The Dragon's Secret Queen

by Jasmine Wylder

Tony was right on my heels suddenly, showing me some fancy skate moves as well. I was more than impressed. I was under the impression that he was just a casual skater but he was showing me some moves I was not sure that I could have pulled off.

  And he was doing it smoothly, and gracefully. It was beautiful to watch. His skating skills were garnering the attention of some of the others on the ice that morning as well.

  Several ladies were checking him out a bit too intensely. I felt a spark of jealousy flying over me, but I laughed it off. It was kind of flattering to know that other women were definitely interested in Tony.

  Suddenly in light of everything he had just told me I felt like he was mine in a sense. I have never been one to fall for someone quickly.

  It takes me a long time to really open myself up to someone that much, but there was something different happening with Tony. I don’t know if it was because we’d shared that spark so long ago and that I’d occasionally dwelled on it, wondering about him and where he was or if it was because of the drama that had been unfolding with Beth but I was feeling very close to him.

  I tried to deny the feelings but there was no getting around it that those feelings were there. It was something I couldn’t really explain, but why did I have to explain it? I decided then to try something new with myself and just go with the flow.

  I was ready to start over in life and to do things differently both in life, work, and love. I was relishing every second of this new budding romance and I was so excited to see where it was going to lead.

  Tony grabbed my hand just then as he skated up behind me. I had pulled away into my own little world for a few, stretching myself out to explore the space and get back into my own skating groove, when suddenly he was there, his arm behind me as if guiding me along, as we were becoming one on the ice.

  His warmth was so comforting, inviting, and I instantly felt like he was someone I could rely on. It had been a long time since I’d felt like that with anyone. I closed my eyes just encompassing myself in the moment, relishing every drop of it.

  Things had been so hard the past year and even being there at the resort the problems were always lingering in the back of my mind, but when Tony touched me then, all of those issues seemed to fade away into nothingness.

  I felt at peace for the first time in a long time and most importantly I felt hopeful about the future. I didn’t know what was coming or what life would bring good or bad, but I knew that I was going to be able to meet it head on and that everything was going to be just fine.

  “So, you’ve got some sweet moves yourself,” I said.

  We had just finished our dance on the ice and were now walking back to the resort.

  It was a beautiful day for a walk with the snow blanketing the ground, the cool, fresh mountain air on my skin with the occasional breeze adding to the flavor, the picturesque mountains reaching out towards the heavens and just touching the clouds that hung from the sky. It was like stepping into a beautiful painting of some sort.

  “Well, thank you. I also used to do a bunch of ice skating. There was a period in my teenage years when I really wanted to be a professional hockey player. The coach agreed that I had the stick handling down, but needed to work on my skating skills a bit more. So, every morning I would go to the ice and skate for a few hours.”

  “So, what happened to hockey?”

  “I went for it and gave it my best shot, but I guess it wasn’t in the cards for me. Life was opening a bunch of different doors for me but it didn’t open that one for whatever reason.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  “I’m not. I actually think it worked out for the best. I’ve always felt that when life is not working out the way you want it to no matter how much you are fighting then you are following the wrong path. Life won’t let you follow the wrong path for too long before it knocks you on your ass,” Tony said.

  “Well, that is very insightful. I’ve always kind of felt the same thing,” I said. I totally related to that way of looking at the world, but I don’t think I have ever put it that way before.

  “Great minds I guess,” Tony replied.

  “What got you interested in the law?” I asked. “Have you always loved to argue?”

  Tony laughed. "No, I don't necessarily like to argue. I'd never really thought about a career in law at all, but during my freshman year of college, I took a constitutional law class as an elective. It sounded interesting and it fit into my schedule so I said why not. I fell in love with the legal process, the terminology, the flow of it all. It was really incredible and it just kind of grabbed me. I knew right then what I wanted to do because I had no clue before. When I realized the hockey thing was not really working out I was a bit devastated and I didn't really know what I was going to do, so my parents convinced me to go to college and I was lucky enough to find this career waiting for me."

  “That’s pretty interesting. So, you were not the traditional freshman?” I asked.

  “No, I was twenty years old when I stepped foot inside a college classroom. I had worked night and day on my dream of being a hockey player and had excluded everything else. But after failing my fourth tryout for various teams I just kind of realized that this was just not in the cards for me. But I didn’t completely let go of the dream. I chose a good school that also had a good hockey team and our team won our division several times. While going to school, I continued to work on my skills and improve, but succeeding at the pro level you are talking about needles in a haystack.”

  “Well, you can’t say you didn’t give it everything you had. I admire that sort of determination.”

  "Thanks. I guess it's what makes me a good lawyer. I'd say by the end of my senior year I realized that I was more excited about the possibility of getting into law school than by the likelihood that I'd get chosen to play hockey."

  It was interesting hearing Tony open up about himself and who he was. I realized that this was the first time that I’d had to really talk to him like this. It was just the two of us walking along and talking. There was no one around. The morning was peaceful and I could hear a cup of hot coffee calling my name. That would have been the only thing that could have topped it off.

