by Tasha Black
“Duke and Earl,” Lanny called out. “A pair of brothers from the Highlands, isn’t that right?”
The two men grunted in assent, looking annoyed to have a fuss made over them.
“Ale and cheese?” Lanny asked.
They nodded, looking instantly more cheerful.
“And I assume the rest of you have met?” Lanny asked. “Tilden and Verat, Abigail, Dyrk, and Harla.”
Her gaze ended on the woman with the shoes, who Rexx realized must be Harla.
Everyone nodded their hellos. The whole thing was a little weird, in Rexx’s opinion. They were on the train for a means of transport, not a dinner party.
But given the ticket prices, he figured maybe some people were on for both. After all, the agency could as easily have bought Abigail a handsome cart and a team of stag-stallions for what they had paid for this journey.
“And here’s our conductor,” Lanny announced.
A tall, lean man in an ill-fitting uniform entered the car from the other side. He gave a quick wave to Lanny and a morose half-smile to the passengers.
So he didn’t like the dinner party thing either. Rexx could respect that.
“Did you want to say a few words to our special guests, your honor?” Lanny asked the conductor.
He looked up at her with some alarm in his eyes. But at just that moment, the car door slid open and a couple with a teenaged kid stepped through.
“Sorry, sorry, so sorry,” the mom apologized loudly. “It took us forever to get ready because somebody had to get his hair just right.”
The teenager looked like he wanted to fling himself out the window of the train.
“He’s fine, Ada,” the husband said wearily.
“Well, his hair certainly is,” Ada said. “But boys care a lot about their hair these days. I’ll bet you understand, don’t you, honey?”
That last was directed at Dyrk, who shrugged in an embarrassed way and turned back to his ale, sending the long half of his blue hair sailing over his shoulder.
Rexx glanced over at Abigail to see what she thought of the joke at Dyrk’s expense.
Her eyes were dancing with mirth. He could have kissed her for it.
Rexx felt his mouth pull up in a smile in spite of himself.
Lanny came out from behind the bar with a tray of drinks and Rexx found himself taking a nice long pull of the bitter-apple-ale and a bite of moon cheese.
The flavors actually blended beautifully. He waited for Abigail to try and was rewarded by her expression of pleasure.
The women beside her were in ecstasies over Rio. And the other people on the train were indulging in small talk with each other, instinctively leaving Rexx alone, which meant he was free to observe the woman who would be his mate without interruption.
He took another swig of the bitter-sweet ale, and a bite of cheese, and decided he was enjoying himself.
7
Abigail
Abigail sipped her bitter-apple ale and smiled as the ladies fussed over Rio.
She hadn’t really wanted to attend a reception tonight, but she was relieved that the moment back in the compartment had been broken up.
As certain as she had been that Rexx was somehow compelling her closer, she knew in her heart that wasn’t really possible. She was just overwhelmed.
And he was so attractive. It almost didn’t seem fair.
She stole a glance at him.
Rexx stood with his feet shoulder width apart, as if he expected to be in combat at any moment. But his posture was relaxed, like the big cats at the Terra-8 Zoo.
He observed the car casually, but she had no doubt that he would spring into action at the smallest threat.
The woman called Harla with the fancy outfit was still openly checking him out.
Abigail felt a visceral desire to punch her in the face. She had never been the jealous type, and certainly not the violent type. Her response horrified her.
After all, Rexx wasn’t even hers to be jealous over.
The guy by the bar with the fancy suit, Dyrk, raised his glass to her and winked again.
She nodded, feeling awkward. The man wasn’t her type at all, and there was something about him that felt sort of shallow. She quickly turned her attention back to Rio and his admirers.
She swore she could feel Rexx’s approval. She glanced up to find him smirking at her, and couldn’t help grinning back at him.
“So, what brings you on the train, dear?” Tilden asked her.
“Oh, I’ve just adopted this little fellow, and we’re traveling to our new home,” Abigail said. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“So lovely,” Verat said approvingly.
“You’ve never seen your new home?” Tilden asked, sounding amazed.
“Well, the home really belongs to Rio,” Abigail explained. “The adoption agency made all the arrangements. And I don’t mind where I live, as long as we’re together.”
Tilden patted her knee and Verat cooed at the baby again.
“Wait, that’s not your kid?” Dyrk called across the car to her.
“Of course he’s mine,” she said.
“You know what I mean,” he said. “He’s adopted.”
“Yes,” she said, trying to remain polite. “I have adopted him, and he is my son now. I am his mother. That’s how it works.”
She knew she was going to have to navigate a lot of ignorance like this in the child’s future. It didn’t help to lose her temper outwardly.
“So why does he look like your husband?” Dyrk asked, pointing at Rexx.
Everyone in the car turned to look at the big warrior. It was true that both Rexx and Rio were matching shades of blue, but it had nothing to do with heredity.
“He’s not my husband,” Abigail said awkwardly. “And your skin tone is the same shade as the conductor’s. Is he your dad?”
