The Knight of Her Dreams (Dragons and Dreamphasers) (9 page)

Calming slightly, Dominick faced
him apologetically.  “I’m sorry for that, Chaolyn, but I received an urgent
message to come, and I didn’t want to waste any unnecessary time.”

“
Humans can’t help that with their limited
lifespans, but I understand, my young friend,
” the dragon replied. 
When the elder man came downstairs, eyeing him questioningly, he gestured a
taloned claw forward.  “
After our talk earlier, I’d hope you wouldn’t
mind my merely listening in, my friend.
”

“As you will,” sighed Chaos.

Dominick’s expression became grim as he strode
towards his grandfather.  “I got here as soon as I could.  Don’t tell me.  The
pyromasters are at it again, right?”

Chaos’s green eyes widened,
before he gave a short laugh.  “Not quite.  If that was the case, Chaolyn and I
could have handled it.”  Ignoring his grandson’s bemused look, he shook his
head.  “No, Dominick, this involves a more personal issue, regarding these
foolish dream-state affairs of yours.”

Thinking of Julianna, Dominick frowned.  “Riff
certainly doesn’t waste time in spreading lies about me,” he said icily. 
“Look, Grandfather, contrary to what he may have told you, I’ve been steering
clear of female dreamers for the past several months.  But as to the one Riff
may have mentioned...”

“I might have known,” sighed Chaos.  “Dominick,
it’s time you stop chasing dream women, and settle down with one woman of our
world.  In other words, it’s high time you married.”

Chaolyn’s ears perked up at that, while Dominick
began to laugh.  “You’ve been saying that for years now.  You hardly needed to
drag me here for that.”

“
Chaos,
” Chaolyn interjected
softly, sensing his friend’s thoughts.  “
This might not be the best way
to...
”

“I’ve received your counsel earlier, and you
agreed to listen only.  Now let me finish,” Chaos replied, shooting him a sharp
look before returning his gaze to Dominick.  “There’s more,” he continued
solemnly.  “I’ve decided that if I wait for you to find someone, you’ll end up
like your excuse-ridden brother, and I’ll never see any great-grandchildren. 
Thus, I’ve taken the liberty of making the decision for you.”

Dominick’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.  “And
what’s that supposed to mean?”

Footsteps on the stairs answered him as Sionne
appeared, resplendent in her new gown.  “Dominick,” she said lightly.  “It’s so
good to see you.”  Turning to Chaos, she flashed him a dazzling smile.  “Am I
interrupting anything?”

“Your timing is impeccable, my dear,” he replied,
taking her hand as she reached the bottom step, before turning to his bemused
grandson.  “Sionne’s been with us for many years, and has become quite a
beauty, has she not?”  At the younger man’s reluctance to answer, he frowned,
nudging his arm.

“Yes, she is that,” Dominick said finally.

“Now you’re being reasonable,” murmured Chaos,
beaming moments later.  “Which brings me to the point.  You’re no strangers,
and have gotten along well over the years.”

Tolerated
each other is more accurate,
Dominick thought.

“Thus, I’ve decided your
betrothal will be announced today, and your wedding will take place in a few
weeks.”

Chaolyn gave a low funereal whistle, to Chaos’s
chagrin.

Dominick’s mouth dropped open, anger filling his
eyes.  “You’ve
decided
this?” he hissed, erasing the pleased
looks from the human pair.  “Grandfather, if you want to find Sionne a husband,
then I’m all for it.  But as far as I’m concerned, I have no intention of being
the shackled groom.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a life to resume.”

As he strode towards the door, Chaos began
shouting after him.  “Damn it all, Dominick, I won’t have you ignore me this
time!  I’m announcing your betrothal, and that’s final!”

Turning at the last minute, while resting his
hand on the door handle, Dominick shook his head.  “You can announce what you
like, but the humiliation will be on your head later when your words are proven
false.  And as for this obsession with great-grandchildren of yours, let me
assure you that a forced marriage won’t bring them any sooner.”

