Dragon's Breath Book 2 (Completed)

Chapter 17

Eadric's horse, Bright Country, was happy to carry us to the enchanted forest. A handsome steed, he had grace and speed worthy of a prince. His mane and tail flew like silver banners as we galloped along the dirt road that led from the castle to the village, turning toward the ancient trees as soon as we could.

Although it was midmorning when we entered the forest, it looked like dusk under the leafy canopy. The trees grew so close together that little sunlight reached the ground. We had passed through the forest only days before, but we had been frogs then and largely ignored by the magic creatures. It was different now, and we could both feel it. This time, the forest was just as aware of us as we were of it.

While Bright Country picked his way over tangled roots, I looked around, half expecting to see the beckoning hand of a nymph, the watchful eye of a satyr or the twinkle of fairy lights. Instead I saw the roots of two trees hunching above the ground, dragging the trees closer together as their branches bent and made way for each other. The only sound was a prolonged rustle and the creak of shifting limbs.

"Did you see that?" Eadric whispered, his lips so close that his breath tickled my ear.

"The trees really did move, didn't they? Look," I said, pointing to my left. "Those trees are doing it, too."

Two enormous trees lurched across the ground, leaving a space too narrow for a horse to pass. The moving trunks had thick, green-tinged bark, whiplike branches and leaves shaped like the palm of a hand. I couldn't recall ever seeing such trees before. While we watched, other trees began to shift, blocking our way into the forest. I turned to look behind me. The only way still open was a path leading back to the road.

Pulling on the reins, Eadric reached down to pat his horse's neck. "We'd better stop here. I don't think Brighty can take us any farther."

"Yes, I can," said Bright Country. "I'll find a way around—"

"And the trees will move again," interrupted Eadric. "Sorry, Brighty, but you need to go home. It's probably for the best anyway. I have to travel through the forest without attracting attention, and you're too big for that. We're looking for dragons, but they aren't the only beasts that live in this forest. It's even more dangerous here than we thought, so Emma should go, too. Brighty, I want you to take her—"

"What do you mean, take me? I'm going with you, and you can't stop me!" Wiggling out of Eadric's arms, I slid off Bright Country's back and stumbled, landing on my knees. Eadric followed, slipping to the ground with the nimbleness of long practice, while I scrambled to my feet and glared at him. "You need me and my magic to help you get that dragon's breath."

"Emma, I'm not taking you with me. I don't want to see you get hurt. I've been thinking about the dragons, and when I do find one, I don't want you anywhere around. I've fought dragons before, and you haven't. I know how dangerous it is."

"But we're not here to fight dragons!"

"That doesn't mean it won't happen."

"I understand that, but look," I said, reaching into my pouch. "Li'l found this sleeping potion." I shook the small vial of blue liquid that Li'l had given me. "And she gave me a bottle to collect the dragon's breath. You don't have to worry. I'll stay out of the way if there's any fighting involved, but I'm going to do my best to see that you don't have to fight anyone. Killing a dragon isn't going to get us its breath, although magic might. I know my magic isn't perfect, but it's all we've got. I don't want to lose you any more than you want to lose me."

Eadric grinned. "Then how about that kiss you owe me?"

"What kiss? I don't owe you any kiss!"

"Sure you do. We're engaged to be engaged, aren't we? As far as I'm concerned, you always owe me a kiss."