Unquiet Slumber

by Paulette Miller

  Once they all reached the first hut, they were escorted through the tree-based village. The tour took several hours given they were introduced to everyone they met. As they walked, they were amazed at how the children flung themselves through the trees like little monkeys. Gabriel gasped when he watched a small girl lose her balance and start to fall. When he started to move forward, his guide stopped him. He watched in amazement as a tree branch moved and caught her. His guide smiled. “Relax warrior. Our trees are also members of our village and they help protect the young ones.”

  Just then, Nathaniel tripped on a knot in the wood and lost his footing. A vine quickly grabbed him.

  Gabriel’s guide chuckled and added, “They’ll protect all of you as well.”

  Once Nathaniel was steady on his feet, the vine slowly released him. Before snaking itself back into the trees, the vine caressed down his arm. Nathaniel wasn’t sure what to do, so he patted it awkwardly and said thank you. As they walked forward, Nathaniel jumped when he felt something swat his butt. He quickly turned around and the only thing he saw was a vine moving back into the trees. He swore it waved at him.

  They were led to where a large waterfall appeared to be flowing right out of the top of an exceptionally large tree. No one could see the source of the water.

  One of their guides explained, “This is where we bathe and the children play in the water. If you would like to freshen up, please go ahead. I’ll bring you new clothes.” She scrutinized the Draaks and scratched her head. She was going to have to be creative to find something that would fit them.

  The waterfall was large enough and had enough notches in the tree trunk that they could separate for some privacy. Their guide quickly returned with clothes for everyone and helped direct them to good places to bathe. Tianna went scurrying up higher to find her spot. The Draaks just went to whatever spot required them the least amount of climbing.

  The Draaks knew they were watched as they could hear giggling and a lot of ‘Oooo’s and ‘Ahhh’s. The people of Willow obviously appreciated all forms of nature. It didn’t bother them as Draak’s were as comfortable out of clothes as in.

  Their guide gave them some clothes to wear. She apologized and said, “Given your size, these may not work very well for you. As soon as I can, I’ll make something that will fit better.” The Draaks would’ve been more comfortable out of clothes than in the ones given to them. They were basically loin cloths made out of leaves and vines.

  Marcus took the clothes and replied for his companions, “These will be fine for now. Thank you for your kindness.”

  Tianna joined them a few minutes after they were dressed. Nathaniel’s eyes opened wide when she approached. She did a twirl to show off what she was wearing.

  She was dressed in a very short skirt of thin woven material that hung low on her waist. Small blue beads matching her eyes were sewn along the waist and hem. A half-sun design of yellow and red beads sat just below her bellybutton. The top was sleeveless and started at her neck but stopped just below her breasts. The shirt laced up the back so the material hugged her body. The shirt was also outlined in the same blue beads as well as a line across her chest. The half-sun pattern was repeated mid-chest. She wore slipper-like foot coverings that tied up her calves with a thin vine as a cord, and had colorful arm bands tied around her upper arms and at her wrists in matching colors and beads.

  Tianna beamed. “Do you like it?” She ran her hands along her skirt. “I thought the material would be scratchy but it’s extremely soft. They promised to show me how to make it. They’re going to teach me how they braid hair as well.”

  She continued talking non-stop about what she had seen and what her plans were while they were there. Nathaniel couldn’t help but chuckle at her excitement and thought this place suited her well. This was the most relaxed and animated he had seen her since they met, and he noticed a gentle glow all over her skin.

  The sun was already starting to go down so they were led to a collection of neighboring tree huts where the entire village ate evening meals together. They were seated at a large table with several village elders. Soon, villagers all of all ages came in carrying food. Marcus and his men were very hungry since they hadn’t had a chance to hunt the several days prior to reaching Willow. They were anxious for a good meal to quiet their stomachs.

  As the trays of food were placed on the tables, Gabriel leaned over toward Marcus and whispered so no one else could hear, “Where’s the real food? This all looks like plants and nuts?” He pointed to a bowl near him. “I swear what’s in this bowl looks like something I stepped on when we walked into this village.” In closer inspection, he added, “And I think they’re still moving.”

  Marcus looked around and whispered back with hope in his voice, “Maybe they eat in stages and the real food comes out later?” but neither of them believed it.

  Everyone in the room was happily eating, including Tianna, who seemed thrilled to try everything. Marcus filled his plate with the safest items he could find. When his men still stared at their empty plates, Marcus cleared his throat to get their attention. He started to eat what was on his plate as an example. His glare told them to follow his lead. Gabriel’s and Nathaniel’s eyes met and their shoulders slumped, while Seth body involuntarily shivered. They all had agreed to join in on the local customs and Marcus was going to force them to keep their word.

  Although they all found what food they tried tasted good, it wouldn’t be a diet they would have chosen. Given their dragon natures and need to shift, a heavier meal full of protein was their normal diet.

