Hello, and Happy Freya’s Day!
It’s been a few days since we checked in with Derrick, Laya and the rest of the Order.
When last we left him, Derrick was leaving his meeting with the top men of the Order. Leaving I might add with the blessing of Randall Jennings which was no easy feat to achieve.
Now, he and Laya are on their way to the opening ceremony together. Let’s join them for what should prove to be an interesting time for all concerned.
The Blended Lives Chronicles Sides of the Order book I.
Words for alt text:
The cover is a deep, candy apple red, with the title, The Blended Lives Chronicles: Sides of the Order at the top in white text. At the bottom is the author’s name, Patty L. Fletcher, also typed in white. Above the author’s name and below the title of the book is a white skeleton key, taking up about 3/4 of the cover space.
About the Book
Lady Laya MoonWalker is a well respected author and magazine owner and a high priestess in the magickal community. After a drawn-out battle with the forces of dark magik, she has come into her own. She lives and works on Planet Korponious, where she is the owner and creator of an Interplanetary Magazine called “Blended Lives Chronicles.” Her mission is to blend the lines of race, creed, and disability that separate so many and to elevate the recognition of the training and ability of Service Animals of all kinds to a new level. She has just been accepted into the Blended Lives Federation and now hopes to continue her work in a way like nothing known to her before.
Laya has created allot of wreckage along the way through her dark journey into the light, and now she wishes to set this to right. She has just received her best break ever. Frank Prince, the CEO of The Blended Lives Learning Center, has invited her to the Celtic New Year Convention and Witches Ball as a reporter to write a story on the progress of The Blended Lives Planetary Federation. She will be their guest speaker at the opening ceremonies.
When Laya arrives at the Celtic Convention, she finds herself face to face with an old and dear friend, Blended Lives Learning Center Instructor and member of the Order of the Night, Derrick Gibbous. As they begin to connect, causing old sparks to reignite, they are tossed into a nasty battle from which not everyone will escape. People are not as they seem, and not everyone supports the side for which they appear to work.
As their love for one another grows, so does the battle. Despite everything, Laya and Derrick are determined to see their work to unite beings of all kinds succeed.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patty-L.-Fletcher/author/B00Q9I7RWG?
If you’ve not read the first installments you’ll want to visit the URLS below before continuing.
https://pattysworlds.com/happy-samhain-traveling-through-space-and-time/
: https://pattysworlds.com/all-saints-day-saints-or-sinners-you-decide/
And now, let’s head into the dining room. We don’t want to miss a thing.
The Blended Lives Chronicles:
A LADY MOONWALKER SERIES
BOOK ONE
SIDES OF THE ORDER
By Patty L. Fletcher
Independently published with assistance provided by
Dawn Blythe
Illustrations by Colleen Myles
Editing by Jo Pinto and Dawn Blythe
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright 2023 by Patty Fletcher
All Rights Reserved
Chapter Four
Opening Ceremonies
Walking back through the portal and rounding the corner into the lobby, all his questions and worries melted. There she stood with King by her side. The beauty of the two of them washed any lingering fear away.
Her lustrous dark hair was swept back, tied at the nape of her neck with a black velvet ribbon and brushed into a thick tail of curls. She wore a gown of shimmering red silk that flowed in billowing folds all the way to the tops of her satin shoes. King’s cream-colored fur was brushed to perfection, and his dark leather harness had been oiled to a shine that reflected the lights with such clarity that it seemed Derrick could see himself in it. How could anything go wrong?
As he started toward them, King began to wag his long feathery tail, and Laya moved gracefully to stroke his massive head.
He could barely speak as he reached them.
“You’re beautiful.” He gasped, taking in her scent. She smiled, and it seemed to him that the lights dimmed for a moment with the brilliance of her face.
“I was beginning to think you were going to stand me up,” she said in a low husky voice.
“I’m sorry; I had to attend a meeting that was called at the last minute. Being promoted has its disadvantages, you know.”
“I’d have never believed you of all people would’ve taken such a position. Thought you didn’t want to be the Vamp with the desk job,” she teased.
“Ah! So, you know of my career change, do you? Looks like I’m not the only one who does detective work.”
“I own a magazine. It’s my job to know things.” She folded her hand into his, and together they turned toward the large, cheerfully lit dining room.
