The Knight of Her Dreams

chapter Four



Julianna’s boots echoed as she walked across the spaceship floor to the nearby viewing deck. As before, she had no knowledge of how she’d gotten here, but it felt real enough. This time she was garbed in a skintight suit made of a shiny white material, with green and blue stripes across the shoulders. The outfit was also adorned with a gold belt. Her feet were encased in black boots, which reached halfway to her knees and fit against her like a second skin.

Hearing laughter, she backed closer to the observation port. A small group approached, a few women and a few men, wearing similar outfits. All of them passed by her obliviously, with the exception of one man who turned to smile at her. His eyes were a familiar striking blue. Slowly remembering the evening before, confusion surfaced.

Before she could react, he’d turned the corner with the others.

Deciding to follow, she’d only gotten a few steps when her hand brushed against something cold, startling her. Looking down, she saw it was a silver gun attached to her belt.

Removing the weapon swiftly to examine it, she ran shaky fingers over its metal surface. Several blinking red lights upon it only unnerved her further. She’d never seen anything like this before on Earth. And for that matter, if she was in space, just where was Earth? Was this ship hovering above it, or was it halfway across the galaxy?

With her luck, probably the second.

She gasped sharply as warm hands eased the gun from her shaking grasp.

“Careful, my lady,” came a familiar gentle voice. “You don’t want to accidentally blast a hole in the wall and send us hurtling into the vacuum of space, do you?”

Julianna looked up in shock. “You!” she exclaimed.

The man grinned back at her. He was dressed similarly, except that his outfit catered to his male form instead. And while she was certainly surprised to find him here, she couldn’t help but notice how well the suit fit him.

Still, she was unnerved by this strange coincidence. Could this be the same Dominick that she’d met the day before?

Sensing her confusion, the man spread his hands. “Aren’t you glad to see me, Julianna?” he asked, his voice expressing a touch of sadness.

“You know me?” she inquired cautiously.

He could only laugh. By Chaos, how long would it take her to catch on to the repeated coincidences of their meetings, and realize that he was the same person returning each night?

Still, he was a dreamphaser and used to such things.

His fair companion was not.

“Of course I know you,” he replied patiently. “I’m Dominick Westbrooke, remember? We met at a fancy ball yesterday, wherein some mirrored rooms you pursued me most successfully.”

“I thought we agreed not to mention that again!” she snapped, even as she put her hand to her mouth in renewed surprise. The realization was clear. This was the same Dominick.

“Ah, I must have forgotten,” he said quietly, strangely subdued. “I’m sorry, my lady. I won’t trouble you again.”

Julianna stared after him in disbelief.

He was just leaving without another word?

For a moment, she remained where she stood as he continued down the unfamiliar corridor, disappearing from view. Surely he’ll change his mind and come back, she thought. But he didn’t. And here she was, stuck on a strange spaceship, heaven only knew where in space, all alone.

She couldn’t run fast enough to catch up with her departed companion, although she assured herself she was only doing so because there was safety in numbers. As she rounded the corner, she kept going until a voice suddenly halted her from behind.

“Looking for me?”

Gasping for breath, she turned to see Dominick staring at her knowingly with a grin, arms folded. Oh, the nerve of him! Expecting her to come running after him, as he undoubtedly knew she would. If she weren’t stuck in the middle of nowhere, she’d certainly burst that bubble of his and continue running as far away from him as she could get!

“Only because I was curious as to why we’re here,” she assured him. “Care to enlighten me?”

“Why we’re here in space?” he asked. “Or why we’re together again?”

“Both.”

Dominick smiled, unwilling to give away the tricks of his trade so easily. “As to the space issue, it must have to do with the local alien threats to the galaxy. As to why we’re both here, I can only assume Fate conspired to bring us together.”

“Hmmm, remind me to have a long talk with Fate when I get back home to Earth,” she murmured. “Or should I say a long argument over messing around with a person’s life?”

“Don’t look at me,” he laughed, gesturing innocence. “I’m sure I know as much as you do as to why we’re here. Too many sci-fi novels I suppose.”

Julianna quirked one eyebrow at that. Sci-fi novels... for some reason that triggered a chord. But what would they have to do with why she was suddenly on a spaceship now, let alone stuck with this most infuriating man?

“Cheer up,” he said brightly. “At least you’re not alone anymore.”

