Dragons Don't Love

by D'Elen McClain

  He doesn’t shift or sit, which surprises me not at all. Dragons don’t do well with orders. “My father has gone to the earth realm in search of a great prize. He says a man without morals has it and he must rescue it so he may treat it as the treasure it is.”

  I know exactly what treasure he speaks of. The evening before, I wasn’t sure how to handle the “friend” bit of information Laryn came up with, so I stewed. Over dinner, Laryn went on and on about a chalice that Bastian covets. I managed not to laugh and point out that Laryn covets it more. I heard endless details of Bastian’s search and how he thinks he might have a viable lead. It will serve my best friend right if he cannot find the treasure before Bastian.

  Ashrac breaks into my bitchy musing. “Why are you running up and down the stairs?”

  I rein in my temper so Ashrac doesn’t think poorly of me. “I do it to build strength in my legs.”

  He contemplates this for a moment, his wings slowly flapping to keep him in the same place. “What of your puny arms. Do they not need exercise?”

  I must bite my lip in order not to laugh. Typical man child. “My arms are not puny, but if you think so, you may wager your train set for the piece of jewelry that I stole.” I finger the blue gem at my throat. Laryn likes it and it will serve the dragon right when Ashrac flies away with it. I would never damage his ego by winning.

  The child spends no time at all thinking about it. “What have you in mind?”

  “There are wooden swords in my room. If I knock yours away, I win. If you knock mine away, you win.” He has the impudence to roll his red eyes. Even though he’s a child, it’s more irritating while he’s in dragon form and reminds me too much of my blue-eyed devil.

  His chest puffs out a bit. “Then your great jewel is already mine because I will defeat you.”

  He makes it harder for me to choose losing.

  Ten minutes later, I’m fighting for my life. Of course they’re wooden swords, but his intent is clear. The little heathen knows how to handle a weapon. And he’s strong.

  “Who trains you, Ash?”

  “Uncle Laryn. These are my swords that he had made for me. You have the room that he gave to me when I was a child. I told him you could use it while you’re alive.”

  Oh, that’s right. I’m facing a kid who looks like he’s eight but is actually older in human years. I’m guessing that’s why a collection of boy clothes are in the bottom of my clothing chest. Before we began today’s wager, I gave Ashrac a set so we didn’t need to fight with him unclothed. Laryn flapping around in all his glory is one thing. A small boy quite another.

  Ashrac catches me daydreaming and my sword goes flying. This is what I get for thinking I’m more sword savvy than an eight year old dragon.

  He crosses his sword down in front of his legs and bows. I can do nothing but smile. “Will you hold this, kind sir, while I untie the jewel you have fairly won?”

  “Yes, my lady,” he replies and takes my offered sword. I reach behind my throat and untie the leather. He peers closely at it as if I might have switched it for a lesser jewel. “Thank you, my lady, for a brave challenge.”

  “You are welcome, sir. Can you stay for cookies?”

  Longing replaces haughtiness. Then his expression changes to contrition. “I should not leave my mother for so long, but I will return tomorrow or the next day and you may serve me cookies.”

  I am so glad that Laryn never expects me to serve anything other than my body. I feel my cheeks flush at the thought and must bring my thoughts back to Ashrac. “I will see you then.”

  I feel better, and I whistle as I search out Laryn.

  He looks up from the desk in his rooms and drops a map. “Did you have a good visit with my devious nephew?”

  There are so many things we haven’t discussed and his uncanny ability to know everything happening around him is one of them. “Very. How did you know he was here?” I rub my bare neck hoping he notices.

  He says nothing about the missing jewel if he does. “I feel when another dragon crosses into my realm. Ash’s imprint is very small, but if I’m not greatly involved in a task, I know when he’s here.” Laryn scoots back a bit from the desk and pats his knee.

  With my improved mood I don’t mind. I walk around and sit. My heartbeat accelerates. He smells so good. I know I’m still sweaty from running the stairs and the mock swordfight. Laryn doesn’t seem to mind as he kisses my neck. I’m quite the devious bride. I pick up the map and with a loud sigh, I ask, “Would you show me where the earth realm is located?”

