His mouth was exposed. He smiled. “Good evening.”
That voice, deep and creamy. I recognized that voice, didn’t I? And those eyes… like dark chocolate even by torchlight. “Good evening,” I replied. He was staring at me. Then I realized he was looking at my hair. Guess the mask didn’t disguise me much. My curly red mop of hair was pretty identifiable. Did he recognize me? “Do I know you from somewhere?” I asked.
The flicker of a grin passed across his lips. “That pick up line’s a little old, don’t you think?” It was Bryce! He wasn’t looking at me now, though. Bryce took a step back, away from the group. He was looking uncomfortable. Then he turned and walked away. I followed him.
“What’s wrong?”
He glanced back at me and then broke into a run. The sensible thing for me to do would have been to let him go. Instead, I chased him. He ran, full out, his poofy sleeves fettering him as he sprinted down the dark path. I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep up but I ran just as hard as I could. It was crazy, chasing him like this. But I wanted to help him. He veered off the path and disappeared into the bushes. I slowed and looked into the brush, trying to figure out where he had gone.
Probing the bushes, I searched for the place where he had gone through. But what I found was a cave. I peered inside but could see nothing. Need some light in there. A torch! I ran back to the courtyard where the guests were gathered. Several people seemed startled when I wrenched one of the torches from its place on a pillar but there was no time to explain. Bryce was in trouble! I ran back to the cave and entered, slowly, torch first. No sign of him.
“Bryce?” I called. The name echoed hollowly. “Where are you? Why were you running? What’s wrong?” I walked forwards, the torch lighting the patch of ground in front of me. The cave opened up into a much larger cavern where the light didn’t reach the walls or the ceiling. “Bryce?” I called again.
I heard a scuffling sound up ahead. Gripping the torch tightly, I continued forward. Fear wouldn’t send me skittering back out. I needed to find out what was going on with Bryce!
I heard the sounds of stones sliding and then a loud yell rang out in the darkness. It was Bryce! I hurried forward, then slowed. The floor of the cave in front of me fell away to blackness. Holding onto the edge of the pit, I saw fingertips, Bryce’s fingertips! I quickly put the torch on the ground, got down on my hands and knees and crawled to the edge of the precipice. Peering down, I saw his face looking up at me in the flickering torchlight, anguish written on his features.
His grip on the cliff’s edge was slipping. I got down on my stomach and grasped one of his wrists with both hands.
“Hold on to me! Let me help you!”
“No.” He looked up at me, brown eyes narrowed, mistrust written on his handsome face. Why did we have to be enemies?
“Please. I can help you.”
“Like you helped me last time?”
His mask had fallen off and there was a jagged red scar across his face that I had not noticed. Last time…Oh. The dark knight! “Bryce…I had to. You attacked me!”
“It’s Blaze!” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I had to,” he said quietly.
“Why?”
“I belong to the dragon. As long as he lives, I will never truly be my own. I can never be free. We can never be together. Stop chasing me.” Bryson’s fingers were slipping from the stone ledge but he seemed more sad than afraid.
“Just grab on to me. I’m sure I can help you! Don’t give up!”
“I’m sorry, Cara. I wanted to keep my word and switch sides. It’s just…I don’t know how. I’m not a good person. I know I can’t save myself. And you can’t save me either.”
“Maybe we could fight the dragon together.” I tightened my grasp on his wrist but I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold him if he didn’t hold onto me too.
“No. Everyone who fights the dragon loses. It’s hopeless. I’m sorry, Cara.” He closed his eyes and let go. I screamed as his wrist tore from my grasp and he plummeted down and down into the vast cavern below. I got up on all fours and peered down into the blackness. But I couldn’t see the bottom. I hadn’t heard him hit the ground. Was Bryce gone forever? Or could he have somehow survived the fall? I had tried to save him, hadn’t I? Could I have done more? Did I let Bryce die? Was it my fault he was lost? I would see him again, wouldn’t I? I had to have another chance. This just wasn’t right!
***
Tears filled my eyes. I blinked them away, to the familiar sight of white lighting overhead. It had been a dream. I’d dreamed of Bryson, again. As I lay there thinking about the dream and about Bryce, I wondered if I had somehow let him down. Was my subconscious trying to tell me something? Why couldn’t I save him?
It’s not your responsibility to save him Cara. You can help him but only I can save him. You can trust me for that. I will save him!
I smiled as my tension ebbed away. Yes. Whether in the dream world or in real life, I could trust the High King. Then I laughed as I thought of his comment to me. As if I keep chasing him! My dream Bryce was just like the real one, in terms of attitude. Maybe I needed to get a boyfriend or something.
Chapter 11 – A New Allegiance
The apartment I had rented had a nice pool where I could exercise and a hot tub where I could relax when I wasn’t dreaming. The truth was, I didn’t really need an apartment at all. I had a locker at the clinic and there was a shower in the bathroom there. But I guess it was nice to have my own place too; at least, it was nice to have somewhere to swim. I’ve always loved water. And it helped comfort me when I wasn’t sleeping.
