Dragon's Gap: Set Includes Stories 4-5 Plus Love's Impulse

by L M Lacee

  Jenny nodded and took a soft breath in and out. “As you say Lady Olinda, well for some general history. Ri’ Luthen who has gone beyond the veil now. Many years ago when our people did not care about who they impregnated or became pregnant from put a ban in place.”

  “Was that to keep your race pure?” asked Edith.

  Jenny inclined her head. “In part but more to keep offspring or glimmers safe. Because of the gifts that could have been given from their parent. As you can imagine not all gifts are benign. So a Royal decree was issued, it has never been revoked.”

  “So no glimmers have been conceived since that decree?” asked Axl.

  “That is so?”

  “Or none that you know about?” said Edith.

  “Or are still alive.” said Ash.

  “Fortunately it is not possible for a glimmer to be birthed without the watches knowing.”

  “Excuse me!” said Olinda. “I and my sister would put lie to all of that!”

  Jenny hesitantly said. “So it would seem.”

  Olinda looked at Charlie and saw the same knowledge in her eyes that was in hers. They had known, someone had known about her and Cara.

  “What are watches?” asked Reighn.

  Jenny smiled again on sure ground now.

  They, who monitor earth to see if any Unicorns have slipped through to walk your world and to keep them from behaving badly.”

  Keeper raised an eyebrow, the obvious answer sat in front of them all but he asked anyway. “So none are allowed too?”

  Jenny gave a little laugh. “Oh no, many come here. They are to remain in human form, of course. The rules state that quite strictly. Plus they may not have relations with humans.”

  “And again I say. Cara and I put paid to that.” muttered Olinda, her annoyance meter reaching the red mark. She said and there was a decided snap in her voice. “I think it would be a good idea now to name our father.”

  “Yes of course. It was Lindao Lochlon.”

  “Who was?”

  “Ri Caderyn’s son.”

  “Of course he was!” said Olinda and like her no one was surprised. On some level they had all known.

  Edith smiled at Olinda’s tone and asked. “Oh, so these Unicorns watch to see if anyone breaks the rules when they are here?”

  “Yes sometimes youths have control issues and slip into their Unicorn form.”

  “And this is where the continued sightings of Unicorns come from?” asked Sage.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.” said Reighn. “You talk of the planets but you came from Washington State?”

  “No Dragon Lord. I came from a portal opened at offices in Washington State. We actually live on a planet called Uformina and Ri’ Caderyn, rules all of Uformina.”

  “I see.” Reighn said with a frown.

  Olinda asked. “This is all very well but what of our father. It seems he did more than an accidental sighting. He actually impregnated not one female but two, years apart.”

  “Two that we know of!” stated Charlie.

  “True, so we know he broke your own rules about relating to humans in a carnal way and where were your watches then or since.” asked Olinda.

  Jenny wrung her hands again. “It is a delicate matter for you and the glimmer. As we are unsure if indeed you are the family of the one who has past. As you are aware he is no longer here to ask”

  “I see, yet earlier you said you know who they are related too.” said Ash. “What game are you playing?”

  “I am not Lord Ash.”

  Olinda placed her hand on his tense arm.

  Well Sharm drew blood from us both. We are a match for DNA as you know. I know our father is no longer alive and you represent his father. Our grandfather. So you take what he asked for and do your tests and while you are at it, you and our grandfather can read this.” She slid a flash drive over to the startled female.

  Jenny took it like it held dynamite and swallowed. Her eyes traveling the people there and finally settling on Olinda who said.

  “You have the technology to read that I am told. So let your ones that send out your watchers for our protection read that with our maybe grandfather. Then you tell him I said as his granddaughter to man up and come and talk to me and until then we have no more to say. I am done here.”

  She rose as Ash did, she squeezed his arm and walked out. They all watched her go.

  “I do not think Lady Olinda understands the full import of what it means to be half-blood Unicorn?” Jenny told them.

