CHAPTER 15

  I awoke to birds chirping their morning salute to the sunrise, the sound stirring the remnants of a strange dream I’d had.

  That vision from when I’d been bound to Isaac drifted through my mind like mist — the clawed hand that had caressed my cheek… the words that had been whispered.

  Vae’sheera… thal’kai, mor’kael en’soriel…

  Naevorah… aeth’ren, kai’vor en’sei…

  No… that wasn’t quite right.

  What had it meant? Certainly the bond wouldn’t have felt so breathtaking if the vision tied to it felt so… unsettling. The light that bound us had felt as though it were uprooting something dark in my soul.

  But what?

  I had no memory of the hand — or the voice that had whispered.

  I shifted slightly and gasped when I remembered where I was… and who I was with.

  I opened my eyes more fully, glancing over at Isaac. The fire smoldered faintly at his feet, its embers casting a low glow across his form. His breathing was heavy and slow — deep in sleep.

  My nose was red from the cold, a reminder that the warmth I currently enjoyed was a small blessing against the mountain air.

  A gentle wind swept over me, making me curl tighter beneath the cloak.

  I wondered if Isaac ever got cold — if dragons minded such things. Scales usually meant better adaptation to warmer climates, which he certainly possessed. But perhaps the lightning power within him kept him warm.

  I thought about home. My father and Ellis would be furious with me — knowing I was not only meeting with an Arcantran… but a dragon.

  They would be especially livid to learn that the neighboring kingdom — and our debtor — were dragons. Though I didn’t think we’d ever had issues or attacks with lightning types. That might soften their perspective… if only slightly.

  My eyes drooped, sleep still tugging at them as I reveled in the pocket of warmth I’d created beneath the cloak.

  Bone whinnied in the distance.

  I opened my eyes fully to see him drinking from the lake, the water now reflecting the soft pink of early sunrise. Clouds had formed overnight, breaking apart the spring-blue skies.

  I knew Ares, or someone like him, would be on their way looking for me. No doubt my father would be sending a small fleet.

  I sighed, still comfortable… still warm.

  But I knew I had to get up and enjoy this day. I didn’t know if I’d ever get this chance again.

  Reluctantly, I pushed myself off the ground and sat up in the morning cold, my breath fogging in front of me.

  I inhaled deeply, soaking in the sweet ponderosa — that high-desert scent that lived in my childhood memories.

  The boys and I swimming all day… jumping from the cliff face at the south end. Damien and Ares competing to catch the biggest fish. Late-night campfires… easy conversations beneath the stars.

  This is home, I thought.

  As though the quiet of nature had missed me. I had certainly missed it. I hadn’t been here in a while.

  But perhaps it would be better if I moved further south of the lake, it would buy me more time alone.

  I wasn’t sure what Isaac’s plan was, but I assumed he would make his way back to Arcantra once he felt well enough. I wasn’t expecting him — even now chained to me by oath — to drop everything and remain at my side.

  A Steller’s jay swooped onto a nearby branch and began squawking loudly down at us.

  I disliked them for that very reason. It seemed their only defense was to annoy you into oblivion.

  Isaac flinched awake, his eyes blinking rapidly — dazed, confused about where he was. His gaze finally settled on the loud black-and-blue bird, and his expression softened as memory returned. He rubbed at his eyes.

  “What a great way to wake up,” I said softly.

  “I can think of plenty better,” he replied, wincing as he shifted his shoulder.

  I pulled the cloak more fully around myself — both for modesty and to shield against the breeze.

  “I plan to move south. I figured I could buy myself some time before the search parties are sent out,” I told him.

  “Do you know where exactly you plan to go?” he asked, sitting up and rubbing at his sore shoulder.

  “The southern part of the lake. That’s about it,” I said, momentarily captured by the way his eyes caught the morning light. “How is your back?”

  He rolled his shoulder, moving his arm in different directions to test his mobility. Then he turned, pulling up on his shirt from the collar. I pushed the fabric up and away to see the scar more clearly.

  To my surprise, the wound was practically healed — the curse marks faded to faint shadows.

  “It looks much better,” I told him.

  He turned back around, facing the water.

