Page 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“M elora, my darling, stand back.” Sir Calix shouted at her. “I’m securing all this wealth for us. I just need to kill this dragon, then it’s ours.” He spread his arms, indicating with his sword the golden trees nearby, the gilded manor, and all the gleaming forest across the way.

“No! I don’t want wealth, especially not at the expense of a life.” Fear curled in her belly as her heart thundered. What could she do against two men? Men who had nearly felled a dragon—Aurie. If only she could free him.

Calix laughed coldly, swinging the sword around without a care. “Of course you want riches. Besides, this is a monster—hardly a life that matters.”

“All life matters.” Most especially Aurie’s —but she wasn’t going to antagonize Sir Calix just now. Her jaw set as she eyed the sword. If only there was a way to distract Calix from using that dangerous blade and simultaneously take the chain away from Papa…

Calix sputtered a laugh while Aurie shifted and tried to shake the chain away almost drunkenly. What had they done to him? Papa pulled the chain even tighter, biting into his scales, making him screech in pain.

Something was wrong. Aurie looked half-dazed. He should be fighting, not defeated like this.

“Get out of here, you useless girl, and take your sister with you.” Useless? Even now, Papa’s derision was more painful than she cared to admit. To him, she would always be a burden. And now, he was using his words as weapons, trying to render her helpless again, unable to save the love of her life.

“You don’t need to see this.” Papa continued, his voice dripping with contempt. “Look at you! Always making things more difficult. Can’t you see you’re in the way? Get out of here before I make things even worse for you!”

Her eyes narrowed. Everything he said was wrong—her skills and talents had value. She had value, and she would no longer tremble like the frightened little girl she’d once been.

She straightened her shoulders. There was little time.

“Unless she wants to see the dragon’s demise.” Calix held the blade up, ready to slice downward. “Or maybe a quick slice to the jugular would be too quick. I want to make him suffer.” With a quick flick of his wrist, he sliced open Aurie’s flank.

Melora’s cry mingled with Aurie’s as blood oozed from his wound.

Calix grinned wickedly. “This blade slices through those hard scales like butter.”

Melora felt sick. What could she do? She was no match for their physical power, let alone the magic they were wielding. Her eyes swept over the ground for anything to use against them, and she briefly wondered about the rocks and twigs she saw. Some of the twigs were gold. The metal would be harder than regular wood but was no match against an enchanted sword.

She had to have something else that could help… the ring! That was it! She could use its power to her advantage… Determination filled her as a plan formed in her mind. She wasn’t certain it would work, but she had to try for Aurie.

However, she was anxious about what her plan would entail for Nerissa. She wouldn’t be able to do it without her help. “Nerissa?” She whispered, a plea in her voice.

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it.” Nerissa gave a firm nod as she spoke. Melora conveyed her plan in a quick breath.

“Shall I get his wing next? It looks so thin and useless.” Sir Calix’s voice was harsh and frightening, but just then a rock thudded squarely against his back, thumping to the ground as he twisted to strike. A golden twig smacked against his face. Calix turned, fuming, but Nerissa held another rock, ready to throw that too. Melora hadn’t meant for her sister to get pulled into the fight, but she hoped it helped her cause. “Stop it, you big jerk! You may be strong, but that’s a dragon you're antagonizing!”

Calix growled with a fiery glare at Nerissa, while Papa began reprimanding her for her atrocious behavior.

“You want to see atrocious behavior ?” Nerissa hurled several more rocks, one pelting Calix in the arm. He seethed, and this time he advanced toward her.

It was time to act. Melora had slipped from her sister’s side during the chaos. She whispered the location where she wished to travel, right behind Papa as he continued yelling at Nerissa, the chain in his hand going slack. Melora prayed it could take her to such a specific location and twisted the ring three times. The air around her hummed and her skin tingled and pricked from the magic of the ring. Sound and time whooshed around her, and she was standing behind Papa, just as she’d hoped.

Aurie went still, his blue eyes wide and focused on her. Nerissa continued her verbal assault. With quick, nimble fingers, Melora tugged the dagger out of her father’s belt, where she knew he kept the dangerous weapon, then grabbed a section of the chain. “Release,” she said to it, knowing such enchanted objects responded to commands. Before Papa could react to her sudden appearance, she threw her elbow into him, shoving him backward, his own weapon pointed at him.

