Dragon Wish

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