A Dragon's Dream of Love (Song of the Sídhí Series #2) (8 page)

Four months later, Leah stood under the
hot spray of water, still in awe over the immense suite of rooms. When they
first walked in, Derek had laughed as her shock rippled through him. He teased
her, telling her the rooms at his sister's castle were livable, while his rooms
at their duchy were three times as large. She still wasn't sure if he had been
joking. At least it was private, after living with a dozen teenagers during the
summer privacy was something she no longer took for granted.

She chuckled remembering the first day
they bonded. Things had begun heating up just as Alexander dropped out of the
sky. She still remembered Derek's surge of frustration when the big black
dragon refused to go away.

The ache of frustration soon turned to
relief when Alexander teleported them to his private residence and brought in a
preacher.

The preacher had been more than happy
to bless their newly established lifeBond; the equivalent of a mundane
marriage.

She stretched, enjoying the feel of six
pulsing shower heads. If it weren't for the box of books Derek had delivered
for her she might stay in the shower for hours, turning into a wrinkly prune.

The constant pressure of Derek's love
changed, increasing as it pulsed with joy and yearning.

She grinned with anticipation as he
slipped into the shower with her.

Warm lips caressed her bare shoulder,
raining kisses up the side of her neck. His large hands curled possessively
around her bulging middle, gently caressing the tightly stretched skin. “How
are both my girls doing?”

“Boy.” She automatically corrected,
grinning as his surge of masculine pride exploded within her. She leaned her
body against his length sighing in contentment as she felt his pleasure wrap
around her.

“I hope she has your eyes,” he said,
emphasizing the feminine word.

He sighed and Leah felt his worry pulse
with renewed force. The worried pressure had been nibbling at the back of her
mind since they arrived in Haven Valley. “I talked with the Healer. Before you
say no, just listen to me.”

“No, I've told you, no healers. Every
healer I've ever come in contact with is a sadistic prick,” she said, wishing
he'd drop the subject, but she knew him better than that.

“How about you meet her and check her
out with your aura sight. Leah, love, Sídhí pregnancies are only sixteen weeks
long. For all we know, you could go into labor any minute,” he said gruffly,
while gently rubbing small circles around her belly. “The healers you knew were
raised in the Dhark Valley with no moral code of conduct. Marissa is the
castle's master healer. She's twelve hundred years old and so sweet she'll give
you a tooth ache just talking to her.”

Against her better judgment Leah smiled
at his description and felt her firm stand against healers soften. More than
anything, she didn't want to endanger the baby. She sighed and grumbled to
herself. “All right, I'll agree to meet her, but that's all.”

He turned her in his arms, gently
cradling her body against his. He kissed her, slowly at first then with growing
intensity, nibbling and teasing her lips and tongue with his own. She squirmed
against him as the heat in her steadily grew.

After a few minutes, he pulled back.

She knew he hadn't wanted to stop, but
going any farther was no longer an option.

Several hours later, she sat dressed
and ready in the formal receiving room. Derek would be joining her, but she
still dreaded meeting the so-called Sweet Healer. The last time a healer got
hold of her was after Bart PuckinKnück beat her unconscious. The Healer had
made her healing as painful as possible. She knew he had because he told her
so.

She rubbed her aching back, realizing
it might be a good idea to have the healer check her and the baby. The ache in
her lower back had grown steadily worse all day.

She stood and the ache changed to a
sharp rolling pain, gripping her stomach in a band of steel. She moaned, but
couldn't move for the life of her.

She distantly heard a door slam open an
instant before Derek wrapped gentle arms around her. “Easy love, I have you. I
won't let go.”

Five hours later, Healer Marissa beamed
at Leah as she laid first Isabella then Ethan in her arms.

Derek's love and pride swept through
her. It pulsed in a non-stop beat. He leaned down, gently kissing her damp
forehead. “I love you, my beautiful Leah.”

Leah gazed into his glowing amber eyes,
loving him so much that her heart felt like it would explode. “And I love you,
more than I ever imagined possible. You are this dragon's dream of love come
true.”