Derrick stopped them just inside the door, giving the host their reservation card.
“Ah, Lady MoonWalker. Yes, come this way.”
Derrick smiled as he observed her enjoyment of the fact that the seating arrangements were in her name, and he was marked as an escort guest. She dropped his arm and began working King, following neatly behind their tall Elphin host. He saw others watching her in awe, and his heart swelled with love and pride. He no longer cared what anyone felt or thought. He would see to it Lady Laya MoonWalker, High Priestess or not, would be his forever.
When the two of them were seated, their server, a being of slight build with skin mottled in shades of purple and a slender antenna atop its head, appeared at the table.
“Good evening, Lady MoonWalker, what may I get you to drink?” the server rasped politely.
Before Laya could answer, Derrick spoke with no hesitation. “A bottle of your most exceptional Casimian white wine. Spare no expense.”
“That’s fine.” Laya laughed as she settled King beneath the table, turning him in the opposite direction of a group of witches and their squawking retriever parrots sitting just a few feet away. “Now Mother fed you, so you leave those birds alone. They, like you, have important jobs to do. They’re not dessert.”
King lifted his head from his paws and sneezed loudly. When he’d said his piece, the image of him chowing down placed firmly in his mistress’s mind, he lowered his head back to his paws and appeared to doze.
As she sat back in her chair, folding her hands in front of her, Laya smiled. “So, you’re going to keep your promise no matter your misgivings, huh?”
“Absolutely. Besides, the results might be, well, rewarding.”
Laya ran the tip of her tongue round the outer edges of her mouth, moistening her lips seductively. “Maybe, if you are very good, I’ll allow you to escort me to my room. And maybe if you are absolutely the perfect gentlemen, I’ll let you in for a good night drink.”
“Just a good night drink? No kiss?”
Her smile brightened, showing off the beautiful dental work she’d had done after Jack had gone away, and it seemed to him that she was more gorgeous than he ever remembered.
Reaching across the table, he took her hand. Her skin, warm and soft against his cool palm, nearly took his breath away. Her face glowed with a vibrant essence it had never seemed to have before, and her eyes shone sure and bright.
“You certainly are no longer that scared young witch I once knew, who didn’t know who or what she was.”
Derrick settled back in his chair, taking an appreciative sip of his wine. He allowed his mind to meander, and he was struck with the realization that from the first meeting all those years ago, he had loved Laya MoonWalker, but he’d not known of it. Maybe he hadn’t allowed himself to know of it.
Laya gave his hand a small squeeze, breaking his reverie. “A lot of things have happened to me since you and I last saw one another, and I’m afraid you only think you know of them all.”
Derrick gently dropped her hand and reached for the tray of wine and goblets as the server came back to the table. “I’ll pour. That will be all for now,” he said firmly.
Nodding, the purple antenna atop his head bobbing slightly, the alien server slid silently away.
“Asserting your authority, Mr. Vice President?” Laya asked, a sharp note of disapproval in her voice.
Derrick’s hand shook as he set the tray down. He wondered just how much of his new life and the changes which had taken place she knew about after all.
“You really do make it your business to know things, don’t you?” He asked as he regained his composure and set about pouring their wine.
“Absolutely. I can’t understand why you’d want to be a part of that. However, I find it quite fascinating, and up until now, I’ve not been able to get close enough to the Order to find out all I want to know. So maybe you can educate me, and possibly change my mind about a few things.”
He took a deep breath to steady his voice, as he placed the goblet of sweet Casimian white wine in her hand. “There is plenty of time for me to tell you everything you want to know. Let’s savor this evening. I will enjoy watching you work your charms on this room filled with such a variety of beings. This is, my lady, an especially important night for you. So, let us have a toast.”
He tapped his glass to hers and said, “To successful presentations, and new opportunities for all.”
Laya took a long drink of her wine, savoring its smooth, sweet, earthy taste and rich body. Then, she set the glass down and, unable to contain her excitement and passion for the night’s possibilities, began to speak.
“Do you realize, Derrick, just what is at stake? If things go right here tonight, it could mean millions of dollars for the Blended Lives Learning Center, and the beginning of a whole new world for us all.”
He smiled at the excitement in her voice, and the shine in her eyes.
