by Jen Robyn
The man smiled down at her. “And I thought I noticed a damsel in apparent distress running this way,” he replied, moving to kneel beside her. Julianna sniffed as she brushed a hand across her eyes to clear them further, getting a better look at the stranger.
He was good-looking, probably around Dominick’s age or a bit older, with an air of confidence. His dark hair framed his marble-like face, with a pair of cool gray eyes. In a way, he resembled one of Dominick’s friends she’d just met, although she knew it wasn’t him. Even kneeling, the man was noticeably taller than she was, apparently well-muscled, and bearing a genial expression.
“I had to leave in a hurry,” she told him, gesturing her head towards the building. “Those pestersome people will question me all night if I let them.”
“Hmmm,” he said, rubbing his chin as if considering something. Then abruptly, he snapped his fingers with sudden realization. “That explains why you looked familiar. You must be the future bride of Dominick Westbrooke.”
Hesitantly she nodded, just before suspicion lit her eyes. “Are you some kind of dream-state reporter?” she accused. “Because if you are...”
“Perish the thought, my dear woman,” the man laughed. “I happen to have my own aversion towards those nosy people. I merely recognized you from the sudden crowd disruption earlier.”
She gave a slight groan. “Don’t remind me.”
The stranger turned his head to one side curiously as he continued to stare at her appraisingly. “Since you’re to be Dominick’s wife, shouldn’t you be back inside with him?”
“I would be,” she agreed, her lips forming a sneer. “That is, if his royal highness King Chaos would stop shooting his poisonous insults at me.” After she sniffed once more, the stranger materialized a handkerchief for her, which she gratefully accepted.
“Ah yes, Chaos,” he said softly, sounding as if he’d dealt with the man before. Julianna was too busy drying her eyes to notice all he said, nor the hint of biting sarcasm in his tone. “Dominick’s grandfather is indeed a piece of work. Not surprisingly, it seems to run in the family with his dear grandson...”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” she murmured absently as she looked up from the white cloth.
His smile renewed, the stranger removed the handkerchief from her grasp and questioned her further. “Not to sound like those wretched nuisances within, but just when are you and Dominick getting married?”
“The way you’re speaking, you sound like you know him personally.”
The stranger’s mouth twitched once, but he maintained his air of calm composure. “Yes, we do know each other. If I may say so though,” he added, extending his hand amiably, “this humble dream traveler is glad to make the acquaintance of his most beautiful bride-to-be.”
She took his hand with a smile, nodding once. “Pleased to meet you too, I’m sure.” The man’s eyes glittered in response as he kissed her hand softly. A bit flustered by this, she managed to free her hand to continue quickly. “In answer to your earlier question, Dominick and I are planning on being married as soon as we can.”
Sensing her sudden concern over his attention, the stranger’s eyes twinkled, but before he could say anything, she sighed distractedly. “Although now, I’m beginning to wonder if it will ever happen at all with Chaos around.”
“Don’t worry, my dear. I’m sure everything will go according to plan,” he assured her, secretly masking a different smile from her. Suddenly, Dominick’s voice was heard, calling out Julianna’s name.
“That’s my fiancé,” she explained quickly. “I’d better go to him. If you’ll excuse me.”
The man stood with her, taking hold of her arm. When her eyes questioned this, he smiled lazily. “Julianna,” he whispered. “A beautiful name for a fair damsel.”
“Thank you,” she replied, blushing this time. “Now please, I have to go.”
“Of course,” he agreed, nodding once before releasing her. “But rest assured, my dear Julianna... we will meet again in the future. After all, I happen to know your future husband quite well, though it’s been awhile since we last talked.”
She smiled at the sound of camaraderie in his tone, but couldn’t comment before Dominick’s voice shouted out her name again, this time more loudly. Waving once to the man, she ran back around the building, completely missing the look of amused resentment that flashed across his face.
