Dragons breath

Chapter four

The days turned into weeks, and with each passing moment, Kael felt the weight of impending danger pressing down on them. Draven had become more cautious, often scanning the horizon as they traveled deeper into the wilderness. Their journey had led them to a dense forest, the trees towering like ancient sentinels, their leaves whispering secrets in the wind.

"Are you sure we should be here?" Kael asked one evening as they set up camp beneath the sprawling branches of an old oak. The forest felt alive, shadows flickering in the corners of his vision. "This place gives me the creeps."

Draven glanced around, his golden eyes narrowed as he surveyed their surroundings. "This is where I grew up," he said quietly. "It's familiar... but it also holds memories I'd rather forget."

Kael's heart ached for Draven, knowing that the past haunted him. "You don't have to go back there," he said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Draven's arm. "We can keep moving."

Draven turned his gaze to Kael, the tension in his jaw easing slightly. "No, I need to face it. There are answers here that might help us." He hesitated, a shadow flickering across his face. "And if they come for us, it's better to know where we stand."

Kael nodded, though unease curled in his stomach. He understood the need to confront the past, but he couldn't shake the feeling that danger was close. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

Draven's lips twitched into a faint smile. "I always am."

As night fell, the forest transformed into a realm of shadows, the moon casting eerie light through the branches above. Kael lay close to the fire, the warmth comforting against the cool air, but sleep eluded him. Instead, he watched Draven, who sat a few feet away, his gaze distant and contemplative.

"What are you thinking about?" Kael asked softly, breaking the silence.

Draven looked up, and for a moment, Kael saw the conflicted emotions swirling in his eyes. "About the first time I shifted," he replied, his voice low. "It was a time of celebration for my kind, but for me, it was a nightmare."

Kael shifted closer, intrigued. "What happened?"

Draven took a deep breath, his wings rustling slightly as he adjusted his position. "I was young, barely older than you are now. The night of my first transformation, I was filled with excitement. I thought I would finally prove myself, that I would be accepted among my kind." He paused, his gaze lost in the flickering flames. "But when I shifted, it was overwhelming. The power surged through me, and I lost control."

Kael's heart raced at the thought of Draven struggling to contain such raw energy. "What did you do?"

"I hurt someone," Draven said, his voice heavy with regret. "A friend. I didn't mean to, but in my panic, I injured him. It was a mistake, but it shattered the trust between us. After that night, I was an outcast, seen as a danger rather than a protector."

Kael's chest tightened, feeling the weight of Draven's pain. "That's not your fault," he said, trying to offer comfort. "You didn't know how to control it."

Draven nodded, but the sorrow in his eyes lingered. "But the damage was done. I fled, hiding away until I was captured by the sorcerer who cursed me. I thought I'd be free, but instead, I became a pawn in his game."

Kael reached out, placing his hand over Draven's. "You're not that person anymore. You've changed, Draven. You're not a danger; you're a protector. You saved me."

Draven's gaze flicked to Kael's, and for a moment, a flicker of hope sparked in his eyes. "You really believe that?"

"I do," Kael said firmly. "You're brave, and you fight for what's right. You're not defined by your past."