Her eyes riveted on a tiny chink in the wood, she shivered when his feet disappeared from her field of vision. She thought he’d leave the house like he had done before. Heck, he had a reason this time. But he only moved to her side to slide his arms under her knees and armpits. He picked her up when she rolled an arm around his neck.
Cradled against his chest, Cara listened to the beating of his heart. Slow, strong, powerful. He carried her to his room, laid her on the bed, retrieved the damp towel and covered her with a warm blanket. Although still shaken she couldn’t let him go without at least a beginning of an explanation.
“What happened?”
He regarded her for a long time, almost like he was seeing her for the first time. Then he shook his head and strode out of the room. Would he ever answer one of her questions?
The warm blanket inducing her to stay put for a while, Cara stared out of the window. Already darkening in the east, the autumn sky had lost its vibrant quality. A long cloud shaped like a tree reminded her of the beautiful meadow. She had been happy there for a moment and she wondered if the stranger would someday tell her how she had woken up on his lap. Or say his name.
For now he was having a bath. Cara grinned as she heard him splash water around. She didn’t feel cold anymore and the gurgling got her out of bed. Slipping on her dark clothes, she made a mental note to fetch the green outfit from the tub corner once he had performed his ablutions.
She crossed the main room quietly as she didn’t want to disturb him. Still she couldn’t help but cast a glance towards the tub-bucket. At least he had had the sense to draw the curtain.
Hands on the wooden railing encircling the porch, she enjoyed the last sunrays on her face. Not knowing what tomorrow would bring filled her with apprehension and excitement. Secluded in the woods, Heather’s cabin gave off an impression of security and quietness. Here Cara felt at peace.
The feeling passed when he came out of the house and climbed down the steps without looking at her. Although not afraid of staying alone, she wished he’d talk to her, wished she knew what kind of life he led.
“Where are you going?”
She had only met him two days ago, yet the sight of his straight back had become very familiar. That was definitely the part of him she’d recognise anywhere. Weapon belt hanging around his waist, hands hovering close by, he turned to her. He looked just like the first day in the meadow—cold, unreadable and gorgeous.
“I can’t be around you.”
Did he mean tonight or forever? A small lump tightened her throat. She just stared at his back as he took the path leading into the forest. She knew he’d come back because for some reason he needed her. But once he didn’t anymore, what then? Chances were he’d keep well away.
A bitter taste in her mouth, Cara swallowed. Right this minute dealing with the loss of her past seemed all fun and games compared to acknowledging the inner workings of her heart. She had feelings for the stranger. Way more than feelings.
That night she slept alone, a dreamless sleep for which she was grateful as she had feared another nightmare. He knocked on her door at dawn but didn’t come in. Heather would have, as well as given her greetings.
Two candles glowed in the kitchen lounge when Cara came out of the bedroom. Without wasting a second, he handed her a long cloak before putting his on. Already up, Heather had secured provisions for them and he tied the small bundle to his belt. As he moved towards the front door Cara hugged the old woman.
“Thanks for everything, Heather. You’ve been so nice to me.”
“It’s my pleasure, dear. I wish you all the luck in the world, and may the Mighty Gods be with you to guide your path.” Then she looked at him. “Send my love to Caius, will you?”
He nodded. Didn’t kiss her cheek, hug her or say goodbye. Just nodded and went out the door.
With Heather’s kind words in mind, Cara followed the stranger into the forest. Into an unfamiliar world she was beginning to think of as threatening. Would she ever see sunrise on Central Park again?
As usual he walked a few paces ahead of her, and like the previous days she had the definite impression he was aware of his surroundings at all times—he was also very conscious of her presence behind him. Either she had been too disturbed to notice it before or she was getting to know him.
They cleared the Blue Forest while the sun hadn’t yet reached its peak. At the edge of the woods he sat down on a large flat rock and motioned her to do the same. As they shared bread, cheese and water in neutral if not friendly silence, Cara marvelled at the beauty of the landscape.
