Starbeam

by Adrienne Woods

  I was losing myself with her and I wanted more.

  “Albert stop,” she spoke softly through heavy breathing.

  “What is it?”

  “We are not married yet. I’m not like that.”

  “Then stop riling me up, my lady.”

  “I’m not trying to, stop saying things like that to me.”

  “Like what.”

  “Making me sound like I’m the air you breathe.”

  “Well, you are. And you will always be that to me. Forever and ever.”

  Chapter 24

  KATIE

  * * *

  Over the past few days, Albert and I really became closer.

  He gave me his pinky ring and told me that after this war he would replace it.

  Goran came back from his expedition of searching for me and Albert apologized profusely about how he forgot to tell Goran that I was back.

  He was so selfish in so many ways.

  It didn’t feel like war, or that a war was lying on the horizon.

  I told Albert that I wanted to tell Goran that we were going to be married.

  I felt so sorry for Drizelda. No, I didn’t.

  We sat at the lake, throwing stones. Something he taught me when I was still Andrew.

  “I heard the rumors, Katie.” He said and his blue eyes penetrated my soul.

  “I’m so sorry, Goran.”

  “Why do you apologize? He didn’t force you did he?”

  “No, he didn’t. He is a force of nature, that is for sure.”

  “That is Albert. The dreamer and then he will do whatever it takes to make the dream come true.”

  “You are not mad.”

  “No, he’s one hell of a lucky guy, but he always was.”

  “It’s not going to ruin your friendship, or ours, is it?”

  “Nothing can ruin any of my friendships, except me. I care for you a lot, Katie but you and Albert have something magical. Who am I to get in the way of that?”

  “You know he wants to practice magic, he wants to break that law, make a new one.”

  “He’s talking about the school again.”

  “Yes, it’s floating in the sky now.”

  Goran laughed. “If that is what Albert wants, I can promise you that school will be in the sky.”

  I laughed. He made everything sounds so easy. I was afraid that he was going to get his heart crushed one day.

  “Thank you for keeping my secret as long as you did.” I bumped his shoulder.

  “I have to say you almost gave me a heart attack. I knew dragon magic was strong, I just didn’t know how strong.”

  I laughed remembering that night. “It had to be the fever.”

  “Are you blaming your tardiness on fever now?”

  “I didn’t forget to take the kernel, I was out of it Goran, almost died.”

  “You almost did.”

  “I wouldn’t have known what to do if Maze had woken up too.”

  “He would’ve understood just like I did. You are a force yourself Katherine, you and Albert will make a great team one day. Give us a better Paegeia.”

  “I truly hope so.”

  He laughed. “Al will rub off on you eventually. You will see nothing is impossible with him at your side.”

  He was so nice. Not saying that he was wrong for me or nothing the way Al did. He was making me confused.

  “So when is the big day happening?”

  “He said soon. The priest is going to be here in a few days. Meaning Tanya is going to return too. She needs to compel him.” Silence lingered. “How did she even know?”

  “Al said that she could smell the dragon magic on you.”

  “How, there are other dragons here too. They didn’t.”

  “Because she doesn’t surround herself with humans that much and because she is a Green-Vapor.”

  I laughed. “That is the name he chose for her breed.”

  “Yes,” Goran chuckled. “She is quite a remarkable dragon. You should see her in action.”

  “Yes, I think she tried it on me once but it didn’t work.”

  “What didn’t work?”

  “Her things she does. She said bizarre things and basically telling me how I was going to forget myself. I thought she was trying to scare me but I saw it in her eyes when she didn’t succeed. It scared the living crap out of her.”

  Goran laughed. “She really couldn't compel you.”

  “No, you think it was the magic?”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s the bond. It protected you from her ability.”

  “I don’t have an ability, Goran.”

  “Maybe not, but you could gain one later, Katie.”

  “I could?”

  “We don’t know that much about what humans and dragons can do. Al is right, you two need to find mutual ground so we can learn.”

  “Is that why Helmut and Emanual…”

  “Don’t say it too loud. The dragon doesn’t see it that way, not yet. He doesn’t have a bond like you and Tanya have.”

  “It’s so confusing.” I sighed.

  “Tell me about it, but we have learned a couple of things already.”

  “Like.”

  “Like my frost is compatible with a Snow Dragon.”

  I laughed again. “What, no ‘Frost Tail’ or something, just plain Snow Dragon.”

  “I guess the inspiration for that one just dried up.”

  “So you are going to tame a Snow Dragon?”

  “Hell no.”

  “Why not?”

  He looked at me. “Have you ever seen Snow Dragons here?”

  “Not yet.”

  “They are cowards. No way would I claim one. I’m going to find me a nice Swallow Annex as something tells me that I’m going to need a lot of healing in the future.”

  I laughed at the way he said that.

  It was so easy to laugh with Goran. Everyone said he had walls, but he seemed to have none when he was with me. He was so open. We were so much alike, just like Albert had said.

  He was understanding too.

  Which made me think again about my decision to marry Albert.

