits on occasion?”
Lendric? Dominick mused for a moment, just before recognition lit his features. Yes, now he remembered. Although he usually saw Lendric in his elven form, the powerful sorcerer was a gold dragon, who bore a pair of emerald green eyes in either dragon or elven form.
While the dragon could alter his immense size to human/elven height when necessary—especially to fit in an average room—Dominick had seen a few occasions of Lendric at his full formidable dragon height which was even taller.
Thankfully, he was a friend!
Dominick had first seen the dragon in full-scale form when he’d been a child of seven, at the time never having seen a dragon close-up. Lendric had a soft spot for children, and although his true form tended to frighten most youngsters initially, Dominick hadn’t been frightened... merely awed. He’d even boldly asked Lendric if he could go flying with him. The dragon laughed, pleased at his early signs of fearlessness, and afterwards, he demonstrated that he could alter his form to that of an elf, surprising the boy anew.
It had been several years since Dominick had last seen Lendric in person—close to a decade in fact—but dragons with their infallible memories always maintained respect towards their friendships with humans, as Chaolyn, Roderlin, and Alysadaria had. Since like all dragons, Lendric was relatively ageless in either dragon or elven form, he might look to be Dominick’s age or a few years older; however, in reality he was many actual years older and still far from his prime.
Dragons held the record for life spans.
“I remember him,” Dominick replied finally, “but what does he have to do with my situation with Julianna?”
Silently mumbling about the need to explain everything in detail to youngsters, Chaos finally replied slowly and simply, “Lendric has demonstrated the power to travel between worlds.”
Moments later, Dominick’s energetic grin could have electrified the whole room with its enthusiasm. “By Chavernos, of course! Didn’t he once mention many years ago that he’d made a trip to another galaxy in the past?”
Chaos nodded once with a knowing smile. “That’s what I seem to recall.”
“Then Earth can’t be impossible to reach after all. Grandfather, this is just the news I’ve prayed for! Wait until Julianna hears.”
“Hold on, boy, before you rush off to celebrate this news with your betrothed, I’d advise you not to get your hopes too high. For while Lendric might be able to travel between worlds himself, there’s no guarantee that he can teleport someone with him. Only he has the answer to that, and you’d better discuss the matter with him first.”
Dominick considered this, and then nodded. “Good point,” he whispered, eyeing his grandfather seriously. “All right, I’ll just share with her what you’ve told me regarding the Mage War, since at least it proves there has been teleportation between our worlds before.”
“True enough,” agreed Chaos.
“I’ll just tell her I’m researching it further, but as soon as I talk with Lendric...”
“By all means, if all signs are positive, tell her then. But for now, maintain a little caution, Dominick, even in regard to your own optimism. I don’t want to be faced with a sudden terminal depression from you should Lendric negate the possibility.”
“I’ll keep that in mind as well,” he agreed. “Now, how do I get in touch with Lendric?”
“That... is why I asked if you wouldn’t mind being patient,” sighed Chaos. “You see, when I last contacted him six months ago, he said he had pressing business elsewhere on Chavernos, and since he practically lives for traveling, he might not have returned yet.”
“But if it’s been that long, he should be back.”
Chaos shrugged once. “Maybe, but I know him too well to count on it.” Upon seeing the sudden disappointment on his grandson’s face, Chaos gripped his shoulder tightly. “Now don’t lose heart, boy. If he isn’t there, he’ll return sooner or later. I’ll send word for your mother, so she can take you there. It’s too bad her teleportation magic only has limited range, or maybe she could have solved this problem for you.”
“I considered that, which is why I didn’t ask,” replied Dominick. “But if she can get us to Lendric’s, that will be help enough.”
“Agreed. Just tell him all you’ve told me.”
“I will,” sighed Dominick. “I just hope he can help us.”
“Since he is one of Chavernos’s greatest sorcerers, he presents as good a chance as anyone else,” Chaos suggested chipperly. “In the meantime, you may as well take advantage of your time together, since it could still be awhile before you can be brought to the same world.” For a moment, his smile lingered, before abruptly dimming with new realization. “Which brings up an interesting point. Just which world will you both live on if you’re brought together successfully?”
Dominick paused, unsure of the answer himself. “I’d have to discuss the matter with Julianna,” he replied. “If it was up to me, I’d like to bring her to Chavernos to live on the island, since I could certainly give her a beautiful home here. She’s often mentioned her love of the ocean, so I know she’d be happy with a house overlooking it.”
“Excellent,” Chaos replied quickly. “I’ll see to it that you have the best. Perhaps a small castle reminiscent of the one you share in the dream-state.”
“But...” Dominick interrupted softly, “Julianna may not want to be so uprooted from her homeworld. And if that’s the case, I’m just as willing to remain with her on Earth, to try to adjust to life there instead.”
“What?” exclaimed Chaos, sudden anger nearly choking out his words. “And leave Chavernos forever?” This was one aspect he hadn’t considered—before mentioning Lendric—and it pained him to realize that if his grandson left, it was partially his fault, though done with the best of intentions. “Dominick, you’re one of my succeeding heirs. I can’t simply condone your leaving forever.”