Past a long stretch of dusty ground, vast emerald grasslands glinted in the sunshine, their untouched surface stretching all the way to low hills forming a semicircle in the distance. Scenery so pure and beautiful that Cara didn’t feel like trampling it with their heavy boots. She gestured to the grasslands.
“Do we have to go across?”
“No. Our ride is here.”
Where? As much as she craned her neck on all sides, Cara couldn’t see any sign of a horse. Then again the person bringing the horse might have been delayed because what would a lone horse be doing here? Yet as she checked their surroundings a second time, she sensed a change in his attitude.
It might have been the way he had spoken or the slight twinkle she caught in his eye, but she had the distinct feeling he was making fun of her. Somehow she felt glad. Anything but his noncommittal coldness agreed with her.
Cara looked around for the third time. No horse. No donkey. No nothing. Oh, yes, he was teasing her and they would walk on for hours and hours.
“I’m not that gullible, you know.”
A quarter of a grin stretched his lip. He took her arm to help her up and pointed a finger at a black dot in the sky.
“There.”
Chapter Eleven
The dot had wings—a bird. He pointed at a bird…and the guy must be out of his mind. Guessing she had never set foot on a plane, why would she sit on a bird? Even a large one. Even a comfortable one.
“Yeah, you wish!”
He raised his eyebrows. In that instant she really didn’t care for his smug look. What she cared for was the growing sensation that he did mean to fly. Because he strengthened his grip on her arm. Because the black dot now appeared much bigger and drew closer by the second. Stomach fluttering, Cara wet her lips.
“You can’t be serious.”
“When am I not?”
Oh, God! She pulled at her arm, but he didn’t let go. Instead he brought her face close to his chest to protect her.
“Close your eyes.”
Why? No, she would not do that and he had no right to force her. He was sorely mistaken if he thought she’d get on that bird. No way in Hell! Instead she peeked over his shoulder. A violent rush of wind and dust made her eyes water as the great bird landed a few feet from them.
Cara shut her lids then, already knowing it was too late. She had seen. Sure, she wouldn’t get an eye infection from the turbulent, loud blast of air, but she might throw up in the very near future. Like now, right now. Heart pounding to the point of hurting, she admitted the United States of America had become a distant dream, a desired illusion so out of her reach. Shit, oh, shit!
When he released his hold on her, she clenched her hands on the lapels of his cloak. His lips twitched, his eyes gleamed. Damn him, but she could barely breathe and he was having the time of his life.
“He won’t hurt you.”
Yet as he spoke Cara felt certain he had meant to add ‘probably’. ‘He probably won’t hurt you.’ What a fun day this was turning out to be.
The dragon stared at her. Its large yellow eyes riveted to her, it waited. In spite of the tremors running through her, Cara couldn’t help but admire the beast. The massive body shone under the sun, dark blue-green shards of colour glittering on its scales. From neck to tail, the protruding square-shaped bones of its spine rippled like grass in a windy meadow. Big, sharp teeth protruded fro
m the long snout and the yellow eyes wouldn’t stop staring at her.
“He is called Haedron.”
Great! Now that I know the name of the dragon we should go out together and grab a bite sometime. No problem. Easy as pie. Given the chance to run to the shop I might even get him a nice collar with a little bell attached. How about that?
He walked to the dragon. He paused by its head and muttered something just like he’d do with a horse. The beast’s body seemed to unfold as it projected its scales outward. Sticking out, they reminded Cara of the shape of steps. As if he had done so his whole life, he climbed them to sit between two bones of the dragon’s spine.
“Come. He’ll take us to Caius.”
Cara rubbed the sides of her head. He had already called her a sissy twice and she didn’t want to add any more nouns to her misery, but this… This was utter madness! And who could tell whether the beast wished her on its back?
“I can’t ride it.”
