CHAPTER 11

“As to answer your question – I can’t shift back to my human form. I was assured that you’ve been briefed about our truth before my arrival. That’s why I came here as a dragon”.

“Well yes, nirvana did tell me but I didn’t believe her of course". She said matter of factly.

"Of course". Valiance responded in an amused tone.

"I mean come on, an alternate world? Dragons, and witches, and magic… How was I supposed to believe her? But now thanks to you – I can say I totally believe her”. She started grinning from ear to ear because she just couldn’t contain her excitement anymore.

“I am talking to a dragon – and a dragon prince no less. Nobody is going to believe me back home”.

“I am no prince. You don’t know many things yet. And it would be highly appreciated if you keep the knowledge of our existence to yourself”.

“I’m not getting any younger out here”, an irritated voice grumbled from just outside the door.

“That’ll be Damien… my best friend. Are you ready to meet another one of us yet or would it be asking too much for one day?” Valiance joked.

“What’s one more little dragon? Dude bring it on”, she said sarcastically, earning a chuckle from him. She decided that she liked it when the dragon did that.

“Hey man! Come on in, she’s up”, Valiance called out.

“About damn time”, an annoyed grumble sounded almost outside the door and then the most – she wasn’t sure what to say – the most golden creature she had ever laid her eyes on, walked inside. He looked unreal and metallic.

“Hello there beautiful. How are you feeling now?” He asked pleasantly.

“Aren’t you a little ray of sunshine?” Raegan chirped, making Valiance laugh out loud.

“I assure you sweetheart, nothing about me is little”. He winked.

She laughed, “Oh man I never thought I’d ever see the day when I’d be talking to a flirting dragon. You look fancy by the way”.

“Do you want to say I’m handsome?” he grinned.

Her eyes widened, “Whoa dude! Don’t ever do that again if you want to score a girl. It’s creepy. Besides, no I didn’t mean to say handsome”, she looked towards Valiance and pointed with a mischievous look, “He is handsome, you are sparkly”. A booming laughter filled the room and Damien glared at both of their laughing forms. But she couldn't see any real heat behind his glower.

“Ugh” she groaned, grabbing her bruised ribs and just like that Valiance’s laughter died and in his eyes concern took place of the mirth when he asked,

“Are you hurting? Should I call the healer back?”

“No, no I’m okay... Just a little sore and laughing clearly didn't help”. But her labored breathing denied her claim and Valiance left the room in the blink of an eye in search of the healer.

………………………………………………..

“Hey girly! How are you feeling?” Damien’s booming voice brought Raegan out of her slumber.

“Go away Goldy”, she groaned, pulling a pillow over her head, “why are you here so early? It feels like the ass crack of dawn. Don’t you have your feathers to clean or something?” her voice came out muffled from beneath the pillow.

It had been a week since they had dropped the bomb of their existence on her and it was the time of her ‘discharge’ so both friends had come to escort her to the fortress. And to give her, her first look of Evreux.

“It’s past midday lady and no feather’s to primp… I’m not a bloody bird. I have my wings all shiny, thank you very much. Now stop stalling and get your lazy ass up”.

In the past week both of them had kept her company and she had established that Valiance was somewhat broody and silent type whereas Damien or Dimi, as he kept reminding her to call him tirelessly, was a joker. But Raegan could tell that both of them loved each other much more than friends... they were brothers, if not by blood then by heart just like her and Sarah. And she was glad for their company.

“You didn’t tell me why you don’t ever shift into your human forms? I wanna see that”.

When no answer came she opened an eye to find hard expressions on both of their faces, “What? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, no, nothing wrong. We’ll tell you everything once we get you outta here. Come on now before dimi wets his non-existent pants”. Valiance answered in a light, teasing tone. He had told her about Dimi’s lack of love towards the healers.

“Stop while you’re ahead asshole”. Dimi glared. Though they were both teasing she could see the stiffness in both of them. Something was very wrong because it wasn't the first time that they had skirted the issue of their human forms in front of her.

Frowning; she sat up slowly and tried her feet. “Careful now. Go easy”. Valiance extended a talon clad wing to her for support and without hesitation she grabbed a hold of it – and immediately let go – both of their eyes going wide, as a sizzle went through each of them at contact.

She looked at her palm in wonder and extended it slowly back to him – nothing happened when she gingerly grabbed his talon this time. May be she had just imagined it. A soft hum escaped her lips and she finally hauled herself out of bed.

“Okay! Let’s hit the road, shall we?” Dimi said with a wicked glint in his eyes.

“Or the sky more likely, no?” She laughed. Glee, excitement, and a little weariness all rolled around inside her, making her stomach feel like she was on a rollercoaster. The past week, while she healed from her injuries, she had thought of nothing else but what kind of a world she would find outside the confines of the healers' crypts. her dreams were full of magical creatures and a certain beautiful black dragon.