Page 36 of The Princess and the Demon

“I see you found a drakeling.”

I watch as Amon reaches his fist out. He emits a soft sound, and the tiny creature comes sneaking back out of the bush, turning its little head this way and that.

He opens his hand, palm up, and three small red berries roll around in the center.

I watch, enraptured, as the drakeling places a hesitant foot on his hand, stretching its neck to snag a berry before running off into the bush again.

I giggle, scooting myself closer to watch him.

Looking behind him, he pauses before taking a few hunched steps backwards. He sits next to me on the grass, looking down at me with an unreadable expression.

He reaches into my lap, grasping one of my hands in his.

I stiffen, but he turns my hand palm up and drops the berries into it.

I glance up at him uncertainly.

“They can sense your intention. They may be tiny, but they still carry the intelligence of their ancestor.”

I smile softly at him before returning my gaze to the brush.

The little drakeling comes back out, seemingly not as wary this time. I glance over at Amon, and he nods once at me, gesturing towards the small creature.

I hold my hand out in front of me, palm up, the way he had.

The drakeling scurries towards me, running right up into my palm. I let out a small gasp of delight as its little claws tickle at the sensitive flesh of my fingers.

He scoops up another berry, chomping on it with its tiny mouth.

I look over at Amon, flashing him a giant smile. He smiles back, and the sight of it makes me weak in the knees.

I forget all about the drakeling for a moment, and startle when I feel it run up my arm. It crawls up to sit on my head, leaning itself over my forehead to look at me.

Amon chuckles, reaching up to grab it gently, placing it on my shoulder instead.

“Drakelings are loyal creatures. Once you befriend one, you have its friendship for life. It looks like this one is a female.”

I crane my neck to look at the tiny thing, and it tilts its head to look up at me.

“How can you tell?” I ask, reaching up to run a finger over the top of its head.

Amon reaches over, pointing the tip of a claw at its tail. “Males have barbs on the end of their tail.”

I laugh out loud as it reaches out and swipes at Amon’s claw, spitting a tiny spark.

“Can they emit fire like a full-sized dragon can?” I ask in curiosity. Amon nods.

“Yes, although they can’t emit as much nor as long.”

I reach up and grab the little thing off my shoulder, setting it in my lap. It twirls a few times before plopping down.

It sighs heavily, closing its eyes.

Looking over at Amon, I smile again, my eyes roving over his face.

“Thank you,” I start, looking into his amber depths. “For everything.”

Amon shifts uncomfortably before grunting a response. His demeanor hardens once more, but I don’t buy it. I reach out and place a hand on his forearm, and he stiffens.

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