by Lawna Mackie
Tall, lush foliage towered above their heads. Beyond the broken skyline, massive mountains as magnificent as the Rockies back home stood watch. Meeka inhaled. She could almost get lost in their beauty. The only thing missing on the ones she could see was snow. There didn’t appear to be any snow. Maybe they didn’t know what snow was.
“Do you like what you see?”
“It’s beautiful. I love the outdoors. That’s what got me into this trouble in the first place. I should have stayed home that morning.” Meeka shook her head. “Does the mountain have a name?” She pointed toward an unusual glittering peak in the distance.
Kerrigan followed her gaze. “Topaz Mountain.” “It’s stunning!” she said breathlessly.
“Yes, it is.”
Meeka smiled. Gorgeous, ominous, formidable, Kerrigan reminded her of everything she loved back home. His intense blue eyes hypnotized her. Meeka wondered if they’d stopped walking.
His strength and confidence wound its way around her heart, attracting her like a magnet. His hand was warm and inviting. She squeezed tightly, secretly envisioning him embracing her as she clung to him in the throes of ecstasy.
Meeka jumped at the slight growl echoing from the ground. A wave of heat flooded her cheeks at the sight of Catz rubbing against Kerrigan’s leg. With a final, deadly glare, Catz trotted ahead.
“I think it is a good thing we have a chaperone, precious; you're too delectable.”
Meeka shook her head, shocked he’d just said such a thing. “Stop that. What kind of spell do you always put on me?” she whispered back.
“You’re the sorceress, precious, not me.”
Paddy called out, “Our legs are not your size. Perhaps you could slow down a bit,” she chided.
When they reached the edge of the forest, Meeka realized it wasn’t a regular forest. Not even the largest tree on Earth could compare to these monsters. The limbs spread out in all directions. Some were leafy while others held needles. One could make a blanket out of such large leaves. The branches danced and swayed in the breeze, and when her eyes focused on the knots protruding from the trunks, she saw they were, in fact, cleverly concealed eyes.
Todd took the lead, carrying the heavily laden picnic basket, followed by Paddy, Threeo, Catz, and then Meeka and Kerrigan. She’d obviously been too distracted, stopping many times. But as they stepped out from the trees, she came to an abrupt halt. Beyond the towering, seeing trees, a littler farther down the trail, Meeka spied the clearing.
She stopped again, silenced by awe. It was a field covered with the most dazzling colored flowers that went on forever.
Everyone stopped and watched her.
“Oh my gosh!” Meeka exclaimed. “It’s wonderful.” Paddy waddled back to her side. “It gets better, dear.” “That’s impossible.”
Paddy took her hand away from Kerrigan and pulled her forward. “Look carefully, Meeka,” she encouraged.
She stood surrounded by the beauty, looking down at every color imaginable. With care, she bent down, intently looking at the blooms.
Her mouth fell open. “No way!” She giggled with enthusiasm. “What are they?” The petals were, in fact, wings. In centre of the flowers were tiny little faces looking up at her. Meeka sank to her knees to look closer at the precious little beings. Their little faces smiled brightly up at her. “I thought you might like them, but it really does get better.” As she stood, Kerrigan possessively strode forward to secure her hand again.
“But, what are they?” Meeka smiled at Paddy.
“Pixies. And this is Pixie Field. Keep watching. You’re in for a treat.” Paddy spread her arms wide and turned in a circle.
As Meeka stepped forward, the pixies sprang into the air and took flight. The sky was suddenly filled with their brilliant colors, and their angelic voices rose in song. Meeka flung her arms around Kerrigan’s neck and hugged him with all her might.
“It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. I have dreamed of faeries all my life, and here they are!” Her head spun. Excitement sang through her veins. As she spun in slow circles, a pale yellow glow surrounded her body, encompassing Kerrigan, too. She followed the sweeping flicker of pixies and realized her feet were no longer on the ground; she floated off the ground along with them.
The ground was…down there. Momentarily forgetting the pixies, Meeka yelped, and they gently bumped back onto the ground.
