by Sariah Skye
“It's fine Maxxus!” I hushed him as he babbled nervously. “I love it. More than the diamond. The only part you got wrong is it goes on this finger,” I said, pointing to my left ring finger.
Maxxus groaned and slapped his forehead. “Dammit!” He gently pulled the ring off my middle finger and put it on the ring finger and the stone swung to the side, indicating it was now a size too big. He sighed. “Almost got it right...” He wrapped his hand around my finger and closed his eyes tightly. I felt the metal around my finger warm intensely as his grip tightened slightly. A moment later he opened his eyes and smiled triumphantly. “There. That's better.”
I grinned widely at him, holding my hand out in front of me and admiring the craftsmanship. “You're amazing.”
We'd huddled together awhile longer, blanket wrapped around us, my shield overhead guarding us from the bulk of the rain as we dreamed about the future we thought we'd have.
And that was the last memory I had of him before the time of our uncomfortable “meeting”, when Grandfather had chosen him as his protégé.
“What are you thinking?” Maxxus brought me back from my reminiscing, peering with concern into my face.
I forced an uneasy smile. “Oh…” I let out a nervous giggle. I looked down at my left hand, it felt light with the absence of the bauble on my finger. I frowned. “I wonder what happened to that ring.”
Maxxus grasped my shoulders gently. “Leo… given everything that’s happened, I just want you to know I don’t hold you to… well that. Unless that’s what you want, then I’ll be only too happy to oblige.” He added a playful smile that help settle my unease. He shot me a wink and said, “I'll make you a new ring, too. Better than the other one—if that's what you want.”
I smiled wryly. Thoughtfully, I cocked my head. “Why didn’t we ever make good on that? Do you remember?”
“Hmm… you know, I have no idea. Come to think of it, that’s the last memory I have of you before that day I showed up with Aleron. Remember?” he asked, and I nodded.
“I remember something struck me about you—but I had no idea what. But I didn’t remember knowing you; in my mind that was the first time I’d ever met you,” I recalled. I crossed my arms over my chest and drummed my fingers on my upper arm.
“Yeah… that’s all I remember too. And it was only like, a year apart. Probably even less. So… do you think sometime after that happened, our memories were erased?” Maxxus mused. He dropped his grasp and leaned against his work station, crossing his black booted feet, one over the other. He scratched his chin thoughtfully; his other arm draped across his flat stomach. With all the sweating he’d been doing, clearly he’d dropped some water weight as his pants were hanging low on his hip bones. I had to bite my lip—hard—to keep from fawning over him out loud. Several black marks marred the slight definition of his abs—it wasn’t like he had rock-solid, wrestler muscles. No, this was much better, because he didn’t attain these muscles on purpose, which pointed towards his humility; one of his finer qualities.
I smiled slowly in appreciation… Maxxus truly was absolutely gorgeous. Gods, what kind of idiot am I to turn this one down?
Despite myself, I reached out and put a hand to his stomach. He startled, slightly, as I attempted to rub off the dirty marks on his stomach with the length of my sleeve. He smirked.
My touch rested on a heart-shaped scar under his chest. I frowned. It was the scar he’d been branded with in the battle with the Shadows that I couldn’t totally heal because I had no idea I even could. Wincing from being reminded of his pain, and his nearly-fatal injury, I hovered my hand over the formerly injured area and started to shut my eyes.
Maxxus firmly grabbed my hand and pulled it away, up to his mouth. He placed a gentle kiss on my fingertips. “There is no need. I do not wish to be healed.”
My eyes flew open and I gazed up at him, feeling wounded emotionally myself and confused. “Why? Maxxus, it’s hard seeing that… that I almost failed. That… well, I almost lost you. It’s hard to be reminded of that.”
The severity around his eyes softened. “Oh, I would have been fine. Besides, I do not see it that way. I think of it as a reminder of what a force to be reckoned with you are. That, even though you weren’t familiar with your magic at all, somewhere deep in your soul you found it in your heart that you cared about me so much that you couldn’t bear to see me in pain. I wear it with pride… that I was able to put myself on the line for you.”
