Dragon Wish (17 page)

had stood, a banner whipped in the wind brought on by the

dragon’s wings. The cloth carried the same strange emblem

she had seen on the bed covers in Paladin’s room on the

airship the first day. The flag revealed the design clearer than

the one on the bed covers. A dragon, head up, wings spread,

held a spear against its body. Its tail was wrapped around the

weapon’s long handle. This time, instead of crimson, gold

was embroidered on a white rectangle.

She didn’t have to ask. The flag belonged to the white

dragon clan. His clan. Paladin would die at his home.

Fear for Paladin left her trembling. She fought to calm

her breathing. Closing her eyes, she focused on his smiling

face and the joy he’d brought her today. After a few

moments, she realized she had to prepare him for what

might happen. She struggled to her feet and stumbled across

the room. The need to see him, to verify he was alive and

unharmed helped calm her down. With a twist of the knob,

she pulled the door open.

He stood, leaning against the door jam. Seren suppressed

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a relieved cry and moved forward, resting her back on the

opposite side, staring at him.

He inclined his head, his eyes narrowing. He returned her

scrutiny, his gaze scanning her face. “Are you all right?”

Not able to speak, she stepped to him, hugging his waist.

She buried her nose at the spot where his shirt gaped and the

deep tanned muscles of his chest met. His arms held her

secure.

He was alive. She would do her best to keep him that way.

She turned her face and rubbed her cheek against his

skin. “You can’t go home.”

His back stiffened. He touched her chin, bringing her face

up. “Why?”

“I had a vision.”

Those simple words seemed to convey her message.

Danger lurked within the boundaries of his homeland. He

seemed to understand and nodded.

Relief poured through her. She shut her eyes. “I want you

to hold me.”

He placed his hand on the back of her neck, pulling her

close. “Come, we both need rest. After a peaceful night, you

will be more at ease.”

Without another word, he led her into the room and then

closed the door behind them.

* * * *

into the downy softness as sleep faded from her mind.

Paladin’s scent lingered, bringing a smile to her lips. The

pillow still held a touch of warmth, revealing he’d left her

only a short while ago.

God, she wanted to find a tub of hot water. To soak and

relax without the pressure of the dragon vision weighing on

her would be heaven. She laughed. Heaven indeed! Bliss with

her golden angel beside her.

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Closing her eyes, she imagined Paladin bathing with her,

his hands covered with soap, sliding across her slick body. A

moan escaped her. Her blood throbbed in her veins. Sharp

pangs of desire shot up through her belly from the junction

between her legs.

Lying in bed, desiring him, wouldn’t bring him back to

her side so she tossed the covers back, trying her best to

ignore her body’s need for him. Seren sat up, stretching.

Lowering her hands into her lap, she glanced at her

surroundings. Her gaze stopped on the door on the left side

of the room. Ajar, the opening revealed another room.

She leaned to the left to see better. The curved rim of a

large basin showed just past the door. An excited laugh

escaped her. For the first time since she’d arrived on this

strange planet, she wanted to dance with joy. Maybe, just

maybe, she’d receive what she desired—a bath. Unable to

resist the temptation, she slipped from the bed. The hem of

Paladin’s shirt fell over the tops of her thighs, tickling her

legs.

With one hand, she pushed the door wider. Yes, a tub was

there, waiting for her to use. With a grin, she pulled the shirt

over her head. Naked, she studied the narrow chain hanging

on the side of a water spout. She tugged it. Clear water

poured out of the curved pipe. After a few seconds, steam

rose from the water.

Seren touched the clear, gushing water. Her smile

widened. The temperature, bordering on hot and promising

relaxing comfort, called to her. She stepped into the tub then

sat, leaning back, enjoying the feel of the water covering her.

Her mind wandered to the last time she had sat in a bath.

At that time, she had wanted the horrible, oppressive vision

of the white dragon to end. Now, all her thoughts centered

on Paladin and her unborn baby. She rested her head against

the tub’s rim, considering everything that had happened

since then.

Thinking of the first vision reminded her of what she’d

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witnessed last night, but she shook her head, she wouldn’t

think about the past. She stopped memories from filling her

mind. Right now, she wanted to relax, not consider how what

had happened to her in the past might affect the future. This

peaceful time would slip away. There wasn’t any way she’d

mess up this moment. She wanted to enjoy it. Who knew

what this day would bring?

After soaking then bathing with a bar of plain, unscented

soap, Seren dressed and left the bedroom. She retraced hers

and Paladins’ footsteps from last night, descended the stairs,

and walked to the room they had gone to when they first

arrived. No one was there. Next, she went to the front

entrance, hoping to find Paladin out there.

A luscious, vibrant world greeted her outside. Sweat

popped out on her brow. The high humidity reminded her of

southern Louisiana where steamy humidity was a way of life.

Plants and trees grew along the perimeter of the cleared area

before the house, revealing a green hothouse of life which

reminded her of home. Patches of bright white clouds floated

across the brilliant blue sky. The gentle breeze brought the

heavy scent of sweet exotic flowers.

When she didn’t see anyone, Seren went back inside.

