0 comments/ 15290 views/ 1 favorites A Shade of the Past Ch. 01 By: NymzanSusauren (This is the second chapter of 'A Simple Shadow' started in the Gay Male category for obvious reasons...In the second edition, many more characters are introduced, and it evolves into bi-sexual and group encounters as well as the original gay male material.) * She smiled when she woke. She felt warm from the pool of sunlight she was lying in, and damp from the morning dew...Birds were singing the day away peacefully as she slept. Listening, she didn't immediately realize that anything was wrong. When she didn't hear her brother Gracie nearby, her heart slowed in warning. She lay still. This wasn't one of their normal camping expeditions, she realized. He wasn't waiting close by for her to wake up and romp through the forest. Gray had abandoned her months ago...Had she come into the forest alone, she wondered. She had never been brave enough to try it before he left. Why would she now? She vaguely remembered a party. Just thinking about all of the drugs she had consumed to keep a mild blur, made her head ache in repulsion. Alcohol alone couldn't do it. Her body rejected most toxins automatically. Sighing, she sat up to look around. The usual feeling of melancholy was already settling heavily upon her shoulders. Until she saw a fuzzy image watching her, and realized she wasn't entirely alone! Her body raced with sudden energy as her mind stated 'ghost'. Yet her eyes saw something else, even as adrenaline shot through her! It was the same image that Gracie spoke to a hundred times. He had once told her that an ancient had gasped the man's name just before he died, but the man simply could not exist! It was the name of a very old, very wise, and very powerful legend, not a real person. To be real, he would be like the humans' God, Christ: the son of the first man to exist of their race. Femurin: The Phoenix, as old as the lands he had shaped for others to walk upon, perhaps he was real after all. She could nearly believe it looking at this creature! "What", she whispered. It sounded like a squeak of fear more than a question to her ears. The dark, gray-green eyes creased in concern. Surely he knew how confused she was as she sat there trying to remember what had happened. Her eyes widened as the man's true form filled out the ghostly image. He had never done that before! She had never seen him quite as clearly as she did now, and neither had Gray! Even studying him like this, she had trouble believing he could be real. His long hair brushed the back of his calves in a thick, living mass of energy like a living flame. It was strawberry-blonde, but unlike any shade she had seen before. Darker, richer, pure red ran beneath it and an even darker, blood red beneath even that! As he walked forward, it shifted and moved like an aura of crackling fire. His pale, white flesh seemed to be permanently tinted with fire light from the glorious, burning mane. Her eyes burned just from looking at him! The man was tall and lithe like an elfin god. Power moved around him like a shield, buffering him from the natural world. It was a thick mantle of magic too heavy to penetrate unless he, himself, allowed it. She shivered as he looked down at her solemnly. "Sam'hain, you disappoint me." She ducked her head at his soft words. Who was she to disappoint a god? Why would he care? "Get up", he ordered harshly. He held out one hand to lift her to her feet. She swayed dizzily. Standing at near six foot, he still dwarfed her. She backed up feeling nervous so close to him. "How would your mother feel if she saw you like this", he asked dangerously. Sam's head snapped up! She loved her mom! Gray had searched the worlds several times to find her, only to keep losing her again. Kane always tore her away. This time when they had found her, she hadn't even recognized them! She believed she was human and young! She didn't remember her children. She didn't remember what she was, either. It was too cruel! Femurin stepped into her comfort zone once more forcing her to look up into his face. "I know what it is to have her, and feel the pain of separation. I miss her, too. I have searched for a way to regain her, and failed. Unlike you, I cannot dance in the face of Kane's wrath." He touched her cheek and smiled at the picture he had painted of her bravery. She smiled, too. It was a lovely thought. It was Grae'cien she saw in that image, not her. "You have Jenna's passion inside of you, little one. Until now, Gracie has guided and protected you. He has stood between you and the worlds. Do you have the courage to face it yourself? Are you truly Jenna's child", he asked bringing her angry eyes back into focus. "If you wish to see your mother again, you will have to fight your way back to her side. Kane has her rather completely to himself, except for a boy that plagues him." She frowned. "Your mother remembers your father. She loved him while he lived. She loved Kane once; she remains confused because of this. They are much alike. I hope she leads Kane on a merry chase; he deserves it." "Why don't you simply take her", she demanded. The question was one she had been dying to ask for a hundred years, or more. Only after uttering it did she realized how young and stupid she sounded. His eyes grew angry and cold, but even more...they grew old and sad. She couldn't imagine watching someone she loved without trying to get them back if they left. "You know she still wants to be with you. Dont you", she asked. He let out a tired sound. "Imagine how you think of me. She is my mate, little one. She doesn't know what she is, or who I am. What would she do if I took her away", he asked softly. "So", she muttered thinking. "You are saying she is as powerful as you? Only she doesn't know that, yet?" Or again; she had known it once long ago. Gray had told her stories of the legendary thirteen who had walked together of the two forbidden bloodlines. "Taking her unaware would be very bad, wouldnt it?" He nodded. "So this other guy, you are allowing it to keep her from getting too attached to Kane?" Again, he nodded, but more warily. "Why don't you simply play like you are young and bump into her? Oh, Kane", she answered herself. "I forgot. He is your companion! I heard he doesn't remember you, either. What the hell happened?" The phoenix looked down. "I mean...the thirteen split, I know. You and Kane, Jenna and your brother, Dorian...all stayed together in one house. You had a child, too, right?" He