He stumbled, his grip on the chain slackening enough for her to rip it away from him. She felt the heavy enchantment begin to lift.

“Melora! What are you doing, child?” He held up his hands as she pointed the dagger. “You wouldn’t hurt your own Papa.”

“No?” She raised her brows. “You’re right. I’m not like you, Papa.” She yanked again on the chain, magic humming as the heavy clasps fell completely away from Aurie. “I don’t prey upon those weaker than me.”

Aurie spread his wings, rounding on Sir Calix, who had just caught hold of Nerissa to stop the onslaught of hurled rocks. Sir Calix, recognizing the danger, released her and looked up in terror, pointing his wavering sword at the dragon towering before him.

Papa’s eyes blazed, and he used the distraction to lunge at Melora. “Now see here, girl! Don’t you speak to your father that way!”

She reacted swiftly, swinging the chain toward him. “Capture.” She commanded. The dark links obediently wrapped around him, bringing him to the ground.

“What have you done?!” His eyes were wild as he looked up at her.

“What I should have done ages ago. I’ve taken back my power. You don’t get to decide anything for me anymore.”

* * *

A urie’s heart swelled at Melora’s words and actions, but he had no time to revel in the moment. Sir Calix advanced on him, his expression determined as he sliced his sword through the air, the blade piercing Aurie’s leg. Shaking off the rest of the strange magical sedation, he roared his displeasure, blasting the man with flame and power. While he knew it was unlikely to hurt the brute due to their fire-proof magic, he hoped it would serve as a distraction long enough.

Sir Calix cursed, slashing blindly with his blade.

Melora’s cry froze Aurie’s blood. What was happening? Through the smoke that he’d created, he could just make out her and Metis fighting for possession of the chain. She must have been too focused on Aurie’s fight, and Metis had taken full advantage, wounding her in a bid for escape.

The sharp bite of steel sliced through the scales on Aurie’s chest, magic making the blade more powerful. He roared, his flesh screaming in pain.

Nerissa yelled more insults and threw more mini projectiles—thankfully, her efforts were enough to distract Sir Calix. Aurie lashed out at the man, snatching up the sword with his teeth. Sir Calix shouted and lunged for the heavy steel, stepping in the blade's way as Aurie turned his head to look for Melora.

Sir Calix cried out and crumpled to the ground, blood seeping from his wound. His eyes were wide with disbelief. “You stabbed me!”

Aurie snarled in the back of his throat, the sword still between his teeth.

Sir Calix drew a few labored breaths, then his eyes went blank. Aurie stared at him for a long moment, his own chest heaving with exertion. He hadn’t meant to kill him. He’d only wanted to protect Melora and her sister.

Melora!

His gaze swung back toward her. Was she still in distress? He was relieved to see that she’d won possession of the jangling chain from her father.

“Aurie?” Her sweet voice cut through the haze of his thoughts and the mad hum of stillness—he felt as if he were underwater. “Aurie, you're bleeding. We should call for a healer.” She handed the chain to her sister and advanced toward him.

Killed him. His body trembled as he blinked down at her, unbelieving. He shook his head as everything turned red, Melora’s shape distorting.

Melora’s gentle hands caressed his flank, careful of his wounds. “I know you didn’t want to, Aurie. But he was trying to kill you and nearly succeeded.” Emotion laced her voice, “I, for one, am grateful you are the one who survived the encounter.”

He… took you. Hurt? He lowered his head to better examine her and fight back the fog filling his mind. He sniffed her clothing for signs of distress. They held the distinct hint of mustiness.

She took his head in her hands. “I’m fine, Aurie. They didn’t hurt me. Although they did lock us in the cellar.”

Cellar? Escaped? His head felt fuzzy, words slipping away along with his human memories. He tried to hold on to the image of her before him, not wanting to lose that too.

“Yes. After hearing their plans to kill you for your gold, I was determined to protect you.”

He nuzzled against her hand. Clever, feisty warrior. Love you.

She chuckled as his eyes lowered with fatigue. “I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a warrior.”

