Page 38 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

He held me close as he carried me back to Twyla’s and my room. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat was a soothing lullaby in my ear.

As he gently lowered me down to the bed, memories of that stark, terrible room and the cold chains biting into my skin suddenly flooded my mind. Terror clawed at my chest, threatening to overwhelm me.

I placed my trembling hand over his heart, taking comfort in its strong, reassuring beat. “Will you stay with me? I don’t want to wake up and be… be…” The words stuck in my throat.

He climbed in next to me. “Of course. I’m not going anywhere.”

I cuddled into his embrace, his arms a fortress protecting me from the darkness. The warmth of his body and the steady rise and fall of his chest instantly banished the nightmarish memories of Ravenwood Estate. A wave of gratitude washed over me, tinged with sorrow for those less fortunate. I was one of the lucky ones who escaped: how many others remained trapped in that hellish place?

He rubbed my back. “I won’t ever let anyone hurt you.”

Exhaustion finally overcame me, and I drifted off to sleep, lulled by the gentle, rhythmic sound of Jaxon’s heartbeat…

I was back in that cold, stark room, my arms wrenched painfully over my head and with a bone-deep chill throughout my body. I tugged against my restraints, the chains biting into my raw wrists. Panic clawed up my throat, threatening to choke me.

The door creaked open and Simon and Marsha strode into the room, their footsteps echoing ominously on the floor.

Marsha peered down at me, pure hatred reflected in her eyes. “Time for you to pay the price for stealing the Dragon Nexus and disrupting our auction.”

She gripped the chains, the cold metal links pressing even more painfully into my flesh. She leaned over me, her sickly-sweet perfume invading my nostrils as her hot breath brushed over my face. Then she smiled cruelly. “These manacles will punish both you and your dragon within.”

My heart hammered against my ribs as she began to chant:

By iron’s grip and fire’s sear,

Let these bonds ignite with fear.

Burn the flesh, scorch the soul,

In this circle, I take control.”

Marsha’s cackle split the air, making my bones shiver. It reminded me of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz, but unfortunately there was nothing fictional about this woman.

As soon as she finished speaking, sizzling pain erupted in my wrists as if molten lava was being poured directly onto my skin. I thrashed about on the bed, agonized screams tearing from my throat. The acrid stench of burning flesh filled the air, bile rising in my throat?—

A strong, husky voice pierced the fog of agony. “Peyton, wake up. Wake up.”

My eyes slammed open, my chest heaving as I gulped for air. Sweat plastered my hair to my forehead, my clothes clinging uncomfortably to my skin.

Strong hands gripped my arms, and I twisted my head, disoriented. “Let go of me,” I croaked, my throat raw from screaming.

“Peyton, stop. It’s okay. It’s me.”

I blinked rapidly, trying to focus in the dim light. My gaze locked onto a pair of dark, familiar eyes. The soft moonlightstreaming through the window framed his handsome face, bathing it half in shadow. “Jaxon?”

His tight grip on my arms loosened, one hand moving to cup my cheek. “Yes. I’m here. You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The adrenaline slowly left my system, leaving me shaky and disoriented. But Jaxon was here, and I trusted him. I was safe in his arms. I relaxed a little, my eyes darting around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings—a different bed, antique furniture, wallpaper with a faded floral pattern. Confusion swirled in my mind as I tried to piece together what had happened. “Where am I?” I stammered.

He leaned in, his lips brushing softly against my forehead. The familiar scent of his cologne grounded me, anchoring me to reality. “You’re at Red Rose Academy, in the guest quarters at the headmaster’s residence.”

Phantom pain flared in my wrists, bringing the nightmare screaming back. “Jaxon...my wrists,” I gasped, jerking my hands up to examine them. In the pale moonlight, I could see only smooth, unmarked skin. Confusion and relief warred within me.

Jaxon and I were both still wearing what we had worn to Ravenwood Estate. I must have fallen asleep, and Jaxon had kept his promise to stay with me and keep me safe.

But the dream had beenso real…

I looked up at him, my bottom lip trembling. “I dreamed that…Marsha...she burned... She burned my wrists. She said she would punish me and my dragon.”

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