Iris's Guardian

by Lisa Daniels

  There was a cough from the door, and her eyes moved up and landed on her father. He sighed, “I leave you for one trip, and I can’t even tell you how many rules and laws you have broken.”

  “I let you go on one trip, and you can’t even come back safely.”

  He frowned at her, “It wasn’t like I planned to get abducted.”

  “Yeah, well, now you know what will happen when you don’t keep your promises to me.”

  “Young lady, this is not acceptable. What you did—”

  Iris groaned, “You are welcome, Father, for coming and saving you when they were arguing over what they should do. You are welcome, Father, for not exploding, sorry, imploding in your house after you neglected to tell me anything about my powers. You are welcome, Father, for taking care of the shop for one day before blacking out from an overaccumulation of the powers I didn’t know I had. You are welcome, Father, for forgiving you after everything you have put me through.”

  “I was trying to—”

  “I know what you were trying to do, but you need to learn to ask for help when you are out of your depth. And when it comes to magic, you are always out of your depth.”

  The man sighed, “I do appreciate what you did, but you nearly got yourself killed. Do you think that I could live with myself knowing that you died to save me?”

  “Do you think I could live with myself knowing that I could have saved you?”

  “Do you know how to let someone make a point without throwing it back in their face?”

  “Sorry, Father, I never understood that lesson.”

  A faint smile passed over his lips. “I will see what I can do, but I’m afraid the queen is understandably upset with both of you, and she will force you to talk to her about it. I cannot stop her decision or change her mind.”

  Iris looked up at the ceiling and shrugged. “Somehow facing the queen after merging two worlds doesn’t seem so scary.”

  There was a chuckle from the door. “I am never going to win with you again. I can’t compete with that.”

  “Just remember that, and there will be peace in our home.”

  They spoke a little while longer, her father keeping his distance. He said he did not want to intrude because he knew his place was not to the side and not by her side. Bowing to them, he said that they could talk later, and left to take care of other business. Once her father was gone, Iris rolled over and looked at Ian. She was about to talk, when he shook his head, “It is time we faced up to the wrongs that we committed, because we did a lot of wrongs.”

  “I only regret two things.”

  He moved closer to her, “And what are those?”

  “Not protecting you. What happened?”

  “Ah, well, no matter what my hair color is, I am not an assassin, so when I walked into a cavern full of pirates, I was not really equipped to take them on. Actually, most assassins probably couldn’t have taken them on. That was not what I had expected, but I wasn’t about to leave the hostages, either.”

  “We should have stayed together.”

  “I can’t be your anchor if I’m pulled in, too. That was the flaw with my father and your mother. Well, that and the fact that they couldn’t sync.”

  “That was not a problem for us.”

  “Nooooo, that was decidedly not a problem. The problem was in getting you to stop.”

  “I thought you were dying.”

  “And you were right, but Callie is quite good. She ended up sleeping for nearly a week after fixing me, you, and a few of the hostages. And your father. She is incredibly gifted. And Caden is pretty mad at me for her having to work so hard.”

  “She is amazing. A real natural.” Iris looked at her hands.

  “I mean she didn’t cause a mountain to nearly cave in on itself, or open a chasm from the other realm here, but she is quite good for what she does.”

  “Life and death magic. Hers is better.”

  “Her magic is a lot of healing, including the fire, but it isn’t life magic. Your abilities are a better deterrent. I guarantee that word is going to spread, and the Unwashed will find it much harder to get pirates and other miscreants to join them in the future. At least as long as there is a death walker in Solona.”

  “Death walker? That’s a terrible name.”

  “I didn’t come up with it. Anyway, word has made it around town, and I think we are going to need to lay low for awhile. Like several years.”

  “I can’t do that. I’m on the board.”

  “No, you aren’t. You were kicked off while we were off fighting evil in the world.”

  “Really, they didn’t even wait to see if I was successful?”

  “Success is irrelevant. They don’t want people taking off with their ships, so they can’t let you set a precedence.”

