Blue Skies on Fire

by Zenina Masters

  Teebie fussed with the small buffet, and Chuck and Ivy presented the special bottle of wine to the couple.

  The vintage impressed Treymor, and he hugged Chuck and Ivy in turn. Teebie grinned. It was always a good day when the couple was happy with everything around them. The power adjustment would take enough of their attention over the following days. A joyful start made it easier.

  When the buffet was settled and the guests were milling around, Teebie took a plate over to the mage. “Emira, you look hungry.”

  The young woman smiled weakly. “I am. Thanks, Teebie. All of these ceremonies may be great for the survival of the fey, but they are hell on me. I have another two this afternoon.”

  Teebie blinked. “You do?”

  “Yes, they are occupants of one of the other bed and breakfasts. Despite your amazing track record, there are folks who occasionally stay at the other ones.”

  Teebie wrinkled her nose. Emira Darfcourt was the latest and strongest mage that the guild had provided. She might be cranky, but she knew what she was doing.

  “Is there anything I can get you, Emira?”

  The mage stood and stretched, rubbing her back. “Can you get me a massage before this afternoon?”

  Teebie manifested an avatar at the spa and made the request. Stephyn agreed to fit Emira in, and Teebie resumed her complete body at the ceremony grounds.

  “You are booked in in an hour. Stephyn is going to work you over.”

  Emira gave a rare smile. “Thank you. So, when is it going to be your turn?”

  Teebie watched the woman nibble at the small sandwiches and decoratively cut vegetables. “My turn for what?”

  “For me to wave my arms and bond you to the being of your choosing. You have been here longer than all of the fey. I am surprised that you weren’t first in line.”

  Teebie blinked. “It isn’t a matter of being in line; it is a matter of finding a compatible mate. Not everyone is willing to live their life in the Crossroads, and I physically can’t live in the human world without attracting attention.”

  “How did you get along before you came here?”

  Emira’s blunt curiosity surprised Teebie. She didn’t normally ask anything personal.

  “Um, I stayed inside and used a heavy glamour when I absolutely had to go out. My family insisted that my colouration would cause too much trouble.”

  “Did it?”

  “I never tried. My aunt came by and took me out for excursions. She covered me with her glamour, and I got to feel normal.”

  Emira nodded. “And then she offered you a place here.”

  “Yes. I jumped at the chance, and here, I do stand out, but I am accepted.”

  “Your aunt is here. Wow, who is she talking to?”

  Teebie turned and saw her Auntie Dira talking to Andor. Of course. He probably jumped at the chance to meet a dragon.

  Andor bowed and Dira inclined her head. Whatever he was saying, Dira was impressed and amused.

  Teebie turned back to Emira. “Well, enjoy your massage. I will see you tomorrow. I can feel that another one of my couples is close to finalizing things.”

  “Oh. Goody.” Emira rolled her eyes and sighed. “Well, seriously, thanks and I will see you tomorrow.”

  Teebie nodded and walked toward the shadows, cruising along the wall and out through the Meditation Centre.

  She needed to get back to the Open Heart. She refused to think of it as hiding.

  * * * *

  Andor bowed to the Lady Dira, Dragon of the East and West, Creator of the Crossroads. “Lady. I am charmed to meet you.”

  The dragon in woman form smiled. “You know who I am?”

  “Yes, my father has spoken of you over the centuries.”

  “Your father?”

  “Kyrok of the Ice Throne.”

  The woman’s green eyes widened in surprise. “I heard that he had married one of his sacrifices.”

  “My mother has been at his side for an eon, yes. She has never let him forget about their unique start.” Andor smiled.

  Dira reached out and touched his arm. “Where is he? I haven’t felt him moving in the world lately.”

  “He has been sleeping. He started an arctic diamond company fifty years ago, and when mother was firmly in control of it, he went for a ten-year nap.”

