Only For Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 6)(12)

“Why don’t you give me a try? If nothing else, I‘m a good listener.”

He knew he was pleading and hoped it didn’t scare her, but something in the very depth of his soul told him this one girl was important to his future. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than his dragon chuffed in agreement. The girl sat back, stretched her legs in front of her, and simply stared.

Wanting…no needing, to hear her voice again, Andrew asked, “Can I at least know your name?”

She shrugged. “What’s yours?”

“Andrew.”

“Nice name.”

“Thanks.” He waited as patiently as possible, hoping and praying that she would talk again, but all she did was sit as still as a statue, taking in his every movement.

Before he could think of anything witty to say, she spoke. Her voice was a little higher than before, but still clear as a bell. It reminded him of the violin his uncle played during their clan celebrations.

“Would you believe me if I told you I don’t remember my name?”

“Darlin’, I’d believe anything you want me to.” He grinned.

“Really?”

“Swear to it.” She smiled and he swore his heart skipped a beat. “Now, you wanna tell me why you’re so sad?”

Andrew shook himself awake, unable to endure remembering one of the best days of his life. He cursed himself, sick to his stomach that he’d become sappy enough to think about a time when he believed everything was great and that he’d be a big, bad Dragon Guardsman. He’d actually entertained the thought that the sweet girl in the grape arbor might have been his mate.

He’d seen her on and off during his time with the clan, always promising himself that he would get to know her better, but it seemed that something always stopped him, something always got in the way. Then his world had gone to hell and she’d been all but forgotten until his brief trip down memory lane.

His entire life, he’d listened to stories of how great dragon kin was and how all they wanted to do was make the world a better, safer place for all kinds. Of course, Fate had shown him that it was all propaganda. A complete and total load of bullshit. Bullshit that he and he alone was going to expose and burn to the ground.

Pushing back up onto his good knee, leaning forward on his elbows, he finished the slow trek to his pallet located next to the lagoon. Collapsing next to the pool, he grabbed his cup, filled it with water, and drank until his body temperature finally started to return to normal.

Sitting up and scooting until his back touched the wall, Andrew removed the ancient text from under his shirt. Opening the book, he pulled out the pages with John’s translations and began to review.

A powerful white witch sworn to the Earth, of long regal lineage made whole by human love, must mate a dragon of royal descent marked by devastating loss and the heart of not one clan, but two.

The vibria born of human parents and the last female bred of two dragons lost in plain sight.

Born to an extinct race, thought to be one but actually two. Both with destinies blessed by Fate, neither knowing the other exists…

A calling to heal, a hidden nature, a history long forgotten…all protected in the heart of a woman destined to complete a warrior and his beast. The revelation of all she is brought forth from the joining with her mate.

He searched the back of the book, finding his translations…

…The gift of love and the hope of a future unlocks her true nature with the surrender of a mate’s heart.

The page from the ancient grimoire, written in blood and containing the spell that would deliver the forever death, fell onto his lap. He looked at it like it was the Holy Grail and in all actuality…for him it was. It was his secret weapon against the race that wronged him. The race that had forgotten him. The race that had left him to die.

Andrew held the paper to his chest, closed his eyes, and chuckled.

This is gonna be good.





CHAPTER SIX

Charlie had tossed and turned all night, dreams of Aaron fighting a black hooded figure chased her every sleeping moment. There were times it looked like his opponent might take him down, but then she would glimpse his cocky grin and watch the man that was becoming so important to her cut down everything in his path. His raw power was awesome and fueled by the dragon she could feel within him. He not only possessed brute strength, but also an iron will and a pure determination that would not be defeated.

Reluctantly, Charlie opened her eyes, squinting at the glare. Shards of light shone through the gaps in her light blue blackout curtains, nearly blinding her as she cursed under her breath. Those curtains had been the best investment she’d made during her first year as an intern. Working all kinds of crazy hours, never sure when she’d be able to get back to her bed, she’d learned quickly that even in the bright light of day an hour or two of sleep was a blessing, and her curtains tricked her brain into believing it was always nighttime.