“Oh… Maxxus…” my lip trembled slightly at his words. I stared up at him through blurry vision, marred with both the tears of his devoted words and realization that I loved him endlessly—and always had.
“It is no worry. Whether you still love me or not isn’t the issue. I will always be here for you in any way I can. Always.” He bent over slightly and nuzzled his cheek against mine, a dragon form of affection. My eyes slowly closed as the sensation of his warm but rough cheek against mine. He pulled back, much to my dismay. “Regardless, though… I’d like to find out who did this to us; who robbed us of a possible future together. I’d like to—” Maxxus grunted and glowered, slamming his fist forcefully down on the table. All the tools and metal clanged as he pounded.
“You and me both.” I agreed.
I left Maxxus behind a short time later to finish his smithing. He pledged to have my dagger for me before we left for Anarach; by tonight at the latest. I was curious to see what special addition he brought to the weapon that Finnian claimed he had.
I was even more puzzled. How on earth and beyond was I ever going to make this decision? Was it even a decision, really?
A love that I didn’t know I had, from a soul that accepted me truly for all I was and all I could be… and another that also did the same, but I could fully be myself with.
In dragon form, there was a certain disconnect I’d always have with Gabriel no matter how I tried to ignore it. We could never make love in my true form and while I was just as comfortable—if not more—to be in my human form, there was a certain need I couldn’t fulfill unless I was dragon. Dragons, while mating could be very destructive and animalistic. When they truly let go sometimes one another got hurt unintentionally; and it was an honor to bear the brunt of the (generally minor) injury by a lover. A scratch, a bruise, a broken limb… dragons were masochists and enjoyed pain—to an extent.
If I let go around Gabriel, I could hurt him badly. Even in my human form I would have to hold back a little. Thankfully, as a sorcerer he probably had the magic to protect himself from it. But I’d always wonder… what if I lost control?
Plus, there was the fact that Gabriel would never be accepted in the dragon realm—anywhere. Not just Anarach but—nowhere. Now, neither was I, honestly. Or Maxxus for that matter. But I’d never be able to bring him to my home and introduce him to Grandfather. He’d never fully understand our ways. Although, he understood better than most humans.
But… I could not ignore that despite all of that, I still felt a magnetic, indiscernible pull towards him, no matter how I tried to ignore it.
Being with Maxxus was easier. But, I was never one to just do something because it was easier. Whenever I was near him, I’d always get a flash of Gabriel in my mind. And vice-versa with the other.
To lose the other would break my heart and rattle my soul. But did I have to lose them both? Could I care for Gabriel, as a friend and an ally while pledging my soul to Maxxus? Would I ever stop having feelings for the sorcerer?
Had I never come to live with humans Maxxus and I could have been bonded. We could have had had our own family by now and be living in exile since we probably couldn’t stay in Anarach. The sudden thought made my heart pound and flutter, recalling that adorable dragon family in the square. I felt breathless, imagining the possibilities. What would our child look like? Would he inherit Maxxus' bright smile? One of our varying shades of reddish hair? My green eyes? What color would he be? Or her? But neither of us were accepted in our own society—could
they deal with that? There’s a chance we could go elsewhere, to another region in the realm to give our offspring a better chance… but there was always a chance that our reputations could catch up to us. And would it be right to put them through that?
Gabriel and I might not even be able to have a family...was it that important to have? I swallowed a lump in my throat when I realized that yes, it surely was. To have the kind of loving family I had never had.
I sighed in frustration, as I neared the edge of the woods. I kicked at a stone on the ground and it skipped into the woods, stirring up a flock of wisps hiding in the darkness the trees provided. I heard light, panicked chiming sounds as they darted in and out of the trees, startled.
“Oh… I’m sorry!” I called to them. None of the wisps acknowledged my apology. They just floated back into the woods. I grumbled to myself.
I heard a light, chiming sound near my ear. I craned my head slowly to see a small wisp hovering nearby, just over my shoulder.
