Page 25 of Ava’s Legacy of the Dragons (Of Dragons, Love, and Destiny #1)

As they made their way to their accommodations, Ava could make out nothing but the outlines of trees and bushes.

Where did these people live? Did they perhaps sleep in the treetops?

The sparse light from Marcus's lantern was just enough to keep them from stumbling over protruding roots and to follow the narrow trail.

But when they arrived at the building where Ava was to be housed, she understood.

The "building" was an earth house, its roof planted with grass and bushes. It was shielded by the crown of a willow tree growing right next to it, and Ava would have walked right past it. Even from the back of a dragon, probably all to be seen from the sky was the natural landscape.

A narrow door led inside. Since there weren't even windows, the camouflage was perfect.

Ava glanced around briefly and thought she could make out more such hills. Now she finally understood why the inhabitants had lived undiscovered in this hidden valley for decades.

Marcus opened the door and bowed. Once again, he let Ava go first. Kilian walked directly behind her.

She made her way curiously through the narrow door and found herself in a brightly lit room.

String lights with tiny tea lights stretched from wall to wall; lamps stood on chests of drawers and shelves and hung behind semicircular glass shades on the earthen walls; there were also small flames dancing on a multi-armed candelabra on a side table.

The floor was made of packed earth and covered with colorfully woven carpets.

The walls were made of clay, and there was nothing on them except for the lamps and string lights.

The wooden furniture, however, was adorned with intricately carved details.

On every surface was to be found shimmering glass balls in bowls, vases, and figurines.

Decoration clearly played an important role for the owner.

"This looks pretty."

"You might not expect it from the outside, but you've landed in paradise.

" Beaming, Marcus put an arm around her waist, taking advantage of the second that Kilian had moved away from her to inspect the construction of the house and look for potential dangers.

He came back to Ava, nodding, while she skillfully slipped out of Marcus's embrace.

"Looks stable and there's no ambush waiting anywhere." He stood next to Ava demonstratively and gave Marcus an unmistakable look, as if to forbid him from ever touching her again. However, Marcus was not impressed and just nodded cheerfully.

"Of course our houses are stable. My people have been building this way for hundreds of years, and an earth house has never collapsed. I'll show you the kitchen and then the sleeping chamber."

Ava hesitated. "An entire house for us? Who normally lives here?"

Marcus shrugged, a mischievous grin on his lips. "Well, I do."

Taken aback, she raised her eyebrows. "We're staying with you?"

"Of course, who else? After all, I found you."

Kilian crossed his arms over his chest. "Hopefully you're aware she's not a trinket you can find and keep."

Ava couldn't have put it better herself. But because of Marcus's carefree manner, she couldn't hold the words against him. Especially since he was grinning broadly.

"Nevertheless, the honor is mine. We'll make ourselves really cozy."

"Is there still room for Lilly?"

Kilian whirled around to face her. "You want to stay?"

She shrugged. "I don't suppose there's a hotel I can check into. And since you're sharing a room with me, my virtue shouldn't be in danger, right?"

His eyes glinted darkly. "Alright, then. We'll stay." He looked directly at her for a moment longer, making her heart beat faster. For that reason, she looked quickly at Marcus.

"You don't need to show me the kitchen, I'm tired and want to put down my bag. The little one is getting heavy. But it would be nice if you could take Lilly there."

Marcus had attentively followed their staring contest, but he remained unperturbed and just grinned. He tapped his finger to his imaginary hat and bowed.

"If it is your wish, oh fair Dragon Guardian, I shall hasten to fulfill it for you." Grinning, he winked at her and stepped outside. Which meant that Ava and Kilian were alone.

She felt even more nervous at the mere thought of looking up and seeing his dark eyes. To cover up the tension, she went to the door Marcus had pointed to.

"Let's see how big the room is." When she looked inside, she hesitated.

There was only one bed.

Kilian made a quick round through the house before coming to her.

"There's no exit except for the door, remember that.

Only stay inside while you sleep. Otherwise, you should be outside.

The possibilities for escape are better there, even though I haven't found a second exit from the valley yet. But one exists, I'm convinced of that."

Ava had put her bag on the much too narrow bed, whose cozy pillows and fluffy comforter looked more than inviting. There was no second sleeping place, which raised the question of where Lilly should lie down. And how she and Kilian were supposed to fit in this bed without... well...

At the side stood a small armchair made of yellow fabric, adorned with red and green pillows.

Kilian sat down on it, and it was an unusual sight: the armed warrior clad in black leather sitting on a colorful, cozy armchair.