  “I guess we both have more free time now.”

  “Well, I may have to spend mine in jail. Your father wasn’t kidding about the queen.”

  “I don’t care. She isn’t putting you in jail, I won’t let her.”

  “You aren’t going to threaten the queen.”

  “I don’t have to. All I have to do is bring up the past and guilt her into doing the right thing.”

  “I’m not sure that will work.”

  Iris put her hand over his. “We will worry about that later. For now, I am feeling really tired.”

  “Yes, your magic will do that to you. I will be here every time you wake.”

  “Can you be a pretty tiger?” She looked at him.

  “You brat,” he laughed and leaned over to kiss her.

  “Fine, if you won’t shift, could you join me in my bed?” Iris looked at him pleadingly. “I just want to feel you when I wake because you calm me. We won’t be doing anything like that in my father’s house.”

  Ian smiled, then shifted over to her bed. He gave her a gentle kiss, then rolled her over. She pressed her back into him and drifted back to sleep.

  Three days later the couple were waiting outside the court.

  “I haven’t seen Caden or Callie around since we returned.” Iris looked up at a window.

  “They have not been back since we returned. Caden chewed me out for everything, but I’m afraid it didn’t stick. I failed to regret it, so it was in one ear, out the other.”

  The doors opened. “The queen is ready.”

  Ian looked at her and spoke to her mind, “Ready?”

  She smiled and winked.

  The couple walked into the room and immediately they both had things they wanted to say about overcompensating, but they kept it to themselves so that they would not start the hearing by giving the queen the wrong impression.

  Queen Freya looked intimidating sitting on her throne, guardians on both sides.

  “You are both charged with a wide range of violations of the law, several treaties, and policies. I need to hear from you what happened.”

  Iris and Ian started talking at the same time, each trying to talk over the other.

  The queen rapped a stick on the floor. “Well, it is obvious that you either hate each other or that you have, in fact, broken the guardians’ primary rule.”

  Ian was prepared much faster than Iris to respond to that one. “That was my fault. I seduced her.”

  The queen leaned forward, “Is this true?” The question was directed at Iris.

  “I saw that our bond was red, and I took advantage of that. I told him I was scared and begged him to come to me faster. I then insisted that he undress in front of me in my private cabin. And when he tried to prevent it, I constantly pressed him to keep going. I am certain that he feels he led me astray, although I think that the majority of the blame lies with me.”

  “Your story is certainly more detailed.”

  Ian spoke up, “I can provide details, you—”

  The queen raised a hand, “You have broken the primary directive, Ian, and with your first mystic. I am afraid that I have to agree that you have no place in the Order.”

 
“I understand and accept responsibility.”

  “Good. Next, Iris, did you really only find out about your abilities within the last month?”

  Iris looked over at Ian. “Um, I believe it was two weeks and five days ago when I was on the boat heading to save my father.”

  The queen’s eyes widened and her eyebrows went up. “You didn’t even know what you could do when you rashly rushed off to save your father? On your own? Leaving behind two highly capable guardians who understood your abilities? That hardly seems logical.”

  “I wasn’t thinking logically. I was thinking linearly. After 21 years, I have learned that people think that I don’t need to know anything unless I force my way into the middle of… whatever is going on. Caden had promised my father that he wouldn’t tell me of my powers in my father’s absence, but Caden also kept warning me that I needed to talk to him. I did not feel inclined to divulge my nightmares and terrible memories as he wasn’t giving me anything beyond ominous warnings. Ian broke from him and followed me. He told me everything that he knew.”

  “He told you about layering the worlds?”

  “Yes.” Iris felt a hand slide into her. Looking to the side, she saw Ian smiling at her.

  The queen’s eyebrow was raised again. Ian gave a slight bow, “Sorry, Your Majesty, her temperature is rising, and I need to help her.”

