Page 51 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
Sparky looked back at Saphira. She nodded at the baby dragon, and he turned back to Aiden.
“Right there,” Aiden instructed, but he wasn’t being confident. Sparky took an inhale, as if to blow flames, then released it without fire, rolling onto his back in the grass. “Tch, Sparky,” Aiden scolded.
When he saw Aiden was vexed by his disobedience, Sparky trotted around, purposefully not listening now. Saphira had the sense Sparky was being a brat on purpose to annoy Aiden, which was admittedly funny. Saphira bit back a laugh, and Sparky saw; he shot little flame balls up into the air, nowhere near the target.
Aiden scowled, and Saphira knew she needed to be serious and teach the baby dragon, not be his accomplice.
“Aiden, be firm,” she said. “He’ll listen to you.”
“Sparky, get back here now,” Aiden said, voice stern. Sparky glanced at Saphira, who frowned at him to let him know disobeying Aiden was no longer amusing, and Sparky acquiesced, coming back to Aiden’s side.
“Good. Now aim.”
Sparky listened, aiming for the target. His fire struck thepiece of wood square in the center, the wood bursting into flames.
“Yay! Good job!” Saphira cheered.
“Well done,” Aiden said, petting Sparky’s head.
Aiden and Sparky continued the target practice while Saphira’s condition worsened. She stopped paying attention as her head felt heavy and her stomach hurt. Feeling like she needed to lie down in a tiny ball, she remembered she hadn’t eaten anything all day—she hadn’t had the time.
Saphira squeezed her eyes shut, trying to get her head to stop spinning. They would be done here, soon, and then she would eat. She didn’t want to ruin Aiden and Sparky’s time together; they were really doing so well.
Until she opened her eyes and saw that Sparky was getting carried away, enthusiasm turning to hyperactivity. Aiden went to put down more wood as Sparky sent bursts of flames up in the air, his purple eyes lighting up from the fire.
“Sparky,” Saphira tried to warn, but her voice was too weak. Sparky wasn’t paying attention; he continued playing with his fire, amused by the bright light, not looking where it was going.
The baby dragon did not notice that his next fire burst was heading straight for Aiden’s back.
“Aiden!” Saphira called, breaking into a run. “Look out!”
She pushed him out of the way. Burning pain overcame her, and then everything went dark.
Chapter 14
Aiden was just setting another mark down when suddenly he heard Saphira’s voice. The next thing he knew, he was pushed over. He stumbled, then turned to see flames, and Saphira falling.
“Saphira!” Her name ripped out of him, a panicked cry. He fell to his knees by her side, gently turning her over so she was lying flat. Her arm was burned, red and blistering.
Aiden’s stomach gave out. Dark spots clouded his vision as pain cleaved through his chest. Sparky bounced over, eyes wide.
“What did you do?” Aiden cried. Sparky tried to approach her, but Aiden held up a hand. “No. Stay away.”
With a growl, Sparky stalked off into the field, tearing into a piece of wood with his paws. Aiden didn’t have time to worry about the baby dragon’s tantrum. He rushed to his car, rummaging around for the first-aid kit he kept there. Inside, he found a salve for dragon burns.
Aiden ran back to the field, carefully lifting Saphira onto his lap to apply the salve onto her arm. Aiden applied the medicinegenerously, and the red skin already looked a bit better—but why was she unconscious?
He touched two fingers to the pulse in her throat. It felt so faint.
Panic poured over him. He shook her shoulders, trying to rouse her, but she didn’t make any movement.
Emotion overwhelmed him, and his eyes pricked with tears. Aiden began crying, cupping Saphira’s face, her body leaning against him.
“Please open your eyes,” he whispered. He didn’t know what was wrong, what had happened; all he knew was that he couldn’t lose her. What would be the point of anything if he lost her?
Then Sparky was there, knocking his head into Aiden’s arm. Aiden looked over to where the baby dragon looked to be concerned. Sparky licked Aiden’s hand, consoling him.
“I’m sorry for snapping,” Aiden whispered. “I got so scared. I know I said I was going to be better, and I’m trying, I promise.”
