Dragon Bride

Chapter 3 Glit Circlet

They landed near the pond. The dragon blew its heated breath on her dress drying it. "You could of done that before we left," Karliene said looking at the dragon exasperated, "You had me flying around naked when I didn't need to."

"You had that cape on," the dragon said shamefaced, "besides I don't have a problem with nudity. It never occurred to me it would bother you."

"I wouldn't either if I were a dragon," Karliene said as she pulled her dress on over her head and covered with her uncles cape.

Several large gray wolves approached silently from the deep forest and Karliene froze in terror. "They're friends of mine," the dragon whispered, "they will never harm you,"

"The trolls are bragging that they finished you off," the lead wolf, a large black male, said as it approached. "Who's the girl? She a witch isn't she?" The dragon nodded.

"She's a friend, you are not to harm her or her family or anything they value."

"What about you girl, will you make the same promise?" Karliene nodded still to terrified to talk.

"The troll brothers were obviously wrong. This girl healed my wound," the dragon replied. "I'll let them keep my cave and my stash of shinnies for now. I have no desire to fight them or anyone."

"Girl," the lead wolf said.

"Yes!" Karliene replied startled to be addressed. She had never believed she would meet a dragon nor speak to animals. That just did not happen in the real world. Yet here she was talking to wolves, crows and a dragon.

"Would you heal us if we came to you?"

"I would try my best. I don't know if I can."

"Your best is enough, we part as friend." The wolves wandered off as Karliene watched.

"Go home little one," the dragon said softly, "those who await love you. You are not alone." Karliene hugged the dragon and headed home. As she approached she saw her little sister Unni running toward her. Unni had tears in her eyes as she approached. Karliene bent over and embraced her and lifted her into her arms.

"Kay-Kay...I thought you were gone too! I was all alone!" Unni looked into her eyes and touched her face as she spoke.

"I'll never leave you Unni. I'll be your big sister forever and ever."

"I love you Kay-Kay!"

"I love you too. I brought you a present. A gift from a dragon." She placed the second glit circlet on her sister's head and kissed her cheek. She continued to carry her little sister.

"Aunt Gretchen had a baby boy while you were gone." They walked into the long house with Karliene carrying her sister. The midwife was still there and the only sound was Gretchen sobbing.

"He was fine a minute ago...he was breathing just fine," she sobbed. Her husband sat on the bed next to holding her. He looked sad and was speechless with grief. "I can't bear to loose yet another child." Eric reached around her hugging her and the tiny newborn.

"Let me hold the baby," Karliene said softly as she put Unni down and held out her arms. The midwife gently took the baby from his mother and handed his limp little body to her. Karliene held the tiny infant in her arms and her hands began to glow then the infant glowed. She felt her heart stop and the sudden need to sit as not to fall. Then her breathing stopped and she felt the infant stir and heard him cry. Her heart again started to beat and she took a deep breath. Karliene felt exhausted as she handed the infant back to his mother.

"You're an empath!" the midwife whispered. She looked at Karliene in awe, "I always thought you were special."

"I'm just me. No one special Brenda," Karliene whispered, "I'm so tired. I need to lie down for a bit." Her uncle got up and lifted her in his arms and carried her to the room she and Unni would occupy. He set her on the bed,