~ The End ~

Leah and Derek are briefly mentioned in
Vampire’s Forbidden
Territory & Song of the Sídhí #4

Guardian Alexander is a secondary character in
Forbidden
Temptation of a Vampire
and
Vampire’s Forbidden Territory
.

Guardian Alexander and Lizzie (Leah’s mom) are the primary
characters in a short story (Song of the Sídhí #4).

Beth and Brianna are secondary characters in
Vampire’s
Forbidden Territory
.

Blood Thirst
- The uncontrollable urge of a vampire to drink human
blood from a specific person.

Bristle Flowers
– A flowering vine with quarter sized flowers. Each
flower has five yellow petals with a brilliant red center. The name bristle is
derived from the hundreds of teeny-tiny thorns sprouting around the outer-edge
of each petal. Bristle flowers prefer shaded growing conditions.

Chameleon –
Chameleon are race of people from Sídhí. Three to four
feet tall, slender, and covered from head to toe with short, thick black fur
like that of an otter. They have solid black eyes and sharp white teeth. If
injected with raw synth crystal they Change into an umbra.

Chi’Kehra
– Chi’Kehra is the title for the true elf monarch. In
known history, there have only been two. Every elf baby is tested at birth; the
baby’s hand is sliced open and dipped into pure synth crystal. Any child that
has a scar after this process is declared as the ultimate elf leader,
Chi’Kehra. The Chi’Kehra is the only person that can completely manipulate
synth crystal in its pure form.

Cyclops –
Cyclops are a rare race of people preferring to live
in caves with a large source of water. The very solitary race primarily eats
meat. They are not picky where the meat comes from. They have very unique
abilities.

Dragon
– 1.) Dragon shifters are a race of people originally
from Sídhí. They have the ability to change their shape to that of a specific
animal/dragon. Each sub-race (Clan) has various strengths provided by the synth
crystal in their blood. A person’s first shift into dragon can take place
before or after puberty. A shifter in human form smells human. They consider
the term
shapeshifter
a slur as they are dragon. 2.) Dragons are a very
intelligent, and highly dangerous, Sídhí animal.

Dhark elves
– A dhark elf is an elf that lives in one of the
Dhark Valleys. There is no physical difference between elves and dhark elves.
Dhark elves simply have a different life style than elves.

Dyrst’Lye Clan
– A nearly extinct clan of dragon shifters whose gift
can destroy a blooming LifeBud before a bond is created between lifeMates.

Elves
- Race of people originally from Sídhí. The have a
rigidly strict code of honor. They give an oath of fealty to whomever they
choose. First, they always give a blood oath of fealty to the unknown Chi’Kehra,
second oath goes to their house, and third oath may go to their valley or their
liege lord. Due to synth crystal they have increased sense of smell, sight,
strength and mental capabilities. They have pointed ears, approximately a half
inch to one inch taller than a mundane human’s ear. The pupil (black center)
and the iris (colored portion of their eye) are larger than a mundane human’s
eye.

Fairy
- Race of people originally from Sídhí. Each fairy
has various strengths provided by the synth crystal in their blood. Very
secretive race. Most live in Atlantis Valley, which covers large swaths of land
and all of the North and South Atlantic Oceans. Five castes: Royal, warrior,
merchant, common, and servant. The five castes contain hundreds of sub-races,
such as siren, pixie, nymphs, changelings, dwarves, leprechaun, brownie,
banshee, harpy, phoenix, enchanter, mermaid, mystic… Physical and paranormal
attributes vary widely between sub-races.

For’Syth Clan
– A clan of dragons whose has the gift of fore sight.

Furble Tree –
A native Sídhí tree that has blue bark & needles.
In the wild, it is found primarily in mountainous regions. There are several
varieties from dwarf to trees over 100 feet tall. The trees are popular for
building as once they are cut, the grains of the wood turn a darker blue
creating a unique pattern. Note: Burning furble wood has blue flames. It smells
like a cross between hickory and pine with a touch of vanilla.

