Page 23 of Ava’s Legacy of the Dragons (Of Dragons, Love, and Destiny #1)

After eating a piece of bread, Ava sat down next to Lilly again and watched her sleep. She looked peaceful and content. If it had been up to Ava, the little one would have slept every night from then on with the knowledge that someone was watching over her.

"Take me to you," whispered the voice of the dragon child.

The warmth in her heart immediately intensified as she reached for the egg, which was still wrapped in the blanket. Lovingly, she slid her hand underneath and stroked the hard scales.

"I'm here with you, little one. We're still in the cave."

"Can you show me the stars?"

"But you can't see anything."

"Can't you feel it? We're inseparably connected. I can see everything through your eyes and I feel everything you feel."

Incredible. But in all honesty it didn't surprise her—she could, after all, even feel the unborn dragon child's heartbeat.

"If that's the case, I'd be happy to show you the stars." She took the egg in her arms, making sure its light didn't shine through the blanket, and tiptoed to the cave entrance. The moon was just emerging from behind a cloud, and thousands of stars twinkled in the firmament.

"I can hardly wait to fly."

"For that, you just need to come out of your egg, little one."

"I will soon."

There was a sense of anticipation in its voice that was contagious to Ava.

She looked forward to seeing its face, looking into its eyes, and stroking its scales.

A baby dragon was surely cute and less intimidating than its adult counterparts, though she did have to admit that the large dragons radiated a natural majesty and beauty.

As she'd watched them fly through the sky for hours that day from a safe distance, they'd given her a sense of strength and freedom. Of unbridled power.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting you." Again, she stroked the egg and felt the steady heartbeat of the little one, until it suddenly started to beat more fiercely.

"What's wrong?"

"Danger!" the little one screamed, as a harsh laugh already worked its way through the cave. It echoed off the walls, immediately alerting Ava to the fact that they were no longer alone.

Alarmed, she turned around. Lilly was still in the hiding place! As she was about to run to her, she froze mid-movement.

From the depths of the cave, there were three men staring back at her.

They were dressed in dark clothes and had black cloths wrapped around their heads, making them barely distinguishable from the walls.

But the moon illuminated their eyes, revealing a ruthless austerity.

One of them had grabbed Lilly, holding her close to his body and pressing a hand over her mouth.

The girl was kicking like crazy and trying to free herself, pulling the hand away and gasping for air.

"Ava, run!"

Immediately, the stranger's hand landed back on her mouth.

She certainly wouldn't do that. She would never leave Lilly behind! Instinctively, she clutched the dragon egg, which was still wrapped in the blanket, to herself, without taking her eyes off the masked men. "Who are you?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Give us the dragon egg, or the brat dies!"

How did they know about the egg? Maybe it was just a rumor that had led them here. Maybe pure speculation, based on the fact that they were in this cave where fire dragons used to bring their eggs.

Ava gave a laugh, trying to make it sound as incredulous as possible. "Dragon egg? Those haven't existed for hundreds of years."

One of the men stepped forward and narrowed his eyes to slits, while drawing a short sword that was stuck in his belt.

"Don't play dumb! We know who you are, Guardian.

Now give it to us, or else..." He pointed the tip of the blade menacingly at Lilly's throat, and the girl widened her eyes and froze.

The dragon child made no sound, as if it were afraid that even the words it thought could be heard. But its pulse was racing, dangerously fast.

Desperately, Ava searched for a way they could escape the strangers, scanning the cave and checking if anyone was standing behind her. The exit was clear. She could run away with the egg, but not without Lilly!

What could she do?

Kilian was long gone and his men wouldn't return for three days. She couldn't hope for help. No, she had to find a way out on her own, so she would try to stall the masked men.

"How do I know you'll let us go once you have what you want?"

The leader laughed. "You don't, but hope dies last, as they say. We'll get you anyway. You can't escape us. If you give us the egg, we might be merciful and let you go."

"She wants the guardian too," spoke up the one holding Lilly.

Were they talking about the evil sorceress? Had she sent these men?

The leader shot his comrade a warning look, causing him to fall silent. Then he turned back to Ava. "You have to choose: the brat or the dragon egg!"

Lilly implored her with her eyes not to give up the dragon egg, but Ava shook her head almost imperceptibly. How could she ever leave the girl to these brutal thugs?

"Decide now or the little one dies." The leader pressed the blade against Lilly's throat, and the girl recoiled in fright. Fear was written all over her face and Ava's heart clenched at the sight.

Suddenly, a deep voice echoed through the cave. "Wrong, you must decide whether you want to live or die!"

Stunned, Ava focused her attention on the shadow that had appeared behind the masked men and had already knocked out the first one.

Kilian?

With a precise sword maneuver, he knocked the blade out of the leader's hand and delivered a targeted blow to the neck of the man holding Lilly, causing him to collapse unconscious.

Lilly was free. She jumped up and ran to Ava while Kilian dueled with the leader.

"Run into the forest!" he shouted.

Ava hesitated for a moment, wanting to make sure Kilian wasn't hurt, but Lilly pulled her along.

"He can handle it without us!"

The little one was right. They jumped out of the cave, slid down the rocky slope to the clearing, and ran into the forest on the opposite side.