  “That’s good. The sooner I can get back to normal, the more help I can be.” He sighed, dusting off his pants. “You said you were headed south?”

  “That’s the plan, at least… though I would love far more time.” I gave a small, resigned shrug.

  He glanced around at the scenery — the sunrise, the lake, the Steller’s jay still squawking, though it had moved to a more distant branch.

  “How much time do you need?” Isaac asked.

  “Ideally? Two weeks,” I replied. “I don’t think I’ll get more than the end of the day, though.”

  Isaac fell quiet again, raking a hand through his short dark, wavy locks as he thought.

  “Would you like to see Arcantra?”

  My eyes widened. “M-me?” A smile crept onto my lips. “I thought you— I thought Arcantra was against outsiders.”

  Isaac stood and offered me a hand to help me up. I took it, and he pulled me to my feet.

  “You’re correct.” He released my hand.

  “That sounds like trouble for both of us. Bringing me in regardless could be bad for you, right? Surely it would mean judgment from your peers.”

  “It’ll be fine,” Isaac said flatly.

  “Isaac, this—… something like us hasn’t happened in thousands of years. If I took you back home to Elsinora, my parents would lose their minds—”

  He stepped closer, and all my remaining thoughts vanished at his sudden nearness.

  “Jade, Arcantra is my problem. Not yours. You will be under my protection.” He lifted both brows slightly. “I’ll go find us something to eat for the road while you get dressed.”

  He nodded once, then turned and headed toward the tree line.

  “But—”

  I stood there in stunned silence for a moment.

  I worried about everything — anything. Yet he made it sound like a minor inconvenience. Me, a human, in Arcantra — a land full of dragons.

  I sighed heavily.

  Do I trust him? A stranger oath-bound to protect me? A meger human walking straight into a lion's den?

  My heart raced a little, the thrill of adventure pricking at my thoughts. Taking risks was unheard of for me — and maybe it was the weight of everything on my shoulders that made the idea so tempting… finally letting go.

  I was already out here on my own — and that was reckless enough.

  But to go with a stranger to a land I’d never seen before?

  Absurd.

  Minutes after dressing and packing the few things I had, Isaac emerged from the thicket — apricots and blueberries cradled in his arm.

  I opened the cloth that had held the bread and cheese so he could pour the fruit inside.

  “We have a few days of travel on foot. I'm hoping I will be well enough to fly by tomorrow to shorten the trip." Isaac said. "This food should last us until we decide to camp again. Then I’ll hunt for dinner,” he said, handing me one of the four apricots.

  I nodded and took it gratefully.

  Isaac glanced up at the thickening clouds, then along Bone’s back, before returning his gaze to me.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  He shook his head.

  “A storm is coming... for the sake of time, riding with you would be faster than walking alongside him.”

  My mouth went a little dry.

  I hadn’t thought about riding with Isaac. It hadn’t crossed my mind — until now.

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  Heat crept into my cheeks at the thought of being that close to him all day.

  “Oh… that’s fine,” I stammered, taking bite of my apricot. I focused on anything but his face.

  My heart began that same reckless pace from earlier. I needed to be mature about this.

  There was a man back home I cared for dearly. If Ares were here—

  But what alternative could I offer? Isaac was injured. I certainly couldn’t make Isaac walk.

  “I’d prefer you sit in front,” he said, dusting off his hands. “That way no one can snatch you off the back. You’re more protected.”

  And then there was the bond.

  Could I even set boundaries with Isaac if they conflicted with his need to protect me?

  I squared my shoulders, willing the heat in my cheeks to settle.

  “That’s fine,” I said softly. I hardly knew this man. It would simply be an awkward ride — nothing more.

  Isaac gave a curt nod and stepped to face me. I placed my hands on his shoulders as his settled at my waist, lifting me easily onto Bone’s back.

  Isaac used the log to mount behind me. Despite his height, Bone was tall to anyone.

  He swung his leg over with practiced ease and settled in behind me, his long legs bracketing mine. His torso brushing against my back.

  ??????

  “Awfully quiet,” Isaac observed as we followed the dirt path. We had only said a few words an hour or so into our journey, clouds thickened overhead, and the scent of petrichor drifted through the air. "I thought you would be talking my ears off."

