Dragons of Arreous (The Dwarf Princess' Dragon Prince)

Leap of Faith

"Jump down. Let's make the most of our time." 

Kaet hesitated on the rock, unable to just "jump down" as the Dragon prince wished.

"What's wrong?" he asked, stepping back. "Am I too close? Are you the type to leap as far as you can?"

She shook her head, wiggling her rear towards the edge of the rock. It was ridiculous, this fear of hers. She could ride Bok. She could climb a mountain. She could shimmy up the side of her dwelling to fix the roof. What she could not do was jump off anything, be it a boulder or a small step-off into a river. Dismounting from Bok was nearly more than her nerves could handle most days, and he nearly set himself on the ground so she could just step off. 

Breathe, she commanded herself, inching closer, closer to the edge. Unfortunately, as she neared the ledge, she began breathing too much, her breaths hitching and sucked in fast, faster, faster--

"Whoa, easy," Ailashiel murmured. The feeling of human warmth pressing against her knees brought her eyes up. "You don't like heights or something?" 

She looked down before shaking her head, humiliation thrumming through her as she desperately tried to reign in her breathing, to keep her tears at bay. 

"Hey, it's okay. Look, I have an idea." Ailashiel extended his hands, motioning for her to accept his help down the small leap.

"I—" she froze, shaking her head adamantly. She couldn't leap down, not even holding his hands. She couldn't--she couldn't--she couldn't--

"Look at me, Kaet." 

She did, her body immediately following the direction of his calm, confident voice. When her gaze met his, she was relieved to see that his face held kindness and no disdain.  His hands remained open, waiting for her to take a leap of faith with him. "I won't drop you, milady. Promise."

Slowly, so slowly, she slid her hands into his, "Please don't pull me down."

"I won't." No pretense. No teasing. Just raw honesty.

Kaet shifted her weight, trying to summon the courage to jump, but...

"I can't," she finally whispered, defeat beating through her.

"Why not?" Ailashiel asked softly, no judgement in his voice. His hands were relaxed underneath hers, his breathing even. He didn't sound the least bit impatient either. His entire demeanor spoke of someone that was unhurried, unconcerned. It gave her the courage to admit, "Jumping from anything... I just can't." 

"Your brother should have known that." 

She hesitated before admitting, "Derykar does know. I guess he figured it'd be difficult for me to leave camp if I couldn't..."

A low growl rippled through the air between them so fast, so soft, she wondered if she'd imagined it.

"I know I shouldn't be afraid of something so silly," she said, attempting to pull her hands from his. 

His grip tightened. "It's not silly, it's cruel." 

"Derykar's not cruel--" 

"His actions are. I don't like that he treats you this way." 

"He treats me well enough." 

"No, Kaet, he doesn't. But that's going to change, beginning with this, because I'm going to help you get down, and then I'm going to teach you something you can use to defend yourself.  Deep breath. Breathe with me." 

She does, breathing slowly in and out for what feels like many long moments until it no longer took effort. Then and only then did he squeeze her hands and smile, "I'm going to embrace you now, so that I can lift you from this rock. Is that okay?"