Chapter Fourteen
Bastian
Her excitement kept us awake most of the night while she pestered me with questions. I would almost be asleep and she’d think of another one. But I didn’t regret telling her. I knew she got lonely, I just didn’t like thinking about it. The following morning, she fluttered around preparing herself and asking more questions as I watched. We would be gone for two earth days, but the time between realms was strange and impossible to pinpoint how much time would pass here. During these trips, I rarely stayed more than a few days. It could be hours or days later once I returned. No rhyme or reason, but that was the gods’ doing.
“Have you known your friends in this realm for a long time?”
“Yes,” I snapped, my impatience to leave making me cranky.
She ignored the tone of my voice. “What will be the strangest thing I see?”
I sighed; it would do me no good to put her off. “Technology. The dragon realm exists on magic. Earth has very little magic, so they are able to build and control toys that act like magic.”
“That makes no sense. There is no magic in my realm, and we don’t have this technology you talk about.”
I wasn’t happy that she didn’t think of the dragon realm as her home yet, but I answered, “Your old realm was filled with magic long ago, which keeps complex machinery from working. Earth has networks of technology that will baffle your mind, but I’m not telling you anymore. In a few short hours, I will show you. If you hurry.” I had to hold the smoke back from my nostrils.
“You’re no fun.”
“Your questions are delaying our departure.”
She crossed her arms and looked down at the small bag she’d packed. “I’m ready and only waiting on you.”
“Humph. Females,” I muttered under my breath.
I flew to the realm border and shifted to human form. After dressing in common earth clothing, I carried our two small bags over my shoulder. “Come here and stand in front of me. You will need to walk, but I will hold you as we cross. I will not let go, so don’t panic. I will keep you safe.”
Her ass was covered in soft jeans, and she wiggled against the front of me on purpose. I’d never had an erection when crossing, but with her so close it was impossible not to and her squirming didn’t help. With her wrapped in my embrace, I could feel each breath she took. I waited until she breathed in then I walked forward, giving her no option but to move with me. It hurt, but I knew the pain was stronger for her because my magic protected me somewhat. The discomfort took care of my erection so the pain wasn’t a bad thing. I felt her body stiffen, but she didn’t utter a sound. The crossing was swift because she didn’t panic.
Acasia let out the breath she’d been holding. “Not pleasant, but not unbearable.”
This surprised me; all of my females cried and swore they didn’t wish to do it again. This bride never acted as I expected, which made me smile with pride.
“Sir.”
I released Acasia and turned to see our driver. Not someone I knew, and never before had a female waited. She stood calmly by the vehicle, obviously expecting us. Acasia stared with huge eyes. Her world ran on horses and oxen for transportation, she’d never seen a mechanical vehicle for transport.
The driver opened the rear door. “I am Brunya. Your plane awaits.” She smiled at us.
Brunya was large for a woman. She had stern facial features, but when she smiled, it softened her face and made her pretty. “Thank you, Brunya. How are things in your clan at the moment?”
She shook her head, a smile still playing on her lips. “Changed, and for some of us that’s a good thing.”
I pulled my bride beside me. “Brunya, this is Acasia.”
Brunya put out her hand. “Welcome, Acasia.”
“Thank you,” Acasia said shaking the offered hand. She gave Brunya an inquisitive look, and I knew she was ready to start her questions again.
I ushered her inside the car quickly or we would have stood out there all day.
“What is this called, Bastian?” She looked around the interior, speaking low as if it would go away if she raised her voice.
“It’s a motor vehicle, though the simple word is car. Keep watch out the window. Sedona is the name of this township. It has a vortex that condenses magic. It’s one of the few places in this realm that we can cross. The scenery is spectacular.”
The red rock formations drew Acasia’s attention. She also watched each car approach from the opposite direction and travel past us. When we hit the main part of the town, slowing down with the heavier traffic and control lights, she began asking questions again.
“What do they hold up to their ear as they walk?”
It was exciting for me to see things through her eyes. “It’s a cell phone. They communicate with the device. This realm has many cities and lands far away. The phone keeps them linked.”
“And the lights, what is their function?” she asked when we came to a complete stop at a red light.
“Traffic lights keep the cars from ramming each other. It controls who goes when.”
We approached the airport and she had me laughing aloud.
“They have ugly dead dragons.” She pointed. “No, there is one in the air, but they are frozen.”
“Those are called airplanes, and we will be riding inside one in a few moments.”
Her eyes grew bigger. “They eat us?”
I bit my lip. “No, it is another type of machine. It will take us to my friend’s place.”
She looked at me with innocent, trusting eyes. “I do not understand how they stay in the air, but if you have faith in them, I will manage.”
