Eulia And The Butterfly Dragon

Chapter 23 Treachery

"Thank you for meeting us so early," Jacob said softly as he took Eulia's hand.

"I'm not awake yet," Jo said yawning.

"What's up?" Eulia said.

"We really need to talk...privately," Jacob said as still holding Eulia's hand as he pulled her into a small anteroom and closed the door. Eulia was immediately in his arms. She kissed him smiling with mischief. Several additional kisses followed.

"Is talking really what you had in mind?" she asked coyly.

"It looks like this war will be over in a week or so...Euly I want to marry you right away. I don't want to wait," Jacob said talking very fast. Eulia had stepped onto his feet and had both arms around his neck. She was looking up staring into his eyes.

"I have today available," she was already breathless from their kissing as she replied softly.

"OH GOD, I want you so bad. But as soon as the hostilities end...yes, the first day it's over." He lifted her off her feet and held her kissing her. She returned the kisses and adding a few soft nips.

"What are your plans for me once we're wed," she asked.

"I want to take you home and simply live. I turned down the governorship because all I really want is to be with you."

"I have a few secrets yet to share," Eulia said softly.

"Just say yes, Euly. We can deal with anything if you'll say yes."

"Yes Jacob Henderson, I will marry you." They kissed again and Eulia almost jumped when his hands that had been roaming her back suddenly held her cupping her bottom pulling her even closer until he was crushing her to him. Jacob slowly, reluctantly released her, standing her gently on her feet.

"We have a meeting," Jacob said looking at the wall clock. They disentangled and straightening their cloths left the room. No words were spoken as they filed into the meeting and took their assigned seats. All three dragon riders were very quiet as glanced at each other and smiled.

"We have a lot to discuss today," Thaddeus said. "The chief imperial magistrate has sued for peace. This has been coming for some time. The marines have taken Somerset and the imperial army of the south has surrendered." Their was a lot of happy handshakes, back pounding, and for the dragon riders, hugs. "The three of us, that's you David and Jake will meet with representatives of the empire."

"I don't trust that bastard!" Eulia said.

"He is beaten and he knows it," Thaddeus said confidently. "Nothing left but to iron out the peace. I will still require reconnaissance flights. Oh, one more thing, the general of the southern army did not surrender with his troops. I imagine he is dead, but keep an eye on the area south of Somerset."

"Nothing there but Big Murky," Eulia said.

"I've heard some curious reports of marauders, keep your eyes open." As they left the meeting Thaddeus smiled at the group of six, "I bet this comes as good news to you all?"

"What do you mean," Jo said.

"You would have to be blind not to see what's going on between you," Thaddeus said smiling, "you have been discreet for the most part. Not totally however but enough to keep the rumors minimal."

"We plan to wed when this is over," Jacob said looking to his companions.

"Excellent, I'm sending for my wife. She loves weddings."

"We will invite you when we make our declaration," Eulia said smiling. "We have been corresponding with Amelia."

"You know my Amelia?"

"It's a small world," Eulia said.

*****

The plan was for the leaders of both governments to meet outside Huston-Whittier in a now abandoned rail station just outside the city wall. Each party would consist of three representatives and the imperial magistrate would relinquish all authority. Arrangements would be made for any imperial subjects to seek refuge in other imperial colonies and for the disarmament of imperial forces. The level of excitement was very high in the republic as unification of the continent now appeared possible. The formal meeting was planned for midday tomorrow. In spite of all the positive news Eulia had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She approached Jacob slowly. He held her tightly.

"Your trembling sweet thing!"

"I'm frightened, that's all," she whispered as she looked up into his eyes and then nuzzled her face into his chest. He took hold of her chin and lifted her face until he could look directly into her beautiful emerald eyes. He saw a few tears on her cheek and used his thumb to gently wipe them.

"It's almost over," he whispered as he kissed her crown, then her forehead, then her still wet salty tasting cheek followed by her nose then her lips, "tomorrow I will declare us to everyone."

"I want to be with you Jake."

"You will, just one more task."

"Can I come too?"

"You and your dragon?" Jacob teased. She nodded. "I love you so very much half-pint. It will just be six of us, as a show of good faith."

"If that bastard ..."

"Sh-h-h," Jacob said softly kissing her lips. "This is going to work, I want to spend my life with you. You mentioned Amelia will be here later today. The three of you were planning on getting her."

"Thadeus will be surprised, I wrote to her, we are flying her in. They have not seen each other in eight months."

"You have an hour yet Jake," Eulia said coyly.

"Shall we walk to the fountain? Have ginger ale at the inn?"

"You really are a BLOCKHEAD Jacob Henderson!" Eulia appeared angry. Jacob looked at her confused and startled. Then she smiled and her eyes sparkled, "Kiss me!" she whispered, and he did.

Amelia was excited to fly dragon-back to Dexter. She had never met the three dragon riders but they had written her and she felt like she knew them. They had shared numerous stories about her husband Thaddeus's and the progress of the war. Amelia had organized a drive back home to keep the hospitals supplied with wound dressings and blankets. She looked forward to seeing her husband and taking part in the marriage declaration of her new friends the dragon riders. Her sister would watch her five children and the new baby. Jo had promised to fly them all in once it was safe. Thaddeus had yet to see his newest daughter.

Jacob, David and Thaddeus stepped off the train and entered the station. Everything appeared quiet and Chief Magistrate Arsenio stood with two uniformed men. Then suddenly a large group of men rushed them from their hiding places. The trap had been sprung.