The Source: Book III of the Holding Kate Series (25 page)

Tara and Trip stood, arms crossed, shoulder to shoulder in front of Corey, glaring at Najwa. Corey placed a hand on both of their shoulders. They relaxed and stepped to the side, allowing Corey to step between them.

“Milady,” Drayse spoke, his tone dripping daggers. “We have a seat for you right here.” He and Brashtor took her by her arms and dragged her to a chair in the middle of the room.

Dirk moved to stand beside her with his massive arms crossed over his chest as his glare pressed down on her. She looked up and yelped when she saw another Dirk across the room with the same expression and stance.

Stealthlin too noticed the extra people in the room and cocked an eyebrow at the other Manifus.

Najwa took a deep breath, pinned Corey with her remorseful gaze, and began. “I was working at Heartwork Village…”

KATE AND GREGORY
landed on the parapet of a castle with a gong and scrape. Kate lifted her eyes to take in the view of a large, haze-shrouded canyon of gently sloping hills and deep verdant forests. Misty hummocks rolled away into the distance to meet a belching volcano with a thin line of dark smoke trickling from its peak.

Sunrise broke through the clouds with breathtaking beauty. “Where am I?” Kate breathed.

“This is our home, Kate.”

She snapped her eyes to Greg. “
Our
home,” she stated flatly, catching the significance of his words.

“Yes. At least, I hope you will grow to consider it your home, too.”

Kate crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the source of her fear for thirty seven years. He didn’t really seem that much of a threat up close and personal.

“Take me home,” she growled.

“Kate, my dear, we have so much to discuss. I know you have been misled to believe that I am your enemy, but that is simply not true. If you would bear with me long enough to hear my story, I think you will come to see that I am telling you the truth.”

“I want to go home, now,” Kate insisted.

“Very well. Let us make an agreement. You allow me to tell you my side of things and if you still want to go home, I will take you back to the precise moment you left. No questions asked.”

Kate turned her head slightly, suspicious of Gregory’s words. But they seemed sincere. She gave a curt nod and uncrossed her arms.

“Good. Please follow me. We will breakfast together and I will tell you everything. Oh, I am sorry, how inconsiderate of me. I will show you to your chambers, first, so you can clean up. I forgot you have been on the trail all night. Perhaps you would even prefer to rest a bit?”

Kate did not prefer to rest a bit, she wanted to get back home as soon as possible, but she was famished and a bath sounded like a good idea.

She followed Gregory down the stairs of the tower and across a magnificent portico lined with doors to sumptuous apartments and wide verandas with staggering views. Enormous arched openings led to the apartments and each was big enough to sleep a dragon. Kate wondered why Gregory needed so much space.

He led her to the corner apartment that had the largest arch she had seen yet. She stepped into the elegantly decorated quarters and gaped at the splendor and beauty of the chamber.

Tall graceful columns tapered to the vaulted ceiling and tapestries depicting pictures of maidens caring for dragons covered the walls. In the center of the room a four-poster bed hosted carvings of reptilian scales and claws in each post. Silken drapes framed the bed, revealing the vague outline of the numerous satin pillows gathered around the dragon back headboard.

A mirrored arch was set into the back wall and a bathroom with a steaming pool beckoned from beyond. The aroma wafting from the warm room was intoxicating. Jasmine and gardenia scented bubbles frothed on the surface of the pool. Kate had never seen anything so decadent in her life.

She glanced at Gregory. He had a pleasantly satisfied expression on his face as he watched Kate’s reaction. “Do you like your rooms?” he asked, a bit hesitantly.

“They are beautiful, Gregory.”

“I will go and prepare our breakfast, but please, take your time. Rest. There is no hurry.” He turned to leave, then stopped and slowly swiveled around, locking his vulnerable expression onto Kate. “You are safe here, Kate. Please be assured of that.”

From behind his intense gaze, Kate saw the young boy, Gregory Matthews. The vulnerable, needy expression of the lost boy who had been captured by sentient tornadoes softened her considerably. “Thank you, Greg.”

Relief and pleasure flitted across his face as he turned and left her in the glorious room. The sunlight filtered through the open arch of the veranda and Kate drew closer to lean over the edge of the balcony. She basked in the warmth of the sun on her face and actually felt safe, for the first time in thirty seven years.

“How odd,” she murmured.
I feel safe now that I am taken?
She drew in a deep breath of crisp air, sighed, then turned and headed for the heavenly bubbles of the enormous tub.

“Milady?”

Kate stirred.

“Milady?”

Kate opened her eyes, then blinked. A yawn grew in her mouth and she stretched and rolled over. She remembered where she was and sat up suddenly. The towel she had wrapped herself in after her bath was loosely hanging around her frame. She yanked it up and looked for the sound of the voice.

Kate saw a form through the sheer curtain and lifted it back to observe a middle-aged woman standing at the side of the bed with a garment draped over her arms.

“Milady, the master asked me to wake you and help you dress for dinner.”

