The Old Dragon of the Mountain's Christmas (Dragon Lords of Valdier #9) (11 page)

Christmas morning came bright and early. Jack, Shelly, and Crystal had decided to stay the night. They had stayed up late, laughing, talking, and singing. Spark had made a bed for Crystal and she and Bo were still curled up in the golden symbiot’s warm embrace when the adults rose.

“I remember you waking us up at the crack of dawn so you could open your presents,” Edna reflected in a soft voice as she moved around the kitchen.

“Crystal used to do that, but she stopped after the accident,” Shelly replied, pulling the milk, orange juice and eggs out of the refrigerator. “Pancakes and eggs?”

“Sounds great,” Edna said. “I think she’ll be alright now.”

“Yes,” Shelly replied, glancing in the living room. “She wants to start back to regular school after the first of the year.”

Edna glanced at her daughter’s worried face. “Let her, Shelly. She knows what she needs to heal,” she advised in a soft tone.

Shelly smiled and nodded. “When do you leave?” She asked in a trembling voice.

“I think tonight,” Edna replied, turning Shelly in her arms and staring into her eyes. “We will not be sad. There may be a way to come back. If there is, I’ll find it. I don’t want this to be a sad day.”

“I know,” Shelly whispered. “What about the cabin? All of your things?”

“I drew up a will shortly after your father died. I revised it when Abby left me this. The cabin and mountain will go to Crystal. Abby would be happy with that. I contacted a lawyer in Wyoming to handle things,” Edna replied. “I know Jack could have, but I didn’t want anything suspicious coming back on you two with my leaving. Chad Morrison knows about the aliens. He is managing Paul Grove’s ranch. From what he told me, the aliens have a tendency to show up when he least expects it. Paul left his ranch as a place where they could arrive without fear of being discovered.”

“When did you do this?” Shelly asked in surprise.

Edna smiled. “When you have an alien goddess appear before you, you tend to realize that anything is possible when you set your mind to it. I called Chad immediately and made the arrangements,” she replied dryly.

Shelly shook her head in amazement. “I love you, mom. I’m happy for you, too. You have been the best mom any girl could wish for,” she said in a thick voice.

Edna wrapped her arms around her daughter and held her tight. “You do the same for Crystal and I know that my work is done,” she whispered. “I love you, too, Shelly, never forget that. I’m proud of you, too. You are a wonderful mother, daughter, and wife.”

“Hey, the mule is fed, is there any food for the men?” Jack called out as he stomped his feet by the door to knock the snow off of them. He winced when both women hissed at him to be quiet. “Sorry!”

“I’m hungry, too,” Crystal groaned out in a sleepy voice. “Are we having pancakes?”

*.*.*

Later that afternoon, Edna and Christoff stood on the porch watching as Jack, Shelly, Crystal, Bo, and Gloria headed back down the mountain. Christoff had looked at her funny when she told him that Bo and Gloria would be going to live with Jack, Shelly and Crystal.

She had hugged the Golden before piling all of his toys, food, and bedding into the back of the SUV. He had helped Jack hitch the trailer and load Gloria. Edna had held out an apple for the old mule and stroked its head affectionately before pressing a kiss to its forehead.

“You know,” he murmured, staring at the fading lights.

“Yes,” she replied, turning to walk back into the house.

Christoff followed her inside and closed the door. The house seemed empty with everyone gone. Spark looked up at him, then at the door. He could see the small green tennis ball at its feet. He nudged the ball and watched as it rolled across the floor before looking at the door again.

“How?” He asked in a thick voice.

Edna smiled as she began picking up some of the dirty dishes that had been left out. Glancing over her shoulder, he could see the glimmer of amusement and acceptance in her eyes. She knew he was worried about her.

“An alien goddess told me,” she said.