“Except for you,” she retorted. “I’m not so sure that’s much safer. I’d probably be better off captured by aliens.” Her words trailed off as she walked to sit beside the observation port to gaze at the stars.

An apt choice of words, thought Dominick, considering that we are both aliens from different worlds. Although of course she didn’t know of his real identity on Chavernos. As to the capturing part, he might not mind doing so with this particular auburn-haired alien!

With her attention distracted, he was free to appraise her new attire, and it was a change he certainly approved of. If the gown she’d worn yesterday enhanced her surface beauty, this new spacesuit she wore emphasized what the gown had hidden. Presenting a problem all its own, since the damned outfit left relatively nothing to the imagination as far as her shapely body was concerned. One he’d like to be holding right now, and kissing, and caressing, and…

Shaking his head as he remembered Chaolyn’s words, Dominick moved to sit beside her. “Julianna, I didn’t follow you here to upset you. I merely wanted the opportunity to get to know you better.”

Her warm brown eyes looked up at that. “Why?”

“Why?” he exclaimed. “Why not? You’re a beautiful, intriguing woman who haunts my waking hours. I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day today.”

Her brow wrinkled, and she was about to ask where he’d been earlier.

“You there!” boomed an unfamiliar voice, earning the attention of both instantly.

A man walked up, followed by a few others, all dressed in similar attire to their own, albeit with different colored stripes, no doubt to signify rank or job assignments. The one who’d spoken was tall, apparently in charge, and wore an outfit with unique symbols along with corresponding black and silver stripes.

“What are you doing just sitting there?” he demanded. “You should be at your posts. We need all hands to help speed our departure to get as far away from the Warp Zone as possible.”

For some strange reason, the words sounded familiar, yet Julianna couldn’t place them. “What’s the Warp Zone?”

The man sighed. “A place our scientists should never have felt the need to study, since now we’re being pulled towards it.”

“As in a black hole?” inquired Dominick.

“Seemingly yes, but our scientists don’t believe that’s what it is. They feel the Warp Zone is a safe conduit to another location, akin to bypassing light years in a quick jump. But their information is all theoretical, and they didn’t count on it having a similar gravitational pull to a black hole or a planet. They were going to study it first.” The last he sneered.

“Scientific leaps cannot be made without such attempts,” said a small voice, capturing the attention of all. He was a man slighter of build, holding a foreign device.

“No offense, Landers, but this from someone who’s convinced himself he’s found a way to deal with the Rengar. Last I checked, those weapon prototypes of yours still shoot sparks more than doing anything useful.”

“Scoff if you must, Kyron, but one day you’ll see just how useful these weapons are.”

The leader clearly wasn’t impressed, returning his attention to Dominick and Julianna. “As I was saying, if that wasn’t enough, we’ve been pulled into a territory that’s under the control of the Rengar.”

“And who are the Rengar?” asked Julianna.

Kyron shook his head with a forced laugh. “A group of space renegades whose only goal is to capture space crafts, enslave crewmen, and destroy anything they don’t deem useful to their cause. How have you gotten this far into the fleet without at least being briefed on them?”

“She was transferred from a different system,” Dominick supplied, which surprisingly enough mollified the man.

“In any case, our monitors have just located one of their ships in our vicinity. You’d best get to your posts, and Landers, you have other duties to attend to.”

The other man nodded reluctantly, walking away, while the leader continued down the hall with his group.

Julianna was about to follow, but Dominick’s hand on her arm stopped her. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“The question is, what are you doing? You’re no more familiar with the workings of this ship than I am.” She couldn’t argue that, having no knowledge of how she got here to begin with. “So what are we waiting for? Let’s explore this place.”

Gesturing towards another branch of the hallway, he led the way and she followed beside him. This corridor was better lit and surprisingly devoid of other people. The quietude renewed Julianna’s former curiosity.

“Dominick, you never really answered my question earlier. How is it that we’re on a spaceship, and I have no knowledge of arriving here?”

“Space travel can be disorienting.” At the dubious glare she shot him, he shrugged. “All right, maybe there is a more logical explanation.” Waving his hand, a door slid open up ahead to their right, and he turned to her with a smile. “Something which is best demonstrated. Come with me.”

“I really don’t think…”

“Please. Trust me, Julianna.”

Without further protest, he took her hand gently and led her inside.

