by Mandi Oyster
I stretched out beside him with my head against his bare chest. His body was warm from sleep. “Morning. I’m not going to class today.”
“Why not?” He no longer sounded drowsy, but on edge. “Everything okay?”
“Yes.” I ran my fingers along the lines that puckered over his eyes, wishing I could take his stress away. “I don’t wanna go. I thought maybe we could spend some time alone today … maybe go to Falcon Lake or even Althea.”
“Just the two of us?” He pulled me closer. His eyes reminded me of sparkling blue pools.
“Just the two of us.” I threw my leg over his and snuggled in closer. Feeling content in Cody’s arms, my eyes drifted closed. I forced them open and stood. “I better wake up Samantha and Dan so they can go to class. Then I need to tell Aurelia. She can have Arion keep an eye on us if she wants to.”
Dan was sleeping in Big Bird. I walked over and gently rocked the chair back. “I’m awake,” Dan said. “Have fun skipping.”
I nodded and turned to Samantha’s loft. “Hey, Sam, morning has arrived.”
She grunted and plopped her pillow on top of her head.
“Samantha’ll tell you, you’re being irresponsible.” Cody smiled. “But, I think it’s a great idea.”
“You shouldn’t talk about me when I’m trying to sleep.” Samantha yawned.
“We’re skipping.” Cody pointed at the two of us.
“You really shouldn’t.” She sat up and stretched her arms out to the sides. “It’s kind of irresponsible.”
I tried to hold in my laughter, but it erupted from me, followed by Cody’s.
“What is so funny?” Samantha demanded.
“That’s what Cody said you’d say.” I tugged out shorts and a graphic t-shirt. “Anyway, you need to get ready for class.”
“Well, are you sure you’re not going?”
“Sam, I love you, but I’m skipping class today.” I sat next to Cody on the couch. “I want to spend some time alone with Cody.”
“That sounds nice.” She climbed out of her loft. Dan stared at her the whole time. “I’m sure you’ll have fun, but you missed class on Wednesday. Are you sure you want to skip again today?”
“I know you’re looking out for my best interests, but I’m not going,” I told her. She looked a little disappointed, but she didn’t say anything more. I was surprised she let it go at that. I figured she would try harder to convince us. Maybe she could see I wasn’t going to give on this, or maybe she knew I needed some time off. Either way, I was glad I didn’t have to argue.
When she left, I went over to brush my teeth. While doing that, I let Aurelia know we wouldn’t be going.
Enjoy yourself, but be careful.
We will.
I will get Dan to his room, then get him and Samantha to class.
Thanks. I plopped down next to Cody and draped his arm over my shoulders.
“Liked it better how we were.” He leaned back, pulling me down with him. My head lay on his chest, and his arms wrapped around me. I felt safe and loved. Why can’t things always be like this?
“Mmm … me too.” I traced my fingers over his chest. “Maybe we should just stay here all day.”
“Whatever you want, Dacia.”
We stayed that way for longer than I intended. I fell asleep to the steady beat of his heart.
Cody and I stand on The River Otter. Cougar Lake reflects the sunset, a flawless mirror image of pinks and purples.
While I appreciate the beauty surrounding me, Cody kneels down beside me. I turn toward him, and he takes my hand in his. “Dacia, without you, my life isn’t worth living. You are my heart and soul, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The stars, the moon, the sunset … they all pale in comparison to you. You would make me the happiest man in the world if you would be my wife. Will you marry me, Dacia KayLee Wolf?”
“Yes.” My hand hovers over my heart. My words tumble out of my mouth, higher pitched than normal. “Oh, Cody, yes.”
He slips a diamond ring on my finger, and I stare at it in amazement.
The smile on his face holds the promise of forever. His eyes dance with happiness. He climbs to his feet and wraps me in his arms, embracing me like he’ll never let go.
He tips my chin up, and his lips crash down on mine. I moan in response and clutch him tighter. I can taste the excitement in his kiss. Our bodies press together, but I want him closer to me. The kiss softens, and he draws back slowly as if he can’t bear to be separated from me.
“I forgot to tell you something,” he says in a soft whisper.
“What?” My voice trembles.
“It’s kind of embarrassing. I left out the most important part.” He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I forgot to tell you that I love you.”
“I love you too, Cody,” I whisper.
“I love you too,” Cody breathed in my ear. With that, the sunset faded away, and I was lying on the couch in Cody’s arms. “You look content. Good dream?”
“Yes,” I murmured.
We sat in silence for a moment. Then Cody asked, “You going to tell me about it? Or do I only get to hear about the bad dreams?”
“If I tell you, you need to keep in mind that I’m not pressuring you into anything.” I didn’t know what he’d think of my dream, but I didn’t want to scare him off.
“I wouldn’t mind hearing about the ones where you’re saying I love you.” He caressed my cheek and neck. The touch was intoxicating. “Gotta be better than the ones you’re screaming in.”
“Promise.” My tone was adamant.
“Okay, no pressure. I promise.” He crossed his heart.