Christoff released the breath he was holding. He stared around the room. The warmth from the pellet stove and the fire kept the chill out. The colorful lights on the tree brightened the room and he could still smell the sweet scent of the pancakes they’d had for breakfast in the air. He would miss this. He had nothing to offer her when they returned to his world.

“Christoff,” Edna murmured, setting the plates and glasses down on the counter and walking over to him. “It will be alright.”

Christoff gazed down at Edna and pulled her into his arms. He held her tight against his body, savoring the feel of her soft form pressed against his. Lowering his head, he rested his chin against her hair.

“I love you, Edna,” he murmured.

Edna’s arms wrapped around his waist and she held him tightly against her. “I love you, too, my alien warrior,” she whispered, relaxing.

They spent the rest of the day cleaning the cabin and organizing it. Edna had debated whether she should take the Christmas tree down or not and pack it away. Christoff made the decision when she told him that her family had always left it up until after the first of the year for good luck. They turned off the pellet stove and doused the fire in the fireplace before they went to bed.

Christoff watched as Edna brushed out her hair before she braided it. For a moment, she paused as she looked down at the bed. A look of confusion settled over her face.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, walking over to tilt her face up so he could look into her eyes.

Edna gave a self-conscious laugh. “I don’t know what to wear? Do we go to sleep in our clothes? Do I wear my nightgown? How is all this supposed to happen?” She asked nervously.

A smile curved Christoff’s lips. “I plan to make love to you, so you won’t be needing your clothes for a while. After that, it will be up to the goddess. Perhaps, she will let us know before we leave,” he teased.

Edna raised her eyebrow. “If I appear on your world naked, I’m not going to be very happy with you,” she warned.

“I’ll take my chances,” Christoff murmured before he bent and captured her lips.

*.*.*

Christoff glanced at the clock next to the bed. It was close to midnight. Edna lay tucked in his arms, sound asleep. They had made love, talked, and made love again. He knew she was frightened, but she never complained or expressed any doubt that she should return to his world with him. Exhaustion pulled at him as well. He worried that he wouldn’t be able to care for her properly once he returned home. He would need to build them a home near the village. He debated if he should move to a different area, but something was pulling him back to the valley. It was as if something was telling him that this time, things would be different and he needed to go home.

His eyes drooped and no matter how hard he tried to keep them open, they refused. A strange warmth filled him as he fell into a deep slumber. He was vaguely aware that his symbiot had jumped onto the bed with them, but even that wasn’t enough to pull him back to consciousness.

“Sleep, my gentle warrior. It is time for you and your mate to return home,” Aikaterina whispered, stroking his brow. “You needn’t worry. The villagers realize their mistake.”

Christoff’s lips moved, but no sound escaped. He finally gave up and slipped into the calm darkness, his arms tightening around Edna when he felt a sense of weightlessness. Home… Home.

Six months later: Valdier

Edna laughed in delight as she watched Zohar reach for another cookie when he thought Abby wasn’t looking. Abby, Zohar, and Zoran, the King of the Valdier, had been regular visitors since their arrival. Abby and Zoran had been visiting with the villagers and making sure that they had all the support they needed in the rebuilding of the village when she had seen Edna. Abby’s cry of delight had drawn Edna’s attention and before she knew it, she had been engulfed in her young friend’s embrace.

“How…? Why…? I don’t care,” Abby had laughingly said as she brushed the tears from her cheeks.

“Edna, welcome to Valdier,” Zoran had greeted, giving Christoff a puzzled look.

“I’m so glad you are here,” Abby murmured, smiling as she reached out and moved the plate of cookies a little further away from the edge, and the greedy fingers trying to steal even more. “I know Shelly, Jack, and Crystal must miss you.”

Edna blinked back the tears when she thought of her family back on Earth. She was discovering it was harder than she expected to leave them behind. Drawing in a deep breath, she gave Abby a weak smile.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t dwell on what I can’t change. My life is with Christoff now,” Edna replied in a soft voice.

