Page 6

CHAPTER SIX

A clanging startled Aurie from a deep sleep. He jerked upright from where he’d been curled up on a comfortable bundle of blankets. Sharp dragon eyes assessed his surroundings. Warm night air blew in through the large open window of his tower. Crickets and cicadas chirped merrily away outside, but little else moved in the predawn light.

He settled back down, huffed, and turned over. It was far too early to be awake yet. His emotions had been close to the surface ever since his encounter with the enchanting Melora. He had become a dragon for the second time in a week. Hopefully, it wouldn’t last too long this time. At least as a dragon, he could sleep more comfortably. The golden touch didn’t work after he shifted.

The clatter from outside came again. His sharp dragon ears better attuned to sound than his human ears could not ignore it. Was someone or something in his garden? A piercing snap made him rise and shake out his wings. It was time to patrol his property. Launching out of the window, he flew toward the disruptive sounds. The faint glow on the horizon gave poor light to see by, but his keen eyes let nothing slip past.

There! In his mother’s rose garden, he spotted the shadow of a man. A low growl reverberated in his throat as he watched the man stuff golden foliage into his pockets. Who was this intruder and how had he crossed the magical border without Aurie sensing anything?

How dare you steal what is rightfully mine!? He boomed in a voice quite unlike his own—a voice that penetrated the thief’s mind like the dragon’s had done to Aurie all those months back. He still found it quite disconcerting to hear his voice reverberate through his mind rather than come out of his mouth.

Upon hearing the resounding voice, the man looked up in wide-eyed terror, dropping the clump of leaves he held. Aurie landed several paces from the man, glaring.

“I-I-I apologize, O Great One. I didn’t know anyone lived here.” The trespasser’s voice quivered as he hastily dropped to his knees and bowed in the traditional greeting for a dragon.

Aurie flicked his wings and stamped his feet in agitation. Something about the man put Aurie’s teeth on edge. He was especially annoyed when he eyed the man’s bulging pockets. Was he foolish enough to try to steal from a dragon?

This gold is cursed. Take none of it. Empty your pockets!

“C-c-cursed?”

Yes. Empty your pockets and leave before I become even more angry.

The man hesitated a moment before muttering something unintelligible under his breath and emptying his pockets. One golden item at a time. At this rate, they would be here all day.

I ought to roast you for waking me before dawn and stealing from my garden! Aurie advanced upon the man, snatched his leg with his claws, and turned him upside down, shaking the rest of the gold from his pockets. The man yelled, thrashing wildly, pleading for forgiveness.

That was when Aurie noticed something that made his ire burn white hot. The man’s jerkin glinted, shimmering in the pale light—it was made entirely from gold. Suspiciously like another jerkin he’d recently given away.

To avoid accidentally hurting or crushing the man in his anger, he tossed him back onto the ground. The thief yipped and scurried backward.

Aurie’s scales trembled as his vision turned red. How dare he!

Where did you get that jerkin, and what happened to the woman to whom it was given? If he discovered this man had harmed the beauty whose memory consumed his thoughts day and night, Aurie would crush him. No wonder the coward had been able to cross the boundary.

The cad visibly trembled, looking wild. “I-I don’t know what you mean. This jerkin is mine.”

LIES! Aurie stamped his feet upon the ground, claws clanking against gold twigs and leaves and making the foliage nearby clatter. You think I don’t recognize what once belonged to me?

“You?! No, that is impossible. A man gave it to my family.”

Your family? A beautiful woman with enchanting eyes received it. Is she your family? He couldn’t countenance it.

“Melora?” He squeaked out the name. “She is my daughter. What’s hers is mine. So you see, it’s my jerkin.”

A snarl rumbled past Aurie’s lips. Ridiculous! How dare the man steal from his own daughter, then have the audacity to steal from him ! His claws crashed upon the ground as he stormed toward the man, nearly running the crook over as he scuttled away. Thief!

“No! Please, I beg of you, I meant no harm!” He cowered, covering his head with his arms—as he should.

Aurie scoffed and flapped his wings impatiently. What should he do with this pathetic creature before him? And how could this scum be Melora’s father? His thoughts drifted to the enchanting woman as they had countless times before. Her inky black tresses shining like spun silk as they danced about creamy brown skin that glowed with copper undertones. He saw clearly in his mind her large, determined, luminous eyes and those luscious rosebud lips—and he recalled them trembling with anxiety… if this wretch was her father, how much of her difficulty might be caused by him? He shook his head. Father or no, he had no right to steal from her! He refused to allow this rodent to hurt her any further.

As he watched the man squirm on the ground in fear, he knew he couldn’t harm him. Aurie was no beast.

But how could he make the man suffer without harming Melora?

While Aurie pondered the dilemma, the scoundrel began sneaking away, surreptitiously snagging a rose he’d snapped off the bush and tucking it into his pocket, then dashing off between the trees, where the forest was too tightly grown for a dragon to enter.

