Chapter Three: Byron

This is a lot harder than it looks, Byron’s dragon said.

Yeah, if this is romance, then we are doomed,Byron replied.

No, we’ll figure it out,his dragon said. Because we cannot fail.

Byron chewed the inside of his cheek and glanced over at Cassie, who was frowning into empty space. It looked as though Cassie wasn’t too happy, either. Byron just hoped it was the idea of being lovey-dovey rather than the idea of spending time with Byron that was the cause for that frown.

Maybe we’re going about this the wrong way, his dragon suggested.

I’m listening.Byron was open to any advice that would stop him from losing his mate before their first proper date.

Fake date,his dragon reminded him. Maybe she’s like us and doesn’t care for all the romance cliches. Besides, even if we do get the date right, unless we tell Cassie we are mates, and this is real...

She’s going to go on believing it’s fake, Byron finished.

Exactly, his dragon replied. But those fake dates are our chance to win her heart.

I’m not sure Cassie wants her heart won. Byron glanced over his beer at Cassie. Even just looking at her made his heart skip a beat and his blood run hot. It was going to take all his strength to resist the magnetic pull he felt toward her, especially when they were in a romantic setting. Even if it was going to be a fake romance.

At least fake to her.

Then we have work to do, his dragon replied.

“I’m going to head on home,” Cassie said, jerking them out of their reverie.

She’s leaving. Do something, Byron’s dragon demanded.

“I’ll accompany you,” Byron barked.

Cassie arched an eyebrow at him. “Is that an order?”

“No, of course not.” He gave a small laugh, hoping he didn’t sound as nervous as he felt. “I just thought it was a good idea.” He closed the distance between them. At least the physical distance. “After all, isn’t that what couples do?”

Cassie smiled shyly. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Are you kidding?” Burt asked.

Does he have shifter hearing?Byron’s dragon asked.

“Excuse me?” Cassie asked.

“You must have watched romantic movies where two lovers walk together hand in hand beneath the stars.” He clasped his hands to his heart. “Then they stop outside the lady’s front door and then they...”

“I think we get the idea,” Byron said. “Shall we?”

Cassie nodded gratefully. Byron wasn’t the only one who wanted to get out of there.

Anything to spare us from more lessons in romance,Byron said.

“Have fun, you two lovebirds.” Sophie winked comically at them.

Cassie and Byron both rolled their eyes before Cassie gave her a wave.

“See you later, everyone.” Byron nodded at the Regulars.

“Have a good one.”

“See you.”

They walked together toward the door. Byron almost felt like he should reach for her hand, but knew the kind of reaction that was likely to elicit. So instead they walked not too close, not too far, in awkward silence, toward the door which opened for them as they approached.

Byron glanced down at the slate sign on the host stand by the entrance as they stepped past.

‘Fake it till you make it.’

Cassie looked bemused at the sign as they walked by. “What a strange thing to have as a greeting for customers.”

“Yeah, strange.” Byron nodded.

Maybe this place is full of sagely wisdom, after all, Byron said to his dragon.

Maybe it is, Byron agreed. Which means we might have a chance to win Cassie’s heart yet. But it’s going to be a challenge.

Not that any challenge would stop him now that his mate was in his sights, and so close to being in his arms. Wasn’t that why he’d come to The Lonely Tavern in the first place? Because life had given him his biggest challenge yet. If he wanted to save his family from being evicted from their ancestral home on Cairnnor and losing their fortune, he needed to find his mate.

And he’d found her. In The Lonely Tavern, just as Sophie had predicted.

But we don’t have to just find her,his dragon reminded him.

True, but this is the starting point. Now all we have to do is take small baby steps to convince her that we are destined to be together, Byron replied.

Maybe don’t mention the fact that we need a male heir in the family ASAP. At least not yet, his dragon grumbled. They hated the thought that they might have to rush things with their mate because of some arcane law on inheritance.

As he stepped outside the tavern, he took a deep breath. He could do this. He would do this.

One step at a time.

“Well, now that’s out the way with, I guess I’ll be seeing you,” were the first words out of Cassie’s mouth as the tavern door shut behind them, leaving them alone in the alleyway.

Byron blinked at her. “I thought I was going to…”

“Oh yeah,” Cassie waved him off. “I appreciate that touch, but now that we’re out of the tavern, I think we’re free to drop the charade.”

Oh no,his dragon grumbled. Tell her we’re not out of the woods yet.

“I don’t think it’s safe to do so yet.” Byron looked up at the tavern sign hanging above their heads. “You don’t think it can observe us out here on the street?”

“Observe us on the street?” Cassie’s eyes drifted up to look at the old timber building, wedged in amongst the brick walls of the neighboring shops and houses. “You’re right. Maybe it’s better safe than sorry.”

Byron nodded, and the two of them walked toward the brighter lights of the main street. He had to force himself to stop looking at her and keep his focus forward. The last thing he wanted was to make Cassie feel uncomfortable. He wracked his brain for something to say, but all he could come up with was cliches he’d read about in books.