Slamming the door behind him as he exited, his
grandfather’s face turned purple with rage.  “Blasted impertinent boy!” he
growled.

“
You gave him little choice in the matter,
old friend,
” Chaolyn said quietly.

Not replying, Chaos abruptly remembered Sionne. 
“I apologize for my grandson’s rudeness,” he told her.  “Take heart, child. 
He’ll come around in time.”

“I know,” she replied softly, a few tears forming
in her eyes.  “I just wish it was sooner than later.”

“
More likely when the netherworld freezes,
”
murmured Chaolyn, earning a glare from Chaos before exiting the room.

Eyes narrowing with determination, the elder man
squeezed Sionne’s hand comfortingly.  “Never fear.  I may not be able to do
anything about his brother, but one way or another, I intend to see Dominick
married as soon as possible.  And once I’ve set my mind to something, it’s as
good as done.”

She smiled knowingly through her craftily
conjured tears.  Chaos prided himself on keeping his word.

Soon, Dominick would be hers.

*****

Dominick had passed the well-tended castle
gardens and approached the outer gate, still seething at his grandfather’s
bullheadedness.  Not the first time he’d tried to marry him off, but the elder
man was becoming more adamant, bringing Sionne into the matter.  Knowing her
scheming nature all too well, demonstrated over the years with her other
suitors although she thought him ignorant—let alone her narcissistic
manner—he’d sooner disappear amongst the dragons and live peacefully as a
hermit than be forced to marry her.

Approaching the gate guardians
who’d been talking, they saw him and immediately saluted.  Smiling, he waved
his hand.  “At ease, guys, he’s still in the castle.”  The pair relaxed,
knowing Dominick was less interested in formalities than the others.  “Right
now, I just want to get as far from here as possible.”

“
Allow me to assist,
” a voice
called out, as he glided to a halt beside him.

“Chaolyn, you don’t want to get in the middle of
this.”

“
Exactly.  So let’s get out of here.
”

Smiling at the knowing look of mischief in the
dragon’s eyes, Dominick climbed up, and the pair took to the skies.

As the clouds soared by, the wind cooling
Dominick’s brow, he did start to feel his anger ease.  Chaolyn was as wise at
reading him as he was with his grandfather.

“
Feel better?
” the dragon inquired.

“You know I do.  But I doubt Chaos will.  After
all, he is your
keizha benirrai.
”

The dragon smiled at the ancient
Chavernian term for ‘soul’s friend,’ long used by dragons regarding their oaths
of friendship with specific humans or elves. Chaos had been his
keizha benirrai
for many years, able to communicate privately telepathically when needed, and
to sense when the other needed help.  Typically to represent a one-to-one
friendship, but occasionally regarding a small group, it was a term long
respected by all races and revered by the recipients.

“
Soul friends are not
obligated to agree, and Chaos would never expect it of me.”

“You’re lucky then.  At least he
respects your opinion.”

The rumbling laugh that shook the
dragon nearly caused Dominick to lose his grip.  Realizing this, Chaolyn
quickly composed himself, but there was still mirth in his voice when he
spoke.  “
I’ve been needing a good laugh today.  Thank you.  But believe
me, Chaos is as stubborn with me as with you, as has been proven by as many of
your years.  It’s just his way.
”

“I’m not marrying someone just
because he has visions of great-grandchildren in his head.  The only way he’s
getting those from me is if I find a woman to love.”

“
Might this Julianna be a
possibility?
”

Dominick’s eyes narrowed.  “Where
did you hear
that
, as if I didn’t know?”

“
Actually, I was lounging
in the main hall, when I overheard Riff and Buddy speaking of it as they passed
through to the kitchen earlier.  I didn’t have a chance to ask you about it
before Chaos went off on his tirade.
 
But from what little I did
hear, Riff sounded frustrated you kept much to yourself.
”

“My brother doesn’t need to know
every detail of my personal life.  The time I spend with Julianna is none of
his business.”

