Dragons are Forever

by H. M. Gooden

  CHAPTER 14 REUNION

  Her dreams were a weird place, filled with many of the things that she'd seen over the previous few days and scary at times. But just when she'd begun to replay the fight with the nyk, she felt a wave of light wash over her and the nyk disappeared. Blinking in the radiance, almost blinded, she saw the glow dampen and watched as a figure emerged.

  "Evelyn? Oh my God, is that you? Or is this still a dream?"

  Mai recognized her friend as Evelyn stepped out of the light, banishing the darkness of the dream that she'd been having, but Mai remained confused. Evelyn had never appeared in one of her dreams before.

  Evelyn laughed, coming forward to take her hand.

  "Why are those things mutually exclusive? You know where my powers lie."

  It was Mai's turn to laugh, ruefully.

  "Of course, Evelyn. I forget sometimes. You're a goddess of the dream world, after all. Thank you for coming. Can I help you with something?"

  Evelyn smiled. "Oh, please! I'm here because of your big news. Since I discovered who I am last year, I haven't been able to spend as much time with everyone, but I miss you guys a lot. I want to hang out, but other things keep getting in my way. I wanted to give you your wedding present from me tonight, just in case I'm not there on time."

  "A wedding present? Evelyn, you don't need to give me anything. Your good wishes are more than enough."

  Evelyn waved her hand dismissively, letting go of Mai's fingers.

  "Of course you need a wedding present. It's traditional. I'm going to give you two gifts though, one for you and one for Jake."

  Evelyn paused, smiling again but mischievously this time while she made Mai wait. Just as Mai started to feel frustrated, Evelyn took pity and spoke again.

  "For you, I've spoken to Robin and he's agreed to let our friends come through Summerland to be here for the wedding."

  Mai opened her mouth to thank her, but Evelyn raised her hand again.

  "Not yet. The other gift is more complicated, so I can't tell you what it is yet. But rest assured, you and Jake will receive the most precious gift of all shortly after the wedding. You don't have to worry about a thing, because I've pulled a few strings to make sure that it all goes well. Do you understand?"

  Mai shook her head. "Not at all, but I guess I'll have to take your word for it, whatever 'it' is."

  Evelyn laughed lightly. "Good girl. Now, go back to sleep, but this time I'll sprinkle a little good dream juice on you, to make sure you get a better rest. You're going to need all your energy over the next little while."

  Mai bowed. "Thank you for everything Evelyn, er, Olukun. Sorry, your new name is still confusing me. I'm looking forward to seeing you again."

  Evelyn smiled, waving her hand again before the light radiated out from her, hiding her from sight within seconds. As Evelyn disappeared, Mai's eyes became heavy, then she saw nothing as she fell into a deep sleep.

  WHEN MAI OPENED HER eyes, she was disoriented at the sight of sun drifting gently through the curtains. It took a minute to remember where she was, then she slowly got out of bed and stood up. She wasn't nearly as sore as she thought she'd be, given everything that they'd been through and done over the previous few days. Her thoughts flashed back to what that everything entailed and she flushed. She still couldn't believe that she'd made love to Jake, or that she'd held out against making love for as long as she had. She suddenly realized that her wedding was the next day. That meant that she had all the time in the world ahead of her in which to repeat the experience. She felt her face flush deeper and laughed at her reaction. No one was even in the room with her and she was embarrassed. It was going to take time to get used to the idea of being man and wife, that was for sure.

  Rolling over to grab her phone, she saw several messages from Cat, Vanessa, and Zahara, but none from Evelyn. Initially she was disappointed, but then the memory of her dream came flooding back and she nodded. Of course. Evelyn was beyond the need for cell phones for keeping in touch these days. It was hard to reconcile Evelyn's new reality with the same friend who'd previously been so impatient to have a phone when she started driving a car.

  Scrolling through her messages, Mai could tell that the girls were excited. They'd already spoken to Evelyn and planned to arrive later that day. After reading that text, Mai hurried to get her clothes on. She went downstairs, wondering if she'd be in trouble for sleeping so long, but when she came into the kitchen she saw that everyone was still eating breakfast.