looked up stopping her with the amount of pain in his eyes, but she was a talker and too curious to shut up for long! "There was a riot of some kind. People were trying to kill you. Or did, you died, didn't you? That was why you couldn't help them escape. The baby disappeared entirely. He was only an infant, so I would imagine he was your primary concern. Jenna, she would have been too dazed at the mere sight of violence to react. Especially, once she saw and felt you go down. What happened after that?" He smiled but it looked strained. "I have more respect for you at this moment than I have ever had before", he whispered softly. "It took Gracie much longer to figure it all out, and never, not once, has he asked the question of me!" Her eyes danced as she realized she had finally managed to do something that even her beloved brother feared. "Maybe if you prove to me that it wasn't a one-time-only moment, I will answer, too." He began to fade away promptly. "Wait," she called out. "Where am I? How do I prove it to you?" "You are on the same planet your mother is on. It is the one she was born into this life cycle. She isn't far. If you look, you will find her. Be careful", he paused to warn. "You have no idea how deadly this place can be to strangers. Despite your age, you have never been alone before, Sam'ain Faye. People will expect you to be independent, even if you are not." The last of ghostly image faded away. She felt abandoned once again, even knowing he would not stay. Then, she grinned. She had stood in the man's presence. His actual, physical presence had been here! Wait until her brother heard that one! All of the centuries spent chasing their mother down had built up a healthy amount of idolatry around her first husband. Gray had been shocked to rather accidentally discover that Juis Ic'ceare was actually the much older legend, once called Ifristice Femurin. It had begun the flickering visitations of his awareness. No one knew that Femurin still lived. They all thought Juis and Pandorian were younger brothers. She grinned harder and calmly closed here eyes, doing as he had instructed. She focused on the young mind her mother now possessed. It was miles away. She marked the general location in her mind, and thought about Kane. He wasn't here. She smirked. So her mom was already replacing the ancient trickster! She thought of Femurin, and found nothing, but she knew he dealt in technicalities. She concentrated on his younger personality of Juis and still found dead air. She knew the ancient would have a cover nearby to watch his woman's safety. Doubtless it would have been created much the same time that her mom was born here, and kept in case of needing to return. On a whim, she sought out Justin McKeinly, the dragon Lairds son. It was his most recent pseudonym. He was the Earth Guardians best friend and McLaird of McKeinly castle where Andomiere now lived. They said he had a house in another world that he would visit from time to time, perhaps this was it. She felt a tiny flash of awareness, quickly concealed. She got her bearing on it just before it was erased. She knew he was still there, but had hidden himself. He could do it better than anyone she knew. By now, it was an automatic and unconscious action that he did without noticing. She was stunned to have even caught the momentary flicker. She decided to snoop on the ancient before going on to find her wayward mother. Changing into a cat form the way she changed her clothing, with a mere thought, she stretched the length of her body. It was the one she preferred when traveling the Earth with her brother. Her heavy muscles eased and she stared down at the enormous, white paws. The tiger would mark her as a stranger to anyone who saw it, but she didn't feel like going back to her more natural, black leopard form just yet. Besides, this one traveled faster! She loped off into the trees knowing the ancient was nearby and he wouldn't care what cat she used. It took longer than she had planned to get closer to the location she had marked. Once, when she had been high in a tree, something had tried to attack her. She hadn't gotten a look at it, but had chosen to stay on the ground afterwards. A long clearing was just ahead. Past it was a castle. It was an exact replica of the one that he owned in Ireland. Two females were playing on the grass with a tiny boy. Justin lay on the ground pretending to sleep among them. A human male stood nearby watching the castle gates, while more milled about aimlessly. Who were the two women, she wondered. Carelessly, she stalked closer. Intending to leap upon the unsuspecting male, she used her feline 'stop and go' crouch. He was closer to the forest than the others and fair game. She was nearly hidden in the high grass. Forgetting the aerial attacker, she remembered only when she saw the shadow bearing down upon her. It was too late to retreat! She screamed in fear as the dragonet sliced a wound along her back in passing. She raced forward seeking Justin's aid against the creature. Even a mere hatchling was fast and deadly to an untried female. The ancient caught hold of her as she barreled into him and rolled. He tensed and she saw the image of a dragon tail sweep up at the tiny creature as it dove for her again. It darted out of the way in surprise! Sam heard a child crying and looked up. The older of the two women held the boy and the other held a knife. Justin stood, releasing her. He called out to the dragon. It turned and soared closer. As it neared the aura of power surrounding the ancient shifted to catch it. Before it reached his waiting arms, it changed into a young boy. Startled, Sam looked into the older woman's angry eyes. The younger one looked amused. "Now, what do we have here," the lady asked, "a pussy from Earth? How nice, love. You didn't tell me you had a pet there", she snarled eyes flashing dangerously. "She isn't a pet, Dina." Justin drew close with his son. "Dagan, how would you like to go with Tony to get some ice cream?" The girl with the knife put the weapon away. A human male was coming to take the children inside. A female parted out of the crowd to gather up the youngest one, too. "Don't let Hunter have too much", he warned as they left. Then, he glared at the other girl. She stalked off with a vicious smile enjoying his predicament. "Give me one reason to not kill her on the spot," Dina snarled the second they were alone. "Why would you have a female follow you here, love, if you