Drago looked up and started to make a sarcastic retort in agreement, but the words froze on his lips. His body was suddenly humming, and the last thing on his mind was dinner – with Ashure. He would much rather have dinner with Carly; or rather, have Carly for dinner.
“Do I look stupid?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Drago’s gaze ran from her braided hair over her flushed cheeks and down to the tops of her creamy breasts peeking out of the bodice of a gown that hugged her full figure to perfection. The rich, dark red gown made the golden highlights in her hair glow like the fire in the Dragon’s Heart. His first and only thought was how much he was going to enjoy taking it off of her.
“I do not remember my mother ever wearing that dress,” Drago choked out.
Carly laughed. “Ashure had it delivered while you were talking to the guard earlier,” she said, spreading the long skirt to show the pair of leggings through the front slit. “I feel like I’m ready to either go to a ball or, at the very least, the company Halloween party.”
A scowl creased Drago’s brow at the mention of Ashure sending the dress. He should have been the one to give her the gown, not that scurvy pirate. His expression changed to remorse when her smile died and Carly’s expression turned to embarrassment.
“I guess I should go change into my jeans and T-shirt,” she said.
Drago quickly crossed the room and reached for her arm when she turned away. Sliding his left hand around her waist, he reached up and cupped her face. He brushed a kiss across her lips before giving her a rueful smile.
“You look stunning. I am jealous that Ashure would think to give you something so fine while I have given you nothing but hand-me-downs from my mother,” he admitted.
“Oh, well, I’ve loved everything you’ve given me. It is more comfortable than wearing something with enough material to make a bedspread,” she responded.
“I will take you shopping for clothing tomorrow. There are many fine seamstresses here,” he promised.
Carly shook her head. “If I can’t pay for it, I’d rather not get it. I wouldn’t mind looking, but the last thing I want is to feel like I am some damsel in distress needing to be clothed. I mean, borrowing clothes is bad enough, but at least I can give those back. Buying them is another thing. At least with something like food, I can contribute by cooking,” she insisted with a stubborn thrust to her jaw.
“You would allow Ashure to clothe you, but not me?” Drago demanded.
“Of course not! We bartered. I gave him a finger spinner and he gave me the dress,” she said.
“A finger spinner?” Drago asked, puzzled.
“It’s a toy that lights up when you spin it,” she laughed. “I paid less than ten bucks for it. He liked it and insisted it was a fair trade. Who am I to argue with a pirate?”
“You traded a toy for this?” Drago chuckled, standing back to look down at the gown.
“It lights up and spins,” Carly stated with a grin.
Still laughing, he pulled her back into his arms. His little thief was a brilliant negotiator. It would appear he had a few things to learn from her.
“You are an amazing woman, Carly Tate,” he said, sliding the back of his hand down her cheek.
“I’m just cute and cuddly,” she replied, reaching up to slide her arms around his neck.
Drago groaned softly when he felt her fingers playing with the ribbon holding his hair back. He bent his head to meet her halfway when she rose up to kiss him. Their lips were a breath away from each other when a knock sounded at the door.
“Dinner,” she whispered, gazing up at him.
“Dinner,” he grudgingly repeated.
Drago reluctantly released Carly, but not before she brushed a quick kiss across his lips. He started to reach for her again when the knock resonated through the room, this time louder than the first one. Irritation flashed through Drago. It would be just like Ashure to give Carly a dress that he knew Drago couldn’t resist peeling off her only to interrupt him.
“We are coming,” Drago snapped out in a loud voice.
He strode across the room and opened the door. The scowl on his face darkened when he saw Ashure’s amused face gazing back at him. He curled his fingers into tight fists when he noticed Ashure’s appreciative expression when Carly stepped up behind him.
“A barter well worth the price, my lady. May I say you are more beautiful than any who have graced the doors of my palace. If you ever tire of this fire-breathing lump of dragon meat, you have only to cast your gaze in my direction and I will forever be your willing servant,” Ashure stated with an elaborate bow.
