Unquiet Slumber (42 page)

Tianna couldn’t quite understand the exact words they were saying, but she got the general idea. She also knew that Nathaniel wanted to go play with his brothers, but he wouldn’t do that with her still on his back. She leaned over and suggested, “Why don’t you get close to the water and I’ll jump off. Then you can defend my honor.”

Nathaniel nodded and dived. When they were just above the surface of the water, Tianna swung her leg over and Nathaniel tilted his body so she could easily jump off. She then dove into the water. When she resurfaced, she saw the dragons fighting in a mock battle.

She loved watching their speed, strength, and agility. She decided to make something to allow her to comfortably float on the water and observe her dragons in flight while soaking up the sun. Tianna swam to the water’s edge and crawled out. She quickly put on her dress and started to collect large branches.

Marcus, who had gotten out of the water earlier to begin writing, was resting under a tree. He watched as Tianna began to collect wood and he called to her. “What are you doing?”

Tianna threw more items onto her pile and replied, “I’m going to make a raft so I can float on the water.”

Marcus put down his book and asked, “May I help?”

Tianna nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love some assistance. Help me gather some wood and vines and we can build it here on the edge of the lake.”

After they had collected enough materials for a small raft, Marcus watched as Tianna used magic to manipulate the pile. He helped whenever and however instructed. As he watched in awe, he said, “Impressive. You’re starting to really embrace both the Inari and Craftsmen Sett within you. Your powers are getting stronger every day.”

Tianna smiled but as they worked, she became sullen. Marcus asked, “Are you alright?”

 “I’m okay. I was just thinking.”

He knew she wanted to say something to him but was holding it back. He asked, trying to get her to open up, “About what? Is it about Nathaniel?” He lightly touched the back of her hand so she could feel his calming touch.

She sighed at his touch and said, “Yes and no. Well, it’s about all of you.”

“You know you can talk to me about anything.”

She stared up into his eyes and blurted out without taking a breath, “I want you to leave me at the next village we come across, human or magical, and return to your quest.” Before he could protest, she continued, “I know you think that it’s your responsibility to keep me safe, but I can’t let you carry this burden any longer.” She loosened the ties on her dress in order to expose her Black mark. “Whether you want to admit it or not, this thing on my chest changes everything. Kai is getting closer to me every minute, and I‘m not sure how long my mind can resist him. If you won’t take me out of the picture, then you need to get as far away from me as you can. I want you all, especially Nathaniel, to be safe.”

He sat her down on the ground next to the raft, and said, “With my whole heart, I believe the five of us have been specially chosen to share this journey together. As Zarin reminded me, the prophecy isn’t about just the Draak but involves all of Lagrangia. Although I wish that you were not a part of this, evil has chosen you. I don’t know what role you play, however, I do know that we, the Draaks of Haven, are destined to be by your side to help you through it. I also believe that Nathaniel plays a very important role with you. Embrace him. Your feelings for each other will make you stronger.”

“I care greatly for Nathaniel and for all of you, but if one of you died because of me, I…” She couldn’t finish her thought.

“And how do you think we would feel if we left you alone and unprotected. None of us could live with ourselves. I know I speak for all of my brothers when I say we would rather die than leave your side.” Tianna’s skin tingled with the resolve in his voice, and she couldn’t find it in her to argue with him.

He stood and helped Tianna back to her feet, “Now that’s enough talk about leaving. Today was a day to forget about everything and enjoy each other’s company.”

In no time, they had completed a raft just large enough for Tianna to lie on. Marcus helped carry it into the water. She thanked him, giving him a quick kiss. He caressed her cheek and said, “Go have fun and remember that you are a member of our family now.” He turned and walked back to his book. Her self-sacrificing nature frightened him. He was going to tell his brothers privately to watch Tianna closely and make sure that she didn’t try to go off on her own to ‘save’ them.

Tianna crawled onto her raft and let it drift further out into the lake. Once she was a good distance from the edge, she took off her dress and folded it up to use it as a pillow. She sprawled out on her back so she could watch the dragons play high up in the air. She sighed contentedly as she was gently rocked by the waves and her body absorbed the warmth from the sun.

She watched as the dragons soared gracefully and then dived at each other in a fake attempt to knock each other out of the sky. With her body warm from the sun, she soon started to yawn, so she rolled over onto her stomach and fell asleep.

She awoke to Nathaniel rubbing her back saying, “My Sweet. We’re heading back toward camp. Alas, your naked body is glowing and was distracting my brothers.” He chuckled as he swatted her butt gently. “I can’t leave you out here alone. Do you want me to stay with you or are you ready to go back in?”

Tianna sat up and stretched. “I’ll go back with you.” As she put on her dress, she looked around and noticed how far out into the lake she had floated. She didn’t want to have to swim that far so she asked, “Can you help me get back to the edge of the lake?”

He leaned onto her raft just enough to get his upper body out of the water. “Hop on,” he said playfully.

Tianna climbed onto his back as he shifted into dragon form again and flew her back to the water’s edge. He landed gracefully and she slid off. They all got dressed and headed back to camp.

After a quick bite to eat, they went for a hike through the woods where Tianna convinced them to try to climb trees with her. She was grateful that they tried, but she thought it was pathetic. Although Dragons may be graceful when flying, they were awkward and clumsy when trying to climb a tree. Nathaniel just cursed a lot. She put them out of their misery when she suggested they do some rock climbing instead.

