15. Lyra

15

LYRA

A s we soar higher and higher, the wind whipping through my hair, I can't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer power and majesty of Zoldryn in his dragon form. It's hard to believe that this creature, who can breathe fire and fly through the sky with such grace, is the same man who has been both my captor and my protector.

But ever since that night we kissed, I've seen a different side of him. A softer, more vulnerable side that makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, I can trust him.

As we reach the peak of the volcano, Zoldryn lands gracefully on a ledge, shifting back into his human form. He offers me his hand, helping me down from his back, and I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement at the touch of his skin against mine.

"So," I say, trying to sound casual as I look out at the breathtaking view, "what exactly are dragon shifters? Where did you come from?"

The sprawling island where beach is met by lapping waves, and the sight of the lush tropical forest all look so small from up here.

Zoldryn's expression softens, and he takes a deep breath before answering. "We are an ancient race, Lyra. Our people have been around for thousands of years, long before humans even existed."

I turn to face him, my eyes wide with curiosity. "And your magic? How does that work?"

He smiles, a rare sight that makes my heart skip a beat. "Our magic is tied to the earth, to the elements. We can harness the power of fire, water, air, and earth to do our bidding."

"Just like any regular dark elf. That's amazing," I breathe, feeling a sense of wonder that I haven't felt in a long time. "And your duty? What is it that you're supposed to do?"

Zoldryn's expression grows serious, and he looks out at the horizon, his eyes distant. "Our duty is to protect the balance of the world, to keep the forces of darkness at bay. It's a hallowed responsibility that has been passed down through generations of dragon shifters."

I nod, feeling a sense of respect for this man who carries such a heavy burden. "And what about the Elder? What's his role in all of this?"

Zoldryn's jaw clenches, and I can see the anger simmering just beneath the surface. "The Elder is our leader, but he has grown weak and complacent. He cares more about his own power than the well-being of our people."

I can feel the tension radiating off of Zoldryn as he speaks about the Elder, and I decide to steer the conversation in a different direction. "How did you come to be?" I ask, genuinely curious about the origins of the dragon shifters.

Zoldryn's expression softens, and he takes a deep breath before answering. "We were created by the Hearthkeeper, our goddess, with the sole purpose of defeating the vrakken."

I furrow my brow in confusion. "The vrakken? Who are they?"

"They are a race of vampires that have been at war with us for centuries," Zoldryn explains, regarding me with a gaze that questions how I don't already know this. "They live underground and are sensitive to sunlight, but the most powerful among them have bat-like wings."

I shudder at the thought of facing such creatures. "And the Hearthkeeper created you to defeat them?"

Zoldryn nods. "Yes. She saw that we were losing the war and decided to create a new race of beings with the power to defeat the vrakken. That's how the dragon shifters were born."

I can't help but feel a sense of awe at the thought of being in the presence of such powerful beings. "And you've been fighting them ever since?"

"No," Zoldryn says, his voice heavy with regret. "My ancestors were outmatched by the vrakken. They were forced to flee and make a home here on Fouuer Island."

I can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. "But why didn't they fight back?"

His expression darkens. "They tried. But the vrakken were too powerful. They had the advantage of numbers and strength. My ancestors were no match for them. Many died. Now we have so few females that, for most, mating will never happen."

Zoldryn's words hang heavy in the air as he explains the history of Fouuer Island and the dragon shifters. I listen intently, my heart racing as I try to take it all in. The thought of an ancient race of beings with the power to harness the elements is both thrilling and terrifying.

"So, what does this mean for you and your people now that the glamour is gone?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zoldryn's expression turns somber. "It means that we are exposed to the outside world. Protheka and Fouuer Island are no longer hidden from each other. Times are changing, and if we don't change with them… we'll die."

I can see the determination in his eyes, the fierce resolve to protect his people at all costs. It's a side of him that I haven't seen before, and it only serves to fuel my attraction to him.

Without thinking, I cup Zoldryn's face and lean forward to kiss him. His lips are soft and warm, and I can feel the heat radiating from his body as he pulls me closer. The kiss is slow and passionate, and I can feel my heart racing as I lose myself in the moment.

Zoldryn lets out a rumbling growl from deep in his chest as he lifts me onto his lap. I can feel the hard muscles of his chest beneath my fingertips, and I can't help but run my hands over his broad shoulders and down his arms.

"Shall we return home?" he asks me, his voice low and husky.

I nod and when we arrive at the cave, Zoldryn undresses me slowly, admiring every inch of my skin as he does so. I feel self-conscious at first, but his gaze is so full of desire and admiration that I can't help but feel beautiful and wanted.

He lays me down on the bed and curls up behind me, his strong arms wrapped around me as I drift off to sleep. I feel safe and protected in his embrace, and I know that I never want to leave this place.

But when I wake up on the empty stone, my heart drops.

"Zoldryn?" I call out.

Standing, I wrap myself in one of my many dresses and tiptoe toward the exit, calling out to him again. Before I can get very far, a clawed hand wraps around my mouth and yanks me into the darkness.