by K L Rymer
Shankfoot held up his promise, and over the cold, bitter weeks of January, the dwarf helped me practice, teaching me how to position my feet and yield my weapon. He even let me ride Princess Sparkle Hooves, and it was the best January I had for a while.
Despite the awful year I’ve had so far, I’m feeling rather hopeful. I know I can wake the Red Dragon and gain his trust. All I have to do is convince him that I am as innocent as that six-year-old girl he saw deep in my soul. Hopefully, the Red Dragon is a fan of children, because I’m most certainly not.
Truth be told, I was a brat at that age. But the Red Dragon doesn’t have to know that...
I’m just eager for March the 1st to come around.
However, my housemates had an even better idea.
“But... what about what Myrddin said? We should wait until March the 1st,” I say.
Thomas answers me, patting Gelert on his left-hand side as he types at his keyboard. “There’s no wrong in going to Dinas Emrys before that date. I know you said you and Angelina already tried, and that you angered the beast, but he’s seen you now. He knows what you’re all about. So I see no harm in trying again. It will help break the ice a little. Get him used to your presence.”
Angelina sits on his other side, working on her own laptop. The two have become an inseparable pair, spending all that time in the library. They should both rightfully be in Ingenious after all; it makes sense they would bond on the account that they’re both geniuses. Hot geniuses. So not fair...
They’ve both been busy researching the Red Dragon, and they’ve resurfaced some interesting things. Apparently, it is wildly known in the supernatural world that the Red Dragon is, in fact, a lover of daffodils.
I peer around at the others. Felicity sits on Damien’s lap as they read together, and Zahara, Nora, and Jack play a supernatural version of Monopoly.
“But... what if we piss the Red Dragon off?”
Thomas gives me a pointed look. “I think you mean Brynmawr, Bryn. You need to stop referring to him as the Red Dragon... Acknowledge that he has a name and that he’s more than a beast. I know that I know the feeling...”
He returns to his typing, and a golden ring forms around his pupils.
I laugh. “So, I should just go knocking on his door and say, “Hey Brynmawr, ready to wake up and help me save the world?”
Angelina peers up from her own laptop. “That smart mouth will get you nowhere, Bryn.”
“I have to agree with vampire Barbie,” Zahara interjects, counting her fake Monopoly money with a smirk. “Do you want to put Brynmawr off?”
I scoff, folding my arms. “No.”
Zahara’s sneer reaches her ears. “Then learn to button it and keep your sassy comments to yourself. Lest you all want us to gag you...”
Damien chuckles, peering up from the book he and Fel read. “That’s something I’d love to see.”
I glare at the kinky demon. Felicity gasps and whacks his head. “Damien! That is my friend!”
He finds her blue eyes and his own burn scarlet. “Relax, Tinkerbell. You know you’re the only girl I want to gag...”
The pixie places a hand to her chest. “Damien... that is so sweet.” She leans down to kiss him, and I roll my eyes. I see that I’m not the only one.
Yeah, a bit too much information...
I leave the room to go upstairs. “All right. I will let Myrddin know first and see what he says. If he gives us the thumbs up, then we go to Dinas Emrys.”
Zahara cackles. “I’ll bring beer!”
I grind my teeth, but I don’t bother arguing with the Unseelie. The last thing we want to do is trash Brynmawr’s home. The idiot.
We’re supposed to be gaining his trust. Not losing it.
Chapter 16.
Per Thomas’s instructions, we all set off to Dinas Emrys after we finished our exams. Myrddin gave us the thumbs up that we needed. I wouldn’t actively be trying to wake Brynmawr, but I will just give him a general feel of my presence so he knows that I’m not a threat.
The rest of the school has returned by now, but little do they know that House Mendacious have been busy over Christmas researching everything there is about the Red Dragon.
Once again we all sit at the same table, and it’s so good to have the old gang back together again. It’s even better that we’ve got the popular Angelina on our side now who chooses to sit with us too, even though she could have her pick of any table in the dining hall.
And for once, Mendacious are respected. Macson will even give Thomas a brofist in the hallways now, and Magnanimous girls will compliment Fel and Nora’s hair, and they’re genuine compliments too.
