The Dragon I Fell In Love With

by Mary Abshire

  “Did you say Winsloux?” Her heart thumped faster.

  “Yes, not Winslow.”

  “I recognize the name. It was in one of the books I was going to show you. Did he sell the property to Franklin and Eleanor Winslow in the twentieth century?”

  He continued reading and then turned the page. Pointing to a date at the bottom, he said, “A Frederick Winslow inherited the property thirty years after Frances bought it.”

  Her heart sank a notch. She didn’t recall seeing the name in the books and she couldn’t recall anyone in her family mentioning a Frederick Winslow.

  He lifted the page and moved it to the other side. The writing on the new document appeared clearer than the other pages, not as loopy as script. She noticed the date read 1929.

  “This one says the property was transferred to a Franklin Winslow,” he said.

  “That’s my grandfather. Look at the date at the top.”

  Two seconds later, Marcel met her gaze. “Your grandfather didn’t buy the land. He inherited it like the person before him with the same surname.”

  “Keep in mind, humans can’t buy property on the reserve,” Jeri said. “And property can’t be transferred to a human either.”

  Her heart started to race. “What if it happened? What if a supernatural fell in love with a human, they had a child and left the property to the child? That child would be a carrier. How would you know if—“

  “We take a census every five years. Each station sends someone to every home to talk to the owners,” Jeri said.

  She turned to face him. “What if someone lied to you?”

  He grinned. “That’s why only witches and warlocks conduct the surveys. Humans can live with the property owners, and have for a long time, but one of the stipulations of living here is that the land must remain in the hands of a supernatural.”

  She shifted her gaze to the document as she connected all the dots. The Winsloux clan of dragons had migrated from France to North America to get away from hunters. After Francis Winsloux bought the property, he gave it to Frederic Winslow. Humans couldn’t own land on the reserve, which means Frederic Winslow had to be the son of Francis and a dragon. The change in spelling of the last name would help keep the family hidden. Frederic gave the land to Franklin Winslow, her grandfather. He had to be Frederic’s son to keep the property, which meant her grandfather had been a dragon. But her parents weren’t dragons, so her grandmother had to have been human.

  Realization made her smile. She looked up at Marcel. “Do you know what this means?”

  He nodded. “Do you?”

  “I’m a carrier.”

  He wrapped his arm around her. “How do you feel about that?”

  She leaned her body into his. The vibration of his heart seemed to match the speed of hers.

  “I’m stunned. My parents never mentioned anything. My grandparents seemed so normal.” She looked away from him. “I have dragon blood in my body.”

  The truth shocked her, but she couldn’t be happier. Marcel wanted to continue his bloodline. Now, he could with her. She could have kids that would grow up to be dragons. How freaking cool was that?

  “Your father was a carrier and your mother was human,” Marcel said. “Franklin had no one to leave the property to. That’s why your grandparents sold it.”

  Lynn inhaled a relieving breath. She knew the truth now. What should she do with it?

  She reached up and kissed the man she loved. “We should get going. I need to pack and get ready before we leave.”

  He stared at her as he grazed his fingers along her forehead and down one side of her face. “Are you okay with this?”

  She gave a jerky nod. “Yeah. This is good news, really good news. I’m happy with it.”

  He gave her a wide grin while he embraced her, keeping her pressed to his solid body. “Good, because I want to hold you forever in my arms and kiss these adorable lips.”

  She lightly chuckled. “Let’s go home.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Marcel moved the bookshelf away from the wall in the basement. The bookshelf slid easily since it rested on a small rug. Once he’d exposed the drywall, he inserted one of his keys into the cutout line to pry the rectangular piece from the wall. After he removed the piece of drywall, he set it on the ground, shoved his keys in one of his front pockets, and then turned the dial on the safe sitting between the two by fours.

