Chapter 4 : His Smoldering Eyes and Smoky Breath

*Ember*

I ran my fingers along the spines of the books feeling distracted the following morning thinking about my experience online with DracoK4u. I pulled my sweatshirt tighter around myself, shivering thinking about the intimate moment with my friend online where he helped me imagine he was in the room comforting me.

I felt connected to him in a way I had never felt with anyone else.

I grew hot thinking about how amazingly sexy DracoK4u was but my eyebrows furrowed as I suddenly remembered how I forgot that we had been on camera and I hadn't correctly ended the call. He had seen my glowing hands and there was no way I could try to disregard what happened. There was no way out of this, he had seen them.

I remembered the way he reacted with shock and intrigue. Before he could say anything more though I shut my computer off and jumped into bed, sobbing myself to sleep. I had to remove myself from all five of my dragon forums, the safe space I’d spent years creating, because he was on all of them too. I couldn't let him discover anything else about me, it wasn't safe.

DracoK4u was a person who I bonded with online about dragons and dragon lore and now I could no longer find comfort by speaking with him. Knowing me was dangerous with my unpredictable power, I could hurt him or other people I cared about. Like I had in the past. That could not… would not happen again.

My phone suddenly chimed with a text. Well it was more like a loud horn instead of a chime when inside of a quiet and peaceful bookstore.

Shit. I winced as patrons turned to scowl over at me with chastising judgmental looks. Oops.

From the front desk, Rowena spun her head which made her silver blue hair flow from her shoulder and cascade down her back. If looks could kill, I'd be dead two times over. I gave her a sheepish look and ducked my head back behind the bookshelf. I looked at my phone screen seeing it was another message from DracoK4u.

*Flameheart baby, please answer me. Are you all right?* he texted.

Ugh! I turned off my phone out of frustration because even though I tried to cut ties with him I knew how much I missed him. He had stolen a space in my heart quickly these past few weeks, and I enjoyed our late night chats. He was also the most sexy nerd I ever laid my eyes on, and I couldn't believe he wanted to flirt with little old me.

The bell over the front door of our store rang loudly, letting us know another patron entered the store. I quickly finished putting the last few books on the shelf and made my way to the front desk. An older gentleman made it there before me dressed in a cleanly pressed suit clutching onto a black sealed envelope outlined with a gold square. I heard him asking for the young assistant who worked here.

Rowena was quickly quizzing him, “Before I answer your question, how do you know a young female assistant works here?”

I shook my head with a small smile. Rowena was like family to me, and could get protective here and there. With the way this man was dressed and his age I didn’t think he was of any threat. I released the tension in my hands letting the black and red leather gloves relax around them.

“Hello,” I greeted the older man coming to stand beside Rowena. She looked over at me and then back to the man.

“This is my only assistant. Perhaps you are looking for her?”

“Yes. I think so, hello. Are you Ember Haiven?”

“That’s me.”

“Excellent. I hope your morning is going well. I have an invitation here for you," the older man said, explaining his presence a bit better after I greeted him.

As he stretched his hand toward me with the black and gold envelope I took it apprehensively and looked at my name on it embossed in gold letters. I couldn't help but wonder what this was for. Rowena walked away to finish some other projects, she must have realized the invitation did not pertain to her.

I flipped the envelope over in my hands and gingerly slid my finger under the lip to carefully open it. Inside there was in beautiful calligraphic lettering an invitation to privately tour Dzianis castle in a town called The Vergas nestled in the mountains of northern Canada.

"I… know this castle… I've read about it many times," I started to say as I read over the details. I also knew that the castle was said to have dragon history and lore which was why I was at first ecstatic about the invitation to tour it.

The older man bowed as he bid me adieu and I absentmindedly checked out a few patrons who completed their shopping in our store. I felt torn. I was afraid of hurting people at the castle accidentally with my hands if I went on this private tour. My face must have looked troubled because Rowena came back to the front.

"Why aren't you working? I can tell something is on your mind." Rowena said with a confused look.

I sighed, "Take a look at this."

Rowena snatched the invitation from my hands and skimmed over it saying, "Wow. This is an amazing opportunity for you Ember. Why do you look so glum?"

"Because I'm worried what would happen if I was in such a public place," I explained waving both my gloved hands in the air.

"Oh hush. Everything is private. It's a private tour so there won't be a lot of people for you to see or interact with!" Rowena pointed out, tapping the invitation on the counter across from me looking me up and down.

"But what about you? What will you do while I'm gone? With your health and finances…" I paused, not wishing to continue my thoughts. I had just found out about Rowena's cancer and past due bills. It wouldn't feel right to leave her here alone.

"I will be okay! Look, I want you to get out there and go experience the world a little bit. Plus, this is something you are interested in…extremely interested in. Wouldn't it be a fun little adventure to see this castle? I'll be able to manage while you are away. Don't worry about me." Rowena winked.

I bit my lip in uncertainty. Rowena had made a solid case to accept the invitation. "Are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure. Now go! You need to start packing!" Rowena shooed me out from behind the counter and ushered me toward the back stairs that lead to my apartment.

