The Fire Prince

~Chapter Six - Part 2~

Aurora's POV

Frozen. That's what I was. I stared helplessly as the dragon's piercing gaze met mine, before it turned round and stooped low to blow out the emerald fire that surrounded Seph. A daunting silence that rendered me useless was followed, as the magnificent creature and Seph appeared to be having a staring duel. Then, without notice the beast had mysteriously vanished.

Relief flooded through me; but still I waited for a couple of seconds before creeping as silently as I could towards Seph, who seemed to be fixated with the shadows cast over the grassy plain. He was probably going to tell me how I had been hallucinating things, but I know for a fact that what I had witnessed had been real.

I wasn't even twenty metres from him when his fiery eyes burned into my own. Then, he did something completely unexpected; he lowered himself comfortably onto the grass near some wild mushrooms and patted the spot next to him. My senses instantly heightened: what if this was some ploy to freak me out? What if Seph was some sort of psycho? I mean I had just seen him fraternise with a dragon a few minutes ago.

As if reading my mind, he reassured me, "Everything is ok. I'm not going to hurt you."

I stupidly went over to him, ignoring the little voice in the back of my mind that nagged at me to stay away. I should have turned around and made a dash for it, but Seph would have only outrun me, plus I had nowhere safe to go. He gave me a weak smile as I sat next to him and folded my hands in my lap, patiently waiting for him to explain. What he said next shocked me.

"Why didn't you run?"

I had every right to after seeing a flaming beast about the size of four lorries, so why I hadn't I ran? I pondered over the question but could find no answer. I looked over at Seph, who had his legs tucked in his arms and his chin rested on his knees. He looked so vulnerable right now, like a lost little boy that was looking for the stars in the sky to guide him.

"How long were you hiding behind that tree for?" He said, startling me again.

I thought only the dragon had known I was hiding behind the tree.

"H-how did you-"

"Never mind. Did you see my father?" He whispered hoarsely.

My eyes jolted awake as my mouth dropped in astonishment, and my breathing temporarily ceased. That...thing, that colossal and powerful creature was Seph's father? Impossible.

After exposing the truth of his origins, Seph released a dark and twisted laugh that echoed through the forest. It made the hairs on my back prickle and sent chills racing up and down my spine. Slowly, and very carefully, I moved to increase the distance between us.

"But...that must make you..."

"Yes, I have dragon blood running through my veins, tell me something I don't know," he said, rolling his eyes before returning to his normal penetrating stare.

I shifted uncomfortably under Seph's intense scrutiny until I saw light emanating from his black leather jacket. Seph became aware of this too and started to pull his clothing tighter, trying to conceal the strange luminescence.

"Dammit! Why can't you just do as you're told?" He cursed before a glowing ball shot out from his inner breast pocket.

"Well, she's already seen your father so I don't see what the problem is with her seeing me!"

If my jaws could have fallen any wider they would have. The tiny sphere that flew out from Seph's jacket appeared to have just spoken. Still dumbstruck, I watched as the bright globe flitted across the plain with an angry looking Seph following closely behind it.