Gateway
- A gateway is a permanent ‘doorway’ that allows
people or inanimate objects to travel instantly between Earth and valley (see
valley) or between valleys. A mundane human cannot see a gateway, but they can
go through a gateway if touching a Sídhí or holding a piece of synth crystal.

Glow moss –
A prolific form of moss that glows. The most common
form is cave moss. The moss glows in a variety of colors when disturbed.
Another form of glow moss is found above ground.

Gnome –
Gnomes are native race of Sídhí. They are no stronger
than a mundane human. They are short, growing no taller than three feet and
have wrinkly skin like a Sharp Pei. They have pale skin and yellow eyes. They
prefer a diet of insects, sugar, and fruit. They are very vindictive and love
practical jokes.

Halfling
– A halfling is an individual who is half one race
and half another.

Hibbet
– A hibbet is a nocturnal animal the size of a
baseball. It is rarely seen in the daytime. Its wings and feathered body are
brown. The four black legs are scaled and frog-shaped for hopping. It hoots
like a small owl, but also has a chirping sound used with its young. Omnivore,
but prefers small insects.

Khatt
– A khatt is a large Sídhí animal. Very family
orientated. They live in large herds. Babies are called kit - litters of three
to five. Omnivore, though they prefer meat. They will adopt a human upon
occasion. Long lived - several centuries.

Khr'Vurr –
The Khr'Vurr is a fanatical group of dragons, also
known as Freedom Fighters.

LifeMate
– When a person is drawn toward another person by the
synth crystal in their blood. Two people who are perfect soul mates. Two people
who fall in love and bond. LifeMates are miserable when apart from each other.

LifeBond
- The lifeBond is a permanent mental bond between two
lifeMates. The bond allows them to feel each other’s emotions. The bond cannot
be broken once formed.

LifeBud
- The LifeBud is a physical organ in a Sídhí brain
that allows a lifeBond to be created between two lifeMates. The bud can be
destroyed before a bond is created, but not afterward.

Markles
-
A red plant
with tall bamboo like stalks. The tip of each stalk ends in a ball of pink
finger-like protrusions. They catch and eat insects with the finger-like
protrusions. If approached or hit/broken they spew a red, sticky substance.

Mia
Cara
- Literal translation: my beloved.

Morag
- A nocturnal insect with a blackish oval body with
grooved wings and several dozen legs. It makes an irritating buzzing/belching
sound, but is not very loud.

Mundane
(human) – A mundane is a normal human with no synth
crystal in their blood, normally born on Earth. Some valleys have a few mundane
settlements. The Dhark Valleys keep mundane humans as servants/slaves and a
source of blood for their large vampire population.

Olitiau –
An olitiau is a Sídhí animal that looks like a giant
bat. Adults are approximately the size of a large dog. The prefer fresh meat.

Phoenix –
1.) A race of winged people originally from Sídhí;
they have not been seen or heard from in four thousand years. They are the
strongest of fairy within the warrior caste. The wings of a phoenix cover a
spectrum of colors, but are primarily mixtures of red, black and/or white. The
eyes of a phoenix turn silver when emotional, a reaction that can turn deadly
to others.

2.) A bird that drips fire off
brilliant red wings. Unlike the Earth myth, they are not reborn.

Pixie
- Race of people originally from Sídhí who are
smaller in stature, slender with sharper features. They are a sub-race of
fairy.

Port –
See teleport.

Pre-pub
- A Sídhí young person before or during puberty.

Puberty
- The developmental period every teenage Sídhí goes
through. In a twenty-one day period, a Sídhí youth will start out stick-thin
and develop into their adult body and abilities. The youth is always hungry
during this time.

Shapeshifter
(aka shifter) - Race of people originally from Sídhí.
They have the ability to change their shape to that of a specific animal. Each
sub-race has various strengths provided by the synth crystal in their blood. A
person’s first shift can take place before or after puberty. A shifter in human
form smells human. Known shifters include: wolf, khatt, and dragon.

