I Dream of Dragons

by Ashlyn Chase

  “Okaaay… Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Hi. My name is Amber McNally. I was… I mean, I am a flight attendant and a resident of apartment 1B.”

  Chad laughed out loud.

  “I’m sorry. Is something about that funny?”

  “Yeah. You don’t exist. At the moment, you’re a soul with no body. I’m picturing you trying to fly the friendly skies and interact with passengers in your current state.”

  Amber’s lip trembled. At least she thought it must be trembling. It felt like it was. She took a deep breath and commanded herself to stay calm. “Can you make yourself known to everyone? Or just a select few?”

  “There are people who call themselves ‘sensitives.’ They don’t like the old-fashioned word ‘psychics,’ but that’s what they are. I can let them know I’m around if I want to. Or I can be quiet and let them wonder.”

  “It must get very lonely. I don’t imagine that many psychics visit.”

  “I see what you’re doing.”

  “What?”

  “You’re trying to sympathize and get on my good side.”

  “Well, why wouldn’t I? It looks like you’re my only friend at the moment. Maybe I’m all you’ve got too.”

  “Nope. I have friends all over the building. I even have a roommate.”

  “That’s right. You said you lived—er, that you reside in 3A. Isn’t that Gwyneth’s apartment?”

  “Yes. She’s my roommate and a friend.”

  “She can hear you?”

  “I’m not taking any more questions right now. I just wanted to check on you.”

  “Can I ask just one more question? Please?”

  He sighed. “As long as it isn’t stupid.”

  “Okay. I was wondering if the little man who visited Rory before—I think his name is Lucky—if he has anything to do with this.”

  “Ding, ding, ding! Give the girl a kewpie doll!”

  * * *

  Rory marched to the door, threw it open, and called upstairs, “Shannon! Chloe!”

  He waited and when there was no answer, he tried again. “Shannon! Chloe! Hell, I’ll even take Finn at this point!”

  Eventually a door opened upstairs, but it wasn’t the one to his sister’s apartment. It was the door to the paranormal club. A big, blond man holding a pool cue strolled over to the banister.

  “Is everything all right down there?”

  “Fine. I’m sorry if I disturbed you. I was hopin’ one of me useless sisters would open their door across the hall.”

  The door in question flew open, and Chloe leaned over the banister. “Useless are we?” she shouted.

  Rory smiled. “Ah, I knew that would get your attention.”

  “I’m chaperonin’ Shannon, just like you told me to. Now apologize, you big oaf.”

  “Sorry.” He was grinning and wasn’t sorry at all.

  “Now that you’ve got me attention, Rory, what did you want?”

  “I want to find Amber.”

  “What?” Chloe exclaimed. “Isn’t she there with you?”

  “No. I was wonderin’ if she was up there.”

  The guy from the paranormal club leaned over the banister. “Is that the woman my wife is friends with? She’s a flight attendant, right?”

  “She is.”

  “So you were visiting her and she stepped out? How long ago?”

  “I-I don’t really know. I thought she was in her bedroom, but when I checked, it must have been an hour or more since I’d seen her last.”

  “Oh boy,” the guy muttered under his breath.

  “You must have missed her, Rory. Go back and look again,” Chloe said.

  “I’m tellin’ you, I looked. I opened every box and drawer she might have managed to cram herself into.”

  The guy at the top of the stairs laughed. “Do you want my professional opinion as a private investigator?” He continued without waiting for a response. “It sounds like she left the building.”

  Rory shook his head. “I know you must be right, but I cannot fathom it. How did she get past me when I was sittin’ in view of the door the whole time?”

  “Were you nappin?” Chloe asked.

  “Not a’tall.” Rory tried to tamp down his frustration.

  Finn called out. “Is that Rory?”

  “Where are you, lad? I want to see the man who followed me sister all the way from Ireland.”

  Finn rounded the banister and descended the stairs. He grinned as if Rory might pin a medal on his chest. Shannon followed him. At least they were dressed. Rory didn’t know what to do with these two yet, but he needed to have a serious talk with Finn soon—alone.

  “Where are you stayin’, lad?”

  “At a bed-and-breakfast over on Elliott Street. The hotels on Boylston are too expensive.”

  “Good man. With your trackin’ skills, I’d ask you to participate in a search party—but unfortunately I’m lookin’ for a woman you’ve never seen.”

  He focused his gaze on Finn. “So, how did you manage to track down me sister?”

  “I had a little help.” He leaned in on the word “little” and gave Rory an intense stare, as if he’d know what he meant.

  If Finn knew about the little people, did he know they were leprechauns?

  “What help specifically?”

  Lucky materialized between them.

  “Specifically, me.”

  “No! You showed your magic?”

  “Relax, Brother,” Shannon said. “Lucky met Finn a while ago. Back in Ireland.”

  “And you told him what you were?”

  “Not me. Shamus did that.”

  “Why?” Rory asked, still in shock.

  “I never did get the full story,” Lucky said and gazed up at Finn.

  “I’m sorry. I promised I’d never divulge a word of that conversation.”

