The Dragon's Gift [Rewriting]

Chapter 14

In which they are gone.

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Everything was perfect. However long I was asleep for was nothing short of pure bliss. Hours were spent with Maegrythe. Talking and smiling. Everything felt like it was finally coming together. And the forest, too, was beautiful.

But every time I mentioned Queen Calysta, Maegrythe grew worried and changed the subject.

Still, I couldn't get the aching feeling that Maegrythe knew something about Calysta out of her. And what Maegrythe had said before…

The one with the blessing… and my new friend. Daniel, right?

And still, Maegrythe wasn't telling me why she was able to talk to her. It kind if scared me. We never kept secrets from each other before.

“Still,” I spoke, “how am I able to visit you? Am I really dying” It was amazing. To be able to see the one you've missed the most was nothing short of bliss.

The dragoness let out a breath of air.

“You are dying, Ayla.” Maegrythe whispered.

I took a step back, nearly falling. “What?” I trembled. That would explain all the passing out. Maybe it was from my injuries. An infected wound? Loss of blood, perhaps.

“Do not try and self diagnose yourself, Ayla, please.” Maegrythe wouldn't make eye contact with me. “As long as you're in the Kingdom, you are at risk.”

“But, Calysta!” I yelped. “Calysta will protect me!”

Maegrythe let out a sad laugh. “Daughter, Calysta is not who she seems. You need to leave. Soon, something will happen, and you must not be there. You must--”

I gasped and sat up from my rest. Maegrythe was gone. I was no longer in the beautiful forest. Now, I was lying in a bed I didn't recognize in a room I didn't recognize.

Around me were worried faces. Daniel, Luria, Ingram, Calysta, and some other faces I didn't know.

Queen Calysta. What was Maegrythe saying? I was far too confused to be relieved. I looked around in shock, not speaking.

Calysta was the first to gather her wits.

The Queen wrapped her arms around me in a shocking embrace.

By the lack of shock on my friends faces, I knew she told them about us.

I returned the hug, then looked at everyone.

“So, Princess Ayla?” Daniel teased.

I looked back at him with a weak smile. “I guess…” I mumbled. I didn’t really know how to react. The news was out, and I’m sure it was spreading like a wildfire.

I glanced at Calysta. Her eyes were red and puffy, as if she were crying.

“The doctors still don’t know what’s wrong.” Calysta said. My breath caught in my throat. Maegrythe knew. Something about the Kingdom of Terria was poisoning me.

Then I felt a pang of anger. Not just at Maegrythe, but myself. I wasn't dying. I just needed water. I was dehydrated. Maegrythe was just an illusion. A figment of my imagination. There’s no possible way she’d actually be talking to me. It was years ago when she left Meralon. When she left the world. How was I so naive? Too much hope, I assume.

“Oh.” I said. “How long have I been asleep?” Before I gave them time to answer, I noticed the absence of two people. “Where’s Eri and Anselm?” I asked.