Page 13 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
Lilly hurried ahead, and Ava pushed her thoughts aside to run with her into the darkness. Twice she had narrowly escaped death. The next time, she vowed, she wouldn't rely on someone else to help her escape. Next time, she would be prepared!
Chapter 7
Like a tour guide, Lilly led them through the depths of the mountain. She had clearly internalized that Ava was larger, as she chose only passages and openings that an adult woman could fit through. While Ava scraped her shoulder against the rocks several times and hit her head twice, occasionally having to twist her upper body to pass through tight spots, no passage was too narrow or forced her to turn back.
When they left the mountains, the sun had disappeared behind the peaks and the sky was deep blue. The dense forest that stretched to the mountain range muted the evening light. Lilly made to run immediately towards the trees, but Ava held her back by the wrist.
"Wait a moment."
With her shoulders raised, Lilly turned to her. "What?"
Ava hesitated, searching for the right words. "I want you to know that I always intended to come back. Rob just flew off without me."
Lilly waved it off, appearing totally composed. "I know that."
"How?"
"You promised me. And I believe you." She shrugged as if it were no big deal. Ava knew better. It was just as significant forLilly as it was for her. Trust was new terrain they were entering together. But neither she nor the girl needed to say more about it.
Lilly pointed to the mountains, whose peaks were over two thousand meters high. "We need to go. I don't have any idea where Rob is searching for you, but right now we're out in the open and he has a dragon for backup—unlike us."
Inevitably, both their gazes drifted towards the sky. Tattered clouds drifted by, some clinging to the mountain peaks. No dragon was in sight, but that could change at any moment.
They quickly left the mountain slope towards the trees. They continued their journey swiftly and plunged into the dense forest, which at least offered protection from Rob. While they were hidden under the tree canopy, he wouldn't be able to spot them from the back of his air dragon.
There were no beaten paths, but Lilly led them confidently past bushes and ferns, apparently with a destination in mind, which was why Ava left her to lead. With each passing minute they spent together, Ava felt a bit more tension slip away. At some point, she caught up with Lilly.
"Where was the little dragon taken, by the way?"
Lilly looked at her hesitantly. "Kilian and his fire dragon took him away. They didn't say where." She looked as sad as Ava felt. She already missed the little one. Strangely, it felt as if he had taken a piece of her heart with him.
"I'm sure we'll see him again." She didn't know if she was saying this to Lilly or to herself. "What has?—"
Lilly grabbed her by the sleeve. "Shh!" She pulled Ava into a crouch and they crawled on all fours behind a thick tree trunk.
Ava hadn't heard anything. However, if anyone was practiced in detecting danger early, it was Lilly. Hopefully, they weren't about to run into Rob, of all people.
In the shelter of the gnarled trunk, she listened intently but heard no suspicious sounds. With raised shoulders, she looked at Lilly, but the girl remained motionless. Minutes passed without a soul appearing or any rustling or crackling to be heard.
Eventually, Ava shook her head. "There's nothing," she whispered.
Carefully, Lilly peeked around the tree trunk, just as a shadow fell on them from behind.
"Ava!"
They spun around lightning-fast and jumped up, fists raised defensively, only to lower them immediately. She widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Marcus?"
He had a bow and arrow slung over his shoulder and had his eyes opened just as incredulously as hers. His face was flushed, probably from running for a long time. His brown curls were standing wildly on end, and his body was tense, in a state of alert. He looked at her as if she were a ghost.
"Rob said you wouldn't come back." His voice sounded quiet, as if he feared she would pop like an illusion if he spoke too loudly.
She snorted. "That was a lie. He just took off without me!"
An incredulous smile on his lips, Marcus widened his eyes, his gaze wandering over her body as if he still couldn't believe it, until Lilly elbowed him in the side.
"I told you she didn't abandon us. And now stop gawking at her like she's a goddess. It's embarrassing!"
