by Mandi Oyster
Cody lowered himself to the ground next to me. He pulled my head to his chest and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Sorry,” he whispered in my ear. “I shouldn’t act like this. It’s not your fault. Please don’t cry.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for.” I didn’t deserve his comfort or support. I tried to pull away from him, but he held me tighter. “I do. I am a terrible person, and I don’t deserve you.”
“You are also the guest of honor, Dacia.” Sarah’s voice was stern and authoritative. She stood with her hands on her hips, daring us to argue. “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but you need to get back out there to your party. You need to stay close to Samantha and Dan—and Cody, if he’s ready to go out. If you want to keep this from everybody, you need to get back out there and act like everything is fine.”
“Okay.” I wiped the tears from my eyes and stood up.
“Why don’t you splash some cold water on your face?” Sarah clasped my shoulder. “Then we’ll all go out together with the pretense that you were giving us a tour of your house.”
Somehow Cody slid into a happy, carefree personality that probably fooled all but those closest to him. I saw the pain in his eyes. Samantha, Dan, and Sarah talked, managing to keep the conversation light.
As soon as we stepped outside, Mom said, “Where’ve you been?” Before I could answer, she grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the cake. “You need to blow out your candles.”
Mom and Dad stood on either side of me. Dad said, “Can I have your attention?” When people turned to look at him, he continued, “Thank you all for coming. We’re grateful to have all of you here to celebrate Dacia’s nineteenth birthday.” He squeezed my shoulder. “She’s always made us proud, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for her.”
Mom lit the candles and started singing, “Happy birthday to you …” Everybody else joined in.
I closed my eyes and made my wish. Please help me stop Mavros without anyone getting hurt. I blew out the candles, and after people quit clapping, I thanked them all for coming and making my day so special.
It seemed like an eternity had passed before Aurelia returned. I looked at her with raised eyebrows, but she shook her head and said, “Later.”
“So, are you joining our slumber party?” Samantha asked her.
“I am.”
“What about you, Sarah?” I asked. “Where are you staying?”
“There’s a bed and breakfast in town, an old Victorian house.” She pointed toward Bittersweet. “I dropped my stuff off there this afternoon. It looked pretty nice.” Sarah looked at Cody and me. “I got your parents together while you were gone. It’s okay with them if the two of you come back to campus early.”
“That was easy.” Cody’s arm was across the back of my chair, but he hadn’t touched me once since we left my room.
I stared at my hands folded on the table. The knots in my stomach tightened, causing my breath to catch. “Are you sure you want that now?”
“Thought I made it clear.” The muscles in his neck and jaw tightened, and another wave of guilt washed over me.
I lifted my hand, but stopped before touching his face, afraid he’d cringe. “That was before I broke your heart and permanently etched that sadness into your beautiful blue eyes.”
“I knew—you told me what I’d see—looked for you anyway.” Regret took the hard edge from his voice. “You saved my life. I should’ve thanked you.”
Watching people dance and talk and eat, I worried what would happen if Mavros decided to return and wondered if while I was here, any of them had invited him inside. “Does it feel like Friday the thirteenth to anybody else?”
“Things are going to work out; you’ll see.” Sarah rubbed my hand. “It’ll look better in the morning.”
A humorless laugh fell from my mouth. “Unless I’m covered in blood with worried parents banging on my door.”
“Mavros didn’t kill Cody.” Samantha leaned against Dan, holding her glass up to her mouth.
“That’s got to be worth something.” Dan took Samantha’s glass and set it on the table. The two of them sauntered toward the pond. Samantha’s white skirt swished with each step she took.
Mom appeared from nowhere. I closed my eyes and shook my head, hoping she hadn’t heard any of that conversation. I didn’t want her to know about the world of demons and dragons and all of the things that go bump in the night. She looked like she was enjoying herself, so I assumed our discussion had gone unnoticed.
She put her hand on my shoulder and asked, “Are you enjoying your party?”
“Yes, Mom.” I plastered a smile on my face. “It’s great.”
“Why don’t you and Cody get out there and dance? I haven’t seen you out there at all tonight.”
“I’m not sure Cody feels up to dancing.” I didn’t want him to feel obligated to look at me, let alone touch me.
He stood up and offered me his hand. “May I?”
I was a little surprised, but when I placed my hand in his, a genuine smile turned up my lips. “Of course.”
He pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me as we swayed to the music. “Give me time.” His voice was soft and his eyes sincere. “I’ll be okay once I get the images out of my head.”
“I’m sorry.” I slumped, watching our feet.
Cody lifted my face up and stopped moving. “Please … please don’t say that again, Dacia.”
“I have to apologize.” I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I hated myself and could never apologize enough for what I’d done. “Those images will never be gone. You’ll always remember.”
“You couldn’t help it. You’d’ve stopped him if you could.” He brushed my hair back. “Every time you apologize, it sends stabbing pains through my chest. I know you’re sorry. I forgive you. You’ve just got to give me time to deal with it.”
