Page 8 of Starfall (Stand Alone Tales #20)

E mery stared skyward as a sandwich cookie of dark and light took place before disappearing into a wink of darkness.

She touched her forehead. She s still here. Emery chuckled. She s asleep.

Rowen blinked. You are in touch with her?

She linked her emotional state to me.

That may become inconvenient.

Emery looked at him. Why?

The guys with her had their minds on mating. Rut smells similar for every species.

Oh. That might get weird.

Only if they are good at what they do. He chuckled. Void seemed to have a handle on that, and Null was enthusiastic.

Uh. Right. I don t think I should have used sad puppy face with her.

Rowen hugged her. Isn t there a phrase Do not mess in the affairs of dragons?

Yeah, but it ends For you are crunchy and good with ketchup. She looked over to Kelnen holding Krys. Okay, I can see the eating aspect of it. Well, not literally.

He laughed. This will be interesting.

She grumbled, I hope they have a nice, long flight.

I doubt that it will be that long.

She groaned and thudded her head against his shoulder.

Let s dance. Dawn will be here in a few hours, and you can figure out how to numb the effect of a direct link into a dragon s brain.

That sounded like an excellent idea, so they got on the dance floor with many fatigued couples and swayed to the music. The fast stuff had ended at one; now, it was all slow dances.

They moved close to Orla and Hunter, and Emery asked, Orla, do you know a spell to dampen a direct magical emotional connection?

No, but I think I can make one.

Can you get to it as soon as things are wrapped up here, and you have a nap, of course.

Orla smiled. Sure, nap.

Hunter chuckled.

Emery smiled. It s about time.

Rowen snorted. Come on, Emery. The amount of lust pouring off our good winter avatar is going to bring on an early spring.

Orla blushed but stayed close to Hunter.

Emery glided around with Rowen for a while before muttering, Someone doesn t neglect their cardio.

He laughed and twirled her before pulling her against him again. The autumn equinox is going to be so much fun this year. The harvest moon, the blue moon. He wagged his eyebrows. Halloween.

So, you really have to participate in all those things?

Absolutely. I have an equinox party that is a lesser version of this. Just as Spring does. Summer gets the longest day and likes to rub that in.

He won t be rubbing anything any time soon.

Rowen chuckled and checked his watch. Sunrise in forty-five minutes. Do you want to go for a walk?

Sure. Avaknell is still sleeping, so things should be fine.

He nodded, and they separated, but he offered her his arm. They left the pavilion and walked onto the well-trampled snow.

So, what did you think of the seasonal celebration.

She smiled. I think it was very eventful. However will Hunter top things next year?

Well, it would have to be two years from now for baby racing to be a thing, Rowen murmured.

She stumbled. Baby racing?

He laughed. It was just a thought.

So, why are we going for a walk in giant dragon tracks?

He smiled. We never did get to the kissing portion of the evening.

Oh. Right.

And my family is far enough to see us but not coo at us cuddling. They can save that for the rest of the holidays. New Year s will be soon enough. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her against him.

He leaned down, she went up, and they met in the middle. Her light got excited and wrapped around him until they both glowed with dark light.

The kiss got wild. She clung to him as he found out exactly how much refined sugar had passed her lips. Time ticked past, and there was a cool feeling in her mind. Uh-oh. We woke her up.

He grinned. We managed to reach a dragon in space?

Yeah. She s irritated.

I am astounded and amazed at your reach, Emery. He stroked her cheek with his thumb.

She turned her head into the touch. She looked at him. How much longer?

Ten minutes. Let s go greet the dawn, and then, we can be on our way.

Where are we going?

My place. It s bigger, and the neighbours are further away.

Do I snore?

No, but you do bite, and I really want to be somewhere secluded when that happens.

She covered her mouth. Oh, damn. They are down.

Oh, yeah. He chuckled. I hadn t realized that I only saw a fraction of them.

She kept her hand in front of her mouth as they walked back. They don t do this often.

Under what circumstances do they come down?

She thought about it. Rowen changing his shirt in front of the gym window. Rowen playing with what must have been a niece in front of his gym and walking her over to the diner for ice cream. Rowen in the sauna and the tux. Special circumstances.

