Page 24 of His Greatest Treasure

It actually took me a moment to process it and I stopped moving and looked down at my arm. Only when I saw the blood did it click that, yes, that was a wound.

Dropping to the ground, I ducked my head, not knowing if more shots would be coming. I felt very foolish as I crawled along the grass but, when I heard another shot ring out, and another, I didn’t feel so silly. Those bullets whipped past over my head.

I should have been scared for my life or angry that someone had dared to shoot into our territory, but I actually didn’t think about that at all. My only thought became a single, overwhelming need to get near to Blaze.

I was so worried that he would be hurt that I stood up too soon and sprinted for the tree line a few yards early. Another shot rang out and I heard the thud of the bullet slam against the tree beside me.

Dashing between the trees, I stumbled and ran as fast as I could towards the den.

I didn’t need to get all the way there, though. I saw my bond with Blaze flare up, as bright as fire, and I could almost feel the fear emanating from Blaze as he rushed out to find me.

I knew he was coming because he set off for where the noise had been, and I’d run to the trees at an angle. We would probably have missed each other if we didn’t have that bond.

He shot past me somewhere in the distance, and he was silent. The only reason I knew was because of the bond and I followed it, stumbling after him.

Then I realised that he was heading for the shooter and I shouted, “Blaze, wait! I’m over here! Don’t go out there, it’s dangerous.”

I found him. Well, we were running towards each other, so I guess we found each other.

He rushed straight over to me, his face tight and afraid.

“Are you hurt, Alfie? Oh my gosh, you’re bleeding. You’ve been shot!”

Strangely, as soon as I was with him, I felt incredibly calm. Normally if something happened, I got into a panic and it was Morgan who had to be the sensible one. Now, though, it was my turn.

I reached out my hand and touched Blaze’s shoulder, and I kept my voice calm and soothing as I said, “I’m okay, Blaze, I promise. It’s only the one shot and it doesn’t hurt too much. I’m a dragon, I’ll be fine.”

As I spoke, I manoeuvred us round so that I was between him and the place where the shots had come from. Just in case.

His bright eyes looked up at me, wide and filled with emotion. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m not worried about the bullet, honestly. Actually, I’m more worried about telling Mother that I got shot. She’s going to have a fit. She worries,” I said, with a cringe.

That was an understatement. My mother seemed to worry about me constantly and I had always dismissed it as something that mothers did but I had to admit, occasionally I’d like her to worry less. Like when I wanted to go outside and she wouldn’t let me.

I sighed. She was going to take this really badly.

“Are you sure you’re alright? Do you need to sit down? Can you breathe properly?”

“Yes, I can. I was only sighing. I’m not looking forward to telling everyone about this, that’s all.”

Blaze drew back and I suddenly realised that I’d kept my hand on him. I missed the feel of him right there as soon as he was gone.

“Are you sure you’re not going to bleed to death?”

I resisted the urge to smile. I didn’t want Blaze to think I was laughing at him. I was just happy that he was so worried about me, and it was clear he didn’t have much understanding of dragon physiology. I would already be healing. It hurt, sure, but that was all. And it had ruined my shirt. All in all, it wasn’t a disaster.

I reached for his hand and held it in mine. His fingers were cooler than I’d thought they would be.

“I’m fine, I promise. Are you cold?”

Blaze shivered. “I think it’s the shock. I was- I was worried.”

I smiled, taking hold of his hand properly. It was small and delicate inside mine, and I stood so close that our shoulders brushed.

“Nobody got in,” I assured him. That was the most important thing, and it meant we were safe here, inside the woods. “Come on, let’s get you back to the den where you can warm up.”

I led him back between the trees and he walked alongside me, letting me set the pace. I made sure to stay beside him and he glanced around a bit as we went, as though he were nervous.

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