Page 43 of Don't Fae With Dragons

My blood runs cold as I feel a sudden power surging up in her.Oh, I underestimated her, didn’t I?I realize with a start that this isn’t going to be a simple matter of knocking her down a peg; no, I need to match her power.

I stand at the table, then, placing my hands down on the hardwood and pressing until the legs creak beneath me. “Whatever you have to say,” I growl, “say it.”

Mili’s breath catches, just for a moment, and she hisses out “You haven’t agreed to help me. You’ve been distracting me with all this –this training, the gifts and the food, but you forgot why I’m really here, didn’t you? I needyour help, Cory. Ethelinda needs you, or have you forgotten that, too?”

“Enough!” my voice booms across the room. I realize I’m panting, and I’ve balled my hands into fists on the table. “Take her to her chambers,” I order Max and Port.

“But Cory–” Max starts.

“Now!”

As my voice booms across the dining hall for a second time, Port and Max scramble up from their seats and each place a hand on Mili’s back. She stares at me, her expression torn between rage and disappointment, as they turn her to the door.

“Come on, Milica,” I hear Port whisper to her.

“I’m fine,” she replies as they reach the door, her voice quivering.

Once the door shuts behind them, I leap up to it to try and hear them speak in the hallway. Max and Port can probably hear my footsteps, but I try to muffle them as best I can anyways.

“Mili, you’re not ‘fine.’” Max says.

“Iamfine,” she growls. “I just want to be alone.” Their footsteps suddenly stop, and I can imagine Port or Max grabbing one of Mili’s arms to hold her. The thought makes me jealous, but relieved, too.

“Milica,” Port murmurs.

Mili sighs, exasperated. “What is it, Port?”

“I’m sorry I brought up Ethelinda,” Port says softly. “It wasn’t the right time.”

There’s a pause, and I can almost hear Mili weighing her next words. “It never would be the ‘right time,’ you know. One of us had to break the spell, sooner or later. This little bubble we’re in couldn’t last forever. Now, I just need Cory to help me so I can go home and save my people.”

“You’re right,” Max says gruffly, “that you two have to address whatever is plaguing the town. I don’t think though, that that means we have to be apart after this. Not forever, at least.”

Mili laughs dryly. “If Cory would even allow that. Half the time he can’t stand me.”

I grimace at her words, but Port tuts and interrupts me before I can start to spiral too thoroughly, “He would. He –he cares about you, strange as it may seem.”

There’s silence, but I can smell something shift in Mili – excitement, maybe, or relief? It lights a little fire in my stomach, gives me hope that I haven’t completely ruined what there could be between the four of us.

“I should apologize,” Mili sighs.

“No!” Port and Max exclaim together.

“I mean,” Port starts, “um –Max? Help me out here?”

“He’s a little hot-headed sometimes. Might be a good idea to ... give him the night off.”

I grumble silently behind the door. More likely the two of them just want some time to themselves with the faery. My irritation dissolves, though, at the sound of Mili’s bright, tinkling laugh through the door.

I smile at the sound of it, and sigh as the three of them finally make their way off down the hallway.

I realize I’m still staring at the floor by the door, so I quickly clear my throat, brush myself off, and return to my seat at the table to await Port and Max’s return. Minutes pass. Then half an hour. Then a full hour.

Realm’s Mother, where are those two buffoons?

Finally, the door swings slowly open.

“Cory,” Port says cautiously.

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