Page 181 of Cursed Evermore

“I'm not sure how to find the cave.”

“Follow the song. As long as you can hear it, you'll find the way.” She nodded with awe in her eyes. “But do be careful; dragons are vicious creatures. I hope to find you in better spirits the next time we meet.”

Standing, she threw me one last smile before she faded away into the air, phasing like Wolfe had yesterday. Except she made it look less dark and menacing.

I pushed to my feet, the ancient melody calling to something deep within me that I didn't understand but desired.

I was still trying to process Zyrra's words, but the wistful tune captivated my attention in a way that made me think of nothing else but following it.

Screw Wolfe and his warnings to stay away from the caves. He was the one making me suffer more than necessary. I needed to speak to him. But I wanted to see those dragons, too.

My legs moved of their own accord, and I followed the sound.

The soothing symphony led me down to the bottom of the beach, where the sand kissed the lush green grass of the woods. It was an odd design to the landscape, as if someone had pieced it together that way, yet it worked.

Tall sequoia trees with sprawling branches adorned the dusty path that led me through the sea-scented woods. I took in my surroundings, anticipation thrumming through me at the call of adventure.

I seemed to walk forever through the shadowy trees before the dragons' song grew louder. Their voices threaded together, wild as the wind rushing through mountain peaks, beckoning me to come forth. Then I saw the entrance to the cave. A gaping maw carved into the mountainside, its darkness so absolute it seemed to swallow light itself.

Weathered stone formed an archway that disappeared into impenetrable blackness, as if the mountain itself had opened its mouth to speak.

I stopped for a moment and stared into the darkness, my heart racing and shivers clamoring up and down my spine.

I'd made it. Now I just had to go inside, but my nerves spiked as I wondered what would happen to me once I went in. There was only one way to find out.

I took a deep breath, balled my hands at my sides, then stepped through the gaping mouth of the cave.

The temperature dropped immediately, and the dragon song wrapped around me, stronger and more insistent. My footsteps echoed off unseen walls as I moved deeper down a narrow passage into more darkness. I trailed one hand along the smooth stone wall on my left for guidance.

The air grew thicker and tasted of something metallic. Like copper pennies left in the rain.

Deeper I went, following the melody, nerves squeezing my stomach with every step I took. A faint glow ahead lifted my spirits, and I quickened my pace, hoping Wolfe was nearby. He would be so mad when he saw me, but I'd deal with that fallout when I had to.

The glow grew, casting dancing shadows that made the cave walls seem alive, then the passage widened, opening into a vast cavern that took my breath away.

Crystalline formations jutted from the ceiling like frozen tears, reflecting a mysterious golden light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

The dragon song was so loud now it seemed to vibrate through my entire body.

I made my way through the cavern and passed under a low stone archway into the next chamber, only to halt midstride at the sight of an enormous dragon curled in the center like a mountain made flesh.

My heart slammed against my ribs, and blood drained from my body. My pulse spiked, and I couldn't tell if the trembling in my hands was from fear or the sheer magnificence of the creature before me.

Every instinct screamed at me to run, but my feet remained rooted to the stone floor as terror and wonder paralyzed me.

Scales of midnight and starlight rippled across the dragon's immense body, each one catching the mysterious light as its form pulsed in rhythm with the haunting melody. Its massive head lifted in song, revealing a long, serpentine neck that moved with liquescent grace and a mouth that could swallow me whole, yet I found myself entranced by every note that rumbled from its throat.

Wings like storm clouds folded against its sides, membrane stretched between clawed fingers like dark silk, while two powerful legs anchored it to the cavern floor like tree trunks made of muscle and scale.

“Gods.” The word left my mouth on a shaky breath.

And the dragon heard me.

Golden eyes suddenly fixed on me, pupils narrowing to deadly slits, and then, as suddenly as a candle being snuffed out, the singing stopped.

The sudden silence roared louder than any sound, and the dragon tilted its head toward me.

Something shifted in those molten eyes. Something primal and dangerous.