Page 68 of Cages and Crowns
The light dissipates.
Thump.
It flashes again, this time closer. The creatures look up, as if they are expecting something. Again. Amethyst light that reminds me of someone. Reminds me of…
A creature plunges into the water. Black scales and horns. Wings the size of a house spread around the creatures. Claws reach for me, and I scream with the last bit of energy I have, kicking out. Its head is nearly the size of my entire body as its mouth opens. Purple light shoots out as it turns towards one of the worm creatures, burning it through the water. Its claws wrap around my body and then I am flying through the water.
Warm and sharp claws dig into my sides as I am yanked out of the water.They squeeze tightly and I vomit, water flying from my mouth and through the air. We climb higher and higher, clouds whipping past us, the ground disappearing.
I inhale, coughing the water out of my lungs, only to replace it with screams. My fingers dig at the creature, at thedragon.
It’s bigger than anything I have ever seen, nearly the size of the Rakushian palace. Its scales are black, the membranes of its wings reflecting back purple as it beats through the air. Scaled claws hold onto me, legs tucked in behind as the wings bring us higher and higher.
My screams ravage through my throat, tears springing from my eyes as it freefalls back towards the ground. Wind rips at my hair and my clothes, nearly drying me instantly. I claw at its fingers, trying to get free as the snow-colored sand comes into view. I can see it—I can see how close we are. My eyes shut as I brace for impact.
Just as we near the beach, its wings snap out, stopping us in the air, my head snapping from the whiplash. I am set softly on the ground and my shut eyes open slowly. The dragon is standing in the water, its body nearly taking up the whole beach, sitting at almost 30 feet tall. I scramble to my feet and back away, my hands out.
Oh my gods.
Oh my gods.
It’s a fucking dragon. An actual fucking dragon. That’s the beast I saw. It was adragon.
Its head drops until it’s level with my eyes. I could curl up in a ball and fit in its mouth, that’s how big it is. Dark irises meet mine and its head tilts to the side, watching me, waiting for something. A low trill comes out of his throat, and I can almost feel it vibrating the air. He exhales through his nose, the hot breath hitting me in the face.
Bergamot.
I take a hesitant step forward and lift my hand higher. The dragon leansits long neck forward, pressing its snout into my palm. It’s warm, softer than I expected. Its mouth opens slightly, revealing teeth the size of my arm. I drop my hand as a purple glow spreads across its scales.
I think I knew before I saw him; before the glow dissipated. I think I knew who the dragon was before Nithe appeared where it was just standing.
“Little witch,” he smiles, his bare chest glistening in the moonlight. My eyes flit across his muscles, broad shoulders, and— my eyes dip down and immediately shoot back up as I realize he is naked.
“You’re naked!” I screech and slap my hand over my eyes.
“That’s the first thing you say to me?”
“I think seeing you naked is more surprising than finding out you are a fucking dragon.” I mutter. A faint glow makes it through my eyelids and fingers.
“You can look now.” I hesitantly part my fingers, glancing through and seeing him fully clothed. My hand drops and my eyes focus on his.
“I don’t understand.” I laugh, surprising myself, and shake my head. “You’re a dragon.”
“Technically, no. I am a certain type of shifter—we are called wyvos.”
“Wy-vos.” I repeat slowly, staring at him.
“Where were you going?” My eyes lock onto his, my mind reeling. He’s a dragon. A black and purple dragon. He fit that big of a beast under his skin? Is it like a skin suit? Skin suit. That sounds funny. “Hello?” He snaps in front of me, and I flinch.
“What?”
“Where were you going?” He asks again.
“Home.” I mutter, turning away from him.
“To Chatis?” I shrug and he sighs. “Why? You are safe here.”
“No, I am not.” I snap, stomping through the sand as I trek up the beach. I don’t hear his footsteps before he grips my arm, spinning me around.