The room was moderately lit and large, but oddly vacant. For long moments, they walked about, their footsteps echoing from the emptiness.

Julianna turned to Dominick with a smile. “Mm-hmm,” she said finally. “Let me guess. You emptied this room by magic.”

“No,” he laughed. “This room never existed before now.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“It’s very true. We’re the only ones who know about it. Even that door wasn’t there until I conjured it. Its sudden appearance was only obscured because we weren’t standing directly beside it. And before you question this, I ask you to suspend your disbelief, and simply watch.”

Waving his free hand in a slow arc, flowers literally bloomed in the empty room. Not just one type, but an infinite variety with a rainbow assortment of colors. Julianna was too stunned to speak, left gaping at additions to the scene. Acorns appeared, sprouting into small trees that in seconds grew to be full and lush.

As the garden continued to expand, in the center of the room a small disk of water grew into a very large circular pool, with stone around the edges to encapsulate it.

After Dominick completed his sweep of the room, he turned to his wide-eyed companion. “Julianna, are you all right?”

“Yes,” she replied finally. “I’m just a bit overwhelmed.”

He breathed a sigh of relief.

“Good. By the look on your face, I was afraid you were about to tell me you’re allergic to flowers.”

A laugh burst from her before she thought, and he joined in.

The sound of birds chirping captured their attention. Several were flying around the room, including robins, bluebirds, and white doves. Not missing the possible romantic symbolism of the last type, confirmed by Dominick’s knowing smile, Julianna found herself blushing.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s beyond amazing.” She took a step closer towards the pool, but he prevented this gently.

“Wait half a moment longer, my lady. I have one more surprise for you.”

Raising his hand forward, a fountain of water sprang up, extending out to fill the large pool. As the water cascaded, it sparkled and shimmered with brilliant colors, unlike anything Julianna had seen before. It even began emitting a lulling, musical hum. At her questioning look, Dominick nodded, and she took a step closer, reaching a hand towards it herself. The flowing water felt completely normal, in spite of its magical appearance.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Much like you,” he replied.

Feeling her cheeks flush, she turned to her companion, shaking her head. “That’s flattering, but how did you do all this?”

“Magic.”

She sighed heavily. “Dominick, we’re both adults, and magic doesn’t exist. So seriously, how did you really do this?”

He reached forward to take her hands in his, his mesmerizing blue eyes locking with hers. “There’s something you need to accept first before all else. I wouldn’t lie to you, Julianna.”

“But magic doesn’t exist on Earth.”

“Ah, but we’re not on Earth, are we?”

“No,” she agreed, though her mind remained confused.

Squeezing her hands, he smiled warmly. “The truth is, magic helped me to find you here. It was the only way I could see you again.”

“But you barely know me.”

“Something I’d like to remedy, if you’ll allow me, my lady.” Brushing one of her auburn curls from her forehead, his touch sent a shiver through her.

Feeling her heart race at his closeness, she knew she should back away, but something within wouldn’t let her. Tentatively, she reached up to touch his hand, feeling only gentleness and warmth. Slowly, their fingers intertwined, chaste and yet intimate at the same time.

“I barely know you either,” she whispered.

“I can remedy that too,” he replied with a smile. “And what better place than a secluded paradise that’s ours?”

Hands still clasped, they leaned closer, seeming to melt against each other as they kissed. Each seemed to be seeking what the other felt, and like the fountain, their kisses expanded, becoming warmer and deeper. All the while, the magic of the room surrounded them with its bower of music and serenity, enhancing every moment they shared.

Slowly, an eternity later, Dominick pulled back, his forehead still resting against hers with closed eyes as he smiled.

“My dear Julianna,” he murmured, “It’s true I know more about you than you of me. And there is so much I want to tell you.”

She echoed his smile. “I’d like to know.”

“Where to begin? I…”

A loud bang interrupted the reverie, causing both to turn towards the door.

“Where the hell did this door come from?” a familiar voice yelled from the other side. “This isn’t even on the system’s directory!” A swift pounding ensued. “Get this open immediately!”

At the muffled sound of others approaching swiftly, Julianna turned to Dominick worriedly.

“Relax, my lady,” he whispered, smiling confidently as he made a casual gesture towards the room.

Taking far less time than its earlier transformation, the paradise vanished, instantly replaced by the original empty ship room.

Abruptly, the door was pried open by two officers. Kyron stood in the middle, his expression shocked and angry.

