by Judith Leger
the room seemed strange for someone like Paladin. She had
imagined gilded picture frames and brass bed posts. Instead,
an upright six drawer chest and a narrow bed with a thread-
worn spread were the only furniture pieces there.
Their steps echoed across the wooden floor. Another
doorway was centered on the side wall and she wondered
where it led.
“If you like, I will wait for you to dress for bed,” he said
from behind her.
She nodded without looking at him. When the door shut,
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she wrapped her arms around her waist, enjoying the quiet.
Seren stood still. She noticed his satchel on the bed.
Surprised, she wondered how it came to be there. Had one of
his crew brought it?
Shrugging, she moved toward the bed. She unbuckled the
straps and flipped the lid over. A different shirt, a creamy
eggshell, folded this time, lay on top. The billowy sleeves and
the gathered yoke would provide a little protection against
her passion. She half-smiled. If her skin didn’t touch his,
maybe she’d find the strength to control her need.
She removed her clothes and slipped on the shirt. During
those few seconds before the collar slid over her head, she
was surrounded by his scent. Blood rushed to her head. Her
focus narrowed to binocular vision. In the direct line of her
vision, red- streaked darkness raced toward her.
A vision. One like the many others she’d had in the past.
Nothing was solid like earlier today when her son spoke to
her. She searched the darkness until an image materialized.
Paladin stood several feet away on the edge of a castle
wall, his head back, his gaze searching the darkened skies.
She wanted to scream for him to run, to escape the horrible
impression of danger she experienced, but in her vision she
remained rooted to one spot, unable to speak or move.
Black clouds sped overhead. Lightning flashed red,
streaming across the sky. Paladin slid his weapons free, the
blades glinting in the crimson light. From the darkness,
huge wings flapped back and forth then two black dragons
broke through the clouds, angling their bodies toward him.
She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
He couldn’t see her. She didn’t exist in this time and place.
The dragons drew nearer, their massive maws started
to open, revealing sharpened teeth the length of her legs.
Fire appeared in the back of their throats. In the next
second, an inferno poured from their mouths. Blue-black
flames were flung out toward Paladin, striking him,
consuming him.
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Arms came from behind, grabbing her. One tug and
blinding light engulfed her mind.
The abrupt end to the vision sent Seren to her knees,
gasping for breath. Her heart pounded in her chest. With her
arms tangled in the sleeves, she fought to bring the shirt
down, removing it from her face. Sweat dampened her body.
An ache set up in her bruised knees. For a few seconds, she
was blinded by her vision. Hands shaking, she swiped at her
eyes, trying to rid them of the fuzzy haze. When she opened
them, she focused on the worn spread covering the bed. The
faded blues and greens sprang out at her.
Tears threatened to destroy her newfound strength. She
had witnessed Paladin’s death—a painful and dreadful death
by dragon’s fire. She lowered her cheek to the covers, hoping
to cool the heat in her face.
A fragment of the vision lingered. She replayed it over
and over in her mind. Behind and off to one side of where he
had stood, a banner whipped in the wind brought on by the
dragon’s wings. The cloth carried the same strange emblem
she had seen on the bed covers in Paladin’s room on the
airship the first day. The flag revealed the design clearer than
the one on the bed covers. A dragon, head up, wings spread,
held a spear against its body. Its tail was wrapped around the
weapon’s long handle. This time, instead of crimson, gold
was embroidered on a white rectangle.
She didn’t have to ask. The flag belonged to the white
dragon clan. His clan. Paladin would die at his home.
Fear for Paladin left her trembling. She fought to calm
her breathing. Closing her eyes, she focused on his smiling
face and the joy he’d brought her today. After a few
moments, she realized she had to prepare him for what
might happen. She struggled to her feet and stumbled across
the room. The need to see him, to verify he was alive and
unharmed helped calm her down. With a twist of the knob,
she pulled the door open.
He stood, leaning against the door jam. Seren suppressed
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a relieved cry and moved forward, resting her back on the
opposite side, staring at him.
He inclined his head, his eyes narrowing. He returned her
scrutiny, his gaze scanning her face. “Are you all right?”
Not able to speak, she stepped to him, hugging his waist.
She buried her nose at the spot where his shirt gaped and the
deep tanned muscles of his chest met. His arms held her
secure.
He was alive. She would do her best to keep him that way.
She turned her face and rubbed her cheek against his
skin. “You can’t go home.”
His back stiffened. He touched her chin, bringing her face
up. “Why?”
“I had a vision.”
