Chapter Twenty-One: Byron

Look straight ahead,his dragon told him. That’s it, halfway there. Just imagine you are with me. We are soaring above the ravine on outstretched wings.

Byron did as his dragon advised and kept looking straight ahead as he reached the pinnacle of the bridge and crawled down the other side, hand over hand.

He’d known there was no magic in the candy Nancy had given him, and even if hadn’t realized, it would have been abundantly clear by now as he hung over the precipice with his heart pounding at a million beats per minute.

But he had seen the look on Cassie’s face when he said that he’d catch up with her. They both knew that this was a couples’ competition and if they didn’t finish together, they likely would fail.

He would not let his fear control him.

It wasn’t that he was worried about Cassie leaving him if they failed the competition. She would understand, even if they dropped out because of him.

He simply couldn’t bear to see her disappointed, especially not in him.

My life-changing and sagely knowledge is to keep moving. Don’t stop and look straight ahead,his dragon said. That’s it, we’re nearly there.

The branches were rough beneath his hands, and creaked slightly as he moved, quickening his breath every time. He could hear the rush of water in the ravine below, and the way it echoed through the vast canyon made him feel sick. Steadfastly, he refused to look down at the flowing water, even though it seemed to call his name.

And then his hands touched rock as he reached the other side of the ravine, and he took a deep breath. He’d done it.

And not just the crossing. He had been the first to go to make sure that his bridge held. If anyone was going to fall, it would have been him.

But luckily it didn’t come to that,his dragon said. Because I would not be able to save us if we fell.

He crawled away from the edge and then stood up and turned around to watch Cassie and Nancy as they reached the end of the bridge. Behind him came Stan and Nyara, while Kengar waited on the farther side of the bridge for the rest of the group to cross.

Will it hold?his dragon asked.

I believe it will,Byron said as Kengar stepped onto the bridge, and it dipped slightly.

“On your hands and knees,” Byron called out. “It’ll spread your weight.”

They all gathered around and watched as Kengar made the perilous journey across the bridge. Cassie huddled close to Byron, while Nyara half covered her face, afraid to watch but unable to look away.

“Halfway there,” Stan called out as Kengar reached the middle of the bridge. It creaked ominously under his weight, yet Kengar was unflinchingly steady, inching forward with a measured calm that was almost surreal.

“He’ll make it,” Cassie whispered, her hand finding Byron’s, her fingers lacing with his. And despite all the danger and uncertainty, Byron felt a thrill of warmth and reassurance at her touch.

Kengar kept moving, his eyes fixed on Nyara, who watched in silence, her breath hitching each time the bridge shifted under Kengar’s weight.

“Nearly there, buddy,” Stan encouraged as the group stepped back to allow Kengar room.

They all breathed a sigh of relief as Kengar planted his wide hands on the solid stone of the ledge, followed by the rest of his body. As he stood upright, Nyara dashed forward and flung her arms out to him. Kengar gathered her in his arms and kissed her face.

“Piece of pie,” he murmured.

Nyara burst into laughter, but there were sobs of relief mixed in there, too. Relief they all shared as they turned away from the bridge and looked across the gently rolling hills and plains before them. A much more pleasant sight beneath the noon sun than the dark forest and craggy ravine they had just dealt with.

“So.” Stan hooked his thumbs into his belt. “Which way are we thinking?”

“By the fact that we’ve all met up, I’m assuming that everyone else has decided that east is the direction we need to go?” Byron looked around to a group of nods.

“Is your scarf still wet?” Bryon asked Cassie.

She pulled out of her handbag her headscarf, which dripped water still. Byron cupped his hands, and she wrung it out over them, before constructing the compass as they had before.

“Now there’s a clever idea.” Stan leaned over Byron’s shoulder to watch.

“We were just going to follow the sunrise.” Kengar shielded his eyes and looked up at the high sun. “But it’s a bit hard to figure out which way is east when the sun’s high.”

“This is just a little bit more accurate.” Byron took note of which way the needle was pointing. Toward a tall peak in the distance that had been hidden the previous night by the trees. It would be much easier to keep track of direction now.

“Let’s get moving then,” Nancy commanded. “We took some time building that bridge, so there’s no telling how many people have made it back to the tavern yet.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Stan saluted with a crooked grin before they all started moving.

