Paul had no idea his father bilked innocent, unsuspecting people out of their life savings, usurped their businesses, then gloated over his victories and, "It's better me than you" dictum. He didn't know Evan Tanguy, his mother's former boyfriend, was swindled out of his lucrative consulting firm courtesy Lawrence Morrow. And Paul was unaware that his own sister helped instigate these hostile, unethical takeovers.
Of course Paul was aware of his father's stinginess. When he politely asked Larry to donate to the university scholarship fund, he was answered with a terse, "No way!" Even Jamie echoed, "It's my money. I can do with it what I please."
Yeah, sit on it and never share it with those who really need the help. Paul, on his limited salary as associate professor, actively supported progressive politics, social causes, the arts, music, theater. Naturally his father and sister needled him for wasting his money on worthless causes.
Well, now that Paul finally learned of his true parentage, and what he truly was, there were still so many unanswered questions. Surely, when Astrid, unnerved and frustrated with Jamie's threats, suddenly transformed into a magnificant black dragon. The ever imperious Jamie brought along a pistol and had every intention of shooting "Astrid" to death in cold blood. But the moment Astrid transformed into the dragon Samira, Jamie dropped the gun then fell to her knees literally begging for her life.
Paul witnessed this surreal scene, wondering if it was all a very bad nightmare. But it was real, as the other older gentleman transformed himself into a dragon. Then Fergus and Fabian, along with Medra (who Paul thought was Maribel Mercier) explained all. They told him of the plot to bring down both houses of Fairfax and Morrow. They revealed how Theodoric, Lawrence's direct ancestor, ruled Ninegates with an oppressive iron fist, how he knowingly hired three common thugs and con men as "protection". Paul learned of Theodoric and the sham Edgard's many misdeeds: rape, murder, torture, forced banishment, the theft of many a merchant's livelihood.
Hmm...Sounded just like Dad's many rotten deals, and Jamie readily put her stamp of approval, mirroring Dad's dark side.
Then the inevitable. Paul learned his mother didn't commit suicide but faked her death then went into hiding. Evan Tanguy turned out to be Paul's biological father; Larry never learned the truth about his only son. No wonder Paul was so unlike Jamie or Larry. He possessed all of Evan and Evelyn's positive qualities: kindness, an insatiable thirst for learning, generosity, compassion. Everything Larry or Jamie was not. He had to ask Fergus, "But if I'm not Larry Morrow's son, why are you telling me this. Where is my real father? And what happened to my mother?"
It was Medra who told him: Evan Tanguy and Evelyn were, in reality, dragons, forced to flee Ninegates and their time period. With the sham Edgard boasting how he wanted to kill the dragons, and Theodoric's promise of a handsome reward for anyone who, "Slays the loathsome beasts", the draconic couple had no choice. They had to leave. That meant, of course, to transform themselves into humans, spend their days suffering under Larry Morrow's cruelty.
The only way to reunite with the son they never knew was to devise a scheme to oust the Morrows. Then it became a more complicated plot when Samira suggested doing away with Theodoric. That way all wrongs would be avenged: Lucy and Mirinda's rape, the murder of Ulric and Murie, the usurping of Fabian Martel's wine trade. They planned it out perfectly, Evan inhabiting Fergus' body, Evelyn in Griselda's. Paul's parents would vacate their human hosts and assume their true forms, but only after Theodoric's execution.
Paul Morrow could not fathom it all. The moment he witnessed the incredible transformations, heard the devastating truth of his parentage, he collapsed in a heap, bathed in tears. The only thing he remembered was Morib gathering Jamie and whisking her to a remote mountain where Samira would exact her revenge. The reason? None of Theodoric or Lawrence's family should live; they would only live to breed more of their kind to wreck havoc over the innocent.
At last report, Paul learned his sister was dead, brutally and painfully dispatched by Samira.
Hmm...Samira is really my aunt, so I guess I shouldn't hold it against her for doing what she did. In a way, Jamie had it coming. I hope she realized, in the end, that she couldn't push people around and get away with it. I just hope she didn't suffer too much.