Frowning, not sure what to do or where to go, she tilted her

head and listened, hoping for some sign to tell her everyone’s

location. She didn’t want to wander around the wizard’s

home by herself too much. Largin might not like it.

Voices came from further down the hall. She moved to

the closed door at the end and turned the knob. The room,

the width of the house, was the kitchen.

Aromatic herbs hung from hooks on the ceiling. A black

kettle extended on a hook in the hearth spewed steam from

its spout. The strong scent of telee permeated the room.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

Her gaze swung away from the kettle to the far side of the

room. Largin stood next to a doorway which gave a view of

the backyard. Light spilled inside, brightening that side of

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the room.

The old man stepped away from the opening, motioning

to her. “Come, Leo and Paladin are without, enjoying the

warmth of the sun.”

With a nod, she walked past him and into an overgrown

world of glorious life. Deep green vines with leaves the size of

elephant ears climbed the outer door frame. Bright blue

trumpet flowers with dark orange pistons bloomed in

staggered places on the vine.

Amazed, she looked closer. The petals appeared coated

with a strange waxy substance.

Leo’s voice carried across the vibrant garden. “They’re

similar to the hibiscus.”

Seren swung around to the sound. Paladin stood next to

the taller black man. He appeared smaller, weaker against

Leo. Memories of her vision the night before returned. There

had been nothing spineless in the way he had faced the

attacking dragons. Pride along with strength had radiated

from him.

She smiled, wanting him to see her joy in finding him. He

grinned, a warm light reflected in his eyes. “Good morning,”

she called. As she approached them, she focused on Paladin.

“You look rested.”

His smile melted her heart. “So do you.”

Leo chuckled. “Are you hungry? I threw a batch of drop

biscuits together. There’s fresh butter. Jam, too, if you like,

and hot telee. You drank it last night. It’s sort of like tea.”

He pointed to a table hidden from view by several

planters filled with greenery. Her stomach growled. She

reached up, covering her heated cheeks. “Sorry. I’m

starving.”

“Then eat. There’s plenty.”

Paladin moved ahead of her. He pulled a chair out. “I was

discussing with Leo the possibility of taking a ride up the

mountain. There is a meadow not far from here. The view of

the sea is exquisite. I thought perhaps you might enjoy an

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outing.”

“I’d love to,” she replied, picking up and buttering a

biscuit. When she broke the round, golden bread apart,

steam escaped, carrying the delicious aroma to her taste

buds. Her stomach muscles tightened. Her mouth watered.

“Good. I’ll go and prepare the dragoons. You will be fine

here.” The deep tone of his voice added to the loveliness of

the morning.

She nodded, taking a bite. The food was delicious. She’d

found heaven. Closing her eyes, she savored the flavors of the

biscuit with melted butter.

After a couple more bites, she glanced up to discover both

men had disappeared. With a smile which turned into a

laugh, she fixed another biscuit and poured a cup of telee.

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An hour later, Seren sat on the back of a dragoon, waiting

for Leo to finish tying the straps around a straw basket on

the rear of his saddle. Next to her, Paladin sat astride his own

dragoon. He reached out, touching her arm. When she

glanced at him, he pointed up.

Birds flew from the leafy foliage of a nearby tree. Their

tails streamed behind them, showing off an array of bright

pinks and purple feathers. They glided toward the rear of the

house. Their deep caws rang out in the quiet of the clearing.

Enthralled, Seren watched them until they disappeared.

She turned to Leo. “They looked like macaws.”

“Yes, ma’am. There are a lot of animals, plants, and birds

similar to ones on Earth.”

Once Leo mounted, Paladin led the way past the wizard’s

home. The trail cut through the lush forest. Croaks along

with chirps greeted their small caravan. Seren looked at the

dense undergrowth and the tall trees. Remnants of moisture

hung in the air.

“It’s so beautiful here,” she said. “Peaceful. Fresh.”

Paladin smiled at her over his shoulder. “I come here

often. It is a fine place for a man to think.”

His words made her curious about what he thought now.

He looked at her. Had he sensed her inquisitive thoughts?

“We will not consider the future while we are here. There will

be time for that later. Let us enjoy the peace instead.”

With a nod, she agreed with him, but kept her focus on

him more than the landscape. His body shifted and moved

with the gait of the dragoon with a natural balance. A grin

tugged at her mouth. She’d never watched men, but she

could grow accustomed to studying him. Her eyes wandered

over the width of his shoulders, moving down the curve of

his back to his trim waist. Desire spiraled from the tips of her

breast to her lower body.

“Look there,” Leo called from behind her.

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Glad for the interruption, she glanced in time to see a

strange cat-like animal scurry across their path. Her mouth

fell open. A surprised gasp escaped. Once on the opposite

side of the trail, the grayish feline peeked from beneath

leaves and hissed at them. Its body hunkered low to the

ground. As they moved past, Seren saw the cat creature’s legs

were no longer than her fingers.

Amazed, she turned to Leo. “What is it?”

“Sorta like a cat, but more badger. They live in hollow

trees.” His eyes, alight with joy, crinkled in the corners.

They continued on, each silent except for the times some

new animal would appear or a strange looking plant caught

her eye. Leo explained each one to her and compared it to

something familiar on Earth.

The slow ride helped her forget she no long traveled on