“I dreamed you proposed to me. It was beautiful and perfect. But, I’m not in a hurry for it.” To be honest, I hadn’t really thought about it. I knew Cody and I would be together forever. There was no sense rushing into anything, but now that I’d dreamt about it, I knew I wanted that future more than anything.
“We’ll always be together,” he told me. “There’s nobody else for me.”
“I know. That’s why I’m not in a hurry. Besides, if we got married, my parents would quit paying for my college, and I can’t afford to pay for it myself.”
“No sense starting further in debt than we have to, but … your parents’d pay if we were engaged. Wouldn’t they?”
“I’m sure they would.” I closed my eyes and sighed. “I’m not pushing you, Cody. I love you. I know you love me. That’s good enough for me.”
He trailed his fingers along my jaw. “What would your parents think about a ring?”
“My dad would wonder why you didn’t get his permission. Mom would be ecstatic. They both think the world of you,” I answered. “But, you don’t have to get me a ring—now or ever, unless it’s your choice. It was just a dream. Besides, you don’t even have a job.”
“Not now, but I did. I saved mosta my money.” A fox’s smile crept over his face, and he winked at me.
d
Cody and I left campus. We went to Falcon Lake for a picnic. We spent the afternoon strolling along the beach hand in hand or sitting on the shore with his arm around my shoulders. Then we decided to go to The Avalanche for supper. We considered inviting Samantha and Dan along, but the two of us hadn’t been anywhere by ourselves for so long. When we finished supper, we sauntered along, looking in the shop windows.
Cody stopped at the display in the local jewelry shop’s window. He looked at me, raising one eyebrow and asked, “Do you see anything you like? Do you want to go in?”
“Are you asking because it’s what you want or because you think it’s what I want?”
“Both,” he answered, grinning wider. “I never thought much about it before, but uh … now I keep thinking how wonderful it’ll be when
the world knows you’re mine, to hear you say ‘yes.’ I can’t stop thinking about it.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him closer. “Everyone who sees us together knows I belong to you. They wonder what spell you’re under to make you stay with me, but …” I let my voice trail off. “And, whenever you ask, I’ll say yes. My life wouldn’t be worth living without you.”
“Mine either.”
“Well, if we’re just looking …” I pointed to an oval diamond solitaire. “That one is beautiful. You don’t see too many oval-shaped diamonds.”
“So, it’s beautiful and unique—just like you. Sounds perfect.”
It was late when we headed back to campus. I hoped Samantha wouldn’t be worried. I felt guilty about staying out so long without warning her, but I hadn’t planned on it. As we drove back, I pushed those thoughts out of my head. I didn’t need to think about anything unpleasant right now; I needed to enjoy my time with Cody. There wasn’t enough time in the day. The seconds ticked by too fast —reminding me there were only so many of them left.
Samantha and Dan weren’t there when we got back. I was glad I didn’t waste any more time feeling guilty. I changed into my pajamas. Then Cody and I snuggled up on the couch together and watched some random movie that was on TV.
“You look tired, Dacia,” Cody said. “Ready for bed?”
“Do you”—my cheeks heated as a blush crept over them—“care if I sleep here?” I looked down at my hands.
He tilted my chin up so I looked at him. “If that’s what you want.”
“You kept the nightmares away.”
He pulled his shirt over his head and lay down.
I grabbed a blanket. Then I snuggled against his chest, pulling his arms around me. He held me close, rubbing my back, pressing kisses to the top of my head.
Guilt tightened my chest. In the morning, he’d understand why I didn’t want to be separated from him tonight. He’d probably hate me for what I was doing, but it was comforting to know that if I didn’t make it back, this would be his last memory of us together.
I threw my leg over Cody’s and pressed my body against his. His breath hitched, and he tugged me closer.
Eventually, Cody’s breathing evened out, and his grip on me loosed. After what seemed like an eternity, my eyes grew heavy and sleep found me.
Cody stands at the end of a long aisle, more handsome than ever … debonair. I walk toward him, my steps drawn out. The scene widens, and I notice all the people sitting in pews. My arm is on my dad’s. He pats my fingers, and I look up into his damp eyes.
Cody gazes at me, flashing a radiant smile. The extent of his love for me is obvious to everyone there. When we reach him, Dad places my hand into Cody’s. At the touch of his skin, I woke up.
Cody was propped up on his elbow, peering down at me. “You okay?” He brushed my hair back. “Nightmare?”
Closing my eyes, I pictured Cody in his tuxedo. “No, it was wonderful,” I whispered. When I looked up at him, tears pooled in my eyes.
Ever so gently, he traced his thumb along my jaw. His lips pulled down. “Then what’s wrong?”
“I just …” I clung to Cody, pressing my face into his chest, breathing him in. “I don’t know if it will ever come true.”
“What was it?”
“Our wedding.”
“Why wouldn’t it?” His hold on me went rigid. “I told you we’ll always be together.”
I smiled at him, but it was full of sadness. “I don’t think I can beat him.”
He scooted back and looked down at me. His blue eyes were intense. “You’ve got this. I can feel it. It’ll be okay.”
“I hope you’re right.” I sighed.
His fingers delicately trailed over my arm, leaving a tingling sensation behind them as they moved on. I kissed his neck, then his chin. He lowered his face, and in an instant, my lips were on his.