“Aww…” I raised my palm up near my shoulder, and the little wisp danced a little and rested in my hand.
“You know it’s considered good luck if a wisp chooses to come to you,” a voice said behind me.
I looked back. Finnian was standing there.
“Is it?” I said. I lowered my hand slightly and the wisp followed. Its light dimmed slowly and pulsed rhythmically.
“It’s sleeping,” Finnian said quietly. “It’s said that wisps are only attracted to the kindest, gentlest of beings. If one chooses you as a friend, you are truly special indeed.”
I smiled slowly. A tinkling sound came from it and it brightened up again. It floated to a spot on my shoulder where it rested as we walked.
“Well, wisps are pure magic. They’re attracted to other magic, but only light magic. Cross one, though—and what a wrath you’ll incur,” he said, in a damning tone.
“Really? These little things?” I asked, surprised.
“Oh yes,” he said. “They get their entire families together and… well, it’s just not pretty,” he added with a chuckle.
“Interesting. Too bad we couldn’t take them with us over there, huh?” I said dryly. I let the little wisp perch on my shoulder as we went the rest of the way to Kiarra’s house.
No one answered when we arrived at a Kiarra’s front door, so we made our way inside. Immediately, I was overcome with a wave of panic. I exchanged a glance with Finnian. “Crap…” I said, and I heard frantic words from the other side of the cottage—presumably the bedroom. Finnian and I walked quickly to Kiarra’s bedroom. She and Gabriel were holding Daniel’s catatonic form upright on the bed. Maxxus was watching with concern from the foot of the bed, careful to stay out of the way.
“Is he okay?” I asked with concern.
No one heard me, though. I took the spot next to Maxxus and we gave each other a quick look before turning our attention back to Daniel. Finnian sat on the other bed.
“Did he say anything before he went out?” Finnian questioned.
Gabriel sighed. “I don’t know… not much. Just… Ath-lo…”
Kiarra let out a gasp. “Oh… no…”
I swallowed nervously. “Did he mean maybe..Athalos?”
“Could have been. Who’s that?” he asked, turning to me and noticing the panicked expression on my face matched the other dragons’ in the room.
“Althalos is the king of Anarach,” Maxxus replied.
“Our home,” I finished, exchanging a serious look with both dragons.
The color drained from Gabriel’s face. “Oh… that can’t be good, then.”
“Well, now… just wait,” Kiarra said, trying to be the voice of reason. “This is the future. We’re going to change the future. So whatever is happening—or will happen—to the king, we’ll be there to stop it.”
Gabriel bit his lip hesitantly. “Um..not necessarily. Sometimes he gets visions of things that will happen in the immediate future—or now. It all depends.”
I cursed out. Maxxus growled, and balled his fists.
“It’s a warning. Something bad is going to happen,” Gabriel said grimly. “As much as I hate to admit it, you need to get moving.” He said to me.
I groaned. I clutched my short hair in my hands and grasped. “Fuck… fuck fuck fuck.” Suddenly the pressure and the realization of what would happen was weighing on me.
I felt pressure on my lower thigh. I looked to see Maxxus had reached out reassuringly. He said no words and didn’t look at me, but grasped gently, lending me his strength.
“We need to go. Now,” I said with conviction. I stood but Finnian motioned for me to sit down.
Finnian sighed, but nodded. He looked between Maxxus and I questioningly. “Are you ready?”
Maxxus cracked his knuckles and balled his fists. “Oh yes. He needs to pay.”
“Leo?”
I groaned, but reluctantly agreed. “Let's do it.”
Finnian clapped his hands together and smacked them against the tabletop. “Okay then. Go gather your things and meet me back at the square after nightfall. Should be the easiest and slowest time in Anarach, right? Might be harder to find Nicodemus but—”
“We will find him,” Maxxus said gruffly.
“All right. I'll gather the potions and things you'll need. Maxxus do you have them?” Finnian nodded expectantly.
