by Maia Starr
“Thank you,” I said as I entered the car. I could get used to this lavish lifestyle of fancy hotels and drivers. I wondered if Commander Kasian was well off? He certainly seemed to be paid very well at least for his position as an engineer. We drove away from the river, passing through a small, lovely town that looked like it had not changed since the revolutionary war.
We pulled up to a massive, two-story cabin in the wilderness. My mouth fell open. I thought it was going to be rustic, but it was not. It was stunning, with lots of tall windows, wraparound decks, and elegant accents. The house was a vast lodge set amidst the forested areas. There were a lot of little gardens surrounding it. It was great, and sort of answered my question about the commander having great wealth.
"This is it," the driver said.
"Goodness. Not what I was expecting. It’s beautiful. Thank you."
The driver helped me inside. I expected that Kasian would greet me at the door, but he did not.
“Ms. Perkins. I am Agent Teqin. I am security for the commander.”
“Oh, nice to meet you,” I said, astonished by this massive Drackon warrior. I was not expecting to be around security. I guess I didn’t realize just how important the commander was.
“Commander Jade will be home in a few hours. He asked me to see to your needs.”
“Oh, that is fine. I guess if you can show me to my room, I am sure I can find my way around the house myself,” I said smiling.
“Of course. Up the stairs this way,” he said as he grabbed my bags. He showed me to a very beautiful bedroom upstairs. There were giant windows that made the outside forest look like it was inside. The tall pine trees were beautiful.
“Thank you.”
“Myself and two other agents are around if you need us,” Agent Teqin said. I nodded my head to him as he closed the door. The room was perfect. There was a large bed with white silk sheets. The connected bathroom was very large and had a huge tub. Looked like I would be able to get in a bath after all. Then I found a note on the desk by the window.
“My Kelly, please make this your home. I am sorry that work has called me away, but I will return to join you for dinner. I am excited for us. - Kasian.”
I smiled at the note. He was good with words, I had to give him that. I took some time to unpack and then freshen up. Then I was curious to see the grounds. Outside my window, I could see the head of a hiking trail, and I figured a quick hike to clear my mind from the previous night and start fresh would do me some good. I flipped over the note that Kasian left for me and wrote, “I’m here! Excited to meet you for dinner. I went for a quick hike. Love, Kelly.”
I debated kissing it with some lipstick, but I wasn’t even wearing any. It might be a little too weird anyway so I just left it at that. I left it on the middle of the bed where I knew he would see it first thing if he came looking for me in my new room. Then I head downstairs. There would be plenty of time to look at the house later on, so I went outside to make the most of what was left of the daylight.
“Hello. I’m just going to go look at the gardens and stuff,” I said to an agent that I had not seen before. He was very stoic and simply nodded to me. Okay, not much for conversation, I thought.
Outside there were extensive trees of all colors, and very tall. It was heavenly. I took in the natural air and strolled around the yard. At that point, I saw the trailhead that I had seen from my window. It looked wide and sufficiently simple, not one of those rigorous hiking trails, so I chose to go ahead and take a light stroll. I walked for a while, admiring the high trees and beauty of nature. It really was very peaceful out here and I could make it my home forever. I didn’t think I was very far from the house and I saw the trail up a head fork off in two directions. One trail went high and one went low. I chose the higher one, thinking it would lead to an overlook.
I hiked and hiked and moved increasingly higher and higher, but I never came to an overlook. I could see that it was getting darker, so I decided to turn back around. I made the exact same turn offs in the trail that I had made before, but then the trail moved further and further down into a ravine. That is odd, I thought. I didn't think this is the correct way. I turned and glanced around and saw another trail across the way, only slightly higher than the one I was on. That was the reason this trail was going into the gully; I was on the wrong trail. I felt so dumb. I was so lost in my contemplations that I didn't know I was on the wrong trail. How long had I been hiking anyway? I moved through the brush going off the trail, making my way to the other trail and followed it. But after what seemed like an hour, I had not yet reached the house.
I glanced around, puzzled. It was now night. I began to freeze in the dark forest. I didn’t even think to bring a jacket or water because I had only planned on a quick stroll, not a full on hike into the wilderness. Shit. I was lost. I thought about whether Kasian had made it back to the house. Did he see my note? I continued to walk, but really didn’t know which way to go. Was I going further into the woods, or was I going toward the house?
Such a variety of thoughts went through my head. I was scared. What sorts of creatures lived in these woods? Bears, cougars, I truly had no clue. I found a rock and sat down and tears fell down my face. I would stay here. I would stop hiking and getting more lost… but walking did keep me warm. I felt really dumb for going off the way I did. I was already a problem for my new husband. He would think I was a foolish woman and send me away.
I don't know how much time had passed, yet it felt like hours. I was cold and scared. At that point I heard something in the forest. I started to freeze. It sounded like hooves reverberating through the woodland. My breath got in my throat. I stopped and the hairs on the back of my neck held up. Then I heard my name, “Kelly! Kelly!”