She grinned to herself before taking advantage of their moment of privacy to talk to him.

"Do you really believe these people want to harm us?"

He unexpectedly took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes.

"I don't know. There hasn't been a dragon egg for a long time, so we can only guess how the different parties will react to its existence.

I don't know these people, but I've learned that when it comes to magic and dragons, humans sometimes reveal their most abhorrent sides. "

"Are you referring to the murder of the magic-born?"

He put his finger to his lips in warning and leaned forward, his voice barely a whisper. "Don't speak of that. We don't know what the Old Folk think about it, but most despise humans with magic. Which is no wonder, considering how many deaths Elora is responsible for."

She took the warning to heart, though she was still interested in the answer.

Especially his opinion on the subject. However, they had to assume that the inhabitants were keeping an eye on them.

Maybe there was even some kind of listening device in this room, which was why she postponed the conversation for later.

"What do you know about these Old Folk? Why are they considered legendary?"

Kilian leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, his muscles bulging. "They say the dragon guardians used to come from the Old Folk."

She looked up in surprise. "Are you sure? Because the way they... pay their respects to me suggests that I'm more of a curiosity."

"Because there haven't been any guardians for hundreds of years. The question is whether you're descended from them."

Waving dismissively, she sat down on the bed. "You don't need to create a mythical origin for me. It's okay. I've made my peace with not knowing my parents. With the fact that they didn't want me."

"It doesn't sound like it."

Her voice took on a sharp edge. "That's my business and it doesn't matter anyway!"

He studied her attentively, without blinking.

When he did blink again, it was as if he was breaking a spell.

"You're right, it's none of my business, but the Old Folk will thoroughly investigate whether you might belong to them.

And if there's even the slightest possibility, they'll use that as an opportunity to decide about the dragon egg and your future. "

Ava sat up in alarm, but then grabbed her bag, took out the egg, and placed it in the middle of the bed. "I'll know how to defend myself."

"And if not, I'll be there to help you."

When she looked up, his gaze was unexpectedly gentle. At the same time, there was a promise in it that made her heartbeat quicken, however much she wished it didn't. She opened her mouth to say something when the door slammed shut and Lilly burst in.

"Man, I'm tired. I'm hitting the sack. Marcus said we're sleeping together in this room. I hope you don't snore."

As if on cue, Marcus appeared in the doorway, an innocent smile on his lips. "I really wonder how a dragon fighter is supposed to fit in that bed too. Maybe I should put you up with my neighbor instead. What do you think, Kilian?"

Kilian didn't take the bait, but nodded to him calmly. "I'll sleep in the armchair."

Ava opened her mouth to object. He couldn't possibly spend the night in that cramped armchair. But before she said anything, she closed her mouth again. His words rang in her head. If these Old Folk really demanded to decide her fate, she would be glad he'd stayed.

"Of course he's sleeping with us."

Marcus had been watching her. He nodded slowly, less enthusiastic than at first. "As you wish. There's water in the kitchen. We'll see you at breakfast. Sleep well, oh enchanting Guardian." He winked at her before closing the door.

There was already the sound of soft snoring to be heard.

Lilly had cuddled up next to the dragon egg on the bed and was fast asleep.

Smiling, Ava looked at Kilian, who was also looking at the girl tenderly.

When he noticed her gaze, he looked at her, a secret sparkle in his eyes. "What's going through your mind?"

"How is it that a cold dragon fighter has a soft spot for children?"

"How would you know that?"

She began counting on her fingers. "You're nice to her, you give her a silver coin, which I haven't even given her yet, I just realized. You bring food so she doesn't have to go hungry..."

"I mean, why do you think I'm cold?"

"Aren't you?"

He stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles. "You'd be surprised."

She studied him thoughtfully. "How were you able to get to us in time when we were attacked in the dragon cave?"

"I was still in the area. And now we'd better sleep. Morning isn't far off."

That was probably sensible.

"Sleep well, oh enchanting Guardian."

"Sleep well, oh famously notorious Dragon Fighter."

They exchanged a smile that felt familiar. As if they had known each other for years.

With a comforting feeling in her heart, she lay down next to Lilly and the egg.

It was so warm that she quickly shed her vest-like corset and tunic to sleep in her tank top.

Otherwise, all her clothes would have been soaked with sweat by morning.

She turned towards Lilly and the egg, whose faint glow was shining like a night light.

Her limbs were tired, her feet hurt, and her eyes burned. But despite her exhaustion, she doubted she would fall asleep.