  Dira’s husband came up next to her. His golden beauty was unmistakable, and Andor knew a unicorn when he saw it.

  “Mak, this is Andor, Andor, my husband, Mak. Andor is the child of one of the great northern dragons. Kyrok of the Ice Throne.”

  Mak shook his hand and smiled. “I have heard good things about your father. Dira doesn’t speak kindly of many of the dragons, by Kyrok never earns a cross word.”

  Andor inclined his head. “My father will be happy to hear it when he rises.”

  Dira perked up. “Is he rising soon? I would like to visit him and Meridith if it is possible.”

  “He will rise within the month. It is why I am here. They have decided that it is time for me to seek a mate.”

  Mak smiled. “What do you think?”

  “I think they are correct. I have had my fun and found out what I do and do not want in a mate.”

  Mak grinned. “What have you decided?”

  “I will take any woman that will have me.” He grinned in return, and the other man clapped him on the shoulder.

  Dira rolled her eyes and looked around. “Mak, have you seen Teebie?”

  Mak paused. “No.”

  Andor inclined his head. “She removed to the shadows and left a few minutes ago. Do you know here well?”

  Dira grinned. “Know her? I named her. She is my niece.”

  Andor blinked as a thousand little clues now made sense. “I see.” He switched tactics. “How did you two meet?”

  Mak slid his arm around his mate. “I came here looking for a mate, and she was my host. I was at my most charming, and she fell for it.”

  Dira snorted.

  “How did you get around the regulation about pursuing the Crossroads staff?”

  Mak frowned. “There isn’t a regulation for that. Only for pursuing the ones who are already mated, but they are banded with silver on one wrist, male or female.”

  Dira nodded. “Right. Otherwise, not only would I not have accepted Mak, but also Chuck would be single, as would Jim and possibly Spike. She met Al outside the Crossroads, but they locked in here.”

  Andor looked in the direction where Teebie had disappeared. “You are certain?”

  Dira snorted. “Quite certain. I made the rules, and there was no way that I would deny someone a match.”

  Mak nodded. “She isn’t lying. It was how I got her to say yes.”

  Andor chuckled as Dira smacked her mate. For such a picture of style and grace, she turned playful and mildly violent when she dealt with her mate. It was a nice view of what Teebie expected from a relationship.

  He froze. He had been here less than a day and already he considered Teebie as his only choice.

  Mak grinned. “Oh, man. I know that stunned look. Who have you locked on to?”

  Andor recovered his composure. “It is of no matter. I have been here less than a day. I am sure that it will all be ratified eventually.”

  Dira nodded with a sly smile. “That is what this place is built on. If the possibility of love exists, and she is here, you will find her.”

  Andor grinned. “I am sure that I will. I just have to make sure that it is what I think it is.”

  Dira nodded and patted Mak on the shoulder. “I am going to go and see how Teebie is doing. You know where to find me.”

  Andor watched as the dragon master of the Crossroads walked off with a distinct swing in her hips that was probably meant for her husband, but it didn’t stop him from appreciating it.

  “Yes, she is quite something. You can stop staring now.” Mak’s voice grew harsh at the end.

  And
or looked to him and shrugged helplessly. “It is impossible not to look.”

  Mak nodded. “I know. I am an exceptionally lucky man. My brother still asks if there are any other dragons around for him to try his luck with.”

  Andor grinned. “I am guessing that you broke the news to him?”

  “That all other dragons are male? Yeah. He shrugged and said he might try his luck anyway.”

  Andor cackled. “It is good to know he is keeping his options open.”

  “There are always the same number of unicorns in the world, just as there is always one phoenix. I have never heard of a male phoenix before. You are new.”

  “I should have known. Unicorns have visions of truth.”

  “Now and then. I needed a hint to figure out Dira. She is more than meets the eye.” Mak cocked his golden head. “Would you care to go for a drink?”

  Andor inclined his head. “I have been meaning to check out the Crossed Star.”

