by Jen Robyn
As she turned to leave, she was halted by Crystal’s hand clasping her arm. “Despite what you say, I know something more is bothering you about all this,” she replied. “And while I can’t force you to tell me what, just remember I’m ready to listen if you change your mind.”
For a moment, Julianna just stared at her elder sister. She always was the open-minded one in the family. Maybe if... “Crystal, I...” No, she decided. Not even Crystal could be that open-minded.
Sensing her closing herself off, Crystal pressed on coaxingly, “What is it, Julie? You can tell me.”
Julianna shook her head abruptly. “It’s nothing,” she insisted. “I just wanted to say good night, that’s all.” Quickly ascending the stairs, she was unaware of her sister staring after her skeptically.
As unusual as her story was, one underlying truth remained in Crystal’s mind. There was something her younger sister wasn’t telling her, and sooner or later, she intended to find out what it was.
Chapter Twelve
Julianna wasn’t surprised to find herself outside the dream castle, although she felt a bit awkward since everyone was no doubt already inside. A new shot of nerves grabbed hold of her, as she didn’t really know anyone in this realm except Dominick, and she hoped that the others wouldn’t disapprove of her because she wasn’t a dreamphaser too.
“Not everyone on Chavernos is, and they’ll love you,” said Dominick, his arms encircling her from behind. At her smile, he kissed her cheek, still holding her and smiled back. “They’re not here anyway. I just decided it would be easier for us to meet here first. However, since the rest are at the second location, we probably should go now.”
“Fine by me,” she agreed. She wasn’t surprised by the short ensuing silence confirming his reluctance to relinquish their time alone. Smiling as he leaned forward to kiss her neck, she spoke again amidst a soft laugh. “I don’t know where we’re going, hon. I’m afraid you’ll have to do the teleporting there.”
“I know,” he whispered. “By Chavernos, love, I want you so much,” he breathed against her cheek. “There’s only one place I feel like teleporting us to, which certainly isn’t among a bunch of people, and a hell of a lot closer than they are.”
She glanced thoughtfully at the dream castle. “We could meet your friends a few minutes later,” she suggested quietly.
Without a word, he swept her into his arms, prompting her to wrap her own about his neck. He kissed her then, deeply, his desire for her sending its signals to her own yearning body and back. His grip tightened as he pulled her closer, he murmured her name... and then suddenly expelled a sharp breath.
“Chaos, there are times when I wish I’d been a loner,” he groaned, meeting her gaze with an impish grin. “As long as I had you with me for my sole company.”
“You seem to do well enough there,” she laughed, her mind flashing through their numerous romantic meetings. “If we were any more alone than we’ve been lately, we’d never have the strength to leave our castle room.”
“Mmmm, which one?” he teased.
“If you don’t know that, then you must be an imposter to my future husband,” she said knowingly. “In which case, I’d better warn you, he totes a mean dream gun.”
“Does he now?” he chuckled, sending kisses down her neck and lower. At her soft gasp, he looked up to grin at her again. “No, my memory’s better than that, and I know exactly which room you were thinking of—which I’ll gladly take you to later. No imposter here, sweetheart.”
“Ah well, I don’t mind being wrong on occasion,” she decided, tousling his hair affectionately. “Still, maybe another kiss would convince me beyond any doubt.”
“No doubt a man who always accepts a challenge,” he agreed, his mouth capturing hers again.
When he finally broke apart a minute later, she smiled into his deep blue eyes—now laced with desire—and caressed his neck with her gentle hand. Those selfsame eyes seemed to be wrestling with more than passion, confirmed when he gave another low groan.
“I think we’d better postpone anymore such kisses for a while, love,” he told her gently. “Otherwise the only destination we’ll get to will be our dream castle bedroom, and my friends will wonder what’s become of us.”
“Can’t we just let them wonder?”