°°°°°°
"Paul? There you are. I was hoping to find ou here. There is so much to discuss...Your future."
Evan Tanguy, still in human form, strode across the meadow, finding his son in a deep blue funk. Well, wasn't it natural? The young man had a right to know about his parents, and his true nature. No wonder he screamed and collapsed from the shock.
"Evan..err...I guess I should call you Dad." Paul smiled slightly, but he was so eager to learn more about the couple who gave him life. He wanted to know what life would've been like if his parents had married, if he had been reared by them, not Lawrence Morrow.
Evan returned the smile, saying, "My son, I've waited all these years to reclaim you. It is true, we are dragons. Your mother and I have never stopped loving you. We only wanted what was best for you, but it grieved us to witness your maltreatment at the hands of Lawrence and Jamie. Watching her assault you both physically and mentally was more than I could stand. Samira is equally outraged that a sibling could treat another so shabbily. You do know Jamie is dead."
Paul nodded and said with a twinge of bitterness mixed with sorrow, "I know. Morib told me this morning after Lord Fairfax's execution. You know Jamie was so cruel, just like my...Well, he wasn't my father after all. She was just like Larry Morrow."
Then, out of curiosity, he asked, "If you don't mind me asking, how did Samira...umm...dispatch Jamie?"
Evan wanted to spare Paul the sordid details, and he tried to choose his words carefully. What Samira did to Jamie was beyond description, so Evan repeated what Morib told him.
"She was taken to Mt. Nycia, the ancestral home of our draconic clan. There she was chained to a rock, totally helpless. Samira reports Jamie was still in shock over 'Astrid's' transformation, and of learning that you are my biological son. She became fearful, almost on the verge of recanting all the cruel things she did to you. But, as Samira began to tear away the girl's clothing, Jamie resumed her ususal, awful demeanor. She cursed Samira, Medra, and she cursed you and your mother. Outraged, Samira instantly clawed the girl's face and body, leaving ugly bloody tracks behind. From what I gathered, Samira slowly tore the very flesh from Jamie's body before unleashing firepower. Your sister – well, she really wasn't your sister – suffered greatly, excruciatingly. Nevertheless, it didn't take long for Jamie Morrow to die. What remained: ashes and bone fragments...Samira had Medra and Morib take them and scatter them over the sea. I am sorry I had to tell you this. Despite Jamie not being of your blood, you still grew up with her. It is natrual if you want to weep over her, but..."
Paul, a trifle sickened by Evan's brief yet vivid enough recount of Jamie's death, said, "You know, Evan. Looking back on how she tormented and bullied me so over the years, I scarcely weep for her now. I really didn't mourn Lawrence's death. Evan, all my life I've always felt different, as if I didn't really belong in the Morrow household. I was always treated like an outsider. Larry and Jamie reminded me of that everyday. I was weak, too much of the egghead, always putting the needs of others before mine. What is so wrong with those qualites? I can safely say that I am somewhat relieved to be free of Jamie's browbeating. All I want now is to become reacquainted with you and Mom."
He added, with a sheepish grin, "She won't mind me calling her 'Mom', will she?"
Evan Tanguy, his blue eyes twinkling, laughed and said, "I'm sure she won't mind." Then, nodding to the golden figure soaring overhead, he added, "Why not ask her yourself."
Over the meadow she soared, coming down ever so gently then lighted upon the grass. Paul could not help marveling at this creature. So she, a dragon, is my mother, and I am of her blood. He stared at her with a mixture of love and wariness. Never in his life did he dream he'd come face to face with a living, breathing dragon. Throughout his childhood into adulthood, Paul was always fascinated with mythical creatures, something Jamie and Larry deemed as sheer nonsense. Now, with Jamie and Larry gone, Paul could at last focus on his future with his true parents. Question was, what kind of future awaits him?
His questions were answered quickly. As soon as Evelyn landed, she strode up to Paul and gently nuzzled his neck. "My son," she said breathily, "I have longed for this day. I trust your father has told you of Jamie Morrow's fate."