But apparently, the three hooded figures in the rock cave weren't the sorceress's only henchmen.

Countless footsteps and the rustling of leaves followed them through the forest. A glance over their shoulders was enough to know that half a garrison was hot on their heels.

Lilly raced ahead, pushing one branch to the side after another, while Ava ran crouched behind her, clutching the dragon egg tightly to her chest.

"You can't escape us!" one of the fighters shouted. He gained on them, caught a corner of Ava's gown, and tried to pull her back.

Without hesitation, she turned to the side and pulled, causing the fabric to tear and set her free again.

She hurried after Lilly, who ran faster than many adults.

But their pursuers were too numerous and had thoroughly explored the area—probably too well for them to escape.

Although Lilly zigzagged and set an incredible pace, the hooded figures encircled them until Lilly finally ran into one.

She pushed herself away from him, wanting to run in another direction, but more attackers were standing there.

Ava turned around, about to run back and take the lead, but they were already surrounded.

There was no sign of Kilian. The leader was probably holding him back. But even if the dragon fighter had already defeated his opponent, he would be too late.

The attackers stepped closer, self-satisfied. The circle tightened, forcing Ava and Lilly to stand back-to-back, slowly turning to keep an eye on the hooded figures.

"Let the girl go!" Ava demanded, but their pursuers only laughed.

"It's too late for negotiations!" One of them stretched out his hand demandingly. "Give us the egg!"

"No!" Ava pressed it protectively to her chest with one arm, while with the other she reached for Lilly and grasped her hand.

The little one cried out angrily, "You're scum if you follow Elora! She doesn't care about you! She only cares about power!"

The fighters paid no attention to her words but took another step forward. One drew his sword and raised it.

How could they escape now?

An arrow whistled through the air and hit the fighter in the arm, causing him to drop his sword. Another arrow struck a different attacker in the shoulder, and another in the back, making him to fall to the ground. A veritable hail of arrows ensued, coming from all directions.

Quickly, Ava pulled Lilly down into a crouch.

The hooded figures cursed, drew their weapons, and searched for the invisible archers, creating a gap in their circle. Ava spotted it immediately, pulled Lilly with her, and crept into the forest. To be safe, they kept their heads down as the barrage of arrows continued uninterrupted.

Were these the dragon fighters?

Between two bushes appeared the face of a stranger, barely older than Ava, who put a finger to his lips in warning.

He didn't belong to the dragon warriors, as was evident at first glance from his linen clothing, but the main thing was that he was on their side.

He waved for them to follow him, which Ava promptly did.

She pushed Lilly in front of her and brought up the rear.

That way, she could keep an eye on both the girl and the egg.

The stranger confidently led them through a narrow clearing deeper into the forest. Eventually, the shouting of their opponents grew fainter, and their helper stood up straight and turned around.

Then, as if on cue, Kilian appeared beside them.

He positioned himself in front of Ava and Lilly, holding his sword ready to defend, and gave the stranger a suspicious look.

"Who are you?" Although his voice was low, the threat was unmistakable.

He didn't know him? Heavens, had Ava and Lilly followed the wrong person?

The stranger raised his hands defensively, causing the sleeves of his linen tunic to slide down, revealing two simple leather bracelets.

"The Dragon Guardian and her friends have nothing to fear from us.

" His words sounded sincere, and he had friendly and sympathetic look about him.

He had dark curls that fell playfully across his forehead and large green eyes.

Around his neck, he wore a simple leather necklace, and his feet were in sandals.

Skeptically, Kilian widened his stance. "Us?"

"The Old Folk."

Ava looked at him curiously. "Who are these Old Folk?"

Lilly jumped excitedly in front of Kilian, her eyes wide. "You're just a legend."

"I love it when someone calls me legendary." The stranger grinned mischievously, revealing two dimples in his cheeks. "I'm Marcus."

The girl confidently extended her hand to him. "I'm Lilly, and this is Kilian and Ava."

Marcus shook the girl's hand and nodded to Kilian. "I know the infamous dragon fighter, of course, but my reverence is solely for the prophesied Dragon Guardian. It's an honor." His gaze wandered admiringly over Ava's face before he bowed to her.

She raised her eyebrows, intrigued. "You've heard of the prophecy too?"

"Of course, we've been waiting for you for a long time. But let's continue talking when we're safe. Elora's henchmen are still nearby, and you're not protected in this part of the forest. Follow me."

Kilian wasn't impressed by his charming words. He suspiciously analyzed every one of Marcus's movements and his appearance. He carried no weapons, and his airy clothing didn't give the impression that he was a warrior. "Where are you taking us?"

Marcus raised his hands defensively. He couldn't have looked more innocent. "Your skepticism is unfounded, dragon fighter. We're the ones taking the risk, for I'm bringing you to our city. There, the guardian and the dragon egg will be safe from Elora."

Kilian looked at Ava as if silently asking for her opinion.

When she nodded, he exhaled and agreed. With a gesture, he signaled for her to go ahead.

She pushed Lilly in front of her again, and soon they were creeping behind Marcus through the forest. Kilian kept looking over his shoulder and held onto his sword, but there was no sign of the sorceress's fighters.