Fight father — bare hands. His eyes closed again for several long moments as his breathing slowed and his thoughts scattered. A groan rumbled out as a burning sensation spread through his heart and the flame pulsed. Gold had nearly consumed his heart. Would he lose his memories of her too?

“Galen! I need you to call for a healer! Quick!”

But he knew it was too late for him. Everything was slipping away, soon all that would be left was the beast who loved gold more than life. No matter. She was safe now.

“Hold on, Aurie. I can’t lose you. I love you!” There was a desperate edge to her voice, making him fight to open his eyes once more.

Don’t worry. Safe. Sleep now.

“No, Aurie. Don’t sleep yet! You're injured. I need you to stay awake for me, please.”

Love you. He gazed deep into her eyes. He could get through anything with her by his side… if he could remember her. He traced her beloved features with his eyes as memories of their time together blurred. Human, dragon, what was he? Was he a danger to this angel before him? Sorry — took too long. Dangerous.

“Aurie, you’re talking nonsense. You're not dangerous. You’ve been here with me the entire time, and now I’m afraid I’m losing you.” A tear splashed against his scales. He longed to wipe her tears away, but he was too weak to move.

Don’t cry. His sides heaved in a labored breath as his heart burned. This was the end, he could feel it. The curse had consumed his heart. Melora—strong, incredible Melora—needed to know before he was lost to the dragon forever. He used all his remaining effort to tell her. You more… more precious than gold. Only need… you. Love you… always.

His eyelids closed, and he felt himself slipping away. He heard sobbing in the distance but could not find his way back to her—the one who should mean everything to him, but he couldn’t remember why…

S uddenly, Aurie’s body began to tingle in a familiar sensation while his heart burned. His eyes flew open with abrupt awareness of his surroundings. Melora! He breathed a sigh of relief when her familiar features came into view, thankful she was still here, thankful he could still remember her. Though he wasn’t entirely certain how…

Back! He warned. He knew what came next, and he was terrified of what might happen if she were to accidentally touch him as a man. Much as it pained him to push her away, she couldn’t remain close. It was too dangerous— he was too dangerous. At least he’d been gifted some extra time with her. How, he didn’t know.

“Aurie, what?”

He scrambled backward away from her, crashing into a large golden tree in his haste. Pain contorted his features as the dragon began retreating. He couldn’t speak as the transformation took hold. His heart tingled and heated. He groaned, seeing the surrounding air shimmer. A bright light nearly blinded him.

Melora gasped as his form began shrinking to its usual size. Pain lashed across his leg, chest, and side. His wounds still bled.

Suddenly, Melora disappeared, magic humming where she had stood.

Then, just as suddenly, a blanket appeared and fell across his frame, protecting his modesty—Melora must have used the ring to retrieve it from his room. Now she moved closer, hovering over him, her features twisted with concern at his injuries. “Stay. Back.” He ground out, his fear overcoming his difficulty speaking. His voice was gruff and gritty from misuse.

“Aurie—the spell—the castle. I… I think it’s broken.”

She reached for him. He flinched away. “No! I won’t let you turn to gold! No more gold. You’re too precious to lose.”

“Aurie, look around. Just look at the blanket.” Her voice was tinged with excitement.

He blinked up at the sky in confusion. What did she mean, broken? His fingers grasped the blanket, and he noticed something odd. It was soft against his skin—yes—soft and light. Very unlike gold. He looked down at the green fibers in his hands. Though he was holding the blanket, it remained the same. “How?” His brain felt fuzzy with confusion. Perhaps he was hallucinating. It had been nearly a year since anything remained soft beneath his touch.

Melora came close once again, tearing strips of fabric from the hem of her cotton shift. He tried to sit up, then winced and hissed in pain, looking down at the blood that coated his blanket. “Lie back down and let me bind your wounds. You’re in no condition to be moving around yet.”

“No!” he gasped and slid away from her touch until he backed against the tree once more. He blinked in confusion at the green leaves overhead and stared in awe at its scratchy brown bark. How was it alive and colorful and real ? He’d changed all these trees into gold months ago.

He reached out a hand and slowly rested his palm against the tree’s rough bark. Nothing. No tingling, no flash, no gold. The beautiful natural vegetation remained as it was, its leaves rustling a beautiful music overhead.

