Dragon Wish (27 page)

each step, to join Leo and Calis further along the railing

where they watched the approach of Durfalin.

He remained where she’d left him for several moments,

hoping that once he went to meet the others, the evidence of

his need for her would have lessened. How had she become

so important to him in such a short amount of time? He

admitted the baby brought forth his need to protect her, but

this strange emotion that came to life whenever she was

near—he couldn’t explain it. She had become a delight. Every

moment they spent together strengthened her hold on his

heart. Was this love?

He’d believed he had cared for his wife. When he was

under better control and had moved to their side, the ship

had maneuvered to an empty berth. The off ramps were put

into place.

Once the ship was tied off, he laid a hand at the base of

Seren’s back and escorted her down the ramp and onto the

dock. Humans, Felerians, dragonseeds, and many more

rushed in the bustle around them. Shouts of greeting to his

men, nods of respect to him, and curious glances at Seren

flowed over them as they moved past one group to the next

until they reached the archway.

Seren stopped and tilted her head back. Her body

swayed. “Wow, it didn’t look so big from the distance.”

“Each one has a name. This one is called Justice. It is

175

Dragon Wish

considered a blessing from the dragons to enter here. To

receive justice for all things is fortunate. The one there is

opportunity. Most who arrive desire to enter through that

gate, but not all are lucky enough to do so.” While he

explained, she looked on either side of her much the same

way she had the first day in Gilliesport. But instead of the

uncomfortable insecurity, the surprise and shock, all evident

on her features back then, she now stared with wonder and

pleasure.

She pointed at so many objects, animals and places,

comparing them to many similarities on Earth. Halfway to

the residence of his merchant friend and wizard, Ren

Murdock, she stopped. “Oh, that looks just like a monkey.”

The ‘monkey’ she referred to was a lemur, it’s white and

black coat shining in the sol light. Round, wide brown eyes

studied them from the awning over a street booth. A long tail

curled on a corner post.

“It is a flying lemur.”

She shot a glance at him, excitement edging her words.

“We have those on Earth...only, I don’t think they fly.”

“These do.”

“Cool.”

He lifted a brow. “Are you cold?”

She laughed and shook her head. “No, it’s just an

expression.”

Understanding dawned on him. He tugged her past the

lemur to continue down the bricked street. “I have a friend

who lives deep in the city. He is well placed in power and

wealth, a renowned wizard. With these behind him, he is

very capable of seeing to your protection until I return from

Velhaven. His name is Ren Murdock.”

When she remained silent in response, he glanced at her.

A slight frown marred her brow. “You are not pleased.”

“I don’t want you to leave me here.”

“It’s for your safety.”

“I want to go with you.” She stopped and faced him. “I’ll

176

Dragon Wish

worry about you. Velhaven doesn’t sound like it’ll welcome

you with open arms.”

He shook his head. “No. I do not suppose it will, but it is

my duty to return my wife. I cannot ask anyone to do so in

my place.”

Frustration radiated from her tense body. She nodded. “I

know...I just want to go with you.”

Facing her, he stared, the noise of the crowded street

fading in his awareness as he fell into the depths of her gray

eyes. Sweat and spices mingled with aromas of cooked meats

and vegetables, but her scent rose to him, overwhelming all

else. He shifted nearer, seeing her driving need in the sincere

expression on her face and echoed deep in her eyes.

He cupped her chin, his thumbs brushing the rise of her

cheeks. “I would that I could, but...”

Her shoulders slumped. “I know. You don’t have to say it.

I have to stay here because we don’t know how they’re going

to react.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her

cheek against his heart. “Doesn’t make me feel better.”

“I will return to you as swiftly as I can. Believe this in

your heart, Seren, I will not be separated from you for long

unless some force prevents me from returning.” Her head

moved and the friction of her skin over his drove his mental

need for her deeper than before. “Come, we must go. The

sooner I depart, the swifter I will return to you.”

She smiled, the movement sweet to him. “So you’re going

to dump me and haul it, huh, bub?”

He chuckled, fully understanding what her strange

phrases meant, and gave her a tight squeeze before releasing

her. He lifted her face to his. “No, I fully intend to leave you

something to tide you over until we meet once more.”

She rolled her eyes and twirled away. “Promises,

promises, you had better keep ’em.”

“Always,” he murmured, following behind.

177

Dragon Wish

* * * *

Her room—no, she shook her head, a smile tugging at her

lips—their room was adjacent to the terrace overlooking the

walled gardens below.

With her body still humming from their latest round of

lovemaking, she waited for Paladin to rejoin her. He’d gone

below to speak with several of his crew members about their

departure in the morning. She didn’t want him to leave her

but who was she to stop him.

She moaned and rubbed her temples. How the hell had

she become so involved with him? She hadn’t meant for it to

happen this way. Even though she wanted to deny it, she

couldn’t. Paladin had become a very important part of her

life and not just for the sex. Yet, what did she really know

about him? Not much, but before he left her, she intended to

change that fact.

