Jack sighed contentedly. Everything was settled; the River Rock would have no surprises today. The exterminator had rooted out the last trolls in the basement, and the gnomes had gone into hibernation once the spring frosts had past, less than a week ago.

He'd lost his two best chefs that winter because of the tricks the youngest of the gnomes (she hadn't even left the triple digits yet, being only six hundred and thirty two) had played ceaselessly upon them. Luckily, Jack had convinced the retired witch that lived down the road to work for him. She had a great flare for cooking and baking, after living for over a decade in a cottage built out of gingerbread and candy she'd made, and hers was a definite improvement to Jack's hasty concoctions.

Abruptly his office door burst open, bringing Jack out of his quiet reverie.

"Sandra, how many times do I have to tell you . . ." Jack began saying the familiar words.

"Jack, I know, but I had to come and get you. There's an emergency."

He groaned loudly, so much for a day of peace. "What's happened now? No, don't tell me, the plumbing has a reinfestation of those maroon speckled tentacles. I won't be able to get the plumber to drive here again for a few days at least."

"No, it's not the plumbing this time. The Knight's Annual Convention down the hall is over at half past one."

"So?"

"So, it's one twenty-five."

"So?" Jack was becoming impatient with her. Apparently it showed through his voice, for she hardly paused for breath before hurrying on.

"Jack, that's what I have to tell you. There is a dragon in the lobby."

"No!" He ran his hands through his sandy colored hair, a habit he'd acquired after a few months of running his very unique hotel.

"Yes, and he refuses to leave. Something about his princess not coming home, or being late. I couldn't make it all out. He's very upset."

"Upset? But dragon's hardly ever get . . ."

"Never mind that. I need you to talk reason with him. He won't listen to me."

"Very well."

Upon reaching the lobby and seeing the dragon, Jack almost groaned again. Nearly twelve feet tall, the dragon's scaly head missed touching the ceiling by three short feet. His scales ranged in color from dark amethyst to azure blue and he seemed to be in the worst of tempers.

"So you're back, I see. Bring someone with authority? Good." The dragon turned toward Jack with an expectant look on his face.

"Sir," Jack remembered that it always helped to be polite, especially when dealing with creatures of high magic. "My name is Jack Reeds, I'm the owner of the River Rock. If there's anything that I-"

The dragon cut him off. "My princess. I want her back. Now!"

"Sir, if you'll please just give me a moment I'll gladly-"

Once again, the dragon broke in before Jack finished his sentence. "You're worse than the girl! I guess I'm going to have to go looking for Marisa myself."

The dragon turned away from them and moved down the lobby. He sniffed at the air before choosing a direction and vanished down a side corridor.

"Come on, Sandra." Frantically running after the dragon, they turned the corner he'd disappeared behind. Jack nearly tripped over the dragon's tail as Sandra slammed into his back, taken by surprise at his abrupt stop.

"Marisa, please come out." The voice belonged to a young knight in pale gray armor, (why they always insisted on wearing all that metal Jack would never know) who hadn't yet noticed the dragon towering not ten feet from him.

"Go away, Michael," a musical voice chimed behind the door.

"But I love you!"

"No, you don't. You just want to rescue and marry me because that's what you mother told you to do."

"That's not true!" The knight pushed the visor of his helmet up irritably. "Mother only suggested I-"

"Don't argue, Michael. Besides, I don't want to be rescued."

"Of course you do!"

"I'm happy where I am."

"Don't be ridiculous, Marisa." The knight, Michael, began pounding at the door.

The dragon let out a roar. "GET AWAY FROM MY PRINCESS!"

"Azrik!" The princess cracked open the door. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Prepare to do battle, o vile serpent, for the life and honor of the fair princess Marisa."

"Oh brother," Jack heard Sandra mutter behind him.

"Azrik, don't kill Michael. He can't help it if he's a silly, stubborn fool."

"Now really, Marisa," the knight objected, his sword lowering disconsolately, and pulled his helmet off completely. "Is name calling necessary?"

"Yes!"

"Marisa, are you all right?" The dragon was visibly calmer.

"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't call, but Michael broke the phone when he barged inside trying to 'liberate' me. I've been stuck here since I managed to push him back out again. I hope you didn't worry." She stepped nimbly out of the room and pushed a lock of dark hair from her lovely face.

"I was scared to death." Azrik lowered his head so that he and Marisa were eye to eye.

"That's what you get for forcing me to take a vacation I didn't want. You shouldn't have sent me away," she rebuked, placing her hands on either side of his head. "You need me."

"I thought you'd like some time off," the dragon mumbled, looking abashed.

"Well I didn't, and I missed you," she said fondly, and, standing on tiptoe, she kissed the dragon lightly on the forehead. Suddenly, brilliant blue-white light flared throughout the corridor, leaving spots dancing before Jack's eyes when it dissipated. He heard both women gasp and the clunk of the knight dropping his sword. Where the dragon had been stood a handsome youth with azure hair and amethyst eyes.

"Um . . . er, Marisa?"

"Azrik?"

"Yes," said the dragon youth.

"You have some major explaining to do!"