  A villager named Hollee was sitting between Seth and Tianna. As with all of the other females of the village, she was about Tianna’s height and general build, but her curves weren’t quite as pronounced. She had sandy brown hair that hung just below her shoulders and she had the reddish-brown eyes almost the color of rust. She was wearing an outfit similar to Tianna’s and had her hair in typical Inari braids. She had several beautiful piercings up the edge of her ear.

  Tianna couldn’t help but notice the way that Seth and Hollee smiled at each other. It was apparent that Seth was going to enjoy his stay in Willow, despite their choice of diet.

  After talking for some time, Seth became relaxed enough to ask, “Do the Inari eat meat?”

  Huon, who was also at their table, heard the question and responded, “We do eat meat and we used to hunt out in the woods daily but when the Drenn attacks became more severe, we changed our ways and tried to live off what our wonderful trees provide for us.” He pointed to several different bowls as he spoke. “Besides the more common fruits and vegetables, we eat the large birds and smaller tree-based animals we raise.”

  Gabriel nodded to the bowl he had pointed out to Marcus earlier. He asked, “May I ask what this is? It doesn’t appear to be anything you just described.”

  Huon replied, “These are called Whistling Gibbi and are especially important in our diet. They are rich in protein and vitamins.” He looked up into the trees. “They live all around us. Do you hear their gentle sounds?”

  A young boy nearby grabbed one of the tree bugs from the bowl. It was the size of a small walnut and about as round. It had long legs making it look like a cross between a spider and a beetle.

  He said playfully, “I love their night sounds, but I especially like the crunchy noise they make when you bite into them,” and popped it into his mouth.

  When all of the Draaks cringed, Tianna shocked them further when she followed the young one’s lead. She exaggerated the sound of her bite causing a very loud crunch. She couldn’t help but laugh at her fellow traveler’s disgusted reaction. Seth had to look away. Nathaniel, who had been watching her intently as she ate, wasn’t sure that he wanted to kiss that mouth of hers now.

  Tianna said with genuine interest, “I love this food. Would someone be willing to teach me how to make some of these dishes so I could try some of them on our continued travels?” Hollee agreed and she and Tianna t
alked animatedly about how each dish on their table was made.

  Looking at the foods in front of them and seeing how Tianna was taking mental notes on all the cooking instructions, the Draaks decided that when they returned to their travels, maybe Tianna should be removed from the cooking rotation.

  Although the food wasn’t what the Draaks had hoped for, the company was very enjoyable. They spent the evening sharing stories and laughing until their sides ached.

  After the meal, the visitors were entertained by some musicians and dancers. They tried to get the warriors to join in, but they said they preferred to watch. Tianna couldn’t stop herself. She joined in and picked up their dance moves quite quickly. Her hair was hanging loose, which was unusual for her. With it loose, it seemed to move around while she danced as if it was alive and Nathaniel ached to touch it.

  When the dance was over and Tianna was about to sit down, a small boy, who was barely able to walk, came waddling over to her with his arms held up. Tianna happily picked him up and cuddled him while they danced together. She then sat down with him on her lap and he played with her hair and giggled.

  While Tianna held the little boy, she persuaded Nathaniel to sing for them and he reluctantly agreed. His voice was beautiful and he sang several songs. Some songs were happy and everyone danced and clapped. Some were sad, which made several of the villagers cry.

  When Nathaniel sat back down, he saw that the little boy was now fast asleep with his head snuggled against Tianna’s breast. She was rocking him and humming with a look of complete contentment. Her sounds made his whole body tingle and relax.

  When someone came over to take the boy, Nathaniel quickly stood and helped take him from Tianna’s arms. He handed the child to his mother and then sat back down beside Tianna, who leaned onto his shoulder. When he raised his hand to touch her cheek, she surprised him by giving it a quick kiss. She let out a long, deep sigh. She had longed all of her life to meet the Inari and here she was living among them. Their presence relaxed her mind and body, and she couldn’t wait to learn everything she could about them.

  As the entertainment continued, Tianna sat back up and started to braid her hair. Nathaniel gently touched some silky strands that had flipped onto his shoulder and asked, “May I?”

  Tianna nodded and turned so her back was facing him. Since he had never braided her hair before, she gave him the same lesson she gave Seth. She intertwined her hands in his and helped him with the first few attempts. She then left him on his own.

  Nathaniel was thrilled. Running his hands through her hair was like running through silk. Her hair didn’t seem real. Several times he noticed how strands would suddenly wrap themselves around his fingers and wrists as if they were caressing him. He could’ve played in her hair for hours, except when he finished a rough braid, she tied it off.

  She stretched up and kissed him on his cheek, thanked him, and to his pleasant surprise, snuggled back against his shoulder.

  While Tianna listened to the music, she picked a flower that was growing on a vine next to her. After a while, the flower peddles started to wilt and she stared down at it disappointed. Nathaniel noticed her disappointment and leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I’d never go limp in your hands.” He smiled and gave her a playful wink.