Really. What features in those circumstances?

She tilted her head. Window dressing springs to mind.

He chuckled. I see.

I don t think you do.

He whispered, I wasn t advertising the gym.

She stopped and dug her feet in. What?

He laughed. Come on. We are almost out of here.

She stayed in the circle of his arm and looked at all of the warlocks, mages, shifters, and others who were standing and waiting for the flame to relight the sun.

She kept her face turned toward Rowen to hide her fangs. The bottom ones had come out to make sure that her mate wouldn t get away. He would be stuck until she let him go. He seemed excited about it.

Orla came over, and Rowen went to stand with the other seasons as the sunrise approached. To Emery s astonishment, a bright glow rose from the log, and it flew to the east. It touched the horizon as the sun came up, and a white heart filled the orb as it climbed upward by inches.

Orla hugged her. We made it through another year, but now, we are back together. It feels good to be with you again.

Me, too.

How long did you know the dragon?

It feels like it was all my life, but mainly the last fourteen years.

Do you want to meet my boss and his quad?

Emery chuckled. Sure.

They walked over to a strange collection of beings. This is my best friend and fellow star, Emery. Emery, this is Thomas, Cale, Acker, and the golden Sallen. They are known as the fairy tale quad.

Thomas looked at her, and Sallen grinned as she said, We know Emery. Not in this body, but we know Emery. She has the best ice cream in the city. She could open a shop with just that alone.

Sallen looked around. Hey, Krys, this is Emery from the diner!

Krys left Kelnen and rushed over. Oh, wow. You got me through two out of three trimesters. Kelnen had an account and picked up what I needed on the way home.

Emery smiled. I know. That is how I recognized him when I saw him.

Krys looked sly. So, how can I get ten pints of ice cream in a variety of flavours?

She shrugged. Place an order. We do that kind of thing all the time.

Krys gasped. He said you didn t take orders that large. What a liar!

Kelnen finished ambling over and looked at his furious partner and then at Emery. He sighed. She found out about the ice cream.

She did.

Her cholesterol was getting high. The doctor wanted it under control, so I lied.

Krys kicked him in the shin.

He winced and wrapped his arms around her, whispering into her ear. She glared but then nodded. Fine. Three times a week.

Sallen laughed. Well, I know that isn t about sex.

Emery smirked. Negotiating for how much ice cream she can eat. Who knows, with her second one, she might not have cravings.

Kelnen looked hopeful, but Sallen laughed. Not going to happen.

Emery chuckled. I can reduce the sugar and swirl in some sorbets.

Thank you. The dragon inclined his mage s head.

Rowen came toward her and wrapped his arms around her. Ready to go?

Sure. Your car or mine? Avaknell left me hers.

Neither, I have a bit too much energy, and I want to run home.

Not in these boots.

He laughed. Not in this form. I did warn you about riding a stag.

She said weakly, I thought it was a euphemism.

He kissed her quickly and took her hand to walk her back to the field. Orla ran after her and put the cloak around her shoulders. It gets cold out. Talk to you in the morning. Afternoon. Soon.

Emery chuckled and kissed her friend on the cheek. They both glowed with their different lights.

When Emery turned to face Rowen, he had a stag s head, neck, and horns, and then, his body blurred until he was the size of a moose. Whoa.

He gave her an amused look, and as promised, he knelt next to her. Emery hiked up her skirt and settled on his back, hanging onto his horns as he rose up on his front and back feet. He was really tall. She shifted her grip to his neck, where there was a tuft of hair, and he began walking, then cantering, followed by a full run as she leaned close to his neck and held on.

Familiar streets blurred past as his hooves dug into the snow as he stayed off the slippery roads.

He ran to his home on the outskirts of town and headed straight for the back yard that ended in a thick forest. He knelt again, and she slid off, staggering back as he reformed to a kneeling man.

She sighed. You are ruining your suit.

It will be repaired. Cale made it so it shifts with me. He stood up. You have very strong thighs.

Um, thanks.

He took her by the hand and pulled her into his home. She pushed the door closed and swallowed. So, we are going to...

Would you like to?

Yes, but... this kind of feels like prom night.

Did you have fun at prom?