  We talked until late and finally went back to the camp.

  Albert didn’t like it and he sort of glared at Goran when he went to his treehouse.

  Only when I sat next to Albert did his lips curve.

  “You okay?”

  “I will be.”

  “You are jealous.”

  “He has feelings for you Katherine. And he is really popular with girls. Of course I was worried especially when you stayed away for so long.”

  “We just talked.”

  “About what.”

  “Dragons. Tanya. You and your silly names. Snow Dragon. What happened there?”

  He laughed out of his belly. “Inspiration dried up, maybe you have a good name.”

  “No, Snow Dragon is the name they got, Snow Dragon they will stay.”

  He kissed my knuckles again as we enjoyed the evening with the rest of the camp.

  He walked me to my tree, the one Maggy was now sharing with me, and gave me a kiss before I climbed the steps.

  “Soon, you will be mine.”

  “You make it sound as if I should be afraid.”

  “No, you don’t need to be afraid. You will love it, I promise.” He whispered in my ear giving me goosebumps. “Sleep tight sweetheart.”

  “You too, my handsome prince.” I teased and he chuckled. I climbed the steps fast and blew him a kiss which he caught.

  He was so corny but I loved every bit of it.

  “Someone is in love.” Maggy sang.

  “Oh shush. Be careful that I don’t tell Helmut how long he really had a relationship with you.”

  “Oh you wouldn’t.”

  I laughed at her as she seriously looked worried before she joined in.

  The laughter died and she looked at me. “Who would have thought that life could be so amazing, huh?”

  “Yo
u are not worried that his father isn’t going to accept you and him?”

  “No,” she chuckled. “Because he will give up the crown for me Katie, he has a twin and he told me his father would do, or accept, anything rather than to give the crown to Goran.”

  I didn’t like that and my smile disappeared.

  “Why does he treat him like that?” I needed to know. Sure he walked around like a bird with a broken wing, that needs saving, but he wasn’t like that.

  “It’s because of what he can do.”

  “What, blow frost? Helmut has fire.”

  Maggy frown. “He never told you.”

  “Told me what.”

  “Maybe you should ask him.”

  “I’m asking you, what?”

  She sighed and silence lingered for a while.

  “He can speak Wyvic, nobody taught him that.”

  I froze. Goran could speak Wyvic. It was seen as the devil’s tongue as nobody had seen a wyvern for years. They were much worse than the Chromatics or that was how I heard it.

  “Katherine.”

  “It’s fine. It doesn’t mean he is bad. He didn’t ask for it.”

  “I know, Albert, Helmut and Caleb know it too but that’s not how King Magnus sees it.”

  “It’s wrong how he treats his son.”

  “You don’t have to tell me that.”

  I rolled over on my back and closed my eyes.

  Goran could speak Wyvic. I thought I knew everything about him. Why didn’t I know that?

  We were definitely going to have a talk about that in the morning.

  The next morning I went to hunt Goran down.

  Albert grabbed me as I passed a tree and kissed me fiercely. “One more day and then you will be mine.” His grin would go around his head if it wasn’t for his ears.

  It made me smile how joyful he was with that knowledge.

  “One more day,” I said and he put me down on the ground.

  “Have you seen Goran?”

  He froze. “Should I be worried?”

  “No, I need to talk to him about something important.”

  “Okay fine, but remember he’s my best man.”

  “Yes, yes.”

  I left him by the tree after he told me that he was by the lake.

  I knew he didn’t like my bond with Goran, but he needed to trust me.

  I found him skipping stones, thinking, and the one he just threw skipped five times.

  “Nice one.” I said and he looked over his shoulder and smiled.

  “Albert knows you’re here?”

  “Of course he does. He doesn’t own me Goran.”

  He smiled.

  “We need to talk.”

  “About what.”

  I took a seat on the stones as he played with a rock in his hand, ready to throw it.

  “About what you can do?”

  “My frost.”

  “The other thing.”

  He looked at the ground and started to laugh. It was one that I had never heard before and it sent a chill down my spine. “Unbelievable.”

  “What is?”

  “He would do anything for you to hate me.”

  “Who?”

  “Don’t do that Katherine. Stupidity doesn’t suit you.”

  “Excuse me.” I got up. What the hell was wrong with him?

  “I knew Albert couldn’t wait to tell you. I didn’t ask for this Katherine. I understand it, that is it.”

  “It wasn’t Albert that told me.”

  “Don’t lie.”

  “I’m not lying. It was Maggy okay. Helmut told her. Albert didn’t say a single word. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because of this.”

  “Of what?” I was furious.

  “The way you are.”

  “The way I am. You are hostile, Goran, not me. I thought I knew everything about you, and yet I didn’t know the most important thing about you.”

  “That doesn’t define me.”

  “Good, I’m glad.”

  He frowned. “You don't think I’m predestined for evil.”

  “No, you idiot. I think it’s unique and will come in handy one day.”

  “Handy.”

