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I respected what they had to offer and what they were doing. Being outcasts, they didn’t have much to do in life but create peace between everyone. I loved the change they were trying to make in the world and was envious of the like-minded and relatable people. I hadn’t seen a Scaleborne until the other day, and now I was with five others. The last few hours were overwhelming and unbelievable. My muscles coiled like tightly wound springs, ready to snap at any moment. I never knew it would be possible to stand side by side with others of my kind.

They showed us a cave where all of their dragons were residing. It was tucked inside an extremely large hill that led up to the side of a mountain. The entryway was damp and muggy as dark green moss draped down, tickling our heads as we passed through.

The dragons were aggressive at first, unsure of Damian. They snarled and lashed their talons and large teeth, but after a while, they came around. They brought them each out by the cave. Abner had a large black dragon with spikes all along its shoulders and tail. Loker had a dragon that was an aesthetic dark green and who could also blend in with its surroundings. Angie had a smaller yellow dragon that was petite but would have spikes poke out when it was angry. Luella had a medium-sized blue one with eyes so gold that they were almost black.Clemmy had one that was orange and matched her name–Clementine.

Their dragons welcomed Belle, and she found friends with Luella’s and Angie’s dragons especially fast. I went up to each of them and bowed, showing them respect.

“Belle, someone mentioned earlier that you and I are connected. What does that mean?” She glanced my way.

“My tears,”she said. Her gold and pink scales glistened in the sun.

“What do you mean by your tears?”I wondered.

“A dragon connects to a rider through tears. If you were to make a dragon cry, then you become connected.”

“This isn’t common knowledge. Right?”I reinstated. Since I was young, I had immersed myself in the study of dragons, devouring every piece of literature available in the castle. Needless to say, it was a subject I knew inside and out. At least I thought.

“No, if everyone knew, they would take advantage of us. People would kill dragons’ families just to connect with one another. We may be ancient, strong, and bold, but we can still love.”

“I understand,”I said to Belle, smiling in response.“So, you’re saying that I had to die in order for you to want to connect with me?”I dramatically asked, my hand covering my heart and my eyes in shock.

Belle giggled, nuzzling in close.“I would’ve connected with you a lot easier than that, I promise,”she bubbly said.

“So, can you connect with others, and have multiple riders?”I asked, not wanting to share Belle with anyone else.

“No, we can only be connected with one rider at a time, but riders could be connected with multiple dragons,”she said, her large eyes squinting, also becoming protective, mirroring the dark velvet flames of fire.

I loved her feistiness.

“Don’t worry, Belle. I only want and need you,”I said, my arms raising to her snout, running across her golden pink scales.

Glancing at everyone else's dragons, I couldn’t help but wonder what they did to connect with their dragon, making them cry.

Chapter forty-eight

AURELIA

Damian's steps were heavy as he moved closer to me, his solemn expression revealing the weight of his remorse. His eyelids drooped, casting shadows of guilt across his face. Meanwhile, the others engaged in lively conversation, eagerly devouring the fruits and vegetables rapidly grown by Abner and Clemmy.

“Can we talk?” he asked, worry and concern lining his eyes.

“Yes,” I said, and we made our way to a patch of trees, slightly hidden from everyone else.

We made our way to the sides of the trunks of the aspen trees, and I leaned against one, making eye contact with Belle. She glanced my way, but continued to spit flames in the air alongside the other dragons, relishing their company.

I shifted my weight, my gaze fixed on Damian, waiting for him to break the silence. He stood rigidly, his hands twisting with nervous energy. Time seemed to stretch as we both remainedsilent, giving him the space to speak his mind. “Look. I was desperate, and I messed up.”

“Messed up? That’s what you call trying to kill me?” my voice rose, and then in a whisper, I said, “You would’ve killed me.” Avoiding his gaze, I couldn't meet his eyes. That was what he originally wanted. He wanted to kidnap a Scaleborne for one of his wishes. He was going to kill me and slaughter me as if I was another animal.An object.

“I know that there’s absolutely no excuse. I was lonely. Dragons killed my parents, Aurelia. I lost everything, and I had nothing. And things changed between us.”

“But you could’ve had me,” I said, looking up into his warm, soft brown eyes. “Damian,” I said again in a faint whisper. “I wanted to give you everything. I wanted to be your everything.” His gaze faltered, retreating from mine, unable to hold my gaze any longer. I couldn't bring myself to trust him again, not in the way I once did.

“I have no excuse. I understand that. I was lonely, and at the time, I thought I was doing it for Sebastia. That was until you changed me, Aurelia. You’ve changed me for the better. I wasn’t going to hurt you,kill you. I didn’t know that they were following us.”

“You don’t think that I know what loneliness feels like? Being locked in a tower my entire life, trying to please a father who despises you, never being good enough! YOU don’t understand.” My emotions were succumbing to the fury that I was feeling in my veins.

He paused, his gaze drifting elsewhere before he stepped closer, intertwining his fingers with mine. Though turmoil churned within me, I remained silent, my heart heavy with comprehension. The unspoken shift between us hung heavy in the air.