The Jade Dragon

by Rowena May O'Sullivan

  She turned on him, the fear back in her eyes. “No! They’ll hate me.”

  What could he say? It was likely there would be resentments. “They’ll forgive you in time. If you would allow it, your heart will heal, and eventually you will stop beating yourself up over what has been done and cannot be changed. It was an accident. You were a young adolescent teenager.”

  “I knew better. I shouldn’t have been crafting spells that complicated. I’m the reason they’re dead. Rosa fought so hard to keep us together. My parents are lost because of me. I don’t want to lose my sisters as well. They’re all I have.”

  That hurt. “You have me. Whether you bind with me or not, always know that despite everything, you are a part of my heart and I love you with every fiber, every molecule of my soul. With your barriers down, you are now able to bind yourself to me. I will be your support and you will be mine. If your family refuses to love you, know that I will stand with you. I will be there always.”

  He felt Alanna’s tears moisten the skin on his shoulder. His arms pulled her tight to him and he brushed a hand down over her hair and back.

  “I don’t deserve you,” she whispered.

  “We are equals, you and I. Once we’re officially bound by Marylebone, I will show you just how amazing you truly are.”

  Alanna lifted her head to look at him. “I haven’t agreed to an official binding yet.”

  Gregori pouted. “Yes you have. I see it in your aura.”

  “Sometimes a woman likes to be asked.”

  “Then listen up,” he growled and flipped her onto her back and seized both of her hands above her head in one of his. “Will you be my lover? Will you be the mother of my children? Will you bind your magic with mine and save me?”

  She paused. “I have a question. If I remain mortal and I die of old age. What happens to you?”

  “That won’t happen.”

  “But if it does.”

  His gaze was steady, his resolve clear. “Then I will die with you or return to stone to await your rebirth.”

  “You must bind with another if I die,” she insisted. “I don’t want our children, if we have any, to be left alone.”

  His heart skipped a beat. “We will find a way to be together for eternity.”

  “I want you to promise me you will bind with someone else to keep you stable and to be present in our children’s lives.”

  Gregori sighed, but he looked her straight in the eyes. “If I say yes, will you bind with me now?”

  He felt her acceptance before the words were uttered. “I will.”

  It was a bittersweet moment. Such sadness on her part, and such confidence on his that all would prevail. “Then, reluctantly, I will agree. But I will never love them as I love you.” Gregori leaned down, kissed her deeply, leaving her no room for doubt in his commitment to their union.

  Before, finally drifting to sleep, Alanna lifted herself up and looked him straight in the eye. “I will tell my sisters about the accident before we make our vows. You’re right. I owe it to them to tell them everything.”

  • • •

  Beth placed a table under the shade of a Pohutukawa tree in her back yard. Gregori stationed rows of wines from his vineyards including his private collection on one side of the table and glasses on the other. He’d arrived early and crafted a collection of spells around each wine, so that none spoiled and each maintained the best temperature to be drunk.

  Ever since last night, since he shared his magic with Alanna, he’d felt less volatile. It was as if the transfer of power between them had already begun to take effect.

  He glanced up from the table as Beth came out of her cottage, a tray of finger food in her hands.

  “I’ve made a few nibbles for everyone,” she beamed.

  “Good.” He looked towards the door, hoping to see Alanna come through it.

  Goran followed behind her with another tray. “She’s a goddess in the kitchen. I can vouch everything has been made by hand.” Beth blushed at the compliment, placed her tray on a second table under another tree and signaled for Goran to place his there, also. “Where’s Alanna?”

  “She’ll be here,” he said. “She had a few things to do.”

  Goran shot him a sharp look. Gregori stared blandly back, giving nothing away. Beth accepted his statement and returned inside for more food.

  The moment she was out of earshot, Goran asked, “What’s up?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You’re lying.”

  His apprentice’s observation irked him. “Nothing I can tell you.”

  “I can see from your aura that something’s changed.”

  “What’s changed?” Aden strode across the lawn.

