Dragon's Gap: Set Includes Stories 6-7 Plus A Christmas Surprise

by L M Lacee

  She yawned up at him. He kissed her forehead and said another short sentence and handed her back to Blossom. Then he came over picked his obviously pregnant shadow up from her chair, sat and placed her on his lap as though they did that all the time. Ciana could see it was a natural move. One they probably never even thought about any more. A secret hope stirred to life deep in her heart, that one day she too would have a Shadow.

  Blossom cuddled the baby close. “She is in need of a change, may I see to her Lady Ciana?”

  Ciana smiled. “Thank you Blossom, please ask Andre`, he seems to know where everything is.” When she had moved away Ciana asked. “So when did I become a Lady?”

  Olinda grinned as she answered. “Every woman or female to the faeries and dragons are ladies. It is a form of respect. Old fashioned but lovely I think.”

  Ciana agreed. “Secretly I think I like it.”

  Reighn waited until they had finished speaking recognizing a delaying tactic when he heard one. “So Ciana would you like to tell me what I have missed?”

  His voice was deep and ran thorough Ciana’s nervous system like fingers tickling over her from the inside. She swallowed as the power that was the Dragon Lord swept over her. Tears sprang to her eyes and Ciana just shook her head. “There is so much, and I do not know where to begin?” Her throat closed up, finally, she had hit her wall she could say no more. No more words could she force from her throat. She laid her head down on her claws on top of the table and closed her eyes.

  CHAPTER SIX:

  R eighn called out to Rene’, who came over with Verity and sat beside Olinda. While Ash picked Olinda up as Reighn had done earlier and sat with her on his lap. Andre` stood behind Ciana and reached out to brush his hand down her hair, then pulled his hand back afraid to touch her in case he was rejected.

  Reighn asked. “Papa would you like to tell me what we have missed?”

  Rene’ nodded and recounted the story from the time Andre`s dragon called to him. Then Andre` told of how he and Ciana and her hatchling had met, he told them what she had told him about the dream with the Moon Goddess and receiving the hatchling. Sharm and Verity shared their parts of the story. Sharm told how he had conducted the blood test after Blossom’s bombshell and the results. Olinda looked at Ash. “So the prophesy is coming true.”

  “Maybe? We are still to determine if Ciana and the hatchlings are both Moon dragons.” Confused she asked. “Why would they not be?”

  Reighn smiled at her, he adored Olinda and her gentle ways. It was not that long ago she was in the position that Ciana was in now. “Your twins are hatchlings like Elara, Ciana is not, to me that says all is not right here.”

  Sage agreed. “It stands to reason that they would all be hatchlings. Edee how old is Elara?”

  “Six weeks old which corresponded with what Ciana said. She told us she has only had her for four weeks, they came over from Australia.”

  Olinda frowned. “So you think there is a hatchling still out there somewhere?”

  Ash shrugged. “I think we are going to have to accept that it could be a possibility.”

  “Well, what can we do to find her?” Olinda asked Reighn who also shrugged.

  “Until we know for sure, nothing!” All the females looked upset at that but understood they were basically stumped until they knew for sure.

  Andre` asked. “What was in this prophesy you are talking about?”

  “It was more a few lines in some obscure book Keeper found.” Rene’ told him. “Olinda can you recite them please.”

  Olinda closed her eyes and sorted through all the data she had memorized until she found the text. Ash told Andre` as he watched her eyes move behind her closed eyelids. “Olinda has certain abilities that her father gave her.”

  Andre` smiled. “Unicorns are unique beings.” He looked at her and said to Ash. “I met her father several times if she would like to discuss him. I am willing too.”

  Ash inclined his head. “Thank you Uncle I will tell her. How is it you know who her father was?”

  “She has the look of him. He was never a male I trusted but I do know things she may want to know.”

  Ash nodded as Olinda’s eyes opened and they were black as they tended to be when she used her abilities. Her voice took on a sing song cadence as she recited the text.

  “When the Sun Dragons and the Moon Dragons combine to be in the world at the same time. Magic is released on Dragon Kind, and a wrong is righted.”

