The Knight of Her Dreams (Dragons and Dreamphasers) (37 page)

Dominick considered this,
and then nodded.  “Good point,” he whispered, eyeing his grandfather
seriously.  “All right, I’ll just share with her what you’ve told me regarding
the Mage War, since at least it proves there has been teleportation between our
worlds before.”

“True enough,” agreed
Chaos.

“I’ll just tell her I’m
researching it further, but as soon as I talk with Lendric...”

“By all means, if all signs
are positive, tell her then.  But for now, maintain a little caution, Dominick,
even in regard to your own optimism.  I don’t want to be faced with a sudden
terminal depression from you should Lendric negate the possibility.”

“I’ll keep that in mind as
well,” he agreed.  “Now, how do I get in touch with Lendric?”

“That... is why I asked if
you wouldn’t mind being patient,” sighed Chaos.  “You see, when I last
contacted him six months ago, he said he had pressing business elsewhere on Chavernos,
and since he practically lives for traveling, he might not have returned yet.”

“But if it’s been that
long, he should be back.”

Chaos shrugged once. 
“Maybe, but I know him too well to count on it.”  Upon seeing the sudden
disappointment on his grandson’s face, Chaos gripped his shoulder tightly. 
“Now don’t lose heart, boy.  If he isn’t there, he’ll return sooner or later. 
I’ll send word for your mother, so she can take you there.  It’s too bad her
teleportation magic only has limited range, or maybe she could have solved this
problem for you.”

“I considered that, which
is why I didn’t ask,” replied Dominick.  “But if she can get us to Lendric’s,
that will be help enough.”

“Agreed.  Just tell him all
you’ve told me.”

“I will,” sighed Dominick. 
“I just hope he can help us.”

“Since he is one of
Chavernos’s greatest sorcerers, he presents as good a chance as anyone else,”
Chaos suggested chipperly.  “In the meantime, you may as well take advantage of
your time together, since it could still be awhile before you can be brought to
the same world.”  For a moment, his smile lingered, before abruptly dimming
with new realization.  “Which brings up an interesting point.  Just which world
will
you both live on if you’re brought together successfully?”

Dominick paused, unsure of
the answer himself.  “I’d have to discuss the matter with Julianna,” he
replied.  “If it was up to me, I’d like to bring her to Chavernos to live on
the island, since I could certainly give her a beautiful home here.  She’s
often mentioned her love of the ocean, so I know she’d be happy with a house
overlooking it.”

“Excellent,” Chaos replied
quickly.  “I’ll see to it that you have the best.  Perhaps a small castle
reminiscent of the one you share in the dream-state.”

“But...” Dominick
interrupted softly, “Julianna may not want to be so uprooted from her
homeworld.  And if that’s the case, I’m just as willing to remain with her on
Earth, to try to adjust to life there instead.”

“
What?
”
exclaimed Chaos, sudden anger nearly choking out his words.  “And leave
Chavernos forever?”  This was one aspect he hadn’t considered—before mentioning
Lendric—and it pained him to realize that if his grandson left, it was
partially his fault, though done with the best of intentions.  “Dominick,
you’re one of my succeeding heirs.  I can’t simply condone your leaving
forever.”

“Riff’s still here.  He’ll
do well enough without me, if need be.”

Chaos counted to ten to
keep calm, and then decided a hundred might be necessary instead.

Inwardly, he knew Dominick’s
words were true.  Riff was a highly strong-willed and confident man who would
certainly handle Barokka with all the authority Chaos had.  In many ways, Chaos
always felt that Riff was more like him than his father, and it both pleased
him... and annoyed him sometimes.  But Dominick...

Dominick was different.  He
had the strong will and the confidence, but even more, he had a strong sense of
integrity and a compassionate nature, as well as a most loving heart.  No doubt
a trait he’d picked up from his late grandmother whom Chaos missed so much.

