Koshi

by Annie Nicholas

  “I can’t do that. It’s the gate that transports me when it’s breached.”

  Stopping, she waited for him to face her. “So that’s why you can travel away from it and aren’t stuck in this den.” Hope fluttered in her chest. “Is there a limit to how far you can travel?”

  He shook his head.

  “Maybe you can come visit me?” The question was out before she’d thought it through. He wasn’t looking for a long distance relationship, just a little nookie.

  “I’d like that. I’ve always wanted to see your world.” The smile on his face held a touch of sadness.

  The flutter in her chest died. “But…” She was such a fool to open herself up for rejection.

  “But the gate’s transport is one way. If I were in America I’d be returned here when the gate needed me, then what? Fly back only to be transported again?”

  “So, you’re trapped here?’

  “In essence, yes. The same principles apply in Outremer. At least there, I can fly in my dragon form and not rely on flimsy machines.”

  She followed him through the gateroom and into another set of confusing tunnels. “I don’t know how you find your way through here.”

  He shrugged. “I created most of them and have lived here long enough to know them blindfolded.”

  She slowed her steps and stared at the high, smooth ceiling carved out of the volcano. “I thought lava created these.”

  “It did, but I guide the flow, one of my many talents. The island shook for weeks afterwards. Great clouds of ash rained over everything.” He winked. “I made sure the natives were gathered in one area so they’d remain safe.”

  “Natives?” Her eyes went wide. “How long ago was this?”

  “A very, very long time ago.”

  They exited onto a large ledge facing the less populated side of the island. The moon gleamed on the ocean’s surface and a cool breeze cut across her skin.

  She shivered. A long time ago…he was ancient.

  Koishi took off his shirt and settled it across her shoulders. “I don’t feel the cold.”

  And neither did she, not after he bared his chest and cut abs. God, why was she returning to the hotel? The image of the handles carved in the headboard of his bed flashed in her mind. She tried not to picture him gripping those, skin covered with a sheen of sweat, as he used them to propel his hips and–

  “Sandra?” He’d approached her while she’d been lost in fantasies. “Are you sure you want to leave?” Like magic, the sparkle was back in his eyes again.

  “No.” It came out as a whisper.

  “Good,” he whispered back. “Now, stand back while I shift.”

  “I thought you wanted me to stay?” She blinked and scrambled back inside as a glow surrounded Koishi.

  “I do, but only when you’re absolutely sure it’s what you want.” Huge wings grew from the light and loomed over her, followed by the rest of Ishi’s red-scaled body. Fangs the length of her arms protruded from his mouth as he crouched on the ledge, gesturing for her to draw closer with his claws.

  All thoughts of staying disappeared. It took all her courage to take the first step toward him. This was Koishi in Ishi form. They were the same person. Would Koishi eat her?

  Maybe.

  She might have misunderstood the hunger in his gaze as a sexual invitation. He could have been measuring her pounds of flesh instead.

  “Closer.” He hooked a claw around her waist and pulled her in. “I won’t bite.”

  A tight band constricted around her chest as his red eye hovered close to her face. “Are you taking me home?”

  “Of course. I don’t keep prisoners. It’s too much work.”

  “Urgle?”

  “Has nowhere else to go except the grave. I give him purpose.”

  She nodded. “And he gives you company.”

  His eyes narrowed and his claw tightened around her body. “I don’t require companionship.”

  Should she argue with him? That would border on suicidal. But he was wrong. Everyone needed friends, and from what little she knew of Koishi, he was isolated from both worlds. He called Urgle his pet. What other use was a pet except for company?

  “Okay.” She squeaked out her response as he settled his chin by her feet. “It’s kind of you to take care of him, though.”

  “I’ve grown too merciful for a gatekeeper. If the others ever found out they’d–” He closed his eyes for a moment. “Never mind what they’d do to me. I will send Urgle back home after I deliver you to the hotel.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” This glimpse of Koishi’s life showed her his gentler side. Something she could relate to. A common bond they could share. If he destroyed it, then what hope could he have of finding human friendship? She rested her hand on the bridge of his nose, the scales smooth and hard under her touch. Heat radiated from him, warming the air around her. “There’s nothing wrong with being kind.”

