Allegra's Dream (Avador Book 4, a Books We Love Fantasy Romance) (10 page)

“I wonder how far those hills go, where they end.” 

He smiled her way. “Perhaps we’ll have a chance to explore later. We have all the time in the world, in the Otherworld,” he corrected.

Unforgettable scenes encompassed them, gorgeous flowers of many hues, their colors unlike anything he’d ever seen.

She pointed upward. “Listen to that bird! What lovely music!”

As one, they looked up to see a green bird with yellow wings perched on a high branch, singing its heart out.

Off in the distance, beyond the lake, a flock of purple birds flapped their wings, flying high against a brilliant blue sky that shimmered with undulating streaks of pink and green. A gentle breeze carried still another pleasant aroma. To his left, Rowan spied a tree heavy with deep red fruit that resembled huge plums, its scent blending that of peaches, apples, and cherries.

He grasped her hand. “See, didn’t I tell you we’d have plenty to eat here? And I’ll wager we’ll find nuts and other good edibles.”

Stunned by all this enchantment, still nothing enthralled him like Allegra. All he wanted to see, all he wanted to think about was this woman who had come into his life, this dear person he loved more than life. Tempted to take her in his arms and kiss her, caress her, he clenched his hands at his side. Seconds later, temptation overcame forbearance, and he drew her into his embrace. “It’s lovely here, isn’t it?” He eased her closer. “I could stay here forever.”

“I, also, as long as I could spend the time with you.” She pressed closer to him, testing his resistance even further. Ah, how long would he last without making love to her as he’d wanted for so long, much too long?

He tangled his fingers in her silky tresses. “And you’re lovely, so lovely.”

“I’m glad it’s you I’m with now,” she whispered in his ear. “No one else, only you.”

“I–“ But words failed him, and he kissed her as he’d dreamed of since he’d first met her. He felt as if he had loved her forever. This woman whom he loved more than anything was with him, here, now! His kiss deepened, a pledging of their love for each other, if only it could be so. Did she love him as much as he loved her? Did she long to lie in his arms, to let him make love to her, their passion carrying them beyond kisses and caresses?

With every bit of willpower, he released her, suddenly bereft, like a ship adrift on the ocean. She was a princess; it would pay him to remember that.

She looked up at him and smiled, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead, feathering kisses on his cheek. Clasping her hand, he kissed her fingertips, one by one.

“Ah, dearest.” Sighing, he released her hand and looked around, wondering if they were the only people inhabiting this strange but lovely place. But how could that be? Everyone knew that death garnered entry into the Otherworld, except for the truly wicked, who were consigned to eternal damnation in the Underworld. Possibly those who had passed on resided in another part of the Otherworld. If so, this land must stretch on and on, beyond time and space.

His glance took in the vast lake, its water still and sparkling like crystal. And–“Look! There’s a man sitting by the lake. Perhaps he can tell us where everyone else has gone.”

“Yes! I’ve been wondering the same. Where is everyone?”

“Let’s go see.” Tucking her small hand in his calloused one, he led her to the lake, past luscious trees and bushes, the air filled with all manner of aromas, sweet and fragrant. Colorful flowers bordered the lake, their hues vivid.

In no time, they arrived at the lake, the water the bluest he’d ever seen. The man looked up at them and nodded, an expression of nonchalance on his face, as if he had expected them. Clad in a pure white robe, he sat with his knees drawn up to his chest. His gray hair fell past his shoulders, his face lined with countless wrinkles.

“Sir,” Rowan began.

“Kalevi’s the name, young man. I’d just about given up hope of meeting others here.” 

Rowan jerked in surprise. “You mean we’re the only people here? I don’t understand.”

He pushed himself to his feet, his gaze taking in both of them. “Oh, there are other people here,” he said, waving his hand airily toward the far distance. “But that part of the Otherworld is reserved for those who have truly passed on. But that designation doesn’t apply to you two, does it?” He bestowed a knowing smile on both of them, as if he was privy to all their thoughts and secrets.

