Cinder: In No Way, a Hero || Book 3

~ Chapter 8 - With Love ~

Comet and Cinder led the way, with Ronin and Jacques behind them, and Angel on Comet's back. Soot and Eagle flew at a distance, and eventually split off towards the center of the village. Meanwhile, the Ragtags turned more into the outskirts, where Comet's den was.

Cinder landed with a thud, shaking the trees slightly, and causing a few birds to fly out. Comet landed next to her, and Ronin and Jacques behind them.

Cinder walked in. "Alright. Let's gear up." She looked around at the den. "Where exactly is my armor?"

Comet, who was gathering food, said, "in that chest over there. It should be easy to find."

Cinder nodded silently and opened the chest. Her armor was indeed in there, even her skull helmet. But there was something on top of the armor. It was a small bag with scrolls peeking out from it. Cinder, with piqued curiosity, took out the bag, and looked at the scrolls.

There were 5, each addressed to every one of the Ragtags, including Comet.

Cinder pulled out the one addressed to her. She unfurled it.

It read:

Dear Cinder,

I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm sorry I couldn't save the kids. I'm sorry.

When we first met, I thought you were just like every other SkyWing. But after getting to know you, I see potential in you that I know no other dragon has. Deep down, you have a kind heart, and a good soul. Buried underneath your stone cold shell is someone who cares, and who wants to be cared about.

Well, I care. I care a lot.

I don't care what Skyblaze says, or Soot, or anyone else. I may not know you that well, but I know a wounded soul when I see one.

That being said, we have matching wounds. I know what it's like to be unwanted, unloved, neglected. I know what it's like to struggle. And I know how sweet revenge is.

But I didn't let it take me over. And I wish it hadn't taken you over.

Maybe, if you were still alive, you could've become such a sweet and caring dragon.

But I failed to save you.

I'm sorry, Cinder. I love you so much. More than words could ever express. I would do anything to bring you back so I could tell you.

I know you could never feel the same, and that's why I never said anything. But I guess you never realize how much you want to do something until you physically can't.

So I'll say it now. I love you. I love you because I know that you're not a bad dragon. I know that you're hurting. I know how you feel.

I'm sorry.

With love,

Comet

Cinder wiped a drop of water from her cheek. "Is there a hole in y'er roof, Comet?"

Comet looked up. "No. It was recently repaired. Why?"

"I felt a drop of water on my cheek."

"Now how could that-" Comet looked at Cinder, her eyes growing wide. "What is that?"

Cinder looked down at the scroll. "I dunno, you tell me."

Comet ran over and grabbed the scroll from Cinder's talons. "That's personal!"

"Then why was it addressed to my name?"

"It was just a therapeutic exercise."

"Mhm."

"Well?" Comet said in a softer tone.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you love me?"

"Didn't you read the whole thing?"

Cinder laughed. "Yeah." She wiped her eye.

Comet's gaze softened. "Oh, Cin.." She wrapped Cinder in her wings and hugged her. "It's ok. You're ok."

Cinder froze. "What are you doing?"

Comet laughed. "Hugging you, silly."

"Oh." Cinder kept her body still. "Well can you stop?"

Comet pulled away. "Yea, sorry."

"It's fine, I guess." Cinder walked past Comet and to the chest. She grabbed her armor from out of the chest and put it on. She smiled. "Now I feel like myself again."

"I definitely recognize you better," Ronin said with a laugh.

"Good." Cinder adjusted her skull helmet. "Well, what now?"

"We just wait for Soot and Eagle, I guess," Comet answered.

Cinder nodded silently.

Comet then went back up to Cinder. "So?"

"So what?" Cinder asked, puzzled.

"So, what do you think about the letter? Y'know, what I said and everything."

"I think you got me all wrong. There is not a bit of care inside of my heart of stone."

"Well, that's a lie. You obviously care about them." Comet flicked her tail to the others.

Cinder looked back at them. She did care about them.

So why was she scared to admit it?

"Anyways, not what I meant," Comet continued. "What I meant was the other thing."

"Oh, the part where you said you love me?"

"Yeah."

"Are you expecting an 'I love you, too, Comet?'"

"Well, no. More of an 'I hate you, Comet.'"

"Hm. Well I don't hate you. Only dragon I could ever hate is Skyblaze."

"Oh. Yay for me, I guess?"

Cinder let out a small grin. "Well, let's make sure the hooligans don't kill themselves."

Comet laughed, wrapping her tail around Cinder's. "I love you, Cin."

Cinder smiled. "Same to you, Comet. Now c'mon." She walked towards where the other 3 were, Comet following.

Ronin, Angel, and Jacques all looked at Cinder and Comet. "So what now, Cin?" Ronin asked.

"Well, we kinda just wait for Eagle and Soot."

"I sure hope they're alright," Angel said.

"They should be fine. Queen Passionfruit is very understanding, and always wants what's best for everyone. She should be easy to gain an alliance with."

"I hope y'er right, Comet," Cinder said. "Cuz if not, we might just get ourselves into more trouble."