I don’t think Mom was sad not to see me anymore. She never contacted me. I kept sending her the money though, because that’s what she really loved, anyway. Matthew and I kept up, via text. He was thinking of becoming a doctor. Mom must have been happy about that. I clicked off my phone after reading his latest message. I was sitting on my cot at the clinic. I shoved the phone into my backpack and let the bag fall to the ground. With the familiar feeling of the tight sleep cap cradling my head, I lay down. Now, how not to dream of Bryce... I fell asleep thinking about him and wondering what he was up to these days.
***
I found myself standing on a gravel road in a small, rustic town. No one else was in sight. The overcast sky and the run-down look of the place gave me a bit of an ominous feeling. I walked up onto a wooden porch. The white paint was peeling. I pressed the doorbell, not knowing whom I expected to answer. No one came. I rang the bell again. I felt drawn to this place. Somehow, I knew it was important. Still no one. I turned away and there he was, right beside me. He looked angry. I’d never seen him look that way before.
“Bryce!” I gasped.
Somehow, this time, I knew it was a dream. I often didn’t but, this time, I did. Why do I always see him in my dreams? Sometimes as a love interest and sometimes as an enemy. Which would he be, this time? Deep down, I must have a huge crush on the guy or something. Or maybe I’m just fixating on him because he’s one of the last people I interacted with, in real life. I was surprised to see a faint diagonal scar across his face. From where I got him with the sword. So weird. He was still looking at me. His dark eyes were smoldering coals.
“Bryce, what’s wrong?” Would we fight like we had at the castle? I had no sword this time.
“It’s Blaze. How many times have I told you that? You act like you’re above me. You don’t treat me with respect. I can see it in your face. You think I’m a loser. What, I’m not good enough to be your friend? I hate your God! I tried to be a good guy, Cara. I tried! But I can’t. Your God has rejected me…just like you have.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. Whoa! Strong words but …he was right. God had not rejected him. But, in a way, I had. The tears flowed down my cheeks at his strong emotion. I guess I had felt that he was beneath me, worthy of only contempt. It seemed like all he cared about was his appearance and becoming a movie star. I guess I hadn’t found that admirable. But still,
treating him with scorn wasn’t right. The anger on his face melted to sorrow with my tears. I was crying so hard I found it difficult to talk. The way I had treated him was hindering him from choosing to follow the High King. There was no excuse for that! I needed to try and make things right.
“I’m sorry I made you feel that way. I know… I’ve been judgmental. And I’m really sorry. God hasn’t rejected you and…I’m sorry that I did.” Guess my subconscious was calling me on my attitude. I knew this wasn’t the real Bryson…But it felt real. Maybe I could apologize to the real Bryce one day… but I felt it was important that I made amends here. Maybe just for me. I reached for him. “I’m really, truly sorry.” The twisting of his features eased and he stepped into my open arms. He felt warm, and I cried onto his black t-shirt. Soon his arms wrapped around me in return.
“Okay,” he whispered into my hair.
But I couldn’t stop crying. Why had I treated him so badly, thinking he was below even my speaking to him? At Prom, when there had been an opening to try to connect with him and maybe help him, I had just walked away.
“I’m sorry,” I said again.
“It’s okay now.”
I let go and looked up at him while I wiped the tears from my face. “I’m sorry I treated you that way. But it’s not true that God has rejected you. I try to do the right thing. But I’m flawed. God’s perfect. And he loves you and will accept you.”
He stepped back and looked away. “You know, I don’t really believe in God anyway.”
We were an arm’s length apart now. “Then why were you so upset?”
“You were always like an angel. To everyone except me.”
“I was sometimes kind to you. I tried.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“But you always looked like you had it all together, like you wouldn’t care.”
Our gazes locked; his face was serious. “But I’m crying on the inside,” he whispered.
I stepped forward and caught him in a hug again. “I’m so sorry, Bryce. You’re so incredibly valuable. God loves you desperately and he wants to save you.”
“Wants to save me from what?” he asked quietly, gently returning the embrace.
“From crying on the inside.”
We parted and Bryce looked at me quizzically. I didn’t know how to explain. But I felt better now, like the damage had been repaired. I reminded myself that this wasn’t really Bryson and wondered again if I’d ever get to apologize to him for real. Was he really crying on the inside? Probably not. Here, he was still staring at me so I looked at the house.
“Do you know who lives there?” I asked.
“No idea,” he replied.
“Let’s circle around the back,” I suggested.
He nodded agreement and followed me. It seemed I had an ally this time. As we rounded the side of the house, a cool wind hit me, smelling of salt water.
“It must be the ocean,” he murmured from behind me.
A block away was the sea. Sunlight sparkled on white, frothing swells. “It’s beautiful,” I said, looking out over the water. Then I heard sounds coming from behind the house. “What do you think that is?” I asked.
Bryce shrugged. “I’ve never been here before. Let’s go check it out.” He took the lead and we continued around the house to the back. There we found a shop with sounds of wood working coming from inside. We walked to where we could see through the open door but the inside of the shop was in shadow. I stood there while my eyes adjusted from the bright sunlight.