Sídhí
(aka Immortal or home world) - 1. A Sídhí is a person
that originally lived (or descended from people who lived) on the home world of
Sídhí. 2. A formally mundane human who has been injected with pure synth
crystal or received a venomous bite from a vampire. 3. Sídhí is the original
home world of non-mundane humans.

Sídhí is pronounced: Sid He

Snake Vine –
Snake vine is a naturally growing vine that has the
feel and weight of a snake. It is found in most Sídhí forests, curling around
the upper branches of large trees.

Sprite
– A tiny Sídhí animal with a (somewhat) humanoid
shape. Sprites average two inches tall with four arms and four propeller shaped
wings that are iridescent, sparkling in the sunshine and glowing at night. They
have a silvery chirping sound. Diet includes: grass, nuts, and honey. Sprites
are very colorful, ranging from hot pink to steel blue to dark green. A few
varieties include: mountain sprites, meadow sprites, river sprites, hay
sprites, and swamp sprites.

Synth
Crystal
- 1. The purest form of energy, it was
created by the highly advanced Ancient Ones on the home world of Sídhí tens of thousands
of years ago. Synth crystal makes normal (mundane) people immortal and
increases all of their natural abilities. It also gives them other
extra-ordinary abilities. 2. It is the strongest known substance on Earth or
Sídhí 3. Each source (or spring) of crystal has a slightly different set of
characteristics in it.

Synth Crystal Spring
- A spring of Synth Crystal can be grown. Crystal in
liquid form is poured into an underground chasm or cavern. The crystal grows
until it fills the underground abyss. Each spring is subtly different as the
crystal leeches microscopic material from the surrounding nature. Pools of
Synth Crystal can be seen above ground, but growth (expansion) can only take
place underground.

Teleportation
(aka port) – Teleportation is the ability of a
vampire or dragon shifter to move from one location to another in the blink of
an eye.

TèVarrn Prison
– A massive prison in the Dhark Empire
that is underground. It is a warren of dead end tunnels and traps.

Trolls –
A troll is a smart Sídhí animal. There are different
subspecies including swamp, cave, and forest trolls. Subspecies are
distinguished by color. Swamp troll are shades of green. Forest trolls are
splotched green and brown. Cave trolls are red to deep burgundy. They live in
large packs dominated by the largest male. If a troll is seen, you better run.
Its pack mates will be near.

Umbra
- Race of people originally from Sídhí, believed
extinct. They had a very slight odor, a very mild aroma of sea salt; most
immortals could not smell them. Very short black fur covered their entire body.
Like an otter, the fur was water repellent. The fur also acted as insulation
that entirely muffled their heartbeat. They had poisonous teeth and claws. They
had the ability to disappear like a chameleon.

Valley
- A second dimensional valley covers the same
geographical terrain as Earth does. Most Sídhí live within the protection of a
valley. A valley can only be entered by a gateway or by porting. Valleys were
created thousands of years ago. The most respected theory of how valleys came
into existence is The Second Dimensional Balloon Theory.

Vikings –
The Vikings are a race of Sídhí who live in one of the
very far Northern Valleys.

The Second Dimensional
Balloon Theory
- During the Great
War, Chi’Kehra (see Chi’Kehra) gathered tremendous amounts of raw synth crystal
and began pushing the raw energy into the gateways connecting Earth and Sídhí.
Before he could finish - whatever he planned - he died. The energy had no
guidance. The gateways overloaded and all the energy exploded outward toward
Earth. The explosion created massive valleys, teleporting all living creatures
from Sídhí to Earth, and permanently sealing the gateways between Sídhí and
Earth.

Vampire
- Race of people originally from Sídhí. Due to synth
crystal they have increased sense of smell, sight, strength, mental
capabilities, teleporting ability, retractable incisors, and retractable claws.
A vampire has the ability to suck blood or bite with venom. Their venom can
Change a mundane human into an immortal vampire.