“See? Your curse! It’s gone.” Melora stepped toward him once more, holding out the strip of white fabric she’d just torn from her underdress. “Touch it.”

Tentatively, he reached out and brushed his fingers against the cloth. When nothing occurred, he grasped more firmly, gazing at the light cotton in awe and bewilderment. How could this be? He just couldn’t comprehend how his curse could be broken. He instinctively looked down at the marking on his chest… It was gone!

Then, without warning, Melora’s hand pressed against his cheek. He sucked in a breath, his eyes wide and panicked.

“Shh. It’s all right, see? You did it. The curse is broken. You are free to touch whatever you like without fear of turning it into gold.”

Relief overwhelmed him. She hadn’t turned to gold like his mother! How? Melora— It had to be her. He remembered the all-encompassing feeling that she was more important than anything—especially gold—and that he would throw every bit of his cold metal away for the chance to save her! Had this moment of clarity come before his heart was entirely gold? Before his humanity was lost forever to the dragon? He reached up with trembling fingers and touched the delicate hand against his skin. The fog had lifted from his mind. He was aware, bright, alive, and human . His body shuddered, reveling in her warmth, in the feel of her soft palm against his human skin. He hadn’t felt such a sensation in nearly a year.

Feeling braver, his fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, reaching to slide through her dark, silky locks. It felt just as wondrous as he’d imagined.

She leaned in, sighing at his gentle ministrations. Those tempting lips of hers hovered just above his, so very close. She trembled as her lips parted, her large brown eyes connecting with his. Her breathing seemed to speed up. Had she moved closer or had he?

“I-I think I’m going to kiss you now,” he said.

She laughed, the breath escaping from her lips to brush against his skin. “I was hoping so.”

His lips twitched with a smug delight before closing the short distance between them, brushing his lips against hers, gently at first, almost afraid something would happen to ruin this fairytale.

She gripped his bare shoulders, leaning more securely into him. His fingers threaded through her hair, and he tugged her closer, deepening the kiss, tasting her sweetness. Had anyone ever seen him as she did? She saw him , flaws and all, and still she wanted him—loved him. even. Her heart was more beautiful than gold. A goddess like Melora could hardly be contained—her beauty brightening the lives of everyone she knew. And here she was, kissing him—a man who had once thought he was worthless. But she had seen something more. She found value and worth inside him and made him want to be better. How had he gotten to be so lucky?

She made a little sound that heated his blood, making him want to pull her even closer. Her hand pressed against his chest, and a sharp pain invaded his love-induced haze.

She withdrew. “Oh no, Aurie, your wounds! I should have wrapped them first.” She tried to pull back even farther, but he captured her fingers. “Stay. I-I like having you close.”

Her eyes glowed like warm honey, her teeth teasing her lip as she grinned.

He groaned. “Don’t tempt me like that, woman!”

With a snickering laugh, she leaned in, her hair falling around them as she pressed her lips to his once again, careful not to touch his wounds this time. His pain was forgotten as he lost himself in her scent, her taste, the light touch of her fingers against his neck.

“Aurie?”

He nearly whimpered in protest as Melora jumped back, looking down and away in shame, her cheeks a lovely shade of rose.

“Aurie?”

He blinked. He knew that voice—it was as familiar as his childhood.

“Who is this woman? I hope you’ve offered for her. I seem to have caught you in a terribly compromising situation.”

Tears stung his eyes at her gentle reprimand. His breath came out in a whoosh, along with all the hurt and regret he’d been holding.

“Mother.”

He laughed. He couldn’t quite believe it, couldn’t care less that he was in a ‘terribly compromising situation.’ His bare chest exposed, merely a blanket to cover the rest of him. He wanted to leap up and dance with joy. His mother was alive and well, no longer tainted by his greed.

Melora looked back at him with glistening, joyful eyes. The most remarkable woman he’d ever had the pleasure of knowing loved him. Together, anything was possible. After all, hadn’t she broken through his curse with her beautiful strength and courage? She reminded him that he didn’t need wealth or riches to be of worth. His value lay not in what he owned, but what he did. And she made him long to continue to become the kind of man she could be proud of.

Their lips met in another kiss, and he was completely unfazed by the shocked gasp it elicited from his mother. This woman was going to be his wife!