by S. E. Smith
Arosa started to say something, but stopped when she saw her sister shake her head and float upward. They faded, watching in silence as Aikaterina observed the two figures lying in the grass near the river for several long minutes before she rose and walked over to the river of gold flowing through the Hive.
“Why do you think she is sad?” Arosa whispered to her sister, watching as Aikaterina sank down into the river.
“I don’t know,” Arilla replied.
Chapter 23
Sara glanced down at Jaguin’s relaxed features. They made love in both forms several times over the course of the afternoon. They had eventually fallen asleep, lured by the sound of the water, the gentle warm breeze, and their own exhausted lovemaking.
She didn’t know what woke her from her sound sleep. She was surprised when she realized it wasn’t because of her nightmares. She blinked and sat up, shocked to find that she was wearing a loose gown made of blue silk.
“I thought you would be more comfortable if you were wearing clothes,” a soft feminine voice said.
Sara started when she saw the figure of a woman sitting on a rock nearby. Her lips parted in surprise when Honey walked over to the woman and rubbed her head against the woman’s leg. Sara blinked several times, wondering if she was hallucinating.
“Who… Who are you?” Sara asked in confusion.
“I am called many things, but here I am called Aikaterina,” the woman replied.
“Jaguin…,” Sara started to say, reaching her hand out to him.
“He sleeps,” Aikaterina replied. “I wished to… speak with you, Sara.”
“Me?” Sara asked, pulling her hand back and touching the necklace around her neck. “Why? What about?”
“You were a wanderer on your world,” Aikaterina murmured, smiling down at Honey. “I like the different names your species give my children.”
“Your children?” Sara repeated, feeling like she was not only missing a few puzzle pieces, but the entire picture on the lid of it. “I’m sorry… I really don’t understand who you are.”
“Then, let me show you,” Aikaterina replied with a wave of her hand.
Sara stiffened and gasped as images burst through her mind. She saw a brilliant burst of light, before millions of galaxies formed. Her body twirled as the images rushed through. Millions of planets and stars flashed by her, different species rose and faded, before everything came to a stop and she found herself standing in the cemetery back home.
“Where… Where are we?” Sara asked in a trembling voice, staring in growing panic at the familiar surroundings. “I know this place. I know this place,” she repeated, taking a step toward the old oak tree. “I….”
Sara stopped and stared down at the small headstone. Fresh flowers decorated the grave. She blinked to clear her vision when the words became too blurry to see.
“Delilah,” she whispered, lifting her head to stare back at Aikaterina. “Why? Why did you bring me here?”
“So that you could say goodbye,” Aikaterina said, turning to gaze down at the grave. “Deep in your heart, you always wanted to come back and tell her goodbye.”
“How… How did… How do you know that?” Sara demanded, growing angry.
“Is that not what you wanted?” Aikaterina asked.
“No,” Sara said, turning away before she stopped and frowned. “Wait a minute!”
Sara turned back and stared back at the grave. “That’s wrong,” she said with a shake of her head.
“What is wrong?” Aikaterina asked, tilting her head to the side.
“The… The date of birth,” Sara said, pointing to the headstone. “Delilah was born….”
Sara’s voice faded when she saw the figure of a young woman walking toward her. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. It looked like Delilah! The woman was older, but Sara would recognize Delilah’s vivid hazel eyes and thick black hair anywhere. She shook her head. How was that possible?
“Delilah,” Sara whispered.
“She cannot hear you,” Aikaterina said, turning to look at the slender young woman walking toward them. “This is but a mirror to your world.”
“A mirror? How is this possible? She died,” Sara said, lifting a hand to wipe at her cheek.
Aikaterina was silent for a long time before she finally spoke. Her soft words washed over Sara, healing the wounds of pain and sadness that she had carried all through the years. Sara watched as Delilah stopped by the grave and knelt down to place some flowers on it before she rose to brush some dirt off of the headstone. Amber Delilah Rosewater: Beloved wife and mother.
“Miss you, momma,” Delilah whispered. “Tell daddy that I miss him, too. I’m doing good. I’ve found a lead on where Sara might be. I hope I can find her. I’m heading to a ranch in Wyoming next. It may take a while to find her, but I won’t give up until I do.”
“How can she be alive? I saw her die,” Sara cried, turning to look at the figure beside her.
“When you change the course of time, it has a ripple effect on the rest of the universe,” Aikaterina murmured.
“You… This is crazy! Are you telling me that you changed the course of time?!” Sara demanded, turning back to watch as Delilah continued to kneel by the grave. “She was dead!”
“Yes, she was,” Aikaterina stated, turning to look at Sara.
Sara shook her head. “Why are you doing this?” Sara whispered. “Why?”
“Because without her, I could not correct a mistake I made,” Aikaterina explained as she turned to stare at Delilah.
