Freya's legs refused to move. Her mind screamed to run, but her body was frozen in place, torn between fear and disbelief.
The dragon's massive wings folded like wrinkled clothes, the glossy black scales semmed alive with every breath it took. Heat shimmered around it, and the faint scent of smoke burned its nostrils.
"Did you not hear me, little one?" Her...master who was on the thing that looked like it crawled out of the deepest part of hell, said. "Come here."
Freya shook her head, tumbling back a step. She was on her feet now, ready to take flight though she was very sure she wouldn't make it very far. "I'm not getting on that thing."
The corner of his mouth lifted, a faint smirk tugging at his sharp features. "This thing," he repeated, amusement dripping in every word, "could crush you with a flick of its tail. Consider this your only chance to get on it willingly."
"I'd rather walk."
He exhaled slowly and far too controlled for her liking. The dragon under him let out a low growl as if it was annoyed with here. Freya took another steps backwards, scared it'd fire coming out of the shrewd animal mouth next.
Dragons do spit fire, right?
Her...owner turned slightly, eyes flashing gold as he muttered something under his breath. The dragon lowered its massive head until one eye was level with Freya's trembling form.
Her heart jumped up to her throat.
"Enough stalling," he said quietly, stepping down from the monster's back. "You've had your fun. Now..." he grabbed her wrist despite her panic frailing"...it's my turn."
Before she could protest, the ground vanished beneath her and she let out a shrill scream. The world tilted around her, making blood rush to her head. Wind tore through her hair as he lifted her effortlessly and swung onto the dragon's back with her in his arms. She barely had time to gasp before he climbed in behind her, his arm caging her in place.
"Hold on tight," he murmured near her ea, making her shudder. "Unless you wish to fall again."
She opened her mouth to speak but no words came outside. Her body was stiff and she tried not to let herself think of what or who she was sitting on and with.
The dragon's wings spread wide, and a second later, the world blurred. The forest, the ground, the very air...everything was swallowed by the thunder of wings and the gush of wind. Freya's stomach lurched violently as they climbed higher, the ground shrinking until it was nothing but a dark patch below.
"Let me go! Ahhhhhhhhhhh" she screamed over the wishy sound of the dragon's wing
"Not until we arrive," he replied simply, not shaken all by the height they were in or how they were FLYING close to the clouds. The wind whipped his dark hair back, the moonlight painting his sharp jaw and glinting off his golden eyes.
"Whe-where are we going?"
He was silent for a long while. Then, with that same infuriating calm, he answered, "Home."
Her breath caught, her heart tampering with the pit of her stomach. She already knew this ....she was already of a damn dragon, riding with him. What did she expect... that he was going to be nice and drop her off at her small village and tell her goodbye, have a good life?
Yeah, definitely no. "Home? You mean your home."
He gave a quiet hum that sent a chill down her spine. "Ours, eventually."
Her pulse pounded in her ears and she tried tame her ' all over the place' hair. "Never."
He chuckled lowly, the sound vibrating against her body. "We'll see."
As the dragon cut through the clouds, Freya dared a glance below and instantly regretted it. The world was a swirl of mist and dots. Her stomach twisted. She clung to the rough leather strap in front of her, trying to steady her breath.
"You should rest," he said suddenly, his tone softer now. "It's a long flight."
"How can I possibly rest when we're this high above the... clouds ". She yelled in a shrill voice
" Do what you wish then ". He shrugged
Freya bit down on her trembling lip, glaring ahead at the endless stretch of night sky. The stars looked close enough to touch, and yet she felt impossibly small, trapped between the cold air and the warmth of the man behind her. Every rush of wind carried his scent, smoke and ashes, wrapping around her like an invisible huh. She hated that a part of her felt safe in his hold, even as every rational thought screamed to push him away.
Her eyelids grew heavy despite the storm of emotions tearing through her. The steady rhythm of the dragon's wings, the deep rumble in its chest, and the solid weight of his arm across her waist blurred into a lullaby she didn't want. She told herself she was only closing her eyes for a moment...just one moment...but sleep crept in anyway, pulling her under before she could fight it.
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" Ahhhhhh". Freya hand frail as she felt like she was floating. Her eyes jolt open, only to meet with a large eyes that towered above her.
She screamed, scampering away when she realized it was the dragon that hovered above her. It tilted his head before huffing and walking away with it's tail swaying.
Her eyes followed the anomaly of nature , fully awake now.
" You slept well for someone who insisted not to" a deep voice said from behind her, making her warily removed her eyes from the dragon who had now settled far a way from her.
Her eyes found the regal man behind her who sat crossed legged on a fancy looking chair in front of a black litted tent.
Confused, her eyes swept the environment . Was this his home....it looks....
" We're in the midlands. Lulu is exhausted. We'll continue the rest of the journey at dawn".
The dragon raised it's head at the mention of its name before purring and laying it's head back down.
She nodded, though she barely understood what he said. Her mouth opened in a loud yawn that had Lulu send her a side eye. " But who..." Her stomach grumbled loudly interrupting what she was about to say.
His eyes snapped to her and so does the dragon . Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and although it was nothing to be embarrassed about, their judgement eyes on her made her question that.
" Well, I haven't taken anything for days". She huffed