“What are you two doing here?” he demanded. “I told you to get to your posts!”

Dominick squeezed Julianna’s hand. “My apologies. As I mentioned earlier, my companion is newly transferred to this ship and unfamiliar with the protocols. I was merely showing her around the ship.”

“Under ordinary circumstances maybe, but with the Rengar threat looming nearby, this is no time for a scenic tour! Now get back to your posts before…”

Alarms interrupted, jarring everyone, while flashing lights filled the corridor.

“Too late,” one of the other officers finished.

Inhaling deeply to control his anger, Kyron eyed Dominick and Julianna meaningfully. “We’ll discuss this in my quarters later. For now, get to your posts, both of you!” In moments, he’d rushed from the room, along with the other officers.

“Should we follow them?” she asked.

“Considering we never signed on for this operation, I think it’s time we found our way out of this nightmare instead,” Dominick replied.

“For once, I agree with you.”

“There has to be an escape hangar on this ship somewhere.” Spying a small wall directory in the hallway, he strode over to identify the location. Turning to see a look of worry on Julianna’s face, Dominick clasped her hand. “Come on. We’re getting out of here, together.” She squeezed his hand gratefully in return.

The corridor seemed to go on forever. Fortunately, the people they passed were too busy racing about to ask further questions. There were distant sounds of explosions and gunfire, occasionally shaking the ship, but the pair maintained their focus on their destination.

As the hangar doors appeared, both breathed a sigh of relief. It was short-lived though, for the sound of lasers on the other side indicated some unwanted company would soon arrive.

“Back the other way,” Dominick said quickly, just as the doors started to give beneath the laser fire. They hadn’t gotten far when the sound of footsteps filled the corridor behind them.

“We’ll never outrun them,” Julianna protested. She felt his grip on her hand tighten, looking back as they ran.

Abruptly, everything shifted.

Feeling her stomach lurch, Julianna could only gasp as she saw the ground pull away. But more than that; suddenly, she found her head pressed against the ceiling. Breathing heavily, both from confusion and the height, she opened her mouth but no sound came out. As if prepared for her startled reaction, a warm hand was there to silence her.

“Hush, sweet angel, until our pursuers are out of hearing.”

Due to the high ceiling, the Rengar passed beneath them obliviously. In moments, the sound of their heavy boots faded.

She managed to turn her head to face a smiling Dominick, her eyes questioning. For a moment, he looked like an angel himself.

How? she questioned with her mind, since she couldn’t speak.

Another magic ability, he replied silently, removing his hand, while still holding her closely with his other arm. “I’m sorry to have startled you, but we had to move quickly.”

“I understand that,” she got out, shaking her head. “But we’re flying.”

“Levitating to be precise. Flying implies movement. However, that’s not a bad idea to get us back to our original destination. Hold on, and I’ll take us there.”

Shifting her arms about his neck, she allowed Dominick to carry them along the ceiling of the corridor, silently but swiftly. Julianna had never experienced anything like it, feeling weightless as they traveled, both nervous but also enchanted at this use of magic. Shutting her eyes at the pleasant sensation, all too soon she felt a shift as Dominick brought them back to the floor. The hangar doors were destroyed, leaving a gap wide enough for them to step through.

They’d barely crossed the rubble when the unwelcome sound of lasers filled the air.

“Get down!” Dominick yelled, pulling Julianna behind a pile of storage crates. Huddled together until the blasts ceased, he looked her over. “Are you all right?”

“A bit shaken, but…” She stopped, noticing a reddening spot on his arm. “Dominick, you’re hurt!”

“Just a scratch, and it can wait,” he demurred. “Right now, we have to focus on getting out of here.” Scanning the area carefully, he pointed ahead.

“Escape ships?” she asked hopefully.

“Just what the dreamers ordered,” he agreed, ignoring her puzzled look as he tried to edge around the crates. Another volley of laser fire forced him to retreat back again. “They’re definitely going to be a problem.”

“Have you tried flying over them?” a voice whispered.

Both jumped as they turned to find several men, including the science officer Landers, crouched behind them.

Dominick shook his head. “Where did you come from, and what are you talking about?”

“Now, now, don’t play innocent. You were too busy dodging the Rengar to notice us watching through the doorway to our laboratory. A pretty impressive trick, by the way. Could you show us again how it’s done?”