Aurie growled and flew over the trees after him, his wings beating a furious staccato. That villain was not getting away with this! He easily spotted the man below—however, before pummeling him, he wondered if he ought to follow the little reprobate instead and see for himself what had happened to his bewitching daughter. Perhaps then Aurie could find a punishment befitting the crime.

* * *

A s the morning sun rose higher, Aurie shadowed the man to a familiar small cottage on the outskirts of Lykos, a trip that would have been much faster had he not been following the thief. Aurie snickered, seeing the rascal glance behind himself once again, anxious to escape into the safety of his home.

Since becoming a dragon, Aurie had been delighted to discover that he’d acquired basic dragon skills and magic, including the ability to blend in with his surroundings whenever he chose. His scales reflected the landscape, making him nearly impossible to spot unless someone looked properly, which this dunderhead did not.

Near the cottage, a familiar beefy squire waited—the man who’d been harassing Melora. Aurie’s hackles rose. What was he doing here and what were his connections to the gold thief?

Aurie landed without a sound, his camouflage magic still in place, though it was weaker at close range. He crept forward, each movement deliberate, his thoughts fixed on how best to make the miscreants pay for their mistreatment of Melora. Perhaps there were some unexpected advantages to being a dragon.

As he neared, he could hear the men arguing.

“I’ve been here since dawn, and she refuses to come out.” The squire said in his superior, whiny voice. “You’d better not be reneging on our deal! I’ve waited long enough. I’m ready for her to be mine.”

“Of course not! My daughter is worth every drachma you’re paying. You’ll not find a more beautiful bride, or a more spirited one.” The gold thief chuckled. “I’ve kept her in her room while I was away.”

“Good. Can’t have her escaping before we are wed. She’s a wily one. Perhaps I’ll need a bit of rope to keep her by my side, but I’m sure it will make our life together even more exciting.” A cold chuckle escaped him at his awful joke.

Aurie clenched his sharp teeth together, repressing a strong urge to bite this man in half. Despite his efforts to stay silent, a low growl rumbled out. How dare they speak of any woman in such a manner! As if she were property to be tied up or sold! And what did he mean by keeping her in her room? Had he locked her in there? Hopefully, he hadn’t tied her up! What kind of life must she have lived?

“What did I tell you? She is quite the deal. Don’t worry, I’ll go get her, and you’ll be married before you know it.”

As the thief entered the house, Aurie’s plans quickly shifted from making him pay to getting Melora out of a marriage to this monster. In fact, it could be the perfect revenge.

Then, his prey walked out with the woman who had been haunting Aurie’s sleep—Melora, a name as beautiful as her face. However, her expression lacked the lively spark that had been present during their encounter. Indeed, she looked utterly broken. Aurie’s nostrils flared, and he felt the fire within him heat. He was determined to rekindle her fiery spirit.

“Here she is, just as lovely as ever, and looking forward to being your wife, I’m sure.” The thief gestured toward her.

She folded her arms, her lips twitching in irritation. Aurie was gratified to see a bit of spark return to her eyes.

Her supposed fiancé beamed. Reaching for her, he tugged her hand free to clasp it. “Ah, Melora, my dear, you are a vision. You shall make the perfect wife.” Bowing elaborately, he kissed her hand. “I was worried when you didn’t immediately come out to greet me.”

She tugged her hand out of his grip. “Unfortunately, I was otherwise detained. But that will no longer be a problem.”

“Now that your father is here, let us proceed with the wedding preparations. First, you will need this.” He thrust a box into her hands, a predatory smile upon his smug lips. Aurie longed to wipe that unctuous grin right off him, perhaps with a claw. The idea of drawing blood suddenly held more appeal than ever before.

From the box Melora pulled an elegant wedding dress of pale blue, adorned with lace and pearls. “Oh.” She breathed, her eyes going wide.

“Isn’t it perfect? I commissioned it just for you. Now, put it on and let’s head down to the church for our wedding.”

“N-now?”

“Of course, now.” The man’s scowl twisted his face, making its angles harsh and unforgiving. “Why do you think I’m here? I refuse to wait a moment longer than necessary.”

“Wouldn’t a larger, more extravagant wedding be preferable?” She took a step backward, her hands trembling against the box she still held.

“Of course, I wish for everyone to know you are my bride, but we don’t need a fancy wedding, my dear.” He leaned down to whisper something into her ear, making her skin pale.

Smoke steamed from Aurie’s nostrils as a low growl rumbled from his lips. He’d heard enough of this nonsense!

“What was that?” Both men jumped, looking about.

Melora used the distraction to thrust the parcel back. “I-I think I need a moment.”

The brute snatched her wrist before she could leave, shoving the gift back into her arms. “Why don’t you take that moment and change? You’ll find that I’m not a patient man, my dear.”

“Do as he says,” the thief said, bringing Aurie’s attention back to him and the stolen jerkin he still wore, the golden rose glinting in his pocket.

Aurie was ready for this whole charade to end. But how could he simultaneously halt the wedding, reclaim his belongings, and hold these men accountable? As he prepared to act, a tall, slender young girl stepped out of the house.

“Oh! What’s happening?” she directed the question to her father, eyeing Melora and the intimidating knave still clutching her wrist.

