The Dragon Falls for the Fairy Godmother Read online

  They repeated the entire process in the other room. Still no Whitwell. Erika stood in the center of the living area with her arms wrapped around her middle. Her eyes welled, but he could tell she was fighting for control. “We need to find Kamdyn. She might know where to look,” she said.

  Or be able to deal with her father.

  Voices whispered out in the hall and a key rattled in the door. Thinking primarily of Erika, all he had time to do was move between her and the entrance, making himself a shield should anything go awry.

  Kamdyn and her new beau entered and froze when they saw Marshall and Erika.

  Erika stepped around him to greet Kamdyn. He flung out his arm to hold her back. She batted his away, appealing to Kamdyn. “I apologize for the intrusion. We’re not snooping. Your father took Whitwell to force me into revealing your whereabouts.” She gave a bitter laugh. “But I didn’t have that information. We’re just trying to find my pet.”

  “I’m sorry you got caught in my problems,” Kamdyn said.

  Cedric came up beside Kamdyn and put his arm around her. “What can we do to help?” He brushed his lips at Kamdyn’s temple, seeming way more interested in her than in Erica’s situation.

  A slip of a smile tugged at Erika’s mouth then quickly faded. “I need to find where he took Whitwell,” she said again. “Is there any place you can think of, Kamdyn?”

  Kamdyn pushed from Cedric’s grip, flipped her blonde hair to the side, and spun toward the doorway. “Come on.”

  The three followed Kamdyn back into her father’s room. She didn’t seem to have a problem opening it, a wave of her hand did the trick. Marshall wondered at the kinds of powers these witches possessed.

  Once they were inside, Kamdyn said, “You may want to make yourself comfortable. This could take a while.” She paused, looking around. “I’ll be right back.”

  Kamdyn disappeared into the bedroom—her father’s, he presumed. Erika and Cedric took a seat in the small sitting area, while he chose to stand by the window. He gazed down to a picnic table below, set among some trees. Spring was unfolding, the trees were becoming heavy with new growth.

  Kamdyn returned several minutes later carrying a heart-size crystal ball. “I summoned daddy-dear. I expect he should be here shortly.”

  Shortly turned out to be nearly instantaneous. He walked into the room through a cloud of black smoke.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Well, I see taking your prickly pet worked,” Roar said with a sneer.

  Erika was livid he’d assumed she had given them up. Her face flushed with heat. “No. We’re here to stand against you.”

  Marshall’s large form pressed against her back, then tipped, his lips to her ear. “How do you expect we do that?” he whispered so softly she barely heard him.

  “We have numbers on our side,” Erika said rashly. Which was the only defense she could think of given the circumstances. “Return my hedgehog to me.”

  Kamdyn lept forward. “Father, this problem is between you and me. There is no sense dragging my friends into it.”

  “But I am ready to fight all of you,” he twisted his head to stare at Kamdyn. “Just say the word, Kamdyn.”

  The four glanced at each other, standing their ground. With a wave of his palm, three duplicates of himself joined him in the standoff. “Now we’re even.”

  Cedric scoffed at the trick. He slashed his arm in an arc and magically cut down the three newest Roar forms. The empty robes dropped to the floor, all substance gone.

  Kamdyn cried out, “Nooo.”

  They all froze, turning their faces toward her.

  “I don’t want him harmed.” She inhaled sharply, then said on a weary exhale, “He’s my father.”

  Erika understood exactly what Kamdyn meant, but at the same time, she couldn’t feel bad for the warlock. “And he still has my pet.”

  As if something clicked inside of Roar, he fanned both hands in a circle and brought forth Whitwell and his hut, setting them at Erika’s feet.

  Whitwell gave a disgruntled squeak and snuffle.

  Erika brought her fingers to her mouth, sucking in air. “Thank you,” she said. But she didn’t budge. She pulled her spine straighter, her gaze boring into Roar. “Let’s be done with this fighting. Kamdyn has made her choice.”

  Kamdyn moved toward her father, looping an arm within his. “Come. I think you will like Cedric.” She guided him to the sitting area. Cedric stayed glued to her side.

  Marshall splayed a hand against Erica’s back. “Get Whitwell, and let’s go.”

  She didn’t hesitate. She bent and lifted the hut with the hedgehog tucked in the farthest corner. Her job here was done. She’d brought Kamdyn and Cedric together. The rest was up to them.

  * * *

  Marshall escorted Erika to her room, relieving her of carrying the hedgehog and hut as soon as they’d made it into the hallway. Inside the suite, he set it on the bed, taking a seat beside it.

  Whitwell peeked his nose out of the hut and sniffed. He waggled half-way out, then onto Marshall’s lap.

  Erika joined him on the bed. “I think he likes you.” She stroked Whitwell’s quills and made kissy sounds at the hedgehogs upturned snout. The hedgehog pattered up her chest and she fell back onto the mattress. Marshall tipped right along with her, turning his body to cradle hers.

  “I’d like you to stay at my house until you can move into your own place,” he said. Even though the issue with Roar was behind them, he didn’t feel comfortable with her being alone. The dragon needed to protect her.

