“I know, and I like it because it's hard to find someone who can relate to this stuff.”
“Can't say I know that from personal experience, but I would imagine it would be.”
She watched him. He could feel her gaze upon him and when he glanced her way he saw her eyes were wide and glossy. “You've really been alone for all of this time,” she said.
“Yes.”
Mikko stopped walking and wrapped her arms around him, tight. “Not anymore.”
Chapter Ten
Mikko brushed her hair and got ready for bed. She was exhausted from the long day. At the same time, she couldn't wait to get up and do it all over again. Having Ichitaca around made the whole experience a lot more exciting and she didn't understand why. Her stomach rumbled. It'd been a while since she had last eaten. She drew a robe around her nightgown and left her room to go see what was available in the kitchen.
Even though she didn't stay with her grandparents often, she had her own room in their home. It hadn't been touched since the last time she'd been there for longer than a few days, which had to have been years ago. She could see how much her interests had changed in eight years. If she counted the years in human terms, it would have been even longer since the dragons aged four times slower than the normal humans. About the only thing that was the same was her love for pink and stuffed animals. The posters on the walls all displayed interests she didn't enjoy as much, or movie-star crushes she no longer giggled over. She wouldn't redecorate, however. Mikko liked being in touch with her past.
The condominium where her grandparents lived was old, dating back to when her great-grandparents had been alive. During the Great War between the Oceina and the Inero, a lot of damage had been done to it in one of the attacks. Her grandfather, the Great Lord of the Oceina, had rebuilt it as almost an exact replica of what it had once been. There were many floors, each housing a different family. On some lived her cousins, and on others her uncles. The original vision was that it would be a home for the family to share, yet still maintain separate space. Mikko was the only member of the family who lived further than an hour away. A fact that had caused a lot of drama for her and her uncle Tyson.
She slowed as she approached the kitchen and heard voices. Her grandmother and Tyson in fact. Unsure of if she should enter, she stood outside of the doorway and out of sight.
“I don't agree with that plan,” Tyson said in a calm voice. “Obviously I can't stop her if that's what she chooses to do, but I think it's in everyone's best interests if we return to Terran.”
“Keep her in the dark even more?” her grandmother asked.
Tyson exhaled slowly. “It's what Ethan and Dani wanted. They didn't want her to grow up with all of the pressure. You saw what being Touched did to your husband and how it outcast him from the rest of dragon society. I don't want to see the same thing happen to Mikko, and neither did they. Besides, how do you think she'll react, learning that she's the savior of the entire world?”
Savior of the world? Mikko's chest tightened, her breath caught in her throat, at the thought. She was a pure dragon and she knew that alone made her special, but savior? Pressure was an understatement of what she was feeling on her shoulders then.
“Not well, I would imagine. I don't think anyone takes that kind of news well. Is it better that she not know, though?” her grandmother countered. “I love her just as much as you do, but she has a destiny that can't be thwarted. It's what she was born to do. Have you even taught her about herself from the Holy Book? Even discreetly?”
“Yes!” Tyson groaned. “Of course I have taught her about the Great Dragon, Tai. And I've taught her to uphold the Holy Commandments. She's as close to perfect as a person can get. I've never seen her make the same mistake twice. I can't even think of a time she's lied. Most of that isn't because of anything I've told her, however, but just because of who she is naturally. When we talk about the Holy Book, she soaks it up like a sponge. She understands things on a whole new level. I think deep down inside of herself, she knows who she is.”
Mikko wasn't so sure, but maybe he did have a point. She'd always known she was meant for some kind of greater destiny. No matter how frustrating her circumstances were, she still loved and trusted God, wanting to believe that it was all part of some grander scheme. Tyson was confirming her suspicions.
Her grandmother sighed softly. “I understand what Ethan and Dani wanted, and I didn't fault them for that — especially since she was so young at the time of their death. We all love her and only want the best for her. She's an adult now, and the calling is going to pull her away in one way or another. All I ask is that when she receives it, you not hinder her and continue to hold her back. At her next birthday, she must be told. That's still several months away so there's time to prepare telling her the truth.”
The rumbling in Mikko's stomach returned, and there was a shift of chairs in the kitchen. They had to have heard it, but hopefully they wouldn't realize just how long she'd been standing there listening in. She cleared her throat quietly and made a few taps on the wall as if she were still walking down the hall before poking her head in with a rather forced smile on her face.
“Hello,” she said.
“You're up late,” her grandmother said, also smiling.
Tyson gazed across the room at her, sadness in his eyes. He had to have known that she eavesdropped. Her grandmother didn't know Mikko well enough to understand her body language, but he did.
Her smile changed into one that was more natural and relaxed. “I was hungry, so I thought I would get up and see what was in the kitchen. There's probably a lot of food left over from the party. Are there any of the mini quiches left? Those were fantastic.”
Slowly, her uncle got up from his chair and went to check out what was inside of the refrigerator. He pulled out a plastic wrapped plate. “I see some of the potatoes in here too, and a lot of sweets. Do you want a little bit of everything?”
