Southern Fried Dragon (10 page)

How is this happening
, and who will see it?

“I love ye as well, Shaw Stenhouse, but the truth must come forth. If you are to stay here without me, and possibly die, I want no secrets between us.”

“I agree. I have something for you, first.”

Dru waited, impatience coloring her face. The light diminished, but its strange beauty did not deter him. Whatever secret she wished to share was going to be painful, but he would not leave her destitute should he die in battle. She might carry his child, and he was too much of a gentleman to ignore the fact. 

“At the tavern, I begged the cook to hold something for me with instructions to present it to you, if word of my demise reached her ears.”

Dru scratched her left ear, tapped her right foot, and stared. “The cook? Maggie MacDonald? She has something of yers?”

“Aye. She has a trusting face. I left you several personal keepsakes. My mother’s ring. My father’s watch fob. Coins. Believe me. I would never leave you with nothing. And, when the conflict fizzles, I will return to collect my things. And you.”

“What if I refuse to wait?”

Her question startled him. He turned and focused on the inky blackness where horizon met the sea. Thick clouds hovered low, hiding the moon and giving no quarter.

Neither did Dru.

“I cannot make you wait for me, Dru. Know this,” Shaw said, falling to one knee. Dru’s shock flashed across her face while he grasped her hands firmly in his own. “I love you. I’ll be happy for however long I have on this earth if you agree to be my wife. I cannot say when this will happen, but I will think of your beauty, strength, and love until that day arrives.”

“Soon, I hope. My answer is aye, though you might change yer mind by the time we lay eyes upon each other again.”

“Nothing you can say or do will sway me, sweetheart.”

“I shall wager you will spend the next few nights pondering that decision, my love.” Dru moved away and paced the balustrade. She walked too close to the edge. Shaw’s heart leapt when she stepped into the air and immediately fell from view.

Shaw ran to the edge.

His throat swelled shut in fear. His arms flailed, stopping him from following her over. The nightmare about flying came rushing back the same moment a blast of hot air made him stumble. A shadow crossed in front of him, then settled on the edge. The shape differed from Dru’s, yet the fragrance flowing over him smelled similar, exuding the sweet scent of the sun, the sea, and the spring rain.

A creature sat upright, its talons curved to hold it balanced. Flames glowed in its eyes, dancing in mock salute. No retreat. Not possible. Not where Dru had gone, yet the creature barred his way.

“Away, creature. I must save Dru!” Barreling toward it, a sudden blast of acrid smoke smacked him across the face. He coughed, then flung his fist at the creature’s snout. A pair of leathery wings flapped as sharp talons clasped his fist that quickly shocked him into stopping.

Shaw coughed again, then stared at his captured hand. The huge talons could crush him like an acorn, yet the creature’s touch was gentle. Shaw pulled slowly, and the talons released him until he stood before the dark shape, untethered.

“What
ARE you? If you believe in God’s mercy, please let me pass.” Shaw thought only of Dru. His love might lie dying on the sharp rocks below. He’d waste no more time here. The creature did not answer, but began to glow.

Shimmering bright light blinded him. He protected his eyes with the back of his hand, and pressed forward against the invisible breath of hot wind. When the swirling breeze and bright lights faded away, as quickly as they began, he looked upon a vision.

“Dru?” His heart leapt, and he grabbed her, pulling her in to his chest before she could answer.

“Aye, ‘tis only me, my love. Are ye angry?”

Why would Dru think he was angry? She’d fallen, presumably to her death, only to reappear behind a…

Shaw spun around abruptly. Squinting, only the brick and granite balustrade, the black hulk of several cannons, and the sea beyond filled his vision. Stars had popped out into the sky as the clouds retreated, lending low light to the area, but he knew what he had witnessed.

“The creature,” he said, glancing behind Dru. “Where is it? I want to thank it for returning you to me.”

Dru gazed up at him from the cocoon of his embrace. She
stood on the tips of her toes with a sad look upon her lovely face. Her eyes glowed like flames while her body smelled of smoke.

Flames? Smoke?

“Shaw Stenhouse, do ye love me?”

“For the love of—”

“Yer answer?”

“I asked for your hand in marriage. I nearly died when you fell—”

“I jumped.”

Shaw dropped his arms. She stepped back. “I see. My offer was so horrible, death was more palatable?”

Dru stepped
forward and pounded on his chest. The silly man played dumb. Or, he refused to acknowledge what he had witnessed moments earlier. She had shifted, from her dragon form, to the human he knew as Dru Little. What would he say when she revealed all? When she explained in detail who or, rather, what he had proposed to?

“The creature you speak
of is a Scottish dragon. She is very old, fairly wise, yet small compared to her peers.”

“Size matters not. Dragons? I’ve never seen the like, though something with wings once stole my apple.”

“ ‘Twas sweet, indeed. I thank ye for the treat.”

Silence.

Shaw’s mouth opened to speak, but the tramping of boots in the stairwell interrupted his reply. Shaw pulled her into the shadow of the stair tower, out of sight of the nearing soldiers. The men laughed and kept walking toward the right flank. Dru did not make a sound.

“Clarify your last words,” Shaw whispered.

Dru cupped his cheek, leaned up, and kissed him. “My love, believe what yer eyes have seen. Search yer heart. I am what I am. And more.”

Shaw, still quiet, leaned his bulk against the outer wall. The stars, reflected in his eyes, jumped and dance
d while her heart grew afraid. If he could not accept her origins, would he leave her?

“You are the dragon?”

“Aye.”

“How is this possible? I mean, I felt its power. I smelled the smoke and gazed into eyes of flame. Your eyes are the same, yet you have flesh and bone, not wings and scales. This is too much.”

