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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

H e’d almost hurt her! Aurie’s mind raced as he led her to his desk, replaying the incident again and again. Hurt and anger had blinded him. The curse was consuming him! The dragon was taking his heart along with his humanity. How could he protect her from anything if he couldn’t even protect her from himself?

He riffled furiously through the books. If he couldn’t protect her himself, at least he could offer a spell to help her slip in and out speedily, and he refused to let her get attacked by those wolves again!

He found the book with the correct spell but… he was helpless! His claws were too blasted long and sharp—they would rip the delicate pages to shreds. Usually, he asked Galen to help, but in his frenzy, he hadn’t thought to ask for his steward. He glared at the book before scanning the room for some kind of solution.

He sucked in a breath as Melora tugged the book from his grip and flipped through the pages. “What are we looking for?” she asked, looking trustingly up at him with her sweet, molasses eyes. Careful to keep his distance, he managed to guide her with his broken speech to the correct spot. Finding the spell, he breathed a sigh of relief and went to track down the ingredients. An ancient rose—thorns and all. Snapping two of his mother’s gilded roses from the bush, he returned. Fairy dust was quickly located among the vials. Next, three drops of dragon’s blood. He could do that! Melora cried out as he pricked his tail, reopening the wound from his skirmish with the wolves the day before.

“No, Aurie!”

She didn’t understand—he’d give every drop of his blood to keep her safe!

Okay. Need it, he reassured her.

Finally, he needed an item they could place the transportation spell on.

The item would need to be something small and easy for her to carry around. He looked down at the spell. Something twists? He grumbled aloud. What could they possibly find that was small and could twist? He scowled at the room, eyes darting around, hoping to land on something useful. They hadn’t come this far to be stumped by something that twisted!

“A ring!” Melora said with confidence. “It would be perfect. You can take it off and put it back on easily and twist it around.”

He gazed at her for a moment in awe. Brilliant. Mother ring. He rushed up to his mother’s room to find it, his claws fumbling awkwardly with her jewelry. As he found the keepsake, he didn’t question the idea of giving it to Melora. He knew his mother would approve.

Returning to the solarium, he laid the ring on the table and prepared the items. Then, he rested the ingredients atop the precious circle before speaking the correct words. The air around the ring shimmered, sinking into the gold material. The sapphires glowed brightly with power for a moment, then faded, leaving the jewelry looking deceptively normal.

They both stared at his mother’s keepsake for several long moments. Yours. He insisted, gesturing to it with his head. Go save sister.

She reached out and touched the ring hesitantly, then picked it up. Her eyes found his. “I’ll come back to you, Aurie. Once I know my sister is safe, I promise I’ll come help you.”

Don’t worry… me. It was too late, anyway. His humanity was slipping. The flame had grown to cover his heart—surely that meant it was already gold. Sister need you. He tried not to let her see the sorrow spilling out as he gave her the extra rose. He could not allow himself to hope that she would use it to return across the boundary, but he needed to give it to her, needed to know that she had something to remember him by when he was gone.

She tucked it into her hair as her lips trembled with emotion. “Oh, Aurie!” The tender expression in her eyes as she gazed at him nearly tore him apart. “I don’t think I can ever look at a rose the same again!”

His heart ached. He wasn’t sure he’d ever see her again. The dragon’s curse was nearly complete—his loss of control earlier proved it. But saving her sister was more important. They didn’t stand a chance at breaking the curse, anyway. Her time was better spent doing something that made a difference. He didn’t want her to feel like a prisoner with him.

It didn’t matter what happened to him. He was worthless as a human anyway. That was what the dragon had been trying to tell him with his cryptic words. If only he had listened. If only he had seen just how useless the gold was before… Perhaps it was better this way. He could do more as a dragon—at least he could help Melora and her sister.

There might have been a chance for him had he listened earlier, but he couldn’t change the past. And now, he refused to allow his sins to consume anyone else—especially not the beautiful, tenderhearted, determined Melora. Letting her go was the right thing to do. For once in his life, he wouldn’t be selfish. He would be benevolent and put someone before himself, something she seemed to do daily.

She rushed toward him and flung her arms around his neck, giving him the hug he desperately longed for. A hug that would have to last him for perhaps the rest of his days. Unable to resist, he leaned down and rested his chin against her shoulder, gently nudging her face.

Thank you. Always remember you.

“I’ll return as soon as I can. I haven’t forgotten my promise to you, Aurie. Once I’m back, we’ll find the dragon who cursed you, and together we’ll break the spell. With this magical transportation ring you made, I’ll be so quick, you’ll hardly miss me.”

His lips twitched and his nostrils flared. Doubt it. You—treasure. Love you.

She pressed her body closer and tightened her arms. “I love you too, Aurie. Thank you for everything.”

With her breath warm against his cheek, his belly kindled, he longed to kiss her. But not as a dragon—as a human. Something that was no longer possible.

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. He nibbled at her ear, making her laugh. He needed her laughter to hold on to. “Soon Aurie. You’ll be yourself again.”

Her hopeful words pulled at his tainted heart in a way he had never experienced before. She made him want that impossible dream, but for her, he would give it up.

