Traveler by Ashley Bourgeois Read Free Book Online

something sweet, hm?  Would you like that?”
    Sniffling, she looked up at him with wide tear-filled eyes.  “Dragon? What’s a...dick?” She stumbled over the unfamiliar word, giving him a curious look.
    Rahim nearly choked on his own spit. He would have to be careful what he said around her!  “Nothing, Bird...forget I said it, please.”  He wiped tears off her cheeks.  “and please...no more crying.”
    “ ‘kay, Dragon...” Bri replied softly, laying her head on his shoulder.  She sniffled a bit, but was much calmer now that she was in his arms and away from the other boy.
    Rah carried her into the castle, into the kitchens.  The portly cook, a woman by the named of Ginger, was always a kind soul; she would help out the little girl.  “Ginger,” Rahim asked, his eyes on her.  “Do you think you have a sweet or two for a little girl?  She lost the game of hide and seek, you see...she could use some cheering up.”  
    The woman, a mother of three herself with gray hair the color of steel, turned to smile at the pair of them.  “That I do,” she announced with a smile.  “Fresh pastries, right from the ovens.  Honeyed buns, as I know your mother is fond of them.”  
    Rah smiled and set Bri down on the counter in the kitchens, fetching her one of the sticky pastries.  “Here you go, little Bird...eat up.”
    “Thank you...” Bri mumbled politely, her cerulean eyes lighting up at the sight of the pastry.  She happily took the honeyed pastry from him, swinging her legs as she nibbled on it.
    Rahim watched her with amusement, taking an apple for himself and crunching into it.  He just wanted to see a smile on her face, that was all.  For this little girl to be upset...it cut him to the core.  How could anyone bear to see a small child cry?
    Humming happily as she enjoyed the pastry, Bri managed to get her face and hands all sticky from the honey.  She gave her friend a curious look, dark curls spilling over her shoulder as she tilted her head slightly.  “...dragon want some too?”
    He shook his head. “No, little bird...I am okay with my apple.  You enjoy the sweets, hmm?  For both of us.”  He and the cook exchanged a glance and a smile.  Rahim was well-liked within the castle, and though he did cause occasional mischief, he was overall a very good boy.
    “ ‘kay...” She chirped happily, swinging her legs idly.  Curious as a little cat, she looked around the kitchen with great interest, occasionally looking back to make sure her dragon was still there.
    “I’m not going anywhere, pet,” he assured her with a smile.  “You still have one more cake to eat.”  The cook clucked about, making dinner for that night for the palace guests.
    She giggled softly before finishing the last bit of her cake.  “It yummy!”  She remarked cheerfully, her good mood restored by the infusion of sugar.
    Rahim smiled.  “Good.  Now that we’ve sugared you up, little one...what would you like to do now?”  He was enjoying spending time with her.  She was fun to be around, and didn’t demand anything from him, unlike all three of his sisters.
    Bri was licking the honey from her fingers before giving him a curious look.  “Just play with dragon...dragon lots of fun...I like dragon...”
    Rahim laughed. “Hmm...I’m really boring, Bird,” he admitted.  “So it’s whatever you want.”
    Her nose wrinkled slightly as she shook her head.  “Uh uh...my dragon not boring...” She gave him a sticky smile.  “Dragon needs a nap...’cause he be silly now...”
    Rahim smiled.  “Will you come take a nap with me, then?” He asked her.  “Only if you want to, though.”
    Bri smiled back, lifting her arms up to him.  “Mmhm...bird go with dragon for sleeps...”
    Rahim picked her up, washing her off in the sink in the kitchens first.  He didn’t want to get all sticky.  Stifling a yawn, because he really was tired, he picked her up and brought her with him to his