Saving Cinder

by Maggie Hemlock

  “It doesn’t feel like home.”

  “Nowhere feels like home except my old house,” Cinder said.

  “The sea is home for me.”

  “I couldn’t imagine going back to the Alps where Sivan died.”

  “Stacy didn’t die at sea as much as she lived there. What do you think Sivan would make of what we’re doing?” I asked him.

  “I hope he’d understand. I think he’d love how we’re sticking it to the man. I’m just tired of being shoved around by life since he died. I feel like I need to shackle myself to a tree, so everyone stops telling me what to do.”

  “No one’s here to boss you around except maybe Cookie at dinner time.”

  “What do you think Stacy would think?”

  “I’m not sure. She’d probably think I was a hero for saving you, but I don’t feel like a hero. I did the right thing. You were in a tight spot and I got you out of it. I got to have some fun with an overgrown lizard and that’s that. Now about all of this,” I shrugged, “I’m not positive. She’d probably laugh and say I didn’t know how to live a boring life.”

  “Well, you don’t,” Cinder smirked.

  “She was always right.” I laughed. “Wanna go find some place serving lunch?”

  “It’s more like brunch time.”

  “Brunch then?” I asked.

  “You know that means we’ll have to pretend to be a couple?”

  “Is that okay with you?” I arched a brow.

  “I’m the one who kissed you first. What do you think?” He smirked and took my hand. “But I need a shower first. You didn’t have much in the way of toiletries on the boat and I think I’m covered in a layer of dead skin two inches thick.”

  “Sexy,” I laughed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Cinder

  In the shower at Seth’s house was the first time I allowed my brain to slow down and think about everything that transpired since hiding my letter to Prince Brendan. My phone was still in the bottom of my suitcase turned off. If I powered it up my parents could trace me.

  “Should toss it into the sea,” my dragon said.

  Should toss them into the sea.

  Augustus Aldred wasn’t my real father. If I wasn’t an Aldred, who was I? A Moonscale by marriage, but who was I by birth? What else had I inherited from Carter besides my dimple? Was I a short dragon because he was a beta? I smelled my shoulder and tried to pick apart my own scent to find what bit of him he left behind in me. I sniffed again searching out the traces of Sivan left over from our claiming vow. His scent was more difficult to detect today than most.

  “It’s all the salt in the air,” my dragon assured me.

  My selection of bedrooms was equally great. Each room was spacious with hardwood floors and its own private bathroom. I chose the one with the east facing windows because Sivan believed they were good luck. Despite the privacy, I grabbed the robe Prince Brendan, or more likely one of his decorators, hung on the back of the door and walked into the bedroom proper. It felt good to be lathered in my favorite lotions again, but I didn’t have many choices of what to wear. I packed to run away not to go on a date.

  “A date?” My dragon mused.

  I didn’t mean it that way.

  “Yes, you did.”

  Shut up.

  “No. Seth said no one was here to boss us around.”

  I’m still here.

  “I’m bigger than you,” he growled playfully.

  Shut up and help me figure out what to wear on this so-called date.

  “You really like him, don’t you?”

  Yes, so far, I like him. I’m a traitor to my mate. The draw’s not as strong, but I want to be next to him. I want to find out what he’s hiding. I want to tell him about how my whole life with my parents was a lie.

  “Sheesh. Calm down. You could walk out butt naked and he wouldn’t care. Stop thinking so high society. This isn’t a ball with Reggie. What would you wear if you were going to brunch with Sivan?” He asked.

  Here? Probably swim trunks and a t-shirt.

  “Did you bring them?”

  Actually, yes, because the prince mentioned a ship.

  “Then wear them. Courtship is only complicated because you humans make it so.”

  I pulled on my clothes and checked my reflection.

  “Stop primping and get going. I’m hungry.”

  You just had breakfast.

  “I’m a dragon.”

  Are you hungry or do you want to see Seth again?

  “What do you think?”

