The Dragon’s Muse (Creatures & Cottages #3)

Prologue

Beck

Invigorated by my swim, I shift into my human form as I pull myself out of the ocean and onto the dock, then check my watch sitting on top of my folded clothing to make sure I’m still on time.

Thankfully I’m ahead of schedule, my dragon not demanding too much attention from me this morning, leaving me free to fulfill all my duties as guardian of Starry Hill—including being the island’s ferryman and errand runner in the city, as required by today’s agenda.

That was a really good swim, I tell my dragon. Next time, let’s see if we can go even faster.

I quickly dry myself with my water magic before pulling on my pants and shirt, then hop in my boat and set off for Cape Easton while my dragon falls into a contented slumber within my chest.

As I lower my hand into the water to guide the boat along the current, I focus on the supplies I need to pick up for Marisol as she prepares for another ladies’ night at The Singing Seahorse.

Going through the very specific list of everything she needs for their themed cocktails helps to distract me from another item on my timetable—a name, one that reminds of someone I knew a long time ago.

A friend. Best friend.

Eleanor. Or Nori as I used to call her.

But I know I’m not lucky enough to entertain any hope that it could actually be her. Fate has never been that kind to me.

I push away the fond yet painful memories from the last day I saw Nori, and focus on everything else that needs to happen before I ferry the commercial lawyer to our island so she can help Maisie with her new cakery.

Guiding my boat toward the familiar slot at Cape Easton harbor reserved for Starry Hill, I call on my dragon to help me scan for any threats.

He opens a sleepy eye and halfheartedly scents the air.

Satisfied it’s safe as usual, my dragon goes back to sleep and I make quick work of securing the boat before heading into the city’s streets to pick up all the orders.

I’m done much earlier than anticipated, jitters I’m not accustomed to holding my mind and my body captive all day, forcing me to return to the dock and wait for the stranger. I’m not even able to slip into my favorite gaming store to check if their new dice boxes have arrived.

Ignoring my desire to pace up and down, I root my feet to the dock while I monitor the hands on the watch nearing one o’clock, wondering if she’ll be late.

Usually creatures are respectful of departure times, but I’ve had a couple of situations where we’ve been severely delayed due to their tardiness, which affects the entirety of my schedule for the rest of the day.

Though, I do make an effort to remain polite regardless.

I’m still looking down as I sense someone approaching behind me, my dragon raising his head with renewed vigor as their fresh floral scent drifts downwind.

The moment I turn around, every other thought ceases to exist as my whole world realigns and my breath catches in my throat.

It’s my Nori.

She looks completely different, grown up, but I’d recognize her anywhere. Hair still the shade of a copper penny glinting in the sun, pulled back and constrained in a sleek bun, and familiar honey-brown eyes that hold so much warmth, even when tinged with nerves.

Nori’s so beautiful it sends my heart into a full-speed sprint. There aren’t sufficient words in my brain to explain how good it is to see her again, so I remain silent as I stare at her.

“Beck?” Nori asks carefully, her gaze heavy as she assesses me. It’s obvious she doesn’t recognize me, and I try not to let that hurt my feelings. I mean, why would she after all these years?

“Eleanor?” I return with a slight bow, keeping my tone polite and professional like I’d use with any newcomer I have to ferry to Starry Hill.

Eyes widening, Nori sucks in a breath. After a beat, she whispers tentatively, “Shinsu?”

Hearing her say my real name, one I haven’t used in twenty-two years, sends a thrill careening through my body. Memories of happy, carefree days together, of sunshine and laughter hitting me all at once.

My dragon sits tall, almost wagging his tail, and despite trying to suppress him out here in public, sends scales flashing across my cheeks and neck, hoping to get her attention.

Needing to fully confirm it truly is my former best friend, I manage to utter, “Nori?”

Nori’s lips lift at the corners as she approaches me. “How long has it been? Last time I saw you, you were—”

“We were twelve. It’s been twenty-two years,” I say, still stuck to the same spot as I try to process that this stunning woman really is my Nori, and I might actually have her back in my life again.

“Wait. You remember?” Nori asks, hope ringing in her voice as she pauses a couple of steps away from me.

“I’ve never forgotten you,” I answer honestly, not adequately able to express how often I’ve thought about that last day I saw her and how drastically my life changed after that.

We remain frozen for a few more seconds, and I can’t think of where to start with everything I want to ask her, all I want to know about her.

Should I start by apologizing for leaving without saying goodbye? But if I do, then she’ll ask me where I went and I’m not ready to get into that. Do I ask her when she came to the city? But what if she asks me the same question? What do I say then?

Can I tell her how beautiful she is? Dare I ask her to be friends again?

In the end, I say nothing. I simply point toward the boat and when she hesitates to get in, I offer her my hand.

Nori’s palms are soft and clammy. I wrinkle my nose as I detect some nerves present in her scent, and wonder if I should ask if it’s about me, or my boat.