"Yes! I'm here!" I cried. Tears of bliss and satisfaction overpowered me.
"I can't see you! Continue shouting! I'll find you!" the voice hollered out to me.
Then I saw him, in full dragon form. It was so dark, but I could see glint of silver off his wings and hard scales across his chest. His voice was soothing to me. I didn’t know if it was one of the security men or not so I asked, "Who are you?”
"I am Kasian. I am to be your husband,” he said to me. Then he flew with me in his arms back home… our home.
Chapter 6
COMMANDER KASIAN JADE
I was worried that I would not find her in the dark forest. The moment that I found her, I knew, she was the one. I inhaled her scent and it struck me to the core. And it was unlike any human or Drackon female scent I had ever inhaled. It struck me like lightning. It was shocking, because I did not think it would have this effect on me, not this quickly. But as soon as I pulled her close to my body in order to fly away with her back to the cabin, it had already bonded to my heart.
She sobbed quietly against my chest and I wished that I had been home sooner to prevent this from happening to her. How was she to know that the trails were unmarked and were laid out like a labyrinth? Only those that had a map with them could navigate them. I, and my security detail, hardly used them because we always used our wings. We preferred to fly through the forest, enjoying being a natural creature instead of using our legs to hike. I hated myself for putting my new bride through this, and then I was going to abandon her in less than forty-eight hours when I had to report to New York.
For now, I would do everything I could to console her and calm her. Her sobbing against my silver dragon scales stung me deeply. I wanted to comfort her, but for now I could only fly over the tall pine treetops as fast as I could. Finally seeing the smoke signal from the fireplace of my cabin, I quickly flew down and onto the second floor deck outside of her room. I carried her across the threshold straight into the bathroom. I sat her on a chair and poured her a glass of water. It was then that I saw the stunning beauty of her face. Before, in the darkness of the forest, I could barely make her out. But now her beauty had me standing there frozen. Her brown hair framed her delicate, pale face and sobb
ing eyes. Her full, pink lips were trembling and I had to force myself not to press my lips against hers; this was not the appropriate time.
"I'm so cold,” she said with her teeth chattering. Her words pulled me out of the hypnotic spell that she had on me. I quickly moved to the bathtub and turned on the hot water in the tub. I had to get her warmed up as soon as possible or she could get sick; she was a fragile human after all. I went to the fireplace on the side of the tub and lit the wood. Soon there was a good blaze going, warming up the entire room.
I moved to her and put my arms around her and pressed her against me for body heat.
"It is best for you to submerge into the hot water; only then will you get your temperature back to a warm state," I said to her. She looked up at me with wide eyes. Damn, she was beautiful, and she was going to be my wife. I smiled at her, because I could no longer hold it in. I could no longer hold in the happiness and warmth I was feeling.
Then she sort of let out a laugh and said, “It is nice to meet you, Commander Kasian Jade.”
I laughed with her and said, “It is wonderful to finally meet you, my beautiful new wife, Kelly Perkins."
Then she turned and looked toward the tub that was halfway full. Then she looked at me and was still shivering. She chugged down the glass of water and set it aside.
"I will go get you some hot tea,” I said, walking to the door and closing it behind me. I wanted to help her undress and place her in the tub, but I did not want her to feel scared of me in any way. I transformed out of dragon form and back to normal.
I went to the kitchen and grabbed a tray. I boiled water and made a large pot of tea. A few minutes later, I was returning with the tray of tea and fruit for my new bride. I opened the door to the bathroom and found her naked body submerged in the water. I could not pull my eyes away from her.
"I am sorry. I just came to leave you this,” I said, holding the tray like an idiot.
"It is all right. You are to be my husband, are you not?” she said delicately.
"Yes,” I said to her with a smile.
"Then come in. I do not want to be alone,” she said to me with a weak smile. I set the tea down on the table and poured her a cup. I walked it over to her and sat down on a chair next to her in the tub. She had taken the liberty of pouring soap in the water and suds of bubbles covered her body here and there, but not completely. I could see two taut, rosy nipples protruding out from the water. I felt my staff grow rigid and a hunger for her was awakened inside of me. I had to restrain myself from not taking her right then and there. But this wasn't the time; she had been through a traumatic episode in the forest and I needed her to take this time to rest and feel calm. She drank of the tea and looked at me with brown eyes.
"Thank you; it is delicious,” she said with a smile.
"It is mint leaves and chamomile flowers from my own gardens,” I said to her.
She smiled a very big grin, as though very pleased. It was then that I remembered that she was a professional chef; of course she would find this very interesting and I was glad to have pleased her.
"I am glad that you make use of your gardens. This is why it tastes so delicious: it is very fresh,” she said taking another drink from the cup. It was then that I noticed the smudge of dirt on her cheek. I used my thumb to wipe across her cheek.