“I swear if you kiss her hand one more time, I’ll bite off your arm,” Drago threatened.
Ashure straightened with a laugh. “I detest blood, especially my own. Come, dinner will be ready shortly and the others await,” he said, stepping to the side.
“Others?” Drago asked with a wary glare.
“Nali, Koorgan, Gem, and Isha have come to meet,” Ashure said in a more serious tone.
Drago’s gaze narrowed on the calm mask that Ashure wore. Rulers or representatives from most of the kingdoms were here. Drago’s stomach tightened at the meaning – the Sea Witch was up to something.
“Where is Orion?” Drago asked.
Ashure cast him a quick, sad glance. “He is unable to attend. He lost his mate, Shamill, during childbirth and has remained under the sea since, to care for his sons. It is said he still searches for Magna, as well,” he explained.
“Isn’t Magna the Sea Witch?” Carly asked.
“Yes,” Ashure said.
Drago wrapped his arm around Carly. He was shocked to learn of Shamill’s death. This would be a devastating blow to Orion and to his kingdom.
“I did not know,” Drago replied.
“It was a shock to all,” Ashure agreed.
Carly wasn’t sure who Orion and Shamill were, but it was obvious the news of Shamill’s death had shaken Drago. She quietly walked next to the men, listening to their exchange and appreciating the pirates’ castle. Rich, dark, wooden beams in varying shades of color, including a red that matched her gown, held large chandeliers with flickering, white-blue flames. The doors were made from the same wood. Each door was intricately carved with a different scene and in the center was a cast metal door knocker. Some were in the shape of fish while others were in the shape of animals.
The walls were covered with bright tapestries that hung from the ceiling to the floor. Instead of knights in armor standing in the hallway, there were statues carved out of marble – only these statues moved and followed their progress. Carly scooted closer to Drago when one of the statues winked at her.
“How do they do that?” she asked.
Ashure grinned. “A gift from the king and queen of the Isle of Magic. I saved their dog once,” he said with a sheepish grin.
“You stole their dog and returned it, more than likely,” Drago dryly retorted.
“I will never admit to such a devious action,” Ashure stated.
Carly giggled at the snappy banter between the two men. Despite the things Drago said, it was obvious that he admired the Pirate King. She couldn’t help but wave at another statue that bowed to her.
She wound her arm around Drago’s when he held it out and they descended the staircase behind Ashure. At the bottom, several men and women stood quietly talking. Each of them stopped and turned to stare at them as they descended the stairs. Carly blushed when all eyes turned to assess her.
“Drago,” a huge man greeted with a bow of his head.
“Koorgan,” Drago replied.
“Lord Drago, on behalf of the royal family of the Isle of Magic, I wish to convey my heartfelt sorrow at the devastation to your people. The Queen also asked that I tell you she is searching all of the spell books known to our people for a way to reverse the spell,” the young man stated with a stiff bow.
“The way to break the spell is to kill the Sea Witch, Isha,” Drago a
nswered in a hard tone.
“And I have told you that it would doom us all if you do that,” a dark-skinned woman argued, stepping forward.
“Nali,” Drago greeted. “I did not see your ship in the harbor.”
“I did not want to scare you away,” she replied.
Drago’s expression darkened. “You know my thoughts about using the mirror,” he warned.
“Before we begin another war, let me introduce Drago’s beautiful companion, Carly. Carly, may I introduce you to Koorgan, King of the Giants,” Ashure said, stepping between Nali and Drago.
“Hello,” Carly said.
“I am Gem from the Isle of Elements,” a young woman announced with a stiff bow of her head.
Carly knew she was staring, but she couldn’t help it. She glanced at the huge man who had first been introduced to her. Giant was an excellent word to describe him. The man was taller than all of them, including Drago. His features were hard and he looked like he would rather be anywhere else but there. The young ethereal woman who called herself Gem was a stark contrast to this man. Gem’s long, brown hair was floating around her and there was a slight glow around her body. Carly swore she could almost see through the woman at times.