‘Come here often?’ What a strange thing to say to someone in an alleyway.

‘I must be a snowflake because I’ve fallen for you.’ Nope. Wrong season.

‘If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cute-cumber.’ Okay, Byron did like cucumber. Maybe Cassie would, too…

“So, what do you think about this whole couple malarky?” Cassie asked and looked over at him.

Byron tried not to breathe too big a sigh of relief that she had broken the silence. “Everyone says that the tavern is Matchmaker Central, so it only makes sense that it would want any contestants to be in a relationship. It seems to have strong feelings about that,” Byron replied.

“You’re right. Everyone does say that,” Cassie replied. “But this is different. It’s a competition. And it’s just stupid that it excludes people like me and you.”

If only she knew that this was meant for people exactly like us and her, his dragon said quietly.

“You really don’t like the idea of being part of a couple, do you?” Byron asked.

Cassie shook her head. “No. Not that I haven’t tried it. Being a couple, I mean.”

“Maybe you just haven’t met the right person,” Byron suggested.

“Oh! I know I haven’t,” Cassie snorted. “From my experience, if someone wants to be in a relationship with you, it’s because they want something. And I can’t just keep giving away, you know what I mean?”

Guilty as charged, his dragon said.

“I suppose you’re right. But sometimes what they want…” He paused and then said, “Is to create a life, a future with that other person.”

“I have never dated anyone who wants the best for me.” Cassie clenched her fists. “They have always put themselves first. Which is what I am doing now. On my own! I enjoy being single.”

She’s certainly passionate about not being in a couple,his dragon said. We just have to channel that passion into…well, being passionate about us.

“Well, maybe when you meet the right person, you’ll want to give them a chance,” Byron said.

“Not likely,” Cassie replied. She seemed to be on a relationship-bashing roll. “Because I also don’t understand why when you are in a relationship, people expect you to change. You can’t just be you. Just like with Sophie and Burt demonstrating just then, it just all feels like a bit of an act.”

She’s not wrong there, either,his dragon said with growing admiration for their mate.

This was how we felt when we watched our sisters and friends fall in love. I could just never find the words to put that feeling into, Byron said.

Spoken words were never our strong point.

Luckily, we had the written word before, and Cassie to do the spoken ones now.

Byron nodded, a small smile playing across his lips. He liked her direct attitude. “I can understand that. But maybe the right person might make you change your mind.”

“I don’t need anyone to make me change my mind.”

“Right.” Byron’s smile faded as they stepped out into the main street. He’d said the wrong thing.

You think?his dragon asked.

Cassie stopped suddenly. “I think we’re far enough away from the tavern to part ways now.”

“I’m really fine to accompany you home. Not that I’m trying to be overbearing, or anything.” Byron put up his hands. “I just thought this would be a good time to get to acquainted with each other. It’s likely best to have at least a base knowledge of one another if we’re going to moonlight as a convincing couple. If we’re going to compete together, of course.”

“Do you really want to enter the competition with me?” Cassie shoved her hands in her pockets and turned to keep walking as if accepting his offer to walk her home.

“Yes.”

Cassie isn’t the only one who can be direct, his dragon said.

I thought she might appreciate it, Byron said.

“What’s in it for you?” Cassie asked.

“As I said, we could all do with sagely advice,” Byron replied, fiddling with the buttons on his waistcoat.

“But specifically?” Cassie asked and glanced at him sideways.

She isn’t going to let this go without some sort of concrete answer. His dragon watched her.

“Specifically?” Byron chewed this over for a moment. Should he tell her the truth? He certainly didn’t want to lie to his mate.

“Are you entering the competition with me because of Sophie?” Cassie asked. “She asked you to, didn’t she?”

“Because of Sophie?” Byron had not seen that question coming.

“Yes. Are you trying to impress her?” Cassie stared straight ahead as she walked.

“No,” Byron said firmly. “Believe me, that is not it at all.”

“Only she’s beautiful. And smart. And such a talented witch.” Cassie continued to stare straight ahead as they took another right onto a wider street, filled with vendors selling street food of every description. “She’s probably the one person in this whole town who doesn’t need any advice from anyone. Even if it’s from The Lonely Tavern.”

“Sophie and I are just friends, I assure you,” Byron said firmly. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and tell her she was perfect, that she was perfect just the way she was and didn’t need to compare herself to Sophie, or anyone. Instead, he said,“We met on one of her visits to Cairnnor, and just clicked. She helped me with some passion projects I was working on.”

“I told you she’s smart,” Cassie said, with no hint of jealousy.

“She is. Smart enough to know that there would never be anything between us,” Byron replied.

“Oh, of course.” Cassie put her palm to her forehead, and her tone seemed to visibly lighten. “You’re a dragon shifter. You know who your mate is. Or at least, who they aren’t.” She stopped walking and turned to face him. It took a moment before she met his eyes. “Are we planning on convincing everyone that I am your mate?”