  She closed her eyes again as Reighn said. “Keeper found that same text just reversed for the Moon Dragons.”

  Sage said as she looked at Ciana, “Do you think the wrong they spoke of was the inability of the females to shift?”

  Verity drew in a breath as she said. “I do hope so. I really do!”

  “But why remove it to start with?” Edith wanted to know as she took a seat at the table and handed out fresh tea and coffee.

  “Good question and if anyone is ever talking to a Goddess maybe they could ask her.” Reighn mocked as he took the cup Edith handed him and she snorted at his tone. Blossom moved to Andre and said. “The Lady Ciana has fallen asleep, will someone carry her to bed and I will make her ready for sleep.”

  Andre` instantly picked her up saying. “Finally! I thought she would never succumb.”

  Sharm raised an eyebrow. “It is amazing she lasted this long.”

  Andre` and Blossom left to put Ciana to bed. Everyone looked at Reighn who sighed and rubbed his eyes. “This is a fucking miracle or cluster-fuck. Sorry Ladies, Edith are we still doing the swear jar?”

  “No, it is a lost cause, I donated the money to the center for toys.” Reighn as well as everyone else was relieved the swear jar was becoming expensive and he could not see it getting any easier as time went on also toys for the center was such an Edith thing to do. Reighn looked around at the assembled people there and sighed as he asked. “How the hell does a non-shadow dragon get a human pregnant? We are guessing she was human right? Because I am betting he had no idea.” He held his hand up as his father went to speak.

  “Another question, how does said child grow up without us feeling her out there, as Dragon Lord I feel every dragon or the essence of them throughout the world. How did I not feel her?”

  “Hidden by the Goddess. Do not beat yourself up Reighn. They are good at doing that. You never felt the boys did you?” Olinda asked him.

  He smiled. “No, I did not. Thank you Olinda I forgot that.”

  “What amazes me and I know it shouldn’t.” Edith murmured as she frowned. “Is how she ends up with a hatchling a female and brings her here and she can fully shift. Why would they withhold that from you?”

  “Seems cruel!” Sage muttered with anger threading through her voice. Reighn struggled to keep his voice under control as he said. “I am so tired of being played with and no matter divine or not, that is what is happening.”

  Sage had been stroking his back trying to instill calm as his dragon shifted beneath his skin and his eyes elongated with his emotions. Suddenly there was a shimmer in the room, and a dragon appeared about the size of a very large refrigerator.

  My Lord and Lady. The female dragon acknowledged both Reighn and Sage with a small incline of her head. Her scales were the same color as Ciana and Elara’s silver and grey, her eyes were silver and they took in the people of the room, there was no doubt this was as divine dragon.

  When she spoke, her voice was light and filled with music. Reighn and Sage moved closer to the Dragon. Reighn was the first to speak. “Goddess dragon?”

  The Dragon seemed to smile. Technically you are correct but in actuality I am an entity that is borrowing a dragon’s body.

  Olinda bowed her head. “Moon Goddess!”

  Ahh! My sister said you were very quick Princess Olinda. I am pleased to meet you and yes I am the Goddess of the Moon.

  Andre` entered the room, anger evident in his voice. “You are the one that kept the knowledge of my child from me?�
�

  She turned her head and stared at him, and a vastness filled the room, the words were felt rather than heard. I am!

  Rene’ eased beside his brother, placing a hand on his arm, feeling Andre`s anger vibrate through his body. “Calm brother all is not what it seems!”

  Andre` snarled. “Truly! She kept my daughter from me. From our protection, she was by herself alone in the world where anything could have happened and you expect me to be calm?”

  Rene’s voice hardened as he shook his brother’s arm. “Yes! Look with more than the hurt you are feeling as a father, use your abilities to see Andre`. Look!”

  Andre` turned from his brother and he knew there was not a soul in the room who did not do as Rene’ said and truly looked at the Dragon.