I started dancing again. If we stood still for too long, people would wonder what was going on. “I love you, Cody.” I squeezed his arm. “I love your patience. I love your faith in me, and I love that you can forgive me for this. It’s good to know that at least one of us can.” My stomach churned. “I’ll never forgive myself whether it was my fault or not.”
He bent down and nudged my nose with his, tipping my head back. His lips touched mine. “You need to. If you don’t, Mavros’ll win.”
“Even so, I don’t know if I can.”
We danced for a couple more songs before Dad cut in. “Are you enjoying your party, or is it a little too much for you?”
“Well … uh, it is a lot of attention, but it’s nice,” I answered him.
He sounded more than a little concerned when he said, “I hope you don’t mind that we told people not to bring gifts.”
“No, I don’t mind at all.”
“So, uh, I guess you’re going to be leaving pretty soon.” His shoulders hunched. He seemed smaller. Crow’s feet perched beside his eyes. His salt and pepper hair was shorter than I’d ever seen it. Whether it was to cover its thinning or just for something different, I wasn’t sure. As if he knew what I was thinking, he straightened and smiled at me.
“Yeah, Sarah mentioned having us go back Sunday or Monday. I didn’t know she was going to talk to you and Mom before I had a chance.”
“We’ll miss you, but we can’t keep you here forever. You’re growing up so fast,” he said. “And it seems like college has been good for you.”
“It has.” I looked at my friends sitting together, laughing and talking. “It’s helping me come out of my shell.”
“Just don’t stay away so long this time.” Dad had always seemed so strong and aloof. I wasn’t sure where this vulnerability was coming from. Had my parents changed, or was I just now seeing them for who they were? “Come home more often t
his year. Don’t wait for the holidays.”
“I’ll try, but with all the homework, I don’t always have a free weekend.” I needed an excuse in case things didn’t go well with Mavros. I couldn’t come home again until this was over.
“Do your best. Mom and I get lonely here without you.” We danced in a comfortable silence for a while. “I’m glad to see you have such good friends there, too. They seem like good kids.”
“They are. I’m lucky Samantha and I got stuck together, and it was good to see them again. I’ve missed them. After seeing them every day, it was hard to go the last few weeks without them.”
When the rest of the guests were gone, Mom and Dad found me. They took turns hugging me and telling me goodnight. “Don’t worry about the mess,” Mom said. “Your dad and I have all day tomorrow to get it cleaned up.”
“Goodnight, darling.” Dad gave me another quick hug before turning to everyone else. “It was nice to meet you all.”
As soon as they were out of earshot, Aurelia decided it was time to talk to us about Mavros. We sat at the table farthest from the house to keep my parents from overhearing us.
“Time does not mean the same thing to dragons as it does to humans. Hundreds of years ago—maybe even millennia—Mavros crossed my path. I had trained a girl a little younger than you, Dacia, and Mavros wanted her.”
“What happened?” I blurted out.
Aurelia’s eyes had a faraway look to them. The normally vibrant gold looked tarnished. “Patience, young one.”
“Sorry.”
“Her name was Elizabeth, and she was a lovely person.” She focused on me, bringing some of the luster back to her irises. “You remind me of her. I think it is your spirit. Like you, Elizabeth wanted nothing to do with him. She did not give in when he asked her to join him. She was a good person and very talented. However, she did not have your strength or courage, and her true love did not stand by her side. Unfortunately, she died before her time. When Mavros realized he could not win her over, he killed her.”
She turned to face Cody and continued, “Cody, you are stronger than Richard could ever have dreamed to be. If you turn away from Dacia, she will fail as Elizabeth did. Stand by her. Give her your love and support no matter how much it hurts. Try to remember that Dacia’s heart belongs to you, even if it does not seem that way.”
He placed his hand on top of mine. “I’ll do my best.”
“Mavros cannot force Dacia’s decision. He can make her feel like he is the only man in the world. He can ask her to join him while her defenses are down. He can even make her believe that he loves her, but he cannot compel her to choose to him.”
“I saw them.” Cody’s face darkened, and he folded his arms over his chest. “Won’t take much.”
“You’re right.” Once again, I wanted to reach out to Cody, to comfort him, to let him know he was the one I loved, but what if he rejected me? What if he didn’t want me anymore? “Aurelia contacted me just in time to bring me to my senses. That’s probably what saved you, Cody. I was aware when you showed up, but then I made the mistake of looking into Mavros’ eyes. Once I did, I was under his spell again.”
“Then don’t look in his eyes,” Cody said through clenched teeth.
“The same thing happens if he touches me.” I looked at my hands folded together on the table. Cody’s promise ring sparkled at me. “And, when he approaches me with people around, I can’t stop him from touching me.”
“What does he want with Dacia?” Samantha asked. “And, what did he want with Elizabeth?”
“My best guess is that he wants Dacia on his side so that he can go through with whatever diabolical plan he has.” She cocked her head as if listening. I’d seen her do it so many times last semester, and I finally understood.
