The Promise Path

~ Chapter Sixteen ~

Authors' Note: We hope you like our story! Feel free to voice your opinion, ask any questions and point out any mistakes we make.

Avery and Lucy rest their dragons for a bit on the Ukraine-Russia border while they try to make a plan. Cassius and Daniel haven't moved in a few hours, or at least Agni and Terra's jewels haven't been moved in a few hours, and Avery and Lucy don't understand why. Lucy and Avery discuss why they would have stopped moving or maybe gotten rid of the jewels while leaning against Agni, with their dominant hands intertwined.

"Maybe they're just taking a really long lunch break." Lucy suggests. Avery shrugs and replies,

"For three hours?"

"Maybe not a lunch break, then." Lucy says, "Should we even consider the possibility that Cassius accidentally lost the jewels, or maybe even got rid of them intentionally?"

"I don't think so, because I can't see why he would want to get rid of them. The jewels are his source of power over us and the dragons." Avery responds, following up her words by kissing Lucy's left hand, the hand that is connected to her own. The light, brief kiss makes Lucy smile, a smile that stays on her face while she replies to Avery, the love of her life,

"That's a good point. Maybe someone stole the jewels from him without him realising. The thief probably wouldn't even know their significance either, they'd just think they are some normal, expensive jewels."

"Maybe. Let's hope Cassius is at least smart enough to stay away from humans, so that wouldn't happen. I guess we'll know what happened when we catch up to them." Avery says, standing up as she speaks. Once she is up, she holds her hand out for Lucy to take and helps her up in return.

"Thanks." Lucy says with a large grin towards Avery.

"We should get going again, that is if the dragons are ready." Avery replies.

"Do not worry, little fire. We are ready to fly." Agni tells Avery. She smiles in return at the dragon and relays the message to Lucy. The two Witches then climb onto their dragons and the two magnificent beasts start to fly over Russia towards the location of the jewels.

After about an hour, Agni and Terra land at the base of the largest mountain in the Ural mountain range, Mount Narodnaya. The dragons can sense their jewels like they're right in front of them, but when they fly over to the other side of the mountain, the jewels seem to be behind them. The only logical explanation is there is a cave system in the mountains, and that's where Cassius and Daniel currently are.

"We're going in and we'll find the jewels. Stay out here, the caves will probably be too small for you two." Avery says to Agni, her hand on his cheek while she speaks to the red dragon. He huffs in a slightly annoyed fashion as he responds,

"Are you calling us fat?" Avery can't help but giggle,

"No, I'm not calling you fat. You and Terra are just large dragons. Both of you are a bit bigger than Anil and Arno, and I'm guessing they wouldn't be able to fit in the caves either!"

"I still don't like the idea of not being able to come help you if you need me." Agni states, lowering his head slightly. Avery moves to wrap her arms around Agni's neck as best as she can, then she tells her dragon friend,

"Don't worry about me Agni. Lucy and I will be fine, we'll protect each other." Agni huffs again but nods his large dragon head and moves to the back of Avery's mind, signaling that Agni thinks Avery should get going. In his mind, Agni thinks that the sooner Avery leaves, the sooner she'll be back and safe.

Avery pats Agni's side before going over to Lucy's side, who was murmuring things to Terra. Avery zones out, not paying attention to Lucy's words to give her some privacy. After a few minutes, Lucy taps Avery on the shoulder, getting her attention. Avery jumps slightly as she gets startled out of her daze. Her gaze immediately goes to the slightly smaller girl now standing in front of her, staring into Avery's brown eyes with her green ones. An unbidden smile appears on Avery's face as she sees Lucy looking up at her. Avery can't believe how deeply she is in love with Lucy sometimes, and she couldn't be happier now that she knows Lucy reciprocates those feelings.