“Good point. Only dragon riders and wizards can, but he’ll make an exception for you.”
“Well, I’m sorry, but that’s not good enough.”
Had he really said wizards? Whatever, she wouldn’t follow him. He could fly around and show off his rider’s skills all he wanted, she had other fish to fry. She’d try not to get lost in the forest, go back to Heather’s place and find a way to return to her dragonless world. Her mind made up, Cara turned her back on him and strode to the edge of the trees.
“Cara.”
She shivered at the sound of her name coming from his lips. Her blood raced as the vision of this warrior thrusting his long cock in and out of her flashed in her mind. In her daydream, he sucked her nipples, he whispered her name. Cara. What was wrong with her? It was just a word, for God’s sake.
Cursing herself for her weakness, she stopped to glance back. Finger crooked, he beckoned to her.
“Don’t make me get you.”
Did he realise how much she yearned for him to get her? To take her? Knowing that would never happen had the tendency to make her mad. Not only had she been thrown into an uncanny universe while losing her memories but, on pain of probable death, she couldn’t touch the man her heart desired most of all. Thank you for coming and have a nice day!
He would get her on the beast, this she felt sure of. So she went to him, pretending not to notice the yellow eyes fixed on her. She made it to the bottom of the scaly steps without being engulfed in a blaze of dragon fire. Jutting out and hard as iron, the scales proved easy to climb.
Cara took his extended hand and the stranger settled her in front of him. The lower half of his back rested on a spinal bone behind him and her belly came into contact with a similar-shaped bone—a kind of large saddle where two people could fit providing they didn’t care about being squeezed like sardines in a tin.
She didn’t mind. Squeezed was good. Squeezed meant she had less of a chance of falling off the creature. Cara felt his hand move around her waist while he fastened a leather harness around them both.
“Hold on to his spine.”
Did he think she had a mind to wave her arms to an invisible crowd? Before she could get the words out, he said something in a foreign language.
The dragon raised its head. Her blood turned to ice. Scales retreated from its sides and large, oh, so large wings spread out. Her heart flipped over. She grabbed the bone so hard that her arm muscles ached instantly.
“Relax.”
For once, the touch of his lips on her ear didn’t arouse her in the least. Of course she’d relax, perhaps in another life. Right this minute the ferocious flail of the wings and the thrashing noise accompanying it had her full attention. The beast wasn’t batting its wings but heaving them.
Her stomach lurched. First upwards then to a sideways position Cara hadn’t known existed. Bread and cheese threatening to take a swim up, she realised the grasslands below lay to her left and only to her left—on the other side, nothing but an endless blue sky. They were flying.
Should she scream now or wait for her insides to settle down? Air kissed her face, unexpected excitement teased her limbs and a wild sense of freedom took hold of her. Deeply inhaling scents of pine, plants and grass, caressed by a myriad of fantastic colours, the world whizzing below the huge creature, she let herself grin. She was flying.
Then the dragon soared up and she screamed. Her eyes registering blue everywhere, her back glued to the stranger’s chest, she only quit yelling when he put his arms around her. She panted for a good while, her mind adjusting to this new twist, her pulse slowing to a regular rhythm. And she began to enjoy the ride again.
High in the sky, they flew over fields, villages, rivers, woods, cliffs and lakes. Time lost its essence as Cara watched the awesome scenery below. On the massive creature’s back the world appeared different, more beautiful, less threatening.
Pretty soon she had to revise her perception. The dragon kept on a straight course, but the landscape began to change. Here crops appeared destroyed, forests ravaged and towns had been set on fire. Everywhere Cara looked she saw smoke spiralling from burning houses and clouding the flawless sky. Heather had been right when she had mentioned devastated territories.
What had happened here? A war? The exhilaration of flying somewhat diminished as Cara began to realise the extent of the disaster. There were people down there, children and families hurt and torn apart—or dying. But for what reason? Even if she didn’t belong to this world the sight of such desolation crushed her in a way she hadn’t expected. She needed to understand.
