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Excitement flared when a small “no” filtered from the dark.
“Would you like to see it?”
“…yeah.”
“We can take you there today if you like.”
Still sounding a little unsure, Thaddeus muttered, “O-okay.”
“What if we flew on Tristan’s back? Wouldn’t that be fun?” For some reason Tristan tensed beside her.
Thaddeus actually giggled. “You can’t ride on a dragon. It’s not allowed.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” She looked up at Tristan, who merely shrugged in response. “Well, I did, but don’t tell anyone. Okay? I don’t want to get in trouble.”
Thaddeus went silent again, and since she couldn’t see him, she was finding it difficult to read him.
“Brrr.” She dramatically rubbed her arms with her hands. Tristan put his arm around her. She smiled at that, but then got back into character. “It’s getting cold again,” she announced. “Do you think you could share that blanket with me? I think it’s big enough for both of us.”
There was a long silence and she worried she’d pushed too far too soon, but then Thaddeus shuffled forward and settled next to her, arranging the blanket over her legs with stubby fingers. When his skin touched hers, she was shocked by how ice cold he felt.
“That’s better,” she said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She gave Tristan a triumphant grin and found him gazing down at her with something like admiration. Then he leaned down to place a soft kiss on the top of her head and muttered, “You’re amazing.”
She felt a little heat enter her cheeks at the compliment, but she wasn’t done. She sensed Thaddeus was still a little on edge. “Would you like me to tell you a story while we wait for the rain to stop?”
“’Kay.”
She decided on “Jack and the Beanstalk” since it had adventure, treasure, and a vanquished giant in the end. It had been one of her brother’s favorites. As she told the story of good ol’ Jack’s escapades, she could hear the rain slowing down until it was but a pitter-patter, but she didn’t think ending the story just as she was getting to the good stuff would go over well and she even got the sense that Tristan was getting into it.
Right when Jack began to climb the beanstalk, Thaddeus interrupted, “Why doesn’t Jack just fly up to the top?”
“He’s from my planet, and people from my planet aren’t able to shift into dragons.” That answer seemed to satisfy him, and she continued. When mimicking the giant, she made her voice baritone and dramatic. “Fee-fi-fo-fum. I smell the blood of an Englishman…” which made Thaddeus laugh.
When she was finally done with the story, and she was sure she had gained the kid’s trust, she said, “It looks like the storm has passed. Would you like to go see the castle now? When we get there, you can have some sweets and maybe I could tell you another story.”
“Okay.”
Tristan stood and helped her up. “Do you mind riding on my back, Thaddeus?”
“Are you sure? It’s not allowed.”
“I’m allowing it this once. And because I’m a king, I can do that.”
“Can we go up to the clouds and look for giants?”
“If the lightning is far enough away.”
Outside the cave, Tristan shifted and June helped Thaddeus climb up first, positioning him at her front with the blanket wrapped around his little body. “Hold on tight,” she told him.
When Tristan took off this time, she could tell he was trying to be extra careful, and soon they were gliding through the humid air. They didn’t find any giants in the clouds, but June was sure Thaddeus wasn’t too disappointed. He seemed to be enjoying the ride as much as she was. But her levity died a bit when they approached the castle and she spotted a handful of small figures waiting for them on the balcony. If riding on a dragon wasn’t allowed, were they about to have a problem?
Tristan landed several yards from the group, allowing June and Thaddeus to get off. June recognized several of the group—Edel, Prince Gideon, Orik, and Belinda. Their expressions were troubled, all of them eying her like she’d spat in their soup. Even Edel appeared dismayed by the spectacle of their arrival. Thaddeus hid his face behind her skirt.
There was another woman with them that June had never seen before, and she looked stunning, like a Victoria’s Secret model, with long golden hair and a model’s figure. Her black gown hugged her like it was painted on. Instantly June’s self-esteem took a hit. Here she was, hair wind-whipped and disheveled and half drenched from the rain.
