A.O.E.M.: Finding Magic

by Katherine A. Moore

  The moment passed. Tady gazed down on Les from his much taller self -- and looked into eyes of wonder and a smile of amazement.

  “Holy shit.” Les stood up, then grabbed the back of the chair for support. He hadn’t realized how hard his knees were shaking. “Holy fuckin’ shit. You’re a goddamned Dragon, Tady. A big fucking Dragon. How? I mean…”

  Les stood there and stared. He had to believe his eyes. He’d seen the man change, just sort of melt, reform and get bigger. A lot bigger. The Dragon had a body bigger than a horse. It was hard to tell how large his wings were, all folded up the way he held them, but if this was the Dragon Les had seen yesterday, those wings had been at least twenty feet from tip to tip.

  The Dragon -- no, Tady, this was definitely Tady -- curled one lip in what had to be a grin. His ivory-colored teeth were at least six inches long. His voice, when he spoke, rumbled up out of his chest like the sound of a drum. “I might be a little man, Lester Ondáge, but I become a very large Dragon.”

  “No shit, Sherlock.” Lester reached out slowly and ran his fingers over the scaled neck. He’d expected something almost metallic because of their iridescent sheen, but instead the silver-dollar-sized scales were warm and pliable to the touch.

  He shook his head, well aware he couldn’t shake the stupid grin off his face. “You’re beautiful, Tady. An absolute fantasy creature. I had no idea…”

  Tady slowly lowered his heavy head and rested it lightly on Les’s shoulder. “I was afraid you wouldn’t understand, that you’d think me a freak.”

  Les ran his palm across Tady’s broad, scaled cheek. “Never, Tady. You’re not a freak when you’re a little Elf with big blue eyes, pointy ears and a package that belongs on a bull. How could I think you’re a freak when you’re more beautiful than any creature I’ve ever seen in my life, more magical than anything I could ever imagine?”

  Tady nuzzled Les’s shoulder. “Fly with me, Lester. Let me show you Chimera.”

  Feeling as if he’d entered a dream, Les grabbed his sarong out of the bedroom, tied it around himself like a silk diaper and crawled up on Tady’s strong neck. With a powerful beat of his wings, Tady lifted the two of them into the nighttime sky.

  The sun was peeking over the flank of the volcano when Tady coasted down onto the lanai with Les clinging tightly to his scaled neck. He and Les were both exhausted as well as exhilarated, but they’d come to a definite agreement -- if they were going to give their newfound love time to grow, they had one, and only one, option -- get their respective employers together.

  Somehow, Prince Lorcan of the Northern Realm and Ms. Amanda Carlisle, Hollywood star, had damned well better fall in love.

  * * *

  Amanda glanced up from her morning coffee and croissant just as Lester rounded the path from his bungalow, headed directly toward hers. He walked like a man with a mission, his bare feet slapping the packed sand hard enough to send dust flying.

  Amanda pulled her dark glasses down her nose and peered over the top of the frames. “So, who put the bee up your butt, Lester?”

  His head snapped up. “Oh, I ah… wasn’t sure you’d be awake yet, not after a date. Good morning, sweetie. How was your night?”

  “It sucked… and not in a friendly way.” Amanda sighed and took another sip of her coffee. “I got to the restaurant just in time to see him fondling a matched set of blondes.”

  “Ah, sweetie. I’m sorry.” Les leaned over, hugged her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “The guy’s a complete jerk. Want me to break some bones?”

  Amanda smiled thinly. “It’s tempting, but not this morning. What about you, Les? How was your date?”

  Lester poured himself a cup of coffee and sat across from Amanda. He took a sip and grinned. His entire face lit up. “Can I say fantastic? Amazing?” He sighed. “I’ve never felt this way, not ever, about anyone. I know it seems sudden but… Ms. Carlisle, would you be so kind as to join me for dinner this evening. I want you to meet my friend.”

  Amanda grabbed his huge paws in her hands and squeezed. Damn, at least one of them was happy. Les deserved love. “I’d like nothing more. You’re sure he won’t mind?”

  Les shook his head. “I was trying to figure out how to get you away from your new love so you’d come with me. Guess now I don’t have to worry about that. I’ll pick you up at seven, okay?”

