The glass slipped seamlessly into pockets on either side leaving the veranda and the delicious breezes open to the room.
“Oh shit, what about bugs?” Camille jerked around toward Gerri for help.
Ryker gave her a small smile. “Unless things have changed drastically, Nova has no pests. Other than the two legged kind.” He winked.
Camille moved to the couch, her stomach rumbling. She palmed a handful of the dried fruit, but then put it back with a frown. “Is there any real food around? I’m not trying to be a brat, but I could go for a juicy steak and baked potato.”
Ryker stood on the veranda just outside the room, his back to the women. The sky, the trees and the Ice Mountains in the distance with their low hanging clouds and white crusted tops. He blinked at the sting in his eyes. Not much had changed in all this time. The technology had advanced, but the landscape and the people he watched milling around seemed exactly the same.
He was home.
“So as far as Camille and I are concerned, you’re checking out?” he asked, keeping his back to them. “You got us here and that’s it?”
Gerri stood from the couch and her face was not happy. “Ryker, that’s an unthinking, thankless thing to say. You’re back on Nova for what? Thirty minutes and you’re already reverting back to the self-absorbed narcissist you once were.”
He turned, both hurt and angry. “The last thing I am is narcissistic. Any feelings of superiority were beaten out of me for sport when I was tied to bedposts and rode like a stud farm prize. Every second of my captivity was my own fault. I know that, but I need you, Dragosarra. More than ever.” His eyes moved to Camille still on the couch. “We need you.”
Mrs. Wilder’s face softened and she walked to where he stood bracing for the worst. She seemed so small, as she lifted her face to look at him.
“Ryker, I have never been more proud of you than I am now and I’m not going anywhere, but I cannot fight this fight for you. This is something you and Camille must face together. I will help with what I can by keeping Alyx and Viktor in the loop just in case.”
He nodded and then looked at Camille. “What now, mo thávma?”
She stood as well. “Is there a kitchen in this monster sized palace?” She grinned. “I’m in the mood for homemade chocolate chip cookies.”
“Uhm, Camille. We’re not on Earth, remember. They might not have the ingredients you need,” Gerri reminded.
Camille waved her off with a smile. “The queen in human, right? I’ll be anything she’s got their kitchen stocked with Earth snacks and goodies. We’ll find something. If not chocolate chips, then something else.”
Ryker swept her up in his arms. “So the librarian hellcat is domesticated after all.”
She laughed. “Not especially, no. The librarian hellcat just likes to eat.”
Putting her down, the walked toward the doors. “You coming?” he called to Gerri who had sat back on the couch.
She shook her head. “No, I have to meet with Alyx. There are plenty of others in the realm who need mates.”
Camille slipped out from under Ryker’s arm. “The book! I almost forgot.”
She whirled around, her eyes scanning for their luggage.
“In the bedroom, love,” Gerri prompted.
Cami rushed up the stairs and came down again almost as quickly, out of breath but carrying the ancient volume.
“I wish I could store this somewhere. Lock it up and free Ryker in perpetuity. I would have left it in a safe deposit box on Earth.”
Gerri wiped her hands on the small cloth beneath the dish of dates. “It doesn’t work that way, love. Trust me. I tried to find ways to make that very scenario work. Unfortunately, three rules are unbreakable.
“One, whoever holds possession of the book holds possession over Ryker. Two, if the book is too far from your person, Ryker is sucked back into the darkness until you are once again within range—and three, if you die, God forbid, he is thrown back into the book until a new owner takes possession and summons him.”
Camille dragged a hand threw her hair. “I hate this. I mean, really HATE this.”
Ryker pulled her into his arms. “Good. Use that wrath to fight Sorana.”
“What should I do with the book, then? I can’t just leave it lying around?” Cami chewed on her lip.
“Ask your room for a hiding place. It will come up with something you never thought and we’ll be the only ones who know,” Gerri suggested. She paused, looking at the two. “You should look inside the book as well. There might be a clue hidden somewhere between its pages that could help you confront Sorana.”