  “I’d like that.”

  They rested in silence for a minute, then she rotated to face him, Whitwell scooting up over her hip and snuggling against her back. “Thank you for helping me save Whitwell. I…would have been devastated,” she swallowed at the catch in her throat, “had anything happened to him.”

  “I know. He’s a cute little bugger.” He smoothed a lock of hair from her cheek, looking deep into her eyes. “I would have been shattered if anything had happened to you. We haven’t known each other long, but I love you.” He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply, wrapping her in his arms and pressing his body the length of hers until they touched from chest to knees. Heaven.

  When the kiss ended, she leaned over him, placing her delicate hand on his chest. He felt it against his heart. “I came to Nocturne Falls running away from a match I didn’t want. The thought of a relationship felt so…confining.” She paused, sweeping her tongue over her lips. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think that any longer. I…I love you, too.”

  Heat rose from his shoulders. He rolled to his feet, taking her with him. Standing, he said, “There are a lot of things to deal with,” his undercover job being one of them, “but we’ll work it out. I don’t want to rush you.”

  She placed her fingers to his lips. “Shh. I know we will. Now kiss me, dragon.”

  He did, sliding his hands along her spine and over her backside. He pulled away with a growl. “I wish we were at my place. I want to love you more…but not here.”

  She turned to the bed and lifted Whitwell, tucking him in one arm. “What was that you just said?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.

  “I want to love you more?”

  “No, not that. Although, hold that thought.”

  “I wish we were at my place?”

  With a wave of fairy dust, she took hold of his hand and poof, in the next second they were in his living room.

  “Hmm, I could get used to this,” he leaned in to kiss her neck.

  Erika allowed Whitwell to scamper down and begin investigating his new surroundings. “And now for the other part of what you were saying.” This time, she initiated the kiss. Gods he was hungry for her.

  When they came up for air, she stepped back, smoothing her hands down her clothes, her cheeks flushing around her freckles. “I’m such a mess,” she whispered, as if realizing what they’d just been through with Kamdyn and her father.

  “You
’re perfect.”

  She glanced at him from beneath lowered lashes, her face glowing.

  Her cell phone chimed. She pulled it from her pocket and checked the text. “It’s Pandora. She has the offer papers ready for me to look over and sign.”

  “Good. Tell her we’ll meet her in the office later this afternoon.” He angled his head and raised a brow, giving her his best sexy, I-want-you-now look.

  She smiled and arranged a time with Pandora.

  The second she hung up, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to his bedroom. “I’m not guaranteeing you won’t be late for that appointment.”

  Epilogue

  Erika appreciated the little and big changes in her life since moving to Nocturne Falls. She’d begun the practice of soul chats—getting in touch with what she really wanted deep down—and appreciating and celebrating even the little stuff she’d been through. She finally pushed the years of guilt aside.

  The cottage she’d purchased was more than a home, it was a symbol of being deserving.

  It turned out that Marshall knew just about everyone in town as well as neighboring areas. He was a big help in getting contractors arranged to fix up the house after she’d bought it. Even though she didn’t need a lot of room, she had another bedroom and bath added on, as well as a back porch.

  She had stayed at Marshall’s place while repairs were underway and moved into the cottage the last week of June. This afternoon, he was coming over to help her with a couple of touches in the back yard. Hanging some strings of lights and adding a fire pit would complete the storybook look in the backyard.

  Erika inhaled deeply and exhaled in satisfaction. Her first home. Not her parents, or her cousins. All hers. A well of pride nestled in her chest. She was glad she’d taken that leap and flown the nest.

  Whitwell darted in for a quick drink from the new water-bowl Marshall had gotten him, and then waddled outside again.

  Tires crunching gravel sounded outside on the drive. She hurried to the door and threw it open. Marshall stepped from his truck. She trotted over, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  “Thanks for coming over to help. I have stew in the crock pot for later.”

  “Mmm. Sounds good.”

  “Come on. I already have the things we’ll need set out on the porch.” She slipped her arm around his back as he did the same, tugging her closer.

  He escorted her around to the rear of the cottage where she had extension cords, latter, and strings of lights. They made a good team stretching out the lights, securing them to the fascia and support poles. When the six rows of lights were hung, they moved on to the fire pit. A commercial kit made it an easy install. By dinner time, Marshall had a fire started and had kicked back with a beer while Erika dished up the stew.

  They ate beneath the golden glow of the patio lights, and more tiny lights twinkled interspersed among the shrubbery. The place was the perfect image of a fairy’s abode, which it was.

  After setting the dishes in the kitchen, Erika refreshed their drinks, smiling as she curled into his lap. “The house is perfect, exactly as I wanted it. Thank you for all your help.”

  Marshall kissed her. “You’re welcome.” Minutes ticked by while they got lost in each other with more kissing and nuzzling.

  Abruptly, Marshall pulled back. “We need to talk.”

  He stood and eased her into the chair. She missed his warmth as stepped away, and paced, shoving his hands into his pockets.