  My eyes narrowed and I glanced sidelong at him before returning my focus to the road, letting the snide remark roll off my back. “I can’t decide what to say,” I admitted with a sigh. I also didn’t want to badger him like I had the night before.

  “Well, we might as well get to know each other more,” he said. “Ask me anything.”

  “You’re not going to grumble at me this time?” I flashed a coy smirk.

  He scoffed. “It was the middle of the night. You expect me to be thrilled while you fired off a million questions and I was nursing a wound, whilst trying to sleep?”

  He was right.

  And that made me a little annoyed.

  “And you blame me for being a little excited? Like a dragon being bound to me, much less meeting one, happens to me every day?” I countered.

  I could feel him hold back a sassy rebuttle. “I don’t want to fight,” he said defeatedly, sensing my tone sharpening. “All I’m saying is, right now would be a great time to ask me anything.”

  I bit back my own snarky reply. “Would you take the reins?”

  Isaac’s hands slipped under my arms to take the thick leather straps while I rummaged through my satchel for the dragon journal and pen. I knew with Bone’s walking I wouldn’t be able to write much, but I just needed a few key words to remember.

  Flipping to a blank page, I paused to think.

  “Let’s see… you’re lightning type and hail from Arcantra. You’re over three hundred years old, but considered a young adult for dragons. You can switch between dragon and human form.” I scribbled as I spoke. “Do dragons prefer their human form?”

  Isaac shrugged. “Depends on the dragon. Some of the older generations have a harder time with it. The human form takes up less space — and it’s a good disguise. I don’t mind it.”

  I made a few more mental notes, wondering what the author of this journal would think if he’d had the chance to speak with Isaac himself.

  “Tell me about Elsinora. I’ve never been,” Isaac said.

  I thought of my castle… my people… Eli.

  “It’s beautiful. Soft rolling hills, lush meadows, good people. A sleepy little kingdom — besides the occasional—”

  My voice trailed off, knowing what came next might spark an argument.

  “The occasional?” he prompted.

  I clenched my jaw. “Raids."

  “Right.” Isaac cleared his throat. “This bond had me forget we were sworn enemies.”

  I opened my mouth to respond to that specifically — then closed it again.

  “Have you invaded other kingdoms?” I asked instead.

  Isaac shook his head… paused… then gave a small nod.

  “Not yours in the last century. Though I have fought in my fair share of war.” He sighed. “Can't say it was without any good reason. If humans have anything in common with dragon's its greed and revenge. Blood thirst can consume a dragon, I stopped fighting a long time ago.”

  Guilt pricked at me for judging him so quickly. I could imagine the heartache — the fury. I’d seen that same devastation after raids in our own lands.

  “Every dragon is at fault. But fire dragons tend to be more at guilty for their tempers,” Isaac added.

  “Well… I won’t excuse my people for the hurt they cause. I’m hoping that when I’m Queen, I can change that.”

  Isaac huffed a quiet laugh through his nose.

  I scrunched my brow. “Is that funny?”

  “It’s unheard of. That’s how it’s been for thousands of years. Besides…” His gaze flicked over me. “You’re one person. How do you think you’ll manage it?”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Well, it’s just greed, right? That’s all it boils down to. I’m tired of it. Greed is what got me here — in this mess in the first place.” I gripped the journal a little tighter. “Once I’m Queen, the greed ends with me.”

  Isaac exhaled, raking a hand through his dark hair.

  “You’ll have a hard time convincing dragons, or anyone. Most dragons hoard their grudges like gold…”

  I turned slightly to look back at him.

  “I know it wont be easy. But I’d hate to say I never tried. And I think I’m off to a good start…” I smiled, hopeful that maybe — just maybe — I was building something meaningful between our worlds.

  “Working on it,” he half-smiled.

  I returned the smile before facing the road again.

  “That leads me to my next question…”

  Bone stepped over a thick tree root, shifting us sideways. Isaac’s hand came to my side to steady me.

  My breath caught quietly in my throat, while goose bumps spread where the warmth of his hand lingered.

  “D-do you have any siblings?” I stuttered.

  “A younger sister.”

  “Oh? How much younger?”

  “By a few minutes.”

  “She’s your twin?”