  “My shadow understands, probably more than you do.”

  “I did not come here with the intent to disturb and unbalance her or you.”

  “She is beyond disturbed. She is angry. Read what she has placed on the drive and you will understand.” said Charlie.

  “The portal is open.” Reighn told her.

  She nodded as she stood. “The folder is for her and you.” She told Charlie as she placed the vials of blood that were carefully secured in a container, in her briefcase. “It is a simplified version of our history of our planet and language and how Blessings are ruled. There is of course an extended version for your scholars. That is if any are able to understand and read our language.”

  Reighn said. “We thank you.”

  Jenny gave one last smile to the room in general, then stepped through the portal.

  Charlie went to speak but Ark made the sign for silence. He closed his eyes then pointed around the room. Axl, Ash, Storm and Keeper moved to where he pointed and plucked small dots from the walls, floor and from under the table and off the folder she had left. They placed them in a bin and Reighn fried them all. Ark did one more sweep then said. “We are clear.”

  Rene’ and Verity entered. Rene’ said. “Highly entertaining.”

  “You were listening?” asked Ella.

  “Of course, it concerns our grandchild and Ash’s shadow.”

  “I do not like the bugs.” said Reighn.

  Edith asked. “You knew they were there?”

  “Of course.”

  “The whole time?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well why didn’t you tell us?” asked Sage.

  Reighn laughed. “Oh no I wanted them to see some of what they are dealing with.”

  “Huh! That makes sense. You didn’t fry that first one, the professor?” Sage said disappointed that he had not.

  Reighn grinned at her tone. “He was not a bug?”

  “Are you sure?” she asked. “Looked like one to me.”

  Edith asked. “Did Olinda know?”

  “Yes which is why no one is dead.” She said as she entered. “Seriously I am so pissed.” She growled as she walked into her shadows arms. “No gifts. See what they know?”

  Ash said. “It is wise they do not. Not a good idea to show our hand too early.”

  “Yeah I understand that.”

  Edith asked. “Is she allowed to swear?”

  “Newbie, so probably!” Sage answered sourly. Olinda grinned at her and Edith.

  Charlie now in Storm’s arms asked Olinda.

  Can you read that?” She pushed the folders towards her. Keeper flicked it open as they stared at it. They both smiled and looked at Charlie. Olinda said. “Yep.”

  They assume it will take months, if not years for you to decipher it.” Reighn told them.

  Rene’ said. “It is a ploy, while they decide what to do and of course they can cite things we would have to go away and look up and research. All time wasting.”

  Olinda grinned. “Tough! Keeper and I will have this read and translated in... What do you think Keeper?”

  He said. “A day, two days at most?”

  “Yeah, that is what I thought.” They could all see the two of them almost quivering with excitement.

  “All I want to know is, what our rights to Cara are?” said Charlie.

  Olinda looked at the couple and said. “They have none.”

  Storm said. “You said he is her grandpar
ent, there will be rights.”

  “I did and he is our grandfather. What Miss Jenny Sanders did not tell you, because she has probably been told not to, is if a glimmer is not claimed within any Blessing before her or his first birthday then they, the Blessings, have forfeited all rights to that glimmer. Cara cannot be taken.”

  “How do you know?” asked Storm.

  Olinda stood her eyes widened as she thought. “I don’t know how I know! I just do. It is like someone gave me the answer.”

  “The Goddess, she left. Right?” asked Edith.

  Olinda looked at her. “I thought she had but occasionally I hear a voice. I thought it was her but now I am not sure. Maybe I am possessed!”

  Ash laughed gently. “No my soul you are not, the same shield that stops us reading your mind, stops that happening.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am positive.”

  “Well okay. So I guess we will wait to see what happens.”

  Ark asked. “So what do we do about the Ri’?”

  Olinda squirmed. “I don’t know. It seems rulers make up their own rules.” She looked at Reighn who raised one eyebrow at her statement. “Well some of them do!”