Still... we are seen as the outcasts. But in reality, we are the heroes of this school. And we will save the world from Mattie and his tyrannical father. Watch us.
We teleport in twos to the archaeological site. Thomas feared if we teleported all at once, it would upset the delicate balance of magic around the hill and disturb poor Brynmawr.
The first two to arrive were Damien and Felicity. The second were Zahara and Nora, then Jack and Thomas, and finally me and Angelina.
When Angelia teleports me to the top of that freezing hill, I give a quick headcount, chattering my teeth.
One, two... six.
Hold on. Two of us are missing.
I turn to Zahara. “Where are Damien and Felicity?”
The Unseelie shrugs, glancing about herself without a care in the world. I gaze at the others. Nora shrugs and Jack is quiet as usual. Then I peer towards Angelina. She, like Zahara, couldn’t give a shit.
The poor saps could be dead, and those two bitches still wouldn’t care. I rather like Damien and Felicity; I don’t want them to die.
I roll my head back and groan at the gray, cloudy sky. Mist comes out of my mouth. “Ugh, those two again! Sneaking off to do god knows what...”
Angelina scoffs. “I think we all have a good idea of what they’re doing, Bryn, but forget those two losers now. Just focus on the mission.” She points at the ruin and I have a PTSD flashback.
For a moment, I see that sinking hole again as the hill collapses beneath my feet, and I shiver, doubling over.
No... this is wrong... We are disturbing the Red Dragon. He wants me nowhere near him; he will kill me if he gets the chance.
Nora notices my discomfort and orders me to sit. “Here, rest for a while, Bryn. Maybe it’s best we gather in a circle and meditate for now, and send the Red Dragon good thoughts?”
Zahara rolls her eyes. “It’s Brynmawr, Medusa, and that’s just lame. I say we get the beer out and party.”
The Unseelie holds up a crate.
Nora scowls at her, and her eyes take on a vivid green shade. “Calling me Medusa is actually very offensive. Seriously, is that the only gorgon you know?”
Zahara’s about to bite back and tell the gorgon girl where to shove it, but then Thomas intervenes. “Stop bickering. You’re creating negative energy. Nora’s right. Meditating would help. I’ve been reading...”
Zahara cackles. “Of course you have... nerd...”
Thomas’s eyes flash for a brief moment, but he goes on. “As I was saying, I’ve read up on Brynmawr. He was the protector of the earth while Gwyneira saw to the skies. Many who remember him say that he was once a peaceful, gentle creature... He oversaw the protection of the forest and all its animals. Well, until humans came along and started building houses, roads, and bridges, and then he turned his back on the world.”
“Yeah, I get it,” I say. “When things get tough... all you want to do is hibernate for over a thousand years.”
Thomas offers me a wolfish smile and lord if it’s not one of the hottest things I’ve seen for a while. “You’re already finding common ground, Bryn. Good job. Keep it up.”
Thank you, sexy...
Well, that’s what I want to say... Just to see the blush on Thomas’s cheeks. He’s such a hot, shy nerd.
So we all sit on the wet, mushy grass and
cross our legs, then meditate. I don’t see what good it will do, but Nora has enough good vibes to help appease the Red Dragon—wait, I mean Brynmawr. Jack is silent and Angelina for once takes everything seriously. You don’t hear a peep from her.
Unfortunately, Zahara doesn’t cooperate as she keeps muttering, “This is stupid. I need a beer...”
I grit my teeth. For once could she just not think of her belly, the greedy...?
“We’re back!” a familiar wind-chime voice sings.
We all snap our eyes open and whirl around, and lo and behold... it’s Damien and Felicity. They trudge toward us, looking awfully suspicious, and I rise to my feet. “And where have you two been?”
The demon and the pixie stop, meeting each other’s eyes briefly, but I’m no idiot. I can tell from the red glare in Damien’s orbs that they’ve been up to no good. Again... They’ve got leaves stuck in their hair.
“We... sort of took a detour...” the pixie answers, biting her lip as she keeps her mischievous gaze on the demon. He doesn’t take his glowing scarlet off her.