“Oh yes, my dear woman,” Dual hissed quietly to himself, “I know your future husband quite well indeed. As I’ll one day know you.” Nodding once with a devious grin as he dropped the handkerchief to the ground, he vanished just as the white cloth burst into flames behind him.
*****
“Julianna!” Dominick shouted again, by this time genuinely worried over his betrothed’s mysterious absence. Could the crowd have mobbed her again, cornering her for details? he wondered, silently cursing the lot of them for interfering with his personal life.
Not that it was anything less than he expected, since being the grandson of the ruler of Barokka, he’d assisted in helping keep the island the paradisiacal place it was, no less so among the numerous dreamphasers residing there.
Quite often, he traveled throughout the island to keep tabs on things, and saw to improving conditions where necessary and possible, so he’d met a great deal of Barokka’s inhabitants personally. Some of the women in past years, he thought ruefully now, he’d known more than just casually. But since Chaos had often warned him to be careful of the gold-digging type, he’d always been careful to steer clear of any deep emotional involvements.
Since he’d also been careful to avoid women who were currently involved with other men—especially the married kind—he’d also avoided the wrath of the male population, and thus was well liked by most everyone on the island. Of course, a few men still couldn’t hide their pleased reaction that one of the most eligible bachelors was leaving the female chase. So it wasn’t really a shock that so many were congratulating him on his engagement.
He’d only displayed a slight grimace towards the several people he’d conferred with who asked what his plans were in regard to future heirs. Sticking to what he’d told the women speaking with Julianna, he murmured that it wasn’t a concern or a necessity. Yet inwardly, he supposed it could be one day, if Riff decided against fatherhood himself.
To be truthful, Dominick had been especially fond of the many children of Barokka he’d met along the way, which was why Chaos suggested he see to settling down and having a few of his own. Up until now, Dominick had merely laughed at the suggestion, saying he doubted he’d ever find a woman he wished to devote his whole life to.
That was before Julianna had unexpectedly come into his life to change all that.
Another biting irony. He’d found an ideal companion—who would probably like to have children with him someday—but the children Chaos wished for him to have were an impossibility. At least for now, his thoughts amended. This disturbance was still present as he prepared to shout for Julianna again, just before he heard her respond.
Turning, a thankful smile crossed his expression as she reappeared, holding out his arms to embrace her as she ran to him. Just holding her close again erased his former dark thoughts completely, as if she’d suddenly become the sun to brightly burn them away.
“Darling...” he murmured against her ear as he kissed her cheek, “please don’t run off like that again. I was beginning to worry that you’d left me for good after hearing what my grandfather was spouting on about.”
That was a thought that had indeed distressed him upon his first exiting the building and finding no trace of her. Heirs or not, he decided firmly as he held her now, he wasn’t willing to abandon this woman he loved so much, no matter how strongly the others might argue. They’d find some way to work it out.
She shook her head tearfully. “Oh, Dominick, you must know I’d never leave you,” she told him, her voice breaking. “I love you more than I can ever express.”
/> “I remember, love,” he whispered, breathing in her sweetness. “Dear heaven, I could never forget, since I love you the same way as well.” A serious look stole across his eyes as he rocked her against him. “This wasn’t at all the way I planned this evening,” he told her honestly. “I was sure my grandfather would accept you after telling him about you earlier this day. I guess I should have known better with Chaos, who’s more than earned that title.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Dominick,” she replied, shaking her head. “I just wish your grandfather wasn’t so close-minded.”
“No matter,” he said, pulling her back to meet his gaze. “I intend to marry you in the near future, Miss Sherborne, as long as I still have your consent to proceed.”
Smiling happily, she clasped her arms around his neck, with a mock sense of airs. “By all means, Mr. Westbrooke, I’ll gladly accept the role as your dutiful wife.”
He was only silent for a moment before laughter overcame him. “Since being dutiful indicates obedience, I’m afraid that’s one role you’d never qualify for, love.”
“You never argue when we’re alone together,” she retorted with a slight pout.
