by Mandi Oyster
I stepped forward, making myself visible to him. Cash looked from Malcolm to me. “I swear to you, Acacia”—I hoped he would understand why I said his true name and not his human one—“I will never use your name to control you. However, I will use your name to help you if I can.”
He bowed to me, and his features became human once again. “I am pleased to see that you’re safe.”
“Thanks.” I looked toward the passage. “I need to get Cody.” I ignited my flames and followed them to where I’d left him.
He stood and brushed the dirt off his shorts. “What’s going on?”
“It looks like we have another protector.”
“Who?” He motioned for me to go in front of him.
“Believe it or not … Cash.”
“Hmph.”
Cody and I led the way into our chamber. Malcolm had stocked it with a bunch of necessities, and most of the floor was covered by black and dark gray cushions. We sat away from the sleeping area, and after I soundproofed the grotto and set up the illusions, I waved my hand at the room. “Thank you for getting all of this for us.”
He shrugged. “If I hadn’t, you would’ve.”
“Yeah.” I played with the tassels of the black cushion I was sitting on.
Cash crinkled his nose and breathed through his mouth.
“What?” Cody asked.
His lip curled. “The two of you need to bathe.”
“I found a lake, but the water is freezing.” I hoped my cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “I thought about warming it up, but I don’t want to hurt the creatures that live in it.”
“Where?” Cash asked.
Cody told him where it was, and Cash ducked out of the crack.
“This isn’t easy for him.” Malcolm leaned back against the cushions he’d piled around himself. “He didn’t want to like you—” he smiled at me, showing his fangs “—but with your honorable intentions, it’s hard not to. Ever since the day you told the Nephilim they should have helped us, he’s been thawing.”
The floor of the cavern shook. “What in the world?” I pressed my hands down, bracing myself.
“I’d say he’s building you a bathtub.” Malcolm laughed. Then he sobered. “It is good that he knows about you. We can trade off bringing you supplies. The Nephilim might think I’d harbor you, but Cash is the last dragon they’d expect.”
“You shouldn’t talk about me when I’m not here,” Cash said from the shadows.
Malcolm sat up. “Do you really think I didn’t hear you squeeze through that tiny hole?”
Cash flashed him a smile. “You can bathe now. I didn’t warm the water for you, though. I don’t know how much heat your fragile bodies can handle.”
I thought about flames until my hand became them. “Mine can handle as much as yours.” I stood up. “Cody’s … not so much.” I gathered spare clothes and toiletries and turned toward Cody. “You coming?”
His cheeks turned bright red. “Uh …”
“You need the water heated and fire so you can see, and I’ll need to soundproof the area in case somebody else comes wandering in here.” I turned toward Cash. “How did you find this place anyway?”
He shrugged. “Luck. I was flying overhead and caught your scent.”
“Some way to remove it?” Cody searched through his duffle bag for clothes.
“It’s already been done.” Cash looked at Malcolm. “Didn’t think I noticed, did you?”
The firelight was reflected in Malcolm’s eyes. “I thought I was being sneaky enough.”
“Maybe with anybody else’s scent, but not with hers.” Cash pointed at me.
I tugged my hand through my hair. Near my scalp, it was still wet with sweat. “Why? What do I smell like?”
Malcolm and Cash looked at each other. Malcolm said, “Like a lightning storm but more powerful.”
Cash nodded. “Like strength, desire, and power.”
“Just to dragons?” Cody shoved his stuff into my duffle bag and took it out of my hand.
“I doubt it.” Cash sat on the cushions. “We just have a better sense of smell than most creatures you’ve come across thus far.”
Malcolm said, “Ask your demon?”
“He’s not my demon.” The dragons’ laughter followed us out of the room. I set a ball of fire in the air in front of Cody and me. It was a silent trek to the underground lake.
Cash had created a pool behind several stalagmites. It was nearly big enough for him to bathe in while in his dragon form. I soundproofed the area and created an illusion so my fire couldn’t be seen by anyone passing by. Then I stuck my fingers in it to gauge the water.
Cody stood off to the side, watching me. “So, uh”—his voice was husky and sent a pang of desire through me—“what’s your plan?”
“For you to get in and tell me if the water’s warm enough.”
He kicked his shoes off, wiggling his toes as he pulled off his socks. I watched him tug his shirt over his head and admired his physique. When he reached for his shorts, I turned away.
“You can look, Dacia.” His voice was soft. “I’m not shy.”
I shook my head. “Now’s not the time.” My heart beat faster than I could ever remember. I felt it in my chest, my throat, and my temples. Warmth flooded through my body, and I pressed my eyes shut to avoid the temptation.
I heard the water splash as he stepped into it. “Hotter, please.”
Knowing I could hurt him, I slowly warmed the water.
“Thanks.”
Ripples lapped at my arm. I pulled it out and dried it off, keeping my back to him.
“Dacia”—he sounded like he was talking to a frightened animal—“it’s dark. I’m underwater. You can turn around.”
