Page 10 of The Black Dragon
4
Sedona,Arizona
March2018
So this wasthe Mage she had to marry. He was nothing like Justin, the black dragon she’d secretly helped to escape lastyear.
Ariel mustered a courteous smile as she went to shake Parker Covington’s hand. His palm was softand moist, an indication of life without labor. But she’d known this from the moment they met last week at a picnic at a prominent Magecommunity.
The same community that prohibited her father from living in their neighborhood. Last week, at Parker’s invitation, she was finally granted access. Ariel had been deeply curious about the community, for their reputation as craftsmen and artisanswas renowned amongst otherMages.
Too aware that her own hands were trembling, she pumped his hand once, and then withdrew it. Then she shook hands with his parents, his dour, plump mother who wore her hair in a beehive and had a fat string of pearls around her neck, and his equally stout father, dressed in a business suit that lookedexpensive.
Humiliation filled her. Leo had finallyadmitted he’d placed a personal ad to find her a husband. The ad ran in a popular Mage newspaper in Seattle. Parker was the most eligible bachelor who responded, and his family was prestigious andwealthy.
Ariel went into automatic mode as her father led the Covingtons over to the outside table, where dinner plates were set on the colorful Mexican tablecloth. Mrs. Covington picked up aspoon, clucked at it, and then polished it with hernapkin.
Already Ariel disliked her. And this would be her mother-in-law?
Parker handed her a box wrapped in decorative foil paper. “I brought you agift.”
As she thanked him and started to unwrap it, he added, “It’s a memento from our time together at the Sorcerer’sPicnic.”
Talk about ruining a surprise. She liftedthe box lid. Inside was a gilt framed photo of a beaming Parker and herself. Except she wasn’tsmiling.
It had been hard to smile when she’d been so worried about her father, who had grown more and more secretive in the past month. And while Leo approved of her dating Parker and attending events inside Mystic Shores, he was banned from ever setting foot inside the neighborhood of Mages.Leo never mentioned why and when she’d asked him once, he told her it was not a subject he woulddiscuss.
“It’s a lovely frame. Thank you.” Ariel forced another smile as she set the box on a nearbytable.
“Did you enjoy the picnic?” heasked.
“Very much. They’re fascinating people. So much talent. I enjoyed the art show. The display with the southwestern weavings waspretty.”
She didn’t tell him she’d connected with a famous elderly artist who expressed interest in hiring her to market his work online through social media. Not only was the pay better than the restaurant where she presently worked, but she could work remotely fromhome.
Parker was nice enough, but Ariel wanted to get this job on her own merit. Not because he used hisconnections.
“Mystic Shores is a terrific place to live and raise a family. So many influential Mages.” Parker peered at her over the top of his horned rimmedglasses.
“I wouldn’t know.” Ariel wanted to distract him from talking about a family. “It’s a fascinating place, but the name? Mystic Shores. Who came up with the name? There’s no lake, no shore and the most mystical thing I saw was how fastmy potato saladdisappeared.”
Ariel laughed. Parker didnot.
“Your potato salad wasn’t bad. They were being polite, because of me,” he toldher.
Feeling as deflated as a flat tire, she compressed her lips. For Leo’s sake, she would be polite. Politeness was important. The Covingtons expressed interest in moving to Sedona and purchasing this house, which meant financial freedomfor herself andLeo.
Freedom after they paid off the back taxes and other debts. If they bought this house, perhaps she would not have to marry Parker. But Leo had invited this prominent Mage family to visit, after discovering their son was searching for abride.
A virgin bride. Parker was 34, and had trouble finding a suitablewife.
The maid they’d hired for the night toimpress the wealthy Covingtons, brought out the salads. As they ate, Ariel talked with Parker about his home in Phoenix, where they wintered. In the summer, they lived at their Seattlehome.
“My father told me you enjoy researching Mage history and ancestry.” Ariel plasteredThe Smileonto her face. Her cheeks began tohurt.
“Yes, it’s a hobby of mine. I work in the computer laboratoryof my father’s business, and in my spare time I conduct research. My favorite topic is breeding andbloodlines.”
Hher face blushed. “Interesting.”
