Embrace

Determined to make it to the towns before nightfall, we set out early the following morning. After just a few miles, I was frozen in place by a sound that stopped me cold. The swish of wings, huge, strong dragon wings, shook the air high above. I looked up and saw it: the red dragon from earlier, still alive and threatening, a horrible twist of fate that allowed it to survive. "Jase! Nyla Taylor!" I yelled, my voice piercing with fear, as we ran for the cover of the trees. However, it was impossible to outpace it.

With a trembling thud, the dragon came down, its gaze fixed on Nyla Taylor, who was following us. Jase threw himself in its way before it could get any closer. As I rushed forward, I grabbed Nyla Taylor and pulled her to safety, letting out a scream. Jase fought the beast, surviving its slashing claws and snapping jaws, until a hard blow knocked him sideways, blood gushing from a leg cut. With smoke and flames curling from its maw, the dragon sneered as it crept closer. "Ha, you poor people!" it hissed. "You believed you could get away from me? You will now die!"

With my pulse thumping, I clutched my sword, prepared to strike—when Bryce burst out of the trees, a tornado of rage, a shining sword cutting through the air. Breathless, I watched as he faced the dragon's onslaught head-on, taking blow after blow without flinching. He struck the beast one last time with such force that it dropped to the ground. With tears streaming down her cheeks in a wave of relief, Nyla Taylor ran to her brother and threw her arms around him.

In order to stop the bleeding, I lowered myself to Jase's side and pressed my hands against his leg. I heard footsteps and looked up to see Nyla Taylor and Bryce. "Please, assist!" I pleaded, my voice broken.

Bryce crouched next to Jase and covered the ragged cut with both hands. His palms pulsed with an odd, luminous light, and the wound closed itself up before my eyes, leaving no sign of damage. I stared at them in wonder as I gasped. "How did you do that, exactly?" I gasped, staring in wonder.

"There isn't time for explanations," Bryce stated with an anxious tone. "I need you to accompany me to The Woodsmen's Warren." I nodded numbly. My thoughts was a whirlpool of terror, bewilderment, and a tremendous sense of relief that Jase was still alive as Bryce lifted him to his feet and we fled together. This time, we went through a different entrance to The Woodsmen's Warren, and Bryce showed us a large room that was hollowed out of the ground. We waited for replies while we sunk to the ground and caught our breath.

Finally, Bryce spoke in a cool, collected tone. "Few people are aware of this," he began, "but we believe you should be because of what you've done. I'm part Sprite, and so is Nyla Taylor. Our mother was a Sprite."

Half expecting a joke that never materialized, I looked at Nyla Taylor, then Jase, and finally back at Bryce. Bryce went on, "We owe Jase because he stood between Nyla Taylor and the dragon to protect her. It's our way—we give back what has been done for us. I have therefore determined how to repay that loan."

Nyla Taylor turned to face Bryce and nodded slightly in agreement. "If you two could come live with us, it would be fantastic," Bryce continued, addressing Jase and me. "Although it would require leaving your previous lives behind, you might find tranquility here, free from the burden of monarchy. We don't make offers like this very often. I appreciate you saving my sister, but please think it over carefully."

Bryce and Nyla Taylor moved aside, leaving us alone as Jase bowed his head in recognition. "Whoa..." I breathed, turning to face Jase, my voice trembling. "I feel so overburdened at the moment."

Jase gave a low chuckle. "Me too," he admitted. "I am unable to think clearly. Let's take it easy tonight and make a decision tomorrow."

I scooted closer to lean against him, his warmth supporting me as I nodded. Fatigue dragged me down, and I fell asleep, my dreams entwined with sprites, dragons, and the dark passageways beneath the globe.

The pandemonium of the day before began to make sense when I woke up the following morning. As I laid there, it seemed to me that this place would be a far better fit for me than the castle's stuffy walls. "What do you think?" I asked Jase as he stirred next to me.

“Well,” Jase said in a reflective tone, “I believe it would be pleasant to live here. Without anyone noticing, we might get married, live in peace, and be free of my mother's shadow. Then my land comes to mind. I can't leave them behind. When my parents are gone, who will be in charge? Who's going to replace me? But I can't simply leave."

"I see," I muttered, a twinge of disappointment pulling at me. He was correct; we couldn't abandon the land to satisfy our own needs. I gave a nod, accepting the reality, but then Jase raised my chin and met my eyes. "But I know you'd flourish here more than in the royal court, and I love you," Jase added firmly. "I'll inform my mother in writing that we have decided to stay. I promise it won't be difficult for her to find someone more qualified to rule than me."

"Are you certain?" I pressed, my pulse accelerating. "How about the land?"

The sound of Jase's laughter was bright and carefree. "It will be alright," he assured me. "In any case, my mother most likely intends to rule forever, and after her death, others will be able to take over."

I was so happy that I flung my arms around him and gave him a passionate, deep kiss. "So, we're residing here," I confirmed, happiness bubbling up.

"We're residing here," Jase repeated, smiling. I gave a joyful shout and jumped up, ready to go off and inform Nyla Taylor of our choice. However, I drew Jase into another intense embrace before leaving.

"I love you so much for everything you are, not just because you decided to stay," I muttered into his embrace. "Without you, I could not survive."

His breath was warm against my ear as he hugged me close. "Without you, my life wouldn't have any purpose," Jase whispered back. "Camryn, you are also loved by me."

I hurried off to tell a buddy about our future while grinning brightly.