by K L Rymer
As promised, my grandparents took good care of Brynmawr, and his belly is larger now. I have no idea where they managed to procure all the meat, but I do notice there are fewer farm animals in Camelot.
In fact, the whole town has been feeding Brynmawr and treating him like a king, bringing him offerings of cows. They mostly do it out of fear, but I don’t want the power to go to the dragon’s head.
Yet he still remained my faithful, humble dragon, and I wasn’t wrong about the hordes of fangirls. The women of Camelot adore him, always coming around to glimpse a sneak peek of his scarlet scales. Some girls will even pass out and others will rip their hair.
My grandparents said they hadn’t seen the likes of it since the Beatles came to America, and I wonder what it is about the handsome, red dragon that gets all the ladies’ knickers in a twist.
Once I brushed the bones out of his teeth and freshened his breath, the girls were simply swooning. One look at that dazzling, debonair smile and they all drop like flies.
I bet Gwyneira would be very jealous...
Brynmawr currently curls up under the trees, surrounded by the girls of Mendacious. Well, apart from Angelina.
Felicity can’t get enough of the dragon, and I swear Damien’s eyes were glowing in envy when he spotted her admiring his scales. Nora’s simply smitten too, and now it’s like “Orion, who?”.
She would rather spend all her time with the dragon than her sexy merman now.
And don’t get me started on Zahara... She and Brynmawr hit it off the instant they met, and don’t think I haven’t noticed that dark twinkle in her eye.
Shankfoot scoffs as Felicity throws grapes up into Brynmawr’s mouth. “What is it with that bloody dragon, ‘ey? Why do the lasses love him so much?”
I hope the dwarf doesn’t get too jealous. At least he has Princess Sparkle Hooves...
I shrug, readying my sword again. “Who knows, but forget about that over-sized lizard and fight me, Shankfoot.”
The dwarf’s black eyes flash wickedly. “It would be my honour, lass.”
He releases a sudden battle cry and swings his sword, but I step aside and parry that oncoming blade, and I don’t even break a sweat.
I hold my magical shield in my other arm as I use that to dodge his blows too. I don’t bother to wear body armor, but Shankfoot went all out, and now he looks like an angry, metal midget.
Mr. Tanaka watches with interest as he sips tea along with Myrddin and my grandparents in the front yard.
They never really had tea in medieval times, but I guess there are some things Myrddin will let slip by...
A world without tea does seem like an atrocious thing.
The dwarf throws all of his weight at me next, and once again I let my feet do the work and sidestep in the nick of time. Now Shankfoot goes flying face-first onto the grass.
For such an expert with swords, he has no control when it comes to his anger. His methods are so different from the tranquil Ken Tanaka, who makes swordplay look like a form of interpretive dance.
There comes a commotion from the town next, and we all stop and listen. Then there are screams and echoes of “dragon”, and curiously we look to Brynmawr.
I never thought I’d see a dragon look so guilty as he glances around nervously, fretting his batwings.
“What... I didn’t do anything. It must be some other dragon...”
My heart pounds. Some other dragon...
It couldn’t be.
Myrddin rises calmly from his seat and proceeds towards the town, taking his magical staff and cosmic cape with him.
I stumble after him, maintaining the shape of my sword and shield. In fact, everyone follows from Shankfoot, Mr. Tanaka, Angelina, and the rest of Mendacious. Only Brynmawr stays with my grandparents and Tilly the cat.
We all march in single file and soon find ourselves amongst the throngs of the town.
Myrddin grabs a child, and it’s the same boy he confiscated the phone from a few weeks back.
“Billy, what is happening?”
The scruffy kid points to the gateway, and says through large buckteeth, “Another dragon is trying to get in through the gate! She’s not like our King Brynmawr. She’s evil!”
A dark expression forms over the wizard’s face and now he lets go of the boy. “Thank you, Billy. Run along and find your mother. We will handle this intrusion.”
The boy nods and vanishes up the street, and now we wade through the throngs. As humans, they have nothing on us supernaturals as we march through town, and soon we find ourselves at the gate.