  I receive a less than gentle nip. “You want…” another nip, “to know where a realm is located?” He’s barely paying attention to me.

  “Yeeeeees.” I draw out the word. “Ashrac says his father went there to find a great treasure from a man without morals.”

  In the next instant I’m staring up from the floor at the shocked look on Laryn’s face. “You tell me this now, bride? When did Bastian leave?” Laryn starts pacing while never taking his angry eyes from me.

  I ungracefully come to my feet and place my hands on my hips. “My friend wished to play at swords. When a friend wants to play, you take care of their needs. What would you have me say to a friend?”

  He peers at me like I’ve lost my mind. My words travel right over his huge, dumb head. “Did you think to ask when Bastian left?” He pulls his fingers through his hair in frustration, which goads me.

  I answer in the sweetest voice I can muster, “I asked my friend all sorts of questions during our sword fight.”

  Red is creeping up Laryn’s throat and I know he’s a little more than irritated. “Well, bride, what have you learned?”

  I give up. His skull is too thick. He hasn’t a clue that I’m angry. I tell him everything I know about the chalice.

  My empty-headed dragon hugs me thirty minutes later. “Sleep in my rooms. Sarn would not dare enter the castle to steal you. If he does, you know what to do.” He plants a deep kiss on my lips. “I promise to take you to earth’s realm another day. I must fly quickly and navigate earth stealthily. You’re sure you will be okay?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Go find your chalice.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Laryn

  Earth is much as I remember—busy, noisy, and crowded. Because of military radar, I must limit flying as a dragon, which is never easy when one is in a hurry. I also don’t want Dmitri, a vampire of this realm, to tip off Bastian that I am here. I have no doubt Bastian used Dmitri’s connections to discover the location of the chalice.

  The man in question, the one with no morals, lives in a place called Texas. It sounds decidedly liberal, which matches this country’s appalling views on feudal societies. I mumble the name a few times, “Tex-ass, Tex-ass.” It totally fits.

  I crossed into this realm more than five-hundred miles from Texas. Now, I’m on a plane after booking a private jet with human money that Dmitri exchanged for gold many years before. Finding a jet and pilot was time-consuming. Time is my most precious commodity at the moment. My bride gave me a name and location. The plane will drop me within ten miles of the place I seek.

  I feel my bride plays with me. For some reason, her friendship with Ashrac caused her distress. I will never understand the ways of women. At least this one doesn’t whine when her ire rises. I would think being friends with the child would make her happy. What do I know?

  The jet touches down and my excitement mounts. The pilot will remain on standby because hopefully we will be leaving quickly. By that I mean running as fast as the plane will carry us. I take off at a fast jog. I’m dressed in black with my hair drawn back to keep it from shining as much as possible in flashlight or spotlight. I’ve spent much time in this realm and my attire would pass for business casual if it weren’t for my shoes. The finest pair of Nike SB Flom Dunk High athletic shoes I could steal. They came from a pro athlete who was cheating on his wife. I had visited the model he was cheating with earlier in the day. I’m surprised
I left her enough energy to accommodate her lover. The only downside to slipping the shoes from beneath her bed while he was in it were her shouts of, “Oh tiger, oh tiger,” as he pumped away. The man may have been a tiger, but I didn’t notice anything above the norm in his sexual prowess.

  The shoes are a shining treasure in my collection. I wear them whenever I pass into earth’s realm. They are also good running shoes. I’m sure the athlete needed them for running if he were ever caught by his wife.

  Too bad.

  The shoes are mine now.

  I scent Bastian once I’m close. He’s here, or was here. I’m not happy that there’s a chance he’s already succeeded where I’ve failed. There is a high fence and I draw a spark when I touch it. The electricity doesn’t affect me. My shoes come in handy when I back up and leap the fence. I make my way around the perimeter of the house trying to decide the best place to enter. In the past, I’ve discovered that coming from the roof is easiest. This is a single-story home, which doesn’t help my plan. One room is lit up and when I pass, I see Bastian tied to a chair with several men surrounding him. Bastian has blood running from the corner of his lip and I watch him laugh after he’s punched again. These men are armed, but for him it’s not a problem. He’s playing with these guys much like he enjoys playing with his food. I roll my eyes.