  “So, you are a shifter from birth?” I asked.

  The transition to this topic should have felt forced and out of place in the conversation, but it didn’t to me. I had been thinking about this in my mind since the talk with Derek the night before. I had to find out what Tony had to say about the questions that I had.

  “Yea, it is something that runs in several members of my family,” Tony said.

  “So, it skips generations?” I asked.

  “Yea. Some families have it as a prevalent trait where most of them are shifters and it is rare to skip like it is in my family.”

  “That’s interesting,” I said.

  “I heard about what happened to you. I’m sorry. That is a horrible thing to force upon somebody. It is one thing to grow up with it when everyone in your family shares the same thing and you can lean on each other and your family can teach you how to deal with the things that make you different. You have it since birth and you learn to live with it as a normal part of your life. You don’t really know another way, so it’s not such a huge thing. But to be living a life of normalcy and then suddenly your whole world changes is pretty crazy.”

  “Yea, it has been a huge adjustment, but I think I’ve managed it quite well. Derek has been great in helping with all of that. He saved my life, you know. If he hadn’t been there that night, then I would not be here.”

  “Yea, the guy is a bit of a hero, I guess, but I can’t help but feel that he is always gunning for me.”

  “Yea, what is with you two? Somehow I feel there is more to the story than just the skiing accident.”

  “I’m not really sure. Honestly, I can’t think of a time when I’ve ever offended the guy. Maybe he didn’t like that I was dating his sister. Some guys are overprotective of their families.”<
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  “Well, he happened to mention that your family is a bit different than other shifters.”

  Tony’s eyes went wide for a second as he glanced at me. I was worried that I might have just hit a big nerve, but it was just for a second. It could have been a look of surprise and not anger. I honestly wasn’t sure.

  “What did he say?” Tony asked.

  I took a deep breath to prepare myself. “He said that your family is part of the Grizzlies. And then he explained that they don’t live in peace with humans.”

  Tony laughed. And it was a good laugh as if I had just told an extremely funny story.

  “Yea, I know what that is about,” Tony said. “It’s silly.”

  “Well, I’m all ears if you want to tell me,” I said. I was dying with suspense now.

  "Well, my family did belong to the Grizzly way of life, but that was something a few members of the pack did a few hundred years ago. It was never a thing that most of us embraced, even then. You're saying that is why he doesn't like me? Wow, he must have done some extensive research on me and my background. I thought all of that stuff was pretty hidden. I'm not even sure how I would find that information out."

  “Derek is a remarkably good researcher I guess. But it is a relief to know that you don’t do some of those things that he mentioned,” I said. I felt really embarrassed even bringing it up, but once I got rolling I couldn’t stop.”

  “Oh, what like killing people and running with the pack in the dead of night searching for my next victims?” Tony said. He was almost laughing hysterically now. “I can’t believe you thought I might be capable of that.”

  “Well, I didn’t. I just thought it was interesting and it might explain why Derek has it in for you. He might have thought his sister was dating a people eater,” I said. As soon as the words left my mouth I erupted in laughter as well.

  We were having way too much fun with this. But it felt good. It felt great to get it off my chest and it felt even better to know that it wasn’t true. I knew that I was using my laughter as a way to cope with the fact that I had just accused Tony of being a murderer offhandedly.

  But I had to ask. If there was even a chance that we could be together then I had to know who Tony was and what he was all about. If there was even a chance that he was capable of something like that then I had to know.

  Tony put his arm around me just then and pulled me close to him. It was totally unexpected and I was suddenly sucked into his zone. His eyes grabbed mine, drawing me into him. My breath started moving in rapid short gasps and I concentrated on trying to take long, deep breaths but my body was resisting it.

  He took my face in his hands just then and leaned in kissing me. His hot mouth was so warm and soothing. I could feel my heart racing but my body, my mind slowing down. It was as if his kiss was healing any anxiety or doubt about anything in the world and melting it away right then.

  He pulled back slowly, still holding my face. His hands felt so strong but his pressure was so gentle brushing against my skin. I could still taste him on my lips even after the kiss ended. I ran my tongue slowly across them as if drawing in the remaining remnants of him.

  My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest. I wanted to calm it down, but I was too worked up. My whole body felt like it was suddenly on fire with passion and I didn’t want it to go away.

  “Well, that was amazing,” Tony said. “I’ve wanted to do that again ever since the last time.”

  We walked back to the resort then. I kept fighting the urge to reach out and grab Tony’s hand, but I knew it would be odd if we were spotted doing such a thing.

  Even though it was officially over with him and Beth no one knew about us. I had a feeling that if Beth thought he dumped her to be with me then it was going to cause some issues and there would be no peace or harmony for anybody. The vacation would most definitely come to a short end.

  When we got back to the house we found that the only ones there were Debra and baby Devon. I smiled as I saw the sight of her holding him on her lap while she read quietly to herself. He was sleeping so peacefully. The sight of my precious baby boy always made everything in the world seem so simple. There could never be any real problems when he was around.

  Debra had been so amazing. She loved the baby. I could see how her face lit up every time she was near him and I wondered if it reminded her just how much she missed being a mother to a baby so young.

