Page 64 of Of Withering Dreams
A reptilian head poked out of the crevice, squeaking in victory, aqua-colored eyes blinking in the sun. Fluffy scarlet feathers fluttered atop its head as it clawed at its confines with stubby, golden-colored forelimbs.
“It’s stuck,” I murmured, reaching to help it break free.
“Don’t you dare. It’s one of them.” Sebille nodded to the monster, slithering closer every second, her eyes fixated on it. “We have to kill it.”
My hand crept past the newborn creature, reaching for my dagger—just out of reach—as I used the other hand to help the egg fracture further.
“No, Sebille?—”
Within my next breath, everything happened at once.
Without warning, she turned, jabbing toward the egg as the little beast emerged, its teal wings unfolding.
The mother roared as its wings tucked against its body and raced toward us.
My fingers lunged, iridescent light flashing over them, beckoning to the matching liquefied mist within my dagger’s crystal pommel. It heeded the call instantly, the diamond’s swirling haze stilling and splendent as the weapon snapped through the air and into my palm. I swung it in an arch, blocking the sword’s attack as I surged forward onto my knees.
Sebille’s sword flew from her hand, the edge of her blade nicking my left forearm as I held it up to protect my body.
She fell back, screaming as fizzing liquid shot from the creature’s maw, coating her shoulder and side.
The monster’s massive tail whipped around, flinging Sebille aside as if she were rubbish. The warrior’s body crumbled and rolled to the edge of the cliff, her leather armor and uniform bubbling and disintegrating where the poison spattered—her skin angry and curdling.
The creature’s snout was inches from me. I set my dagger down slowly, holding my hands out in front of me. My ember shimmered, stroking over the wyvern’s snout. “I mean no harm to you and your baby.”
The mother’s eyes squinted, a huff of air puffing from its nostrils and tossing my curls back.
Kaden, Breena, and Rhaegar stumbled out of the meadow, weapons drawn.
“Stay back,” I demanded, my aura flaring. Thankfully, they listened, halting where they stood. They were too far away to reach me if the monster attacked anyway.
I leaned to my side slowly, gently picking at the shell, helping the newborn break free from the egg. I scooped up its wiggling form, needing both arms to hold it as it squirmed and licked my hands with a flat, black tongue. It was like trying to handle a squirming, floppy cat as I held it out. The baby mewled, sniffing and licking its mother’s snout.
A purring rumble came from the monster’s throat. It regarded me, shelf-like brows relaxing over its watchful gaze. It bowed its head to the ground, and I took that as my cue to step to the side tentatively, setting its baby on the mother’s neck. Its downy feathers tickled my arms.
Shuffling back, I showed the beast my palms, my aura evaporating. Its wings ruffled, and a pointed tail flicked back and forth a couple of times before it veered toward where it came from, slipping away into the meadow with its newborn.
I let out the breath I’d been holding, wiping my hands on my trousers and then bending to pick up my dagger. Kaden and Breena ran to my side as Rhaegar went to check on Sebille.
Kaden pulled me into an embrace and then held me at arm’s length away, inspecting my body. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Holy monster shite, woman. I almost soiled myself.” Breena sheathed her sword, swatting my arm as we went to Rhaegar and Sebille.
“She’s alive. I’m not sure how deep the poison went,” Rhaegar informed us.
“Here, let me try.” Kaden knelt next to Sebille’s motionless form. Aura shimmering, he held glowing hands over her back and shoulder. His brow furrowed as he closed his eyes in concentration.
Her exposed, raw skin bubbled as he worked, a milky substance seeping from the wounds. Once the poison was expelled, her skin slowly knit together. Kaden slumped, his energy waning. Through her ruined clothing and leather armor, all that was left of her injuries was shiny, thick scar tissue mottled with puckered ridges as if coated in melted candle wax.
“I suppose that’s what she gets for threatening you,” Breena muttered, propping her hand on her hips while studying the guard’s injuries.
“Yikes, Breena,” I scolded. Sebille was nasty, but I still wouldn’t wish such harm on anyone.
“What? No one messes with my Ryn-Ryn and gets away with it.” She shrugged, one side of her mouth quirking. I dipped my head, slightly swinging it from side to side, a muffled snort sneaking out as I touched her shoulder. She glanced at my arm. “You’re bleeding, by the way.”
“Ah, just a flesh wound.” I shrugged.