“Your sister is getting married. Help her change into her wedding garment.”

“Right now?” She blinked large wide eyes, as pretty as Melora’s, and looked to her sister for confirmation.

The hulking would-be bridegroom propelled Melora toward the startled girl.

Without further planning, Aurie dropped his camouflage magic and let out a louder growl as he loomed over everyone. I believe you have something that belongs to me. His voice resonated in the minds of all present as the varying degrees of shock and fear attested.

The younger girl screamed and ran to grasp her sister’s arm, pulling her away from Aurie and attempting to hide behind her, while Melora’s face registered shock and uncertainty.

The gold thief seemed to shrink upon recognizing the dragon he had stolen from. Aurie longed to make his voice louder and harsher in the ears of only some. Unfortunately, that was not a skill he possessed. He could direct his words to one person at a time, but he’d felt it imperative that all heard him at this moment.

Give it back.

“No one has anything of yours, Beast! I gave back your gold.” The man fiddled with the pocket of the golden jerkin he wore as he backed up toward the cottage.

What about the jerkin you still wear? And the rose you stole before departing so hastily?

“A d-dragon?!” the hulking suitor squeaked, cowering as he finally found his voice, if not his composure. He turned toward the older man. “What have you done? I’ve no part in this. I’m no thief.”

Aurie turned his attention toward the scoundrel whose bravery evaporated in the face of genuine threat. What about this woman you are forcing to marry you? She clearly wants nothing to do with you.

The coward swallowed several times, his throat bobbing up and down. “I-I-I… She is my fiancée. If she wanted nothing to do with me, we wouldn’t be getting married.” He quickly turned to Melora. “My darling, it seems your father has some unfinished business to take care of before we are wed. I’ll just see you then.” He made a hasty bow and an equally hasty retreat, scurrying away from Aurie like the gutless rat he was.

Aurie snorted and pawed the ground before turning back to her father, allowing a tendril of smoke to encompass the man. I demand recompense for your lies and thievery. Return what is mine.

The thief trembled in his boots, which Aurie found particularly satisfying after seeing how he treated his own daughter. He needed to fear for his own life. However, he continued to stand his ground, refusing to return the jerkin or the rose. “I-I have no rose, and I told you the jerkin was given to me. Tell him, Melora.”

Aurie lowered his head and blew hot air in the man’s face, letting out a fierce growl. Don’t bring your daughter into this. You are the one who hides your thiever y and wears the jerkin intended for another .

The man fumbled with the jerkin’s pocket before awkwardly sliding the precious gold vestment off. “H-here, y-you can give it back to Melora.”

Aurie snatched the garment from his trembling fingers with his teeth, making the man jump. He turned and held it toward Melora. She hesitated, her own hand trembling before she took it from his fangs, offering a quiet thank you. She slipped it on, clearly not wishing to offend him. Aurie turned back to the thief. He had no desire to frighten Melora further.

And the rose?

“I have no rose.” The man lied.

Aurie growled, allowing flames to flicker from his lips this time. He could hardly believe how the liar still refused to hand over what he had stolen. However, perhaps he could use this to his advantage. You destroyed my garden and took what wasn’t yours. You must learn from your folly. What will you give me as recompense?

Shaking, the cur covered his head just as he had in the garden. “Please don’t hurt me. As I told you before, I didn’t know.”

And yet the damage was still done. You must pay.

The man’s eyes flicked desperately around before landing on his younger daughter. He jumped up and sidled next to his girls, then pushed the slender girl out from behind Melora and toward the dragon. “Here, take my daughter as recompense. She’s a good hard worker and will do what you ask of her.” The young girl’s lips trembled in terror as she stood before Aurie. Silent tears trailed down her face.

How dared he place his daughter in danger! Had he no affection at all for his children? Before Aurie could comment upon this appalling proposition, Melora stepped bravely in front of her sister. “No! Take me instead. Nerissa is young and inexperienced. I’ll assist you in what you need.”

“No, Melora.” Her father reached out and snatched her arm. “Your place is with your fiancé.”

She tugged her arm from his grip. “No.”

Your father was paid to marry you off to that man? Aurie asked, directing his question to her mind alone.

She turned her attention back to Aurie, eyes wide as she nodded. “Yes.” Her voice warbled, though she kept her shoulders back and her chin high.

He turned narrowed eyes back to the thief, projecting his voice to everyone. I find this arrangement to be acceptable. The wedding is off. Miss Melora will come and stay with me.

Before anyone could protest, he spread his wings and grasped her arms carefully between his claws, bringing her up into the air with him.

She let out a cry of surprise. He released a soothing sound, a gentle rumble deep in his chest. The last thing he wanted was to scare her. Her father, on the other hand? Aurie was coming back after this to place a mirror tracker nearby so he could monitor the weasel and that horrible suitor.

Melora’s sister cried out in distress, her arms reaching out toward the one who had sacrificed everything for her. Poor girl. Something twisted in his chest at the sight of her desperation. He wished he could do more, but for now, spiriting Melora to safety would have to be enough. He would find a way to help them both. Later.