“I know, Dacia.” Aurelia tossed her napkin onto her plate. “I am doing my best to convince them to back off. The dragons believe you should be free to make your own choices and to live your life however you choose.” She placed her hand on mine. “I know that it will be with honor and dignity.”
Chapter 11
Malcolm
Malcolm knocked on my door early Sunday morning. Even though I had been awake for quite some time, I wasn’t ready to get up. I kissed Cody on the forehead, slipped out of his embrace, and went to the door. “Give me ten minutes.”
I pulled my hair into a ponytail, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. As I stepped into the hallway, Cody said, “Be careful.”
Malcolm and I walked past Diana and the dark-haired Nephilim. I wondered what her name was, but hopefully, I wouldn’t see her for much longer. They followed behind us as we walked to Cacomistle Hall. The morning was brisk. Tiny snowflakes floated through the air, melting as soon as they touched our skin.
“Winter will be here soon.” Malcolm lifted his head and sniffed.
I nodded. Already the nearby mountain peaks were more snow-covered. “I hope this is over before it comes.”
“As do I,” he said. “I would like to be back in the warmth of my cave before winter, but I will stay as long as I am needed.”
I touched his forearm. “Thank you for that.”
The stone building loomed up in front of us surrounded by towering trees and boulder-strewn landscapes. We stepped inside. A fire roared in the massive stone hearth. Alicia’s desk sat empty, so we climbed the open staircase to Sarah’s office.
Malcolm knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Sarah responded.
We entered the room, and she stepped forward, holding her hand out to Malcolm. “I’m Sarah Aspen. Aurelia has told me all about you and your plans to help Dacia.” She pulled me into a motherly hug.
“Hello, Sarah,” I said as I stepped out of her embrace.
She smiled at me. “It’s good to see you. Aurelia stopped by this morning and told me about everything that’s going on. Please keep me informed if you can.”
“I’m sorry.” I lowered my head. “I should’ve.”
Patting my shoulder, she said, “You are free to use one of the rooms downstairs or this space. I will not interfere.”
“Thank you.” Malcolm bowed his head. “We will stay here this morning.”
“Make yourself comfortable. Stay as long as you need.” She walked off. “I’ll be in my office.”
Malcolm waved at the couches. “Have a seat.”
“Okay.” Butterflies erupted into flight in my stomach. Their wings fluttered against my belly. “Then what?”
He breathed in through his mouth and closed his eyes. “Sometimes your emotions are overwhelming.” He rubbed his hand down his face. “You need to trust me for this to have a chance to work.”
“I do.”
He shook his head. “Not like you trust Aurelia. If you did, you would’ve told me about your dreams. You would’ve let me know you suspected Mavros was here.”
I looked down at my hands in my lap. Shame flared through me.
“Part of you still fears me, and part of me revels in that.”
I jerked my head back, surprised that he’d admit that.
“I told you. I’m a dragon.” He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “I made a promise to Aurelia to help you, so I will let you read my aura. Hopefully, you will see that I am trustworthy.”
I nodded and gazed into his bronze eyes. His dragon stared back at me. His memories flashed through my mind. I saw him guarding Cody and felt his desire to tear him to pieces. I watched as Draconian commanded him and felt Malcolm’s hatred toward humans increase with every order. I saw him slash blindly at my back, watched his claws tears through my flesh, and witnessed him hungrily lick each drop of my blood off his talons. Then I saw him flying through the air, fighting Aurelia. He hated himself for each wound he inflicted upon her. I called out his name, and relief flooded through him when I released him from Draconian’s clutches.
Leaning back, his gratitude, loyalty, and pride washed over me. I smiled at him. “Those weren’t the best memories, but I believe you are trustworthy.”
He bowed his head. “Know this. I will do everything in my power to keep you from harm. I swore to protect you, and I will put your life before my own.”
I pressed my hand to my chest. “Why?”
“You did not have to free us. You could have taken control of us and used us for yourself.” His eyes flashed, and I wondered how any of the dragons could stand to be around me with that fear dangling over their heads. “Even so, it will not be easy for you to sit there and let me take your powers away.”
A shiver of dread clawed up my spine. Draconian and Mavros had both taken my powers away, and though Malcolm meant me no harm, it would not be easy to allow it to happen.
“Close your eyes.” His voice was softer than I’d ever heard it. “Lean back and think of whatever you need to relax.”
I closed my eyes, but the only thing I could think of was that Malcolm was going to steal my powers. How could I relax, knowing that something so integral to me was about to be taken?
“Trust me, Dacia.” The words were soothing, and I wondered if they were laced with magic. “I only want to help you.”
Without meaning to, I felt myself relax. I pictured myself sitting on the edge of Falcon Lake with Cody. Our feet dangled in the water. The gentle lapping
