Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
“It was. We never got under the desk. Perhaps next time,” he suggested with a knowing smile.
She didn’t know what to say to that, so she focused on the gift. “Can I open it now?”
“Please do.” He set it on his desk, and she rushed to the other side to tear open the package.
“Oh!” The air caught in her throat as she revealed an ornate silver box. The size of four shoe box stacked together, the silver gleamed with an almost blinding gleam. A finely detailed dragon wrapped around the box as decoration with his head and gleaming ice-blue eyes on top to guard the treasure inside. She was almost afraid to touch it in fear of damaging it.
“It’s beautiful. But it’s too much. I can’t accept this.”
“You can. Do you not want it?”
“It’s gorgeous. I don’t know what it is?” she admitted.
“Open it.” When she hesitated a few centimeters from touching it, he assured her, “You will not hurt it. It’s hardier than you think.”
Cautiously, she lifted the lid, finding that it tilted back. The inside was lined with the lightest blue velvet. Unable to resist, she ran her finger over the soft fabric. “Nice. It’s a jewelry box?” she asked, seeing the divisions for rings and other fancy adornments.
“It is. I think it shined up very nicely, don’t you? It took a couple hours of dragon sweat and tears to take the tarnish off. The finest silversmith in the colonies made that jewelry box.”
“Like the US colonies?” she questioned, unable to believe it could be that old. She carefully pulled her fingers from the box.
“Yes.”
While she digested that, he added, “Empty jewelry boxes are incredibly sad. Let’s go find something to make it happy.”
He lifted the box from the desk and placed it on his shoulder. As Argenis reached for her hand, a memory flashed into her mind at the similar sight.
“That was what you got after we went swimming!”
“You are correct. The jewelry box was a new find for me. I took it to an expert to have it relined and then everything happened. As it was, I rescued it before they could melt it down for the precious metal.”
“Do you think they are doing better?” she asked.
“I know so. I had Keres scare the hell out of them.”
“That made them feel better?” she asked, studying his face.
“No. The water sterilization supplies he delivered to them did that.” Argenis tugged her hand gently to get her to walk with him.
“You’re a nice guy,” she said as they left the library and went down the hall. He stopped at that massive metal door with all the locks. “Let’s check in here to see if there is anything for your jewelry box.”
“I already have my locket,” she reminded him.
“Yes. But that doesn’t come off your neck, Little Sky. We need other things for your jewelry collection.”
She watched him open the lock with keys from a huge keyring he produced from somewhere. When he pushed open the door, she peeked into the area behind it and walked inside, mesmerized.
“I don’t even know what to say,” she whispered.
Ciel couldn’t even see the far end of the room. Here and there were collections of precious items. A pile of silver coins competed with an equally high jumble of gold ones.
“Welcome to my lair. I’m going to set your jewelry box here and we’ll find a few favorites to fill it. First, I have a tradition. Scoot over there and then come join me.”
Baffled and curious, Ciel followed his directions. She turned back around to see the immense silver dragon walk into the middle of the coins and drop to his belly. The floor shook from the impact. Her jaw dropped open as he rolled on the coins, scattering them in a delightful tinkling sound.
Come, Little Sky. Have fun on your birthday.
A giggle burst from her lips and Ciel ran forward to climb up to the top of the silver coins. She sat down, feeling like the queen of the hill. Giving into an impulse, she pushed off and slid on her bottom, riding a cascade of money. She couldn’t contain her laughter at the crazy way to enjoy his money. Finally at the bottom, she stretched out on her back. Ciel grabbed handfuls of coins next to her and let them cascade to the ground.
Argenis nudged a small pile her way before resting his head on his horde and inhaling deeply as he watched her. His shiny silver scales reflected the glow from the lights. He actually blended in with the treasure in a few places.
Sitting up, Ciel scooted over to sit next to his head. The coins below her were cold for an instant or so and then warmed. Ciel reached out a hand to slide over his scales on his head. His eyes closed partially, and that deep rumble escaped once again. She didn’t comment on it. Ciel had already discovered that Argenis only made that sound when he enjoyed life. It made her smile. She loved that he shared this private joy with him.