Cami nodded. “We will. First thing in the morning, but right now this curvy woman needs food.”
Ryker kissed the top of her head. “Come, show me you can cook, woman.”
She laughed, twisting just out of his reach. “Oh, I can cook, baby. And I don’t mean just in bed.”
Chapter Fifteen
Camille opened her eyes to gentle snoring. After Gerri went to her rooms, she and Ryker talked well into the night, taking what was left of their dinner upstairs to eat in bed. The queen had the palace kitchens stocked with every conceivable snack you could want and Cami not only made chocolate chip cookies, but chicken parmesan and spaghetti, too.
Ryker tried his best to be lighthearted, but it was clear he was still apprehensive, even more so than her. Maybe her willingness to go with the flow was less from being open-minded and more because the situation still seemed so surreal, though her tender bits between her legs told her this was very real.
She lifted her hand and turned to look at the intricate pattern on her wrist. The raised splotches had come together and receded leaving the mark as clear as a fresh tattoo. True mate.
Butterflies winged their way around her stomach at the words. She was the gorgeous, complex man’s true mate. Still, sexy as he was and however amazing the sex, it didn’t mean he loved her.
The thought sobered her. Maybe she was a means to an end for him and nothing more and once she’d fulfilled her part in this search and rescue mission, he’d send her packing.
The sun peeked through the blinds leaving a crisscross pattern across the floor. Talk about a metaphor for them both. Crisscross bars for Ryker’s imprisonment and crisscross conflicting feelings for her.
“You’re awake,” he said spooning up behind her. “And so warm.” He kissed the back of her bare shoulder. “I could get used to waking up like this for the rest of my life.”
Camille turned in his arms. “Don’t say things just because you think that’s what I want to hear, Ryker. I’ll help you with Sorana, regardless. You don’t have to play a part with me. I’m good.”
The words stung as they left her mouth, and even though she knew they weren’t truthful, they needed to be said. Odds were good she’d fall completely apart if he got what he wanted and left her behind.
You could just sent him back the book and summon him whenever you feel like it.
She closed her eyes against the foul thought. That would make her no better than Sorana. Besides, Ryker would go from being a man who wanted to be in her bed to a man who had to be in her bed. For real he’d be play acting or worse, just mechanical performance. She mentally shook her head.
“What’s going on in that beautiful head so early? Shadows are winging over your face like an interstellar fighter jet.”
“Nothing.”
She flipped the covers back and moved to get up but he slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her back under.
“Camille, you are my true mate. I know we barely know each other, but for shifters there’s more to it than a simple mark. It’s the scent of our mate. The way our inner animal responds. The way our lives light with the thought of our one true partner.”
He ran a knuckle under her chin forcing her to look at him. “I’m guessing it’s not the same for humans.”
She shook her head. “Except for the inner animal part, it’s not so different—phys
ical attraction leads to emotional attraction and eventually love, so yeah, basically the same.”
His eyes searched hers. “So why the distance, then? I feel it and my dragon is pacing, agitated, because he senses it too. Are you afraid?”
She didn’t answer. What could she say? Yeah, I’m afraid I’m falling in love with you and this is nuts since I’ve only known you for two days?
“Camille, I can smell your indecision and unease. Tell me, love.”
The word struck home and she lifted her face to his and shrugged. “I guess that simple word is the reason I’m at sixes and sevens.
“I don’t understand.”
She gave him a soft smile. “The mark on my arm means I’m your true mate, but for me the idea of being destined for a certain someone has a whole other meaning. It’s wrapped in that one word. Love.”
Cami shrugged again. “I guess I always hoped when I met the person I was destined for, it would be someone I loved or at least that was my hope.”
“And you don’t feel that way for me?”
She looked at him, stunned he that asked. “I, I—” she stumbled.
