Chapter 14 Fadel #2
“Does that mean I get a dance at the wedding?” Illarion chortled.
Mei bit off a bit of meat and regarded him with narrowed eyes. “Maybe.”
“I could make Adama dance with me if you won’t,” Illarion wheedled.
“I’ve updated his firewall.” Her eyes narrowed more.
Illarion grinned. “I know.”
“I’m debating whether to poke out your eyes with this skewer or dance with you. Both would be excruciating for one of us,” Mei chuckled as she stripped the meat off of the skewer and jabbed it in Illarion’s direction.
“I don’t know whether to be aroused or afraid!” Illarion chuckled uncertainly.
Mei sauntered past him. “Both.”
Esme shook off her malaise. She went over to replenish her drink with the bartender. “Well, I, for one, am going to enjoy this short time without Scylla, because we can talk about all our plans for our Dragon Spirits without them knowing.”
“You have a plan for Scylla?” Caden asked, leaning forward, which allowed Valerius to rub his back.
At least this time around, Caden was awake, aware and with him, not a lifeless body on his lap. Chione came over and handed him a glass and bottle of his favorite barolo. She poured him a large glass.
“Can I tell? Oh, let me tell!” Kaila whined as one of her hands shot into the air like an over eager student.
Indulgently, Esme nodded as she ate her olives. “Go ahead, Kaila.”
“Scylla and Lana are going fishing!” Both of Kaila’s hands were now in the air and were waving like starfish.
“That sounds like… fun?” Caden made that sound like a question.
“Oh, it is! Two water Dragons fishing first in Esme’s territory and then in mine? Oh, the different fish! The amount of fish! The lazy days with just the two of us! It will be GLORIOUS!” Kaila arched back and stretched her fingers to the ceiling.
“She’s really selling it. Now I wish we were going fishing,” Caden said to Valerius.
“Oh!” Kaila’s gaze was lasered upon him and Valerius.
Valerius found himself up straighter, slightly alarmed. Maybe more than slightly as she barreled towards them, skidding to a stop only when her knees touched theirs.
“You can! You’re both coming on your tour this year and I promise we will fish!” Again with the fist pumping. “Though I promised my people you would make piles of snow! Even if it melts pretty quickly.”
“I promise we will,” Caden laughed.
“Excellent! Fishing and snow! It is perfect!” Kaila then swung around and headed towards the sideboard where she started eating shrimp as if they were swimming away from her.
“We all deal with being separated from our Spirits differently,” Chione whispered and patted his shoulder.
“The world tour is such a brilliant idea, Caden,” Esme said.
“Well, it seemed the right thing to do to show how we’re together in all of this. I may live in Valerius’ territory--”
“Our territory,” Valerius corrected gently.
Caden kissed his cheek. “Our territory, but I love the idea of seeing all of yours and being welcomed there.”
“You are going to love my territory best!” Illarion pronounced. “First, we will stay in the mountains in my castle. My zamok! You will have a bedroom in the west tower where all you can see are trees and snow. We will hunt! There is the best hunting there. And then!”
“Then?” Caden’s eyes were wide.
“We go to Moscow to the clubs! The nightclubs are the best! We will dance all night and into the morning!” Illarion thrust his hips right then left. “Then we will go into these wonderful little restaurants that serve pelmeni. These little pastry dumplings with minced meat and covered in butter!”
“Butter?” Caden blinked rapidly.
“So good! Melts in your mouth! Best post drinking and dancing food ever!” Illarion kissed the tips of his fingers. “And then!”
“Then?” Caden was leaning forward so far he might fall off the couch.
Valerius grasped the back of his pants to keep Caden from toppling off.
“We're going to Chernobyl!” Illarion’s eyes glittered. “Such a place of bravery and pathos! You can feel the sacrifices made there. It is epic.”
Caden sighed and leaned back against the couch, curling by Valerius’ side. “Wow. That sounds incredible.”
“I can outdo that in my sleep!” Mei pronounced.
“I think not!” Illarion sneered.
“Great Wall of China!” she shot out.
Caden blinked.
“It’s a wall.” Illarion tossed his head.
“Angkor Wat!” she retorted.
“Ancient temple!” He waved her off. “What’s exciting about that?”
“Mount Everest,” Mei grinned.
It was Illarion’s turn to blink. She laughed delightedly.
“Imagine, Caden, when you and I stand atop Mount Everest and then fly down,” she said.
“And the food in all the different nations, each one is better than the last. Your mouth will thank you as you eat your weight in herbs and meat, noodles and dumplings, and so much more! And if you want nightlife? Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza and more!”
“Uhm, wow, Mei, that will be amazing!” Caden sounded awed.
“Indeed. I have already started planning,” she said with an affectionate wink.
Valerius found himself grinning. To see Mei wink was something he hadn’t even thought she was capable of.
And here she was, doing it. Naturally. Happily.
Planning on taking Caden on the town. Wanting to spend time with him.
Valerius would be there, too, but he was chopped meat compared to Caden.
He didn’t mind that at all. He was happy just to come along and watch Caden have a brilliant time.
“Well, now I’m feeling like I need to up my game!” Esme said as the bartender made her another drink. “I was thinking of the Eiffel Tower, Neuschwanstein Castle, Windsor, and of course, Tower of London, at least.”
“Can we do a Jack the Ripper tour?” Caden was wide-eyed again.
“Well, of course, we must! There are several authors that do extraordinary tours that I’d think you’d enjoy!” Esme said. “And, of course, London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and so many more places have nightlife to die for! I, personally, enjoy Berlin’s nightclubs. They never go dark.”