  “Oh c’mon. How long do you think it’s going to take before Albert wants to free the wyverns too. He can’t speak Wyvic, Goran.”

  Goran laughed and I joined in.

  “Sorry.” He said.

  “Forgiven. You should’ve told me, idiot.”

  “I learned a long time ago to keep that a secret for as long as I could.”

  “Don’t, I think it’s something special.”

  “Special?”

  “Look where we are, Goran. We are fighting for Chromatic rights. A few months ago, I thought the rebellion was a colony of Chromatic dragons, and then I found royal princes fighting for them. He talks about magic not being bad, about things that I could only dream of, which is probably going to end up being our future. I was wrong about so many things. Who says Wyverns are just not misunderstood like Chromatics? And we have one person, just one, that can communicate with them.”

  He stared at me and then out of nowhere he kissed me.

  I pushed him away. “Why did you do that?”

  “You can’t marry Albert.” He said softly. “His father is never going to accept it Katie.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Yes, I do. I grew up with the man.”

  “It’s different. Once he knows he is alive, it will be different.”

  “Some things will never change. Just like my father will never be proud to call me his son. I have to pretend to be Helmut just to get a break from it.”

  “That’s wrong. I’m sorry you have to deal with that. But I am going to be married to him. He will fight for me.”

  “He is the king Katie. He knows Albert’s tantrums, he knows how to deal with them. Please, don’t marry him, he will break your heart.”

  “Stop it. I have to trust him.”

  I wanted to walk away and he grabbed my hand. “I’m nothing. I don’t have a kingdom. I’ll never disappoint you, please.”

  “Goran stop. I love Albert.”

  “You don't know him.”

  “I do, through you, but what I’m hearing now is not the Goran I care for. I’m marrying Albert and that is final.” I pulled my hand from his grasp and rushed back to the camp.

  Tears were close and I prayed that I did not run into Al because he would kill Goran for what he had done.

  I found my treehouse and climb the steps fast. Once I was up there I lay on my bed roll and muffled my tears.

  I was so angry I could scream.

  But the tears had to be enough for now.

  * * *

  ALBERT

  I found Goran at the lake, skipping stones.

  “Hey, you seen Katie somewhere?”

  “No, she was here earlier but she left, why, is she missing.”

  “I hope not.” I made a joke. “You okay.”

  “I’m fine. She knows about the wyvern thing.”

  I froze. “And.”

  “And what. She thinks it’s awesome. That one day you will want to free the wyverns and would need me.”

  “That is a bit drastic.” I said and he laughed. “She really thinks that.”

  “Yes, you are one lucky guy, Al.”

  “I know.” I smiled.

  I could sense he wanted to be alone. “Guess, I’ll have to hunt her down before she really disappears.” I turned around.

  “Al,” he said and I turned around. “You know this isn't going to last.”

  “What isn’t?”

  “You, her. Your father isn’t going to listen.”

  “I’ll make him listen.”

  “And if it’s not enough?”

  “It will be. Where is this coming from.”

  “She deserves it. To be queen, but if your dad is going to make her feel like a commoner.”

  “What?” I got upset. “Please tel
l me you didn’t voice this to her.”

  “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “And neither do I, she won’t. I’ll handle my father. If we are married he has to accept it, he has no choice.”

  I turned around again.

  “I can’t be here Al.”

  I closed my eyes. “You are my best friend Goran. The one I trust the most. Don’t do this.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t be here.” He had tears in his eyes and my own welled up. Connie was right. She was going to pull our friendship apart.

  “Don’t ask me to choose, I can’t. Please.” I begged.

  “I’m not asking you to choose. She deserves the best and if you are the best, then so be it. I just can’t be here. Please.” His plea was barely a whisper.

  Marrying Katherine was breaking his heart. But not marrying her would break mine. I closed my eyes and nodded.

  I felt him passing me and I only opened my eyes when I heard his footsteps crushing the leaves.

  Katherine chose me and I’m not going to part with her just to keep him happy. He would learn that some things you can’t part with.

  Chapter 25

  KATIE

  I fell asleep and woke up when my stomach grumbled. It was around lunch time and I didn’t see Albert in the log house.

  I helped with the kids, dishing up for them and then sat down and ate a plate of Maggy’s stew myself.

  Goran’s words haunted me and not having Al beside me to set my worried mind at ease, or to tell me it was going to be okay, made me doubt things again.

  I helped Maggy and Issy wash the dishes after lunch. The two of them were really bonding.

  Issy’s face where Robert’s acid burned her looked better than it had a few days ago.

  Their healing ability was seriously amazing.

  Her spirit was high again. It was like nothing could break her, not even the dragon she had a bond with.

  I could learn a lot from Issy.

  “You are quiet tonight. Are you excited about tomorrow?”

  “Very,” I didn’t sound excited.

  “You getting cold feet?” Issy asked.

  “No, it’s something else. I can’t wait to marry Albert.” I smiled.

  “What happened Katie?”

  “Nothing I can’t deal with.” I sighed. “Why is being a woman so hard?”