A Protector and A Hunter

Feelings?

<Drawing above was made by yours truly specifically for this chapter. Hope you like it>

(Melia's POV)

I watched the dragon riders get farther away from the island until they were almost invisible.

"It was a good thing you did. Telling them off like that." Lilac commented.

"My heart told me that they were untrustworthy, but I ignored it because Screech liked them. I'm not making that mistake again." I remarked, moving my gaze to the waves crashing against the cliff side.

"So... What does your heart say about the hunter?" Lilac asked. I turned to look at Lilac.

"What do you mean?"

"You stood up for him."

"So?"

"I believe you have started to grow feelings for the human mal, Melia." I looked away, a blush growing on my cheeks. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone." Lilac cooed as she nuzzled my arm.

"Thanks, Lilac." I scratched her behind her ear fins, making her purr. "We should probably get back and check on him though. I wouldn't be surprised if all my yelling woke him." Lilac nodded and we walked back to the village together. As we walked to the medical hut, I noticed Screech had wrapped himself into a sad little ball. "Poor thing really liked that intellectual rider." I thought as we passed by him. 

"I'll wait outside." Lilac remarked. I nodded before opening the door to see Viggo sitting up on the cot. I walked and closed the door, flinching as the door creaked. 

"What was all the yelling about?" Viggo asked as he turned to look at me. 

"You were right about those dragon riders not being too far behind." I remarked, walking over to the cot. Viggo adjusted himself so that his legs were hanging over the side of the cot, gesturing for me to sit down. I sat on the cot, crossing my legs before looking up at Viggo. "They know you're alive."

"I figured." Viggo stated, looking out the window before continuing, "What I don't understand is why they aren't here to tell me this themselves." I hesitated, looking down at the ground.

"I told them to leave the island." I admitted.

"Why?" Viggo asked, obviously confused.

"They used my kindness against me. They interfered with not only the privacy of the dragons on this island, but also yours." I stated, angrily gritting my teeth. I clutched the deerskin blanket that lay on the cot so hard, my knuckles turned white. 

"You didn't have to stand up for me." Viggo said, softly. 

"Yes, I did because if I didn't no one here would've." I growled, "Besides... You're the first human I've come to trust in a long time." I closed my eyes, tears forming in the corner of my eyes as memories of my father setting me adrift on that fishing boat came back to me. Suddenly, something warm touched my hand and I looked up to see Viggo staring at me with sympathy. 

"How long have you been on this island?" Viggo asked. I hesitated to answer, remembering that day as clear as the clouds in the sky.

"Since my father got rid of me at five years old. I've been amongst dragons ever since."

"What about the people of this village?"

"Lycanwings. I'm sure you've heard of them." There was silence between us. Finally, I took a deep breath and turned towards Viggo with a smile. "I think the only way I can get this out of my mind is to go for a fly. How about you come along and I can show you the rest of the island." Viggo seemed hesitant. "Please." I pleaded, making him laugh a little.

"Alright, let's go for a fly."