  When Aud noticed her coming down the stairs, she jumped up and launched at her with a hug the minute Mai got to the landing.

  "Woah, there! Thank you, but what's this for?" Mai awkwardly patted Aud's back, confused by the exuberant reaction to her presence.

  Aud scowled. "Oh, come on! You know what that's for! It's for being so wonderful and saving my friend's life! I can't ever thank you enough."

  Mai swallowed her laughter at Aud's over the top reaction, trying to downplay her role.

  "It was really your brother that did most of the saving. I just helped a little."

  Aud scoffed. "That's not what Freya said. She said that you were amazing. And you killed a troll all by yourself!"

  Mai shrugged weakly, uncomfortable with her open adoration. "It was kind of an accident, really. I tripped."

  Aud started laughing, and Mai joined in, realizing how ridiculous she sounded. After she managed to calm down and take a breath, she backtracked and accepted Aud's thanks.

  "Okay, fine. I helped a lot. Honestly, it was just lucky that we got to them before the trolls were ready to eat them. It could have been so different if the village men hadn't known where to send us."

  Aud nodded wisely. "And if you hadn't gotten Jake away from the nyk."

  Surprised that Aud knew about the nyk, Mai looked at Jake. He smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck as his cheeks became rosy.

  "They asked how the trip went, so I told them everything," he said.

  Mai choked on her own saliva, causing Jake to leap out of his chair to pat her back.

  "Not everything," he leaned over, whispering in her ear, then added aloud. "Are you alright?"

  Mai nodded, taking the glass of water that Aud offered her and sipped it until the raw feeling in her throat subsided.

  "Just choked on my spit is all. Went down the wrong way."

  Jake nodded, but she saw the twinkle in his eyes. He knew exactly why she'd choked and was enjoying her discomfort.

  Luckily, this time it was Christian who started talking, wanting to know more about the fight with the nyk. He ended up being disappointed that the battle hadn't been more epic, but was somewhat mollified on learning that Mai had basically crushed it to death.

  "Cool," he said, nodding and pursing his lips in approval. "I'd have liked to see that."

  Christian then quickly lost interest and left the table, saying something about video games, which left Mai with Aud and Jake.

  "Mom said she was going to find some last-minute items for the ceremony, and Dad's out working," said Jake, answering Mai's unspoken question as she sat down.

  "The girls got back to me and said they're coming tonight. Did you talk to any of your friends?"

  Jake shrugged. "Just Dustin, but he doesn't have the scratch for a trip. And of course, we can't tell him about Summerland. But he said congrats and that he'd take us for dinner when we get back. I don't really care if anyone else comes to the wedding. It's more important for you to have your friends here. I already have my entire village."

  Mai looked at him, concerned that he was downplaying his disappointment, but he smiled back easily.

  "Mai, this is a formality. I'm already married to you in my mind and heart, so I don't need anyone other than my family here. You don't have any family except your friends, so you need them here. I think we'll be good even if they're the only ones who can make it out."

  Mai sighed, her nerves and excitement combining painfully in her chest.

 
; "I can't believe it's already here. Tomorrow we're getting married."

  Aud clapped her hands behind Mai. When Mai turned to look, Aud was twirling in circles while clapping wildly.

  "I'm going to have a sister! I'm going to have a sister!"

  Aud sung a tuneless song as she spun, causing Mai and Jake to laugh at her childish joy. When she finally tired out and sat down, grinning broadly from ear to ear, they changed the subject to discuss more practical issues.

  THE DAY PASSED IN A whirl of responsibilities, which Mai found to be almost more draining and difficult than her experience battling the trolls. She had to remind herself repeatedly that it was only one more day before it would all be over. She also remembered something weird she'd heard as a kid that she only now understood. A wedding day wasn't really a party for the bride or groom, but a sign of the formal union between two family groups. And as such, it wasn't expected to be enjoyable for the couple. Mai had kept this in mind as she followed Astrid around without complaint the entire day. It was only when Mai was allowed to carry her dress home that she felt the spark of joy she'd wanted to feel when she thought of marrying Jake.