  Goran indicated Gregori. “Look at his aura.”

  Aden stood beside Goran and both men studied him like he was a stick insect. The moment he attempted to mask any changes they would hound him with a barrage of interminable questions. He lifted a glass and poured a measure of merlot into it. “Stop stirring and try this.”

  Goran snagged the glass. “Aden’s on duty for Marylebone. He’s not drinking. I, on the other hand, have agreed to act as reporter for the Raven’s Creek News on today’s little event. As such, I will need to taste all the wines so I can comment.”

  Aden howled with laughter, but he wasn’t deterred from studying Gregori. “There’s less wildness in your aura. What have you done?”

  Ah. For a moment Gregori had thought perhaps Aden knew about Alanna’s confession. “I’ve discovered I can share my magic with Alanna.”

  “You’re sharing magic.” Goran looked to Aden for his advice. “Is that allowed?”

  Aden shrugged. “I don’t see why not.” He accepted a glass from Gregori. “I gather all is going well between you then.”

  “There has been progress.” In the real world of mortals, such a confession as Alanna’s would have resulted in reporting it to the police. He imagined there would have been some kind of hearing as well and an eventual resolution. He doubted Alanna would have been charged with anything. At fourteen, she had still been a minor. Plus what could she say; that she was a witch and had crafted a spell that ultimately caused the death of her parents? No one would have believed her.

  Goran’s eyes narrowed. “Just what kind of progress?”

  “That’s between us.” He looked up as Ruth and her husband, Joseph, emerged from Beth’s cottage onto the deck. He broke out into a flurry of French and left Aden and Goran to work on their interrogation techniques.

  • • •

  Dressed in what she called her “I’m invisible” outfit, Alanna stood on the perimeter of the group, a glass in her hand as Gregori talked passionately about his wines.

  “You need to sample a few New Zealand ones,” Beth was saying and handed him a bottle she’d brought outside with her. “Especially this organic Feijoa wine. It’s my favorite.” She was a little flushed and — leaning — into Goran.

  “Oh brother!” Alanna held out her glass as Gregori approached with what was fast becoming her favorite. His vin Rousseau rosé. Especially as the alcohol content was zinging its way into her bloodstream. She cast her mind back, trying to recall if she’d eaten anything. No. Nothing. She’d not had the stomach for it this morning despite Gregori producing an array of tempting dishes before her including her absolute favorite, Eggs Benedict.

  “Look at them,” she said to Gregori. “They’re looking very cozy as a couple, don’t you think.”

  Gregori had noticed. “Beth’s very sociable. She’s just making sure everyone is happy.”

  Alanna sipped from her glass. Woo hoo, she was feeling woozy. “Me too. Are you going to make sure I’m happy?”

  “We’re to be bound. There is much to celebrate.” With a free hand, he cupped her c
heek. “Don’t drink too much,” he told her.

  Her lips pursed and she took another sip before wrestling the bottle from his hand and refilling her glass while ignoring his disapproving scowl. She knew she should be happy, but her secret loomed over her, taunting her. “I won’t.”

  Two drinks later, Alanna was slurring her words. She was also feeling somewhat fortified. She tripped her way across the lawn to Rosa and Beth who were listening to Ruth rambling on about lawn bowls. Joseph was with the men and he appeared to be enjoying their company. Most likely he’d heard all Ruth’s stories before.

  “Bonjour, Ruth,” she said, breaking out into the greeting Gregori had taught her. “Bonjour, Rosa. Bonjour, Beth.” There. That was it. Her total sum of another language other than her own. Soon she would know more. She hoped to have lots of lovely little French babies to practice on.

  Ruth was delighted, Beth amused, but Rosa’s lips pursed and her eyes narrowed.

  Alanna waved a finger at her. “I’m tipsy.”

  “No kidding,” her big know-it-all sister said.

  “Yep!” Alanna focused on Ruth. “So when are you going to start our lessons? I’ve decided to keep Gregori.” She waved her glass in his general direction. “He loves me.”

