Page 43 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
Alaric and Elandor seemed to talk about that amongst themselves for a moment or two, then Alaric nodded in agreement with something Elandor said.
Then you shall,Elandor finally replied.I will teach you how to use your dreamscape abilities, and Alaric will find someone to train you. What do you want to train with?Swords? Knives? Fists?
I winced. Fists... weren’t my favorite option. And swords sounded exhausting.
Knives? Do you really think I can train with my health being what it is right now?
We will find a way. And if there isn’t a way, we will create one.
I sighed happily, then remembered that we had been invited to eat with Emrie’s clan and her mate Roarke.
I told Elandor, and he and Alaric conferred with one another.
It may be best for us to leave for a few days,Elandor said.Alaric and King Draven were set to have a few more meetings before Alaric and I take the throne, but we feel we need to give he and his wife some time to absorb the good tidings of their soon-to-be parenthood.
I nodded. I’d felt that way last night, too, like we were suddenly intruding. I knew we’d been invited, but giving them some time sounded like a good idea.
That sounds good. I felt that way last night as well. Are we going to try to find a hotel?
We can, but we’d like to try to have dinner with Emrie and Roarke this evening after you change back. After the dinner, we’ll find somewhere to stay for a bit. We’ll let King Draven and Mesmer know not to expect us for a few days.
Sounds good.
My belly growled, and I suddenly realized I was starving. After every change so far, I always felt like Icould eat out a whole restaurant. I whined in discomfort.
Alaric chuckled. “Sounds like we need to visit the kitchens again.”
I yipped in agreement, and my ridiculous tail—traitor that it was—started wagging. Was thereno endto my indignities?
Chapter 14
Everly
By late afternoon, I was able to change back to my human self, and I was a little sad about that. It turned out that puppies got a lot of pets, and when you’re a puppy, even if you’re also a human, you don’t think people petting you feels at all weird. Puppies had thislove me love mementality that was hard to shut off, even for a perfectly logical human mind.
They were also a lot more playful than I’d realized, never having owned a puppy myself. I had wanted to race, run, and play with literally everything and everyone.
I ended up barking up a storm in excitement when Zian had come slinking out from Consort Mia’s bedroom. At first, I’d been afraid he was looking at me like I was a particularly delightful mid-afternoon snack,but then I’d realized that big cats, adult or not, liked to play too.
We’d raced around the villa like our tails were on fire—chasing, tumbling, pouncing... The first time Zian had play pounced on me I’d nearly lost control of my puppy bladder right there in the marble entrance hall. Thankfully he didn’t eat me, instead we’d napped together like the best of buds.
When I’d woken up as human Everly from my nap on the floor with Zian wrapped around me, I hadn’t screamed or fainted, or felt weird about any of it, which was how I knew I was losing my mind. Zian had merely chuffed at me, nuzzled me, then left.
Zian had been drawn to me as a human. I wondered if that draw was still there as a puppy. As long as I didn’t get mauled, it didn’t matter, and I was content.
I steppedout of the limo and gaped at thecabinthat Mesmer had brought us to. I had been doing a lot of gaping lately, but I couldn’t help it, these paranormals were just so extra all the time. This was not your average cabin. It washumongous!
Mesmer grabbed our bags from the trunk, and I squeezed him in a side hug in goodbye, surprising myself. It wasn’t that I wasn’t affectionate, but I’d always been more reserved than this. At least, I used tobe. Being a paranormal, or maybe just being around awesome people, was changing me.
“Thanks, Mesmer. You’re sure this has all been taken care of? They know we’re coming, and they’re okay with us staying for a few days to give King Draven and Consort Mia a little bit of breathing room?”
Mesmer chuckled, patting my shoulder as Alaric took the bags from him. “It’s all been taken care of.” I nodded. I hoped so. Otherwise we were going to find something to eat, and then a hotel.
A man—err, bear shifter—opened the front door, and my eyes widened again. He was as huge as Mesmer and Alaric, and one was a dragon shifter and the other a gargoyle! Just how bigwerebear shifters? He had blond hair that was nearly white, and ice blue eyes that radiated welcome and warmth. He was also, I noted dispassionately, very handsome.
He nodded at us as Mesmer waved, then got in the car, carefully backed out of the driveway, and drove away. “Welcome to the Bear Clan Lodge! We’re happy to have you for a few days. I’m Alpha Riggs Torvinder.” He and Alaric stayed well back from each other, and I couldn’t figure out why. Alpha Riggs also stayed several paces away from me as well.
I frowned. I didn’t think they’d met before, at least, that was the impression I’d gotten from Alaric.