A private jet waited. I walked with Acasia up the stairs and we sat down in the luxurious seats. Brunya joined us.
Acasia focused on the other woman. “This is a strange realm, Brunya, but very fascinating. How did you know where to meet us?”
Brunya smiled softly and replied, “I was given your crossing location. It is the first time I’ve come to welcome visitors from elsewhere. It’s an honor to be given this trust and doubly so for a female of my clan.”
“If things are better for males than females in this realm, then we have a lot in common. I’m glad to hear that it may be changing for you.”
I grunted at her words, but stayed out of their conversation. Female weakness was not my problem. Acasia expressed her glee once we were airborne, and I relaxed. I knew she would enjoy part of this visit, though I also knew she wouldn’t be happy when she discovered the true reason we came.
Another car and driver waited for us when the plane landed and drove us through the city known as Denver. Brunya had some place else to be and didn’t accompany us. We pulled up to the nightclub. Our driver opened the car door and ushered us inside the large double doors that were guarded by two enormous men who nodded at our approach.
We stepped inside. I’d known the vampire walking toward us for centuries, but he looked different; more relaxed, happier perhaps.
“Welcome, Bastian, and please waste no time introducing me to your lovely bride.”
I pulled Acasia into my side, keeping a possessive arm around her. “Dmitri this is Acasia.”
The vampire took her hand, ignoring mine and kissed the backs of her fingers. I was ready to shove him away when a low growl sounded over his shoulder. He laughed, released Acasia, and pulled the softly growling woman in close to him.
“Bastian, Acasia, I would like to introduce my mate, Nikka. She is unable to verbally communicate with you, but she has plenty to say to me at the moment.” Dmitri laughed and kissed the woman. “I know kotika, but if I can’t razz my friends, life would be boring.” He listened for another moment and turned back to us.
“Nikka welcomes you both. She would love to show your bride around while you and I discuss business. One of our female pack mates will accompany them and communicate for Nikka.”
I looked at the excitement on Acasia’s face and wondered what she was thinking. Every so often, I received tidbits from her but only when her emotions were strong. Even then, I only gleaned a word or two. “Would you like to go with Nikka?”
She had ahold of Nikka’s hand and the two were walking away like old friends almost before I finished the sentence. I looked at Dmitri and said, “You’ve never had female drivers or females other than waitresses in the club before. I believe I have a lot of catching up to do. Will your female corrupt mine?”
“Without a doubt. Come, we have much to discuss.”
***
Acasia
I was away from Bastian and in the presence of another woman. It was difficult not to jump up and down with excitement but I acted reserved so I wouldn’t scare Nikka away. Brunya had spoken aloud, and Bastian told me they could so I knew earth humans spoke. Another female named Mandy joined us. She was as excited to meet me as I was to meet her. She explained that she was a wolf and human mix and that Nikka was mountain lion and human. Since I now knew dragons shifted, I had no trouble accepting what she told me. I had so many questions about their realm, and Mandy patiently answered for about three minutes.
She finally broke in when I asked about what Bastian called a cell phone. “So tell us about yourself. We’ve only just learned of your race and we’ve been dying to meet you. Honey, my mate, thought he could keep me away today. The man is seriously messed up in the head sometimes.” She stopped talking and looked at Nikka before turning back to me. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll let you answer my question. Nikka’s right, I talk too much.”
I wasn’t sure what to say and didn’t remember her question. “Umm, I, umm.”
This didn’t stop Mandy. “Nikka says you’re not a shifter or a vampire. Is there another species we’re not familiar with?”
I was shocked. I’d heard of vampires and knew they were sent up from Hades to plague the world. “No, I’m sure Bastian would kill any vampire he saw.”
Mandy laughed, covering her mouth while looking at Nikka. Nikka smiled and shook her head at Mandy.
“What did I say?” It was obvious I’d messed up.
“Dmitri is a vampire and I doubt Bastian could kill him.”
Oh great, I’d spoken out against Nikka’s mate. “I’m sorry. Things are very different in my realm. I meant no offense.”
Nikka only smiled, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. I liked her, and the curiosity was killing me. “Does your vampire drink your blood?”
Now both women laughed. “I’m sorry; that was very rude of me.”
By the tone of Mandy’s voice, she wasn’t insulted in the least. “Not at all; he’s the reason we live forever. Vampires give us healing enzymes from their blood. Vampires co-exist with beastkind because we make each other stronger. Dmitri leads our clan.” Mandy took barely a breath. “We’re also interested in your mate. Dragons are outside of our knowledge.”
“He is not my mate. I’m his bride. It’s a barbaric practice within our realms, but I have discovered it’s hard on the dragons too. I will gladly answer all your questions if you will answer mine without taking offense at my ignorance.”
