Page 12 of Merry in Moonvale (Moonvale Matches #3)

CHAPTER 12

Fiella

T he days before Merry Day passed in a blur of dragon scales, smoking leaves, and icy puddles.

They were the most exciting and exhausting days of my life. And now, Merry Day was tomorrow, and I was not prepared. I had managed to finish my knitted gifts, sure, but I wanted to make them even better. I wanted to make sure they were perfect . And I wanted to wrap them up beautifully and intricately. If I found the time, I would.

Ember, surprisingly, had actually been helpful when it came to knitting. When he wasn’t too busy chasing Sookie around, he helped me keep strands of yarn from tangling, and if I let him play with the scrap pieces, he even helped me keep my rows and knots straight and even.

I wouldn’t have finished the projects without him. I wouldn’t admit that, though. It was too embarrassing to say, “The baby dragon is better at knitting than I am,” out loud.

The dragons could not be contained indoors. Both my Ember and Kizzi’s Raine were relentless in their pursuits for open air, clawing at doors and windows and trying to push through cracks.

After we were pretty sure they weren’t actually murderous beasts, we didn’t want to contain them. They wanted to explore, and we wanted to make them happy. So, we let them roam.

Mayor Tommins was not pleased with that plan.

He had scolded me and Kizzi the first time he saw the two little dragons zipping around Town Square, chasing fluffy squirrels and swatting at crispy, crumpled leaves. He had shouted, and threatened, and even crossed his arms and stared at us disapprovingly (which was the scariest part).

But then, like the rest of us, he fell under their spell. He didn’t even yell when Ember caught a pile of leaves on fire dangerously close to his office, or when Raine froze one of the cobblestone paths into a giant icy mess.

He simply laughed, shook his head, and moved along, content to let the dragons play as long as nobody was harmed.

And nobody was harmed, aside from a few slips and singed sleeves. In fact, the entire town was absolutely enthralled.

It was like Kizzi’s love potion fiasco all over again, except this time, instead of obsessing over Kizzi, the folk of Moonvale simply wanted to catch a glimpse of the legendary dragons. Or if they were lucky, pet one on their scaly, horned heads.

The third egg—the green one—still hadn’t hatched. I wondered what affinity it would have. Would it lean toward flame, like Ember, or would it be drawn to ice, like Raine?

I tried to quell my worry. My stomach churned when I thought about the deal that the witch in Rockward had arranged with Kizzi—if the dragon didn’t hatch by Merry Day, we had to return the egg to the mountains.

There was still time. Only a day, but time, nonetheless.

“Hot cocoa?” Redd asked as he dropped onto the bench beside me. I was perched in the park in Town Square, watching Ember and Raine fight over a little stick while a few cats perched on benches nearby, watching the fiasco unfold.

There was no better entertainment.

I grabbed the mug gratefully, relishing the way the heat soaked through my knitted gloves and warmed my stiff fingers. “You’re the best. Did you know that?”

He chuckled. “Who’s winning?”

I blew on the steaming liquid for a moment before taking a tiny sip. My fangs tapped against the mug. The cocoa was almost hot enough to burn, but not quite—the perfect temperature. It was rich and sweet and smelled almost better than it tasted.

“Raine keeps getting the stick away from Ember, but she’s too sweet to run away with it—she just sets it down and lets him take it back. But he always underestimates how sneaky she is, so she is able to snatch it away again.”

Redd snorted. “That sounds about right. She's all strategy, he’s all strength.”

“Mhm. I’m resisting the urge to coach him right now. I don’t think he wants my pointers. He wouldn’t listen, anyway.” Quieter, I said, “I’ve already tried.”

Redd laughed even louder. “I would expect nothing less.”

Other folk meandered through the park, staying to watch the dragons for a while before eventually returning to their homes.

Linc, a brown-haired human, stayed the longest, hooting and hollering and cheering whenever one of the dragons stole the stick again. It was practically a spectator sport.

Velline and Lunette stopped by, too, admiring the dragons and complimenting them on their grace and strength.

Even the coven of witches came by at one point, quietly observing with looks of awe on their faces.

Pride swelled in my chest, almost impossible to contain. I felt I would burst with it.

Redd retreated to finish up his last Merry Day gifts, leaving me bundled up on the bench alone. I pulled my cloak closed even tighter, making sure the hood was snug against my ears. The cold threatened to solidify me.

When the suns eventually slipped below the horizon and the moons took their place, and the air cooled to an almost painful degree, I finally stood from the bench.

My knees were stiff and creaky, protesting the change after sitting for so long. My ass wasn’t faring much better.

“Alright, beasts!” I called out. “Bedtime!”

Ember whined, steam whistling out of his nose.

“Don’t complain, mister. We can come back tomorrow. I know you’re sleepy.”

Obediently, Raine flew over to me, landing delicately on top of my head.

I wanted to laugh. Days ago, I would have thought this impossible, sitting in the park with a baby dragon on my head.

But this was life now.

I wandered in the direction of Kizzi’s apothecary so I could drop her dragon off first. “Let’s go, Em. I’ve got a bowl of sausage links waiting for you at home.”

That got him moving. Ember hurried after us, frantically flapping his wings. “Hungry beast,” I muttered under my breath.

Rain stayed on top of my head, content to ride me like a carriage.

When we reached Kizzi’s shop, I pulled her door open and nudged the blue dragon inside. She was cold as ice. “Delivery!” I called through the open door. “To the Moons, Kiz!”

Her muffled voice responded, somewhere in the back of the shop. “Thanks, Fi! You’re the best. To the suns! See you tomorrow!”

“Can’t wait!” I pulled the door shut, a grin plastered onto my face.

Ember took Raine’s place on top of my head, his claws gripping the fabric of my hood.

I couldn’t help it, my smile grew.