Those simple words seemed to convey her message.
Danger lurked within the boundaries of his homeland. He
seemed to understand and nodded.
Relief poured through her. She shut her eyes. “I want you
to hold me.”
He placed his hand on the back of her neck, pulling her
close. “Come, we both need rest. After a peaceful night, you
will be more at ease.”
Without another word, he led her into the room and then
closed the door behind them.
* * * *
Tugging the extra pillow over, Seren buried her nose
into the downy softness as sleep faded from her mind.
Paladin’s scent lingered, bringing a smile to her lips. The
pillow still held a touch of warmth, revealing he’d left her
only a short while ago.
God, she wanted to find a tub of hot water. To soak and
relax without the pressure of the dragon vision weighing on
her would be heaven. She laughed. Heaven indeed! Bliss with
her golden angel beside her.
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Closing her eyes, she imagined Paladin bathing with her,
his hands covered with soap, sliding across her slick body. A
moan escaped her. Her blood throbbed in her veins. Sharp
pangs of desire shot up through her belly from the junction
between her legs.
Lying in bed, desiring him, wouldn’t bring him back to
her side so she tossed the covers back, trying her best to
ignore her body’s need for him. Seren sa
t up, stretching.
Lowering her hands into her lap, she glanced at her
surroundings. Her gaze stopped on the door on the left side
of the room. Ajar, the opening revealed another room.
She leaned to the left to see better. The curved rim of a
large basin showed just past the door. An excited laugh
escaped her. For the first time since she’d arrived on this
strange planet, she wanted to dance with joy. Maybe, just
maybe, she’d receive what she desired—a bath. Unable to
resist the temptation, she slipped from the bed. The hem of
Paladin’s shirt fell over the tops of her thighs, tickling her
legs.
With one hand, she pushed the door wider. Yes, a tub was
there, waiting for her to use. With a grin, she pulled the shirt
over her head. Naked, she studied the narrow chain hanging
on the side of a water spout. She tugged it. Clear water
poured out of the curved pipe. After a few seconds, steam
rose from the water.
Seren touched the clear, gushing water. Her smile
widened. The temperature, bordering on hot and promising
relaxing comfort, called to her. She stepped into the tub then
sat, leaning back, enjoying the feel of the water covering her.
Her mind wandered to the last time she had sat in a bath.
At that time, she had wanted the horrible, oppressive vision
of the white dragon to end. Now, all her thoughts centered
on Paladin and her unborn baby. She rested her head against
the tub’s rim, considering everything that had happened
since then.
Thinking of the first vision reminded her of what she’d
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witnessed last night, but she shook her head, she wouldn’t
think about the past. She stopped memories from filling her
mind. Right now, she wanted to relax, not consider how what
had happened to her in the past might affect the future. This
peaceful time would slip away. There wasn’t any way she’d
mess up this moment. She wanted to enjoy it. Who knew
what this day would bring?
After soaking then bathing with a bar of plain, unscented
soap, Seren dressed and left the bedroom. She retraced hers
and Paladins’ footsteps from last night, descended the stairs,
and walked to the room they had gone to when they first
arrived. No one was there. Next, she went to the front
entrance, hoping to find Paladin out there.
A luscious, vibrant world greeted her outside. Sweat
popped out on her brow. The high humidity reminded her of
southern Louisiana where steamy humidity was a way of life.
Plants and trees grew along the perimeter of the cleared area
before the house, revealing a green hothouse of life which
reminded her of home. Patches of bright white clouds floated
across the brilliant blue sky. The gentle breeze brought the
heavy scent of sweet exotic flowers.
When she didn’t see anyone, Seren went back inside.
Frowning, not sure what to do or where to go, she tilted her
head and listened, hoping for some sign to tell her everyone’s
location. She didn’t want to wander around the wizard’s
home by herself too much. Largin might not like it.
Voices came from further down the hall. She moved to
the closed door at the end and turned the knob. The room,
the width of the house, was the kitchen.
Aromatic herbs hung from hooks on the ceiling. A black
kettle extended on a hook in the hearth spewed steam from
its spout. The strong scent of telee permeated the room.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
Her gaze swung away from the kettle to the far side of the
room. Largin stood next to a doorway which gave a view of
the backyard. Light spilled inside, brightening that side of
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the room.
The old man stepped away from the opening, motioning
to her. “Come, Leo and Paladin are without, enjoying the
warmth of the sun.”
With a nod, she walked past him and into an overgrown
world of glorious life. Deep green vines with leaves the size of
elephant ears climbed the outer door frame. Bright blue
trumpet flowers with dark orange pistons bloomed in
staggered places on the vine.