Tilden didn’t bother to stifle her giggle at that remark.
“I’m the baby’s guard,” Rexx said calmly. “Rio is Imberian, and he imprinted on me during the time in which I cared for him. So, his coloration shifted to match mine. It is common for his race.”
Rexx was the soldier here, but unlike Abigail, he seemed to be more interested in keeping the peace than starting fights.
That was probably a good thing.
“Will he, like, change back now that she’s taking over?” Dyrk asked.
Abigail blinked at him, horrified.
“That’s an Imberian baby?” Harla asked.
Rexx nodded.
“And you’re his guard?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“That means you’re an Invicta warrior,” she said, eyes widening.
He inclined his head.
Abigail resisted the urge to roll her eyes as the woman practically purred at Rexx.
“Hit me up, barkeep,” Duke said roughly.
The brothers from the Highlands were the only ones not paying attention to the scene in the car. They seemed determined to get their money’s worth out of the free ale and cheese.
“I was next,” Earl said firmly.
“Like hell you were,” Duke retorted. “You’re not even finished with the one in your hand.”
Earl chugged the last few inches of ale, and thrust his mug into the air victoriously.
“Two more, boys,” Lanny said brightly setting down two fresh mugs of ale.
“Don’t forget the cheese,” Earl said, swiping his fresh mug off the bar.
Lanny placed a plate of cheese cubes on the bar.
Duke grabbed the whole plate and turned his back on his brother.
“That’s it, you big oaf,” Earl shouted, swinging his full mug in an arc toward his brother’s skull.
Abigail closed her eyes, instinctively pulling Rio close to her chest.
“You’ve had enough ale,” Rexx’s deep voice boomed out.
She opened her eyes to see that Rexx had somehow caught Earl’s wrist mid-air before he could brain his brother with the mug
. She wouldn’t have thought it was possible for someone to move that fast.
“Don’t tell my brother what to—” Duke shouted.
But when he turned to find himself face to face with the enormous Invicta warrior, the words died in his throat.
“Let’s go back to our cabins and call it a night,” Rexx said sternly, obviously meaning for the brothers to leave.
The two shuffled off, sliding open the door to the corridor.
“Damned warriors, think they’re hot shit,” one of them muttered under his breath on the way down the hall.
Rexx ignored it and turned to help Lanny with the spilled ale.
“I’ve got it, your honor,” she said. “Thanks for stopping them before it got too far. They get like that with too much drink.”
Rexx nodded and glanced over at Abigail.
She smiled at him, feeling a little gaga about the way he’d broken up what could have been a very destructive and dangerous fight.
He strode toward her, as if her admiration were an invitation.
“Thank you,” the conductor said softly to him as he passed.
“Maybe you should rethink that free drinks policy,” Rexx told him. “Not everyone can handle it.”
“Noted,” the man replied.
“Abigail,” Rexx said, holding out his hand. “Would you like to get some rest? We have a long journey ahead of us.”
“Yes,” she told him. “It was nice to speak with you ladies. Are you going all the way to the lake?”
“Of course,” Verat said. “It’s Founders Day.”
“We can’t wait for the fireworks,” Tilden said, her eyes twinkling.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow,” Abigail told them gathering up a very sleepy Rio.
When she touched Rexx’s hand, a cascade of sensation moved through her. It felt like springtime. Flowers were pushing up from the soil of her soul, and pleasant breezes were flowing through her veins.
The look on his face told her he felt it too.
Suddenly, their compartment felt too far away, and she was weak in the knees.
He pulled her to her feet and wrapped an arm around her as they headed back to the tiny compartment with the big bed.
8
Rexx
Rexx leaned against the door of the tiny washroom in their private compartment.
Somehow, they had made it down the long corridor without him stopping to slam her into the wall and kiss her.
Now Abigail was getting Rio ready for bed, while Rexx supposedly washed up.
But in a few minutes, the tuckered out little boy was going to be sleeping hard in his built-in bassinet.
And there would be nothing to do but desperately try not to claim his mate.
“You can do this, man,” he whispered to himself.
He leaned over the sink and splashed cold water on his face again, then straightened and headed back into the bedroom.
Abigail had changed while he was in the washroom. She wore a simple white cotton nightgown that somehow only made her look sexier than before. She was bent over Rio’s bassinet, singing to him in a low, sweet voice. The small room was already filled with her exquisite scent.
Rexx leaned against the bed to gather himself. But he couldn’t look away.
Rio was trying not to look away from her either, but his eyelids were fluttering.
The sight of the boy centered Rexx.
I will do the right thing for you, Rio, he promised the baby. I will not claim her tonight.
At once his heart was lighter. He might do many things, make all manner of mistakes, but Rexx would never break a promise to that boy.
Which meant that while it might be a storm of temptation and torture, he would not claim the girl tonight.
In another few minutes, Rio was sleeping soundly.
