by Crystal Dawn
Mabest and his father were served first. Next was his mate and he was served last. Guests were always first because that was polite. If the meal was less formal, they would all have served themselves. That’s the way family meals usually were served. This formal dining room hadn’t been used since his mother was alive. Even had he and Cretia had a get together, they would have held it outside. They weren’t formal people and their friends weren’t either.
“This food is different.” Mabest declared.
“Do you like it?” Toreen wondered.
“I do. Have you a new cook?” Mabest asked.
“We have one trained to cook Earth style. They have many flavors and spices they use.” Toreen explained. Cretia wasn’t talking much and he guessed she was unsure what to say.
Mabest might remind her of Dannia, he really wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like Mabest had tried to talk to her either. If anything, she seemed to prefer to speak to males. That was much like Dannia’s behavior. The question was, did she speak to them because she could influence their behavior?
“I know little about the Earth females that are here. All I know is there aren’t very many and some are not mated. Usually females from our planet only came once a mating was arranged.”
“That is true. Some of the females were intended for particular males, but it didn’t work out. Others came with family and most of those have found their mates. The Earth females look for fated mates and many find them.” Toreen explained.
“Is that not unusual?” Mabest asked.
“There are some fated mates from your planet as well. It is just the percentages aren’t as high.” Toreen explained. He’d always thought his parents and Romo’s had been fated mates, but his father said nothing. Maybe he was wrong. What he’d seen might have been what he’d wanted to see.
“I hadn’t heard of any that were. You and Cretia?” Mabest asked.
“Yes, we are. I am well pleased with our mating.” He added.
“How lucky for you both.” Mabest commented. Toreen wasn’t sure she really meant it.
“Thank you.” He said because he wasn’t sure how to respond to her.
This female was one he’d hated for years. Now, looking at her she didn’t seem as strong or as important. There was a hint of gray in her hair and wrinkles around her lips. Never had he found her attractive and he still didn’t, but she didn’t seem as bad either. His father didn’t seem as smitten with this woman now. Their relationship confused him. Had his fear made him see things that weren’t there?
If only Niku were here to observe and they could discuss their thoughts. Tomorrow at the festival ball, Niku would be there. Finally, he’d know what his brother thought and see how the king and emperor reacted. There were a couple others like her in this kingdom and they would be watching them too. Toreen didn’t know who they were nor did he care. He only wanted to know the facts. Were these women influencing the males they were with?
Everyone was done eating and the food and plates were cleared. Those servers and other employees as well as the boarders would eat now and dessert would be served to them. The desserts looked wonderful, but worries affected his appetite. He hoped Cretia would be able to eat since she needed to gain at least a little weight and she worked so hard. Mabest had no trouble with her appetite taking large servings of several desserts.
“This is delicious.” Mabest praised. “I might try to steal your cook away.”
“I doubt she’ll be interested. Her family lives here.” Toreen observed.
“Too bad.” She said. “Are you and your mate ready for the ball tomorrow? Have you selected your costumes?” Mabest asked.
Of course she would wonder. It was a masked ball where the participants dressed up in interesting disguises. There would be a prize for the most intriguing male and female. Since most attendees were either rich or nobles, the prize would be something like breakfast with the king. That was considered a prize worth more than money.
Toreen had no idea what he or Cretia was wearing. She’d taken charge of their costumes, both designing and crafting them. In truth, as long as they weren’t uncomfortable, he could care less what he wore. His lady on the other hand was excited and had done much work to prepare their outfits. He would praise her hard work on them.
“Yes, we are ready.” He replied.
The table was finally cleared once everyone had eaten their dessert. Drinks were brought and they retired to the formal living room to talk until bedtime. No one seemed to have much to say. They sat there sipping their drinks and looking around at everything, but each other.
“I suppose we’ll retire if no one has anything interesting to talk about. Tomorrow, we’ll all have to prepare for the ball.” Mabest announced.
He was thrilled she’d said that since it was rude to turn in before ones guests did. Now he could take his tired lady to bed so they could get some rest. “That sounds like a great idea. Tomorrow will be a busy day.” Toreen agreed. He watched as his father escorted Mabest from the room toward the guest suite. “Come, my lady. Let us get some rest.”
“I won’t mind that. She’s right about tomorrow. We’ll be up early and busy the whole day. Especially if we go to the festival for a couple hours.”
Toreen had forgotten they’d planned to do that. He’d cancel, if he didn’t know how much Cretia was looking forward to it. It was his own fault, really. She’d asked about the festival and he’d told her about it. His memories of going with his parents when he’d been young had been marvelous.
The fights had been rousing, the foods had been amazing, the items for sale had been stellar, and watching the crowd with people from all over the planet and some from other planets had been satisfying. His lady had never been and of course, after his description of his last festival, she couldn’t wait to attend.
It wasn’t even that he didn’t want to take her because he did. The problem was this festival was full of worries and they had so much to do with company at the manor house in addition to everything else. Still, he’d promised to take her for at least a short visit and he would. Toreen led his lady to their suite so they could turn in for the night.