His dear Ylana... he
reflected, who had often been regarded as a soft-spoken, clever and
understanding mediator in troubled times.  If for no other reason, it was
because Dominick seemed so much like Ylana sometimes that Chaos had taken such
a liking to the boy.  Although he was surely fond of Riff too, that fondness
was different.  Only his innermost thoughts knew this, for over the years, he’d
made sure to give both boys an equal share of his attention, so neither felt
slighted.

It was Dominick he tended
to worry about the most, when all was said and done.  Loving hearts could so
easily be crushed by the cruelly thoughtless individuals who thought they
controlled the others who revolved about them, and his grandson’s own heart was
no exception.

Upon hearing of Riff’s
occasional pranks in hurting his younger brother via his shenanigans in the
dream-state, especially in regard to seducing the women Dominick knew, Chaos
couldn’t help but feel some distaste for his elder grandson.  Although Chaos
knew his own reputation hadn’t been spotless over the years, Dominick shouldn’t
be made to suffer for Riff’s antics.

It was due to Julianna’s
adamant refusals to Riff’s persistent attitude that Chaos found himself both
glad that Riff had been taken down a peg, and even more pleased that the girl
had her own strong share of morals.  If she was to be as loyal to Dominick as
she’d been recently, then Chaos had no qualms about welcoming the girl into the
family as his new granddaughter.  And reading between the lines, if Dominick
and Julianna got along as well in reality as they did in the dream-state, he
might just see several great-grandchildren over the next several years.

That is, unless those
great-grandchildren were to be kept from him, along with their parents, due to
the painfully real light-years of separation.

“Even with your brother to
take over one day, since your father has adamantly refused,” he began, “I think
it’s in Barokka’s best interests if you take your place beside Riff.”

That much was certainly
true, Chaos thought inwardly.  Especially since Riff would need Dominick’s more
levelheaded nature, if Barokka was to continue to run smoothly, he mused to
himself.  Granted, Dominick sometimes had one hell of a temper, but his heart
usually ruled well above it, and Chaos knew he’d treat Barokka and its
inhabitants with fairness and devotion.

“As I’ve said, I’m hoping
she’ll agree to live here, but that’s premature to worry about until I can get
in touch with Lendric,” replied Dominick.  “Then, we’ll see what happens.”  At
his grandfather’s silence, a brief worry sobered his expression.  “In any case,
you wouldn’t try anything underhanded to keep me here, would you?”

“I’d do anything I could to
keep
both
of my grandsons here,” he said firmly.  Upon catching
sight of the suspicion in Dominick’s eyes, he quickly amended, “But... if your
happiness is only to be found with this girl, and if you insist on living out
your lives on her world, I suppose I have little chance of standing in your
way, do I?”

Dominick smiled gratefully,
earning a sudden gruffness from the elder man. 
Blazes!
Chaos thought
inwardly.  There were times when children—or grandchildren—could be so stubborn
in facing facts!  A truth which he’d need to remedy sooner than later, before
he ended up losing one grandson to another world forever.

A fact that he wasn’t going
to give into lightly, although he knew better than to tell Dominick this.

“Now then,” he said
solemnly, “before I’ll be willing to even
consider
sending my
grandson off—Chavernos knows where—in the galaxy, I’d appreciate meeting my
future granddaughter tonight, when you announce your engagement.”  A sly smile
stole across his face.  “That is, if you can spare some time away from your
dream castle.”

“Of course we can,” Dominick
laughed.  “Tonight seems as good a time as any to introduce you both, and I’m
sure you’ll like her.”

“Yes,” Chaos agreed
softly.  “If you truly love one another, and she’s responsible for the
happiness in your eyes, then I’m certain I will too.”

Even though your
relationship will have to end, if Barokka’s to guarantee holding onto one of
its two future leaders
, his silent thoughts added grimly.

Inescapable truth came no
easier to elders sometimes.

*****

As Zantarl tabulated the
check for the young woman who stood at the counter, she eyed him with a catlike
smile.  She knew without looking behind her that the outfit she’d chosen,
combined with her body’s perfect curves, had the attention of every male—human
or otherwise—in Lost Limbo.

