For a long moment, neither of us moved. Then, finally, its head dipped slightly, as if acknowledging me. That small shift of trust felt like a victory. Slowly, I reached out, my fingers trembling slightly as I extended my hand towards its injured wing.
The moment my fingers brushed its wing scales, a deep searing heat shot through me like electricity surging through my veins. It wasn’t just warmth but raw, primal, and alive. I gasped, my body stiffening as the heat spread through me, engulfing me in a rush of intensity that made my skin tingle.
The dragon’s eyes widened, its body still as if it was feeling something. I could feel the pulse of energy as if something ancient and powerful was awakening between us. Then a voice, no, not a voice, more like a presence filled my mind. It wasn’t my thoughts. It was the dragons.
“Ravena.”
The word echoed in my head, clear and unyielding, as if it had always been there, just waiting for the right moment to surface. How did it know my name?
“You,”the voice was deeper now, its vibration like a hum under my skin.“You are not what they think you are.”
The words hung heavy in the air, heavy with meaning. My stomach churned, but I didn’t let go. I couldn’t pull my hand away. A part of me knew I had to stay. The dragon’s presence was pulling at something inside me, something I had buried a long time ago.
“I… I don’t understand,” I whispered, my voice shaky.
“You will.”The dragon replied, its voice both soothing and powerful, filling every corner of my mind.
“In time, you will.”
The heat surged again, stronger this time, and the pain in the dragon’s wing seemed to ebb just slightly. It was enough to give me some hope. Enough to make me believe that maybe I had found something here that I didn’t even know I was looking for. The connection between us pulsed like a heartbeat, like an ancient bond being forged, something that had been waiting for us both. For the first time in years, I felt like maybe I wasn’t as alone as I thought.
I swallowed hard. I needed to move because the dragon needed my help. Shaking off my shock, I knelt beside him, my hands hovering near his injured wing.
“I need to get you out of here,” I murmured. “It’s not safe.”
The dragon didn’t move at first, silver eyes locked onto mine, still wary and unsure. He didn’t pull away when I carefully reached beneath him, sliding my arms around his small but surprisingly stocky form. His scales were smooth beneath my touch, yet I could feel the raw power thrumming beneath them.
He let out a low growl, not aggressive but cautious. I held still, meeting his gaze. “I know you don’t trust me,” I said softly. “But I swear, I just want to help you.”
For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the rain dripping from the trees and the distant rumble of thunder rolling across the sky. Then, finally, the dragon huffed, the tension in his body easing just slightly. Taking that aspermission, I tightened my grip and lifted him carefully. He was heavier than I expected, his body solid with muscle and strength, but I managed to hoist him into my arms. He flinched when I adjusted my hold, his claws digging into my sleeve, but he didn’t fight me.
“Almost there,” I reassured him, moving as quickly as I could towards the cottage. The burnt grass crunched beneath my boots as I stepped over some fallen branches, my legs burning from the effort. His weight pressed against me, but I refused to stop.
The cottage wasn’t far, tucked deeper within the whispering woods, hidden away from anyone who might come searching. My safe haven, and now it was the dragons, too.
As I reached the door, I nudged it open with my foot, stepping inside the dimly lit space. The warmth from the dying embers in the fireplace greeted me, along with the familiar scent of herbs and aged wood.
Gently, I knelt and set him down on the worn rug near the fire. His body tensed as I pulled away, his eyes scanning the place before flickering back to me. His breathing was uneven, and his wing was still trapped at an awkward angle.
I exhaled, my heart still racing from everything that had just happened. “Alright,” I whispered, brushing my damp hair from my face. “Let’s see what I can do about that wing.”
The dragon watched me as I reached out towards him again, but then a single word echoed in my mind, softer this time.
“Thank you.”
I stilled, my breath catching. Yeah, my life had just gotten a whole lot more complicated.
Chapter 2
RAVENA
I jolted awake at the sound of something crashing downstairs, my heart pounding against my ribs. Instinct kicked in, and I sat up, scanning the dimly lit room. The wind howled through the open window, rustling the tattered curtains, carrying in the scent of damp earth and pine. I must have left the window open again. Unsurprisingly, I liked falling asleep to the rain, the steady rhythm against the roof lulling me into the few precious hours of rest I allowed myself. Two hours, maybe three if I was lucky.
Sleeping at night has never suited me. The sun was too harsh, too revealing. My eyes were sensitive to the brightness, making everything feel exposed and raw. Besides, daytime belonged to people who had the luxury of peace, who laughed easily and went about their days without looking over their shoulders. I wasn’t one of them. I preferred the quiet of the night, where shadows stretched long, and the world felt like it belonged to me alone.
Another crash, louder this time, echoed through the cottage, jolting me into motion. I threw the covers off, the cold air biting into my bare legs and arms as I rushed to the door. My pulse quickened as I sprinted downstairs, feet barely making a sound against the worn wooden floor.
The sight that greeted me nearly had me turning back around.