are not sleeping with her there?" Sam's eyes widened. She hadn't even considered that anyone would think that! Ewww! She looked at Justin in horror. He looked both amused and offended by her reaction. "Nadiana, please, you have shocked her and embarrassed me. I have never even thought about her in such a way! She is too young." "Who is she? Don't give me that young crap; she is older than I am!" Startled, Sam searched to see if she was telling the truth. The woman was only a handful of years younger, but she was honest. Sam's scandalized eyes turned on Justin. My Gods, she thought. She knew it happened all of the time, and was easy to do if you were old enough that anyone seemed like robbing the cradle, but still... Justin ignored her thoughts and pretended to be innocent. She wouldn't believe any answer that came out of his mouth, so he stopped trying to appease her. "Perhaps you should ask her, honey," he said softly. Sam's eyes widened even more at the affection used on the last word of that sentence, even his eyes had warmed! It occurred to her that she had just met the major reason Juis wasn't currently pursuing his amnesiatic wife. He was involved with someone he had grown fond of during his stay. He had even had children with her! A woman of their own race who should have a mate somewhere! That rarely happened without anywhere from four to eight peoples' consent. The married couples, and sometimes even the married companions, had to agree; complicated by any twins or other kinds of bonding. It was a complex relationship. Then, there was Justin himself, the universal man of tricky situations! Were the woman's mate and companion dead? Someone should be protesting the match! Power stung her arms as she continued to stare at the woman. "Yes, I know," the lovely witch proclaimed. "I am being rude to our guest, but darling, I saw her! So did our son, but he thinks differently than I do! He thought she was attacking you! I saw it otherwise," she said darkly. "The girl was being playful! She knows you; so you know her." He narrowed his eyes at her and nodded. "Talk," she demanded, "explain this to me!" Sam'hain frowned asking, "Nadiana, right?" The woman nodded warily. "My name is Sam'ain Faye. I have been living on Earth for a short while and do know of Justin from there. My brother, Grae'cien, spoke to him often. He is a researcher tracking the history of the thirteen. Before he found his mate, he pursued Justin as often as he could for information." Justin frowned at the last part having not heard about her yet. "Gray isn't mated," he protested vaguely. Obviously, he was checking as he spoke. "Not yet," she stated irritably. "She is a hard one to catch and seems to be in a bit of trouble, or something." Justin winced. He rubbed his head like it was hurting. "Didn't you wonder why he would leave me alone?" "I heard he left you with Jenna and you were separated. That isn't alone." The other woman grew spitting mad at the mention of her mother's name. "What has that bitch got to do with this? You said you were through with her! That you only seduced her to get back at Jeremy for having me! Have you been seeing her all along? Don't lie to me! Have you?" Justin snarled and the woman grew unnaturally still. In fact, the entire world around them ground to a halt. How powerful was the man? Sam paled when he turned his gaze back to her. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize she was baiting me. She is just looking for any excuse to be mad at you! I didn't do anything wrong..." "Yes, I know...I brought you forward in time when I brought you here. You have missed several key events. Jeremy was married to Dina; they had a fight. Now, she is married to me, and the children are mine. I have brought you forward again. Kane has taken Jenna once more. You have nothing to fear from him, but I believe you just pissed off my wife. Don't ever return there. She will kill you." "How far," Sam asked in distress. "How far did you bring me? What if Gracie has been looking for me?" "I have been watching for him. Jenna has a new daughter by me and one with Jeremy, which has recently died. Two twin sons, slightly older than my girl, by Kane. I have been seeing her again since Dina has thrown me out." Sam paled at the words. "Jeremy is dead. The palace where she lived with him blew up with thousands of people there. Only she survived, so don't mention it, please." She nodded too dazed to question him. "It hasn't been so long on Earth...only here. Pretend you have only missed a moment in time. To Gracie, it has been just that. He is unaware of the events going on here. I have been erasing you from Dina's memory. She found you the first day you arrived and I had to save your life then. Both of you forgot that incident. I was hoping to keep things less complicated", he sighed. "Where is my mother? I want to see her!" He took her hand and faded away. She heard Nadiana snarl in anger as they disappeared. "You cannot remain here. It is Kane's world, but she comes to mine occasionally. I will let you see her and then take you there. Don't let go of my hand and no one will know you are here." She walked around the place swiftly seeing the children and her mom with the irritating Aidyn Kane. The house was next to a forest on a lake. It had tiered balconies out back. Jenna stood below them in Kane's arms. She felt a tiny tremor run through the ancient at her side. Down there stood the two most important people he knew, and neither one recognized him as a dear friend. He couldn't even reach out to them in his mind. It was completely against the natural order of their race for such a thing to happen. It must cause him pain to be without them both. Yet he never showed it. He simply looked at them. His gaze was patient and concerned, perhaps a touch sad, too. He would wait for them to return on their own terms, or not at all. But the longer she watched, the more convinced she became that he was tired of waiting. His powerful aura seethed with pent-up rage. Perhaps he grew tired of watching his own companion with his wife, she thought. He didn't like it; she knew that just by his tenseness. It was against the code of honor to steal your companions mate in such a fashion. Did it matter that the two didn't know she was not his to be kept? He felt bound to her through his ties to Justin, meaning the ancient allowed it. Where was Kane's wife? Did he have one? "Come with me. You will be free to roam the Dragon Lands until she visits. Few of