Page 41 of The Divide that Binds Us

“Wh-what?”she whispers.“You don’t think—wait, a week has gone by?”

“Fee.Gigi does not know, but Gigi...worries about your health being in cave without sun.You’re rat-snacking every night from garbage.It’s disgusting.Gigi is appalled.”

Fae frowns.“Stop judging me!I’m just trying to survive while you—” She gestures to the dragon posing majestically before her.“Eat...uh, um I actually have no idea what you eat.”

“We drink from sparkle lakes, Fee.We’re well sustained by simply existing, so when we die, we take that life supply with us, because it’s ours.”

A flapping of wings enters the cave until something crashes into Gigi.Fae yelps and scoots away from the confined space, watching Poppy rise from on top of her friend with her silver, pearly scales.The clash of the two dragons is like hearing glass clinking together.

“Poppy.Gigi is glad to see you’re okay.We heard about the death and thought—”

Fae summons her last burst of energy to throw her arms around Poppy.Her senses shut down, feeling the security and safety settling in her bones.

Warmth wraps aroundFae as she drools and snores herself awake from her slumber with a violent jolt.She scans her surroundings, having realized she lowered her guard, but with company at her side.

Poppy and Gigi are curled up in front of her, soundly asleep as a glow of light peers from around the corner where the mouth of the cave is.Fae slept through the remainder of the night.

But a rock is stabbing her butt.

Yeouch.She leans to the side to smooth the debris away.Poppy stirs in front of her, wings vibrating to an almost flutter that would whack Fae and Gigi if they open.Gigi then ruffles herself awake.Her eyes slit in her usual suspicious stare at Fae and Poppy before softening with a wide smile, exposing her gums.

“Didya sleep well, Fee?”

“Y-Yeah, did I pass out?”

“Ya!You must’ve been so exhausted,”Poppy says, unleashing a shriek of a yawn.“I’m happy you’re okay and see you’ve met Gigi.”

Gigi keeps her smile with a slight nod.She rattles her wings and trots away until her wings flap from outside the cave.Poppy snuggles up to Fae, pressing her snout against her face.Fae caresses her scales, feeling the luster under her trembling hand.

“Gigi took some time warming up to me, but she helped watch over the cave.”

“Good, and I think I found your friend.”

Fae perks up.“Did she have the eggs?”

“Not sure, I tried leading her to follow me to Topaz, but she didn’t budge.I saw that death lady, too!”

“M-Mildred?”Fae gulps, but it lodges in her throat.

Poppy leans back, then nuzzles Fae’s shoulder before resting her flat chin on her lap.

“She was with Alice Reid but maybe not in friendly way.Death lady had a photo of you!I think she’s looking around.”

“She is, that’s why I’ve been avoiding Garnet Island.She can’t find me.”

Poppy purrs and closes her reptilian eyes.Fae continues to absently pet her scales as she thinks of what to do next.Staying in the cave is fine, but not feasible for anyone, especially if Mildred is out there.She’s been on the run and where is it getting her?She’s tired of merely surviving day by day.

What can I do though?

Before meeting Alice Reid, going against a government official seemed impossible.It seems slightly possible now, but only if Alice Reidisn’thelping Mildred.Going to Garnet is so risky, with any Guard finding her.Fae is lucky she even made it as far as she did before Mildred realized she escaped.Now everyone is on high alert.

“Poppy.”Fae lightly shakes her back awake.“I’m leaving.I’m going to Sapphire Island.”

“Sapphire?Why there?”

“That’s...kinda where I was trying to go, but I came here to avoid getting caught.That woman has a warehouse on Sapphire that needs to shut down.She’s holding dragons there.”

Poppy’s ears perk up as she straightens away from Fae and curls her back to stretch.Gigi flies back in the cave, tucking her wings and bops her head against Poppy’s.

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