“Dinner?” Kate snapped her head around and saw that dusk was falling. “Oh! How long was I asleep?”

“Most of the day. The master has been solicitous of your privacy and rest. He bade me to check on you frequently.” She held open the drape so Kate could crawl out of the bed. “He became concerned that you would be hungry and knew that you were eager to continue your journey so he asked me to come awaken you.”

“Journey. Yes. I am eager.” Kate stood beside the bed. “Where are my clothes?” She looked around.

“We are laundering them for you. The master has provided this dress for you to wear to dinner.” She pointed to the wardrobe in the corner. “There are multiple garments, if you prefer something different.”

“No, this is fine.” Kate smiled and let the towel drop to the floor. She held her hands up for the matron to slip the dress over her head. “Thank you. What is your name?”

“My name is Janaki.” She cinched the dress up in the back, and Kate whirled around to look into the mirror.

“Oh, my! It’s lovely,” Kate whispered.

The scarlet dress seemed to accentuate Kate’s form but was not revealing or uncomfortable. The soft fabric caressed her skin and hugged her body, but in a pleasant way. The contrast of the red against Kate’s dark hair was striking.

“
You
are beautiful Milady.” Janaki exclaimed.

“Thank you.”

“Could I fix your hair?” Janaki strolled to a vanity with an enormous oval mirror and cushioned bench.

Kate followed her and sat down facing the mirror. Janaki was skilled, gentle, and in no time had Kate’s hair arranged in an elaborate up-do with braids and twists folded around the crown of her head.

“It’s wonderful, Janaki.” Kate turned her head back and forth and gaped at the way the hair balanced her features and added volume in the right places.

“If you will follow me, I will take you to the master.” Janaki curtsied.

Kate bit her lip to stifle a giggle. It was all so formal and old fashioned.

Janaki escorted her through the castle and Kate gaped at the vaulted arches and marble columns. Delicate vines carved a path along the moldings. Toothy spines topped the doors giving the impression of gaping maws. Golden fixtures and sconces met them at every turn. She entered a dining room and Gregory stood at the end of the long hall. His whole frame fit within the opening of an enormous fireplace. He wore a black and silver waistcoat with tails that brushed the back of his knees. A stiff collar poked out of the top of his jacket, and he wore a medallion around his neck that rested against his shirt. Tall and lean he posed, strikingly handsome in the costume.

He turned and when he saw her, his eyes widened and a smile broke across his face. “Kate, you are beautiful, as ever.” He moved toward her.

“You know, Greg.” She held out the skirt of the dress. “Jeans and a t-shirt would have been fine.” She arched a brow playfully.

He laughed. “Yes, but there is such elegance to this time period’s clothing, don’t you agree?”

Kate laughed along. “Yes.” She leaned forward conspiratorially, “You know, I’ve always wanted to wear these types of clothes. This dress is amazing. Thank you.” She smoothed her hand along the fabric and shook her head incredulously.

“It is the beauty wearing the dress that makes it amazing,” Gregory said shyly and Kate thought it was a sweet thing for him to say.

“Kate, I don’t want to eat here in the formal dining room. Do you mind if we just dine on the veranda tonight? I know we have so much to catch up on and I just want a more comfortable and intimate setting between old friends.”

“Of course I don’t mind, Gregory.” She minded a bit. She wanted to get back home, but curiosity ruled her at the moment.

He offered his elbow and she took it with a smile. He placed his hand over hers and escorted her to an arched window. He pushed against the paned, amber glass and it slid back to reveal an elegant covered portico that overlooked the sunset. Urns with crackling fire were set around a center table that was covered in a white cloth. It was set for two, and tall tapering candle sticks adorned the center of the table. Two chairs sat side by side facing the sunset. Gregory stepped forward and held the back of one of the chairs as Kate gracefully slipped into it, and he pushed it forward toward the table. He then sat next to her and immediately a servant brought out two plates piled high with salad greens and fruit slices.

Kate was suddenly hungry beyond belief when she and Gregory began the first course of a feast.

Kate had never tasted such delicacies before. Roots and tubers with thick and tangy sauces, grains flavored with delicate floral scented herbs, strangely colored vegetables, and tender and juicy meats delighted her. The bread was crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Between each course they sipped flavored liqueurs from tiny crystal glasses.

The conversation remained light and charming. Gregory, pleased to tell her about his castle and grounds, explained exactly when and where they were on the island of Gael Dagan in the Northern Island Province of Ampeliagia.

Kate was comforted by his willingness to share information with her. He didn’t seem to be threatening in any way.

“The time period is four months after you were last here on the island.”

Kate frowned. She didn’t remember. “Oh, the dragon world?” Then it hit her. The last time she was here she had witnessed the other Kate’s death. Her face fell and she stared into the amber bubbles in her fluted crystal glass.

He had been married to The Mother, a psychotic and dangerous version of Kate. Her concerns resurfaced. Could this gentle and mild mannered man really be as dangerous as his wife had been? Four months wasn’t long, he was still in deep grief. Her heart lurched for the pain he must be in.