“Come on. If you and Iris wanted company, you could have asked us,” Neil said. “You didn’t have to hire strippers.” He made a crude gesture with his pelvis, and Ben and the others tittered with laughter.
She heard someone clear his throat and felt Alek step up to stand directly behind her. She didn’t have to look to feel him towering over her, glaring at the men in front. The way the group cringed back slightly told her everything she needed to know.
“You’d dare threaten the subjects of the lord of winter?” He stepped out to face them directly, and Luka and Dmitri joined him at either side. They made a solid wall of male muscle, and she could barely see through the gaps in their arms. “This woman and all her friends are under my protection. Mock her again and feel my icy wrath.”
Ben’s eyes widened, and he looked for a second like he didn’t know whether to laugh or to pee his pants.
“So you’re studying crazy people now?” Neil said, trying to scoff but looking like he was shaking.
“You want to challenge me?” Dmitri asked, taking a step forward, the most hulking of the group.
That made the men scatter, pushing each other out of the way and nearly tripping in their haste to get away from the “lord of winter” and his guards.
She watched as they sprinted down the hallway, glancing back to make sure no one was following.
Hopefully, they wouldn’t tell anyone about this embarrassing encounter, but she’d still have to come up with some kind of explanation in case they did.
She sighed, putting a palm over her face, and then looked up to see Alek staring at her in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “I protected you as one of my subjects.”
Her heart warmed slightly at that because it wasn’t often that a man, any man, stood up for her. She’d always had to look out for herself. But then again, he was delusional and had just threatened to use supernatural powers on someone…
She had no idea what to say.
“You’re grateful,” Alek said finally, rising back to his normal height. “That is usual. We can go now. Word should travel, and you shouldn’t be bothered.”
“Word traveling is what I’m worried about,” she said quietly.
Alek stared at her curiously. “Why?”
She let out a sigh, still trying to deny the part of her that was warm and aroused at the way he’d stepped in front of her and made the other dudes scatter like flies. She was a scientist. He was a subject. A probably insane one who had been damaged by years of cryosleep. If such a thing was possible.
She had to stay sane. And that meant not noticing that he was hot, protective, and more man than she’d ever been with. And that he sometimes looked at her with something fierce and possessive in his eyes.
“Never mind. I’m your subject. It’s fine,” she said, deciding not to argue since he had done something nice for her. “I’m grateful for your help.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“Now let’s head home.”
Chapter 4
The sound of Dmitri hungrily devouring a plate of something Talia had termed “spaghetti” punctuated the relative silence of her humble lodging as Alek desperately attempted to collect his thoughts.
“This is certainly no castle, but this food is fit for a king,” Dmitri muttered between mouthfuls.
His friend and personal bodyguard had always been most appreciative of physical pleasures. Whereas his cousin, Luka, sat poking at the pile of hairlike tendrils covered in some sort of red sauce, appraising it like some curious specimen.
“I’m glad you like it, seeing as it’s pretty much all we have right now,” Chelle, Talia’s blond living companion said as she walked past them with a gentle smile. Her eyes flicked down at them for a moment before she went into the larger seating area and made herself comfortable on the couch that had been his bed the night before.
Talia, on the other hand, had disappeared into her chambers shortly after providing food, mentioning something about “looking into a few things.” He felt an odd uneasiness without her around. Perhaps because she was the only real connection he had to this strange, modern world.
It didn’t hurt that she was pleasant to look at, either.
“So what things can you remember thus far, sire?” Luka looked up at him, icy-blue gaze intense, as it often was when discussing more serious topics.
Alek shook his head, a noticeable throb still pulsing somewhere at the base of his neck.
Slowly, gradually, memories were beginning to seep in. Ever since the sight of his two closest companions had greeted him this morning, flashes of his former life came to him like shocks.
“A few things. I remember where we lived, the castle. I remember people. My subjects, yes. There were many, weren’t there?”
“Yes, I believe I recall that as well.” Luka nodded.
“And the females. Don’t forget about that,” Dmitri added, finishing the last mouthful of what had once been a fairly heaped upon plate.
Alek chuckled a bit at that. Dmitri had always been the best at lightening the mood.
Or had he? Some things Alek couldn’t simply take for granted that he knew anymore. It was as if his mind were still coated in the ice that had interred him for an interminable amount of time. But unlike anything physical, this ice he didn’t know how to break.
“What about how we got here? Do you remember what happened?” Luka continued.
“Damned if I know.” Dmitri shrugged, crossing his arms and sitting back in his chair, making the ground beneath him creak. In the other room, the muffled sounds of the television were oddly comforting as Chelle hummed something to herself and fiddled with her cellular telephone, or “cell phone” as Talia had called it.
“Perhaps there was an avalanche…? I can’t remember the terrain near our village, but given the snow, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say there might have been mountains nearby.” Luka’s gaze stared blankly at the table as he spoke.
Alek shook his head. “The lord of winter would have never been bested by a mere avalanche; that is certain.”
“Aye.” Dmitri nodded animatedly.