  “Come on. Chuck has some truly amazing liquors stored away. If he isn’t there, perhaps we can convince Spike that she needs to check to make sure they are still drinkable.”

  They left the celebration and headed to the bar. It was time to have a conversation, mythical being to mythical being.

  * * * *

  Teebie set the housekeeping into motion and sat at her desk, looking into the arriving guests and their requirements.

  She felt it the moment that her aunt crossed the threshold. “Auntie! I am delighted to see you.”

  “Are you? You seem to be hiding.” Dira picked an apple out of the bowl on Teebie’s desk and perched on the edge with a sly look down at her niece.

  “I am not hiding. How could you think that? I am attending to business.”

  “The loveliest male I have ever seen is wandering around the Crossroads, and you aren’t even interested in trying to put yourself in his path?” Dira arched one dark brow.

  “I thought Mak was taken.” Teebie smiled.

  “Mak and I are honest enough to acknowledge beauty when we see it. It doesn’t mean we love each other any less.”

  Teebie sighed. “Andor is out there and looking for a mate. All I can offer him is a life in the shadows. He needs more than that.”

  “How do you know? And what do you mean, in the shadows? You are the bright spark of the Crossroads. You confirm for the shifters here that there are other types of magic in the world. You are a beacon of energy.”

  “Who wants to marry a beacon?”

  Dira put the apple down and leaned in to cup Teebie’s chin. “You are here because you are powerful and you could do the job of a dragon without thinking about it. There is strength in you, Teebie. You need to see it.”

  Teebie touched her aunt’s hand. “I know my strengths. I also know my weaknesses. I can’t go out and live in the human world. This is the most social I have been in decades and I love it, but I can’t ask someone to share this life. Life in the Crossroads is a little restrictive.”

  “It is a world of magic where you can do what you like and use the power that you were given when you need to. This world gives you space to stretch your wings—so to speak—and it needs you.”

  Teebie got up and rounded the desk, hugging her aunt. “And I need it, so I am not going to foist myself on a man who needs the human world. The Crossroads is a blessing and a burden, and I bear it gladly.”

  Her auntie gave her a hard hug. “So much of the martyr in you. Even your grandma went down fighting. I hate that she did, but she fought for what she believed in.”

  “She was a griffin.”

  “And you are her descendant. Yes, there are generations between you and her, but her blood and mine is in your veins. Even our other sister’s pulse is under your skin. She was mad with power, but she was strong. She fought for what she wanted.”

  Teebie straightened and looked the dragon in the eyes. “I also have a lot of djinn in me, and the djinn have survived by keeping a low profile.”

  Dira tapped her on the nose. “Channel your inner griffin. My sister found a match in a djinn, and they came together over and over with their magic sparking the entire time. They had love, they had a family and they had courage.”

  “And then, she passed on and he was locked into a lamp. Who won?”

  “Her children and grandchildren and all the way down to you, darling. You won a chance at life. Don’t waste it.”

  Teebie stared at her aunt until her eyes watered. Finally, she said, “I will try.”

  “Good. Don’t cut yourself from opportunity. I tried to and Mak wedged his way into my heart anyway.”

  They laughed, and Teebie felt marginally better until Dira said, “Now, it is time for a makeover.”

  Chapter Five

  “So, Dira really kicked you out of the Open Heart?” Stephyn was chortling to himself as he gave her a massage.

  Teebie shifted and ignored the crackling of shifter magic as it hit her own djinn energy. She had it pulled in as far as she could.

  “Yes. She said she needed to take inventory and check on the gardens.”

  “So, she sent you here for a full workup? Nice.” He grunted as he worked on her shoulders.

  “Apparently, she keeps track of these things, and it has been a while.”

  Stephyn kept working. “I never get over your skin.”

  Teebie had no idea what to say to that. She lay on her belly and let Stephyn work on the knots that made up her shoulders.

