damsel (not) in distress

chapter 8- magic dance

-reader's pov

there's an extremely unimpressed expression etched across my face as i helplessly dangle before the dragon's murderous snout. her girthy tail wrapping ever tighter around my poor ankles that felt as if the bones within them could simply just... flatten any second now. i make sure to keep eye contact with her, showing off my displeased look as we silently square up to eachother as if it were a silly game. she'd occasionally let out a mocking snort of air, an immense warmth blowing over my body each time. it'd been like this for god knows how long and the dragon was clearly loving every second of it— that feeling of power.

"this is pathetic." i finally speak, starting to grow dizzy from being held upside down for too long.

the dragon lets out another snort of amusement again. "why don't you do something about it, little knight?" she mocks in her signature snarl.

i narrow my eyes at her in irritation, "it's hard to when your tail is so fat." i sneer in response.

the dragon lets out a sharp growl at that and i smirk, satisfied at how she took offence. i feel her burly tail tighten around my ankles and a sharp wheeze escapes me. her tail continues to wrap increasingly firmer, the metal greaves on my shins starting to crease with the pressure until a series of soft sobs is heard. the pitiful sound echoes throughout the cave, causing both the dragon and i to cast our gazes towards the direction of where it was coming from.

without even a seconds thought, the dragon's tail loosens and she releases me. a short wail of surprise involuntarily forces its way through my lips as i make my rapid descent to the stone below with a loud thud. my silver armour clangs against the ground along with my body. i let out a hiss of pain and roll onto my side to study the dragon flying away; mighty wings flapping elegantly with the occasional whooshing noise. i hear her sniffing, she was following a scent of sorts...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

it isn't long later when i see the dragon returning, holding something in her scaly talon. i squint my eyes from my hiding spot, behind a collection of stalagmites, which i had lamely decided to retreat to. on closer inspection i realise she was holding a small body, clawed fingers carefully cradled around what appeared to be elodie's younger sister, floria. eventually she reaches an open space amongst the broken rubble of the cave and she gently sets the young, sleeping girl down before immediately swooping off again to investigate a nearby sound of reverberating metal.

as soon as the dragon's back is turned, i silently and hastily make my way towards floria's body as she rests peacefully. i kneel at her side, checking her body for injuries attentively. "floria..." i utter under my breath in sync with another hushed voice. i immediately yank my head up to find elodie knelt right beside me.

my eyes widen slightly at her unexpected appearance. i finally get the chance to take her in completely now: dress reduced to nothing but a torn burgundy cloth that reached her knees, a golden corset secured around her chest which was decorated with intricate patterns, mere pieces of a thick brown fabric were wrapped around her hands and feet— allowing her to have better grip. i almost choke on my own breath as i take in the layer of sweat coating her skin and muscles which were unabashedly on show—looking as if they could knock me senseless with just one punch. i gulp softly at the thought. splotches and smudges of crimson blood were also randomly scattered across her expanse of skin; along with multiple burn marks and scars. but what stunned me the most by far was the absence of her long, silky hair which once ran down her back... now rather to just her shoulders. the auburn locks sway slightly which each of her movements as she attempts to awaken her sister. i feel my tongue absentmindedly move to moisten my dry lips as i stare, captivated.

"what?" elodie's voice snaps me from my thoughts immediately, her brown eyes staring into my own with an almost stern look within them.

i find myself too flustered to respond but luckily floria earns elodie's attention instead.

"ellie?" she breathes out softly, beyond confused at where she currently found herself. her gaze flickering from me to her sister repeatedly as her brows furrow gently.

author's note:
sorry i haven't uploaded in ages sorry i just cba 😖😖😖