I walked to a boulder that I assumed came from Cash’s excavation and sat down, facing him. The fire lit up his face and nothing more. I leaned my head back and my eyes drifted shut.
“Dacia.” Cody sounded alarmed.
I opened my eyes, and the room was black. I ignited a ball of flames in my palm, growing it until it lit the chamber. “I’m sorry, Cody. I guess I fell asleep.”
He rinsed the shampoo out of his hair, then scrubbed the rest of himself. “Getting out.”
I turned away. Part of me wanted to peek, but like I’d said earlier, now wasn’t the time.
“Okay,” he said.
Cody stood with a towel wrapped around his waist, combing his hair. For a moment, I saw him standing in a real bathroom. The walls were pale yellow, and the woodwork looked like oak. Light from two big windows illuminated him. Then the cave returned.
The air rushed from my lungs, and my heart clenched. I wanted that future more than anything, but would it be like other premonitions and not come true? I steadied my breathing, then walked to the water, and purified it like Malcolm had shown me.
Standing at the edge of the pool, I stripped down to my underclothes. Cody watched me until I motioned for him to turn around.
The pool had a lip around the edge. I stepped onto it, and the water came to mid-thigh. There was no way I’d be able to sit and keep my head above the surface. Deciding I’d have to stand, I stretched my toes down, trying to find the floor. Jumping off the ledge, I sank to the bottom. The water was over my head.
When I surfaced, Cody said, “Shallower on the other side.”
I swam to the other side, settling myself on the lip. Realizing I’d left my bag where I’d initially gotten in, Cody brought it over to me. “Need help?” His eyes sparkled in the darkness. “I can wash your back.” He put his feet in the water, one on either side of me.
It would be so easy to yes. So much easier than it would be to say no. I bit my lip, trying to stick to my guns. I remembered the day we’d spent
in the pool by ourselves. The feel of his wet body against mine.
Cody yanked his feet back. “Ow!”
I turned to look at him. “Are you okay?” I touched his foot, and he jerked it back.
“Water’s practically boiling.” Steam rose off the water, filling the cavern.
“Oh, God, Cody, I’m sorry.” I stretched my hand out, waiting until he moved his foot toward me. Then I sent cool, healing energy through him.
He sighed.
“Better?” I asked.
He smiled. “All good.” He stood up and walked back to the other side.
I used my powers to keep the steam from dissipating, blocking it in the same area that was soundproofed.
By the time I finished washing, the steam was so thick in the room that Cody wouldn’t have seen me if he was standing right beside me. I climbed out and wrapped one towel around my hair and one around my body.
The cold stone floor felt good against my feet. I let the air cool me off before getting dressed. As soon as I finished, I allowed the steam to dissipate.
Cody sat with his shirt off, leaning against a stalagmite. He stood and finished dressing. “You okay?”
I flipped the towel off my head and dried my hair as much as possible. “A little warm. You?”
“Same.” He stuffed our things into the duffle bag.
I walked to the edge of the pool and purified it again. If somebody or something came looking for me, I didn’t want them to find evidence that we’d bathed here. I needed to remember to ask Cash or Malcolm if they could remove my scent from the area or if they could teach me how.
When I stood, a wave of dizziness crashed over me. The flames dimmed. Cody rushed to my side. “What happened?”
“Used too much.” My words sounded slurred to me, but he seemed to understand.
He hung the duffle bag off his shoulder and lifted me into his arms. I leaned my head against his chest.
“Don’t sleep yet.” He jogged toward the cavern we’d settled in. “Need the light.”
I fought to keep my eyes open. “Sorry, Cody.” Malcolm, I thought right before I passed out.
Chapter 22
Starting Over
I woke up on a pile of cushions with three sets of eyes staring at me. The flames lighting the room were red, not blue. Sitting up, I pulled my hands through my hair. It was still wet, so I hadn’t been out that long.
“Sorry.” I looked down at my hands. “I haven’t used too much power for so long. I guess I wasn’t paying attention to the warning signs.”
“What were you doing that used so much?” Cash backed away from me.
I closed my eyes and lowered my chin to my chest. “I was soundproofing this room and that one. Creating illusions for this one and that. I had fires lit both rooms. I was heating the water and keeping the steam from leaving the room.” I looked into his eyes. He was staring at me with a dazed expression. “Oh, I purified the water twice and had to heal Cody.”
Malcolm and Cash both turned toward him. He lifted his hands. “I’m good.”
Cash pulled his hand down his face. “You ever heard of a human who could do all that at once?”
“Nope.” Malcolm shook his head. “It might even make one of us tired.” He stood up. “Since you exhausted yourself, Cash is going to stay here tonight. I’ll try to return tomorrow.”
“Before you go, can one of you show me how to clear my stench from the pool area?” I let out a deep breath. “I don’t want to get ambushed there next time I go to bathe.”
“I’ll show her later,” Cash said. “Could you do it when you leave?”
“No problem.” Malcolm focused on me. “Don’t exert yourself. Cody or Cash can get you whatever you need tonight.” He disappeared.
