“That’s enough.” He called the first guy. “Grab some rope. This little trouble maker needs to be restrained.”
She sat on the cold ground and sized them both up, but before she could even determine her next move, a roar rumbled through the air. It sounded like thunder and lightning all at the same time as it rolled across the sky.
Everyone looked up. One of the men instantly ran.
“Aww, shit,” she heard before the others tried to scatter.
Her heart skipped a beat when a beast flew by and knocked the Skelvarns to the ground. Its body shimmered even in the dark with a pearlesque glow. Silvery white scales covered its body and it reminded her of the mountain tops covered in snow. The wings were like sails on pirate ships and its eyes glittered like diamonds as it turned to stare at her.
Sven.
Her breath caught in her throat as the dragon, her dragon, landed and positioned his body to shield her. His massive frame curled around her and his tail lashed and knocked two of the men aside. With another roar that she felt vibrate in her feet, he unleashed a torrent of flame. The Skelvarns scattered.
Are you okay?
She heard the words in her head as Sven turned to look at her.
She could hardly tear her eyes away from his massive head so far above her.This was Sven?
Before she could answer, he let out a pained cry. She moved around him to see an arrow stuck in his shoulder, deep in his scaled hide. His massive form staggered and the glitter in his eyes faded.
No. Not like this. Our story does not end here.
She grabbed him and hugged her body to him.I can heal you, remember? Let me heal you.She reached up and yanked out the arrow.You need to fly us away before they shoot you again.
She yanked off her gloves and opened her jacket so more of her could touch him. She centered all of her thoughts on healing energy.
Hang on.His voice was weaker in her mind, but determined.
She stepped on his wing and climbed up onto his back where she clung to his neck.
With a surge of energy, Sven lifted them off the ground and rose into the night sky. Bryn clung to him and stayed focused on healing.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sven
Pain shot through Sven as he gained altitude. He could feel the poison course through his veins, but he could also feel Bryn’s powers counteracting his wound. Whatever the toxin was, there had been less of it on the arrow this time and she had already healed most of the effects.
They soared through the night while the world beneath them shrunk and disappeared into the darkness. He knew of a place where he could rest and they would be safe. He just hoped he could find it. He flew close to the faces of the mountains and searched for the opening.
Just as he worried that he might not have the strength to continue, he found the ledge that he sought. They finally reached the sanctuary of a hidden mountain cave, secluded and sheltered from the world. The entrance was narrow and nearly invisible against the rock face but when he landed, he knew he had found the right spot.
Sven landed gently and his massive claws sank into the stone ledge as he lowered Bryn carefully to the ground. He loved how she kept her hands on him as he moved, and he could feel the healing that emanated from her. He had felt her love surrounding him, but he had also felt her fear.
He urged her inside.I don’t fit in there in this form. I’ll light a fire before I shift. Go stand in the back.
I need to heal you.
You will. I just need a minute to make sure we stay warm.
She moved into the cave.You better hope there aren’t any monsters in here.
We just left the monsters way below us.His fury at seeing her slapped reared up.
He moved away and let out a quick burst of flame. A pile of brush in the corner near the front lit and illuminated the cave. He shifted back into his human form, which was bruised and battered but still very much alive. He wanted to hold on to his anger at the entire situation, but almost losing her quelled that ability. His view of her being manhandled by the Skelvarns was something that would take him a long time to recover from. For right now, he needed to focus on her.
He arranged the makeshift campfire and added some other fuel that lay about the cave. He could feel Bryn watch him, but he needed to make sure she was warm. The cave was only dimly lit, but he didn’t need to see her face. He could feel her love even in the darkness, and he never wanted to lose that feeling.