He sighed. “It wouldn’t be of much use here, since they’re already aware of our presence this time.”

Landers grinned. “In that case, maybe this calls for our prototypes.” As he lifted the gun he’d carried earlier, Dominick gently pushed it to the side.

“Whoa. From what Kyron said, that might not be a good idea.”

“Yes, but we don’t have time to continue tinkering with them until they’re more effective. At this rate, the Rengar will capture the ship, allowing the Warp Zone to pull us in while things are in chaos.”

Dominick thought quickly. “Then we’d better get these prototypes working immediately. Landers, let me try something.” As he reached out, the other man somewhat reluctantly handed the gun to him. Scanning it quickly, the gun abruptly sparked, and a blue glow surrounded the weapon.

“It’s never done that before!”

Without replying, Dominick continued to focus on the weapon, and it seemed to alter slightly in his hands. “Let’s see if this does anything.” As he stepped away from the crates, Julianna reached out an arm towards him.

“Dominick, wait!”

As the laser fire resumed, he pulled the trigger on the weapon, emitting a loud blast that knocked him back a few paces, while sending what looked to be an invisible barrage of energy at their attackers. Three Rengar went down, while several others scattered. Instantly, he re-aimed and took care of them as well.

As the room was blanketed with silence following the blasts, those behind him stared open-mouthed.

“Yeah, that should work,” he decided. Tossing the gun to Landers, he reached out to modify the other weapons that the stunned crewmen held. It took the same short amount of time to complete the task. “Take these to the bridge and stop the Rengar, so you can save the ship and its crew. If you play your cards right, Kyron will not only think kinder of your science projects, but you might even get promoted for services rendered.”

Landers smiled broadly. “We’ll do that. But what of you and the lady? Won’t you be coming with us?”

“Actually, the lady and I are in need of an immediate transfer. I got the feeling Kyron would like nothing better than to throw us in a brig.”

“Understood.” Landers gestured to the right. “That ship was newly fueled before the boarding party arrived. It should get you away, although you’ll still have the Warp Zone to contend with.”

“We’ll have to take our chances, though we appreciate the advice.”

Shaking his hand briefly, Landers nodded and turned to leave with the others. “Fare well, flying strangers.”

As Dominick turned, Julianna reached out to hug him, but he winced, holding her back gently. “Easy there,” he told her.

“Oh, your arm.”

Smiling, he reached out to embrace her with his good arm. “It’s all right. There’ll be plenty of time for that after this heals.” Casting a side-glance at the wound he’d sustained on his left arm, he wasn’t concerned. It was a bit painful, but at least it was minor and not his shooting arm. Something he could remedy shortly. “Now, let’s get out of here.”

Heading to the recommended ship, he helped Julianna climb its nearby ladder and followed after her, moments before a regular ship crewman came running into the room. The man noticed the bodies of the Rengar, but his curiosity soon focused on the fleeing pair.

“Hey, do you have security clearance for that?” he yelled.

“Seeing as we’re the repair crew, I would think so!” Dominick replied in kind. “Unless of course you want this thing to continue leaking fuel.”

“Leaking fuel? We just checked that this morn…” The man’s brief confusion didn’t last long as the pair disappeared within the ship, and rational logic took over. “Hey, I’ll need to see some I.D. numbers!”

“He can I.D. this,” chuckled Dominick, punching a few lighted buttons. The entry hatch snapped shut and the ship lifted slowly, just before lurching forward into space, leaving the crewman behind.

As soon as they were safely away from the larger ship, Julianna turned to her companion with amazement. “I didn’t know you could fly one of these things.”

“Who says I can?” he mumbled, just as a wave of laser fire from the greater ship jolted them. “Great. That guy can do more than just complain. That’s the thanks you get for trying to help.” As he attempted to turn the craft, another blast hit them, earning a frustrated grimace. “Just what I’ve always wanted. To be stuck a million miles away in outer space and about to be barbecued by Mr. Trigger-Happy.” He gave a withering look to Julianna. “Couldn’t you read something a little less dangerous the next time?”

Before she could question him, a loud growl was heard behind them. Julianna looked back and her eyes widened.

“Dominick, there’s something...”