I combed my fingers through my hair, and since I wouldn’t be able to stay awake until it dried, I braided it. Both Cody and Cash watched me. Neither one of them made it obvious, but even though their heads were turned away, their eyes tracked every movement I made. I pressed my hands down to stand, and Cash said, “Sit. What do you need?”
I slumped down. “Water.”
Cody started to get up, and Cash motioned for him to sit. Then he rummaged through the supplies Malcolm had brought until he found a bottle of water. “Want it cold?” he asked as he delivered it to me.
“Yes, please.” I smiled at him. “Almost frozen.”
He cooled it off and handed it to me. As he turned away, he said, “I am sorry for the way I treated you. I thought any human with access to my name would use it like Draconian had.”
“I understand.” I unscrewed the lid. “Once bitten, twice shy.” I took a drink, then laid down.
Cody stretched out beside me. “Take some of my strength.”
Cash’s eyebrows pinched together, and he tilted his head.
“It helps me regain my energy, but sometimes I take too much from him. Then he has to sleep it off.” I shook my head at Cody. “I can’t risk it. If we have to make a quick getaway, I need you coherent.”
Cash knelt beside me. His purple eyes were inquisitive. “Can you take mine?”
“Yes.” I set my hand on his forearm. “Aurelia says that dragon power runs so deep that I only take a sip of it.”
His fingers brushed mine, and I was surprised by their softness. “Take whatever you need.”
I siphoned his energy into me. Like Aurelia’s, it was instantly revitalizing. The pure strength of it made adrenaline surge through me. I closed my eyes and savored the feeling.
“Are Russ and Arianna with Samantha and Dan?” I asked after letting go of his arm.
Cash moved back to the other side of the room, opening and closing his hand.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No.” He looked down. “It feels weird.”
“How?” Cody asked.
“Like a part of her flowed back into me.” He shook his hand, then looked at us. “Your friends are being guarded by them. They are safe.”
I rolled onto my side and propped myself up on my elbow. “Do they know you’re here?”
“No. The fewer who know, the safer you’ll be.” He looked like he wanted to say more but didn’t.
“I don’t know if Malcolm told you, but Russ let me look into his head. I know I can trust him.”
Cody slid his hand around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder.
A sudden rush of desire flared through my body.
Cash sniffed the air, and his pupils turned to slits. “I’m going to stand outside for a while. Go to sleep.” His voice was gruff, and I remembered Malcolm telling me that desire made me smell even better to the dragons.
“I’m sorry, Cash.”
He smiled back at me. “I was young once. I understand.”
Heat flared in my body, rushing up my neck, and spilling onto my cheeks.
Cash laughed as he stepped through the crack.
I turned in Cody’s arms and slid my hands under his shirt, tugging it off. I pulled his body closer to mine and trailed kisses from the base of his neck, up over his chin, and onto his lips.
He moaned in response, clutching my butt. “What’s this?”
“I have all this energy—” I laughed “—and since I can’t even stand up to get a bottle of water, no way to use it.” My hands roved over his chest, and he leaned back, stretching his neck up.
I kissed the bottom of his chin, then pressed my mouth to his. He wrapped his arms around me and flipped me over.
I pulled my head back. “He’s probably watching. He vowed to guard me.”
His eyes shone. “Won’t let him see anything.” Cody’s voice was husky.
I nodded, and his head descended. His lips claimed mine, pressing harder, opening them, tr
apping the moan in my mouth.
Our bodies were pressed together. I rubbed my leg along his and slowed the kiss, savoring every touch.
He moved his kisses from my lips to my neck and up to my ear. “I love you.” His tongue traced along my ear, making me suck in a breath and stealing my reply. I dug my fingernails into his skin, clutching his body. I closed my eyes and rolled my head back.
His lips brushed mine, and I yawned. Cash’s energy had been like adding lighter fluid to a fire. It burned bright and quick.
Cody rolled onto his back, and I laid my head on his chest. His arms were wrapped around me, strong, comforting. “I’m sorry,” I said.
“Just rest, Dacia.” He traced his fingers along my arm in a soothing motion, raising goosebumps on my skin.
“Thank you for coming with me.” My words were thick and slurred together.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
Closing my eyes, my breathing evened out. I trailed my fingers over his chest. I was vaguely aware of Cash coming back into the room.
Chapter 23
Fixated On Fairies
When I woke up, Cash and Cody were huddled together in the corner whispering. Cody glanced over when I stretched. “Morning, Sleeping Beauty.”
“Morning.” Standing up, I pulled the blanket with me, draping it over my shoulders. The cave was chillier this morning. They watched me carefully as I walked over to them.
“How’re you feeling?” Cash scrutinized every move I made.
“Much better.” I wrapped the blanket tighter around me, feeling extremely self-conscious. “So, what’s in store for today? A whole lotta nothing?”
“Well, I could stand outside the room while you two make out—” Cash flashed his teeth “—or we could figure out a way to prove to the Nephilim that you’re a good person.”
Propping my elbow up on my hand, I tapped a finger against my chin and kept my face as serious as I could. “Wanna go stand out in the hall then?”