It was much nicer walking in the sunlight over the gentle landscape. Byron could almost forget the anxiety of the previous night—stumbling around in the dark, losing Cassie, if only for a brief moment, and the terrifying noises that only turned out to be Kengar. It almost seemed comical in the daytime, and as they walked as a group, he could almost believe that they had just gone for a friendly stroll through the countryside.

Byron led the way, keeping track of the landmark he had picked out. Cassie walked beside him, and they kept to a comfortable pace…and a comfortable silence. He could hear Stan and Nancy, and Kengar and Nyara talking amongst themselves, laughing about being on an adventure once again.

Reach out to her,his dragon demanded. At least hold her hand.

I don’t know if she’s comfortable with that yet.Byron glanced at Cassie out of the corner of his eye.

What are you talking about?his dragon exclaimed.

Well, it’s just…Byron glanced at the others behind him. I don’t know. Just being coupley in front of other people. It was different when it was ‘fake.’ It just feels like sharing something intimate with the rest of the world.

His dragon just shook his head. All right, fine. But if she reacts badly, it’s on you.

Byron looked at Cassie and reached out his hand, gently taking her hand in his. She looked down at their hands and then up into his eyes and smiled at him. Byron felt his heart skip a beat, as it seemed to every time he saw that beautiful smile.

See?his dragon said smugly.

“Oh, Jemila berries.” Nyara darted past them and stooped at a bush holding large, bright blue berries.

“Are you sure, dear?” Nancy asked. “Jemila berries only grow on the Dorret Isles.” She joined Nyara and plucked a berry off the bush and smelled it. Then she licked it before she took a small bite. “Fair enough. Jemila berries for sure.”

“So, that means we’re on the Dorret Isles,” Byron said.

That’s a long way from home,his dragon said.

Then we’d better find the tavern,Byron answered, wishing not for the first time that he had his shifter senses.

The group stopped to gather berries from the few bushes and ate their fill of the tangy berries before they set off once again. The Jemila berries were refreshing, and energizing, but they had been going for some time, and Byron’s mind began to turn to the meatball sandwich he would order from Bella Incantesimo once they made it back to town. In fact, he might even order two.

Everyone else seemed to be flagging as well, and the sun was beginning to sink behind them, casting their shadows which they followed as they trudged onward, up a gentle incline.

Kengar suddenly stopped. “I hear something.” His ears twitched slightly as they stayed quiet. “There. Hear that?”

Byron pursed his lips. All he heard was distant birdsong. He felt so restricted without his shifter senses.

“No, sound must carry differently up there,” Nancy said, looking up at Kengar. “Can you tell us what kind of a something you heard?”

“It’s…I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s like a squawk… no, more of a screech?” He screwed up his face. “Whatever it is, it sets me on edge. But it’s also…oddly compelling.” Kengar smacked his lips together. “I’m suddenly quite thirsty.”

“A thirst that feels like it can only be quenched by something hoppy, and also perhaps yeasty?” Cassie raised an eyebrow.

Kengar nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m craving right now.”

“Morwenna!” Stan’s expression brightened. “I’ve never been so happy to hear that name. And I will never be happier than when I heard her sarcastic voice chiding Flint. It seems she’s not Zen anymore.”

“Let’s pick up the pace, then.” Nancy pointed forward as if leading a cavalry charge.

Kengar led the way up the rise as if being led by some unseen force.

“I hear her!” Stan said happily before he winced. “Oh, it’s so grating.”

They reached the top of the hill and looked down into a wildflower meadow, and sure enough, there stood the tavern.

It was odd seeing the whole building out in the open on its own. It really did look like it belonged on the road between two medieval villages, with its stone walls built over with aged timber and white-washed panels.

How on earth does that fit down that little alleyway?Byron asked.

His dragon shrugged his wings. I feel we should learn to stop asking questions about that place.

“There’s people already here,” Kengar said.

Byron squinted his eyes. Sure enough, there were two people outside of the tavern. One was close to the wall, while another, large figure stood to one side hitting…a rug?

“That’s them,” Cassie said. “Morwenna and Flint.”

“Well, let’s go and say hello.” Nyara reached up to take Kengar’s hand and led them toward the tavern, the others having to jog to keep up with him.

“Whose idea was it to spring clean while we wait?” Morwenna asked Flint as she polished the tavern’s windows.