“What mistake?” Sara asked quietly.
Aikaterina turned to stare sadly at Sara. “Twin Dragons,” she said.
“But, they have their mate,” Sara said in exasperation. “Melina….”
“The original twin dragons,” Aikaterina said. “The first ones – Barrack and Brogan.”
“What does that have to do with Delilah?” Sara demanded in a soft voice.
Aikaterina turned to stare at Sara. “She is meant to be their true mate,” she replied.
“You brought her back from the dead to be their true mate?” Sara asked in an incredulous tone.
Aikaterina softly chuckled. “I did not bring her back from the dead,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes. “I turned back time. This changed the course of history. The ripple effect was to change the thread that ties the twin dragons. Delilah was part of that thread. As long as the thread remains unbroken, it will continue to exist.”
Sara shook her head in confusion. “So, you’re telling me that when you brought the Twin Dragons, the first ones, back that it somehow brought Delilah back as well?”
“Yes,” Aikaterina said.
“And what happens if they don’t find her and become her true mate?” Sara asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Then, time will reset itself and the history that was created for them will remain,” Aikaterina replied in a solemn tone.
Sara drew in a deep, hissing breath. “Why are you showing me this? Why tell me all of this if she could still die?” She asked in a voice filled with pain.
Aikaterina watched the figure of Delilah as she walked back toward her car. She watched as the young human glanced back toward them, as if she was aware that she was being observed. A serene smile curved Aikaterina’s lips. She could see the strength in Delilah’s eyes.
“Because she will need you, Sara,” Aikaterina replied, beginning to fade. “She will need your friendship.”
“Wait! Aikaterina! You can’t just leave,” Sara snapped before she groaned. “Wait!”
“Sara,” Jaguin’s voice pulled at her.
Sara blinked several times to clear her vision. She stared up in confusion at Jaguin. She pushed against him and sat up, looking wildly around. She was back near the river. Turning, she stared at Jaguin.
“Where is she?” Sara asked in a choked voice.
“Where is who, Sara?” Jaguin asked, glancing around with a sharp gaze.
“Aikaterina
,” Sara asked, pushing up so that she could stand.
“Aikaterina?! Why… Where did you get that?” Jaguin asked, staring at the blue silk gown Sara was wearing. He glanced down at his body. He was dressed in the black uniform he normally wore when he was on duty. “When did I put this on?” He asked with a frown, turning to stare at Sara.
“Who is Aikaterina?” Sara asked in a trembling voice.
Jaguin ran his hands through his hair and frowned. “She is a Goddess of our people. It is said that our symbiots come from her blood. She gave us the gift of our dragon as a reward for saving her life. Why?”
Sara’s lips trembled and she raised her hand to him. Warmth, love, and concern surrounded her at his touch. Stepping closer, she wound her arms around his waist and held him as tightly as she could.
“Because she gave me a chance to save an old friend,” Sara whispered, leaning back to look up at his face. “I need to return to Earth.”
“Earth!” Jaguin exclaimed in shock. “Sara….”
Sara saw the shock fade to awe as he stared over Sara’s shoulder. She turned to see what had captured his attention. Stepping out of the woods were two huge warriors. A shiver ran through Sara when she saw the scars on them. These were not your typical warriors. These were…
“Twin Dragons,” Jaguin hissed, pushing Sara behind him.
“Don’t, Jaguin,” Sara warned, grabbing his arm when his hand instinctively searched for the weapon at his side.
“Sara,” Jaguin warned, never taking his eyes off the two warriors striding toward them.
“You are the one called Jaguin?” One of them called out.
“Yes,” Jaguin replied in a loud voice. “Who are you?”
The men slowed to a stop almost a dozen feet away. They stared at Sara and Jaguin for several minutes before the one on the right rolled his shoulders and gave them a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Once again, Sara felt Jaguin stiffen.
“I am Barrack. This is my brother, Brogan,” the man introduced. “We have need of a tracker.”
“Why?” Jaguin asked in a sharp tone.
“To find our true mate,” Brogan said.
“You have lost her?” Jaguin asked with a raised eyebrow.
Both men were silent again. “We have never found her,” Barrack finally admitted.
Jaguin raised an eyebrow at them. “Then how do you expect me to find her if you don’t even know who she is?” He asked.
Both men looked at each other before glancing at Sara. She stared back at them. Deep in their eyes, she saw a glimmer of desperation, sadness, and – acceptance.
“Her name is Delilah,” Sara said quietly. “She is my best friend.”
All three men stiffened. Hope flared in the two men’s eyes as they stared back at her. Sara’s hand went to the strange necklace she wore. Warmth filled her and she knew that she had made the right decision to speak up.
“Do you know where she is?” Barrack asked in a quiet voice.