  “Alanna!” Beth clapped a hand over her mouth in a failed attempt to smother her amusement. Rosa’s lips pursed even more.

  Ruth wasn’t sure if Alanna was joking or not. Alanna laughed and looked at her sisters for their reactions.

  Still uncertain, Ruth replied, “Any time you want, really. I’m free most of the time. Although,” she paused and tapped her mouth with an index finger, her gaze behind her glasses assessing, “I really don’t think you need to learn his language to keep him. From my point of view he’s crazy for you.”

  “Crazy for me,” Alanna mimicked the words.

  Ruth elaborated. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  Well she would, wouldn’t she? She saw practically everything. Alanna winked at Ruth. “I’ve seen that too.”

  Rosa placed a hand over the top of Alanna’s glass when Goran wandered up with a bottle in his hand. “No more wine for Alanna.”

  Alanna wasn’t so tipsy that she couldn’t be pissed at her sister. “I make my own decisions.” She held out her glass to Goran. “Fill it up.”

  “Why don’t you have a juice first,” Beth suggested.

  “Not you, too.” But she signaled for Goran to fill her glass with the juice in his other hand. She smiled ingratiatingly at her sisters. “Happy now?”

  For some reason Rosa wasn’t. Beth was patently puzzled. Alanna heard Gregori’s words in her head, his tone gentle. Behave yourself Alanna. Alanna tucked her arm through Ruth’s. “Not enough to eat and too much of Gregori’s delicious wines. Come with me and try some of his private collection. It’s a rosé and it’s heavenly.”

  Unfortunately, her sisters decided to follow. She heard Rosa mumble to Beth, “What the hell is up with her?”

  Hell! That was it exactly! She was in heaven as well as in hell. Pretending everything was hunky-dory really wasn’t working. She bit her bottom lip when it trembled. No. Now isn’t the time she told herself. Zip your lips! “Gregori,” she called out. “Can Ruth try some of your rosé? She’s teaching me French.”

  Ruth colored prettily. “You know,” Alanna said to Ruth as they reached him. “You look lovely today. And your husband, Joseph. He’s quite a dish. I don’t think I’ve ever really spoken to him.”

  “He’s a quiet man,” Ruth said and looked over to him, a genuine fondness in her eyes. “A man of few words.”

  Before Alanna could verbalize the thought, that’s because you talk so much, Gregori murmured something to Ruth, snagged her glass and gave her a new one filled with his rosé.

  “Try this,” he said. “Very few ever get to drink this wine. I’d be interested to hear what you think.”

  He steered Ruth away, looked back over his shoulder and gave Alanna a fierce silent message. In her now more-than-tipsy state she had a hard time deciphering it but she imagined it went something along the lines like, watch-it-or-I’ll-zap-you-into-a-cockroach. She giggled and drank some more juice.

  Rosa took up sentinel duty on one side and Beth on the other. They were like flypaper. All sticky and bothersome. “Go away,” she flicked at them with a hand. “Shoo.”

  “We’re not going anywhere. I don’t know what’s happened, but you’re behaving badly.”

  “Badly!” A sad bubble of laughter escaped her mouth. “You don’t know the half of it.”

  Rosa looked about. “Where is Zelda when you need her?”

  Alanna focused her double vision on Rosa. “No one can help me.”

  She could feel the pain of her past building to an uncomfortable level in her chest. She felt as if it was going to burst through her skin and she would bleed out everywhere.

  My beloved. Not here. Not now.

  Trust Gregori to immediately sense she was in danger of blurting out everything. It was as if her confession last night had loosened something inside of her. That and too much alcohol. Her eyes widened and she grasped the stem of her glass so tight it actually broke off in her hand. The top of the glass bounced on the lawn and the liquid drained into the soil.

  “I appear to be developing super-human powers,” she joked, while her heart raced. Oh, my sweet giddy-aunt, don’t do it Alanna. Don’t. Do. It!