“Yes, please.” Her stomach rumbled more, and it distracted her mind from everything else. Mikko didn't even want to entertain the possibility of being the Great Dragon until she learned more and had a moment to soak the whole thing in on her own.
Once the food was prepared, Tyson set it down in front of her. He stroked her hair and he had such a sad smile on his face. While his lips pretended to be happy, she noticed it in his eyes. They were downcast and solemn.
He breathed out a heavy sigh. “I should get back to bed.” He kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, Mikko. I'll see you in the morning, and don't stay up too late. I'm sure tomorrow will be just as busy because your uncles want to take you sailing.” Then he took the Lady Oceina's hand and gave it a kiss. “Goodnight to you as well.”
With Tyson gone, Mikko suddenly became very aware of herself. But that might have had something to do with the fact that her grandmother's gaze was fixed on her, watching her every move. Was she checking to see if Mikko was in fact perfect? All of the attention had Mikko's hands shaking and she spilled food on herself. If I was perfect before, I'm definitely not now. Something tells me perfection wouldn't be such a fumbling klutz.
“Are you all right, dear?” her grandmother asked.
“No,” she whispered. Mikko wanted to lie, to hide her feelings, but Uncle Tyson was right, she couldn't do it. Something inside of her kept her from speaking false words. Lying didn't seem worth it anyway. What would she achieve? A guilty conscience.
The Lady Oceina moved her chair closer to Mikko, and she hugged her granddaughter. “What's wrong?”
“I'm unbelievably stressed,” she confessed. “And I haven't been sleeping well. I think things are piling up and I'm having a hard time managing them. Which is probably why I'm so hungry as well, stress eating.”
“I've done my fair share of that.” Her grandmother paused. “Just know that you're never handed any more than you can handle.”
It's true. She felt it deep inside of her heart. There was a lot she didn't understand, but a peac
e as well. Whatever answers she was seeking, she knew they would come. She just had to keep having faith.
Chapter Eleven
Mikko had another dream. Once more she found herself at the park from before. It was summer instead of spring. She noticed beautiful, full, blue roses on all of the bushes and in the trees. Then red rosebuds began to appear and bloom right before her eyes. She'd never seen anything like it before.
As she walked through the park, the flowers began to glow as if they wanted to lead her down a specific path. The luminous flowers reminded her of something or someone, but she couldn't quite put her finger on whom. A familiar warmth tingled in her stomach and throughout her body. She loved the warm sensation and never wanted it to fade.
The glowing roses congregated toward one specific area of the park. They created a circle, spiraling together, forming ring after ring of alternating blue and red roses which lit up with the most pure of lights. When the two colors were close enough together, they looked like purple fire.
She gasped in awe. “What… is this…?”
“Mikko,” a faint voice said. She wasn't sure if it was male or female. It echoed around her.
“Who's there?” she asked.
“Mikko,” the voice said again.
She frowned. “What are you trying to tell me? I don't understand.”
Off in the distance she heard a crunch of twigs and dry grass. She faced the direction of the noise and the light faded. Suddenly it was dark and she could hardly see a thing. Even the roses were beginning to dim and the vibrant royal purple fire started to simmer into only twinkling embers in the grass.
Red eyes pierced the darkness. The same pair she had seen from her last dream. Shivers rolled down her spine.
“Come and find me, Mikko,” a male voice said. It was smooth and deep, masculine, and dare she even think it, sexy. A figure appeared where the red eyes were, and the coloring of those eyes began to change. Red cooled to dark purple, then to blue, and then to shining silver.
She took a step forward, drawn to the gaze though her flesh screamed for her to run in the other direction. The handsome man from her previous dream returned. Before she could walk more than five feet toward him, another gust of wind rushed into her, slamming her straight on. She fell back onto her bottom, shielding her face with her arms as it continued to whip past her. The roses flared into an even more intense light than before. A trail of them spread from the circle and surrounded her, engulfing her in a new circle of warmth.
The handsome young man stretched out his hand toward her, yelling at her to no doubt take it. His words were drowned out by the roar of the wind. She could read his lips, see the urgency in his eyes, but the growing pain in her stomach she felt as she maintained eye contact with him was enough for her to retreat deeper into the purple light. Peace replaced the pain. Mikko pulled her knees to her chest and closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she found herself back in her bedroom staring up at the ceiling — wide awake.
Chapter Twelve
“You should stay longer.” Lady Oceina was on the verge of begging. She grabbed his hands and gave them a squeeze. “It's only been a couple of days, and I still would much love to get to know you better. You're my godchild too and it would be wonderful to make up for lost time.”
Ichi held her gaze with his own, smiling. “I've been away from my home for a lot longer than only a few days. When I heard the news of your husband, I had been traveling. The only reason I knew is because I keep my ears open for information. I have to take care of the house. Once that's done, I promise I will be back.” He didn't much want to come back so soon, but it was the right thing to do. Coming back to finish exploring Oceina more thoroughly would be his first stop on his world tour.
For a moment the Lady Oceina's eyes pooled with tears. “You're right. There are other things that need to be done before I selfishly keep you here with me. I won't try to thwart your destiny again.”