  Pain sliced Amanda’s chest and settled deep in her heart. She’d expected the feelings for Lorcan to be gone by now… she’d only known him a day, not nearly long enough to really care one way or another what he did.

  So why in the hell did she still hurt so much?

  “I’ll be ready. What are you going to do today?”

  Les rubbed the back of his closely shaved head. “Sleep. I’m gonna sleep all day long.” He blushed again when he looked back at Amanda. “We didn’t do much sleeping last night.”

  “I guess I do need to meet this special someone… if he kept Lester Ondáge awake all night, he must be special.” It was the best she could do. Amanda felt horribly petty at having to force any joy over Les’s happiness.

  Les leaned over and kissed Amanda’s cheek, then wandered back to his bungalow. Amanda lay back and covered her eyes with her forearm. She would not cry. No more tears. She’d only known Lorcan for a day, long enough to fall in and out of love with the biggest jerk she’d ever met.

  Had she really seen him change from human to Dragon? No way. Damn, she must be losing her mind. Maybe she needed stress to function properly! She certainly didn’t need a pointy-eared shape shifter with roaming hands.

  Crap. The tears Amanda’d been fighting leaked from beneath her closed eyelids. She’d never had a lousier vacation in her entire life. All she wanted was to go home, back to the smog and stink and cutthroat business typical of life in Los Angeles.

  Now how the hell was she going to talk Les into cutting the trip short? He was obviously having the time of his life.

  Amanda sniffed. Les could stay on Chimera if he wanted. She’d just go without him. It was time to go home. Time to face reality again, to find a new project, a new reason for living.

  Chimera’s illusions, so far as Amanda could tell, had been exactly that -- lies.

  Lester picked her up at seven. He wore a different sarong tonight, one of deep reds and shades of orange and turquoise. Amanda thought he looked even more like an ancient island god… but then he’d looked like a god in the last sarong he’d worn, too.

  She hated to tell him it was time for her to leave the island. Maybe tomorrow. There was no point in ruining his evening tonight. She knew he wouldn’t want her to go alone. Les took his position so seriously, cared about her so deeply.

  Why couldn’t Lorcan be more like Lester?

  Amanda looped her arm in Lester’s and walked beside him to the restaurant. There was something terribly erotic about walking along a jungle path with a half naked man, even if the man was unequivocally gay. Amanda squeezed his arm and leaned against his strong body.

  “Les, has anyone ever told you how gorgeous you are?”

  Lester laughed, a deep, booming sound that started low in his chest and worked its way out. “Why, Ms. Carlisle… I do believe you’re flirting with me.”

  “Of course I am, Lester.” She sighed. “The problem is, Les, you’re the standard I find myself judging all other men by, and they always come up short.”

  He stopped and drew her into a warm, comforting hug. His smooth chest felt warm against her cheek and his laughter tickled the top of her head. “That’s only ’cause I’m so tall, sweetie. Don’t worry. You’ll find your man. He’s out there, just waiting for you.” He ran one finger along her cheekbone. “You never know… maybe you’ll meet him tonight.”

  Les gave Amanda a quick kiss on top of her head and they walked on toward the restaurant. The night was warm and humid. The scents of jungle and humus, flowers and ripe earth enfolded them as they followed the trail. It was still bright enough the torches hadn’t been lit, but
Amanda knew they’d each spring to life the moment light was needed.

  All part of the magic that was Chimera… a magic she wished she were more willing to accept. Had she really seen Lorcan shift from man to Dragon?

  Nothing seemed clear anymore.

  Had she really seen him encouraging those women, or was he just being friendly?

  “I wish I could believe you, truly believe there was someone waiting for me. I honestly thought I’d found him…” Amanda had felt it with Lorcan. Felt the magic. If only… “Tell me about your man, Les. I’ve never seen you serious about anyone before. What’s he like?”

  Les chuckled. “Tady? He’s little, not even as tall as you. He’s smart and funny with a wicked sense of humor… He’s got blond hair and the brightest blue eyes you ever saw, but he could be seven feet tall and covered with shiny scales and I’d love him just as much.”

  Covered with… Amanda planted her feet and stopped. “Lester, if there was something really unusual about Tady, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”

  “Uh…” His amber eyes shifted away from hers.

