Dragon Storm (Dawn of the Dragon Queen Book 2) (2 page)

“Look!” Gabriel pointed at the house.

She spun around, amazed at the opulent mansion before her. It was every bit as beautiful as Charlotte Carter’s mansion back in Galveston, with pale bricks, ivory shutters, and a grand foyer with balconies on the second and third floors.

“Oh, Gabriel!” she squealed, pulling him back inside. Beams of light shone through the many large windows, illuminating the walls, still festooned with ivy, and the floor, which was carpeted with plush grass interspersed with flowers. Safina suspected the original home hadn’t had the foliage, but it gave the place an ethereal and warm feel. For the first time ever, Safina felt like she was home.

“Now what do you think?” she asked.

Gabriel let out a low whistle. “I think I’ve found paradise.” He pulled her hand to his lips, his eyes twinkling. “Thank you, Safi.”

Her knees weakened as the light flickering in his eyes began to smolder and burn. She knew he was thinking of coupling again, and as a wave of heat pooled between her thighs, she wanted for nothing more than that he lay her down on the soft grass and make love to her.

His mouth hitched up in a devilish grin. “You need to guard your thoughts, mi amor. I can hear you.”

She turned up her chin. “Maybe I wanted you to hear me.”

He chuckled and hoisted her in his arms. “You’re going to wear me out before I’ve had a chance to break in my new legs.”

Safina frowned, biting her bottom lip. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not,” he growled before kneeling down and sinking into her embrace.

* * *

Safina awoke to a rumbling sound, followed by a gnawing pain in her gut. All this lovemaking had stoked her appetite, and she knew she’d need more nourishment than the flesh of coconuts. She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, surprised to find Gabriel was not there.

“Gabriel?” she called but heard no reply.

The light that spilled into the room was a soft pink. She slipped on her shift and padded across the cool grass to the window. The sun was setting and still she did not see Gabriel, yet she knew he was near, for she sensed the pull of his soul. She ran up the spiral staircase, calling his name as she looked inside the many rooms.

When she came upon the last room, she was amazed at the sight. A canopy of leaves covered the ceiling, and vines twisted down a four-poster bed. She was drawn to a large chest at the end of the bed, a rich mahogany piece inlaid with floral designs. Curiosity won over, and she knelt beside the chest, pulling on the hinges until it opened. She sucked in a gasp when she saw what was inside. Gowns in many bright shades with flowers stitched at the hems, jewels that sparkled like stardust. There was also a heavy silver brush and mirror. It was a chest fit for a princess, a gift, Safina knew without doubt, from the Almighty Mother herself.

She placed a hand across her heart, still feeling the tug of her mate nearby, and suspected he was out collecting more fruit.

She pulled the dresses out one at a time and laid them across the bed. One was warm coral with blue and yellow flowers, another was bright yellow with pink roses and green vines. The third was a white dressing gown with long tapered sleeves and a belt. Though the robe was simple, it was also of the softest silk, smoother than black moss as she rubbed it across her cheek.

Safina thought of the heavy skirts she’d been forced to wear since waking up in the new world, and the allure of the comfortable gown was too tempting. She slipped her arms through it and cinched it at the waist. It might have been a little big for her small frame, but it felt so luxurious, she refused to take it off.

She lay across the bed, looked up at her jungle canopy, and heaved a contented sigh. She had finally discovered a palace fit for a dragon royal, one where she and Gabriel could live and perhaps one day raise little hatchlings.

But even as she contemplated a future of freedom with a kind and giving mate, the seeds of doubt and regret began to plant themselves in her mind. She and Gabriel could build a new life and start a family, but would it be enough? What if he missed his papi and his brothers? And what if she longed for her mother? Though it was only yesterday she had told the dragon queen she hated her, Safina knew deep in her heart she’d always love her mother, and she couldn’t imagine living an eternity without her.

D
r. Charles Straw leaned back in his chair and groaned. Nearly ten minutes had passed, and the whore still hadn’t aroused him. It wasn’t like him to take so long. Usually the entire act was over in less time than it took him to oil and comb his hair. But he had a lot on his mind this morning. Rumors had reached him that the redheaded charlatan had healed the addled McClendon boy. Impossible. The child’s brain was Swiss cheese. How could this be, and what elixir had the bitch used?

