Chapter Thirty-One
Ahearn
From the moment that I’d opened the official-looking envelope delivered by a local courier, relief had flooded my very soul. Instead of having to use the strong-arm techniques I’d threatened in my desperate bid for another chance with him, Bari had simply agreed to come home. Granted, he’d set a time frame of three days after his attorney had filed the notice, but that gave me plenty of time to set preparations in motion to properly welcome him home.
It was nearly midnight on the third day when yapping from one of the hounds I kept alerted me to Bari’s arrival. I stepped out onto the porch as the form of a dragon drifted in front of the full moon, the sight causing an odd itch deep in my chest. I watched from the shadows as the magnificent creature slid through the air, swooping and gliding as he rode the invisible winds before finally settling on the lawn. Bari’s wicked talons pierced the ground easily as he landed and stretched his wings before folding them along his back and gracefully lowering his head to rest on his breast.
Something fluttered inside my chest as I watched the moonlight dance over him, his deep red scales nearly glowing in the night. If I’d stopped to name it, I would have called it a remembered feeling as opposed to a memory, a fullness in my chest that assured me I knew this amazing creature well. When several minutes passed and Bari hadn’t moved, I began to walk toward him, clearing my throat gently so as not to startle him. The barest twitch of the scales bordering Bari’s hidden ear holes was the only indication that he’d heard me as he held his position.
“Bari? Are you going to shift?”
Immediately the air around us began to swirl with the essence that gives all dragons their magic, almost imperceivable to other beings, to dragons it is a nearly overwhelming cacophony of lights and sounds. When it cleared, Bari was kneeling before me, his eyes closed, head tilted back with his hands clasped lightly behind his back.
Bari was naked, of course, and while his stomach had nearly returned to its pre-pregnancy size, there was no shortage of plump flesh covered by smooth skin to tempt me. When he shivered in the cool air, I shook off my stupor and stepped closer, hoping the darkness would hide the obvious tenting of my trousers.
“Bari?” I couldn’t help the concern that crept into my voice. “What are you doing?”
“As promised, I have returned to accept my retribution,” he said softly.
Retribution? As the word triggered warnings in my mind, I suddenly realized that he had come empty handed. There wasn’t so much as a travel bag to hold his clothing, which was odd if he intended to stay. “Bari, where are your belongings?”
“I disposed of them,” he responded calmly. “If you wish them returned to you, they are in the storage cellar at Brigid’s home. She isn’t aware that I left them there, so you may have to explain why you are asking her about them.”
Iwould need to explain? Why would I be the one calling? And why hadn’t he brought them with him? Shaking my head, I winced at the dull ache starting there, an unpleasant reminder of my head injury. “Bari, would you please accompany me into the house?”
The startled flicker of Bari’s eyes as he raised his head made the disquiet balling in my gut grow. He hesitantly accepted my hand and allowed me to help him to his feet, following me into the manor without a word.
“Why don’t you go into the parlor?” I suggested, glad that I had decided to keep the fire burning despite the late hour.
Bari padded silently from the room, his bare feet barely whispering on the kitchen tile as he went. Plugging in the electric kettle, I reached for the box of spiced tea that he’d enjoyed each evening before his sudden departure. With the two steaming mugs in hand, I made to follow him into the parlor, stopping short when I found him back on his knees in the center of the room instead of cozied up on the sofa, wrapped in one of the blankets as I’d expected.
“I made you tea,” I announced unnecessarily, floundering at how to address his odd behavior. “Or would you like a snack?”
“No, thank you,” Bari’s voice was still quiet but strong. “If it’s no bother, I’d prefer to simply get on with it, Sir.”
Get on withwhat?Placing the tea on the table by the sofa, I studied the Omega carefully. He seemed well enough, unless one considered the dark bruises under his eyes. Perhaps he was simply overtired?
“Tomorrow will be soon enough,” I said firmly. “It’s late and it seems that you’ve flown far. If you’re not hungry or thirsty, I’d have you retire for the night.”
Bari’s eyes widened in horror as they flew to me, his mouth gaping before he snapped it shut. He swallowed hard. “As you wish, Sir.” He stumbled to his feet before I could assist him. “Where do you wish me to go?”
Again, I was confused by the question. “You can use whatever bedchamber you wish,” I finally said, forcing back the desire to recommend mine. He was clearly in no mindset for the seduction I had hoped to begin upon his arrival. “We will proceed in the morning.”
A shiver ran down Bari’s body and he swallowed hard. “As you command.”
I was still staring after him in disbelief when I heard a door close down the hall. What on earth was going on? Realizing that Bari still had no clothing, I went to my closet and selected a few of my warmer winter things before knocking lightly on the door to the guest room, the only door that was closed.
“Come in.” Bari’s muffled voice barely came through the door.
Pushing it open, I found myself starting again. Instead of climbing into the bed and burrowing under the warm covers, he knelt shivering before the open window, his cold skin goose-pimpled.
“What are you doing?” I huffed, dropping the clothes on the bed and rushing over to close the window. “You’re going to catch your death of cold!”
Bari mumbled something under his breath that almost sounded like a comment about irony. I raised a brow and he bit down on his lip.
Holding back a sigh, I gestured to the bed. “Please get dressed and then get under the covers,” I said, trying to soften the order with a smile. “You’ll need your rest for tomorrow.”
I waited as he dutifully did as I’d asked, dressing in the flannel pajamas and then laying flat on his back with the blankets pulled to his chin. “Thank you. Sleep well.” I paused on my way out. “And Bari, please leave the window closed and stay in the bed.”
At his affirmative response, I closed the door behind me to return to the parlor and my decanter of brandy. If this day didn’t call for a drink, then none ever had.
