Page 23 of Gift from the Wing

“Don’t worry about the wolves. They’re just jealous they can’t fly,” I say with a wink.

“Exactly. Bitches. Anyways, you want to come up with me? Promise no flips this time,” he says with an unconvincing smirk that I know is a lie.

“Wish I could, nephew, but there’s business I need to attend.”

“Damn. Next time then,” he says disappointedly as he squeezes my shoulder.

“Next time…May I ask a favor of you before you go, Draken?”

“Sure, Oreo. Whatcha got?”

“I need you to melt this silver down for me.”

He snorts, shaking his head, looking over the block that I pass to him. “My fire isn’t hot enough to melt silver. You know that.” He chuckles, tossing the brick at me.

“Your fire may not be…yet. But your dragon’s will. Give it a go for me, yeah?”

If only he knew what that majestic beast inside of him is truly capable of. One day he will.

“You really think so?” he asks with wide eyes.

“I know so. Go on, shift and give it a go. The worst that’ll happen is it won’t melt. No harm.”

With a cocky smirk, he runs off farther into the lawn and I hold my breath, mesmerized. I’ll never grow tired of watching his dragon break the skin. How amazing it is to see a blessing from multiple realms take form.

Auburn scales and blazing blue eyes flicker in existence before me, and I smile at the wonder of Draken. He’s truly breathtaking.

“All right, my boy, listen to me carefully. Start building in your chest. Grow your flame to the point you feel like you can’t hold it in any longer. Once you feel the tingle in the back of your throat, let it flow. Directlyat this bowl now. It’s fireproof, so it will hold,” I yell up to his massive twenty-foot size.

At his nod, I backpedal out of the way so I don’t end up burned to bits. When he notices I’m far enough away, he shakes his wings out, steadying his feet, and takes a deep breath.

I watch, infatuated, as his enormous chest begins to expand and if I listen closely enough, I can hear the crackling of his fire gathering. Lowering his head, he aims his snout right for the bowl, and fiery red flames pour from his throat with a screech. The heat forces me to cover my face with my forearm and I stumble back another step.

As the temperature starts to fade, I drop my arm and rush over to the bowl. Staring down, there’s a soup of mercury floating in it, and I jump up and down laughing before ambushing him.

“Fantastic, dragon. I told you, you could. Never doubt yourself, Draken.” I cheer as I hug and pat his face.

With a chuff and a nudge, he tilts his head to the sky and lets out a victorious roar. The sound travels for miles through the air and my heart triples in size with my pride for him.

“Take to the sky, dragon,” I whisper to him and lay my forehead on his scales. Slowly, I pull this moment from his mind and replace it with a happy, joyous conversation. One where I tell him how proud I am and how I believe his dragon is the greatest blessing in Elementra.

His massive wings beat three times when I step back, and his claws leave the earth.

One day, dragon, you won’t fly alone.

You’ll never be lonely again.

Bending down to the bowl, I wrap a small, controlled air bubble around it so I can carry it to Gaster without searing my skin. This will be the perfect amount, and he’ll know exactly what to do.

I don’t even make it to his steps before his door opens and he greets me with a warm, loving smile.

“CC, my boy. What’s got you out hereso early?”

I plaster on the fake, happy smile I’ve had to wear so many times. “Came to ask for your creative assistance if you don’t mind,” I say, lifting my hands to show him everything I have.

“My, my, melted silver. How in the realm did you melt it?” he asks as he creates mittens for his hands and takes the bowl from my bubble.

“Not me. Draken.” I beam.

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