AllFreeNovel
Share Us
7
Dralle
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
The morning dew was still wet on the ground as we left her garage. “I’m kind of nervous, to be honest.” I glanced at her and squeezed her hand a little.
“We could spend today here instead if you want.”
“No, let’s go anyways,” she laughed. “I got a dog sitter for Billy for the day, and I’m not letting that go to waste.”
“Alright, hang on.”
Stopping in a clearing just a few feet into the forest, I started to undress. Heather tried to be polite and look away, but I could feel her eyes tracing my body as she gave up not looking. There was an approving and almost hungry look in her expression, and I smiled as I pulled off the last garment.
“Wow.” She laughed nervously, and her cheeks stained pink with embarrassment. I knew I was impressive, but I wasn’t going to try and act cocky about it.
“The flight is only about thirty minutes; when I shift, let me carry you- it’s easier than having you on my back,” I lied. It wasn’t easier either way, but I didn’t want to risk her slipping off as we flew.
“Okay,” she nodded.
I shifted, and it felt like I was stepping through a shadow, out into another form that was as true as my human form. Heather looked nervous but kept still and strong. I didn’t want her to hide any weakness or fear from me, but I knew that it probably made her more comfortable to do that.
“You look like an emerald,” she said softly. There was something I couldn’t read behind her voice – as if my form made her sad. I couldn’t figure out why, so I assumed I was just misreading her. I raised up onto my hind legs and let her approach me.
Pulling her up into my hands, I held her firmly against my chest.
She was so warm, so small against my dragon form.
Waving my wings a few times, I lifted up and away from the ground as smoothly as possible. I could feel her tense up, burying her face into my smooth scales. Keeping a little more distance above the trees, nervous about clipping the tops of them while holding her, I started towards home.
The air was clean and clear; the sun was hot above me and warmed my wings despite the cold air circulating against them.
As time passed, I felt her relax and then shift as she turned to get a glance of the world slipping away beneath us. Her hands held tight to my claws - as if I’d ever drop her - and I could tell she was slowly calming down. The city of Ember Abyss grew distant, and soon even the craggy ridge that bordered the town vanished away beneath us.
It felt good to carry her, hold her.
I wanted to always protect her as well as I could at that moment.
The spell neared, and I could feel its slight resistance as I pushed back against it to gain entrance.
“Woah,” I could just barely hear her over the wind in my ears. The kingdom, my home, stretched out beneath us and gave us the view of a lifetime. This was the land I bled to protect, the land I wanted to spend the rest of my life in.
I approached the landing area and slowly lowered us down onto the smooth, excellent stone.
Heather’s legs wobbled a little as she tried to get her footing, and I laughed as I slipped back into my human form. “How was it?” I couldn’t fight off the smile on my face, even as servants came to dress me. She looked shocked and a little jealous as the women wrapped me in my proper clothes.
“You don’t wear underwear under that?”
“Why should I?” I smiled.
Her face was bright red, but she laughed anyway. Her hair was more air tousled than her motorcycle ever managed, and I wanted to run my fingers through it again. Now wasn’t the time, though.
“Come,” I took her hand.
Her fingers were trembling as they held mine. We walked into the castle together, and I felt like I was showing off the best woman who had ever existed. The servants didn’t spare us any looks, but one of my cousins shot me a grin as I passed his chambers.
“This is like everything I saw in my visions as a child,” she admitted. I squeezed her hand a little.