The dragon veered left before dropping down. Her body attuned to the flow of its movements, she didn’t feel in the least bit queasy. Actually she began to wonder why she had been scared in the first place. But when the creature landed at the foot of a hill she squeezed her eyes to shut out the gusts of air storming around them.
Had they reached their destination or were they having a break? No matter. Compressed between the beast’s spinal bone and the stranger’s hard body, Cara sighed with relief at the thought of stretching her legs and stabilising on the ground. Although grateful the dragon had made an exception for her instead of torching her on the spot, this ‘improvised seat’ was really meant for a single rider.
He unfastened the harness protecting them and the creature thrust out its scales. Coldness hit Cara’s back when the stranger dismounted. As soon as he touched ground he checked his weapon belt. What did he have in mind?
“Where are we going?”
His long cloak billowed in the breeze, his eyes turned a darker shade of green and his features stiffened. Looking so much like the heartless fighter he seemed to be, the stranger motioned her to stay put.
“You aren’t going anywhere.”
Chapter Twelve
Awesome! Just what she wanted to hear. The man had suddenly decided to run an errand and he was leaving her alone with the dragon. To keep it company? To play hide-and-burn-me in the countryside? Mouth dry, Cara climbed down the glittering scales.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No.”
With that he strode away. Irritation heating her fingertips, Cara waited until he rounded the hill. He never glanced back. As she took a step forward she looked sideways at the dragon’s yellow eyes, fixed on her. Would he let her go? Did he act as some kind of protector in the stranger’s absence or as a prison guard?
Apparently neither, as it didn’t move when she started walking towards the narrow path. She had no intention of going very far anyway, just see where the stranger was headed. But as she reached the spot where he had disappeared from view her eyes widened. Suppressing an awed gasp Cara stared at an amazing structure.
Narrow and high as a skyscraper, architectural lines seeming to stretch up to the sky, a tower stood alone in the middle of nowhere. Black as night, square at the base with long spires jutting from the top, surrounded by flat, barren lands, about four hundred feet distant, the tower looked ominous.
Dust simmer
ed on the empty path. Effortlessly gliding, a hawk circled the spires. She shouldn’t go there, yet her feet seemed to disagree with her, itching to take her down the path. Damn all his secret ways and mysterious errands, she was going for it!
Alert for any movements and sounds, Cara made her way to the entrance. Not so difficult after all. The heavy door whined when she pushed it ajar. Wincing, she sneaked inside to find herself in a large stone room. Spiderwebs in every corner, an overturned chair, dirty wooden bowls and dishes littering a big table, a cut-in stone winding staircase next to the door, but not much else. Why had he come to this place?
As she crossed the room to take a better look, she heard loud thumps above her head. Someone had banged something or crashed into something—the stranger having a fit of anger? Rummaging the tower? But as she still stared at the ceiling, a creepy voice resounded behind her.
“Heehee, what have we got here?”
Cara wheeled round. Standing at the bottom of the staircase, a man displayed a toothless smile. Heart skipping a beat, she backed behind the table when he advanced on her. While he manoeuvred to the left she jumped to the right side. Her attitude must have pleased him in some way because he showed his blackened gums again.
“Easy, wench. We don’t want you hurt, do we?”
That much was true, but in spite of his wide grin she believed his intentions to be less than honourable. Why hadn’t she listened to the stranger and stayed with the dragon? She grabbed the first object on the table and threw it at the man’s face. The bowl struck him square in the nose.
Cara took her chance while he groaned and raised a hand to his face. She ran for the door. A shot of adrenaline pushing her faster, she made it and curled her hand around the heavy wood. The blade against her back stopped her.
“You aren’t going anywhere.”
She had heard that one before. Was it a disease around here to prevent her from going where she wished? By the looks of things it was contagious and spreading fast.