Paul nodded, replying, "That he did. Even though Jamie suffered greatly at the hands of my maternal aunt, she had it coming. I just wished she finally saw the error in her ways before Aunt Samira killed her. But she didn't. As I said to Dad, I scarely grieve for Jamie."
His tears coursed down his face as he came to grips with his uncertain future. He had to ask, "Mom, what about me? Dad said I had to transform myself. It's the only way Fergus and Griselda could reunite."
Evelyn replied, "Yes, you must become a dragon again. I have already vacated Griselda's body, and your father will do the same once you transform."
Paul was still worried, and rightfully so. He asked, "But, Mom, what about my future? Will I have to remain a dragon all my life? Not that I'm ungrateful for everyone's efforts to make things right, but I do have my work back at the university. I love what I do, the scholarly life, and I would hate to think I would have to leave all that behind. My academic world was my only escape. Whenever Jamie and Larry got to me, whenever their words and actions set me on edge, I'd always retreat into my studies, art, music. I'd hope that now I'd be able to continue pursuing what I've come to love."
Evelyn and Evan looked at each other. Surely, after the great pains everyone took to reunite a family, they would not make Paul unhappy. As of now, with all the bitterness and wrongs made right, his welfare was foremost.
"Well, Evelyn, what do you think?"
She pondered a bit, her eyes glowing with an ethereal light. Finally she said, "We will never hold you from your dreams, Paul. But you must transform now or else the final part of our mission will never come to fruition. Afterwards, you may choose: remain a dragon as us or resume your human form."
Paul thought it over, and it was not an easy decision. Surely he would miss his little circle of friends back home, but he had his newly recovered family here.
He wondered if there was an alternate solution, if he could, if it were possible...
He voiced his concerns, adding, "Will it work, Dad? I mean, obviously it has been done before, so why not? I'd be able to spend my days with you and Mom but still be able to continue the life I've known. Without the Morrows messing things up for me, of course."
Evan Tanguy thought it over then consulted his mate. "Well, Evelyn? We certainly can't deny the boy his happiness. It is agreeable to me."
Evelyn's eyes danced with merriment. She said lovingly, "Paul, you may have your wish. If it is acceptable to you, may I suggest that you remain human, transforming yourself into a dragon any time you desire. Never will I or your father prevent you from pursuing what you love. We are together again, and that is all that matters."
That said, Paul felt a bit funny, his head reeling as a purple cloud wafted about him. He felt himself lifted off the ground; he felt his very flesh changing. Within seconds, Paul Morrow transformed, his human form replaced with a draconic body. The cloud dissipated, leaving behind a dragon of immense beauty and delicacy. The slender reptilian body was covered with glistening black scales, much like his Aunt Samira. The eyes, still blue, were now large, not at all fearsome or threatening. There was a softness in those eyes which conveyed love, compassion, wisdom. His wings, a sparkling blend of silver and black, rattled as if ready for flight. The silvery claws were sheathed, never to be bared unless in self-defense. He breathed, startling himself when powder blue smoke emerged.
He spoke, "Mother, Father. I am...a dragon, but this feels so funny."
His parents laughed, with Evan saying, "Son, it is all so new for you. Once I've transformed, we will be on our way. There is someone I'd like you to meet."
Nuzzling his son's neck, Evan turned to his mate and announced, "I believe it is time, Evelyn. Griselda and Fergus will reunite, the true Blue Knight shall inherit all Lord Fairfax's estate, all of Ninegates shall live in peace. And Bertram...I nearly forgot about him. Wonder how the meeting between Edgard, the Rivères, and the Martels went. Surely Mirinda would not take the boy away from the only parents he has ever known."
"Just as," said Paul, "Lawrence Morrow took me from my parents. I'm sure – and Samira and Medra told me much about Mirinda – Madame Martel would not do such a thing. Then again, knowing Bertie is a result of rape, that the child will be a constant reminder of Ostric's crime, Mirinda may not want to rear the boy."
