Page 54 of Scalebound

Damian groaned but still followed behind me. He was kind enough to help me release every cage. Each animal was freed and let out to return to their homes, wherever they might be. I smiled, knowing that I was able to help and make some sort of difference to a Scaleborne like me, and the other creatures imprisoned here. None of which deserved what happened to them.

1.Ezu (Eh-ooh): Heaven

2.Malua (Mal-wah): Okay

3.Haxnau (Hah-nah-woo): Hell

Chapter thirty-seven

AURELIA

After releasing the creatures, we ventured to a grove of trees near the water. The water was captivating in how it was clear as it flowed, creating small waves that sputtered to the shore, blurring my reflection in the process. My feet dug into the mud, sinking in, grounding me to the earth.

“This mud is spectacular!” I shouted, giggling as it tickled my toes beneath me, admiring the different tones of beige it had.

“Mud? That’s called sand, my Queen,” Damian said as he was creating a space for us, removing large debris and wood.

“Sand?” I asked, even more captivated than before.

The blue of the water reminded me of Cora and our dream to travel and see the ocean. It was something that I had wanted to do since I was a little girl. I wished Cora was here, but I knew she was helping take care of the kingdom back at home.

Damian went to find firewood, but I found myself unable to tear my gaze away from the surface of the sea. The Celestialsappeared in the darkness of the sky, twinkling their reflections across the ocean’s surface.

Damian stood by the fire, extending his hands toward the flickering flames to ward off the chill. Meanwhile, Belle laid nearby, her eyes closed in contentment; her body curled protectively around the warmth of the fire, basking in its comforting glow.

Standing up from the shore of the water, I attempted to brush off the sand, dirt, and rubble that clung to my clothes. The efforts were in vain as I noticed the streaks of dark gold scraped along the black fabric. The splotches of smoke and dust were not leaving anytime soon.

I neared Damian, Belle, and the fire, and immediately felt the warmth from the flames. Sitting quietly on the log, Damian had his elbows digging into his knees and a large stick in his hand, jabbing the embers of the fire.

“Hey,” I said, sitting beside him on the log.

“We need to get you new clothes,” he breathed out. There were glints of worry in his eyes. He was concerned about me. I guessed I shouldn’t be surprised. He had saved my life.

“How about a ‘thank you’?” I joked. “I had no idea that I could heal with my blood.”

His laughter filled the air, accompanied by a slow-spreading smirk on his face, revealing the dimple I adored on his cheek. “I didn’t, either. What’s it like?” he queried. “Talking to dragons–being a dragon.”

“Natural,” I mustered out. “They’re a part of me. And me them, I guess.”

We sat in silence once more. I waited awkwardly for him to say something as I watched popping embers spit out of the fire, landing in various places along the sand around us.

“Why did you come back?” I asked, bringing it back up. “Want to continue our contract? Were you planning on killing me this time?”

A subtle tremor ran through his frame as he shook his head. The only reason for him to come back was to continue our deal.

“If I wanted a Scaleborne, I would’ve taken the other girl, and I don’t want to further our deal.”

“Then why did you come back if you didn’t for my golden blood or to further our bargain?”

He pulled the locket from his pocket and held it in his hands, strumming it with his thumb. I remembered seeing it the first day I met him around his chest. The "S" sharply engraved across the front. “This locket was my fiancée's,” he said, staring intently at the silver heart-shaped necklace. He tossed it from hand to hand as if it was hot, then grasped it tightly again. Holding it to his heart, he then stood up.

I wanted to ask where he was going until I realized. His steps were purposeful as he reached the outstretched water. The sea going on for miles and miles. He lifted his hand and threw it out into the water. The sound of it pelted the waves and sank to the bottom of the ocean, forever to be lost.

“What are you doing?!” I yelled. Why would he toss the locket into the ocean when it meant so much to him? Why else would he have it symbolized with a letter?

He walked back over to where I was on the log, his face blank. I could feel mine in horror, still confused by why he threw the necklace into the water. He settled on the log next to me, putting his hand near my own, looking up at me with his big brown eyes that I once thought were the portals toHaxnau1. “It’s not just about the locket, Aurelia,” he said, using my name for once, showing that he was serious, “but it’s about what the locket meant to me.” He paused, waiting for my response.

“What did it mean to you?” I asked with drawn-out words.

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