  This was not like Les at all. “Lester? Have you seen Tady standing seven feet tall with scales? Shiny, iridescent scales and huge wings?”

  Les looked away, sighed then nodded, but he didn’t look happy about giving away Tady’s secret. “Have you seen him, too?”

  Amanda grinned. “No, but I think I’ve seen a close double. I thought I was losing my mind. C’mon. I want to meet this new love of yours.”

  Les grabbed her hand and they reached the restaurant in record time. A diminutive but very attractive blond man waved to them from a corner booth. Amanda smiled and said hello, all the while trying to picture this very tiny man with Lester.

  It was easier to imagine him turning into a seven-foot-tall Dragon. Now that was something she’d already seen.

  “Tady, I’d like you to meet Amanda Carlisle, my employer and very good friend.”

  “My pleasure, Ms. Carlisle.” Tady stood and bowed. “My employer should be here any… ah, there he is, now. Milord?” Tady waved his arm.

  Amanda turned around.

  Lorcan stopped dead in his tracks.

  “Mandy?”

  “He’s the jerk who…”

  “Ms. Carlisle is Mandy?”

  Lorcan stepped forward before Amanda could catch her breath. “Yes, Tady. It appears Ms. Carlisle and Mandy are one and the same.” He took her hand in his, and for all his smooth talk she could feel his fingers tremble. “I’m so glad you’ve decided to join us for dinner, Mandy. You will dine with us, won’t you?”

  Unable to speak, Amanda merely nodded. Lester was still scowling at the prince, but he made way for Lorcan to seat Mandy and slide into the booth beside her. His body felt lean, long and very warm pressed close beside hers. Both Tady and Lester glared at them from across the table.

  Les stared at Lorcan as if he’d only be happy when he got a chance to tear the man in two. Tady appeared just as furious with Amanda. She wondered what Lorcan had told his manservant.

  Lorcan’s hand found hers, a strong, warm anchor in the swirling sea of emotions filling the small booth. He squeezed her fingers and smiled at her. Amanda smiled back. She blinked away sudden, unexpected tears.

  The tension around them eased.

  They ordered, ate and talked, their conversation flowing comfortably within a few minutes. Lorcan described the Northern Realm, Amanda told silly stories of Hollywood. Lester and Tady nodded in all the right places, even added a word or two, but their attention was paid mostly one to the other. Amanda felt a warm glow in her heart watching Lester.

  Obviously Les was just as besotted with Tady as the small man was with his giant. Amanda couldn’t bring herself to look at Lorcan, so afraid of what she’d see.

  “Dinner was excellent.” Lorcan wiped his mouth with his napkin and set it beside his plate. He smiled at Tady. “I imagine you two have plans for the evening.” He held his hand out to Lester. “I’ve enjoyed meeting you, Lester. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse us, I think Man… uh, Amanda and I are going for a walk.”

  Amanda turned her head slowly and found herself staring directly into Lorcan’s green eyes. “We are?”

  “Yes, my love. We are. I’m not willing to waste another day with any anger between us. Please… there have been too many misunderstandings. Will you walk with me?”

  She nodded her head, smiled weakly at Lester, and allowed Lorcan to lead her from the restaurant.

  Chapter 8

  Amanda slipped her hand around Lorcan’s arm as they strolled along the quiet beach. The area where they walked was near the spot they’d made love. Had that only been yesterday?

  Neither of them spoke, yet Amanda didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable. It was as if something about this night were fated, no longer in her control.

  She thought of the looks of expectation on both Lester and Tady’s faces. Of course they would want their employers to get along. It was obvious the two of them were already deeply in love.

  Could one fall in love so fast?

  How should I know? The only man I’ve ever loved is Lester.

  No, that’s not true… She took a quick glance at Lorcan and caught him watching her, his eyes dark emerald chips in the waning moonlight. She loved him. That’s why she’d been devastated last night, to see him kiss those two women. He’d obviously already gotten to know them quite well.

  “They meant nothing to me, you know.”

  Amanda smiled. “Are you reading my mind?”