  An hour after he had started, Stephyn was sweating and shaking with fatigue. “It is as good as I can get it.”

  Teebie chuckled. “Give me a moment and let me sit in the sauna for a while. That should help keep your work intact for a few minutes.”

  “Excellent. I will have the manicure station ready by the time you come out. Take a shower and make sure you show up wearing a robe.” He stretched. “And take your time. I need to get the feeling back in my hands.”

  He left her alone, and she grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her and carrying her robe down the hall to the sauna. She didn’t know why she never took advantage of the spa. Just being here for an afternoon was making her feel more relaxed.

  She hung up her robe outside and entered the hot room. With a smile and a sigh, she settled onto the bench.

  She was relaxed and warm for ten minutes before the door opened. She left her eyes closed as the new arrival took a seat.

  The low, masculine groan and the scent of male began to emerge as he sweated.

  Teebie opened her eyes from the top level of the sauna, and she was less surprised than she should have been to see Andor’s long and heavily muscled limbs only a few feet away from her. He was wearing a towel that seemed to have a lot less fabric than hers did.

  She spoke low so as not to disturb his relaxed stupor. “I thought you were with Mak.”

  “Your aunt came in and hauled him away by one ear. Literally. I have never laughed so hard. Spike suggested that I come here to relax, and then, I can start fresh tonight at the Crossed Star.”

  Teebie chuckled. “Dira is very no-nonsense. Mak was showing you around?”

  “He was. He wants me to find the woman for me. He says that now that he has found happiness, he wants everyone else to find it.”

  Teebie chuckled. “Yes, he is the perfect example of love struck.”

  “Why don’t you call him uncle?”

  Teebie sat up straight. “He mentioned that?”

  “He did.”

  “The age difference is a little weird. I am twenty years older than he is.”

  Andor turned to look at her. “Are you? I thought you were in your mid-twenties.”

  “Flatterer. I have seen five decades, and I know that you have seen centuries. Don’t think for a moment that I don’t know it.”

  He grinned. “And here I thought I blended in so well.”

  “You do. It is your power signature that has the mark of age. You don’t show
any unless you want to. That takes decades or more of practice.”

  “Since we are alone, will you answer a question for me?”

  Teebie wrinkled her nose. “It depends on the question.”

  “I know that Dira is your oldest living relative, but what happened to your great-great-however many greats grandfather? He just disappears.”

  Teebie wiggled her toes. “From what Dira told me, he was captured by the mages who helped to kill his wife and forced into servitude. One thousand wishes had to be granted, and when they were, he crumbled to dust.”

  “Wow. That is harsh.”

  “That is why djinn hate to be bound. Our natural forms are between solid and vapour, so to be tied to one or the other causes degradation. The moment he was free, there was nothing holding him together anymore, and the magic tore him apart. It is not a nice way to go.”

  Andor blinked. “I had no idea.”

  “People don’t ask. The humans buy into the djinn as fairy beings that are more like the fey, but we are something else, and with the right spells, our death comes quickly.”

  “So, hiding in the human world is important to you.”

  She shrugged and rubbed her slick neck. “No, it is important to my survival. There are still mages around that want to capture us, but since there is no way I can pass as fey, I am a target. Dira brought me here to keep me safe.”

  “So, you need to remain here.”

  “That or I need to spend my life in a glamour when I am visible to others. The human world doesn’t hold much promise for me.”

  She realized that relaxation was no longer an option. She swung her feet around and made her way down the tiers. “With that said, I need a shower and a mani-pedi.”

  Andor reached out and caught her arm as she passed. “I am sorry for prying, but I find myself with an uncontrollable interest in you.”

  “Try and control yourself. My life is not up for public discussion anymore.”

  He nodded. “Understood. Would you care to know about me?”

  “Not at the present. I am sure you will have plenty of women knocking down your personal privacy walls this evening. I plan on getting a well-deserved manicure.”