  His idiocy is my opportunity. Chances are good they did a sweep and think Bastian is alone. I enter through a side door by tearing the lock open. From thousands of years of thievery, I know all the best places to look. The first stop is always the master bedroom. These guys want their finest treasures close.

  The bedroom has a hidden room behind the large walk-in closet. Totally unoriginal. The medium sized room is a museum. The lighting and artistry of the location for each piece is absolutely exquisite. I see the chalice immediately. I walk closer and something else catches my eyes. It’s a small painting that I’ve been after for years. It’s Poppy Flowers by Van Gogh. It went missing three years ago from the Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Palace in Egypt, a far-off country in earth’s realm. Three years from the claiming and the search for it helped keep me sane. And here it is ripe for the taking. I must have it.

  I gather what I want and then stay to await Bastian. He runs in nostrils flaring because I’m sure he’s caught my scent. I’m kicking back atop the bed with my legs crossed. “What took you so long?”

  He looks straight at the chalice. “You blue bastard.”

  I nod to the room behind the closet. I left the doors open. “This guy has stolen pieces of art up the yin yang. You might as well look around and see if something else catches your eye. I’d hate for you to return empty-handed.”

  His eyes are a brighter red than usual. They simmer with anger while a slight grin plays on his lips. We are a breed of habit and we celebrate the prowess of our brothers even when it’s at the cost of a coveted treasure. Excluding the brides, of course. He stalks into the closet and stomps out without a single treasure. “I vow to win the chalice in a wager you can’t turn down,” he says as his crooked smile grows and he looks longingly at my chalice.

  I give him my own answering grin. “As long as your end of the bargain isn’t the same as your bride offers,” I say with a wink.

  A lighter red spark shines in his eyes. “Stop rubbing it in or I’ll carry through with my black eye threat.”

  I only smile in satisfaction. “You need a lift back to the realm crossing?”

  “If that’s all you can offer, I’ll take you up on it. May I at least hold the chalice?”

  I stand from the bed and shake my head. “When the hell of every pantheon freezes over.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Roxanne

  I spend the first night since the claiming without my dragon. It’s awful. The sheets smell of him. I curl around his pillow and toss and turn the entire night. I miss my dragon. Peter brings me food. I practice a bit, though I don’t have my heart in it. I have no idea what I would do if my dragon didn’t return. My breath catches in my throat. I can’t begin to comprehend the pain my dragon goes through when his brides die. I am completely unable to take my mind so deep into that darkness.

  My dragon can’t love me for a reason.

  My pulse quickens when a dragon’s shadow covers me while I’m in the tower stretching before I run the stairs. It’s afternoon and I ate only a light lunch so I could get my exercise in and hopefully sleep better tonight. I’m hoping it’s Laryn while fearing it’s Sarn.

  Neither.

  The dragon is red and I realize it’s Acasia as she flies down to the bottom perch.

  As soon as she shifts, I know by the wild look in her eyes that this isn’t a pleasure visit. “Have you seen Ashrac?” she asks quickly.

  He said he would visit today or tomorrow. I’d forgotten and hadn’t thought about him coming over. “He was here yesterday, but I haven’t seen him today.”

  “I’m worried. He crossed into Tahr’s realm. We have not permitted him to visit Tahr without us. Tahr felt him enter his realm and then notified me when Ashrac didn’t show up at his castle. Now, I can’t find him anywhere.”

  I can see the worry in her eyes. We are both thinking the same thing. I say it aloud, “Sarn.”

  “He wouldn’t.” Then she shakes her head. “If he does, I’ll kill him.”

  Of that I have no doubt. An angry Acasia is a sight to behold. A thin trail of smoke leaves her nostrils. Her eyes are pure fire. Acasia leaves with a promise to let me know if Ashrac is found.

