Page 10 of Ava’s Love of the Dragons (Of Dragons, Love, and Destiny #2)

Ava's eyes snapped open. She could barely suppress the trembling that overtook her body at the news. "How do you know that?"

The girl shrugged as if it were just another detail. "While searching for the cave, we encountered a horde of mages. Don't worry, we managed to hide in time. They didn't notice us, so we eavesdropped on them. Luckily, because they said it multiple times. Elora wants you dead as soon as possible."

Although a chill ran down Ava's spine, she nodded to herself.

It made sense, even if it didn't improve the situation.

"It's because of this prophecy. Rob told me about it.

Apparently, as the first dragon guardian to come from another world in hundreds of years, I can defeat the strongest mage or something like that. "

"Exactly!" Lilly beamed as if it were cause for celebration. For Elora, it certainly wasn't, and not for Ava either. The mere thought of encountering the mage or one of her fighters again made her sick. She had barely escaped Elora's death sentence. If Kilian had shown up a few minutes later...

Marcus took her hand, with loyalty in his eyes that went far beyond friendship. "You're shaking. Don't worry, we'll protect you."

Discouraged, she shook her head. "A woodsman who abhors violence and a little girl?"

"Hey!" Lilly indignantly put her fists on her hips.

"And I'm well-equipped." Marcus pointed to his bow and arrows, as if the peaceful image she had of him had just been in her mind.

"Maybe you are, but I'm not!" She ran her hands through her hair, once again gripped by that damned helplessness. Nothing had changed. Although she was free for the moment, if one of her opponents showed up, she still wouldn't be able to defend herself.

Marcus reached out his hand to her. "What are you trying to say?"

Lilly was already grinning, her fists in front of her body. "You want to learn how to fight!"

Ava nodded, and Lilly punched the air exuberantly, a gleam in her eyes.

"Finally! The dragon guardian accepts her destiny and will change the course of things! I knew you had it in you, Ava!" She jumped up and stretched her hands towards the sky like a superhero about to take flight.

Meanwhile, Marcus's eyes widened, and he looked unusually green around the gills. "You want to learn how to fight? What for? I'll protect you."

She knew he meant it, yet he radiated such gentleness that she wouldn't have accepted his offer even if she hadn't wanted to take action herself. He shouldn't give up his convictions for her.

"That's nice of you, but I need to learn to fight for myself. In the last twenty-four hours, I've been helpless multiple times because I didn't know how to defend myself. That will never happen to me again!"

"Those were coincidences. You were alone. Now we're together. I'll take you to my people, our people, Ava. You know you're descended from the Old Folk like me!" He reached out his hand to her again, but she crossed her arms in front of her body before he could grab her.

"I don't know who I'm descended from, but I'll find out. However, the first thing I need to do is learn how to fight. My plan is set, and I won't be dissuaded from it."

"How do you plan to do that?" Marcus ran his hands through his brown curls, apparently at his wits' end.

Lilly grinned broadly at Ava. "I know who can help us."

The little one could always be counted on.

"Do you know someone who would train me?"

The girl raised her hands as if to clarify an important point. "I don't know just anyone, Ava. I know the best!"

Agitated, Marcus raised his finger as if he were the only one in his right mind. "Don't start with your personal hero again. If we look for Kilian, Rob will inevitably find us too."

"I'm not talking about Kilian."

Amused, Ava raised an eyebrow. "I thought Kilian was the strongest dragon fighter?"

A sugary sweet smile spread across Lilly's thin lips. "He is, but I'm still not talking about him. I won't reveal any more. You'll see tomorrow. I'll lead you to the perfect trainer, Ava."

Marcus shook his head adamantly. "I don't think this is a good idea. We need to go to my people, our people! There I can protect you, Ava. And you can stay there too, Lilly. We are very hospitable."

"As long as there's no dragon fighter at the door competing for your great love, you mean." The girl grinned shamelessly.

Ava wouldn't be deterred from her plan. "I'm going with Lilly, and now I'm going to sleep for a while. I'll relieve you for watch duty in five hours. Good night." With those words, she retreated into the cave, unwilling to continue the discussion.

Marcus had demonstrated to her how well he could keep an eye on the forest with all his senses. She trusted him, and not just because he prioritized her protection above all else. But she wanted to be fit for the next day, rested and strong. She needed her strength.

