Dragon Down

by Casey Knight

  “Father, it is so good to see you healed.”

  “Traygen, my son seeing you again helps heal my heart from your brother’s treachery. Lauren, thank you for bringing him home. Thank all of you. Tokem, my wee knight, thank you as well.”

  “King Othan you know I love him and I wouldn’t have stopped until I found him. Still, Tokem and I would not have made it without the help of Zane who died trying and for Corbin who saved our lives to many times to count. King Othan, this is Prince Corbin of Aran. He is family and the newest member of our team.”

  Tokem quipped. “Family is right and you have no idea.”

  Lauren smiled and Corbin winked at Tokem before he knelt before the King.

  “Sir Corbin, you will always have a home here in Carndonagh. Thank you for saving my son, Lauren and Tokem.”

  “Yes, Corbin thank you for helping bring me home and for helping my team rescue me.”

  “Traygen, Lauren saved my life and I merely repaid a debt of honor.”

  The celebration of Traygen’s safe return spread throughout the kingdom and the entire country partied. At some point I had to give Jason my report. He was of course delighted to hear we’d rescued Traygen and saddened by the loss of Zane. I filled him in on the entire mission and then told him I had a request. Once I summonsed him, it didn’t take long for him to pop in.

  “Lauren, it is so good to see you. Do you want to fill me in on your search and tell me about Zane?”

  I filled him in from start to finish on our search and how Zane died. I told him about Queen Maeve’s involvement and on how Erol tried to use Traygen to get to me, for killing the Daywalker. I explained how we found Corbin and how many times he saved my life. When I was finished Jason peppered me with questions. When he finally seemed satisfied, I needed to ask him a few questions.

  “Jason, I want to add Corbin to our team. He doesn’t want to endanger his family. Meaning, he will be staying in L.A. Vampires are just too homophobic to ensure his or his family’s safety. He is staying in L.A. with me until we can find him a place. What do you say? Can the World Council use another agent?”

  “I will have to put it before the council but, I would think they would jump at the chance to have a Black Court vampire on staff. Is he as good as you say he is?”

  “Better, but Lauren isn’t my type so she couldn’t verify that,” Corbin retorted.

  “Good to know, I was afraid I was going to have to take you on a short flight out over the Irish Sea or the Atlantic. I’d drop you if I needed to defend Lauren’s honor.”

  “Traygen there is no need. She isn’t my type and she is just plain bossy.”

  “Or gender either,” Tokem offered.

  “Enough already, don’t you all have a wedding to plan?” Jason asked.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  We spent two weeks in Carndonagh making plans for the wedding, while Traygen abdicated his right to the throne to his brother Trevor. Then we were back in L.A. to make plans for our wedding which was in two weeks. I had to buy a dress and order anything that couldn’t be done or made in Carndonagh. Traygen was making plans for our honeymoon and he steadfastly refused to tell me anything. Prince Trevor and Tokem would be his ushers and his father would be his best man. Xena would be the ring bearer. I asked my uncle and Jason to attend. Otherwise, my family was already present. My Uncle Dan would walk me down the aisle. He was my father’s brother and since my dad couldn’t be there Uncle Dan would stand up for me.

  Now all I needed was a maid of honor. Now as you can imagine I don’t have a lot of female friends. Let’s face it there aren’t many women in my line of work. I couldn’t ask someone that wasn’t because part of the wizarding community. I am bound to protect the World Council’s anonymity. Still, there was someone I could ask.

  I made a lunch date with Corbin. I wanted to let him know the council had given their approval for hiring him. He would be working with Traygen, Tokem and me. The guys were excited to have him with us. Now all I had to do was convince him to join us. I had no idea if he would be interested or not. He had an apartment in West Hollywood. We were meeting for lunch in Santa Monica. I found a parking space about two blocks from the restaurant and I walked in right before Corbin. I got us a table and motioned for him to join me.

  “I see you’ve been to see Steve. It looks great Lauren. Are you getting nervous for the big day?”

