<*Please Lacey... let me talk to you and explain....*>


Naomi sent the thought out not knowing if it would reach her sister, or if
it did whether Lacey would answer her.


>(There is nothing to explain, Naomi. I understand. You couldn't help it)  


Lacey's return thought was fuzzy and distant, but Naomi was so relieved she
caught her breath on a sob.  At least Lacey would talk to her about it.  She
picked up the picture of her sister's location and urged Amethyst to hurry,
wanting to get things sorted out without further delay.


Minutes later she and Amethyst landed beside Garnet.  Slipping from
Amethyst's back, Naomi stood awkwardly, wondering what she could say that
wouldn't sound false.  Lacey burst into tears and threw herself into her
sister's arms.


"Oh, Naomi.  I think I'm falling in love with him!"  she sobbed as if her
heart were breaking.  "But what chance do I have after this...."


Naomi held her close, patting her back, trying to comfort the distraught girl.  


"Lacey... Lacey.  It didn't mean anything to him love.  Come on now"  she
hushed her little sister  "It was a mating flight... nothing else.  He feels
nothing for me... it was the bond between him and Calindeth...."


"But suppose he decides that he prefers you?"  Lacey asked between sobs
"You're so much prettier...."


"Hey now... enough of that kind of talk!"  Naomi lifted Lacey's chin and
made the girl look her in the eye.  "You've got everything going for you.
You're prettier and younger and you don't have this awful red hair I'm
cursed with.  Can you remember Dad teasing me about my hair?  I always
envied you... pretty hair, beautiful skin that doesn't get these horrid
freckles, and you're younger... why wouldn't he prefer you?"


"But you've had more experience than me..."  Lacey was still trying to find
reasons that Darrkon would prefer her sister


"Who did he choose to spend his time with before this Lacey?  I didn't see
him hanging round me every minute I was free, did you?"


"Oh I never thought of that."  Lacey said in a small voice  "he did spend
all his free time with me didn't he?"


"So why would he suddenly transfer his affections baby sister?  Mind you,
you're growing up faster than I'd realised.  Does he really mean that much
to you?"


Lacey nodded, and hiccupped quietly as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"I didn't realise just how much I liked him until last night." she sighed
"Do you really think he might feel the same way about me, Naomi?"


"What man in his right mind wouldn't?  I told you.... it was dragon-induced
passion on his part.  Nothing more!"  Naomi reassured her


"Oh I really hope so.  I thought... well I thought you might be interested
in him...."


Crossing her fingers against the blatant lie she was about to tell, Naomi
said....


"Good grief Lacey.  I'm much too busy to worry about any man... let alone
Darrkon!"


*I do not think you should lie so.*  Amethyst scolded her  *You felt
attracted to him before last night....*


*Shut up Amethyst!*  Naomi said abruptly  *And don't tell anyone...ever...
how I feel about him.  My sister trusts me and I'd do anything to stop her
being hurt.*


*And what of your hurts?*  her dragon countered


*Just shut up Amethyst.  This is my secret... and if you ever tell anyone at
all...* her tone held a warning that the Queen heeded


"Come on Lacey."  Naomi said aloud  "Let's get you back to the Warren and
cleaned up a bit before you go see Darrkon.  I bet he's waiting for you
right now....."


With a final hug, the sisters went to their dragons and 'ported back to the
Warren.


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst  


NRPG  Tag Kat!


Kris... I'll have a post out sometime tomorrow dealing with Harkon and co

Louise.. I'll have M'lent Search Piper sometime tomorrow too!  I'm glad you
decided to join us  <g>
-- 
Les

the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin        T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage         Broken Lands      Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands

Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands