“He’s ready!” Senta yelled.
Elias opened his mouth to protest.I most definitely am not fucking ready!
But already Gerard rose and stepped towards the cliff’s edge. Elias clutched at the pommel with his hands. He opened his mouth. But Gerard spread his wings wide and launched them into the sky.
The air rushed into his mouth, choking him and stopping the panicked scream that clawed and attempted to break free from his throat.
Elias’s eyes widened as the water glittered beneath them. The wind whipped around him. Elias squeezed his eyes closed. He felt light-headed.
I need to breathe.He forced himself to suck in air.
After several moments, he opened his eyes.
Gerard stared back at him.
Why isn’t he looking where he is flying? We’re going to crash into the ocean! We’re going to die!
But then Gerard turned his head and looked forward. Elias’s fingers grew numb as he gripped the pommel. Soon they’d passed over the sea and flew over sandy coastline. Then fields, trees, villages, and farmland.
This is Draconia. We’re flying over Draconianow.
He’d only been in Draconia once before. And that was when he’d faced Gerard.
Mountain peaks rose sharply in the distance. Above the mountains, heavy dark clouds congregated.
Elias sucked in a breath as he sat up. Storm clouds. His fingers tensed.
What would it be like to fly through a lightning storm? His heart raced. But this time, it had nothing to do with his fear of heights. He imagined the air crackling. The scent of ozone. And all that energy flowing around them.
We could fly through the lightning.
Elias would protect them from any strikes. In fact, he could pull and direct the lightning. Oh. He could wield so much power!
But of course, they could never do that. He could not reveal his abilities to Gerard.
They landed on the top of a mountain. Elias exhaled and sagged.
No trees marked the peak. But lots of small bushes scattered amongst rocks. A small wooden cabin stood to one side.
He sat still in the harness. His breathing and heart rate slowly returned to normal. Gerard looked back at him. Elias smiled. Then he realised he would have to undo the straps and get off Gerard before the man could shift.
After dealing with the straps, he half climbed, half fell off Gerard’s back. His legs almost gave out. He stared at the harness for a few seconds, trying to work out how to undo it before setting to the task. Then he tugged it off.
The air thickened and rippled. A second later, the big green dragon disappeared and instead Gerard stood as a human before him.
“You all right? You look a little shaky.” Gerard gave him a soft smile and placed his hands on Elias’s arms.
Elias laughed breathlessly. “I’m a little scared of heights.”
Gerard gave him a lopsided smile. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Then Gerard took out his clothes from the pack on the harness and dressed.
Elias pointed to the shrubs. “Are those the lorei bushes?”
Gerard nodded. “But let’s take a rest first before we collect the leaves and head back. I think you’ve earned it.” He tugged on Elias’s hand, leading him towards the cabin.