  The time was getting late and he’d almost forgotten he needed to take some cash with him. They’d returned from the central station a bit excited and had released their energies in the bedroom. After they relaxed a short while, they cleaned up and grabbed a bite to eat. The sun was due to set within the hour, which meant they needed to get on the road to Montreal soon.

  “Marcel?” Lynn called out from upstairs.

  He finished turning the knob. Hearing a small click, he pulled on the handle. “Down here.”

  His father had installed the safe in the wall during the Depression era. When times were difficult, such as they’d been then, his father had decided to keep money on hand in case of any emergencies. They never had a problem with thieves, but desperate times often encouraged people to take desperate measures. Marcel kept most of his money in bank accounts, but as he was taught, he hid cash in case he might need it at the last minute.

  Taps of shoes on the stairs alerted him to someone approaching.

  “Where are you?” Lynn asked.

  “Turn left at the bottom of the stairs,” he said.

  He reached into the safe and withdrew several large bills. Since he wasn’t sure how long he’d be gone with Lynn, he wanted to make sure he had enough to cover food and lodging for both of them. The last time he left the reserve had been over ten years ago, not counting the small day trips to the town outside the reserve. He didn’t have a clue what food or hotel stays would cost today.

  “There you are.” She headed for him. “What are you doing?”

  He took a few more bills from a stack. “Getting some cash for us.”

  “I have a credit card I could use.” She stopped beside him and looked at the wall. “You have a safe? Is that a gun?”

  He folded the wad of cash and put it in one of the back pockets of his jeans. “Emergency reserves, and yes, it’s a gun. Should I bring it?”

  The idea appealed to him, especially now that he knew she was a carrier. He’d do anything to protect her.

  “Um…I think we’ll be okay,” she said. “I’ve survived the majority of my life in Chicago without a gun, so we should be fine.”

  He shut the safe door and then spun the dial. “All I need to do is pack a few things, and I’ll be ready to go.” He lifted the piece of drywall to return it to the opening.

  “Do you want me to pack for you? Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Anxious to go?”

  “Kind of. I can’t wait for you to meet Connie. If I can help you with anything…”

  He appreciated how she always volunteered to do something for him. They were alike in that way. It seemed as if they were also accustomed to being independent. Marcel was ready to change. For her, he welcomed it. He believed she was willing to change, too, but she had yet to confirm she was moving in with him.

  “If you want to check around the house and make sure everything is unplugged and shut off, that would help,” he said after he sealed the safe in the wall. “I still need to send a message to Demetri on our way out to let him know what we’re doing.”

  “I can do that. Where’s your phone?”

  “On the table by the door upstairs.” He stepped back and slid the bookshelf back in place, hiding the cutout in the drywall.

  “Oh no, the door. The lock—“

  “I’m not worried. No one has ever tried to break in. Shep said he’d be by to fix the door in a day or so.”

  “I keep forgetting how different it is here. How safe…”

  He put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. “You’ll
always be safe with me. I’ll protect you.”

  He leaned in to kiss her, but a knock on the door stole his attention and he backed away.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Someone is here.”

  He stepped around her and headed for the stairs. Shepherd had a habit of showing up unexpectedly, but he’d spoken to Shep early this morning before leaving for the station. Not once did the shifter mention dropping by. Marcel couldn’t think of any reason why Shep would need to see him, which led Marcel to believe the visitor had to be someone else. Marcel had other friends on the reserve that randomly stopped by. Maybe one of them decided pay a visit.

  Lynn followed him up the staircase. Reaching the landing at the top, he held the door open for her. She smiled and ran her hand along the side of his arm as she passed him. The small touch aroused him. She seemed to do that a lot lately.

  “Stay here,” he said, shutting the door to the basement behind him.

  She nodded and crossed her arms.

  Marcel headed to the front of the house. As he passed the long table in the entryway, he picked up his phone. Without checking to see who his guest was from the window on the side, he opened the door.

