Her Dryad Dom (Beastly Falls)

Chapter 4 Dom

A spen had made me breakfast. Without any kind of dialogue, she'd just made a meal for both of us, even though I wasn't even here. I swallowed the last bite, savoring the delicious taste that danced on my tongue. The omelette was a masterpiece of flavors and skill on Aspen's part. But it didn't sit right with me that she was exerting herself for my sake. She deserved to be treated like royalty... a princess and a queen depending on the circumstances.

"Finish up and get ready," I grumbled, unable to meet her gaze. "Gather all your documents and pack your backpack." I felt the weight of guilt pressing down on me as I thought about dragging to the mayor since I intended to leave her there. I didn't want to see her here again. No, that wasn't true. I wanted to see her, but couldn't force this fate on her. Therefore, she'd be the mayor's problem soon.

"Dom?" Aspen's voice was soft, concerned, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," I snapped, hating how my own emotions betrayed me. My insides twisted, knowing that every second we wasted here increased the risk of her becoming trapped in Beastly Falls. I didn't know exactly what the town's spirit determined as accepting of a mate, but I didn't plan on accidentally triggering it.

"Okay, I'll go get my things," she replied, clearly sensing that I wouldn't share more.

As she left the room, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Each step of this trip to the town proper would feel like I was carving my own heart out, but I had to do whatever it took to get Aspen to the mayor and resolve her situation.

"Here," Aspen said, returning with her backpack slung over her shoulder and refreshed from a trip to the bathroom. "I'm ready."

"Let's go," I muttered, still avoiding her eyes. As we stepped outside, I felt the forest closing in around us, its branches reaching out like hungry tendrils. I gritted my teeth, a surge of power coursing through me as I forced the trees to retreat.

"Is this normal?" Aspen asked, her voice shaky.

"Nothing is normal here," I admitted, the frustration simmering beneath my bark-like skin. I hated that she had to see me like this... weak and unable to control even the most basic elements of my domain.

"Dom," she breathed out, placing a gentle hand on my arm. "Maybe we should turn back?" she suggested, her blue eyes wide. The sight tore at me. I had sworn to protect her, yet now I was leading her to where I planned to abandon her.

"No," I growled, determination flaring within me. "We're getting you to the mayor, one way or another."

I channeled my anger into my powers, commanding the trees and brambles to yield before us. But even as I did so, I could feel the curse and town's spirit fighting against me, its force pulsing through the forest like a heartbeat. Every few feet took more exertion.

"Please," Aspen whispered, her grip on my arm tightening. "Don't push yourself too hard."

"Can't afford not to," I gritted out, my control over the forest slipping as sweat beaded on my brow. "You have to share what's happening in the outside world with the mayor."

"Can I help?" she asked, her eyes locking onto mine with a fierce determination that made my heart swell with pride, and ache with longing.

Aspen wasn't mine to claim. She was my fated mate, but she had to choose to go back to her life, not give it up to be trapped here with me.

As we advanced deeper into the forest, my frustration continued to grow. The curse was relentless, and so far, we had made little progress. I felt Aspen's concern for me, but there was nothing she could do to ease my burden.

"Dom," she said softly, "you've got this. I don't have to know the intricacies of what's going on to know you can do this."

Her words were like a balm to my soul, soothing the raw edges of my anger and fear. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed her help. Just knowing I had her support strengthened me.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the rustling leaves and crackling branches. But I knew she heard me, and that knowledge filled me with a renewed sense of hope.

Brambles twisted around my legs, their thorny tendrils biting into my bark-like skin as I fought to maintain control over the forest. The pain was nothing compared to the frustration that threatened to consume me. I'd never experienced such resistance from the very woods I'd been bound to watch over and maintain.

"Dom," Aspen's voice broke through the chaos, "why is it so hard for us to get through? It's like the foliage is actively fighting you."

I hesitated, not wanting to reveal the truth, but knowing she deserved an explanation. "I... I'm responsible for maintaining the boundary around Beastly Falls," I admitted, my voice rough with suppressed emotion. "The hedgerow and trees keep humans out and monsters in, protecting the town spirit from the pain of the outside world."

Aspen looked at me, her blue eyes wide with shock and sympathy. "So, you're the one who keeps everyone here isolated?"

"Unfortunately, yes." My throat tightened with guilt. "It's necessary for everyone's safety, but it's a heavy burden to bear." I couldn't bring myself to mention the curse's one-week rule to her; she didn't need to know just how cruel this existence could be. "But it's my burden to bear alone."

"Dom..." she whispered, reaching out to touch my arm gently. The contact sent shivers down my spine... a mix of desire and desperation.

"Don't pity me," I growled, pulling away. I couldn't afford to let her see my vulnerability.

"Who said anything about pity?" Aspen retorted, fire flashing in her eyes. "I'm trying to understand you, Dom. So we can work together to break this curse."

"Fine," I snapped, my anger flaring up again. But deep down, I knew she was right.

"Why did the town choose you?"

