Ethereal King

by Ariana Hawkes

  Rage pounded in Xephyr’s temples, and he lunged forward, his outraged roar ricocheting off the rock ceiling. Claws slashing through his fingertips, he grabbed Caden by the throat, lifted him up and slammed him against the wall.

  “Get out of here!” Xephyr roared. “Now!” He tensed his muscles and threw the miserable excuse for a dragon as far as he could.

  Caden landed in a heap. He cringed, chin down, his hands massaging his throat. Something came into his eyes—a kind of understanding. “You have feelings for the human,” he said in a tone of disbelief.

  Xephyr raced from the cavern, ripping his shirt over his head and his jeans from his legs. He had to find Josie immediately. Taking in a deep breath of evening air, he let the shift claim him. His skin rippled as scales replaced flesh. Starting as an angry red, the color flowed to green, then blue, then a magnificent gleaming gold. His dragon wanted to take to the skies like a monarch. Muscles bunched and stretched, his nose morphed to a snout, fangs descending. Everything grew in size to match his overlarge dragon body. With a mighty heave, he forced his wings to their full span and launched himself from the rocky crags of the island.

  Xephyr flew all the way to Windpecking and, bursting with desperation, searched the town for Josie. The necessity for speed and his panic made him incautious, and he remained in his dragon form.

  She wasn’t at her home or office. It appeared she hadn’t gone to Albert’s place either. The windows were dark, not a light showing in the house. Her delicious flowery scent lingered, but it was faint, old.

  He even peered through the windows at Lester’s house, terrified to think she’d seek solace from her ex-boyfriend. It was the only place he’d been thankful not to find her.

  The town wasn’t huge. He didn’t know where else to look. His last resort was speaking to her father. Maybe Albert would know where she was, but it was late now, and Xephyr was aware that he’d be distressed to hear that she was missing.

  Defeated, he returned to her home where he’d been so happy. He shifted and let himself in using the key she’d hidden for him under a flowerpot. He passed the night sitting in a chair, watching, hoping. The ticking clock on the wall mocked him with each passing second. You’ve lost her it seemed to stay.

  After a sleepless night, he ran to Albert’s shop early the next morning and burst through the door. Albert was already hard at work.

  “Thank God, you’re here,” Xephyr exclaimed, forcing himself to appear calm. “Josie and I had a disagreement. Have you seen her?”

  “She’s not here.” Albert glanced away, his mouth pulled down at the corners.

  “But you know where she is.”

  Albert sighed. “She doesn’t want to see you, son. I don’t know what happened, but she’s in pain. I’ve never seen her like this.”

  “One of my friends told her untruths about my feelings for her. I think she left because she thought it would help me.” He paused, trying to control the emotion in his voice. “I love her, Albert. I want to spend eternity with her. Please, won’t you tell me where she is?”

  Shaking his head, Albert held steadfast, protecting his daughter the way Xephyr should have protected her. “She doesn’t want to see you, son. I’m sorry.”

  Xephyr’s shoulders sank, pain tearing his heart. There had to be a way. There had to be something he could do.

  “Would you at least give her something from me, Albert?”

  Albert eyed him. “This I can do.”

  Hope surged in Xephyr’s heart. “Thank you, Albert,” he said, running for the door. “I’ll be back with it soon.”

  18

  Josie wiped the tears from her eyes and took the cup of tea Aunt Calista handed her. She straightened her body under the fluffy afghan on Calista’s comfy down-filled sofa and forced a smile to her face.

  “Thank you. You’ve been so wonderful to me.”

  Calista stroked her hair. “I’d do anything for you, my child.”

  Josie had sought refuge with her because she knew Xephyr wouldn’t find her here. Calista had moved away to Beeches Bay after marrying the man of her dreams when Josie was eighteen. They’d stayed close, despite the distance, and Josie couldn’t think of a better place to be right now. She had spent the past days sobbing on Calista’s shoulder, shedding tears that never seemed to run out.