Sara shook her head. “Not for sure,” she admitted. “She is on my world. She said she was heading for a ranch in Wyoming. She is looking for me.”
“Wyoming?” Jaguin said, turning partially to look at her. “Paul has a ranch in this place. We were at the ranch before I found you.’
“You will take us there,” Brogan ordered.
“Please,” Barrack added with a sharp glance at his brother. “Please, we do not have much time.”
“Jaguin,” Sara whispered, laying her hand on his arm. “They are telling the truth. They don’t have much time, and neither does Delilah.”
“Sara,” Jaguin started to protest before he glanced at the two warriors. Turning back to Sara, he gazed deeply into her eyes. “You are sure?”
“Look into my mind,” she whispered, staring up at him.
*.*.*
Jaguin stared into Sara’s eyes and opened his mind. A soft hiss escaped him when he saw the images she was sharing. For a moment in time, he was standing beside her. His gaze moved to the ethereal figure standing just a few feet from them.
“You are…,” he started to say before he shook his head.
“Their time runs short warrior, as does the time of their mate. Help them,” the figure replied. “Do not let them die in vain.”
Jaguin stared back at the golden figure. There was a frailty about her that alarmed him and told him that she was growing weaker. His natural instinct to protect pulled at him to do what he could to help her.
“Guide them, warrior,” the woman whispered. “That is how you may help me.”
Jaguin nodded his head and held his hand to his chest. “With honor, my Goddess,” Jaguin promised. “I will guide them.”
“Thank you, Jaguin,” Aikaterina whispered, fading.
“Jaguin,” Sara’s voice pulled him back to the present.
Jaguin turned to look at Sara before he focused on the two men. They both stood silently watching – waiting – for him to make his decision. A small rueful smile curved his lips and he wound his arm around Sara.
“We are going to need a ship,” Jaguin said with a glimmer of determination in his eyes. “I think it is time I called in an old favor.”
“Favor?” Barrack asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I hope you like the Curizans,” Jaguin chuckled.
To be continued… Twin Dragon’s Destiny…
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Additional Books by S.E. Smith
YA Books
Voyage of the Defiance: Breaking Free series
Dust: Before and After
Paranormal and Science Fiction short stories and novellas
For the Love of Tia (Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1)
A Dragonlings’ Easter (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.1)
A Dragonlings’ Haunted Halloween (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.2)
A Dragonlings’ Magical Christmas (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.3)
A Warrior’s Heart (Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1.1)
Rescuing Mattie (Lords of Kassis: Book 3.1)
Science Fiction/Paranormal Novels
Cosmos’ Gateway Series
Tink’s Neverland (Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)
Hannah’s Warrior (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)
Tansy’s Titan (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)
Cosmos’ Promise (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)
Merrick’s Maiden (Cosmos’ Gateway Book 5)
Curizan Warrior
Ha’ven’s Song (Curizan Warrior: Book 1)
Dragon Lords of Valdier
Abducting Abby (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)
Capturing Cara (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)
Tracking Trisha (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)
Ambushing Ariel (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)
Cornering Carmen (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)
Paul’s Pursuit (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)
Twin Dragons (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 7)
Jaguin’s Love (Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 8)
The Old Dragon of the Mountain’s Christmas (Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 9)
Lords of Kassis Series
River’s Run (Lords of Kassis: Book 1)
Star’s Storm (Lords of Kassis: Book 2)
Jo’s Journey (Lords of Kassis: Book 3)
Ristéard’s Unwilling Empress (Lords of Kassis: Book 4)
Magic,
New Mexico Series
Touch of Frost (Magic, New Mexico Book 1)
Taking on Tory (Magic, New Mexico Book 2)
Sarafin Warriors
Choosing Riley (Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)
Viper’s Defiant Mate (Sarafin Warriors Book 2)
The Alliance Series
Hunter’s Claim (The Alliance: Book 1)
Razor’s Traitorous Heart (The Alliance: Book 2)
Dagger’s Hope (The Alliance: Book 3)
Challenging Saber (The Alliance Book 4)
Zion Warriors Series
Gracie’s Touch (Zion Warriors: Book 1)
Krac’s Firebrand (Zion Warriors: Book 2)
Paranormal and Time Travel Novels
Spirit Pass Series
Indiana Wild (Spirit Pass: Book 1)
Spirit Warrior (Spirit Pass Book 2)
Second Chance Series
Lily’s Cowboys (Second Chance: Book 1)
Touching Rune (Second Chance: Book 2)
Excerpts of S. E. Smith Books
If you would like to read more S. E. Smith stories, she recommends Abducting Abby, the first in her Dragon Lords of Valdier Series. Or if you prefer a Paranormal or Time Travel with a twist, you can check out Lily’s Cowboys or Indiana Wild…
About the Author
S.E. Smith is a New York Times, USA TODAY, International, and Award-Winning Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.
