I held onto the dream that one day we might see them again, slight as it was. They could open themselves back up. Uncle Aiden staunchly believed they didn’t die off and I held out hope that he was right because it would be awesome.
I asked, “When you meet your mate will this amusement park be your first stop with her?” He snorted, “Cousin, my first stop will be a bed.” I threw my head back and laughed. He added, “When we have spare time, I’ll bring her here. Lord knows when that will be though. Our lives are quite hectic.” I nudged him, “Make the time if she has it. Ok?” He nodded, “You know it.”
We got on the front and the roller coaster took off. People were screaming but Hastein and I were holding our arms out. The roller coaster made you feel like you were flying on a Dragon’s back. Well, as best we could guess.
Hastein took me to get a drink when we were done. It came in mugs with different colored Dragons with the handle as their tails. I asked, “Do they just know you get the purple one?” Mine was green and gold. He winked at me. I asked, “How are you?” He answered, “Busy as always.”
I pressed, “Cousin.” He sighed, “Lonely. I am lonely. Some days not having my mate is harder than others.” I agreed, “I know what you mean.” He winced, “I wish you did not.” I laughed, “I think everyone of age yet to find their mate feels that way.”
He changed the subject, “Would you like to come test out a new ride your mom and I have been working on?” I answered, “Of course I would.” He laughed and slammed his drink, so I did too. Oden snorted, “Those things are strong.” They were but I didn’t mind. I couldn’t get drunk. None of us could.
We jogged across the park to a new building and walked inside. It looked like a cave. We made it to the VR stations where there were different colored dragon statues with riding saddles. Hastein got on the purple one, because of course he did. I chose the black and white one. Oden concurred, “Good choice.” I snorted.
I grabbed the VR helmet that mirrored a motorcycle helmet and put it on. I felt the Dragon move beneath me and nearly faltered. Oden snorted, “I would never let you fall.” I knew that. I blinked and realized I was in a whole new realm. I looked down and realized I was on the Dragon I’d picked. It screeched excitedly.
A woman appeared in front of me, “A fight is awaiting you, mighty rider. You must go and help those already fighting.”I chuckled, “Will do.” My Dragon took off and we spotted a charred village. We flew down and helped the villagers put out a fire.
I asked, “What happened here?” One answered, “These Dragons came through with riders! They were evil, but she chased them off.” I asked, “Who?” Their heads tilted and I spotted a man in all white. I asked, “Who are you?” He jolted and disappeared into a stream of light. What the fuck?
Someone grabbed my hand. The woman insisted, “You must go and fight with her. She is alone and she needs your help. She is a brave rider, but you are meant to be with her.” I agreed, “Ok.” I got back on my dragon and flew. I heard a Dragon screech in pain.
I heard someone shout, “NO!” Everything in my body stiffened. I screamed, “MELANIE!” My Dragon flew with urgency towards the sound of her voice. Oden said, “I don’t like this game! I don’t like hearing mate this upset.” Neither did I. We found my mate and I nearly faltered.
Dad linked, “Alexander?” I answered, “I’m testing a Dragon ride at H’s and mom’s park.” I’d get into the charm my mom used to make my mate appear later. Melanie’s black hair was in a ponytail. Her Dragon was all white, and her outfit would be something I fantasized about for decades to come.
She had a leather crop top bra with bikini bottoms and a big belt buckle that was a skirt. She had on thigh high brown leather boots and two arm cuffs on her arm. She was fighting with a sword as her Dragon fought with her.
I shouted, “I am coming Lovebug!” I flew all around setting the enemy on fire. I jumped off the saddle and landed behind her to have her six. She said, “I have been waiting a long time for you.” I snorted, “I have been waiting longer for you to come home.” Oden reasoned, “This is a video game character.” I retorted, “Obviously one charmed to be someone I wanted here.”