And there’s no mistaking that flash of blue fire...
It’s Gwyneira, trying to get inside the gate. The magic keeps repelling her fire breath though as it backfires on her, but the heat has nothing on her thick, snowy-white scales.
I’m shocked to see her after spending so much time with Brynmawr now. She is smaller and so much tamer in comparison, but she lacks all the friendly warmth of my lovable Red Dragon.
Her icy, blue irises lock me in place, and now she bares her pearly white teeth. I bet she doesn’t get dragon breath...
“Let us through...”
I cock a brow, wielding my sword out in front of me, and I’m not the only one. We all extend our weapons. Myrddin with his staff, and Mr. Tanaka and Shankfoot with their swords. Zahara has her crossbow, and Damien his pitchfork. And Felicity stretches her slingshot. Nora holds her dagger and Thomas his dirk, and Jack knocks his brass knuckles together.
Angelina places her shotgun over her shoulder, aiming straight for the dragon.
We are all prepared this time...
“Us?” I respond, keeping my gaze on that white dragon.
Her pupils narrow to slits, and there’s no mistaking that this dragon bitch hates me. “I said let us through...”
I clench my teeth. “I want to speak with him.”
The she-dragon flaps her silvery wings as I dare give her orders, and now she steps aside, allowing that armored figure to come into view.
I scoff. The coward was hiding behind his dragon all along.
His emotionless, gray eyes land on me, and I try to fight off that lump in my throat when I get a look at that handsome, chiseled face.
“Bryn,” he remarks coolly, and I extend my sword, widening my stance.
“Mathew,” I reply, my voice just as cold. But it’s not enough to stop the warmth spreading inside my chest as I steal glances at his lips, remembering our last kiss.
I’d almost gotten through to him until that bitch Gwyneira stole him away from me.
“To what do we owe the pleasure, Mr Humphrey?” Myrddin says next, holding his staff out in front of him.
It really was stupid of Mattie to come here. He is more than outnumbered, and we also happen to have a dragon on our side now too. Brynmawr could easily overpower Gwyneira, even if he did hold back just now with his tail between his legs.
Myrddin could also suck Mattie’s powers away again like he did last year.
The mage chuckles, focusing his gaze on the famous wizard as he takes off his armor. He also makes his white, glowing sword vanish too, and I can’t help but notice how it’s similar to mine.
So that must be Mattie’s weapon. I’ve seen him make whips with his magic, and the thought makes my blood run cold.
How many weapons can he make?
Mattie soon stands before us in nothing but chainmail now and I try to pretend that I don’t see that glorious package beneath.
“I’m merely here to make a truce, Professor, and lay down my arms. I no longer wish to fight.”
My eyes bug and I drop my own defenses now. My heart skips a beat.
Has Mattie finally come to his senses?
Chapter 27.
Well, this is awkward.
Nobody knows what to do or say as those two dragons reunite at last.
It’s red against white once again, and I hold my breath, wondering who will strike the first move. My bets are on Gwyneira si
nce she’s a psycho bitch.
Brynmawr’s burning, gold eyes taper as he stares Gwyneira daggers, and her icy blues do the same.
I see the parallels between them instantly.
Whereas Brynmawr radiates heat Gwyneira seems to emit ice. Though she’s just as hot as he is as she produces fire all the same, yet still. There is no friendliness to her whatsoever. She really is the evil dragon.
“Gwyneira...” Brynmawr says.
The she-dragon bares her teeth like a dog.
The Red Dragon raises a brow. “So, you’ve got nothing to say to me then?”
Her pupils dilute and now she snarls, flapping her wings, and I almost feel bad for Brynmawr.
At least one of them is being civil.
What the hell did he even see in her? I get his choices were slim since they were the two last dragons, but he can still do better.
I scowl at her asshole rider then as he offers me a smug smirk. He almost looks proud of his dragon’s behavior.
“Control your dragon, Humphrey,” I scold and the she-dragon rounds on me now.
