AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You don’t like Dragons?”
“I would rather jump off the highest tower than be eaten by one of those creatures.”
Laughter escaped me, calling Evie’s attention to us. Her eyes narrowed slightly, probably wondering what our interaction was all about, but she soon returned to her intense conversation with Kingston. The utensils between them, along with the plates and cups, had been arranged in a very particular way, like they were strategizing something.
“You know Dragons don’t eat people, right?” I glanced at Willow, resuming our chat.
“That you know of!”
Asher’s chuckles reached us from my other side. He shook his head, saying I was wasting my time trying to change her mind.
“Were your brothers warriors?” I asked instead, seeing Willow nod.
“My parents too. They weren’t in the guard like you, they just loved this world and its people more than anything, so they swore to defend it always. My family served the Skyborne Legion proudly, and were very skilled with the spear. They learned how to fly Dragons, but none ever bonded to them, so they chose horses as their companions. The best land riders Caelisium ever saw.”
“And that explains it.”
She chuckled while I watched her, wondering how the daughter of a family of fierce warriors became the Princess’ lady instead of being a warrior herself. Willow had a strong spirit and enough fight inside her to be among the best Elevated Warriors.
“As a little girl, I used to love our escapades,” she continued. “Galloping with my mom and brothers along the land at night was my favorite part, though they had some kind of fantasy about me bonding with a Dragon.”
We both laughed at that. “Maybe they wanted you to go above and beyond what they had accomplished. Parents always want the best for their kids.”
Her onyx hair swayed as she nodded in agreement, the light of the past shining in her eyes. “Back then, I always thought I’d be a land rider too, but then—” The emotion capturing her throat forced her to stop, and she suddenly blinked away the tears that rushed to her eyes.
Dread poured into my being. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stir your pain, I—"
“It’s okay. I just hadn’t talked about them in so long…” She cleared her throat, taking a sip of coffee to help her calm. “They are always in my heart, but thinking about them still hurts too much. I miss them more than I can say, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling that loss.”
Her words resonated with me, and I reached for her hand, squeezing it. It was exactly how I felt about my parents. Noticing her pain, Evie reached for her too from across the table, and they exchanged a loving smile that said they would always be there for each other. Like many others here, she also felt that loss herself.
The heartfelt moment turned into one shared by the entire table, and Harper took Asher’s hand, holding Harrison’s as we all offered each other strength. The circle was complete when I took Asher’s hand, and it wasn’t until that instant that I recognized the family I had gained among them.
Tables near us noticed our special embrace and followed suit, the gesture slowly spreading among the dining room, becoming a vow of unity, and a silent prayer for those we had all lost.