As the evening progressed, Derrick made sure the wine flowed while a light supper of fruits, cheeses, breads, and meats were served, and they enjoyed continuing to become reacquainted with one another.
One by one, guests stopped by their table. Many people were extremely interested in the two of them, and Derrick saw, with great amusement, how much it annoyed her that he was not in the least bit concerned about it.
He smiled to himself at the way her eyes crinkled, or the corner of her mouth would turn up or down, her cheeks slightly flushing, depending upon the direction of the conversation. Knowing she needed every one of these beings to love her more than anything else in the universe for tonight and beyond, she made every effort to keep her voice cheerful and the banter light. They both answered more than their fair share of questions concerning what had been going on in their lives since the new government had taken hold, where they’d been and how all the changes had affected them.
He’d nearly laughed out loud at the look which had briefly shadowed Laya’s face when she heard the beautiful shapeshifter Leslie Speers, High Priestess of the Clear Bloods, prance up to the table. Then, he’d topped off her wine glass and placed it in her hand when Leslie began gushing, “Oh! Look there, darlings, I just knew the two of you would see the error of your ways and come back together.”
Spreading her arms, the flowing sleeves of her gown fluttering out like wings as she placed a hand on each of their shoulders, Leslie purred, “Why, the Federation, with all its wrinkles, continuing without you is an absolute impossibility.”
She grazed three fingers down Derrick’s right cheek in a gesture of kinship and recognition. Then, as Laya drew the glass to her lips Leslie continued, “You must come for dinner soon. After all, we will eventually work together. Don’t you think so, darling Derrick?”
When she’d clip-clopped away in her high-heeled shoes, Laya normally a respectful sipper of fine wine, drank off half the glass in one go, and growled in a low voice for Derrick’s ears only, “Jeez, does she have to be such a snobby unicorn? It’s as if she’s saying, ‘Look at me! See my beautiful silver horn?’ Makes me sick to my stomach. Speaking of, did she mark you? Rather bold, don’t you think? Why, if I were to behave that way, High Priestess or no, the mistress of novices would have me across her desk and I’d be howling like a first-year in moments.”
Derrick smiled as a vision of her across his study desk slid into his mind. He gave a low chuckle and slipped his hand under the table to stroke the inside of her thigh. “Now, Laya, don’t get your hackles up about her. You’re twice the witch.”
Laya tilted her head sideways and took a firm grip on his fingers, which had continued to sneak about. “Hmmm? Derrick, I assume that’s a compliment.”
Derrick cleared his throat. “Of course, my Lady.”
Finally, supper ended, and the night’s program would soon begin. When the servers had cleared the table and were pouring after-dinner drinks, Laya’s demeanor suddenly changed. She refused Derrick’s offer of more wine and instead asked him, “Please, order some dark roast coffee?”
He did so without delay.
“Would the lady like an enhancement for her coffee?” The server asked in an uncertain rasp.
“No thank you, I’ve my own,” Laya replied gently, noting his discomfort. She slipped a silver Casimian coin into the alien’s thin hand, in the tradition of showing appreciation, and continued, “Welcome to Casimia. You’ve done well. That will be all.”
When the server had gone, Laya chided, “Derrick, it’s not necessary for you to be authoritative with the servers. They’re welcome visitors and possible citizens. What would Randall say if he saw you behaving that way?”
“I’m sorry,” Derrick said contritely, which made him sound almost like the underling Randall had called him at the council meeting.
Watching her, he realized Laya had cut him off. Sipping the dark rich brew, stained only a shade lighter by her splash of Knox Coffee Enhancement, she became acutely aware of her surroundings. He noted that she began to cast a word of knowing, and soon she was lost in the magik glow of power that surrounded her. Her focus was fixed on seeking out those guests who would be the hardest to convince that donating to the Blended Lives Center was a grand idea. He fell silent and watched in fascination as one by one they were revealed to her.
When her name was called, he asked, “May I walk you to the stage?”
She retrieved King from under the table and turned her head slightly back toward him, then said confidently, “No thank you. This is something I want to do completely on my own.”
Once again, he watched with both a man’s and a trainer’s eye, his heart filling with pride, as Laya worked King around tables, chairs, and busy servers toward the front of the room. He enjoyed the long billowing skirts of her gown as they swirled round her beautifully sculpted legs.