“A tempting thought,” he laughed, gently running his hands along her back while his arms remained about her. “But seriously, there’s someone in particular who I’d like to introduce you to, so I’m afraid we’ll have to take a raincheck on this for now. All right by you, love?”
“From you, a raincheck is always acceptable,” she replied cheerfully, hugging him tighter as she felt the winds of teleportation sweep them away.
*****
To greet their arrival, an array of colored lights and the sounds of dancing music filled Julianna’s senses as she glanced about an enormous room. This room was more modern than the former ballroom location. Half of it catered to dancers, while other people were seated at tables or leaning against them, chattering away. Several seemed to be around her age, while many others were a few years older like Dominick. But even so, the thought of getting lost among so many unfamiliar people gave Julianna pause, and she instinctively clutched Dominick’s arm tighter.
Smiling down at her, he patted her hand reassuringly, even as he called out to a small group of people seated at a nearby table. They all looked up with smiles, beckoning the pair to join them. Julianna smiled back shyly and felt herself led over by Dominick’s comforting arm around her waist. There were six people seated, three men and three women, sitting alternately. One of whom she recognized.
“Here’s the happy couple,” laughed Riff, standing to slap his brother’s shoulder good-naturedly. Quieter, he added, “What took you so long anyway? We were starting to think you might have gotten sidetracked or something.”
Julianna blushed with a smile, knowing he wasn’t far off.
“Never mind that,” snapped Dominick. “What are you doing here after what you pulled last night?”
“Now, Dom,” he replied smiling, “I know I made a slight error in judgment…”
“Slight?”
“Okay, maybe a bit more than that. But how could I not be here when you invited the others to a gathering for something you said was important?” He gestured towards Buddy and Jarissa. “Besides, those two aren’t dreamphasers, and needed an escort to be here.”
Dominick took a deep, calming breath. “You’re not off the hook. We’ll discuss this later.”
“Great!” Riff replied jovially, turning an appreciative glance at his companion. “And, Julianna, you’re looking most enchanting tonight,” he said, giving a wolf-whistle.
Dominick gripped his shoulder meaningfully. “That’s enough out of you, brother,” he said, forcing a smile which had an edge to it. “Or there will be more than words when we get home.”
“Fair enough,” sighed Riff, sitting beside Kiri who was shaking her head. “What?” he remarked quietly. “I was just being a gentleman.” The others laughed audibly. “Hey, hey… that’s enough out of you. We’re not all guardian angels at this table!”
Turning to the three women beside their respective companions, Dominick smiled cordially to each. “Ladies, might I say you all look ravishing tonight, as you always do.” The trio laughed, leaving Julianna curious, even as another woman walked up to them.
“Always a charmer, Dominick,” said the woman with flaming red hair.
“I have to be so around such lovely women, Capricia,” he told her, flashing her a wink. “Although I must admit being partial to one certain redhead here.”
Julianna missed the knowing look exchanged between the pair, seeing only Dominick’s intense stare upon the flawless beauty Capricia. No doubt appropriately named! The woman’s eyes danced as she tossed back the long, fiery red hair that cascaded past her shoulders. No doubt a natural red, Julianna thought enviously, wishing her own hair was truly that, as it used to b
e in her childhood.
Having realized from the start that she wasn’t truly a redhead, Dominick had once told her that brown hair or red, she’d be beautiful either way, boosting her self-esteem several points. But now, noticing his lingering gaze that seemed so drawn to this redheaded woman—while remembering his last comment to her—she wondered with hurt just what the look of interest in his eyes meant.
Oblivious to her expression as Capricia walked away, the other women at the table laughed merrily, causing Julianna’s cheeks to flush. It wasn’t just the redhead. The way they all eyed him, she couldn’t help but wonder how well he knew them. Were these some of the girlfriends he’d once sought out, and was he now missing their company, even as he resigned himself to spend his life with her? she wondered sadly.