  “What is it?” A glimmer of unease fluttered in her chest. What was going on?

  He halted and his gaze touched on her so gently, it was nearly a caress. Then his brows pinched. “There’s something you should know.”

  The foreboding tone of his voice frightened her. In that second, she realized how much she’d grown to love him. How his life had mixed with hers like clay and sand to make the rich fertile soil of a relationship. At least it had for her.

  She swallowed. “And that is?”

  “I’m not quite the person you think I am.”

  She squinted at him. “What do you mean? You’re a dragon shifter and a talented artist.”

  “I shouldn’t even be telling you this, but given the way I care for you, you have the right to know…I am also a secret agent.”

  “Like for Russia?”

  He laughed and the tension spiking between them shattered. “No. I help keep paranormal creatures in line. Think Star Wars against the Dark Force.”

  Her mouth grew round. “Oh.” She tossed around the idea, touched that he’d trusted her. What he’d told her was no doubt important and confidential—and indeed somewhat scary to her. Yet, divulging the truth proved his authenticity, didn’t it? “So you have two jobs. Is that it?”

  “You’re pretty smart.”

  She blushed.

  He knelt at her feet. “I love you, dearest fairy godmother. I want you to become my wife. And you need to be aware of the entire package.”

  “It’s a lot to take in at one time,” she whispered.

  “I know.” He brought the back of her hand to his lips, then released it as he reached into his jean’s pocket and pulled out a black velvet box.

  When he opened it, a vibrant, old mine cut diamond surrounded by French cut rubies sat in the bed of white satin. Erika had never seen anything more stunning in her life.

  “I love you, Erika. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes.”

  She squealed as he lifted her into his arms and he twirled her around. She tipped her head up to see his gorgeous whiskey-brown eyes. “Will I have to go undercover? That sounds quite exciting.”

  “Only under our bedsheets,” he winked, angling his head in that devilish way of his before he claimed her mouth in a long, deep kiss.

  When he ended the kiss, he set her feet on the ground, lifted the ring from the box, and placed it on her finger. It sparkled and glittered like fairy dust. “Perfect,” he beamed.

  Whitwell came out of the bushes and nudged her ankle, as if he was being left out. Marshall picked him up and propped the hedgehog in the crook of his arm. “Now there’s only one thing left to do.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Get you to come back and live at my place.” He dropped a peck on her lips. “I miss you.”

  “How about we begin with a few special nights.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  She played with the dark hair at his temple then traced his jawline. “I love you. I’m just not in a hurry. I plan to savor every moment.”

  The End

  Author’s Note

  If you’re a “curious minds want to know” person like me, you can see the kind of dragon goblet Marshall made for Erika in a Youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6_hf7oISZI

  Thank you for reading! Check out Larissa Emerald’s other books for more adventures in romance and all things paranormal.

  Start at the beginning of the Divine Tree Guardian series:

  AWAKENING FIRE

  AWAKENING TOUCH

  AWAKENING STORM

  Discover more about Larissa’s books at www.larissaemerald.com.

  Coming soon:

  Forever at Risk

  (available now)

  ~ ~ ~

  Here’s the inside scoop about Forever At Risk. The story is set in the fictional town of Terror, Minnesota. When I was a teen we used to travel in January to the Winter Carnival in Saint Paul, Minnesota. For a born Florida girl, all that snow and cold was a big deal. The ice castle was enchanting and riding the snowmobile on the lake made for a memorable adventure. During the ten days of carnival festivities the city was absorbed in a tale of make-believe with stories pitting Boreas “King of Winds” against The Fire King and his Vulcan Krewe.

  Great fodder for a budding writer years later.

  So when Kristen introduced me to her Nocturne Falls, I guess because of the playful nature of the town with it being Halloween year round and all, I was transported back to my Winter C
arnival days. From there Terror was born. I see Terror as the Addams Family meets Vampire Diaries.

  I’d love hear your stories of spook and awe. Please stop by and say hello on my Website, Facebook, or Twitter, or send me an e-mail at [email protected].

  ~ ~ ~

  If you enjoyed this story and want to stay up-to-date on my upcoming books, giveaways, and release dates, then sign up for my newsletter. (I promise your e-mail address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.)

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  Acknowledgments

  A million thanks to Kristen Painter for allowing

  me to dabble in her Nocturne Falls Universe.

  It’s been a blast!

  Many thanks also to my fabulous team of professionals:

  Cover design: Dreams 2 Media

  Interior formatting: Author E.M.S.

  Editor: Teresa Cole

  You are the best!

  About the Author

  Larissa Emerald has always had a powerful creative streak. Whether it’s altering sewing patterns, making minor changes to recipes, or frequently rearranging her home furnishings, she relishes those little walks on the wild side to offset her otherwise quite ordinary life. Her eclectic taste in books covers numerous genres, and she writes sexy contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and futuristic romantic thrillers. But no matter the genre or time period, she likes to put strong women in dire situations where they find the men who will adore them beyond reason and give up everything for true love.

  Larissa is happy to connect with her readers.