  He snorted. “It’s a weakness. Good warriors have few flaws and great ones have none. As a guardian I am expected to be great. If the others ever found out about Urgle…” He shuddered down to the tip of his tail. “The ridicule alone would kill me.” With a slight nudge, he urged her hand along his scales. “That feels nice.”

  She couldn’t resist the urge to slide her other hand over his eye ridge. “You’re much harder than you appear.”

  “You better believe it.” He sighed and leaned into her. “Scratch.”

  Never in a thousand years would she have guessed that one day she’d be standing on a ledge off a volcano scratching a dragon’s itch. She giggled.

  A low pleasant rumble came from his chest. “That’s nice. It’s been awhile since I’ve had anyone touch my hide. It could use a good scraping and an oiling.” He gave her a sideways glance. “But not tonight. Let’s fly, Sandra.” When he said “fly” it held the wistful tone of a long-lost lover.

  Her stomach clenched as she gazed over the edge at the tiny lights below. “There has got to be a way I can climb down.”

  “I’m insulted you’d think I’d make it that easy to travel to and from here.” He rose to his feet, releasing his grip on her.

  She retreated toward the exit, but bumped her backside against something. He’d laid his tail across the doorway, blocking her escape. “Have you ever flown a human?”

  “Yes, and I haven’t dropped one in over a decade.”

  “What?” Her voice rose, almost piercing her eardrums before he scooped her into his clawed hand. “Koishi!”

  He brought her up to his face. “If I had a harness, I’d let you ride on my shoulders. Unfortunately, you’ll have to ride in my hand. Just don’t move too much. I’m ticklish.” With those last words of warning, he launched off the cliff.

  People living on the main island of Japan probably heard her scream. She wasn’t sure how she sustained such a long shriek, given that her stomach tried to switch places with her lungs on the dive to the ground. She never closed her eyes. Instead, she clung to Koishi’s fingers and stared death in the face.

  He spread his wings and caught the wind, easing into a slow, spiraling glide. He bent his head toward her. “How are you doing?”

  “Don’t look at me, watch where you’re going.”

  His chuckle traveled through his arms and shook her slightly. “What am I watching for? There’s no one else up here. Just you and me, the moon, the stars…”

  She pried her gaze from the ground and took in what Koishi described. The night expanded before them, the cool air ran over her skin with an intimate touch, and the moon sparkled over the surface of the calm ocean. The horizon combined with the ocean and it became one big ball of stars. “Wow.”

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He turned in a slow, wide arc and circled the caldera.

  She blinked away tears. It truly was a marvel. She was flying. Another giggle bubbled up with an edge of hysteria. Releasing her death grip on Koishi’s fingers, she extended one hand and allowed the air curr
ents to run over her arm.

  “Do the other arm too.” He watched her from above. “Fly with me.”

  She didn’t need any more encouragement and did as he suggested. Spreading her fingers, she stretched against the wind and glided with Koishi until they landed by the holding area for his livestock.

  “You can use my truck. The keys are in the ignition.” He held onto her as she found her land legs.

  She stared at the vehicle. “Aren’t there car thieves on this island?”

  “Who’d dare steal from a dragon?”

  She stroked the sharp edge of his claw, unable to meet his gaze. “Can you change shape for me?” She sensed a small jerk in his hand. It was nice to know she could surprise him.

  A glow surrounded him for a moment and his shirtless form stood next to her. “Your wish is my command.”

  She slid her hands over his chest, doing her best not to follow with her tongue, and slipped them around his neck.

  A teasing smile played upon his lips. “I can fly us back up.”

  “I think one flying lesson per day is my quota.” She pulled him into her embrace and brushed her lips over his. The soft press of his mouth contrasted with his hardness.