She gave him a brilliant smile and stepped back. “This isn’t goodbye,” she promised. Following the instructions, she lifted her hand, and slipped the ring upon her finger. With one last longing look, she clearly stated her destination, and twisted the ring three times. The surrounding air hummed and shimmered with magic. Light flashed. And then she was gone. A slight haze was the only indication she had ever been there.

He moved to stand exactly where she had been, wanting to breathe in the last of her essence. He curled up and lay down, his heart aching.

It was over.

He’d let go of the best thing to ever happen to him. It wouldn’t be long before his dragon form was permanent and his heart was entirely gold, draining the last of his humanity to the dragon who had cursed him.

He wouldn’t hold her back. Eventually, she would find a real man to love and care for her. Someone who wasn’t an arrogant, proud jerk getting himself cursed because of his own greed. She deserved so much more than he could offer.

* * *

M agic buzzed through her body as she twisted the ring, activating the transportation spell. Time and space whooshed past, flashing gold then red and purple all at once as she was suddenly pulled from Aurie’s gilded manor. She nearly stumbled over her own feet as the front of her childhood home appeared before her like a strange dream.

After spending time with Aurie in a home that felt warm and inviting despite the hard metallic surfaces, the old cottage felt empty and cold. The flowers she had meticulously tended were wilting from neglect. A few baskets and a laundry line waited, as if she had been gone for a mere moment. And yet, it no longer felt like home. Her life here seemed a lifetime ago. She pushed sentiment aside. It didn’t matter anymore. She wouldn’t be staying long. As soon as she found her sister, they were leaving, never to return.

“Nerissa?” she called, peering into the cottage. Anxiety attacked her stomach as she hovered on the threshold. Shadows loomed around her. She cringed, forcing herself to face the darkness inside. No one seemed to be in the center room that doubled as the kitchen and living area. Was Papa out? That was his habit at this time of day. It was late enough that he was likely off drinking and gambling already. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. The time to act was now! They would need to hurry and pack so they could leave before Papa came home, and his return could be unpredictable.

But where was her sister? She should be home now.

She stepped fully into the house. “Nerissa?” The door clicked shut behind her, darkening the already dingy gloom. Hardly able to breathe, she made her way to their shared bedroom. Nerissa! Please be here! If she wasn’t outside and she wasn’t in the shared living space, then surely she’d be tidying their tiny room. The wood of the bedroom door seemed especially creaky as shepushed it open to reveal yet another empty room. The bag Melora had brought when she had tried to run away from Sir Calix weeks prior, still rested upon the floor. Melora blinked in confusion, her movements slow as she entered the familiar room. Where was her sister? Perhaps Nerissa had gone to fetch more laundry while Papa was out.

Melora clutched her fingers together. What was she to do? Well, she wasn’t going to sit around waiting. Looking at what she’d packed all those weeks ago, she grabbed a few more necessities and tossed them in. She was just finishing up when she heard the main door shut and a rustling in the other room.

Her heart sped up. Was Papa home early? Had she come too soon in her eagerness to protect her sister? She scanned the room. Should she hide?

The sound of footsteps grew closer. What if it was her sister? She couldn’t hide here all day if Nerissa was home. She moved closer to the door and pressed her ear to the wood, hoping to learn something about who was on the other side.

The bedroom door swung open unexpectedly, sending Melora sprawling back.

“Mel? What are you doing here?” Then she was being gathered into her sister’s tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re all right! I was so worried about you.”

“What about you? Are you well?” Melora pulled back, looking her sister over. “You’re practically skin and bones. Has Papa been using all the money again? I never should have left you behind.”

“I’m fine, really. It’s you I’m worried about.” Nerissa gripped her shoulders. “Sir Calix is determined to have you. He and Papa sent wolves after you.” She shivered. “Much as I’m delighted to see you, you can’t stay here. You need to leave, posthaste. You were lucky to escape that man the first time. He won’t let you go a second.” Her eyes flicked around the room as if he might turn up at any moment.

“I’m not leaving without you! What about Sir Calix’s plans to sell you off to pay Papa’s debts if he can’t produce me ?” Melora shook her head vehemently. “No. I won’t allow it. You are coming with me, and that is final.”

Nerissa’s eyes were wide. “How do you know about that?”

“I have my ways. Now come. We’ll leave this place together as we should have done years ago. Then perhaps none of this would ever have happened.”

“You can’t blame yourself, Mel. We were just children. We couldn’t have known Papa would sell us off.”

“Yes, well, we can’t change the past now, can we? Let’s hurry and get you packed. There isn’t much time.”

Nerissa nodded in agreement, and they quickly began gathering her meager belongings. Melora told her sister all about Aurie and Dragon and the golden castle while they worked. She explained how Papa had first broken through the boundary by wearing her golden tunic and described how kind Aurie had been.

Nerissa was completely enthralled. “It seems too fantastic to be real.” She sighed longingly, hugging a dress against herself.

“Yes,” came a sickeningly familiar voice from just outside the room. “Imagine my surprise at finding my bride and learning that the tales of a golden castle are true. It must be my lucky day.”

