by Angel Black
“Is that so?” He asked her.
Rachel straightened her shoulders and held her head up high as he attempted to stare down at her intimidatingly.
“Yes it is.”
His eyes flared into those golden slits again, and although it aroused Rachel’s curiosity, it didn’t frighten her.
“Are you sure about that?”
At that point, Rachel burst out in a fit of laughter, confusing both herself and her captor. Yes, definitely in shock, she told herself, which made her laugh harder. From above, she could see that Valonis’ eyes were no longer gold, and he had a look of pure confusion on his face as he looked at her.
“Yes I’m sure,” she replied when she could catch her breath. “Annoyed, maybe. Confused, definitely. I mean, why me? I’m nothing special. I’m a bookworm who even in my best moods wouldn’t give the hottest guy on campus a snowball’s chance in hell with me. I’m quite a prude, really.”
She blushed at her rambling, and immediately shut her mouth to stop herself. It wasn’t like her to tell complete strangers about love life or lack thereof, but there she was.
Damn it, woman, keep it together!
“I don’t know why I took you,” he confessed, pulling her out of her thoughts. “I wanted to go there-- to your world. To see what human women were like. I wasn’t planning on just having one. And actually, I wasn’t planning on bringing anyone back with me either. Our lands are…confused as to what do with humans at the moment.
“But the ones around me smelled like harsh chemicals. Everything about them just seemed young and sloppy.”
He wrinkled his nose, and Rachel bit back another bout of laughter.
“But then I caught your scent,” he continued. “It was fresh, and clean, like blooming lilacs after rain. It was such a refreshing aroma after being clouded with all the foul odors surrounding your city.”
He paused, as if he wasn’t sure if he should continue.
“Go on,” Rachel whispered, looking at him.
Valonis scowled, placing her leg delicately on the bed. “Then when I found you, I could feel your pain and anger. Someone inside the dwelling had tried to hurt you. I could smell his offensiveness around you. For a moment I felt your anger with you, and contemplated going inside to find the brute that had tried to force you and teach him some manners.”
He paused, looking up at her almost forgivingly. “And then I felt your sadness. It was just rolling off you in waves and in the center of it was you. You were trying so hard to protect yourself from so many things and I just, I felt this overwhelming urge to aid in your protection. You were small, tired, and freezing. And stubborn.” He added the last word with a smile.
“On top of that I wanted you. I wanted you so much that I stopped thinking of everything else but having you in my arms.” His smile faded, and his eyes darkened. Looks of embarrassment, confusion, and anger travelled across his face as if he finally understood the reality of what he had done.
As he spoke, Rachel felt emotions in her stirring. She wasn’t sure if what he said was true or not, but perhaps asking a later time was in order. For now, it was better to maintain a calm atmosphere. Her annoyance was slowly ebbing away, though she wasn’t sure why. Under normal circumstances she was sure that she’d be utterly terrified, but this wasn’t normal, and Valonis was certainly not a normal man. That in itself was a fact that she was still trying to wrap her mind around. Not normal, and not human. Humans didn’t sprout scales and change pupil shape. Whatever type of ordeal she was dealing with, it was not one of the human variety. As for her sadness, she hadn’t even wanted to admit to herself how much she missed her father, and yet, it was one of the first things Valonis had picked up from her.
Rachel was deep in thought when he stood abruptly, his face masked with new apathy. “I’m sure you’re quite hungry. I’ll have Duke bring you up some food and drink.” He turned to her, concern growing in his eyes.
“It is imperative that you do not leave this room. It’s not-- we don’t have many humans in our world, as I said earlier. For your safety I need you to stay here.”
Tremors of fear returned to Rachel, reminding her that the fact of the matter was that she was completely and utterly alone.
“What are you going to do to me?” She whispered.
Alarm swept through Valonis’ face at the question. He moved forward towards her, but then took a step back, as if he understood that giving her personal space was best.
“I’m going to keep you safe,” he said at last, his velvet tone low and promising. For a moment he looked as if he wanted to say more, but no words followed. Instead, he turned abruptly on his heel and left the room.
But can you?
Chapter 8: Before I Took You
Like Valonis promised, Duke came in shortly after he left. On the giant tray that he carried was an abundance of food---grapes, olives, cheeses, a loaf of bread, and a crock of stew were balanced with a large copper decanter filled to the brim with red wine. Rachel’s stomach growled audibly when she uncovered a dish and found a plate of thinly sliced rare beef. It was perfectly pink, and looked so tender she was sure she could cut it with a fork. Scents of garlic, oregano, and onion wafted up her nostrils and she felt her mouth beginning to water.
As soon as the tray was kept on the bed Rachel dug in. The wine was watered down, which she appreciated since she was absolutely parched. The cheese was soft and creamy, and melted almost immediately into the steaming bowl of vegetable stew. There were no forks or spoons, so she ate gingerly with her fingertips. The bread was still warm as she tore a chunk out of it and dipped it into the savory broth.
If this is going to be my last meal, at least it’s going to be a good one! She thought, half jokingly. Rachel ate until she couldn’t take another bite. Valonis had been right, she had been famished. Aside from an apple she had for breakfast the day before, she couldn’t remember the last meal she’d eaten.