I looked at them both puzzled, but Maxxus nodded once. He said nothing even as I continued to look at him quizzically.
Maxxus left the room briefly and returned with a large, leather bag that clanked metallically when he walked. He set it on the floor and opened it. “I have something for everyone.”
The rest of us—sans Daniel—peered at what Maxxus pulled out of the bag. There was a metallic twang and Maxxus produced a silver dagger with a gilded handle out of the bag. He carefully laid it in his palm, leaving one hand under the hilt, and produced it for me proudly.
I gasped. Leorah was carved in script on the blade and it shimmered into the light of the room. “Careful…” he instructed.
I gingerly reached out and grasped the handle as he let go. Immediately as I clutched it, I felt a surge of electricity shoot from my hand, up my arm. It was warm, and powerful. I grinned at the feeling as I held it out in front of me, admiring the craftsmanship. Sure enough, Maxxus had placed one green stone and multiple pink sapphires in the handle. I wasn’t sure what the green one was, exactly. Emerald? Green garnet? It sparkled way too much to be an emerald, as natural emeralds were rare and very flawed.
I raised a brow at Maxxus. “What just happened?”
“That was the dagger attuning itself to you,” Finnian explained. “Maxxus has the power to imbue his weapons with strength from the Earth itself. Since you’ve already touched it, it recognizes you and your magical signature.”
“What? How is that possible?” I asked in awe.
“And what does that mean?” Kiarra asked, equally as awed.
Maxxus shrugged, looking humble. “As long as it’s attuned to you, and you’re holding it, It means it’s more powerful. You will be able to strike quicker, and more accurate. And it can never be used against you; it will immediately fall to the ground where it will stay until the intended picks it up.”
“Hey—that sounds familiar. Like the Sword in the Stone!” Gabriel said.
Finnian nodded. “That sword was very much real, and it did in fact contain the same magic.”
I let out a low whistle as I stared in awe at Maxxus. I had no idea—even in my memories forgotten—that he held this power.
“It’s a very rare gift, and I think we can see possibly why Maxxus’ power was hidden as well,” Finnian mused. “Such talented weaponsmiths only occur once every five-hundred years or so and quite often, their full potential is never realized.”
“Now, what I want to know is who,” Maxxus growled lowly. I nodded in agreement.
“I wonder how it is that you remembered that first day of drake school,” I wondered aloud. “I
didn’t remember that. You didn’t remember anything after that, so...”
Maxxus shook his head, shrugging. “I do not know.”
I sighed, feeling somewhat helpless. I glanced at Finnian questioningly who just offered me a blank shrug, refusing to glance my way. His eyes shifted to a pale yellow. All he said was, “I do not know what this means.”
I grumbled, feeling badly for Maxxus. I knew from experience; it wasn’t a good feeling to have just hours from going into a situation where I was supposed to be at the “top of my game” so I changed the subject.
“Does everyone else get one too?” I asked, holding up the dagger.
Maxxus grinned widely. “Why, yes… yes, they do. I hope everyone understands that I was running out of time and they aren’t quite as elaborate as the one here for Leorah—that one has special meaning behind it. I spent the better part of the day working on them and of course, with my magic, it doesn't take too long. After Leorah and I return, I will put the finishing touches on the rest of them. But for now, I wanted you to see them.”
I could see Gabriel’s mouth thin and eyes narrow from the corner of my eye, but he forced a smile as Maxxus handed him a simple, silver sword with a blue stone in the hilt.
Despite himself, upon grasping the sword, Gabriel’s eyes widened. “Whoa.”
Maxxus pulled out a sheathed sword from his bag and set it on the ground, leaning against the bed near Daniel. “That is for your brother,” he said to Gabriel. “I know he is no stranger to weaponry so I figured this might be a comfortable weapon for him.” He pulled out a smaller weapon in a leather case and handed it to Kiarra. “And since I know you aren’t comfortable with hand to hand combat at all—I figured a knife would work for you. Just… something to have in case you need it. Easy to hide, easy to grab.”