“Yours,” Flint replied as he beat a carpet hung from a makeshift line, huge clouds of dust billowing out with every hit.

“And why didn’t you talk me out of it?” Morwenna asked as she stood back to admire her handiwork. “My, that’s shiny.”

“Because you said ‘nothing, and I repeat, nothing is going to change my mind. So don’t waste your breath trying’,” Flint said, imitating Morwenna’s voice.

“And since when did you ever listen to what I say?” Morwenna said as she stepped forward and scrubbed at an invisible smear on the window, oblivious to the fact she was being watched.

“Since you promised me two days off if we get this done before we return to Wishing Moon Bay.” Flint coughed and waved away the dust.

“That doesn’t sound like something I’d say. I’m more of a stick gal than a carrot gal.”

“Maybe you were having an off day.” Flint looked up as the group slowed their jog, wading cautiously through the flowers. “Hey! You made it! Looks like the first competitors are back.”

“Good, they can help with the spring clean.” Morwenna turned around, putting her hands on her hips when she saw them. “There’s an awful lot of you. Did you use teamwork?”

“Would it matter if we did?” Stan asked warily.

“Flint, what did it say in the terms and conditions?” Morwenna asked.

“Nothing about teamwork,” Flint replied and winked as he came to meet them. “You all look as if you could do with a drink.”

“Coffee,” Stan said, casting a belligerent look at Morwenna. “We need coffee. It’s been a long morning.”

“Morning? It’s nearly five P.M. That’s beer time. Besides, haven’t we had this conversation already?” Morwenna narrowed her eyes at Stan. “Now, we could stand out here discussing it, or you could go and eat the meal I prepared for you.”

“You prepared us a meal?” Stan asked with wide eyes.

“In a supervisory manner,” Morwenna said as she went into the tavern. “Oh, dim interior, I have missed you. There is only so much sunlight and fresh pine forest scent a witch can take.”

“Oh wow, we’re not the first to make it back.” Cassie spotted a couple seated in a corner. They looked tired, but not that disheveled as if they hadn’t been outdoors.

“Not at all.” Morwenna glanced up. “They’re the last ones out of the escape rooms. And I’ve just told them what their tab is.”

“In that case, I guess we’re the first to make it back,” Cassie said.

“Teamwork for the win,” Nyara said happily.

“Come on, I’m starving,” Kengar said and strode forward, then stopped. “Who is going in first?”

“What do you mean?” Stan asked.

“Whoever steps in the door first might be the winner,” Nyara said.

“If this is the last trial in the competition,” Cassie murmured and looked up at Byron.

“You should go.” Nyara nodded at Cassie. “You and Byron. Since if it was not for Byron’s Da Vinci bridge, we would still be stuck on the other side of the ravine.”

“But if it wasn’t for Kengar, we would still be trying to gather the branches for the bridge,” Byron said magnanimously, offering Kengar a nod of acknowledgment.

“Vote,” Nancy said. “Before we all starve.”

“Vote,” Nyara agreed. “All those in favor of Byron and Cassie.” She stuck up her hand and so did Kengar, Nancy, and Stan.

“Go.” Kengar gave Byron a gentle nudge, which sent him stumbling forward. “Sorry,” the orc said with a tusky grin. “But be quick. I think I can hear more people approaching.”

Byron grabbed Cassie’s hand, and they hurried toward the tavern door, followed by Kengar and Nyara, with Nancy and Stan at the rear. Once inside, the smell of freshly baked bread made his mouth water. As he inhaled deeply, he also caught the aroma of roasted meats and plenty of herbs and spices.

“Sit, sit.” Morwenna directed them to a table as she bustled about the place, fetching a pitcher of beer and gathering plates. “Ah, our next couple. That means we are halfway there.”

Byron glanced toward the door to see a weary-looking couple that he vaguely recognized, but his attention was quickly captured by the bowl of stew Flint placed in front of him. He grabbed a thick chunk of bread and bit into it, savoring the warm, yeasty flavor, then used the remaining piece to soak up the rich broth of the hearty stew. Cassie watched him in amusement, a small smile playing about her lips.

“Hungry?” she asked.

“Famished,” Byron replied between mouthfuls.

“A man after my own heart,” Kengar said as he picked up the rest of the uncut loaf and tore off a hunk.