“But how–how–?” Rowan grasped for words.

“How do I know this? I know everything,” Kalevi said. “I’ve been here for ages, a guardian to all the newcomers.  Now take you two, for example. You came here to escape danger, did you not? No, don’t look so surprised.  As I said, I know everything.”

“But how do you know this?” Allegra asked, exchanging a puzzled glance with Rowan.

A look of assurance captured the old man’s face. “You might call me an oracle, besides being a guardian. Not much escapes me.” He nodded toward the far distance. “Those who have died reside far, far away. There, they meet their loved ones who have passed on before them. And there, too, they find much to entertain them–books, music, games, anything that pleases them.” A worried frown transformed his face. “Now, I must warn you of danger.”

“Danger?” Rowan and Allegra cried in unison.

“Yes.” He pointed toward the distant hills. “You see those hollow hills?”

Rowan looked off in the distance. “Hollow hills?”

“Caves, my lad. Dragons live there–“

”Dragons?” Allegra gasped. “Have you ever seen one?”

“Hardly ever,” he said. “Anyway, they usually fly off, away from here. But just once in a while, one of them will fly down this way.  Now, you mustn’t worry about dragons. Something tells me your time here will be very short. So it’s highly unlikely that you will see anything that could trouble you.”

“I hope you’re right,” Allegra sniffed, looking Rowan’s way. “I doubt if your sword will do us any good against dragons or other monsters.”

Kalevi laughed. “No need for a sword here, where all is peaceful and quiet.” He shook his head. “Please, now, let’s discuss happier things. This is no time for sadness or fear.” He clapped his hand on his forehead. “Ah, I didn’t get your names. How remiss of me!”

Rowan and Allegra introduced themselves, but a quandary still puzzled him. “How do you know we’re not dead?”

He paused, as if collecting his thoughts. “Your manner of arrival here led me to believe that danger threatened you in your world. I saw you when you first arrived here and sensed your need for escape. Those who have passed on drift in here like a leaf falling from a tree. They are taken to another part of the Otherworld, that part that is set aside for those who are truly dead.” He gave a small bow. “We can talk more later. Now, if you’ll excuse me. . .”

And he disappeared, gone out of sight!

“How–where–?” Once more, Rowan exchanged a perplexed look with Allegra. He sighed. “We’ll just have to accept that this is a strange place. But we knew that before we came here, didn’t we? Or at least I did, after reading that book about the Otherworld. So far, everything has proved to be peaceful and pleasant, a respite from the danger you faced in our world. So let’s enjoy the time we have together and explore this exotic land that’s so full of surprises.”

“And hope we don’t meet with any dragons,” Allegra said with a nervous laugh.

He turned her to face him. “Didn’t he say it was a rare occurrence for a dragon to come this way? So let’s not worry about something that is unlikely to happen.” He squeezed her hand. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves and get to know each other better.” Very much better. He eased her closer to him, wrapping his arm around her waist. “–as I have wanted to know you.”

* * *

Time passed, whether night or day, Rowan didn’t know, for the sky remained the same brilliant blue, streaked with undulating streaks of pink and green. He and Allegra found ample foods to eat, fruits and nuts and an odd type of brown bread that grew on trees. Now and then, they fell asleep on the soft ground, locked in each other’s arms. When he awoke, he felt as if he’d had a full night’s sleep, although he had no idea how much time had elapsed. Allegra usually woke up about the same time he did, each of them exchanging smiles of satisfaction.

Now and then, they met the old man–Kalevi–by the lake and exchanged greetings with him. Often, he disappeared as he had the first time they’d seen him.

Now, she awoke and leaned back on her elbows. “How long do you think we’ve been here in the Otherworld?” Ah, if she only knew what a provocative picture she presented, a vision of beauty and allurement, of temptation almost too great to be borne.

He lay, his hands locked under his head, forcing himself to talk as if all was normal, as if he wasn’t driven out of his mind with desire. “I have no idea and I don’t care. I could stay here forever.” He sat up, running his hand along her arm. “How about you?”