Amazed, she looked closer. The petals appeared coated
with a strange waxy substance.
Leo’s voice carried across the vibrant garden. “They’re
similar to the hibiscus.”
Seren swung around to the sound. Paladin stood next to
the taller black man. He appeared smaller, weaker against
Leo. Memories of her vision the night before returned. There
had been nothing spineless in the way he had faced the
attacking dragons. Pride along with strength had radiated
from him.
She smiled, wanting him to see her joy in finding him. He
grinned, a warm light reflected in his eyes. “Good morning,”
she called. As she approached them, she focused on Paladin.
“You look rested.”
His smile melted her heart. “So do you.”
Leo chuckled. “Are you hungry? I threw a batch of drop
biscuits together. There’s fresh butter. Jam, too, if you like,
and hot telee. You drank it last night. It’s sort of like tea.”
He pointed to a table hidden from view by several
planters filled with greenery. Her stomach growled. She
reached up, covering her heated cheeks. “Sorry. I’m
starving.”
“Then eat. There’s plenty.”
Paladin moved ahead of her. He pulled a chair out. “I was
discussing with Leo the possibility of taking a ride up the
mountain. There is a meadow not far from here. The view of
the sea is exquisite. I thought perhaps you might enjoy an
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outing.”
“I’d love to,” she replied, picking up and buttering a
biscuit. When she broke the round, golden bread apart,
steam escaped, carrying the delicious aroma to her taste
buds. Her stomach muscles tightened. Her mouth watered.
“Good. I’ll go and prepare the dragoons. You will be fine
here.” The deep tone of his voice added to the loveliness of
the morning.
She nodded, taking a bite. The food was delicious. She’d
found heaven. Closing her eyes, she savored the flavors of the
biscuit with melted butter.
After a couple more bites, she glanced up to discover both
men had disappeared. With a smile which turned into a
laugh, she fixed another biscuit and poured a cup of telee.
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Chapter Eleven
An hour later, Seren sat on the back of a dragoon, waiting
for Leo to finish tying the straps around a straw basket on
the rear of his saddle. Next to her, Paladin sat astride his own
dragoon. He reached out, touching her arm. When she
glanced at him, he pointed up.
Birds flew from the leafy foliage of a nearby tree. Their
tails streamed behind them, showing off an array of bright
pinks and purple feathers. They glided toward the rear of the
>
house. Their deep caws rang out in the quiet of the clearing.
Enthralled, Seren watched them until they disappeared.
She turned to Leo. “They looked like macaws.”
“Yes, ma’am. There are a lot of animals, plants, and birds
similar to ones on Earth.”
Once Leo mounted, Paladin led the way past the wizard’s
home. The trail cut through the lush forest. Croaks along
with chirps greeted their small caravan. Seren looked at the
dense undergrowth and the tall trees. Remnants of moisture
hung in the air.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she said. “Peaceful. Fresh.”
Paladin smiled at her over his shoulder. “I come here
often. It is a fine place for a man to think.”
His words made her curious about what he thought now.
He looked at her. Had he sensed her inquisitive thoughts?
“We will not consider the future while we are here. There will
be time for that later. Let us enjoy the peace instead.”
With a nod, she agreed with him, but kept her focus on
him more than the landscape. His body shifted and moved
with the gait of the dragoon with a natural balance. A grin
tugged at her mouth. She’d never watched men, but she
could grow accustomed to studying him. Her eyes wandered
over the width of his shoulders, moving down the curve of
his back to his trim waist. Desire spiraled from the tips of her
breast to her lower body.
“Look there,” Leo called from behind her.
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Glad for the interruption, she glanced in time to see a
strange cat-like animal scurry across their path. Her mouth
fell open. A surprised gasp escaped. Once on the opposite
side of the trail, the grayish feline peeked from beneath
leaves and hissed at them. Its body hunkered low to the
ground. As they moved past, Seren saw the cat creature’s legs
were no longer than her fingers.
Amazed, she turned to Leo. “What is it?”
“Sorta like a cat, but more badger. They live in hollow
trees.” His eyes, alight with joy, crinkled in the corners.
They continued on, each silent except for the times some
new animal would appear or a strange looking plant caught
her eye. Leo explained each one to her and compared it to
something familiar on Earth.
The slow ride helped her forget she no long traveled on
Earth. The gentle swaying relaxed her. Each tree and the
growing plants beneath them thrived in the hothouse