“Arion’s here. Isn’t he?” I reached for his aura, but he must’ve been blocking me.
“Yes.” She smiled.
Samantha bounced in her seat and clapped her hands together. “Can we see him?”
Aurelia shook her head. “Most people would see him as a horse, but Britny would have seen him as a pegasus.”
“Okay.” Samantha’s expression did a one-eighty.
“I am certain you will see him again.”
“So … Mavros.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “Why would it matter? If Mavros was doing something evil, I would try to stop him no matter what.”
“No, Dacia, once you make a promise to a demon, you are bound to it. There is no turning back.”
“Oh, well that’s good to know.”
Dan huffed out a startled laugh. “Definitely need to know info there.”
Avoiding looking at Cody, I said, “When I was with Mavros, I asked what he wanted with me. He said he wants me because of my power, so Aurelia’s guess is probably right.”
“So, how does she stop him?” Sarah tapped her finger against her chin. “And what happened after Elizabeth was destroyed? Wouldn’t Mavros have been able to do whatever it was he wanted if she was out of the way?”
“I am not sure.” Aurelia’s eyes glistened. “I will see if I can find out what happened to Mavros after he killed Elizabeth. Maybe some of the elder dragons know. I lost track of him while I mourned her passing.”
I stood up and paced beside the table. My thoughts were jumbled together, threatening to bury me beneath them. I needed to move to keep that from happening. “How long are you going to be around?”
“I will see if I can get registered at Phlox University for the fall semester.” She looked at Sarah, then turned her gaze on me. “You are going to need help.”
Sarah nodded. “I can pull some strings and make it happen.”
“Didn’t think you could.” Cody watched every step I took.
Aurelia nodded. “I had other commitments. However, this is more important. Dacia is going to need our help and support if she is going to get through this, and we need to make sure she gets through this.” She looked at me, and her face was filled with warmth and pride. “Dacia, you are destined for greatness. You have proven that with Nefarious and again with Draconian. You are also a friend to the dragons. There are not many humans throughout history who have been able to say that.”
“All of us will help her in any way we can.” Samantha drummed her fingers on the table. “Dan and I will talk to our parents about going back to school early.”
“It would be best if you were not alone.” Aurelia focused her attention on Cody. “Mavros stands a better chance if he can get her by herself.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch ’til Samantha shows.” Cody shot me a sideways glance.
Sarah looked from me to Cody and shook her head. “I don’t know if I should allow you to sleep in her room unchaperoned.”
Anger ignited in Cody’s voice. “I’m not trying to take advantage of her!” He slammed his hand down on the table, and I wondered how much more he could take before he exploded.
Aurelia settled her hand over Cody’s. Then looking at Sarah, she said, “Mavros would not want Dacia if she was impure.”
Heat crept up my neck and onto my face. I looked at my feet and twirled a curl around my finger. “Well, that was embarrassing.”
Dan lifted his hands, palms up. “Sounds like you have your answer.”
“What?” Samantha glared at him.
“Oh, come on … you all know you were thinking it.” Dan rubbed his hand along his jaw. “You could make Mavros give up.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “I am not losing my virginity to keep Mavros away!”
“Dacia, calm down.” Sarah stood up and looked at all of us. “We’re still at your parents’ house.”
“You’re right.” I took a couple of deep breaths then said, “Cody and I agreed to wait, and after Mavros—” I pulled my han
d through my hair “—I don’t …”
“What?” Cody’s eyes blazed. “Know if you want me?”
“No. God, no.” My heart plummeted to my feet so quickly that I couldn’t keep standing. I sat next to him. “I’m afraid you won’t want me anymore.”
He stretched his hand out but let it drop between us.
Everyone else looked away. Samantha pulled her locket around its chain. Dan was suddenly very interested in the grass, and Aurelia and Sarah quietly talked to each other.
I grabbed Cody’s hand, praying he wouldn’t yank it away. His fingers tightened on mine. Relief surged through me. I stood, and he followed me to the koi pond. When we stopped, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and he pulled me against his body.
“Cody, I love you. I will only ever want you, no matter what it might look like.” I ran my hands along his back, wishing this night had never happened.
His hands trailed over my arms. “We could get married.”
“Do you really want to?” I pulled back and looked up at him.
“Eventually.”
“Me too.” I pressed my hand to his cheek. “Eventually.”
“If it’ll keep him”—his voice was full of venom and hatred—“away, I’ll marry you now.”
Rubbing my thumb along his cheek, I said, “I think it’s too late. I think he’d kill one or both of us.”
“Yeah.” He held his hand over mine.
Even though Cody had just offered to marry me, I felt like our relationship was more fragile than ever. Cracks had marred the surface the moment Cody saw me with Mavros, and when I’d kissed him without abandon, those cracks had shifted until deep fissures covered the terrain.
I looked at the others sitting at the table. “We can see what Aurelia thinks.”
Cody held my hand as we walked back. He stared into Aurelia’s eyes with challenge in his, and I was glad she had her dragon under control. “Will he go away if we get married?”
