Dragon's Bride

Chapter 11

Kai's POV

After hours of Molly's begging, Mia budged and agreed to have her very own first birthday party ever.

"And an important one, too! You're eighteen this year, if the witches and wizards counted correctly!", exclaimed Molly happily. Everyone agreed it would be best to have the birthday on the weekend, three days after we had the family tea. Luke still had to clean the library, I had to fix Mia's doors plus we had to buy her a present or something.

Having never bought a girl a present, I'd spent hours upon hours trying to figure something out. I couldn't sleep, eat or drink- my mind was completely fixed on finding the perfect gift that I wanted to give her but just couldn't figure out. My head hurt like it was about to explode. Somebody knocked on the door.

"So, brother. Have any ideas what to bring for your love because if you don't I am more than happy to help.", said Luke happily standing in the doorway of my room. I looked up annoyed.

"Get out, Luke. I'm not in a mood for your jokes.", I hissed at him.

"But I'm not joking, little brother.", he said innocenlty. I stood up, annoyed and tired.

"I know how you are with women and you know that I'm more experienced than you. I've got a couple of ideas for things that your lovely Mia might like. A teddy bear maybe, or a perfume or something... sexy...", I walked over to my desk and grabbed the closest thing, which happened to be my alarm clock and I threw it at him in fury. I missed. The clock hit the wall with great power but it was way off its course. I looked at Luke but all I could see were blured spots of colour. I don't even remember how it happened but the next thing I remember is Luke's worried face over me and him calling my name. I fainted.

The same evening I broke out in a cold sweat. My whole body was covered by freezing droplets of sweat, my body was stiff and weak. I remember little of the time I spent in bed. I remember father examining me and saying something, Molly bringing me tea, Luke going over my drawings. Everyone visited me except the one person i wanted to come- Mia.

She was constantly in my dreams. I dreamts of her smile, of her hair dancing in the wind, of her dress and smell and perfect body surrounded by the tall grass and herbs.

"Kai, Kai! Do you love me?", asked the Mia of my dreams sweetly.

"Yes, I do. You know I do.", I answered moving slowly towards trying to catch her. She looked at me playfully, smiling. She shook her head slowly.

"No. You desire me. That is not the same... not the same...", she said. The next thing I remember is her perfect naked body, engulfed by the light and the smell of wild flowers. She was running away from me, laughting playfully. I ran after her with my heart beating uncontrollably fast. She turned to face me but she was changed. We were back in the bathroom. It was her first night in the tower all over again.

"It's not the same thing.", she said terrified and sad. Someone grabbed me by my shoulder and forced to look away. Luke!

"Take it! Take it now or die!", he said with passion. Then another person grabbed me and turned me again.

"You'll die, my son, if you don't take it!", said father.

"Take what?!", I asked. Forced by another hand, I turned.

"Everything.", said Molly. I was forced to turn again. It was Mia. She was close, wet, cold, perfect.

"Me.", she whispered, "Take me. You do want me, don't you?". Her face came closer to mine. She was toiling with me.

"Yes, I do. I want you, Mia... Mia... Mia...", I answered as I moved closer and closer but just when our lips were to touch, I woke up.

No one was in the room, luckily. Who knows what they would have though of me if they heard what I was saying- unless they already did.

Slowly, I made my way to the bathroom and took a hot shower it was only when I made my way up to my father's study that I've learnt how long I was unconcious.

The room was decorated with flowers and ballons, mostly pink. On the round table stood the plates and white cake. The presents stood in the corner by the window.

"I see the medication is beginning to work. You look much better, son", said father. He was wearing his best clothes. I wiped my face with my hand.

"It's already Saturday?", I asked.

"No. It's Wednesday. We waited with the party for you.", said father and helped me get to the chair. He looked worried. "You won't be able to fight it for long, son."

"I know father."

"Kai.", his hand shook as he took off his glasses. "You must talk with Mia. You must get it sorted out. The sooner the better.", he said.

"It's no use. I know exactly what she'll say.", I said and sighed. I felt tears filling up my eyes. Something inside me broke. "I don't know what to do, father. I don't want to hurt her but I'm... I'm... dying... dying to be with her... as one... you know? Hurting her will hurt me but I'm already... in so much pain... do you understand?", I said.

"He doesn't. I do", spoke a different voice from behind me. Luke stood in the doorway.

"You?", I was surprised that he would think us similar in this sense.

"Killing my mate was like killing myself. I died, my brother. I know what death feels like.", he said and left. father put his and on m shoulder.

"I'll try to find a way to ease your pain but are you sure you don't want to... just..."

"No.", I answered with one word. He surprised me, too. Before, he forbade me from hurting Mia in any way and here he was hiting at the possibility... the necessity... of hurting her no matter what I choose. I guess he was right- he would rather see her dead than me. He rather see our name smeared in blood than our bodies in coffins. He nodded is head and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The party took place two hours later. I was still feeling like s**t but at least I wasn't trying to grab Mia or anything. In fact, I barely had any energy to move, let alone even touch her. The very sight of her delighted and hurt my soul. She wore a beautiful and delicate blue dress with tiny white flowers. She looked like a goddess or something!

She blew the candles with grace and hidden happiness. I could see the sparks of joy in her eyes. She couldn't hide that from me. Of course, she spoke little and was stiff and anxious- I was in the room.

I barely toched the food. The tea helped a lot but I felt like throwing up just looking at everything in front of me. Even the smell disgusted me even though I would have killed for Molly's food before meeting Mia.

Father played some jazz music from the radio. He and Molly told stories of their youth days- the days before the war. It was nice. She opened the presents: Molly bought her a new, red dress;  Luke got her a book, too, and I gave her the only thing I could think of, having little time to prepare.

"It's beautiful!", said Molly putting on the golden necklace with a single ruby stone.

"It belonged to my mother.", I said wrapping myself in the blanket as my body bagan to shiver again. She smiled at me with gratitude and warmth. I smiled back.

"I'll give you a present in private, if it's not a problem.", said father. Mia said it was all right.

"So... what was your wish?", I asked.

"What?", she was puzzled.

"The birthday wish! When you blow the candles you have to make a wish! What was your?", spoke Luke. Mia blushed.

"It's... it's not important.", she said. Molly said that it was nonsense and that Mia is very important to us and so are her wishes. She's a part of the family now and can be open with us about things like that.

"Well, I want to go to... to the Ancient Pool... and... and take part in the... in the great Pilgrimage.", she said.

"Awesome!", said Luke with approval. 

"I think it's a wonderful idea.", said father.

"Yes! Oh, it's an amazing event!", added Molly.

"I'll take you there. I promise.", I said and as I got up to return to my room, everything began to float in front of my eyes, my body became numb and cold. I dropped to the floor unconcious.