I continued pressing them about their customs, beastkind, and vampires. Technology was the thing I liked least about their world. Mine was simpler and more comfortable.
Strong arms wrapped around my shoulders. “I have business to attend elsewhere. Would you like to go to our hotel room or stay here?”
Mandy spoke before I could. “What if we take her to your hotel so we can keep talking and all be more comfortable?”
I twisted around a little to look at him. “I would like them to take me if you don’t mind.”
A slight smile played on Bastian’s lips. “I don’t mind at all. I’ll be there in about two hours. Order dinner and enjoy their company.” He gave me a quick kiss and walked away.
A driver took us to the inn, or what my new friends referred to as a hotel. The rooms assigned to us were on the top floor and looked out over the city.
After our small bags were placed in the bedroom, we ordered food on a phone, which they showed me how to use. Wine arrived first and we all got comfortable. Mandy told me of her mating with Honey—kidnapping him and making his life miserable until he gave in. She spoke of their child and her hope for another one.
I looked to Nikka when Mandy finished her story; Nikka spoke into Mandy’s mind and Mandy relayed her thoughts. She told me about Nikka’s mating with Dmitri. I was fascinated with vampires and asked questions for an hour. Mandy told me of the war between beastkind species and how much better things were now that it was over. I was enthralled with their entire realm, and Mandy happily answered even the most probing questions.
When I took a long breath, Mandy spoke, “Now it’s your turn to spill. Tell us if your man breathes fire in bed, out of bed, or both.”
Two sets of eyes waited for my response, and I could feel heat traveling to my face. “He, ah, I’m not sure how to answer that.”
Nikka smiled in a mischievous way while Mandy laughed loudly. “Well, the man is gorgeous and now that we’ve spilled our secrets we want to know all about him. Have some more wine and start with the easy stuff.”
“Okay.” I gladly had another sip. “He breathes fire when he laughs in dragon form. I’ve never seen him do it as a human, but I haven’t asked if he can. He also does it most often when he’s in a temper.”
“Typical man. How did you meet?”
I told them what I knew of the curse and then of the claiming. They were both outraged. Dinner arrived and I was given a short reprieve from their questions.
Mandy looked at Nikka and shared the other woman’s thoughts when we finished the meal. “Nikka says your lack of choice is similar to ours when our beasts lock onto a mate. He’s chosen for us and we have no say in the matter. It’s the same for our mates so in this, both male and females are equal. I, on the other hand, think the women in your town need to rise up, overthrow the men, and demand a say in this claiming. I’m sure if there were female dragons and the men had to register, it would be an entirely different story.”
I know she didn’t mean to make me sad, but I couldn’t help it. “I need to explain what I’ve discovered since living with Bastian.”
I told them of the love the dragons had for their brides and how the loss affected them. By the time I finished, both women were in tears and hugging me. After our dinner and more wine, we talked about odds and ends until there was a loud, insistent knock at the door. I managed to wobble my way to the door. A strange, huge, scary-looking man stood with his hand up to pound the door again when I opened it.
“I’ve come for my mate,” he demanded.
So this was Honey, the cantankerous bear. I smiled. “She’s trying to get up from the couch. We’ve had a bit of wine.”
He peered over my shoulder, and if Mandy hadn’t told me what a big teddy bear he was on the inside, I’d have been worried. I followed his gaze.
Mandy managed to stand, but when she tried to take a step in our direction, she put her hand out to catch the couch and missed completely. Honey was around me and at her side in an instant. I pretended not to see the slight lift at the corner of his mouth, and just listened to him grumble.
“Our daughter is waiting for you at home. What am I supposed to say, ‘Mommy can’t read to you tonight, she fell on the floor and damaged her brain?’”
“I didn’t damage my brain on the floor. I did it on the wine.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Acasia, meet Honey, my mate, the father of my son, and the keeper of my…” she stumbled again, but this time Honey picked her up over his shoulder and looked at me.
“She meant to say balance. I keep her balance.”
“Heart, you dumbass. Let me down.”
He ignored her and turned to Nikka. “I have two shoulders for situations such as this. Your mate wants you home. Do I need to carry you, or can you walk?”
Nikka put her hand out and rested it on his arm. He turned slowly walking to the door.
Mandy lifted her head and smiled. “Nice tomecha, Acasia.” Keeping her head up was obviously too much trouble, so she mumbled the rest against Honey’s back. “Sheeyanexttime.”
Honey turned at the door. “Your mate is on his way.”
I didn’t have time to correct him before he was gone with both my new friends, and I was left alone. I sat down on the couch, grabbed the half-filled bottle of wine, and took a swig.
I needed my dragon.