“
May I inquire if you’re
planning on meeting with the lady again?
”

Dominick’s irritated expression
softened.  “Inferno asked the same thing, suggesting it.  Even if he hadn’t
though, I already knew I wanted to see her again.”

“
Then what’s stopping you?
” 
At his ensuing silence, Chaolyn smiled.  “
There’s a difference in your
tone of voice.  You really like this one.
”

Knowing without asking that
Chaolyn would keep a confidence between them, Dominick nodded.  “Yes, I do. 
Which is why I don’t want my family interfering.  Chaos would have a fit if he
knew she was from Earth, and Chavernos knows I trust Riff even less.”

“
Ah… so she’s an Earth
maiden.  Now the rest makes sense.  Well, don’t worry.  I’ll say nothing to any
of them, though I agree you should be mindful of your brother and say no more
to him especially.
”  The dragon smiled again.  “
Is she very
pretty?
”

“That and more.  She has a
beautiful spirit to match.  Someone had made her unhappy on her world, but
after we spent some time together, she seemed much happier.  As a matter of
fact, she seemed happy to be with me even before we got into that.”

“
Then your friend is
right.  You should visit her again, and see if she feels the same.
” 
His tone abruptly became fatherly, almost rivaling Chaos’s.  “
Now
remember, keep your intentions honorable.
”

“Chaolyn, you know me better than
to have to tell me…”  Sensing a small, teasing laugh from the dragon, he hugged
him.  Of course he did.

“
She’s a more fortunate
lady than she believes.
”

*****

Lost Limbo.  A meeting place that
catered to all walks of life on Barokka.  Once a tiny pub, it had flourished by
the constant patronage of dreamphasers, shifters, pyromasters, guardians, and
other empowered beings, and thus had not only been remodeled to a much larger
establishment, but it also had won its share of acclaim.  Here, a group of
friends met frequently, consisting of the guys—Riff, Buddy, Inferno, and
Dominick, and the gals—Kiri, Jarissa, and Psych.

Buddy and Inferno were mulling over the earlier
scene between the two brothers, hoping the women wouldn’t suddenly show up to
interrupt them.

“Did you overhear anything else?” asked Inferno.

Buddy shook his head.  “Only what
you did.  She’s from Earth, and Dom’s mad as blazes over Riff’s jibes.”

Earth
,
he mused.  So far away from Chavernos—although not as far as a dreamphaser was
concerned—it was elsewhere in the Milky Way Galaxy, on the other side of the
sun from them.  No short distance there!  Buddy couldn’t help but be impressed
at how often Dominick traveled there, even though he and Inferno didn’t always
agree with the purpose of said visits.

But then again, Dominick had
never known a steady girlfriend for any length of time, either in the
dream-state or the reality of Chavernos.  In fact, Buddy sometimes wondered if
he was as content with his single status as he claimed, or if he secretly
envied the relationships of his friends.  Even Riff and Kiri saw each other
from time to time, depending on where their moods were at.

Inferno and Psych were the only
pair who were an official couple, and they often mediated the interactions of
the others.  Especially with Riff and Kiri, who at times would bait each other
into arguments, although they certainly displayed jealousy when one or the
other seemed to be looking elsewhere.  And as for Buddy himself, he more than
had his hands full with the unpredictable Jarissa.  A situation that might
never see a solution, considering he was a guardian angel, and she was a
guardian devil.

And considering the fact that half the time they
were at each other’s throats.

Conjuring her image in his mind,
Buddy couldn’t help smiling.  Every guardian devil of Barokka, and a great many
guardian angels, sought the curly-haired Jarissa as well.  Her long-lashed
brown eyes teased her suitors mercilessly, as any female guardian devil would,
and she’d stated hundreds of times that she’d had boyfriends aplenty over the
past several years.

However, Buddy knew it to be more
an act than anything else.  Proven once, when he demanded the truth from a
so-called ‘lover’ of hers.  The hapless guardian confessed that there’d been
nothing romantic between them, despite the surface gossip.  Buddy then swore
him to secrecy, and allowed Jarissa to continue believing him fooled until she
tired of it.