Page 53 of Dryad, Try Again
Eyeing me in shock, his mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out. After a moment, he turns around. Seth and Blake give matching cheeky waves. “The emergency was that my best employee and my best friend need to have a conversation.”
“Have fun boys!” Blake sings. They both wave and disappear. The sound of footsteps dashing away makes me believe we’re alone now.
Kovi turns around, and his brown eyes shimmer with fear. I gulp and say, “Hey, you.”
“Tanner, I—”
“Please let me say what I need to say.” I step forward, more nervous than I’ve ever been before. Kovi looks like he has half a mind to turn and scurry off.
I take another tentative step. I’m a yard away from the monster I want, both too close and too far at the same time.
I breathe in deep, in and out, and clutch the flowers. “My name is Tanner McGregor. I grew up a poor ginger kid with an alcoholic father and dead mom. I never made friends easily, and I didn’t fit in anywhere.” I take another step, and Kovi seems less anxious and more intrigued. “I’ve been working since I was sixteen. I want to be a landscape surveyor, so that’s why I got into environmental sci. When I heard that Creelin was giving scholarships to humans, I jumped at the chance to work and study at a real university. I knew it was a monster school, but I had no idea it would lead me back to you.”
Kovi gulps, nervousness still emanating off his beautiful face. I nod, take another step, and continue, saying, “Yes, we met as kids. Yes, you hurt me, and I know now it was an accident. And yes, it instilled in me a fear of the forest.”
“Tanner, I am so —”
“Let me finish!” I raise a finger and step forward again. “Yes, it’s true you were my childhood friend who hurt me. But you’re a man now, a caring, smart, charming, attractive, generous man. You work hard, you love environmentalism, you’re a fantastic friend, and you’re so selfless. You have all these amazing qualities, and I can’t help but bask in your glow.”
“Tanner—”
“Kovi, you make my heart feel whole.” He freezes, and I’m shaken by my own words. I can count his dark eyelashes, and I ache to touch him. “Being away from you feels wrong. Sleeping in your arms made me feel alive. I want to go to the dance with you, and I want to be with you. I want to fight for you,for us, and I want to give our relationship a real shot.”
“But, Tanner—”
“IknowI have panic attacks sometimes, but I’m willing to work on it. And if you’ll forgive me, then maybe —”
“Forgive you?!” he asks incredulously. I shut my mouth and he clenches his fist. “How could you forgiveme? I keep hurtingyou.” He closes his eyes and a tear falls down his face. “I hate staying away from you, itsucks. But I won’t hurt you again, I can’t,” he whispers.
Swallowing my fear, I take the final step forward. I reach up and wipe away his tear. When I cup his face, he opens his eyes. The glow of the lanterns reflects in his eyes. The torment in his soul is so clear. All I see is Kovi, the man, no, the monster, who holds my heart. “The only way you could hurt me is if you give up on us,” I whisper.
I’m falling for this dryad.
I step forward to put my lips on his, where they belong. His face is warm, and I’m so ready. I’m a breath away, but before I can make contact, he hisses and steps back.
“Kovi?”
His eyes are clamped shut and he bends over and grits his teeth. “Stay back…Tanner…” he mutters through a grunt. He holds himself like he’s having a stomachache.
“Kovi, I —”
“I can’t…stay in this form…it’s Halloween, and…and I—”
“Then don’t.”
“Huh?” He looks at me perplexed.
“Let’s go outside. Show me…show me the monster.”
He eyes me, still conflicted, then dashes out to the library entrance. I try to keep up, but even in the dark, it’s obvious Kovi half shifts, growing in height as he bounds for the door. He exits, and I briskly walk after him.
I haven’t gotten a good look at Kovi in his dryad form when I’m not losing my mind. But he’s worth it.He’s my Kovi.
So, I steel myself, then open the door.
In the glow of the blood moon, a tree monster stands tall before me. He turns around, and gazes at me with the dark holes on his wooden face. Fear creeps up my spine, a remnant from that fateful day in my childhood. I bite down my nerves and gaze at the creature of vines and branches before me. After a moment of holding my breath, it hits me—even in the dark, even with his face and body completely made of wood, one realization has my heart opening wide.
He’sKovi. I see…Kovi. He’s not some abomination, he’s not a nightmare. He’s the man who made love to me.
