Dragon Heart

6

Chapter six
Zayn's POV

I just stood there trembling as one of the worlds most ancient and powerful dragons stared at me with steely, unforgiving and unwavering eyes. I took a few steps back getting ready to run, although I don't think it would do much good. Looking around I did even see anywhere to run, the alters were surrounded by walls with small arch windows set in the letting in the moon light.

"Come now young Man" he spoke in a calm voice with a polite almost British accent " no need to be afraid I am -after all- the creator of this safe haven" he stepped towards me his silvery eyes never once leaving my own "and I am not about destroy it for a child" his words sounded comforting but his face was stern and looked ready for anything.

"Uncle Desmond, what are you doing here?" Liam then asked and for the first time his eyes left me and landed on Liam. Even though he was not staring at his nephew the harshness of his eyes never faltered.

"Ah my sweet nephew Liam" he took a stroll over to the painting we were admiring just moments ago "you have quite the flare for story telling and a fairly well understand of our families history" he stopped in front of Delvena's painting and place a hand on it "she was beautiful" he whispered more to himself and not to us, neither of us dared interrupted while he gazed at the painting.

"That didn't answer my question" Liam snapped and Desmond whipped round with fury in his eyes making both myself and Liam jump back until we hit the stone altar in the centre of the circle.

He slowly stepped forward until he was right in front of us. My heart pounded in my chest as his hand outstretched, took Liam by the chin and lifted his now bowed head so they had eye contact.

"No need to be disrespectful young man" he said so calmly that it was scary.

"Sorry sir" Liam said with a shaky voice. I don't know what made me do but I grabbed his hand and intertwined it in my own in an effort to comfort Liam but in reality I was trying to calm myself more. As tough as I am the chances of me surviving a fight with Desmond was less than none. Both Liam and Desmond's eyes fell to my hand, Liam gave me a smile of thanks while Desmond wore a devilish grin.

"And what would you're name be?" He asked me, the smirk still very much present on his face.

"Zayn sir, Zayn Malik" I answered politely, it's probably better than I don't piss this guy off.

"Sir?" He looked at me in surprise "a Malik with manners, how rare" apparently he didn't care if he insulted me or not.

"Please uncle Desmond, why are you here?" Liam asked this time there was a definite time of respect in his voice. Desmond eyed me for a few more seconds and then turned back towards Liam and smiled sweetly at his nephew.

"As I said dear Liam I created this place" he waved his hand around the spectacular stone structure "no one enters without me knowing" he walked away from us and back to the portraits his staff clinking in the stone "and it peaked my interest when I felt a Payne and a Malik entering together for the first time in over two hundred years" he spun round to us again "so do tell young ones, why are you here?" He leaned back on the small ledge that was under the portraits and crossed his arms, clearly waiting on an answer.

I looked at Liam who returned the gaze.

'Should we lie' I projected into Liam's mind

'He'll know' he answered back 'besides we don't want to upset him more do we?' I sighed in agreement with Liam .

"If you two are quite finished with you're little conversation, I'd like an answer please" my head snapped to Desmond who by the looks of things was getting increasingly annoyed, but how did he know we were talking "you" he said pointing to me "tell me" I fumbled for words but before any actually made it out my mouth Liam started.

"Uncle it was me I-"

'Shh' he raised a finger to his lips and Liam instantly fell silent as if struck dumb and looked at me with apologetic eyes "speak" Desmond then said to me.

"Well sir, you see me and Liam have recently became friends" this seemed to get more of his attention. As he stood up from the ledge "and we have been meeting secretly" his eyes narrowed "but we never crossed the border" I said In panic as he moved a few inches "we wanted somewhere safe to meet, somewhere no one would see us and Liam suggested here" I finished and was now more scared than ever before in my life. he was going to kill me, I could feel it. Liam was wrong and we had broken rules and I'm dead because of it.

"A Payne and a Malik, friends?" He looked at Liam who nodded confirming my story "interesting" he walked away scratching his chin, clearly in deep thought "and when together you don't have the urge to rip each other to shreds like the rest of us?"I looked at Liam who looked back and then we both shook out heads "fascinating, I mean outside this circle I'm sure I'd be a little less pleasant to young mr Malik here" he smiled a smile I had yet to see but it done nothing to calm me. "you two boys have my blessing to meet here from now on" a stunned sense of relief spread through my body and both Liam and I smile at each other.

"Really?" Liam asked and got a firm nod from his uncle.

"But only do it here and make sure not to be followed" he stated "we wouldn't want a war breaking out over a friendship now would we" again we both shook out heads and with a smile Desmond walked away "oh and boys" we both turned to him.

"Do try and keep my spell intact" and with that he left through the arch and burst into a gigantic red dragon with gold markings. He took to the skies and for a moment not me and Liam watched his massive figure shrink into the sky.

"What did he mean by that?" I asked Liam snapping him from his trance.

"No fighting, a fight within the circle will null the magic and the curse will resume here" Liam said as we watched his uncle disappear behind the clouds.

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