“Riff’s still here. He’ll do well enough without me, if need be.”
Chaos counted to ten to keep calm, and then decided a hundred might be necessary instead.
Inwardly, he knew Dominick’s words were true. Riff was a highly strong-willed and confident man who would certainly handle Barokka with all the authority Chaos had. In many ways, Chaos always felt that Riff was more like him than his father, and it both pleased him... and annoyed him sometimes. But Dominick...
Dominick was different. He had the strong will and the confidence, but even more, he had a strong sense of integrity and a compassionate nature, as well as a most loving heart. No doubt a trait he’d picked up from his late grandmother whom Chaos missed so much.
His dear Ylana... he reflected, who had often been regarded as a soft-spoken, clever and understanding mediator in troubled times. If for no other reason, it was because Dominick seemed so much like Ylana sometimes that Chaos had taken such a liking to the boy. Although he was surely fond of Riff too, that fondness was different. Only his innermost thoughts knew this, for over the years, he’d made sure
to give both boys an equal share of his attention, so neither felt slighted.
It was Dominick he tended to worry about the most, when all was said and done. Loving hearts could so easily be crushed by the cruelly thoughtless individuals who thought they controlled the others who revolved about them, and his grandson’s own heart was no exception.
Upon hearing of Riff’s occasional pranks in hurting his younger brother via his shenanigans in the dream-state, especially in regard to seducing the women Dominick knew, Chaos couldn’t help but feel some distaste for his elder grandson. Although Chaos knew his own reputation hadn’t been spotless over the years, Dominick shouldn’t be made to suffer for Riff’s antics.
It was due to Julianna’s adamant refusals to Riff’s persistent attitude that Chaos found himself both glad that Riff had been taken down a peg, and even more pleased that the girl had her own strong share of morals. If she was to be as loyal to Dominick as she’d been recently, then Chaos had no qualms about welcoming the girl into the family as his new granddaughter. And reading between the lines, if Dominick and Julianna got along as well in reality as they did in the dream-state, he might just see several great-grandchildren over the next several years.
That is, unless those great-grandchildren were to be kept from him, along with their parents, due to the painfully real light-years of separation.
“Even with your brother to take over one day, since your father has adamantly refused,” he began, “I think it’s in Barokka’s best interests if you take your place beside Riff.”
That much was certainly true, Chaos thought inwardly. Especially since Riff would need Dominick’s more levelheaded nature, if Barokka was to continue to run smoothly, he mused to himself. Granted, Dominick sometimes had one hell of a temper, but his heart usually ruled well above it, and Chaos knew he’d treat Barokka and its inhabitants with fairness and devotion.
“As I’ve said, I’m hoping she’ll agree to live here, but that’s premature to worry about until I can get in touch with Lendric,” replied Dominick. “Then, we’ll see what happens.” At his grandfather’s silence, a brief worry sobered his expression. “In any case, you wouldn’t try anything underhanded to keep me here, would you?”
“I’d do anything I could to keep both of my grandsons here,” he said firmly. Upon catching sight of the suspicion in Dominick’s eyes, he quickly amended, “But... if your happiness is only to be found with this girl, and if you insist on living out your lives on her world, I suppose I have little chance of standing in your way, do I?”
Dominick smiled gratefully, earning a sudden gruffness from the elder man. Blazes! Chaos thought inwardly. There were times when children—or grandchildren—could be so stubborn in facing facts! A truth which he’d need to remedy sooner than later, before he ended up losing one grandson to another world forever.
A fact that he wasn’t going to give into lightly, although he knew better than to tell Dominick this.
“Now then,” he said solemnly, “before I’ll be willing to even consider sending my grandson off—Chavernos knows where—in the galaxy, I’d appreciate meeting my future granddaughter tonight, when you announce your engagement.” A sly smile stole across his face. “That is, if you can spare some time away from your dream castle.”
“Of course we can,” Dominick laughed. “Tonight seems as good a time as any to introduce you both, and I’m sure you’ll like her.”
“Yes,” Chaos agreed softly. “If you truly love one another, and she’s responsible for the happiness in your eyes, then I’m certain I will too.”
Even though your relationship will have to end, if Barokka’s to guarantee holding onto one of its two future leaders, his silent thoughts added grimly.
Inescapable truth came no easier to elders sometimes.
*****
As Zantarl tabulated the check for the young woman who stood at the counter, she eyed him with a catlike smile. She knew without looking behind her that the outfit she’d chosen, combined with her body’s perfect curves, had the attention of every male—human or otherwise—in Lost Limbo.
Brushing back a long strand of her golden blonde hair, she placed her braceleted hand on her hip, leaning her other arm on the counter. Her violet-blue eyes, sometimes mistaken for those of certain dragons—although she definitely wasn’t one herself—were as apt at charming men as her hauntingly melodic voice. A voice which granted her the powerful ability of enchantment, and whose siren-like call had dubbed her the name of Sireni.