  “Hmm,” the queen responded. She closed her eyes and sighed a very weary sigh. “Given the Order’s inability to properly manage Iris, I am placing her solely in your care. Given the amount of stress she has endured over the last month, I think that you will need to take her away for a while. A few years. Somewhere that her powers are not now the center of gossip.”

  The couple stared at her.

  “At the druids’ request, I have agreed to send her to them where she can learn, as they put it—not to nearly drag the entire world into ruin.”

  The pair looked at each other. Iris then turned to look at the queen. “I am to leave Solona?”

  “Well, I certainly couldn’t insist that they come here, nor could I argue with their logic. We felt the earthquakes are here, mild, but still they were noticeable. I can’t leave you with the guardians since I do not trust them to instruct you properly. The best I can do is send this deviant with you.” She gestured to Ian, who hid a smile.

  Iris bowed, “Thank you, Your Majesty. Can I bring my father with me?”

  “That is not my decision. You will need to talk to him.” She waved them out of the court.

  Ian knew that it was best to just go, but he could not help but step forward. “That’s it?”

  “Were you hoping for worse punishment?”

  “No, I just don’t want to be dragged back here again for the same incident. My father had to repeatedly return for the same case for several years.’

  “Yes, well, your father worked for my father, so less than optimal conditions. But I suspect you are wondering why I have been so lenient?”

  Ian looked at Iris, “I don’t think lenient is the word. You seem to be overlooking a lot when it would benefit you not to overlook them.”

  “Oh, well, that does put it into a different perspective, and I feel that you need to put your mind at rest. If you must know, I was actually quite fond of Mia, as well as your father. It was I who assigned him to her. At least it was my request that pushed that pairing. Your father assisted me with my abilities for years, and I felt that he was the best choice to help Mia. Though our powers are not the same, they are rare and difficult to wield. And I wanted the best for Mia. It was because of her that I was able to see my mother one more time. She gave a little bit of herself so that I could say farewell because I was abroad when my mother died. Mia gave me those few minutes, and it changed my life. I know what it is to have a terrible burden, and to have no one to talk to about it. And it was my suggestion that ultimately ended up resulting in both of them dying. My father learned of her abilities because of what she did for me, and my father was not one to let an opportunity go. I have felt guilty about it ever since. I realize that Iris is not Mia, but someday, I hope to be able to discuss our burdens because there is no one else who understands mine. Well, Caden, but he is not a panacea, and he has gone off and found the love of his life, so he has less time for friends these days.”

  Ian hid a smile behind his hand as Iris repressed a giggle.

  The queen raised an eyebrow, “What is so funny?”

  Ian cleared his throat, “Actually, we thought he and Callie were avoiding us, but something you just said reminded me that he and Callie missed an entire week following our disappearance. He is probably not at all concerned about anyone else, as you pointed out. I can understand that.” He squeezed Iris’s hand.

  “Indeed. Thank you for that.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. The couple turned to leave when she called back to them, “Iris, I want you to know that you are always welcome here, although I recommend for a while you come in disguise. I will not be able to visit you, but I would like to see your progress and know that the mistakes that have been made with you up to this point have been righted.”

  Ian and Iris exchanged a look. Iris bowed, “I would be honored, Your Majesty. And I will make sure to remind them that I am not a representative of Solona, merely a citizen.”

  “If you speak to them about that particular incident, feel free to claim the right of a representative. They are quite impressed that you were able to keep the worlds from collapsing with so little training. If your abilities can gain us further trust, we can use all of the ties we can get to rectify the wrongs of my father. Have a lovely day.”

  The couple hurried out before she had a chance to call them back.

  The next week, the couple were on the same ship in the same cabin. Iris’s father had to stay behind to manage the guild and other items, but he promised to join them within a couple of months. He hinted very heavily that he expected there to be a wedding within a year. Ian promised to try to convince Iris, but pointed out even he could only make her see so much reason. When they left him, Easton seemed sad but less burdened.

  The first night on the ship, the couple was holding hands as they burst into the cabin laughing.

  Iris laughed, “The look on his face. Priceless!”

