by E. J. Krause
She fought back a gasp, and her eyes went wide. Yes, she did love him. She told him as much in the necromancer's realm, but that was more out of fear something bad would happen to one of them. But this? This was real, too real, and it scared her. According to what Mom had explained, his touch, his kisses, shouldn't feel this strong with just their minor binding. They were synced up, but not as powerfully as she felt all the time around him. So what did it mean? Were they truly destined to be together? Beyond the dragon-Dragon Guard relationship? Yeah, like she said, scary.
Ben stopped and wiped his eyes on the back of his hand. "What is it?"
She didn't quite understand the question. "What do you mean? I should be asking you that."
"No, something startled you. I felt it."
Oh. Yeah, he would have. But she couldn't tell him her revelation, not yet. Not until she had time to think about it, examine what her feelings meant. Luckily a little white lie, and not even that much of one, popped into her head. "I don't know. I guess it was because you were so upset."
He looked at her for a second, but then nodded. "Sorry about that. For years I've wanted my parents to be happy together again, like they were when I was little. Now they seem like they might be, and the first thing I do is try to play them against each other. I'm not just a bad son, I'm a terrible person."
Before he could start crying again, and he was headed that way, she kissed him. Hard, right on the lips. Their tongues entwined, and she pushed herself as close to him as she could. His parents could walk in right now, and she wouldn't care. All that existed anywhere in the world at this moment was the two of them, and she never wanted it to end.
Until Ben's hand moved down and rested on her butt. The both gasped into each other's mouths and stared. Her nightshirt had risen up to her waist, so he felt only her underwear and a bit of skin. If that extra layer of nightshirt had been between them, it would have been nice, but this was too close, too much, too soon.
They jumped apart. "Sorry, sorry," Ben said. "I didn't know …"
"No, no, it's my fault," she said. "I didn't realize it had slipped so far up."
His face was etched in so much embarrassed horror, and she guessed hers was, too, that she didn't know what to say. Then he started to giggle, she joined in, and they hugged again (of course after she'd suitably pulled her nightshirt down as far as it would go). She really did love him. They'd just embarrassed each other almost as much as she could imagine, and they were already laughing about it.
He kissed her cheek. "Maybe we could, uh, try that again sometime. When we're both ready, I mean."
She held back another giggle as she felt how much courage that took him to say. "Yeah, I'd like that. But not with your parents in the house. I should get back to my room before …"
"I'm surprised they didn't already walk in."
She caressed his cheek, gave him another soft but quick kiss, and climbed out of his bed. "Goodnight, Ben. I love you." Oh god, she said it again, and this time neither one of them might die in the next few minutes. She rushed out of the room, trailed by Ben's confusion, but as she climbed into bed, she felt the love coming from his room. Even when he said it to her on the necromancer's realm, it hadn't been anywhere near that strong. She suppressed a squeal and pulled up the covers.
Chapter 19
Thank goodness that class was over. Mrs. Reynolds, his biology teacher, had let them work in small groups to get ready for the chapter test, but no one would partner with him. They hadn't been outright hostile about it or anything, but he'd been ignored. On purpose. No doubt about it.
Melissa's texts hadn't been idle threats. She'd spread rumors and lies about him, and it'd managed to make it though campus in three days. Probably less. Now everyone thought he was a jerk when it was Melissa, and though no one knew Andi, they already hated her. It wasn't fair. All because Melissa was a spoiled brat who didn't get her way. Why didn't she get someone else to go out with her? Why did it have to be him?
He headed over to his normal break spot, a patch of dirt under a few trees near the Language Arts building. He, Randy, and Vince all had Language Arts third period, though Randy and Vince had a different teacher than him, so this was a nice close spot that was out of the way of where most people hung out. It didn't work for Jay, who had PE after break, but he was outnumbered.