  Before she knew it, it was time to meet her friends. Evelyn had given the girls the location where Mai and Jake could expect them and they left shortly after supper to greet them. The path to the doorway to Summerland took them past the bench where Jake had taken her on their first day in Norway, where she gratefully stole a quiet moment holding hands with Jake while they waited for their friends to arrive.

  It had been so busy that they'd hardly had a chance to be alone since getting back. Mai had a sneaking suspicion that this had probably been by design. It was traditional to keep the bride and groom apart the day before the wedding, according to Aud, and Astrid was nothing if not by the book. Mai knew if it wasn't for his parents wanting to keep her safe and sane so that she arrived in the morning, they'd have likely kept them apart now as well. They lingered over an increasingly passionate kiss until they heard a familiar voice.

  "So, are you guys going to get a room or something? Pu-lease! Out in public and everything. Right where you eat. Bleh."

  Mai jumped up from the bench and threw herself at Vanessa. "You guys made it! I'm so happy to see you all!"

  One by one Mai hugged her friends, happy that Cat and Zahara had arrived as well. She felt a twinge of disappointment that Evelyn wasn't there, but understood and had the memory of her dream to give her hope that she'd see her soon.

  "Evelyn?" Mai looked Cat, not surprised when Cat shook her head.

  "She can't come right now, but she said she'd do her best to be there for the service tomorrow, unless she can't get away."

  Mai pursed her lips. "I understand. It's not like she's even getting to do what she wants to most days. She's got so much responsibility, I don't know how she's coping with it all."

  Cat nodded her head in agreement. "So much for her opening her own business or going to university, right? I'm pretty happy that I got away so lucky in comparison."

  Mai snorted. Cat was a full-fledged phoenix who could burn demons to ashes and heal people, while Vanessa could control air magic and turn into a raven. Zahara of course, was a sneaky little fox with earth magic, the cutest and smallest of them all, but by no means the weakest in power. Each one of them knew what it meant to be different and have power that interfered with their life goals. For them to all agree that they'd been given fewer responsibilities simply meant that Evelyn/Olukun bore the weight of the entire world on her shoulders, which kind of sucked.

  "Well, hopefully she can make it tomorrow. In the meantime, you guys need to come with us and get ready for bed. The ceremony starts bright and early with a hand-fasting beside the water at dawn. We'll get a break after that until the afternoon, when we'll have the church ceremony, followed by the lantern ceremony at dusk. Then we'll have the dance party!" Mai said the last word with a flourish and Vanessa clapped her hands with approval.

  "Great! I'm curious to see if there are any other hot Norwegian guys at this thing. Jake, tell us the truth now. Do you have any hot and single friends? Older brother? Cousin?"

  Jake chuckled, but just shook his head and didn't answer her question.

  "Nice to see you again too, Vanessa. Come on, we're staying at my parent's place. They've rearranged my room for you guys to share, but someone will have to sleep on an air mattress. I'll bunk in with my brother for now."

  Vanessa and Cat shouted in unison, "Not me!"

  Zahara spoke for the first time, as the sisters began to glare at each other with an intensity that Mai had seen before. "I'll sleep on the floor. I'm more comfortable in my fox skin, anyway," she said, giving Jake a quick hug. "It's really nice to see you again, Jake. I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier, but congratulations. I'll follow you and Mai back so that I don't have to listen to those two fight."

  Zahara glanced back just in time to see Cat stick out her tongue, but pretended not to see it. "Seriously, they've been at it all day!"

  Jake led them the few blocks back to the house and in no time at all, the girls were introduced to everyone and tucked into their lodgings, with Aud over the moon to meet other girls with powers. If Astrid wasn't lucky, she was about to lose her daughter to the other end of the world, Mai thought, watching as Aud hung on Vanessa's every word. Well, maybe it would be a right of passage for every one of the Larsens. Move to America to practice their English and find a mate. Mai smiled at the thought, wondering what the future would hold for her new almost-sister.

  CHAPTER 15 THE JOINING

  The morning of the wedding began with a quiet knock on the door. To Mai's sleepy surprise, both Aud and Astrid were waiting for her.