Brushing back a long strand
of her golden blonde hair, she placed her braceleted hand on her hip, leaning
her other arm on the counter.  Her violet-blue eyes, sometimes mistaken for
those of certain dragons—although she definitely wasn’t one herself—were as apt
at charming men as her hauntingly melodic voice.  A voice which granted her the
powerful ability of enchantment, and whose siren-like call had dubbed her the
name of Sireni.

“The next time you come to
Lost Limbo,” growled Zantarl, “try wearing a skirt with actual material, lest
you leave the male customers here nearly catatonic again!”

“Zantarl,” she purred,
“would I do that purposefully?”

The elder man smiled at her
brightly, just before it dimmed to an icy glare.  “You always do.”

Sireni laughed off his
words, waltzing out of Lost Limbo, humming as she went.  A most clever tune,
thought Zantarl, as three good-looking men went trailing after her.  It was a
good thing he was strong-willed and immune to her ability.  Elsewise, if he’d
been a bit younger... the thought nearly made him pour a drink of his own.

Strange, since Zantarl
couldn’t stand alcohol himself.

Upon reaching her home,
Sireni turned an innocent expression on the sole remaining man standing beside
her, having already sent the others away by releasing her charm on them. 
“Don’t you think you should be off with your friends?” she inquired.

The man merely grinned,
placing his hands possessively about her waist.  “They can find their own way
home,” he murmured, bending his face closer to hers.

She blushed becomingly,
although by no means innocent anymore—having mastered the fine art of
bewitching men with her ability—touching a finger gently upon his neck to feel
his pulse quicken.  She could sense through her powers that this one would be a
more than willing temporary companion for the day, and since she was equally
willing, at least it would ease the boredom until tomorrow.

“Yes,” she laughed merrily,
brushing her lips against his.  “I suppose they can.”

Intoxicated by her magic
and her undeniable physical appeal, his hold strengthened on her until she was
pressed tightly against him, not caring who might be walking by to notice.  Nor
did Sireni have any discretion either, which was why neither noticed a certain
dark-haired man approach them, clapping slowly.

“A stunning performance,
Sireni,” remarked Dual, prompting her to whip her gaze towards him with
surprise.  The surprise soon faded into her familiar catlike smile though,
ignoring the bewildered man who still held her.  Dual grinned knowingly,
gesturing his arms wide.  “Did you miss me, my jewel?” he asked.

“Always,” she replied,
pushing free of the other man to rush into his arms.  Not that the chagrined
man was willing to leave so easily.

“Hey!” he snarled, striding
over to break her apart from Dual again.  Gripping her shoulders so she faced
him, his eyes were dark.  “Who
is
this guy you apparently know so
well?” he demanded.

A sharp lancing pain in his
wrist, caused by pressure from Dual, freed his hold on her.  “Someone who’s
known her for a lot longer than you, and
won’t
allow your kind to
interfere.  Now be on your way, or you’ll find your worst nightmares become so
unsettling, you’ll have white hair when you awake.”  His hold on the man’s
wrist tightened much more painfully.  “Unless you wish a sample now of what I
can do to distractions such as you.”

Boring his murderous gaze
into the other man’s eyes threateningly, Dual’s words hit home, effectively
breaking the charm and sending him off without a backwards glance at Sireni. 
Looking after him with a shrug, she turned back to Dual, wrapping her arms
about his neck.

“That one wasn’t as strong
as some of the rest,” she sighed, smiling up at him seductively.  “But then,
you always were a tough man to find an equal to.”  She kissed him quickly, but
as she tried to pull away, he refused to release her, his kisses bruising as he
backed her against her door.

As his hands roamed lower,
she moaned against him, moments before he tore his mouth away, glaring at her. 
Breathing heavily, Sireni eyed him with slight confusion.  “When are you going
to get it through your head that you’re
mine
,” he hissed,
gripping her shoulders.  “Must I kill these unfortunate suitors of yours whom
you insist on luring into your spider’s web, before you stop your endless
games?”