Didn t go. Amy made sure that no one asked me. She twisted her lips. But she was the birth daughter, and I was just the trash that blew in.

You heard that a lot, I am guessing.

More than I would like. They didn t expect me to turn scary, and then, all focus was on containment. She shrugged.

He stroked her cheek. What if containment is the last thing on my mind?

You are going to get perforated.

He grinned. Then, let s start slow, and if anything upsets you or hurts, let me know.

You sound like my dentist.

He laughed and picked her up, carrying her up the stairs to his bedroom. Her cloak and corset came off easily, leaving the sweaty lower layers. He sat her on the bed, got her boots off, and then, the skirt slid free. Orla had replaced her clothing after the fight, so she was naked pretty quickly.

His clothing disappeared with a heartbeat of focus, and he sat her against the headboard and then sat next to her and held her hand.

She was expecting him to pounce, but he just smiled. We start when you want and stop when you want. I will even reset for you to a point you were comfortable.

What about if you are uncomfortable? I am pretty sure that I am going to bite. Okay, I am positive. There isn t any going back for you.

What about you?

Well, technically, if I found another Rowen around somewhere, I could have him. She shrugged. But that seems like a lot of work.

He grinned and slid down in the bed. Well, I have dreamed of you for a decade or two, so just having you here is amazing. I am content with that.

Emery looked down his body and saw the distinct proof that he was lying. Content? If that is content, I would hate to see you aroused. Do you grow a second one?

He snorted and grabbed her by the waist, draping her over him. Funny. No. One is enough. He stroked a hand down her spine. If it isn t, let me know, and I will see what I can do.

She giggled and kissed him.

He was true to his word, and they took it slow. When his stroking fingers brought her to climax, she couldn t hold back anymore, and her mouth clamped down on his arm. The surface veins on his body turned black and green before fading. When her mouth finished pumping venom into him, she relaxed her jaw and tried to kiss it better.

He stared at her in astonishment. He was shaking as he rolled her to her back and slowly slid into her. Two hours of fingering made his entrance easy.

He shuddered in relief, and she tried to get used to the feeling. When he started to move, it was carefully, and the next time she came, he was with her.

He raised his head and said, Do you know how long the venom lasts?

She shook her head. Is it bad?

How are you feeling?

Fine. No aches and pains.

Good. No, it isn t bad, but let me know if you get sore. I haven t felt this good since I learned how to walk again.

You got an erection learning to walk again? She grinned.

Oh, yeah. Finally, all the blood could move around evenly. It was eye-opening. He was moving inside her slowly.

Yeah, eye-opening is a good word. She slid her hands up his sweaty arms. Dark light was pouring out of her, and he didn t seem to mind. I will be here for you as long as you need me.

He chuckled. Welcome to the next two centuries.

Boy, are you optimistic. He kissed her, and they continued to move together, changed position, and began again.

She felt irritation from Avaknell the moment she woke up. Emery guessed at what their first contact was going to sound like and knew it would involve a lot of yelling.

The link went both ways, which was probably a surprise to the dragon.

The aches Rowen had mentioned weren t as bad as she had anticipated. She rolled over and was surprised to see him gone. That kind of hurt. She checked under the bedding to make sure she hadn t just worn him down to a nub.

Rowen came in and sighed. I was trying to get back before you woke up. He was wearing a robe made with fabric styled in a falling leaf pattern on a black background.

He carried a tray, and she rolled to her back and slowly scooted up to the headboard. He set the tray between her side and his, slid his robe off, and settled next to her, a sheet demurely across his lap. So, we are bad bosses.

Why?

We ve been working off the venom for three days. One week to New Year s.

Oh, shit. I have to make some calls.

Relax. The alchemist and Orla worked out a spell to cover the township. Not only will this form be accepted as Emery, but as far as our places of business are concerned, we are on a vacation. Together.

She grabbed a croissant and peeled it apart. She paused and sniffed it. Hey, this is from the diner.

He grinned. Gabi brought emergency rations once I told her we were in a sort of confinement.

Embarrassing. She put some in her mouth. But helpful.

He laughed. This is when the big family comes in handy. Just wait until later. Meg is bringing us a care package from the restaurant.

Oh, Ribs?