Melora drew in a sharp breath.

“Calix.”

He leaned casually against the doorframe, his large arms folded. As she spoke his name, he grinned cruelly and pushed away from the door, advancing on them. Melora backed away from his imposing figure. Why did such a comparatively small man instill more fear in her than a terrifying dragon ever had?

“Yes, my dear bride, I’m here to collect what’s mine. I was planning to go with your father to track down this palace of gold, but this—” he spread his hands, a wry smile upon his lips. “This is so much better. Don’t you think?”

Melora rubbed the ring resting against her finger. All she needed to do was grab Nerissa, remove the ring, say the spell, and twist it a few times. They would be out of here in moments. But she couldn’t allow Calix to know what she was doing. If only she could keep him talking—that should distract him enough. It shouldn’t be too hard, since the man loved nothing more than to talk about himself.

With careful steps, she positioned herself closer to her sister, waving her fingers behind her back for Nerissa to come closer.

“You’ll never get the gold,” she said. “As you witnessed, there is a monstrous dragon guarding it.”

“Yes, and yet you seem to be perfectly well after your encounter with the deadly beast. It must not be a very dangerous dragon, or perhaps you are the key to keeping it tame.”

Her heart drummed so loudly in her ears that she was nearly certain he could hear it. Nerissa thankfully had taken her hint and sidled closer while they conversed. She grasped her hand. Perfect. Now she only needed to keep him distracted enough to activate the ring. Then they would forever be gone from here.

“He’s definitely not tame. I’ve seen him fight off at least eight wolves at once and easily win. Besides, you’ll never get across his boundary. His magic keeps outsiders like you from entering.”

He leaned closer to her. “And yet, you entered. What was it you said to your sister just now? Ah, yes! I just need some of his gold to get through, the gold you’re conveniently wearing.” He eyed the rose in her hair.

“I—” Melora paled as she fumbled with the ring. Her fingers were trembling too hard to put it on, but they needed to leave now. Calix suddenly lurched forward and snatched her wrist, causing the ring to slip from her fingers and clank to the ground, rolling under her desk. She gasped, her heart wrenching. No!

“Where did that ring come from?” He snarled, glaring at the space where it had vanished before turning back to her. “The only ring you should wear is mine.”

“Never!” she spat, struggling against his viselike grip. She was through with being submissive. They were leaving with or without the ring—though losing it would make the journey much harder.

Papa chose that moment to burst into the room. “What is going on here?”

“I was just having a little discussion with my future wife. She has come home to me, but it seems she’s acquired someone else’s ring.” His dark eyes turned toward her, burning coldly.

Papa tsked. “You will obey him, girl. You are no longer my problem.”

His heartless words sliced through any hope she still held of ever feeling his love and acceptance.

“If what she says is true, then there really is a castle made entirely of gold. More wondrous than I ever imagined.” Calix seemed almost intoxicated by the idea.

Papa sniffed. “Of course it is real!”

Calix nodded sharply. “Come, darling, riches beyond our wildest dreams await.” Gripping her wrists painfully in his large hands, he began dragging Melora from the room. She dug in her heels. This couldn’t be happening! She wouldn’t let it! She’d come here to save Nerissa, not put both of them and Aurie in danger!

Nerissa’s usual calm snapped, and she ran at Calix, pulling on his arm. “Let her go, you big lummox! She doesn’t want to go anywhere with you.”

Calix shoved her away while Papa grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back like a naughty child. “That’s enough! Perhaps I should look into Sir Calix’s plans to sell you off. You're more trouble than you’re worth.”

“No! I won’t let you!” Melora screamed, struggling harder while Nerissa fought against Papa’s grip.

Melora finally got one of her hands free, but before she could make good use of it, Calix was wrapping his beefy arms around her waist. “Melora, Darling, calm down.” She fought against his stifling hold, her elbow connecting with his stomach. He grunted. “Stop being ridiculous!”

“Getting the gold will be nearly impossible if we have to fight my unruly daughters the entire time.” Papa deftly yanked Nerissa’s hands behind her back, making her cry out, and tied them together with a length of rope. With that done, he handed some rope to Calix, who did the same to Melora, tightening the rope until it bit into her skin.

Calix followed Papa, who was leading them toward the cellar. “How will we defeat the dragon without Melora as leverage?”

“As they have just made abundantly clear, the girls will only get in the way. Remember I got numerous magical items from that seidr who gave us the tracking spell for the wolves. We’re guaranteed to defeat the beast.” Papa’s lips twisted in a way that made Melora’s stomach clench.

“He’ll never fall for it! He’s far too clever.” She hoped to instill doubt in them even as she prayed she was correct and Aurie would be safe.

Papa thrust Nerissa into their tiny cellar.

Calix twisted Melora around and leaned to whisper in her ear. “Don’t worry, I’ll come back for you, darling. Then we shall finally have that wedding. Meanwhile, I won’t let the dragon or his magical boundaries get the best of me.” He plucked the rose from her hair and grinned. “Thanks for the tip. All that gold will be ours.” With that, he shoved her in after her sister and winked before snapping the trapdoor closed, locking them into the cold, dank room.