Not when you don’t shut them all the way, doofus.

Throwing the blankets over her head, she groaned while rolling away from the offending light. She tossed and turned until her legs were encased in the sheets and she felt like a mummy. Laughing at her own silliness, Charlie threw off the covers, careful not to look towards the window, and stared at the far wall, once again thinking about the man that would not leave her alone, whether awake or sleeping.

He’s an addiction they don’t have a twelve-step program for.

After several long minutes, she sat up and threw her legs over the edge of the bed, talking to the room around her. “Might as well get this day started. Wonder how much trouble I can get into?”

Making her way to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth, took a shower, and threw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. She followed the smell of freshly brewed coffee to the kitchen, thanking the Lord above for coffeemakers with timers. Steaming mug in hand, she padded to the deck and plopped into the redwood Adirondack chair, propping her feet on the large terra cotta pot in front of her.

The daisies, looming big and beautiful, reached for the sun and made her smile. She knew it was silly, but knowing Aaron had planted them for her made them all the more special. Glancing to the side, she gazed at the huge red flowers of the rose bush and made a mental note to ask him where he’d gotten such a beautiful plant, and why it always seemed to be in bloom. The backyard needed some sprucing up.

That would be a great ‘thank you’ present to Sam for letting me use the cottage. I’ll get right on it…as soon as I find the gumption.

Letting her head fall back, her eyes slid closed and she soaked in the warmth of the sun, letting her mind wander. Thoughts of how much her world had changed and how happy she was that she and Sam were back on speaking terms floated around her brain. That made her think of her parents, which made her remember that it had been days since she’d spoken to them.

Her mom usually called at least every other day, especially now that her dad had retired from the police force. It was funny to hear them bicker. Marian Gallagher was a smart, sassy, retired nurse that always took care of everyone with a firm hand and a whole lot of love. Charles, aka, Chuck Gallagher, was a hard-nosed retired city detective with a heart of gold, and was Charlie’s very own version of a superhero. After all, she was named after him.

The day Chuck Gallagher had responded to the 911 call about an abandoned newborn on the church steps was the best day of Charlie’s, then, very short life. She’d heard the story so many times she could recite it while almost perfectly imitating her dad.

You were the prettiest little thing I’d ever seen. Snow white hair and bright blue eyes, rosy cheeks and sweet, rosebud lips that spread into a smile just like sunshine. I’d never seen anything as beautiful as you, except your mom. You were all wrapped in a fluffy pink blanket, cooing like you didn’t have a care in the world. The reverend said he found you safe and secure in an old-fashioned wicker basket. You know the kind, with high sides and handles.

It was filled with bottles, blankets, little pink outfits of every description, and the tiniest diapers I’d ever seen. There were even two white teddy bears and a package of pacifiers. We never did figure out the meaning of the pretty copper pendant on the brown leather cord attached to the basket handle. Just knew that it exactly matched the birthmark on your hip. Your mom saved it until you were old enough to wear it and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without it.

I took you straight to the hospital. Never left your side. The doctors and nurses knew me from your mother and all the times I’d brought victims in. When I said I wasn’t leaving you, they just backed away and did their jobs. At first, the doc was worried about the markings on your back, but they soon said they were only a birthmark.

I was getting really impatient. Kept asking when they’d finally be done. Of course, you just smiled and even giggled a time or two. The nurses said they’d never seen a baby so young be so responsive and happy. Always so happy. I was just about to lose my mind when your mom showed up. She’d been covering a shift in surgery and recovery. Thankfully, she was just in time to hear the doctor say you were perfectly healthy.

The folks from Child Protective Services came. Marian said there was no way in hell you would spend one minute in one of those scary group homes or a crowded foster home. It took a few calls and some big time favors, but a few hours later we were taking you home and you’ve been ours ever since.