He brushed aside her grasping hand, shaking his head. “Whatever it is will have to wait. I’m still trying to figure out how to fly this thing.” Another louder growl caused Julianna to scream as the ‘something’ in question attached itself to the back of their seats, one talon extended menacingly, forcing Dominick’s attention this time. “What the blazes is that?” he exclaimed.

“An unwelcome stowaway?” she gasped, as another blast of laser fire hit their ship, shaking the alien free. It gurgled in fury as it landed on its scaled back, its multiple taloned arms flailing to right itself.

“Would you still rather be captured by aliens?” he laughed.

“Well, not that type!” Suddenly a beeping noise, accompanied by flashing red lights, filled the ship. “What’s that?” she nearly yelled.

“Try our fuel tank’s been shot,” he murmured, hitting various switches. “Come on, come on... Doesn’t this thing have a spare gas tank?” The lights on the control board flashed brilliantly for long moments, just before they all went dark. “Okay, guess not.”

“Garunkk!” spouted the alien.

“Would you mind thinking of your stomach later?” snapped Dominick. “We’ve got a crisis here!”

The alien’s several golden orbs rolled about as if considering this, moments before its taloned arms shot out to cling to the sides of the ship. Humming a strange haunting melody, its skin took on an equally eerie glow, growing brighter by the second, until the creature abruptly vanished.

“What the...?” sputtered Julianna. “Where did it go?”

“Another universe hopefully. Now if we can just... oh, great.”

Julianna didn’t have to voice a question this time to ask what was wrong. The ship’s engines were dying down, slowing the ship until it merely drifted along. The larger ship was now farther out of range, and no longer firing. At first surprised, a different kind of jolt shook the ship.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

Dominick sighed matter-of-factly. “It looks like the Warp Zone’s gotten hold of us, which would explain the other ship not pursuing us.”

Completely unexpectedly, he began to laugh, which prompted her to stare at him with even more curiosity.

“We’re about to pulled into a black hole wannabe, and you’re laughing like we’re watching a space comedy from a comfortable couch in the living room. Am I missing something?”

“No, but this might put a damper on continuing our evening tonight,” he replied with a smile. “So before we might become part of the atomized universe, any last requests?”

“To be safely back home again comes to mind,” she whispered, rubbing her forehead worriedly.

“Hmmm, I might be able to manage that request.” Her gaze flashed back to his, searching for a jest that wasn’t there. “I am a man of many talents, Julianna. Surely you realize that by now.” Before she could answer, he put his arm around her shoulders comfortingly. “This hasn’t exactly been a pleasant evening, and certainly not what I’d counted on,” he said knowingly, as she found herself leaning against him. “Despite the most pleasant company, of course. Hopefully the next time won’t be fraught with such difficulties.”

“Difficulties?” she laughed. “You’re always talking in riddles, Dominick. Can’t you just state the clear-cut truth for once?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Why? Because you’ve led us onto a path to destruction? No, surely that’s not reason enough to doubt your methods.”

His laughter rumbled through her as he kissed her cheek. “All right, my dear lady, if you want truth, you’ll have it. This is a dream. A dream you’ll wake up from at any moment.”

“What?” she gasped. “I don’t believe you.” At his ‘I told you so’ stare, she found herself blushing. “Not to say I don’t trust you,” she amended, “but how can something this real be a dream?”

“Ah, Julianna... never underestimate the power of your dreams, especially when they’re combined with your very strong imagination.”

That can’t be! she thought inwardly. And yet, she did have no memory of how she’d gotten here to begin with. She also couldn’t account for Dominick’s sudden reappearance from... a dream she’d had the night before? No, that was impossible. It couldn’t be that simple!

“It is.”

Anger filled her eyes as she pushed his arm away. “Will you please stop reading my mind?” she exclaimed, even as she continued to wonder how he could.

“It’s a part of my special powers actually,” he told her. At the glare she shot him, he added, “While in this realm, they allow me to pick up on some of your surface thoughts. Just in case you were wondering.”

“Hmph! Just in case. As if you didn’t already tune in.”

“It comes in handy sometimes,” Dominick agreed with mock nonchalance. “Especially in the case of dealing with dream animals like your old friend Duchess.”

Dream animals! she thought, nearly laughing. This whole thing was totally unbelievable.

Abruptly, she froze. Duchess?

Her expression lost all amusement instantly.

“Duchess?” she fairly shouted, her eyes narrowing. At the infuriating look of innocence he shot her, she felt sorely tempted to strangle him. “Why, you conniving scoundrel. You are the same Dominick I met a few months ago!” she accused, her hands clenching angrily.

