Fire In The Sky
752 Words
I couldn't move.
"A... dragon?"
The words came out from my lips before I could stop them. Every story I had ever heard claimed dragons vanished many years ago. They belonged in old legends, not outside the walls of a castle.
The guard nodded, still gasping for air.
"It destroyed the western gate in a single attack."
Lucien's face remained unreadable, but something in his eyes changed. He was not surprised. He was actually concerned about something.
"We're leaving," he said.
I frowned.
"What?"
"Now."
"I'm not running again."
His eyes locked on mine.
"This isn't about being brave, Aria."
"What then is it about?"
"Survival."
Before I could dispute, another blast rocked the castle. The chamber shook violently. Chunks of stone fell on the floor.
Someone yelled in the hallway. Lucien gripped my wrist.
"Stay near to me."
The warmth of his hand sent an unfamiliar calm through my racing heart. For reasons I couldn't explain, I trusted him.
We hurried out of the chamber. The castle had become complete chaos. Servants rushed every direction and soldiers ran toward the western wall.
Smoke drifted through the hallway. The stench of fire filled the air.
I froze as we reached a balcony overlooking the courtyard.
The sky was burning. A massive creature circled above the castle, its black scales reflecting the fire below. Every beat of its vast wings sent powerful gusts across the fort.
It was real. A dragon.
My knees almost gave out.
"How..." I whispered.
Lucien gazed at the monster.
"Someone has awakened an ancient creature."
The dragon opened its mouth and one of the castle towers was met by a river of flaming fire. The tower blew up and pieces of stones rained down into the courtyard.
My pulse stopped as I realized there were people in the tower.
"Lucien!"
"I know."
He gazed toward the soldiers beneath.
"They're trying to protect the civilians."
I watached the guards lead terrified kids across the courtyard. One little boy stumbled and a portion of the burning wall fell before anyone could get to him.
"No."
I ran without thinking.
"Aria!" Lucien yelled behind me.
I ignored him. The boy was trapped beneath falling debris. His terrified cries echoed through the smoke.
I threw myself forward, reaching for him. Just as the stones were about to fall on us, a brilliant silver light burst from my body.
Time seemed to slow. The falling rocks stopped in the air. They hovered above us, frozen.
The boy gazed at me with wide eyes.
"So... amazing."
I failed to understand what was happening. Neither did I have time to think.
The silver light gently moved the debris away and the path cleared. I grabbed the child and pulled him into my arms.
"You are safe."
His little hands held me tightly. I heard total silence behind us. Everyone in the courtyard was looking. Soldiers, servants, and even the dragon. It had stopped attacking and its enormous golden eyes were fixed on me.
Then something impossible happened. The dragon gradually lowered its head. It was not getting ready to attack, it was actually bowing.
A shiver ran through my body.
"Why is it doing that?"
Lucien appeared beside me. His expression has become grim.
"Because it recognizes you."
I was stunned as I looked at him.
"What?"
He did not answer right away. Rather he watched the dragon closely.
"It remembers the Moonborn bloodline."
The dragon let out a low, rumbling cry that echoed across the valley. Then a voice came suddenly to my mind.
"Little Queen..."
I gasped. The voice was ancient, gentle and clearly real.
"At last... I have found you."
My breath caught. I wasn't imagining it. The dragon was actually talking to me.
Before I could respond, a sharp arrow shot through the smoke. Lucien moved instantly. He caught it inches from my face.
Another message was tied to the arrow. He untied it and quietly read it.
"What does it say?" I asked.
His jaw tightened. For several long seconds, he didn't speak. Then he handed me the note. My hands trembled as I read the words.
«The dragon is only the beginning. Before the next full moon, the Queen will choose between her crown... and the man she loves. She cannot save both.»
There was no signature, only the crimson seal. I looked up slowly. My heart was pounding.
I didn't even know who I loved. So why did the message feel like a promise instead of a threat?
- Writer
