Dragon Rider by Kay Berrisford

Author:Kay Berrisford [Berrisford, Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay, fantasy, romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2017-11-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The fifth time Ben peeped anxiously through the slats in the blind, a silver Skoda saloon drew up outside. The cab door opened, and Alison climbed out, followed by her two daughters, Lucy and Raven.

"They're here," said Ben. Cully was fiddling with a vase filled with pink and orange flowers she'd materialized, far more exotic than anything Ben could afford. "I still don't know what to tell them about Lyle."

"Tell them the truth," said Cully, hurrying to stand by Ben and peer out. "Lyle went to visit some relatives in the West Country and he'll be back tomorrow. He honestly will be! If it's any consolation, I didn't actually leave the cove until nearly dawn, and Lyle was safely tucked up with the rest of them. A jaunt back along the coast at a moderate pace is well within his powers, and I'll head out to meet him tonight. He'll be fine."

"If you say so," said Ben.

Cully disappeared into the bathroom, leaving him to ponder the alleged timings of Cully's journey up the coast, which troubled him. He wasn't sure how far west they'd gone, but if Lyle's phone call was anything to judge by, it'd taken at least twelve hours to reach their destination, probably longer. Granted, Cully could travel faster without Lyle, but she'd informed Ben she'd not left until just before dawn. That had to be seven o'clock that morning, if not later.

Yet she'd been on his doorstep before eleven.

That was pretty damned quick. Perhaps she'd used some kind of transportation enchantment. It all made Ben's head spin, but he'd no time to interrogate her about it.

A sharp knock sounded, echoed by excited giggles. "No fins, no magic," hissed Ben to Cully, as she emerged from the bathroom with… sweet heavens, pearly highlights in her hair that sparkled like moonshine. Cully rolled her eyes.

"Welcome!" Ben threw open the door and pasted his friendliest grin on for Alison and the kids. Lucy gawped up at him, twiddling with the pink bobble that tied back her light brown hair. Her twin Raven, the timid of the pair, wore her blonde hair loose and hid behind Alison's legs.

"Ben!" Alison fixed him with that disapproving, pursed-lipped expression she'd inherited from their mother. "You look… stressed. Please, don’t be. We won't be any trouble. Come on girls, in we go. Don't be shy, Raven, you know your uncle well enough… Oh, hello there!"

Alison spotted Cully, who perched on the back of the sofa. "Ben," prompted Alison. "Are you going to introduce us?"

"I thought Uncle Ben was marrying a man, Mummy?" said Lucy. "That looks like a lady."

"Lucy!" scolded Alison, smoothing her mousy curls. "I've explained how you mustn't assume—"

"It's fine, don't worry." Cully offered Alison a hand. "I'm Lyle's sister, Cully. Lyle's been held up a bit, but I thought I'd swing by anyway. I've been dying to get to know you all."

Despite Cully's overpowering handshake, which rocked Alison so her spectacles slipped down her nose, Alison seemed happy to meet Cully.

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