“Don’t you talk to him like that!” she snaps.
It’s Brynmawr’s turn to growl, and he makes Gwyneira sound like a Chihuahua in comparison. “You stay away from her, whore...”
The White Dragon’s blue eyes expand, and I smile when I see her reaction.
It’s not nice being called a whore is it, bitch...
Silence stretches over the yard next as Brynmawr’s insult seems to send shockwaves through the air. No one knows what to do, and I gaze around at my housemates.
Felicity hides in Damien’s coat like she always does, and Thomas and Nora stand as rigid as statues. Jack is silent and Angelina pokerfaced, but Zahara... she looks as if she is having the time of her life.
Myrddin and the other ‘adults’ don’t move a muscle.
The Unseelie claps her hands, and it almost looks as if she is giving a round of applause. “This is comedy gold, just brilliant! I doubt this was the reunion you were expecting hey, Brynmawr?”
The Red Dragon keeps his burning eyes on the White one, and I focus my attention on Gwyneira.
If I’m not mistaken... she almost looks hurt, and I start to wonder then if she still cares about my dragon as he clearly still cares about her (even though he just called her a whore but that’s because he loves me more now).
“No,” Brynmawr replies. “It’s exactly as I was expecting...”
The White Dragon blows smoke from her nostrils then jerks her head to the side, and it’s like Brynmawr no longer exists.
Myrddin heaves a great, heavy sigh and steps into the center of the group so we can all see him. “Well, it seems we have found ourselves in quite the pickle. Our enemy has suddenly had a change of heart and decided to come to our side.”
“Bullshit,” Angelina snarls, never taking those burning blues off Matthew.
Zahara nods her head. “Yeah, bullshit... I say we kill him where he stands.”
I hear a few murmurs in agreement and I turn to Mattie. He remains stoic, but I don’t miss that twitch of his upper lip, and the white glare in his eyes.
Funny... I never developed a red glare to my own eyes, and thank god. We already have one red-eyed demon in our group.
Speaking of said devil.... He doesn’t take those scarlet orbs off Matthew, and I can see he’s trying to rein his demon in. Thomas, surprisingly, keeps his inner beast at bay too. Jack clenches his brass knuckles.
The guys are all prepared to take him on. And add Shankfoot to that equation too. Sure, he doesn’t look as hot as the other three, but at least he’s trying.
Myrddin settles his sights on Mattie again, and now he steps closer, peering deep into his eyes.
Mattie doesn’t look away once as the wizard assesses his soul. Maybe we could get Brynmawr to gaze into his soul and see if he is telling the truth, but Gwyneira would never let him anywhere near her precious rider. One she has probably known since he was a baby.
She has been with the Humphreys centuries after all.
Myrddin places a hand on Mattie’s shoulder. “Matthew... do you swear that you have had a change of heart? Look me in the eyes now and be truthful.”
The mage’s gray eyes soften, and they flicker over to me now. I gasp when I detect that regret.
“Yes, Professor,” he whispers. “I have finally realised the error of my ways...”
“And your father no longer has you under his influence?”
Those storm clouds never leave me, and my own eyes burn. “No... he has no power over me anymore.”
Myrddin stares into Mattie’s soul that little while longer then says, “Very well. But to be on the safe side, you will both be taken in as prisoners.”
My heart hammers and I step up to Myrddin. “Professor... do you really think that is—?”
“It’s the only way, Bryn,” he replies, cutting me off. “For now we will keep our guard up until Mattie and Gwyneira have truly proven themselves. They’re still our number one threat after all.”
My heart sinks as I glance at Mattie. He doesn’t even look my way now as his expression becomes hard, and I wish I could reach out to him and throw myself against those gorgeous lips.
Myrddin summons a magical set of chains with his staff and fastens Matthew’s arms behind his back. Then he produces a blindfold, and now those storm clouds disappear.
It’s Gwyneira’s turn next as Myrddin places a huge dog collar around her neck, tugging her along by a magical chain, and the she-dragon doesn’t even protest.