As always, his passion soared, but the circles under her eyes even with the nap they’d shared worried him. Even though his body craved hers, his dragon understood her welfare came first. “Don’t you want me?” Cretia asked softly as she stared at him.
“More than you can imagine, my lady. But I look at you and see that you’re tired. I know the child that rests under your heart takes much from you. What kind of lover would I be if I didn’t see to your rest? No matter how much I want you, I want you well and vigorous more.” Toreen explained.
“Perhaps making love would help me rest easier?”
“If you can’t sleep after a few minutes of having your head on your pillow, I’d certainly help you to sleep.” He agreed.
They laid down and he wrapped himself around her. His need almost hurt as he waited to see if she would find her rest. The slow and regular breathing told him she had. Tomorrow he would tease her, but for now he was glad she would be rested in the morning. At some point, he fell asleep too.
It was early in the morning when he woke so he slipped out of bed leaving her resting just a little bit longer. She and the baby needed it so she would carry without trouble. He didn’t know much about a female carrying young, but the stories Romo, Garulto, and Niku had told him were terrifying.
Even Romo whose female hadn’t had much trouble while she carried, found the delivery to be painful and hard. That wasn’t a part he was looking forward to even though he couldn’t wait to see their dragonlet. It suddenly occurred to him he’d never checked to see if Cretia had changed any. He didn’t expect the full changed which only a few Earther females had managed and maybe one female from Cretia’s planet years ago. What he expected was some small changes. She might even turn to a wingless dragon. That would be a big change because her senses would improve and she would be tougher.
For that change, he thought she would be resistant to poisoning except for what had been used on his mother. Regardless of who did it, he’d become certain his mother had died of poisoning. Niku’s mate was an herbalist and that was what she believed. Betty said it would have been the first thing she looked for. Toreen had always thought there was little to no crime on his planet and especially his territory. Now he feared there was crime, but they hadn’t known enough to recognize it when it happened.
He suspected the king and even the emperor had drawn the same conclusion too. They’d all been so busy looking at their world from behind rose colored glasses, a term Dori used, that they’d not seen what was right in front of them. Toreen hoped they would learn what they needed to know before the festival ended.
Taking a shower, he dressed and tried to decide what to do next. When he left the bathroom, he looked at the bed and saw his lady looking back at him. He’d hoped she would sleep longer, but it wasn’t to be.
“I’ll get ready and we’ll go to breakfast together. Is that okay?” Cretia asked.
“Of course. I’ll wait for you.” Toreen said then sat at the desk in their sitting room and went over some paperwork until his lady was done.
Toreen had never thought he’d have a mate. Sometimes he hadn’t even been sure he’d wanted one when he thought about his mother. It surprised him how much he enjoyed having Cretia in his life. Love rolled over him whenever he looked at her. That was wonderful, what he felt whenever he looked at his lady. Already he could easily imagine her ripe with his baby.
Chapter 6
Search for the Truth
Cretia was starved as they headed to the dining room. She was glad no one was asking her about the past of her planet or what her sister could do. Mabest was someone she didn’t know much about, but she recognized some of the behavior Dannia exhibited. This woman just wasn’t as strong.
Given time, Mabest could even influence males who were mated to a small extent. It was scary when she thought about it. Why Toreen had invited them here, she didn’t really understand. It was pretty clear his father had been involved with the theft of the funds. She did understand the king wanted Pa and Mabest close while they investigated. Cretia wondered if they suspected she could influence males and what they would do if they knew for sure. Toreen would either charge him or not. Cretia didn’t really believe Mabest had the strength to influence someone to steal from their child in that manner. Dannia did, but her power was rare. Her mother had descended from the royal line of swamp witches.
Dannia’s line was endangered because many had been put to death when they had tried to escape to find a better life. Now that the planet was space dust, many of the swamp witches would be free to do as they wished. It wouldn’t be good for the others on the planets they chose to live on.
No one was in the formal dining room when they entered. Breakfast was brought to them just before Mabest and Toreen’s father entered. Cretia worried that Mabest would cause her trouble. What would Toreen think if he uncovered the abilities Mabest had? Would he think she had those powers too? Cretia feared losing the happiness she’d finally found more than anything.
“Good morning.” Mabest said first before everyone else echoed it.
“It will be a busy day for us all.” Toreen’s father mentioned.
Cretia wondered what he’d be doing to keep busy. Asking would seem rude. A female often took most of the day to prepare their costume and their hair and face. Some costumes were elaborate taking the whole day to prepare. Most were well thought out as everyone wanted to win the prize. Not knowing what the prize was just made everyone try harder to win it.
Since the king was single, single females tried the hardest. A couple and a single was selected and the group voted for the final winner. The one not selected got a second place prize. Something nice, no doubt, but no one ever remembered what it was. The first place prize was what everyone remembered.