  A man with short black hair on his head and face stared back at Marcel. He stood a few inches shorter, and carried at least thirty more pounds of weight—not all of it appeared to be muscle. Wearing a dark blue polo shirt tucked into his khaki pants, his gut hung out slightly. “Are you Marcel Bouton?”

  “I am. Can I help you?”

  His hands were in his front pockets. He withdrew one and extended it to Marcel. “I’m Jonathan Willshire. I’m the other resident dragon.”

  Alarm bells went off in Marcel’s head. Why would the other dragon show up on his doorstep? He could think of only one reason.

  “I came to talk, that’s all. I have some information to share. I’m not here to cause any problems,” Jonathan said.

  “Just a second. Have a seat on the porch and I’ll be right back.”

  Jonathan withdrew his hand and nodded.

  As he turned away, Marcel shut the door. He had to protect Lynn. He didn’t want to scare her, but if Jonathan came for her, Marcel would fight to ensure her safety. Phone in hand, he headed down the hall.

  Lynn straightened from leaning against the wall. “Did I hear him say he was Jonathan Willshire, the other dragon living here?” She kept her voice at a whisper.

  He handed the phone to her and dug into his pocket. “If I’m not back in fifteen minutes, go out the back. Get in the car and go. Call Shepherd for directions. Go straight to his place.” He handed the keys to her.

  Holding the two items, she looked at him with pure concern. “I’m not leaving you.”

  “You need to if I don’t come back.”

  “No, Marcel,” she said firmly. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not leaving you.”

  He took her face into his hands. “I love you. This is just a precaution.”

  She scoffed. “Then why are you scaring me?”

  He claimed her lips and kept the kiss small and sweet. “Everything will be fine.”

  “Don’t you think it’s strange he shows up after we confirmed—“

  “Very strange, but he said he has information to share and didn’t come to start trouble. I’m going to listen to what he has to say.”

  “Please, please, don’t do anything else,” she pleaded.

  He backed away. “I won’t. I promise. I have too much to look forward to.”

  “Remember that.”

  He gave her a grin before he spun and headed for the door. Of course, he wanted to return to her without any problems from Jonathan, but he suspected the dragon had learned about Lynn being a carrier. Why else would he show up? If he dared to cause an issue, Marcel would do everything to keep his woman safe.

  He stepped out onto the porch. Jonathan stood on the sidewalk in front of the house, leading to the gravel driveway. His hands were hidden in his front pockets again. Leaving the door partially opened, Marcel strode down the steps.

  “I’m sure you must think my visit is odd,” Jonathan said as Marcel approached. “I only came here to share some information. Nothing more.”

  Marcel stopped at the base of the stairs and crossed his arms. “What information do you have to share?”

  “I happened to be one town over from the central station, picking up supplies, when Jeri’s apprentice called and informed me you had a carrier. He seemed to think there might be more dragons on the reserve in the near future.”

  “My girlfriend is a carrier, that’s true.” There was no point in denying it.

  “I was told her last name is Winslow, once known as Winsloux.”

  “We can’t confirm she’s a descendent of the Winsloux clan.”

  “But her parents were Winslows?”

  “Yes.”

  “My ancestors were Wiltshires. They came here from France to get away from the hunters, like many other clans.”

  “I’m aware of the history.”

  “My great-grandfather changed the name to avoid the hunters. He was good friends with Francis Winsloux. It’s my understanding Francis and my great-grandfather changed their names at the same time.”

  “Your great-grandfather knew Francis?”

  Jonathan nodded and withdrew his hands from his pockets. “Our families were close. In fact, our bloodlines were supposed to intermingle. They agreed upon it.”

  Marcel began to tense. He clenched one of his fists, not that Jonathan could see it since his arm hid his hand. If Jonathan thought he could try anything to get to Lynn, he’d face Marcel’s wrath.

  “Frances had a son and so did my great-grandfather. The bloodlines couldn’t join, obviously,” Jonathan said.

  “How do you know they were to join?”

