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The Dragon shot his head towards her when she ran down the tunnel next to him. She was unsure of where to go or hide as he gave chase.

She didn’t make it far before she heard that noise again, the one that sent chills through her. Sweat started to dot her skin, and it wasn’t because she was hot or from exerting herself, it was from fear.

I do not want to burn again.

She had nowhere she could go that would save her. If she ran into an alcove, she would be trapped. She couldn’t fight him.

What do I do?The answer finally came to her when she ran past the entry to her room and saw her bookshelf.

Amalia began to chant out loud. That sucking sound stopped, and she managed to duck out of the way of flames, just in time.

It broke her thoughts.

She started it again just as he was preparing to unleash fire once more. His fire was so hot she could feel her skin drying because of how close she was to him.

She had just chanted the last word she needed to when he unleashed his flames. She dropped to her knees, awaiting agony. When no pain came, Amalia turned onto her backside with wide eyes.

He looked confused until he realised what she had done. He growled, quickly drawing in air to release more flames.

With her own eyes, she watched the shield of magic around her grow smaller. It wasn’t strong enough to withstand the power being unleashed.

Fire.Amalia’s chest heaved, barely able to breathe against the anxiety filling her soul.Burning.Her legs felt hot from memory, and her toes and feet ached in a way she desperately wanted to forget.So hot.She could feel the heat of it, and her skin crawled at the memory of it searing her skin, lick after lick.

Melting. Bubbling.Boiling.

Orange and red encased her, the shield getting smaller and smaller by the second. She could smell burning flesh even though no flame had touched her skin and tears began to fall.

The Dragon stopped to breathe in and let loose again.

Amalia curled onto her side, knowing this time the shield wouldn’t last, and she would have to suffer the torment of her skin burning. She sobbed, crying out loudly. While wrapping her trembling arms around her torso, she brought her knees up.

The flames abruptly stopped before the shield gave in, and she heard a heavy thud, but she was too terrified to lift her head. She didn’t want to turn, fearing that she would be greeting her flaming death head on.

Rurik landed outside of his lair with a cow carcass hanging from his maw.

As he started to walk in, he saw the scaly green back and tail of his kind in the tunnel. He also saw and smelt fire and quickly dropped the dead cow to gallop down the tunnel.

Without a second thought, he grabbed the tail of his uninvited guest and used it to throw him against the wall.

Am I too late?Rurik grabbed the snout of the other Dragon, wrapping his fingers around it to force his jaw shut. Then he slammed his head against the wall when he tried to rise, using his other paw to push his body down.

His eyes quickly scanned over the tunnel to find her.

There she is.Relief washed over him when he saw her huddled on the ground with the tiniest shimmer of magic surrounding her.

Still holding his snout, Rurik turned his head to the Dragon with abeastlygrowl.

“You dare come into my lair and attack my property?”

He pulled his hand back while still holding on, and then slammed the Dragon’s head back into the wall again.

The other Dragon gave a snarl and wriggled from his grasp while slashing out with his claws. Rurik dodged them and slashed his own, cutting him across the jaw and snout.

“Why do you attack me when there is a Witch in your home?!” he asked, his wings flapping in irritation.

Then he lunged for him, and Rurik allowed him to wrap his arms around his body so he could do the same. He was stronger, a seasoned warrior, and he threw him to the ground onto his side before crawling on top of him to keep him down.

Rurik brought his own head closer to the Dragon’s. “Because I follow the laws. It appears you do not.”