  Ian pulled her into a kiss. When he let go, he caressed her cheek. “It was certainly something, but I wouldn’t say priceless.” He pulled her in again before she could interrupt. “You know, you never did tell me what your second regret was.”

  “Oh, um,” her cheeks flushed, “who can remember that long ago?”

  “Clearly you do. You look like you are about to fry your dress off.”

  Iris giggled, “No, that I will just slip off. Do you have any idea how long it took me to design it?”

  “It took you two hours, 13 minutes to design it.” Ian smiled at her.

  Seconds later, her dress was resting on the floor.

  “You have a hard time unfastening pants, but a massive dress takes a couple seconds?” Ian was staring at her body, his mind barely able to focus on anything else.

  “Those kinds of dresses are made for quick removal. To encourage sex, not discourage.”

  Ian tried to grab her. Iris quickly sidestepped the attempt and giggled as she ran around the room. Ian chased her around, throwing his own clothes on the floor. By the time he finally caught her, his clothes were scattered everywhere.

  “But you do love to make a mess,” she laughed, looking around the cabin.

  “It isn’t my fault that they pin men into their clothes. It wasn’t my idea. Usually I keep an immaculate room.”

  “Okay, next time you wear the dress, and I will wear the pants.”

  “How about you design some easy-to-remove clothing for me?” He began kissing her neck.

  She giggled at the idea, “Maybe something that falls off when you aren’t expecting it.”

  “I would prefer not to expose myself in public.”

  “Who said I was making anything fo
r you to wear outside of the bedroom?”

  He ran his hands up her back, “Are you trying to further limit me?”

  “Would it be so bad to be trapped in my bedroom?”

  “If you were always there with me,” he slipped between her legs, “I don’t think I would complain.” He enjoyed making her moan every time she tried to talk. It was only after she had climaxed that he let her talk again.

  “I guess,” she panted, “I can make something you can wear outside of the bedroom, too. It may be the only time I can have any control over you.”

  “You always have complete control over me.” He leaned down and kissed her as he slowly started to set a new rhythm.

  Bree’s Dragon

  By: Lisa Daniels

  Chapter 1

  Unexpected News

  “Gods! Is it morning already?” A rather sleepy voice was muffled through several blankets. Throwing them off displayed the incredibly vibrant curly red hair of an unbelievably attractive woman. Despite having just woken, everything about her looked like she had just stepped out of the halls of the gods. Sparkling green eyes reflected an intelligence that seemed in dissidence with the pretty features. Her nose was petite, but not small. Her cheeks bones were obvious, but they did not look sharp. A well-defined jaw rested under glimmering pink lips that looked almost heart-shaped.

  The beautiful mouth widened to reveal a perfect set of teeth and a very pink tongue. The young woman’s yawn was far more an exaggeration than a necessity. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, the woman made her way to a small chest with an energy that did not seem to belong to the morning. With a quick gesture, she flicked the chest open and began flipping through all of her available dresses. Given the size of the chest, it was nearly impossible to believe just how much clothing the redhead was able to cram into it.

  Suddenly, her face brightened, “Well hello, old friend! It has been quite a while since we last got together.” With a melodic laugh, a shiny green dress was drawn from a small space behind most of the other clothing.

  The woman’s steps were light as she danced with her dress across the floor and into a small bathroom. Pulling off her glittering golden nightdress, the woman tossed it to the floor and picked up her underclothing. She gave them a skeptical look and tossed them on top of her night dress. “I think not today.” Parading around the bathroom without any clothing, the woman washed her faced, brushed and styled her hair, looked in the mirror with a gentle frown, and admired the view from her current location. In the building opposite was a rather young looking man whose eyes were clearly watching the young woman. His hands were held up to his mouth as if he was taking an imaginary drink of tea, a look that hinted at the cup that had been there until he had looked out of the window at the inn. The young woman gave him a huge smile and an energetic wave before moving back into the bedroom area, the dress back in her hands.