  The guy who was still leaning over the railing said, “I’ve never met a leprechaun.” A few others who were curious had joined him. He glanced behind him at his friends. “Have any of you?”

  The other guys all murmured “no” in various ways.

  “Why don’t you join us? I’ll invite you into the club and introduce you.”

  “That sounds grand,” Lucky said. A moment later he materialized next to the big guy who’d identified himself as a PI.

  “Wait!” Rory said. “What about findin’ Amber? I want to hire you, but we should get lookin’ right away.”

  “Sheesh,” Lucky said. “She’s still in the apartment.”

  “Where?” Rory demanded.

  “Chad?” Lucky called out. A moment later he began whispering to thin air.

  Ah. The ghost has somethin’ to do with it.

  At last, Lucky grinned. “Why look. There she is!”

  Rory snapped his head around and found himself staring into the most beautiful hazel-green eyes he’d ever seen.

  “Ah, lass.” He took her in his arms and she embraced him willingly.

  There were chuckles from the upstairs gallery, but Rory didn’t care. He lifted her so he could enter and kicked the door shut with his foot, then his lips descended to hers.

  Chapter 11

  Amber had to mentally shake herself out of Rory’s drugging kiss. She had a few questions for the fire-breathing dragon.

  She leaned back, reluctantly.

  Rory opened his eyes. “What’s wrong, luv?”

  “Uh… We need to talk.”

  Rory groaned but followed her to the futon and sank down next to her.

  She cocked her head. “What is it you don’t want to talk about? And why?”

  “Everythin’. At least not now.” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and she noticed the erection tenting his pants. Her eyes must have bugged out, because he followed
up with, “And that’s why.”

  She chuckled. “We’ll get to that—maybe. I heard a few things when I was invisible.”

  “Is that where you went? You became invisible? Am I to assume you can eavesdrop on me anytime you like?”

  “No. I didn’t do it. The little guy—Lucky—did it. Well, he and the ghost were the ones who thought it up.”

  Rory hit himself upside the head. “I should have known. Feckin’ mischief-makers.”

  “It sounds like you know what they’re capable of. So, how was he able to do that?”

  He sighed. “Magic. How much did you overhear?”

  “Enough to know you can fly and breathe fire. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen the fire coming out of your mouth with my own eyes.”

  Rory gazed at the floor. “I suppose you want nuthin’ to do with me now that you know I’m a shapeshiftin’ dragon.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “You’re a shapeshifter too?”

  “Well, o’ course. Me wings aren’t hid beneath me shirt.”

  “Shift for me.”

  “What?” He leaned back and stared at her as if she’d grown two heads.

  “I should see what you look like in all your forms, especially if I’m sharing an apartment with you.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “You’re not afraid?”

  She shrugged. “Depends. You won’t light me on fire if you get mad, will you?”

  He laughed. “Darlin’, you’ve already made me as mad as I get, and you’re still standin’. Or rather sittin’ right beside me.”

  “For some reason, I feel like I can trust you.”

  “Grand. Then you should trust me with your secret too.”

  “My secret?”

  “Don’t treat me like I’m an idjit. Your friend, Euterpe…snapped her fingers and disappeared. Don’t tell me you didn’t know she’s a muse.”

  Amber tried to look contrite. “I knew. I’m not an ‘idjit’ either.”

  “And because this buildin’ seems to house and host a number of paranormals, tell me. What are you?”

  She sighed. “I’m a muse too. The modern muse of air travel.”

  She could see she’d surprised him. He looked like she could poke him and he’d fall on the floor.

  “Modern muse, you say? Are there others?”

  “Yeah, but I’m not supposed to talk about them.”

  “Can you give me a general idea of what’s covered?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’m new. I was just recruited, so I guess you could call me a rookie.”

  Suddenly, Mother Nature herself appeared in their living room. She didn’t bother to hide her identity with modern clothing. She wore her white robe, belted with a vine.

  “Mother! I mean, Gaia!” Amber exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

  Rory rose swiftly. Reverently, he whispered, “Gaia? Mother of All?”

  She smirked. “At last. Someone who treats me with the respect I deserve.”

  He bowed. “I’m honored by your presence.”

  “I like you, dragon.”

  “…and I’m humbled by your opinion.”

  She smiled sincerely this time. “He’s a charmer. I hope you know how lucky you are, muse. By the way, I’m hearing good things about you, and I enjoyed your description of yourself as a rookie. It’s always good to know your place.”

  Amber found her feet and rose too. “I—uh… Thanks? What can I do for you, Goddess?”

  “Nothing at the moment. I was just making sure you two were aware of how important it is not to share this sensitive information with humans. There are a couple of them in the building.”

  “Ah,” Rory said. “Finn for one. Perhaps you can help me, Goddess of All.”

  Her unplucked eyebrows rose. “Help? In what way?”

  “I need your wisdom, and advice if you’re willin’ to give it.”

  She nodded. “Go ahead with your question.”

  “Me sister. She’s in love with a human. He loves her back thoroughly, but there will come a time when he grows old, and though she’s much older, she doesn’t look it and never will.”