Oh, oh, his dragon said. Maybe we should tell her now.

No, it’s not the right time, Byron said, although he wished it was.

“Let them assume what they wish.” Byron sure hoped his family didn’t hear about this and would come for a visit to meet his mate. That might ruin the whole thing.

“So, your reasons?” Cassie glanced over at him.

“My reasons?” Byron asked.

“For this pretense,” Cassie replied. “What sagely advice do you hope to gain if we win? You’re awfully bad at answering questions.”

Byron cast his gaze down onto the cobbles of the street as he thought for a moment. “How to be the person my family expects me to be.”

“That’s it.”

Byron was certain that wasn’t a question. “Yes.”

“I see.” Cassie turned away from him and kept on walking.

“And you?” Byron asked.

“Do you have brothers?” Cassie asked.

“No, four sisters,” Byron replied, not sure where this was going.

“Same.” Cassie smiled at him and for the first time, it was as if they shared a connection that had nothing to do with the mating bond. “That’s a little bit crazy that we both have that many sisters.”

“A little bit,” Byron chuckled. “Do you get along with your sisters?”

“Oh, yes.” She shook her head. “We’re very close. It’s just...”

“Tell me,” he urged gently.

“They are like Sophie. Perfect. And I’m not,” Cassie replied.

“I’m sure they are not perfect,” Byron said.

“In my parents’ eyes, they are.” Cassie took a breath. “No matter how hard I try, I just don’t have their gift for magic.”

“There’s far more to life than magic,” Byron told her. He understood the disappointment that might arise from not inheriting their family’s magical abilities. Yet, before he first came to Wishing Moon Bay, he’d seldom witnessed anyone practicing magic aside from Sophie during her occasional visits. So, for Byron, it didn’t seem such a big deal. However, he could clearly see how important it was to his mate.

“Not to my parents,” Cassie repeated. “I should explain. My father has spent the last twenty years working for The Authority.”

“I see.” Byron knew of the powerful group of witches who were tasked with keeping the peace in Wishing Moon Bay and dealing with any magical indiscretions or crimes. They were said to be some of the most powerful magic users in the land.

“He’s always expected his daughters to follow in his footsteps. When most children are read bedtime stories when they are tucked up in bed, my father read us spell books.” She sighed. “I can read the spells. I can summon my magic. I just don’t have a gift for making the spells come out as they should. I get it right sometimes, but they just sort of…fizzle.”

“And you’re hoping that by winning this competition, you will be set on the path to becoming better with magic?” Byron asked.

“That just about sums it up,” Cassie replied. “The tavern is magical. It’s run by Morwenna, a clearly powerful witch. It must know how I can improve my spell casting.”

“Do you ever think that you are exactly who you are supposed to be, though?” Byron asked.

Cassie shook her head. “No. I believe that there’s a key to unlocking the person I am meant to be. To fulfilling my full potential. I just have to find it. And I think the tavern might be my key.”

“Cassie...” He reached out, but she turned away, not even realizing that he had reached for her hand.

“This is me.” Cassie nodded to a shop front.

Byron looked up at the writing on the door. “The Fickle Cauldron. You live here?”

“I live above it.” Cassie pointed upward.

“Okay then,” Byron said and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Well, this is awkward, his dragon said as they stood there, facing each other but not looking at each other.

“I should go inside,” Cassie said but made no move to do so.

“Can I see you tomorrow?” Byron asked.

“You want to see me again?” There was a note of hope in her voice. “Oh, for the competition, of course.”

No, for more, much more, his dragon said.

“Why don’t we meet in the morning?” Byron suggested. “We can…strategize. Or something of the like.”

“I have to work,” Cassie replied. She half-turned and looked at the store behind her.

“This is your store?” Byron said.

“It is.” Cassie’s eyes lit up as she walked toward the store window and looked inside. “I sell antique magical items. Most of them don’t work as they are supposed to. I guess I have an affinity with them.”

Byron peered through the dark window. On a stand just behind the glass was a glass orb, or a crystal ball, that had a dim shimmer deep within it. It was distant, but he could see what looked like the mountains of Cairnnor, while the window was filled with candles that seemed to randomly light up. And a clock that seemed to keep irregular time.

“The foxtrot clock,” Cassie said. “The hands tick…quick, quick, slow.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen a store quite like this. What a unique place. I’d love to spend some time looking everything over,” Byron said.

“You think so?” Cassie asked, the same hint of hope in her voice.

“I do.” Byron tore his gaze from the misfunctioning items and locked eyes with her. “And I also believe together we can win this competition.”

But as he stared into her eyes, he was more certain than ever that Cassie did not need any sagely advice. She truly was perfect already.

She just needs to believe it,his dragon said.

“Maybe we could go for lunch?” Cassie asked.

“Lunch it is,” Byron said, feeling as if he’d already won the biggest prize anyone could offer.