  I knew that kids grew up much too fast and slowly but surely, they pulled away from you. One day they were in diapers and the next it was off to college I imagined. I could hardly believe he was a year old already. Where had the time flown with him?

  “Hey,” I said quietly.

  Debra looked up from her book and smiled. “Did you enjoy the pond?” she asked, her voice a soft whisper.

  “Yes, I did. It was great. I haven’t been ice skating in so long I forgot how much I missed it.”

  “Yea this place has a tendency to bring you back to things you once loved,” she said.

  “Are you ok with the baby for a bit? I hear that hot tub calling my name,” I said.

  “Absolutely,” she replied.

  “Thanks,” I said before heading upstairs.

  I'd been aching to try out the hot tub for a while but so far it had been party central for Keith and Beth. I would have joined them but for some reason, I just felt weird, especially with the way Beth had been treating me. I decided that I would hold off on it.

  But with everybody out of the house doing various things this was going to be the perfect time for me to pounce on it.

  The Jacuzzi was located in the upper corner of the place in its own room that was just a few doors down from the upstairs bathroom. It was a large Jacuzzi that could have seated six people. It had been awhile since I’d been in a hot tub.

  I started the water and waited for it to fill up. I decided that I would enjoy the experience to the fullest and I removed all of my clothes. My skin felt cold and being naked waiting for the tub to fill up was not helping matters.

  When I finally sank down slowly into that hot water it was like warmth invading every part of my body inside and out. I didn’t realize how much tension my body was holding onto until that moment. I let myself sink down to the bottom of the tub and then leaned back against the side, sitting on the seated area on that side. It felt heavenly.

  I felt like I could have just fallen asleep right there and let all of the world’s problems fade away. I wouldn’t have to worry about my job prospects, or keeping a roof over me and my baby’s heads. I found myself thankful that my landlord had a heart for the holidays and was giving me till January 5th to get the money to him. So at least I had a place to go home to. But there was still no money coming in and my savings were bare.

  Even these negative thoughts did little to bother me today. I closed my eyes and let it all fade away. Instead, I concentrated on happier memories, like Tony.

  This morning had been great. The news about his breakup with Beth was fantastic and I appreciated that he didn’t even get mad when I inquired about his family and the dark secrets I’d heard. I still felt like a fool for even suggesting it, but I think he understood perfectly well that I was just getting some feelers for him. I was a mother after all. When I decided that I wanted to be with a man I had to think of my baby as well. We were a package deal and I think he understood that.

  We hadn’t talked at all about how he felt about kids, but I’d watched him with Devon and he seemed to be pretty sweet and amused by the baby. Even if he didn’t have real experience dealing with babies I believed that he would be great with Devon. I’d seen the way that Devon looked at him, his eyes full of curiosity.

  I turned off the hot water. It had filled the tub to total capacity and now I was free to just soak in the warmth. It was wonderful.

  That kiss… I knew I would have dreams about that kiss for a long time to come. It was almost like a movie or a fairy tale where the charming prince just took me in
his arms when I was least expecting it and gave me the most magical kiss, embracing me and holding me tenderly.

  Those were the things that a man could do that made you feel more like a woman than anything else in the world. It was that kind of feeling that allowed you to walk on thin air and skip towards the bright sunshine in the sky. Something about it made the coldest winters seem like the brightest summer day.

  “Room for one more?”

  The voice startled me and I started to rush to cover up. I hadn’t even heard the door behind me open up. The image of Bill or Keith walking in right then filled my mind. The water suddenly seemed ten times hotter as I moved through it trying to cover myself.

  But then I stopped as my eyes focused on the fact that Tony was standing there. Just him.

  “Sorry,” he said with a sexy smile. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  My body began to grow a bit numb from the jolt I’d just received and the confusion. It all happened in the span of two seconds but time was suddenly much slower. It always seemed to be slower when you were scared out of your mind.

  “You jerk. You almost gave me a heart attack!” I scolded, but even I could not contain the laughter at how silly I must have looked.

  That was when I noticed that Tony was no longer wearing his outerwear. He was in fact wearing nothing but a robe which he promptly removed in front of me revealing the sexiest body I had ever seen on a real man standing in front of me.

  He was chiseled out of marble. Michelangelo could not have created a body this perfect if he’d had twenty years of chipping away at it.

  And this man was real flesh and blood. He was muscular, but not bulky at all, ripped but not too ripped. His muscles still had a natural smoothness to them. He had the build of a sexy farmhand who had spent months out in the summer heat working, building, lifting. The muscle did not look like manufactured gym muscle, no pretty boy muscle here. Tony was all man and he was totally genuine.

  I felt my whole body getting turned on at the very sight of him. My eyes took their time taking him all in, starting with his handsome movie star face, down to his strong, full pecs, his washboard ripped abs, and then his huge member that was dangling between his legs. I hadn't even noticed it at first, but there it was, semi-hard standing there waiting for me. I had never seen one so thick, and it seemed to be getting harder. I could not help but stare at it.