“Not funny, Kerrigan,” Meeka scolded, thinking he must have caused the unnatural display in order to laugh at her.
“Wasn’t I, sweetheart.”
“It had to have been you. People just don’t float in the air.”
“No, not usually, but you’re not a normal person. Your happiness made us fly, Meeka. And I must say I prefer it to your angry fireballs.”
Shakily, she straightened her T-shirt to compose herself. “I do love the pixies.” she smiled, her cheeks warming.
“They seem to like you, too. They only sing when they are happy with someone or something. Feel privileged; they never sing for me.” Kerrigan chuckled. The pixies continued to fly, dance, and trill around them as they proceeded through the field.
Meeka gasped when the pixies gave a shrill cry and dropped to the ground. A moment later, she found herself pressed against the hot, hard back of her guardian his muscles tensed, heart racing.
She found herself looking over her shoulders somewhat scared. What was wrong? Obviously, both Catz and Kerrigan thought something was wrong.
She watched as Kerrigan closed his eyes and chanted. After he finished, he cursed loudly. “Damn it! I can’t fix a location on it! Catz, can you feel where the source is coming from?”
Catz had her head facing into the breeze as if trying to pick up a scent. “No, I can’t grasp it, but whatever it is, it’s evil. I believe it’s following us, and it probably just tried to enter Pixie Field.”
Kerrigan swore loudly again, and the sky churned, turning grey. Meeka watched amazed. A bolt of lightning shot through the sky as though he’d commanded it. The lightning struck his sword, and she screamed. His body turned into the brightest of lights—so bright, Meeka had to look away. When the light dissipated, what she found was not Kerrigan, but a giant dragon.
“Catz, guard Meeka and the others,” the dragon rasped with a growl. Catz stood her ground.
The large, powerful wings thumped against the air as he took off with a roar that caused her ears ring. She stared in bewilderment.
Meeka, you're losing it. Not only are you lusting after a man whose two hundred years old, but he's a dragon.
Concerned, she watched his powerful wings effortlessly carry him through the sky.
Regardless of all that, he was striking. Meeka watched as his large, powerful wings effortlessly carried him through the sky. Blue-green scales shimmered in the afternoon light. Sharp, dagger-like teeth filled his mouth as he roared, his head swerving side-to-side on his long, graceful neck. He scanned the ground with large yellow reptilian eyes, his barbed tail flicking with his emotions.
Topaz...like the mountain.
He circled the large field, spun upside down and returned, landing a short distance away.
Black clouds swirled violently, and bolts of lighting snaked jaggedly across them, perhaps representing his anger.
“How dare somebody try to mess with me and Meeka? They don’t know what they’re dealing with. When I catch him, I’ll show him what true evil is,” Kerrigan bellowed through the air.
With a large breath through his giant nostrils, he lowered his head gently toward her. “Are you okay?”
She trembled, looking into his dragon eyes. She’d seen his eyes this color before. “I’m fine. What’s going on?”
“Something followed us.”
“I’d hate to see Meeka’s day ruined. I think we should continue on, if Meeka is up to it,” Paddy suggested.
“I’d really like to continue, if everyone is still okay with that?”
Kerrigan groaned, but crouc
hed low to the ground. “This is against my better judgment, but how can I argue with two women. We will continue, but we aren’t going on foot. Everyone climb up. Meeka, you sit in the front.”
When everyone was in place, he spread his large wings, commanding, “Hang on.”
Straight into the air they went. The wind brushing against her face felt so refreshing. They flew to the end of Pixie Field, which took them to the edge of the mountains. Meeka spied the lake. She’d known it would be beautiful; everything in Enchantment was.
The lake was situated right at the base of a majestic mountain surround by the tall cedars. It was a dark turquoise color and fed by a large waterfall thundering off the side of the mountain. Meeka could hardly wait to dip her feet or perhaps go for a swim. She also wondered what funny fish were.
Kerrigan landed them in a spot close to the lake. Catz jumped off with Meeka in tow, and the others vanished, and then immediately appeared on the ground. She couldn’t take her eyes off the dragon.