Abby bit her lip and bent to pick up Zohar when he peered over the side of the table. He had shifted into his dragon form in the hopes that he would be tall enough to reach the platter. Abby chuckled when he gave her a pitiful look.

“One more,” she said in a stern voice. “Otherwise, you won’t eat your dinner tonight.”

“Cookie,” Zohar grinned, shifting again and clapping his hands.

“I could talk to Zoran, Edna. They have ships that travel back and forth to Earth frequently now. Maybe they would be willing to come here,” Abby suggested.

Edna’s eyes lit up. She had never really thought of it as a possibility. Deep down, she had been afraid to ask Abby for fear of her saying that it was impossible.

“Oh, Abby, yes, please. I miss Shelly, Crystal, and Jack so much. If there was a chance for them to come here, life would be perfect,” Edna replied with tears in her eyes.

Abby laughed. “I’ll let Zoran know. He never says no to me,” she retorted with a twinkle in her eye. “If he does, I have ways of making him change his mind,” she added with a slight blush.

Edna laughed and reached over to squeeze Abby’s hand. “I know exactly how you do it, too,” she said with a wink. “It works with Christoff, as well.”

Abby grinned and stood with a sigh. Zohar was getting sleepy and they needed to return to the palace. Holding her sleepy son in her arms, she watched as Edna stood up and wrapped her arms around Abby and Zohar.

“Thank you, Abby,” Edna whispered in a husky voice. “Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.”

Stepping back, they both turned when Zoran and Christoff came inside. A few minutes later, they watched as the trio took off, heading back over the mountains toward the ocean. She released a sigh of contentment and leaned against Christoff, their arms wrapped around each other.

“She’s going to see if Zoran will bring Shelly, Jack, and Crystal to Valdier,” Edna whispered.

“I know,” Christoff replied, turning her toward him so he could gaze down at her with a small smile. “I asked Zoran if he would and he said yes. It should not be too long, there is already a ship headed toward Earth.”

Edna shook her head and chuckled. “I should have known you were up to something when you asked Zoran to step outside to look at the new barn you are working on. Thank you,” she said, her expression softening with love.

Christoff reached up and brushed a strand of silver hair back from her face. His expression was serious as he looked down at her. Tilting her chin, he paused a breath away from her lips.

“You never have to thank me for trying to make you happy, Edna. You are a treasure to me. I will do everything I can to make your life here good,” he promised before capturing her lips.

*.*.*

Later that afternoon, Christoff released a groan when he heard his name being called. For half a second, he considered acting like he hadn’t heard his brother. He wanted to retreat into the cottage where he would bar the doors in the hopes Lemar would get the message that he didn’t want to deal with him. He would have if he thought it would work. Unfortunately, Edna would just make him unlock it.

“Christoff!” Lemar called out in greeting again when he didn’t immediately answer.

Releasing a sigh of resignation, he slowly turned and scowled. His older brother was really beginning to become a pain in his backside. Ever since their return, Lemar had been trying to make up for all the centuries of riff between them. He hoped it didn’t take that long for his brother to finally understand that he honestly didn’t care. There was no changing the past and life was too full, and he was too happy, to care to dredge up hurt and hatred. Besides, he didn’t think his parents would want him to.

He had to admit that Lemar had changed from the selfish, immature boy that he remembered. So had many of the villagers. The new village was still in the process of being built in the valley over from where the mountain had erupted. It would take time, but his skills and understanding of the rock foundations along with the history of it were helping to know where it was best to build their new homes and where to plant the crops needed to support the needs of the village.

“Lemar,” Christoff replied bluntly.

“Be nice,” Edna murmured, stepping out of the cottage he had built. “Hello, Lemar.”

“Greetings, Edna,” Lemar said with a grin. “I’ve found some new rocks. I wanted you to look at them.”

Christoff shot Edna a pained glance before he grunted and held his hand out. Lemar dropped a pile of ugly rocks into his palm. Holding one of them up, he looked at it with a critical eye.