Abigail watched over the sleeping boy for a long time. The love emanating from her eyes soothed Rexx’s tormented soul. This was what was most important. This was her purpose.
And his.
At last, she straightened and turned to him.
“Rexx,” she began, and then stopped, looking uncertain.
“You feel something between us,” he told her.
It was a kindness, he realized now, to tell her. Keeping her in the dark would only leave her confused and wanting. And she deserved better than that.
She nodded.
“I feel it too, Abigail,” he told her. “Never doubt that.”
She studied him, biting her lip. “But?”
He chuckled and nodded.
“But,” he agreed. “I will explain everything. It will take a moment and you’ve had a long day. Come sit.” He patted the edge of the bed.
Her green eyes widened, but she moved to obey immediately.
The dragon purred with satisfaction. She knew she was his to claim.
When she was seated, he knelt by her feet. It was not his place to be in her bed, not yet.
“You know what I am?” he asked.
“An Invicta warrior,” she said, nodding.
“Do you know what that means?” he asked.
“You fight for your homeland,” she said. “The scales are because…”
He wondered if she was trying not to offend with her word choice.
“They are because I am a dragon,” he told her. “If I were to shift forms now, I would burst the train open. But I will show you one day, if you would like?”
“That would be amazing,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “But does it hurt?”
“It doesn’t,” he reassured her, amazed at the question. Her empathy knew no depths, and he loved her for it already. “But it is strange at first.”
She smiled and it felt like an embrace.
“Abigail, I told you before that I am a dragon, and that is true. But it’s more complicated than that.”
She nodded, leaning forward.
“The dragon is my other self, but he is not me,” he explained. “The dragon has his own desires. And even when it comes to the desires we share, his patience is different from mine.”
In his head, the dragon snorted.
“So… one of you is drawn to me, and the other disagrees,” she said, looking mortified.
“Not at all,” he told her, cupping her cheek in his hand and reveling at the softness of her skin. “We both ache for you.”
He was holding her face, so she couldn’t look down as she liked to do. Her pupils dilated and a rosy pink appeared on her cheeks.
He drank in her reaction, wishing he could preserve it somehow and replay it again and again.
“But, Abigail, you have to understand that dragons mate for life,” he told her. “We’ve just met, and it would be impossible for you to return my feelings in kind.”
She studied him thoughtfully for a moment.
“I may not have a dragon inside me,” she said. “But I am drawn to you, so deeply, Rexx.”
Gratitude washed over him, leaving him speechless.
“And more than that, I respect you,” she said. “You have cared for my son all his life. I already know that you’re kind to the less fortunate, you’re responsible, and you’re thoughtful.”
She took a deep breath and his mind tried to follow the impossible turn of her words.
“Rexx, you’re an amazing man,” she said. “We’ll get to know each other more as time passes. But I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than fall in love with Rio’s father.”
Rio’s father…
Those last two words saved him. Her words had him in a near frenzy to claim her. But he had made a promise to the boy.
“Oh, Abigail,” he murmured.
She reached out and placed her soft hand against his rough jaw.
Emotion washed over him, filling his heart.
He turned his face and pressed his lips to her palm, loving the little gasping sound she made.
“You’ve made me the happiest man alive,” he told her. “But we have to wait a little before this clai
ming can happen.”
She nodded slowly, her eyes still on his lips.
Gods, she would be the death of him.
“My instructions were clear,” he explained. “I’m to guard the baby.”
“You’re not allowed to claim a mate?” she asked, worry in her eyes.
“They didn’t say that,” he told her. “But claiming a mate is one thing. Claiming the whelp’s mother is quite another. It feels like it could be seen by my superiors as a violation of your trust.”
“I see,” she said.
“I need to contact my commanding officer and receive his blessing, or risk my assignment guarding Rio,” Rexx explained, even the thought of being separated from the boy made his heart ache. “But I will do that as soon as we reach the lake. And we can get to know each other better in the meantime.”
She smiled, looking contented at this news.
“I’m sure you will have their blessing,” she said.
He smiled back at her. “Are you ready to get some sleep?”
“Yes,” she told him. “I’ll slide over so there’s plenty of room.”
“I’m sleeping on the floor,” he told her.
“Don’t be silly,” she said. “You’ll sleep in bed.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her, and she giggled. The sound set off a waterfall of rapture in his chest.
“We’re adults,” she said lightly. “We can handle this.”
He eyed her suspiciously, but she blinked up at him in total innocence.
He was sure he would get less sleep in her bed than on the floor. But already he couldn’t bear to disappoint her. That was the way with a mate. This need to please her would only grow as the years passed.
“Turn around,” he said, sighing.
She did as she was told with a pleased look, and again the dragon sang out his approval in his chest.
He quickly stepped out of his clothing, leaving his underwear on, and crawled into bed.
“Lights out,” he told the system.
It responded instantly, plunging them into darkness.
“Can I turn around?” she whispered.
“You can turn around,” he chuckled.
