Sunlight cascaded through the trees and spilt upon the forest floor. Bronwyn sat in lush grass near the water’s edge and watched the rising mist of several waterfalls. Splashes of colour spattered from every crack and crevice lining the cliffs. He’d visited this place many times and gazed upon the thin, slippery walk ways. He had once climbed those ledges and had hoped he slipped to the depths below. They teased him, waited to see if he would try again.
He rubbed the dampness from his eyes. Maybe he would, but for now, he let the mistake eat at him like a worm inside an apple. No one could see his wounds created by the parasite. He sniffed back the moisture in his nose and wished again for help to erase the memory of a dreadful night long ago.
Bronwyn shook when he felt Alaura sit beside him. What is she doing here?
“You asked for help,” she said. “What’s wrong?”
At a loss for words, he pulled his knees to his chin and looked out upon the water. I can’t tell her.
“Tell me what?” She moved closer and rested her hand on his arm.
“You won’t understand.”
“Maybe I will.”
He shook his head. I was young. Stupid. She was a bitch. Alaura won’t understand. He rubbed the water from his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Bronwyn, if two people can’t communicate, their relationship breaks down.”
“But I can’t. It hurts too much.” He dropped his head into his knees. I let her make a fool out of me. I should suffer for it.
“Why do you blame yourself?”
He looked at her, not realising he spoke out loud. “I was stupid.”
“Did you ever think that she took advantage of your bashfulness?”
“You weren’t there.”
“Then take me to that moment in time.” Alaura held up her hand.
“What do you mean? I don’t know magic.”
“Together, you do.” She placed her hand over his palm. “All you have to do is think about it, and I’ll see what she did to you.”
He tried to pull his hand away, but she held him firm. I can’t do this. It’s too embarrassing. “Please, let me go!”
“It’ll be okay. Trust me.” She smiled. “You do trust me?”
He stopped fighting. “I do.”
“Then let’s do this together. I promise I’ll stay by your side.”
Bronwyn nodded hesitantly. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and travelled back to his youth. Flashes of a day many years ago jabbed at him like a blunt dagger. The initial happiness stood stark against how the night ended. He attended the final dance of his senior year in study hall with the girl of his dreams, Breckin Dole. Their first date would be their last. After she filled him with ale, she led him to the garden.
He sobbed as the aroma of blooming lilacs filled his senses. There, next to the purple-flowering bush, she pretended to care about me. She led me on with kisses and her hands. I’d never kissed a girl before that night. I didn’t know what to do. She stripped away my clothes and made me a naked fool in front of the entire class. They hid in the shadows watching everything. She laughed when she told them she was the best actor in Maskil for turning a boy into a man and then into a fool.
He collapsed in her arms. I thought I was brave, but I was a fool.
“No, you weren’t.” Alaura caressed his hair and coddled him as he wept.
I felt so ashamed I ran and hid. He sniffed back the tears. I haven’t trusted another woman since.
“You were an innocent boy, and she took advantage of you.” She held him tighter. “Trust me, Bronwyn. I’d never hurt you like that.”
He knew this. “You’re my best friend.”
“And you’re safe with me. Don’t ever think otherwise.” Alaura cleared her throat. “Women have their own ways of dealing with other women who hurt their men. I’ll take care of Breckin Dole.”
He pushed himself up to face her. The tears on her cheeks surprised him. She’s crying for my heartache.
“Your pain is my pain.”
“What will you do?”
She frowned. “You don’t want to know. Let’s say, she’ll regret the day she caused this misery.”
He sat up. “You won’t hurt her. I mean, I don’t want you to seriously injure her.”
“Would it bother you? After all, she hurt you deeply.”
“But she didn’t hurt me like a dagger or a sword or a fire ball would.” He looked at the ground. She embarrassed me, but I’m alive and well.
“So I’ll embarrass her so bad she’ll run from the theatre screaming.”
Bronwyn looked at her sideways. “What will you do?”
“Leave it to me. Maybe I’ll speckle her face with warts, or make her teeth fall out or maybe turn her hair green. She’s an actor. Anything spoiling her appearance sends her into fits.” She smiled. “Look at you—worried about the woman who hurt you.” She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him near. “You’re an honourable man, Bronwyn Darrow. It’s only one of the reasons my blood burns for you hotter than any other man who walks Ath-o’Lea.”
He raised his eyebrows. Really? When she reached up to wipe the water from his cheek, he leant nearer. I wonder if it’s hot enough for a kiss.
Alaura bent forward and kissed his mouth.
He caught his breath and kissed her back. Guiding her to the soft grass, he pulled her near. Her warm hand slipped beneath his shirt and settled in the small of his back, igniting sparks in the lower part of his belly. He fumbled with the buttons on her shirt, but found it near impossible to unfasten them with any speed using one hand, his wrong one at that. His awkwardness made him curse, and the doubts overwhelmed him. He paused and gazed into the eyes of the woman who lay beside him. A dwarf like him didn’t deserve an enchantress like her.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“I…I’ve never…” He gulped, wondering if he’d ever gain the confidence to speak his mind with Alaura.
She giggled. “Neither have I.” She unfastened the remaining buttons of her shirt and placed his hand between her breasts. “We can discover the magic together.”
As their kisses aimed to satisfy their hunger, their hands explored warm unfamiliar places. Released from his burden, Bronwyn savoured the offerings of his best friend. He felt his body quiver as if he watched instead of participated in the joining. When he collapsed into her arms, her gentle sigh of satisfaction deepened his desire for her.