Ryker put a finger over her lips. “It’s okay, Camille. I understand if you don’t feel the same kind of pull that I do. Like I said, it’s different for shifters. My feelings for you involve more than my dick being hard at the thought of you.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “Though, that is a serious plus.”
“Ryker—”
He shook his head. “But it’s not everything, Camille. I crave your body, that’s true, but I crave much more. Your smile, your laugh. Talking with you, planning with you. I want it all. For the rest of my time, whether it’s with you here as we are now or on Nova. To use your human terms, I am falling in love with you.”
Camille swallowed trying not to squeal like a teenager at her first rock concert.
“Have I said too much?” he asked, concerned.
She shook her head. “No.” She let her chin drop to her chest to hide the grin stealing across her lips. Ryker Dragos was falling in love with her. Dumpy, curvy, boring research librarian, Camille Forester.
“Camille, why won’t you look at me?”
With a smile she jerked her head up, smacking Ryker square in the nose.
“Ow! Fuck!” he hissed, one hand flying to his face.
Blood trickled from one nostril and his eyes squinted shut as he squeezed his nose.
“Oh, my GOD! Ryker! I’m so sorry!” Cami’s eyes flew wide and she scrambled to her knees. “I’ll get a washcloth!”
She clambered from the bed and rushed to the bathroom, darting back with a cold cloth. “Put your head back and press with the washcloth to help stop the bleeding.”
“You could have just said you didn’t feel the same way. Ow!’
“But I DO! Even more than I—” She clamped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late.
Ryker looked at her from where he lay with the washcloth pressed to his nose. “More than you, what?”
She looked down again. “More than I ever expected.”
“I knew it! A shifter’s nose always knows—Ow. Even when broken.” A mischievous smile spread across his mouth, slow and cunning. “No wonder you whacked me in the face, you evil woman.”
Mouth open, Cami crawled back onto the bed. “I did no such thing! It—it was an accident!”
Laughing, he tossed the washcloth to the floor and grabbed her to his arms. “Just remember who said it first.” He ran a hand over the back of her head, pulling her close.
She pushed herself up onto her elbow. “That’s a bonehead thing to say. What does it matter?”
He laughed harder now. “Have I touched on something sensitive?”
“No, it’s just—”
Climbing over her, he pushed his knee between her legs. “It’s just what?” He grinned.
“Nothing—” She gasped as he pressed his thick head to her tender flesh. “Uhm, what did you say about hitting a sensitive spot?”
***
Knock, knock.
“Yes?” Camille froze with a large towel tucked around her body.
She glanced at the book on the night table. Gerri was right. There was a notation toward the back about Nova’s dual suns uniting, eclipsed by the blue moon. A time for sacred intervention when falsehoods are revealed and lies made truth.
After reading the passage, Ryker left to meet Viktor. He was pensive and wouldn’t say why, but Camille knew it had something to do with confronting Sorana at twilight tomorrow.
They were heading to Dragosland in the morning and she hoped he’d fill her in beforehand. She’d had enough surprises.
“Miss Camille?”
A young girl stood just inside the bedroom door. Her voice was soft and she kept her eyes lowered. She was dressed in a strange, shapeless sheath the color of moonlight.
“Yes, I’m Camille. Who are you?”
“My name is Larea. I’ve been sent to serve you.”
Camille wrapped the towel tighter around her chest. “I appreciate the offer, honey, but I can manage fine for myself.”
The girl hesitated, turning for the door. She still hadn’t looked up, and a slash of guilt made Camille lift her hand calling her back.
“I’m sorry, Larea. The queen probably sent you to help me get acclimated. I was rude and I apologize. What are you here to help me with, exactly?”
The girl moved to the armoire across from the bed and opened the doors. Inside was every kind of clothing you could imagine.
“Wow, Gerri wasn’t kidding when she said the palace provided for its guests.” She smiled thinking about the older woman. The diversely elegant woman was now one of her favorite people, and she hoped she felt the same way about her.