How truly exhausted she was became apparent not ten seconds later when she lay down in the back area of the cave. For although she was curious about who Lilly would take her to tomorrow, and the fear of her opponents held her heart firmly in its grip, she fell asleep on the spot.

A cracking sound made her start. She listened tensely into the darkness. There it was again. A twig snapped. Alarmed, she jumped up.

Lilly was lying curled up like a cat on the moss bed and sleeping, while Marcus guarded the cave. He sat calmly cross-legged on the bare ground, gazing thoughtfully into the forest.

She crouched down vigilantly next to him and peered into the forest. "What was that?"

"A deer that's particularly early to rise." He said it with such conviction that Ava didn't doubt it for a second.

"I slept longer than we agreed." She rubbed her eyes.

"You can lie down now." She sat cross-legged and looked up at the stars.

Between the treetops, patches of night sky glimmered here and there.

Inevitably, the memory of flying through the night with Kilian overcame her.

His warmth, his closeness, his voice under the endless canopy of stars.

Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine.

Marcus cleared his throat, pulling her out of dreams she shouldn't be having anyway. He looked at her intently. "I'm glad we can talk in private."

She had expected this. "If you're trying to talk me out of my plan, save your energy. You won't succeed."

He shook his head. "I understand that, Ava. Still, I want you to think carefully about whether we should at least briefly visit our people first."

"I don't even know if they're my people!"

"They must be. All dragon guardians come from the Old Folk."

She raised a finger. "Came. The last one lived over two hundred years ago. A lot could have changed since then."

Smiling, he shook his head, the usual lightness in every movement. "But not the bloodlines. The gift is at home in our people. At least one of your ancestors must have belonged to us, therefore so do you."

She waved it off. "I'm not big on blood ties. And now let's be quiet. I don't want to draw the mages' attention to us."

Or anyone else's...

The warning hit home, as Marcus said nothing in response, merely nodding slightly. He studied her before taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. He pressed a kiss on it before she could withdraw it.

"Whatever path you choose, Ava, I'll be by your side." With these words, he released her hand but held her gaze with his eyes.

She would have been lying if she said she didn't enjoy his attention, but she would never play with another person's heart. She'd rather forgo love altogether. So she inclined her head apologetically.

"I'm not available, Marcus."

A mischievous grin stole across his face. "We'll see about that."

She couldn't help but smile. She wanted to say something more but held it back as he looked into the forest and seemed to relax.

They sat together in silent companionship, keeping watch over Lilly, who lay in the cave snoring softly.

In these early morning hours, a familiarity developed between them that Marcus certainly welcomed, but Ava didn't know where it would lead.

She didn't want to break the woodsman's heart, but if he kept presenting it to her on a silver platter, that would happen sooner or later.

Before the sun rose, Lilly stirred and crawled out of the cave. She was disheveled, her ponytail hanging askew at the back of her head, and she yawned heartily. "Do we have time for breakfast?"

Marcus nodded towards the luggage. "Did you even leave anything?"

She shrugged. "Half a loaf of bread, some cheese, and pears. You can have the fruit." She pulled the backpack to her and took out the food.

Ava grabbed a pear. "Don't tell me you don't like them, Lilly?"

"Nope. Never have."

Marcus winked at Ava. "Then we know what to pack when the supplies need to last a few days.

" He also took a piece of fruit and broke off a chunk of bread, giving Ava the larger piece.

Lilly devoured the rest. Nothing was left of the provisions, so over the course of the day they would have to think about what to eat in the evening.

All water supplies were also depleted. But after breakfast, Marcus led them to a stream where they washed and quenched their thirst.

Ava splashed water on her face, Lilly rinsed her mouth, and Marcus filled the canteens.

While Lilly then took the lead, Marcus disappeared now and then for a few minutes and returned with a handful of berries or tree fruits, which he slipped into a pouch before Lilly had a chance to notice the food.

After they had been on the move for what felt like hours, Ava asked, "How much longer?"

The girl turned around, an excited gleam in her eyes.

"I'm glad you asked, Ava, because we're finally here!

" With these words, she pushed aside a densely leafy branch.

Behind it, a vast landscape came into view, bordered by a mountain range to the east. Untouched meadows and fields and individual hills and streams stretched to the horizon.

But that wasn't what Lilly was pointing at. They were standing at the edge of a cliff, and at the foot of the rocks sprawled a large competition arena.