Without the use of magic, Seth won all climbing challenges. He was quite a skilled climber and very agile. When they did some hunting to try to catch their evening meal, Seth excelled again but this time at tracking a deer. They let Tianna take the animal down with an arrow and Gabriel prepped it.

By the time they headed back to their camp, they were exhausted. Everyone helped Tianna prepare the meal, but she insisted on serving them. They spent the meal laughing at each other over silly things that happened throughout the day. After they ate, they sat around the camp fire and drank Fire Wine.

Tianna wanted some wine but passed the bottle on when it came to her, that is, for the first two rounds. On the third round, she grabbed the bottle and ran for it, giggling all the way. Before she could take a drink, Nathaniel had caught her. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder and held the wine bottle high in his other hand.

While dangling off the ground, Tianna hit Nathaniel repeatedly on his legs. “Come on Nathaniel. Put me down and let me have one drink. I only want a little. I’ve been good all day.”

He ignored her pleading and plopped her down next to him by the fire.

Tianna decided that she would try a new tactic. She crawled up onto his lap, straddling his body and snuggling in tight with her face tucked into his neck. She gave him gentle kisses while begging, “Please, Nathaniel. Can’t I have just a little? I’ll thank you properly later.”

Nathaniel closed his eyes and moaned quietly.

When she nibbled his neck and pleaded, “Please,” his body shivered. She knew she had him right where she wanted him.

Nathaniel let out a deep sigh. “Okay, you can stop attacking me now. I give in, but on one condition.”

Tianna sat up and gazed deep into Nathaniel’s eyes. “I’m listening.”

“You don’t get to hold the bottle. I’ll give you the amount you can have.”

Her shoulders drooped but she decided not to argue. Having a little was better than none so she replied, “Agreed.”

Nathaniel took a small drink of wine but didn’t swallow. After tossing the bottle to Gabriel, he put his hands on both sides of Tianna’s face, pulling her to him. They kissed passionately so she could drink the little bit of wine he held within his mouth. Between the very nice kiss and the wine, it was just enough to flare her Faye nature.

 Nathaniel could feel her Faye call to him and he pulled her tighter against him, kissing her hard. The other Draaks all sat up straight as they could also feel her call wash over them like someone had breathed dragon fire on them.

Gabriel was the first to respond as he looked longingly at Nathaniel and Tianna kiss. “Brothers, can you feel the heat coming off of her? Her Faye powers are growing stronger every day, as are her other powers.” He shook his head to try to clear his mind. “Between her scent and the wine, my head is spinning.” He giggled and quickly covered his mouth angrily. “Warriors don’t giggle,” he growled.

Marcus stood and swayed. He also shook his head to try to clear his mind and announced, “I think it’s time to get some sleep. We have to get back to our travels tomorrow.”

Everyone moaned as they stood to go to bed. When Tianna rose, Nathaniel swept her off her feet and carried her to their bedroll. She giggled all the way. When they crawled in together, he threw the covers over their heads and kissed her senseless, her body purring loudly.

The sound of Tianna’s laughter while wrapped within Nathaniel’s arms gave Marcus a sense of peace. With Nathaniel at her side, he believed that she could stand against any evil.

It was a good day.

Just as they settled in to sleep, Tianna heard a voice in her mind. “
Get away from that Draak, Kitten, and come to me. I’ll teach you how to properly kiss
.”

With Nathaniel in her arms, she had the strength to push Kai away. In her mind she replied, “
Go away Kai. You’re not welcome here
.”

Kai could feel Tianna’s strength coming from her growing feelings for Nathaniel. He was getting in his way and he needed to implement his plan soon to resolve this situation. Before he could say another word, she shut down the connection tight.

As they returned to their journey, they continued to find signs left behind by evil. They stopped to bury any dead they found and heal the injured. Tianna watched in amazement as Gabriel singlehandedly took out two arrogant Drenn warriors who crossed their path. Before anyone could jump in to assist, he easily fought and killed them both. Along their path, Marcus continued to try to find any signs of his prophesized warrior but had no success. They could all feel his growing frustration and desperation.

At the end of yet another long day, Nathaniel was lying in bed holding Tianna, who was sleeping sprawled across his chest. He was having a restless night. Although he had been able to control his dragon’s urges, feeling the heat from Tianna’s body was causing his desires to come dangerously close to the surface. He longed to take their relationship to the next level. As he focused on calming his inner nature, he stared up at the stars until his body finally gave in to exhaustion and he fell asleep.

*~*~*~*

Nathaniel was in his home back in Haven with Tianna by his side. They were kissing passionately. Nathaniel picked her up into his arms and carried her to his bed. They had waited long enough, and it was time that he showed Tianna the true nature of being someone’s mate.

He peeled her clothes off slowly so he could enjoy the view as each part of her body was revealed. Once she was naked, he gently laid her back on the bed and stripped off his clothes. With his head on top of her stomach, he kissed a line up her body while she wiggled beneath him. When he licked and suckled her breasts, she gave out moans of pleasure and began to purr.

He liked hearing sounds coming out of her and wanted more.

He continued his path up to her neck where he lingered for a moment to give her a few playful nibbles. She arched into him, asking for more. He proceeded on his journey, kissing the line of her chin and then moving to her mouth. He gave her a gentle kiss.