  “Yes,” he tugged on the reigns for Bone to make a turn. “Looks-wise, anyway. Personality? She’s much less of a stick in the mud.”

  I giggled. “Does she tell you that often?”

  Isaac nodded. “Every day.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Tricity,” Isaac said, taking Bone left at a fork in the road.

  “What about the rest of your family? Mother? Father? Aunts? Uncles?”

  “My mother, Dehlia… and my father, Liam. He passed a while ago.” His tone softened slightly. “I have many aunts and uncles. Too many to count — I wouldn’t want to bore you with my family tree.” He dusted off the leg of his pants absentmindedly.

  “So big families are typical of Arcantrans?”

  “Usually. My mother says life is better with a village.”

  I thought for a moment, how nice it would be to have more family around. My father was an only child and my mother was the last of her lineage, her sister died from a terrible sickness when I was very young, and she died unmarried. This meant I had no cousins. All along with my mother’s struggle to conceive, It was a miracle I had been born to save the royal line.

  Thus, bringing me to my next question.

  “May I ask you something odd?…” I said nervously.

  Isaac adjusted his seated position “I don’t see why not,” he shrugged slightly.

  I opened my mouth to ask, but froze, sudden embarrassment catching the words before they escaped my mind. All I could do was start giggling.

  “What?” Isaac asked confused.

  “I’m afraid to ask is all,” I admitted, turning to look up at him. “it’s a bit personal.”

  “As your dragon, you asking a bold question is the least of my worries right now.”

  “You promise you won’t make fun of me? Because this is completely for research purposes.”

  “Dragons honor,” he chuckled exasperated.

  “Since you are both human and dragon…” I laughed again, nervousness getting the better of me.

  “We will be in Arcantra by the time I actually get to hear what it is,” he groaned out slightly.

  “Fine! Since you are half human… Is it strictly human births? Or were you all hatched from an egg? And does that mean the way you mate is different then what I’ve studied about dragons?” I said nearly in one breath.

  Isaac rolled his eyes. “Finally.” A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, a short sided glance down at me. “Strictly human, the dance is the same.” He cleared his throat.

  “Oh, interesting…” I wrote down what i could while still being legible.

  I glanced up at Isaac, he was suppressing a smile by pressing his lips together into a fine line.

  “Are you laughing at me?” my eyes narrowed playfully.

  He shook his head, that cat like smile finally breaking through as I raised my eyebrows, “No, Princesa. I find your embarrassment on the subject admirable. Dragons are very open about it, it’s just a fact of life.”

  I didn’t think I could get any redder. Though it was kind of embarrassing to ask, it was information no one had as of yet.

  “Humans don’t really talk about those things…” I cleared my throat.

  “Humans are odd creatures.”

  “I can agree with that,” I half laughed. “What if a dragon found a human they liked, or vice versa, would the process be any different?”

  Isaac glanced at me, thought for a long moment before speaking again “I believe there was a time long before me where that was rare, but not unheard of. Though... since the great war began, you couldn’t find any dragon that liked any humans now.”

  I opened my mouth to speak again, but clamped it closed.

  “Speak your mind,” He encouraged again.

  I wondered if I even wanted know the answer to the next question. But pulled myself together enough to come right out with it.

  “Can you tell me more about what dragon relationships are like? You mentioned a dance… Is that a metaphor for your kind or a ritual? Or exactly what I think it means?"

  Isaac didn’t answer immediately.

  His gaze drifted ahead along the tree line, jaw shifting slightly as though weighing how much to say.

  “Yes, for humans I suppose it would be… Dance would just be another name for it.” he said at last. He adjusted the reins in his hands.

  “Fate may bring two dragons together, males will typically display or show off for the females they favor — The courtship may last days or years, until the female decides whether he is worthy of the heartwing. Rejection can be… detrimental. But once acceptance is declared, usually that means the bond is to be sealed with a dance.”

  I scribbled quickly. “What is a heartwing?”

  “In your culture, you like someone… you court, propose, and marry.” His tone was even, observational. “We have the heartwing.”

  His eyes flicked to me briefly, not soft, but assessing.

  “We believe every dragon's soul is made with one wing… and spends their life searching for the other. Without it, the soul never fully takes flight.”