Larea nodded lifting her head enough for Camille to see a small smile. “And the clothes adjust to fit your body, that’s why there are so many to choose from. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Camille had to grin at the teenager’s enthusiasm. They might be billions of light years from Earth, but teenage girls were teenage girls, regardless.
“Since you’re so knowledgeable about Nova fashion, what would you pick to wear?” Cami watched the girl sort through the choices before stopping at one particular outfit.
She turned with a grin. “This,” she said holding up a shear garment as blue as any tropical ocean. The girl handed the hangar to Camille. “The color is perfect for you.”
“I can’t wear that, Larea. It’s completely see through.” Handing it to the young girl, Cami rummaged in her suitcase for a pair of underwear neutral enough to wear under the delicate cloth. “I don’t think even have a thong that would work with that kind of sheer.”
“Uhm, Miss. This is a called a Chimera. It’s not meant to be worn with undergarments.” Larea waited for Camille to reply, her cheeks seriously red.
Cami turned mid-rummage. “A Chimera? In my language that means fantasy. Are you telling me I’m dreaming this?” Cami laughed.
“No, Miss. The garment is as real as we are. A Chimera is not bought, it’s given. The custom is whoever wears the dress is the fantasy come to life for the giver.”
The girl ran a finger over the delicate fabric. “Whoever gave this truly wishes you to be theirs.”
Camille exhaled a sigh. “Except I have no idea who sent me this fantasy dress. You opened the closet and it was there. Could it belong to someone else? A previous guest?”
Larea sputtered for an answer. “I don’t know, Miss. If you wear the Chimera, then you agree to be the fantasy of whoever sent it.”
Cami lifted the translucent cloth over one hand. “Maybe Ryker sent it, though I don’t see how.”
“Hello? Anyone awake?” Another soft knock sounded at the door.
Camille turned to see Gerri standing in the open doorway with a short, curvy woman with the most beautiful dark chocolate skin and springy curls.
“Wow, that looks like you’re planning to mount a stripper’s pole. What are you doing?” Ger
ri asked with a laugh.
Camille exhaled. “Trying to find something to wear. Ryker has some super-secret surprise planned after he meets with Viktor.”
The older woman chuckled. “Camille, I’d like to introduce you to Isabella Barca, Queen of Nova Aurora.”
Cami nearly swallowed her tongue. “Oh, wow…hello, your majesty.” She clasped her towel tighter and tried to curtsey without a wardrobe malfunction.
The queen laughed. “Stop with the formal already, and call me Bella. You’re Ryker Dragos’ mate, Camille, so technically you’re royalty, too. The newest Dragos princess.” She smiled and two dimples showed in her cheeks. “Or at least you will be once you’re formally mated.”
Gerri squinted at the sheer garment, moving around the end of the bed to take a better look. “A Chimera! I haven’t seen one of these in forever. Who sent it?”
Cami shrugged. “That’s what Larea and I were trying to figure out when you knocked.”
Bella walked around the bed as well, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the girl. “I don’t remember seeing you before. I make a point to know all the girls in our service. Are you new to the castle?”
A strange expression flashed across the girl’s face, and she backed up toward the night table, her movements slow, almost fearful. Her chin dropped to her chest, but when she lifted her face, blue lines were etched in her cheeks like a razor-edged tattoo.
Camille’s eyes went wide. “She’s a siren!”
The tattooed opened her mouth to shriek, but Gerri’s eyes shifted yellow and a menacing growl left her throat, shutting her up.
“My sisters wait along with Sorana. You will not win this fight, human.”
“No!” Camille dove for the book, but the girl whirled on her heel, grabbing the manuscript from the night table before disappearing in a mist of silver.
Camille sunk to her knees. It was too late. Sorana had the book and that meant she had Ryker.
Chapter Sixteen
“Viktor! He’s gone! Ryker’s gone!” Camille rushed past the king to grab the dragon shifter’s shoulders.
Gerri followed on her heels along with the Bella. She had the Chimera in her hand.
Dragon My Heart Around Page 10