When Laya took her place behind the podium and was formally introduced, the applause was thunderous. After a moment she raised her hand, and ringing a tiny silver bell from the folds of her gown for silence, she began to speak.
“Good evening. Welcome! I’m High Priestess Lady Laya MoonWalker. I’ve come here to talk about the Blended Lives Learning Center and all the incredible work the organization does, and will, if allowed, continue to do. I’d like to begin by telling you about what the center means to me on a personal level. When I first came to what is now the Blended Lives Learning Center 12 years ago, I was nothing like what you see before you today.
“I was a frightened young witch who hadn’t come into her powers. I was completely insecure, and I had no idea what awaited me when I arrived. I was overweight and lacking in self confidence. I was such a mess, it still amazes me I was allowed into the program.
“In fact, I lied on my medical application the first time just so I could gain entry. I’ll spare you the details of how I managed that.”
As Laya continued, the clothes she wore changed according to the time period of which she spoke.
One moment, she wore her beautiful red gown, her hair brushed and tamed to perfection. The next, she appeared to have on jeans and a clean but obviously worn sweater, and her hair was piled haphazardly in a multi-colored scarf.
“I’ve made a ton and a half of mistakes along my way, but had the center not come into my life when it did, I would surely have died long ago. The work the Blended Lives Learning Center is doing is priceless, but it isn’t free. It is for that reason I do the work I do. While I can only speak to the psychiatric and dog guide portion, it is my deepest wish to see this type of training continue for centuries to come so that more beings like me can be reborn into what they’re truly meant to be. Tonight, I call upon you to reach deep within your hearts and give as you have never given before. As I finish, I want to share with you how it was on that long-ago day when King and I first met. So, I encourage you to have your drinks refilled and prepare yourselves for a magickal tale. It is one you’ll not soon forget. I certainly never will because for me, although I’d been there before, my second time through training was a life changing experience like none other has ever been for me.”
Pausing to give the servers time to fill drink orders, Laya took stock of her surroundings. Then, with a deep breath, she quickly and silently cast the circle. Finally, sure things were properly set for her to continue, she said, “The beautiful dog standing beside me is my second. Because of an unknown virus, my time with my first was cut short. I was broken-hearted and quite unsure of myself when I returned for my second dog, but Derrick Gibbous was, and is, the type of trainer who knew exactly what I needed. He saw that my first dog’s successor was the perfect match.
“When I returned to the Blended Lives Learning Center a few years ago, I had recently recovered from a serious illness. I had been newly diagnosed and had not just blindness and bipolar disorder to contend with, but newer and more debilitating disabilities caused by infections in my body with symptoms like loss of balance, stamina, and strength.”
As Laya spoke, the lighting around her seemed to waver when what appeared to be a hologram began.
“Once our trainer, Derrick Gibbous, left King and I alone to get to know one another, the two of us entered a world like none other I have ever visited before or since. There is no other way for me to explain than to take you there.”
Suddenly the room shifted. Derrick’s eyes widened in surprise. What the bloody hell?
He realized that there was no hologram. She was using the art of allusion. They were all seeing what had happened on that long ago day straight from her memory.
Derrick’s heart skipped a beat. Looking up at what a few moments before had been the stage, he saw Laya and King sitting curled together on a dorm room floor at the Blended Lives Learning Center. The force of the memory wasn’t lost on him as he sat in disbelief, watching the scene unfold.
Laya’s voice echoed around the room. “Time didn’t move for me as I sat on the floor, petting and talking to King. Even as trained as he was, he was trying to accept a new person into his life. If he heard a noise in the hall, he would get distracted and whine for Derrick. Snuggling him close to me, murmuring in a soothing voice, I reassured him that he was safe in my loving hands. As the afternoon went on, he began to trust me. We both had a lot of love and faithfulness to give. My heart and mind opened to him and his to me. Then and still today, I knew and know that a dog, either Psychiatric-Guide or pet, requires love and reassurance just as any other living being does.
“I’m not sure how much time passed while King and I sat in each other’s arms, getting to know one another. I couldn’t tell you when Derrick knocked on my door and came back into my room. It seemed to me that King and I had escaped into our own private world, and that for us, no other beings existed.