  I paused, struck by the weight of it, before writing it down.

  “If it’s too personal, don’t answer,” I said carefully. “But have you experienced a heartwing before?”

  I had realized, if he had a mate back home how awkward this would be.

  The only sound was Bone’s hooves against the dirt path.

  He finally shook his head.

  “Not yet.”

  There was no embarrassment in his voice — only fact.

  “For some, it makes me a failure in that regard.”

  His grip on the reins tightened slightly before relaxing again.

  “Have you been rejected?” I asked with a wince.

  A scoff left his nose. “More like I have yet to find any females I truly favor. As great as it is to try and win over any heart, the same is equal to the pride of a female dragon that might lead you on for pretty things. I don't particularly like the idea of being strung along.”

  “Ah… I see.”

  “Dragons are usually quick to find their heartwing once they reach maturity.” A pause. “I’m considered… a century too late.”

  I felt an ache stir in my chest at that.

  "Love can be so complicated.”

  “I have faith,” he said simply. No bravado. No self-pity. Just certainty.

  I finished writing it on the paper, drawing a pair of dragon wings that formed a heart to help me remember.

  “if you're half human, then why do you hate us so much? Doesn’t that feel a bit like betrayal?” I said softly, turning my ear to hear him better.

  Isaac cleared his throat before responding, not giving me any reassurance. “It’s a learned trait to detest others. My Father disliked anyone and everyone that wasn’t dragon. My mother treats everyone like family… you strengthen the dragon you feed,” Isaac said.

  I turned to face forward. “Sounds like we both have curses to break.”

  The wind moved through the trees, branches swaying as it swept over us. A raindrop landed softly on my cheek.

  I glanced up through the canopy. Another fell. Then another.

  “Hopefully it stays light,” I murmured.

  “Does rain bother you?” Isaac asked.

  I shook my head. “I’ve only just dried, that’s all. I’m not keen on being wet and cold again.”

  He released a slow quiet breath, tilting his face toward the clouds with quiet contentment. A drop struck his cheek, and his eyes closed briefly.

  “I love the rain.”

  What lightning dragon wouldn’t? I thought.

  “I prefer curling up by the fire on days like this,” I said. “Reading something warm and familiar.”

  Isaac hummed in agreement. “With a cup of spiced hot chocolate.”

  “Spiced?”

  “Cinnamon,” he said. “And chili pepper.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “That sounds… interesting.”

  A faint hint of amusement touched his voice. “I’ll make you some once we arrive.”

  A soft silence settled between us as another drop landed on my hand. The breeze found the damp places in my gown, and a shiver traced down my spine. Despite the creeping warmth of early summer, our elevation had risen, and the cloud cover kept the air stubbornly cold.

  “This spring has been unusually harsh,” Isaac said.

  He reached behind the saddle, pulling free a blanket before draping it carefully around my shoulders.

  The gesture caught me off guard.

  For a moment, I wondered why he would do something so gentle — until the answer came just as quickly.

  “Is it instinct?” I asked quietly. “Protecting me? What does the bond feel like?”

  He was silent for a moment, considering.

  I’d begun to recognize that habit in him — the way he weighed his words before speaking, as though each one mattered.

  “It’s… strange,” he said at last. “My senses are sharper. It feels like I carry a compass for danger inside me now.” He paused. “I’ve spent my entire life as a predator. Now every shifting leaf puts me on edge.”

  I nodded slowly. That sounded exhausting.

  It reminded me of tending the wounded after raids — every scream, every burned scent lingering long after the danger passed. I couldn’t imagine experiencing the world at that intensity all at once.

  “Well,” I said with a small smile, “I’ll try not to be too much trouble. Running away like this was reckless, I know. But I promise I’d rather avoid danger than find it.”

  “It rarely works that way,” Isaac replied quietly. “Trouble tends to find us regardless.”

  “A wise statement,” I said.

  Isaac’s arms suddenly stiffened around me.

  “Quiet,” he murmured.

  I froze.

  Guttural shouts erupted from the trees around us.

  I turned sharply toward the sound—

  Pain exploded at my temple.

  My hand flew upward instinctively. When I pulled it away, my fingertips came back slick with blood.

  The war cries rang out from all around.