“The next time you come to Lost Limbo,” growled Zantarl, “try wearing a skirt with actual material, lest you leave the male customers here nearly catatonic again!”
“Zantarl,” she purred, “would I do that purposefully?”
The elder man smiled at her brightly, just before it dimmed to an icy glare. “You always do.”
Sireni laughed off his words, waltzing out of Lost Limbo, humming as she went. A most clever tune, thought Zantarl, as three good-looking men went trailing after her. It was a good thing he was strong-willed and immune to her ability. Elsewise, if he’d been a bit younger... the thought nearly made him pour a drink of his own.
Strange, since Zantarl couldn’t stand alcohol himself.
Upon reaching her home, Sireni turned an innocent expression on the sole remaining man standing beside her, having already sent the others away by releasing her charm on them. “Don’t you think you should be off with your friends?” she inquired.
The man merely grinned, placing his hands possessively about her waist. “They can find their own way home,” he murmured, bending his face closer to hers.
She blushed becomingly, although by no means innocent anymore—having mastered the fine art of bewitching men with her ability—touching a finger gently upon his neck to feel his pulse quicken. She could sense through her powers that this one would be a more than willing temporary companion for the day, and since she was equally willing, at least it would ease the boredom until tomorrow.
“Yes,” she laughed merrily, brushing her lips against his. “I suppose they can.”
Intoxicated by her magic and her undeniable physical appeal, his hold strengthened on her until she was pressed tightly against him, not caring who might be walking by to notice. Nor did Sireni have any discretion either, which was why neither noticed a certain dark-haired man approach them, clapping slowly.
“A stunning performance, Sireni,” remarked Dual, prompting her to whip her gaze towards him with surprise. The surprise soon faded into her familiar catlike smile though, ignoring the bewildered man who still held her. Dual grinned knowingly, gesturing his arms wide. “Did you miss me, my jewel?” he asked.
“Always,” she replied, pushing free of the other man to rush into his arms. Not that the chagrined man was willing to leave so easily.
“Hey!” he snarled, striding over to break her apart from Dual again. Gripping her shoulders so she faced him, his eyes were dark. “Who is this guy you apparently know so well?” he demanded.
A sharp lancing pain in his wrist, caused by pressure from Dual, freed his hold on her. “Someone who’s known her for a lot longer than you, and won’t allow your kind to interfere. Now be on your way, or you’ll find your worst nightmares become so unsettling, you’ll have white hair when you awake.” His hold on the man’s wrist tightened much more painfully. “Unless you wish a sample now of what I can do to distractions such as you.”
Boring his murderous gaze into the other man’s eyes threateningly, Dual’s words hit home, effectively breaking the charm and sending him off without a backwards glance at Sireni. Looking after him with a shrug, she turned back to Dual, wrapping her arms about his neck.
“That one wasn’t as strong as some of the rest,” she sighed, smiling up at him seductively. “But then, you always were a tough man to find an equal to.” She kissed him quickly, but as she tried to pull away, he refused to release her, his kisses bruising as he backed her against her door.
As his hands roamed
lower, she moaned against him, moments before he tore his mouth away, glaring at her. Breathing heavily, Sireni eyed him with slight confusion. “When are you going to get it through your head that you’re mine,” he hissed, gripping her shoulders. “Must I kill these unfortunate suitors of yours whom you insist on luring into your spider’s web, before you stop your endless games?”
Her eyes narrowed. “If you wouldn’t leave so often, no doubt to find your own endless rank of paramours, maybe I wouldn’t need these mindless fools!” she replied in kind. “Why I bother with you at all, I have no idea, since all you ever do is...”
Dual cut off her words with another forceful kiss, breaking down her attempted resistance to his advances. Pulling her leg around his, his hand skimmed upward, a deviant knowing look in his eyes at her responding shiver.
“Because, my jewel, you know I’m the only one who can give you what you want, both in reality and the dream-state,” he whispered against her ear, lifting her into his arms before she could protest. “Maybe you need a reminder of this,” he added, kissing her again as he brought her inside the house. For her part, Sireni needed no further convincing, kicking the door shut lightly with her foot.
*****
An hour later, Sireni stretched contentedly beneath her bed covers, eyeing Dual as he stood gazing out her window, leaning one arm against the wall.
They were a well-matched pair, she knew, neither one seeking marriage or commitment, but holding a bond between them that no outside paramours could sever. Both shared the same dreamphasing ability, often meeting in the dream-state, even when they were separated by distance across Chavernos. Not to mention, both reveled in creating havoc wherever they went.
Running one finger lightly atop the blanket as she shifted to one side, Sireni leaned on her elbow and smiled knowingly. Despite Dual’s constant arguments over what she did in his absence, it was never enough for him to deny the passion they could only find with each other. She might not be using her magic on him, but he was as caught as the others were—perhaps even more—nonetheless.