  Something miraculous happened for a fraction of time between one blink and another. The dragon disappeared and in her place stood a female of indistinct age with long silver hair that fell like a waterfall around her. She had light grey skin and silver eyes. She was bathed in the glow of the moon that shone behind her in a silvery white ball of beauty. Then it was as if someone closed the door and they were once again in the room with a silver and grey Dragon. Every person there dropped to their knees. Rise! Please, we have much to discuss.

  Andre`, his voice fill of anger still and pain asked. “Why?”

  An easy question to answer because you are so worthy. Your Family are directly descended from the First Dragons. Made from all the elements. Your line has always believed in the impossible and so when the Elementals came to my twin and myself.

  Olinda gasped. “Oh, the Sun Goddess is a twin. See that makes sense now.”

  You are as delightful as my twin said you were Olinda Battle. You and your shadow are such worthy Royals to raise her gifts. The Sun dragons are truly blessed.

  Olinda looked at Ash who said. “We are not of the Royal line, neither of us.”

  Wind blew through the room carrying moonlight in its wake as the dragon said annoyance in her tone. Are you not? Yet all Unicorns know you and your shadow as Royalty or are the titles of Princess and Prince just that? Unless... You think my sister was mistaken?

  Both Ash and Olinda assured her they did not and subsided into silence. Sage glared at the dragon as she opened her mouth but a large hand covered it and her shadow’s deep voice said softly. “No Sage, one does not growl at a Goddess.”

  Sage hummed in her throat but heeded Reighn's warning, mumbling. “Fine!” Behind his fingers. The dragon eyed Sage and Reighn and it was obvious she found them amusing.

  As I was saying the Elementals asked my sister and I to remain and oversee the world. Your planet is going through a transition now. It started when the magic was driven from the land before shifters and humans breathed their first.

  Once the planet known as Earth drifted through space tethered to no universe. Carried along by all things magical that resided on its surface. Then Earth settled in this part of the galaxies a beautiful piece of the universe.

  Time passed the world was inhabited by all manner of species, dragons, fae, unicorns, giants, dwarfs, pixies, dryads, faeries, nymphs. Many types came into existence. The Elementals searched for a balance but something happened, there was a totally unexpected occurrence Earth became toxic to magic, and all but dragons left.

  My sister and I stayed we found we enjoyed Earths phases of existence and we enjoyed the growth of humans and all changelings.

  Eventually time and life moved on and now magic is resurfacing. The Elementals have deemed the planet safe. Shifters will find their balance, the ‘First’ of the new shifters has arrived already at Dragon’s Gap and from him will evolve a new race of changelings. The Dragon Goddess, indicated Blossom who had come to stand beside Andre`. The Unicorns have returned. Faeries and Pixies have come out of hiding and can live amongst you. Brownies will in time, many more will appear as time moves on. I am sure your historians have read the history of the Sun Dragons and will be back at the books when they realize that there are now Moon Dragons?

  “Ahh! As to that, we have not found anything other than a few lines about the Sun and Moon Goddesses gifts.” Rene’ told her.

  I see, well that was unexpected we assumed you would have been prepared!

  Two books appeared on the table, one with a cover of silver the other of gold.

  These will give your historians hours of pleasure I am sure. What you decide to tell them of this meeting is up to you. I will tell you that my sister and I enjoy dragons. But mostly, it is your giant capacity for love of all things and each other especially your shadows and families that we enjoy the most.

  Which is why we originally gave the First Dragons our essences in the form of the Sun and Moon dragons when they first came into existence. To ensure all dragons could and would enjoy the world as it was meant to be, on the ground, in the water and on the wing.

  Now the Elementals have allowed that magic is back we give you again the gifts of the Sun and the Moon. So that once again all dragons will enjoy the world as it was meant to be!

  Rene’ stood his arms around a weeping Verity. Edith asked. “Why did females loose the capacity to transform, to know their other half, to fly and not the males?”

  The Goddess looked at the weeping Verity and the other dragons and said sadly. Punishment! The females of the First Dragons refused to stay on earth. They believed if they left their males would also leave with them. Unfortunately, this was not so!

  Shocked from her weeping Verity asked just before Sage could. “All the females wanted to leave?”