She sadly said, “I’m not allowed home.” I asked, “What the fuck? Wait, you mean in the game. I’ll get you home.” She smiled at me, and I knew I’d do anything to keep that look there. We moved as an impressive team. Her Dragon screamed in pain. She gasped, “NO!”
Oden growled, “What’s wrong with her Dragon?” I answered, “Someone must have hit it with a spell. Her Dragon is growing weaker.” Melanie ran to her Dragon, but it was encased in glass, and they were cut off from each other. I asked, “What the fuck is going on?”
Oden demanded, “Get that Dragon out! I don’t like her being behind that glass.” Melanie sobbed, “I need you. Why aren’t you here? I’m supposed to have you!” I told her, “It’s ok. We will get your Dragon out.” She cried in my arms until the helmet was ripped off my head.
I asked, “H?” He asked, “What the hell? It’s a ten to fifteen minute game. You’ve been in it for hours!” Oden snorted, “It did not seem like hours.” I said, “Well, it’s a little weird but cool the heroine is who you want to see.” He asked, “What?”
I answered, “Melanie and her white Dragon were fighting with me.” He stared at me for several seconds then pulled me through to the hospital. Uncle Marcus asked, “What’s going on?” Hastein insisted, “Check his head.” I scoffed, “I’m fine.” I was ignored.
Uncle Marcus scanned him and agreed, “He is fine.” I knew that already. Hastein then yanked me through a portal to Uncle Bjourn’s office. Oden said, “I feel we are being yanked around a lot and I do not understand why.” I replied, “You know what I do.”
Uncle Bjourn asked, “What’s wrong?” I answered, “The hell if I know. I just tested some equipment for H. My mom clearly used charms to have the fighter you rescue be someone you want to fight beside.” Hastein replied, “Mmmhmmm except there isno rider to rescue. You’re supposed to hunt down the riders that torched the village. The army joins you at the end.”
I frowned, “No, I saw the village and the guy in all white that disappears.” Hastein questioned, “What guy?” I answered, “He was in a white suit.” Hastein shook his head, “There is no guy.” I reasoned, “The game talked about how the woman chased the other riders off.”
Hastein insisted, “There is no woman. That’s not what’s supposed to happen and there is no white Dragon in the game.” Oden huffed, “But she was so pretty.” I told my cousins, “There should be. She was stunning. The Dragon gets cut off though. She’s encased in glass. Melanie was distraught.”
Uncle Bjourn asked, “Melanie was in the game?” Hastein answered, “No.” at the same time I answered, “Yes.” He looked between us. I insisted, “She was there. We fought together.” Uncle Bjourn rubbed his head, “So the guy wasn’t supposed to be there nor was Melanie?”
I said, “But they were both there.” Cookies were conjured to his desk. I grabbed some, “Karina cookies! Hot damn!” Phil linked, “You need to come get cookies? Karina was near tears that you weren’t here. I think Robert makes her keep you in supply of them and thinks you will be mad at her if you don’t get them.” I ate several.
I assured him, “Some were conjured here. H, me, and Uncle Bjourn are eating them. If Robert told her I’d be upset to the point she is scared if I don’t have these cookies, beat him within an inch of his life if you have proof.” He snorted, “I’ll just be working on getting proof.” Good.
Hastein waved, “I’m being silly. Aunt Haley probably did use a charm.” Uncle Bjourn agreed, “She must have.” Hastein sighed, “It must be on the helmet he used specifically. I’ll have her charm them all. That does make it fun if we get to the picksomeone to fight with. We just can’t have them be in it as long as Alexnader was.”
Oden grumbled, “If that’s how I get to spend time with mate, I’ll take it.” Me too. Sadly, I could not spend all my time in a virtual reality. Oden said, “We could still come and see it sometimes.” Yes, we could because that outfit was literally something I wanted to rip off her.
I left Hastein to talk that over and popped back to the gym. My brothers were in there and I took them home with Gage. Bryce assured me, “We went hijinks on their ass!” I winked, “Good.” Mom giggled, “I totally agree.”