  “My great-grandfather kept a journal and my grandfather continued it. I read it many, many years ago. I still have it somewhere.”

  Proof of an agreement didn’t change anything. The past was the past. Marcel hoped Jonathan understood this.

  “This is interesting, but where are you going with this?” Marcel asked.

  “Oh, I don’t care about the agreement. Jeri’s apprentice said you and your girlfriend were searching the records for information and she might be from the Winsloux clan. I came to share what I knew to see if it might help you get rid of any doubts. If she’s a Winslow, she’s from the Winsloux clan.”

  A hint of relief trickled through Marcel. He already believed she was, but hearing another dragon confirm his belief made the truth seem solid. Still, Marcel remained on guard. “I’ll pass on the news. Did your grandfather’s journal say anything else about the Winslows?”

  “Only that our families started to grow apart. The Winslows had affairs with humans. My family frowned upon that. I wasn’t allowed to mingle with humans when I was growing up. I rarely got to leave the reserve. After my parents died, I decided it was time to see the real world.”

  “So, you lived here for most of your life?”

  He nodded. “Up until my parents died, then I left to explore. I met someone and fell in love. She’s not a carrier, but I love her all the same. We’ve been married for sixteen years. We have three kids and another one on the way.”

  The tension in Marcel’s body began to fade. This dragon had a family. He doubted Jonathan would do anything that would reflect badly on his family.

  “I’m glad to hear you were able to find someone to make you happy,” Marcel said.

  “I love my wife. She knows what I am. She wishes she could give me a child who would grow up to be a dragon, but she can’t. My bloodline will die once I’m gone, but that’s okay. I’m happy and have everything I’ve always wanted. If you two are in love and can continue your bloodline, I think you should do it. Convince her somehow. There aren’t many of us left.”

  Jonathan’s words had taken Marcel by surprise and saddened him since Jonathan couldn’t keep the bloodline going. A
t the same time, Marcel was glad Jonathan had found love and accepted his future.

  “I’ll be sure to share the information with my girlfriend. I wish you and your family the best,” Marcel said.

  Jonathan grinned. “I really hope you can continue your bloodline. I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet or talk sooner.”

  “Me, too. Thanks for stopping by. Maybe I’ll see you at night in the sky sometime.” Marcel extended his hand.

  Jonathan shook it. “I don’t fly much anymore. I should since I seem to be getting out of shape.”

  “If I can be of any help…”

  Jonathan took a step back. “Not unless you like to babysit.”

  Marcel grinned. “Good luck.”

  “Same to you. Feel free to stop by sometime, especially if you have little ones in the future.” Jonathan gave a wave before he turned and headed for his truck.

  Marcel jogged up the steps as a sense of peace filled him. Jonathan hadn’t come to start trouble. He’d dropped by to share information and encourage Marcel to continue his bloodline. What a nice guy. Marcel wished he’d known Jonathan sooner. He had a feeling they could’ve been good friends. They still could be.

  Marcel hurried inside the house. He doubted he’d been outside for fifteen minutes, but he knew Lynn was worried. He’d share the information and hopefully her concerns would die quickly. With the crisis adverted, they could return to their preparations for leaving. She had a wedding to attend. Maybe in the not so distant future, she would meet him at the altar.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Lynn stared in the long mirror. The red dress came close to matching the one she’d originally bought for the wedding. The gown didn’t have a stylish band going around the waste, but it had one sown in higher, just under her breasts. Needless to say, with the spaghetti straps and low cut, the dress made her boobs look at least a size bigger.

  She toyed with a curl dangling near her right ear. The hairdresser had finished styling her and the other two bridesmaids’ hair a few hours ago. Then, the makeup specialist added a little color to their faces. Lynn liked her hair curled and pinned up. She’d have to consider trying to style her hair in a similar fashion on her own sometime. While the reflection in the mirror showed a good image of her, she still thought the picture Marcel had drawn made her look the best.