  "Follow me," said Astrid.

  Mai nodded, still too fresh from sleep to ask questions. They led her to the master bathroom in Astrid's room, where she was presented with the sight of a hip-deep bath full of steaming hot water, which even had rose petals floating on top. When Mai looked at them blankly, Astrid smiled.

  "It's traditional for the bride to be given a cleansing bath by the female relatives of the groom, although nowadays most women choose to wash themselves. We'll leave you to your ablutions and wake your friends to get them ready, while you relax. When you're finished, leave your hair wet and put on the gown that's on the chair."

  Bemused, Mai watched as Aud and Astrid bowed gently and closed the door behind them. Moving over to the chair to examine the dress Astrid had indicated, Mai saw a diaphanous white gown composed of layer upon layer of white fabric. Surprised, she lightly touched the soft material. She'd had no idea that Astrid was getting a second gown prepared for her. She left the gown and went over to the tub, inhaling the floral scent of the water before removing her clothing.

  Mai sank into the tub and let the essence of roses surround her, muscles slowly relaxing in the warmth and the gentle buffeting of the water around her. For the first time since arriving in Norway, she felt completely relaxed. She drifted in the bath for a long time, until the water began to cool off, and only then did she reluctantly stand up and get out. Her wet hair trailed behind her, almost down to her waist. She dried, putting on the gown as carefully as though it was made of fragile spider webs.

  Mai was pleased to find that the dress fit her perfectly. While it initially appeared to be practically see-through, she was grateful to find that the many layers of fabric hid everything important. Astrid had left underwear for her just beneath it, but it was more of a full-body slip than what Mai had become used to wearing since she'd been in this century. In a way, it reminded her more closely of what she'd grown up with, causing a surge of familiarity and homecoming to warm her heart.

  Opening the door to the bathroom, Mai stopped abruptly. Aud was waiting on a chair outside the door. She stood up, motioning to Mai.

  "Come with me. We have to keep you and Jake separated for now, so we need to be quiet." Almost whispering, Aud appeared to be suppressing giggles.

  Mai nodded, following he
r into Aud's room with a half-smile, to find Astrid waiting with hairdressing supplies.

  "Please, sit." Astrid said, directing Mai to the chair placed in front of her.

  Mai sat and Astrid began to do her hair. Watching in the mirror as Astrid's hands gently styled her hair, she was impressed. That such a no-nonsense woman could be so artistic and gentle was something she hadn't expected. Soon, Mai looked into the mirror at a face she hardly recognized. Her hair was arranged the way she remembered from seeing the women from her youth, with an intricate topknot, and soft pieces falling beside her face. Astrid had added light silvery makeup to complete the image, which had the effect of causing Mai to feel that she almost resembled a beautiful virgin sacrifice. With a twinge of guilt at the thought that this was no longer true, Mai waited until Astrid had finished to thank her.

  "Oh, Astrid. I look beautiful. Thank you so much."

  Astrid simply nodded. "You're welcome. Come, it's time now to meet the others. The men will be waiting at the ceremonial venue, but the women will all travel together."

  Mai stood from the chair, feeling otherworldly and very different from her normal self with her hair and makeup in the diaphanous dress, walking carefully behind Astrid and Aud. She was worried about her dress catching on the bannister of the stairs, but when she saw her friends waiting downstairs for her, her breath caught.

  "You guys look beautiful!"

  Each of her friends was dressed in a simple sheath that Astrid had somehow conjured from somewhere, in complementary pastel shades that highlighted each of the girls' unique beauty.

  "Are you ready?" Vanessa smiled at her with suspiciously sparkly eyes.

  Mai smiled back. "I've never been more ready to do anything in my life."

  The retinue of women walked the short distance toward the water, with Astrid and Aud in the lead. They'd arranged themselves in a small phalanx, with Mai surrounded by the others. Mai wondered if this was traditional for weddings in Norway. She couldn't help but marvel at the sensation of safety and support she felt while surrounded by her friends. After only a few minutes, they arrived at the boardwalk beside the water, at the place Mai had started to think of as her and Jake's spot.