The bedroom door opened and the object of her thoughts

walked in, closing the door behind him. She watched him

over her shoulder, trying to decide what she did feel about

him. Was it love? He moved toward her, a slight smile on his

lips. Her legs grew weak and threatened to give out on her. If

it wasn’t love then it was awfully close.

“It’s chilly tonight,” he said once he reached her side. He

wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his

side.

“I suppose. It’s pleasant.”

She listened to the quiet of his breathing and enjoyed the

secure feeling she got from having him so close.

He gave her a little squeeze. “What was your saying?

Penny for your thoughts?”

A laugh escaped her. “You don’t want to know.”

“Yes, I do. You seem troubled by something.”

Releasing a sigh, she turned away. The absence of his arm

reminded her of how really alone she was in this world.

178

Dragon Wish

Without him, she would be lost, unable to assimilate the way

she’d need to with the cultures on this planet. She looked

back at him.

A gentle breeze stirred the sheer curtains on either side of

where he stood framed in the doorway. She didn’t believe she

would ever tire of looking at him.

“Come join me,” she said, holding a hand out. “We need

to talk. Tonight, before you leave.”

He took her hand and allowed her to lead him to the

rumpled bed. As they sat side-by-side, he asked, “What are

we talking about?” He touched her face.

She ignored the gentle sweep of his fingertips along her

jaw. “Why did your wife do what she did?” The very thought

of saying the words he had said the morning after she arrived

bothered her. How could a mother kill their child? But his

wife had, and Seren wanted to understand why. The reason

wasn’t Paladin. She was positive about that.

For a second, his entire body went stiff. Even his features

hardened into a grim façade. He drew in a deep breath, and

when he released it, some of the tension loosened. “Why do

you want to know?”

“Do you know the reason why? I believe you do. I have to

know; to be sure I have nothing to worry about with this

baby.”

“Our child is well.” He stopped and swallowed once

before he continued. Was it this hard for him to speak about?

Her heart ached because she knew exactly what it felt like to

lose someone close.

“My dead wife never cared for me. She desired my

brother. I am sure she destroyed our child as a way to prove

to my brother how much she cared for him. Besides, she

never wanted the child.”

Seren sat in silence. Her own words came back to haunt

her. She had told him almost the same thing that morning so

long ago. His child was not what she wanted. But fear of

losing the child lay behind her reasons, not desire for

179

Dragon Wish

another man.

“And your brother? What do you believe he thinks about

what she did? “

Paladin shrugged. “I do not believe he thinks much on it.

He never cared for her. She was simply a means to strike a

blow at me. Or so Master Largin thinks.”

This piece of news surprised her. “Largin knew what was

happening? But how?”

“Wizards have their ways. It is common for them to

discuss the coming and goings of royalty. My family is

included in the conversations. The rumors are that I

murdered my wife.” He stared at her. “I give you my word on

my honor I had nothing to do with her death.”

She waved away his explanation. “I’d sooner believe pigs

fly than that you murdered your wife.”

His eyebrows rose. “Pigs flying? You have those on Earth

also?”

Unable to stop the laughter from spilling out, she leaned

against his chest while she giggled. “Please tell me that’s a

joke.”

“But they do fly near the southern end of Avaris. Do they

not on Earth?”

“No, not at all.”

Several moments went by without either of them

speaking. Seren thought about what he’d told her. It helped

her understand why Paladin was so defensive when asked

about his dead wife. Her heart ached for what he must have

suffered when he heard she’d died.

He put a finger under her chin and raised her face so she

could meet his gaze. “Why were you never able to let go of

your lost child?”

Crap.
She fought hard to remain relaxed, but the familiar

defensive tension came over her. She thought about telling

him none of this was his business. No, she wouldn’t do that

to him. He’d opened up to her about his wife. How could she

not do the same for him?

180

Dragon Wish

“I lived for two years alone after my daughter died. I

wanted to be alone to wallow in my own self-pity. Isn’t it

strange that I can see this now? If someone back then were to

tell me to move on, to be thankful for my life, I probably

would have despised them and told them to mind their own

business. My grief belonged to me. I wanted to suffer

because of the guilt I felt in not being able to save her.” She

trembled and he wrapped his arms about her.

“Her death was not your fault.”

She laughed shakily. “Oh, I know that.” She touched the

spot over her heart. “Here, I know that here. It’s my head

that wouldn’t accept it.”

“And now, with our child, do you still believe you were at

fault?”

“No, not really. After the conversation with our son, it’s

like my pain vanished. I wanted it to come back but it was

gone. All I found was the happy times with Mandy. I will

always miss her, but I have to move forward for our baby.”

“And this is a good thing to you?”

She grinned at him. “Yes, a very good thing. Oh, I forgot

tell you. I decided on a name for the baby.”

His right brow went up in question.

“What do you think of Legion?”

“Legion?”

“Yes. He has the power of seven dragons in him. I

thought it’d be appropriate.”

“If that is your desire, then so be it. I will not argue.”

She frowned. “You don’t like.”

He gave her a quick squeeze, dipped his head and pressed

a gentle kiss on her mouth.

“I like it.” She said and started to argue her reasoning

behind the name, but he cut her off with a longer pass of his

lips over hers.