It looked like Rowena wasn't giving me a choice. I nodded toward her, grateful for the opportunity to go see a real life castle. I quickly ran up the stairs two at a time excitedly to actually use my small duffle bag for once.

***

I stared at the private jet trying to lock my jaw into place so it wouldn't crash to the ground in shock and awe. What the shit. Seriously? This was amazing. I had never flown anywhere before and perhaps for someone like me this was the way to do it. In a private jet!

I bit my tongue trying not to squeal as I ascended the stairs and a kind stewardess gestured me toward the comfortable chairs spread throughout the cabin. The chairs were tan and the floor was carpeted. Off to one side was a flatbed area in case one wanted to sleep. Before I knew it we were in the air flying on our way.

As we approached, I looked out the window at the amazing walls of the nearby castle. It was gorgeous and built into the mountainside with a long stretching stone bridge that I would need to cross to get to the front doors.

Stepping out of the plane I noticed a very smiley young girl at the bottom of the steps. "Hi!" She greeted me excitedly and informally.

I descended the stairs and took her outstretched hand in greeting. "I'm Nola, I'm going to be your tour guide!" Nola squealed to me excitedly as she tucked some hair behind her ear. For a tour guide, she seemed a bit over excited and bubbly. I had never seen tour guides this excited before.

As we walked across the bridge Nola excitedly told me a few facts about the castle and how old it was and what kinds of battles it had been involved in. "No matter what, it is a safe haven for many," Nola said mysteriously, giving me a side glance after we walked into the front foyer of the castle. "Sooooo… what do you think?" she asked with a glint in her eye.

I stood staring around at the tall ceilings and beautifully furnished foyer. Some typical armored knight dummies stood around the front door as if to protect the castle. A beautiful red and black carpet laid underneath us and castle banners decorated the walls.

"Holy shit. It's… It's magnificent. I can't wait to see more!" I exclaimed.

"Oh just you wait, you are going to love the tour tomorrow. I hear you like dragon lore?" Nola asked not taking her eyes off of me.

"Well, yeah…" I said running a gloved hand through my hair.

"What else do you like?" Nola quizzed me.

"Uh… books?" I said turning red, feeling embarrassed at my apparent lack of social skills.

"You must like to read then," Nola smiled happily. "Your suite has a bookcase full of books. You may find them interesting!"

Nola beckoned for me to follow her up the stairs, "Come on let me take you to your room. You must be exhausted."

I felt my phone buzz and before ascending the stairs I checked to see who had messaged me. "Flameheart, please talk to me."

I ignored the text and I followed Nola toward my room. She was right, I was exhausted possibly from the flight and all of these new experiences. She wished me a goodnight and I couldn't help but excitedly wander around my suite which included a bedroom, desk, and a beautifully adorned bathroom. Perhaps I'd draw a bath before climbing into the large plush king-sized bed.

The next day Nola greeted me at the door after breakfast was delivered to my room. "Hello Ember! Are you ready for the tour?"

As she guided me through the halls explaining the history of the castle we ended up outside as Nola expertly guided me toward the gardens. I noticed some caves off to the side of the castle. They looked very interesting and I thought I could hear something like a voice coming from them.

"Ember, please follow me. Those caves are off limits," Nola gestured to me.

Nola wished to show me the gardens that had been nurtured for centuries and had grown into a fine beautiful colorful array of plants. I really wasn't much of a plant lover and I couldn't help but think back to the cave. A worker came for Nola while we walked around the garden pulling her away asking for her advice on something.

As Nola started to walk away with the worker she turned toward me saying, "I'll be right back Ember. Feel free to look around the entire garden while you wait for me. But remember, please stay away from the caves."

Ignoring all her heedings, I double backed through the garden eager to see the caves again. I was wondering if I'd be able to hear the voices again. Walking toward the caves, I heard the voices a little clearer realizing how soft they sounded as they whispered for me to come closer.

I had this compelling feeling like I should go into the caves, it was like something magnetic was pulling me in. I didn't feel afraid now, and gave in to the pull, walking slowly into the cave. I had only taken a few steps before I spotted a shimmering orb-like shape off on the far wall. What was that?

But before I could react two men in hoodies with the hoods pulled low over their faces walked out of this weird orb… like it was a portal. They spotted me and charged at me as if expecting me to be there. What the fuck?

My heart started to pound loudly when they charged at me. Whatever their intentions were, it was less than ideal with the way their eyes flashed and their smiles curled. I stumbled backward as I began pulling off my gloves to defend myself but one of the attackers moved quickly to bind my hands behind my back.

How did they know about my glowing hands? I kept that secret safe… I tried to cry out but felt bombarded from all sides as the other one grinned at me with an evil stare.

Suddenly a strong and buff figure came into the cave with fire in his eyes lunging and yelling at my attackers. I pulled at the bonds around my hands hoping to free myself as a muscular figure emerged from the shadows and fought back my attackers.

The hooded men screamed in terror as they were beaten and broken within an inch of their lives. I trembled in fear, pulling at my bonds that would not break.

All I could do was watch in fascinated horror as this stranger came to my aid in the cave. I became mesmerized by his eyes that seemed to glow hot with fire and the faint puffs of smoke escaping from his nostrils that I could just make out in the low light.

Who or… What was this person?