Drakonis

Reconnected

As Frostbone descended into the refugee camp deep in the forest, my thoughts were a whirlwind of dread and fear. The words about my parents echoed endlessly in my mind. My hands gripped Frostbone's reins with a white-knuckled intensity, my heart pounding so hard I felt it might burst.

The moment we landed, I stumbled off the dragon, my legs weak from the strain of my anxiety. I barely registered Nestor and the others as they worked to ensure everyone's safety. My gaze darted frantically around, seeking a semblance of order in the chaos, but my mind was focused solely on the danger looming over my parents.

Seeing the refugees safe was a small relief, but it was fleeting. I had to get to my parents... my mother. I needed to find out what was happening and reach them before it was too late. The weight of that urgency pressed down on me like a physical force.

As I was about to head back to Frostbone, I saw her—Nymara, emerging from the shadows of the camp. The sight of her brought a flood of emotions, and for a moment, it was as if the world had paused. Her eyes locked onto mine, and the concern there was palpable.

"Loran!" Her voice trembled with emotion as she ran toward me. "You're here. You're—alive. Oh, I'm so happy."

But I couldn't hold back the fear that had been building inside me. I grabbed her shoulders, my breath coming in ragged gasps. "Nymara..."

Her eyes softened with understanding and compassion as she gently cupped my face in her hands. "Loran, what's wrong? Take a deep breath first."

Her touch was grounding, a balm to my frayed nerves. I closed my eyes, drawing strength from her warmth. Her calm demeanor cut through my panic like a knife through fog.

"I'm so scared," I admitted, my voice cracking. "I don't know what I'll do if—"

Nymara's gaze locked onto mine with fierce intensity. "Shhhh, it's okay."

In a moment of raw emotion, I leaned in, our foreheads touching. The world seemed to fall away as I felt the gentle press of her lips against mine. It was a kiss of desperate relief and unspoken longing, a connection that spoke volumes more than words ever could.

As we parted, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and I saw the reflection of my own fear and hope in them. The brief kiss gave me a renewed strength, a reminder of why I had to keep moving forward.

"What are you doing here?" I asked now processing things.

She offered a weak smile, her eyes filled with both concern and relief. "We got a distress call from the southern border. I jumped on Orinth as fast as I could. But the moment we got close, Kairos received a distress signal from the east coast. There's a fleet already en route to the south."

Her words, though reassuring, did little to calm the tempest within me. Still, I nodded, trying to take solace in her assurances. I felt a wave of exhaustion and relief crash over me as I processed the fact that my parents were not in immediate danger.

Nymara stepped closer, her hands gently brushing against my cheeks. The warmth of her touch was soothing, a stark contrast to the icy grip of fear that had held me captive. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to fully embrace the comfort she offered. Her fingers were tender and reassuring, a silent promise of support and care.

"You've been through so much," she said softly, her voice a balm to my frayed nerves.

Her touch lingered, and I felt a deep, comforting connection between us. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of her hands and the steady rhythm of her breath. Each moment that passed with her near felt like a reprieve from the chaos.

I opened my eyes and met her gaze, the intensity of the moment clear in her eyes. Despite the fear and exhaustion, the feelings I had long harbored for her only grew stronger. The close brush with loss had intensified my emotions, and the comfort of her presence made them undeniable.

I leaned in and kissed her softly. The kiss was brief but filled with everything I felt. I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes again before kissing her deeply, letting my relief and longing pour into the moment. As our lips parted, I found myself kissing her again, unable to stop, each kiss a reaffirmation of the feelings I could no longer keep hidden.

Nymara's pulled back laughing slightly, though there was a trace of sadness in her eyes. "We have to join the others."

I nodded, my heart heavy with the weight of the looming challenges but lighter for having her by my side. "Yes, sorry."

She smiled. "Let's go meet my mother and brother."

I nodded, my heart racing as I followed her to the main camp. The moment we entered the tent, I was struck by the gravity of the situation. Generals huddled around a map, their faces etched with concern.

"King Draven has received backup," one of them reported, "but they've lost many men."

The news hit me like a punch to the gut. My ears burned with fear wondering if my family survived.

"We need to get over there and help," I said, striding purposefully to the table.

"Don't be rash, Loran," Queen Velerna warned, her voice tinged with authority. "We must wait for the elders to give us guidance."

I felt a surge of frustration. Waiting for the elders to have a cryptic vision from Ohla could take months. We were in the midst of war—my entire family was on the front line, risking their lives every day.

"It's not just about waiting," I snapped, my voice echoing with a fierce intensity. "It's about doing something now before it's too late. If we wait, more will die."

The generals exchanged uneasy glances, and the weight of their indecision was palpable. I could feel the urgency building inside me, a relentless drive to act, to fight. My resolve was unwavering, but the room was paralyzed by hesitation.

"Loran, you're young and impatient. We don't just jump into battles," one of the men mocked, his voice dripping with condescension.

The tension in the air was suffocating, and I felt my heart pound with a mixture of frustration and determination. My thoughts were consumed by the danger my family faced. Every fiber of my being screamed to act, to seize the opportunity before it vanished.

"Waiting will cost more lives," I retorted, my voice steady despite the anger boiling beneath the surface. "You sit here and deliberate while they continue to advance. My family is out there—every second counts."

"We will wait until we get more information," the general of this post declared, his tone final and dismissive.

I groaned, clenching my fists. The sight of their complacency only fueled my anger. The weight of their decisions, or lack thereof, felt like a crushing burden on my shoulders. I could see the battlefield in my mind, my loved ones fighting for their lives, and every instinct screamed at me to break free from the confines of their indecision.

"How many more have to die while you wait for visions or orders?" I demanded, my voice rising in a fierce crescendo. "If you won't act, then I will. This isn't just a war strategy—it's a fight for survival."

My words hung in the air, charged with a raw, unfiltered intensity. The room fell silent, the generals' faces reflecting a mixture of surprise and unease. I stood firm, my gaze unwavering, the fiery resolve of someone who knew that sometimes, waiting was not an option.