Page 9 of Mistletoe Wishes and Dragon Kisses

“Yeah, I got this.” Sighing again, he added, forcing a chuckle he didn’t feel, “Or, at the very least, I’m gonna try to get it all together. Talk to ya’ later.”

“Oh, yeah, you will.”

Disconnecting the call, he tossed the cell phone onto the couch and fell back into his favorite, overstuffed, comfy chair. Lifting his feet onto the matching ottoman, he put the thumb of his left hand on one temple and the forefinger on the other, trying with all his might to rub away the tension.

After five minutes of aggressive massaging, the tension in his head only got worse, and damn it all to Hell, if it wasn't moving into his neck. It was time for drastic measures.

It was time to talk to the one person–make thatone Being–who knew him as well as he knew himself and somehow always had the answers. Dropping his hand, he let his head fall backagainst the soft cushion of the chair and thought the words he wanted to say to the Dragon King with whom he shared his soul.

“Okay, Old Man, let’s come up with a game plan. I need to get to Glo sooner rather than later, and I know you’ve got ideas. So, how should I…?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

“Technically, I didn’t,”Chris chuckled.“You started talkin’ before I got that far.”

“Indeed, I did,”Rí chuckled, the sound of his deep rumbling laughter like rocks rolling around in a dryer. “And with good reason. As you say, I have thoughts–many thoughts on this matter.”

“I knew you did. You always do. So, hit me. I’m ready.”

“I think you should start at the beginning.”The Dragon King’s thick, Scottish brogue was more prominent than ever. A clear indication that Ríoghnán meant business.

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Indeed,”the Dragon King offhandedly agreed before continuing without so much as a pause.“And although you won’t like it, I believe you should approach it as Liam suggested, and Mick agreed."

“You, the King of the Great Dearg Dragons of the Scottish Highlands, want me to tell Glo a joke? Do you even…?"

“No, I most certainly am not advocating you tell your Mate a joke after you haven’t seen her for decades. I am advising you to explain everything that has transpired by telling Miss Gloria a story.”

“Wow! I never thought…”Chris stopped. Changed mental directions. Then asked,“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously,”Rí confirmed with an oomph of Magic, assuring the Guardsman knew he meant business."The best way to start your explanation, story, apology, or whatever youchoose to call it, is with Gloria’s very own Auntie, the Head Elder of the Brown Family Coven, Eleanor.”

“So, you’re saying I should start by telling her about the…”

“Yes, you should start by giving her your perspective on the Null Conundrum as it relates to personal experience and, most importantly, Eleanor Brown. Not only is it something Miss Gloria is familiar with, but you will also be talking about her Family. Remember, Lad, everyone, no matter who they are–enjoys hearing about the people and things they love the most. It bolsters their self-assurance to have it confirmed that they are surrounded by people who know what they’re doing, that those same people are doing it right, and that those people are the ones they love and admire.”

“You might have a point there, Old Man.”

“I am glad you agree.”Pausing, it took the Dragon King a couple of seconds to continue. Chris thought about asking questions, about offering a few suggestions, then decided against it right before Rí started again.“Now, would you like to hear how I would deliver the information to the woman made for you by the Universe?”

“Sure,”Chris happily agreed.“I’m surprised you asked. Usually, you just go ahead and do your thing without warning.”

“I do not always ‘do my thing without warning,' as you so eloquently put it. You usually wait until the last possible moment to seek my advice–or even listen to it–and therefore, I am forced to exert my time-honored wisdom unto you with more effort than would normally be needed.”

The sarcasm in Rí’s tone was a living, breathing entity, but it was the chuckle the Ancient Dragon King tried to hide that made Chris feel better, which made him pay even closer attention. And just like that, Rí was right back at it.

“It would be more accurate to say that I take initiative when the situation demands it. It is and has always been my job to make sure you are focused and prepared for every situation. We not only share a soul but a mind and a psyche. Suffice it to say, what you do affects me, and what I do affects you–and that is the way it will always be. So, I do not think of how I do what I do as overbearing but as the ounce of prevention needed to keep us from frantically searching for a cure that will keep us alive. However, on this occasion, I know how much you have pondered the correct way to speak to your Mate. I also know how very much it means to you. Therefore, I am trying to tread softly, and I waited until you approached me.”

“Wow,”Chris breathed.“I am really impressed, Old Man.”

“Thank you, Christopher.”Gratitude filled their combined psyche, and the fact that it was accompanied by a good amount of comradery made the Guardsman feel better.

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the Dragon King started again with the authority of the Monarch he was, and the sound of the Highlands woven into every syllable.“You must go to Miss Gloria.”

“Well, duh, there, Old Man. It didn’t think….”

“That is correct,”Rí sniffed disapprovingly.“You did not think.”

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