our kind are allowed such a chance. Dragons are loyal creatures. They will never turn their back upon a friend." The dragons were his pets much the way the humans were to Andomiere. He wasn't the only one of the original thirteen to protect the beasts. Andomiere's companion, Marrgar also claimed them as his own. "Jenna is forced to pretend she is my wife in the Dragon Lands to retain the girl's birthright. She will come there, in time." A Shade of the Past Ch. 01 Sam looked at the love in her mother's eyes and not for the first time wondered what her relationship had been to the two ancients. Had she loved them both at the same time? It was what the rumors had said. Lately, Justin hung around the Earth telling his secrets to Andomiere or no one. He was hanging out with his long-lost brother again, too. Dorian had lived with him. Did even he know all of their secrets? They materialized in a large study. The furniture was ornate, but the room looked carved out of a red rock. It was then that she remembered Justin's favored dragons were fire drakes. They lived in a mountain cave which was perfect for a fire elemental, but not for her. Or even a phoenix, but again not her, she thought. Almost immediately, a door opened admitting a young man who eyed her warily. "Sir," he said quietly. "Find one of Gabriel's people to accompany her. The beggars could use something to do, and I doubt a mere dragon could keep up with her," he teased. She flushed. "Still, she's an elder daughter of Jenna Karro. Treat her with respect, but keep her safe. Understood?" The boy nodded and fled the room grateful to leave. He had looked startled at the mention of her mother's name, and curious. An older gentleman came into the room with a boy at his side. "Did you ask your friends to come guard your daughter, my lord," he asked amused. "I swear the boy said it that way exactly. What have you done to scare them into politeness?" "Nothing," he stated. "Due to my father's reputation, they have not yet found out that I am not a pure-blooded dragon, so they remain loyal to me." He noticed Sam's odd look. "They respect Jenna as my wife here, not Kane, so any child of hers is mine...here." He smiled at her stunned expression. "As it should be everywhere," he added softly. The gentleman introduced himself as D'Angelou. She knew the 'D' part of the name was a coveted title among Dragon kind, so he was probably the dragon blood in charge of Marrgar's people when he and his son, Gabriel, were away. He introduced the other as Tomas Fischel, otherwise called Tevis, or Theo'doric. Frowning, she asked Tevis if he had ever been to Earth. Behind her, Justin repeated the question in what sounded like old Greek. She had spoken English. She considered the name. It was Thomas Phillip in his language and meant 'twin, lover of horses', but the Theo'doric was German for 'ruler of the people'. Tevis was Scottish, and Fischel was Yiddish. It could even be referenced to an older word in ancient Aramaic. Just how old was he, she wondered wryly, he looked her age. "Now, what," she asked. "I just run out and play." Justin moved to his desk to sort through the information he had written there and ignored her, shrugging. "I don't care so long as you are nowhere near Dina, Sam." He looked up just in time to catch two identical looks of distaste upon the men's faces. Sam laughed at their expressions! Obviously, they disapproved, too. The McLaird smiled and went back to work. D'Angelou went to advise him since he seemed to have little common sense. Bored quickly, Sam left the room with her tag-along friend. He glided behind her so softly, she hated it. He gave the appearance of being subservient and disinterested. He was already annoying her! He rarely looked up from his floor-level gaze. "Why do you not like Dina," she asked in the common tongue of their kind. He looked up at her then. "She isn't a proper wife to a Dragon Lord. She can't survive here. She would turn into ice and die. Besides," he shrugged, "she threw him out. You don't even notice the cold, do you?" She glanced around wondering what he meant. "Why didn't I turn to ice?" "Jenna can come here even without Dragon blood. She can regulate her body temperature consciously. You seem to do it without thought," he noted pleased. "Your mother had some difficulty adjusting, but she is doing better each time she visits." They came to a fork in the path. "Down here is the Common Room. Few speak our language. They distrust Beggars," he explained casually. "Do you still wish to go this way, or turn and go in another?" "You speak like you are a dragon, too. Why would you say 'our people' if you consider yourself one of them," she asked uncertainly. He shrugged. She was tired of barely seeing a tiny patch of his face around his eyes. "Is there a way out of this cave? I miss the sunshine, already," she complained. "And trees," she added. "For trees," he hesitated, "you would need Ulgan Wrath." "Okay, what is that," she asked stopping. Tevis looked nearly scared to answer. "He is the heir to the Glades. He only speaks Dragon, I think..." "So, you can translate. I can handle one confused dragon." He nodded unhappily. "Why do you look like you would rather chew on a handful of worms?" "I don't want to be held responsible for your welfare when Ulgan screws your brains out," he stated nastily, "and he will, mark my words." "I do not intend to fuck a dragon," she promised sincerely. He eyed her thoughtfully. "I hope not. It is common for them to mark any they like, and Ulgan is now of age to marry. How would I explain that to the McLaird? Either of them," he stated. He went on into the common room with a soft, "Stay here. I'll go get him." The moment he stepped up behind the dragon, the room fell silent. There was a loud, angry comment and a slight commotion. She started to check on Tevis. She hadn't known the request would place him in any danger, or she wouldn't have asked. He came out with one arm curled into his side and anger in his eyes. A brightly-colored guy followed calling him by name. Tevis walked past her and cut down the other corridor. They followed swiftly, both wondering if he was okay. He didn't stop until he reached an outside lake. There he backed away from the caves entrance...and the Dragon boy. Sam purposely concentrated on the Dragons mind to hear his thoughts past the unfamiliar words. "Tevis," the green and orange dragon looked concerned. He moved until he touched the long, solid cloak. "Let me see the