"You had a smudge of dirt on your face,” I said to her.
"Yes, I must have a lot on me. I was out there for a while. I fell on a branch into the dirt. I feel clumsy and silly for getting lost. Will you help?” she said, grabbing a sponge from the side of the tub. She handed it to me and my eyes grew wide as I arched my eyebrow at her.
"Nothing would give me greater pleasure,” I said to her as she sat up and leaned forward. The water dripping off of her body turned me on beyond belief. I plunged the sponge into the water and rubbed it down her back delicately, washing her fragile and smooth skin. It was complete torture to be touching her in such away but not to be inside of her. It took all of my restraint. Bent over like this, her nipples touched the surface of the water and I longed to suck the water off of them. Her breathing was growing very heavy; she was aroused and I was glad that I had this effect on her. It was very important that my wife found me attractive at least. I washed her back and then rounded over her shoulders, over her chest. She leaned back in the tub and looked at me with her eyes full of desire and said, “I think I can take it from here.”
"Of course. You must be starving. Since you are a chef, I would like to please you for dinner. I had a chef from in town prepare a dinner for us and it is now in the refrigerator, waiting to be heated. I will go downstairs and push it into the oven, and hopefully not burn it,” I said, handing her the sponge.
She laughed a very delicious laugh that set my heart on fire. She was obviously feeling better. She was calm and warmed up. We could start over again.
"That sounds lovely. I would love to have dinner with you and get to know you,” she said to me.
"Come downstairs when you're ready. Take your time,” I said to her as I placed a soft kiss on her wet forehead. I pulled away from her and we stared at each other for a moment. I wanted to kiss her pink lips that were now flushed and full of life, and not trembling as they were before. It was a good sign.
Fifteen minutes later, she was sitting across from me at the table with a hot dish in front of us. I pulled the lid off and I eyed her, waiting for her approval. She laughed at me.
"It looks and smells perfect,” she said to me with a smile. Her wet hair was brushed and loose around her face. She wore a simple pink dress that was tied behind her neck and flowed all the way down to her feet. It was very sexy.
"The vegetables are from the gardens outside, the seafood is fresh from an area called Nova Scotia,” I said to her, trying to impress her with what the chef told me.
"I am very impressed, and very hungry. Let us eat,” she said as she stood up and served a plate and handed it to me. Then she served herself and sat down. We ate of the delicious dinner and spoke about what she referred to as our likes and dislikes. Everything from favorite colors to foods and places to be.
We talked for two hours just sitting there drinking wine and getting to know each other. I enjoyed every moment of it, but I already knew she was the one. I had chosen correctly, and she had chosen me. It was too good to be true. She was wonderful.
“My favorite color is blue; what about you?” she asked.
“Is that important when picking a husband? His favorite color?” I laughed at her.
“No, silly! But it just helps to get to know each other,” she said.
“I guess my favorite color is silver. It is the color of the Drackon, and I am very proud to wear it on my scales,” I said.
“That is a very regal answer,” she said.
“What do you like about cooking? You are a chef; why?” I asked her.
“Because I like taking care of people, or Drackons. I like to know that they are being fed and they should be fed with good and nutritious foods.”
"Would you like to take a walk outside in the gardens?” I asked her.
"Absolutely,” she said with a big smile. I put my hand out to her and she placed her small hand on top of mine. I helped her to her feet and together we walked out the front door. I nodded at one of my security agents standing guard. Unfortunately, it was still necessary, but I did not want to ruin the evening by telling my new bride about what was going on. It could wait until the next day at least. She had already had enough drama for one night. I walked her to the side gardens and she immediately ran to each plant.
"Look how tall these sunflowers are! Look over here at the corn! It is ripe and ready for harvest,” she said as she ran from plant to plant as though I wasn't even with her anymore. I crossed my arms across my chest and watched her frolic in the garden, excited about the bounty it offered. I enjoyed watching her. Her spirit was just as energetic and happy as a youngling. It inspired me.
"Kelly, if I may call
you Kelly?” I asked her.
"Of course,” she said as she turned to me and smiled with her hands still on the petals of a sunflower.
"I saw your form. They sent it to me from registration. Why did you only pick one choice? You only put my name on the number one slot and then ignored the other four choices? I have never seen anything like it. Why did you do it?”
"You saw it?” she said with her eyes wide with embarrassment.
"Yes, I did. I must admit it is not normal for the forms to be sent to the Drackon. But because of my high rank, I was able to request it. I hope you don't mind. But when I saw you, I knew that I had to be with you. Then that feeling was only made stronger when I saw your form. You also had a pull to me I assume?”
"Yes. That is the only way I can describe it. Once I saw your photo and read about you, I knew that there was no other choice. I didn't have any interest in any other except for you. I have no idea why, but that is the way it went," she said with her voice almost shaking a bit.