But Tilly has taught me it’s impolite to comment on someone’s scent so maybe it’s better to wait for Nori to speak first once she feels comfortable. Don’t lawyers like talking anyway?

When I place my hand in the water, a bit of tension seeps out of my shoulders and my dragon luxuriates in our connection to the ocean. He stays present for the entirety of the quiet trip, staring at Nori, sending scales fluttering down various parts of my body whenever we detect her eyes on us.

In the distance, I spot Ren and Maisie waiting on the Starry Hill dock and point them out to Nori. “The incubus is Ren, and the human waving excitedly is Maisie.”

Nori grins. “It’s nice to put faces to their names. Or it will be once we get closer and I can see them properly.”

I cringe at having forgotten she might not be able to see as clearly as I can, and my dragon retreats with a huff. “Ah yes. Human eyes don’t always see that well. I apologize.”

“Oh no. That’s not anything to apologize for. I didn’t mean—” Nori cuts herself off by pressing her lips together, a bright red blush spreading across her cheeks as she stares at her lap.

As we near, Maisie bounces on her toes, one arm waving profusely while the other remains locked around Ren’s. I slow the boat down, guiding us into my spot at the dock, and Ren grabs the rope I toss toward him and secures it to a cleat.

“Eleanor! Welcome to Starry Hill. Thank you so much for coming out here to meet us and to help me set up The Tangerine Grove Cakery,” Maisie says as she takes both of Nori’s hands in hers then pulls her into a hug.

I frown at them, because never did it even cross my mind that it’s possible to simply hug someone you’ve just met. Should I have tried to hug Nori earlier? Would that have made it easier for her to talk to me?

Ren removes his hand from his hoodie pocket and holds it out for Nori. “Hi. I’m Ren. And that’s my Maisie. We really do appreciate you coming out here and for all the work you’ve put into helping us set up Maisie’s cakery.”

Pride seeps into me at how easily Ren talks to Nori, at how much he’s grown since he’s been with Maisie and how he’s managing his social anxiety. Not too long ago he was stuck in his house, hardly having the courage to leave it for short trips, and now he’s having conversations with strangers.

A tiny fantasy enters my head, of the four of us together on some kind of double date, but I quickly squash it. I’m not even able to have a simple dialogue with Nori, so how could I entertain any romantic thoughts. Having her shoot me down would hurt more than the first time I lost her.

Nori shakes Ren’s hand. “I’m Eleanor. And it really is my pleasure to be here. Any excuse to get out of the office is a good one, but coming to Starry Hill is just so much better.”

Hearing her say her full name reminds me that she’s actually Eleanor, not Nori, and certainly not my Nori. Calling her anything but Eleanor will probably not be polite.

Maisie hooks her arm through Eleanor’s. “Can we show you around the town later? We’ll head to the cottage first so you can see what we’ve done so far, because that’s actually why you came, right?

Can’t have a business be official if I don’t have all the right paperwork, but afterward I can take you to The Flowering Teapot, or The Winged Apple, or The Crowned Boot.

Any of the shops on the hill would be perfect for your first visit. ”

Eleanor opens her mouth to respond, glancing at me almost as if she wants me to give her advice.

Can I ask her to visit me too? Maybe I can point out where I live and she can stop by for lemonade before I take her back to Cape Easton?

Or if I know what time they’re going to The Flowering Teapot then I can happen to be there at the same time.

Before I’m able to decide what to suggest, Ren says gently, “Let’s get everything done with the cakery first and then we can see what Eleanor feels up for when we’re finished.”

Eleanor offers everyone a small smile. “Sounds like a plan,” she says as she walks away with Ren and Maisie, and I remain frozen to the dock.

I don’t see her again for the rest of the afternoon, and the boat ride back to Cape Easton that evening is just as quiet as the first one.

When we dock at the harbor, Eleanor gives me a small piece of paper. “This is my number.”

I stare down at her handwriting and her full name written in cursive, nostalgia raking down my back at how different it looks compared to the way she used to sign my notes. “Thank you.”

Eleanor swallows hard and clutches her big bag closer to her. “It was nice to see you again.”

I nod, a wistful smile pulling on my lips. “It was. Quite a surprise. But nice.”

“Yes. A big surprise,” Eleanor echoes before our conversation tapers back into awkward silence.

“Do you have a car?” I ask, looking toward the darkening lot.

“Yes. I didn’t park far.”

“Good.”

After another quiet stretch that lasts about three seconds but feels like three minutes, Eleanor says, “I guess I’ll see you around.”

“That’ll be nice,” I answer, hoping it to really be true.

I stay put and watch Eleanor as she carefully makes her way toward her car, waiting for her to drive off before I finally let my shoulders slump. My dragon crawls deeper into my chest, giving me his back, just as disappointed in me as I am.

If I ever get the opportunity to see Eleanor again, I hope I’ll be able to do better than today. She deserves a proper explanation for why I disappeared, even if it hurts me to dredge up old memories.