“There you are!” The figure inside put down his tools and came to join us in the back alley. Surprise swept over me. The High King! He was wearing simple clothing but he was certainly the High King. Bryce took a hesitant step away.
“It’s alright,” said the King. “You needn’t run.” He held out a hand towards Bryson in a handshake gesture. “You said you’d switch allegiances, remember? I accept.”
“But…” He stared at the High King for a long moment. Then Bryce took the man’s hand. They shook hands. I wondered at the exchange.
The High King turned to look at me. “Are you ready?”
“For what?” I asked.
“For an adventure!” He smiled. Warmth and joy filled his eyes.
I couldn’t help but stare up into his face. “You’re really him, aren’t you? Not just a part of my dream? But really, really him.”
“Of course.”
“Why do you come and visit me so often?” I asked.
“I have plans for you.”
“What kind of plans?”
He stepped closer to me and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Plans to give everyone hope. It’s important.”
Warmth and love flowed from his hand on my shoulder into my heart. The apprehension I’d been feeling melted away. When I was with the High King, I felt safe.
“What kind of adventure?” asked Bryce, suspiciously. “And do you have plans for me too?”
I flinched in surprise. For a moment, I’d forgotten he was there.
“Do I have plans for you?” The High King laughed but it was a pleasant sound. He dropped his hand from my shoulder and reached for Bryson, who stepped away. The High King dropped his hand and answered quietly. “Of course, I have plans for you, Blaze. You are very important.”
A vulnerable look of uncertainty crossed Bryce’s face. “And what kind of adventure?”
“A rescue mission, of course.”
“What if I don’t want your plans? What if I don’t go on this rescue mission?”
“You don’t have to come with us. Come on, Cara.” He motioned that I should follow. The High King walked quickly down the lane in the direction of the sea. Bryce folded his arms across his chest.
I held my hand out to him. “Let’s adventure together, Blaze.” He looked surprised – probably because I called him Blaze. But the High King had called him that, after all. Then he reached for me and took my hand, the look of vulnerability on his face again. We walked hand-in-hand. I pulled him along, our feet skittering stones on the gravel road, as I hurried to catch up with the High King. When we reached him, I slowed our pace. “It’ll be more fun adventuring together.” I gave Blaze a reassuring smile as we walked along. He smiled back. My heart warmed and I knew it was true. This was good. We kept holding hands. I much preferred having an ally to having an enemy.
“I did promise to switch allegiances. Now, here I am, with you. Promise fulfilled, right?” He smiled at me.
“Right!” It was weird, having dream-Bryce with me. If we ever met again in real life, it would be super awkward for me. We’d have all this history together - only we wouldn’t really. And his hand felt really good in mine. It had felt good when I had held the High King’s hand – so good. But not like this. I turned to look at Blaze and caught him looking at me.
“What?” I asked.
“I can’t get over it. You look just like her. And act like her too.”
“Like who?”
“Like Cara.”
“I am Cara.”
“Right.” He shook his head and laughed. “Never mind.”
We reached the seashore. Tied to the dock was a beautiful sailboat. More clouds were gathering overhead.
“Come aboard,” said the High King.
We followed him onto the boat. I wasn’t used to the rocking motion so I gripped the boat’s railing tightly. He unfastened the tether and we started to drift from the dock.
“Why do you want us to come with you anyway?” asked Bryce, as he reluctantly jumped onto the boat.
“There are some villagers stranded on a small island, several miles from here. You’ll need to rescue them and then take them back to shore.”
“And what are you going to be doing?” asked Bryce.
“I’m going to be fighting the dragon.” The High King put his hand on the hilt of the sword that hung from his belt.
B
laze paled. He looked back towards land. We had drifted too far from the dock for him to jump back. “Fighting the dragon? This isn’t some fairy tale. He’s ancient and supernatural. No one who fights this dragon wins.”
“Except for me,” said the High King with confidence. “Blaze, please pull up the anchor.” He pointed to a large winch on the front of the boat.
Blaze walked unsteadily. He turned the handle of the winch. After a few minutes, he brought up a massive, metal anchor. “I’ve got it.”
“Good.” The High King had unfurled the sails. He secured the anchor in place. Wind filled the sails and carried us out to sea. The High King stood at the railing beside me and looked out to the distant horizon.
“Don’t you have to steer or something?” asked Blaze.
“This ship knows what to do. I built her myself.” The High King patted the railing absently. “Don’t worry; she’ll get you home.” There was no smile on his face now. The clouds were getting thicker and more threatening. Even though it must have been only midday, it was growing dark. The wind was picking up.
“Looks like a storm is coming,” said Blaze.
“Is this going to be a difficult mission?” I asked the High King.
“Yes.” He was gripping the railing so tightly that his fingernails were turning white.
I wonder if he’s afraid. He certainly looks unsettled. But why would the High King ever feel afraid? When he spoke, he didn’t seem worried that he would lose to the dragon. So what is bothering him?
“How did these people get stranded out there anyway?” asked Bryce.