“After some time, I began to come back to myself and my surroundings. I realized that Derrick was there and raised my head. I then turned to him as if returning from a long distance. With tears in my eyes, I said, ‘It’s as if I’ve loved him forever.’
“I still had one arm wrapped snugly around King; I was afraid that if I let go, he’d disappear.
I could hear the emotion in Derrick’s voice when he said, ‘I’m pretty sure it’s the same for him.’
“We stayed like that for several seconds, maybe longer. Me on the floor, one arm wrapped around King, with Derrick standing a few feet away, watching us. It was a moment I wasn’t quite ready to let go of.
“As I held King in the crook of my arm, the energy I felt from him was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I could feel his longing for Derrick. I could also feel his wanting to love me but being frightened to do so.
“Derrick’s energy was palpable. It too was scattered. I could feel his love for King, but his hope that this match would work was evident as well. I simply can’t describe it any other way than to say that for a moment, brief though it was, there was a triangle of connection, linking King, Derrick, and me.”
Laya’s voice continued telling the tale throughout the room, as images of Laya and King enjoying various activities flashed for the audience to see.
“Once I returned to Korponious with King, I faced many challenges. Some of them nearly cost me my life, but thanks to the all-inclusive training the Blended Lives Learning Center provides, I was able to keep the will to live glowing within my soul. Now due to a lot of continuously arduous work on my part and the love and ability this dog provides for me every day, I am currently healthy and whole.
“So I ask of you from the very depths of my heart, please give to this center as you have never given to anything before. Allow them to continue their work forever!”
Bowing her head slightly, Laya left the stage. The scene faded, and the room returned to normal.
One by one, the convention goers began to stand, and once again the applause was thunderous. As Laya made her way from the stage back to her table, beings of all types stopped her, shaking her hand or giving her hugs.
“Laya! Over here!” the reporters shouted over the noise.
“Lady MoonWalker! Where did you learn to create that scene? How did you overcome the abuse of Jack Richards? Can you give us a statement? Come on!”
Laya stopped and, turning toward the gaggle of reporters with a mysterious smile and veiled eyes, said, “Now, now, a witch mustn’t reveal all her tricks. I’ll be writing a complete article once the convention’s over. You’ll just have to wait like everyone else.”
When she reached their table, Derrick was standing along with the rest. He took her hand in his, and as he helped her settle King back under her chair and saw she was seated comfortably, he spoke in a shaky voice. “That was quite a performance. Who taught you the art of illusion?”
She spoke not a word. She only sat smiling up at him, and for just a moment it felt as if she was looking straight through his eyes into his soul.
Seeing the three of them together in that way had shaken him to his core. He now knew she was much more powerful than he’d realized. She would indeed be a challenge for him.
As she continued with her third eye to hold their connection, opening her mind to him, he enjoyed the feeling that being completely connected to her gave him, and longed for the day when he could make that bond complete forever. This was no child before him. This was a beautiful, talented and dangerously powerful witch. A witch who had, without even trying, spellbound his heart.
Once he was settled again, he set aside the coffee mugs and poured each of them more wine.
“So, you’re not going to tell me where in bloody hell you learned to do that?”
“Like I said, a witch can’t reveal all her tricks.”
When later the band began to play, he asked, “Will you dance with me?”
Taking a deep drink of her wine, she asked, “Why, Derrick Gibbous, you dance?”
“My Lady, you don’t think you’re the only one with tricks, do you?”
She finished her wine with a smile. Then, she tied King securely to the table and wove flows of earth to hold the bottle of wine and goblets in place so his movement couldn’t turn them over. Only then did she hesitantly allow Derrick to sweep her onto the dance floor.
“Don’t be nervous. Just relax and let me lead you. It’s not much different than walking with King. Just go where my body goes and do as it shows you.”
“Follow my Vampire, huh?”
They laughed. As the music flowed and his arms slipped lovingly around her, they were soon floating in its enchanting rhythm.
Randall looked around the table at each man in turn. “I’d say, Miss MoonWalker is a bit more of a match for our Derrick than we first believed. Terrence, do you still fall on the side of having the two together?”