wound." Tevis glared at him. "It is no more than I deserve. The girl wishes to enter your domain. She is the daughter of the McLaird's new wife." "McLaird Ramus," he asked confused. "McLaird McKeinly," he corrected. Ulgan nodded. "Granted," he said with a quirky grin. "Are you her escort?" The dragon looked eager and even hopeful by the idea. "For what it is worth...I am," he answered softly. Tevis gaze sharpened when the dragon began to study the girl. He could almost see the wicked ideas cross his face as he stood there in thought. "Shall I take you both," he asked amused, "now?" His tone was suggestive of other things, but Tevis ignored it and stepped aside. The man ran and leapt into the air out over the lake. He never hit the water. Instead, a bright Glade dragon coiled and turned back to pick them both into his powerful limbs. His wing-span was pretty large. He looked like a twisting Chinese dragon, she noted wistfully. She was held tight in Tevis arms and cloak to keep the dragon's claws from her delicate skin. She squeaked in fright as they lifted away from the ground. "It is alright. He is taking us home," Tevis whispered. "You are safe." Us home, she wondered. He must have lived among the Glade dragons before his clan was outcast from the dragon's society. A Shade of the Past Ch. 02 Sam decided to talk since she was being held so tight in his arms. "He seems to like you," she purred in Tevis' ear, "Do you know him well?" "We were friends...once. It is no longer allowed for us to associate together. My laird, or lord as you call them, has been deemed an outlaw. So all of his clan members are called 'beggars'," he explained. "A laird's son does not even have to acknowledge that he sees us. The laird himself," he shrugged leaving her to finish the statement on her own. "He seems to like you," she repeated stubbornly. He almost smiled as he nodded. "Yes, he does, but it is not allowed." "I take it you are allowed to be my escort in his presence," she mused somberly. He nodded in agreement. "My interpreter too," she added, "I can't speak Dragon." "I am not usually allowed to speak so openly to them, but on your behalf it is allowed," he assured her with a little grin. "Good," Sam'ain Faye sighed, "I do not want you to get yourself in trouble just because you are helping me." His grin widened into a mischievous smirk. "What," she asked. "I don't need your help for that! I get into trouble well enough on my own, I assure you!" A shiver went through the dragon holding them. Did he understand what Tevis had said? Was he laughing, she wondered. She looked down at that moment and gasped in shock. For miles in every direction was a dark red wasteland. There were canyons and cliffs, but nothing else. It was barren and covered in swirling red dust. "The dragons here do not need the trees, only the rock and air. If you watch long enough, you will see the fires that coat this terrain with the red sulfur. It is dangerous to creatures who cannot fly." Yet even as he spoke, she saw someone picking his way along the ground carefully. "That is one of my clan," he whispered spotting the male below too. "They force us not to use our wings any more, so we have to be ever more wary and deadly to survive these days." Ulgan banked and circled after passing the man they discussed. "What is he doing," Tevis snarled. The dragon casually dropped them over the traveler. Tevis held her close as they fell to the ground, twisting to land on his feet easily beside his old friend. "Arrogant pup," he exclaimed angrily, "he cannot mean to leave us here. He must have seen something I did not." The dragon spiraled down again further ahead picking at something on the ground. "What is he doing?" "I have been searching for Gin'Haru Kagami and Kin'Toru Jomei. The two went out late last night and no one knew they had left until this morning. An arrogant dragon saw fit to casually mention it in irritation after they had plenty of time to get killed first," the old ranger stated sarcastically keeping his eyes on the dragon ahead. Tevis was appalled! "The dragon scouts let two infants outside at night...alone?" His disbelief was evident in the tone of his voice. His friend's shrug annoyed him even more. "They said, 'How were we to know they were infants when so many of your kind can grow small at will?'" He nodded up at the long serpentine line gaining altitude. "Looks like your student may have found them for me," he remarked happily. "He is no longer my student," Tevis growled at him angrily in warning. "Only because you choose to obey the dictates of an old friend over a new one," the ranger stated unrepentant. "That boy will be McLaird soon; will you still insist on ignoring him then?" Tevis turned away ignoring him. "If that boy's courage continues to grow, I would like to see you try to ignore him as a laird! You will look like Gabe trying to ignore McLaird McKeinly," he warned with a little snort of amusement. Ulgan spiraled down over them dropping the two small kids as he changed to land nearby. The two men caught them easily enough; even though, it surprised Sam they would treat it so casually. Then, he turned to the grateful elder with a grin. "Lose something, old ranger," he teased him merrily. "I appreciate your help, McLaird Tamulous." The ranger set the boy beside his sister giving both of the wayward youths a stern look of disapproval. Tevis laughed. "Not a laird yet," he warned. The ranger simply smiled without apology glancing at Tevis. Ulgan looked between the two and caught on to his meaning. "How did they get out this far without you catching them sooner?" "The dragons let them out and didn't think to tell us about it, I guess." Ulgan looked down at Tevis' tone. "If it had been anyone else's children, they would have been dead by now," he explained sadly. Ulgan looked at the two kids frowning in speculation. "These are D'Angelou's children, right? Who would have been dumb enough to let them outside," he questioned. The old scout sighed wearily. "D'Angelou takes them out with him, so they know the terrain and the way to the outer gates. If I had not caught them in another hour, they could have been anywhere in the solar system. No one travels the worlds the way he does...and these two go with him nearly everywhere!" All three of them stayed silent in somber contemplation of this comment. Ulgan stared at the two tiny kids trying to decide how long they would have lasted on their own. They only looked like they were five years old. The ranger