“Oh, didn’t I already tell you?” he asked lightly, snapping his fingers before she could reply. “Damn, I knew I’d forgotten something.”

Seeing his amused reaction only angered Julianna more. “You liar!” she snapped. “Why didn’t you tell me about this last night, instead of leading me to believe I was seeing double?”

Dominick folded his arms with a knowing look. “Because I knew you’d lose your temper like you are right now.” Realizing that any retort would prove his point, she merely glared at him again and sat back in a huff.

“All right, I’ll tell you the whole reason why I didn’t mention it,” he continued seriously, slowly earning her attention. “I admit that my motives may not have seemed the most honorable the first night we met, but I’m not the type to persist with an unwilling woman. You, however, seemed more than responsive when I kissed you.” His smile curled into a sneer. “Until of course you had to pull your little stunt of crushing my foot and mocking me afterwards!”

“Maybe you deserved it,” she retorted.

“And maybe you deserve an acting award for being able to change from fire to ice in less than thirty seconds.”

“Who’s calling who an actor around here, Mr. Westbrooke?” she challenged.

“Before you say another word, let me assure you that is my name, just as much as Dominick is,” he replied. “But to continue, after seeing that most unpredictable attitude of yours, you’ve occupied the better part of my thoughts since then. I finally decided to exact a suitable payback for your actions, and thus sought you out again.”

“Hence the dream at the dance last night.”

“Exactly.”

“Which also explains why you tried to embarrass me on the dance floor in front of everyone else.”

“At first... admittedly, yes.”

Julianna nodded once before giving him a cold smile. “I don’t believe any of this. People can’t just insinuate themselves into other people’s dreams!”

“They can if they were born with that magic ability,” he replied quietly.

For a moment, she was silent, and then broke out laughing. “There you go talking of magic again. Dominick, even if this was a dream, there is no magic in reality. Now why don’t you give me the real truth behind your constantly visiting me each night?”

“In the name of Chaos…” he murmured in frustration, “I just told you the real truth!”

“Right, and all this is just a dream, as you say!” she retorted in disbelief, turning away from him. “Excuse me if I don’t want to hear more stories.”

The anger in his eyes seemed to flare like a stormy ocean for a moment, but then it faded as he shook his head. “Very well, Julianna,” he sighed. “Since you seem so inclined to believe I’m lying, feel free to sit there and sulk quietly if it’ll make our imminent disintegration any easier.” Folding his arms, he leaned back lazily, without the least look of worry.

Not so in the case of Julianna, who quickly took in the impact of his last casually spoken words.

Disintegration? her thoughts echoed. The full danger came back to her as she sighted the ominous gas cloud, now much closer than before. This had better be a dream, she decided. Dominick’s peaceful expression seemed to believe this wholeheartedly, which made up her mind about one thing. If he wasn’t going to panic, then she certainly wasn’t.

Copying his manner, she leaned back parallel to him as before. He glanced her way with a smile, admiring her sudden bravado, although inwardly he wasn’t too thrilled that they only had a short time left together. Yet after the fiasco this evening, he’d decided long before that he wasn’t going to continue with any romantic overtures this night. Julianna had been duly frightened, and he wasn’t about to take undue advantage of the situation.

Surprisingly enough, he didn’t mind so much that their meeting had been mostly platonic this night, even with their recent dispute still left in the air between them. He was rapidly coming to notice that she had a great deal more than just physical appeal, with a most intriguing spirited nature. A fact that he’d have to be sure to keep from Riff, lest his brother become curious enough to seek her out for himself. At the mere thought, his expression darkened. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time Riff had interfered with women he’d known, sparking no end of fights in the past.

However, as far as Julianna was concerned, Dominick knew that he’d annihilate Riff if he so much as appeared to her, let alone touched her, or…

He glanced up sharply upon accidentally tuning into his silent companion’s troubled thoughts. It was a good thing his dreamphasing powers extended to this. Her earlier expressions of anger and bravery were completely gone, and she was now staring wide-eyed at the outer space, her hands white as they clenched the armrests of her seat.

She’s truly convinced this is real! he mused in wonder.

Not that she’d dealt with dreams as frequently and thoroughly in the ways he had, to nearly always know the difference from reality, his mind supplied. Their earlier argument faded from his mind instantly, replaced by a need to reassure her.