“Perhaps it will come back to us soon, then,” Luka said hopefully.
There was a heavy silence between them again while a feminine voice spoke dramatically on the TV about her undying love for her dishwasher, whatever that was.
“So what about the other dragons?” Dmitri interjected, arms still folded, sitting at attention as if some statue of a warrior had decided to make itself comfortable at their table.
Instinctively, Alek looked over at Chelle, who seemed to be perfectly entertained with being by herself for the moment, watching the TV.
“I don’t know. When I made mention of it to Talia, she acted as if she had no clue as to what I was speaking of,” Alek said.
“What? Surely, she jests. Perhaps a ruse, then? Hoping to pull the wool over our eyes?” Dmitri posited suspiciously.
“No.” Alek’s tone was more intense than he’d intended. “No, I do not think she intends to deceive us.” Granted, Alek had no actual proof of that. Just something in his heart that told him she could be trusted. Something within the earnest expression of those deep-brown eyes.
“Maybe we’re the only ones left, then? Have you considered that?” Dmitri asked darkly.
Luka stepped in. “Highly unlikely, I would wager. Did you know there are more than seven billion humans living in the world right now?”
“That certainly is a lot of humans. Some of them must serve dragon masters like in times of old,” Dmitri said.
Luka shook his head. “I don’t think that’s how it works anymore. Humans serve other human masters or themselves. That being said, there must be some dragons living among them. Perhaps they exist in secret.”
Perhaps there were, but perhaps they might be eventually drawn out by him being around. Perhaps they would make themselves known. Then again, such dragons would be a threat to anyone around him, inc
luding Talia.
The thought made the beast within Alek start to growl.
“Then we must find them and defeat them and claim their—”
Luka put a hand over Alek’s clenched fist, and he relaxed it, not realizing he’d been moments away from breaking the small wooden table in two.
“Calm yourself, my liege. We must not be too hasty,” Luka said as he pulled his hand back, tenting his fingers together.
“I agree with Luka, master,” Dmitri said. Dmitri and Luka didn’t often agree on things, so Alek paid attention.
“For now, I believe we’re better served maintaining our secrecy for the time being. Let us watch and see what the woman who released us discovers about us and our identities. Perhaps she will be able to obtain more information,” Luka said.
Alek’s pulse was still racing at the thought of any dragons coming near Talia, but he nodded in assent.
Luka continued. “Surely, in this modern world with technologies we don’t yet comprehend, there could be repercussions if we act too brashly. The fact that these humans don’t know of the existence of dragons might indicate that they keep their own presence unknown to the humans around them. And perhaps we should follow suit.”
“If I do see a dragon, I’ll let you know by bringing you their head,” Dmitri said, cracking his knuckles.
“As much as I want to disagree, I believe there is wisdom in our friend’s words, Dmitri,” Alek said firmly. This time, Dmitri’s nod of affirmation showed that the lord of winter was not to be disobeyed.
Outside, the sun hung low in the sky, pouring orange light into the room around them.
In spite of the pathetic size of her lodgings, even Alek had to admit that Talia’s home had a certain peasant-like comfort to it.
As if summoned, Alek heard the sound of a door opening, and a moment later, Talia walked into the room. This time she was wearing pants that fit her legs and hips tightly and a sweater that appeared to be wool dyed in a pretty red color. It took no small amount of will to keep from staring at her cute, feminine figure.
“I’m going out to the bar. I need a break, and my head is killing me.” Talia turned to Chelle with a pleading look. “Can you man the fort for a few hours more?”
“You bet!” Chelle responded with a raised fist, her focus still pinned to her phone.
Alek stood to his feet, making the table shake. Why was all human furniture so flimsy?
“Yes, the tavern! I could most certainly partake of an imbibement.”
Talia looked up at him, no small amount of uncertainty in her expression. Her silky brown hair was down around her face instead of pulled up like it normally was.
Her lips curved into a small frown. “You can’t come.”
“And why can’t I?” He stepped forward, crossing his arms.
For some reason that he still couldn’t explain, he wanted to go wherever she went. If for no other reason than to get out of what was a fairly cramped space for a dragon of his size.
She stood staring agape up at him, searching for words. When she spoke, he noticed the hue of red paint on her lips.
He wanted to kiss them.
“Identification. You don’t have ID.” She waggled a finger at him. “Don’t have ID, can’t go.”
“What’s eye… dee?” Luka asked curiously.
“You use it to go to places like bars,” Talia responded.
“Actually…” Chelle stood up and pulled something from a leather pouch she kept hung next to the door. “I know a guy.”
“You know lots of guys. That doesn’t help,” Talia said.
“Yes, but this one…” She trailed off, walking up to Talia and handing her a small, thin rectangular sheet. On it, Alek could see a photograph and writing.
“I’m not even going to ask who you got this from, because it’s sketchy as hell,” Talia said, eyeing the thing.
“I know, but I figured he might need it, seeing as ice man is going to be here for a while. Can’t really get around without something like that on him.”