  Seth was back on the porch when I went to find him. He’d changed his shirt from a black t-shirt to a blue one that matched his eyes. I’m sure he hadn’t put that much thought into it, but even so it matched perfectly. He also swapped out his boots for sneakers.

  “I hope I’m not underdressed,” I managed a smile.

  “Not at all. If we find somewhere close to shore maybe, we can go for a swim afterwards.”

  Seth held out his hand to me and I blushed. I entwined our fingers and looked away. No one was around, but I couldn’t help but to wonder what they’d make of us together. He stood up and pulled me closer to him. For a moment, his eyes raked over my body. Then he looked away.

  “Everything okay?” I managed to ask without my voice breaking.

  “You smell like roses and steel.”

  “Really? Sivan used to say that too.”

  “Sorry.” Seth rubbed the back of his neck.

  “For what? I don’t mind remembering Sivan. Who else is going to do it?” I laughed.

  Hand-in-hand we walked down the steps and onto the sidewalk. Seth looked left and right and sniffed the air before heading left.

  “Do you know where we’re going?” I asked him.

  “I’m following my nose.”

  “I can’t smell anything yet.”

  Cookie raced up behind us wagging her tail as if she were invited all along. She caught up and walked beside Seth like a faithful, but microscopic hunting hound.

  “There’s this place that makes the best cinnamon rolls on earth.”

  “Didn’t think you’d have a sweet tooth,” I teased.

  “Maybe not, but I know you do.”

  “Huh?”

  “You worked with chocolate. You can’t tell me you didn’t eat it as you went.”

  “I snuck some here and there. We needed to sell most of it, though. It was a business after all.”

  “That sucks,” he shook his head. “You worked around chocolate and weren’t even allowed to eat it?”

  I didn’t know what to say. I never gave the rule much thought growing up. A few minutes later the residential street broke off into two directions. One led to another street full of houses and the other to a little path connected to the boardwalk. We took the path towards the boardwalk. I tightened my grip on Seth’s hand as other people came into view. Most were workers and shop owners. A few were easily identified as students, because of the big red pins on their shirt stating such. No one looked at us twice as we made our way through the mid-morning crowd.

  “Lucy’s Beach Shack.” Seth pointed to a sign above a white building with a pickup window.

  A few minutes later we made our way through the crowded tables and down to the beach with our food. Seth ordered the cinnamon rolls he talked so highly of and I opted for the biggest hot fudge sundae the lady behind the counter was willing to make. Now, that no one nagged me about fitting into wedding attire I could eat whatever I liked.

  “We should have brought a blanket,” I laughed looking down at the sand.

  “We’re walking up a ways up to one of Rhett and Brendan’s private spots. They’ll be one there.”

  Color flooded my cheeks and I swallowed hard.

  “Thought you’d enjoy being out of the prying eyes of the public and having to pretend to be my fiancé,” Seth laughed. “Besides, wouldn’t a newly united couple sneak off for time alone?”

  “You’re right,” I grinne
d. “Lead the way, lover boy!”

  Seth squeezed my hand and tugged me up the beach. I licked the side of my thumb to wipe away the ice cream running down it.

  “I’m already melting,” I laughed as we trekked through the sand.

  “We’ll be there soon. The bottom scoops should hold. It’s a dragon-made cold bowl.”

  “That’s why my hand is freezing?” I teased.

  Gripping his to-go bag in one hand, Seth scooped me up with his other arm. He was stronger than I expected a wolf to be. I juggled my ice cream around and held it over his shoulder to keep from spilling it.

  “What are you doing?” I laughed as a drop of cold melted ice cream landed on his shirt.

  “Shortening the trip for the sake of your ice cream.”

  “He just wants an excuse to show off,” my dragon smirked.

  “This way might be messier!” I laughed as he sprinted over the sand.

  A few minutes later he sat me down on my own two feet and headed under the shade of a beach umbrella to the blanket waiting there. Someone weighted down the edges of the soft green blanket with shiny stones which reflected the sun’s rays dancing off the surface of the water. For a moment, I couldn’t look away.