  “I wish I could.” Lorcan stopped and turned Amanda to face him. He cupped her shoulders in his elegant hands. “I met them briefly on the beach shortly after I arrived, and then I saw you, standing alone on that high pinnacle over the sea, and I no longer saw the two blondes beside me. Of course, that particular meeting between us did not go so well.”

  Amanda laughed out loud. “You were smarmy and insincere and obnoxious as hell. What could go right?”

  Lorcan had the good grace to blush. He looked away and chuckled. “I figured that out, later.” He looped his arm around Amanda’s waist and they continued their slow stroll along the sand.

  “In my country, I am a prince, a much sought after member of the royal family. I can act the jerk and still get the girl. That doesn’t make me any less a jerk, as Tady helped me realize.” He laughed, obviously embarrassed with his admission.

  Amanda’s heart began to melt.

  “After you told me to get lost, I went to the bar to drown my sorrows. I already knew then I wanted you… not merely for one night. I wanted you for all time, beside me. I just wasn’t sure how to repair the damage I’d already done.”

  “Ah, so that’s when you ran into Lola and Lila.”

  “Oh yes. After too many tankards of ale and much self-recrimination, I once more met Lola and Lila. They were more than willing to take me back to their bungalow and help ease my pain.”

  Amanda felt a cold fist surround her heart. Was he that shallow?

  “Of course, I did not go. That alone told me I was in terrible trouble.” He squeezed Amanda’s waist and pulled her close against his side. “I have never before turned down an invitation like the one those girls offered. Believe me, leaving the two of them alone in that bar was not in my nature. Amanda? Look at me.”

  She turned in his arms and looked into hooded eyes, almost hidden behind silky dark lashes. He gazed at her with such longing she felt her own desire leap to the surface. “It is my nature, now. Now that I have met you, there’s no need for another woman. Ever. You are the only one I want. The only one I will ever want. I’ve never asked a woman for her hand in marriage and I won’t ask you yet, not until I have properly courted you. But, know this. Marriage is my ultimate goal. I never fail. It is not an option.”

  Almost of its own volition, Amanda’s hand rose and she gently caressed his cheek. “Is that a dare, my Elven prince?”

  “Not a dare, lovely Amanda. A promise.” His l
ips found hers, warm and sweet, inviting her total surrender. When he finally broke their kiss and led her toward his bungalow, Amanda followed him without question.

  Lorcan’s small hut was much like hers and Lester’s. Private and secluded, they might have been the only inhabitants of Chimera. Lorcan closed the door behind them and lit a couple of candles. Flickering shadows and light reflected off a large gilded mirror that covered most of one wall. The satin bedspread glowed a deep ruby red.

  Lorcan tangled his fingers in Amanda’s thick hair and he drew her close to his mouth for another heated kiss. She felt languid, boneless in his embrace, her mouth opening to his, her tongue sparring gently with Lorcan’s.

  Their bodies met, sealed together by heat and desire. His hands were in her hair, caressing her breasts, trailing along her ribs to the rounded curve of her hip.

  Amanda tore her mouth free, catching air with each heaving gasp. She looked into his eyes, focused on the deep green filled with need and want, then slid her hands inside his shirt, ripped the buttons free and bared his chest.

  She put her mouth on the firm muscle just above his breast, trailed kisses along his throat until he lifted her, his arms strong and sure as he stretched her out on the bed.

  The mirror to her left reflected both Lorcan and Amanda… She watched their reflections in the glass as Lorcan slowly peeled her dress down over her thighs, slipped her panties off along with the silk. When Lorcan stood beside the bed and stripped himself bare, Amanda watched him in the mirror, her head turned away from his perfect form.

  “Look at me, not at the reflection of the man who needs you.”

  Amanda slowly turned to face him. “Need is not love, Lorcan. Do you love me? Can you love me, a simple human when you, yourself, are someone of another world?”

  “Ah, my love.” Lorcan knelt on the edge of the bed, one hand in her hair, the other brushing the flesh covering her ribs. “You are my love, my one true love, my Chosen One. I knew it the moment I saw you, but I denied the truth. When we swam together, I accepted my fate. When we made love I welcomed it. When you left me, when you smiled at that other man, I felt my life had ended. I love you. I can say it no plainer than that. I love you and want you for my wife.”