“Where are we going?” Jules managed the helmet straps with no help from Elouan.
Which disappointed Elouan somehow. “I just thought we’d ride, stop if we see anyplace interesting. What time do you have to be home?”
“Sometime this afternoon.”
Sounded good to Elouan. He hiked a leg over the seat, then held the bike steady for Jules to climb into what many referred to as an armchair, complete with backrest and padded arms. “One thing to remember. If we go into a curve, lean with me, not against me.” Jules’s thighs pressed against Elouan felt better than they should.
“Like banking?”
“What?” Elouan’s starting the engine garbled Jules’s words.
Jules paused momentarily, then said, “I believe I know what you mean.”
Elouan shouted to be heard over the noise. He really should have given instructions before starting the bike. Harleys weren’t known for being quiet. “Hold on if you need to, but you’re pretty safe back there. If you need to stop, tap twice on my back.” On second thought, Elouan should have insisted on Jules holding tight, just to feel those slender arms around him.
Elouan eased away from the curb, the Harley rumbling as they traveled through town. He couldn’t wait to get on the open road. After starting and stopping numerous times for red lights, he finally turned onto a secondary road, trading scents from a dozen different types of cuisine for open air and grass, with a hint of the ubiquitous gas fumes he’d always associated with Terra. A faint tang of wood smoke added to the mix.
Jules initially put his arms around Elouan, then finally relaxed onto the seat. By the time they’d reached the outskirts of the city, Jules wore a smile each time Elouan glanced into the side mirror.
Elouan had reacted much the same way upon discovering motorcycles on a previous visit to the human world. He’d come here a few times with Teron, via one of Sakaris’s portals, and had understood much of the language and customs, which he could only surmise resulted from a combination of one of Sakaris’ spells and similarities between Terra and Adrakus.
How much could a spell affect the human world? Could Daire and Anrai possibly be here, but somehow hidden from Elouan’s view? No, what would be the purpose? He’d have to trust Sakaris to look after all three Thorne brothers. Fate left no other choice.
For now. Goddess, he hated this helpless feeling. Jules chose then to hold Elouan closer. Jules, the man he’d protected. Well, maybe not completely helpless.
Cooler weather touched the trees with shades of orange, red, and yellow, and Elouan passed the occasional car drivingtoo slowly, allowing the passengers to marvel at the colorful displays. Leaf-peepers, he’d heard them called.
He followed random roads until lunchtime, when he pulled the Harley off the paved road, riding down packed red clay. He’d learned about this place months ago. Some work crew members came to fish and relax, but unlike the mountains Leon mentioned, access wasn't restricted to just dragons, so shifting wasn’t advisable.
More shady trees lined the road, creating dappled patterns on the dirt. Dust flew behind the bike, but no one followed to complain. A flash of blue came from ahead, then another, then another, until they left the dense trees for the lakeshore. A few oaks provided shade, along with a crude rain shelter. No other vehicles. Good. Elouan parked the bike by a grassy spot.
The sun shimmered on the water, creating patterns on the surface. So beautiful. Reminded him of a lake in the Andressian Mountains where he and his brothers used to swim—in both forms. He inserted Jules into the memory, visualizing his sleek form cutting through the water. No, Jules wasn’t a dragon, so he couldn’t return to Adrakus with Elouan.
Wait a minute. He wanted Jules there? Dangerous thought, especially since they’d just met.
His dragon clung to the memory a few seconds longer, emitting what might have been a wistful sigh. Elouan banished his errant fantasies to dismount the bike, and removed his helmet, holding out a hand to Jules.
Jules practically sprang from the seat. “That was even better than I imagined! I never knew the freedom riding a motorcycle gives!”
Try flying toward the ocean, caught in an updraft.
Jules removed his helmet and turned in a circle, mouth open and eyes wide with wonder. He sniffed the air. “I only smell trees, water, fresh air. What is this place?”
“My boss owns it. Plans to build vacation homes here one day, but until then he lets his workers come with their families. We had a few cookouts at the picnic shelter over the summer. I think this was a privately owned campground at one time.” Elouan had considered shifting here and at least lying in the sun several times over the years, but he couldn’t trust humans not to interrupt his nap. The thought of being awakened from a nice doze to the sound of screaming didn’t appeal.
So, he went to the warehouse alone whenever he felt the need to stretch his wings, even if he couldn’t fly there.
Jules raised his face to the sky, eyes closed, a beaming smile on his face.
“I take it you like my surprise?” Elouan didn’t need a verbal answer. Jules lifted his arms, a flower blossoming in the sunshine.
“Love it. Thank you.” Jules never even opened his eyes. He simply stood, soaking in the sun.
Elouan pulled a blanket and a mini cooler from the tour pack, replacing them with the helmets. “I hate to ruin a perfect moment of communion with the great outdoors, but you haven’t seen nothing yet.”
Jules’s eyes popped open. “Really?
“Yes. Really. Come with me.” If Elouan’s hands were free, he’d lace his fingers with Jules’s. There would be plenty of time for touching later, maybe. He led Jules over uneven ground to his favorite spot—an old campsite hidden from the others by a ridge. If anyone came near, Elouan would hear them long before they saw him. Jules strode by his side. Elouan took a discreet sniff of his hair, smelling only shampoo and sunshine. Damn. Still not a dragon.