  “Better?” Seth asked plopping down on the blanket.

  “Shiny.” I laughed and forced myself to look away.

  “Those are Brendan’s rocks. He likes everything to glitter and glisten.”

  “Most dragons do even if they won’t admit it. Shiny and glow in the dark items are what make up our happy places. Sivan even owned a pair of glow in the dark boxers.”

  “I hope no one ever introduces you to glow in the dark condoms,” Seth smirked as he pulled his cinnamon buns out of the to-go bag.

  “They have,” I said without meeting his gaze. “It was a very interesting night.”

  “You’re blushing.” Seth pointed out.

  “Cave-Alpha,” I rolled my eyes and scooped up some ice cream. For a moment I thought about flicking it at him, but the tropical sun beat down on the top of my head. So, I ate it instead.

  “Me?” He pointed to himself.

  “Yes, you. Getting off behind making me blush.”

  “Just practicing being a couple.”

  “What would Stacy do if you did that to her?” I asked.

  “Something most gay men don’t want to hear about.”

  “Touché.”

  “Why did you never have kids?” I asked before I thought too far ahead.

  “Pups and storm chasing don’t exactly go hand-in-hand. We were talking about it, though. Stacy’s project was coming to an end and she wanted to stop birth control. What about you guys?” Seth asked.

  “We were too busy seeing the world. Sivan was ready for eggs, though. The trip to the Alps was to be our last for a while. I wanted to squeeze in one more trip before we settled down.”

  “Do you regret not having kids?”

  “Do you?” I turned the tables.

  “Hard to say,” Seth shrugged.

  “How so?”

  Seth looked down at his half-eaten food and furrowed his brow.

  “You don’t have to tell me. I ask more questions than I should.”

  “I try not to think too hard about what could’ve been different. In group….” His words trailed off. “Anyway, I have a friend that says focusing on what didn’t happen or could have gone differently only leads to destruction. We have to focus on the here and now.”

  Sadness tinged his scent. I scooted across the blanket next to him. My knee brushed against his, but he didn’t pull away. Everyone knew most wolves liked to be close. Touch was a form of communication. I was a dragon, but after a decade of only being hugged by Dad I wouldn’t turn away a friendly touch every now and then.

  “Do you want a pup in the here and now?” I leaned a little closer to him.

  “I think we have one,” he pointed down the beach at Cookie chasing sea gulls.

  She crouched down and wiggled her furry butt as the gull landed. Then she pounced forcing it back into the air while barking. I didn’t speak dog, but the yips were more playful pup than predator.

  “I wouldn’t mind an egg if the right person came along. I always thought I’d adopt after what happened to Sivan, and I still might. I mean, financially, I could support a brood.”

  “But you don’t want to do it alone.” Seth finished my thought.

  “Have you considered it?”

  “No,” he laughed and shook his head. “I wouldn’t wish any kid that sort of luck.”

  “I think you’re a better person than you give yourself credit for being.”

  “Because I saved you?”

  “Because you adopted a curly pillow.” I bumped his shoulder with mine.

  “She has guts. She lived with two omegas before me and survived a house fire. I thought the twins would take to her, but I might have been better off bringing them one of the big dogs.”

  “What are you going to do with her now?” I asked him.

  “Might as well keep her around. That’s a long trip to make just to take her back.”

  “Admit it. She’s grown on you.”

  “Nah. We’re just forming our own little misfits club.”

  “I am not a misfit.” I mocked offense and raised my hand to my heart.

  “And we didn’t invite you to join the club.” Seth laughed.

  “I can’t believe my fake fiancé would betray me in this manner!” I fell flat onto my back on the blanket.

  Seth stretched out next to me on his side. I looked up into his blue eyes and my breath caught in my throat. My heart pounded in my ears as he ran his fingers through his thick hair and grinned at me.

