Winterwatcher! - Light in the Dark

❄️ Chapter 31 ❄️

Winter wasn't entirely pleased about being back in the Rainforest.

But anything was better than living on that island.

Winter was impressed at Glory's ability to maintain a calm face as she lead them through the NightWing village. Most of the gawking black dragons minded their own business but the occasional peeved-off tribe member would follow the Queen and her bodyguard, rudely making complaints.

"Why is there an IceWing in our home?"

"Is that Moonwatcher!?"

"Oh look. It's the criminal triplets."

Stardust rolled her eyes.

"I knew they'd be back."

"Why isn't Queen Glory doing anything?"

"What about all these attacks?"

"When's my husband coming home?"

"Moon darling!"

An old NightWing who shared similar features to Moon approached their group. Moon's mother wrapped her wings around her daughter lovingly. The family was overjoyed to see each other again. This was the first time it occurred to Winter how long the Jade Winglet had been away from their families.

"I was so worried! Tsunami sent me a letter saying you'd disappeared? What happened to staying safe?" Secretkeeper cried.

Moon smiled into her mother's shoulder. "My friends needed me Mom. I wouldn't be here without them."

Winter blushed as Moon and Secretkeeper turned to look at him. Her mother looked unsure but seemed like someone who would trust her daughter no matter what.

It was pretty weird to think about how far Winter's respect for the NightWings had come: he used to believe NightWings were incapable of being anything but lying, angry, vengeful beings. It turns out that his family's beliefs were no more than simply beliefs. Everything he had been told since the day he hatched was a lie. Winter learnt that having strong feelings towards another tribe or dragon was a choice. And without knowing it, as soon as he met her, Winter had chosen Moon.

"I see the way you look at her." Glory said, standing regally beside Winter. She watched the happy mother-daughter pair with careful green eyes.

"Y-you do?" Honestly, Winter was beyond the point of questioning what the Queen meant.

Glory just smiled. "She's a special one isn't she?"

Winter sighed. "Yeah, she is."

"Hold onto her." She looked at him sceptically, her scales shifting from royal blue to pink.

Always.

"I will."

"Stardust!" Glory called, ending the awkward conversation. At least it was awkward for Winter. The NightWing snapped to attention, walking away from a dragon whom she'd just been talking to. She wore a grateful smile.

"Yes, my Queen?"

"You three," Glory said, pointing to Daze and Glaze who were speaking casually to Deathbringer, "will be spending some quality time with Fierceteeth..."

"What?" Stardust pursed her lips. A tall, glowering female NightWing arrived by Glory's side. Her eyes were somewhat familiar to Winter.

"... doing community service." Glory explained with a small smile.

"With her?!" Fierceteeth and Stardust said unanimously.

"You both have crimes to pay for. I'm sorry." Queen Glory shrugged her shoulders. "Run along now. You and the brothers can start in the RainWing village. I want every banana peel out of my sight!"

Winter chuckled. He admired Glory's discipline.

"Don't you think for a second that I'm happy about this either Shorty." Fierceteeth grumbled as they left for work.

"Now," Glory said, "I need to find a place for you and Moon to stay."

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"If you haven't met any NightWings then how come you hate them?" It's just a dream, Winter told himself.

"Is that why you hate me? Just because I'm a NightWing?" Moon stood in the moonlight impatiently awaiting his answer. "Tell me the truth Winter!"

Winter couldn't open his mouth. He watched as her figure slowly drifted away, absorbed by the starry night sky.... "we don't have to be enemies."

You think I want to be enemies? Winter would say.

"Well guess what? I don't hate you..."

Winter gasped, coming back to reality. He hadn't had that dream in days.

"Nightmares again?"

Glory had given them a small curtained-off space beside the healer's hut. It was cozy and quiet so Winter didn't have a problem.

Moon sat, fully awake by the only window. She gazed up at the starry night sky with those beautiful green eyes Winter had gotten so used to seeing. Her teardrop scales glowed silver in the dimness: the same teardrop scales he had fallen for.

"Yeah. You too?"

"All the time." Moon smiled sadly. "They come and they never leave. I can't keep them at bay. It's like a bad movie or traumatic memory that's been set on replay."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment. A cool breeze engulfed Winter in calm and peace. His SkyFire rock felt heavy in his library pouch.

There was so much he wanted, needed to say to her... but there was never a good time. Winter wished he could get his feelings off his chest once and for all, but for now that wasn't an option.

He had questions he needed to ask: if she'd rather be stuck with Qibli than Winter, about the kiss, if she loved him back...

"Hold onto her." Glory had said.

"You know we can't stay here." Moon said, turning to look at Winter. "We put everyone in danger just being in their presence."

"We're like fugitives. We aren't safe anywhere until it's all over." Winter sighed.

Moon shivered. "Glory will send us back to Jade Mountain where Tsunami will have her way with us. They'll send a search party after Qibli and Kinkajou and ruin our plan. Staying will only make things worse for us and easier for the Master."

"Not to mention Tsunami will go after Turtle and get hurt." Winter explained, leaning against the leafy windowsill. "He's too powerful for any of us to fight alone. We do this together." Never thought I'd say that.

"Oh Winter, what happens if he wins?" Moon cried softly, her face emotionless. "If that prophecy comes true... I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."

"Hey, it's not your fault. My sister went missing and joined the dark side. I led you all into this." Winter said.

Moon tentatively pressed her talon to Winter's chest. "How could I leave you to face this alone Winter? My point is proven; we're better off together than apart."

She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, clearly planning on staying right there (not that Winter minded). His heart was freaking out. He couldn't stop thinking about how her head fit perfectly in his neck. If only she could read his mind now...

"We have to go." She whispered, " Tomorrow."

A/N: The "I hope I never hurt you" rainforest scene will forever be my favourite scene in Wings of Fire so I felt like recreating it.

If it melted your heart or made you fangirl screech then I must be doing something right XD.