Just noticing this, Dominick eyed her gently and hugged her close. “Capricia came with her boyfriend, who happens to be a friend of mine as well. We’ve always been strictly friends, love, as is true of all those here,” he murmured, feeling her relax slightly as he clasped her hand tightly. “And I assure you,” he added with a knowing smile, “there won’t be anymore women in my life other than my beautiful bride-to-be, who coincidentally happens to be the same redhead I referred to.”
At the look of understanding that brightened her eyes, he emphasized his words with a long kiss, even as one of the other men coughed to break them apart again.
“Is there something you’re not telling us here?” he inquired, his eyes mischievously questioning. “Come on, come on, we need more details.”
“All in due time, Inferno,” laughed Dominick. “Julianna, this is one of my most trusted friends.”
Julianna smiled and reached out her hand towards him. “I’m glad to meet someone Dominick thinks so highly of,” she said, surprised when Inferno took her hand—not to shake it—but to kiss it gently.
“And it’s most certainly a pleasure to meet a very beautiful lady that my friend apparently thinks equally highly of,” he said smiling. “By that glow in your eyes, I can tell that you must be as fond of Dominick as he is of you.”
She blushed with a nod, taking a moment to appraise him. He had neatly trimmed sandy blond hair, with warm amber-brown eyes that seemed to emanate a welcome. From his strong set chin, the wisdom in his expression, and his amiable smile, it spoke volumes of trust and confidence.
“His name was aptly chosen for his ability to both conjure flame or extinguish it,” Dominick continued, “As is the case with many dreamphasers, it’s a second inborn ability.”
She cast another look at the man and found herself agreeing that the name indeed suited him. It was in the man’s eyes, she decided, which almost seemed to hold the flicker of flames themselves.
“As you can see, Dominick isn’t the only charmer at this table,” laughed the woman beside him.
Julianna noticed that like the redhead, this woman also had a striking beauty. Her fair blonde hair was long and shimmered, a striking contrast to her sun-tanned skin and dark emerald green eyes. Eyes that now looked adoringly at Inferno, easing any worries Julianna had about her wanting Dominick.
“That’s Psych,” he told her, earning her attention again. “Our resident songbird. She can hit notes that register outside normal hearing, although still in pitch.”
She nodded appreciatively at the comment. “That, plus if you ever need to get attention, I can let out a sound that will overwhelm any other. Great for quieting a crowd in a hurry.”
“Which might be useful later,” Dominick agreed, turning towards his brother. “You’ve already met Riff, obviously,” he murmured, clearing his throat.
Riff took on a look of hurt. “Dom, you wound me,” he said with mock seriousness, turning to Julianna. “You don’t have to worry, dear lady. I assure you, I’m a most trustworthy soul when you get to know me.”
Dominick glared at him. “She knows enough, and if you want that ‘trustworthy’ body of yours intact, just mind yourself.”
“He’d better,” sing-songed the woman beside him.
As Julianna met her gaze with a short laugh, they exchanged friendly knowing smiles that indicated an instant camaraderie. The woman had upward brushed shoulder-length, wavy copper hair with gold highlights, and bright brown eyes that glittered with intelligence and fun, not to mention a look of mischief that Julianna knew quite well herself. Dominick smiled at the pair, not surprised that their similar attitudes would make them fast friends.
“Julianna, this is Kiri. A lady who has more than just a quick mind. She has the ability to read the thoughts of others, when it comes to surface thoughts, in addition to occasionally being able to get impressions from objects about events occurring around them.”
Kiri reached out to shake Julianna’s hand. “That last part helps when you use healing magic on someone unconscious, to find out what may be the source of the problem when they can’t communicate it.”
Julianna’s eyes grew curious. “But if you’re already also a dreamphaser, wouldn’t healing be a third ability? Dominick mentioned that supernaturals only have one or two.”
“My healing powers are learned magic, not inborn. Many of Chavernos are scholars of learned magic, who never had inborn abilities.”
“Could I learn, even though I’m from Earth?”
