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While the snow has been heavy on the way here, it is completely gone near the mouth of the cavern. Smoke wisps off of the charred fir trees near the opening. All of the greenery is gone, leaving behind nothing but black, burnt branches.
Helga notices, too, her brow furrowing in confusion, and takes a few steps closer to the cave before I block her from going any further.
While she may have her suspicions, I know too well what lives here. I think of the massive creature slumbering away in one of these rocks. Khijha whips past us into the cave, and there is nothing I can do to stop her. But I can, at least, save Helga.
“Stay here,” I whisper as her eyes narrow in confusion. “Don’t make any noise, and be ready to flee back to the hestrinn.”
“But, Majesty--”
“No. Stay,” I command.
She was confused when I pushed to follow on foot down the mountain, to leave our mounts in the tree line, but I see the pieces click into place as realization sinks in.
Everyone knows that the dragon lives in these mountains, but few have been unlucky enough to cross its path in the wilderness, preferring to observe it only during its visits to the festival each year.
Swallowing hard, she nods.
Without wasting another moment, I dart as quietly as I can through the cave. The lingering smell of smoke and roasted meat rests heavy in the air. It’s enough to make my stomach turn, but I press on anyway. I need to know what happened here, and whether there is any hope left for my people.
Memories assault me as I pass by the springs where I held her. I push out the images of her naked, freezing body clinging tightly to mine as we tried to keep her hypothermia at bay. Her lying lips, moving against mine. The taste of her, and the soft skin on the curve of her hips under my hands.
How easily I had believed that she was different from anyone I had met, different from who she turned out to be.
Grinding my teeth, I try to forget it all and focus on the steam creeping out of the back of the cave.
Khijhana’s purrs echo off the cavern walls as I cautiously inch toward her. I round the corner of the cave system, heading directly for the place where we saw the dragon before. I’m sure that’s where I’ll find Khijhana.
My hands ball into fists as I try to prepare myself for what else I might find.
Is Zaina here? Is she alive?
The temperatures rise as I travel in further, the smoky odor strengthening. An unexpected gust of wind hits me, and I close my eyes against the oppressive warmth. When I open them again, my heart seizes within my chest, and fear chokes me.
I found Khijhana, all right. Right up against the dragon. But unlike last time, its eyes are open now, studying me with an intensity that is both terrifying and mesmerizing. A voice in the back of my mind yells at me to run, to get out of here, while another part stands transfixed.
Intelligent eyes rove over me. Every warning and tale I’ve ever heard about this magnificent creature makes me wonder if I will meet my end at this moment.
When the dragon raises its head, I know this is it. I have failed my people.
Its wings spread outward, but no fire comes. My breathing hitches as I catch sight of a small figure curled up tight, tucked within the dragon’s breast.
Time slows, and I swear my heart stops beating the moment I register Zaina’s lifeless form.
“Zaina?” I whisper her name, stepping closer on instinct. Every part of me needs to know if she’s still breathing.
The dragon inhales deeply before tilting its head to the side, like it’s confused or assessing. After a long moment, it pulls further back and exposes more of her limp body.
The fur around the edges of her cloak have burned away, and the strings on her boots have all but disappeared. Patches of skin on her legs and abdomen are exposed and raw. Some of them look wet, while others are crusted and charred.
My mind reels. If the dragon had wanted her dead, there would be nothing left of her. But instead, it’s almost as if it’sprotectingher.
I try to understand what led her here, and why the dragon hasn’t finished her off.
I take a tentative step closer, then two more. The dragon rises up to an impressive height and moves backward, giving me full access to Zaina. Abandoning caution, I rush to her side.
I whisper her name again, and still, there is no answer. For a moment, I’m unsure of where to touch her, how to pick her up, if I even should. My eyes drift to the hot spring near the dragon. The waters here can heal. I’ve seen it firsthand, but they can’t give life.
Gingerly, I lift her body. I remove her damaged cloak, moving a cursory hand through the pockets. They’re empty, though, with no sign of the rose, and she doesn’t so much as flinch as I feel around for the hope my people have lost.