  She wanted the best for Xephyr and his people, and letting him focus on getting back to Ethereum, where he belonged, was the right thing to do. She knew that. But it didn’t make her heartache any less. The lack of his presence left an abyss in her heart. He was the first man in her life who had treated her with respect. Who had been kind and caring. Who did things that threatened his own existence to make her happy. Before meeting him, she saw herself ending up with someone like Lester—an alcoholic who took out his anger and frustration on her. But Xephyr had taught her she should demand more for herself, that she should fight for her happiness and expect more from her life. He showed her that she was worthy. As a human, she obviously wasn’t enough for him—but she would always be grateful to him for transforming her life.

  The hours ticked away as she sat huddled, clinging to her blanket as if it would protect her from her emotions. She’d tried to put her feelings on ice, determined not to think about how much she missed Xephyr, but her thoughts kept on going back to him. Everywhere she looked, innocent reminders of her dragon screamed back at her. The gold couch color matched Xephyr’s eyes. Even the television mocked her, quietly playing a repeat of one of the Real Housewives episodes that had held him spellbound when they were together in Windpecking.

  She startled at the sound of the doorbell, sitting bolt upright on the cushy sofa.

  “I’ll get it,” Calista called from the kitchen.

  A curious mixture of hope and dread rushed through her veins. Had he found her? She ruthlessly crammed the floating optimism back down. Could she survive telling him to leave her? “If it’s Xephyr, tell him I’m not here.”

  “Okay,” Calista said. When she reentered the room moments later, Josie’s father followed behind her. Josie jumped up, blanket pooling at her feet, and launched herself into her dad’s arms. She’d only spoken to him on the phone since she left Fire Island, and his embrace felt so good. She held tight, letting the familiar feel of his love and the sense of safety swell within her chest.

  “How are you, girly-girl?” He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and lifted her face. “You’ve been crying.”

  “Yes, I have, Captain Obvious.” Her laugh was weak and forced. Xephyr would insist she call him Prince Obvious. Fresh tears welled up.

  “I’ll make some tea,” Calista offered, leaving the room to give them some privacy.

  With gentle fingers, her dad brushed away the moisture beneath her eyes. He led her back to the couch and tucked the afghan around her shoulders.

  “I saw Xephyr. He misses you.”

  “Dad, I can’t go there. I can’t invite these thoughts. He may miss me now, but I can’t give him the happiness he deserves.”

  “Maybe you gave him more happiness than you imagined? I swear I’ve never seen a man more forlorn.”

  “It’s the only way I’ll survive this, Dad.” Pain pierced her heart.

  Her father gathered her close and stroked a calming hand from the crown of her head down her spine.

  “He asked me to give this to you.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket. Her name was scrawled in bold letters on the front. She stared at it, her heart beating fast. Her fingers shook when her dad curled his hand over hers, the paper crinkling between them.

  “I’m going to see if Calista has anything stronger than tea out there. Open your heart when you read the letter, Josie. I love you and would never let you do something I don’t think is right for you.” He squeezed her fingers. “You came alive when you met Xephyr in a way you never have before. The spark in your eyes reminded me of the spark in your mother’s eye when we first met. And that’s the kind of look which only true love
brings. You may think that Xephyr will be happier without you, but you should at least hear what he has to say.”

  He left Josie alone on the couch. Her hands trembled when she flipped open the envelope and withdrew several sheets of paper. The handwriting was messy and edgy, but legible. She had been teaching him to write, but there hadn’t been time to make a lot of progress. It must have taken him ages to write it. Some of the words were smeared, as if drops of water had hit the paper right after the word was written. An ache built behind her eyes.

  My Sweet Josie, the letter began.

  When we went to the pool in Fire Island we spoke about our families. You told me about your life and about the pain you’ve been through.

  Later that night I spent hours in bed thinking about your words. In Ethereum we believed that human beings were feeble and weak. But I realized that you were the strongest person I’ve ever met. You didn’t hesitate to challenge me when you thought I was wrong. You’d always had the courage to tell me the truth rather than what I wanted to hear.