“It’s certainly possible, though some take to it easier than others. If you were on our world, I’d be happy to help with what I know. Mind you, there are others more versed in learned magic here tonight, including one you know quite well.” She smiled at her silent friend. “Dominick, don’t tell me you haven’t mentioned your own abilities outside of being a dreamphaser.”
He shook his head with a smile. “It’s hardly worth mentioning.”
Riff snorted. “That’s right, don’t tell your girlfriend you’re working towards being a high-ranking mage. Who’ll notice when furniture rearranges itself, or dinner is served from a floating tray?”
Julianna’s eyes widened. “Is that true? Can you really do magic outside of the dream-state?”
“Yes, it’s true, although I still have much to learn.”
“That’s amazing!”
Visibly pleased, he shrugged. “It helps when your dragon companion knows a thing or two. But before Kiri gives away all of my secrets, it might interest you to know that she’s an avid reader of romance novels too.”
Kiri leaned forward conspiratorially. “It helps to pass the time while you’re waiting for Mr. Right.”
“Hey!” protested Riff.
“What, ‘hey’?”
“Your Mr.’s right here, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“Please! You wouldn’t know the meaning of romance if it bit you on the…”
His mouth effectively silenced hers with such conviction, the others were taken aback. Just when she visibly softened, he pulled away, his eyes defiantly looking into hers.
“Tell yourself that,” he whispered, abruptly getting up from the table.
Although the others didn’t stop him, Kiri still looked a bit dazed.
The third woman at the table, with long, curly brown hair, leaned forward in her chair. “Okay, then,” she said, smiling playfully at Julianna. “And I didn’t even have a hand in that one. Though very often, guardian devils like to stir up mischief between two lovers.”
Kiri’s eyes lost their glazed look. “We’re not lovers!” she protested.
The guardian devil sighed. “Not everyone needs to be a mind-reader to figure some things out.” Ignoring her friend’s angry blush, she refocused on her audience. “I’m Jarissa. Half guardian devil, half guardian angel, which means…”
“Chaos,” mumbled the remaining man at the table.
She smirked at him. “Leave the dreamphaser out of this, halo-boy. Now, if you’ll be your good, half-angel self and stop interrupting…” He growled, while she turned back again. “It means, although I may cause minor mischief, I do try to watch out for my fellow sisters on this world. When Dominick first mentioned you, it
took a little convincing to realize his intentions with you were honorable.” The guardian angel coughed loudly. “All right, a lot of convincing. But I’m glad he proved my concerns wrong, for both your sakes.”
Julianna smiled as Dominick hugged her close meaningfully.
“Which brings us to this last gentleman,” he said, gesturing. This is Buddy, who is a primary guardian angel, but with a half-devil side as well. Not surprisingly, he shared similar concern, though I think we all understand one another now.”
“Very true,” agreed Buddy, kissing her hand cordially as Inferno had. “Welcome to our humble group, dear lady.”
“Did you just say ‘humble’?” exclaimed Riff, rejoining them with a drink. The others echoed his curious look.
“Hey, it’s an expression!” Buddy protested. As the others slowly laughed at his seriousness, he sighed. “They’re a tough crowd sometimes, but they’re still fun on occasion.”
“So it would seem,” laughed Julianna. “I’m honored to meet all of you.” A few raised their glasses politely. “So, do you all get together here frequently in the dream-state?’
Kiri shrugged her shoulders. “Now and then,” she agreed, a smirk forming. “Except recently without Dominick for some reason. You wouldn’t happen to know where he’s been for the past few weeks, would you?” As a few of the others laughed softly, Julianna found herself blushing, but tried her best to maintain a confident air.
“Could be,” she said cryptically, eyeing Dominick knowingly while sharing a mischievous smile with him that two errant teenagers might wear.
Squeezing her hand, Dominick spoke quickly. “Not to interrupt, but dreams only last so long,” he stated simply, his smile becoming serious. “Thank you all for coming, my friends. I wanted all of you to be the first to hear the news.”