  He moaned and pulled her tight against him, burying his hands in her hair.

  She opened her mouth and sent an exploratory lick over his bottom lip. Never had she been so torn over someone before. She wanted him. There was no doubt about it, but how could she survive this entanglement with her heart intact? Falling in love with this dragon would be too easy. And dangerous.

  Koishi seized her invitation to plunge inside her mouth, stroking along her tongue, coaxing her to explore him, and then finally rewarding her by sucking hard on hers. This male would never be satisfied. He’d take and take and then take some more. He was a warrior and only knew how to conquer.

  God, he was doing a great job of defeating her. A little more and she’d ride him all the way back to his den. She squeezed her hand between them and gave a small push on his chest.

  He let loose his iron hold. “I should go.”

  Please, no. “Yes.”

  A glow surrounded him once more as he strolled away, then Ishi burst from it in a vertical takeoff toward his home.

  Her left knee gave out and she sat hard on the ground. No one would ever believe her back home. They’d say she’d been on an acid trip or worse. Even her little sister wouldn’t buy such a– Damn it, the saji.

  He never gave it to her.

  Chapter 8

  Sunlight warmed the scales of his full belly. He rubbed it and stretched farther on his back, spreading his wings out on the ground for balance while on his ledge. He’d neglected hunting yesterday and the ewes for breakfast had tasted exceptionally well. So well, he’d over-eaten. Closing his eyes, he listened to the croon of the wind. He should add some wind chimes to the ledge. That could be a new project for Urgle. He could construct them from odd ends in his cave. Ishi had to keep his pet occupied so he’d stay out of trouble.

  The wind, however, did carry an odd tune this afternoon, a little off key. He scratched his ear to make sure it was clear of debris, but the sound didn’t change. It grated on the nerves rather than relaxed them.

  Rolling over onto his stomach, he crept to the edge to assess the danger. It had been ages since the mortals of this world had tried to ambush him, yet a good warrior never let his guard down. On the side of the mountain, where he had dropped the large flat stone, stood a familiar female dressed in jeans and t-shirt.

  She sang.

  Terribly, but she still sang for him. The warmth from his belly spread to his chest. She’d forgotten the saji last night. He grinned as she turned around doing a little dance. For some reason, she sang about weasels.

  He dove off the ledge and spread his wings to glide over the ground, landing by the rock on light feet. “Sandra.” He purred her name and enjoyed the blush blooming on her cheeks. When had he put so much effort into a seduction? If he’d known how pleasant it was, he may have tried it sooner.

  “Koishi.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “I’m here to make the exchange for the saji.”

  “I don’t have it with me. It’s in my den.”

  “I can wait–” Her words ended in a surprised shout as he scooped her into his hands and leaped into the air. She was an excitable thing. He loved watching the expression of wonder on her face as she experienced flight.

  “Don’t worry, I think I’ve got the hang of this flying thing.” His grin was so wide his cheeks hurt.

  She slapped his claw. “At your age, you’d better have.”

  The teasing was even better when she gave as good as she got. He slowed for a soft landing and set her down first. “Did you sleep well?”

  She stroked her hand along his flank after he settled next to her, last night’s anxiety gone. “Yes.”

  “Did you dream of me?”

  Her hands slowed as she fondled him. “Your scales gleam beautifully in the sunlight.”

  So she had dreamed of him. He chuckled and resisted the urge to nudge her closer.

  She picked at his hide. “You’re very dry here.”

  Twisting his long neck, he examined the spot. “It’s an old scar. I can’t reach there to take care of it properly.”

  “Maybe your pet can help.” She continued her exploration along his tail.

  “Grooming is a personal matter and I’m not attracted to goblins.”

  She hesitated in her progress. “So touching is an intimate thing even in this form?”