  Fresh tears watered her vision, and the words swam on the page. Heart aching, she forced herself to continue reading.

  You were so different from anyone I’d met before. You were determined, strong and independent. You supported yourself financially. Most women I knew in Ethereum couldn’t even go to pick flowers without their servants.

  I lay awake, knowing that I was falling hard for you, and I realized I wasn’t good enough for you. I realized I had to be much stronger if I wanted to be your mate.

  You’ve changed me, Josie. You made me a better person, a better dragon…a better leader to my clan with your quiet lessons about how to lead my people with requests instead of demands.

  I miss Ethereum. I always will. But I would choose to be here with you rather than in Ethereum any given day.

  I beg you, come back to me. I need you. My people need you. Without you, my life would be worth nothing. You’re my everything.

  Xephyr

  A droplet plopped on the paper, and she sighed.

  His words were so sincere. So deep. So emotional. She had no idea that the conversation about their families had affected him like that. She saw him changing, yes. But she thought it was just a consequence of accepting his reality. Was she wrong? Had she been mistaken to think that Xephyr would be happier without her? She brushed an impatient hand on her cheeks, wiping clear the traces of her tears, her heart full of confusion and emotion.

  19

  Xephyr trudged up the rocky path to the cavern on Fire Island, despairing he’d ever walk this way with Josie again. The last days had been hell. He’d poured his heart out in the letter he’d written for Josie. His hands were cold and clammy for the first time in his life when he’d handed the papers to Albert. It’d been four days and he hadn’t heard anything from Josie.

  He’d spent all his time searching for her, inspecting every nook and cranny in Windpecking, some a second time. With each passing minute, the glimmer of hope slowly died.

  The angle of the setting sun blinded him on the climb, and he stumbled to his knees. Letting his grief wash over him, he bowed his head.

  “Come home to me, Josie,” he prayed, cherishing her name on his lips. “Without you, I am nothing.” Struggling, he regained his feet and shuffled onward. He reached the top of the path and ambled through the dense trees surrounding their encampment. The sharp scent of pinesap and wood smoke filled his nostrils.

  As he emerged from the trees, he drew to a halt. The clearing was crowded with men and dragons. A cadre of burly men formed a line facing down Caden, Alaric and the two dragons that had backed him from the beginning, Aeolus and Ciro. The very air snapped and crackled with aggression.

  Squaring his shoulders, Xephyr strode into their midst and demanded, “What’s going on here?”

  Scales rippled over Caden’s dragon form, and razor-sharp claws slashed through his fingertips. “What’s going on is I’m challenging you for leadership. We’re tired of you insisting that we stop trying to return to Ethereum. You’re holding us back, Xephyr, and we are sick of it. You aren’t fit to lead us.” He thumped his chest. “But I am.”

  Xephyr’s clothing shredded as the shift claimed him. Scales burst forth from his flesh, fury fueling the forceful change. Xephyr’s dragon roared as he was set free. The mighty wind of his wings unfurling shook the leaves and trees surrounding the clearing.

  Caden changed at the same time and lunged towards Xephyr, claws slashing. Xephyr twisted to the side and stuck out his foot, tripping him. Caden plunged to the ground, and Xephyr stood over his prone body.

  Caden scrambled to his feet, crouched low and charged. His sudden tackle took Xephyr by surprise. They hit the rocky ground, rolling, raising a cloud of dust. Xephyr fisted his hands around Caden’s bulky forearms, flapped his wings, and launched them both into the air, jetting fire from his opened maw. Caden butted his head under Xephyr’s chin, deflecting the flare, and a dried patch of grass burst into flames.

  Xephyr drew back, a thread of weariness dragging him toward the ground. He was so tired. He was tired of fighting Caden and tired of fighting his fear and desperation that he’d never see Josie again. He hadn’t slept for days. Maybe he should just give up. Let this fool win and get it all over with.