“I am Isha, Captain of the Guard to the King and Queen of the Isle of Magic. The king has been… unwell and the queen asked that I come in their stead,” Isha greeted.
“Hi Isha,” Carly said, trying not to feel overwhelmed.
“And last, but never least, is the lovely – and very dangerous – Nali, Empress of the Monsters,” Ashure said with a grimace when Nali shot him a heated glance.
“Trying to charm me won’t work, Ashure,” Nali stated. “Welcome, Carly. I am honored to meet you.”
“Thank you, Nali,” Carly responded.
Carly was surprised when Nali stepped forward and gave her a hug. The warmth and sincerity in the woman’s eyes and posture told Carly that Nali meant what she said. Carly gazed at the other woman for several long seconds. In that short space of time, Carly felt as if she had met a true friend – something that she had never felt since meeting Jenny.
“What is going on?” Carly asked in a quiet voice when the others started to move toward the dining room.
Nali slipped her arm through Carly’s, ignoring Drago’s disapproving glare. Carly fought back a giggle when Drago mouthed a curse. He was distracted by Koorgan who slapped him roughly on the shoulder.
“You are the hope our world needs to conquer the darkness sweeping through it,” Nali replied.
“Me! I’m just – I’m just a bank teller from Yachats, Oregon. How am I supposed to fight anything?” Carly asked in an incredulous tone.
“Your presence has started a chain of events that will change our world, as long as….”
Nali’s voice faded and Carly looked at her, waiting for her to continue. A frown creased Nali’s brow and she appeared uncertain for a moment. In frustration, Carly stopped and placed her hand on Nali’s arm.
“As long as what?” she demanded.
Nali glanced toward Drago and shrugged. “As long as Drago does not kill the Sea Witch,” she said before pulling away. “I would be pleased if you would tell me about your world.”
Chapter 21
“No! I will not agree to this!” Drago declared, slamming his fist on the polished wooden table.
“The taint of the Sea Witch has already been felt on the Isle of Magic. Her darkness is spreading. It is imperative that the Sea Witch be found and stopped,” Isha stated.
“My father and mother are doing what they can to stop the Sea Witch, but even with their extreme measures, they fear it will not be enough. The darkness in her is unlike anything we have ever seen before. I agree with Drago. The Sea Witch must be stopped once and for all,” Gem argued.
“I will search her out and kill her,” Drago vowed.
“You can’t. You will doom us all if you do,” Nali snapped in aggravation.
“Drago, be reasonable. At least listen to what Nali has to say,” Ashure said, raising his hand in a gesture to calm Drago’s anger.
Drago stood up and glared at the group sitting around the table. His gaze flashed to Carly’s pale face, and he slowly sank back down into his seat. He clenched his fists to contain his anger and directed his displeasure to the root of it – Nali.
“You are wrong, Empress. The death of the Sea Witch is the only way to save our kingdoms,” he growled.
“No, I am not. The mirror showed me a vision. The Goddess is never wrong,” Nali argued.
“You see what you wish to see,” Drago retorted. “Where was your vision when the Sea Witch turned my people to stone? Where was the Goddess for that matter?!”
“The Goddess is not wrong, Drago! The mirror showed me the creature inside her. It will not stop with her death. It will only move to another and another until there is no one left to stop it. Somehow, someway, the Sea Witch is preventing that from happening. I don’t know how or why, but she is!” she snapped. “Do not stand in my way, Drago. My kingdom is in danger and I will do anything to protect my people.”
“Do you think I would have done any less for my people, Nali? They were gone before I could reach them. Their cries of horror still echo through my soul! The sounds of mothers and fathers begging the Sea Witch to spare their children only to have them turned to stone in their arms. You speak of an alien creature, but I never saw any such thing! Magna’s insane cackle plays over and over in my dreams and you want me to ignore her? To let her go?” Drago choked out over his rage.