What female in her right mind wouldn’t want him? He was big, strong, and incredibly sexy. Kerrigan turned away from the group, and in a large cloud of mist, materialized back into his normal form. Heavens help her. Meeka could only ogle as he marched toward her.
She wanted him more than ever. Just like last night, naked and pressed up against her. She wanted to lick and tease him just like he’d done to her.
Meeka caught a glimpse of her hand while shoving it in her pocket. The sparkles had returned. This sight of him stalking toward her sent a flutter of desire tearing through her stomach. He pulled her into his arms, obviously not caring who watched. She was overwhelmed with a sense of security.
“You’re safe, believe me; I will kill whomever or whatever tries to harm you,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry to cause so much trouble.”
“You are no trouble, but somebody is trying to make trouble.” Reluctantly, Kerrigan let her go. “I’m starving, Mom. I hope you brought lots of food.”
Paddy giggled while she laid the blanket on the ground. “Of course I brought lots. Let Meeka go so she can come help me.”
The declaration of caring caused Meeka to stare at the ground. Out of awkwardness, Meeka bent to help Paddy finish laying the blanket and unpack the basket full of food. A meal fit for a king…or a god.
Threeo seemed overjoyed with the food. “I love Paddy’s cooking,” he said to Meeka. “Yes, I believe I heard those words earlier today. Paddy is a good cook.”
“Well, who wants to see if the funny fish are biting?” Kerrigan said, looking directly at Meeka.
“I can fish,” she professed.
“Well, these are not your regular type of fish, Meeka,” Todd explained. “How come I’m not surprised?”
“They’re called funny fish for a reason, but I won’t tell you why. You need to experience it,” Todd said, rubbing his whiskers.
“I’m ready when you are,” she challenged, placing a hand on her hip. Kerrigan followed them down to the sandy beach.
Happily, she plunked herself down in the sand and took off her shoes to stick her toes in the cold…
Warm?
How could the water be warm? It was rocketing down from the mountains.
“With everything else you’ve witnessed today, I’m not sure why you looked so shocked.” Kerrigan answered her unspoken question. Todd pulled out a fishing rod and handed it to her. “Okay, Meeka, here’s your fishing rod.” He handed her something red resembling a strawberry.
“What is that?” She looked at the suspicious object.
“It’s a passion berry. Just tie it to your line,” Todd instructed. “But there’s no hook. Don’t we need a hook?”
“Nope, no hook. Just the berry.”
Meeka tied the large berry to the line as best she could, not at all understanding how they would catch fish without a hook. Todd finished tying his and stood a way back from the shore.
“Now, you don’t want to get to close to the shore, or you could go for a swim, yourself.” Meeka listened carefully to Todd’s instructions and backed up a bit.
“When you throw your lure into the water, let it sink a bit, then reel it in. If the funny fish like you, then you might catch one,” Todd said.
It didn’t sound difficult. Meeka made her stance, slowly placed the rod out to her side, and with a practiced toss, released the berry lure into the water, letting it sink a bit.
“That’s it; you’re a natural. Now reel it back in.” Todd beamed with excitement for her.
Reel. Reel. Reel. Meeka had gone fishing with her parents a lot, but they were never really happy experiences.
Todd frowned at her. “Meeka, are you thinking happy thoughts? You must think happy thoughts.”
He was right. Meeka didn’t want to think about her parents on such a happy day. With the rod out to her side again, she threw the lure in once more, again letting it sink, and then reeling it in.
Paddy’s voice called down. “Todd, I really need your help for a moment. Can you come back up here?”
“Women! They just don’t mix with fishing,” he grumbled. “Hey, I heard that!” Meeka snipped.
Todd snickered at her and set his rod down. “Keep fishing, Meeka.” Tossing her lure in for the third time, Meeka let it sink, then began to reel.
Out of the blue, literally, wham, down went the tip of her rod. Meeka squealed with excitement. The fish pulled very hard. No wonder you didn’t want to stand too close to the edge of the water. The fish was getting closer to the shore while Meeka strained to see it. Then, without warning, it flew out of the water, heading directly for her.