“Yes, Randall, I still feel the two will do more good together than apart. I do indeed think she’ll challenge Derrick, but he’s a bit old-fashioned where certain things are concerned. So I believe he’ll more than live up to the task of handling her. Oh, they may have a few rough spots here and there until Derrick gets a firm hold. But once he’s gotten her used to having him available, he’ll have her well in hand.”
Watching the couple dance round the room, Randall said, “Well, it looks as if she’s happy enough letting him lead her. I wonder what she’d do with a dance partner who gave her a bit of her head?”
The men looked at one another, each of them smiling a knowing smile.
Allowing herself to relax, to better enjoy being in Derrick’s arms for all the convention attendees to see, Laya opened her senses and began filing the information they gave her away. As always, she felt that one day she’d want and not have them. So, best to enjoy and save them now. Breathing deeply, as Derrick led her round the floor, she allowed the scent of him along with the flowers decorating tables and stands wash over and through her. Lingering odors of fish, fruits and nuts, sounds of musical notes, the feel of the fans stirring the air, all of it. In the special box her mind had constructed for such things, she stored them away. If ever things should go awry and the two of them were separated again, at least she would have the sensory memories to enjoy, much like the photos found in the wallets of dead soldiers.
As the love ballad continued carrying them around the dance floor, she asked, “Will you truly do an interview with me?”
He placed his hand more firmly at the small of her back. “Any time you’d like.”
Swirling first one way and then another as the music ebbed and flowed, he added with a smile, “You misled me when you pretended nerves.”
“I did no such thing. I was nervous. You’re just a great partner.”
When the last notes of the second song had flowed away, a voice to their right spoke. “Hello, Derrick. May I take this lovely lady for a spin round the floor?”
Before Derrick could speak, Laya answered cheerfully, “Hello, Mr. Jennings. It would be my greatest honor to dance with you.”
To Derrick she said dismissively, “Why don’t you find our server and order more of that exceptional wine. I’ll join you when we’re through.”
With that, she reached for Randall’s hand. As the band switched to an upbeat jazz tune, she allowed herself to be swept away without so much as a backward wave good-bye.
For a moment, Derrick could only stand with his mouth slightly agape. Then, just as he was about to go back to their table, a soft voice asked, “Derrick, a dance for old time’s sake?”
He turned, and to his great surprise, there stood Angelina, dressed in a slinky black strapless gown.
“Come now.” She chuckled. “If Lady MoonWalker can dance with the head of the Order, you can surely spare a dance for me.”
Finally locating his voice, Derrick said, “Sure. Why not?”
“Oh, that makes my weekend!” Angelina squealed with kittenish delight. He felt himself cringe when she stood where she was and asked with no effort to hush her voice, “Derrick, do you truly believe you’ll be able to convince Miss Lady Laya MoonWalker your plans are pure?”
“Angelina, this isn’t the place for this conversation,” Derrick scolded severely. “Let’s step out.”
With that, he placed one hand on her back and took her by the arm with the other. He led her quietly but firmly out a side door.
As the music began and I fell into step with Randall, I asked, “So Mr. Jennings, since I’ve agreed to dance with you, maybe you’ll agree to an interview during the convention. I believe we’ve many things to speak about.”
Randall cleared his throat and smiled down at me. “First you must stop calling me Mr. Jennings. Every time I hear you say that, I expect my father to come floating through the door.”
I laughed. “Okay, Randall then. An interview?”
Pausing only for a moment, he answered, “We’ll see. What I’m most interested to learn is how you feel about Derrick’s work with the Order.”
“Well, as I told him earlier, I’ve never been able to get close enough to any of you to learn much about what you do. So, it’s my hope while I’m here that I’ll be able to learn a bit more. As you know, I find genetics quite fascinating and have done a little work of my own where that’s concerned.”
Swirling me around to the rhythm of the music, he thought but didn’t say, You know barely enough to be dangerous. However, in the right hands you’re teachable.
Instead he said, “Yes, I’ve read the articles written about you and your dog King. You’re to be commended, but I’ll be most interested to see how you feel about it all when you discover what Derrick has been up to.”
I landed skillfully with a light touch of my toes on the floor as one song flowed into another, while reading Randall’s thoughts. “Derrick and I’ve not seen one another in many years. I’m certain he knows as little of me and what I’ve been up to as I know about him and his work.”