Destiny? I think she's taking it a little too seriously. It's not a big deal. “It's okay.”
“You're really going to leave so soon?” Mikko asked from the doorway of the kitchen. She stepped into the hall where Ichi had been talking with the Lady Oceina. He couldn't figure out if Mikko was happy or sad to see him leave. Her emotions were so difficult to read and she had so many curious scents coming off of her: lavender, plumb, salt, wine. They were all emotional smells he wasn't familiar with, nor been instructed on.
He continued to keep the smile on his face, wanting Mikko to see his optimistic side. “Try not to miss me too much, okay? I won't be gone for too long and I would hate for your world to be shattered over only a few days.”
Mikko rolled her eyes, and the Lady Oceina giggled.
“You are your father's son,” the Lady mused.
“I suppose I'll have to find a way to see you again soon,” Mikko added. “We're going back home to Terran at the end of the week.”
“Maybe that'll be the first place I go to visit on my journey around the world.” He met her gaze with his own and soaked in the beauty of her amethyst eyes.
She nodded. “Until then, I'll walk you back to your hotel. There's something I need to do in town today.”
“Like?” her grandmother asked.
Mikko shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “There's a park I'm searching for. It was in one of my dreams. I'm not sure where it is, but I think I'll know it when I see it.”
“There's a park near here,” Ichi said. “Maybe you were dreaming about a familiar place. Sometimes being in certain locations sparks memories, and we dream about those things in our subconscious.”
“I've never been to the park by here,” she whispered.
The Lady Oceina placed one of her hands on Mikko's arm and rubbed it gently. “Because that was the place where your great-grandfather was murdered.”
Both of Ichi's eyebrows rose at that news. He'd never been told much about anything pertaining to the Great War. Only that his father had helped resolved it and that there had been a lot of unnecessary violence and drama between the Oceina and Inero. He watched as Mikko's skin seemed to pale about three shades.
“Murdered by Grandpa Matthias.” Mikko held herself. “I understand now. Excuse me.” She exited the room briskly, leaving nothing more than a breeze as she passed Ichi.
“She loved Matthias,” the Lady said softly. “That truth has always been a difficult one for her to accept. She has not had an easy life.”
“It doesn't seem like it,” Ichi said.
“It'll only get harder.”
“Gotcha.” What could he say to such a statement? He couldn't flat out agree with her. Ichi hated the idea of anyone, least of all Mikko, only living a rough life full of pain and turmoil. At the same time, he knew first hand that life wasn't easy. Nobody got a break, ever. It was easier to come to terms with the fact that life would probably be more pain than pleasure earlier on. Of all the people he'd met in his fairly short life span, he wanted Mikko to be the exception to that cruel rule more than anyone else.
The Lady patted his back. “Please take care of yourself. I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm worried.”
“I promise to do my best.” He gave her a hug. “I'll make sure to send word to you that I made it back okay.”
“Thank you.”
With slight hesitation, he pulled away from her and went further down the hall to his guestroom. He didn't like leaving her, which was strange because Ichi tended to not care much for anyone he barely knew. I need to go back. I completely forgot that it's been so much longer than it should have been. The human expansion could already be upon my doorstep. I need to clean house.
Waiting inside of his guestroom, sitting on his bed, was Mikko. Ichi stopped in the doorway, startled to find her. Even more so when he noticed she was crying.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes, these are happy tears.” She scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Mikko shook her h
ead. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't be rude. No, I'm not all right.”
What do I do? He scratched his arms, trying to decide on the best course of action. Ichi stepped further into the room and sat next to her on the bed. Hopefully, that wouldn't be seen as an inappropriate gesture. Clearly, Mikko needed comfort, and he knew from his experiences with his mother that sometimes the best way to give that was to be close. His mother had always liked to be hugged whenever he'd seen her cry. Women had to want similar things.
With a trembling hand, he pulled her close to him, cradling her head against his chest. “If you want to talk about it, you can. If not, that's fine too.”
Mikko's tears wet his shirt as she cried. “Will you come with me to the park?”
He tried not to smile at the request. She was in pain and nothing about that made him happy. But she needed him. Mikko needed him and wanted him to be there for her. Not her grandmother, and not her best friend who was more like a little brother, Teo.
“Yeah, I'll go with you.”
Ichi got his things together and they left the condominium. He let Mikko lead the way. She walked down the sidewalk with an intense determination on her face. Her brow was furrowed, her lips pursed, and each step she took in her heeled boots could be heard with a loud clack. When they arrived at the park gateway, she stopped.
“You can do it,” he whispered.
“I know,” she said. “I'm just not sure if I will like what I find.”
“You might not, or you might not find anything at all. You're never going to know until you walk in.”
“I know.” She put one foot into the park, as if she was afraid she would be smitten on the spot for daring to do such a thing. She relaxed when nothing happened.
Ichi didn't wait to close the gap between them. He stood next to her, ready to offer up whatever kind of support he could. “Hardest part is over, right?”
Legend of the Great Dragon Page 6