  His dragon roared, a jet of fire bursting from its mouth. No, he couldn’t do that. He must fight. He must take care of his clan, and he knew there was no one better suited than him to do that.

  Funneling every ounce of his frustration, anger, and desperation, Xephyr powered both their bodies back to the hard-packed earth. There was a satisfying crunch of Caden’s bony skull on the ground. Pinning the other dragon’s shoulders to the ground with his knees, Xephyr reared back, wings spread wide, arm cocked, claws fully extended, reaching to deal a deathblow. He bellowed to the treetops as he swiped downward. He dug his claws into the ground just to the side of Caden’s throat.

  “I will spare your life now because I know you have been suffering and have not been thinking clearly,” Xephyr roared. “But grow up, Caden! Everyone has been busting a gut to make your life here happier, while you’ve been thinking only about yourself. You’re a shame to this clan. I’ll give you one final chance to make yourself right by us. And if you fail, then this is the end for you.”

  Xephyr heaved to his feet, shifting back to human form. Murmurs went up from all the dragons and men present. Xephyr sensed the entire clan moving behind him, joining together in his support.

  As he turned, a pale tongue of flame caught his eye. No—it wasn’t fire. It was hair, long blond hair that he knew and loved so well. Josie was there, standing among the dragons. His fair-haired, curvy goddess, so strong and fearless. “You’re back.”

  “Uh huh. Dude, you’re naked.” Her glance swept down his torso.

  “I remember these words. That’s how all good things begin.” Xephyr gleamed at her.

  Boreas tossed him a pair of jeans then dragged Caden to his feet. Caden held his dragon form, cringing away from Xephyr.

  “Josie, I have missed you so much.” Xephyr enfolded her in his arms.

  “I’m sorry that I left. I’m sorry that I hurt you. I thought that your life would be better without me. I thought I didn’t deserve you. But your letter made me realize I was wrong.”

  He stroked her hair. “I couldn’t bear the thought of living without you, Josie. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “You’re my everything as well.”

  Joy filled Xephyr’s heart nearly to bursting. His firebox kicked in, warming him for the first time since Josie had fled the island. He claimed her lips in a hot, tender kiss, then held her face against his.

  “Thank you for coming back to me,” Xephyr whispered against her temple. Sweet emotion made his voice quaver. “I love you, Josie. I always will.”

  “I love you, too, Xephyr.”

  A few hours later, after a long, emotional walk around the island, Xephyr led Josie to the mai
n cavern where the other eleven men, some in their dragon forms, were congregated in groups of three or four, all busy with something.

  Boreas and Notus stood before a fire, preparing a meal in a large pot. They looked up and greeted the couple, and Notus waved a ladle in their direction. “Do you want stew?” he called.

  “I would love stew! And I’m starving,” she beamed in his direction.

  She lowered herself to a flat rock bench around the fire, and Xephyr joined her, sitting behind her, his thighs either side of her hips and arms wrapped around her waist. He kissed her neck, then rested his chin on her shoulder. His smooth, baritone voice crooned in her ear in a language she didn’t understand, the foreign words fluid and beautiful.

  “That was dragon talk for I’m the luckiest man on earth and Ethereum,” he explained, his words caressing her ear.

  “That was beautiful! You should teach me some of your dragon talk.” She lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed his fingers.

  “Josie, I have something for you.” Boreas’ voice interrupted their conversation. He was carrying a rocking chair, which he placed next to her.

  “This is for you.” He lowered his gaze toward the chair. “From all of us. We’re really glad you’re back.”

  She gasped. “Wow, it’s beautiful,” she breathed, “I love rocking chairs, and my body will definitely appreciate the change from sitting on stone.” She laughed. “Thank you all so much! I’m really glad I’m back, too.”

  After dinner, Notus started singing to entertain them, his rich baritone voice resounding around the clearing. The tune was pretty, the language foreign and beautiful to her ear.