I fold my arms. “Please, you snuck off to have sex. We’re not idiots. Do you want the Red Dragon to antagonize us? This is his home!”
Felicity holds her palms up. “No, I swear, we took a detour and found a secret entrance!”
Damien smirks, settling those glowing embers on me now. “Just after we had sex in the woods, that is.”
I stamp my foot. “I knew it! And... what secret entrance?”
The pixie beams and grabs my arms, and I grimace, knowing where she most likely had her hand. “Come on, we’ll show you!”
In the blink of an eye, she teleports me away, and the world momentarily vanishes. But then it reappears again, and now I stand near the foot of the hill on the left side of the mountain. There, right in front of me, is a door with a solid gold handle, and there’s nothing secretive about it. It’s so obvious, even a blind person could spot it.
Damien teleports beside us and one by one the rest of Mendacious follow. Zahara gives a low whistle. “Nice... So, you going to open it or what, Bryn?”
Puzzled, I turn to Thomas and Angelina. “What does this mean? This door... Where did it come from?”
The geniuses peer at the door. Angie narrows her shrewd, cold eyes, while Thomas rubs his chin in thought.
“Hm... well, it’s obviously not a natural door. Some form of magic has brought it here,” the shifter postulates.
I gasp, stepping closer. “Do... do you think it could be Brynmawr? Do you think he is allowing me access into his keep?”
The shifter keeps his golden orbs on the door. “It could be, but... I... I think we should wait for the headmaster. He will know what to do.”
Angie sighs. “No. It’s now or never, Bryn. Well, go on.”
The vampire inclines her head toward the door, and I’m surprised to see that no one else protests. Everyone watches me fervently, encouraging me on. Zahara brandishes a beer and smiles, and I shake my head. I didn’t even see her opening a bottle.
I spin toward the door, creeping slowly. All the while I think I can hear someone beckoning my name from inside, and the closer I get my tattoo burns.
Unfortunately, when I’m two steps away, the door shrinks, and I make a beeline now, hitting solid rock as I fall onto my ass.
Zahara howls in laughter and swigs back her beer, but Felicity, Nora, and Angelina come to my aid, helping me up.
I glare at the Unseelie. Forget everything I said earlier; Zahara is the true bitch of our House.
Angelina has really come a long way and has done a complete three-hundred-and-sixty. Sure, she did try to kill me once, so some things can never be forgotten, but still... I think she has more than redeemed herself.
The vampire places her palms to the rock along with Thomas, baring her fangs. “Dammit. That’s what we get for stalling.”
“To be fair, it’s probably for the best,” Thomas replies. “It’s a little premature for Bryn to be going inside the hill right now. As Myrddin said, we need to wait until the daffodils are in bloom...”
The vampire peers at Zahara. “Well, you’re fae. Don’t fae make flowers grow?”
Zahara scowls. “I’m not that kind of fae, idiot. I’m Unseelie. We make the flowers rot. It’s the Seelie that makes flowers grow. Why don’t you get your Seelie friend Jessika on-board?”
Angelina pulls a face. “Ugh, god, no. I can’t stand the girl. I only pretend to be her friend. She’s pretty and popular. I need her in my circle.”
The Unseelie shakes her head. “You popular kids are so fake. Thank god I’m an outcast with real friends...”
I laugh. “Not if you keep up this shitty behavior, Zee...”
Everyone snorts at my joke, even Felicity and Nora, who are usually so gracious.
“Oh, ha-ha-ha. Let’s all laugh at the goth girl. She’s dark. She doesn’t have feelings.” Zahara takes another swig of her beer.
I continue to snicker, resting a hand against the hill now. Well, at least we’re getting somewhere. Someone or something is trying to get me closer to Brynmawr. Myrddin said this place was filled with ancient magic after all. Plus, our souls are connected.
Could the door have merely been a bridge?
It sucks, being so close yet still so far... I just want to reach out for that poor soul inside the hill and tell him he doesn’t have to be alone anymore. I’m not sure how, but I can feel that Brynmawr is lonely.