  Tianna couldn’t help herself. She laughed, and the sound caused the flower in her hand to come back to full bloom as when it was first picked.

  Nathaniel examined the flower and gave her a smoldering smile. “My lady, you do have magic fingers.”

  Tianna blushed. She turned and cursed under her breath that her body responded to him like a young girl.

  After the entertainment was finished, they decided to call it a night. Seth wanted to study the stars with some of the villagers so he disappeared with Hollee in tow. She was obviously taken by Seth and was holding onto his hand tight.

  Tianna gave Seth a wink and wished him luck.

  Nathaniel was drug off by the same two females that couldn’t seem to take their eyes off of him all evening. He really didn’t want to leave Tianna, but his thoughts had started to wander into dangerous territory. He decided it was best if he removed himself from her side, so he willingly let the females guide him away. Tianna noticed the looks of pure desire on Nathaniel’s admirer’s faces. She quickly turned away so she wouldn’t see them leave together.

  To distract herself, Tianna found Marcus. He was heavily engaged in conversation with a couple of the village leaders. They were discussing details of their alliance with the Draaks as well as any stories of great warriors they had seen. They also talked of the evil that they had seen nearby. Tianna didn’t want to hear these stories, so she decided to go to bed.

  They still didn’t want Tianna to sleep alone, so Gabriel offered to stay by her side. A guide led them to another tree where she pressed her hands against the trunk and willed the tree to reshape itself into a room suitable for sleeping. Tianna and Gabriel were left alone for only a few minutes when a couple young villagers arrived carrying their traveling bags.

  After helping Tianna untie the back of her shirt, he turned around so she could dress for bed. They then tucked themselves into their bedrolls and stared up into the tree branches above. Although they had planned to go to sleep, they spent hours talking about his family, past mates, and plans for the future. Tianna still longed for a family of her own. Although she thought Nathaniel might like her, she knew his true interests were with more experienced females.

  She took a good look at Gabriel. Lying there talking with him, she felt so safe. “Could Gabriel be the one for me?” she thought to herself.

  Gabriel could see Tianna staring at him deep in thought. “Tianna, may I ask you a personal question?” he asked hesitantly.

  Tianna chuckled. “Gabriel, you’ve already saved my life and we’ve been together every hour of every day for almost a month. You can ask me anything you want. No secrets, remember?”

  He cleared his throat. “We’ve known each other for a while now. How do you feel about me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do you now see me as someone you would consider mating?”

  Tianna wasn’t sure how to answer his questions. “Let me answer your first question. As I’ve told you before, I find you very attractive. Your marks are one of the reasons. I know you think that they scare others away, but they show a lifetime of happy and sad memories. You’re a walking history for your people and I find that very intriguing.”

  She took a deep breath and continued. “All my life I’ve never felt safe or at home. I feel both of these things when your arms are wrapped around me.” After a brief pause, she continued. “As to your second question about mating, I’m just starting to accept the fact that I’ve been lied to all of my life. Now I know the truth that I’m not human, but I also know that I’m not any one thing. That means that I still don’t have a home. I’m not sure that I’ll ever feel like anywhere or anyone is truly my home.”

  Gabriel nodded to show he understood and he did. He asked her another question. “Here’s a tougher question. How do you feel about Nathaniel?” He had seen how they looked at each other.

  Tianna let out a deep sigh. “Nathaniel? Well, he’s a puzzle box for me. Even though he’s often annoying, I hate to admit that I’m attracted to him. Healing is a very personal gift that we share, and it comes with an overwhelming sense of touch that keeps calling us to each other. Sometimes when he looks at me, I can almost feel his need for me. Then, the next minute he looks like he hates me.”

  She rolled over on her side so she was facing Gabriel. “Right now he shares his bed with several females. Why would he want someone inexperienced when he can have as many well-versed females as he wants? I can’t complete with that. I’m not the right one for him and I’m not sure any one person is.”

  Gabriel chuckled. “He’s my brother in arms so I love him, although sometimes he’s so dense.” He turned so he was face to face with Tianna. “To have someone l
ike you even remotely interested in him and not pursue you, he must be out of his mind. I do think he cares for you much more than he’s showing. For some reason he’s holding back.”

  Tianna shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe,” but she didn’t believe it. “I think I’m nothing more than a challenge to him—a game to be won.”

  Now that they were facing each other, she had a clear view of his marks on his chest. She reached out and began to outline some of them with her finger. “Tell me again about this one.” She pointed at a particularly large scar on this right shoulder.

  Gabriel told her stories of that mark as well as many others. Some stories he had told her many times already, but she wanted to hear them again. Other stories were new. She seemed equally fascinated by all of them.

  When her body shivered from a cool breeze, he moved in closer to her and put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. He wanted to return the kiss and hesitantly leaned toward her. When she didn’t shy away, he continued his path and gave her a quick kiss on her mouth.