Page 6 of A Lick of Flame

The creature makes a rumbling noise.

“I’m fine. I’m ready,” I tell him. “Let’s go!” I yell as I see guards and angry stadium-goers descending on us from both sides.

The wyvern lashes at one, flinging his bloodied carcass into the closest group of attackers. Then we are moving, the worm’s tail whipping from side to side. I am in awe of his strength and agility. We leave the stadium; at this point, any in our way are fleeing from us. The beast is fast and sure. I hold on tightly to keep from being swept from his back. I know that the worm will not stop…not for me or anything else. He has freedom firmly in his sights. It is only when we reach the invisible barrier to the fae lands that the creature takes pause.

“We can pass,” I assure him. A fact that I was not aware of when I arrived two years ago.

I am a fae.

I have been living a lie for a very long time. My people have been altered somehow. Snow has everything to do with it, of that I am certain. Snow…beautiful and evil. Once, someone I called friend; not anymore. She must be stopped.

The wyvern passes through the barrier and into a wasteland. I smell the rot. Can feel the sense of oppression. There is an instant loss of energy and magic. It has all been drained. He slithers on, taking me deeper and deeper into the utter desolation.

Then, out of nowhere, the beast makes a snorting noise and gives a hard shake. Since I am not expecting it, I am tossed unceremoniously into the mud, landing on my ass.

I watch as the wyvern worm darts away without a backward glance.

That’s when I hear them: thundering hoofbeats…and they’re coming this way.

4

Maya

I take a staggering step backward and fall onto my rear, a gasp escaping me as I land. Kakara be blessed! Somehow, I manage to keep my hold on the lantern. I shudder to think of how dark it would be in here without any light to speak of. It would be so dark that I wouldn’t be able to see so much as a hand before my face.

Blinking a few times, I realize that I am breathing heavily, like I ran up a flight or two of stairs. I force myself to take slower, steadier breaths. There is a very definite crack in the shell. I squint, but I can’t see inside.

Maybe if I get a little closer.

I should leave. I should go right now, but I can’t. I am drawn to the egg. I want to touch it again. I want to know what it is inside, which is folly because I already know. At least, I am quite certain.

It has to be a dragon.

Dragon or no, I should not be here when it hatches. I should not be here at all. This egg was laid by something. This baby’s mother will be nearby. She has to be.

I look up and down the tunnel, staring into the thick blackness, like I might somehow be able to see farther than I can, but it isn’t possible. There could be anything in here with me right now, and I wouldn’t know it. The tunnels are vast. Tall and wide. A dragon could fit if it kept its wings tucked in close.

Not that I’ve ever seen a dragon, but I’ve heard the tales. Mother Trinity told us all about them and all about the Forgotten Caves. They are a safe haven and breeding ground for the creatures. Or they were… No! The egg proves it. They are still here.

Kakara, keep me safe.

I touch my forehead, my lips, and my heart in the sign of our lady. Then I stand, dust myself off, and take a tentative step toward the egg. Smoke wafts from the crack; I jump back a second time, almost falling again.

I groan in annoyance with myself. “I’m a simpleton,” I mutter under my breath to myself. “Get it together,” I whisper with a little more force.

I clear my throat and approach the egg once more. The scent of sulfur wafts around me; it makes me wrinkle my nose even though I don’t find it as offensive as I should. It’s not a smell I am familiar with.

This is a dragon baby. I’m sure of it. The back of my head prickles, the sensation rushing down my spine. I really hope its mama isn’t anywhere nearby.

I reach my hand out, slowly…slowly…slowly, until I touch the side of the shell. It’s even warmer than before. Another orange flame flickers through the opening, curling up around the curve of the egg.

I pull back a little, observing. I wonder how long it takes for a dragon egg to hatch fully. I don’t have to wonder for very long because there is a loud cracking noise followed by a bright blinding light and a blast of heat that is only barely tolerable.

I am ashamed to say that I screech loudly, fear flooding my veins. The heat subsides almost instantly. Tears stream down my face; my eyes are stinging. I’m blinking them wildly because I can’t see a thing. I’m temporarily blinded. Something growls just a few short feet in front of me.

Orion

I jump up, and muck slops off me, plopping onto the ground as I do. It’s colder on this side of the barrier. It’s clear I’m no longer in the fae kingdom; I’m in the human wastelands. The hoof falls continue to thunder, growing louder. I only have minutes to find a place to hide because running is not an option.

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