Dropping the guard on my thoughts, I sent back to his mind, I might be dangerous, and I might be teachable, but you’d all do well to remember which part I’m more of and which part I’m lacking in.
“I believe, my lady, you may find yourself quite surprised where that’s concerned.” Randall gently trailed three fingers of his left hand down the right side of my face. “I also believe you may very well be the one to help things along.”
I made a herculean effort not to shiver at the touch of his mark. “Well, as you say, we’ll see.”
Later, when Laya and Derrick returned to their table and began to sip more wine, he asked, “Did you enjoy your dance with Randall?”
“Most definitely more than you enjoyed your private word with Angelina.”
“How—”
“Derrick,” She laughed. “You’ve much to learn. Speaking of learning, did you have any luck teaching Angelina how to speak quietly? You used to be less tolerant of such behavior in your ladies.”
Derrick reached across the table and folded his hand over hers. “Why don’t we get out of here and take a walk? You can start reminding me about what I do like in my ladies.”
“Well, I suppose a walk in the fresh air couldn’t hurt. Let me finish this fine wine and we’ll go.”
After collecting a snoozing King from under the table and bidding good-bye to several friends, she allowed him to lead her from the dining room.
“That was an incredible demonstration you put on tonight. Everyone was quite impressed.”
She raised her face for a kiss and purred, “Were you impressed, Derrick?”
“Very much. I knew you’d grown quite strong in your powers since we last saw one another, but I had no idea—”
“I spent a lot of time alone, Derrick. That gave me many hours to practice.”
He slipped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Laya, I seriously had no idea how badly things had gone for you until it was much too late for me to do anything. I’d have never allowed you to be so badly hurt if I’d known any other way, I swear it.”
She held him tight and stroked his back soothingly. “It doesn’t matter anymore. We’re here now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned over these many years of hardship, it’s that now is all that is important. I can’t promise you what tomorrow will bring. I can do nothing for yesterday, but right now I want very much for you to hold me and love me.”
“May I take you to your room so we can spend some time together?”
“Yes, I’d like that. I’ve got a marvelously old bottle of Korponious whiskey just waiting for someone to enjoy it. Let me relieve King and we can go.”
“Fabulous. You can tell me what you and Randall talked about whilst you were floating round the floor. I must say, you appeared to be enjoying it more than I’d have expected.”
“Derrick,” she laughed. “Despite the circumstances, Randall turned out to be a wonderful dancer. However, at the moment, I’m very much looking forward to spending time with you, not talking of Randall Jennings and what deviltry he and the rest of his Order might be cooking up.”
“Anything you wish, my Lady. Remember though, I’m one of ‘his Order.’”
Later as they made their way to the lift cars and up to her room, Laya prayed that she wasn’t already making mistakes. It was true she’d wanted this opportunity more than anything in the whole universe, but things were moving much faster than she’d expected.
Ah, well, She thought as they stepped off onto her floor and the lift closed behind them. Take a chance, My Lady.
This time Derrick stood clear, allowing her to open and enter the room before him.
Recognizing his manners, Laya said, “Thanks Derrick. This isn’t as easy as I’d dreamed.”
He trailed three fingers first down one side of her face and then the other. Then, he spoke with more assurance than he felt. “No worries, my Lady. There are no expectations or obligations. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.”
“Thus, your markings on my face?” Laya removed King’s harness and made sure he had fresh water. ,she happily tossed his ball across the room when he brought it to her for a game. “Do you mind?”
“What kind of trainer would I be if I advised you to put him up without playing first?”
“Well, you’re a man, too.”
“I am. This is true. But Laya, like I said earlier today, I would be seriously foolish if I leapt into a take-charge attitude with you.”
“I don’t know—”
She tossed the ball again. “Sometimes I wish I had someone to tell me what to do and how to do it. Oh, I suppose not all the time, but sometimes it would be amazing to at least have someone I could bounce ideas off of and talk things out with. Now, how about you marking me?”
“Just a precaution.”
“Precaution from what?”
Derrick sighed wearily. “I went against Randall’s wishes when I came to see you earlier today.”
“I assume he was displeased?”
“You could safely assume that.”
“Is that why he placed his mark on me?” Laya asked sharply.
“He only half marked you. Just as Leslie half marked me. They did it to let us know they’re watching.”