I don’t miss the heartbreak dancing inside my own dragon’s eyes as we both watch the love of our lives being led away like criminals.
If only we could get through to them and find some mutual understanding.
But I won’t give up. I know the four of us can see eye to eye.
...
Three days have passed since Mattie’s imprisonment, and I truly wish there could have been some other way.
Myrddin said it was best for now. Until we decide what to do with him.
Several agree that we should just kill him and get it over with. Now that we have isolated him from his dragon, there’s nothing she can do. Gwyneira has been locked away in a separate dungeon.
I finally got access into the castle, and now I gaze upon that famous Round Table from the legend.
Myrddin decided to host a council meeting in the main chamber. Although the Round Table is nothing but a museum relic now, the wizard lets us use it just this once.
This is a matter of life and death.
We have a dangerous mage in our midst after all, and we have to stop him. Although he claims to have gone over to our side, we can never be too careful.
But it makes no sense. He comes to us laying down his arms and willingly hands himself over as prisoner. What do he and his father have to gain?
Unless he wants Mattie to get close to me again and earn back my trust, it’s going to take a hell of a lot more work than that.
I won’t be fooled this time...
Myrddin takes Arthur’s old seat, and it’s the largest in the council hall. It only seems fair. He was Arthur’s advisor once.
I sit beside him in what I hope was Galahad’s chair. I’m not sitting in that traitor Lancelot’s seat.
The rest of Mendacious place themselves at the table and look at us, taking up council with the famous wizard Merlin at the Round Table.
We really have come a long way.
Damien and Felicity sit close, and the pixie shakes in terror. The demon remains aloof, but I can tell he’s uncomfortable too. Then there’s Nora and Thomas who are tense and rigid. Jack occupies two seats. He’s silent.
Angelina is emotionless, but only Zahara seems proud of herself as she gazes around the council hall.
“Well, what do you know... We’re all Knights of the Round Table now,” she croons. “I bet Daddy is so proud of you down there, Damien. You’re one of the good guys now.”
Da
mien’s eyes flash bright red, and it is rather ironic that the Devil’s son would take up council at the Round Table. He definitely isn’t worthy. And neither is Zahara.
The men who had once sat at this table had all sworn an oath to God himself in order to protect the weak and vulnerable, but these two snuck off every night to get stoned.
Yes. Very chivalrous.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t be so stupid. This is just a formal meeting. We’re not knights... are we?”
We all look at the professor. He waves his hand. “No, of course not. Such an outdated concept. However, you will become soldiers in my army, I suppose. As you all know, a war is looming...”
Felicity squeaks. “W-War...?”
Myrddin smiles ominously, and he’s so creepy. “That’s right, Miss Thorn. War... There’s no point in sugar-coating it.”
She shivers and disappears beneath the table. Damien exhales, lifting her back up.
It hurts to watch. The last thing I want to see is that sweet little pixie get hurt, but I know that heartless demon will protect her.
I guess in some ways he does have the chivalry of a knight. He did come to her rescue last year, most likely looking like a knight in shining armor in her big, blue eyes.
I twiddle my thumbs, dreading the next question on my lips. “So, what do you think we should do? Do you think we can trust him?”
Silence falls over the table. I can tell Angelina has already made her mind up as that fire never leaves her eyes. Zahara is the same too. I know Damien would love nothing more than to see Mattie’s head on a pike, but Thomas and Nora are indecisive.
They did all promise they would help me in this war against Matthew, and if possible, we could find a loophole that didn’t involve hurting him.
That’s it. A loophole...
I turn to Myrddin again. “It’s simple. We take his powers. It’s the only way, Professor. At least then he can’t hurt us.”
“He still has the dragon bitch. So he’s not completely powerless,” Angelina remarks.
I scoff. “So, we have our very own dragon now. Besides, Brynmawr could take her.”
The vampire narrows her azure eyes. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Girls like Gwyneira eat guys like Brynmawr for breakfast. I should know. I am one...”