Ben rounded the corner and saw his friends. At least they'd talk to him. Since he hadn't had time to play video games, he couldn't get online and chat with them like he usually did. When Jay saw him, though, he said something to the other guys, and they all hurried away. Randy looked back at him and shrugged, but didn't stop. Yeah, he got the message: No hard feelings, but why should they risk being ostracized, too? Ben got to the tree and sighed. This bad day could only get worse.
*****
Mr. Phillips parked the car at a metered spot close to the Newport pier. Though they'd be five minutes at the most, he fed in an hour's worth of coins, just in case. All three marveled at the option to use a credit card to pay. Andi remembered when a nickel would buy you an hour instead of the $1.50 today. She was about to bring that up when depressed feelings spilled from Ben.
"Ben's not having a good day," she said.
"Poor dear," Mrs. Phillips said. "I do feel bad about sending him to school, but I couldn't let him miss any more days. He doesn't need to get any further behind."
"It's those damn video games," Mr. Phillips said. He then turned to Andi and asked, "You really know what he's feeling from here?"
"Yeah. It's almost as strong as if we were in the same room. I also know he's at school. It's as clear as if I had a satellite map on him. And sounds like, when we're fully bound, I'll be able to tell which classroom he's in. Maybe even which seat."
"Amazing," Mr. Phillips said. "You'll be handy to have on speed dial when I need the kid to mow the lawn."
They all laughed and continued to the base of the pier, where Andi stopped to gather her courage. Mrs. Phillips put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
"You could have used his moral support, huh? I'm sorry about that. He must be having a bad day because he's still mad about not being here."
"No, he's mostly over it. He knew I could handle this on my own. I'm sure it's Melissa that's causing him trouble. She's been texting him nasty messages ever since he chose me over her."
"Ugh. I do not like that Melissa girl," Mrs. Phillips said. "I don't know what Ben saw in her. She's a little brat."
Andi giggled, while Mr. Phillips nodded.
"We met her a couple of times," he said, "and neither was very pleasant. You'd have thought Ben was her servant. I'm glad he didn't get suckered into staying with her. She wasn't daughter-in-law material. Not like you. I can already tell you'll be great."
Andi sucked in her breath and her face heated up. Mrs. Phillips must have noticed because she jumped in. "Why don't you go grab us a late morning snack, Trent? Andi says this thing with the guy will just take a minute."
"Yeah, sure. What do you want?"
She kissed his cheek. "Surprise us."
When Mr. Phillips left, Andi and Mrs. Phillips slowly walked up the pier. "He's a bit dense," Mrs. Phillips said, "but I love him." She let out a sigh. "I wish I could have remembered that five years ago. Ben would have had a nicer time growing up, that's for sure. I'd say you need to remember that for yourself, but I guess the magic that brought you together will see to it. I have to be honest, I envy that."
Andi didn't like all this marriage talk. Though she was looking a lot more forward to it now that she realized she loved Ben, it was still too weird. Anyway, she needed to get through this thing with Max, but she did have a nagging question for Mrs. Phillips that had been bugging her since yesterday.
"How is it that you two believed so easily? Most people would have been thrilled to chalk up everything in the demon's realm to a fever dream. And then all the stuff about me being a dragon and Ben being my Dragon Guard. You guys barely batted an eyelash. I mean, don't get me wron
g, I'm glad. It sped up the process of going after my parents, but it still seems strange." They stopped and leaned on the railing, looking out at the ocean. Max could wait another couple of minutes.
Mrs. Phillips didn't answer for a few seconds. When she did, her voice had a wistful quality to it. "I always knew there was something special about Ben. I'm his mother, so of course I sensed greatness in him, but it was even beyond that. I can't explain it, even now, but there was, is, a hidden magic to him. I'd basically forgotten about it when Trent and I started having our problems. When that monster kidnapped us, my thoughts went back to Ben's magic. I had no doubt he'd rescue us."
"Did he ever do anything that made you think that?" According to Mom and Dad, the magic abilities shouldn't have started until they were at least given a minor bind. But he had sensed the zombies before that.