No one ever told what their costume was until they were seen heading to the ball. All were secretive and none gave away a thing. Perhaps they feared their disguise would be stolen since it wasn’t unusual to see many in the similar costumes. The rarity was for a costume to be the only one of its kind. That’s what she had made for her and Toreen. Their costumes were complicated and rare. It gave her hope they might win.
“You will be in the costume competition?” Mabest asked.
“Certainly. And you?” Cretia asked.
“Of course. My seamstress has worked hard to make our costumes.” Mabest bragged.
“Good luck to you.” Cretia said but she didn’t really mean it. Did that make her bad? If it did, she didn’t care.
Mabest nodded, but didn’t return the luck. It made her more honest than Cretia, but showed bad manners. They all finished eating with Toreen and Cretia waiting for Mabest and Toreen’s father to finish before they all left going their separate ways. His father and his mate returned to their rooms while they headed to the festival.
Cretia waited as Toreen changed to his huge beast. She ran her hands over the dragon loving the magnificent creature. Climbing on the table, she seated herself on his back near his neck. The ride would be a short one, but the views below would be beautiful. The wind rushed around her as she looked below noting Toreen’s personal lands and his lordship as it passed below. The festival was below and it circled the castle.
There was a large field left barren so dragons had room to land. Several were below changing to their human form and others changed to their dragons and took to the skies. Signs of activity were all around. Not far away, the festival was in full swing with the grounds loaded with people. Sounds of merchants calling out their wares were a dull roar. The delicious scent of cooking foods floated on the air.
Bright colors were everywhere. Children laughed as parents scrambled to keep up with them. A fight could be viewed not far in the distance as people shouted to the one they hoped would win. The hint of blood was carried to her by the air. That was something she’d never have scented before. Perhaps a sign she had changed a little. Cretia wondered if her other senses had improved as well.
Toreen landed and she slid off without need of a table or bench. It was good that tables and benches were nearby for when they left and she need to get on his back. Excitement ran through her as she stared at the festival and the crowd that milled about.
He’d changed back and now stood next to her. “There are many snacks including sweet treats available here. Jewelry, clothing, art, and more fill the seller’s booths. Before we leave, I wish to buy you a small gift.” Toreen offered.
She smiled. “I look forward to it.” Toreen led her through a gate of sorts and they began to follow the crowd along the path.
Booths lined both sides of the path they walked along. Sellers yelled out their prices and bragged on their goods. Every manner of item imaginable filled the tables that they passed by. Every fourth of fifth table was covered with delicious foods and drinks. Unusual and spicy items tempted those who passed. Drinks of every color and consistency filled pitchers and large jars tempting those who passed.
They reached the fighting ring where two males faced off against each other. One was larger than the other with a reach that was further, but he was losing. The slightly smaller male was fast and his hits were accurate. His adversary was taking a pounding as the smaller male pounded his nose to a pulp. It wasn’t just broken, it was smashed with blood shooting everywhere. People stepped back to avoid the spray of blood from hitting them.
The large male seemed reluctant to give up even though he had to hurt. Once they saw where the fight was going, Toreen led her past it. He was probably thinking she wouldn’t want to watch such a brutal fight and he was right. The next ring was a group of males rolling on the ground and tripping over each other. It was funny to watch the males act clumsy and tumble around.
A jewelry booth was next and Toreen said they’d come back so he could buy her a small gift. They moved on looking at the lux
urious fabrics and exotic spices from far away. A food booth claimed it had Earth foods. None of it looked like the things Dori cooked so they walked by. Cretia looked around with wide eyes seeing so many strange people including some exotic aliens.
“You’ve never seen any like them?” Toreen asked with a grin.
“Never.” She admitted. “I never left my home planet until I came here.”
“Perhaps once things settle, we will take a trip.” He suggested. Her mate held her hand as he led her through the crowd.
Cretia enjoyed spending this time with Toreen and she felt protected even when people bumped her because Toreen growled and they would back off. Her lord kept careful watch on her making sure no one troubled her. They passed many booths and finally, the tasty aroma of food made her stomach growl like a dragon.
Toreen grinned. “Are you hungry, my lady?”
“Maybe a little.”
He shot her a look of disbelief. ”It must be the dragonlet that wants food.”
Cretia blushed. “Must be.”
He pulled her with him up to a booth that had a wide selection of foods and drinks. “What would the little one want?”
“I’ve never had a meat stick before.”
“It looks good, does it not? What else?”
“The pastry looks good too.”
“And a drink?”
“What of the orange drink?”
“We’ll take two meat sticks, two pastries and two orange drinks.” Toreen told the merchant. He paid what the merchant told him and the male quickly handed them their food and moved on to the next customer.
Cretia took a bite of her meat stick. “That’s good.”
Toreen bit into his too. “I like it as well.”
The meat sticks didn’t last long. Toreen sipped his orange drink. “This is sweet and sour.”
“Is it made from a Draconis’ fruit?”
“It might be, but I don’t think it is.”