Page 4 of Dragon Untamed

"Well, if you get stuck, she would be able to perform a spell or give you a potion to bring you back. Now stop worrying because that won’t happen!"

Kaida sighed and put her head back onto his chest. "Fine."

Beckett laced his fingers through hers and led her back onto the beach. He mentioned that he thought it would be the best place to practice since it was away from everyone and everything. Nothing could get broken, and no one would spook her dragon and cause a meltdown. Literally.

As they stood on the beach, Beckett talked her through the same thing that she did earlier to shift into her human form. Kaida nodded as he went through all the steps, but her stomach tightened at the idea of having to do them again. She wasn't confident that everything would be fine like Beckett.

The smell of saltwater in the breeze was not a welcoming scent anymore. There had been far too many incidents on the beach for this place to be comforting for Kaida. This time was no better. Beckett wore an encouraging smile as he took a few steps away from her, but that didn't settle Kaida's nerves at all. She could hear her heartbeat as it rammed into her chest, her palms slick with sweat, and she shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as Beckett stared at her.

"Okay. Let's start with centering yourself. You won't always have to do this, but it is a great way for you to start when practicing shifting." Beckett's voice was soothing as he recited things she should do to allow her shift to come easily to her.

The only problem was that she did not think this was as easy as he made it sound.

"Another big thing is just to focus on your dragon within you. She will call to you, almost beg, to be released."

"Like she has been for the last two months? Yeah, yeah, sure, sure."

Beckett chuckled. "Now that she is out, she will definitely beg to come out more."

Kaida made a face that showed that she did not believe a single word Beckett said. He flashed her a smile and then closed his eyes. When he spread his arms outward and took a deep breath, Kaida noticed the shimmering around him. His dragon was showing off by allowing the shift to come slowly. Kaida could feel it through their bond that he was trying to comfort her as well. Only seeing Beckett easily transform into his dragon didn't comfort her. If anything, it made her feel inadequate since she had no idea how to do this.

Beckett's gorgeous blue dragon's form was on the beach, and he let out an obnoxiously loud roar. The waves crashed one after another, growing in height before they did, as the roar filled the area. Kaida couldn't help but smile. The Tidal dragon's power was able to pull onto the water with minimal effort. Though she was fairly sure he was also showing off for her.

Come on, I know you can do this. I'm sure she wants to be let loose again after being cooped up for so long—Beckett's voice inside of her mind.

Kaida jumped at the sound of Beckett's voice in her head. She wasn't aware of him being able to talk to her inside of his dragon form. When they completed their bond, she thought she would, but it didn't seem to happen. After a few seconds, she realized that it was probably due to her dragon emerging.

She focused her thoughts on going to Beckett.Easier said than done, Beck.When his dragon snorted, she knew that it worked.

After shifting herself from foot to foot to find a comfortable way to stand, Kaida took a few deep breaths. As she tried tocenter herself, her thoughts of getting stuck came to mind again. Kaida groaned and stretched her neck. Then she wiggled her arms and legs to make her feel better. It just felt right to do before taking another few deep breaths and closing her eyes.

Okay, you got this. Just center yourself. Clear your mind. You can do this.

Kaida felt an inkling inside of her chest of the warmth she felt the last time her dragon emerged, but then the flame seemed to blow out. She tilted her head back and groaned again. Beckett's dragon lowered his head and bumped her in her stomach with his snout. Kaida opened her eyes and smiled at the dragon. His ice-blue eyes gazed into hers and blew out a puff of cold smoke at her.

Kaida laughed and patted his snout, "I know. I'm thinking too much. Right?"

The cold smoke billowed out of his nose, giving Kaida goosebumps from the sudden drop in temperature. His dragon pushed his snout against her again. This time, Kaida wrapped her arms around his snout and blew out a breath onto his blue scales. The dragon grumbled, and Kaida laughed.

"I know. My breath isn't as cool as yours," she told him as she stood back onto her feet with her mouth open in a silly way.

Beckett's dragon did not seem as amused as she was at her pun. Kaida giggled at first, then realized that she had done something her father would have done. He was the king of puns. Kaida's chest tightened.

Ugh, I miss my parents.

We will see them again.

Yeah, I hope so.

We will.

How about we focus on shifting right now?

Kaida got back into her comfortable position and closed her eyes. This time, she focused on her breathing. She counted up tofive while she breathed in, then counted backward as she let go of it. It took a bit, but she stared into the darkness and looked for her dragon's bond. Soon enough, she saw the bright purple flame as it illuminated the darkness. Kaida mentally grabbed onto it and thought of herself transitioning into her dragon form. She felt the power of her dragon cascade through her body and take over. When she opened her eyes, she could see through her dragon's eyes.

Yes, I did it!

Yes, you did. Now, let's fly!

---