The Dragon Rider Vol. 2 Kingdoms Fall (COMPLETED)

Fifteen

This has not yet been edited! Please excuse any errors!

"Here you go." Passing me a small wooden bowl filled with soup, Talios offered me a small smile. Although it didn't reach his eyes, I could tell he meant well. Since we stopped for rest, everyone seemed to be on high alert. They knew something, I could tell and whatever it was they weren't telling me.

Off to the side near a large oak tree, William and Robert were huddled close as they gazed at a small map. I could see their fingers pointing to certain locations on the map, but no matter how hard I tried to listen to their conversation, I was only able to pick up on a few words.

A gentle nudge to my side, had me jumping slightly in shock. Moving my gaze to Torren, I noticed his eyes too seemed to be on alert. They were darting around the forest as if he was expecting someone or something to jump out at any moment.

Moving closer towards him, I rested my back against his shoulder. Although he was smaller than Aurora, he still seemed to bring me comfort. Placing some of the contents from the bowl on my spoon, I took a small bite. I wasn't hungry. In fact, every time I ate I would throw it back up again. I wasn't able to keep anything down, no matter how small the content was.

Dropping the spoon back in the bowl, I placed it on my lap. I couldn't eat. Sighing, I closed my eyes. Unlike the other days, my pain seemed to have gone. I know that my wound wasn't healing, but at least I could get more sleep without being woken by pain.

Many nights I have woken to hear my own screams of pain. Each night, William would be by my side, cradling me until the pain subdued. Some mornings, I'd find myself awake in his arms.

Smiling at the memories, I released a content sigh. The sound of a branch snapping by my side had my eyes shooting open in alert. Rolling my eyes at who had caused the noise, I closed them once more. "It's not nice to sneak up on people." I whispered.

A small chuckle fell from his lips, as the sound of his chains rattled with his movements. Taking a seat beside me, the bowl in my lap was removed. "Well I noticed you weren't eating, so I came to help you." He said.

Taking a deep breath, I sighed. "I don't need help." I whispered. Opening my eyes, I gazed up at the dark night. No stars shone in the night sky, instead dark angry clouds took its place. Sighing, I laid my head back against Torren. Curling his long neck so his head rested against my legs, he gave my leg a little nudge.

Your mind seems to be clouded with many thoughts.

Nodding, I closed my eyes. "I wish to know what William and Robert are talking about." I whispered.

"You're either telling me, or your letting that dragon know." Shaking his head, I watched his eyes move towards me.

Frowning, I shook my head. "That dragon has a name."

"Right," he laughed. "The traitor's dragon?"

Glaring at him, I bit the inside of my cheek. If I had the strength, I would've slapped him across the face. Just the mere thought of Markus still had my heart trembling, and not for what I would've thought. I still felt guilt about killing him.

If I could go back and change everything, I would've tried to stop him from going outside his hut the night of his eighteenth birthday. Maybe then none of this would've happened. Moving my gaze to William, I felt my heart flutter as I watched his face. He looked so focused, and with the slight stubble on his cheek it made him look manlier. If I had the choice to change everything, I wouldn't have met him. I wouldn't be able to call him a friend, or maybe something more.

Shaking my head I took a deep breath. "Enough talk of Markus." I said.

"Your right, the traitor is dead." His voice held a hint of remorse for his words, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of my reaction to the matter. I could feel his gaze on me, but I didn't want to give him any attention. He seemed to thrive of my reactions, which only seemed to infuriate me more. Over the past few days, our journey had seen us camping less and hiking more.