Meeka stumbled backward, trying to avoid a collision with strangest-looking fish she’d ever seen. Clumsily, she fell into the sand, with the fish attaching itself onto the side of her cheek with a giant smack.
Large blue eyes stared at her closely, because the two arms on either side of its body had suction cups that latched to her cheeks. Totally unexpectedly, it pulled her face forward and stared at her with big red lips, and then, with another giant smack, kissed her!
The finned critter kissed both cheeks and bid her a thank you, but not before introducing himself as Love-A-Lot Funny Fish. Shocked, she stood speechless, staring at the creature as it did back flips into the water. Then she started laughing. She laughed so hard, snorts came from her nose.
Kerrigan laughed along with her, or at her, but Meeka couldn’t care less. The two of them finally took a breath of air as Paddy’s voice echoed down to the lake again.
“Kerrigan, Threeo’s got his head stuck in a jar again.” Paddy’s voice trembled with laughter. Kerrigan shook his head and stood up. He beckoned for her to come with him.
“Oh, please, Kerrigan, I’m just going to stay right here and see what other fish I can meet. Love-A-Lot was hilarious. I can hardly wait to meet the next one. Please let me stay. You can hear me from up there,” she pleaded in her sweetest voice.
“Okay, I’ll send Catz right down to you.”
Meeka already had another piece of fruit tied to her fishing line. She waved at him as he walked back up to the others.
* * * *
Silently cursing his impatience, he shifted in the confines of his own spell. The Goodness spell clung to his skin like hot sand, irritating, burning.
Don’t be so stupid, the Pixie’s felt you before Kerrigan did. If he’d caught you, it would all be for naught.
A slow, nasty grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he pictured how nasty he could be. And nasty, he would be, when he got the girl away from her protector. Snickering, he conjured a funny fish.
Planting it near the edge of the water, he waited. Saliva dribbled from his chin as he played out his plans again and again. Thalius would have to wait. He was going to have some fun first.
* * * *
Meeka noticed the fish immediately. It swam close to the edge of the water and beckoned her around the side of the lake. She set her rod down and followed the funny fish aro
und the lakeshore. He was doing summersaults, back-flips, and blowing kisses her way.
When the warmth of the sun became blocked by the tall trees, she also realized the others were out of view. Prickles shot up her spine as if in warning. She whirled around, looking for the presence. The stench of putrid, decaying flesh permeated her nose causing her to gag and lift her hand to her mouth.
Thick, sulfuric the grey mist swirled around her ankles, blocking her escape. Meeka darted to the side, screaming at the sensations of fingers on her flesh. Her eyes widened as the grey cloud crept up her legs, slithering with a sickening malice. Her screams ripped at her throat, robbing her of breath.
Like a hard fist, heat swirled in her belly, gathering, seeking escape. There was no way she was going anywhere with whatever being was after her. Without thinking, she obeyed her body’s instinct, screaming again. “Kerrigan! Help!”
Through a haze of red flames, she fought back. She could feel the evil slithering along her body, lusting after power, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Pushing hard, she felt the heat of her flames spread outward, the strange screaming of her assailant ringing in her ears.
* * * *
Kerrigan’s every muscle froze at the sound of her scream in the distance. For a second, his heart stopped out of fear. He vaporized, and then stood by the lake where she should have been. Catz, in her lioness form, was already sprinting around the shoreline.
The second scream found both Kerrigan and Catz staring up into the air at Meeka, who was surrounded in a bright red orb of flames. She was fighting something unseen. The heat caused them to back away. Meeka shrieked in pain, and with a thrust of her hands, a blast burst the ball of fire, allowing her to fall.
Catz roared and jumped with claws extended trying to grab what was left in the vapor. Kerrigan crumpled to the ground and gathered Meeka’s flushed, hot body into his arms, whispering words of comfort in her ear.
Lifting his head, he roared out his command. “Gargoyle Legions attend me now!”
Gently, he stood with her in his arms, and walked back toward the beach with her. Todd, Paddy and Threeo ran to meet them. Paddy shrieked, seeing Meeka’s still form in Kerrigan’s arms.