When she was finished, she wiped her hands clean with the cloth napkin and turned her attention back to the fireplace. Duke watched her carefully as she grew close to the giant hearth, but didn’t make a move to stop her. Her eyes wandered up the carving of the scales of the dragon on the left. The figure was similar to the ones she had found in the first cave with her father. Each scale depicted so much detail that they appeared to breathe with life beneath the sandstone.
Following the dragon’s back up the wall to the top of the hearth, she studied the horns, eyes, and teeth of the dragon’s head. The sculpture’s snout protruded a good foot out of the wall, and with the forehead and horns it stuck out nearly three feet. Needing to feel it, she placed her hand on the scales that she could reach. Excitement and awe filled her as she realized in that moment that her father was right all along. There were real dragons, and they were not just myths. She turned her head sharply to Duke and smiled.
“This is you isn’t it? This is what you are. What your people are.”
Duke’s eyes went wide and his face grew pale. “I can’t answer that for you ma’am.”
Rachel rolled her eyes, feeling a little better that she knew at least something of what was happening. “I’m only 23, please don’t call me ma’am.”
“I am sorry, er, Rachel?” He asked.
She smiled at him and nodded. “Perfect. So, are you his personal guard or something?”
Duke’s shoulders squared and he stood, if possible, even taller.
“I am so much more,” he replied, his tone dry.
Before she could ask what he meant, the doors opened once more and Valonis returned to the room wearing a long, black robe. Rachel lifted an amused eyebrow, and struggled to hide the smile that was threatening to spread across her face. She was feeling surprisingly giddy about the situation, and that itself alarmed her. Perhaps I’m finally going crazy! She jested to herself.
“It’s nice to see you return,” she welcomed, moving away from the hearth.
Valonis raised an intrigued eyebrow, and met her sm
ile with a small one of his own. He gave a quick nod to Duke, and the guard went to his post outside the door without a word. Once they were alone in the room, Valonis handed Rachel a robe similar to what he was wearing.
“What am I supposed to do with this?” She asked, taking it. “I’ll swim in it.”
Valonis chuckled, shaking his head. “I like a woman with humor. It’s rare here. Put it on. I have to take you somewhere, and we need to do it discreetly.”
Rachel took the robe, and waited. When he made no sign of moving, she asked if he would leave the room.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he answered dryly, crossing his arms. “Besides, I’ve already seen you naked,” he pointed out, making a show to run his eyes slowly from her feet all the way up to her forehead. She continued to glare at him, however.
Rolling her eyes, Rachel turned around and shrugged off the red dress. She was sad to see it puddle to the floor; she had liked it. The fabric had felt soft like butter and despite the plunging neckline, she felt very comfortable in it. The robe was made of a heavier, scratchier fabric, and even though it covered more of her flesh, she would have preferred to keep the red dress on.
“I know what you are,” she informed him as she turned around. “As a matter of fact, I’ve known what you are my entire life.”
Valonis’ eyes lit up with gold again as he turned around once more to face her.
“Is that so?” He asked. She could tell he didn’t quite believe her, so she decided to prove it. Sitting down on the bed, Rachel told him of how her father brought her up hunting for the existence of dragons. She told him of the underground temples she’d found and the scrolls her father had sent her.
“You were a passion of his. Of mine too. In fact I was just looking over the scrolls again a few hours before you….” she cut herself off, not quite sure of what to say. Saved her? Kidnapped her? Biting her lower lip, she glanced up at Valonis.
“Before I took you,” Valonis finished for her, his face appearing suddenly suspicious.
“So you knew about us,” he mused. “What for? To attack us? To steal our gold? To enslave us?”
Rachel’s jaw dropped as she heard the accusations. Not once in all of her father’s searching did he ever mention any intentions of using dragons if ever he found them.
“What? No!” She exclaimed, truth ringing in her voice. “We didn’t even know that dragons were shifters until just now. My father died believing you only had one body.” She stopped suddenly, awareness lighting up her mind.
“But that would explain the language of the scrolls,” she mused. “It’s almost completely different from all human languages, except for one or two symbols.”
Excitement coursed through her as she realized that she was finding another piece to her father’s puzzle.
“You wrote them,” she said, practically bouncing. “Your people I mean. Oh my gosh!” She laughed, and began pacing towards the bed. “Oh, if only my father--- you have no idea what this new knowledge would have meant to him.”
A glance in Valonis’ direction curbed her excitement. He did not seem at all pleased with her knowledge of his species, and she quickly sobered.
“My father never told me the why behind his passion, only that it was important. I don’t even think he even believed in the possibility that your species was still alive. But even if he had, he never represented those horrible things you accused us of. He was a good man, a kind man and he raised me the same way.”
Valonis studied her for several long moments, not saying a word. Rachel knew he was debating on whether or not she was being truthful, and hoped that she could see it in her eyes that there were no lies being told.
“If I believe you,” he said at last, “I am going to trust you with the existence of my entire people. Can you live up to that?”
Rachel’s tongue flicked between her parted lips, moistening them so she could speak.
“Yes,” she replied, nodding. “Yes you can trust me.”
