The Princess and the Dragon

Chapter 4: Sooner Than You Think

© Avalon Lee, 2014. All Rights Reserved.

Rokevir

Friend. A word I had never been able to use before. It filled me with an emotion I had not felt in a long time—happiness. I wanted to shake my head in wonder. How was it that this little two-leg was able to create such feelings in me?

I had spent fifteen springs in loneliness, with none but my uncle for company. Yes, there was the clan, but they never paid attention to an orphan—regardless of my ties to the clan leader. I had never known my parents; they had died long before I hatched. While my heart still burned for revenge, I couldn't help but think that perhaps I wasn't alone. As far as I knew, Rowan had loving parents, a warm den, and shiny things. The last item reminded me strangely of a magpie-that, along with her black hair. I'll have to keep that in mind. But despite everything she had, she seemed just as lonely as I was; if not more. She had said that a male named Lionel tormented her just because she couldn't hear. I felt my temper rising once more at the thought of him hurting Rowan, but I tried to control it for her sake.

"What now?" I murmured, half to myself.

"I don't know," Rowan answered, just as quietly. Suddenly, her fiery gaze snapped up to meet mine. I couldn't help but get caught in the depths of those eyes, those strange eyes that held all the intensity of a dragon's. "But I do know one thing: I will not return to my castle," she finished.

"I'm not sure if you have a choice," I said logically. "Won't your fellow two-legs be looking for you?"

"Most likely," she admitted sadly.

I felt a pang of sorrow in my heart. However short a time I had known her, I had become attached to the little two-leg. Well, I thought. She is my friend. I knew that I would be very sad indeed to see her leave. In fact, she might never return—the two-leg stone-hold was far from the dragons' forest.

I hung my head in sorrow, and felt her tiny hand rest on it. "I wish—"

I was suddenly cut off by a deep echo cutting through the air. I stiffened, immediately recognizing it. My uncle's call! He was summoning the clan!

"What's wrong?" asked Rowan in alarm, noticing my nervous posture.

"My uncle is calling my clan," I explained tersely. As the low rumble continued through the air, I distantly heard the other clan-members call in response. I was running out of time—the nephew of the clan leader was bound to be observed as missing.

Turning back to Rowan, I quietly said, "You must go. I fear what will happen if my fellow dragons discover you."

Rowan hesitated, blue and green eyes unreadable, then nodded in understanding. "I understand."

"Farewell, Rowan," I murmured sadly.

"No!"

I blinked. "What?"

"This is not goodbye," Rowan said firmly. "I will see you again."

She placed both of her gentle hands on my muzzle and rested her forehead against mine.

"May that day come quickly," I said resolutely. I wouldn't acknowledge that that might be the last time I ever saw her. I couldn't.

The dragon's roar grew louder. I couldn't wait for long.

Rowan reluctantly broke the contact and turned, looking back once more.

"Go, go!" I urged. I growled internally. It hurt me on the inside, it hurt to send her away. But it was for her safety. Still, I felt no better—it was as though I were tearing my heart in two.