Chapter Three
Cyrus
Dragon Fest is the biggest event of our year. For centuries, dragons and humans were at odds. Or, according to legend, more like mortal enemies. Growing up, I’d wondered why things were so awkward until I stumbled onto a book of fairy tales and wound up sitting in my closet, hugging my hoard of action figures in fear of some guy with a sword and an attitude.
Took my folks two hours to talk me out and convince me that St. George lived nowhere in the neighborhood. Which was suburban—not many modern dragons live in caves secluded in the mountains, curled around a heap of jewels, pewter, silver, and other precious metals. Most prefer a comfy sofa to a rock slab for hanging out. And most do not advertise their true selves. The kids I grew up with had no idea the spelling bee winner for fourth grade would one day take to the skies with scales and flame.
Fact was, even at that point things could be tense, which was why Dragon Fest was so phenomenal. Humans and dragons coming together in a wild celebration. The small town where I’d set up shop had its own magical feel, or maybe that was just because we weren’t inundated with chain stores and fast-food drive-thrus.
I hadn’t planned to stop here; in fact, I’d had no idea where I was going the day I saw the For Sale by Owner sign in front of the building. But an impulsive call led to an offer led to extensive remodeling, and finally, six months ago, our grand opening.
My arrival just after last year’s Dragon Fest had left me unprepared for what I’d be facing. Instead of a nice, steady clientele, for this event, reservations had come in months ahead of time, and every room was booked. This town was all about dragons, even the Welcome sign on the outskirts featuring one with wings spread and a lick of flame seeping from its mouth.
And yet…nearly everyone who lived here was human and had no idea dragons were more than characters in stories or movies. At one point, I almost canceled the purchase because who wants to always be a character in someone else’s story? But then I stopped in the convenience store just behind that Welcome sign and learned I was not alone.
The pump outside had a sticker over the card reader that said Pay Inside , so, grumbling, I trudged across the parking lot to the glass doors and entered the shop. Walls were lined with bags of chips and nuts and rows of candy bars. The back wall was all refrigerated beverages with one section for frozen things like ice and pizza. Every inch of the store was filled with road food and if there was a single calorie of healthful anything, I didn’t see it.
Nor did I see anyone who could help me run my card and get the gas I needed before I got stuck on the side of the highway.
“Anyone here?”
A head popped up from behind the counter, and a tall, lean dragon shifter rose to face me. He had red hair and freckles, gangly arms and legs, and very little of the dignity I’d been told all dragons must exhibit at all times.
I liked him before he even said hello.
“What can we do for you?”
We? I looked around again, seeing nobody. Must be the royal we. “I wanted to pay for gas?”
“Gotcha. We’re waiting for a new card slot. The one out there broke.”
Made sense to me. I held up my debit card. “Okay, where do I stick it?”
He laughed, fair skin reddening with his guffaws. “Now there’s a question.”
We talked a while before I finally gassed up and left for home—currently a room in a motel in the next town over—secure that I would not be the only dragon in town. According to my new friend, there was also a bakery owner and school teacher who shared our lineage. He didn’t seem to know why the town was so passionate about us but said they were overall good folks, and he loved living here.
But that was months ago, right before the sale on the house closed and I began remodeling. Looking around the lobby, I marveled at the changes wrought in the months leading up to our opening. Fortunately, the place had been structurally sound, but in the interests of making it a B&B, it took more than just cosmetic remodeling.
For example, not every bedroom had an en suite. That plumbing alone had taken a good chunk of my savings. Then lighting and sanding and refinishing the gorgeous original floors, updating the kitchen…the list went on and on. Some days, I thought we’d never get done.
But we did, and the day came when I had the webmaster make our online site live, and I unlocked the front door and took my place behind the desk to welcome our guests. I’d saved up a long time dreaming of having my own business, trusting the Goddess to lead me where I needed to be.
All leading up to my very first Dragon Fest.
“Ready?” Gertrude took her place beside me at the check-in desk. “It’s almost time.”
I bounced on my toes. “I hope so. I kind of feel like the entire time leading up to now was a rehearsal for this. Dragon Fest!”
The door opened and a man came in, followed by his partner and three children. He was laden with enough luggage for a year—or so it seemed to me. Of course, as a single dragon, I was able to travel much lighter than a family of five humans. I’d learned over the past six months that humans always overpacked.
“Welcome to the Dragon’s Landing B&B!” Gertrude was always the best greeter. “The Willow family, I presume?”
“That’s us.” The unladen fellow came to the desk. “Is our room ready?”
“It is for sure.” She checked her screen and lifted her face, wearing a broad smile. “You reserved the family suite, and I know you’re going to love it.”
I lost track of their conversation at that point because there was already a line forming, and everyone looked anxious to get settled in. One of my rules was that nobody had to wait more than ten minutes from arrival to getting to their room, provided they didn’t arrive earlier than check-in time. Today, that was proving to be a challenge.
As my anxiety level rose, an elbow in my ribs drew my attention back to Gertrude, who gave me a “tsk.” “It’s Dragon Fest, Cyrus. Do you think anyone in town is doing any better?”
My shoulders sagged. They must have been up around my ears. I laughed weakly. “Showed, huh?”
A brisk nod was the only thing I received in return, but it was all right. My aunt had always had a level head, very useful when things got busy. One by one, we checked in each guest or group of guests until every room was filled and the lobby empty.
“Well, that’s that.” I sank into one of the chairs behind the desk. “Now we can take a breath.”
“I’m going to get something to drink. Bring you a water or coffee?”
“Nothing for me, thanks.” I had been sipping from a water bottle all afternoon. “I’ll step out when you get back.”
She wasn’t gone more than ten seconds when the door opened and another human walked in. But this one…this one stole my breath. And my dragon’s.
“Hi.” He approached the desk, his smile revealing a dimple in one cheek. “I’m here for the fest.”
There was not a room left to be had. Oh shit.