  All nobles and first females demanded to leave and then they did. Dragon’s Gap almost perished until Kato Kingslayer and his shadow Cailin Kingslayer. First Dragon Lord and Lady found them with the help of the Elementals and brought them back. As you can imagine it took many of your years to gather them all and return them to earth.

  To keep their lives the females bargained away their right to shift, to communicate with their dragons. To fly.

  “I am sorry but if they could not leave because of the magic. How could they be killed? Goddess it makes no sense?” Sage asked.

  The Goddess sighed. Their bones would have remained within Dragon’s Gap.

  “Oh…Oh like the ancients?” Olinda said “You know like the ones that sing to Harper!”

  Yes! All the remains of dragons lay within the castle grounds.

  “Why did they have to remain?” Sage asked as Olinda seemed deep in thought.

  To keep magic within Dragon’s Gap. To keep it safe. For their sacrifice of remaining on earth, of keeping magic safeguarded, dragons received long life and gifts of their own. “Oh okay.” Sage and Olinda said together.

  “Why is it up to you to right a wrong? The first females were wrong, from what you are telling us the females agreed with the Elementals. They made the bargain, then reneged.” Verity asked softly.

  Sadly we became disillusioned and angered by the first females decision. In our anger we with- drew our blessings. It was only later when Gaia showed us we had been wrong that it was not our right to take back what we freely gave. So we bargained with the Elementals. When we felt the time was right that dragons were willing to govern themselves, to monitor their own behavior.

  To realize they were not the only species in the world worthy of love, then we would once again right the wrong. Now the magic is back and the dragons are more enlightened and willing to bond outside their own species. The wrong is to be righted! Now the time is right to return our blessings. Once again we give the dragons the gifts of the Sun and Moon.

  Reighn asked. “Does this mean we will have more female dragons?”

  Oh yes, I am sure now dragons are finding shadows, the birth rate of females will increase.

  Olinda was confused. “Excuse me Goddess, were is the other moon dragon unless Ciana is one but you said she isn’t. So I don’t understand?”

  You are truly a blessing Olinda Battle. The twin to Elara will be with you soon. Do not fret, al
l is as it is meant to be. My time grows short so Lord Andre` would you come so we may discuss your daughters and grandchildren.

  Andre` moved closer to the dragon as the others went back to the table. “You said daughters?” He said his tone still hard and unforgiving.

  Yes, she is making her way here. Ciana is a twin separated at birth.

  Anger simmered under Andre`s skin, his dragon snarled. “Why… Why would you do that?”

  We did not intend for this to happen, but human nature is human nature.

  Andre` heard the tone of almost indifference in her voice as, though, because this other female, his daughter was not Ciana. She meant little to the Goddess. It made him angry all over again. “Well where can I find her?”

  That is not your path, Ciana and her daughters need you. Her sister is well and on her way to Dragon’s Gap.

  Andre` wanted to argue with her but he held his tongue. Life had taught him sometimes there was no disputing a fact. And the fact was this Goddess cared little for his daughter, the sister of Ciana. She would not willingly search for her, and he realized if she perceived a threat to Ciana, which his leaving could be seen as, she would more than likely take Ciana and Elara from him. He would have to hope and pray his other daughter remained safe and found her way home.

  The Goddess bowed her huge head to Andre`. Andre` I hope you will forgive me in time for the years I took from you?

  Andre` stood arms crossed, anger evident in the straight line of his mouth. The Dragon Goddess sighed deeply, her breath scented of summer nights. Andre` looked up into her eyes and saw the moon. “Was it really necessary?”

  Yes, you were the only one. I could not take Rene’ from Verity. So if not you! Who?

  Andre` could not answer that question, but she spoke as though he had.

  Exactly! That was our conclusion. You always were the only choice. I know you have missed Ciana’s life up until now.

  His Dragon growled softly as the Goddess reached out a hand and stroked his arm. Lord Andre` forgive us. I have given you another chance. Ciana has two daughters. I hope you will find some comfort in them. Andre`s eyes softened.