smiled dryly and shook his head. "They are eight, my laird. The dragons often complain about the lack of growth lately. Doubtless they could survive together unless something much larger and more powerful took an interest in them." No one mentioned slavers, but everyone thought it. "Either way, they would still be gone. D'Angelou would have left too," he added pointedly. Tevis frowned at the idea unhappily. Ulgan shifted nervously and asked, "Can you get them back safely on your own? I can fly you closer to the caves if you want." The old man dismissed it with a smile. "They wanted to go out. We will walk back. Besides, we want them to get it out of their system, don't we? Thank you for the kindness, Ulgan Wrath...We will remember it." Then, he eyed the dragon and Tevis idly. "Don't see the two of you together much anymore. Does your daddy know you are hanging out with low-life scum like us?" Ulgan shrugged. "My father knows I stay at McLaird McKeinly's den. He also knows that Clan Ramus lives there. If he expected me to ignore old loyalties, he should not have granted my request to stay when he left." Tevis tensed warily. The ranger noticed it. "In his own way, he is telling me to choose wisely and deal with it my way. He knows McLaird Ramus is an ally and a friend to us all, but to go against the king..." Ulgan shook his head in disapproval. "Not that the old man has a right to complain when his own lineage is 'tainted'!" Tevis glared at the ranger upset, but not wanting to be the one to correct him. His friend nodded agreeing with his unspoken warning. "Only a fool blatantly slaps the face of his king," the elder replied sternly. "You would do well to guard your tongue, young fool." The dragon flushed as the ranger drew the two children back towards their home. Tevis watched Ulgan solemnly until the three were out of hearing range. "When will you ever learn," he hissed sullenly at him. His words were soft, but the disappointment came through clearly. "When do you plan to teach me?" Sam shifted uncomfortably as they stared at each other. Ulgan's jaw was set in a firm line of defiance! "Why does she want to go to my land? Another tree fanatic," he asked to change the subject. Tevis smiled and nodded. Both of them suddenly looked much happier. It seemed like an inside joke between them by the amused looks on their faces. "You do not talk to her much...she must be terribly bored by now," he surmised speculatively. Sam smiled at him since he was looking at her with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "You will leave her alone, Ulgan Wrath!" The dragon glanced back at him undaunted. "She is a McLaird's daughter! Do you want her father to know? Or your own to wonder why you consort with on of 'us'..." The dragon frowned in thought. Tevis waited powerless to stop him if he couldn't talk him out of it. "She is not a dragon blood like you, is she?" "No," Tevis answered darkly. "She is Jenna's child, but she has none of the McLaird's blood in her." The boy nodded accepting his warning, but still contemplating mischief. "So if she had dragon blood, it would be okay," he asked teasing his ex-tutor. He grinned back at him knowing the McKeinly laird had a new daughter by Jenna Karro. Tevis stilled in horrified shock! The dragon boy laughed. "Gods, Tevis, that face! I should just to see what you think of it!" Tevis paled. Usually when the boy threw out that type of challenge, he didn't forget it no matter how long it took. "I think Justin would murder you, and so would Kane," he whispered in terror. Sam considered the little tattooed girl momentarily and wondered if she wouldn't be the dragon's match. She seemed terribly grown up even as a child, and her magic was stout enough to make anyone tremble. "They all love that little girl, so don't go messing around with them! You can't be that stupid..." Ulgan laughed. "You forgot Gabriel. He is the child's guardian. McLaird Ramus of the Light Clan," he stated fondly, "how is he doing?" Ulgan moved closer to Tevis easing his concern that he would touch the girl. Tevis shrugged, but his body relaxed marginally. "I don't know. Recovering, I should think," he admitted dryly trying to sound less sarcastic than he felt. When Ulgan reached out towards him he stepped away from the Glade Dragon belligerently. "Ulgan," he warned hissing his name angrily. "I can smell the blood, you idiotic ass! Why won't you let me look at the wound? Do you want to bleed to death just because you are too damn stubborn to give me a chance?" Tevis glared at him until the anger faded into resignation. "It is too open out here," he advised, "and you cannot do anything to stop it until you reach your precious trees. Later..." Satisfied, Ulgan turned away from him to hide his look of triumph. Tevis deflated behind his back relaxing his guard momentarily until he noticed where the dragon was going. "I am staying away from her only out of respect for you, you know. Otherwise," he grinned suggestively at him as he circled Sam'ain Faye dangerously. "Would you get into a lot of trouble if I seduce her?" "You will get it if you do!" "Only if they know," Ulgan stated dismissing the danger carelessly. Tevis grabbed his arm and swung him around to face him. Ulgan looked surprised. Tevis stared into his eyes forcing him to reconsider his actions and words. "Is she that powerful? I have heard rumors about her mother...Is it true that the women of your race are not very powerful until someone has sex with them?" "It is. They do not have to be taken, only made aware of their sexuality!" "She is older than I am," Ulgan pointed out. "Are you worried about her? Or me," he whispered looking down at the hand gripping his arm so bruisingly tight. Tevis gasped and released him looking around warily as he stepped away. "Despite you king's decree...," Tevis stated very softly, "you are still the son of a man I consider to be my brother." Ulgan frowned at him upset. "Won't you consider me as your brother, too...in time?" Tev turned away from him. Ulgan looked hurt. The dragon suddenly turned and sent out a mist of scents to envelop Sam'ain Faye thickly. She moved within it warily, but allowed the damp smells to wrap around her. She grinned as his brilliant eyes studied her. Many of the floral scents were flowers she recognized already, but the others intrigued her. As he got close enough to touch, a deep, rumbling purr began to vibrate the air around them. When he leaned down to kiss her, his own uniquely-male, dragon's