  “Not nervous, I wasn’t sure this day would ever come. However, I am a little overwhelmed by all the pomp of a royal wedding. Traygen’s family has so many traditions. I just know that I’ll forget to curtsey or something.”

  “You’ll do fine and you will be wearing a Lazaro, how could you miss. Traygen won’t be able to keep his eyes off you. See what a little time locked at the bottom of the ocean will do.”

  “Very funny. He was already hooked before he got amnesia. How are you settling in? Do you like your apartment and L.A.?”

  “I love L.A. and the west side it is a far departure from where I grew up. People are so accepting and I can be myself. Don’t frown you’ll get wrinkles. I am taking it slow because I don’t want to miss a minute.”

  “Glad to hear it. You’ve got many lifetimes to enjoy it all. What have you been doing with your spare time?”

  “Lauren, gentlemen do not tell tales. I am shocked you would ask?”

  I threw my napkin at him, which he nimbly plucked from the air. Vampires had reflexes so fast I barely saw him move.

  “You know that wasn’t what I was asking. I spoke with Jason and I wanted to know if you would like to join our team and work for the World Council of Wizards. Tokem and Traygen are in favor of it and you know I would like nothing more than to have you as part of our team. What do you say?”

  “Let me see if I can get this right, the team would be comprised of a wizard, a changeling, a tykili, and a vampire. The Fantastic Four wouldn’t have a prayer. How could I turn down such an honor? Yes, I would like that very much.”

  “That’s fantastic, I’ll let Jason know. You won’t regret it. We actually do a lot of good when we aren’t fighting for our lives. There was something else I wanted to ask you. And Corbin please feel free to say no if you do not want to do this. I would certainly understand.”

  “Now you have me worried. What is it you want to ask me? Out with it already, you are killing me.”

  “Would you stand up for me at the wedding? No, let me finish. The bride’s maid is supposed to be family or a best friend. I don’t have any family except my uncle who is giving me away and you are my best friend except for Traygen. It would mean a lot to me. If I am asking too much let me know.”

  “Lauren I am gay but, I am not a transvestite. So, I would not be comfortable dressing up as Barbie.”

  “Stop it. You know that isn’t what I was asking.”

  “Okay, okay I would be honored. However, it is a tux for this ‘Bride’s man”.”

  “Corbin thank you this means more than you know.” I said as I brushed a tear from my eye.

  “Hey, you know I was kidding about the drag thing right? Lauren, you mean the world to me too. I mean how many people would traipse through the sewers and dungeons of half the Paradise Islands with me. If I liked girls, I would fight Traygen for you.”

  “No matter what anyone else says, you sure know how to show a girl a good time Corbin, thank you.”

  We finished our lunch and I headed home. I couldn’t wait to tell everyone the good news. Corbin was now officially a member of our team and my bride’s man. How lucky could a girl get? When I got home Traygen’s car was gone. He had been sneaking around trying to find us a home. He wanted it to be a surprise and I told him what I thought was essential. I mean I would need a walk-in closet that was at least five hundred by five hundred square feet. Yes, I am shallow but, I am consistently shallow and I could live with it.

  Since Traygen wasn’t home, I got Xena and headed to the beach for a run. We ran to the pier and back and were cooling down when Traygen pulled
in.

  “Lauren, how are you my love?” He asked as he gave me a great big hug.

  Since his near death experience, he wasn’t taking anything for granted, especially not me. Nearly losing him, also made me realize I never wanted to live without him.

  “So what have you been up to my handsome fiancé? Is there anything you want to tell me or show me?”

  “Lauren, you know I will not show you our new home until we come back from our honeymoon. There is no way you will weasel it out of me. So, how was your day? Oh, and did Corbin agree to become part of our team?”

  “He did and that reminds me I need to let Jason know. I also asked Corbin to be my bride’s man. Thankfully, he graciously agreed although he firmly told me that he was not a transvestite and would not come in drag. I assured him his Armani tux would be fine. What do you think?”