“Diamonds, they will work well for cutting,” he grunted.

“Excellent,” Lemar replied with a grin. “My mate wanted to know if you would honor us by coming to dinner tonight.”

“No,” Christoff started to reply before he grunted when Edna elbowed him.

“We would be delighted. I know the children are wanting to show Christoff their new rock collection and they want to see how his wings work,” Edna interjected.

“I know,” Lemar replied with a pleading look. “As you know, my youngest son, Anson, was injured during the eruption. One of his wings was crushed. His symbiot tried to heal it, but the damage was too great. By the time I found him, it could not be fixed and part of it had to be removed. Anson and his dragon have been very depressed since that happened. I would be forever in your debt if you would talk with him, Christoff. He will not listen to his mother or me. I… I understand now, just how grievous I was to you as a boy. I will understand if you say no, but please, I beg you to not blame my son for his father’s behavior.”

Christoff released a breath of resignation and ran his hand over his nape. He and Edna had been inundated by the older villagers that had been mean to him when he was young. The women cast looks of envy at Edna while the men tried to earn his forgiveness by helping him or bringing him tools. All he really wanted was for them to leave him alone.

“I will talk with Anson,” he muttered, shooting Edna a look that promised he would take his revenge on her later. The slight, knowing smile on her lips showed him that she wasn’t in the least bit intimidated by his threatening glare. “I will show him how he can use his symbiot to help him.”

“I can talk with him as well,” Edna said with a smile. “I wish my granddaughter, Crystal, was here. She would know what to say.”

“Thank you,” Lemar whispered in gratitude. “Thank you.”

“I have work to do. Can you leave now?” Christoff asked in a blunt tone, grimacing when Edna snorted.

“Yes, yes, we will see you later this evening,” Lemar replied, backing up and turning. “Until this evening, brother!”

Christoff watched as his older brother hurried down the path. Shaking his head, he glanced down at Edna when she wrapped her arm around his waist. A reluctant smile curved his lips when he saw her pleased expression.

“You know, we’ll never be able to get rid of him now,” he reflected accusingly.

“I know,” she laughed. “He really isn’t so bad.”

“He is annoying,” Christoff grumbled, turning her in his arms and pressing a kiss to her lips. “I have a present for you. I didn’t get a chance to give you one on Christmas.”

Edna raised an eyebrow and smiled up at him. “I think you gave me a beautiful Christmas gift,” she teased. “If I remember correctly, I was pleasantly exhausted.”

“This one is different,” he said, reaching for her hand and lifting it so he could slide a ring onto it. “I saw the rings on your daughter and Jack’s fingers. I asked them about it. They said it is a symbol of their commitment to each other. I wanted to give you a ring to show my love and commitment to you, Edna. I will never forget what you have given up to be with me here.”

Edna stared at the ring he was slipping on her finger. It was big. It was made of gold with diamonds wrapping around it in a simple, yet elegant arrangement. She tilted her head when he gently touched her chin.

“I love you, my mate, forever,” Christoff whispered. “Merry Christmas.”

“Oh, Christoff,” Edna murmured, reaching up to press a light kiss against his lips. “Didn’t you know? You are my present. The only one I will ever need. I love you, my mate.”

Neither one of them noticed the pale gold figure standing in the doorway of their cottage staring at them. Her expression was pleased, yet curious. Her fingers moved to the twin dragon necklaces around her neck. They had fallen off of Christoff in the cave. She had discovered them when she returned to make sure he had his satchel. Deciding that she would keep them as a gift to herself, she wondered what it would be like… to just once hold someone in her arms like Christoff was holding Edna.

Shaking her head at her fanciful thoughts, Aikaterina released a sigh and faded. She needed to check on the Hive. There was no telling what Arosa and Arilla had been up to in her absence. They were almost as bad as Amber and Jade, she thought as she opened the doorway back to her home.

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