scent banished the array of other scents. She trembled; waiting for his lips to make contact with her own...he descended so slowly. No other boy had dared to do more than hold and kiss her before, but here was one she knew would dare if given the right opportunity! "Too bad I cannot tell you how beautiful you look," he murmured as he claimed her lips. His purring vibrated down her throat and into her chest as he kissed. She sighed sinking into his embrace happily. He gathered her up tighter, deepening both the exploration of his tongue and the depth of that low humming noise. Realizing what he intended to do, Tevis protested by calling out the dragon's name urgently. Ulgan didn't stop when he heard the whisper; he played ever more skillfully, instead. The sound harmonized for just a minute with the aching throb of the pulse point beneath her abdomen. That was all it took! She cried out against him as the spot spontaneously burst sending out powerful sensations, exploding throughout her body unexpectedly. Ulgan caught her as her knees weakened, coming up from the kiss lazily to look into her dazed eyes. Sam blinked in surprise and tried to regain control of her balance. Ulgan was patient waiting until she could stand on her own before relaxing his grasp. She flushed when she realized she was still clinging to his very broad, very stout shoulders. Then, he purred delightedly into her ear. "You smell good enough to eat!" His long, orange, snake tongue licked at her neck. Sam shivered growing wet in reaction to both the touch and the husky growl against her ear. Her eyes widened in mortification as the liquid rushed down to soak her jeans. The dragon laughed and sniffed the air. He groaned expressively as he winked at her. Tevis looked stricken when she glanced at him. Ulgan Wrath saw her glance and looked around catching his expression. He looked momentarily ashamed of his defiance, but his anger washed it away. "What do you care, old teacher? I am just the McLaird's son...right?" He hugged Sam'hain to his chest looking at Tevis as he rubbed his body against her getting his scent all over her on purpose. She leaned back into it closing her eyes as the smell penetrated her pores. "Besides, she will be safer in the glen smelling like me," the dragon pointed out defensively. Tevis nodded, but his wariness didn't diminish; except it was aimed now at Sammy, instead of the dragon. Ulgan let her go and paced in front of her angrily. "Damn you, Theo'doric! I have never treated you any different!" He turned and leapt into the air without explaining his outburst. It didn't need an explanation. Tevis looked down in shame. When the long dragon circled back for them, he wasn't ready for it. The creature hissed at them and circled again wanting to get this trip over with quickly. Ulgan rumbled in irritation. Sam stepped into Tevis as the beating wings neared the second time. Tevis caught her instinctively sucking in his breath and flinching, as the claws dug into his back hugging him close. Had Ulgan hurt him on purpose? Using the name he didn't like was a clear indication that the dragon boy was angry. Boy, she thought with a smile. Anyone who could do what he did with only a simple kiss was no longer a boy. Could Tevis do such a thing? She doubted it. Suddenly, they were sweeping over trees. The scented mist rising up from it reminded her of his kiss. Sam grew hot! She shifted feeling feverish, but the mist was all around her...touching her hot skin. Hadn't someone said the Dragon Lands could turn you into ice? She felt like she was being burned alive! Ulgan dropped her into a cool pool of blue-green water. Gratefully, Sam'hain sank into it as the Glade Dragon dropped down beside his burden on the shoreline. Since the water wasn't clear, she reached a hand down the front of her jeans to feel the thick slickness there. She washed it away flushing red at the though of it waiting for him even in the water. Ulgan knelt on the bank giving her a wickedly, knowing grin. Tomas Fischel moved up behind him to distract him by taking off the flowing length of the concealing cloak. It distracted Sam, too. His back was turned to them as he revealed his long, black hair that hung to the back of his knee in mostly straight locks. Some curls gave it intriguing waves here and there. Then, he moved and she saw the supple, pale flesh of his bare chest and the ragged, bleeding wound on his side. Ulgan made a sound and stood to touch his hand to the thick blood. Tevis allowed it. The dragon moved to a vine coating a tree running his wet hand over leaves until one began to look less red. He plucked it up and brought it to the wound quickly. It was as wide as her hand and longer, but it covered the gaping wound completely. Ulgan sealed it to him by licking it against his skin. Tevis didn't protest as he sat waiting; he just watched silently until he was finished bandaging it. Then, Ulgan Wrath looked up from where he knelt holding his the undamaged area of his waist as he pulled himself to his feet. Tevis closed his eyes wanting to hide and ignore what he knew was revealed on his face. The dragon saw it, too. He had known how Tevis would react to it and had been watching for it. The boy kissed his shoulder when Tevis tried to draw away from him, but he had been aiming for him neck. Tevis pushed at him gently. "Dragons don't...," he sputtered. Ulgan smiled mysteriously. "No, dragons do not," he agreed. Tevis was too stunned to move when Ulgan caught him against him more fully and kissed his lips. Tevis actually tried to scold him for it, but got a mouthful of his tongue for the effort. Ulgan pinned his head as that thin tongue invaded his throat skillfully. Tevis let his body crumble back to the ground thinking the other would let go, but Ulgan followed him down purring deeply as he landed along his body. Ulgan arched his back and rubbed himself hard into Tevis' stomach. The man beneath him jerked and rolled. Ulgan swiftly compensated by catching his hands and lifting them up to off-balance his escape. Tevis fell to his stomach with the dragon biting along his neck and shoulders, rubbing himself against the back of Tevis' tight, leather pants. Tevis stilled. He allowed the dragon a second to enjoy the feel of it before he rocked his body from side-to-side in protest. The dragon disappeared. A mist heavily surrounded Tevis rising up slowly from where he lay. Tevis was panting weakly. Sam'ain Faye rose from the water to stand over him wringing the