Pulling her closer until his mouth was mere inches from hers, he smiled upon her. “Maybe because I much prefer you just the way you are, feisty and unpredictable.” Brushing a light kiss across her lips, he felt her soften again. “You know, love, your earlier suggestion comes to mind. Would you be terribly disappointed if we left early to salvage something pleasant from this night?”
“Hmmm,” she murmured, even as she smiled against his ever-persuasive kisses on her neck. “If this has anything to do with a certain raincheck, I guess I’m willing to make the sacrifice,” she decided through a soft laugh, just before Dominick swept her up in his arms with a grin, his laughter echoing hers.
“Wait!” interrupted a loud voice.
Startled, the pair looked up to find Chaos striding towards them, holding up a hand as if he could hold them there by sheer will.
Julianna’s smile faded instantly, while Dominick’s expression turned cold, gently setting her on her feet again while still holding her possessively. As Chaos drew nearer, she noticed a faint softening of his features, and wondered at the oddness of it.
“I see you wish to leave, but if I could have but a moment of your time before you go, I’d appreciate it,” said Chaos, his tone surprisingly quiet. “Please,” he added, giving a meaningful look to both.
“You have your moment,” Dominick replied evenly.
Chaos gave a brief smile to the embraced pair before he began. “I couldn’t help witnessing the two of you together just now. You remind me of happier times, when I still had my precious wife Ylana beside me, watching our son and grandsons growing up peacefully.”
He sighed heavily in remembrance. “Ylana and I had our own share of hardships to overcome. Perhaps not as great as this distance separating you, but they existed. In any event, we never would have let anything or anyone keep us apart either. And bearing this in mind, I suppose I shouldn’t have allowed my own feelings to condemn what you’ve already chosen to do with your lives. After tonight, seeing how happy you are with each other, I know your future marriage will happen someday. And this being the case, I’d rather be a part of your lives than an outsider.”
Chaos turned to Julianna with the hint of a regretful smile. “If I may be allowed to retract my words to you earlier, I do believe that you genuinely love my grandson, and I suppose I can understand full well how impulses can take hold of one. After all, I’ve been no stranger to them myself over the years.”
As she gave a silent nod of acceptance, Chaos stole a quick knowing glance at Dominick. “And there’s no arguing your words that my grandson is a rather persistent and persuasive lad for all that, so I can further understand what steered you towards a serious relationship so soon.” At the warning look in Dominick’s eyes, Chaos warded it off lightly, turning back to Julianna. “As to what you said earlier, about my being a grim, inflexible, disagreeable man...”
She blushed at the memory. “Sir, I didn’t mean...”
“Contrary to my earlier words, you don’t strike me as being a woman without honor, so don’t pretend to feel differently,” he interrupted, but without any sternness this time. “After all, your instincts are quite correct. I am all those, and have damn well learned to build a reputation around it.”
A warmer smile lit his face as he reached forward to take her hand gently. She gave no resistance, since she was still caught by surprise from his speech.
“Your instincts were also correct on the count that I do have a different side that isn’t so gruff, although I can’t allow most to know this. You’re one of the few to see through to it, to your credit, only reassuring me that you’re every bit as intelligent and warmhearted as you are a beauty. Most certainly a fit match for my grandson, and you’ll both have my blessing at the time of your future wedding, along with my sincerest congratulations over your engagement now.”
Julianna gaped for a moment, her eyes shining, and on impulse she reached out to hug the older man. “Thank you, sir,” she whispered.
He patted her back, breaking apart from her to emit a gruff excuse for a smile. “That’s Grandfather to you, so don’t forget it in the future.”
“Of course,” she agreed, feeling a surge of happiness as she felt Dominick’s arm tightly clasp her waist with pride.
“One last thing before I leave you both to... your other plans?” He smiled knowingly at the sheepish looks on the pair’s faces. “I would hope Dominick has mentioned that if you were to choose to live your lives on Barokka one day, you’d want for nothing.”
