24. A Prophecy Fulfilled

(ROWENA)

I ’m not a deep sleeper; so even the quietest sound of the door opening wakes me. I can feel Riven’s arms around me as my eyes flutter open, but I keep my body still, peering through the semi-darkness to figure out who just walked into the room.

Draco appears from the shadows, and I jump out of my skin and almost let out a scream, but he slaps a finger to his lips and motions for me to be silent.

“Shh.”

In the dim candlelight, he looks frightening in an ethereal way. His slit eyes are twin pools of darkness in his face, his scales casting shadows across the bed.

“Wake him up,” he says to me. “Now.”

I shake Riven awake, grateful Draco doesn’t appear threatening. He takes a few steps back as Riven sits up, groggily rubbing his eyes. When he sees Draco, his eyes narrow suspiciously.

“What are you doing here?”

“You have to go,” Draco says urgently. “Both of you.”

“What?” My eyes widen. I knew we might have to leave in the morning, but it was barely morning yet, and we hadn’t properly discussed where to go.

“I’m so sorry,” Draco says. “But Morgath and her cohorts are fast approaching the city. It’s either someone saw us leave, or she has some magic mirror, but she knows you’re here, and she’s coming for you. My mother will not hesitate to give you up when that happens.”

“Oh.” Riven slides down the bed and snatches up our satchel. “Thank you, Draco. You’ve done so much for us.”

“My work isn’t done,” Draco says. “I’ll fly you to the edge of the magical forest. You can stay there and plan for as long as you like. I’ll make sure Morgath doesn’t follow you.”

“Thank you.”

“Come with me.” He leads us out the door and down the stairway, keeping our steps light and easy. When we’re out the front door, Draco turns into a dragon. I climb onto his neck and pull Rowena up. I know dragons are loud, with an unmistakable presence, but the quiet with which Draco ascends is phenomenal. He keeps his wings still to avoid flapping and jets across the skies toward the magical forest.

It seems like Morgath has it out for Riven and me. For her to come to the Dragon Kingdom it means she will stop at nothing to get us. That’s not going to happen, especially not Riven. He’s protecting me with everything, but I’ll risk it all for him too.

Soon, we hover over the forest, and Draco descends on a patch of land. We slide down his neck, and he morphs back into humanoid form.

“You’ll be safe here for a few days,” he says. “I promise.”

“Thank you, Draco.” I hug him briefly. “Thanks for being our friends. We needed one.”

“You’re welcome,” he smiles. “I should return to clean up your scents before Morgath arrives.” He turns away but stops and plucks out one of his golden scales.

“Take this.” He hands it to Riven, who immediately takes it.

“Thank you, but what’s it for?”

“You’ll find out,” Draco smiles. “Provided you don’t lose it before you do.”

“I won’t.” Riven closes his fingers around the souvenir.

“See you again.” Draco shifts back into his dragon form and flies away. Usually, the forest is a safe space, but not right now, when it’s barely dawn, and the silence around us is loud and tense.

“Relax.” Riven takes my hand. “Draco says we’ll be safe here. Don’t forget that three trees are his friends.”

The amusement in Riven’s voice relaxes me a little. “Do you believe that?”

“Yes. The things he knows, there’s no other explanation for it.”

“You’re right.” I nod, looking around the forest. “Where do we go from here?”

Riven sighs. “Since we came from here...” he points toward the East. “Let’s go toward the West. Away from Morgath.”

“You’re right.”

We start down the path, still holding hands. I shudder, and Riven pulls me close. I feel conscious of his arms around me and hate myself for thinking so callously in a serious situation like this.

“Do you think your father is searching for you?” I ask, trying to take my mind off his touch.

“I don’t know,” Riven answers. “I’m not sure.”

“After this fight with Morgath, I think he will,” I say. “I’m not his biggest fan, but that’s a father who loves his son.”

“He’s never acted like he loves me,” Riven answers. “I don’t know what came over him.”

I laugh heartily to relieve some of the pain. “He saw you about to die at Morgath’s hands and dropped all pretense. Maybe we can?—”

A ball of light suddenly appears in front of us, causing us to freeze on the spot. It’s a forming portal, and we don’t know who will emerge from it. Running isn’t an option, because this forest is like a maze, and it’ll be easy to get lost. Riven pushes me behind himself, shielding me with his body.

The light ball shifts and undulates before turning into a fully formed portal. A figure appears, and we gasp at who it is. It’s the elf leader who had transported us back home only a few days ago.

“I’m Lord Eryndor,” he says. “The last time we met, we weren’t properly introduced.”

Riven and I exchange glances. “Your lives are in mortal danger,” he says. “Come with me. We will prepare you for the task ahead.”

Without another word, Lord Eryndor steps back into the portal. I step in after him, curious to know what he’s talking about. Riven follows. We find ourselves back in his chambers, where we took the vials the last time we were here. Lord Eryndor is climbing up a platform several feet away from us. I wonder why we’re getting so much help from the different factions.

“Morgath wants you dead,” Lord Eryndor says. “Every day, your life will be in more mortal danger than the previous because the news will start to spread. She’s offering so many favors in exchange for your lives.”

A harsh suspicion sinks to the bottom of my belly. Is that why he saved us? So he can give us up to Morgath and garner favors?

“We didn’t do anything, Lord Eryndor,” I answer. “Morgath is?—”

“An evil, power-hungry woman,” Lord Eryndor answers. “She wants the power of the fae that resides in you and will kill you in the process.”

“I will never let that happen,” Riven says forcefully. “Not on my watch.”

Lord Eryndor laughs. “You’re both powerful creatures,” he says. “But you’re still young and inexperienced. If you fight a witch as powerful as Morgath right now, you will surely lose.”

“What are we going to do?”

“I will properly train you on how to use your strength to stand out or blend in,” Lord Eryndor says. “There are many things I will teach you. Come with me, let me take you to your abode.

Lord Eryndor walks out into the blossoming afternoon sun, his steps confident. We arrive in front of a house, and he stops, turning back to us.

Riven shakes his head. “I don’t understand. You want us to stay here? Why? And you know Morgath is coming for us. Why do you want to harbor us?”

Lord Eryndor is quiet for a moment before nodding. “We may not be the best people, but the elves have always supported worthy causes. We turn our backs on evil and embrace good.”

Riven and I exchange glances as he continues talking. “Morgath will find you both here one day, and I want you to be ready to fulfill the prophecy.”

“What prophecy?”

The elven leader pushes the door open and steps aside. “There’s a prophecy that says a time will come when selfless love will conquer great evil. When this happens, the factions can live as one. I await that moment,” he smiles. “See you soon.”

It’s a big space, with twin beds in the corner, a desk and a mirror. “I wish there were a way to tell Draco we’re fine,” Riven says. “Or a way to thank him.”

“One day,” I answer. “We’ll tell him thank you face to face. We won’t run forever.” I don’t fully understand the elven lord, but he seems to mean well, and that’s all that matters.

Later that night, Riven and I stayed past midnight to watch the lunar eclipse. Tonight was supposed to be one of loss, but a miraculous twist in fate granted my wish to have Riven beside me, and here he is.

As the shadow is cast on the moon, plunging us into total darkness, I feel Riven’s lips hover above mine.

“I know miracles exist because of you,” he whispers. “I’ll love you forever.” Then he claims my lips in a kiss that speaks not only of passion but of unmistakable love that brings tears to my eyes. I love him more than words can say, and I will prove this to him every day.