  “Ah, yes. Your sister is almost a thousand years old, I believe.”

  Amber’s jaw dropped, but Gaia must not have noticed because she continued talking.

  “You’re saying he doesn’t know she’s a dragon…”

  “I forbid her from tellin’ him, but you can’t forbid a lass from fallin’ in love.”

  Mother Nature chuckled. “Yeah. That was my doing, I’m afraid. I invented love to populate the planet and as an amusement for myself, but I didn’t install a lick of logic with it. Sorry about that.” She folded her arms. “Well, dragon. I’d say you did well, but you do have a dilemma on your hands.”

  “Indeed I do.”

  “Wait a minute. If Shannon is about a thousand—and Rory is her older brother…”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake, muse. He’s a thousand and ten,” Mother Nature said.

  Yup, she must be able to read my mind. Then Amber realized she was staring at Rory with her mouth open.

  He looked at her and grinned. “But I don’t look a day over twenty-eight, right?”

  “R-right.”

  “I imagine the solution your parents chose will be Shannon’s eventually.”

  How can she continue on as if I just heard that the weather is fair?

  “Oh.” He looked thoughtful.

  He had Amber’s attention again, and she placed her hand gently on his arm. “What happened to your parents?”

  “They had to move away and only come back after all the humans they knew were long gone. Unfortunately, they never came back and it’s been hundreds of years now. Once the villagers catch on that we’re not gettin’ any older while they’re not getting’ any younger, well…” He sighed. “We stayed hidden for several generations and only blended in with the current population recently. We wanted to stay close in case our parents came back, but…”

  “I see. It’s all part of not letting humans know about the paranormal then.”

  Mother Nature patted her on the head. “I’m glad you took that lesson to heart, muse of air travel.”

  “Do you even remember my name?” Amber didn’t mean to be irreverent, but she couldn’t help wondering.

  “Of course I do. It’s Amber. Or is it Jade? I get new names confused at times. That’s why I just go with something safe until it sticks. Look, I’m not going to stay long. I have air currents to stir, waves to undulate, volcanos to keep under control…”

  Rory let out a reverent breath. “All that, and humans too.”

  Gaia smiled and nodded. “I’m delighted someone finally understands all I do.” She faced Amber and said with a wink, “He’s a keeper.”

  Then she was gone.

  Rory nearly collapsed on the futon.

  “You look like a fanboy who just met his idol.”

  He gazed up at Amber. “Aren’t you a little awestruck as well? You just met the Goddess. The Goddess!”

  “I didn’t just meet her. I met her the other day when she recruited me.”

  Rory slapped a hand over his eyes. “She handpicked you? Don’t you realize what that means, lass?”

  Amber was genuinely puzzled by what she considered his overreaction. She sat down next to him. “I guess not. What does it mean?”

  “It means you have a destiny. Like Joan of Arc. I-I don’t know how to feel about lovin’ a woman with a destiny. It’s confusin’.”

  He loves me? She’d expected him to try to backpedal. To say he was just writing a song, nothing more.

  She set one hand on his knee. “Do you believe that this…could possibly be destiny?” She wagged her index finger back and forth at the two of them.

  He hesit
ated, then slowly smiled. “I suppose it could be. I mean, you know I’m a dragon and I know you’re a muse. It seems as if we’re suited to each other and unsuitable for humans.”

  “I know.”

  They stared at each other for a few moments, then fell on each other as if ravenous. She opened her mouth and welcomed his tongue. As he cupped her head, he yanked her body closer, and they collapsed half on and half off the futon’s long cushion.

  A flurry of fingers yanked at zippers and buttons until they practically fused together, hot skin to skin that was heating rapidly from the inside.

  Amber managed to pull away to murmur, “My bed…”

  Rory smiled and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her to the bedroom, then had to pick his way between the boxes so he wouldn’t drop her. “We need to spread this furniture around the rest of the apartment.”

  “So, I’m not confined to my—I mean, our bedroom anymore?”

  He grinned. “Not if this next part works out.”

  He had a point. They should probably find out if they were sexually compatible before they decided to share a bed. Would he roar fire at the moment of climax? That might be good to know.

  They finally made it to the bed without incident, although both of them were still wearing socks and underpants. Rory sat up to rip his off and then Amber’s. It was the first glimpse she had of his erect cock.

  Holy… Wow! No wonder he was unsuitable for humans. He was probably too big for most girls. Amber smiled, remembering she was a minor goddess and could probably stretch herself to fit.

  We’ll find out.

  Resuming where they’d left off, he stroked and caressed her as they locked lips. He cupped her bottom and pulled her tight against his staff.

  She lost her breath for a moment.

  When he leaned back, they were both panting hard. Amber hadn’t realized how much she’d needed this until now. Perhaps most of their fighting hadn’t been about the apartment at all. Maybe it was due to their overpowering sexual tension and attempts to resist its pull.

  She grasped his cock and stroked, to which he reacted with a pleasurable-sounding groan. She couldn’t come close to touching her finger to her thumb because of his girth, but that didn’t seem to lessen the effect.