  “It is a novel approach and I am proud of you. If I am not mistaken brides maids are usually close friends of the bride. So, he is your closest friend besides me and Tokem. I think it is great.”

  “I do too. You know since my father died my only close friends are you and Tokem. My uncle will give me away and that is a Godsend. However, Corbin is a friend and a man that saved my life and yours a number of times. What is that look for?”

  “My life? I mean I know he helped you find me. Still, can you tell me how he actually save my life?”

  “Well, if he hadn’t knocked you overboard to get you to change into a dragon, for you to get your memories back, I’d have killed you if you hadn’t known me. We went to hell and back, I crawled through more sewers and icky things than you can imagine. No showers. Like I said if you hadn’t recognized me, you were a dead man.”

  “I think you are right I do owe him my life. I’ll have to make it up to him. Maybe we can name our first boy after him.”

  “How many children are we planning on having? Well, I am not sure about Corbin but Aran has a nice ring.”

  “Indeed it does and along those lines maybe we should go practice. What do you say?”

  “Practice is always good and we have a lot of missed time to make up for.”

  We practiced well past dinner time and if the truth be told, if our growling stomachs hadn’t gotten so loud, we might not have stopped for dinner. We got up, showered, changed and I hopped a ride with my favorite dragon for a night on the town. There is nothing like leaving the grid lock of L.A. behind by flying right over it. We got our usual water front table in Malibu. It was dark enough to land on the beach and it was only two blocks to the restaurant. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and a few turns on the dance floor. When it was time to head for home, we walked along the beach until, I hopped on my dragon for our ride home.

  Once we were in the air Traygen swung us out over the water and flew along the coast enjoying the moonlight shining off the water’s surface. There were occasional dolphins and seals moving along the waves. It was magical and the waves shimmered with an almost iridescent sheen. By the time we returned home I was ready for bed. I guess the last few weeks had finally caught up with me. I didn’t move again until I awoke to the heavenly aromas of bacon frying and coffee brewing. I could get used to being spoiled in this grand manner. I got out of bed threw on my robe and headed to the kitchen.

  “A girl could get used to this. That smells wonderful,” I said as I hugged Traygen from behind and rested my forehead on his back.

  “This is the least I could do for all the hard tack you ate looking for me. Did you sleep well?”

  “I did, once I closed my eyes I was a sleep in minutes. I think I got too much exercise before dinner and then our beautiful ride home made me sleepy. Thank you for that. You know how to treat a woman.”

  “I try and I am glad you enjoyed it. So, what is on your schedule today?”

  “I need to swing by the office and make sure everything is going well and see if Jake needs me to do anything. Then I have the final fitting for my gown. I have to get shoes and several outfits for before and after the wedding. I’ll also need to make a stop at the lingerie department to buy something for you.”

  “For me? You know I don’t need you to wear anything,” he offered with a wink.

  “I might be able to change your mind on that. Think of it as Christmas, you’ll have lots of presents to unwrap.”

  “You might be onto something there. I have some appointments in town and then Corbin and I are getting our tuxes. He has promised to help me find suitable attire for my pre and post wedding duties.”

  “Then you are in good hands, the boy knows how to dress. Tokem already has his tux and my uncle is bringing his. So are you getting nervous?”

  He walked over to me and pulled me up from the table and into his arms. “Do I seem nervous to you. I have waited my whole life to marry you Lauren Simon. After this last ordeal, I thought I had lost you forever. So, bring it on baby.”

  “Good to know. Have you heard anything from your father and Trevor? How are arrangements going on their end?”

  “I am afraid my father is going overboard. I believe the entire kingdom will be in attendance. When we get there next week we will have to learn all the etiquette and traditions. This is to be a royal wedding and trust me Kate and William will have nothing on us.”

  “I have to admit it all sounds a little bit daunting. Still, I would swim over there through shark invested waters to marry you my handsome prince. Come to think of it, I’ve already swum the sewers of The Paradise Islands for you, my love. Besides, I dreamed as a little girl of marrying Prince Charming. So, honey you have fulfilled my wildest dreams. Have you got time for a shower?” I asked as I called over my shoulder.