"It's my penance." I froze mid-step. Why had I responded? I shouldn't have. At no point had I intended to reveal why I'd taken on this role.

"For what?"

I gnawed on the inside of my cheek as I tried to find a response that wasn't the truth. After a long moment, I couldn't bring myself to lie. And because Aspen was my fated mate, I instinctually wanted to please her. Which was a problem. "I crossed where the barrier would form, not realizing I wouldn't be able to go home. Dryads are usually solitary creatures. While we usually live in small family groups, we don't go near towns or populated areas. I was curious and wanted to check out Beastly Falls. The town put the barrier up before I could leave, and I've been trapped here ever since."

"Oh." Aspen murmured but didn't say more.

"It wouldn't have been so bad, but my family came searching for me. They weren't able to cross the barrier, or even get close enough. But I heard them searching for me... grieving for me. Still do."

Aspen sniffed as she wrapped her arm through mine. "I'm so sorry you had to endure that."

"Let's keep moving," I said gruffly, forcing my legs to push through the tangled undergrowth. Aspen followed closely at my side, her presence both a comfort and a torment.

The air crackled with tension as I glared down the edge of the forest, my power surging through the trees and forcing them to bend to my will. My limbs trembled with the strain, but I held firm, unwilling to surrender.

"Dom, you did it," Aspen breathed, her eyes wide as the rest of the path finally cleared before us.

But our triumph was short-lived. As we emerged through the edge of the forest line, a thick barrier of white went as far as I could see. I didn't need to investigate, the smell and uncomfortable sensation at the proximity told me exactly what it was. Salt. Life-draining amounts of it.

"Damn," I muttered under my breath, feeling my bark-like skin prickle painfully at the mere proximity of the salt. I stepped back quickly, gritting my teeth against the searing pain that shot through me.

"Dom, what's wrong?" Aspen's concern was evident in her voice, and she reached out to steady me as I stumbled away from the barrier.

"Salt," I gritted out, clenching my fists at my sides. "It's harmful to me, and other magical nature beings. The town spirit clearly doesn't want us to go to the mayor." I shook my head, unable to make sense of it. "This doesn't add up."

"Wait, so the town spirit is trying to stop us?" Aspen's brows furrowed in confusion. "But why?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." Frustration bubbled within me, threatening to boil over. We were so close, and yet this new obstacle stood between us. "All I know is if the town spirit is putting this much effort into stopping us, we won't make it to the mayor."

"Can't you just... move it? Like you did with the trees?" Aspen asked hesitantly, her fingers brushing against my arm in a gesture of comfort. The touch sent shivers down my spine, a mix of pleasure and pain.

I shook my head, grimacing. "It's not that simple. Salt is more than just an irritant to me. I only have control over trees and nature. While salt is found naturally, it kills my kind. I can't control it like I can with the forest."

"Then we'll find another way," Aspen declared, her eyes blazing with determination. "We've come too far to give up now."

I couldn't help but admire her resolve, even as I cursed myself for dragging her into this nightmare.

"Won't work," I bit out, my voice gruff but resolute. "If we found a way around, the town spirit would find a new obstacle for us. We won't get there unless the town allows it."

"Then I can go to the mayor alone," Aspen suggested, her voice steady despite the uncertainty in her eyes. "You don't have to come with me."

"Absolutely not." The refusal escaped my lips with more force than I intended, but the thought of her wandering the woods alone sent a shudder of panic through me. "The town spirit wouldn't allow you to go alone."

I knew what town was trying to do. It didn't want me to get anyone involved. Instead, it wanted us to stay with each other until Aspen had made up her mind on whether or not she wanted to claim me as her mate. Which wouldn't happen. So I had to endure all six remaining days next to her. This would be a living hell.

"Then what do you suggest?" Her tone remained calm, but I could feel her frustration simmering beneath the surface. She was used to taking charge, solving problems. But here, in this cursed town, her usual methods were insufficient. No amount of debating or recounting laws would change the town's mind.

"Let's return to my house. I'll contact the mayor from there," I proposed, trying to keep the guilt from seeping into my voice.

"Fine," she agreed, her shoulders slumping with resignation. As we retraced our steps back to my home, I couldn't help but dwell on my mounting frustration and guilt.

Once we arrived at my house, I retrieved the magical landline that connected me directly to the mayor. The ancient device hummed with energy as I dialed the number, its vibrations sending shivers up my arm.

"Dom, why do you have this?" Aspen asked, her curiosity piqued by the old technology.

"Because of my role in maintaining the barrier, I must report directly to the mayor," I explained, avoiding her gaze. "But I prefer to stay isolated outside of town. Besides, since the barrier went up, we haven't been able to communicate with the outside world. Outside technology doesn't work here, but we have a few internal amenities technology wise."

"Isolation seems to be a recurring theme around here," she murmured, her tone tinged with sadness. I wanted to reassure her, to promise that things would change for the better, but I knew better than to make promises I couldn't keep.

"Let's just hope the mayor can help us," I said instead, my voice thick with unspoken helplessness as I braced myself for the conversation to come.