How sad.
Also, I can sense his heartbreak. I have no idea how I know he’s hurting, but... I feel that anguish.
I wholeheartedly understand. I’ve been through heartbreak myself recently.
My palm grazes the rock where the door handle was, and suddenly my tattoo burns as I shut my eyes. More images play out.
I see him again lying atop that mound of gold and jewels again. His red scales glisten in the flames that flicker along the cavern walls, which I’m assuming he has lit with his breath. As I step closer to that scaly, snoring hill, the flames intensify. They stretch, reaching towards the ceiling, and now a scorching heat seeps into my veins.
I’m so hot, I’m breaking out in a sweat, but I soldier on and continue my cause toward that sleeping beast.
No, not a beast. Brynmawr.
Finally, I stop several feet away. The dragon still doesn’t wake but I know he can sense me.
I’m not too sure, but I think these visions are connecting me to his dreams. After all, he is sleeping...
Wow... I never would have thought I’d be inside a dragon’s dream. So cool.
I clear my throat. “B-Brynmawr? It’s me... the... the six-year-old with the wide eyes...”
The dragon doesn’t stir, yet I go on. “I... I know you don’t want me here. I know you don’t want anything to do with humans, but please... we need to join forces. Gwyneira and the Humphreys are going to destroy both the supernatural and the human realm, but I can’t stop them alone. I... I need your help.”
The red, scaly hill stops breathing next, and I freeze, trembling all over.
I think I overstepped a line. The tension in the room shifts immediately, and then a great rumbling shakes the cavern. Now a deep, croaky voice says inside my head, “Don’t say that name...”
My heart thumps. “W-what?”
Brynmawr raises his head and blows thick tendrils of smoke my way, and now I cough. It gets into my lungs, but I don’t look away from those shining eyes. They’re all I can see through the thick haze, and I’ve never seen such hostility.
The golden orbs narrow next, and now I see that wide set of teeth. “Get out...”
Suddenly, I’m sucked away from the cavern as I gasp awake, staring up at the seven familiar faces of my housemates.
I must have passed out.
Felicity’s eyes brim with tears. “Bryn! Thank goodness you’re all right!”
“Are you okay?” Nora asks as she and Thomas help me up.
I stand to my feet, wiping the mud off my
uniform skirt. “No. No luck. Let’s just go. This is a waste of time.”
I stomp away, leaving them all flabbergasted.
If only I could teleport myself away. I could make this dramatic leave so much more... dramatic.
Just something else I failed at.
I will never get Brynmawr on my side.
Chapter 17.
I never went back to Dinas Emrys. My housemates begged and told me to not give up, but I didn’t see the point. I just stayed in my room, only getting out of bed for classes.
Brynmawr will never warm to me. He hates me, and there’s no amount of sweet talk or daffodils in the world that will help me now.
But I can’t give up. They’re right. I have to stop Mattie somehow. Brynmawr got mad when I mentioned Gwyneira and the Humphreys, and he had said and I quote, “Don’t say that name...”
Who? Gwyneira? The Humphreys? Which Humphrey?
I suppose Gwyneira was technically his roommate or “hill mate” at one time. According to the legend, when they weren’t sleeping, they were fighting, and then when they weren’t fighting, they were sleeping. It was their ruckus that caused King Vortigern’s fortress to crumble until Myrddin warned him.
It seems Brynmawr still resents Gwyneira to this day. They’re enemies after all just as Mattie and I are... or were... Then we fell in love and things just go so much more complicated.
My eyes expand as I lie upon my bed, jolting upright. My heart thrashes.
Holy mother of dragons...
They were... Brynmawr and Gwyneira...
I mean, I did notice they were conveniently the opposite sex, but I didn’t want to make assumptions. (Would my mind have wandered there if they were both males for example? Probably not. Not that I would have a problem with gay dragons, of course.)
I jump out of bed, sliding into my slippers. Gelert sits up, cocking his head to one side. Some nights he will stay with Thomas. Then at times, he will slip into bed with Felicity, but I don’t think the ghost dog is too fond of the demon that also likes to slip into her bed too.