“I’m not sure I like being the thing that places you on Randall’s shit list.”
“You’re only one of several things which puts me on that list.”
“So, you don’t follow every single order with glee?”
“Does anyone do that?” Derrick asked dryly.
Laya kicked off her shoes and, with a flip of her wrist, changed her red evening gown into a pair of soft sweatpants and a matching top. Derrick found himself wearing a T-shirt and jeans instead of his suit.
“Hmmm? Having a witch around could turn out to be a bit helpful.” He smiled down at her.
“Only if you don’t get yourself placed onto her list.” She giggled as she wriggled onto his lap for a snuggle and a kiss.
“Hey, what about that old bottle of Korponious whiskey?”
“Derrick, sweetie, remember, my list. Besides dear, I think I’ve got something else for you to enjoy getting drunk on.”
“Don’t know about my getting any drunker, but I believe you’ve maxed out on that for both of us.”
She giggled again and tilted her face up to him. “Kiss me, Derrick. I’m yours for the remainder of this night.”
A headshot of Patty standing in front of a mirror. The light on the wall sits above the wooden framed square mirror. Patty is in the reflection, wearing a brown t-shirt and a black lanyard. Her arms are crossed in front of her and she wears sunglasses. Her hair is short.
*Note*
This photo was taken by the author by using the Metta Ray Ban Glasses, you see her wearing in the photo.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Updated November 2024
Patty L. Fletcher is a woman of passion and exploration.
She studies the art of manifestation and is a seeker of knowledge and the wisdom to know what to do with it when it’s learned.
From April 2011 through September 2020, she owned and handled a black Labrador from The Seeing Eye® named King Campbell Lee Fletcher A.K.A. Bubba. Sadly, after a long battle with illness on September 24, 2020, King Campbell went to the Rainbow Bridge where all is peace and love. In July 2021, she returned to The Seeing Eye® and was paired with a Black Labrador Golden Retriever cross named Blue.
PATTY’S BLINDNESS…
Patty was born one and a half months premature. Her blindness was caused by her being given too much oxygen in the incubator. She was partially sighted until 1991, at which time she lost her sight due to an infection after cataract surgery and high eye pressure. She used a cane for 31 years before making the change to a guide dog.
WHERE SHE LIVES AND WORKS…
Currently, Patty lives and works in Bristol Virginia
Patty is quite involved with The American Council of the Blind – ACB and its community.
She’s a member of Guide Dog Users Incorporated where she serves on the GDUI board of directors, the Election Candidacy Task Force, and is now the chair of the membership Committee.
She works with the Audio Description Project by serving on the ADP Performing Arts Committee.
Patty’s the creator and owner of Tell-It-To-The-World Marketing (Author, Blogger, Business Assist), The Writer’s Grapevine Online Magazine and the creator and host of the Talk to Tell-It-To-The-World Marketing Podcast, which have recently been reconstructed and can all be found in Patty’s Worlds.
WRITING GOAL…
Patty writes with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disabled from the non-disabled.
Patty is also a published author. Learn more at the links below.
LINKS…
All full length published works
Anthologies
Social Media
From NLS:
Pathway to freedom: how a seeing eye dog retrieved my life DB106095
Author: Fletcher, Patty L.
Reading Time: 9 hours, 47 minutes
Read by: Madelyn Buzzard
Subjects: Biography of Persons with Disabilities, Biography, Disability
Series: Broken and healed
Order in Series: 01
The author reflects on how her decision to gain independence by getting a guide dog helped her build a new life she had never imagined possible. She also discusses how she realized soon after that not all was right in her world. Strong language. 2020.
From the back text…
In this, the first book in her memoir trilogy, Pathway to Freedom Broken and Healed: Book One, How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life, Second Edition, Patty shares how her decision to gain complete independence with the help of The Seeing Eye Guide Dog school in Morris Town New Jersey reveals to her a glimpse into worlds she had never before known existed.
Once home from The Seeing Eye, she soon realizes all is not right in her world.
Watch your step as you journey down the pathway with Patty and Campbell. For there are many obstacles along the way.
There are triumphs and tribulations, tears, and fears. But through it all that forever guide by her side, King Campbell works tirelessly to keep her safe from harm.