Evelyn, her heart heavy with concern, rejoined, "Mirinda has matured so much since her marriage. Perhaps a satisfactory arrangement among all parties concerned may be reached. Until the outcome, a boy's life and future hangs in the balance."
"Let us hope," said Evan just before transforming, "young Bertram will not become bitter or take on his father's dark designs."
That said, Evan quickly resumed his true draconic form. Paul, still getting used to his own transformation, stared in awe as his father stood before him. Evan was a handsome dragon, large, muscular, midnight blue in color. In a way, at least to Paul, Evan looked much like Morib.
"We are cousins," Evan said, reading his son's mind. "Morib is more, how should I put this..."
"Laid back?," said Paul with a smile, his razor-sharp silver teeth showing.
Both father and son laughed, with the former replying, "I guess you can call it that. Now, my love and son, shall we be on our way?"
It was quite a sight: three dragons winging their way through the late afternoon sky. The parents, by their nature, were expert flyers. The son, on the other hand, had trouble keeping up; flight was something quite new for him, and he was too thrilled to have a bird's eye view of the earth below.
"Flying is not that hard," he said finally catching up with his parents. "Although it takes getting used to."
"You will get better as time goes by," said his mother.
"By the way," asked Paul, "what is my real draconic name? And who is this 'someone' you want me to meet?"
Without hesitation, Evelyn replied, "Your draconic name is 'Viram', but for now, and to avoid confusion, you may keep the human name I chose for you: Paul."
Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she added, "To answer your second question, her name is Leysa."
°°°°°°
Deep in Foxglen Wood, in the clearing that had always served as their special place, Samira and Medra lay sprawled on the soft grass, oblivious to the stone silence.
They had reunited after Samira dispatched the shrewish, vindictive Jamie Morrow. Medra asked her draconic lover details of Jamie's death. The dragon could only tell her so much sensing Medra would become sick on the spot from the vividly graphic description. But Samira told Medra just what Evan told Paul: Jamie suffered greatly and did not recant once her vicious treatment of her brother. Even as Samira ripped the flesh from her bones, even as the fiery blast consumed what was left, Jamie continued to curse Paul, Astrid, Medra, Samira, all the while screaming and convulsing in excruciating agony.
"She earned her punishment, Medra," Samira said bitterly. "Just as her father earned his. I want to put this all behind us, Medra. We did what we had to do, to bring peace to Ninegates, to avenge all those unrequited crimes wrought by Theodoric and his hired thugs."
She tenderly caressed Medra's face. There would be so many more exquisite lovemaking sessions between the pair. And Samira looked forward to spending many a day with her nephew. She lifted her eyes to the sky and watched with a satisfied mind and heart as three figures winged their way to Swynshore, the legendary home of Waroth, a famed dragon of time long past.
She nodded, saying, "Paul will meet one part of his future today."
Acknowledging this, Medra replied, "And Mirinda is, as we speak, facing her future. I suppose she and Fabian will take Bertie. Oh, Samira, I never thought of that. All the while we planned Theodoric and Lawrence's downfall, we never thought of the outcome for Bertram. Lucy and Emery are the only parents he's known. Surely Mirinda, while I, deep down, want her to reclaim her son, will come up with an arrangement that suits both her and Lucy."
To this Samira said, "Medra, my love, I see a solution to this problem. Don't forget the true Blue Knight is now sitting in Theodoric's chair. He has inherited all. He is an honorable man, so I would not doubt Sir Edgard will have the boy's best interest at heart."
"Well," said Medra, her hands caressing the dragon's glistening black hide, "at least Griselda and Fergus are back together, as it should've been if Theodoric hadn't torn her from her one true love."
Medra, now shifting her focus on her draconic lover, caressed Samira. The dragon responded by pouncing on Medra, pinning her to the ground. Ah, a rough and tumble in the grass...
Giggling and moaning from Samira's every touch, Medra thought how wonderful things had gone. She still fretted over little Bertie's future, whether he will end up with Mirinda or stay with the Rivères. Yes, as Samira said, Sir Edgard will come up with a solution...
GO TO THE CONCLUSION OF "HEAT!"
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