“Julianna, I meant what I said before,” he said seriously, prying one of her hands free to clasp it tightly. “This is a dream. There’s no need to be afraid of that swirling pile of interstellar gases or that distant garbage scow.”

Despite the many negative aspects of the situation, a slight laugh escaped her. “Isn’t garbage scow a bit too regal a title for that thing?”

“You’re right. A dumpster is more like it.”

He could sense her fear ease slightly as he pulled her close, and to his surprise, she didn’t back away or protest. “Julianna,” he whispered, “Whether or not you believe what I told you about where we are, I just want you to know that I am sorry I led you to believe we were strangers again yesterday. And truthfully, I didn’t return merely out of wounded pride from our first meeting. I came back, because as I’ve said, you haven’t left my thoughts since we met.”

Julianna gave him a skeptical look. “You didn’t tell me our ship was running low on oxygen too. Obviously your mind isn’t getting enough to think rationally.”

He gave a low chuckle, hugging her tighter. “You impossible minx! I try and compliment you, yet you turn my words into just the opposite.”

“Maybe because I find them hard to believe.”

“The only thing hard to believe around here is how a woman as beautiful as you can come to think so little of herself. A fact I intend to work on remedying, despite your constant attempts to thwart me.” At first she emitted a sound of challenging disbelief, but then simply smiled faintly. Even if he hadn’t seen this, Dominick could sense that despite her silence, she was softening towards him. “Will you forgive me, my lady?” he murmured against her ear.

She shrugged once with a smile. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to. If not, you’re liable to pester me about it for countless other nights.”

“Countless nights, eh? Hmmm… sounds interesting.”

“Now who’s impossible?” she laughed, rapping him lightly on the shoulder. A moment later, Julianna gasped as the rest of the ship’s cabin lighting unexpectedly went out around them, except for a dim red glow. Apparently, their ship’s remaining power was rapidly draining away. Clutching her companion against the near-total darkness, she glanced up at him with fear-rimmed eyes. “Dominick, you seemed so certain that this is a dream. Is it really true?” He nodded against the top of her head, and she relaxed slightly. “I trust you,” she whispered.

In spite of her words, Dominick could sense her lingering doubts, but was still gladdened. Just to hear her speak of trust was a step in the right direction, given her past history with the men she’d known.

“Don’t worry, Julianna,” he murmured soothingly. “When this dream ends, you’ll be safe right back where you started.”

“With you?” she asked.

A sad smile crossed his face. “Unfortunately, no. Your waking world isn’t mine to join you in, sweetheart. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until tomorrow night if you want us to meet again. Would this be all right with you?”

“Yes. I’d like that,” she replied, holding him tightly. She missed seeing his pleased expression over her quick response, but she did remember something from earlier, immediately releasing him. “You were hurt. I shouldn’t...” Her words trailed off as she noticed that the bloodstain on his arm was gone, as well as any signs of his shirt being torn. Glancing up at him in amazement, she fairly gasped, “It is a dream, isn’t it?”

Smiling gently, Dominick nodded, nearly laughing at his oversight that could certainly have convinced her sooner. Once he’d had a moment to do so, he’d taken care of quickly healing his arm, since it wasn’t difficult to do in dreams.

Gladdened that he wasn’t hurt, Julianna hugged him again, brightened by Dominick’s honesty but saddened by the truth that she’d soon be returned home without him. Even if he’d just read her thoughts now, she didn’t mind this time.

“Until tomorrow then,” he whispered, kissing her softly. “Now… close your eyes and relax. I won’t let anything hurt you.”

She nodded against him, following his instructions. A smile crossed her face as she felt his hand lightly brush against her cheek, while at the same time, she heard him humming a pleasant and unfamiliar melody, no doubt to soothe her further. It worked.

But as the sound of the ship being pulled into the unknown vortex drowned out the gentle music, Julianna’s eyes shut tighter and her hold on Dominick strengthened. She knew she trusted him now, understood that this was a dream, and felt confident that he wouldn’t lie to her about their predicament.

Unless… Was there another explanation regarding his healed arm after all? Had he just said those things before to dissuade her mind from the probability of this being the end? In spite of her best intentions, the fear crept back.

There was a thundering sound as the ship was being crushed, and Julianna screamed.