“No, I ask that you listen to me, Drago. That you all listen to me,” Nali pleaded. “The darkness in her is from beyond our world. Only someone from another world can defeat it.”
“There is no one from another world, Nali,” Drago said, running his hands through his hair.
“That’s not true,” Carly said, breaking her silence.
Each person around the table turned to look at her as if they had forgotten her presence. Drago turned to her and reached for her hand. He did not want Carly involved in this. She was all that he had left.
“Carly,” Drago began.
He stopped when she raised her hand and laid her fingers against his lips. Drago shook his head when he saw the determined expression that came into her eyes. His little thief was about to stand her ground.
“I am not from your world. I don’t know what is going on. Where I come from we don’t have magic, Sea Witches, and alien creatures or whatever is doing this, but what if Nali is right? What if you kill her and it is something else that is doing this? Can you blame this Magna when it might be beyond her control? I’m not saying what she did was right. I’m just saying that killing someone is wrong and… and doing it out of revenge never works out well for anyone,” Carly explained in a quiet voice.
The muscle in Drago’s jaw throbbed. He could see the worry and sadness in her gaze. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingers, his grip hard. He turned to look at Nali.
“Tell us what you saw,” he ordered in a gruff tone.
Nali relaxed in her seat and nodded. “I saw mostly fragments, things that are not completely clear. A black shadow moving over the Sea Witch and her fighting with it. I saw her fear – but, also her determination,” she said.
“That does not tell us how to stop her, Nali,” Gem stated in frustration. “What is this black shadow? Where did it come from?”
Nali shook her head. “I don’t know. I saw a flash as something fell from the sky,” she said.
“How can she be stopped?” Koorgan demanded.
“I saw Orion, Drago, and two others – a man not from our world and a woman. They will fight a great battle and the creature will be killed,” Nali admitted.
“Then I will kill the Sea Witch,” Drago stated.
“Yes – no – I don’t know. All the mirror shows me is the same thing over and over,” Nali admitted.
“None of this matters if the Sea Witch cannot be found,?
?? Isha reminded everyone in a quiet voice.
“What do you propose, Nali?” Ashure wearily asked.
“That we allow fate to play out. When I saw Carly’s appearance, I knew that it would set in motion the events that would save our world,” Nali said.
Drago’s eyes narrowed on Nali’s face when she turned it at the last moment. There was something else Nali wasn’t telling them. Perhaps that feeling was what made accepting what she was saying all the more difficult.
“I vote that once the Sea Witch is located, she be detained and a gathering called in order to determine what should be done next,” Ashure said. “We will see if the visions from the Goddess’ Mirror come true. I hope for all our sakes that they do, Nali. All in agreement say aye.”
“Aye,” Isha said with reluctance.
“Aye,” Nali agreed.
“Nay,” Gem stated, rising from her seat with a scowl and folding her arms in defiance.
“Aye,” Koorgan said.
“I’ll agree – unless I see her again. Then I make no promises,” Drago stated.
“Aye. Gem, inform the king and queen that we will do all that we can to find and contain the Sea Witch,” Ashure instructed.
“I will kill her myself if she attacks my people,” Gem retorted before pushing away from the table, fading, and then disappearing through the ceiling.
“What?! Where did she go?” Carly asked in shock.
“Gem is an elemental. She can become any element, including air,” Drago explained.
“Wow! That is… really cool,” Carly whispered.
The sun shone through the windows early the next morning, waking Carly from a sound sleep. She lay on her side and stared out the windows at the first rays of light. A smile tugged at her lips when she saw the flock of paper birds stretch their wings and wiggle their tails. They had made a point of nesting on the balcony outside of the bedroom.
She lifted her hand to run it down Drago’s arm. The coarse hair on his arms felt good against her palm. She laid her hand over the one he had wrapped around her waist.