And brisket and pulled pork and the pigtail fries. He grinned. Sauce, bread, and pickles.

Wow. She covered her mouth. She investigated her teeth. Almost normal.

That aroused you?

A little, but it was mainly a drool issue.

He laughed and handed her a fruit cup. Gabi was appalled when I said we hadn t eaten since the party.

Not strictly true. She blushed.

Rowen stroked her from cheek to breast. True. That was a lot of fun. I can still taste you.

She stuffed half her croissant in his mouth. That should take care of it.

His eyes were twinkling, and he quickly finished the mouthful. Well, we have a week. What do you want to do?

Um, meet the rest of your family and start figuring out what Avaknell left me?

That sounds sensible. Where did she live?

You know that huge house on the hill?

He froze. Yes.

That s her place. Or my place. Emery smiled at him. Or our place.

Rowen smiled. Her car is in the drive. No one brought it. It just showed up.

It does that.

There is also no room for a key in the door.

It knows me. We will be fine.

I don t think I will fit in it.

She patted his cheek. That is what you thought about me, and you fit just fine.

They giggled and snarked at each other for half an hour, cuddled up for a restorative nap, and ended up tiring each other out again.

The house was huge but still cozy, and on day eight after their first interaction, Emery waited until Rowen was out doing something with his family before she peed in a cup and put three different tests into action.

She paced and talked to Orla on the phone. It can t have been fast, right?

Orla was doing the same thing on the other end of the line. It s doubtful, but it is possible. We started together. We grew up in parallel, and we both have season-sensitive partners. The amount of smug growling and huffing around here was unbelievable. I tried to punch him, but then, he turned it into a boxing lesson.

Emery smiled. Hunter is very kind.

He is, but he is also annoying. If it weren t for our little Snowball, I would be nuts. He s a lovely stress reliever.

Emery paced and watched the timer. It counted down slowly. Oh, this is scary.

You could have done this with him there.

Scarier.

Agreed.

The alarm went off, and Emery muttered, Here we go.

The pale lines were on the two tests that indicated that way, and the digital was also positive. Well, hell. That explained all the venom. I definitely recognized him. A lot. Those lines are darker than they should be.

Yeah, mine, too. Orla sounded as stunned as Emery felt.

Wanna go for coffee?

Can we have coffee?

Herbal tea and a bear claw?

Done. Meet you at the diner.

On my way. As soon as I clean up. Downside to having scent-sensitive partners.

Oh, shit. Right. One quick bathroom scrub coming up.

They laughed and hung up. Emery washed everything, got the sticks and hid them in her bag, wrapped in a sandwich bag.

When everything was clear and scrubbed, she headed for the garage to take Avaknell s car out. The car was sort of a pet and definitely a car. It didn t attract speeding tickets and could always find parking. It is just a pity you aren t quite big enough for Rowen.

The car shuddered.

Sorry, sweetie. She buckled up, and the vehicle glided out of the garage. She drove down the hill and into town, heading for her diner. She parked, got out of the car, and headed into the diner.

Ally smiled and gestured toward a booth. Emery walked over and slid into the booth, waiting for Orla.

Herbal tea was waiting when her friend came through the door and scuttled to her side. Orla chuckled. We have to stop doing things together.

I don t think we can. Emery shrugged. Which sucks for you because Rowen s family has lots of kids, and I think you are going to be along for the ride.

Orla chuckled. I don t mind. Mom will be ecstatic.

Is she taking the old house, or does she want to live in my house?

I think she is going to renovate the old manor. It is just down the road from Hunter s place, so when little ones come along, Grandma can come over and babysit.

They leaned back, and Emery sipped at her tea. Avaknell is mad at me.

Why?

Because the mark she left on me goes both ways, and I was naked with Rowen, so... I set her off.

Oh. And she wasn t happy with two partners.

Nope. She s getting over it now, but it doesn t hurt that she hasn t had much time to put up a sound argument. That ogre venom lasted a very long time.

Orla chuckled.

They sat and chatted until their phones went off in unison. Orla smiled. It seems that we aren t the only ones synced up.

They answered their phones, and Rowen offered an invitation that was irresistible.

When they hung up, they paid their bill and headed to their cars. It was time once again for barbeque.