The Witches Dragonbond

Chapter 9

All at once the cavern entrance loomed ahead, the waterfall seemed almost dark against the moonlit sky. As they approached, the low rumble of the dragon’s deep voice echoed from within, a sound that still made Evelynn’s pulse quicken.

“You’ve come,” the dragon said, his golden eyes gleaming from the shadows. “And so it begins.”

Evelynn stood still for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She was used to communicating with the dragon through their soul bond, but hearing him speak so clearly… It felt different. She didn’t know how to respond.

Eric, however, stepped forward without hesitation, his usual calm demeanor firmly in place. “We’ve come to hear what comes next for us and the rebellion.”

The dragon’s gaze quickly shifted to Eric, a deep understanding passing between the two of them. “I have already given you all what I can, Eric. Now, it is time to face the consequences.”

Evelynn felt the weight of his words settle heavily on her shoulders. “Consequences?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

The dragon nodded. “This prophecy does not come without sacrifice. The union of witch and warlock will end the war, but it will also ignite the flames of a new one. King Harold will not go quietly. The rebellion is only the beginning.”

Evelynn’s mind raced. “I never wanted to be a part of this—this prophecy. I just wanted to end the war.”

“You have more power than you realize we will keep training you,” the dragon said, his voice low but steady. “The union you are to be part of has the power to unite all creatures of the land, not just humans, but every creature that has been oppressed under Harold’s rule.”

Evelynn clenched her fists, struggling with the idea. “How do we even begin? The rebellion alone isn’t enough to face Harold.”

The dragon’s eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom. “You must gather the creatures. Rally the ones who have suffered under Harold’s tyranny. The time for waiting is over. You must act now, before Harold takes action against you.”

Eric nodded, his voice firm. “We’ll find the others. The rebellion will have to be ready.”

Evelynn looked up at the dragon, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “What if I can’t do this? What if I can’t bring the peace you’re all counting so much on?”

The dragon’s gaze softened, almost comforting. “You are not alone in this. You’ll have your warlock .Together, you will succeed.”

Evelynn felt the weight of his words, but a part of her still resisted. She wasn’t ready for this responsibility, but there was no turning back now. She had a duty to those who depended on her, and if she wanted to honor her parents’ memory, she couldn’t back down.

As the conversation shifted toward their next steps, the dragon laid out a plan. The rebellion would continue gathering strength, but Evelynn and Eric had a more urgent task ahead—rallying the creatures who had long been oppressed by King Harold’s rule.

“You must reach out to the outcasts, the creatures hiding in the shadows,” the dragon said. “They will be your greatest allies. But remember, the war is coming, and it will be vastly devastating.”

Evelynn nodded, determined to act, even if she didn’t fully understand the magnitude of the task. “We’ll find them. We’ll bring them together.”

Eric glanced at her, his eyes filled with a quiet understanding. “We will. And we’ll stop my father, no matter the cost .”

The dragon’s gaze was piercing. “The path ahead will be fraught with danger. You must be ready for the sacrifices you will face, the cost wont be cheap.”

Evelynn felt the weight of those words settle heavily on her chest. But there was no turning back. It was time to finally act.

As they walked once again back toward the camp, the silence between them felt different. The weight of the prophecy, the stakes of what was to come—it all hung in the air between them.

Evelynn couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting between her and Eric, something unspoken but undeniably there. She wanted to deny it, to push it away, but the pull between them was becoming harder to ignore.

Eric slowed his pace, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “You don’t have to face this alone.”

She looked up at him, her heart fluttering. “I know.”

For a moment, they walked in silence again, the distance between them closing with each step.

Just before they reached the camp, Eric stopped, turning to face her. “I’m not going anywhere,little witch. Not while you need me.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. And then, without warning, Eric reached out, his hand gently brushing against hers. His touch was warm, comforting.

Evelynn’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. He leaned in slightly, as if he might say something more, but instead, he gave her a soft, whisper of a kiss barely brushing her lips as their kiss before.

Then, he let go of her hand and walked ahead, leaving her standing there with her thoughts and the growing tension in her chest.

When they both finally reached the camp, the atmosphere was thick with urgency. Sir Darwin had been waiting for them, his face grim.

“Evelynn, Eric,” he greeted them, his voice tense. “We’ve got urgent news.”

“What’s happened?” Evelynn asked, her pulse quickening.

“King Harold is making moves,” Sir Darwin said. “We don’t have much time. His forces are already gathering. The rebellion must act quickly.”

Evelynn’s heart sank. The fight wasn’t just about stopping the war—it was about something much larger now. The prophecy, her role in it, and the future of the land were all tied to the actions that would follow in the coming days.

The stakes had never been higher.