  He grinned as he said. “I have heard that.”

  Keeper said. “We will know by the time we have finished the paper work she left.”

  “So that sentence you said yesterday, do you know what it means?” asked Sage.

  “Nope, but I will find out.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO:

  A sh dragged Olinda from Keeper after they split the paper work between them. She and Ash spent the remainder of the day with the twins and redesigning their home.

  After dinner they settled the boys then she and Ash had retired to their bedroom where Ash took up the mantle of teacher once more with a very willing student in Olinda.

  They both fed the twins their last bottle until morning and Olinda was snuggled in Ash’s arms once more. She finally told him what the Goddess had prophesied about the girls they were to have. He had laughed so hard he’d rolled off the bed, which made her laugh just as hard.

  It was one of the most enjoyable days she had experienced for a long time. By the look of contentment on Ash’s face as he wandered their home with a baby in his arms the following morning it seemed that way for him too.

  They used the following days to complete the shopping they had both put off. Outfitting the boys and Olinda and Ash. Several times she was sure she had not purchased clothes that seemed to appear in her closets.

  On the third day Olinda slipped out of bed early fed the boys their bottles and changed them. As she rocked both babies she finally got time to read though the papers given them by the Unicorns.

  By the time the babies were ready to return to their bassinets Olinda had a working understanding of the Unicorn’s language.

  She walked into the kitchen and stared blankly at the coffee pot. She really should learn how to make it. Then she remembered she had to call Keeper.

  “Hey Keeper, so have you finished your papers?”

  “Good morning Olinda.”

  “Oh yeah! Good morning Keeper.”

  “Yes I have read the papers. I assume you have too?”

  “Yes, do you want to swap?”

  “How about Ella and I come over for breakfast and we go through what we know?”

  “Umm! Well okay.” She was positive there was cereal left. She could hear the laugh in his voice when he said. “Ella has offered to cook breakfast.”

  “She has! That would be great. See you soon.”

  “Goodbye!”

  “Oh yeah, goodbye.”

  Ash walked into the kitchen, she said. “The coffee pot is broken.”

  He looked at the counter and saw the intact coffee machine. “It does not look broken.”

  “There is no coffee, therefore broken. Guess what?”

  “Good morning sweetheart.”

  “Oh yeah, good morning. Guess what?”

  He smiled at her, his Olinda was forgetful of social norms. Like good morning or good night, and she had an obscure sense of humor, that he was learning. She amuse him and his dragon constantly, she added light to their life. His dragon thought she was adorable! “What can I not guess?” he asked now.

  “Keeper and Ella are coming over and bringing food!”

  “Wonderful. I will make coffee!”

  “Okay, I will dress.” Seeing as she only had a robe on, he thought that was a good idea.

  As she hurried from the room, he frowned, they were going to have to get a housekeeper and quickly, he called June. “Good morning June.”

  “Hi Ash, what can I do for you?”

  “We need a cook and housekeeper also we have alterations to the apartment that we would like to discuss with you.”

  “That is quite a list. What does Olinda say?”

  “About the apartment, it was her idea.”

  “No I meant about the cook and housekeeper?”

  “I have no idea. I have not asked her, should I?”

  June laughed softly as she said. “The answer to that is yes but wait until I get there. I will be up for breakfast. I heard Ella is cooking.”

  Smiling at her not so subtle invite to breakfast he told her. “She is. I am making coffee.”

  “Well make enough for all of us, your brothers have just arrived. I like tea!”

  “Of course they have and I am aware you do.”

  Ash made coffee and minutes later June with Ark and Axl arrived. The brothers went straight to the twin’s room.

  Olinda saw them as she came from the bedroom she pushed into the kitchen and took the offered cup of coffee from Ash. “Do your brothers think we do dastardly things to the twins?”

  “I do not think so.”

  “Are you sure because as soon as they get here they rush straight to their room.”