"Nothing overt," Mrs. Phillips said. "Mostly it was a vibe he threw off. I think his father felt it, too, but we never discussed it. I mean, he couldn't be magic, right? As far as we knew, magic didn't exist. But there were little things. He healed faster than he should have, but nothing too outrageous. I assumed his constitution was higher than most people's. He broke his arm skateboarding once, and it healed a few weeks before the doctor predicted. There were always little things like that."
"He bathed you both in a healing light when we were taking care of you," Andi said. "He had no clue."
Mrs. Phillips chuckled. "He can be pretty dense sometimes. He gets that from his father. So get used to it." She gave Andi a hug, one which she happily returned.
Once they broke apart, Andi said, "But what about me? I expected to have to go through a whole explanation and transform right there in your living room, to get you guys to believe I was a dragon."
"Andi, dear, do you think anything would have surprised us yesterday after what we went through at the hands of the sorcerermancer?"
"Necromancer," she said, absently correcting Mrs. Phillips. Then she nodded and said, "I see your point."
"Besides, it goes back to what I knew about Ben. Your revelation made as much sense as anything."
Andi smiled and nodded. Then thoughts of her task filled her. "I should get this over with. Wait here. I see him down at the end." Mrs. Phillips wished her luck and gave her another hug.
As she approached, Max look at her, but his whole body stiffened. That might be a good thing. If he didn't want to talk, he'd just give her the incantation and let her go.
"Hi, Max." She pushed past him and leaned on the pier railing, staring out at the ocean.
"You realize he'll be after you next, right? You shouldn't be here."
"Afraid he'll take you out, too?"
He cast his line out. "He won't attack here. He'll wait until you're alone. With or without the gimp you call a mate."
"He's not a gimp, and he's not my mate. Not yet. He'll be strong enough when we're fully bound."
Max chuckled as he trolled his line back. "You don't know the half of it. But neither of us is wrong. He's far too weak until the true binding ceremony, but once you're bound? Watch out."
She turned and looked at him for the first time. She didn't like the way his eyes sparkled. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing, nothing. Forget I said anything. I just meant the boy is going to be powerful."
A short lady with long red hair, wearing similar fishing attire, spoke up. "No wonder so many despise you. You talk in riddles, and they're not very good at that."
"Hush, Nix. No one asked you. I'm trying to conduct business here."
Nix? Why did that name sound familiar? Wasn't that what her parents called Max's wife? She sounded like an ally, so Andi liked her right away.
"You're not conducting any business. You're lecturing and stonewalling the poor girl for things that aren't her fault."
Max stopped pulling in his line and glared at his wife. "If you're not going to help me, why don't you go home? Or at least pick another spot to fish."
"Oh, sweetheart, but I am helping. I'm keeping you from making yourself look stupid." She winked at Andi, who gave a sliver of a smile. She didn't want to give more in case it upset Max.
"You know I couldn't help her even if I wanted to."
"Can't and won't are two very different things, you stubborn old lizard."
"Please," Andi said. "All I need is the incantation to get into Rico's realm, and then I'll leave you alone."
Max shook his head and continued reeling in his fishing line. "You're not bound, so unless your parents are here, I can't help. It's dragon law."
Nix smacked him on the shoulder. "Etiquette, not law. And you know it. Quit taking your anger towards her parents out on her. You know darn well you can make exceptions, especially in cases such as this."
Max pulled his empty line in and cast it out again. Once it splashed into the ocean, he turned to Andi, his features softened. "Nix is right. I'm being harsh because of your father, and I'm sorry."
"So you'll help?"
He shook his head, and Nix started to argue again, but he cut her off before she could get a head of steam. "I won't help, but it's for your own good. If I give you that incantation, and you somehow get Rico to help, which, by the way, is highly unlikely, you'll be going to your death. Without a proper guard, you're not strong enough. For most things, to say nothing of this demon killing madman."
"But I have to try." Andi felt tears building up, but she fought them. She couldn't look any weaker than he already thought she was. "Besides, you said it yourself. He's going to come after me next, so I'm doomed anyway."