water out of her hair and shirt wetting him down in amusement. He didn't even move. "Are you alive down there?" He kept to his appalled silence. "You act like a young man just getting his first taste of an elder." "It isn't that," he protested softly. "I have been around..." He paused to judge her age. "I remember the parties Marrgar once held for the pleasure of his companions," he remarked obscurely. "Most of the people who came did not associate with the dragons, but I...am both: half dragon and half...not." She looked far too amused to have misunderstood his allusion. "Then, the half of you that is dragon must still be easily mortified," she teased. "No," he admitted ruefully, "even that half enjoys it." He sat up at last, decidedly uncomfortable with the topic of choice. Oh, yeah...Tevis had wanted to give in badly judging from his body language, she decided thoughtfully. This could prove interesting! (Those missing Shade should read the next section where the canny cat is scheduled to return...Please, leave a comment even if you do not vote. Thank you for reading my stories!) A Shade of the Past Ch. 03 By the time she realized he had stopped speaking some time ago, several silent minutes had passed. Curious, she looked at him... Tavis shifted his gaze away from her and stood to his feet in a hurry. "Someone is coming this way," he mumbled before she could speak. Then, a man was landing on the ground from the trees above. She frowned knowing he couldn't have flown here. It was not allowed. "Jibben Lel...." The stranger smirked at him and drawled lazily, "Are you out here guarding, or out playing with a frisky new pet?" Tavis ducked his head in sudden embarrassment, hiding as much of his face as he could. "Damn girl, that shirt is clinging to you like it is about to die if it doesn't!" Samantha flushed at his loud comment. "Oh, yeah, that boy of yours told us how he found the two kids while flying you here, and that he wanted to fly them back too. My brothers wished to thank you for his assistance, as we all know he would not help us at all if it were not for his affection of you. He seemed very pleased with himself," the gypsy remarked coolly. Jibben's eyes narrowed. "Speaking of which, I need to talk to you privately about several matters, my old friend." Tavis sighed in resignation. When he stood up to take the other man's hand, they both disappeared! Samantha let out her breath in startled dismay. Where had they gone? She blinked and as quick as that...they were there again! Tavis had a strange expression seeming to look both pleased and disgruntled at once, while Jibben looked stern and impassive like he had issued an order that he expected to be kept. The gypsy bowed his head to her politely. "I am sorry," he stated softly, "for stealing your guide for even a moment. It was important, I assure you. It was a pleasure to finally meet one of Jenna Karro's daughters. Gabriel always makes us promise to stay away from her and her children. I thought I might sneak in a word before he has the chance." Samantha smiled cheerfully dying to know what had been said and how the two had spoken at length in a matter of seconds. "That is alright. It was only so short a moment; I hardly noticed you were gone." "Then, I shall be leaving you to explore Tavis' jungles," Jibben stated. He looked up and suddenly teleported home. Seeing the spell, she understood his quick approach better, but not how Tavis had known about it before he arrived. Tavis was in a restless state eying her warily. She smiled at him. "Did you enjoy yourself? How long did the two of you spend together before you blinked back?" He didn't answer, so she plowed onward. "Is he one of your old lovers, because he seemed to watch you mysteriously and you couldn't seem to look away from him?" Tavis sighed in irritation, but still didn't answer. "Am I being too nosey?" He looked around unimpressed by her lack of patience or courtesy. "I don't mean to irritate you...I am just," she shrugged faintly, "curious!" "Like mother," he mused softly, "like daughter." "Does she as questions," Sammie asked startled. "I was given to think she was too quiet and passive!" He studied her for a minute before turning away in feigned boredom. "Yes...a week and a half...yes..." He smiled still looking out at the trees. "No, and yes," he finished lazily. She had to mentally backtrack to place his answers to all of the questions she had rattled off. He looked amused knowing she was having a hard time deciding what she had asked and when. "A week and a half," she burst out. "Surely you did not have that much to discuss!" He flushed still ignoring her dryly. "Oh, oh, I see...Not a former as much as an on-going affair. I take it he is displeased about the kid's proprietary attitude towards you?" "He said I should leave the Dragon Lands...indefinitely." The softness in his voice was the only indication of the turmoil Jibben's words caused inside of him. "He also said there were rumors of a snow leopard prowling these trees, which is impossible! No one can come here uninvited except the most powerful of creatures. Even then, Justin would feel it. I have also heard the mumbling comments. I have been away from the jungles for a long time. Jibben reminded me that I am still technically the guardian here and should see if there is a rogue prowling the trees." "Or a real cat that got left here," she suggested. "If there is a leopard...if...it is not a natural cat. Most of the Dragons do not know what it is, but they talk of seeing it. Earth creatures die here. Even leopards," he added gently. "The Dragons don't know what it is? It is one of us, isn't it?" "It has not occurred to them what planet it is from, so they believe it is a beast that accidentally got misplaced by a portal spell, and trapped here when it closed. If they found out..." "They would kill it," she whispered. "We have to find it before they discover the truth!" "Jibben also suggested something...terrifying." He had gone pale again. "He thinks the cat is the same creature that I knew once before in a Gypsy Circus. Jibben said the blind creature always puzzled him, and he knew for a fact he had lived too long to be a true cat." His wide eyes found her own. "That creature hates me! It humiliated me constantly..." She blinked considering the problem as he turned away. "Why would he be here?" "To torment me," Tavis sneered sarcastically. "I think he is my own personal demon. I swear...he scares the hell out of me...and he knows it!"