“I don’t think this is working.” The whore impatiently huffed as she leaned back and wiped her mouth.

“You’re not trying hard enough.” He looked her over with a sneer. She typically wore enough face paint to mask the dark circles under her eyes, but not today. Her dull brown hair was disheveled, and the front of her dress was stained. Plus, she smelled like stale, cheap wine. She’d probably come straight to his apartment after working all night in the whorehouse. He scowled, wondering if she’d had the courtesy to rinse out her mouth first.

She shrugged. “Maybe it’s you.”

Anger spiked his blood pressure, his pulse pounding along tightly knotted neck muscles. “Finish what I paid you to do,” he growled.

She crossed her arms, pouting. “You haven’t paid me yet.”

He crooked his finger at her and then pointed to his groin. “And I won’t until I’m satisfied.”

Rolling her eyes, she spit into her hands and leaned over his flaccid member.

Bang-bang-bang!

The prostitute screeched and jumped to her feet as the front door shook with violet tremors.

“Straw!” a deep, angry bellow resounded from outside. “Open up.”

“Who’s that?” the whore hissed, wiping her hands on her skirt.

Straw buttoned his pants and reached for the cane beside his chair. “Shhh.” He held a finger to his lips and slowly rose. “Not another damn word.”

She jutted both hands on her hips. “Now hold on just a minute, mister….”

He raised his cane as if to strike her. Her eyes bulged, and she went surprisingly silent.

“Straw, I know you’re in there.” The man boomed. “I can hear your whore.”

Straw wasted no time as he rushed toward the window. Luckily his apartment was only on the second floor, and he’d snagged a rope ladder from the docks for such an occasion. He unlatched the window and draped the ladder outside.

“Hey!” The whore stomped a foot. “What about my money?”

He slipped into his coat and donned his hat before nodding toward the door with a sly smile. “Get in line.”

When she rushed toward him, he swung the cane, coming within inches of her nose. “Get back before I split that scowl of yours in half.”

“Now you’re gonna get it!” She spun on her heel and raced to the door.

Straw threw his hat and cane out the window, not waiting around to see what would happen next. As he descended the ladder with amazing speed, he heard her yelling to the irate creditor. “He’s headed out the window. When you catch him, I want my money.”

Straw dropped to the ground, ignoring the pain that shot up his leg. He picked up his cane and hat and looked up to see Colin O’Leary scowling down at him.

“You owe my boss five hundred dollars.” O’Leary shook his fist and yelled out the window.

O’Leary, a former Confederate soldier, was built like a bull and still strong for his age. Straw had treated the brute’s knee for an old war wound and knew he wouldn’t have the ability to climb down the ladder. Straw tipped his hat to the red-faced man and casually strolled off. He’d no doubt O’Leary would search for him in the saloons and brothels, but he wouldn’t find him there. Straw had another destination in mind. It was time to pay that healer a visit.

* * *

After a long day making love, Gabriel was famished. He left his sleeping mate in search of food and followed the overgrown path to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, dragging the net he’d found in the barn behind him. The weave was old and caked with mud. He hoped it would hold up.

He slipped off his shoes and walked barefoot across the hot sand, relishing the feel of it sticking to his soles. How he’d missed walking. He still couldn’t believe that in less than a day, a beautiful, flame-haired dragon princess had healed his legs, which hadn’t worked since he’d been stricken with Polio during childhood. Then, he’d been mated to that dragon princess. His life had taken a strange and wondrous turn, and he wouldn’t change it for anything, though perhaps there was one thing he would fix. He wished more than anything to see his family.

He had to retain hope that he and Safi would see them again. He wondered how Pedro was faring after recovering from the shark attack, and how his grandfather was coping with his absence. Mostly he worried the dragon queen was making his family’s lives miserable. He hoped he hadn’t brought her wrath on their heads. Safi had assured him her mother had a kind heart. He prayed her kindness had not run thin.

He waded into the surf, sinking into the sand as the warm water lapped at his feet. How he’d missed the mere sensation of feeling the earth mold to his feet, encompassing them like a wet glove. He trudged through the water until he was waist high, letting out a groan of satisfaction as he knelt and leaned his head back, letting the water soak his hair. If he hadn’t needed to search for food, he’d have taken a refreshing swim, but he had an entire eternity to enjoy the use of his legs. Knowing Safina’s appetite, he suspected she was hungrier than he was.