  He was there before I could drop my robe. Gallantly turning on the shower and holding the door. I let him wash my hair and then soap up my body. He was very attentive and detail oriented. Just the way I like it. Then I took over. I scrubbed and rubbed every inch of my beloved. Needless to say we were squeaky clean and relaxed by the time we left the house.

  I drove to my office and as usual Jake was hard at work. He had been running things non-stop in my absence, which is why after all these years I told him about my life with the council. He assured me he suspected for some time that my frequent absences had more to do with my secret life than tourism conferences. I scanned through my mail, while I waited for him to get off the phone.

  “Lauren, it is good to see you. How have you been? Congratulations on your engagement. Have you set a date yet? Will the wedding be here or in Ireland? Details girl, out with it.”

  “Jake the wedding is in ten days and it is in Ireland at the Castle of Carndonagh. Traygen has abdicated the thrown and we will be living in L.A. Traygen is buying us a house and we will be spending time in L.A. and Ireland. You’re coming to the wedding aren’t you?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I have everything up-to-date at the office and a temp to cover for me while I am gone.”

  “That is wonderful and of course you will stay at the castle and fly over with us. My uncle has chartered a jet for the occasion. Would you like to bring anyone?

  “Lauren, Zach and I broke up about the time Traygen went missing. I am dateless and okay with it for now.”

  “Maybe not, my bride’s man, Corbin, will be there and he is currently unattached. He has moved to L.A. from the Black Court and he will be working for the World Council with our team. He saved my life to many times to mention while I searched for Traygen. I wouldn’t be here today without him.”

  “A real life vampire? How romantic, I think.”

  “No worries he only drinks animal blood, which he buys, and he is dashingly handsome. He is the Prince of Aran and more importantly my best friend next to Traygen.”

  “Then I will be honored to make his acquaintance.”

  “Jake there is something else I wanted to talk to you about. I am never here and you have run the travel agency basically by yourself for years. I would like to make you my partner with a plan to eventually buy me out. What do
you say are you interested?”

  “OMG do you mean it? I have always wanted to own my own business and didn’t have the money. So yes, I would like to explore the opportunity. Thank you Lauren, I wouldn’t have run this business so well without all the things you taught me.”

  “Then I’ll ask my lawyer to draw up some papers. You can look them over and see if they are too your liking. How about lunch have you got the time? I have a fitting on Rodeo Drive around two o’clock. How about we celebrate our partnership at the Four Seasons?”

  “Let me wrap up this contract and I will be ready to go in fifteen minutes.”

  While Jake finished up I called and made reservations for three and then I called Corbin. I asked him if he wanted to join Jake and me for lunch. He hesitated for a second but when I told him it was his duty as my bride’s man. Thankfully he agreed to lunch and to accompanying me to my fitting. Corbin was waiting in the lobby of the Four Seasons when we walked in.

  “Corbin, I want you to meet my business partner and friend Jake. Jake, this is Corbin.”

  They exchanged pleasantries and the waiter showed us to our table. We looked over the menu and ordered while we made small talk. I could see Jake and Corbin were hitting it off and I let my thoughts wander to my afternoon commitments. By the time the check came the guys were exchanging phone numbers. We said our goodbyes to Jake and we headed down Rodeo Drive for my fitting at Badgley Mischka.

  We were greeted warmly and I was whisked into a back fitting room. Corbin was offered a cup of tea and a seat in a private room. I am not used to being dressed by several people but, I am afraid the dress was a two or three person task. Once I was zipped in and I had my heels on, I turned to look at my reflection in the full length mirrors. I hardly recognized myself. The dress was stunning and it fit me like a glove. All those missed meals during the search made me a slender size two. I walked out into the viewing room for Corbin to check it out, while my troop carried the train so, I wouldn’t drag it.