“An ID, I have one. And now I shall accompany you to the tavern!” Alek said triumphantly.
Talia reluctantly handed him the small card, and he got a better look at it.
“I appreciate the thought, thanks,” Talia said, giving her friend a hug.
“You’re welcome. Oh, and I’ll be a little late on rent this month,” Chelle murmured.
“Wait, my name is not Morton Rickson! I am Alek, the lord of winter. Why does it not say my real name here?” He pointed angrily at the card full of lies and deceit.
“It’s a fake ID. As in it’s not really you. That’s the whole point,” Talia said, moving to the door and pulling a heavy coat around her.
“But it will still allow me entrance to the tavern?”
“Knowing how flimsy security is at Johnny’s, yeah, probably,” she said with a defeated sigh.
“Can we come, too?” Dmitri asked hopefully.
“No. I must test this ID. But I will let you know of my exploits,” Alek commanded.
“I didn’t even invite you.” Talia threw her arms up.
“Have fun, you two,” Chelle said with a grin. “I’ll keep these guys entertained.”
“But…” Talia groaned and pushed the front door open, letting a refreshing blast of cool air waft into the apartment. “C’mon,” she said, defeat in her voice as she motioned for him to join her finally.
“Ladies first,” Alek said with a wave, and she stepped outside, him right behind her.
After so many things happening in such short time, it was no wonder they both needed a drink.
It was about time to see what the modern age had to offer in that regard anyway.
Chapter 5
Talia still wasn’t sure how the lord of winter, aka Alek, had talked her into taking him to her favorite bar when she’d been going there to get away from him so she could think.
Now he was right next to her, sucking down a week’s worth of pay in drinks, exclaiming over how different they were than anything he’d tasted.
She couldn’t keep back a smile at the ruddiness of his cheeks as he grew more and more intoxicated. If she thought about it, he probably needed the break as much as she did.
Her hours of Googling and frantically trying to message her mentor (while keeping things vague) had produced nothing, and she still had no idea how to proceed. It was her very staid, logical demeanor that kept her moving forward at times like this, when most people would either be calling the police or collapsing.
But she didn’t want to call the police. Not at all. If they came, they might take Alek. He might end up locked in a mental hospital, trapped. Plus, he was their discovery, and she didn’t want him carted off to some other lab either. What if they mistreated him?
She looked over at the handsome man as he downed a tall beer and pounded the counter for another, making other glasses shake. He drew a few curious glances, what with his extreme handsomeness and exotic long hair, but most people seemed too afraid to approach him.
Who was this man, really, and how could she keep him safe and undiscovered while she waited for her mentor to come back?
She took a sip of her hard cider and set her glass down thoughtfully, turning to Alek. “So do you still remember nothing?”
He frowned thoughtfully. “Bits and pieces have been coming in. It’s odd, though. Some things I remember, and others… cause an odd pain in my head. Like I’m forgetting something important. Then again, I was in that ice a long time. I still want to find out how I got there.”
“Me as well, but it might take some time to make any headway on it.” She looked at his glass. “Seems like you like the beer here.”
“I do.” He nodded eagerly. “It is a fitting tribute from a vassal.”
She smiled, still not knowing if she should be amused or offended that he considered her a servant. How long ago was he from? How long had he lived before going in the ice? And had he really been a ruler back then? She knew
that delusions of grandeur were a common form of psychosis, but could they be triggered by long-term cryosleep? She’d looked up everything she could online but simply couldn’t find another case like him.
Only rumors of things too improbable to be believed. Ancient beings or monsters being awakened after sleep.
Myths, obviously.
So what was he?
He set down his glass and looked forward wistfully, clearly seeing something other than the bar in his mind. “I remember a land covered in snow, so white it felt like clouds had descended on Earth. It was heaven.”
“That’s awesome.”
He nodded. “I remember long nights talking with Luka and Dmitri, making plans, killing time. Though, I don’t remember why.” He rubbed his forehead. “It’s killing me not to be able to put the pieces together.”
She couldn’t help feeling sorry for him then and rested a hand on his arm. Maybe it was just the alcohol in both of them or the odd situation they were sharing together, but he felt so much more approachable right now.
Instead of spouting off about being lord of winter, he seemed more real, more himself, whoever that was.
She smiled to herself, acknowledging she barely knew him and should probably keep it that way, except for scientific requests.
Would he one day be just another discovery, like the bog man or King Tut? Would it put her on the map?
Though such discoveries were what every scientist wanted, the fact that he was a living, breathing person with feelings made things hard.
She drummed her fingers on the bar, feeling torn. Perhaps she should just tell him to run for it before the world could get their hands on him or his friends. But then again, he didn’t understand this world. How would he survive in it?
She glared suspiciously at her empty glass of cider. Alcohol always made her a little too pensive.
The lord of winter looked at her then, curiously, as if trying to read her thoughts, just as the door to the bar swung open and cold wind blew inside.
She groaned as she looked up at the group coming in. The football team. At first, she’d been hopeful for a distraction, but she definitely didn’t want this one.
Lord of Winter Page 3