“Another couple,” Nyara said as two more people walked in, looking dirty and disheveled, but now relieved. “That’s five. Three more.”

“This was a lot closer than I was expecting it to be,” Nancy said. “We almost weren’t the first ones here.”

“Isn’t one of the remaining couples those friends of yours, Cassie?” Stan asked.

“Friends of mine?” Cassie furrowed her brow.

“Yes, the fellow who came over to talk to you during the first trial,” Stan added.

“Oh. You mean Jerome and Amelia.” Cassie shook her head. “They are not my friends.”

“Really?” Stan asked. “Only, Jerome, is it? You two looked as if you knew each other. And then earlier today… Yesterday, the way Amelia talked to you about the dandelions, I figured you must know each other.”

Nancy wrinkled her forehead. “My dear, na?ve Stan. Just because they know each other does not mean that they are friends.” She gave Stan a pointed look.

“Oh.” Stan nodded slowly. “So does this mean we are rooting for them to be last? Or not make it back here at all?”

We sure are,Byron’s dragon said with a puff of smoke.

I would not be disappointed if they were out of the competition and out of our lives forever,Byron said.

He looked down into his stew. He didn’t know what happened between Cassie and those two and tried not to be vindictive on her part. He would not wish ill will on them, and he didn’t think Cassie did either…not too much, anyway.

“It’s all in the hands of the tavern,” Morwenna said as she placed tankards on the table and filled them from the pitcher of beer.

“Is this bread beer?” Stan asked with a faint grimace.

“No. Seems it’s a special occasion. Flint has persuaded me to provide a special beverage,” Morwenna said. “You’ll have to make do with HoneyClaw Beer.”

“Pity,” Stan said, greedily taking a drink and his eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s really…” He caught Morwenna’s eye. “Not bread beer.”

“Well, since it’s free, I don’t expect to hear any complaints,” Morwenna said huffily. “Especially seeing as it’s your nephew’s beer.”

“No complaints from me,” Stan murmured as he grinned at Flint, who was chuckling to himself from behind the bar. “That nephew of mine really does know his beers.”

“If you have time to smirk like that, Flint, then you are not working hard enough,” Morwenna snapped, turning to glare at the bartender.

Flint jumped quickly, busying himself with drying a set of freshly washed glasses. “You do know I have been working for nearly twenty-four hours straight.”

“So that wasn’t you I heard snoring last night when you were supposed to be on lookout?” Morwenna retorted.

“Nope, must have been the wind,” Flint said easily. “Look at that, another couple.”

Jerome,Byron’s dragon ground out.

He looks like he’s been dragged through a hedge backward. Then forward and then backward again,Byron said.

“Flint? Did you file away those waivers?” Morwenna asked as Amelia appeared behind Jerome.

“I did,” Flint said as he came around the bar to meet the two bedraggled newcomers. “Welcome back, you two

“Good, because I think we might need them.” Morwenna looked Jerome and Amelia up and down.

“Is this some kind of a joke?” Amelia spat. “Do you know what happened to us out there?”

“No…” Morwenna said.

“Look at my dress.” Amelia held out her hands.

“Wasn’t it longer?” Stan asked. “And I don’t recall all the sticks and mud.”

“Yes, it was longer!” Amelia cried. “But it got snagged when we had to battle through a briar bush. As for my shoes! They are ruined!” She took a breath. “I have blisters on my blisters. Did you not think to give people a dress code before this trial? A list of necessary items?”

“It’s not my fault you did not wear sensible shoes,” Morwenna told Amelia. “One should always remember the first rule of the tavern—‘if you spill a drink, it shall always be directly onto someone else’s lap.’”

“What does that have to do with anything? And what about my dress?” Amelia said as she tugged at the tattered fabric.

“Do I take it you want to withdraw from the competition?” Morwenna asked. “As I can’t guarantee the next trial will be any better.”

Amelia opened and closed her mouth several times before she found the word. “No.”

“You know,” Nancy said as she leaned closer to Cassie. “It’s a pity that man of hers never gave her dandelions. Maybe you could offer her some of yours for her blisters.”

Cassie smiled and picked up her beer glass. “Here’s to teamwork. And dandelions.”

Byron flashed her a smile. But right now, he didn’t want to be part of a team. He wanted to spend time with his mate.

As a couple. Alone.