  “Don’t you know, you only hurt those you scheme with?” Seth smirked.

  “Really? Because I haven’t had this much fun with anyone in a long time.”

  “Me neither.”

  His lips lingered inches from mine. I parted mine inviting him closer, but he sat up and pulled his shirt over his head. Then he took his shoes and socks off.

  “Ready for a swim?” He stood up.

  “We just ate.”

  “It’s been ten minutes.”

  “I think I’ll wait a bit longer. I don’t feel like getting up yet.”

  “Suit yourself,” Seth said and jogged down to the water.

  Forgetting about the gulls, Cookie raced up the beach to jump on his bare feet. They stood with the water lapping over their feet for a long moment. The sun glistened on Seth’s back. He stretched and rolled his shoulders flexing the muscles of his back. I bit my lip and tried to remember the last time I checked out a man who wasn’t Sivan. I couldn’t recall a time where that happened unless Sivan pointed someone out to me.

  “I miss checking out guys with Sivan. He was always so animated about it,” my dragon chimed in.

  What do you think Sivan would say about Seth?

  “That he’s a gentleman for not kissing us.”

  Would being with him make you happy? I mean, I know you’d connect with his wolf, but is it a real connection? I don’t even know how sex outside of true-mates work.

  “It’s the same for me. You two connect and the wolf and I have a chance to do the same.”

  What do you think of him?

  “He’s a lone wolf and doesn’t know how to hang his hat somewhere permanent.”

  I think he’s like us.

  “What do you mean?” My dragon asked.

  He doesn’t know how to move on.

  Heat rushed over my face and neck as Seth stripped out of his jeans and boxers. He tossed them further up shore away from the lapping waves and waded into the water. I didn’t look away until his firm muscular ass disappeared below the waterline.

  “Can I change my answer?” My dragon asked.

  Sure.

  I scooted further under the umbrella hoping Seth wouldn’t see my bright red face if he looked back at me.

  “With an ass like that he could thrust for
hours.”

  I know.

  “And that isn’t a bad thing.”

  If we date Seth it needs to be about more than sex.

  “It is. He’s funny and keeps his path up his sleeve. He likes adventures and threw fish heads on Reggie. I like him.”

  Me too, but this is the part of life no one ever prepares you for. I didn’t have to wonder if Sivan was the one. He was. Biology and my soul said so. Is it time for our heat shot?

  “Nope. We had that the week before we left.”

  Good. Then I know it’s not just a heat coming on.

  “Coming out?” Seth called from the ocean.

  “Come on. Let’s swim.”

  Fine! I’m keeping my trunks on!

  Chapter Fourteen

  Seth

  The sun sank into the ocean as Cinder and I walked back to the house. We carried our shoes, shirts, and towels over our shoulders. The first angry red marks of sunburn splotched Cinder’s face and back. I racked my brain to remember if I still carried Stacy’s sunburn cream in my duffle bag.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever spent a full day in the water like that. I didn’t even know it was a thing people did,” Cinder laughed.

  “Water’s cooler.” I shrugged and tried not to look at him too long.

  His nipples were hard from the cool evening breeze and sand stuck to his damp skin. It would be too easy to close the distance between us and that wasn’t part of the plan.

  “If you’re going to keep this up, we need to hash out the exact details of the plan with him. You’re killing me. You don’t see it, but his dragon keeps looking out and wagging his tail in my direction.”

  Loneliness is a son of a bitch.

  As we walked closer to the public area of the beach Cinder inched closer to me. I took his belongings and tucked them under one arm and wrapped the other around his waist. He leaned in close sharing the sun kissed warmth of his flesh. I kissed the top of his head before I could stop myself. This wasn’t how things worked. You didn’t just meet someone and decide to play house with them.

  “I don’t think anyone has written a rule book for widowers,” my wolf said. “Maybe this is how it works. Maybe things just mesh.”

  But why?

  He didn’t have an answer any more than I did.