  “I’m male. Touching in any form is intimate.” He set his nose by her feet, inviting more caresses. She’d been interested in Koishi, his human form, until she’d discovered his true identity. However, she’d kissed him goodnight. Maybe it had been shock, and not fear, he’d seen in her eyes. The only way for him to know for sure was to remain as Ishi. “Would you oil the spot for me?” He nudged her hand with the tip of his nose. “Come on, you know you want to.”

  She tossed her head back and laughed. The wind caught her hair, fanning it around her face.

  He sighed. Beauty came in all shapes and forms, but this ease between them was rare.

  “Show me where you keep the oil.” She scratched the sensitive ridge along his eye. What would she say when she found out it was considered foreplay?

  “Climb aboard, I’ll carry you there.” He dipped his shoulder. When she backed away, he set his tail behind her. “Come on, don’t you want to ride me?”

  The blush on her cheeks deepened and made him want her even more. She wouldn’t escape today. Nothing would keep him from having her in his bed. He ran the tip of his tail along her calf, climbing between her legs to her thigh before she swatted it away.

  “Behave or I’ll change my mind.” Her voice shook. Pushing the loose strands of hair that had slipped from her ponytail behind her ears, she approached him. “You’re not going to fly?”

  “Never. Not without a harness. Don’t you trust me?”

  She raised any eyebrow at him.

  It speared his heart. “I’m wounded. I haven’t harmed you. If anything, I’ve gone out of my way to help you.”

  She snorted and clambered onto his shoulder, muttering things under her breath like trickster and twisting the truth. He might have done a little of both, but it had been all in fun. Never harm.

  He waited until she settled between his shoulders, legs hanging around his neck. He’d truly be a liar if he said he didn’t enjoy the press of her sweet body against his scales, but he kept silent. He did want her to tend that patch after all. Walking on all fours, he carried her through his maze of tunnels to a hot spring deep enough for his dragon form to soak. With a small flaming breath, he lit the torches on the wall.

  “Handy trick.” She clung to him, running her hands back and forth. He could spend the rest of the day under such attention.

  Tendrils of steam floated from the water; the scent of minerals tinged the air.

  �
�Nice.” She drew out the word in appreciation. “Koishi, help me climb down.”

  Ignoring her, he scooped up a stiff brush with the tip of his tail and stepped into the pool. The water was warm, but wouldn’t burn her.

  She rose to her feet while still on his shoulder as he swam farther from shore. With a twist of his back, she tumbled off. Sputtering, she surfaced from the depth. “My clothes are all wet!” She splashed the back of his head.

  “You’ll have to take them off and let them dry.” He circled her and fluttered his eyelashes. “It’s not like they’ll be ruined. Oh! I hadn’t considered you might have wanted to undress first.”

  With sure strokes, she swam for shallower waters.

  He snaked his tail under her and stopped her progress by blocking her way. The brush dangled from the tip. “The area needs to be scrubbed of loose scales before you can apply the oil.” With a couple small kicks, he floated next to her. “It’s less painful if the area is soaked.”

  She tossed him a glare that any warrior would have been proud to own, and then grabbed the brush. It didn’t take her much effort to climb from the water. On her hands and knees, she found the spot and applied the blessed brush.

  Purring deep in his throat, he pointed his chin to the ceiling. “Oh yeah.” The tough bristle bit into his itchy flesh. He’d been ignoring the spot far too long.

  She put her back into the scrubbing. “There’s a lot flaking off.”

  His vision tunneled. “To the left. To the left.” A shiver ran over his spine and sent a spasm into his back leg. The harder she brushed, the faster his leg twitched. “Dear God, woman, you’re merciless,” he cried out.

  Her soft chuckle echoed in the spacious cave, carrying a tint of evil. She sat on his spine and stopped cleaning the spot.

  He spun his head around to check it out, almost giving himself whiplash. “I can still see loose scales.” He rose out of the water a bit so she could have a clearer view of his back.

  “I know.”

  Narrowing his gaze, he twisted his neck to face her. “What are you up to?”

  She ran the tip of her finger over the sensitive area, sending his body into spasms. “How were you injured? I can’t imagine something harming you.”