Max slammed his fishing pole into a holder at the railing and grabbed her shoulders, a manic look in his eyes. This time Andi couldn't help letting out a yelp. "No, he won't get you or your mate. I'll see to it. You can't hide on your own, but I'll take you to the Dragon Council. We'll leave right away. We can stop by the boy's school and get you both to safety. Even Derian can't get through the council's security."
Nix put a hand on Max's shoulder. This time Andi didn't like the look on her face. She wasn't an ally anymore. Maybe not an enemy, but certainly not a friend.
"You know the prophecy speaks of two outcomes. Saving the boy could be the worst course of action."
"Wait, what?" Andi wasn't following everything going on lately, but that one came way out of left field.
"Nothing," Max said before turning to Nix. "I trust the fates more than you. Leon and Cassandra's child wouldn't be subjected to such evil."
"Evil? What are you talking about? And what prophecy?"
"Fine," Nix said. "You believe in fate so much, why don't we let it decide? Give her the incantation, and we'll see what Rico does. If he gives her the spell, so be it. If not …"
"If not," Max said, turning back to Andi, "you come back here and we'll get you to the council. Okay? There's nothing else I can do."
Nix let out a hurumph and said, "That's true enough. Take the deal, dear."
"I don't understand what's going on. What prophecy, and why would Ben be evil?"
Nix smiled at her, her features again read friend, though Andi was a bit wary. "Max and I should have discussed that part in private, headaches be damned. I, we, apologize." Max nodded in agreement. "You worry about convincing Rico to give you that spell so you can rescue your parents."
"But if Rico won't help, we can come back here, and you'll help?"
Her gaze again turned icy. "He will. And despite my better judgment, I won't interfere." With that, Nix walked away.
They watched her go, and then Max said. "She'll be back soon enough. She loves that fishing pole too much to leave it unattended for long. What do you say we get you on your way before she comes back? If she wasn't my guard, my mate, I know I wouldn't want to see her at the moment." His smile brought one out of Andi. He placed his hands on her temples, and a flash of energy passed between them. "There. You're all set."
She nodded, rolling the strange word around in her head. Demon language, she assumed. "Thank you." She glanced
over to the other side of the pier to where Nix had gone and shuddered. She wanted to forget all about Max's Dragon Guard, but something in the back of her mind told her Nix knew more about the prophecy than even Max.
Andi started to walk away, but before she made it three steps, she turned back. He shook his head. "Not yet. You'll learn all about it when the time is right. Trust me."
"Okay." The look in his eyes told her arguing was useless. How did adults know how to use that look so well? She turned and headed back to Ben's parents. They'd been waiting long enough. Besides, she had what she came for.
Chapter 20
Ben stared out the window of the car, trying to forget all about school. Not only had everyone ignored him or given him dirty looks, but to top it all off, his teachers stacked him high with all the homework he'd missed. Plus, depending on how long it took to rescue Andi's parents, he had no clue when he'd get to it. At least Andi offered to help. Since she already knew the answers, the work would be easier.
When he complained about his day, everyone told him not to worry, that it'd all pass. While that ticked him off, he took solace in the fact that they at least felt bad for him. Andi gave him a quick hug, and then held his hand all the way to Orangeville Acres, which was nice. Mom and Dad voiced their dislike for Melissa more than once. Both called her a spoiled brat, and how they were glad he'd found Andi. They all had his back, which brightened his mood that much more, but that didn't mean he wanted to go back tomorrow. Maybe the spell would have to be used in the morning, and he'd be forced to skip school.
He asked Andi how it went at the pier, and though she said fine, she wore a look that said to ask her later. He also wanted to talk about last night when she said she loved him, but he couldn't bring that up around Mom and Dad. Her emotions had been way different, way more intense, than the first time in the demon's realm. What was that about? Since she appeared deep in thought, and Mom and Dad were talking to each other up front, he sat there, staring at the nearing park, and trying not to think about anything at all.