  “It is because we did not think we would ever have our own young, so they are very protective.”

  “Oh I see! Morning June. Why are you here, did you not have food either?”

  “Good morning. Yes I have food. Thank you Ash.” She said as he gave her a cup of tea. He sat beside Olinda as he told her. “June is here for breakfast and to discuss the renovations.”

  “Oh great.”

  “Also I have asked her to hire a cook and housekeeper for us.”

  “Oh thank goodness, I cannot cook and as much as Ash is very good at ordering in we are desperate. So who will we get?”

  June said. “Charlie and Queen Scarlett were just telling me of two sisters, one likes to cook and the other does housework.”

  Olinda asked. “You have to be kidding really! Why?”

  June shrugged. “No idea I don’t get it either!”

  “So faeries?” asked Ash.

  “Yes, Bay likes to Cook and her sister Ember will be your housekeeper.”

  “What does a housekeeper do?” asked Ash.

  “Well in your case, she will oversee the cleaners, do light housework like make beds, laundry, dust, vacuum and tidy up. Also she will do all of your ordering, anything you need. Organize your schedules if you need her too. Mainly she tends to the house and everything in it. If you wish for nannies we will find you some that will work well with Bay and Ember. You should be aware, they will not live in and must have days off.”

  “What is normal?” asked Olinda.

  “Weekends usually.”

  “We will do that.” Ash told her.

  “Okay, so you want to meet them?”

  Ash asked Olinda. “What do you think?”

  “Yes it makes sense. I am not a good house keeper and we are both going back to work soon, right?” Olinda smiled and said. “June please have them come.”

  “Good.” she made a call. “Charlie yes, send them over please.”

  “You had them lined up already?” asked Olinda.

  June grinned. “It is what I do.”

  Axl and Ark came in followed by Keeper, Ella, Sage
and Reighn. They were all loaded down with food which they placed on the counters. Reighn and Keeper sat as Axl, Ark and Ella started to set the table and open the food containers. It smelled delicious.

  “I am so hungry.” said Olinda.

  “Mama sent food as well. She and papa have the girls for breakfast so we thought we would come here.” Reighn told them.

  Olinda and Keeper exchanged papers. Instantly they were reading, Ash said. “Ignore them, they will be finished shortly. Glad you could come, how are things?”

  Reighn nodded. “Good, all is good.”

  As the food was all placed on the table and Olinda’s coffee cup was refilled, she finished reading. “Interesting!”

  Keeper finished a few minutes later as he looked at her and agreed. “It is!”

  He looked around at the others and said “When we have finished breakfast, we will tell you what we found.”

  Reighn agreed. “I also have news.”

  Everyone sat, Ash said. “Thank you all for the food and company.”

  Olinda smiled. “Especially Ella, and the food.”

  They all laughed and then dug in, soon plates were full and mouths were busy eating. Olinda was amused to see she actually could eat more than the day before, her stomach was working again. Within a short time all food had been consumed and they sat around as Ark and Axl cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher.

  Edith, Sharm. Lars and Claire arrived, Sage asked. “Kids with the grandparents?”

  Lars nodded. “They are, we have come for coffee and news.”

  Edith grinned. “I am just nosy.” She pointed to Sharm and said. “He is here to check the twins.”

  Sharm nodded. “And for news.”

  “More the merrier.” said Olinda as she moved over a little.

  “So what do you know?” asked Reighn.

  Keeper said. “The first is what I found out about the Sun dragons which was pitiful. The best I can come up with is this small quote from an old obscure text written over five thousand years ago in Gaelic.

  When the Sun Dragons and the Moon Dragons combine to be in the world at the same time Magic is released on Dragon Kind and a wrong is righted.

  He said. “Before you ask that is all we know. I can make some guesses as it is possible there are another set of twins out there that are moon dragons. I looked them up as well and another quote similar to the first was found, it just said the same thing with moon dragons first. So no help!”