“Then promise me. Take my hand and on the soul of your father, promise me you weren’t hunting my people down for ill will.”
“Yes, yes of course,” she quickly agreed.
He strode over to the bed, hand out, and grabbed Rachel’s firmly. The moment his fingers slid over her palm they felt it. Warm, jolting electric pulses coursed through both of them as Valonis continued pulling her closer until their chests were touching. They had felt it the night before, but it had been clouded by fear and pain.
Rachel gasped, taken over by the strong feelings that rushed throughout her body. Warmth and arousal shot through her veins as her senses fine-tuned themselves. Suddenly she could smell Valonis’ scent again, the wild, spicy notes of it. She could feel his grasp, quickly becoming more gentle as he appeared to go through the same thing. Just the scent of him was enough to harden her nipples into tight peaks and start a wet warmth between her legs.
Unable to help it, she let her body wrap around his as his wrapped around hers. Releasing his hand she slid her arms around his neck and thrust her fingers into his hair. She wanted to feel as much of him as possible. His hands moved over body as well, finding her curves beneath the billowy robe and sliding his palms caressingly over them. She reveled in the feel of his hands, and wanted to know what they felt like on her naked body.
Eyes heavy, she looked up at Valonis, and fought the urge to beg him for a kiss. His chiseled lips appeared to be carved of stone, yet somehow she knew that if pressed to hers, they would be the only soft flesh on him. From what she felt through their robes, everything else was hard. Very, very hard. His eyes glowed brighter than ever before, and they were just as heavy with arousal as hers was. He had pulled her further into his arms now, and she had practically wrapped herself around him. His lips were only inches from hers and she was beyond ready to know what this dragon-man tasted like.
Then suddenly he let go, and the world was dull again. Rachel stumbled back from the suddenness of his actions, and Valonis wobbled to the hearth to brace himself. She felt as if the warmth of the world had been taken from her, and for a moment she couldn’t catch her breath. Against her wishes, her body began to tremble in a mixture of need and withdrawal.
“What…” Rachel panted, trying to get her body under control. “What the hell was that, Valonis? Did you do something to me? Is that a dragon trick or something?”
Valonis shook his head, taking in deep breaths of the hot air. “I don’t know,” he confessed. “That’s never happened before. I- in the human world I touched two other humans before you and neither of them did this. Nor has any other dragon that I’ve come into physical contact with. Have you ever experienced that before? With anyone else?”
Rachel immediately shook her head. “No never. I mean, I’ve been touched before, yes, but, it’s never felt like that before.”
Valonis’ eyes grew dark as he continued to stare at her. “Like what?” He rasped.
She blushed, not wanting to say such feelings out loud especially to someone she barely knew and had been all but kidnapped by.
“L-like I wanted to give myself completely to you.” It was an odd thing to say, she knew, but had no other way of wording it. In his arms, that was all she had wanted. She wanted to become his. She wanted him to become hers.
He stayed by the hearth for several more minutes, dragging breaths into his body in an attempt to balance his arousal and need to go to the bed and bury himself deep inside her. Rachel watched as he physically struggled to get himself under control, their eyes locked. He had pulled away from her, yes, but not before she felt the delicious hardness between his legs. She wondered, as she watched him regain himself, what it would taste like to have something of such size in her mouth.
Taking a final deep breath, Valonis pushed himself away from the hearth, and ran a shaky hand through his hair. She could tell that he was still struggling, but didn’t want to alarm her any further. She had never felt arousal like that before, and she was certain that even
in his experience of sexual escapades he had not done so before either. This was completely foreign to the both of them.
“My father is trying to do things,” he forced out, slowly regaining his composure. He was changing the subject, and she was thankful. If they tried to discuss what had just happened once more, she was certain that she would end up on his lap in the most wonton of ways.
“What kind of things?” She asked, trying to focus.
“Things that could hurt your kind. The way I first thought you might want to hurt us. I have to stop it. But first I need your research, evidence that you know about us. Where is it?”
Rachel sat down heavily on the bed, running a shaky hand through her tangled curls. She needed a moment to think, to gather her scattered brain.
“Umm…It’s in my world. In my apartment.”
“What’s the address?”
Rachel told him, and he scribbled it down. He banged on the door with his fist once and Duke returned, ready for whatever his next task may be.
“You must go here immediately,” he commanded. He looked sharply at Rachel. “Where is your laptop?”
Valonis handed her a pen and paper and she quickly drew a crude map of where in the house her room was and where in the room her she stored her laptop. She also pointed out where her school bag was, which had all of her printed out notes and photographs of the research her father had sent her.
“Fly,” Valonis commanded when she was done. “I need you gone and back as quickly as possible.” The two men embraced forearms, looking at one another in the eye.
“Be sure to be discreet in both worlds. We don’t want to raise any suspicions.”
Duke bowed his head. “Yes my lord,” he replied, turning abruptly on his heel. As soon as he was gone, a wicked smile spread across Valonis’ face, and he turned to Rachel.
“I’ve changed my mind. I was going to take you to our records hall, but it seems you don’t need a history lesson at all. Would you like to see what a real dragon looks like instead?”