  I can help with the search for the child. Not by air, but I’m more than capable of walking throughout Laryn’s realm to check if the child is here. I fill my arm sheaths with the blades I’ve accumulated from Laryn’s armory. Of course, I strap on the halberd—she and I have become quite well-acquainted.

  My problem is that I’ve never left the castle by any means other than Laryn’s back. After a short deliberation, I decide to scale the outer tower wall from the lowest perch. It’s still high, but with running the stairs and training each day, I have the strength. Rope is readily available. My only problem is a tie-off point. After thinking about the problem for a few minutes, I go to Laryn’s wardrobe room and slide the large hardwood rod from his clothing. The garments fall to the floor and I roll my eyes at the thought of my dragon’s ire. His earth realm clothing hangers allow him more outfits than any man needs.

  The rod is at least ten feet long and will suit my purpose. I carry it back to the tower and up the stairs. I place it on the inside of the large open space leading to the ledge. There are about six inches of rod on both sides to hold it in place. I tie off the rope and line myself up with the middle of the rod. I don’t want it to slide and send me to my death—Laryn would not be happy with me. Halfway through the downward climb I decide I will discover the front castle entrance when I need to reenter.

  I finally leap the last eight feet and land in a squat and with my palms flat against the pebbly earth. After standing, I right my armguards and halberd straps. I’m ready. We had a young boy go missing in the village one winter. He froze to death. And even though I know a dragon child has no problem with the elements there is a tingling down the back of my neck that worries me. Ashrac is young, impulsive, and afraid of nothing. The tingling doesn’t recede and I know I must hurry.

  I spend half the day looking for signs of the small dragon or possibly boy depending on the form he uses. By the position of the sun, it’s approaching the dinner hour when I find myself nearing the cliffs. I walk up the last hill and see Ashrac and a naked man standing at the edge.

  Sarn is speaking. “Come with me and you will have no need to follow your mother’s rules. I will take you to a place where a fierce dragon such as you can learn the ways of your ancestors.”

  “I want to go home, Uncle Sarn.”

  Sarn pushes Ashrac back a step. Both of them are quite close to the edge. I know they can shift and fly, but my terror is more that Sarn actually pushed him. Now Sarn grabs Ashrac behin
d the neck and jerks him roughly to him. I pull the halberd. “Step away, Sarn,” I yell so my voice carries above the wind.

  Both turn my way.

  “Bride of Laryn, you will take me home right now,” Ashrac demands. I fight a smile at his bossiness. However, the tremble in his voice makes me furious at Sarn. He has no right to handle a child so.

  “Come here, Ashrac.” I put my own demand into it. I must get him away from Sarn.

  Sarn pushes Ashrac closer to the edge but retains his hold on the child’s neck. Ashrac gives a small cry and I know Sarn’s hold is painful. I grind my teeth in fury. At this moment, I have not an ounce of sympathy for this man.

  I take a deliberate step closer. “I am taking him home to be with his mother and father.”

  Sarn’s dark eyes shine brighter with purple sparks lighting their depth. He smiles with evil intent. “I will trade for the child and he may return home if you come with me. That is my offer, bride, and the best one you will receive.”

  For a split second I consider it. I have a better chance of defeating Sarn if the child is not here. Worry shows on Ashrac’s face and I know he suspects the danger we are both in. “How about you send Ashrac over here and I won’t cleave your head from your shoulders,” I say in my lowest voice.

  Sarn’s nostrils flare. I want him mad at me. So mad he releases Ashrac. I know he expects me to quake in my boots and give up easily. He has no idea that Laryn trained me to fight and kill.

  He gives a short laugh. “You’ll be begging me to fuck you once I have you away from your dragon. Laryn is weak and will float in a sea of tears for months before he develops the balls to take me on.”

  Sarn is insane. I don’t know if he’s just mad with grief or he’s always been this crazy. I have trouble believing he and Laryn were ever friends.

  Ashrac begins to struggle and kicks Sarn in the shin. “You don’t say those nasty things to her. Uncle Laryn will eat you for dinner, you meanie.”

  Sarn throws his head back and laughs. “Oh, little Ash, you will make a fine dragon, but you have a lot to learn about your Uncle Laryn.”