Free I Dream of Dragons (Boston Dragons) by Ashlyn Chase

the mornin’,” the little man said.
    Hmmm… Nobody in Ireland says that anymore. Finn scrambled to remember all he’d ever heard about the little people, specifically leprechauns. They had gold and powerful magic to protect it. They liked to play tricks. His throat went dry. “Good mornin’,” Finn croaked politely.
    “Can I help you?” the little man asked.
    “I—um…” He had to find Shannon, and if the little people weren’t just a myth and had her, he had to find a way to ask. Careful now, Finn , he told himself. Legend says the leprechauns are easily insulted. Don’t accuse him of anythin’.
    “Does your tongue work?”
    “Ah, it does. I was just wonderin’ if in your travels you mayhaps have seen me friend. About yea high.” He held his hand out straight, level with his nose. “Hair as red as your own, but long and wavy. Lips like a perfect cupid’s bow, and eyes as blue as the sky this fine day.”
    The little man scratched the short beard on his chin. “I can’t say as I’ve seen a lass like that.”
    Finn hadn’t said she was a lass. The man was either lying or assuming her sex.
    “I can see you love her,” the mysterious gentleman added quickly. “I’m sorry if she deserted you.”
    Now Finn was insulted. He straightened his spine. “She would never desert me. Never. That’s why I’m afraid somethin’ terrible has happened.”
    “Oh. Somethin’ terrible, is it? Let’s hope that’s not the case. Mayhaps you’ll find her—eventually.”
    Finn was almost paralyzed with indecision. Should he grab the little man and, instead of demanding his pot of gold, insist that he return his ladylove? Not yet. Not until he knew who or what he was dealing with.
    “We’ve not been properly introduced,” he said at last. “My name is Finnegan Kelley, but everyone calls me Finn.”
    “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Finn Kelley. You can call me Lucky.”
    “A rare name. Does it apply?”
    Lucky tittered. “Sometimes.”
    Finn kicked at a clod of earth in front of him. “I wish I had a bit of luck right now. I must find Shannon. She was to be me wife someday. I miss her somethin’ fierce.”
    Lucky reached out and laid a hand on Finn’s arm. “Close your eyes. See the lass in your mind,” he said.
    Finn did as he was told. After all, he pictured her several times a day. When the small man removed his hand, Finn had a sense of peace and calm. It was as if he just knew she was all right.
    “Well, I must be on me way,” Lucky said. “I have some business to conduct.”
    Finn nodded. “It was good to meet you, sir.”
    The leprechaun—or whatever he was—grinned. “No need for such formalities. I’m not a knight, after all. Not that you can tell from me appearance.” He chuckled and strode away toward the road.
    Finn gazed at the castle again. He only turned his head for a moment or two, but when he looked back, Lucky was gone.
    * * *
    “Brandee,” Amber whispered as quietly as she could.
    When no one appeared, she tried the other one. “Bliss? Bliss can you hear me?”
    She figured if she could get someone to find Mother Nature for her, she’d gladly take the goddess up on her offer. Being the muse of air travel actually sounded interesting—depending on what the job entailed. And her actual job was getting so rote that she was thinking of switching to one of the bargain airlines just to have a little fun over the PA system.
    When Bliss didn’t show up either, Amber decided to try the goddess herself.
    “Mother Nature?” she called out quietly.
    Rory’s voice answered her from the living room.
    “If nature is callin’, the bathroom is free.”
    “Crap.”
    “Don’t stink it up,” he called out.
    She marched over to the bedroom door and opened it. “You are the most disgusting man!”
    He had the nerve to laugh. “Aren’t you glad we’re roommates?”
    As gorgeous as he was, she would not tolerate bad behavior. This guy seemed to think he could do no wrong.