A Fifth Daughter [Book 2: The Dragon Warrior]

Chapter ~ 17

~ Chapter 17: Yum... I Like Cookies! ~

We fly forever, through the night, past the morning and late into the afternoon. There's so much that I should be doing, so many that are relying on me – on the Misfits – for protection that flying just for pleasure shouldn't be on my list of things to do. But after a hectic month of upchucking Angel, dealing with Nyt, with Tempest, going to Red Village, fighting and talking to a Dragnork, and then freeing dangerous prisoners from Grimm, I needed this. This freedom. It was nice to fly with Willow and Misty, I enjoyed that. But gliding on my own dragon is better. It's so much more amusing and freeing.

"We should head back." I say, quietly, wishing it wasn't true as I spread my arms out, close my eyes, and let the wind grab at me. It speaks against my ears, whispering its confusion on why there's something as big as Cai interrupting it's invisible stream in the sky.

"Probably." Cai sighs, his voice peaceful. "But once we defeat Darcy, we're going to be taking a vacation to a place where no one will ever find us."

I smile softly. "We better set an actually date, or it'll never happen."

"Oh, I'll make it happen. If I have to eat your Mom, I will. We deserve a break."

He's right. We deserve a year (or ten) to ourselves. Just Cai and I on our own adventures where death isn't involved and flying is a requirement.

"Once I finish school, we'll be free forever."

Cai chuckles. "Well, then I'll wait till you finish school so that it's uninterrupted and we can travel to our heart's content."

I continue to smiling. I feel so at peace with him here. So... free.

But then I feel him shift, his body turning back toward Red Village, and I feel sad. Why me for all this? Why do I have to be so powerful that I'm a piece to be fought over? I'm a plot of land owned by two people and I have no decision on what happens to me.

"Cheer up, Smoke. It'll be over soon."

I sigh and lean forward, letting my head press against the scales of his neck. "I hope you're right."

Cai shares my sentiment with a grumble in his throat. "I hope so too."

Nim is waiting for me outside the village, her tail thumping up and down in excitement. As soon as I've dismounted she's at my side licking my fingers. I smile down at her. "Miss me that much?"

She whines, her tail still wagging like her life depends on it. I scratch the soft spot between her ears and walk into town. Nim presses into my side and follows happily, her tongue rolling out.

Tempest is the first person I see, she looks healthy and ready for a fight in her blue armor. A sword is strapped to her back and a few knives hang from her hip. A shield curves to the form of her back, hanging down to her knees. She's pulled her black hair back and her blue eyes flare with life.