He drew back. “Something you’re not telling me?”
I ran my hand along his side. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” He rubbed his jaw. “I feel like you’re … I don’t know …”
“What?” I pushed him, even though I should have let him drop it.
He squeezed his eyes shut, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I feel like you’re saying goodbye. Like you wanted as much time with me today as you could get so you could get your fill of me.”
“Oh, Cody, I could never get my fill of you. I want forever with you.” I dragged my hand through my hair. “I really don’t know how much time I have left, and I don’t want to waste one minute … not even one second of it.”
He blew out a long breath. “Just don’t do anything stupid.”
I was glad he worded it that way because I didn’t want to lie to him, and I didn’t think challenging Draconian to keep him from hurting my friends was stupid. “I won’t.”
“Sleep good, then.” His lips brushed my forehead, and he stroked my arm.
I fell asleep feeling safe and loved.
Chapter 39
The Hardest Part
Saturday morning when I woke up, my legs were twisted with Cody’s, and his arms were around me. Despite what awaited me, a smile stretched across my face.
I lay beside him, memorizing the way he looked, his warmth, his smell.
Slowly, to keep from waking him, I disentangled my legs from his. My foot was on the floor when his eyes popped open.
“How’d you sleep?” He brushed his finger from my temple to my chin.
“Good,” I whispered, “well … great, actually.” Heat flushed my cheeks.
“Yeah.” His blue eyes sparkled. “I liked having you here.”
I snuggled up against him, not quite ready to let go yet.
Dacia, Aurelia’s voice chimed in my head. It is time.
Trying not to show any reaction, I thought, I know. I pulled away from Cody. “I’m going to take a shower before they get too busy. You better stay put until you’re supposed to be here.”
“I know the routine.” He laughed.
I brushed my lips over his, intending to leave.
Holding his face in my hands, I stared into his eyes. There was so much I wanted to tell him in case I didn’t make it back. Instead, I pressed my mouth to his, threw my leg over his, and clutched his waist, pulling our bodies closer together.
Cody’s fingers twisted in my hair. With his other hand, he tugged me closer. Groaning, he deepened the kiss.
Heat blossomed in my core. I slowed the kiss and drew back. My breath came out in ragged gasps.
“Dacia?” Cody’s voice was husky.
I grazed my fingers along his arm as I stood. “I love you.”
He clenched my hand and fear flashed through his eyes. “Love you, too.”
Grabbing my bag, I walked to the door. I looked back at my friends. Samantha and Dan had returned sometime after I fell asleep last night. She was buried under covers and pillows. Dan smiled at me from Big Bird. I waved and pulled the door shut.
As I stepped into the hall, I wondered if Cody realized I was saying goodbye. If not, he’d figure it out soon enough. When I didn’t come back from my shower, he wasn’t going to be happy, hopefully, he’d forgive me.
While I changed into black yoga pants and a blue shirt, Aurelia set the wards on my room. I braided my hair and sent a silent prayer to God. Please keep my friends safe and help me survive. Help me figure out how to stop Draconian without killing him, but if it comes to that, please give me the strength to defeat him.
Aurelia and I met outside, heading into the forest. We plodded along without saying anything. Neither of us was in a hurry to find out what fate had in store.
As soon as we were hidden beneath the shadows of the trees and out of view of pr
ying eyes, we turned invisible and launched ourselves into the sky. My shirt rustled in the wind. Goosebumps spread across my arms. A few stray hairs unraveled from my braid, whipping around my face.
The ground rushed below us quicker than I would’ve liked. As I flew, I reached my mind out to Draconian, making sure Aurelia could also hear me. I’m on my way here. I sent him an image of a clearing in the mountains far away from any humans.
Why do I care? His voice entered my mind, and I cringed in response.
Now or never. My stomach twisted. I closed my eyes fighting off the fear, opening them before I flew off course or hurt myself.
“Aurelia”—my voice was quiet, broken—“I can’t do this.”
You have to, she spoke into my mind, otherwise Draconian will come after you.
We landed in the clearing, a field of purple and yellow wildflowers stretched all around us. A few pine trees dotted the area. Rocky peaks stretched to the sky, capped by snow. The air smelled crisp and clean.
Stretching my senses out, I searched for Draconian. When I didn’t find him, I turned visible and sank to my knees. Trembling began deep inside me, my chest tightened, and I thought I might collapse. “I should have …” My voice caught in my throat. “I should have told them goodbye. I shouldn’t have left like that.”
“No, you did the right thing.” Aurelia stood beside me with her hand on my shoulder. “They never would have let you go. You will be back with them before you know it.”
“How can you be so sure? What if I don’t make it back?” My pulse thrummed in my ears. The sound drove out background noises. My heart attacked my ribs, trying to break free from its prison. I clutched the grass, struggling not to lose myself. My breath rushed in and out too fast to fill my lungs. Tears pricked my eyes. Spots darkened my vision.
Aurelia’s energy flowed into me. Her strength vanquished the panic attack. “Everything will be okay.”
“I’m terrified.” A chill shuddered through my chest, and bile rose up in my throat.