“Oh, me, too.” She stretched and yawned. “I never want to go back.”

“Nor I,” he whispered. He eased her down next to him, looking long and fully into her eyes, those violet eyes that lured him, drew her to him like a magnet. He gentled a few locks of hair from her face as desire stirred inside him, a need to make her his own. Did she feel the same temptation he wondered. Did she want him as much as he longed for her? Helpless to fight his deep need, he brushed his lips across hers. He drew her closer to him as they lay locked in each other’s embrace. His kiss deepened, his hands exploring her body. Like warm wine, passion flowed through him, a yearning to know all the joys of her body. He wanted her now, now, now! But he couldn’t–must not–continue with his lovemaking, for she was a princess and innocent, not one to be taken like a common pleasure woman.

“Allegra, Allegra!” With a greater regret than he’d ever known, he released her and sighed, feeling as though all the joy, all the good things he cherished, had left him forever. Yet the promise of a bright future for them remained. “Dearest,” he murmured, “when we return to Avador, we must find a druid to marry us.” His gaze met hers, and he wished he could fathom her thoughts, hoping she felt the same. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Will you marry me, sweetheart?”

She smiled that dazzling smile that lit up her face. “Yes, you know I will.”  She licked her bottom lip. “It’s odd, is it not? We must return to our world–the real world–to marry, yet I could stay here for the rest of my life.”

He wrapped his finger around one of her dark locks. “I feel the same. How long have we stayed here? Hard to know, but we must go back.” He sighed. “Yes, we can’t remain here for the rest of our lives.” He held her close in his arms as they lay on the grass, discussing their future, the happiness that would surely be theirs.

She eased out of his arms and stood. “But before we return, I want to explore more of this world here. I want to store memories of our sojourn in the Otherworld, tales to tell our children and grandchildren.” She looked his way. “How about you?”

An overwhelming lassitude came over him, and why, he didn’t know. Despite his desire to go with her, his body would not respond. “You go by yourself for now. Later, we can explore this world together.” He yawned. “We have plenty of time.”

“Very well, then. I will see you later.” Giving him a little wave, she left him and walked on. He watched her walk away, thanking all the gods and goddesses for this lovely woman who had come into his life.

Past the trees and bushes and beyond the lake, Allegra walked, her gaze absorbing the beauty of the Otherworld. The scent of a fruit tree drew her to its luscious bounty. Plucking a fruit from the tree, she bit into it, musing that it combined the taste of an apple and a strawberry. She munched on the juicy fruit while she strolled along, her glance moving from left to right. She recalled what the man by the lake had told them, that farther beyond this part of the Otherworld another area began, that place reserved for those who had truly passed on. As she walked farther on, she noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere, a slight haze that drifted around her.

Soon, she reached an invisible barrier, a hindrance that prevented further exploration. Nor could she see beyond this obstacle, for all was a smoky haze beyond.

Sighing with disappointment but accepting her exclusion, she turned to go back, wanting only to be with Rowan.

Too late, she heard the noisy flapping of wings.

Too late, she saw the dragon diving toward her.

Too late!

Chapter Fourteen

A scream pierced the silence. Rowan jerked awake and jumped to his feet. Oh, no,no, no. A dragon clutched Allegra in its forefeet; its flapping wings created a draft. A numbed terror consumed him, a greater fear than any he’d ever known. He gulped again and again, his heart beating wildly.

He won’t have her! He raced around the lake, then on to the distant hills. He touched his sword as he ran, determined to fight the dragon, kill it! He must save Allegra; he couldn’t live without her. Find the beast first! He followed a path that was studded with gemlike crystals, a trail that led upward to the hills. He climbed higher and higher, his booted feet continually slipping on the crystal. His breath caught in his throat as he ascended, a terrible fear inside him that he would be too late. But no, he wouldn’t even think that. His heart pounded so hard, he felt each beat in his eardrums.