  “Have you cut yourself?” Beth was all nurturing and concerned.

  Rosa picked up the glass and placed in a recycle bin nearby.

  Alanna waved Beth off. “I’m fine.” She inspected her hand. Nope. Not a single scratch. She held out her palm for Beth. “See. Nothing.”

  But she was shattered, broken and bleeding on the inside. She willed Gregori to come to her aid. There would be no mistaking her anguish. Help me. Help me please?

  He whirled sharply and murmured something to Ruth who nodded and he strode back across the lawn towards her. What is it?

  If only she could see as well as feel the link between them. I’m lost, she cried.

  Then I’m lost with you, he replied.

  He slipped in between Rosa and placed a hand about Alanna’s waist. Just his presence at her side made her feel more stable. “I’ve something to tell everyone.” The words tumbled out of her mouth. Tears brimmed in her eyes and fell unchecked down her cheeks. She looked up to Gregori. “I wish Zelda was here. She’d know what to do.”

  Rosa’s features had morphed into concern. She stepped in closely. “What is it?” She glanced over her shoulder and sent Aden a silent message. Keep Ruth busy.

  Beth had rushed to get another juice and she pressed it into Alanna’s hand. “What is it? What’s happened?”

  Alanna looked to Gregori. He looked to her. “If you must say something, wait until we’re alone.”

  But Alanna knew it would be now or never. Her sisters should know what she was really like. She’d been hiding in plain sight for years. She was tired of the deception. Tired of holding the truth inside.

  “It was me,” she whispered, grateful for Gregori’s support at her side, holding her up. Otherwise she would be in a heap on the ground.

  Zelda walked round the side of the house. “What’s going on? I can hear you broadcasting all the way to my cottage.”

  Alanna spun, ran into Zelda’s arms and burst into tears. “It was me!”

  Zelda looked up and met Gregori’s gaze. She sighed heavily. “I didn’t think it would be today.”

  Alanna felt Gregori’s start at Zelda’s statement. “You know?”

  “I suspected. I knew it would come out one day.” Zelda patted Alanna’s back with affection. “Impeccable timing as usual.”

  Aden’s attempt to keep Ruth and her husband chatting failed the moment Ala
nna had thrown herself into Zelda’s arms. Everyone had grown silent, except for Alanna’s heart-wrenching sobs and Zelda’s unsuccessful attempt to pacify her as Alanna spilled the entire story to everyone standing there.

  Silence descended. Alanna shook like a leaf, but Gregori stood beside her.

  Everyone started speaking at once, but it was Beth that surprised them all; everyone that is, except Gregori. He’d been in her head. He’d seen her heart.

  “You killed them!” Her voice was loud and filled with disbelief. “It was you.”

  The quiet gentle one’s aura was so consumed by red, Gregori, immediately placed himself and Alanna in a bubble of protection. “It was an accident,” he said. “Alanna has revealed it all to me. She’s lived with her guilt all these years, too afraid to tell you.”

  “You killed them,” Beth repeated and backed away from the group. “It’s you who should have died,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She whirled away and ran inside Clematis Cottage, the door slamming behind her.

  Rosa, pale and visibly shaking, stood wrapped in Aden’s arms. “I should go to her.”

  “Stay with Aden,” Goran said. “I will tend to her.” The inflection in his tone was like steel when he turned to Alanna. “Perhaps it’s best you left.”

  “I left a long time ago,” Alanna stuttered. “What you see is a shadow of the woman I could have been if I hadn’t been crafting a spell I wasn’t experienced enough to control.”

  “What I see,” Gregori said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Is my beloved. A woman who was so afraid of losing her sisters that she felt she couldn’t confess the truth to anyone.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Goran tapped on Beth’s back door. Silence. He could feel her distress, so whether she wanted to see him or not, he tripped the locks, invited himself in and made his way to her bedroom to discover her curled in a ball on her frilly lacy bed, crying tears by the bucket load.