“What you’ve said sounds incredible too, Esme!” Caden shook his head in disbelief.
“Well, let me give you something to nibble on, too. For as much as everyone here is taking you to the wonders of the Earth, I plan to offer you a chance to see the wonders of the moon,” Jahara said with a smile she couldn’t hide.
Caden’s mouth fell open. “What?!”
That was repeated by several people in the room including Valerius.
Jahara lifted her head high. “Our space program has advanced to a point where civilians will be able to take a flight around the moon and back. Caden and Valerius, you will be on a flight with me.”
“And I was just excited to see the cities in your territory, Jahara, or go on a photo safari,” Caden admitted.
“We will be doing those things too! But the moon flight will be the pinnacle of the trip,” she said.
“I can’t believe it. Wow! Amazing, Jahara.” Caden looked stunned. “I’ve got to be able to bring Tilly and my folks on this. Not to mention Wally and Rose. I don’t think they’d forgive me if they didn’t come.”
“Indeed,” Valerius agreed. Chione gave him a meaningful look. He quickly added, “And, of course, I could not be without my Chione.”
Chione smiled.
“Yes, yes, all are welcome!” Jahara laughed.
“I think fishing and snow is better,” Kaila muttered.
Tez was tenting his fingers together nervously. He suddenly burst out, “While Jahara may be taking you to the stars, I am going to take you into the bowels of the earth”
Caden blinked. “Ah--”
“There are many cenotes that we can explore!” Tez explained. “Ones with water so pure that it looks like air. Caves filled with crystals you’ve never seen! And then, of course, there are the ancient ruins of the Mayans and learned scholars to explain it all to you and make the past come alive!”
“Wow, Tez! I can’t wait!” Caden grinned.
“And the food and beaches and nightlife! My territory knows how to enjoy themselves more than any other,” Tez enthused.
The only one that hadn’t spoken was Anwar.
He was staring at the empty lair and ticking his fingernails against the empty glass.
Caden got up and grabbed the bottle of white wine that Anwar had been drinking.
Valerius also got up and went to the sideboard and prepared food for Anwar.
Both he and Caden met in the middle. Anwar blinked when he saw them there.
“Oh, thank you.” Anwar blinked and awkwardly offered his glass for Caden to fill.
He was about to take the plate, but Valerius said, “I’ll hold it. You need a hand free to drink and eat.”
“I do not know if I can do either.” Anwar swallowed. “I’m sorry, Caden. Everyone is speaking of their plans for your coming, but I have not yet--yet decided upon mine. Though I am so grateful and happy to have you both come.”
“Anwar, it doesn’t matter. If everyone just let us hang out in their homes, it would be more than enough.” Caden patted Anwar’s arm.
“My home is your home, Caden.” Anwar smiled.
There was a boom! It came from the lair! A Dragon Spirit had returned. Anwar drew in a sharp breath. He was trembling.
“They’ve come back early,” Illarion said, eyes fixed upon the mirror.
Valerius wondered which Dragon Spirit would appear, but it was not a Dragon. It was a person, a woman, followed by another person and another and another.
“They found them!” Esme gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.
Anwar staggered towards the mirror. As each person emerged, they ran towards the mirror and there was a flash of light. Valerius knew they were returning to their bodies. That was what had happened with Landry. Anwar though was looking for one special person.
“Sakhra!” Anwar cried, tears in his eyes. “Tahira!”
He said the names of the sister and the videographer who had alerted them to what was going on. The two beautiful women rushed to the mirror and disappeared in another flash of light.
“He must be among them! He must! He must!” Anwar cried.
The flood of people became a trickle and then there was no one. Anwar tottered. He looked like he was going to fall over.
“He’s not there,” Anwar whispered.
“Maybe you missed him! There were so many!” Kaila suggested.
“I didn’t. I would have seen him,” Anwar said faintly.
“If we did not find him this time, we will have the Dragons go back out,” Illarion assured him.
“If he was not with them… where would he be?” Anwar swayed.
Valerius and Caden caught him, but just then, there was a voice that called out, “That is the one! You say Anwar is this way? Let me get to him.”
“Fadel?” Anwar blinked rapidly. He staggered towards the mirror with Caden and Valerius at his side.
A beautiful man with dark eyes and hair appeared at the mouth of the tunnel. His head turned and he saw Anwar. Anwar put his hands on the mirror. With a broad smile, the beautiful man ran towards him.
“Anwar!” he cried.
And then, just before he reached Anwar, he, too, disappeared. Anwar cried out and scrabbled at the mirror.
“Anwar, he’s in his body,” Valerius reminded him.
“His body!” Anwar spun towards the door.
Evren appeared in the mirror and Anwar gasped as he was joined again with his Dragon Spirit.
Anwar, go! He awaits you! Evren cried.
Anwar was the first one out of the doors, startling the Wise Women, but they just ended up running after them towards the tower where Fadel’s body lay.
The Dragon Spirits joined with each of them fully just as they got to the door of the tower.
Anwar threw open the door and took two staggering steps inside.
Fadel was sitting up in bed. He opened his arms and called to the Silver Dragon Shifter.
“Anwar!” Fadel called in a weak voice.
“Fadel! Fadel! My heart!” Anwar raced to Fadel’s side, wrapping the other man in his arms, rocking him and weeping tears of joy.
We found him! Raziel sounded like a proud hunter.
You did, Valerius praised. Thank you, Raziel. Thank you to all the Dragon Spirits.