UNDER SIEGE |COMPLETED|

⚔️Chapter Seventeen⚔️

Chpt. 17.)
SPARE THE CROWN

"I can talk, that is what I said. Did I confuse my languages?" the dragon, Nightshade spoke, perplexed as to why the prince asked him a question when the answer was exceedingly obvious.

Kyah shakily stood up, Outcast standing protectively by the boy's side. "No, I, no that's the right language. I just, I didn't know you could speak."

Novie stood on the other side of the dragon, frantically wiping her tears when she saw Kyah okay and well. She hadn't killed him.

"I'm," Kyah gathered a breath, saying his next sentence with pure conviction, "I am so sorry about your family and where you are now. I, I know you've been hurt in the past, and I promise I will do everything in my ability to reunite you with them."

Novie's heart broke at the amount of emotion Kyah held in his voice, it was overflowing with it. Whatever the dragon had shown him, it was nothing short of nightmares. "Kyah, he gave you his name."

The prince noticed her, as if just realizing she was in the cave, "what do you mean?" Novie smiled softly, hesitantly looking up at the white silver-ish dragon, "when a dragon gives you his true name, you can command the animal to do anything and it must obey. It's old magic but magic nonetheless."

Kyah was overcome in shock, his alarmed eyes met Nightshade's, "why- why would you do that? You barely, you barely know me."

Nightshade lowered his head, a big gust of breath pushing back Kyah's golden hair. "There is something about you, Kylander, you instill hope. Hope in me."

Kyah willed himself to stay grounded, pushing the declaration to the back of his mind. "So, you will help us?" Nightshade shook his body, specs of dust flaring up in the air, "lead the way."

Kyah smiled, "thank you, Nightshade, truly." The dragon nodded, flapping his wings to reawaken his aching bones. Kyah crossed the cave to Novie, regarding her fondly.

"You be careful, okay? I mean it." She nodded, humming, "you too. I'll have the team ready for you. Remember, land in the forest just outside of Moon Dew. Omknee and Metalkonoa will take you to the city."

Novie offered a hand, but Kyah pulled her into a hug. She hesitated before relinquishing, hugging him back tightly, her head ducking into his shoulder- just as his head did hers.

They held each other for a few scarce moments before they parted. Novie mounted Lilac, a sad smile on her beautiful face, "I'll lead them away. See you soon."

"See you soon."

With that, Lilac flew into the tunnel, taking a girl Kyah was becoming far too fond of with her. His gaze lingered on the tunnel before a nudge by Outcast brought him back to reality.

He prayed Novie would make it safety back to the city, despite the griffin riders waiting outside for her.

They waited for twenty minutes before the three began their trek out of the tunnel. Nightshade used his talons to crawl his way out of the tunnel while Outcast and Kyah flew out.

Kyah and Outcast waited on the surface for at least ten minutes before the dragon emerged. His nose peeked out of hole, brushing against the roots of the tree. He seemed scared, frightened by the sunlight.

Kyah stroked Outcast's head, waiting patiently for the dragon to build up the courage to leave his refuge for the last sixty two years.

He stepped into the light, slowly edging himself out of the shadows. He blinked his eyes vigorously, trying his best to adjust to the blinding sunlight.