Dru turned and retreated. Shaw had to find his own answers, in order to accept her. If her unusual beginnings horrified him, she would not accept his proposal. She would fly away, then search farther up the American coast for an ideal location. If she stumbled on some other poor lass, her life could start anew.

Would a life without Shaw’s love mean anything?

“Don’t go. Please don’t fly off without giving me a chance to understand.” Shaw’s fingers, wrapped around her forearm, were gentle. Below the skin, his tremors proved his body shook from either their lovemaking, or the truth of her existence.

“I grew up as a creature, roaming the earth for centuries.
I loved Scotland, but no one in Scotland loved me, so I left there, arrived in Charleston, and met you. Now our existence is steeped in myth and faerie folklore. What would ye like to know?”

Shaw chewed his bottom lip
, and Dru yearned to suckle the tender flesh between her own lips. He pulled her back inside the safety of their hiding spot, then let her go immediately. “I want to know why, when I met you, you were well-known. The customers of the Milltown Restaurant told me you had worked there for years.”

“I borrowed this body.”

“Excuse me? You did what?”

“Keep yer voice down,” she whispered. “I arrived from Scotland, weary and beaten. I spied a woman walking along the cliff, where the travel lane veers too close?”

“I know the spot.”

“A carriage
, led by two large horses, barreled down the lane and struck her. She landed at the base of the cliff.”

“Lord! How terrible.”

“Aye. I flew down to the beach, but she was beyond hope. I shifted, using her body as a template.”

“A what?”

“A pattern, so to speak. Along with the human form, I gained her memories. I am the dragon, but this is also me.” She motioned down her body with a flourish of her right hand.

“I do not understand.”

“I feel her. Inside me. She worked at the Milltown Restaurant and lived above the inn. ‘Twas rather easy to assume her life, though I dropped many a tankard of ale the first few weeks.” She laughed. A mighty Scottish dragon had turned into a simple serving wench.

What would the Black Dragon think of me
now?

“I am shocked, truth be told, but not surprised. My grandmother spoke of faeries and specters as well as creatures of the seas and caves. Scotland is rich in history and myths, yet I never dreamed I would fall in love with one.”

“Are ye calling me a piece of history, or a myth?” Dru smiled when Shaw laughed, and all felt right with the world.

“Who goes there?” A new voice called out, through the night.

“Blast it, it’s one of my men. Stay here and keep quiet.”

* * * * *

Dru nodded, though Shaw barely saw her move. He’d bolted from the shadows, raised a hand, and hailed his corporal while he prayed she stayed silent as a grave. They’d find themselves lying in the grave together, if discovered.

“Lieutenant Stenhouse? I thought all were to bed ‘cept us lowly guards.”

“Ha. On a night like this?”

“Yep, she’s a beauty.”

Shaw coughed. “A beauty?”

“The night. Gorgeous, but somethin’ is stirring. I don’t think this is a good thing. My bones ache. Storms a’brewing.”

“I agree. The southern militia has some tricks up their sleeves. However, reinforcements and supplies will reach us, soon. Those men at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan Island, as well as Fort Johnson on James Island, will tire of waiting us out. This silly conflict will end.”

“I’m a’hopin you’re right. G’night, sir.”

Shaw walked with a casual lope to the shadows where he’d left Dru.

Dragon
lady Dru.

“How appropriate.” He chuckled.

“I pray yer thoughts stray to the inappropriate, sir,” she teased.

Shaw hardened at the delicious memories of their violent coupling. Heat spread through his groin and his mouth turned dry as dust. The urge to taste her, as he filled her secret spot with his rising flesh, made him forget where they stood.

Again.

Shaw pulled her into his arms. “Dru, this is beyond the norm.”

“Aye, I have never been called normal, but I love ye and want to take ye away to safety.”

“No.” She wanted him to leave his post? His men? The life of a federal soldier was important to him. Dru was important to him as well. He could not leave either.

“I must stay. It is my duty, but my commission will be fulfilled by the end of April. This business with the southern states might end soon. I hope it does. Then and only then can we be together.”

Dru made a nasal sound and emitted a tiny tendril of smoke.

He smiled.
This is Dru Little. If I want her as my wife, I must accept the good with the surreal.

“Besides,” he said, smiling down at her, “You will never get me in the air.”

“Fine, ye told me yer afraid to fly. However, I shall keep my ears open,” she said, wiggling them between her fingers, “and will return to this spot, same time of night, should the news endanger yer life. Agreed?”

Shaw nodded. He hated the idea that she would be taking a chance someone might see her, but no one had as yet. If she could supply his regiment with military information, why not?

“Agreed. Now, go home. Be careful.” Shaw pulled her into his arms and ravaged her mouth, deepening the kiss until she softened into his embrace. Heat and passion rose, but he slowly set her aside. Taking too many chances was dangerous.

“I love you, Shaw Stenhouse.” Dru kissed her fingertips, laid them against his mouth,
and turned. At the edge of the balustrade, she jumped.

Shaw fought the urge to run to the edge. Keeping to the shadows, he spied a lonely figure rise toward the night sky and flap its large wings. For a moment, he could have sworn a larger shadow followed her.

My eyes are playing tricks on me. Isn't it enough that the woman I love is a dragon? What have I gotten myself into?

* * * * *

Dru slipped in her bedroom window, and locked it behind her. Had Shaw spotted the large black shadow, as it followed her home? A shadow, black as night and twice her size?

She undressed,
and lay on her bed. Her body hummed with the memory of their lovemaking. Desire, pleasure, and a heart-stopping climax were nothing, compared to the love she felt for the human. Considering she never meant to seek a permanent relationship with a human, why this man?