Julianna gave him her warmest smile. “Oh, sir...” At the sudden quirk of Chaos’s eyebrows, she caught herself. “I mean, Grandfather… as long as I have Dominick, I wouldn’t want anything else. But as to living together on Barokka, I’d be thrilled to live there, not to mention to meet you and his friends in reality. That is, as long as you wouldn’t mind my visiting Earth on occasion, if possible.”
“If the means are available, you’ll have your visits,” Chaos agreed heartily. “And as an added wedding present, as I suggested to Dominick, I’ll see to it that you have your own castle on the island. After all, I wish for you and all my future great-grandchildren to have the very best of everything.” He shot Dominick a glance. “You will be sure to use that persistent and persuasive attitude towards arranging for those great-grandchildren, won’t you?”
“As many as Julianna wishes,” he agreed, turning to her. “What do you think, darling?”
“Hmmm, I suppose two or three kids might be nice,” she agreed, smiling blissfully at the thought.
“Good!” Chaos said brightly, just before he caught himself with a serious harumph, returning to his former reserved attitude, though his green eyes twinkled. “And on that note, I must be off. I’ll see to it that your friends and the crowd know that your engagement is official. In the meantime... carry on, you two.”
Julianna would have sworn he’d hidden a smile as he walked away, leaving her to turn to her grinning fiancé. She reached forward to hug him, laughing as he lifted her off the ground to spin her about once.
“I can’t believe it’s all going to work out,” she said honestly.
“Ah, for the millionth time, love,” he chuckled, “Never underestimate the powers of a dream knight.”
“Nor the power of the love of one’s dreams,” she added.
“Nor that,” he agreed with a serious smile, kissing her with unleashed desire, just before picking up his joyful betrothed to teleport them back to the familiar warmth of their beloved dream castle.
Chapter Thirteen
As the Westbrooke brothers sat side-by-side at the bar counter, Zantarl eyed them both with what looked like parental disapproval. Now several days since their dispute regarding Julianna, the bartender had agreed to mediate a civil meeting between the pair. Barely civil so far, since nei
ther spoke, only shooting constant glares at one another.
After a long pause, Riff spoke. “For the millionth time, Phase, I said I was sorry for the other night. How was I supposed to know that you were so in love with the girl that you’d planned on proposing to her that evening?”
Dominick continued to glare at him. “Even if I hadn’t, it doesn’t excuse your trying to force your attentions on her.”
“I would have let her go in another minute,” he sneered. “Hellions are more interesting when they’re willing, not when they’ll claw you otherwise.”
“That hasn’t always stopped you from persisting,” Dominick replied acidly. “Especially when you’ve derived extra pleasure from seducing the women I’ve known.”
Riff’s eyes narrowed, and he replied quietly, “For your information, regardless of what stories you’ve heard, I may be persistent, but I have never ever been intimate with a woman that didn’t wish it. And although I don’t want this getting about, there are those women who refused whom I did walk away from honorably.” His brother looked genuinely surprised. “And as far as my seducing some of your former paramours, maybe I shouldn’t have, but the fact is I wouldn’t have been able to if they’d really loved you as Julianna does. You should be glad, in that I indirectly did you a favor.”
Dominick’s surprised look returned to irritation. “You would see it that way,” he retorted. “Not that you’d ever understand the meaning of the word love, since you only regard the bedroom aspects of a relationship.”
As Riff loudly protested, Dominick countered back, their voices raising to a din. Zantarl, however, wasn’t about to put up with another verbal escalation. Slamming a bottle on the counter, he distracted the brothers, earning their undivided attention.
“That’s better,” he growled. “Now look, you two. Either settle this problem of yours, or I’ll ban you both from Lost Limbo until further notice.” Turning to Dominick, he began, “Riff’s apologized several times, of which even once is a rare feat, as we all know.” Hearing the stirrings of protest from the other man, he flashed his angry eyes upon him. “And as for you, Riff, I’m sure that you’ll think twice before interfering with your brother’s fiancée anymore, let alone question the validity of their relationship. So if we’re all in agreement, why don’t you settle this with a handshake?”