He tossed out the net and mumbled the prayer his papi had taught him, pleading with Mother Earth to provide nourishment for himself and his mate. He couldn’t help but laugh when he pulled in the net and saw four flapping tails. He relaxed as if a huge weight had been lifted. Mother Earth was blessing their union. He only hoped that meant the dragon queen’s forgiveness would follow.

* * *

Abby cursed under her breath after she poked her finger once again. She supposed she deserved the pain for having neglected her needlework for so long. Her grandmother sat beside her, knitting little booties, no doubt for Charlotte’s baby. Funny, but a few days ago, Abby would have been secretly angry with Nana for doting over Charlotte and Teddy Carter’s child. Instead of resenting Charlotte for marrying Teddy, she was overcome with a strange sense of happiness she hadn’t felt since she’d dreamed of her parents when she was unconscious.

Ever since yesterday, when that shark had attacked Pedro, Abby had been walking around the house as if in a daze. Though she was no zealot, she’d come to the conclusion Fiona and her daughter were angels, or perhaps witches or goddesses. Whatever they were, Abby knew them to be kind, and that’s all that mattered. She worried for Safi, though. Why had she and her mother had a falling out, and how had she managed to run off with Gabriel? Had Safi healed him?

She looked over at Nana, who was engrossed in her knitting. Though Abby normally enjoyed the few moments of reprieve when Nana wasn’t scolding her or gossiping about their neighbors, the silence between them felt like a punishment.

“Have you heard anything from Señor Cortez?” Abby knew it was a futile question. If Nana had heard anything, she would have been prattling on about it for the last half hour.

“No.” The old woman frowned, setting her work in her lap. “Nothing yet.”

“So you think they’ve truly eloped?”

Nana heaved a sigh. “It appears so.”

Abby wondered if Safi and Gabriel were okay. If so, where were they, and would they ever come back? “I hope they are happy together.”

Nana pulled back her shoulders, the lines around her eyes deepening. “They deserve to be miserable.” She wagged a finger at Abby as if it were somehow her fault. “All that pain she’s caused her dear mother by running off and leaving her alone like that.”

Abby swallowed hard as a wave of shame overcame her. Though Nana sometimes nagged her, Abby knew she was her Nana’s whole world. How selfish she’d been not to think of her Nana before she’d jumped from the pier. “How long will Miss Fiona keep to her bed?” she asked to change the subject.

“I’m not sure, but Señor Cortez gave her a powerful sleeping drug, and he says we are not to wake her,” she said sternly, as if she was expecting Abby to disobey her. The lines around her drawn mouth softened as she nodded toward the embroidery in Abby’s hands. “I haven’t seen you practice your needlework in a long while. What are you making, dearest?”

Abby made a face at the sloppy stitching of pink flowers. “A picture for Charlotte’s baby.”

“Oh, Abby, that’s wonderful.” Nana clasped her hands together, beaming. “You are such a kind friend to Charlotte.”

Abby hung her head. Those words of undeserving praise stung far worse than had Nana told the truth. Abby was ashamed of how she’d treated Charlotte—how she’d treated everyone. “No, I’m not. At least, I haven’t been, but I plan on being a better friend now.”

Nana set her work on a nearby table and heaved herself out of the chair. She sat next to Abby on the sofa, draping a heavy arm across her shoulders. “What brought on this change of heart?”

Abby pulled away from her grandmother, scooting to the other end of the sofa, for she deserved a hug even less than she deserved praise. She looked at her Nana through a sheen of tears, hardly aware she was crying. “I wasn’t far from Pedro when he was attacked. That shark swam right past me. I swear, when his tail grazed my leg, my life flashed before my eyes a second time.” She paused, looking at her hands fisted in her lap, for she hadn’t the nerve to look Nana in the eyes. “The first time was when I jumped from the pier.”

“Jumped?” Nana gasped. “I-I thought you fell.”

Abby forced herself to meet the older woman’s eyes. “No, Nana. I jumped because I was heartbroken over Theodore Carter.”

Nana’s hands flew to her flushed cheeks. “Oh, merciful heavens!”